St Clair Street Happenings - Calvary United Methodist Church

St Clair Street Happenings
Calvary United Methodist Church
Ligonier PA
724-238-9840
Pastorjosh.calvary@verizon.net
secretary.cumc@verizon.net
December 2014
FROM THE DESK OF
PASTOR JOSH
Christmas is my favorite time of year.
I love the music, the movies and the tv specials, the
decorations and the general festive feeling of the season. I love the memories of years gone by and I love
getting to spend time with family and friends.
Having a quiet evening by the light of the Christmas tree
is pretty nice too. If you ask me, I’ll probably tell you
that my absolute favorite time of all is the Christmas
Eve candlelight service. Not only is anticipation of the
celebration at its highest but, in my past, it has traditionally been a beautiful time of focusing on Jesus and
what his coming to Earth means for us as believers.
When I moved around a lot as a child, one of the biggest things we recognized was that our new house
really felt like a home when we celebrated Christmas
there. I think the same might ring true for a new
church as well. I look forward to celebrating the season with you this year and learning of your traditions
and seeing our church decorated.
Don’t forget to take advantage of opportunities this
Christmas and Advent season presents to us such as
our Christmas party or the Cookies and Carols night.
Don’t forget that many people are much more open to
an invitation to attend church during the Christmas
and Advent season so pray about who you might want
to invite to an activity or worship service. I’ll be introducing an easy way to invite someone to Christmas
Eve service in the coming weeks.
Have a Merry Christmas
and a Happy New Year!
Pastor Josh
CONTACT INFORMATION FOR PASTOR JOSH
Pastor Josh Ricketts
2233 Harrison Avenue, Latrobe PA 15650,
Phone: 724-691-1150
e-mail: pastorjosh.calvary@verizon.net
THANK YOU !!
To all who have supported our spaghetti dinners
this year.
As in the past we will not have one in December
but look forward to your return on JANUARY 15,
2015 to kick off a new year!
We here, at Calvary United Methodist Church, invite you to join us during Advent for the following
Sunday worship services at 10:30am leading to
the celebration of the birth of Jesus.
November 30-Message: Zechariah & Elizabeth
December 7-Message: Mary
December 14-Message: The Birth of John the
Baptist
December 21-Message: Joseph
December 18 at 6:30pm-Cookies & Carols
December 24- Christmas Eve Candlelight
Service at 6:30pm, with Communion
Additional information: call the church office at
724-238-9840
www.calvaryligonier.org
HANGING OF THE GREENS will
be Sunday November 30th after the
worship service. A light lunch will
be served - Please plan of staying
for a shot time to help and enjoy
the fellowship as we begin this
beautiful season of the year.
OFFICIAL 911 ADDRESS OF CALVARY
Emergency Service Address
when calling 9-1-1
201 N. St. Clair Street
Ligonier Borough
WHAT IS “BLUE CHRISTMAS?”
Blue Christmas is a service of worship designed for
people suffering with pain, loss, isolation and grief
in the Advent season. On this night we remember
those for whom the holidays are not joyful; they
are lonely, in mourning, feeling alienated and cast
apart from family celebrations; they are experiencing depression and sadness and yet are often compelled to ‘put on a happy face’ for others, denying
their true feelings.
WHAT HAPPENS AT A “BLUE CHRISTMAS”
SERVICE?
A Blue Christmas service includes elements that convey
a sense of welcome, trust and understanding in what
can be a very painful time of the year. The service is
held in the evening as a special worship offering of the
Ministerial Association. Candles, meditative music,
psalms of lament, and prayers for healing create a welcoming worship space.
WHY SHOULD I ATTEND A BLUE CHRISTMAS
WORSHIP SERVICE?
Many of us are acquainted with the paradox of the Advent and Christmas seasons – a time when we feel we
are supposed to celebrate hope, love, joy and peace,
and yet a time that can also be full of depression, sadness and grief. Blue Christmas services offer special
recognition of the struggles that many people face
during this season. Its somber tone also testifies to the
struggles of Mary, Joseph and Jesus that are often
overlooked. You can have a quiet, spiritual time in the
midst of a busy, emotionally difficult season.
