Pastor’s Ponderings

The Herald

Janet L. Saddel, Pastor Nancy Mongelli, Office Admin. ▪ Beth Bechtold, Pianist ▪ Ray Washam, Handbell Choir Director

St. Paul’s United Methodist Church 2131 Palomino Drive ▪ Warrington, PA ▪ 215.343.0230 ▪ stpaulsumcwarrington.org

December 2016

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”

Dear Friends,

Just when we thought Christmas couldn’t get any more secular, stores are now selling a hipster version of the nativity. The scene has Mary [holding a latte] and Joseph taking a selfie with baby Jesus in a solar-paneled stable. The three wise men are on Segways instead of camels, carrying boxes from Amazon, gifts for the modern-day Jesus. The shepherd boy is using his iPad to post photos of the baby's birth on Instagram.

My first reaction was disgust, as I felt that our Lord was being ridiculed. But it did cause me to pause and ask, “Am I any different from those figurines? Am I too busy with technology to see the real Jesus lying in the manger?” Those of us with computers know that technology did not give us the free time that was promised by the scientists of the 1950’s who predicted that by the year 2,000 we would have a world of leisure. The American dream of George Jetson’s button-pushing 3-hour workday has turned into a 10 to 12 hour workday, all thanks to technology. Oftentimes we find ourselves, like George Jetson, caught on that treadmill which just won’t stop (“Jane! Stop this crazy thing!”).

How many of you have found yourself pulling your hair out as you wait for your computer to finish with that spinning circle or the hour glass that keeps turning over and over again? How many times have we found ourselves frustrated with a computer that just won’t move as fast as we are capable of moving? I’ve been struggling with both work and home computers that freeze up on me and keep me from doing my work. When this happens, there’s no alternative but to use the “restart” command. Stop the computer from whatever cycle it’s caught in, hit the reset button and allow it to rest for a moment before beginning again. Most of the time, that’s all the computer needed. It was stuck and needed a break and a rest.

For those of us who are already in the rush of the season, feeling ourselves spinning out of control – there’s good news! We also have a reset button and it’s called Advent. We have four weeks, a sacred season, for us to hit our reset button and rest. This is a time to focus in on the Good News – the good news that God has come to us in Jesus, Emmanuel, God ever present with us. This is a time to reorient our lives around the things that are of ultimate importance: our spiritual well-being and our relationship with Jesus and with others. Let us not simply visit the manger, take our selfie and be on our way; instead, linger at the feet of Jesus this season and allow his glorious presence to take ahold of our hearts.

I do hope you will avail yourself of the opportunity to “reset” during Advent at St. Paul’s. Please join us for our Advent luncheons on Wednesdays or one of our Bible studies, and certainly our worship services every Sunday throughout Advent. On Christmas Eve we have our Family Service at 5pm and our Candlelight Service at 10pm. Please also join us Christmas morning for a relaxed communion service at 10:30am. Come learn about the real Santa (St. Nicholas) and you can even come in your P.J.’s if you want!

May you “reset” in Advent and find the peace of Christ in your hearts and homes this Christmas.

Pastor Janet

Sunday’s… 9:00 am Adult Sunday School 10:30 am Worship 10:40 am Children’s Sunday School 6:30-7:30 pm St. Paul’s Youth (SPY) Check the website for up-to-date information Noisy Can Collection, the second Sunday of every month…

Next collection: December 11. There are jars on the table in the Narthex if you need

one. If you forgot your jar on the second Sunday or will not be in church you can drop it off at the church office. All donations are gratefully accepted even bills and checks. Thank you!!! Monday’s… Trustees 7–9 pm December 19/Pastor’s office

St. Paul’s Book Club...We've changed our schedule and now meet April through November. So, over the winter months we purchased six books with two titles and are sharing them among the members. We are reading THE RENT COLLECTOR by Camron Wright. This is novel based on real situations of people living in Cambodia today. The other book is A MAN CALLED OVE by Fredrik Backman, a heartwarming tale of unexpected friendship. If anyone else would like to join us in our winter reading, please see Judy Snyder and we'll be happy to include you!

Tuesday’s… Church Council 7–9 pm December 13. Ministry in Motion 7–9 pm January 8

Thursday’s/Sanctuary Handbell Rehearsal 6:30–7:30 pm ▪ Choir Rehearsal 7:30–9 pm

Thursday’s & Saturday’s (1st & 3rd)…

St. Paul's continues to be a Drop-Off location for the Pantry! Especially during the Christmas season, let's be more intent ourselves about bringing food items to our Narthex Box! Often there is a greater

need during the winter months as well. We continue to be thankful for many from our community who bring food on the first and third Thursdays and Saturdays as our volunteers greet them! Tell your

friends and neighbors of our location and remember those less fortunate this season.

