1 Messenger march 2019 St. Paul’s United Church of Christ + 2227 West Michigan Street + Evansville, Indiana 47712 The ancient Greeks believed that when the gods made the human species, they fell to arguing where to put the answers to life so the humans would have to search for them. One god said, "Let's put the answers on top of a mountain. They will never look for them there." "No," said the others, "they'll find them right away." Another of the gods said, "Let's put them in the center of the earth. They will never look for them there." "No," said the others, "they'll find them right away." Then another spoke. "Let's put them in the bottom of the sea. They will never look for them there." "No," said the others, "they'll find them right away." Silence fell and, after a while, another god spoke, "We can put the answers to life within them. They will never look for them there." They all agreed. And so, they did. Dear Friends, I do not know the historical accuracy of the above story, but I believe there is truth within it. Many faiths practice different traditions and rituals, which reflect their beliefs and truths. We do the same and Lent is a time when we begin our journey of reflection and preparation on March 6th. I hope you will join us. The schedule for services and special classes is enclosed in this newsletter. What do you believe and how will it influence you as we journey through the cross towards another blessed Easter celebration and into your future life? I believe the answers to our greatest needs are found within ourselves and in community with each other as incarnate vessels of the Holy. I close with the following statement of beliefs, or Credo, in the form of a prayer: Holy God be in my mind, that I might let go of all that diminishes the movement of Your Spirit within me. Discerning God be in my eyes, that I might see You amid all the busyness that fills my life. Loving God be in my heart, that I can be open to those I love, to those with whom I share ministry and to the whole human family. Gracious God be in that grace -filled silence that lies deep within me, that I might live in Christ as Christ lives in me. Amen. Pastor Bill Beginning on March 3 rd , Pastor Bill, Pastor Mary, and Kim Armstrong will be holding a Lenten Study called “Taking Time”. Each Sunday, we will gather in the Chapel during the Sunday School hour (10:15am) and take time to look at the upcoming Sunday’s Gospel lesson. After we look at the Gospel lesson, we will see how that lesson relates to our Faith Formation initiative. What is our Faith Formation initiative? Not too long ago, our Sunday School classes gathered and talked about “What Shall We Be?” in relation to our future and our building needs. You spoke, and you were heard. The process of developing a Faith Formation environment that our congregation wants, and needs is the next step to that conversation. Please join us as we Take Time to journey with Jesus through the Gospel and apply it to our church and family life. Want a sneak peek? You can find it in 3 different places! 1. Booklets for the entire study will be available to pick up at the Hospitality Center in Parish Hall. 2. Each week, videos about the next week’s topic will be posted on our church’s website and Facebook page 3. You can also find blog posts and assessments each week on our church’s website and Facebook page.
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Transcript
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Messenger march 2019
St. Paul’s United Church of Christ + 2227 West Michigan Street + Evansville, Indiana 47712
The ancient Greeks believed that when the gods made the human species, they fell to arguing where to
put the answers to life so the humans would have to search for them. One god said, "Let's put the
answers on top of a mountain. They will never look for them there." "No," said the others, "they'll find
them right away." Another of the gods said, "Let's put them in the center of the earth. They will never
look for them there." "No," said the others, "they'll find them right away." Then another spoke. "Let's
put them in the bottom of the sea. They will never look for them there." "No," said the others, "they'll
find them right away." Silence fell and, after a while, another god spoke, "We can put the answers to
life within them. They will never look for them there." They all agreed. And so, they did.
Dear Friends,
I do not know the historical accuracy of the above story, but I
believe there is truth within it. Many faiths practice
different traditions and rituals, which reflect their beliefs and
truths. We do the same and Lent is a time when we begin
our journey of reflection and preparation on March 6th. I
hope you will join us. The schedule for services and special
classes is enclosed in this newsletter. What do you believe
and how will it influence you as we journey through the cross
towards another blessed Easter celebration and into your
future life? I believe the answers to our greatest needs are found within ourselves and in community
with each other as incarnate vessels of the Holy. I close with the following statement of beliefs, or
Credo, in the form of a prayer:
Holy God be in my mind, that I might let go of all that diminishes the movement of Your
Spirit within me. Discerning God be in my eyes, that I might see You amid all the busyness
that fills my life. Loving God be in my heart, that I can be open to those I love, to those
with whom I share ministry and to the whole human family. Gracious God be in that grace
-filled silence that lies deep within me, that I might live in Christ as Christ lives in me.