Pastor Adri Hill will have a service on Sunday,
Dec. 14th at 2 PM at the Greensburg 1st United
Methodist Church, E. 2nd Street Greensburg.
AND
New Alexandria Ministerial Association Sunday,
Dec. 14, 2014, 7 PM at New Alexandria United
Methodist Church 106 Washington St, New Alexandria, PA 15670
CHILDREN’S SUNDAY SCHOOL
AT CALVARY - We are excited to
have the beginning of a ‘kids’ Sunday
School that meets every Sunday at
9:30 AM under the leadership of
Sandi Jones. Check out the sign
made by the kids . . . . . Can you think of a young
person that you might invite to join this class?
CHRISTMAS POINSETTIA’S - remember to order your
Poinsettia’s that can be in honor or memory of a loved one
or for the blessings that you received this past year. Order
deadline December 14th.
2015 FLOWER CHART IS NOW AVAILABLE. Please
sign up for a Sunday to honor or remember a family member or a special occasion. If you choose not to take them,
please let the office know and we will deliver them to a
shut-in.
THE UPPER ROOM - It seems that we have quite a few
Upper Rooms Devotional Books left each month. If you
know of someone that might enjoy the daily devotions
please consider taking them a copy.
HAPPY FEET Thanks to everyone who participated in the HAPPY FEET Mission opportunity. We do not have a final amount tabulated but all monies will be submitted to the
UM District Office. They, in turn, will provide gift cards to
school districts (including the Ligonier Valley School District) for qualified student use as needed.
HEIFER INTERNATIONAL PROJECT Well......it's that time again when we
jump on the "mooooving" Heifer wagon.
The Giving Tree is decorated with a variety of donation amounts. When you select an amount to
contribute, remove the card from the tree and place a
cross on the tree in its place. We are working to purchase a
pregnant heifer ($500) that will be given to a family. They
will be pre-trained to care for the animal and the calf will
be given to another family. The milk from the cow will provide nutritious food for the family and the original gift perpetuate the process through the donated calf. The ultimate
goal of Heifer International is to teach recipients to "fish"
so they can take care of themselves for a lifetime. This is
the gift that keeps on "mooooooving!"
EPIPHANY SUNDAY
JANUARY 4, 2015 We will be celebrating Epiphany Sunday by bringing
our gift to the altar as the 3 Magi
brought their gifts to the Christ child
so many years ago. We are asking that you bring layette
items for the Open Hands Ministry, which is located in
Stahlstown.
Watch for them - They are coming in
January to Calvary UMC.
RECIPE of the MONTH
EASY - Fantastic - Biscuits
1 stick Margarine
4 cups Bisquick
8 oz. Sour Cream
8 oz. can 7-UP
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a 9X13 pan melt
margarine in the pan in the oven. Mix together in a
large bowl Bisquick, Sour Cream and 7-UP. Turn
onto floured board or counter, knead slightly, pat or
roll to about 1 inch thick. Cut out biscuits using
round biscuit cutter, place in pan on melted butter.
Bake for about 25 to 35 minutes until golden brown.
They are the best as easiest I have ever made. If
any of left they freeze well.
Enjoy!
NATIVITY DISPLAY, December 6 & 7 hosted by Heritage UMC, from 12 noon till 4:00 PM both
days. Nativities will be on display from
several churches in the area, including
Calvary. Stop by enjoy the Christmas
music and view some very unique and
special Nativities. A collection will be
taken of Non-perishable food items for the Ligonier Valley
Food Pantry (monetary donations also accepted).
CALVARY CHRISTMAS DINNER AND PARTY.
We hope that you will join us on Friday December
12 for a buffet dinner at 6, gift exchange and a
wonderful way to celebrate the Christmas Season
with your church family.
RING THE BELL - We ill be ringing the Bell
for the Salvation Army at Giant Eagle, on
Monday December 8th from 9 Am till 5 PM. If
you have a free hour, please consider signingup to Ring The Bell! Thanks!
CAN YOU HELP We continue to need travel size
toiletries. As has been the practice for many years,
we are continuing to collect the soaps, shampoo, etc. - they are taken to the LOCAL Salvation Army site for distribution as needed.
