The Mission of the Edgeboro Moravian Church Family is to Love God, Grow in Christ and Share the Holy Spirit through worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry and evangelism. The Envoy Edgeboro Moravian Congregation January/February, 2018 Volume 10, Issue 1/2 Dear Edgeboro Friends & Family, Happy New Year! Over the last few Januarys, I have noticed that my attention gravitates, even more than usual, toward the Moravian Daily Text. I think it is a combination of getting a new book to use and having the opportunity to select new watchwords for the year. I find it captivating that for nearly 300 years, the Daily Text has offered guidance to millions with daily verses – verses that are selected in Herrnhut, Germany over a year before the day they are actually assigned. The Daily Text continues to give us new, timely, and unique ways of looking at scripture and applying it to our lives. A new year is upon us, so let’s see what is in store for us on day one: January 1 st – “So be careful to do what the Lord your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left.” (Deuteronomy 5:32) Right away from the Daily Text, we receive encouragement to continue on and not stray from the way of the Lord. This probably sounds like something you have heard before. Perhaps it sounds pretty basic – and that’s because it is! These words were spoken by Moses to the Israelites before they got to the Promised Land. They occur just 11 verses after the Ten Commandments were first given and just six verses before what would later be called “The Greatest Commandment” (“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” Deuteronomy 6:5). These are fundamental commandments that are just getting introduced to the Israelites now. If you think about it, the Israelites are still getting used to God! We often forget this because since the day we were old enough to understand, we were taught the Ten Commandments and told that we can pray to God whenever we wanted. In Deuteronomy, people lived in a time when the Ten Commandments did not exist and when God only spoke to a select few, like Moses, and not to everyone. (In fact, people thought that if God spoke to them, they would die!) Everything they are hearing is new for the Israelites, and so it makes sense that Moses would be giving them a simple, basic instruction – don’t look left, don’t look right, just follow God’s commandments! In this new year, God will continue to speak to us, sometimes in new and unfamiliar ways which, like the Israelites found out, might take some adjustments and getting used to on our part. We can only wonder how that might happen, but I hope that this first watchword can set the tone for the year and motivate each of us to listen closely and stay the course on God’s way when it does. Let us give thanks for a living, dynamic, and relevant God – a God who is never out of date – the One who was, is, and will be forever and ever! On God’s Way in 2018 with you, Pastor Dan
Transcript
The Mission of the Edgeboro Moravian Church Family is to Love God, Grow in Christ and Share the Holy Spirit through worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry and
evangelism.
The Envoy
Edgebor o M or av i an Congr ega t i on
January/February, 2018
Volume 10, Issue 1/2
Dear Edgeboro Friends & Family,
Happy New Year! Over the last few Januarys, I have noticed that my attention gravitates, even more
than usual, toward the Moravian Daily Text. I think it is a combination of getting a new book to use and
having the opportunity to select new watchwords for the year. I find it captivating that for nearly 300
years, the Daily Text has offered guidance to millions with daily verses – verses that are selected in
Herrnhut, Germany over a year before the day they are actually assigned. The Daily Text continues to
give us new, timely, and unique ways of looking at scripture and applying it to our lives.
A new year is upon us, so let’s see what is in store for us on day one: January 1st – “So be careful to do
what the Lord your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left.” (Deuteronomy
5:32)
Right away from the Daily Text, we receive encouragement to continue on and not stray from the way of
the Lord. This probably sounds like something you have heard before. Perhaps it sounds pretty basic –
and that’s because it is!
These words were spoken by Moses to the Israelites before they got to the Promised Land. They occur
just 11 verses after the Ten Commandments were first given and just six verses before what would later
be called “The Greatest Commandment” (“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your
soul and with all your strength.” Deuteronomy 6:5). These are fundamental commandments that are
just getting introduced to the Israelites now.
If you think about it, the Israelites are still getting used to God!
We often forget this because since the day we were old enough to understand, we were taught the Ten
Commandments and told that we can pray to God whenever we wanted. In Deuteronomy, people lived
in a time when the Ten Commandments did not exist and when God only spoke to a select few, like
Moses, and not to everyone. (In fact, people thought that if God spoke to them, they would die!)
