St. Paul's United Church of Christ

Dear St. Paul’s Family,

“Jesus Is Lord”

The simple statement, Jesus is Lord, is the most ancient creed in Christianity.  It’s simple to remember, yet profound and provocative.  The early Christians who dared to utter these three words were taking a daring stand.  Jesus, not the Roman Emperor, was the true ruler and power in the world.  They were pledging their allegiance and lives to Jesus Christ, not to the man who commanded the most powerful army and economy in the ancient world.  Those who stood by the ancient creed of Jesus is Lord were not only making a powerful theological statement, but also taking a stand that in some cases would be costly to their physical well-being.  Caesar fancied himself lord, so he didn’t take kindly to such competition.  Despite threats to their well being and very existence, members of the early church persisted in their deeply held belief that Jesus was the ultimate power in their lives.

Jesus is still Lord.  We need to remind ourselves of that, especially as we live each day confronted with a legion of things that compete for our time and attention.  The challenges we face each day are really not the ultimate powers in our lives.  Whether we are facing personal challenges like the plague of being over scheduled and over stimulated, the lack of financial resources, or threats to our health, the ancient creed is powerful.  Jesus is Lord and all else is secondary.

The Lordship of Jesus extends beyond the personal and to the powers and principalities of the world.  Allegiance to Christ’s mission of love is the cure for the powerful forces that divide God’s children.  In Christ the toxic forces of racism, nationalism, tribalism, and xenophobia are stripped of their power and placed into proper perspective, as fearful devices used to exploit and oppress others.  Jesus as Lord is transformative, in that fear is replaced with hope, hate with love, and death with resurrection.  

May you sense Christ’s presence as you live each day and may the Holy Spirit guide you as you choose to follow the Lord’s path.

Blessings on your journey,

Pastor Matt 

February’s Meetings at a Glance (available at press time)

Thursday, February 7th:  Care Team, 1:00pm, CE Room, Spiritual Life & Evangelism, 7pm, CE Room

Tuesday, February 12th:  Insurance Review, 3pm, CE Room

Wednesday, February 13th:  Stewardship Team, 2:30pm, Library Extension

Thursday, February 14th:  Investment Committee, 7pm, CE Room

Tuesday February 19th:  Church Council, 7pm, CE Room

St. Paul’s is on Facebook!  Be sure to “Like” us to keep up with updates and events.

Book of Remembrance forms are in the literature rack in the narthex.  If you wish to give a gift in memory of or in honor of a loved one, please use this form.  You can place it in your offering envelope along with your monetary gift or you can bring it to the office.  We save these forms for documentation until the Book of Remembrance is published in the newsletter twice a year.  Thank you for taking the time to submit the form.

Bible Study: Bible Studies following worship themes will be held on Tuesdays at 10:00am in the Salem Chapel.  

February ’s Mission Offering –

The Good Samaritan Fund.  Throughout the year our church serves the needs of the poor and transients in our community through providing temporary lodging, food, eviction prevention, emergency funding for medical assistance, and heating assistance.  St. Paul’s Good Samaritan Fund helps to make this important ministry possible.  Thanks to your generosity, we’ve been able to better live out Christ’s commandment to love God and neighbor.  We’ve been able to heal, shelter, feed, and give hope to countless neighbors.   

Greeters & Ushers for February

February 3:  Communion By Intinction: Pete Hauger–Chair, Candy Christner–Elder, Brad Conn, Carrie Conn

February 10: Mike Stutzman–Chair, Barb Stutzman, Paige Housley, Luke Housley

February 17: Peg Roy—Chair, Isabel Shumaker, Judy Emerick, Amy Marteeny

February 24: Jenn Boland–Chair, Emily Korns, Kristen Mumau, Emma Mumau

New Member Sunday 

We will be welcoming new members into our church family during worship on Sunday, February 24th.  Please speak to Pastor Matt if you’d like to be part of the new member group.  

 

Our Common Devotion:  “What the World Needs Now…”

­Once upon a time, not so long ago, Valentine’s Day was more than just a nice Hallmark holiday.  Long before the sappy cards, the boxes of chocolates, and even the red roses, Valentine’s Day represented a kind of love that went much deeper than material possessions.  

