February 2012 Newsletter

FEBRUARY FOOD BANK—Items Requested & Needed:
Through a Mirror Dimly—2012
Second Sunday of each month is dedicated to our Food Pantry.
Requested items are toiletries and definitely toilet paper, canned
meats, breakfast foods. Frozen dinners, pot pies, instant
potatoes, etc., are a great addition to offer to our guests as well. And bottled
juices and water are also very much appreciated. We have been blessed with
an over-abundance of canned veggies and chili and we have run out of storage
for these canned items!
Office Supplies: Copy Paper 8-1/2 x 11 and 8-1/2 x 14 always seems to be
needed every third month and we are there. Thanks.
Trivia Corner
IS YOUR NAME
LISTED???
February’s Questions:
1) Who was nicknamed ―JerubBaal‖? (Hint: Check Judges)
2) From which Hebrew tribe did
the Apostle Paul claim descent?
3) Where was Jesus when He
drove the demons out of a
possessed man and into a herd
of pigs?
4) Who was Theophilus? (Hint:
Check the Gospel according to
Luke)
5) Who within the New Testament
was named after Joshua, the
successor of Moses?
We are looking for all available
Ushers, Greeters or Liturgists to fill
our Angel Board.
There are several dates open.
Please sign up for one!!!
Date
Liturgist
Greeter/Usher
Feb 5
Becky H
Rick & Joan W
Feb 12
Katt D
Randy S
Guido R
Katt D
Feb 19
Feb 26
Mar 4
Mar 11
Mar 18
Last week’s snow and ice storm certainly brought our region to a near standstill.
Over 250,000 homes were without power for 3 or more days. Some medical
clinics and hospitals were reported to be operating on emergency power
supplies. Vehicles lined ditches all over the Puget Sound area. There was a run
on food and supplies in the region’s supermarkets. As one checkout clerk said to
me, ―Whew! It feels like a tornado just came through and cleared off all the
shelves!‖ In the midst of the storm, I came down with a minor case of the flu.
Two days later, I was better and Violet came down with it, only worse. That
evening she was in the emergency room getting re-hydrated with IV fluids.
So, for us and many others who weren’t ill, especially children, being forced to
stay home was like a miracle! There was time to do anything or nothing, play in
the snow, sleep in, drink cocoa with marshmallows, snuggle up by the fire and
read a book, watch a movie, you name it! What a wonderful disaster for some!
Meanwhile, emergency personnel had to find a way to work and medical
emergencies (like ours) couldn’t wait and there were folks who had deadlines to
meet. One of those was our own Church Administrator Linda Beck who hadn’t
been able to get in to the church all week until Saturday. Making a heroic effort,
Linda not only finished and printed the Sunday worship bulletins, she also
completed work on the Church’s 2011 Annual Report and printed it out. Joan
Willits came in and helped collate and staple the Annual Report and they plugged
away until they finished at 4:00 p.m.! Way to go, Linda! And thank you for going
the extra mile to meet the deadline of Sunday’s Annual Meeting!
Of course, thanks go to Joan, as well, but I want to add a word or two about
Joan. Joan assumed the role of Moderator half way through her first year as
Vice Moderator when the current Moderator left to pursue a degree at the UW.
When we inducted our new Moderator Claus Hoepcke at Sunday’s Annual
Meeting, Joan had completed a very demanding two and a half years as the lay
leader of our congregation. When she began, she wondered if she would have
what it takes to manage all that the Moderator is expected to do. I know
everyone will agree that she has done a magnificent job. Her gentle and
gracious style of leadership was precisely what we needed. When a crisis arose,
she embodied
Christian Trivia Questions/Answers
FOOD DRIVE
For Hawthorne
Elementary
We are collecting food for
Hawthorne Elementary
school’s weekend backpack food
program.
Appropriate food:
Juice Boxes
Cereal Bars
Pop Tarts
Pudding Cup
Ramen Noodles
Trail Mix
Cereal (small box)
Soups
Easy Mac & Cheese Jelly
Dried fruits
Snack Mix
Peanut Butter
Crackers
Oatmeal packets
Tuna
Fruit Cups
Cocoa
Canned:
Vegetables
Ravioli
Spaghetti
Meatballs
Dinner Items
Questions? Call
Susan Stansfield at
425-513-1517
Chancel Choir is back and
looking for others to join them in
singing praises. Could that be you?