Thanks for recycling those you pick up from
motels as you travel. Thanks for your support in this
ongoing ministry.
Prayer Requests -
LONG TERM: THE CHURCH. PLEASE Pray
for Fred Eller, Jeremy Wanless; Tom Hill,
Terry Smith, Dick Hegan, Don Zurfluh, Fern
Kenney, Nancy Percherke, Laura Belle Carney,
James Stevens (God’s grace); Pastor Herb Phar, Stanley
(throat cancer), Mark Titel (heart problems), For Edie
for cancer treatment; Sandra Rosen (Bonnie Hoffman’s
sister). Nathan Hughes, Judge Thomas Picone (heart
transplant surgery), Ethan Hudack and Paula Davis, Mrs.
Rummell (various health issues), Betty Darr, Melinda Lar,
Merle (Butch ) Knupp (heart surgery), Breana Deemer
(teenager with health problems), Warren Columbus
(Health concerns), Jean Hershey, Kathy Larson (fracture
in foot), Erik Petrosky, Jimmy, Lori Gorgeff (post surgery
recovery), Sara Ferlan, David Mesmerson (P.O.T.S. Syndrome), Marsha Clark, Eric (complications with knees),
Dave for recovery from Lyme’s, Luke Leitza and family
Jim Karns, Marsha Clawson (surgery), Sally Butler, Debbie (Cancer), Kathy (fractured foot). Please also pray
for Katie Wilkins in the Navy; and Rob Myers serving in
the Armed Forces; Government Leaders of these United
States and around the World... The continuing difficult economy, the unemployed and underemployed. CUMC shut-ins and those in care facilities.
(Please advise the office should any of these
names need to be removed)
4TH Week: Dottie’s friend dealing with Alzheimer’s, Ebola crisis
3rd Week: Jimmy (4 month old baby who has yet to
leave the hospital), Keith Joyner
2nd Week: Jack Donohue (broken hip), Ann Ruff, A
friend with Alzheimer’s, Elaine Johns, Bill Smith (in Redstone Nursing Home)
1st Week: Bob (Alzheimer’s), Lori (knee surgery), Mick
(recovering from heart surgery) Military, medic and missionary personnel fighting ebola in W. Africa, Jimmy
(alcohol problems), Shirley and Bob Benner.
PRAISES – A card received, Aryn’s joy in lighting the
candles.
THE LOCAL FOOD PANTRY could use additional help
in carrying food boxes to the cars of
the recipients especially during the
winter months. OUR COLLECTION
ITEM FOR DECEMBER:
PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY
THE RED BIRDS ARE COMING . . . .
TO CALVARY UMC!
St Clair Street Happenings
Calvary United Methodist Church
DECEMBER 2014
S unday
M onday
1
Tuesday
We dnesday
2
3
Thursday
4
Friday
S aturday
5
6
Nativity Display
7
9:30 AM S.S.
10:30 AM
Worship
Ring the
Bell for the
Salvation Army
9 - 5
8
9
10
11
12
Trustee’s
Meeting
6 PM
Nativity Display
ADVENT
14
15
16
17
13
Church
Christmas
Party
Dinner 6 PM
18 Carols & 19
20
Cookies
9:30 AM S.S.
10:30 AM
Worship
6:30 PM
ADVENT
21
22
23
24
29
30
31
Christmas Eve
Service
6:30 PM
9:30 AM
Sunday School
10:30 AM
Worship
25
CHRISTMAS
DAY
26
27
ADVENT
28
New Years Eve
9:30 AM
Sunday School
10:30 AM
Worship
DECEMBER GREETERS 7 & 14 Tom Kenney
21 & 28 Marge Packer
Christmas Eve Karen Ricketts
HEAD USHER - Jan Best
Food Pantry Peanut Butter
and Jelly
DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS
1
4
5
5
-
Robert Jack
Kurt Holzer
Jennifer Jones
Sara ross
6 - Rich Pieringer
10 - Bill Kioski
16 - Kathy
17 - Jessica Light
HAPPY BIRTHDAY !
19
21
27
30
-
Jim Davis Jr.
Jim Davis Sr.
Eloise Jack
Shirley Benner