Everything they are hearing is new for the Israelites, and so it makes sense that Moses would be giving
them a simple, basic instruction – don’t look left, don’t look right, just follow God’s commandments!
In this new year, God will continue to speak to us, sometimes in new and unfamiliar ways which, like
the Israelites found out, might take some adjustments and getting used to on our part. We can only
wonder how that might happen, but I hope that this first watchword can set the tone for the year and
motivate each of us to listen closely and stay the course on God’s way when it does.
Let us give thanks for a living, dynamic, and relevant God – a God who is never out of date – the One
who was, is, and will be forever and ever!
On God’s Way in 2018 with you,
Pastor Dan
The Joyful Noise Offering for November was for Salvation Army and the amount collected was $163.39.
The Joyful Noise Offering for December was for Moravian Open Door.
The amount was $259.00
Thank you for your generosity!
Joyful Noise Offering
The Envoy Page 2
In this section you will find information about
special offerings, services and activities for the
communal worship of our congregation.
New Year’s Eve Communion
What better way to close out the old year and seek to prayerfully enter the new year than to receive Holy Communion. On Sunday, December 31 from 4:30– 6:00 PM the sanctuary will be open for quiet reflection and dialogue with God. Upon entering the Sanctuary participants will be offered a guide for this reflection time. This will be a time to review the past year, and dedicate yourself anew to Christ for the new year. Then, when ready, participants can come forward to receive Holy Communion from Pastor Dan. You are then welcome to stay as long as you wish.
Serving in leadership for 2018 Elders - John Bauman, Johanna Heft,
Val Hoff, Robyn Balsai, Linda Lindemuth, Mike Long,
Shannon Swingle, Tom Pheiffer
Trustees— Tim Jones, Sherri Hoff, Bob Silfies, Beth Pretti, Glen Emig,
John Knox, Terri Long, Bill Burkhardt, Darryl Bacon
A big THANKS to Hope Harrell who
serves as the church treasurer, and to Bill
Burkhardt who is our financial secretary.
We appreciate all the hard work and
many hours they both put into their jobs.
We look forward to working with them
again this year!
~ The Board of Trustees
Lenten dinner and program
As has been our tradition we will gather
each Wednesday during the Lenten
season to not only enjoy fellowship
together at our Soup Meals, but we will
also learn and worship together as well.
We will begin with our Ash Wednesday
service on Wednesday February 14th at
7:00PM in the sanctuary. Starting the
next Wednesday we start with a 6:00 p.m.
soup dinner followed by a program at 7:00
p.m.
Page 3 Volume 10 Issue 1/2
Servants in January
Elders 9:00AM 7 Val Hoff (10am) 14 John Bauman 21 Johanna Heft 28 Robyn Balsai Elders 11:15AM 14 John Bauman 21 Shannon Swingle 28 Mike Long Sacristans
7 Bob & Elley Silfies
14 Brad & Mary Williamson
21 Craig & Tammy Baer
28 John Bauman & Peggy Leith
Ushers 9:00AM
14 LaRue Jones & Ruth Zaun 21 Rod Sergent & Earl Kunsman 28 LaRue Jones & Ruth Zaun
Ushers 11:15AM 7 Michael & Terri Long (10am) 14 John & Rosie Bauman 21 Art Sergent & Family 28 Kyle Sergent & Family