Saturday’s…Men’s Bible Study and Breakfast 8–10 am first, third & fifth Saturday/Cozens

Like us on Facebook St. Paul’s UMC, Warrington

What’s Happening @ St. Paul’s... Standing Meetings, Groups & Programs

Come, join our family of believers for lunch during Advent: Wednesday’s @ 12:30 pm.

We will eat together, and have a short devotional or discussion.

BYODTS Bring Your Own Dish To Share

better known as Pot Luck, Covered Dish, or Carry In Wednesday’s in Advent @ 12:30 pm/Cozens

Advent brings a time of anticipation, celebration, and family togetherness

as we anticipate the birth of our Savior. Come, join our family of believers, for lunch during Advent.

We will eat together, and have a short devotional or discussion.

You can be on your way by 2 pm.

Our ANGEL TREE has turned into an ANGEL BOX this year, so we can collect classroom learning

items for two kindergarten classes at Stanton School in South Philadelphia. Last year we

showered the first graders with lots of items that are never available in the Philadelphia schools

and they were beyond thrilled! So, this year we're doing the same for 5 year olds when they

return from Christmas vacation! Believe me they will be so excited! So, beginning December 4

you will see the BOX and you can contribute any items you've purchased. The ANGEL BOX will be

available for receiving school supplies through Christmas! Here some items they don't have that

would be wonderful but you can choose any other items that would normally be used in public

schools since they probably don't have what you've chosen. Thanks so much for participating in

this Mission Christmas project during December 2016! ● Number puzzles ● Alphabet puzzles ● Shape puzzles ● Listening center (2) ● Headphones (kid friendly)

● Electric pencil sharpener (2) ● Play-doh ● Art supplies (paint, watercolor paint, paintbrushes, markers,

crayons, etc) ● Dr. Seuss books ● Eric Carle books ● Primary writing paper ● Construction paper

● Glue sticks or glue bottles ● Craft supplies (things you could glue on paper-pom-poms, googly eyes,

foam stickers, etc) ● Kids-sized scissors ● Children’s music CDs ● Kids-friendly computer mouse (8)

● Coloring books ● Easy board games Mission Team - Judy Anderson, Chair

St. Paul’s Preschool News… December 2016

I have finally slept off my turkey from Thanksgiving and I’m ready for the Christmas season! November was filled with “thankful” things. My little friends learned about the First Thanksgiving and the feast with the Native Americans and the Pilgrims. Then they had their own feasts! The brown paper was rolled out on the floor in Cozen’s Hall and several classes sat together. Before feasting, the children sang some Thanksgiving songs for their families who came to join in the feast and then they sang and signed a grace before eating. They were all adorned with headbands and necklaces…very cute! November also brought our annual Applebee’s Mother Goose Breakfast—our monthly fundraiser. The staff dressed up and served the families who attended and everybody went home full of pancakes. We also had an election. The children who were here on Election Day got to vote just like their parents. They put a marker in a jar by the picture of the person that they wanted to win. They will be good citizens when they grow up! Our Thanksgiving food drive helped four families affiliated with the Preschool who received food, gift cards and/or turkeys. The remainder of the food collected filled up the food pantry box in the Narthex. After a few days off, school resumed and now it is Christmastime. The bulletin boards are changing from turkeys to Santa and I’ve already heard Jingle Bells drifting down the hallway. In December we will be talking about Santa and presents and all the holiday fun that surrounds him. Why I do believe we will have a visit (or two) from that jolly old man! Along with that we will also learn about the birth of baby Jesus and the real reason for celebrating Christmas. First comes the Angel Breakfast, our 12th one! On Saturday, December 3rd at 8:30 you can join us for angel crafts, the telling of the story and breakfast. There is no charge but you need to make a reservation so we know to plan for you. Our Extended Care classes will present a Christmas Pageant on December 16th at 7:00. That is one of my favorite nights as the children sing and reenact the Christmas story. You can’t tell it too often to my friends! Class parties will happen just before Christmas break. December will also find my PreK friends going on a field trip to the Michener Museum. We held a LuLuRoe fundraiser with the proceeds going to help Mia Reinheimer. Her family is at St. Paul’s Preschool and she is in CHOP. The Mom’s Group will meet to make swags and swap cookies. The December restaurant fundraiser is on the 1st at Warrington Pizza from 4 – 8. Come join us if you can. We will have photo retakes on the 16th. December 5th and 6th will be the dates for our Sing-a-long and Christmas Story. Miss Kat, our music teacher, will lead the singing and Pastor Janet will tell a Christmas story. Families are invited to join us at 11:00 and sit with their children for this festive activity. The Angel Tree will help families associated with the Preschool. We are also holding a coat drive (One Warm Coat) to collect new or gently worn coats of all sizes. By the time Christmas actually arrives, I will be ready for a rest from all of the activities this month. I am hoping Santa will stop by my hammock and leave something special just for me. I hope he does the same for you. Merry Christmas!!