There are various words that are used to describe love in the New Testament.  Agape is the Greek word that represents the kind of Christ-like love to which we are called.  Agape love is sacrificial and unconditional.  There’s nothing you can do to earn that love and it is difficult to forfeit relationships that are built on Christ-like (agape) love.  

Loving God, thank you for loving me… even during my most unlovable moments.  Open my Spirit to your presence so that I may be more like Jesus in how I love others.  Please be with the relationships that I cherish the most, and I pray that you would help me with the difficult people and relationships in my life (Name those petitions).  Grant me your strength and guidance to love as Christ first loved us.  Amen.

Lent Is Just Around the Corner!  Ash Wednesday is March 6, 2019.  This holy time reminds us of Christ’s loving acts that lead up to his suffering, death, and resurrection.  Over the next couple of months a number of events and devotionals will be offered to assist you during your Lenten faith journey.  The journey begins on Ash Wednesday, March 6th.  Worship will begin at 7:00pm and will include the imposition of ashes.

St. Paul’s Team for the Daily American Challenge

It’s that time again—time to get off the couch and get moving!  Join St. Paul’s Daily American Challenge Team.  The “fitness challenge” portion of the program begins at the beginning of February and ends at the end of April.  During the fitness challenge each team member logs his/her starting weight (on February 3rd) and exercise (walking, biking, exercise videos, etc.) miles/hours each day through April 27^th.  On April 27^th each team member takes his/her final weight and tallies up total exercise miles/hours.  FYI…you never have to report your weight, just weight lost–the beginning weight and ending weight are recorded on your own personal log that helps you keep track of things and you don’t turn it in!  You and our team will get points for each pound lost and mile/hour exercised.  The race portion of the event will be held on the morning of June 8^th.  Participants have the option of running 5K or 10K or walking 5K.  You are welcome to participate in the fitness challenge only, the race only, or both the challenge and the race.  The registration fee is $20 and includes a t-shirt.  If you’re interested in participating, please see Amanda for a registration form or for more information.

Winter at St. Paul’s

We have a long tradition of being open all the time!  Whether it is sheltering the homeless or for those who just need a place for some solitude, the church is always open.

Our inclement weather policy is that we will worship whenever two or three are gathered. However, we ask that you use your judgement when venturing out in bad weather.  We’d love for you to worship with us, but rather you’d be safe than end up in the hospital.  Regular Sunday worship begins at 9:30am, followed by Sunday school at 10:45am.

Tuesday Bible Study:  Bible Study will be cancelled anytime the Somerset Area School District is cancelled or delayed.

We will endeavor to keep our website updated with recent sermons and devotional materials so that your spirit may be warmed even during our blustery Somerset County winter.  

2019 Church Council Members & Committee Chairs

Karen Addleman: President

Craig Weaver:  Vice President and Pastoral Relations

Mike Stutzman:  Treasurer and Trustee

Sally McClintock:  Secretary and Spiritual Life & Evangelism

Andra Snyder: Trustee

Pete Hauger: Trustee

John Geary:  Finance

Patrick Ferko

Rebecca Miller

Angie Richards:  Worship & Music

Peg Roy:  Stewardship

Jenn Boland:  Christian Education

 Throughout the year our church serves the needs of the poor and transients in our community through providing temporary lodging, food, eviction prevention, emergency funding for medical assistance, and heating assistance.  St. Paul’s Good Samaritan Fund helps to make this important ministry possible.  Thanks to your generosity, we’ve been able to better live out Christ’s commandment to love God and neighbor.  We’ve been able to heal, shelter, feed, and give hope to countless neighbors. 

We are very excited about our brand new children’s ministry!  Children’s Church is for kids 5 years-old through 5th grade.  Participants will begin worship in the Sanctuary with their parents or guardians and will leave for Children’s Church following the Time for Children.  They will conclude their time at the close of the regular worship service.  The children can be picked up outside of the CE Room.

What is Children’s Church?

It’s a brand new worship opportunity for some of our youngest church family members.  Children’s Church will engage kids in worship at their level while also keeping a common worship theme with the regular worship service.  This will give children the opportunity to worship God at an age appropriate level and also engage with parents and guardians around the shared theme between the two services.

