Christ Church United Church of Christ
200 South White Oak Street
Annville, PA 17003
March 2016 Wake Tree
Reverend Donald L. Mason 867-1641 (office) 867-1361 (home) 507-8717 (cell)
The Wake-Tree
A Newsletter of Christ Church United Church of Christ
200 S. White Oak Street, Annville, PA 17003
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The Mosaic of Christ Church UCC
On February 14, I spoke on the “Love” passage from 1 Corinthians 13, and distributed pieces of sea glass to everyone in attendance. Subsequent to that, I am distributing more pieces of glass to other members and friends of the congregation each week. The hope is that each who receives a tile of glass will bring it back with them on Palm Sunday. Between now and then, we are invited to hold them while we pray, and infusing them with our certainties and doubts, love and hate, joy and anger, anxiety and comfort, whatever emotions and insights we have experienced during this process. When we come to worship on Palm Sunday, we will be invited to place each piece of glass on a table in the sanctuary. All the tiles together will form a mosaic on top of the table, and the table may then be used to hold candles on Good Friday and other times when we light candles as part of our worship experience. What is formed may represent our hope for healing, a place where we may release our pain and join our consolation with that of others.
I have always found this church a place where there is great potential for growth in spirit and love; one of my favorite songs sung by the choir is “Love Grows Here”. There can be no more beautiful setting for expressing this truth than in our sanctuary. The size and age of our building, however, presents a lot of challenges, and this spring we will be in need of some continuing maintenance that is both necessary and costly. At the February consistory meeting we were presented information about these maintenance needs and the property committee will be hard at work prioritizing this work, and the monthly consistory reports will keep you informed about how the work is progressing.
Two important factors contribute to our ability to afford the immediate maintenance needs: 1. We have a maintenance endowment, which provides a continuing amount of money for everyday and urgent repairs. 2. We received more in income than we spent in 2015, a trend which will need to continue in 2016, particularly since we will need to spend more in the year to come to address needs already apparent.
By the time you read this, we will have had our annual meeting, and more information about this than I have access to at this writing will be made available in the weeks and months to come. As you have questions, you may ask any member of the property committee, its chair JR Hemperly, our consistory president, Georgia Hemperly or myself.
All of us have a part to contribute to the mosaic of Christ Church, and the more love we can find and express toward each other, the easier it will be to overcome any challenges we face as a congregation, and I trust that you will continue to participate fully in the life of Christ Church throughout the year to come.
Pastor Don
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A Huge Thank You to the Members of Christ Church
Thank you so much for the prayers that gave me such a speedy recovery, the cards that cheered me up, the visits, and never forget the treats. A special thank you to Pastor Don for sitting with Russ through part of my surgery, to the Bixlers for flowers that brought the first touch of Christmas to our house, and for the prayer shawl that was always by my side and gave me something tangible to hold on to. I am so thankful to be a part of the Christ Church family. Pat Chadwick
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On the ccucc.org website the password to access the on-line Directory of current Christ Church members is godisstillspeaking
Staff
Pastor: Donald L. Mason (Home)717-867-1361
(Cell)717-507-8717
Director of Music: Kevin L. Biddle
Organist: Jodi Loose 717-270-8627
Consistory Officers
President: Georgia Hemperly C 717-926-3773
H 717-838-1147
Vice President: Mandi Smith 717-269-8046
Secretary: Stacey Bernardo 717-228-2286
Treasurer: Howard Bixler 717- 274-6181
Financial Secretary: Shirley Wolfe 717 865-2789
Committee Chairs
Finance: Dave Troxell 717-279-0102
Property: JR Hemperly 717-838-1147
Personnel: Carl Graybill 717-867-5243
Nomination: Judy Barchet 717-867-4361
Sexton: Bob Lemon 507-5617
Secretary: Elsie Lehman 867-1641
Pastor Emeritus: Rev. Dr. Norman Bucher 838-2853
Department Heads
Congregational Care: Jean Rhine 367-5057
Stewardship and Mission: Doug Snyder 685-1248
Worship and Witness: Sharon Riganati 273-5591
Hospitality & Education: Ruth Troxell 279-0102
Pastor-Parish Relations: Marlene Hinkle 273-9257
Youth Representative: Logan Keaton 469-4216
Wake Tree Team:
Russ and Pat Chadwick
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We have two very good books for Easter reading available to borrow from the library on the 2nd floor. They will be on the desk, please sign the sheet with your name and book borrowed.
“The First Easter” by Peter Marshall. From the dust jacket: The characterizations are acutely drawn and poignantly real, they all appear in memorable three-dimensional portraits.
“The Day Christ Died” by Jim Bishop. Weaves scriptural facts in an hourly narrative of Christ’s last day. Especially interesting are the chapters on the Jewish and Roman worlds, and the chapter on Jesus.
