december 2020 church of christ uniting kingston pa · 2020. 11. 1. · 2if i slave away in the...

DECEMBER 2020 Church of Christ Uniting Kingston PA

INSIDE:

2 Pastor’s

Ponderings

3, 4 Humor

& Inspiration

5 COCU

Calendar

6-10 Group

Gatherings

and News

11 Flowers

12 COCU

helps

support

Candy’s

Place

The content of

The Courier

is only as good as your submissions. Articles and pictures must be received by Sunday December 20th [email protected] for the January 2021 issue. Thanks!

Editor: Curt Schwarzwalder

COCU PROPERTY FALL CLEANUP

^ Photos: Charles Dancheck

What’s This? (why all the hats?) V Photos: Curt Schwarzwalder

Watch our services online! (this one is November 1, 2020) Church of Christ Uniting

You Tube channel <link

COCU CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES – THURSDAY DEC. 24TH 4PM AND 7PM

mailto:[email protected]


https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCFbHIzBlsL7pTNReN3xBpA

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCFbHIzBlsL7pTNReN3xBpA

The Courier December 2020 page 2

PASTOR’S PONDERINGS

“Shout your praises to God, everybody! Let loose and sing! Strike up the band! Round up an orchestra to play for God, add on a hundred-voice choir. Feature trumpets and big trombones, fill the air with praises to King God. Let the sea and its fish give a round of applause, with everything living on earth join in. Let oceans breakers call out “Encore!” And mountains harmonize the finale—A tribute to God when he comes, when he comes to set the earth right. He’ll straighten out the whole world, he’ll put the world right, and everyone in it.” -Psalm 98:4-9 (The Message)

When we sing “Joy to the World” we are singing a paraphrase of Psalm 98:4-9. Isaac Watts wrote this beautiful Christmas hymn with the idea of expressing joy over the marvelous works of our God. Watts praises God for the salvation that is brought through the babe of Bethlehem.

Joy is a word that we use often during the Christmas season. We express our joy when we exchange cards, gifts given and received, smiles, greetings, get-togethers, services of worship, and other community and family celebrations.

Christmas is a time of joy for most of us, but there are folks out there that have sad memories connected to Christmas. Some folks just try to endure the season and feel relieved when it is finally over. Let us pray and share a word of encouragement with folks who are struggling this Christmas season.

As we journey this Advent and Christmas season, may we all experience in some way the true joy that can only come from God, no matter what our circumstances are or have been. Let’s make a point this year to set aside some time each day to be with God. May we travel back to the beginning and remember how the good news first broke into history, as those humble shepherds were awakened by the good news of great joy.

Here are some ideas on how each of us might spread the joy of the season:

A listening ear to a friend who needs someone to talk to.

A joyful “thank you” to a sales clerk at a department store.

Share a smile with someone who frowns or looks Christmas weary.

A kind word to an elderly or handicapped person in our midst.

Making some time to read to someone who is blind or losing his or her sight.

A warm greeting to someone who visits our church this Christmas season.

A random act of kindness to a homebound or shut-in person this season.

Take some time out of your hectic schedule to call someone who is ill.

Write a letter or send a card to a lonely person in your neighborhood.

Call your physician and ask how he or she is feeling.

Give a gift to a child who you think will not have any gifts under the tree this year.

Offer to pray or say “grace” at mealtimes this month.

Call and visit with someone in a nursing home.

Pray for the people who live on your street or road.

We are so blessed when we give from our hearts during the holiday season and throughout the year.

May joy abound in your life this Christmas season! Blessings and peace to all!

-Pastor Jane


A CHRISTMAS VERSION OF 1 CORINTHIANS 13

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny

balls, but do not show love, I'm just another decorator. 2If I slave away in the kitchen,

baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a

beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love, I'm just another cook. 3If I

work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity,

but do not show love, it profits me nothing. 4If I trim the spruce with shimmering

angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the

choir's cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point. 5Love stops the

cooking to hug the child. 6Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband. 6Love is

kind, though harried and tired. 7Love doesn't envy another's home that has coordinated

Christmas china and table linens. 8Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of the way,

but is thankful they are there to be in the way. 9Love doesn't give only to those who are

able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can't. 10Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 11Love never fails. 12Video

games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust, but giving the gift of

love will endure. -Author Unknown

MORNING PRAYER

"This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it" -Psalm 118:24

"O God, for another day, for another morning, for another hour, for another minute, for

another chance to live and serve You I am truly grateful."

