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The Newsletter of
St. Paul’s UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST McConnellsburg, PA
Trinity UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST Fort Loudon, PA
The Beacon
FEBRUARY 2017
“Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it
is not arrogant or rude. Love does not in-sist on it’s own way; it
is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrong…...Love
never ends…
I Corinthians 13:4-8
Trinity’s Social Side
Trinity invites everyone to attend the annual Valen-tine’s Day
dinner on Saturday, February 11, at 6:00 PM. Bring a dessert to
share. Everything else will be provided. Call Lana at 717-552-9419
to make your
reservations by February 7.
The Fort Loudon-McConnellsburg Charge STAMP
of the
United Church of Christ
228 North 2nd Street
McConnellsburg, PA 17233
RESCHEDULED Potpie Supper
Trinity will be holding an All-You-Can-Eat Potpie Sup-per at the
Fort Loudon Community Center on Satur-day, FEBRUARY 4, from
3:30-6:30 PM. The menu in-cludes ham, beef and chicken slippery
potpie, ap-plesauce, pepper slaw, pickles, onions and vinegar,
bread, cake, coffee, and punch. Cost is $8.50 for adults, $5.50 for
7-12 year olds, and FREE for children under age 7. Eat in buffet,
takeout dinners, and quarts of potpie are availa-ble.
callto:717-552-9419
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A MESSAGE FROM MERCERSBURG ASSOCIATION
January 27, 2017
Dear Christian Friends,
The churches of the Mercersburg Association face a geographical
challenge. It is hard for us to get to know each
other because we are so far-flung. Even though we meet twice a
year as a body, many of us have little contact. We
are not aware of all the exciting things our friends and
colleagues are doing to further God’s work in our communi-
ties.
Earlier in 2016, as your Executive Board faced decisions on the
2017 Association budget, limited funds forced us to
eliminate some of our traditional budget items for mission
outreach. Now, as we begin 2017, we find ourselves in
the happy position of having sufficient funds to plan
intentional generosity. While we have not put specific missions
back into the budget, we have approximately $3,500 in monies
from 2016 to allocate to outreach in 2017. We are
asking for help in planning how to use these monies.
So many of you are engaged in mission activities in your
communities. We would like to plan ways in which church-
es could work together to provide services or financial support
as it is needed, multiplying our existing funds
through this mutual assistance. We suspect this can best be done
through projects in various geographic locations
rather than a single Association-wide project.
I will be working on this endeavor, and I am asking for a few
volunteers to help me plan outreach to spend this
money. I am hoping for both clergy and lay assistance,
from different areas of the Association. I believe this
opportunity to act generously will benefit all our
churches and the communities in which we live.
If you are interested in being part of this project,
please contact me by email at [email protected]
or phone 582-2602. I look forward to hearing from
you.
Blessings,
Pastor Gloria McPherson
Mercersburg Clergy Rep. to PCC Board
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TRINITY’S FINANCIAL UPDATE
Month Received Budget to Date Expended
Jan./Nov. $56,466.66 $66,066.00 $48,605.11
December $ 5,802.29 $ 6,006.00 $ 6,516.46
2016 Totals $52,268.95 $72,072.00 $55,121.57
Note: A combination of regular giving and numerous fundrais-ers
throughout 2016 enabled Trinity to meet all of its financial
commitments.
Secretary - Pam Carmack
[email protected] (717)-485-4795
St. Paul’s UCC
228 N Second Street, McConnellsburg, PA 17233
(717)-485-5554***[email protected]
Facebook & www.uccmccbg.weebly.com
Trinity UCC
P.O. Box 253
13189 Main Street, Fort Loudon, PA 17224
(717)-369-4773***trinityuccftloudon.webs.com
www.pccucc.org (Penn Central Conference)
www.ucc.org
www.mercersburgassociation.wordpress.com
Thinking Ahead for Trinity
Trinity’s annual congregational meeting was conducted on January
15 following a shortened worship service.