CHRIST CHURCH
200 SOUTH WHITE OAK ST.
ANNVILLE, PA 17003
CHURCH FUNDRAISER
ANNUAL SPRING SOUP AND BAKE SALE
Friday, March 18th – 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Saturday, March 19th – 9:00 AM to 12:00PM
Chicken Rice and Ham & Bean @ $5.00 per quart
Order by March 14th, 2016
Phone orders can be placed by
calling Althea at 838-4012
Soup order form and Soup ingredient form are at the end of the Wake Tree
Assisting With Worship
Lay Reader
March 6 Marlene Hinkle
March 13 Shirley Hoerner
March 20 Lee Keaton
March 27 (early) Marie Lesher
March 27 (late) Sharon Riganati
Acolyte
March 6 Alexis Neis
March 13 Evan Bernardo
March 20 Brady Hoffman
March 27 Jared Keaton
Ushers and Greeters
March 6 Joan Bernardo Michele Sinadinos
March 13 John and Michele Koser
March 20 Steve Miller and Gale Reich
March 27 Consistory (Communion)
Greeter After Worship
March 6 Marlene Hinkle
March 13 Shirley Hoerner
March 20 Lee Keaton
March 27 (early) Marie Lesher
(late) Sharon Riganati
Counters
March 6 Georgia Hemperly and Judy Barchet
March 13 Dave Troxell and Jean Rhine
March 20 Tom Asman - Marlene Hinkle
March 27 Shirley Wolfe and Carl Graybill
Nursery
March 6 Georgia Hemperly & Delaney Moyer
March 13 Diane Miller and Jared Keaton
March 20 Alice Gibble and Alexis Neis
March 27 Gloria Wentling and Michelle Koser
Gatekeeper
March 6 Richard Fernsler
March 13 Tom Asman
March 20 Willie Bixler
March 27 Jim Bohr
Please Take Note
Please review these schedules and if unable to serve the date you are scheduled, please secure a substitute and let the person in charge know of the change:
Thank You
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March Scriptures
March 6 Joshua 5:9-12, Psalm 32, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
March 13 Isaiah 43:16-21, Psalm 126, Philippians 3:4b-14, John 12:1-8
March 20 Isaiah 50:4-9a, Psalm 31:9-16 , Philippians 2:5-11, Luke 22:14-23:56
March 27 Isaiah 65:17-25, Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24, 1 Corinthians 15:19-26, John 20:1-18
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March Birthdays
1 Howard Bixler
3 Charles Muldoon
Curtis Reigle
4 Mary Pyles
5 Chelsea Miele
8 Lori Shaffer
Nathan Myers
11 Kristie Fernsler
12 Hannah Camacho
13 James Erdman
15 Diane Archuleta
17 Donald Kercher
18 Bryan Smith
22 Ronald Kane
29 Patricia Plasterer
Karen Schnee
Ken Barchet
Morgan Kane
March Music Ministry
March 6 Psalm 51 Nygard Senior Choir
March 13 O My Soul What Darkness Hayes Senior Choir
March 20 PALM SUNDAY Hosanna We Sing! Hayes Senior Choir
March 24 MAUNDY THURSDAY Jesus Messiah Larson Praise Team
March 25 GOOD FRIDAY Give Me Jesus arr. Rouse Praise Team
March 27 EASTER SUNDAY
6:30 am He is Risen Baloche/Kendrick Praise Team
10:15 am Mercy Tree arr. Martin Senior Choir
All Heaven Declare s! Fettke Senior Choir
*Also anthems by the Senior Ringers
Ensemble Rehearsal Schedule
SUNDAY MORNINGS 11:30 am Senior Ringers
WEDNESDAY EVENINGS 7:00 pm Praise Team
7:30 pm Senior Choir
SNOW PLAN
We will continue to follow our usual snow plan on Wednesday evenings. If the Annville-Cleona School District is closed, or has an early dismissal due to inclement weather, all Wednesday evening activities will be canceled. If you are ever in doubt, please call Kevin at 813-3515 or the church at 867-1641.
SPRING BOOK STUDY
NOT A FAN! The next book study will be of Kyle Idleman’s book, Not a Fan: Becoming a Completely Committed Follower of Christ. Marlene and Kevin will lead the book study and it will take place on Sunday evenings throughout April at 6:00 pm in the Undercroft. If you would like to order a paperback copy of the book, please see Kevin by Sunday, February 28. Copies are $5.00 each.
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PRAYER SHEET
Please remember the following people in your prayers this morning and throughout the week.
Prayer Requests: Prayer Requests: Dennis and Ruthann Olenowski; John Moyer; Pat Stoner; Gloria Wentling; Andrew Rankin, Nancy Davis; Laura Stocker;Chuck Reesey; Dave Wiscount; Meg Behe; Donna Bonilla; Kiersha Bechtel; Darlene Stultz; Jason Stager; Scott Clements; Richard Shovioni; Drew Autenrieth; Ernie Heisey; Eleanor Brooksher; Blanche Renshaw; Rev. George Martz; Joan Bernardo; Pastor Norm; Cindy Sensenbaugh; Megan Adams; Patricia Garosi; Helen Keller; Sarah Zeislot; Pat Kercher; Joey Gotowski; Bill Berry; Rick and Cheryl Larson; Patrice Long’s husband; Jacob Biddle; Nellie Raiger; Lucinda Royer; Pat Overcash; Marilyn Meech; Mike Barnhill; Jason Shephard; Grace Reich; Larry Smith; Al Garis; Matthew Granger; Jimmy Combs; Marcy Grande; John Segneri; Dave Overcash.