Do Lord this day free me…

From all fear of the future,

From all anxiety about tomorrow,

From all bitterness towards anyone,

From all cowardice in the face of danger,

From all laziness in the face of work,

From all failure before opportunity,

From all weakness when Your power is at hand.

But fill me...

With Love that knows no barrier

With Sympathy that reaches to all,

With Courage that cannot be shaken,

With Faith strong enough for the darkness,

With Strength sufficient for my tasks,

With Loyalty to Your Kingdom's goal,

With Wisdom to meet life's complexities,

With Power to lift me to You.

Be with me for another day, Lord, and use me as You will.

For Christ's sake I pray. Amen.

-Written by Wallace Fri, Open Church Foundation.


INSPIRATIONAL CHRISTMAS QUOTES

"The beauty of Christmas is not in the presents but in His presence." -Matthew 1:23

"If we keep Christmas in our heart, Christmas has no end." -author unknown

"A little child, a shining star, a stable rude, the door ajar. Yet in that place, so crude, forlorn, the Hope of all the world was born." -anonymous

"it's not what's under the Christmas tree that matters, it's who's around it." -author unknown

"Christmas is a Necessity. There has to be at least one day of the year to remind us that we're here for something else besides ourselves." -Eric Sevareid

"Bless us Lord, this Christmas, with quietness of mind; teach us to be patient and always be kind." -Helen Steiner Rice

CHRISTMAS JOKES from theholidayspot.com

Where does a snowman keep his money? In a snow bank.

What do hungry snowmen put on their ice-burgers? Chilly Sauce.

What do you get when you mix a Christmas tree and an iPad? A pineapple.

What’s the difference between a Christmas alphabet and ordinary alphabet? The Christmas alphabet has Noel.

Where would a reindeer go to find her lost tail? A "Re-tail" store.

What's every parent's favorite Christmas Carol? Silent Night.

Why don't crabs celebrate Christmas? Because they're shell-fish.

What did Adam say to his wife on Christmas? It's finally Christmas, Eve!

What do you call a snowman who can walk? A Snow-Mobile

CHRISTMAS FUDGE by Makinze Gore

Ingredients: Cooking Spray 2 3/4 cup chocolate chips 1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk 2 tbsp. heavy cream 4 tbsp. butter 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract 1/4 tsp. salt 3-4 tbsp. Christmas Sprinkles

Directions: 1: Line a 8 x 8 baking pan with parchment paper and grease with cooking spray. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt chocolate, condensed milk, butter, cream, vanilla, and salt together. Stir until smooth then pour into the prepared pan. 2: Top with sprinkles and refrigerate until set, 2 hours. Cut into squares to serve.

Welcome To My Kitchen. Many have Eaten here. Few have Died.

-author unknown

http://theholidayspot.com/


COCU Calendar - December 2020 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 6:45PM

P.R.A.Y.

MEETING-

LUKENS LOUNGE

2 8AM PRAYER

BREAKFAST-

CONFERENCE

ROOM

7:30PM ZOOM EDUCATION

TEAM

MEETING

3 9AM WILKES-

BARRE CLLUSTER

MEETING-

CRACKER BARREL

11AM LUNCH BUNCH

4 5

6 2nd Sunday of

Advent

10AM WORSHIP

COMMUNION

7PM ANNUAL

CHURCH

CONFERENCE

MEETING- SANCTUARY

7

5:30PM YOGA

6:30PM GRIEFSHARE-

LUKENS

LOUNGE

8

4PM MARY’S GROUP-

LUKENS

LOUNGE

6:45PM

P.R.A.Y.

