www.come-to-grace.org
December 2017
Grace Reporter Grace United Methodist Church
For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
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YOU In Ministry 8:30 a.m. WORSHIP SERVICE Communion Servers December 3
Dave & Maria Ziolecki G. Buckholt & N. Blakeway
December 10 Peter & Jean Belski Clyde & Mary Jane Qualk December 17 Michael & Jennifer Kuenzel G. Buckholt & N. Blakeway December 24 ONE COMBINED 10:00 AM SERVICE December 31 NO COMMUNION Nursery Helpers December 3
Cathie Podroskey
December 10 Kim Miller
December 10 Keren Galis December 17 Naomi Custer December 24 10:00 AM Lydia Custer December 31 Davis Stepp Junior Church Teams December 3 PS & Kdg. 1st - 5th
December 10 PS & Kdg. 1st—5th
December 24 10:00 AM PS & Kdg. 1st—5th
December 31 Cathie Podroskey 10:45 Worship Service Nursery Helpers December 3
Michelle Stepp
Lesley Daniels & Betsy Ahlborn Kristen Diethorn & Molly Diethorn
December 17 Combined Classes / Christmas Cantata Nikki Kennedy & Lesley Daniels
December 17 Jacob Ziolecki December 24 ONE COMBINED 10:00 AM SERVICE
Pam Kibler & Kelly Kibler Don & Ginny Spindler
Nikki Kennedy & Hannah Custer Sharon Hixenbaugh, Joyce Hill and Sherry Hixenbaugh December 31
PS & Kdg. 1st—5th
Jessica Lipari & Cindy Motycki Kathy Vash & Grace Vash
Keep January 7 free on your calendar! Help take down the Christmas decorations following 10:45 a.m. service.
the
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Praying For You From The Computer
Pastor Ken Custer
Do you know what your name means? A name was very important in biblical times because a name was meant to be a way to describe the person. When we go to the Bible and read Matthew’s account of Jesus’ birth, the angel told Joseph to “call his name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21 What a way to describe the Son of God! Jesus came to die on the cross to rescue us from sin, so we could be forgiven and spend eternity with our loving Father in heaven. But Jesus wasn’t the only name given to the Christ child. The same passage in the Bible also mentions a prophecy from Isaiah: A virgin would bear a son, and the child’s name would be Immanuel, meaning “God with us” Matthew 1:22-23 God was now coming to live among God’s people in a personal way—through the incarnate Savior. And though Jesus rose from the grave and ascended into heaven, Jesus Christ still dwells in and among us today through the Holy Spirit. Christmas means every day is an opportunity to walk with God. Most people define Christmas by what they see—the trees, lights, gifts, and parties. But in reality, Christmas is about the birth that took place over 2000 years ago, when God arrived in the form of a newborn baby. Christmas is a time we can celebrate that Jesus came to reveal divine love for sinful mankind and offer salvation by dying for our transgressions. Once we understand the true significance of Christmas, our attitude about Christmas changes. Instead of focusing on external things and feeling exhausted from all the preparations and activities, we’ll be able to see the Advent and Christmas seasons in an entirely new way. The trees can remind us of the cross where Jesus died The gifts can bring to mind the eternal life Jesus gives us And the lights can signify that the Light of the world now dwells in our hearts When you consider all that Jesus has done for us, the coming weeks should be ones filled with joy and gratitude. Yet the coming days offer much busyness and it is easy to get distracted. So distracted that many don’t give much thought to the day we will stand before the Lord. Christmas can be a fitting time to seriously reflect our eternal destiny. I pray that in the midst of all the busyness, you have time to reflect on the truth that Christ came down to us so that one day we may go up to Him in heaven. Christmas is just a taste of what awaits us when we finally will see Jesus face to face.
