November 2017

Christ United Church of Christ, 1414 Ligonier Street

Latrobe, Pennsylvania 15650

No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey you are welcome

Worship Services for November 11/5 Sunday Morning Worship, 11:00 AM

All Saints’ Sunday, Holy Communion

11/12 Sunday Morning Worship, 11:00 AM

Stewardship Sunday / New Members Received 11/19 Sunday Morning Worship, 11:00 AM

11/26 Sunday Morning Worship, 11:00 AM Reign of Christ Sunday

Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; His love endures forever. Psalm 118:1

Concerns of the Congregation Please pray for: Katie Baker, Scott Barr, Edith Bridge, Cathy Campbell, Lauren DeAn-

gelo, Carol Gerhard, Treasure Keys, Zoe Klug, Lorraine Mickinack, Bob and Evelyn

Neighly, Betty Newman, Joyce Puzak, Louise Quitko, Kenny Repko, Shirley Robb,

Emily Sautter, Terri Selembo, Jean Sheffler, Judith Short, Dewey Silvis, Laken Smith,

Kathleen Swartz, Russ Upholster, Reatha Young.

We especially hold in prayer the family of

August Heining who passed away on October 15, 2017

Praying the roll: Everyone on the church roster will have a turn at experiencing the

comfort and peace of intentional prayer. We are family . . . .and families pray for one

another! Please keep these families in your thoughts and prayers for the entire week. Week of November 5

Bob and Evelyn Neighly, Rosella Nessmith, Betty Newman

Week of November 12

Harvey Noel, Jim and Karen O’Connor, Pastor Cindy and Larry Parker

Week of November 19

Dorthy Paulovich, Sandy and Blaise Pezek, Bonnie Pickle

Week of November 26

Dorothy Piper, Louise Quitko, Susan Renz

Communion Servers for November 5 Elder/Assistant … Carolyn Stutzman/Art Dira

Deacons/Main Servers . .Art Dira, Jim O’Connor, Don Burd, Loretta Staruk

Deacons/Auxillary Server. . . Elena Sillaman

USHERS LIST - NOVEMBER

November 5 - Marsha Ackerman & Larry Staruk

November 12 - Mick Mattern & Judy Holden

November 19 - Rich Baker & Art Dira

November 26 - Sally Walker & Harvey Noel

GREETERS LIST - NOVEMBER

November 5 - Larry & Loretta Staruk

November 12 - Bill Berkey 1 Needed

November 19 - Rich Baker & Art Dira

November 26 - 2 Greeters Needed

2:00 AM on November 5

Don’t forget to set your clocks

back before you go to bed on Sat-

urday night, November 4.

Are you interested in joining the membership of Christ Church?

If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a member of

Christ Church, please see Pastor Dick or Rosella Holzer. New members will be

received on November 12.

A Message From Pastor Dick

November is Stewardship month with the second Sunday, Nov.

12th designated as Stewardship Sunday. I thought this would be

a good time for us to think about Stewardship in a wholistic

way. Think about the following.

Frequently when we give either of our money, our time or our

talents, we do so with tainted motives: obligation, duty, guilt,

habit, to bolster self-esteem, or to please someone else. The purest motive would

be to give out of love and gratitude for what God has done for us in Christ. This

is” selfless” giving which does not depend on our feelings, on how our gift is re-

ceived or whether we get anything in return. But surprisingly, Paul says to us that

our giving produces profound blessings, not just for others but for us.

Think for a moment about the times when you have been generous in your giving

to others. What blessings have come to you as a result? Think about the poor

widow who put two copper coins, all she had. How do you think God blessed

her?

Here is an acrostic of the word GENEROSITY

G = gratitude to God

E = energy to meet the challenges of living

N = needs of others are met

E = everything we need will be supplied

R = riches in abundance will flow to us and to others

O = outpouring of thanksgiving

S = Service meets the needs of others

I = inspiration for us and others as needs are met

T = truth is shared (the Truth of God’s Promises)

Y = yielding more, surrendering more results in increasing blessings

May God bless you as you give generously of your time, talent and treasure.

All Saints Day is November 5

All Saints Day celebration has a long history in the worship life

of the church. It began as a commemoration of the martyrs who

had died for this faith, and it has become a day when we honor

and remember those who, in death, have joined the Church Triumphant, as well as

the faithful saints of the present and the future who serve Jesus Christ.

Remembering the lives of Peggy Olecki, Barry Holden, Sr., Franklin Piper, Marcus

Grasmick, Irene Patty, Mildred Repko, Helen Schirf, John Kitzmiller, Bertha

Banocy, Robert George, Trooper Michael Stewart, Lois Feather, Louisa (Nan)

Mattern, Lorraine Staruk, August Heining

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

Sunday School for Children

Classes are scheduled for the second Sunday of each month (November 12 and

December 10.)