MEETING- LUKENS

LOUNGE

9 8AM PRAYER

BREAKFAST-

CONFERENCE

ROOM

10 11AM LUNCH

BUNCH

11 12

13 3rd Sunday of

Advent

10AM WORSHIP

11:30AM

CELEBRATION

TEAM MEETING

14

4:30PM STEPHEN

MINISTRY

5:30PM YOGA

6:30PM

GRIEFSHARE-

LUKENS

LOUNGE

15

12PM CHRISTMAS

STAFF

LUNCHEON

16 8AM PRAYER

BREAKFAST-

CONFERENCE

ROOM

17 11AM LUNCH

BUNCH

18

19 9AM MEN’S

BREAKFAST

20 4th Sunday of

Advent

10AM WORSHIP

21

5:30 PM YOGA

7PM BLUE

CHRISTMAS

SERVICE

22 23 8AM PRAYER BREAKFAST-

CONFERENCE

ROOM

24 CHRISTMAS

EVE

OFFICE CLOSES AT NOON

4PM CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE

7PM CHRISTMAS

EVE SERVICE

25 CHRISTMAS DAY

OFFICE

CLOSED

26

27 YOUTH

SUNDAY

10AM WORSHIP

28 OFFICE

CLOSED

5:30PM YOGA

6:30PM

GRIEFSHARE-

LUKENS

LOUNGE

29 30 8AM PRAYER

BREAKFAST-

CONFERENCE

ROOM

31 NEW YEARS

EVE


MARY’S GROUP- December 2020 Meeting- Date: Tuesday,

December 8th. Place: COCU- Lukens Lounge MASKS & SOCIAL

DISTANCING ARE REQUIRED. Water & individual snacks will be

available. Time: 4:00 p.m. for Devotions. RSVP: Donna Dickinson 570-

696-2539 by Sunday, December 6th. The first of our study “Incarnation:

Rediscovering the Significance of Christmas” by Adam Hamilton. This is

a DVD and discussion about who was Jesus. You do not need the book

but if you’d like one, let Donna know so she can order it for you. Cost is $13.00. “All

this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through a prophet. ‘Look the

virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,’ which means ‘God is with us.’” -Matthew 1:22-23

GRIEF SHARE meets Mondays at 6:30 p.m. at COCU. The program

offers support to those who have lost a loved one. Each of the 12

weekly sessions lasts about 1 and ½ hours. We view a DVD each

session which talks about handling grief and ways to seek support and help one another.

We are practicing the Covid-19 restrictions now in place for gathering.

YOGA- Join us for Monday Evening Gentle Yoga at COCU - 6:00 to 7:30 pm. Please call

or email Carolyn to register or with any questions 570-330-0083 [email protected]

THE WEDNESDAY MORNING PRAYER BREAKFAST group meets at 8 a.m. in the Conference Room. Please bring your beverage and your breakfast food.

MID WEEK MEDITATION is offered on Wednesdays on our church Facebook page and

website (cocu4u.org) Please consider being a part of this exciting new ministry. Contact

Pastor Jim or Bill Ellsworth for more information.

LUNCH BUNCH is meeting on Thursdays at 11:00 a.m. in Lukens Lounge. Our Advent

study is “The Wonder of Christmas” by Ed Robb and Rob Renfroe. We are focusing on

the Wonder of a Star, the Wonder of a Name, the Wonder of a Manger and the Wonder

of a Promise. The season of Advent invites us to see the world through the gift of

wonder. My prayer is that through this study we will encounter our Lord anew this

Advent and Christmas season. Come join us!

MEN’S BREAKFAST- Calling All COCU men and guests: Come join us on the third

Saturday of each month for Men’s Breakfast at 9:00 a.m. at Chuck’s Diner, 164 Main

Street Luzerne. Jack Lewis recommends the ‘SOS’. See you then!

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL- Come join us in Lukens Lounge following worship. We are

studying “The Wonder of Christmas” by Ed Robb and Rob Renfroe. We are focusing on

the Wonder of a Star, the Wonder of a Name, the Wonder of a Manger and the Wonder

of a Promise. The season of Advent invites us to see the world through the gift of

wonder. Individually wrapped snacks and water/juice boxes will be available to tide you

over until you can get some lunch. Please wear masks and social distance. –Pastor

Jane

http://www.cocu4u.org/


HELP WANTED- Flo Price, our bookkeeper, informed us that she will be retiring at the

end of December, 2020. We want to thank Flo for all her years of faithful dedication to

COCU and we wish her well in her retirement. Therefore, we are in need of a part-time

bookkeeper. If you are interested or know anyone that would be interested, please

contact Dave Oriel, Chair of Personnel (570-362-1615) or Pastor Jane at 570-396-5883.

ANGEL TREE- If you are participating in the Prison

Fellowship Angel Tree program at COCU, the Church &

Community Ministry Team thanks you! Please remember to

return your wrapped gift with printed Angel tag attached to the Church by December 6th. Gifts can be dropped off in

the church office on weekdays between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00

p.m. or the Narthex on Sunday. Contact Sherri Boerger at

570-261-5292 or [email protected] with any

questions. Volunteers are needed for gift deliveries. Gifts

will be delivered Dec. 15th-17th, generally 4-6 pm. All

families are local.

The Angel Tree® program reaches out to the children of prisoners and their families with

the love of Christ. Children in Angel Tree families receive a gift on behalf of their

incarcerated parent and each family is also given access to a free, easy-to-read copy of

the Bible (available in English or Spanish).