Practice is every Tuesday at 6:30pm
in the Sanctuary.
Come Join Us.
January’s Questions:
FEBRUARY
2/1—Susan S.
2/5—Anna G.
2/6—Christine S.
2/8—Cheryl D.
2/14—Shelly C.
2/25—Katie M.
2/28—Peggy S.
1)
When is the Jewish New Year?
ANSWER: Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, falls on the first and
second days of the month of Tishrei, the seventh month of the Hebrew
calendar. The earliest date of the Gregorian calendar on which Rosh
Hashanah can fall is September 5, and the latest is October 5. Although
the actual term ―Rosh Hashanah‖ does not occur in the Bible, the holiday
itself is described in Leviticus 23:24.
2)
What sort of person is more valuable than rubies? (Hint: check
Proverbs)
ANSWER: ―A virtuous wife who can find? For her price is far above
rubies.‖ (Proverbs 31:10) The 31st Proverb is a glowing tribute to the role
of a Jewish wife in a faithful marriage. Verse 10-31 of this proverb form an
acrostic poem. Each of the verses begins with successive letters of the
Hebrew alphabet.
3)
Who neither slumbers nor sleeps? (Hint: check Psalms)
ANSWER: According to Psalm 121:4, ―he who watches over Israel shall
neither slumber nor sleep‖. God, of course, is the guardian of Israel.
Happy
Anniversary
2/25—Robert &
Mildie Morrow
2/29—Dwayne
Berg
& Lan Vo
4)
Why did the Magi bring Jesus gold, frankincense and myrrh?
ANSWER: Although the rational behind these exotic gifts is not explained
in the Gospel according to Matthew, the symbolism would have been
obvious to residents of 1st century Palestine. Gold reflected royalty,
frankincense was used by the Jewish priesthood, and myrrh was
traditionally used to prepare the dead for burial. The gifts of the Magi thus
proclaimed their understanding that Jesus was born to be King of the Jews,
a priest to His people, and a sacrifice for humankind.
5)
To which prophet did God say ―out of Egypt I called my son‖?
ANSWER: Hosea 11:1 quotes God as saying: ―When Israel was a child I
loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.‖ More than any other prophet,
Hosea understood that the relationship of God to the Hebrews was that of
a loving husband to a straying wife, or that of a loving parent to a willful
child. Other early prophets tended to focus upon God’s stern judgment and
justice, but Hosea emphasized the Lord’s steadfast love and limitless
mercy.
Care Corner
Dear Lord,
You have sent all sorts of weather to test us and
so far we have met the challenges, (we hope).
Be with all of us now and forever. We know
there are many prayers floating around that are
unspoken and unheard, except by you. Thank
you.
Please let us also keep in our prayers:
 Christine & Tana, while Christine recovers from her recent surgery.
 Lou & Sylvia who still struggle with health issues.
 Mimi as she recovers from knee surgery.
 Arbie with her continuing health problems.
THE CHURCH IS IN
NEED OF 1st CLASS
―ALWAYS‖ STAMPS.
IF YOU CAN HELP,
PLEASE DO SO !!
Potluck with a
Purpose
Sunday, February 12, 2012
12:30-3:00pm
We are all God’s children - let us rejoice!
I hope you come to find that
which gives life a deep meaning for you.
Something worth living for maybe even worth dying for
something that energizes you,
enthuses you,
enables you to keep moving ahead.
I can't tell you what it might be ~
that's for you to find, to choose, to love.
I can just encourage you to start looking
and support you in the search."
Bible Study
Each Monday in the Library
Starts Promptly @ 10:30AM.
Scriptures for the Month:
Feb 5 -
Exodus 24:12-18
Matthew 17:1-9
Feb 12 - 1 Corinthians 13
Feb 19 - Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-17
Matthew 4:1-11
Feb 26 -
Guest Preacher (First Sunday
in Lent)
Ita Ford, M.M.
We meet each week to increase
and share our knowledge of the
Bible as it relates to our daily lives.
Women’s Guild
SPRING AUCTION
The date is set — May 19, 2012!
Theme: ―Evening in Venice‖
Letter for donations are in the
office.
Start thinking of what businesses
or individuals you would like to see
donate and participate in our
auction in the Spring!
Create a place in your home...
at your work...in your heart...
where you can go for quiet and
recollection.