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We Give Praise and Thanks To God! Dear Grace Church, I would like to thank the people of Grace Church for your most generous gifts to me and my family for Pastor Appreciation month. Your kindness and thoughtfulness is so much appreciated. We are blessed to be here and serve God alongside all of you. Godspeed
Ken
~~~~~
Thank you, Grace Church! Thank you for supporting our Ham Dinner. It was a great success, serving nearly 300 friends a wonderful meal. Thanks to Bob Robison, Dan Meharey and Beverly Minor, for your leadership. Thank you to Kay Sokolosky and the 50th Anniversary Committee for sponsoring the dinner and providing much of the man power behind its production. We look forward to autumn 2018, and our next Ham Dinner! ~~~~~
Orders for poinsettias will be received through Sunday, December 10. Poinsettias will be displayed in the sanctuary for Christmas Eve Worship services. Planted in six inch pots, each poinsettia is available for $5.25 Submit order with payment using a pew envelope marked, “Poinsettia” and place in the offering plate. Be sure to indicate whether your poinsettia is placed, “To The Glory of God,” “In Memory Of . . .” or “In Honor Of . . .” Protective coverings will be available to keep your poinsettia fresh and live in the cold December weather. Orders may also be placed by mailing your information and payment to: Grace
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Exploring God’s World with Ross Golden HIBERNATION We have discussed hibernation in the past, but let us expound. There are several types of hibernators. True hibernators include only bats and groundhogs for mammals and reptiles and amphibians in Pennsylvania. Reptiles and amphibians, including snakes, frogs, toads, salamanders and the like. They are called obligatory hibernators. They must be in their hibernacula (where they hibernate) before cold weather strikes. Reptiles and
amphibians are cold blooded (a terrible
term) or poikilothermic, meaning they do not regulate their own body temperature. If they are out in the cold weather, they will become hypothermic and die. They must be in the hibernacula before cold weather strikes, thus they are obligatory hibernators. Bats and ground hogs are the only mammals that truly hibernate in Pennsylvania. All hibernation is triggered by day length or more accurately the night length and hormonal changes that come with that change in night length. But bats and ground hogs can stay active if the weather is warm. True hibernating mammals have a store of brown fat (fat that has a large blood supply); this is the fuel used to keep the animal alive during hibernation and is the jump start to awakening from hibernation. It takes a tremendous amount of energy to awaken. This is one reason why bears do not truly hibernate, they are too large and it simply would take more energy than they could store. The only other place that I am aware of that brown fat occurs, interestingly, is in newborn human babies and it disappears shortly after birth. Bears are torpor hibernators, meaning they will sleep for long periods of time but will wake up and wander about for short periods of time. Other smaller mammals such as mice and voles may also use torpor hibernation to get through a winter while also storing food.
Genesis 1:25 God made the wild animals according to their kind . . .
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Military Prayer List Anderson, Gavin ~ United States Army National Guard
Jacob and Kayla (Wadsworth) Lee ~ United States Navy
Chris Levy ~ United States Air Force Clayton and Hannah (Smitley) Oveson ~ United States Air Force
David and Cheyenne Rager ~ United States Air Force
Christopher J. and Lauren Wonsettler ~ United States Army Christopher Wright ~ United States Army We had 10 repeat volunteers and one first timer with a total of 55 volunteering hours. We are in need of 1 or 2 people that are able to lift between 50 to 75 pounds on the Saturday distribution day. It would require approximately 3 hours of work from 9:30 to 12:30. If you are able please consider helping this worthy ministry for our church and our community of people that need our help. Our next delivery day is Friday, December 22nd, with distribution day on the 23rd of December. Blessings to all Sherry Cramer Coal Center Food Pantry Coordinator ~~~~~ Editor’s Note: Please check out the “Item of the Month” as listed in this newsletter and our Sunday bulletin and donate as you are able. The box for donations is located in the narthex to the right of the Welcome Table.
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What is Advent and Why Do We Celebrate? By Todd Reagan, Music/Drama Ministry The time before Christmas is called Advent, a season of preparation for Christmas. The word “advent comes from the Latin “adventus” meaning “arrival” or “coming.” Did you know that Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and ends of December 24th? During these four special weeks preceding the great celebration of our Savior’s birth, (“Christ-mas”) Christians celebrate this liturgical “Advent” season. Advent is an important time, a time allowing us to prepare for the Lord’s birth. It is a period of spiritual preparation in which Christians make themselves ready for the coming, or birth, of their Redeemer, and we need this time of preparation in our spiritual lives if we are really going to be ready to fully celebrate Christmas. Advent typically involves a season of prayer, fasting, and repentance; recognizing the hopeless state of mankind and our need for a savior, followed by anticipation, hope, and the joy of Christmas. We have Advent for a reason and we certainly miss out when we try to skip it and jump right into Christmas. That’s why interest in Advent is growing steadily in many churches and in many Christian homes. It is meant to get us ready, not for a present-opening party, but for a transformational celebration of the birth of Jesus, the Christ. The retail stores try to tell us that Christmas has arrived, sometimes in October, but that doesn’t mean it’s Christmas. The Christian season of Christmas actually begins on December 25th and lasts for twelve days, ending on January 6th. We celebrate Thanksgiving and then Advent and then Christmas, and there is beautiful music for each season, including many advent hymns and songs that are worthy and essential for our worship time. Hymns like, “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus” and “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” also contemporary Advent songs like, “Welcome to our World” and “Breath of Heaven.” If you ever wonder why we are singing Advent music in the first part of December instead of Christmas Carols—that’s why. There is plenty of time to celebrate Christmas, but we first
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Grace Family Matters The Care team sent out seven get well cards, two sympathy cards and one baby congratulation cards for the month of October from the Welcome Desk. David Ziolecki will be the chairperson of the Care Team beginning in January. Fruit Baskets and Thanksgiving Cards will be given to the local shutins and homebound members of the church. Cards will be sent to the shut-ins and homebound people who are out of state. Visitations are ongoing to our local members.