Greeters 11:15AM 14 Ryan & Becky Beller 21 Nancy Remaly 28 Scott & Jessica Sine
Sunday Worship Schedule
January 7
Joyful Noise
Epiphany Communion
Installation of new Officers
10:00AM Worship
Church Council (Nursery available)
January 14
9:00 AM Worship
10:15 AM Sunday School
11:15AM The EDGE
January 21
9:00 AM Worship
10:15AM Sunday School
11:15AM The EDGE
January 28
9:00 AM Worship
10:15AM Sunday School
11:15AM The EDGE
Date Toddler Room Infant Room
1/7/2018
Robyn Balsai Carole Schachter
1/14/2018 Sherri Hoff Karen and Woody Werner
1/21/2018 Jenny Minnich Karen and Woody Werner
1/28/2018 Val Hoff Karen and Woody Werner
Our Worship Attendance
for November
2016 2017
116 Week 1 126
129(C) Week 2 102(C)
131 Week 3 124
162(FSA) Week 4 147 (B)
B= Baptism
C = Communion
FSA= First Sunday in Advent
Nursery Schedule
Elders 9:00AM Elders 11:15AM
Sacristans
4 David & Sharon Bond
11 Glen & Perry Emig
14 Michael & Myra Jones (7pm)
18 David Bond & Linda Lindemuth
21 Tom & Gilda Pheiffer(7pm)
25 Bob & Elley Silfies
28 Brad & Mary Williamson (7pm)
Ushers 9:00AM 4 LaRue Jones & Ruth Zaun 11 Rod Sergent & Earl Kunsman 18 TBA 25 TBA
Ushers 11:15AM 4 Bob & Elley Silfies 11 Brent Sergent & Family 18 John & Rosie Bauman 25 Art Sergent & Family
Greeters 9:00AM 4 Bucchin Family 11 Linda Lindemuth 18 Heather James 25 Linda Lindemuth Greeters 11:15AM 4 Holly Haines 11 John & Rosie Bauman 18 Knox Family 25 Ryan & Becky Beller
Nursery Schedule
Date Toddler Room Infant Room
2/4/2018 Cheryl Kindt Carole Schachter
Holly Haines
2/11/2018 Lisa & Joe Courtade Karen and Woody Werner
2/18/2018 Jen & Justin Hoff Karen and Woody Werner
2/25/2018 Tim & Hope Harrell Karen and Woody Werner
Sunday Worship Schedule
February 4
Joyful Noise
Communion
9:00 AM Worship
10:15 AM Sunday School
11:15AM The EDGE
February 11
9:00 AM Worship
10:15 AM Sunday School
11:15AM The EDGE
February 18
1st Sunday in Lent
9:00AM Worship
10:15AM Sunday School
11:15AM The EDGE
February 25
2nd Sunday in Lent
9:00AM Worship
10:15AM Sunday School
11:15AM The EDGE
Our Worship Attendance
for December
2016 2017
129 Week 1 143 (FSA)
138 Week 2 154
232 (CM) Week 3 183 (CM)
32 (CD) Week 4
FSA = First Sunday in Advent
CD=Christmas Day
CM= Choir Musicale
B = Baptism
Servants in February
Page 4
The Envoy
Fellowship
JANUARY
BIRTHDAYS 3) Kayleigh Gross
Sherri Hoff
5) Lori Mardesich
6) Daniel Bucchin
8) Elizabeth Bucchin
Tayte Messman
9) James Harry Clause
10) William Horwath
13) Brian Lauderman
Leahanne Sine
14) Allison Hoff
15) Jocelyn Perkins
16) Gayle Justice
Earl Kunsman, Jr.
Louis Pagano
Rodney Sergent
17) Sara Saeger
20) Richard Grebs
21) Peter Maugle
Debra Swanson
22) Sally Abruzzese
23) Linda Lindemuth
Sasha Cheer
27) Cheryl Baker
30) Justin Hoff
31) Sarah Neiman
Birthdays
CHILDREN
5) Jace Hoff
7) Matthew Wolfe
15) Camryn Hoff
16) Treyton Messman
18) Lillie Neiman
22) Benjamin Courtade
24) Ella Bannon
27) Louis Pagano
JANUARY
ANNIVERARIES
18) Barbara & Richard Peters
20) Nelson & Sherri Hoff
The Envoy Page 5
Save-the-Date: Jr./Sr. High Youth Ice-Skating
Plans are forming with Central Moravian Church for Junior and Senior High Youth to go Ice Skating on Sunday afternoon,
January 21st OR Sunday afternoon, February 25th. Location will be local. Cost may apply. Further information will be
announced.
