The holiday season is such a mixed bag. In some ways, I almost dread the next few weeks. In many other ways, I look forward to the next few weeks.
What I don’t care for: Extending the Christmas shopping season earlier and earlier so that store decorations and sales started weeks ago, long before Thanksgiving. The blurring of the line between Christmas as a Christian holiday and Christmas as a national/commercial holiday. The pressure to experience a perfect Currier and Ives Christmas, and that effect on families and persons already under loads of stress.
What I like: Opportunities to be together with family and friends. Keeping in touch with friends and relatives over the distance of miles and time. The chance to give and to receive. Christmas Eve candlelight services. Singing Christmas carols. Celebrating the birth of the Christ Child. Reading the Christmas story from Luke chapter 2. Realizing what the incarnation means, that God has come to earth in human flesh, and how God connects with us personally and directly.
As we enter the holiday season, may each of us keep ourselves centered on what Christmas is truly all about. And may everyone experience the joy and wonder of the birth of Jesus into the world in which we live, and into our lives and hearts.
. . .to everyone who helped out with Moravian days: those who planned and organized, those who presented “If These Graves Could Speak” and helped with production and set up, those who advertised the weekend and invited friends to come, and those who set up the Saal, those who staffed the open house, our sacristans, and everyone who attended the weekend’s events. The candlelight lovefeast on Saturday evening was especially joyous and memorable.
. . . to everyone who helped with the Veterans’ emphasis on Nov. 8 and invited friends to come.
. . . to everyone who has donated food for Harvest Home gifts to Lebanon County Christian Ministries, and money gifts for our church’s Helping Hand Fund.
Hospitalized in November were: Doris Ayers, Mary Albert, June Reinoehl, and Maury Schnell.
Doris had surgery at HMC on Nov. 24. She is recovering now at home. Mary is back at Cedar Haven. June is continuing medical care from home. Maury is home recovering. Ruth Jacoby had a set back on her recovery from hip replacement which has delayed her recovery, but she hopes to be back by Christmas.
Others with health concerns include Nadine Lyons, Marion Gamble, Ethel Freeman, Ethel Dundore, Les Steiner, Bertie Stoner, Nancy Imhof, and Ron Imhof.
We meet every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. at Hearthstone Manor on Birch Road, next to our new church property. We are now meeting in the Hearthside building immediately behind the Hearthstone building.
Wed., Dec. 2Malachi 3:1-4
Philippians 1:3-11
Luke 1:68-79
Wed., Dec. 9
Zephania 3:14-20
Philippians 4:4-7
Luke 3:7-18
Wed., Dec. 16
Micha 5:2-5a
Hebrews 10:5-10
Luke 1:39-45 (46-55)
Wed., Dec. 23
1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26
Colossians 3:12-17
Luke 2:41-52
Wed., Dec. 30
Jeremiah 31:7-14
Ephesians 1:13-14
John 1:(1-9), 10-18
Wed., Jan. 6
Isaiah 43:1-7
Acts 18:14-17
Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
One of the best ways to celebrate Christmas is to go caroling and spread the joy of the season. On Sunday, December 13 we will meet at church at 2:00 p.m. and go around to the homes of our older members and some seniors apartments in the area. We will car pool together. The group itself will determine what we want to do for supper. All persons are welcome.
There will be two opportunities for worship on Christmas Eve, both candlelight services but each service will be different. At both services every worshiper will receive a lit beeswax candle and Emily and Hannah Sealer will lead the congregation in singing Morning Star. The early service at 6:30 p.m. will be a candlelight and carols service as we sing many familiar and favorite Christmas carols. The second service at 8:00 p.m. will be the traditional Lebanon Moravian candlelight service in the format of Christmas Eve services at our Tenth Street location. Friends, neighbors, and relatives are welcome to experience the original Christmas Eve candlelight services as Moravians have celebrated Jesus’ birth for centuries.
