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Zion’s United Church of Christ 209 Chestnut Street Pottstown, PA 19464 (610) 323-3637 Rev. Austin Chinault, II - Pastor Keith Clattenburg - Director of Music Kimberly Kulesa - Office Administrator Frank Moser - Custodian Dear Congregation:Let us make the best of this Advent/Christmas season in the life of Zion’s UCC. I am sure it is one of the most unusual in the long history of the life of our sanctuary and the many congregations who have worshipped in our sacred space.The Old Brick Church was constructed in 1796. Worshippers honored George Washington here upon his death. Our ancestors in the faith prepared for Advent and celebrated Christmas through the Civil War, World War I, and even the Spanish Influenza pandemic of 1918; which was short lived closing our sanctuary in October and November of 1918.?Our people were able to worship again in these hallowed walls by Christmas!World War II did not close the church for worship.?And every other great upheaval, threat and disaster only brought us closer together causing God’s people to seek comfort and peace in the worship of our Maker. ?But this pandemic is different and has given us a greater challenge, like the Babylonian Captivity of Israel (597-538 BC) we must learn to worship Godin exile from Zion. Perhaps the only other time in history when so many could not gather in worship due to disease was during the Bubonic Plague (1346-1351) which killed up to 200 million people.So God’s people, the Church, has seen hard times before.?Even today in Totalitarian countries Christians are oppressed and not allowed to worship in public. Our hardships are not entirely unique as we stand in solidarity with Christians throughout the ages who, for some reason, were unable to gather in their houses of worship.Still, we pray for a quick remedy and ask God for mercy with a safe vaccine and an end to the threat of COVID-19. May this be our Advent/Christmas prayer along with the healing of our world and nation from this terrible political divide. Let us prepare for the coming of Christ and the rebirth of God’s love in our hearts which issues forth in eternal life. Merry Christmas and God bless each of you—from Pastor and Diane.The Tymes – December 2020 December 6Advent IIIsaiah 40: 1-112 Peter 3: 8-15aMark 1: 1-8Sermon: ? “The Prince of Peace” December 13Advent IIIIsaiah 61: 1-4, 8-11I Thessalonians 5: 16-24John 1: 6-8, 19-38Theme: ?“Joy”December 20Advent IVPsalm 89Romans 16: 25-27Luke 1: 26-38Sermon: ?“Love”December 24 Christmas EveIsaiah 9: 2-7Titus 2: 11-14Luke 2: 1-20Theme: “Child of Promise” December 27Christmas IPsalm 148Galatians 4: 4-7Luke 2: 22-40Sermon: “Jesus of Nazareth” Consistory HighlightsConsistory members, Pastor Austin, Joan Miller and Dusty Rhoads continue meeting via the conference video, Zoom.Some highlights from the November 9th Consistory meeting:Notes from the Treasurer’s report: $900 in the Homeless Shelter Fund has been sent to Main Street Ministries. The Fall Ingathering, designated for the roof expenses, currently is $10,495. Secretary’s Report – A letter was received from Louise Griffiths resigning from Consistory and her position as Secretary, effective October 31. 2020. Louise was thanked for being a part of Consistory and for her service throughout the year.Church Giving envelopes are now available and can be picked up in the Church office between 8:30 and 11:30 AM on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Masks are required if picking up the packets. Since the sanctuary will not be open for the month of December, and since giving poinsettias to shut-ins is not possible during the pandemic, poinsettias will not be ordered this year.Pastor Austin mentioned that the Wednesday Prayer and Share time was ongoing with several participating most weeks He said it continues to be a good opportunity to connect with folks. He and Diane C. attended Kim Adamson’s ordination and Kim was very appreciative of the Christmas stole gift from Zion’s. A lengthy discussion ensued regarding reopening the Church. Though there are a number of church members who are disappointed that in-person services are still not possible, there are serious concerns about the increase in COVID cases and the ability to properly sanitize the church after each worship service. Therefore, the reopening decision was once again tabled until the December 14th Consistory meeting.The Property Committee reported that the Chapel Building roof replacement was scheduled to begin November 10th. Continued - The UCC Insurance Board sent a notice changing Zion’s deductible from $1,000 to $2500 and now requires an Early Warning Monitoring system to detect water leakage. Dusty is following up for other quotes to compare coverage and prices. Zion’s current policy costs $18,035 and is due for renewal by January 1, 2021.Since the church will not reopen at this time, Joan will continue to hold Sunday School outside, weather permitting. Joan advised Advent booklets will be mailed to all members who are on the newsletter list.Diane will write a letter to the Congregation with a ballot to seek approval of the 2019 Congregational Meeting Minutes, the 2021 budget, and the slate of Consistory members for 2021.The Piano Humidifier – The baby grand piano will be tuned and the procedure to maintain the humidifier will be reviewed. Dusty will relay the information to Frank, as part of the custodian’s responsibilities. Suggestions for Advent – Joan would like the youth and their families to record parts of a program she is considering. Audry will look into the possibility of a transmitter that will permit people to hear the service and music in their cars when parked in the church lot. Diane will contact Keith and Laura to see if they could possibly coordinate music with some choir members or other participants. Perhaps setting up a luminaria on Christmas Eve, or a display in the church parking lot