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FOCUS ON
FAITH
Volume 51, Number 9 2021
United with Christ, we are committed to sharing the transformative love of
God’s grace and peace through service to our neighbors.
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Faith United Church of Christ
5992 Route 378
Center Valley, PA 18034 610-282-3939
faithchurchcv@gmail.com www.faithchurchucc.org
We are an Open & Affirming Congregation
No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey you are welcome here.
2021-22 Consistory
Officers:
President: Becky Hite Vice President: Mike Ford
Secretary:
Elders: Deacons:
Becky HIte Tracy Adams Brenda Hovis Kim Ritter Justin Koser Ken Koehnlein Mike Ford Matt Long Caroline Frantz Jerry Trexler Joan Hassler
Church Treasurer: Deb Herstine Liaisons: tbd
Christian Ed: Mike Ford Budget/Finance: Jerry Trexler Fellowship/Outreach: Mission: Tracy Adams
Enduring /Mem. Gifts: Youth Group: Becky Hite Property: Ken Koehnlein Day Care: Pastor Bruce Staff Relations: Joan Hassler Fundraising: Brenda Hovis
Worship: Kim Ritter Choir: Joan Hassler
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A NOTE FROM THE PASTOR
Dear Friends,
My wife LOVES her flower gardens! I don’t always understand why she plants what she plants but there is a definitely a “method to her madness”.
Take this homely plant for example.
Compared to all of the beautiful plants in her garden this one is the ugliest.
It isn’t pretty to look at nor does she snip its blossoms, arrange them, and put them in the house and it doesn’t have a pleasant aroma. Aren’t those the purposes of flowers in the first place? I don’t get this plant!
But if you think it looks ugly from this angle wait until you see this!
Even the leaves are ugly! Holes in them everywhere! What is the point of having
this plant in an otherwise beautiful flower garden?
Actually, there is a reason. I told you
that Patience always has a “method to her
madness” even if I cannot see it! That
ugly plant is a milkweed plant and while
it may not be the prettiest plant in the gar-
den, it is the only plant that a Monarch
Butterfly Caterpillar will eat.
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Patience has planted other flowers to attract the butterflies and they found their way to the milkweed to plant their eggs and she has seen several hungry caterpillars munching the leaves of the milkweed but suddenly they disappeared!
Patience searched and searched and lo and behold, she found it: the chrysalis.
During the next 8 – 12 days, the cater- pillar will transform into a beautiful Monarch butterfly. In 8 – 12 days the transformation will complete and the butterfly will emerge from the chrysa- lis. Somewhere in the shrubbery there are other chrysalis created by other caterpillars in the midst of their stages of transformation. Maybe we will find them and maybe we won’t but we will keep a close eye on this one!
After it emerges from the chrysalis the
butterfly will eat nectar from flowers and build its strength for its migration to Mexico. In a few weeks my family will gather in Cape May, part of the Monarch butterfly migration route, with hopes to witness this amazing annual event.
So, what does all of this have to do with anything other than to be interesting? There is a point to all of this! What was the first com- mand that God gave to Adam and Eve? “Take care of the Garden.”
My friends, we haven’t been very good “gardeners” in that we have
not been taking good care of the garden. The world that God created
and designed to provide for us is having a hard time doing just that
because of the abuse it receives from us. One thing that is essential
for crops to bring forth food from the earth is cross politization. A
work that we have attributed to bees is done by many species
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INCLUDING Monarch butterflies!
This world has such a creative bal- ance that it requires an effort from each of us to do are part, whatever it might be. My wife’s effort was to create a Monarch butterfly
waystation. What’s yours?
Peace,
Pu zz le A ns we rs :
15 , 2 8, 24 , 2 0, 45 , 3 6, 27 , 2 4, 40 , 8 8;
ma ny th in gs
The first Sunday of October has become a time when Christians in every culture break bread and pour the cup to remember and affirm Christ as the Head of the Church. On that day, they remember that they are part of the whole body of believers. Whether shared in a
grand cathedral, a mud hut, outside on a hilltop, in a meetinghouse, or in a storefront, Christians celebrate the communion liturgy in as many ways as there are congregations.
OCTOBER 3, 2021
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OCTOBER IS NEIGHBORS IN NEED MONTH
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GARDENING CREW NEEDED
Faith Church has been blessed with a property with lovely gardens and bushes. We all know that weeds seem to find a way of turning our beautiful areas in- to a somewhat wild landscape. Several of you see the need to weed and quietly volunteer your morn- ings and evenings to pull weeds and trim bushes.
Please know that your efforts are noticed and greatly appreciated. But this is not a task for just 2 or 3 individuals. We are looking to gather a group who would be willing to work together to keep up with the un- wanted greenery. If you would be willing or are already doing this, let’s get together to see how we can organize and coordinate our efforts so that all areas are maintained. If you would be willing to help please email Karen Talboo at cktalboo@gmail.com or call 610-282-1552.
