Pastor`s Corner January 2016 Tunkhannock United Methodist Church

Tunkhannock United Methodist Church
The mission of Tunkhannock UMC is:
To welcome all to know God’s love,
To follow Jesus’ way,
To serve the community and the world.
Pastor’s Corner
January 2016
Inside this Issue:
“Let your light shine before others, so that
they may see your good works and give
glory to your Father in heaven..” Matthew
5:16)
Message from our Pastor
Thank You
Children & Youth
2
Souper Bowl of Caring
New Members Class
Student Scholarships
Offering Envelopes
3-
Calendars and Events 4Worship Assistant Report 5
6
&
Stained Glass Windows 7
Covenant Bible Study
Trustees
Flower Chart
Gathering of Women
Council on Ministries
Committee Meetings
Many times when I am speaking
with someone who is new and visiting our
church for the first time I hear the comments on how beautiful the stained glass
windows of our church are. Indeed, they
are. I find them particularly beautiful
during the dark days of winter when you
approach the church after the sun has
gone down and the lights of the church
are on inside reflecting color and light
into the cold and dark of night.
Our Trustees are hoping to allow
the light from the inside of our church to
shine brighter through our windows as we
replace the outer faded window coverings with newer clear ones. The project
will not only help with energy efficiency,
but allow the beautiful colors of the windows to be seen more clearly. (Contact
Barb Gay or one of our Trustees if you
are interested in supporting this project.)
As I think about our windows in this
New Year and in this season of Epiphany, I
can’t help but think about our role as Christians
and as a church in the world. Our world can
seem so dark sometimes, especially when we
hear news of persistent poverty, drugs, warfare, refugees and homelessness. But, the
Epiphany message is that the light of hope in
Jesus Christ has broken through the darkness.
Like the Magi from the East who were drawn
to Jesus by the light of his star, the world
needs to look to the hope that Christ brings to
all of our lives.
My prayer for us all is that we may
continue to allow the light of Christ to shine
through us allowing more people to be drawn
to him and the home that He brings. May you
seek to be a witness to the light and love of
Jesus each and every day in your personal life
through your attitudes and actions. And may
Tunkhannock UMC continue to find new ways to
reach out to our community and the world to let
the light of Christ shine through us.
Your fellow servant on the journey,
Pastor Jon
8
Stamps for Wyoming County Correctional Facility
We started the year with a lot of Cards. We had 240 stamped cards from
last year, purchased 221 stamps for cards from donations this year. 400
cards were delivered to the WCCF for distribution. That leaves us with a
total of 61 Stamped cards for next year.
Saturday, January 30.
Leave TUMC @ 4:30pm.
Tour, Penguins hat, McDonald’s coupon!!
We delivered 80 Whitman Samplers boxes and candy canes to the Facility to be given out Christmas Day to the inmates. Those not given out during the service on Dec
25th were given to visitors. Also 4- 3 lb. Boxes of Candy were given to the Shift Officers and
Office for their working with us thru-out the year. Services are conducted the 2nd Sunday of the
month by Pastor Jon, attended by Karen and myself. Brenda Reibson and Nancy Davidson fill in
occasionally. Thanks to all those who participate, this is definitely sharing of what Jesus requested from his church.
God Bless, Ray Brotzman
Home
Upcoming Events and
Announcements
Happy New Year!!
The new year is finally here! The kids did an amazing job at our Christmas Program
back in December. I want to thank all the teachers, and parents for helping get our
kids excited about the program. As we begin the 2016 year, our Youth Group have a
lot of events coming for them. For our 8th graders confirmation is upon us.
January 2016
Youth Newsletter
Name Tunkhannock UMC
Location Tunkhannock, PA
Web
tunkhannockumc.wikispaces.com/home
Bio From preschool through 4th
grade students to middle school
and high school youth at
Tunkhannock United Methodist
Church. Learning about God and
each other!
450
60
following
followers
Tweets
4
Youth Group Gathering Dates in Jan.
Sunday, January 10th - 12 PM
Sunday, January 24th– 12 PM
Join us as we continue to talk and plan for upcoming events and begin talking about the big fellowship festival we are planning for this summer. We will have
snacks, games, and a whole lot of fun.
