The Tidings Ministerial Moments Inside this issue: Greeter/Ushers 2 Strengthen the Church Offering 2 Birthday / Anniversary List 3 Ministerial Moments Cont. 3 Church Mouse 4 June Calendar 5 VBS 6 June 2014 June. This year, June is the month of Pentecost and Trinity Sun- days. Pentecost occurs 50 days after Easter and is marked as the day in which the Spirit appeared in the form of tongues of fire upon 50 people gathered in the upper room. These people then went into the streets where they began speaking. Those in the streets could hear and under- stand them, each in their own language. They were accused of being drunk. Peter then spoke and explained that the spirit of the Lord had come upon them and taught about Jesus Christ. We are told that 3000 people were converted that day. The following Sunday celebrates the Trinity. There are many places in the Bible which point to the number 3. It and seven are consid- ered special or sacred numbers. One of the first places we encounter 3 is in the story of Abraham and Sarah entertaining three strangers at their camp. Often, especially in our stories of Jesus, we encounter stories of people on the margins of society whom Jesus welcomes. Many of our stories are stories of inclusion and generosity toward those on the mar- gins, or even outside the door. Likewise, fire in the Bible, rarely consumes, but more likely purifies. When it does seemingly destroy, like the prairie grass, it does so to open new seeds and give new life. In June, we not only move into the spiritual times of Pentecost and Trinity, but also a time of patriotic remembrance with Memorial Day May 16, Flag Day June 14, and Independence Day July 4. While secular holi- days, these are also times to honor those who have served their country, especially those who died for it. Continued on Page 3 Quilters We have been working on a beautiful butterfly quilt and need to have it quilted before VBS in July. This quilt will be available for the Evangelical Daughters Bazaar in 2015. We now quilt at 1:00 PM on Tuesdays. Come and Join us.
Transcript
The Tidings
Ministerial Moments Inside this issue:
Greeter/Ushers 2
Strengthen the Church Offering
2
Birthday /
Anniversary List
3
Ministerial
Moments Cont.
3
Church Mouse 4
June Calendar 5
VBS 6
June 2014
June. This year, June is the month of Pentecost and Trinity Sun-days. Pentecost occurs 50 days after Easter and is marked as the day in which the Spirit appeared in the form of tongues of fire upon 50 people gathered in the upper room. These people then went into the streets where they began speaking. Those in the streets could hear and under-stand them, each in their own language. They were accused of being drunk.
Peter then spoke and explained that the spirit of the Lord had come upon them and taught about Jesus Christ. We are told that 3000 people were converted that day.
The following Sunday celebrates the Trinity. There are many places in the Bible which point to the number 3. It and seven are consid-ered special or sacred numbers. One of the first places we encounter 3 is in the story of Abraham and Sarah entertaining three strangers at their camp. Often, especially in our stories of Jesus, we encounter stories of people on the margins of society whom Jesus welcomes. Many of our stories are stories of inclusion and generosity toward those on the mar-gins, or even outside the door.
Likewise, fire in the Bible, rarely consumes, but more likely purifies. When it does seemingly destroy, like the prairie grass, it does so to open new seeds and give new life.
In June, we not only move into the spiritual times of Pentecost and Trinity, but also a time of patriotic remembrance with Memorial Day May 16, Flag Day June 14, and Independence Day July 4. While secular holi-days, these are also times to honor those who have served their country, especially those who died for it.
Continued on Page 3
Quilters
We have been working on a beautiful butterfly quilt and need to have it quilted
before VBS in July. This quilt will be available for the Evangelical Daughters Bazaar in
2015. We now quilt at 1:00 PM on Tuesdays. Come and Join us.
The Tidings Page 2
Strengthen the Church
June 1 - Ruby Lehman, Todd Erb, Ruth Erb
June 8 - Dave & Pete Dressel, Dorothy Dressel, Carol Gladson
June 15 - Larry & Kathy Matzenbacher, Carol Gladson
June 22 - David & Evelyn Schneidewind, David & Mindy Schneidewind
June 29 - Mandi Schmierbach, Carol Mercer, Curt Werner
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
July 6 - Mandi Schmierbach, Carol Mercer, Curt Werner
July 13 & 20 - Bobbi Duffie, Jean Riess, Dale Sinn
July 27 - Jay & Leslie Lehman, Dennis & Nicole Sinn
Greeter and Ushers for June and July
The Strengthen the Church Offering is one of the five denominational offerings we collect
each year. Part of the offering stays in our conference, part goes to local church ministries,
and part to the God is Still Speaking ministry. Each day, visions and dreams are created n
the hearts of many in the United Church of Christ. Through the Strengthen the Church offer-
ing, they can become a reality. As God calls our congregations to be “church” in new ways,
your gift will plant new churches, awaken new ideas in exiting churches, and develop spiritual
life in our youth and young adults. Because of this offering, many more will hear the good
news that “God is still speaking.”
