Shenkel United Church of Christ And SHARINGS AND CONCERNS December 2012 & January 2013 SHENKEL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 1580 Shenkel Road Pottstown PA 19465 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Shenkel United Church of Christ’s “The NEWSLETTER” is a monthly publication prepared, edited, and mailed by the leadership and staff to all members and friends of the church. It communicates news about our life, purpose, and mission as a Church of Jesus Christ. Information related to our partnership as a member of the United Church of Christ and wider church/community out- reach is included on a regular basis. The Church is located at Unionville & Shenkel Roads in North Coventry Township.
Transcript
Shenkel United
Church of Christ
And
SHARINGS AND CONCERNS
December 2012 & January 2013
SHENKEL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
1580 Shenkel Road
Pottstown PA 19465
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Shenkel United Church of Christ’s “The NEWSLETTER” is a monthly publication prepared, edited, and mailed by the leadership and staff to all members and friends of the church. It communicates news about our life, purpose, and mission as a Church of Jesus Christ. Information related to our partnership as a member of the United Church of Christ and wider church/community out-reach is included on a regular basis. The Church is located at Unionville & Shenkel Roads in North Coventry Township.
2012 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
Advent Work-shop with lunch: 10 AM — ???
2 Communion
Youth Group prac-tice for Christmas play: 9:30 AM & Youth Group Meet-ing: 12-2 Youth Group— Innabah Night: 6-8
3 4
BOCE Meeting: 7 PM
Deacon’s Meet-ing: 7 PM
5
Agape at Ann Baccari’s home at 7 PM
6
Community Lunch Bunch 11:30 AM Choir: 7 PM
7 8
9 Youth Group
practice for Christmas play: 9:30 AM
Rev. Rebecca Brenner is preaching*
10
11 Quilters: 9:30 AM
Consistory only: 7 PM
12
Confirmation Class with Men-tors: 7—8:30 PM
13
Card Making Class: 10 AM Choir: 7 PM
14 15
Confirmation Class Field Trip to Bethany Children’s Home
16* One ser-
vice only at 10:45 with Christmas Cantata
Congregational Meeting follows worship
17 18
Mid-Day Dinner Club: Noon at Yellow House in Douglassville
19 20
Choir: 7 PM
21
Longest Night Service: 7 PM
22 Youth
Group Christ-mas party/Reunion : 5 –8 PM
23 Youth
Group practice for Christmas play: 9:30 AM
Youth Group-Meeting & Carol-ing with lunch
24
7 PM and 10 PM
25
26 27
Choir: 7 PM
28 29
30
One service only at 10:45
31 *Special calendar notes:
* December 16th, the Youth Group will have practice for Christmas Eve. They will meet each Sunday at 9:30 a.m. before Christmas in the Creation Station in preparation for the play on Christmas Eve.
* December 9th — Rev. Brenner is preaching in celebration of Pastor Bonnie’s 15th anniversary of her ordination.
2013 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2
Agape: 7 PM
3
Community Lunch Bunch: 11:30 AM Choir: 7 PM
4 5
6
Communion
Youth Group Meeting: 12-2 PM
Youth Group: Innabah Night 6—8
7 8
Quilters: 9:30 AM Consistory only 7 PM
9
Confirmation Class: 7—8:30 PM
10
Music and Wor-ship Meeting: 6 PM Choir: 7 PM
11 12
Youth Group — Laser Tag Event at Laser Quest: 4 to 7:30 PM?
13 14 15
Mid-Day Din-ner Club: Noon at restaurant TBA
PRC Meeting: 7 PM
16
Youth Group Fundraiser at Giovanni’s: 4 PM to closing
17
Card Making Class: 10 AM Choir: 7 PM
18
Youth Winter Retreat
19
Youth Winter Retreat
20
Healing Prayers Youth Winter Retreat
21 22
Quilters: 9:30 AM
23
Confirmation Class: 7—8:30 PM
24
Choir: 7 PM
25 26
27 One
service only at 10:45 AM
Annual Meeting follows worship
28
Community Meal: Noon at Christ Episco-pal Church in Pottstown
29 30 31
Choir: 7 PM
1580 Shenkel Road, Pottstown PA 19465 610.326.3535
Rick Viti Newsletter Editor: Judy Embriani Assistant Editor: Jody Sweinhart Assistant Editor: Bill Baseley
“Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure,
whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything
worthy of praise, think about these things.”
- Philippians 4:8
As we wrapped up the celebration of Shenkel’s 175th anniversary on November 11, we had an op-
portunity during worship to reflect on how being “rooted and grounded in love” has manifested
itself in our congregation.