The Children’s Church worship space will be set up in the CE Room at the end of the hallway in the education wing.  We would appreciate prayers and volunteers to help us as we get this new ministry up and running.  Adults and youth are needed to help lead each service and provide programming support as we prepare each week.  Please speak with our Children’s Church Coordinator Jenn Boland or Pastor Matt if you’d like to help.  Both can be reached through calling the church, 814-445-4534

Thank you for joining our prayer vigil!  We hope that God will bless and guide you during your time a prayer and discernment.  You will find below resources to help you on the journey.  There are 8 gates to guide you on your way.  May God Bless and Keep You!

GATE 1- PRAISE & WORSHIP- HOLY GOD

Praise God for:

Revealing the Divine to us in Worship.

Revealing the Divine to us through God’s Spirit.

(You may pray a song from St. Paul’s hymnal or a Psalm 22, 23, 24, 139, 37)

Acknowledge God’s greatness and incomparable power.

(Deut. 4:39; Psalm 8:1; 83:18)

Worship God for his constancy.

(1Tim. 1:17; Rev. 1:5; Deut. 7:7-9; 1 Cor. 1:9)

Thank God for inviting us to pray and for God’s goodness and mercy.

(Rom.9: 14-18; Ps. 106; 1 Thess. 5:1)

Offer yourself to God.  Ask God to be with you during your prayer time.

“ Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.”

Matt.11:28

“Lord, teach us to pray.”

Luke 11:1

Come be with me, Lord Jesus. 

 

GATE 2 – BLESSING ST. PAUL’S UCC

Ask God to reveal Christ’s will for St. Paul’s  (Gal.2:2;  Matt 16: 17-19) (See Prayer suggestion sheet-attached).

Ask God to bless the work of Christians so that they might give freely to those in need (Psalm 24:3-5)

Pray for wisdom, direction, blessing and protection for St. Paul’s UCC Teams  and Leaders:

St. Paul’s Church Council

President: John Geary, Jr.

Vice President: Karen Addleman

Secretary: Sally McClintock

Treasurer: Jonathan Hillegas

Trustees: Roger Rayman, Jonathan Hillegas, Craig Schenck

 Spiritual Life & Evangelism: Sally McClintock

Music and Worship: Michelle Sredy and Karen Addleman

Pastoral Relations: Karen Addleman and Patrick Ferko

Christian Education: Andra Snyder

Stewardship: Peg Roy

Pray we understand God’s vision for  St. Paul’s Ministries:

St. Paul’s Youth

Women’s Fellowship

Men’s Brotherhood

Homeless

Confirmation

Visitation for homebound & sick    

Prayer Circle / Prayer List

Pause for Persons

HospitalityTeam

Members

Bible Brew

The Special Gift Team

Pre-school & Nursery

Cornerstone–St. Paul’s newsletter  

CD Ministry

GATE 3 – WORSHIP / PASTOR

Eph. 1: 11-20  Jn.4:23  Ps. 95:6  Ps. 66:4

Give thanks for the opportunity and privilege to worship God.  Pray for your pastor and other pastors as they lead people in worship.  May they be a blessing to others and be protected.

 

Please pray for those who are engaged in our worship life as a church.

Pastor Matt and Amanda Deal

David Neimiller–Director of Music and Organist and Special Programs

Marcy Shellenberger–Children’s & Youth Choir Director

Eyvonne Shaffer–Accompanist for the Children’s & Youth Choir

Cindy Lambert–Administrative Assistant & Financial Secretary

Amy & Mark Marteeny–Custodians

Rev. Dr. Art Gotjen, Rev. Glenn Sadler, and Mr. Bill Deal–special worship leaders and preachers

Rev. Westley Conn–Associate in Ministry and staff pastor at the Harvard Memorial Church

The Chancel Choir

The Children’s & Youth Choir

GATE 4 – HEALING

Psalm 147:1-5,  Luke 9:1-6,  Isaiah 53:4-6

Pray that others may know Christ as their healer as well as their Savior. Pray for healing of relationships, physical healing, inner/emotional healing, and special needs (jobs, financial hardship) and deliverance from addictions.  Pray for those struggling to overcome sins that damage relationships.