If you are looking for something to do and a safe place to celebrate New Year’s Eve, come to church! There will be activities from 7-11 p.m. including movies, games, refreshments, and a brief worship. These activities are planned for families and all ages. Friends and neighbors are also welcome.
Annual Church Council will be on Sunday, January 31, around 11:30 a.m. following worship. The snow date is February 7. We will review annual reports from all church boards, committees, and organizations. We will also elect two Trustees and Elders and adopt the budget for 2010. Please let any of our current Elders or Trustees know if you have any other agenda items for Church Council to consider.
It’s not too late to hand in or mail your Time and Talent Sheets or your offering commitment cards to church. Completed Time and Talent sheet information is shared with appropriate committee and organization leaders so they can know who is willing to be involved.
Results from commitment cards show 20 giving units willing to give $61,030.00 or a mean average of $3,050.00 per household. It is wonderful to have that level of commitment from so many of our members.
The Men’s Brotherhood is sad to announce there will be no fruit baskets this year. It was just discovered that Fulmer’s Fruit Company, where we have been buying the fruit, is no longer in business. Rather than scramble to throw something together at the last minute, the Brotherhood has decided not to offer fruit baskets this year. It is hoped something can be arranged for next year.
Every year the Northern Province takes its turn as Moravians around the world are at prayer in intentional ways. Our assigned date to participate in the Unity Prayer Watch is December 14. We share this date with Reading and Lancaster Moravian churches. Our time slots are 2-4 a.m., 8-10 a.m., 2-4 p.m., and 8-10 p.m. Please sign up for a 30 minute segment by signing the sheet on the clipboard at church or by phoning the church office. There is a list of possible prayer topics in the church office if you would like some guided prayer recommendations.
It’s that time of year when I ask you to add an item to your shopping list for the Lebanon Rescue Mission. I spoke with Jenny Topping at the Mission and she said they would greatly appreciate receiving our usual collection of new packs of men’s briefs or T-shirts, all sizes needed. A new pair of underwear is given to each resident as part of his Christmas present. Such a simple item but one the men are grateful to receive.
Look for the collection box in the narthex. Last day to contribute is December 13th.
Thanks for your contribution!
This year the Church is priviledged to have been selected to be a collection site for the Marine Corps Reserve "Toys for Tots" program. This is a wonderful opportunity to share our Christmas ministry and spirit with those less fortunate. Please consider a donation to this worthy cause. Just before Christmas, all collected toys, and toys purchased through cash donations, will be distributed locally to needy families and children.
Only new toys in their packages will be accepted. Please deposit the toy(s) into our collection barrel on or before Wednesday, December 16th. For your convenience, the collection barrel is located outside, under the porch roof, of the Church's main entrance. It is available for receiving your donation any time, day or night.
If you cannot get out to shop, cash donations are also accepted. A collection vessel has be placed in the Church entry for your donations.
Thank you in advance for your gift to those who need it the most.
Our Youth Group/Mission Team can supply you with gifts cards for MANY popular businesses. Either give the cards as the gifts themselves OR purchase the card then use it when you go buy the gift with a personal touch. The youth group/mission team earns a percentage and you spend no more than you would if you had made the purchase with cash at the store. See full list of participating merchants on the bulletin board in the narthex.
Place orders with Kelly Kapp - 273-1995
This year’s Sunday School Christmas program will bring back the "good ol’ days" as we re-create a 1940's era radio drama titled Broadcasting Christmas ! Come be part of the WJOY "studio audience" as Miss Placed seeks a Gumshoe’s help in finding Christmas.
Plans and preparations for the Sunday School Christmas program are underway. The program is “Broadcasting Christmas” and will be like a 1940's radio broadcast. There will also be a lot of special music: an instrumental duet by Megan and Abby Deaven, and orchestral musical selections by musicians from Northern Lebanon High School. The children’s program is Sunday, December 20 during worship at 10:15 a.m.
Packages will be packed on December 6 for the next shipment to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, just in time for Christmas. Please place your items in the gray Rubbermaid bins in the church narthex. Notes of encouragement are especially appreciated.