Amen.
Pastor Bill
Beginning on March 3rd, Pastor Bill, Pastor Mary, and Kim Armstrong will
be holding a Lenten Study called “Taking Time”. Each Sunday, we will
gather in the Chapel during the Sunday School hour (10:15am) and
take time to look at the upcoming Sunday’s Gospel lesson. After we
look at the Gospel lesson, we will see how that lesson relates to our
Faith Formation initiative. What is our Faith Formation initiative? Not
too long ago, our Sunday School classes gathered and talked about
“What Shall We Be?” in relation to our future and our building needs.
You spoke, and you were heard. The process of developing a Faith
Formation environment that our congregation wants, and needs is the
next step to that conversation. Please join us as we Take Time to
journey with Jesus through the Gospel and apply it to our church and
family life.
Want a sneak peek? You can find it in 3 different places!
1. Booklets for the entire study will be available to pick up at the
Hospitality Center in Parish Hall.
2. Each week, videos about the next week’s topic will be posted on
our church’s website and Facebook page
3. You can also find blog posts and assessments each week on our
church’s website and Facebook page.
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St. Paul’s UCC Evansville, Indiana Lent 2019 Season Overview
March 6th Ash Wednesday (With St. Lucas UCC there) 5:00 p.m. Meal and 6:00 p.m. Worship with Communion and the Imposition of Ashes (Joint Choirs) March 10th First Sunday in Lent Trial and Testing/Pastor Chad Abbott Scripture: Luke 4: 1-13 March 17th Second Sunday in Lent Sorrow for Jerusalem/Pastor Bill Scripture: Luke 13:31-35 March 24th Third Sunday in Lent Parable of the Fig Tree/Pastor Mary Scripture: Luke 13:1-9 March 31st Fourth Sunday in Lent Prodigal Son/Pastor Bill Scripture: Luke 15:1-3;11b-32 April 7th Fifth Sunday in Lent Jesus Anointed/Pastor Mary Scripture: John 12:1-8 April 14th Palm/Passion Sunday Triumphal Entry/Pastor Bill Scripture: Luke 19:28-40 April 18th Maundy Thursday In Remembrance/Pastor Mary 6:00 p.m. Worship with Communion April 19th Good Friday It Is Finished 5:30 Worship with area UCC churches at Good Samaritan Home April 21st Easter Sunday Empty Tomb/Pastor Bill Scripture: John 20:1-18 Breakfast and Children’s activities between services NOTE: All Sunday services will be at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., with the exception of Easter Sunday which will be at 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.. We will also be offering a class to look at the Gospel lesson for the following Sunday during Sunday school in the Chapel during Lent ...co-taught by Pastor Bill and Pastor Mary under the theme of "Taking Time..."