RING-A-DING-DING!- There has been some interest in reconstituting

the COCU Handbell Choir. This is a musical activity that can be done

while wearing masks and practicing social distancing. This could be an

appropriate enhancement to the worship services. In this exploratory

stage, we are trying to see how many people would be interested in

participating. If you'd like to be in the handbell choir, please contact the COCU office and

request to have your name added to the list. The details will evolve in the near future.

LITURGISTS FOR OUR SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES-

Celebration would like to get a list together of liturgists that we could

call on to help with the first part of our service of worship each

Sunday. This would include leading the Call to Worship, Invocation,

announcing the opening hymn, leading the responsive psalter reading, passing of the peace, Gloria Patri and reading the first

scripture reading. Please contact Jack Wise to volunteer, 570-655-

9801. When you call Jack, please let him know which week you

would be able to be our liturgist. Thanks so much for your time!!!

VOLUNTEERS FOR THE CHILDREN'S MESSAGE- If you are thinking,

"I would like to do the Children's Message," please let Pastor Jane

know. It is always good to have different voices in worship to share God's

message with our children on a Sunday. Please call either the church

office at 570-288-8434 or the cell at 570-396-5883. Thanks in advance

for volunteering!!!



ADVENT DEVOTIONALS are available in the Narthex. One stand is on the

table and one stand is on the pew on the other side of the Narthex.

These are adult and children’s resources for Advent.

GOOD NEWS Regarding Charitable Giving and Taxes: The CARES Act allows for an

additional, "above the line" deduction for charitable gifts made in cash of up to $300

(per filing, not per person). If you are not itemizing on your 2020 taxes, you can claim

this new deduction. As with all things related to taxes, please check with your tax

preparer to see how this may affect your situation. -Lackawanna Presbytery Weekly e-news (10/28/20).

CHRISTMAS AND JOY ENVELOPES– ½ goes to Methodist and ½ goes to

Presbyterian. All funds leave the church. They are not to be used for your

regular offering to COCU.

CHRISTMAS EVE PLATE OFFERING goes to Pastor Jane to use at her

discretion to assist people who come to the church in need of financial help.

REMINDER: When you are sending checks for payment of your Capital Campaign

Pledge, please send a separate check and not include it in your weekly offering check

because the accounts are in different banks. Thank you.

AL BEECH WESTSIDE FOOD PANTRY- Each Sunday we make

a food offering during the service to our own Al Beech West Side

Food Pantry. We collect non-perishable food items such as

canned soup and stew, canned vegetables, peanut butter and

jelly, macaroni and cheese, pasta and pasta sauce, tuna fish and

cereal. Please bring the following personal care items: bar soap,

shampoo, toothpaste, shaving cream, disposable razors,

toothbrushes, dental floss, and deodorant.

If you are able to contribute, COCU and the Food Pantry thanks you!

SUNDAY BULLETIN COVERS- If you would like to honor the memory of a loved one or celebrate someone's special birthday or anniversary, bulletin covers are available for

purchase any Sunday of the year. The cost is $30. Please call June at the office at 570-

288-8434 or email her at [email protected] to reserve a week.

EMAIL ADDRESSES- We are updating our email addresses. Please email your current

email address to [email protected].

RECYCLE YOUR OLD INK CARTRIDGES– Please bring in and deposit in

our recycling box all of your used ink or laser cartridges. We get reward

$$$ at Staples monthly with your help and our turn in.




PICTURES: INSIDE CANDY’S PLACE CANCER WELLNESS CENTER

Candy’s Place recently received a donation from the COCU Mission ministry team.

See page 12 for the story and more images (in color.) Photos submitted by Bill Ellsworth

DEVOTIONAL LINE- 570-288-2334. Don’t forget to start or finish your day

by listening to our church members and staff share their thoughts and prayers.

Each volunteer records daily devotions for Sunday through Saturday for one

week. Scheduled in December: Merry Maxwell, Francine Lewis, Sandy

Margavage, Phyllis Johnson, Curt Schwarzwalder.

eCourier- You’re probably reading this monthly newsletter electronically

for no cost. If you are reading the printed and mailed edition of The

Courier, and would like to continue receiving it in 2021 on paper,

remember to send your $10.00 yearly donation/subscription fee to off-set

the cost of printing and postage. Payment can be sent to the office with ‘Courier’ on the memo line. To switch to the free emailed document,

email your email address to [email protected]

CHURCH OF CHRIST UNITING

Come share our Joy!

Morning Worship 10:00 a.m.