Rosie Shives, Kathy Hess, and Jerry Arm-strong were elected to
serve three-year terms on the consistory.
The 2016 treasurer’s report was present-ed. Total receipts were
$62,291.29, and expenditures were $55,319.61. The origi-nal 2016
budget, however, anticipated re-ceipts of $72, 070. Expenses were
de-creased in 2016 by having an interim pas-tor, since health
insurance and pension payments have been minimal during this
period.
It is important to note that over $18,000 of the money received
in 2016 came from scheduled fundraising events – activities that
require everyone’s support, until
regular offerings rebound.
The 2017 budget was increased to $75,558.50, on the premise that
the possible acquisition of a full-time pastor may occur. Note,
however, that this will actually require an additional $13,000 in
contributions and donations to fund fully, since the 2016 budget
was underfunded by $10,000.
Trinity and St. Paul’s deserve full-time pastoral services, but
everyone’s participation will be needed to make this possible.
Please give these matters your serious prayerful consideration.
http://www.mercersburgassociation.wordpress.com
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Dr. Chapman has over 30 years of experience in marriage
counseling. He is an author, speaker and counselor. His books
address the love language of married couples, teenagers, children
and family relationships.
Words of Affirmation: Mark Twain once said, “I can live for two
months on a good compliment”. Words of appreciation are powerful
and help a person to feel that they are being loved. Besides
offering verbal compliments, another way to communicate Words of
Affirmation is to offer encouragement to a loved one who is facing
difficult decisions. Words of encouragement help a person to
overcome insecurities and develop great-er self-confidence.
Quality Time: This means focusing all your energy on your loved
one. Quality Time with a loved means: sincerely sharing experiences
and personal feelings without interruptions. It means listening
carefully to what the other person is saying. Our loved ones need a
sympathetic listener. People feel loved when they are doing things
together. It brings people closer.
Giving & Receiving Gifts: Many loved ones respond well to
physical symbols of love. A gift (if ap-propriately selected)
becomes a special expression of love and devotion. These gifts need
not be expensive. They can be small. Perhaps a flower. Maybe a card
on the kitchen table. Perhaps a photo of a special moment or
place.
Acts of Service: Sometimes simple chores around the house can be
an undeniable expression of love. Doing the laundry, preparing a
meal, taking out the trash. Doing humble chores can be a very
powerful expression of love and devotion to our loved ones.
Physical Touch: This means hugs and kisses, plus lots more.
Holding hands. Putting your arm around a family member who is
facing a let-down or a difficult disappointment. A handshake
friendly greeting. Holding
someone close when they are scared. You can help to heal broken
hearts and relationships by reaching out and
touching someone in your family.
The Five Love Languages By
Dr. Gary Chapman
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1 Cayla Richards
3 Lois Byers
5 Barb Brown
6 Philip Burns
Mike Rosenberry
Jason Mester
7 Lana Pine
11 Betty Daniels
12 Jamie Hess
14 Jordon Strait
16 Wade Kulp
18 Joyce Washabaugh
19 Amy Gress
22 Morgan Barclay
Corinna Rotz
23 Jason Fox, Sr.
25 Linda Best
26 Renee Baker Early
Floyd Peck
Cathy Buterbaugh
Betty Daniels
Dorothy Stevens
Gary Stevens
Gene and Barb Bricker
Joyce and Thurman Hassler
John Hornbaker
Military and families
Zeis family
Jean McLucas
Diane Baxter
Tom Hamil
Nancy Barmont
Darlene Hannon
Anna Rotz
Korbyn Rotz
Nancy Lawyer
Sawyer Bye and Family
Meril Fetters
All individuals and families affected by can-cer
All Sunday school classes
Our Church & ministries
If you have any additions or corrections to the pray-er list or
the birthday list, please contact the church office.