Two adults with child clearances will teach the lessons after the pastor’s chil-

dren’s sermon.

Seasons of the Spirit, UCC curriculum, will be used which relates to the gospel

reading of the day. A short craft and snack will be included.

Adult Sunday School will meet at 9:30 AM each Sunday with discussion on a

timely topic. Do you think race relations in our country need to improve? Do

you have any concerns about the recent rhetoric and news about race? Join us

for an honest discussion. Hope to see you there. . Wednesday Morning Bible Study will be held each week at 10:00 AM . The

study will be on the Old Testament: Genesis to Exodus. All are welcome.

Wednesday Evening Bible Study will be held every Wednesday from 6:30 PM

to 8:00 PM in the conference room. The study will be “Faith - Depending on

God.” Our study group has grown this fall to ten, what a blessing!! Please come

join us, it’s never too late to join in.

Christian Ed Committee will meet on Sunday, November 12 following

worship.

Stewardship Sunday is November 12

Stewardship Sunday will be here on November 12, so it is time for each of us to

think about our annual giving to Christ Church and its missions.

As you all know, the strength and viability of our church depends on each of us be-

ing generous stewards of our time, talents and treasure. Only you and God know

how you should apportion each of those. Below is a "Weekly Giving Guide" which

you can use to assess your "treasure" portion of stewardship by comparing your in-

come (by year, month or week) to the percentage amount that you contribute to

Christ Church each week. Look at your percentage contribution and consider

whether you might increase it somewhat.

Pledge cards will be sent out soon asking you to try to commit to a certain level of

giving for the coming year. Please prayerfully consider your stewardship.

Annual Monthly Weekly 4% 6% 8% 10% 12% 15%

Income Income Income

$18,000 $1,500 $346 $14 $21 $28 $35 $42 $52

$25,000 $2,083 $481 $19 $29 $38 $48 $58 $72

$30,000 $2,500 $577 $23 $35 $46 $58 $69 $87

$40,000 $3,333 $769 $31 $46 $62 $77 $92 $115

$45,000 $3,750 $865 $35 $52 $69 $87 $104 $130

$50,000 $4,167 $962 $38 $58 $77 $96 $115 $144

$60,000 $5,000 $1,154 $46 $69 $92 $115 $138 $173

$75,000 $6,250 $1,442 $58 $87 $115 $144 $173 $216

$100,000 $8,333 $1,923 $77 $115 $154 $192 $231 $288

$125,000 $10,417 $2,404 $96 $144 $192 $240 $288 $361

$150,000 $12,500 $2,885 $115 $173 $231 $289 $346 $433

$175,000 $14,583 $3,365 $135 $202 $269 $337 $404 $505

$200,000 $16,667 $3,846 $154 $231 $308 $385 $462 $577

$225,000 $18,750 $4,327 $173 $260 $346 $433 $519 $649

Search Committee Update

The Search Committee met on Wednesday, October 4 and Monday,

October 16 with Rev. Linda Miller-Pretz to complete our work on

the church profile. The profile has been posted on the United

Church of Christ website. We will soon be reviewing profiles of

candidates for pastor.

Thank you to everyone who supported the Soup and Salad Bar. Whether you

assisted with set up, prepared food, served food, cleaned up or ate the food - we

couldn't have managed without you. Our combined effort raised $382.00 which

will be used for missions at home or abroad. We are in the spirit of

Thanksgiving".

Mission For November is Operation Reindeer

Operation Reindeer supports Torrance Hospital’s “Three Wishes” program

which gives each resident struggling with mental health issues gifts each Christ-

mas. Items should be new and unwrapped and ready by November 30. See

the following page for a list of suggested items.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Decorating the Church

Please plan to stay after the service on November 26 to decorate the church for

Christmas. Pizza and a beverage will be provided for a light lunch. Many hands

make the afternoon a time of fun and fellowship.

Advent Luncheon

A “Pot Luck” luncheon is planned after the worship service on December 3.

Plan to stay and share a dish with your church family as we welcome in the

Christmas Season.

Watch for sign-up sheets for both of these events.

Lay Life Mission Committee Report

November Mission of the Month - Operation Reindeer

Lay Life and Mission Committee will again be collecting gifts for the residents at Torrance State Hospital and for Mental health consumers of the Westmoreland Case Management and Support system. Listed below are the requested items. Please bring unwrapped items to the church by November 30.