Breitenmoser Jeanne Brame Ron Burgdorf Diane Burkhart Louis Buschkill Eloise Castleman* Tom Conkling Katzie Crowley Dr. Larry Deitch Kathy Dreier
Tabatha Earle Greenwell John Endress* Lesley Futrell Bill Grisham* Brandon Geppner Clarence “Butch” Hahn Gary Hahn Helen Hammer* David Helfert Gayle Hochstetler Fred Huck Joanne Jackson* Tara Jackson Connie Jourdan Joan Kappler Sonya Kirwer Rob Knapp
Corena Maurer Robert Mayer Mary McIntosh Bernice McReynolds Eileen Moore Margaret Moore* Marylee Murphy Arthur Nendel* Karen Norman Susan Raber* Marie Rayoum* Liz Roberts Jeanett Rueger* Bob Russell Danielle Russler Jerry Schreiber Mel Schwartz*
Ali Shanks Bob Sheets Shirley Sheets Marilyn Smith* Kent Stephens Charlie Stocker Billy Thomas* Nima Trautvetter* Alfred & Sara Wassner Kathy Waters Lowell Woosley Nikki Wyble
*Shut In
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“Taking Time…”
March 3rd Trial and Testing/Pastor Mary Scripture: Luke 4: 1-13 March 10th Sorrow for Jerusalem/Pastor Bill Scripture: Luke 13:31-35 March 17th Parable of the Fig Tree/Pastor Mary Scripture: Luke 13:1-9 March 24th Prodigal Son/Pastor Bill Scripture: Luke 15:1-3;11b-32 March 31st Jesus Anointed/Pastor Mary Scripture: John 12:1-8 April 7th Triumphal Entry/Pastor Bill Scripture: Luke 19:28-40 April 14th Empty Tomb/Pastor Mary Scripture: John 20:1-18 NOTE: We are be offering a class during the 2019 Lenten season to look at the Gospel lesson for the following Sunday during Sunday school in the Chapel...co-taught by Pastor Bill and Pastor Mary under the theme of "Taking Time..." Link to video promo: https://spaces.hightail.com/space/opAGG7IMGT/files/fi-0c10b931-f03b-420b-80ed-fcc6e5cdf7b0/fv-be81de31-8384-45e1-afeb-e48068fe602f/Busy%20trailer%20for%20churches.mp4
UCC/DOC Men’s Lenten Breakfast
Each Saturday during Lent, we meet at a host church for breakfast and a short devotional
service.
3/09 Zion 10 W First St, Newburgh 812/853.8828
3/16 Immanuel/Zion Lippe 5812 Ford Road 812/985.3115
3/23 Salem Heusler/Zoar 11325 E Old Lower Mt Vernon Rd 812/985.2542
(Father-Son)
3/30 Christ Church 3601 Washington 812/476.4919
4/6 St. Paul’s UCC 2225 W Michigan St 812/425.1522
(Memorial)
4/13 St. Paul’s German Twp 8701 Big Cynthiana Rd 812/963.3394
(Communion)
St. Paul’s is scheduled to host on Saturday April 6. The 55+ group has agreed to bake an egg
casserole on that Friday. Our men will prepare the meal so serving can begin at 7:00 AM. The
devotional theme is “What Jonah can teach us about Lent.” And our theme is “The Second
Chance”.
We will need volunteers to set up, serve, clean up and lead devotions. If you are willing to help,
Neighborhood Brunch: Saturday, March 30, 10am-12pm. Come meet our neighbors!
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2019 Council Highlights – February 21st Meeting Church Council met on February 21st, with 14 members, 2 youth representatives, and both pastors
present. Listed below are highlights of the meeting.
• Keith Smith was elected to complete Tom Conkling’s unexpired term as Deacon.
• Council members signed the Covenant of Conduct, which is posted on the church office
door.
• Goals for 2019 include:
Progressing the work of the Building Project committee
Improving communication with the congregation, through monthly reporting of the
Building Project committee and Council activities (through the Messenger and/or pre-
service announcements)
Improving positivity and fellowship/relationships within the congregation
Addressing needed Constitution and By-Laws updates
Elder activities of updating the membership lists, restoring the confirmation photos and
pastors’ displays, continuing Hanging of the Greens, and providing additional new
paraments
Deacon activities of addressing expected budget vs. income gap, improving financial
reporting, and improving financial policies
Trustee activities of completing previously initiated Trustee activities and reactivation of
the Facility committee
Pastor goals of enhanced missions, lay membership empowerment and responsibility,
and re-envisioning of what church is and can be
• Stacey Henderson was approved to continue as nursery supervisor.
• Elders have proposed to offer Communion in the dining room to those present for
breakfast.
• Council still has a vacancy for Financial Secretary.
• Including nearly $20,000 income for the Young Adult Initiative, total income for January was
just over $40,000, with total expenses of just under $32,000.
— Linda Hobbs, President
During the month of March we will be selling St. Paul's UCC apparel, from t-shirts to hats. Order forms are available at the Hospitality Center. If you have any questions, ask one of your young adults for more information. Your support will help us achieve our goals for the 2019 year and looking forward.