Confirmation
Sunday January 31st– 12:10 PM: We will begin with our confirmation class. It will
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be an orientation with schedules that will show what is in store for the kids all the
way to Pentecost. Parents and Mentors will be welcomed to join us and answer any
questions you may have.
It Takes a Village!!
It takes a village to raise a child, and you are the village of the youth of our church.
One way to help out is to sign up to make breakfast on a particular Sunday for our
High School students. Not a cook? That is ok, you can sign up to talk to our High
School class about anything!! Just having a conversation with our children will
make a difference in their life and in yours as well. Contact Donna Schorr at 570533-3771 to Sign-up TODAY!!!
© Tunkhannock United Methodist Church Contact: Allen Wehler / allen.wehler@yahoo.com / 570-836-1229 or 570-665-0182
Special Mission Collection for January
In past years, The Souper Bowl of Caring has been a project for
our Sunday school children because the project uses ‘the energy of
the Super Bowl to mobilize youth in a united national effort to care for
people in their local communities who are hungry and those in need.”
This year we are asking our whole church to participate by making a
monetary donation or donating nonperishable goods. On January 17
we will have our “Mission Moment” to more fully explain the project. Collection for the Souper
Bowl of Caring with be on Jan. 17, Jan. 24 and Jan. 31. For more information, you can check
out souperbowl.org.
New Members Class
On Sunday, Jan. 31 Pastor Jon will begin a “New Members Class”. The group will meet each Sunday for four
weeks in the meeting room of the Education Building at
9:45am. If you are interested in becoming a member of
TUMC, speak to Pastor Jon or call the office at 570-8361229. New Members will be received into the church on Sunday, February 21
and 28.
Scholarships for High School Students
United Methodist high school seniors planning to attend college in Fall
2015 and current college and seminary students are encouraged to apply
for United Methodist scholarships and loans through the General Board of
Higher Education and Ministry in Nashville TN. Scholarship criteria include
that applicants must be active, full members of The United Methodist
Church for at least one year. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.5
or higher on a 4.0 scale, and must be full-time students. The Fall 2015 online scholarship application will
open in early January and close in early March. Students may apply through the General Board of Higher
Education and Ministry website at www.gbhem.org.
Please continue to use your boxed envelopes until they are
gone. It doesn't matter if the date stamped on the front is incorrect. When you have used up all of your remaining envelopes, feel free to pick up a new box at the back of the sanctuary after the first of the year. It is very important for recording purposes that you write down your new number on the
tablet provided AND always put your name on the donation
envelope.
Sunday Services—
8:30 and 11:00 am
Sunday School—9:45am
Sunday
January 2016
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
New Year’s
Day
Office Closed
Rev 18-22
1
Epiphany Sunday
Special Music both
services
Zumba 7-8pm
Fellowship Hall
Covenant Bible Study
1-2pm Fellowship Hall.
Seven Loaves Soup
Kitchen 3-7pm
3
Gen 1-3
4
Youth Group meets at 12
noon in Fellowship Hall
Zumba 7-8pm
Fellowship Hall
10
5
Covenant Bible Study
1-2pm Fellowship Hall
“Worship Alive” planning
mtg. 6:15pm Ed. Bldg.
Prison Ministry 2:00pm
Rom 3-4
Josh 1-5
Bell Choir 6:15pm
Chancel 7:30pm
Gen 4-7
11
Josh 6-10
12
“Worship Alive” Service 8:30am
Zumba 7-8pm
Fellowship Hall
Finance 6pm Ed.
Bldg.
High School Breakfast
9:45am Fellowship
Martin Luther King Jr
Observance
Trustees 7pm Ed.
Bldg.
Rom 5-6
17
Ad. Board 9:35am
Ed. Bldg
Gen 8-11
18
Josh 11-15
19
Ps 1-2
Men’s Prison
Ministry 6pm
Job 1-2
6
7
Zumba Gold 9:30am
Fellowship Hall
Gathering of
Women
@Remington’s
6pm
Council on Ministries
10:30am Ed. Bldg.
Ps 3-5
13
Job 3-4
14
Men’s Breakfast
7am Perkins
Health Ministry
7:15pm Ed.
Bldg.
Staff/Parish Relations 7pm Ed. Bldg.