Claim the promises of complete health and wholeness for any who are sick and suffering.  (Please feel free to refer to the April Prayer Concern List.  The list is updated monthly.)

Pray for recent families who grieve the loss of loved ones

Pray for our shut-ins

Pray for St. Paul’s members’ prayer requests

Pray for extended church family

Pray for St. Paul’s Visitation ministry to the Homebound & sick

Thank God for Carole Wilson for coordinating our Care Team ministry and Prayer Circle/Prayer Concerns for the church.  May God bless members of our Care Team:  Carole, Marge Ankney, Nancy Thomas, and Audrey Hay; and our Prayer Circle:   Carole, Marge, Martha Walker, and Helen Brown

 

GATE 5 – PERSONAL PRAYER GUIDE

Philippians 4: 4-9

Rejoice in the Lord always….Rejoice! Phil 4:4

 

Consider God’s goodness: Ps. 34:8, 37:3, 119:68.

Ponder God’s nurturing ways:  Jn. 5:17, 8:28, 10:30, 14:6, 14:9,

Sing praises to God:  Psalms 148, 150, 113:3, 117, 145:21.

Praise the name of the Lord.  Ps. 52:9

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Phil. 4:6.

Cast your cares on God. 1 Pet. 5:7, Phil. 4:19

Give thanks to the Lord.  Ps. 100.

Pray, petitioning the Lord accordingly

Count your blessings and answer to prayer. Matt.7:11

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Receive God’s peace.  Jn. 14:27

Consider God’s works. Ps. 8:3, 1 Sam. 12:24

Rebuke fear in Jesus’ name.  1 Jn. 4:18

Whatever is true, right, pure, lovely, and admirable-think about such things.  Phil. 4:8

Receive God’s word. Ps. 119

Claim God’s wisdom. (one chapter of Proverbs per day).

Declare God’s power  (one chapter of Acts per day).

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Phil 4:23   

GATE  6 – FAMILY THANKSGIVING & BLESSING

Some things you may want to remember as you pray

• Thank the Lord for working in your family

• Pray for forgiveness and healing over past hurts

• Pray for your children and their needs

• Pray on behalf of your extended family. (Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Grandparents)

• Pray for protection and blessings for families

Sunday School- Praise God for our Sunday School teachers & learners.  Pray for our program as we discern its future.

Family Fellowship Dinners (June & December)- Thank God for the Women’s Fellowship for organizing these dinners.

Church Family Picnic- (August)- Pray for those organizing this family event.  Pray all who will attend–our church family, friends, & children

Mother-Daughter Tea-  Thank God for the volunteers who are organizing this event. Pray for the spiritual food & fellowship @ this celebration.

Quilters & Knotters Praise God for this women’s ministry @ St. Paul’s UCC.  Many people felt the warmth of the quilts & lap covers and many have been healed by the prayers of these women.

Card Ministries- Pray for Marge Ankney ‘s and Karen Gibson’s faithfulness in doing this important hospitality ministry.

Tuesday Morning Bible Study- Thank God for Pastor Matt’s teachings on the Scriptures.

St. Paul’s Community Garden- May God bless those who are planning this year’s garden and those who will take care of it.  Ask that God may use the fruits of our labors to bless the hungry in community.

St. Paul’s Youth Group- Ask God to bless the youth of our community and the members of our youth group.  May God expand our ministry to the youth in our community and help us to grow in faith.

 

GATE 7 – WISDOM 

(FAITH FORMATION & SCHOOLS)

COL. 2:3, JAMES 1:5, PROV. 24:3 

Pray that God may be with all educators.  Lift up by name the schools in our area. Pray that God may bless the staff, teachers, students, and administrators  the principals, teachers and administrators. (Tim. 1:8)

• Somerset Area School District 
• North Star School District
• Berlin-Brothersvalley School District
• Shanksville-Stoneycreek School District 
• Rockwood Area School District
• Salisbury Elk-Lick School District
• Meyersdale Area School District
• Turkeyfoot Valley Area School District 

(Feel free to pray for other schools that you may be connected to.)

