St. Paul's United Church of Christ

September 16, 2018   Rev. J. Matthew Deal

The Unnatural Naturalness of Suffering

 

September 9, 2018     Rev. J. Matthew Deal

Lessons from the Nameless

 

August 26, 2018    Special Guest Preacher, Mr. Henry Cook

 

August 19, 2018     Rev. J. Matthew Deal

Christ Ethic

September 2018

The Somerset Area Food Pantry serves the residents of the Somerset Area and Rockwood Area school districts.  They provide nutritious food items to hundreds of individuals in need each Wednesday out of the basement of Trinity Lutheran Church, Somerset.  Our monetary offering will assist in purchasing food.

Bible Brew meets on Thursday, September 20, at 6:30pm

The monthly Bible Brew gathering will be on Thursday, September 20th at 6:30pm at the home of Denise and Craig Weaver, 389 Stepping Stone Rd., Somerset.  Our conversation topic for this month is “Generations: Visioning Ministry with One Another.”  We hope that you can join us for good food, fellowship, and conversation.

The Men’s Brotherhood.  The men’s brotherhood will meet for breakfast on Saturday, September 22nd at 8:00am at King’s Restaurant.  All men of the church are invited to attend!  

The Women’s Fellowship meets Monday, September 10th at 6:30pm in Shellenberger Park.  The ladies will be assembling the care bags for the church’s homebound members.  All women of the church are invited to attend.  

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.  

Greeters & Ushers for September

September 2: Communion by Intinction:   Michelle Sredy—Chair & Elder, Karen Gibson—Elder, Nancy Thomas, Evelyn Shafer

September 9:  Patrick Ferko—Chair, Ted Oppegard, Linda Oppegard, Rich Nichols

September 16: Andra Snyder—Chair, Rebecca Miller, Samantha Miller, Amy Mihalik

September 23: John Geary—Chair, Sue Geary, Gary Cameron, Amy Marteeny

September 30: Mike Stutzman—Chair, Barb Stutzman, Suzy Housley, John Harris

Shellenberger Park Work Continues

Despite a wetter than usual summer, the improvements at Shellenberger Park enter the final phase.  The new playground equipment was installed in July, complete with a new play set, rubber mulch, and concrete steps leading to the play area.  As I write this update, a new pavilion in the lower corner of the park is nearing completion.  Landscaping and yard repair will round out the park improvements once the work on the pavilion is finished.  

 —Pastor Matt

Children’s Church

In October a new program will be launched to enrich the Sunday morning worship experience for the children who are part of our church family.  Children’s Church will be offered concurrently with the regular worship service and is open to children four years of age to fifth grade.  

Here’s how it works.  Children will begin worship with their families in the regular worship service.  Following children’s time, they will leave the Sanctuary guided by the Children’s Church worship leaders for the day.  The current Christian Education Room (located at the end of the hallway in the Christian Ed. wing) will be transformed into the Children’s Chruch worship space.  The worship experience in Children’s Church will be much like the regular service, complete with songs, prayers, music, the message, and an offering.  The significant difference is that all of these worship movements will be geared to the children’s learning ability and maturity level.  At the conclusion of Children’s Church, the kids will be given a snack (their own Pause for Persons, minus the coffee!) and then will go to their Sunday School Classes.

Jenn Boland has agreed to help direct Children’s Church.  She will be assisting Pastor Matt in recruiting helpers and crafting the services.  We are in need of adults and youth to help lead the Children’s Church services, so if you have a passion for children and would like to help them worship God, please speak to Jenn or Pastor Matt.

  Mission Remains a Strong at St. Paul’s UCC

It has been an honor being your pastor!  Over the last 3 months, we’ve engaged in 3 significant missions that have enriched the lives of countless families and individuals.  In June, we hosted the annual Community Vacation Bible School.  Approximately 60 children and 40 youth and adult volunteers worshipped, learned, and fellowshipped together.  Our 3 partner churches (St. Francis in the Fields, Somerset Church of the Brethren, and St. Paul’s UCC) raised over $1,100 for our mission partner Camp PARC.