Long Term Request Lisha Robertson and her family; Denise and Denny Wagner; Liz Custer; Deb Hostetter; Frances Burney; Grace Bachman; Dorothy Evans; Daniel Eyster; Donna Hoffman; Ron Flory; Mary Pyles; Diana Marshall; Nancy Blouch
If there is any changes to the prayer concerns, please e-mail the church office at or call her @ 867-1641. If you are in need of pastoral care or have an emergency call Pastor Mason at 867-1641, cell phone 507-8717, or email .
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CHRIST UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
CONSISTORY MEETING, February 11, 2016, 7:00 pm
PRESENT: Pastor Don Mason, Georgia Hemperly, Amanda Smith, Stacey Bernardo, Howard Bixler, Sharon Riganati, Ruth Troxell, Dave Troxell, JR Hemperly, Logan Keaton, Marlene Hinkle, Jean Rhine, Tom Asman
ABSENT: Judy Barchet, Carl Graybill
The meeting was called to order by President Georgia Hemperly opened with a devotion prayer by Pastor Don Mason.
Chuck Niirner from CJ Diirner & Sons presented a proposal with all the items in building that need fixed and what it would cost.
A MOTON WAS MADE BY DAVE TROXELL SECONDED BY RUTH TROXELL AND APPROVED TO ACCEPT JANUARY MINUTES AS PRESENTED
CONGREGATION SPEAKS: No Report
PASTOR’S REPORT: Pastor Don provided detail report and activity log for month of January 2016. Next Ezekiel project meeting will be 2/28/16 at 2:30 and will be on Stewardship, then on 4/3/16 at 2:30 on Hospitality.
TREASURER REPORT: Howard Bixler reported he is working on updating all information on the money market endowment account.
FINANCIAL REPORT: Dave Troxell submitted year 6 (2015) of Affordable Care Act.
E-giving in January was 1/3 of giving done electronically. Anyone interested in knowing more about this or questions contact Dave Troxell. Finance meeting will be set up to go over finances and all monies.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY RUTH TROXELL SECONDED BY DAVE TROXELL AND APPROVED TO ACCEPT ABOVE REPORTS
NOMINATING COMMITTEE: No Report
PERSONNEL COMMITTEE: No Report
YOUTH DELEGATE: Logan Keaton reported on 3/20/16 youth in grades 6th-12th will be going to Paramount Sports. Spaghetti dinner scheduled for 3/12/16. Every 4 years UCC sponsors a National Youth Event – this year it will be in Orlando, Florida – 4 youth from CCUCC are hoping to go – there will be fundraising the next few months to help with costs.
PROPERTY COMMITTEE: JR Hemperly reported toilet in North Narthex is fixed. All outside lights are working. Snow removal crew (Old Forge) is doing a great job. There is a huge chunk of ice right above the elevator entrance from outside dripping on sidewalk and poses danger of falling. Rental 106 is in need of hot water heater in the near future.
CONGREGATIONAL CARE COMMITTEE: Jean Rhine said there will be a meeting held 2/17/16 to go over some things. Opera fudge is currently being sold for Easter. Amanda Smith mentioned having a communion training session held for all who serve communion – one to be done at next consistory meeting in March.
STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE: No Report
WORSHIP AND WITNESS COMMITTEE: No Report
HOSPITALITY AND EDUCATION COMMITTEE: Ruth Troxell reported egg hunt will be held on the Saturday before Easter. Celebration is scheduled for 4/16/16 – possible covered dish and entertainment.
PASTOR/PARISH RELATIONS COMMITTEE: No Report
OLD BUSINESS: Prayer sheets will be put back into weekly bulletins.
NEW BUSINESS: Pastor Don reported there are currently 3 seventh graders and he hopes to start Confirmation classes in October 2016.
A MOTION WAS MADE AND APPROVED TO ALLOW USE OF UNDERCROFT FOR CHURCH WOMEN UNITED - WORLD DAY OF PRAYER ON 3/4/16
A MOTION WAS MADE AND APPROVED TO ALLOW USE OF UNDERCROFT FOR YOUTH SPAGHETTI DINNER ON 3/12/16
The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 pm and concluded with The Lord’s Prayer.
Respectfully submitted, Stacey Bernardo, Consistory Secretary
CHURCH MOUSE FOR MARCH
CONGRATULATIONS TO –
Grace Bachman who celebrated 98 years of life on Friday, February 05, 2016. She is a joy to speak with and enjoys people. As we say – “She is a sharp cookie and knows who she is.” We pray, Grace, you will enjoy many more years. She is the oldest member of Christ Church at this time. Dorothy Evans is a close second who will be 98 in May.
Catherine Hoover celebrated her 93rd birthday Saturday, February 20, 2016. She is experiencing shortness of breath at this time. We surely wish her many more years of life at Kindred Place.