As we shared stories, it was striking to me that the things we value most as a church in 2012 are
for the most part identical to the things that have been valued at Shenkel UCC throughout our 175
year history. The ways in which these values were lived out varied through the years, but the val-
ues themselves remained constant. Here is what I heard:
Caring – we are and have been a people who are loving, supportive and caring to others both
within and beyond our congregation; we are and have been welcoming, open and accept-
ing of all people.
Open – we are and have been a people who have and have had a progressive world view; we
are always and have always been willing to consider new ideas and to “try something
new.” (In 2012 UCC lingo, we listen to a StillSpeaking God!)
Grounded – we value and have always valued being a spiritual home for people – a place that
“gets you ready for the week ahead,” whether it’s by our fellowship, our music, our wor-
ship grove and labyrinth, or by the stained glass windows in our sanctuary.
What do you think? Do those three values capture the essence of Shenkel UCC? Our 175th anni-
versary celebration is over, but I would encourage you to continue telling Shenkel’s stories. As
Paul wrote to the church in Philippi, “Whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure,
whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything
worthy of praise, think about these things.” I hope we will never forget how God has been at
work in us throughout our history, so that as we step into our future, we will remember what has
always been most important to us.
As the certificate given to us by the Pennsylvania Southeast Conference of the United Church of
Christ in honor of our 175th anniversary says, “May God grant us wisdom, courage, vision and
faithfulness in all the years ahead.”
Christmas and New Year’s blessings to all!
Pastor Bonnie
SHENKEL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST PAGE 5
12/2
Ruth Klein
Gary and Sue
Stultz
NEED SPONSOR
8:30: Carol
Pearson
10:45: Sherri
Mocarski
8:30: CUL—
Lynne Moyer
10:45: CUL —
Chris Gray
12/9
David and Diane
Reinert
David and Diane
Reinert
NEED SPONSOR
8:30: Carol
Pearson
10:45: Bob Brown
8:30: Clair Faust
and need one usher
10:45: Ben and
Sherri Mocarski
12/16
ONE SERVICE
ONLY at 10:45
NEED SPONSOR
NEED SPONSOR
NEED SPONSOR
Ben Mocarski
Ed and Faye Pedrick
12/23
David and Diane
Reinert
David and Diane
Reinert
NEED SPONSOR
8:30: Carol
Pearson
10:45: Faye
Pedrick
8:30: Dave & Diane
Reinert
10:45: Ed and Faye
Pedrick
Christmas Eve
7 PM CUL: Andrew
Foss
10 PM CUL: Lynne
Moyer
12/30
ONE SERVICE
ONLY at 10:45
NEED SPONSOR
NEED SPONSOR
NEED SPONSOR
Mark Dushanko
Mark and Sherri
Dushanko
* CUL = Communion Usher Leaders (will recruit members to assist in serving communion.)
1/6
NEED SPONSOR
NEED SPONSOR
NEED SPONSOR
8:30: Carol
Pearson
10:45: Lori
Scharneck
8:30: CUL —
Chris Gray
10:45: CUL —
Rick Viti
1/13
NEED SPONSOR
NEED SPONSOR
NEED SPONSOR
8:30: Carol
Pearson
10:45: Louise
Hine
8:30: Jesse and
Barbara Painter
10:45: Bill and
Julie Zachesky
1/20
NEED SPONSOR
NEED SPONSOR
NEED SPONSOR
8:30: Carol
Pearson
10:45: Tootie
Hine
8:30: Joel & Jody
Sweinhart
10:45: Rick and
Angeline Viti
1/27
ONE SERVICE
ONLY at 10:45
NEED SPONSOR
NEED SPONSOR
NEED SPONSOR
Faye Pedrick
Ed and Faye
Pedrick
* CUL = Communion Usher Leaders (will recruit members to assist in serving communion.)
“Flours” is a collection of pantry items or a monetary do-
nation of your discretion to the Cluster. If a cash donation
to the Cluster is made, a wheat arrangement will be placed
on the altar. Altar flowers are $30.00 and bulletin dedica-
tions are $6.50. Food Sculptures are also gladly accepted.
You can also dedicate a Choir Anthem with a donation
of $30. With ever-increasing costs of choral music, this
sponsorship will help stretch our budget and continue to
bring quality music to Shenkel. Dedicate your anthem to
someone special, an event in your life, or just to the fact that
you love music. Thank you for this needed contribution to
Shenkel. Blue envelopes are in the Narthex for your spon-
sorships.
