Midweek Memo from the Interim Senior Pastor
Martin Copenhaver, Senior Pastor of
the Village Church (UCC) in "Do
not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. See, I am doing a new thing." (Isaiah 43:14-21) It is axiomatic that people often
resist change. Lyman Beecher, the
great Puritan preacher, was minister of the Congregational Church in
Litchfield, Connecticut, in the first part of the nineteenth century. During that time a debate arose in the
congregation about whether they would install a wood stove in the meeting
house. Before then they had never had
any heat at all in the meeting house. If
it were cold, you would come to worship thickly bundled. Some in the congregation thought a
wood stove would be an improvement, but others were dead set against this new
technological intrusion in their sacred space. Eventually, the pro-stove contingent
prevailed. The first Sunday after the stove was
installed some of those who had opposed the installation of the stove
complained that the meeting house was too hot for them. The men started taking off their jackets and
loosening their collars. Some of the
women were furiously fanning themselves, trying to stay cool. Lyman Beecher got into the pulpit and
said, "You will notice that this is the first Sunday we have had our new
stove. And next week we will put some
wood in it and start a fire." So, yes, people often resist change. But that is a particularly strange stance
for people of faith. After all, we
worship a God who declared, "See, I am doing a new thing," the same
God who accepts us just as we are but also offers us transformation. This piece of history makes me both laugh
and weep - for as much as I believe in change, I often resist it. As Copenhaver notes, ‘that is a
particularly strange stance for a people of faith.’
I’ll look for you in worship! My best . . . Pastor Dick. Calendar of Events
PLEASE
join US for worship this
Sunday at 9:00 a.m. for traditional worship.
The Children’s Chime Choir and the Staff Handbells will provide
special music. At the 10:30 a.m.
service, we will welcome our Confirming Disciples class. We look forward to seeing you! NOTE: The office will be closed on Monday, May 28 in honor
of Memorial Day. There will not be a
special worship service that day.
There are several Memorial Day services offered in the area by local
VFW’s and other organizations; we encourage you to attend the one of your
choice. Martha’s Kitchen/Mary’s Heart
community meal will still be held at 6:00 p.m. THE MAY FOOD PANTRY theme is “Spring Cleaning!” and focuses on personal
hygiene items and household cleaning products. Ideas are:
soap dish
soap shampoo deodorant household cleaners disposable
razors sponges toothbrushes toothpaste toilet paper sanitary
products laundry supplies Of course, you may always donate
whatever you wish and monetary donations are used to purchase pantry
items. As always, thank you to all
members of OUR MAY MISSION PROJECT IS HUMAN SUPPORT SERVICES
(HSS) IN JOIN US! EAT, PRAY, LOVE EVENING POTLUCK is Thursday, May 17
at 6:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall. Mark
your calendar, it’s sure to be a fun evening among friends. Pastor Mary Beth will share her faith
journey. Last names beginning with A-I
(main dish), J-R (side dish), and S-Z (dessert). We hope to see you there!
CHILD’S
WORLD’S last days of school will be: Sessions I and 2 is Wednesday, May 23;
and Session 3 is Thursday, May 24. A graduation ceremony will be on Friday, May 25 at 8:30 a.m. in the sanctuary,
for those students who will be going to kindergarten in the fall. REGISTRATION
is underway for next year!
Contact the preschool office at 939-7125, ext. 16. TAGS YOUTH EVENT, Thursday, May 24 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
at the Martha’s
Kitchen, Mary’s Heart, serving food and fellowship each Monday evening at
6:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Join
us and invite other Help! Your
help is needed with the Martha’s Kitchen, Mary’s Heart casserole
ministry. Kitchen volunteers are
needed every Monday night to help with small food preparation tasks and then
clean up duties after the meal. I
promise that your heart will be touched by the love that is shared all around
the room throughout this meal. You
will also have the pleasure of enjoying the meal with our guests! Ideally, volunteers are needed from about
4:45 to 7:30 p.m. every Monday. If you
are not able to commit that early in the day, you may sign up to help at a
time that is convenient for you.
Please contact Jane Kramer, jane@stpaulonline.org , or sign up on the
calendar posted on the refrigerator in the Fellowship Hall Kitchen. Thank you!
I hope you are able to join us! REMEMBER
YOUR LOVED ONES with a brick paver in the Memorial Walkway at the Columbaria in THE ANNUAL
WOMEN OF ST. PAUL LUNCHEON will be on Tuesday, June 5 at noon in the Fellowship Hall. All women of the THE BOOK BUNCH will meet on Tuesday, June 5 at 7:00 p.m. in
the home of Doris England (281-3714).
The selection for discussion is The Paris Wife written by Paula
McLain. The July selection is The Beach
Tree written by Karen White.
Anyone who enjoys reviewing books is welcome. THE BRA PROJECT will continue throughout the year. A collection bin is in the breezeway of the
administrative entryway. Information
about the project is in the April edition of the Messenger. Thank you for helping these girls have
a better life. POSSIBLE SUMMER DULCIMER CLASS. Several have
expressed interest in a dulcimer class.
Jim Harris, our music director is considering a summer class, if there
is enough interest. If you are
interested, please contact him at 939-7123 ext. 26 or jim@stpaulonline.org. Mark your calendar: VBS, July 30 –
August 3 Community and Area
Events: May 19, 8am to Noon, Electronic &
Appliance Recycling Day, Waterloo Wal-Mart Parking Lot, sponsored by the
Golden Eagles 4-H Club of May 19, Hoyleton Ministries: 2012 Sporting Clay Challenge will be Sat., May 19
at the World Shooting and Recreational Complex in May 19, 11am to 6pm, BBQ, sponsored
by The Well UCC ( Jun 19, |
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