You deserve it.
Allow yourself time to be lazy and
unproductive.
Rest isn't luxury; it's a necessity.
Listen to the wind blow.
It carries a message of yesterday,
Tomorrow,
and now.
NOW counts.
Through a Mirror Dimly—2012 (Cont.)
Paul’s declaration, ―All things work together for good for those who love the
Lord.‖ Joan delegated tasks and tracked their progress. She urged and
encouraged everyone to stay the course. Then, in addition to her duties as
Moderator, she continued with her other church commitments such as helping
decorate the sanctuary with the changing church seasons, especially
Christmas and Easter. She and Rick organized, promoted and presented the
Annual Church Auction which netted over $5,500.00 in our down economy!
She and Rick, along with Betty Fisher and Pastor Mimi Lane, preached for me
when I was out of town and, having read their sermons, I concluded that our
lay preachers do a better job than some of the seminary trained preachers I
have known. (Pastor Mimi is, of course, seminary trained and, in my opinion, a
fine preacher.)
Joan and Rick regularly serve as ushers, communion stewards, worship
leaders, fellowship hour hosts, and Joan organized and coordinated the
Women’s Guild Holiday Bazaar. And she has done all this with more energy,
enthusiasm and grace, than seems humanly possible. But that’s the point. It
wouldn’t be humanly possible were it not for the deep and abiding faith that
God was and is sustaining, guiding and blessing her every effort, her every
action, her every thought, her every breath.
Joan, you have been and continue to be an inspiration and blessing to all who
know you. The words, ―Thank You‖ seem so inadequate but they are all that
we have to express our appreciation for what you have done for us and for
who you are to us. We would say, ―You deserve a break today. So, get up and
get away…‖ but we know that you will continue to serve your church in
multitudinous ways and we will continue to be blessed by your loving presence
in our midst. God bless you abundantly in the days to come!
Pastor Steve
HISTORY OF EVERETT UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
The real history of the Everett United Church of Christ began over four hundred
years ago whit the Separatists. During the sixteenth century, a group of Protestants
separated from the Church of England in belief and interpretation. The Separatists
met in secret to worship, and in the face of intense persecution, they fled their
homeland to settle in Holland. The ―freedom of worship‖ they found in their new
home turned out to be not freedom, but another more subtle from of persecution.
With neither economic nor financial future open to members or their nationality or
faith, they made plans to move to the New World.
Their plans had not included landing on the ―stern and rockbound coast‖, but
accepting their adversity, they settled in Massachusetts. There, born the Saints
(those who were the members) and the Strangers (who had not signed a covenant
with the Church) organized the Congregational Way. The Congregational Way
grew in strength and members over the years. Following the westward expansion
to the Territory and State of Washington.
Everett, in January of 1893, was the beginning of a dream come true. Four years
earlier there were less than a dozen settlers, homesteaders, and squatters on Port
Gardner Peninsula.
A vision of the potential for the land between Puget Sound and the Snohomish
River came to two diverse groups almost simultaneously. The Rucker brothers,
Wyatt and Bethel, and their associate William Swalwell, as well as Henry Hewitt
with his backing of wealthy investors in the east, all recognized the possibility of the
peninsula becoming the western terminal of the transcontinental railroad, the
began buying land on the peninsula. A partnership was formed, based on the
promise of industry, and many mills and plants were in place before the majority of
land in the new town site was put on the market.
Everett, therefore, at the beginning of 1893, had a population of 5,432; fifteen miles
of graded streets; ten miles of planked streets; six churches; seven banks; two
schools plus school rooms in nine other locations, serving about four hundred
students. There were mills and factories employing 925 men, with a combined
monthly payroll of over $22,000.00. There were three transcontinental railroads
serving Everett, and three boat trips daily to Seattle. In addition there were feed
stores, a department store, theaters, saloons, and boarding hours.