The are many dates open for sponsorship and dedication
during this and the upcoming months. Please complete
one of the special flower/bulletin/anthem envelopes below
the sign-up chart, enclose your payment, and either put it
in the collection plate or in the Secretary’s box by the of-
fice door. You should sign your name on the chart in the
narthex by the appropriate date after you have completed
your envelope.
Healing prayers are now be offered on the third
Sunday of each month at both services of worship.
Prayer time that is usually held at Shenkel on the third
Thursday morning of the month is being temporar-
ily suspended. If anyone has a special prayer request,
please contact Ann Baccari or Freda Wanner.
The Prayer Chain list is continually being up-
dated. Request for prayers should be placed in the
prayer box in the Narthex, or get in touch with any
member of the Wholeness Commit-
tee. Prayer requests will be carried
for one month. If anyone is inter-
ested in ministering on the Prayer
Chain, please contact Ann Baccari
or Freda Wanner. Members of the
Wholeness Committee are Ann Bac-
cari, Ted Gray, Tootie and Louise
Hine, June Hartung, Carol Stubbe
and Freda Wanner.
Shenkel UCC celebrates the sacra-
ment of Holy Communion at both
services on the first Sunday of
each month. Communion will
also be served at both services on
Christmas Eve. Each time com-
munion is served, some of the bread and non-
alcoholic wine that has been consecrated at the
altar will be saved in a traveling communion kit,
ready to go to the homes or hospital rooms of
members who were unable to be present, and
would like to receive the sacrament. Please let
Pastor Bonnie know if you, or someone you
know, would appreciate ―distance-communing‖
with their Shenkel Church family!
On Sunday, December
16th, we will have one worship
service at 10:45 a.m. and a con-
gregational meeting immedi-
ately following the service. The
agenda for this meeting in-
cludes the election of the 2013
Consistory and the approval of
the 2013 budget. Please make every effort to at-
tend.
On Sunday, January 27th,we
will again have just one service of
worship at 10:45 a.m. and imme-
diately following the worship, the
annual congregational meeting
will be held. Copies of the 2012
Annual Report and new Shenkel
UCC Church Directory will be
available for you to order.
HERE AT SHENKEL UCC…. PAGE 6
November Consistory Highlights….
Decided to continue the 175 Challenge through the end of
the year to pay down the operating budget deficit
Appreciated a Q/A session with Ken Bevan, Treasurer, about the church’s finances
Set Sunday, January 27 for the Annual Meeting, following the 10:45 service of worship
Learned that Jody Sweinhart is coordinating a reenactment of the Christmas story, involving children and youth,
for the 7 pm Christmas Eve service
Approved a bid from PuroClean to do some mold remediation in the parsonage basement
Learned that Eric Martens has been approved as a Member-in-Discernment by the Ursinus Association Committee
on Ministry, and the Rev. Allan Kramer-Moyer has been assigned as his mentor (Congratulations, Eric!)
Congratulated the 175th Anniversary Committee for a job well done!
Heard a report from our delegates to the Association (Chris Gray) and Conference Fall Meetings (Gary McDermit
and Lynne Moyer), and learned that the sale of both the Church House in Collegeville and the Mensch Mill Camp
and Retreat Center was approved
Complete copies of Consistory Minutes are available from the church office upon request..
ADMINISTRATIVE NEWS….
YTD Current Fund O.C.W.M.
Actual
102,921.56 9,047.52
Budget 129,084.37 9,166.67
Difference (26,162.81) (119.15)
PAGE 7
As of October 31, 2012….
ARE YOU A COMMITTEE OR A MINISTRY TEAM CHAIRPERSON?
Something to think about…. believe it or not, the end of the year is
fast approaching, and your annual committee re-port will be due at the church office no later than December 15th in order for the annual report to be completed on time. Ministry team coordinators are also welcome to submit a yearly update for the an-nual report. Please consider this suggestion for annual reports You can either just add bullets un-der these categories, or incorporate these into a more narrative report --
-- accomplishments during 2012 -- concerns or questions that arose dur- ing the year
-- hopes and plans for 2013
Thank you.
DO YOU HAVE NEWS FOR THE
BULLETIN OR THE NEWSLETTER?
Just a reminder that all bulletin announce-
ments should be at the church office by
each Tuesday at noon to be included in that week’s bulle-
tin. Newsletter articles must be submitted by the 15th of
each month to be included in the next issue.
SAVE-A-TAPE PROGRAM
This is the easiest way to help our
church financially. Just ask for a Save
-A-Tape card at the customer service
spot at your local Redner’s store.