Rev. Jane M. Pykus, Senior Pastor

Rev. James Maxwell, Pastor of Visitation

The Courier is free via email - $10 per year donation requested for print edition



STEPHEN MINISTRY- Stephen Ministers provide “help, hope & healing” in

times of our lives when we face difficulties: loss of a loved one, divorce,

hospitalization, cancer, loneliness, job loss, discouragement, etc. God

wants us to be there for one another, to “walk” with us in times of need. If

you or someone you know could benefit from a Stephen Minister, please do not hesitate

to contact Donna Dickinson at 570-814-6713. “Bear one another’s burdens and in this

way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)

CHURCH FRIENDS UNITING- The Member Care & Development team has an outreach

program to identify church members who would benefit from a phone call or visit. Our

hope is to maintain and strengthen the connection these members have to COCU. This

effort would further support our monthly "thinking of you" cards ministry. To learn more

about this project, please contact any of the following members of Member Care &

Development: Phyllis Johnson 570-690-1342; Cindy Kazinski 570-288-7217 or Barb Swanson 570-639-1304.

THE CARING CONNECTION is Ready to Serve You! If you need transportation to and from worship, doctors or shopping, wish a home visit,

would like communion at your residence, could use a meal due to a family

illness, please call the church office at 570-288-8434 (preferably before

noon.) Give your name, the request and your contact number. Someone from The

Caring Connection will be in touch.

THINKING OF YOU… THE FIRST SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH!- The Member Care

and Development Team is sending ten “thinking of you” greeting cards each month to

homebound, inactive & hospitalized COCU members. The cards are available in the

Narthex before worship for everyone to sign. Please join us in this ministry each month

in an effort to keep our COCU family close in our thoughts & prayers. If you would like to

donate blank or “hello”/”thinking of you” cards to the team, please leave cards in the

church office.

IF YOU OR A LOVED ONE ARE ADMITTED TO THE HOSPITAL please call the church

office at 570-288-8434. In an emergency, if you cannot reach Pastor Jane at the church

office, please call her cell phone at 570-396-5883. You can also call Rev. James Maxwell

at 570-371-3457 or his cell phone at 716-417-5660.

IN LOVING MEMORY– Recent deaths. Members who have joined the Church

Triumphant. We remember the families of those who recently died. We pray that the

families will be comforted in their loss and be assured that their loved one have joined

God’s heavenly kingdom.

Irv Rinehimer - November 4, 2020

Drue Daniels – November 19, 2020


CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS

Under the direction of the Altar Guild, poinsettias will be placed in the sanctuary on Christmas Sunday,

December 20th

and remain in the sanctuary until Christmas Eve. You may pick up your poinsettia after

the 7:00 p.m. service. The cost of each plant is $7.50. Window arrangements are $35.00 and will be sold

on a first come, first serve basis. The deadline for flower orders is Friday, December 4th

. In order to

accommodate the bulletin deadline, NO LATE ORDERS WILL BE ACCEPTED. Payment must

accompany your order. Please make your check payable to COCU Altar Guild. Orders may be placed in

any offering plate or mailed to Barbara Swanson, 215 Noxen Road, Harvey’s Lake, Pa. 18618 or to

Michelle Giza, 86 E. Vaughn Street, Kingston, Pa. 18704-4818.

IN HONOR OF ____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

GIVEN BY _____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

IN MEMORY OF ____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

GIVEN BY ____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

AMOUNT ENCLOSED $________________________

Please make checks payable to COCU Altar Guild.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ALTAR FLOWERS- The flower calendar has been removed from the Narthex to comply

with CDC guidelines, but the Altar Guild is still taking orders for altar flowers. If you would like to place flowers on the altar or on the side credence tables to remember or

honor a loved one or special event, please contact Lois Giza at 570-287-0617 or

at [email protected]. The cost is $30. You can send your payment to: COCU, 190

S. Sprague Avenue, Kingston PA 18704. Attn: Altar Guild. Thank you to everyone who

provides our flower arrangements each week! Any flowers not taken home by the

donors are given to our homebound, those in assisted living, or members who are in the

hospital.



CANDY’S PLACE RECEIVES COCU MISSION DONATION

On Thursday October 22, 2020, a check in the amount of $1000.00 was presented to Candy’s Place in Forty Fort. Candy’s Place is a cancer wellness/rehabilitation center that provides physical and emotional help for all who are affected by cancer; Candy’s Place provides all services free of charge. Bill Ellsworth, Karen Whipple and Pastor Jane Pykus made the check presentation to the director of the center, Lisa Orlandini on behalf of the COCU’s Mission committee. Here (and on page 9) is a montage of pictures taken during our presentation and tour of the facility. -Respectfully, Bill Ellsworth, Mission Chairperson.

december 2020 church of christ uniting kingston pa · 2020. 11. 1. · 2if i slave away in the...

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