Grace United Methodist women had their meeting on November 9, 2017 at 1pm in the Newkirk Room. Kay Sokolosky presented our Thank Offering program. Plans were finalized for the annual Christmas Banquet to be held on December 14, 2017 at 6:00 pm at Hugo’s Restaurant. All women and their guests are invited to attend. Please check reservation form is in the bulletin for more information. Reservations are due by December 3rd . Payment is due at the time of reservation. Please give reservations to Kay Sokolosky, Jean Belski or the church office. Bill Porter, husband of Donna Bussy Porter will be our entertainment. The UMW also worked on their 2018 program booklet. We met our pledge this year of $1000.00. God has been faithful to us. We also worked on our mission pledges. All women are invited to attend our meetings on the Second Thursday of the month at 1:00 pm in the Newkirk Room.
“To sum up, all of you be harmonious . . . kindhearted, and humble in spirit.” I Peter 3:8
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Grace Family Matters Bonded in love ~ United in Christ
Charlotte Harvison was born October 2, 2017.
Alyssa Marie Johnston
She weighed 7 pounds,
and
14 ounces, and was 20.5
Zachary Robert Easoz
inches in length.
Char-
lotte joins big sis, Caroline, at home with parNovember 11, 2017
ents Dan and Michelle. Charlotte’s grandparents are Bill and Pam Marsich.
Proud great
Aleena Belle Sampson was born Ocober 31, 2017,
in
SC.
Charleston,
She weighed 6
pounds, 7 ounces, and was
20
length.
inches
in
Aleena is the
first child of Amanda (Campa) and Andrew
I am a child of light and not of darkness. I Thessalonians 5:5
Sampson. Grandmother Rachel Everett had the pleasure of taking Aleena to Folly Beach, SC, when she was a sweet three weeks old! Congratulations, Amanda and Andrew! You may be miles away
December Suggested Item ~ Aluminum Foil OR Plastic Wrap
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Grace Family Matters Sunday, November 19, 2017, found many friends becoming members of Grace Church. Joining on this day were: Brandi Lyn Christie Cathie Jean Mudry Alicia Marie Dible
Kevin Ducoeur Christie Donna Marie Mudry Michael Steven Matyas
Baptised in the faith on Sunday, November 19, 2017 were: Ryen Alivia Christie Joseph David DeMarco
Doris Robison November 15, 2017
Check out the Angel Tree waiting in the narthex. This tree will benefit local children by making sure they have something new for Christmas! All gifts must be returned to the church no later than Sunday, December 10. No wrapping and packing of any kind should be applied to the gift. Securely attach the tag to the gift. Thanks to Michelle Rolley for once again leading in this ministry!
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Grace Family Matters From the very first Ham Dinner held at Grace Church decades ago, this Cole Slaw has been served. From the cookbook of Mrs. Cora Mae Blackhurst we share: 1 cup vegetable oil 1 cup sugar 2/3 cup ketchup 2 tablespoons grated onion 1/2 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup vinegar Place all ingredients in mixer bowl. Beat 15 minutes on medium speed. Put in tightly covered container; leave overnight in refrigerator. Pour over shredded cabbage, mix well and refrigerate until serving. Makes about one quart. If you play a marching band instrument (trumpet, trombone, baritone, flute, clarinet, saxophone, tuba, bells,) you are welcome to join “Grace Notes” for three performances on Christmas Eve. We will perform at the Barn Service in Richeyville and both Candlelight Services at Grace Church (7PM & 9PM) We will play traditional Christmas Carols and will provide music. Rehearsal will be December 17, at 12:30 p.m., at the church. Call or text Jeff Miller if interested at 724-579-5295.