On Sunday, September 19th we welcomed 4 new members into our Faith family. Please give a warm welcome to
Robert Pierson Darci & Philip Greger
and
Susan Angstadt-Sullivan
We also celebrated the baptism of Eva Marie Greger, daughter of new members Darci & Philip.
We welcome you all to the Faith Family!
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Betty Lou’s Pantry Laundry Detergent
October is Faith’s Month to provide the Pantry with 100 Bottles of Laundry Detergent
If you have been purchasing and saving laundry detergent at your home for BLP NOW is the time to deliver it to church or the Pantry.
Bring it to church by Sunday, October 3
rdor
Deliver it to the Pantry Wednesday Mornings between 9-10 AM Betty Lou’s Pantry Christmas Gifts
Once again this year, the Pantry will be distributing GIFT CARDS for each child rather than purchasing gifts. Last year we were able to give the families with children a $50 Gift Card for each child.
There are approximately 150 children who receive food from the Pantry. The parents were then able to purchase gifts for their chil- dren. Due to many generous donations we were also able to give each senior citizen a $50 gift card.
All donations must be received by Sunday, November 21, 2021 Donations can be sent directly to the Pantry at:
Betty Lou’s Pantry PO Box 85
Coopersburg, PA 18036
Please designate on your check that your donation is for Christmas
Gifts.
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Christmas Gift Wrap, Gift Bags, Tags & Tape Needed!
Since the parents must wrap their children’s gifts, they will also need supplies to accomplish this. If you have any extras would you please share? A box will be located in the Narthex to collect these materials. Thanks!
Fall Bingo
Sunday, November 7, 2021
It has been 2 years since we have held Bingo at Faith Church!
On November 7, 2021 we will be bringing back our fun Mission Fundraiser.
All participants must be vaccinated.
It is sad for us to do this but that includes children. If a child is not fully vaccinated he/she may not attend. Masks will need to be worn when not seated at your table. Please read over the flyer for infor- mation on other changes that will be made to prevent the spread of Covid during this event. Another change will be the limited seating.
No more than 100 participants will be in attendance. It is important that you get your tickets early.
How Can You Help?
We need volunteers to:
~Set up Tables & Chairs Saturday afternoon
~Direct traffic when participants enter
~Bake Brownies, or Rice Krispie Treats then place in a sandwich bag or individually wrapped by the baker.
We know this is disappointing but we will not be selling
cakes, pies or desserts that must be plated and then open to
the air.
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~Work in the Kitchen
~Work on the Floor during Bingo
~Clean up after Bingo (about 3:30)
If you have any questions or wish to volunteer please contact:
Karen Talboo 610-282-1552
cktalboo@gmail.com
Holiday Hope Chests 2021
Help us bring extra smiles to children this holiday season by filling a shoe box (or two or three!) with new toys and gifts for children living right here in the Lehigh Valley. Last year, generous donors provided 8,000 filled gift boxes.
Faith Church will be filling 75 wrapped show boxes for the
Holiday Hope Chest project. Each box will be labeled with gender and age. Suggestions and directions will be included in each box.
Empty, wrapped shoe boxes will be available for pick up on
Sunday, October 31. All packed shoe boxes must be returned by Sunday, November 28.
How can you help?
~Wrap shoe boxes. Shoe boxes and wrapping supplies will be provided. (If you wish to wrap shoe boxes please contact Karen Talboo)
~Select 1 or more boxes and fill it with age appropriate toys and gifts.
~ Hope Chest shoe boxes MUST be returned by November 28 Help turn an ordinary shoe box into a Hope Chest
filled with wonderful surprises!
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OCTOBER VOLUNTEERS Financial Secretary: Bob Shelly
Date Head Usher Ushers Lay Reader
Special Offering Joyful Noise—$5
August
Receipts $ 19,115.84 Disbursements $ 22,127.48 ($3,011.64) FROM THE TREASURER—
AUGUST FINANCIALS
Aug. Average Attendance - 34 August Gen. Fund Offering -
$11,108
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Many thanks for your continued support of Betty Lou’s Pantry! With the return of the basket to the Narthex, our donations for the last two Sunday of August and the first two Sundays of September include 226 items.
ITEMS CURRENTLY MOST NEEDED:
CHUNKY SOUP OR CHILI
PACKAGED PASTA & RICE SIDE DISHES BOXED POTATOES OR STOVETOP STUFFING Items stocked at the Pantry include:
Pork & Beans Chili
Spaghetti Sauce Canned Pasta
Peanut Butter Canned Tomatoes & Canned Sauce Kidney Beans Chunky Soups
Canned Fruit Macaroni & Cheese
Beef Stew Canned Chicken and Salmon Dry Pasta & Spaghetti
Monetary donations are a particularly effective way to help the Pantry.
A donation of $10 will buy over 60 lbs of food through Second Harvest.
If you are in need or know of someone in the area who is, please call 610-282-2838 and leave a message, or email
bettylouspantry18036@gmail.com —Mike Ford