Hugs and kisses from Paul E Bear

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS... 9: Gwynne Bee, John Zalucki 11: Sharon Crawford, Bill Ford 28: Janet Saddel 31: Kathy Tucker

Help Wanted...Dedicated, reliable,

honest to goodness worker, for help with weekly bread division

and delivery. Must be able to count, and a car is required.

Call Marj Salmonsen @ 215.343.2033 for more information.

Thank You Again… by Nick Hiser (Fall 2011)

thank you Lord for your many blessings great and small. thank you for this day… the breath of life the gifts of love and faith. thank you Lord for the spirit you’ve placed within my soul. thank you for my wife… the woman I love her warm embrace and thank you the the children in our care. thank you for the mother whose love endured. thank you for those who guided me and sheltered me though most are gone no longer here. thank you for the friends who know my every fault and love me anyway it seems. thank you Lord for the work you’ve given me… for the roof above my head for all the words and thoughts and nimbleness of mind. thank you for the tough times and thank you for the laughter too. thank you for the games I’ve played… the teams I’ve coached and the strength you’ve given me so I might overcome. thank you for forgiveness… I was not always equal to the task. and thank you Lord for reminding me that I am but a speck in your great universe. but most of all dear Lord… thank you for the day when I will be with you and you will hold me close and dear. oh Lord thank you for everything thank you for what I’ve found… for what I’ve lost for what you’ve kept me from. thank you for your mercy and your grace. thank you Lord… I owe all this to you and more...

2017 Women's Retreat March 31st - April 2nd

The Women of St. Paul’s excitedly announce plans for our 2017 Women's Retreat. The retreat will be held at Camp Sankanac's Traber Center in Spring City, PA, approx. 1 hour from Warrington. Accommodations are single beds and bunk beds and a bath, with 4 people to a room. Dining, meeting areas, and bedrooms are all in one location. Outside area includes a fire ring and walking trails. Cost for 2 nights and 5 meals (chef on staff) is $130.00. One night stay with 3 meal option available. Scholarships can be provided. Please speak with Gwynne Bee concerning scholarship needs. Once again, Arline Sarley and Betty Surrett will be our leaders for the weekend. Please see Betsy McCormick or Gwynne Bee, co-chairs for Women's Retreat, with any questions.

6th Annual Live Nativity Sunday, December 18

from 4-6 pm We will be using the same format as last year. Inside we will have a petting zoo (rabbits), crafts and cookies. Outside we will have volunteers costumed to represent the people and animals at the first Christmas. Volunteers are needed to organize the cookies and crafts and help our characters find their costumes.

NURSE’S NOTES... A poster I recently saw simply sums up how our faith in God can help stabilize our life.

Happy moments Praise God

Difficult moments Seek God

Quiet moments Worship God

Painful moments Trust God Every moment Thank God

As we celebrate our most joyous Holidays, Thanksgiving and Christmas,

may we all continue to remember that God is always with us!

Yours in Health and Faith!

Gwynne Bee, Parish Nurse

It's Snowing...Will We Have Church Today? Our Trustees do their best to keep our facility and parking lot safe. But we can’t possibly remove every bit of snow and ice, so we ask that you use your own common sense about attending during inclement weather. We have two means of finding out if our church services are cancelled (and the same for evening meetings or Bible studies). You can call this Winter Storm Emergency phone number: 215.343.1693. If services are cancelled, the message will clearly state as such. If you have a computer you can access our website and a banner will be posted on the front page: www.stpaulsumcwarrington.org We trust that each person will use their own judgment and not risk life and limb to get to church in difficult weather conditions. Know that you will be missed and we will look forward to greeting you when you are able to come to church.

HELP WANTED… If you or anyone you know has

an interest in the volunteer position

of Christian Education Director,

please contact the church office.

it is with great joy that we

welcome into our fellowship at

St. Paul’s UMC through the sacrament of Holy Baptism,

Mason James Weisser

son of Michael & Robyn Weisser

And into membership:

Makayla Cuthbert

Dana R. Lortie

Alycia Platz

Michael Weisser

Robyn Weisser

Welcome to St. Paul’s

Perhaps you’d like to give a special contribution to the Endowment Fund during this holiday season. For our many blessings and/or for the gift of love sent in the form of a baby by our heavenly Father…why not give a contribution in honor of this season. Thank you for using

this method to insure the perpetuity of St. Paul’s as we seek God’s guidance in our service to Him. Please write “Endowment” on your check.