The Envoy Page 6
Birthdays
FEBRUARY
BIRTHDAYS
1) Rita Gambler
Steven Henning
2) Shirley Nagle
4) Andrew Pagano
5) Lindsey Breiner
Terry Kunsman
7) Ruth Zaun
11) Craig Kunsman
12) Terri Long
13) Nancy Sergent
14) Robert Stewart
15) Ryan Schwepfinger
18) Pasquale Zulli
Makenna Hoff
24) John Bauman
Ariel Wieller
Deborah Sacarakis
25) Jeanne Suess
26) Carol DeAngelis
27) Josephine Becker
Carol Freyman
Children
6) Sophia Lilly
11) Francesca Pagano
13) Carson Groner
16) Joseph Snyder
26) Haden Eustler
FEBRUARY
ANNIVERSARIES 7) Tim & Fatima Gilman
23) Craig & Tamara Baer
24) Robert & Wendy Gross
With the help of seven participating churches (Edgeboro, Advent, Central, Esperanza, Calvary, Schoeneck, and Riverside, NJ) and some funding from the Bethlehem Area Moravians Ministries Committee, 45 “welcome kits” were assembled on the night of November 5th at Esperanza. Six congregations were represented in person that night. This was the culmination of a four-week effort to collect items for people arriving
in the Lehigh Valley displaced by Hurricane Maria and other hurricanes that occurred around the same time. Each kit consisted of a laundry basket filled with over a dozen household and hygiene supplies. These kits were left to be dispersed by Esperanza. Just days after assembly, kits were already being distributed to those in need. Esperanza is now working directly with the Bethlehem Area School District (BASD) to help these displaced families. With over 90 Puerto Rican kids enrolled in the BASD, the effort of welcoming them and their families into the community is ongoing. Stay tuned for more opportunities to get involved. Chief among them will be the effort to prepare for distribution boxes of donated clothing from BASD schools.
Page 7 Volume 10 Issue 1/2
Church News Food Outreach Ministry Gathering In 2017, Edgeboro made thousands of meals and sandwiches that went to The Salvation Army, Esperanza, the Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering program, and Trinity (Episcopal) Soup Kitchen. Not only did we meet our 2017 goal in providing one full meal per month and holding two sandwich-making sessions per month, more importantly, we made some wonderful, new relationships with people we met at those sites. As we gear up for 2018, we would invite you to help. If you would like to know more about these ministries, to par-ticipate in future events, and to help set goals for 2018, please come on Thursday, January 11th, 7:00pm, in the upstairs conference room. Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering (BES) Brown Bag Lunches The sheltering season is well underway (December through March). As we did last year, Edgeboro is providing brown bag lunches to individuals as they leave the shelter twice a month. All are invited to come to the kitchen and help make peanut butter & jelly sandwiches and package other items for the lunches. Here are the upcoming dates. (More will be planned at the Outreach Gathering on January 11th - see other announcement.) Saturday, January 13th, 9:30am Saturday, January 27th, 9:30am Save-the-Date: Substance Abuse Panel Plans are coming together for a Substance Abuse Panel and Q&A hosted at the church on Thursday, February 8th, 7:00pm. This event will be an opportunity to engage in a conversation and learn more about an ongoing issue that impacts all of us in this community and country. Hear from counselors, law enforcement, family members, and oth-ers who will speak first-hand about their experiences. This event is open to the community.
Church Council Meeting
Reminder to All!
We will hold our Church Council Meeting
on Sunday, January 7th following the
10:00 AM service. There is only one
service that day. There will nursery
available during the Church Council.
There will be a lunch following the Church
Council meeting.
2018 Contribution Envelopes
The 2018 Contribution envelopes are being sent out to you the end of December. Make sure to look for them in the mail. If you do not receive one by mid-January and you are supposed to receive
one, please call the office.
On Sunday, January 7th, after the Church Council meeting there will be a luncheon. The menu for the luncheon is as follows:
Ham Macaroni and Cheese
Green Beans Applesauce
Mixed Green salad AND
Make your own Sundae bar!
The Envoy Page 8
We Love our Volunteers!
The Putz Committee would like to thank everyone who helped make this past Putz season a joyous one for all the visitors who came through our church. We shared the story of the Birth of Jesus, shared fellowship and refreshments with them, and
told them about being a Moravian. We even offered a unique shopping experience.
Our volunteers were a true gift to all this past Christmas! Thanks to everyone who donated attic treasures; made crafts; baked cookies; decorated Fellowship
Hall; collected moss; assisted at Putz Raising; set up the Christmas Room; made paper stars; served as a host/hostess, kitchen assistant and Christmas Room assistant; placed yard signs around town; invited
friends, family, and neighbors; passed out Putz literature; made purchases in the Christmas Room or made a monetary donation; and a special thanks to Mary Ann in the church office for keeping track of
our tour groups and to Greg our custodian for keeping the place sparkling.