For safety reasons, no glass bottles, belts, scarves or razors

Clothing No scarves or belts

Men’s size XL or larger, Women’s size L or larger XXL and 1X and larger sizes are greatly needed

Sweat shirts/pants tops, t-shirts pants or jeans

Sweaters undergarments pajamas

Socks Mittens, gloves Hats, ear muffs

Bathrobes Jackets, Coats outerwear

Toiletries No razors, items in glass containers, or alcohol-based items

Non-aerosol items please

Shampoo/conditioner Soap/body washes Tooth paste/brushes

Hair spray, gels combs/brushes small packs of tissues

Hand/body lotions Shaving gel/creams Pony tail holders

Cosmetics No nail polish, glass bottles or mirrors

Lipstick, gloss powder eye shadows

Mascara lip balm blush

Activities No needles or wire bindings

Craft games puzzle books CD’s/DVD’s

Games Regular & large print books Bibles

Activity books Hand held games Crayons/paints

Food items No nuts or glass containers

Diabetic & sugarless items Decaffeinated drink mixes/coffee

Individually packed snacks (crackers, cookie, cakes, gum, candy)

Miscellaneous

Batteries, especially AA wallets portable CD player

Gently used luggage, tote bags, duffle bags or other storage bags for patients to use when dis-charged

New slip-on shoes - no shoelaces or flip-flops

Sports memorabilia, especially Pittsburgh teams

Watches writing paper, stationery items especially stamps

MINISTERIUM FOOD ITEMS FOR NOVEMBER

The Greater Latrobe Ministerium asks churches to donate items for the Food Pan-

try distributions each month. The needed item for November is oatmeal. Thank

you so much for your generosity. A box is in the sanctuary to collect these items.

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED to help with Senior Food Distribution

on Tuesday, November 14 at 8:30 AM. Thanks so much for your help

as always.

BIENVENUE will meet on the first Wednesday of each month at

12:30 PM. On November 1 we will meet at The Pond, 2120

Lincoln Avenue, Latrobe. We have lunch, good fellowship, and

also collect money for missions. Bienvenue means -

”welcome.” So, to all the ladies of the church, you are

“welcome” to join us.

BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP

The next book discussion will be held on Tuesday, November 14 at

11:00 am. The selection is Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for

True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone by Brene Brown.

This is a new, timely and important book that challenges everything

we know about cultivating true belongings in our communities,

organizations, and culture.

NOVEMBER PIE SALE

The ladies of St. John’s have offered to bake pies as a fundraiser

to benefit missions. The 9” pies can be pre-ordered (see the

order form on the chapel table) and will be available for

pick up on November 22. Pies for sale include: pumpkin, egg custard, apple,

dutch apple, cranberry-apple-raisin, coconut cream and pecan. Homemade

pumpkin roll will be available as well. All pies are $9.00 except pecan, which

is $11.00. Pumpkin rolls are $8.00.

A Month of Celebrations

The Church year is quickly coming to a close but not before we celebrate

several important festivals.

On November 5, we will observe All Saints’ Day with remembering members of

the church and those dear to us who over the past year have entered final rest

with our Lord.

On November 19, the worship hour will be devoted to Thanksgiving with Bell

Choir and Chancel Choirs providing music. That evening, a special Thanksgiving

service, A Festival of Praise is being planned and presented by the 18 communi-

ty churches that comprise the Greater Latrobe Ministerium. This service will be

held at Latrobe United Methodist Church on Main Street. Our Chancel Choir

will participate with several others to offer individual anthems. The congregation

will join in with hymns of thanksgiving and praise.

November 26 ends the Church year with the celebration of the Reign of Christ.

We look forward to sharing these special Sundays and the community service

with our Christ UCC Church family.

Janice Seigle

Director of Music

A Festival of Praise

Sunday, November 19 – 7:00 P.M.

Latrobe United Methodist Church

440 Main Street, Latrobe, PA

All are invited for fellowship and refreshments after the service.

THE EMMAUS COMMA CLUB REUNION GROUP

This group will meet on the third Sunday of each month from 12:30 PM to 1:30

PM in the Conference Room. The next meeting will be on November 19.

CONTACT US Newsletter Editor, Loretta Staruk - 724-879-8631 - cocoakitty2001@gmail.com

Church Secretary, Caryn Dettling

Director of Music, Janice Seigle - 724-995-8396

Church Email: christchurchucc@verizon.net

Church Office Phone: 724-537-4901

Christ UCC Website - www.ucclatrobe.org

ARTICLES FOR THE DECEMBER/JANUARY NEWSLETTER ARE DUE ON

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16.

Note: This is a two-month issue.

Please send to cocoakitty2001@gmail.com or give to Loretta Staruk

QUILT AUCTION

A beautiful "dog themed" quilt was donated to Christ Church

by Dorthy Paulovich's sister. The quilt measures 46 1/2 x 63.

A silent auction - one in which you write your name, contact

information, and a bid - has begun.

Bids will be accepted through November. The quilt will be on

display in Christ Church and will be awarded to the highest

bidder in early December. Stop in and add your name to the

bidding. It would make a great Christmas gift!