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Grace Family Matters REDUCING YOUR CARON FOOTPRINT Blessed Earth, 2009, Reprinted with permission. “Heaven is my throne and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me?” Acts 7:49 • • • • • •
• • • • • • •
•
Turn off lights, TV and other appliances when not in use. Unplug any electronic appliances when not in use. When doing laundry, set washing machine to use cold water and dry clothes on a line when possible. Clean the lint filter in your dryer, this will reduce energy use. Only air condition rooms that are in use. Use fans instead of your air conditioner. It costs 16 times more to run a room air conditioner than a ceiling fan; it costs 43 times more to run a central air conditioner than a ceiling fan. Use energy saving light bulbs. Use the dishwasher only when it is a full load. Stop and open the dishwasher before the drying cycle and let the dishes dry naturally. Take five-minute showers instead of baths and turn off the water during the shampooing and conditioning of hair. Activate the “sleep” mode on your home office equipment. Use laptops rather that desktops when possible. Decided what you want before your open the refrigerator door. Refrigerator gazing can cost $30 to $60 per year. As much as 40 percent of our drinking water is flushed down toilets. Flush once less per day and you save as much water as the average person in Africa uses all day for drinking, cooking, bathing and cleaning. Turn off the faucet while you brush your teeth. If every American used one gallon of water less per day, we would save more than 100 billion gallons per year.
GRACE Christmas Eve Worship Sunday— Dec. 24 10:00 a.m. ~ Combined Worship Service 5:30 p.m. ~ Barn Service at the Waleski Barn, Richeyville 7:00 p.m. ~ Candlelight Worship in our Sanctuary 9:00 p.m. ~ Candlelight Worship
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Children’s Ministry Corner . . .
Growing young disciples of Jesus Christ who love God, encourage others and serve the world www.come-to-grace.org/children Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/graceumckids
CHILDREN’S WEEKLY BIBLE STUDY TOPICS Utilized during Junior Church at the 10:45 a.m. Worship Service December 3 ~ John the Baptist prepares the way for Jesus ~ Mark 1:1-8 December 10 ~ God dwells with us ~ John 1:1-4 December 17 ~ Jesus is born ~ Luke 1:26-38; 2:1-20 December 24 ~ Faithful people thank God for Jesus ~ Luke 2:22-40 December 31 ~ Wise Men find Jesus ~ Matthew 2:1-12
Christmas Word Find
Answers found on page 16
JESUS MARY JOSEPH WISEMEN MANGER
NATIVITY BETHLEHEM CAMEL DONKEY STAR
HAY ANGEL FAITH HOPE MYRRH
FRANKINCENSE
SAVIOR CHRISTMAS SILENT NIGHT LORD
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Classified Advertising LAWN CARE Hometown Lawn Care ~ Josh Davis Fully Insured ~ Free estimates 724-986-9768
CHRISTIAN COUNSELING Christian Counseling Associates of Western PA
724-747-4373
[email protected] PROFESSIONAL MEDIA PRODUCTION All Heart Photo & Video Keren Galis and Dana Slavic Wedding Videography & Photography 724-562-4587 www.allheartphotovideo.com
724-396-1510 ~ ccawp.com NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS COMPUTER REPAIR
ReLiv Independent Distributor ~ Sherry Cramer
Charles E. Hines ~ Owner Fully Insured ~ Virus Removal ~ Hardware/ Software Installation ~ PC Tuneup
724-239-4508
724-884-5164 ~
[email protected]
COUNSELING SERVICES Virginia Spindler Counseling ~ Ginny Spindler 609 Broad Avenue, Belle Vernon PA 15012 724-469-0196 ~
[email protected]
CLASSIC ITALIAN BAKERY Giavanna’s Cakes & Pastries Scratch baking ~ Pick up or delivery JoAnne Nagy, Licensed Food Service Manager 724-809-3512
[email protected] www.giavannascp.com
MUSIC STORE
HOME, AUTO, BUSINESS, LIFE & HEALTH INSURANCE
From The Top Music Shop Instrument Sales, Service, Rentals & Music Instruction Band/Orchestra Rentals
Greater Pittsburgh Insurance Consultants Kathy Keller and Kim Hrubes
442 West Main Street, Monongahela PA 15063 724-258-6002 www.fttmusic.com