Newsletter Articles
Due
Ps 6-8
20
Isa 1-6
8
Isa 7-11
15
31
Gen 12-15
Josh 16-20
Ps 9-11
25
26
27
21
22
28
Matt 3-4
16
“Special Friends”
5-7pm Rear of
Sanctuary
Isa 12-17
Job 7-8
9
Men’s Prison
Ministry 6pm
Women’s Prison
Ministry 6pm
24
Confirmation Orientation
12:10pm Fellowship Hall
Matt 1-2
Women’s Prison
Ministry 6pm
Job 5-6
Assemble Newsletter 9:00am
Ed. Bldg.
Zumba 7-8pm
Fellowship Hall
2
Baby Shower 1-6pm
Fellowship
Hall
Men’s Breakfast
7am Perkins
Flute Rehearsal 7pm
Rom 1-2
Acts 27-28
Isa 18-22
29
Matt 5-7
23
TUMC at
WB/S Penguins Faith &
Family Night
Matt 8-10
30
Weekly Community Events
Thursday
Monday
7:00 pm
Zumba, Fellowship Hall
6:00 pm
Families Helping Families, Fellowship Hall
7:30 pm
Al Anon, Room 201, Ed Bldg
8:00 pm
AA Basement, Ed Bldg
7:30 pm
AA, Basement, Ed Bldg
Tuesday
Friday
10:30am
Lectionary, Meeting room, Ed Bldg
10:00 am
Playgroup, nursery
1pm
Covenant Bible Study, Fellowship Hall
5:00 pm
Library Tutoring, room 204, Ed Bldg
4:00 pm
Probation, Meeting room, Ed Bldg
6:00pm
Prison Ministry
5:00 pm
Library Tutoring, room 204, Ed Bldg
7:00 pm
NA, Basement, Ed Bldg
7:00 pm
NA, Basement, Ed Bldg
7:00 pm
Writer’s Group, room 200, Ed Bldg
Wednesday
9:30am
Zumba Gold, Fellowship Hall
5:30-6:15 pm
TOPS, Fellowship Hall (weigh-in)
6:15-7:00 pm
TOPS, Fellowship Hall (meeting)
7:00 pm
Al Anon, room 201, Ed Bldg
7:00 pm
NA, Basement, Ed Bldg
Saturday
12:00 pm
AA, Basement, Ed Bldg
12:00 pm
Al Anon, rm. 201 Ed Bldg
5:00 pm
AA Basement Ed Bldg
Sunday
5:00pm
NA Basement Ed. Bldg.
Report for Worship Assistants 2015
We had another good year of participation, I am looking forward to
be able to have each person do one Sunday a year. We are slowly
progressing to that point. I like it when a person does both services, I
know this can not always occur because of other commitments, but
this lets us become familiar with the other people of both services.
By way of this letter I want to express my thanks to all who give up
their time for this congregation, also this letter is a request to all the
people interested in serving the church and sharing God's message with the congregation. I
know I have not reached all I should have asked and this is my way of doing so.
Thanks and God Bless to all, Ray Brotzman (570-351-2532)
From the Trustees:
A parishioner for custodial use purchased a new battery powered leaf/snow blower.
Yearly parsonage inspection was conducted and a “punch list” made. Trustees are working on this list.
Trustees did a yearly safety inspection of the church property. Several items will be addressed as a result.
Potential leaks to the church roof pointed out by MPS have been taken care of.
AED’s continue to be kept up to date by Zack Daniels and family.
Trustees are actively perusing some wiring and light problems in the church, i.e., adding
more efficient bulbs, more outlets, outside lights, and lighted stair wells.
We thank Barb Polluck, Kevin Sutton, Pat Bernet, and Tom Daniels , who will be leaving
us at the end of the year. Each has donated much time and expertise to keeping up our church
properties.
Going South? Please call the church office at 570-836-1229 with your forwarding address so that you can
continue to receive the monthly Newsletter.
Protective Coverings on Stained Glass Windows
It will cost $54,200 to put new protective coverings on our beautiful stained
glass windows. So far we have raised $20,000 through donations and pledges toward this project. As soon as the total is raised we can get this project completed.