Save the date… Snow Tubing at Blue Mountain
with Edgeboro Moravian Church Friday March 3rd
6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. or
7:00PM – 10:00PM Cost: $21 + waiver by 2/26
(must be 36” tall) To come and watch is $2!!!!
Sugar Cakes!!!
The next time that Moravian Sugar Cakes will be made is Friday January 26th. The price
of a Sugar cake is $6.00. If you are interested in ordering any, please either call the office
at 610-866-8793 or Marcia Horning at 610-691-3209 by Tuesday, January 23rd. You can
pick them up either Friday, January 26th from 7-8PM, or Sunday January 28th after the
church service.
Page 9 Volume 10 Issue 1/2
Board of Trustees’ November Meeting Highlight
Lighting improvements made in conference room and nursery. Fellowship hall bathrooms are in planning stages of renovations. Furnace repair was needed to replace oil pump valve. Annual Parsonage walk through was done in November revealing a need for an interior threshold, also water pooling on front porch causing leak into basement as well as a bedroom outlet not working.
Elder Highlights for November & December meeting
A motion was made and passed to approve Bethlehem Emergency Shelter as the Joyful Noise offering for January 7, 2018.
A motion was made and passed to approve use of Fellowship Hall for a pancake fundraiser to benefit the Ms. Amazing Pennsylvania pageant. The fundraiser will take place on January 20.
A motion was made and passed to approve the baptism of Declan Podhyski, son of Garrett Podhyski and Katie Burkhardt on November 26 at 9 a.m.
Elders assigned Elder of the Day for January. Elders remembered in prayer those who celebrate birthdays and anniversaries in November and December.
Daily Texts are here!
The Daily Texts are here. They are $11 for the paperback and $13 for the Large Print and Journals. They are on the front pew in the Sanctuary. There is an envelope there for the money. Please write your name, quantity of which one and the total price.
Many of the February Servants were not listed or listed as TBA. That information will be in the February mini envoy. Make sure you look for it.
Miss Amazing - Pennsylvania is hosting its 3rd Annual Pancake Breakfast fundraiser on Saturday, January 20th, 8:00am-Noon, in the fellowship hall. All proceeds go towards funding the Miss Amazing Pageant held on March 3rd at Easton High School. (Edgeboro's connection: Amy Behrend, state director, Katy Kish, Miss Amazing team member)
Page 10 The Envoy
In Texas the winds have subsided, the water has receded, and now the long, hard work of res-toration has begun. Through the generous donations of resources and time, homes are begin-ning to be made habitable again. Aaron Van Der Linden of Wisconsin is working with the Board of World Mission and the Unity of the Brethren to help assess sites for the work that needs to be accomplished as well as coordinate those that volunteer to assist with the reconstruction. One of the projects Aaron and a team of volunteers have been tasked with is a house
deemed a house too far gone for renovation. The short story is that the termite damage in this house was very bad and had ruined a load-bearing wall. This wall held up the roof and the roof addition. Section by section they propped the house up, removed the rotted wall and re-placed it. This house is now safe for them to make repairs to other damaged areas, and hang drywall. This is just an example of ONE home of thousands that received damage from this year’s hurricanes. There is still much work to be done. If you or a team are interested in assisting with the ongoing effort to rebuild the lives of the residents of Texas please contact the BWM at the Northern Province office @ 610.868.1732 or the Southern Province office at 336.773.1732.
2018 Sr. High—Post High
Winter Retreat January 12-14, 2018
Theme: “Be Still”
Hope Conference & Renewal Center Hope, NJ Grade 9 through Age 21
Cost $110 For more information and registration go to
http://camphope or contact the office for a brochure.
You won't want to miss the 2018 Camp Hope Kick-Off Dinner Join camp alumni, current campers and staff, family members, and friends to celebrate Camp Hope old and new!
Enjoy dinner, auction, sale of camp gear, music, and much more. Sunday, February 11, 5:30 p.m. East Hills Moravian Church, Bethlehem ticket and sponsor info coming soon!
![Envoy Gift[1]](https://static.documents.pub/doc/80x56/55d134d2bb61eb51298b467b/envoy-gift1.jpg)