Pictures from the 70th Anniversary cou-
ples: From Left to Right: Mabel & Irving
Schickedanz and Milton & Blanche
Schmierbach
Pictures from the 70th Anniversary Celebra-
tion: Pastors From Left to Right: Gail Geisel,
John Austin, Max Pepmeier and Paul
Schmidt
June 2014 Page 3
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Dale Reese has been able to move out of Hope Lodge and is now at his sister-in-law’s house. The address is 504 Paul Dr., Waterloo, IL 62258
On June 8, we will have a special guest speaker, Christopher Cox from Hoyleton. Hoyleton as most of you know if one of our conferences main missions. These days, it works mostly with special needs children, though their ministry goes far beyond that. Mr. Cox said that this would be his first visit to Marissa so I hope we have a nice turn-out to greet him. There will be a special offering collected that day for Hoyleton.
June 8 is Pentecost which is usually our Strengthen the Church Offering. Because we will be having a special collection for Hoyleton that day, the Strengthen the Church offer-ing will be postponed a week to June 15, Trinity Sunday. June 15 is also Father’s Day and I believe Evangelical Daughter’s will once more be offering a breakfast for the men of the church.
C-SPAN was recently in St. Louis regarding the 250th anniversary of its founding. If such
things are of interest to you, they will be shown on C-SPAN 2 & C-SPAN3 on June 21 and 22
Blessings,
Pastor Gail
Ministerial Moments Continued from page 1
Neal & Joan Galle 2
Craig & Melanie Rahlfs 2
Tom & Bobbi Duffie 5
Fred & Marilyn Lewis 17
Martin & Alberta Galle 18
June Anniversary’s
Paula Neely 1
Pastor Gail Geisel 6
Sarah Galle 7
Irving Schickedanz 12
Courtney Swartzkopf 13
Sharon Reese 16
Leslie Lehman 18
Gertrude Heil 22
David Keim 27
June Birthday’s
The Tidings Page 4
Comments from the Church Mouse
I really enjoyed the anniversary celebration for the Schmierbachs and the Schickedanzes. It was well done. I saw Marlene Karstens fussing around trying to get things the way she wanted them. She really put some time and effort into the meal. Then I saw a new helper, Tim Campbell. What a good new worker.
There was good food and a special atmosphere. There were even three former Friedens ministers who came. Lots of friends and family of the two couples who had been married 70 years also came. And still there was a mountain of food left. However, the workers bagged, boxed, and froze most of it before I could pilfer any.
Oh well, the two little great grandsons of Blanche and Milton left a few crumbs that I was able to filch before anyone noticed me.
It was significant that the whole worship service emphasized love and marriage. Pastor Gail did a nice job with that.
There was also a front page colored picture and long article on our honorees in the County Journal the week after the celebration. Blanche and Milton, Mabel and Irving are special and deserved the attention.
As I write this on Lori’s computer, I notice that on May 18th we will have an Italian
meal for those who want to eat together after church. They are having Italian bread, and that means more tidbits for me.
Now I’ll look forward to the Community Vacation Bible School that will be here from July 7 to the 11, in the morning from 9-11:30. Susie and Carol are looking for more help.
I’ve heard some nice things about some of the men of our church. At least three of them were involved in the roofing on Dale Reese’s house – Larry Matzenbacher, Ron Geisel, and Dave Barbee. There may be others, but I heard a conversation that mentioned those three. I miss Dale, and I send up my mousey prayers for him.
Oh, oh, I hear Lori coming, so I’ll end my comments with a suggestion that you keep sup-
porting Friedens and keep us in your prayers.
Su
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Str
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Past
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JU
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June 2014 Page 5
Friedens United Church of Christ
820 North Main
Marissa, IL 62257
Friedens is the host of this years VBS!!!
“Workshop of Wonders”
Dates: July 7 - 11
Times: 9:00 am to 11:30 am
Contact Carol Mercer if you are interested in helping.