(Will continue in next months Newsletter)
Upcoming Sermons
Stewardship Message
Stewards of Our Relationship with One Another
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and
with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself. –
Luke 10:27
We belong to God; we belong to one another. In his book, Reaching Out, Henri
Nouwen tells of a reunion with a former student, an experience that revealed to
him the meaning of community: ―It is the Christ in you, who recognizes the Christ
in me… From now on, wherever you go, or wherever I go, all the ground between
us will be holy ground.‖
During February, let us walk on holy ground, practicing the radical hospitality
Jesus modeled. Starting with our most personal and intimate relationships and
moving through expanding circles – of friends, relations, church family,
co-workers, and others with whom we come in contact – we tend to the quality of
our interaction in these relationships using spiritual practices of forgiveness,
reconciliation, justice, openness, honesty, hospitality, shaping communities. We
widen our circle, reaching out to unknown neighbors through local and
ecumenical service organizations and UCC programs and networks. We
participate in the One Great Hour of Sharing special mission offering, typically
promoted in churches during February and received the first Sunday in March. As
centers of hope and transformation, local churches guide people onto holy
ground.
5 February
12 February
A Rap On I Corinthians 13
1 Corinthians 13
19 February
The Devil Made Me Do It
Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-17
Matthew 4:1-11
26 February
Guest Preacher (First Sunday in Lent)
4 March
The Hands of Jesus (Communion Sunday—2nd Sunday in Lent)
2 Kings 5:1-15
Mark 1:40-45
“Planning Ahead” Calendar
February
A message from Stewards in the Household of God: a Resource for Holistic
Year-round Stewardship available from United Church of Christ Resources.
February 2012
Going To The Mountaintop (Communion Sunday)
Exodus 24:12-18
Matthew 17:1-9
God is still speaking,
Worship Service (every Sunday at 10:00am) - S
Bible Study, (every Monday at 10:30am) - L
Chancel Choir, (every Monday at 6:30pm) - S
EUCC Crafter’s Circle (every Tuesday at 7:00pm) - L
GLBT & Allies Bible Study (2nd & 4th Thursday at 7:00pm) - L
Transition Port Gardner (last Monday at 6:00pm) - FH
12 February Pot Luck with a Purpose - 12:30pm—FH
This resource is a free service and is made possible by your gifts to Our Church's Wider Mission .
20 January
Newsletter Articles Due
26 February Congregational Meeting - 11:30am—FH
NEWS FROM THE MODERATOR
Hi there!
NOTICE OF CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
Here is my first attempt to write my first article for the
Church Newsletter. My background is Lutheran,
Presbyterian and I finally found my church is the United
Church of Christ (UCC). It started in Sacramento with 3
different Churches. The last one was Pioneer UCC, where
I enjoyed singing in all their Choirs. But this last Church in
Everett was truly the best one. I have never been disappointed for the last 3 to 4
years and have a chance to be fully engaged in the activities of our
Congregation. The Congregation’s enthusiasm and willingness to make our
church succeed is for me a wonderful thing. The importance of what is good for
our church is right down my alley. We chose the safety and well being of people
over money shortfalls, by letting one Congregation go and not extending their
contract. There were some tense moments but we stuck to our guns for what is
safe and right. Even though it will be hard to lose Pastor Steve and Violet, I am
looking forward to continuing to build the church with a new Pastor.
Pastor Steve has set aside February 26th for our candidate,
Rebecca Withington; to preach and participate in the service.
Rebecca’s candidacy to follow Pastor Steve’s ministry by the search
committee and the church council on January 22, 2012.
Following the service there will be a congregational meeting to
approve a call to our church by congregational vote. Between now
and the congregational meeting on the 26th we will be sharing
information about her during the announcement portion of our
services. Rebecca Withington will bring skills, training, and a
passion for ministry that will help us build on the solid foundation
that Rev. Stephen Hanning has helped us create in the last five
years.
This Moderator thing is totally new to me, so be patient and forgive my shortcomings. Call me for any change, events, or questions so I can pass them on to
the Congregation. My phone number is 425-745-6567 and the rest of the info is
in the church directory.
Be sure to come to celebrate this important milestone for our
church.
Peace and Blessings,
Claus Hoepcke, Moderator
With best wishes and success for our UCC
Claus Hoepcke, your Moderator
SPECIAL PRESENTATION ON HAWTHORNE SCHOOL
Heather Hallman, Social Worker for Hawthorne School, will give a presentation
on Sunday, February 12, 2012 during the Fellowship Hour, following the Worship
Service.
Heather will speak on the programs Hawthorne School provides that our church
may participate in.
Call for more information, Sue Stansfield (425)513-1517)
SOMETHING NEW
Everett UCC Crafters’ Circle
Tuesday nights
7pm until 9pm
Church Library.
Contact Katt Daida 425-672-7571
for more information.