Show your card at the register when you check out, then
bring your register tapes to church and deposit them in the
box in the Narthex. These tapes are collected routinely,
presented to the store, and Redner’s donates a percent-
age of your total purchase to the church.
Be careful to bring your tapes in regularly instead of saving
them at home, as they do expire if not redeemed within a
certain time period. Also, please return the entire register
tape. Redner’s will not accept any register receipt that has
any part of it removed.
Keep up the good work and thank you, Redner’s!
PAGE 8 FOR YOUR INFORMATION….
ADULT
SUNDAY SCHOOL
CLASS 9:30 a.m. – in the Social Room
More surprises from the archives!
Join us Sunday mornings at 9:30 in the social hall to
see these great videos! Everyone is welcome!
DECEMBER &
JANUARY
Every Sunday (9:30-10:30) in De-
cember we will be meeting in Crea-
tion Station to prepare for the Christmas play.
Ben will be selling Philly Soft Pretzels one Sunday this
month.
12-1 Advent Decorating at church 10-12/lunch included
12-2 Youth Meeting 12PM-2PM (important information
will be given). Bring money for pizza.
12-2 December Innabah Night(6pm-8pm)
12-22 Christmas Party/Reunion 5-8 PM at Carol Lykens
house. (You have to RSVP! E-vite will be sent)
12-23 Youth Meeting (Making Luminaries)
12-23 Caroling (Need to sign-up/lunch included)
Olivia will be selling Philly Soft Pretzels one Sunday in
January.
1-6 Meeting and hangout at church and January Inna
bah Night (6pm-8pm)
1-12 Laser Tag at Laser Quest in Wyomissing 4-7:30
(RSVP Required) More information to follow.
1-16 Giovanni’s Fundraiser 4pm-10pm — See below
1-18, 19, 20 Youth Retreat (more information to follow)
The Youth Group is having a Fund-
raiser!! We get 10% of all carry-out and
eat-in purchases from 4 PM till Closing
on January 16th at Giovanni’s Italian Restaurant (on Rt.
724 by Manatawny Manor). We will be handing out tick-
ets that you will need to present when paying or we will
not get the 10%. We’ll see you there!!
LONGEST NIGHT
SERVICE Christmas can be a painful
time for some individuals. It
may be the first Christmas
without a loved family member
who has recently died; it may
be a time that has always been
difficult.
The constant refrain on radio and television, in shop-
ping malls and churches about the happiness of the
season, about getting together with family and
friends, reminds many people of what they have lost
or have never had. The anguish of broken relation-
ships, the insecurity of unemployment, the weariness
of ill health, the pain of isolation—all these can make
us feel very alone in the midst of the celebrating and
shopping.
We need the opportunity and time to acknowledge our
sadness and concern. We need to know that we are
not alone.
Our spirits sink, as days grow shorter. We feel the
darkness growing deeper around us. We need en-
couragement to live the days ahead of us.
For these reasons, a special ―Longest Night‖ Peace
Service is being offered on Friday, December 21, at
7:00 p.m. at Shenkel United Church of Christ, 1580
Shenkel Road, Pottstown. Come and join us in shar-
ing and hearing prayers, Scripture, and music that
acknowledge that God’s presence is for those who
mourn, for those who struggle - and that God’s Word
comes to shine light into our darkness.
Everyone, regardless of church background (or lack of
it), is welcome. Please extend an invitation to your
friends, neighbors and colleagues.
Christmas Eve Luminaries
Luminaries, Luminaries, luminaries for sale! The youth are
selling luminaries for Christmas Eve! $5 each. Fill out an
envelope in the pews (or ask for one) and place in the col-
lection plate. The deadline is December 23rd!
If you have any questions, please see Kaleena Sweinhart
or Cameron Dushanko.
SHENKEL LOVES TO GIVE….
REMEMBER TOO….
The Pottstown Cluster Food Bank col-
lection at Shenkel is the 1st Sunday of
each month. Please place your items
in the large plastic bins in the narthex.
AND...Please bring in your used cell phones and empty
ink cartridges and place them in the box across from the
nursery, or in the box located on the coat rack shelf
across from the office. The cartridges are
recycled to Staples, and the church re-
ceives credits toward the purchase
of office supplies. The used cell phones are
given to the police department to be distributed
to abused women.
