JAN., 2015

VOLUME XLIV

Issue No. 01

THE EAGLE

We continue to hear the message of God that came through the birth of Jesus by moving into the season of Epiphany. We often miss Epiphany be-cause it happens twelve days after Christmas, often occurring during the

week instead of on a Sunday.

This year, we will use the Epiphany passages that help us remember that the three kings arrived later than we would think. The Sunday School programs for Christmas almost always have the three kings at the end of the story. We get the trip to Bethlehem, the knock on the door that says there is no room for the birthing, the barn, the baby was born in and the shepherds and the kings arriving at the end. It actually was quite some time before the

kings arrive.

On Epiphany, we are reminded there is always more to see, more to be re-vealed. Think about the stars leading those kings to the manger. It is all about being opened to the new light that leads us to know Christ better. Epiphany will open our hearts to live more faithfully, to experience more of Christ’s presence in our lives and to know more fully who we are

called to be as Christians in the world today.

The kings have arrived and we know the rest of the story. Bring more light into your life today and find ways to learn and grow more through the

programs here at St. John’s in the New Year.

In Christ, Pastor Paula

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Page 2 THE EAGLE VOLUME XLIV Issue No. 01

Current Operating Receipts $ 13,042.31 21,863.89

Current Operating Disbursements $- 13,486.23 29,066.68

Current Operating Balance $ - 443.92 -11,487.08

January Worship Opportunities

WORSHIP - 10:00 a.m.

SUNDAY SCHOOL - 11:00 a.m.

January 4, 2014 Isaiah 60:1-6, Matthew 2:1-12 �They F��wed the ight�

January 11, 2014 Mark 1:4-11 �A�d He Was Bapti�ed�

January 18, 2014 1 Samuel 3:1-10, John 1:43-51 ��� Excuses With G�d’s Ca�

January 25, 2014 Jonah 3:1-5, 10; Mark 1:14-20 �Are Y�u a $esse�ger%�

Game Night-January 17, 2015

6p.m.-8p.m.

The Game Night is for all ages and for a variety of games. Bring a snack to share and a game you like to play. Questions will be addressed by Pastor Paula.

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PRAYERS F)R THE PE)P E

Page 3 THE EAGLE VOLUME XLIV Issue No. 01

Prayer List – Ann Beasom, Deb Blanford, the Family of Mark Botts, Sid & Jean Bower-sox, Alverda Brouse, Carrie Brouse, Ruth & Fred Brouse, Peg Brouse, Marilyn Correll, Leona Fertig, Pearl Fisher, Bill & Lola Fuller, Bob & Lou Goff, Arminta Gustafson, Betty Hackenberg, Deb Hassenplug, Louise Heistand, Ty, Keri & Paisley Hoban, Lois Hummel, Elaine Klingler, Don Murray, Christine Sartwell, Alice Savidge, Cheryl Walter, The Whitebread Family, The Family of Ella Wise. Contact the church office with up-

dates regarding the prayer list.

1. A motion was made, seconded and approved to increase the fidelity insurance to $45,000 at a cost of $21 per year. This will cover those who are handling the money such as Duane, Todd and the counters.

2. A motion was made, seconded and approved for Duane to be able to contact Bill Roll or some other accountant to help with this year’s taxes at a cost not to exceed $300.

3. There was $100 collected for Harvest Home. It was decided to send it to the East-ern Union County Supplemental Food Program.

4. $800 in donations have come in designated for the Building Fund. A motion was made, seconded by and approved for Duane to put it into the Vanguard account when another $200 has been received for the Building Fund.

5. Chris has talked with Rev. Alice Rauch about what other options were available through the Association instead of the listening teams to help St. Johns. Pastor Paula will get more information about the Samaritan Consoling Center in Lancas-ter.

6. A motion was made, seconded and approved to accept Paul and Tara Bozella and Rick and Donna Pauling into membership.

7. A motion was made, seconded and approved to allow Pastor Paula to use $385 from Professional Growth to go to the Hershey convocation.

8. A motion was made, seconded and approved to ask people who may be connect-ing to the sound system to remove their equipment if it interferes with what we need to do. Dana suggested that they come in 24-48 ahead of any event to test for problems. The facility guidelines will need to be updated.

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Page 4 THE EAGLE VOLUME XLIV Issue No. 01

*A�UARY V) U�TEERS Ushers: Mark Brouse, Art Bower, Ashley Griffith, Craig Swineford

Lock-up Person: Bob Brouse

Lay-Reader:: Colleen Ross

Preparation of Communion Elements: Carol Berry & Ruth Brouse

�A�UARY Chi�dre�'s Church �ursery S�u�d Vide�

4 Angie Donlin Liz DeSantis Barry Catherman

11 Kristy Renn Anna Brouse Barry Catherman

18 Sue Baish Liz DeSantis Barry Catherman

25 Kelly Snayberger Linda Williams Barry Catherman

�A�UARY F��wer Sp��s�rs Ac��yte Drivers R�ute 1#

4 Ashley Griffith Adams

11 Adam Snayberger Bowersox

18 Bryanna Harris Spickler

25 James Donlin Bowersox

�A�UARY Greeters

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11

18

25

If you need a ride to church, please contact Ron Zug (570-523-3987) who schedules the drivers.

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Page 5 THE EAGLE VOLUME XLIV Issue No. 01

In memory of Lucille Barchet by The ��h� Barchet Fa)i�y

by Susa� Ruh�

Wesley Forest Ecumenical Winter Retreat

“Paths to Prayer”

Finding Your Own Way to the Presence of God

January 23 - 25, 2015

Weikert, PA

. . . Brochures available in the Narthex . . .