Please remember in prayer our students in post-secondary programs and schools:

• Sara Geary
• Sydney Geary
• Carter Geary
• Kira Geary
• Anna Chan
• Colby Keim
• Becca Gary
• Seth Rose
• Annie Snyder
• Chandler Marteeny
• Kortney Glessner
• Balee Wahl
• Matthew Willison

 

Pray for St. Paul’s Christian Education Team, Community Vacation Bible School, (See Prayer Requests). Pray for our Sunday School Teachers & Programs.

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION MINISTRIES/ YOUTH MINISTRIES

REACHING OUT: Community Vacation Bible School, The Children’s Aid Society, Heifer Project, Souper Bowl of Caring, Ronald McDonald House

BUILDING UP: Preschool and Nursery, Sunday School, Confirmation Class, Youth Group, Easter Sunrise Service, Church Library

SENDING FORTH: Camp Living Waters, Mid-Atlantic Regional Youth Event, Children & Youth Choirs

Camp Living Waters: ask God to bring many children and youth to camp this summer.  May God direct and guide the staff and counselors.  Pray for guidance for the board members.

Regional Youth Event (July 19-22) Thank God for the generosity of Congregations, Churches, and individuals who give financial assistance.  Pray for St. Paul’s UCC youth who are attending.  Pray the youth will connect through fellowship, worship, and service.

FUTURE MINISTRIES: Mission Trips & Teams, Children’s Ministries, Community Outreach

GATE 8 – MISSIONS / COMMUNITY / WORLD

Thank God for Stewardship Team: Chair, Peg Roy and members Sue Willison, Henry Cook, and Karen Gibson.  We give thanks for their organizing and coordinating local, regional, and global missions.  We pray for continued wisdom as they seek ways in which we may use our time, talents, and treasures to do God’s work in the world.

Please pray on behalf of our Missionaries and Global Ministries

• Rev. Jeffrey Mensendiek and his family serving in Japan

• Rev. Martha Mensendiek and her family serving in Japan

• Our board of Global Ministries and the over 40 missionaries serving around the world

Our Mission Partners

The SAM Van

Church World Service Blankets

One Great Hour of Sharing

Hoffman Homes for Youth

St. Paul Homes

Living Waters

The Children’s Aid Society

Our Church’s Wider Mission

The United Church of Christ

The Salvation Army

Habitat for Humanity

Lancaster Theological Seminary

The Next Step Center

Somerset Area Food Pantry

The Mobile Food Pantry

Somerset Area Ministry

Penn West Conference

Offer a prayer of confession for the sins that hurt our neighbor and grieve God.

“We confess to you, O God, the indifference that inflicts our society.  Forgive us for turning a blind eye toward the hungry, sick, and inflicted.  Help us to establish a more just society as we work to make educational opportunities available to all your children and incorporate the prisoner back into the fold of your people.  Forgive our greed and self-serving actions.  Help us to be generous as Christ our Savior is generous, so that others may have life through our life.  In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.

We pray for our world:

• • The victims of terror attacks around the world.
  • Pray for victims of violence and exploitation.
  • Puerto Rico-recovery and rebuilding form last fall’s hurricanes.
  • Conflicts and war throughout the world.  May the Prince of Peace be known among Israelis and Palestinians, Afghans and Pakistanis, Syrians and the people of the Middle East.  May God be known in our community and homes.
  • Pray for peace and understanding between the United States and Russia
  • Pray for the millions of refugees who are fleeing war and famine.  May they find hospitality and a safe home away from home.
• Conflicts and war throughout the world.  May the Prince of Peace be known among Israelis and Palestinians, Afghanis and Pakistanis, Syrians and the people of the Middle East.  May God be known in our community and homes.

• Pray for the un-churched and those hurt by churches.  Pray that St. Paul’s UCC would seek opportunities to minister with them.

• Pray for those who have addictions and for those agencies treating them. Pray for police and law enforcement.  May their work help to free our community of drugs.
• Pray that God may give wisdom to our civic leaders, especially, Local, State and Federal Government officials.

• Pray for President Trump and Vice-President Pence, members of congress, and public servants.

• Thank God for those in authority who honor God.