Pottstown Cluster News – December 2012 & January 2013 The Cluster welcomes all cash, food and
clothing donations between the hours of
8:30 am to 12:00 pm on Monday through
Friday. Please come to the back door off
the alley. Parking spaces at the rear of the building are
Cleaning Products: Clothes and dish detergent, toilet
cleaners, multi- purpose cleaners
Paper products: Paper towels
For the children: diapers (sizes 3, 4, and 5 only please)
SEE PAGE 12 FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THIS YEAR’S
TOY DRIVE.
PAGE 9
January's Special Offering is
Bethany Children's Home - Beth-
any Children's Home provides resi-
dential services for children and ado-
lescents who are unable to live with
their own or a substitute family.
Founded in 1863 and related to the United Church
of Christ, Bethany serves more than 300 boys and
girls each year on its Womelsdorf, PA, campus.
Do you need a special gift? We still have some copies of Collin Gary’s CD of origi-
nal piano music, Reflections, available for
purchase. The CDs cost $15, and are
available from the church office. All pro-
ceeds will go to support Shenkel work
camps.
Tammy Graef is once
again working with
Ministries on Main
Street, helping to pro-
vide holiday meals for
the homeless. If you can provide any
help with donations of non-
perishable food items, paper prod-
ucts, and especially frozen turkeys,
please call Tammy at
610-469-6085. All help
is greatly appreciated!
$175 CHALLENGE
You are probably aware that we are behind in bring-
ing in the funds needed to pay the bills. We have re-
ceived a challenge to correct that situation. Pastor
Bonnie’s father has contributed $175 to our budget,
and has challenged us all to match that amount. We appreciate his
generosity, and think we can follow his lead. We initiated the 175
Challenge Campaign early in November, and it will run though the
end of this year. Many of our members have made very generous
donations, and we ask that each of us make a contribution as we are
able. In appreciation of our 175 years as a church, we suggest that
any amount from $1.75 to $175 to $1,750(or even $1,750,000☺) will
help the cause…and everyone who donates will get a beautiful “175
Shenkel Church” button to wear proudly.
DONATED AS OF PRESS TIME: $4,806.75 WOW!!
The mission of the Christmas Fund is to pro-
vide assistance dollars in situations of critical
need, including Pension Supplementation,
Health Premium Supplementation, Emergency
Grants, and Christmas “Thank You” Gift Checks to lower-
income retired UCC pastors.
The offering on Christmas Eve benefits Shenkel’s Help
Fund.
BULLETIN BOARD….
PAGE 10
Mid-Day Dinner Club
Shenkel's Mid-day Dinner Club
meets at 12 noon on the third
Tuesday of each month – and
you’re invited to join us! The next meeting date is
Tuesday, December18th , and we’ll be eating at a
fun place to be determined. The Mid-day Dinner Club
is open to young-at-heart adults of any age who enjoy
eating out and would like to get to know other Shen-
kel members a little better. Call the church office if
you’re able to join us!
SHENKEL
QUILTERS
As of now the Shenkel
Quilters will meet only
once in December. That
will be on Tuesday the 11th at 9:30 in the Church
Social Hall. We will have a little Christmas Celebra-
tion. Everyone is to bring a small treat. Please wish
everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New
Year from us. Thinking ahead to January...we will
meet on Tuesday(s) the 8th and the 22nd at 9:30 in
the Church Social all.
Thanks! Margie Allen
COMMUNITY
LUNCH BUNCH Thursday, December 6th
11:30 AM — 1:30 PM
For our December event, we will welcome one of our
very own pastors from the past. Rev. Daniel Moser is
known for his wonderful storytelling abilities, and we
look forward to his visit with us at our next Lunch Bunch
gathering. Pastor Dan will offer one of his famous
Christmas stories and we’ll certainly leave in high spirits
for the holidays to come. Come for the Christmas fun!
COMMUNITY
LUNCH BUNCH Thursday, January 3rd
11:30 AM — 1:30 PM
In January, Jay Erb, who works as a forest
ranger, is coming to talk to us about predatory birds and
his job. This will be a very informative and enjoyable
program.
*All participants are asked to contribute $6.50 to cover
the cost of the lunch and the program. Please sign up on the sheet in the narthex, or call the Shenkel UCC church office at 610-326-3535 or Ruth Klein at 610-326-4520 by the Monday prior to the program to reserve your spot..
CARD MAKING CLASS The card making class
generally meets on the
third Thursday of each
month at 10 AM. How-
ever, in December, they
December 13th so they can still
make will meet on Thursday,
Christmas Cards. The cost of the
class is $8.00 which will pro-
vide all participants with three
beautiful cards.