Trinity’s Ushers:
Eileen and Roy Hornbaker
St. Paul’s Ushers:
Kirk Cover and John Glazier
St. Paul’s Flowers:
Pam Carmack
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Wednesday, February 1 Trinity’s Choir Practice. 6:30 PM
Saturday, February 4 Trinity’s Potpie Supper at the Community
Center, 3:30-6:30 PM, please
distribute flyers and complete updated signup sheets on hall
table
Sunday, February 5 Trinity Blended Worship, 9:00 AM, Super Bowl
of Caring Offering – to be used for Trinity Food and Clothing
Giveaway, Sunday School, 10:30 AM
Saturday, February 11 Trinity Family Valentine’s Dinner &
Party at church, 6:00 PM, please bring a dessert to share and sign
up on the hall table
Sunday, February 12 Trinity Blended Worship, 9:00 AM, Elder Care
Collection, Sunday School 10:30 AM
Tuesday, February 14 Trinity’s Consistory meeting, 7:00 PM
St. Paul’s NO CHURCH WOMEN UNITED MEETING IN FEBRUARY
Sunday, February19 St. Paul’s $100.00 of the offering plate
collection will be sent to Lancaster Theological Seminary
Tuesday, February 21 St. Paul’s Consistory meeting, 7:00 PM
Sunday, February 26 Lenten materials will be distributed
LENTEN STUDIES
Topic: To Be Announced Sundays in Lent at 6:30 p.m., alternating
between St. Paul’s and Trinity. Starting, March 5, at Trinity.
Following dates March, 12, 19, 26 and April 2. Please watch for
in-formation on our Joint Lenten Study. This time together has been
well attended and valuable the last several years.
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St. Paul’s & Trinity’s Calendar of Special Events for
2017
HOLY COMMUNION
Occasion Date Method
New Year’s January 1 Altar
First Sunday in Lent March 5 Pew
Maundy Thursday April 13 Tables
Easter Sunday April 16 Circle
Spring May 7 Pew
Pentecost Season June 4 Pew
Mid-Summer August 13 Altar
World Wide Communion October 1 Circle
Thanksgiving November 19 Pew
Christmas Eve December 24 Pew
New Year’s 2018 January 7 Altar
SPECIAL OFFERINGS
Offering Date Occasion
Elder Care Offering Second Sunday of each month
Building Fund Third Sunday of each month
Souper Bowl of Caring Trinity February 5 Super Bowl Sunday
Lancaster Theological Seminary February 19
Lenten Folders distributed February 26 Sunday before Ash Wed
One Great Hour of Sharing March 26
Homewood Retirement Homes May 14 Mother’s Day
Church World Services June 4
Truck Stop Ministry August 13
Scholarship Funds September 24
Neighbors in Need October 1 World Wide Communion
Thank Offering November 19 Thanksgiving Sunday
Advent envelopes distributed December 3 First Sunday of
Advent
Hoffman Homes for Youth December 24 Christmas Eve
Christmas Fund January 7, 2018 First Sunday after Christmas
SPECIAL DATES
Date Event/Place Time
March 1 Fort Loudon Community Ash Wednesday Service 7 p.m.
April 13 Maundy Thursday Service at St. Paul’s 7 p.m.
April 14 Community Good Friday Service at St. Paul’s UCC 12-1
p.m.
April 14 Good Friday Service at Trinity 7 p.m.
April 16 Community Easter Sunrise Service (to be announced) 6:30
a.m.
June 8 & 9 McConnellsburg Strawberry Festival
June 11 Trinity’s Picnic at Cowan’s Gap
Conference Annual Meeting (to be announced)
July 17-22 Trinity Vacation Bible School
August (tba) Trinity Peach Festival
September 10 Joint Worship and Picnic at the Garber’s’ 11
a.m.
September (tba) Free Food and clothing give away
October (tba) Women’s Retreat
November 22 Community Thanksgiving Service (to be announced)
5:30 p.m.
November (tba) Trin-i-tea
December 24 Christmas Eve Service St. Paul’s 6p.m. Trinity 8
p.m.