St. Paul’s United Church of Christ

24 Hour Prayer Vigil

Friday, April 14, 2017, 8:00PM – Saturday, April 15, 2017, 7:00 PM

PRAYER GUIDE

Take time to quiet yourself in God’s presence.

Take a few deep breaths and relax.  You may read some scripture verses to quiet your spirit or be silent.  Sometimes we cannot stop our thoughts.  Just let your thoughts go by or each time a thought comes lift it up in prayer.

“Be still and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10

Declare your desire to rely on God by asking God to be with you during this prayer time.

  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matt. 11:28 

“Teach me to pray.” Luke 11:1

or say the phrase:  “Come be with me Lord Jesus.”

 

Tell God your desires and needs and lift up specific prayer requests.

A. Pray for our Church

B. Pray for our Pastor and members of our church family.

C. Pray for your friends and your family.

D. Pray for yourself

E. Pray for our community

F.  Pray for the world.

Pray scripture as a Prayer of Adoration, Thanksgiving and Petition

Psalm 22, 23, 24,  Psalm 139,  Psalm 37,  Psalm 42,

Isaiah 53 (Good for this Easter Season), Jeremiah 14: (17-21), Psalm 63

Morning Prayers

Psalm 11, Psalm 15, Psalm 36, Psalm 57, Jeremiah 31:10-14,  Psalm100, Psalm 42, Psalm 43

Evening Prayers

Psalm 20, Psalm 4, Psalm 31, Psalm 134, Psalm 27 (1-6),

Colossians 1:12-20

Psalm 30,  Psalm 110,  I Peter 2: 21-24 (For Lent)

You may pray songs as Prayer of Praise, Petition, or Confession

“Have Thine Own Way Lord” #588,    “ Abide with Me” #636

“Amazing Grace” #546,   “The Old Rugged Cross”

Closing Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer

Prayer of Gratitude to have this Time in Prayer

Remember there is no right or wrong way to pray. Praying is personal and communal.  We join with others to offer our prayers for the church, the community, and the world.    Some of us will come to God with burdens and requests, others will come with many praises, others will come in gratitude, and yet others will come with a repenting spirit.

Come as you are and pray for yourself and family, St. Paul’s UCC’s mission & ministry, Pastor Matt, and church family and friends, our community, the Church and the World.

 

Holy Week (March 25-31) is a sacred time in the life of the church.  During the week we will come together for special worship opportunities.  I hope that you will join us during this holy time for worship, prayer, repentance, and praise of our risen Lord.

Maundy Thursday:  March 29, the service will begin at 7:00pm. We will commemorate the Lord’s Supper and celebrate with the children who will partake of their first Holy Communion.

Good Friday:  March 30, will be the traditional Tenebrae Service (Service of Darkness).  The Adult Sunday School Class will lead us in worship. Service begins at 7:00pm.

The Easter Sunrise Service:  Sunday, April 1, will be held in the Union Cemetery with a procession leaving the church at 6:30am. (weather permitting).  We will meet in the Edgewood Avenue Narthex.  The service will be followed by a breakfast served in the fellowship hall.  The service will be led by our Youth Group and Confirmation Class.

Easter Breakfast:  You are invited to join us for our annual Easter breakfast!  The breakfast will be in Fellowship Hall following the Easter Sunrise Service (around 7:15am).  Many thanks to the Men’s Brotherhood for sponsoring this wonderful event!

Easter Worship:  Begins at 9:30a.m. and will include the Sacrament of Holy Communion.

Three Services to Choose From!

“A Little Child Shall Lead Them” is the theme of this year’s 4:00pm Christmas Eve Service.  We will journey through scripture, learning about God’s saving work, while we sing carols and other songs to celebrate Jesus’ birth.  Children and youth will assist in leading the final two lessons as we mark the arrival of the Light of the World with a unique twist on the ancient tradition of lighting candles in celebration of the Light.  Kid-friendly lights will be shared with worshippers as we leave the sanctuary to spread the warm glow of Christ’s love in the world.

The Traditional Candlelight Service begins at 11:00pm.  Worshipers will experience the holy watching and waiting for the Light of the World to break forth as we celebrate Holy Communion and sing the great carols of the season.