Eight members of our youth group travelled to the Eastern Regional Youth Event in mid July.  Thanks to your generosity we were not only able to send our youth, but also be a key event sponsor.  This was a big deal since our conference, the Penn West Conference, was the host conference, holding the event at California University of Pennsylvania.  

We opened our doors last weekend to host the Dressed Homecoming shopping event.  Dressed, an organization founded by St. Paul’s members, Laura & Abby Bowers and Rebecca & Sam Miller makes available formal dresses and accessories to youth in the county.  Participants are mentored through the process by a number of volunteers who help them select a dress and complimentary accessories.  To date, Dressed has helped to outfit hundreds of girls, making homecoming and prom much more affordable for everyone.  

I am so proud of the people who have helped to make ministry happen this summer!  Your hard work and caring have certainly made a difference in our community and world!  

—Pastor Matt 

Bible Brew

The monthly Bible Brew gathering will be on Thursday, September 20th at 6:30pm at the home of Denise and Craig Weaver, 389 Stepping Stone Rd., Somerset.  Our conversation topic for this month is “Generations: Visioning Ministry with One Another.”  We hope that you can join us for good food, fellowship, and conversation.  

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

Thursday, September 6: Care Team, 1:00pm; 

Wednesday, September 12:  Stewardship Team, 11:00am

Monday, September 10:  Women’s Fellowship, 6:30pm

Thursday, September 13:  Youth Game Night, 7:00pm

Tuesday, September 17:  Church Council, 7:00pm  

Thursday, September 22:  Bible Brew, 6:30pm

Saturday, September 22: Men’s Brotherhood, 8:00am, King’s Restaurant

The Confirmation Class will meet on Sunday, September 9th and 23rd at 11am in the Youth Room.  

The gospel of Matthew closes with these words from Jesus: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:18b-20).”  This great commission by Jesus was not meant only for the disciples who were with him before he ascended into heaven, but is for us today.  We modern-day followers of Jesus continue the same ministry that was begun with the likes of Peter, Andrew, James, John, and the other eight original apostles.  Jesus’ commissioning to them is our commissioning:  to go, baptize, teach, obey, and remember.  

There are few other movements or organizations in humanity that have such ancient ties as our shared oneness and purpose as members of Christ’s body, the church.  As such, to this very moment, we continue to pray, vision, and imagine how we can better make disciples.  We find ourselves being co-ministers with Jesus in the saving work that is inviting others into the midst of the gracious and loving community that is the Body of Christ.  

The changing of the calendar from August to September brings about a new season of growth and learning in the church.  It’s our opportunity as disciples to go, learn, teach, and obey.  Sunday School resumes on Sunday, September 9th.  All classes will return to meeting during the traditional time slot following Pause for Persons.  Tuesday morning Bible Studies continue at 10:00am in Salem Chapel.  The Youth Group resumes with a game night on Thursday, September 13th at 7:00pm in Fellowship Hall.  Bible Brew continues to meet monthly.  This month we will gather on Thursday, September 20th at 6:30pm at the home of Denise and Craig Weaver, 389 Stepping Stone Rd, Somerset.

I’m extremely excited about a new program that we are looking to launch in October.  “Children’s Church” is a worship experience that we are preparing to offer children ages 4 years old to 5th grade.  Kids will begin worship with their parents in the Sanctuary and will then leave following the children’s sermon for Children’s Church.  Their worship experience will coincide with the themes and scriptures in the regular service, but the parts of worship will be geared to speak to children, utilizing hands-on, creative, and interactive ways of worshipping God.  We hope to launch Children’s Church on Sunday, October 14th. 

The church’s success has always rested on common, ordinary people saying yes to the call to minister to one another.  Whether you are already involved in one of our programs as a leader or participant, my hope is that you will continue to grow as disciples in your understanding of your faith and the importance of our shared witness as the church.  I look forward to us growing together as a community over the next few months.  Surely, as we live out Christ’s great commissioning we will be guided by his promised presence, even to the end of the age!

Blessings, 

Pastor Matt

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.