In January, their meeting day re-
turns to the third Thursday, which
is Thursday, January 17th. To in-
sure there will be enough materi-
als prepared for everyone, please
call Connie Armbruster at 610-326
-6516 if you plan to attend.
Prayer Shawl Ministry
A Prayer Shawl Ministry is on-
going here at Shenkel. Members of this wonderful ministry knit and
crochet prayer shawls for people in
need of them. They also makes
blankets for newborn babies and
baptisms. These tal-
ented ladies have de-
cided not to meet at
church on a regular
basis, but continue
their work in the comfort of
their homes. They are always
looking for extra hands. If you
like to knit or crochet (or would
like to learn), please contact the
church office at 610-326-3535
YOU SHOULD KNOW….
Sunday worship is never cancelled
due to snow or inclement weather.
If possible, though, please plan to
attend the 10:45 service to give
the snow removal crew time to
clear the parking lot and side-
walks. The choir directors and
Sunday School teachers will con-
tact you if there is a cancellation
of any programs. Of course, you
should always use your judgment
as to whether it is safe enough to
drive.
PAGE 11
STEWARD’S CORNER
Wow! This has been a very busy year. We sure celebrated the 175th anniversary!
It was fun! That planning committee did a great job, right up to the Anniversary Sunday service and
the big party. I think there must have been about 75 people there in the social room, all enjoying be-
ing together.
I liked seeing all the objects that had been in the time capsule for 25 years, and they were in great
condition. Maybe I should tell you what was in that capsule since 1987, when Shenkel church celebrated the 150th
anniversary: Shenkel’s September 1987 newsletter, Shenkel note cards, Shenkel coffee mug, book marker, Sunday
School class photos,
Upper Junior class Sunday School lessons, Homer Royer’s ordination bulletin, a Mercury newspaper article about
Homer, West Chester newspaper article all about Shenkel’s history, Signature sheet with questions for the future
from adult class and a 150 Anniversary tee shirt!
There’s a new capsule now, a bigger one, that Tom Klein made, so all those 1987 articles can be put back in this new
time capsule and then add the following items for 2012, that the people of Shenkel church, 25 years from now (Let’s
see…that would be 2037! Wow!) will open:
A church bulletin and script used on Anniversary Sunday, November 11,2012, Copies of the two anniversary songs
that Harold Smith wrote: 150th anniversary song: “the little Country Church, and the 175th anniversary song:
“Workin’ for God”, a 2012 Pictorial directory, Youth Fellowship “Memory” album, a DVD of Shenkel Members, by
Jody Sweinhart, a small anniversary tee shirt, Mercury newspaper with Shenkel anniversary article printed on the
church page, “Words of Love” cards, art work from the children’s Sunday School classes, a special wooden bell
carved by the children at the school in Haiti, A copy of the Shenkel History that Clara Yocom wrote in 1972 and an
updated Shenkel History Book entitled “Rooted And Grounded in Love” (just printed and I even have my picture in
it!)
I think that’s everything that will be put into this new capsule and buried on Sunday, November 25, 2012, to stay
there for 25 years until the people of Shenkel celebrate the 200th anniversary.
(Maybe we should let them know where this time capsule is buried.) It is in the front of the church, to the right of the
steps going into the narthex, and up against the wall of the church, and behind the George Lykens bench.
Now all they will have to do is find a copy of this December, 2012-January, 2013
Newsletter!
That’s all… I love Shenkel Church (and the People)
STEWARD
Photo courtesy of
Jody Sweinhart
Tis the Season….
PAGE 12
Once again, Shenkel will sponsor a
Giving Tree to help make the holidays
of those less fortunate a bit merrier.
The tree, which is in the narthex, holds
ornaments that can be used to identify
holiday gifts and toys to be donated to
Bethany Children's Home or to the
Pottstown Cluster Toy Drive.
Gift requests for the Cluster will be printed on the
back of the ornaments and a flyer with suggestions
for Bethany Children’s Home gifts will be available in
the very near future. Please help make the holiday
special for these children by taking an ornament and
returning it to church, attached to an unwrapped toy
or gift certificate. Watch the Sunday bulletins for
updated information. Deadline to receive gifts at the
church is December 9th. The Cluster will pick up the
toys on December 12th and the Confirmation Class
will deliver the gifts to Bethany Children’s Home on
December 15th. If you have any questions, please
contact Carol Stubbe at 610-326-5301 or see Pastor
Bonnie.
ADVENT IS HERE…..
It’s again time to think of decorating our
church and social room for the Christmas sea-
son. The theme for this year is simplicity in
both the decorations themselves as well
(hopefully) as the time involved. However, no
matter how simple we may go, we still need extra hands to make
the job go faster.