Sunday School is planning new and different activities after the new year, so stay tuned for details.
Our crocheting class is coming to an end this year. Our teacher has some health problems along with some of the other ladies. We decided it is time to end the class.
We want to thank everyone for their input this year. Everyone got a chance to see some of our work on Moravian Days. And now all those blankets will be delivered to the Good Samaritan Hospital dialysis department for Christmas gifts for the patients. So thanks to all who helped throughout the years.
Happy holidays to one and all. Marion Gamble and Nadine Lyons
2010 Moravian Daily Texts are now in the church office.
Costs are:
Large print $12.50
Paperback/Leatherette cover $10.00
Hard cover $14.50
Flip desk calendar texts $13.00
Texts with journal $15.50
Please add $1.00 to cover shipping and PA sales tax costs.
Our president Neva Lutttman opened our meeting with 11 in attendance. Neva then read from the liturgy of Thanksgiving followed by singing Love of Divine and All Excelling followed then by the Lord's prayer.
Nancy Eisenhauer gave the secretary's report and was accepted as read.
Carol Leahy gave the treasures report and was also accepted.
Arlene Tillberry reported she made reservations at the Country Fare for the second Tuesday of December for the Christmas party. No gifts are needed this year for any one that would like to join us. It wil start at 11:30.
After the meeting we made peanut butter eggs for the Moravian days
We will wait until after the holidays for any new projects. We want to wish one and all a happy holiday season and also invite you to join us the second Tuesday of the month at 10:30. We would dearly love to see more people at our meetings.
Nancy Eisenhauer, temp. secretary
Thirteen members were in attendance on Veteran’s Day (Nov. 11) as Pastor Rich offered the opening prayer. Two hymns were sung - Onward Christian Soldiers and Beneath the Cross of Jesus. The responsive reading was titled The Church.
Following the reading of the Oct. 14 meeting minutes, Treas. John Klahr reported on deposits from soup and star sales and offering. A check for flags was the only expenditure reported.
Pres. Mike phillips noted a Moravian Star will be presented to Chaplain Douglas Etter in appreciation for his very timely message on Nov. 8. John Klahr reported 50 stars remain to sell in addition to the new stars (12" $26 and 21" $30) that have recently been delivered. Market dates for stars are set for Nov. 19, 20, 21 and Dec. 10, 11, 12. Preparation for fruit baskets , tree set up, and roping decorations plus a brief meeting (if needed) is planned for Dec. 19. John Leahy expressed Thanks on behalf of the Trustees for leaf and limb activities at the cemetery in preparation for the Moravian Days program.
On behalf of the members present, a generous Thank You is directed to the Chris Keller family for providing desserts (red velvet cake and drinks) this evening. John Leahy has offered to sponsor the Jan. 13, 2010 meeting at church. A Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Flower Sponsors
6 Mr. & Mrs. John Klahr
13 Mr. & Mrs. Cliff Freeman
20 Mr. & Mrs. Steve Keller & family
27 Mrs. Kelly Kapp
Bulletin Sponsors
6 None
13 Mrs. Lettie Shurskis
20 Mr. Ralph Earp
27 Les & Lucy Steiner
Ushers
6 Neva Luttman & Lettie Shurskis
13 Nancy Eisenhauer & Arlene Tilberry
20 Mike & Kathie Phillips
27 TBD
December
Birthdays
1 George Lyons
5 Melissa Quinones
5 Barb Stoffer
10 Brianna Johnson
11 George Newmaster
12 Michelle Bucher
13 Robert Reiner
16 Nancy Imhof
19 Kathie Phillips
27 Linda Harder
28 Carol Klahr
29 Wyatt Carpenter
31 Ashley Weidman
31 Dorothy Kane
Anniversaries
24 Donna & Michael Becker
28 Tim, Jr. & Christina Zimmerman
29 Loretta & Michael Phillips
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