READERS AND GREETERS NEEDED If you are willing to read scripture on Sunday morning, please sign up in the chap-

el. Early in that week call the office and Caryn will let you know what the scrip-

tures are for Sunday. You may read from your own bible if you choose or the

scriptures can be printed out for you.

Also, greeters are always needed. All it takes is a friendly smile and a hand

shake. Please sign up in the chapel.

The Christmas Fund provides direct fi-

nancial assistance to retired and active

United Church of Christ authorized

ministers and lay employees and their

surviving spouses, including pension

and health premium supplementation,

emergency assistance, and Christmas thank-you checks. A ministry of the Pension

Boards, the offering is received annually on the Sunday before Christmas.

You have the opportunity to be a part of this ministry that cares for the active and re-

tired clergy and lay employees of the United Church of Christ through your participa-

tion in this year’s Christmas Fund Offering.

The Christmas Fund Offering will be collected at Christ Church on

Sunday, December 17.

Time to Order Your Poinsettias

Place a poinsettia in the church on Christmas Eve in honor or in memory of a loved one. Please include payment with order form and place in the offering

plate or send to the church office by November 26.

6” plants are $8.00 each

Choose one: __ red In memory of:___________________________ __ white In honor of: ___________________________ __ pink

Mission Statement: To reflect Christ’s love in everything we do

Vision Statement: Not our will, but God’s

November 2017 Church Calendar

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

10:00 AM

Bible Study

12:30 PM

Bienvenue @

The Pond

6:30 PM Bible

Study

2

6:30 PM Choir

7:30 PM Bells

3

4

Remember to

turn your

clocks back

one hour

tonight

5

11:00 Worship

Holy

Communion

All Saints

Sunday

6

6:30 PM Lay

Life and

Mission

7

8

10:00 AM Bible

Study

6:30 PM Bible

Study

9

6:30 PM Choir

10

11

Veterans’

Day

12

11:00 Worship

Stewardship

Sunday

New Member

Sunday

Christian Ed

following

worship

13

6:00 PM

GLCC

Practice

6:30 PM

Consistory

Pie Order

Deadline

14

8:30 AM

Senior Food

Distribution

11:00 AM

Book

Discussion

15

10:00 AM Bible

Study

6:30 PM Bible

Study

7:00 PM

Search

Committee

16

6:30 PM Choir

7:30 PM Bells

Newsletter

Deadline

17

18

19

11:00 Worship

Thanksgiving

Sunday

12:30 PM

Comma Club

7:00 Festival of

Praise – Latrobe

UMC

20

21

22

10:00 AM Bible

Study

6:30 PM Bible

Study

Pie Pick-up

23

Thanksgiving

Church Office

Closed

24

Church Office

Closed

25

26

11:00 Worship

Reign of Christ

Sunday

Decorating of

the church

follows worship

27

6:00 PM

GLCC

Practice

28

29

10:00 AM Bible

Study

6:30 PM Bible

Study

30

6:30 PM Choir

7:30 PM Bells

November 2017 Prayer Calendar

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday O you who are the God of all generations, we thank you for all who have walked humbly with you and especially those near to us and dear, in whose lives we have seen the vision of your beauty. May we know that in the body or out of the body they are with you. Unite us still, God of our souls, in one household of faith and love, one family in heaven and on earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. --John Hunter (1849-1917)

1 Pray for those who represent us in government.

2 Praise the Lord for the bountiful harvests.

3 Pray for those with hearing loss.

4 Praise God for the things in your life worth celebrating!

5 Remember those suffering with mental illness.

6 Give thanks for medical personnel who treat mental illness.

7 Pray for those who provide support for mental health consumers.

8 Give thanks for those who volunteer to help mental health consumers.

9 Pray for families and those who care for people with mental illness.

10 Pray for those experiencing drought.

11 Veterans’ Day Pray

for veterans

and those serving in the Armed forces.

12 Pray for Sunday School teachers and

participants.

13 Remember retired pastors.

14 Pray for young Christians as they strive to

live out their faith.

15 Pray for all those who transport people or goods.

16 Praise God for lakes, rivers and oceans.

17 Thank God for never giving up on us.

18 Pray for children who have been

abused or cruelly treated.

19 Pray for those who are planting churches in the United States.

20 Remember in prayer former pastors and their families.

21 Pray for the physical facilities of our church, asking God for direction.

22 Pray for the universal church that love may abound and truth flourish.

23 Thanksgiving Pray that God will continue to cultivate grateful hearts in us.

24 Pray for our own church.

25 Ask God how you may best serve Him.

26 Pray for those who are

caught up in violence.

27 Thank God for church

volunteers.

28 Give thanks for volunteer

firefighters.

29 Pray for the Bible Study

groups, asking God to bless the

members.

30 Pray for those making a

living on the sea.