724-483-1690 www.greaterpittsburghinsurance.com
If you have a business or service to offer send name and contact information along with a brief description of your service to QUALITY PLASTERING Answers to Nativity Word Scramble on page 15: 1. Star; 2. Manger; 3. Mary; 4. Sheep; 5. Donkey 6. Angel; 7. Joseph; 8. Jesus; 9. Kings; 10. Stable
Fanala Plastering Over 25 years ~ Fully insured 1283 Route 481, Charleroi PA 15022
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Classified Advertising CAKES AND CANDIES SiLs Sweet Creations Michelle Rolley and Stephanie Hoffman Michelle 724-632-5999 ~
[email protected] Stephanie ~
[email protected]
724-632-2237 ~ www.pinkzebrahome.com/ kathleen7miller PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY Qualk Photography ~ Jen Qualk Specializing in outdoor photography 724-809-8157 ~ www.qualkphotography.com
ALPACA PRODUCTS Rustic Rail Alpacas ~ Jim and Diane Ord 526 Clover Hill Road, Coal Center PA 15423
AUTO BODY REPAIR AND PAINTING
724-938-0516 ~ 724-470-8812
Robison Auto Body ~ Gordon Robison 231 Fox Stop Road, Charleroi PA 15022 724-489-9733
HANDCRAFTED WOOD TOYS Uncle Pete’s Wood Toys ~ Pete Belski 355 Pike Run Drive, Daisytown PA 15427 724-938-9615
CLEANING SERVICE Grace Custodian Paula Pivarnik General Cleaning ~ Walls ~
CANDLES & HOME FRAGRANCE Pink Zebra Consultant Kathleen Miller Sprinkles, Candles, Reed Diffusers, Soaps & Lotions
The Grace Reporter Classified Advertising contains unsolicited information posted by a wide variety of individuals and organizations about (but not limited to) professional services, businesses, etc. The information posted is not advice and should not be treated as such. Grace Church does not endorse, support, recommend or have an opinion on any of the items listed in the Grace Reporter Classified Advertising, not is Grace Church responsible for the outcome of any transaction between you and the poster. Any transaction that you enter into is strictly between you and the
RUSTIC HOME DÉCOR AND ACCESSORIES Heather Anne Heitz | TheHaberdasheryShop.Etsy.com
[email protected] Rustic Christmas Décor ~ Twine Garland ~ Personalized Christmas Ornaments ~ Hand Knit Chunky Heirloom Stockings ~ Rustic Home Décor ~ Unique Accessories
CUSTOMIZED WEDDING GUEST BOOKS & ALBUMS Calligraphed Epistle wedding guest books and albums are far more than the predictable; they house the memories, pictures and keepsakes from your wedding day and life. Created in the spirit of paying homage to vintage treasures, they are an alternative to the generic cookie cutter guest book. Heather Anne Heitz |
[email protected] CalligraphedEpistle.com
Grace United Methodist Church Making Disciples of Jesus Christ 420 California Drive Coal Center, PA 15423
Pastor Ken Custer 724-330-5503 ~
[email protected] Sheldon Barnette ~ Assistant to the Pastor
724-330-5350 Chris Merashoff ~ Office Manager 724-330-5350
[email protected] Music & Drama Ministry Todd Reagan 724-628-4957
[email protected] Church Council Chairperson Rick Thomas 724-970-0292
[email protected] Staff Parish Relations Chair John Heitz 724-249-4151
[email protected]
[email protected] United Methodist Women President ~ Jean Belski Youth Group Coordinators Chad Erbrecht 724-288-6221 Clyde Qualk, Jr. 724-809-1925 Outreach Committee Chair Sean Miller 724-914-3146 Mission Team Chair Kirsten Miller 304-481-6751
Finance Committee Chair Jim Short 724-258-9353
Lay Leaders Mary Jane Qualk 724-938-3648
Board of Trustees Chair Phil Riel 724-970-9016
[email protected]
Ginny Spindler 724-469-0196 Ryan Brouzakis 412-926-9235
Care Committee Chair Jean Belski 724-938-9615
WORSHIP Sunday Morning 8:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. Saturday Evening 5:14 p.m. For information on our worship services, please contact Chris at 724.330.5350.
Wednesday Nights at Grace! Our mid-week fellowship and education opportunity! 5:30 p.m. ~ 7:30 p.m. Wed@Grace continues through December 13 and will resume in January 2018