In memory of Ella Wise by Dia�a & R�ger Spic,�er

Dear Friends at St. Johns,

I want to thank you so much for thinking of me and showing me such

kindness as I recover from the fracture in my leg and the surgery to repair it. It is

turning out to be quite a long process to heal and learn to walk again. The uplift-

ing gifts of flowers, visits, cards, prayers, and the use of a wheelchair have been

appreciated much more than you will know. And your support has also been ap-

preciated by my parents who both turned 80 this month. It is the love and sup-

port of our Faith, our family, and our friends who get us through these difficult

times in life, and we are all grateful.

Again, thank you so much!

Sincerely,

Deb Blandford

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Casual Chore Sunday - 1st Sunday of Every Month!

Consistory would like to ask the congregation members to dress casually on the 1st

Sunday of every month. We ask that everyone bring their work/weeding gloves and some

elbow grease as we join together for a quick 30 minute work session, immediately following

the worship service. If we can rally 30 people for 30 minutes, only once a month, we can

easily upkeep our beautiful place of worship without the need for long "work days". We will

quickly accomplish more together as a congregation and will still be able to enjoy a Sunday

out to lunch with our families.

Please mark your calendars to stay after worship

on Sunday, January 11th, 2015, to help un-

decorate the Church. Many hands make light

work for all.

SAVE TAXES WITH IRA GIFT

If you are 70½ or older and have a Traditional IRA, you can gift part of the IRA to St. John’s

UCC in 2013 and get a great tax benefit per the 2013 tax laws!

The gift must be made DIRECTLY from your Traditional IRA to St. John’s UCC (or other quali-

fied public charity you choose) and you pay no federal income tax on the withdrawal, even if you

don’t itemize! Although you do not technically get to claim a charitable deduction, the tax-free

distribution is the equivalent of a charitable deduction. And there is no adjusted gross income ceil-

ing on deductibility. The law limits the income-tax-free gift to $100,000 maximum in 2013. This

gift will help fulfill the “minimum required distribution” from your IRA. Again, you may not

withdraw the IRA money and then give it to St. John’s; to get the tax benefit, you must gift it di-

rectly from the IRA to St. John’s. Contact your IRA custodian to initiate the transfer.

The above method is a way to stretch your money! For example, if you were to give St. John’s

$750 and be in the 25% tax bracket, you would have to take $1000 from earnings or your IRA,

and pay $250 of it to taxes. But with the above benefit, you could give all $1000 to St. John’s and

pay $0 of it in taxes!

If you have questions, please see Marvin Border or Dan Clement for more information. Note that

St. John’s, Dan, and Marvin are not financial or tax consultants and you should confirm any tax

impact with your personal consultants before you take an IRA withdrawal.

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�a�uary 25- 2015

Our Annual Congregational meeting will be following worship on

�a�uary 25- 2015 with a dinner. The Consistory members will provide

the meat and dessert. You are asked to bring a salad, vegetable or covered

dish. This will be a time for hearing additional reports from committees,

assess where we are, and talk about where we might like to go. Please join

us for this gathering.

01/04 Charlotte Hufnagle

01/04 Karin Knisely

01/06 Margaret Brouse

01/09 Gina Funk

01/09 Bryanna Harris

01/13 Pacey Klinger

01/15 Mary Stover

01/16 Sandra Lenig

01/17 Joseph Gutelius

01/19 Rose Digan

01/22 Terry Bly Jr.

01/24 Pamela Mabus

01/25 Debra Drasher

01/25 Rita Griffith

01/27 Craig Swineford

01/29 Braxton Renn

01/31 George Pardoe Jr

01/04 James & Susan Baish

01/21 Richard & Carol Berry

01/24 William & Joanne Stahley

01/30 William & Brenda Hoban Jr

01/31 Fred & Ruth Brouse

F/0WER CHART F0R 2015

The 2015 flower chart is now posted

on the bulletin board across from the church

office. To buy both, the price is $40.00, or

$20.00 per bouquet. The flower chart has

room for two names. If you decide to buy

both bouquets, put your name on both spaces.

If you have any questions, please call

the church office.

W�rship C�ittee

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The Communion offering for �a�4 4th is dedicated to the /EAF

FU�D4 The goal is $1000.00.

The Christmas Eve offering is dedicated to the UCC Christ)as

Fu�d4

The Communion offering for Feb4 1st is dedicated to the

CHURCH V0CATI0� FU�D4 The goal is $1000.00

Tha�,s f�r y�ur c��ti�ued supp�rt �f St4 ��h�’s )issi��s!

Visit us on the Web!

www.stjohnslewisburg.org

1050 Buffalo Road

Lewisburg, PA 17837

Phone: 570-523-0162

Fax: 570-524-0468

E-mail: stjohns@dejazzd.com

No matter who you are, or where you are on life's journey, you're welcome

here!

St. John’s

United Church of Christ

WORSHIP HOURS

Worship: 10:00 a.m.

Sunday School: 11:00 a.m.

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The Secret Pal Dinner will be held in our Fellowship Hall on Friday eve-

ning, February 6, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. The cost of the evening will be $11.00.

Following the meal, we will meet in the chapel/parlor area where the iden-

tities of our Secret Pals will be revealed. Don't forget to bring a gift for your

Secret Pal (around $15). If you cannot make it to the dinner, please see that

your gift is at the church by that evening. You can make reservations by filling

out the Secret Pal form enclosed with this mailing. Please pay your $11.00 to

Anna Brouse by Sunday, January 28th, 2015.

We will draw for a new Secret Pal name for the coming year at this time.

If you cannot make it to the dinner, but would like to be in the exchange,

please see Anna Brouse for a form to fill out by January 31st.