Windows 1, 2,3, 5, and 6 have been “ specifically adopted” Please prayerfully consider giving to this very worthwhile project. Mark on your donation window protection
project so money will go where you want it to be used. If you want to adopt a specific window, please contact the church office or Barb Gay at skyhaven@epix.net or
570-836-3884 cell: 570-237-6373.
Window Costs
Number 1 …………………………..
Numbers……………………………
2,3,4,5,6,9,10,13,14
Number 7 & 8 ……………………
$6,500
$3,000
$2,500
Number 11 & 12……………….. $3,500
Covenant Bible Study Group
Do you look around you and see nothing but trouble? Or are you experiencing firsthand a
time of suffering? Do you wonder how any good can come out of the world you live in? In the
Old Testament book of Isaiah, you'll discover that trouble and suffering are nothing new to
God's people. But the prophet Isaiah raises a loud cry for revival in this midst of a rotting society. Isaiah firmly believes that God can triumph even in the worst of times . Join us as we
continue our study of Isaiah Chapter 11. There are books to borrow and everyone is welcome, even if you can only make it occasionally. We meet on Tuesdays at 1pm in the Fellowship Hall.
2016 Flower Chart
The new 2016 Flower Chart is up near the main entrance.. Please consider
honoring God and your loved ones by signing up for any available Sunday in
the year (or share a Sunday with someone). Unless you tell the church secretary otherwise, she will contact the florist on the Wednesday before the date
you have chosen. Those dreary winter months are ahead. Flowers brighten
our world.
Gathering of Women
The January 2016 Gathering of Women
(Thursday, January 14) is planned for Remington’s Restaurant. As usual, we will get together
at 6 pm.We had a very nice turnout for December and would love to see this continue. All
women of the church are welcome and encouraged to attend. In order to make sure
that there is seating for all, you are asked to make a reservation by noon on
Wednesday, January 13th. Contact Hatsy Eberhardt at 570-836-3956 or email to
hatsy@frontier.com.
Council on Ministries (COM)
Nancy Brooks, Chairperson of the COM, presented a summary of things that
were accomplished during 2015:
Cross Walk on Good Friday, Stop Hunger Now, Completion of a
Mission Statement, Establishment of a policy for Safe Sanctuaries, Name
tags, Updated and comprehensive job descriptions by SPRC, New programs and projects for the young people, Special monthly collections for
mission projects, Initiation of a once a month “Worship Alive” praise service
during the 8:30 a.m service., “The Church has Left the Building” with over 100 volunteers who
worked to help our community and lots of Fellowship dinners. If you have an idea or a project
that our church can do to help others, send it along to Nancy at nncybrks@yahoo.com.
Volume 5, Issue 1
January 2016
T U NK H A N NO C K U N IT E D MET H OD I ST CH U R CH
PO Box 447
T u n k ha n n o c k , PA 1 8 6 5 7
January 2016
Newsletter
TUMC@epix.net
Non-Profit Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Tunkhannock, PA
Permit No. 24
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Birthday and Anniversary Calendars—There are just a few days left to add your name to the growing list of Church birthdays and Anniversary’s. This project is headed by Dianne Fitze and will be a wonderful way for our congregation to connect with
one another. Contact Dianne at 570-881-0077 or djcc@ptd.net.
Cross County Cleaners
608 Hunter Hwy
January Committee Meetings
Tunkhannock PA
570-836-5672
Confirmation Orientation Meeting: January 31 at
12:10pm in the Fellowship Hall. Parents , mentors and students are welcome to review the planned schedule of events.
New Members Class is scheduled to begin Sunday,
January 31 at 9:45am in the Education Building. If
you are interested in becoming a new member of
the church, please speak to Pastor Jon or call the
church office at 570-836-1229.
Council on Ministries
Wed-Ed. Bldg.
Jan. 13 10:30am
Finance Committee
Tues-Ed. Bldg.
Jan. 19
6pm
Trustees
Tues-Ed. Bldg.
Jan. 19
7pm
SPRC
Wed-Ed. Bldg.
Jan. 20
7pm
Health Ministry
Thurs-Ed. Bldg.
Jan. 21
7:15pm
Administrative Bd.
Sun-Ed. Bldg.
Jan. 24
9:35 am
The office will be closed Jan. 1