On Saturday, December 1 we will gather at the church around
10:00 AM to begin the task of beautifying our church. Homemade
soup will be provided should the decorating go to lunch time.
On Sunday, December 2 there will be a time during the 10:45 AM
service where members of the congregation will be able to hang
angel decorations on the tree. Please bring a special angel orna-
ment along on December 2. There will be extra ornaments if you
do not have one.
Bethany Children’s Home
Each year the friends and sup-porters of Bethany come to-
gether to participate in an An-nual Christmas Program for our
youth. In addition to providing a safe and healthy living envi-ronment, Bethany works to help our youth
understand the process of giving, receiving and saying thanks. For many of our youth,
this will be the first holiday away from their families. For some, it may be the first time they remember receiving gifts. And, to re-
ceive these gifts from "strangers" can be a powerful example of Christian love.
Recently, a 15 year old girl left her cottage in tears, after a birthday party planned for
her. She explained that she had never be-fore been given a birthday party or gifts. It was an overwhelming experience for her.
Holidays and personal accomplishments are important to celebrate. It is why, at Beth-
any, we say a prayer and grace every night for the blessings we receive.
If you would like to help make this holiday season a little bit brighter for the youth at
Bethany, pick up a "Bethany Wish List" from the narthex
and drop off a gift at our Giv-ing Tree before December 9th.
December 16, One
worship service only
at 10:45 with Christ-
mas Cantata and Congre-
gational Meeting will be-
gin immediately following the service.
December 21, 7:00 PM – Longest
Night service, designed to offer hope and
healing.
Monday, December 24, 7:00
Children & Families Christmas Eve Service,
geared towards families with children, and
will include communion, light sticks and a
re-enactment of the Christmas story.
Monday, December 24, 10:00 PM
A traditional Christmas Eve candlelight ser
vice with communion and choirs.
The Chancel Choir had a fast, but fun autumn! We enjoyed being part of many special Ser-
vices that took place, especially the 175th Anniversary, and the Ecumenical Thanksgiving
Service in Pottstown.
Currently, we are eagerly looking forward to presenting our Cantata, "Jeweled Snow," on
December 16th. It was written by a musician in Doylestown, Bucks County, and has been
adapted for our Church. Kaleena and Morgan are developing several liturgical dances to go
with the music we will present.
The Choir Members will be sharing a special Christmas Dinner prior to our rehearsal on
December 20th.
The Choir will enjoy a brief respite when a Musician friend of mine will join us on Sunday, December 23rd.
Donna Kase and I will play a four-hand piano version of "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" and a piano and organ
rendition of, "Joy to the World."
There will be a half hour recital of music before each service on Christmas Eve ~ at 6:30pm and at 9:30pm.
Lori Scharneck and the Chime Choir have been working diligently to learn a piece which they will share with
us during the Christmas Season.
Children of the Church are anxious to share individual pieces of music, as well as a reenactment of The Nativity
at the early service on Christmas Eve.
The Chancel Choir has been hard at work learning some beautiful pieces of music to share at the 10 o’clock
Christmas Eve service.
In January, we move into the Season of Epiphany, and we are looking forward to sharing music from the
"Season of Light."
I would like to take this opportunity to wish you, and all your loved ones a most blessed Christmas and a happy
and healthy new year!
In Christ's love,
Douglas Holder
PAGE 13 MORE THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW….
It was such fun, as it always is, to come
back to Shenkel and participate in wor-
ship. It was great to be there for the time
capsule opening, trying to remember
what we put in it and reflecting on what I wish we had in-
cluded and didn't. I am grateful for the treasure chest. I do-
nated a portion of the gift to Sabbath Time Ministries, the
nonprofit corporation I helped start, to support the retreat
work I have been doing with pastors and congregations. I
should also report I look really good in the new Shenkel T
shirt! Believe it or not, I still have mine from the 150th as
well. Peggy was sad she could not be there, but Amanda
was very glad she was able to come and see the things she
had a hand in putting in the capsule. I thought the questions
about what 2012 would be like were especially interesting.
May God continue to bless your ministry as we move into a
future we know is safe in God's hands.
Blessings,
Pastor Dan Moser
ALL CHURCH
CHRISTMAS
CAROLING will be held on Sunday,
December 23, 2012. We
will have a light lunch
after late church and
then go caroling at ap-
proximately 1:00 p.m.
We should be returning
to the Church by 3:00 for cookies and hot
chocolate. Look for more information in the
weekly bulletin.
LOGAN’S COMFIRMATION PROJECT…..
My confirmation project will be collecting all types of foot wear for
the Ian Miller foundation called, “In Ian’s Boots”. Ian
was a member of Coventry Soccer as I am. He died a
few years ago and the doctors at the hospital found a Bible verse in his boot.
It read, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers whenever you face trials of many
kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Persever-
ance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking any-
thing.” Every year, my soccer team, along with Coventry Soccer, participates in soccer
tournaments that raise money for the cause. When we have been at these tournaments,
they also accept donations of boots, sneakers, cleats, sandals, etc. I thought that It
would be great if we at Shenkel Church could also help. I will place two bins in the nar-
thex in the beginning of January and check them regularly to make sure
they are not overflowing with our donations. The project will end the last
Sunday in April. Please donate all your old shoes and new one’s if you
wish. Please give freely.
Thank you,
Logan Baker
PAGE 14
Awesome confirmation class work weekend!! Ask them what they learned about homelessness!
SHENKEL’S YOUTH AT THEIR BEST….
Shack-A-Thon 2012 was held Saturday, November 17th and our participants learned first-hand what homeless-ness is like.
Birthdays…..
12/03 Kyle Hudick
12/04 Mari O'Drain
12/04 KORTNE HUDICK
12/04 Taylor Baker
12/05 DAVID REINERT
12/05 Nicholas DeVito
12/06 Carl Bade
12/07 Maggie McCullagh
12/09 Ariel Royer
12/09 Abigail Dise
12/10 ELLEN FAUST
12/10 ROBIN KLEIN
12/10 CHRISTINE DECKMAN
12/15 Verna Walters
12/15 Analexis Foss
12/16 DAVID ELLIS
12/17 PATRICIA KERLIN
12/17 ELLA WOODMAN
12/18 Gillian Caplan
12/18 Sierra Miller
12/19 GIONNA ALTENDERFER
12/20 Judith Gergle
12/20 Amy Shenk
12/21 Betty Bortz
12/22 Sara Helmers
12/22 TIMOTHY KLEIN
12/22 Jim FAUST
12/23 Dave Miller
12/23 Josh Palubinsky
12/24 TJ AUGUSTINE
12/25 DAVID BADE
12/26 Jeffrey Luckenbach
12/26 Anna Bevan
12/27 TOM MCKIERNAN
12/28 ADDISON MARKLEY
12/29 GEORGE HAMPTON
12/31 Joan Johnson
SHARING WITH OUR CHURCH FAMILY AND FRIENDS….
Shenkel will be praying for these randomly selected members and friends of our congregation during the month of December:
12/2 Vicki, Noah, Ethan and
Dylan Scharneck
Brenda and Randy Berriker
Lori and Frank Brewer
Lori, John, Jordon Gerhardt-Skulski,
Kaya and Jordon Skulski
Dawn and Joe Yannick
12/9 Alyson Painter
Carol and Stan Stubbe
June Helfrich
Stephanie, Angeline and Jaden Viti
Jeremy Hampton
12/16 Erika, Tj and Ashlyn Augustine
Ruth Brewer
Cole Bevan
Lori and Rick Megni
Marilyn and Dave Lloyd
12/23 Matt Terrell
Drew Sweinhart
Sue and Jan Nye
Jean Munion
Tami and David Bade
12/30 Julie, Bill, Clay and Lucas Zachesky
Gail Munion-Gale, Ken, Christine
and Carolyn Gale
Carol Lykens
Pat and Fred Kerlin
Joel and Jody Sweinhart
PAGE 15
PAGE 12
Shenkel will be praying for these ran-domly selected members and friends of our congregation during the month of January:
1/6 Sue and Michael Kulp
Mindy and Isheunesu Chidawu
Kim Yocom and Barry Peterman
Stacia, Joe, Glen and Noah Bradley
Lindsay Hoff
1/13 Ellen Faust
Barb and Bob Brown
Jim White
Ruth Klein
Cara Bevan
1/20 Katie Hudick
Connie and Sam Armbruster
Jessica, Alexis and Tyler Moser
Diane Devine
1/27 Sue and Gary Stultz
Debbie and Nicole Smith and Tom Davis
Sandy and Ray Rowe
Christine Deckman
Judy Gaul
I would like to thank my Shenkel family for
their prayers and support this past year. I love
my new apartment! Also, a huge thank you to
the Youth Group, Pastor Bonnie and Lori Scharneck for their
help in unpacking boxes, breaking down the empty boxes
and putting them out in the trash. They were awesome and
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