would be a way to make the Christmas season special. Ideas are ongoing.Connie reported that Pastor Nichol’s brother, who lived with the Nichols, had passed away.The next Consistory meeting will be December 14, 2020.2020 Offering Information Please note that all 2020 donations received in the office by January 4, 2021 will be recorded in 2020. Any 2020 donations received after January 4, 2021 will be recorded as 2021 donations.Book of Golden MemoriesThose names entered into the Book of Golden Memories on Memorial Sunday, November 1st were: Shirley Witmyer Marion Shollenberger Mary C. (Saylor) Boone Janet (Moulder) Alex Jeanne E. Keene Homeless ShelterWe recently received notice that due to Covid-19 we will?not be asked to host the Homeless Shelter this coming 2020/2021 season.?Instead, Main Street Ministries will be housing the homeless in several local Motels as they did at the end of the 2019/2020 season.? They have asked for monetary?donations to help offset the costs.? If you would like to make personal donations in addition, we are listing their suggestions and locations to do so for your information.Needs for the 2020/2021 Shelter Season: Volunteers to Assemble Food & Grocery Boxes; Volunteer Drivers to Deliver Grocery Boxes; Volunteer Admin Staff to help coordinate the above areas as well. Non-Perishable Groceries: Oatmeal, Boxed Cereal, Pop Tarts, Crackers, Pretzels,Individual Puddings, Packaged Soup, Canned Soup., Non-refrigerated milk,Bottled Fruit Juice Plastic spoons, forks, and napkins. Personal Care Items: Toothbrushes, Toothpaste, Mouthwash (no alcohol based mouthwash), Soaps (small & large) Deodorant (men's & women's), Shampoo Conditioner, Disposable Razors, Combs & Brushes Donations can be dropped off, by appointment only by calling 610-455-5333 to schedule a drop-off.Monetary donations can also be made and are tax deductible. For additional information visit their website Advent Christmas OfferingYour Advent/Christmas offering envelope is enclosed with this newsletter. Your continued support of Zion’s UCC will be greatly appreciated. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 2021 Offering EnvelopesThe 2021 envelopes are available. Please, stop by the church office and take yours to help save on mailing costs. Kim is in the office on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings. The remainder will be mailed towards the end of December. If you do not received yours by the New Year, please, call the church office. Sunday School ClassesThe Youth and Adults are meeting on the lawn behind the Chapel Building at 11 am on Sundays for Sunday School. We bring our own chairs and wear masks and practice social distancing. We are planning to continue to meet outside as long as the weather permits and the temperatures are tolerable. We will use a virtual platform when we are no longer able to meet outdoors.ReminderRemember to like “Zion’s UCC, Pottstown” on Facebook for updates and pictures from our services. Also, we have music and message on Zion's UCC Facebook page thanks to the good work of Laura and Keith. If you are not on Facebook you may access these videos on our website under the link “Online Services” or YouTube. Please view as part of your devotional life as you are able and share this information with others who might be interested and benefit. God bless your every need, Pastor Austin Thank YouWe received a thank you from Manatawny Manor for our donation of $214.00 for resident activities.Music Ministry, Keith Clattenburg, Music DirectorGreetings to all! I hope this letter finds you well. As we roll into Advent and with Christmas coming up quickly, I'd like to ask you to send videos of yourself playing an instrument, singing a song, or reciting a short story or poem. Your talents will add so much meaning to our church celebrations. We can accept YouTube, .mp3, or .mp4 formats. Below are some things you may want included with your submitted piece: Piano or organ music. Please indicate which song you'd like played and provide music in .pdf format, if possible so Keith can play it. This is specifically for a short story or poem. The music will be played in the background.Words or lyrics in .doc, .docx, or pdf format of your song or poem.Pictures in .jpg or .pdf format to set the tone for your submitted piece. To avoid copyright issues, we prefer that these are your own photos, and not taken from the internet. These photos should be landscape (wide) format, not portrait (tall).Please email to? HYPERLINK "mailto:bsharpprod@" \t "_blank" bsharpprod@.? Please submit by the Wednesday?before the Sunday you wish your piece to be made public to allow time to put it all together.? If you need assistance or ideas, Laura can help. Contact her at 215-880-2839 or send an email to? HYPERLINK "mailto:bsharpprod@" \t "_blank" bsharpprod@. Christmas Fund(Veterans of the Cross and the Emergency Fund)An envelope for your contribution is enclosed. This fund helps provide for Pension Supplementation to bring those low retirement incomes up to a more sufficient level. It helps qualified veterans bear the cost of the UCC health plan, as it does for retired lay workers in similar circumstance. Be a part of providing their “Veterans Benefits.” Contribute generously to the Christmas Fund. December 2 - Alicia Weller 3 - Kyle Van Hudick 5 - Gary Griffiths 6 - Patricia Stout 7 - Tricia Heydt 8 - Bonnie Baker 16 - Jim Miller 18 - Jacob Young 20 - Mary Cresswell 21 - Mark Rivoli 25 - Carolyn Mitchell 31 - Pamela Moss Todd and Linda Miller 33 years on December 13 Bob and Audry Stengel 11 years on December 31 Redner’s Receipts!Please continue to save your Redner’s Save-a-Tape receipt. When church service resumes you can place them in the box in the Sunday School building. We need the entire register tape in order to get credit. Redner’s will donate 1% of sales to our church. These funds are deposited in the General Fund. Remembering Our Shut-InsThe Holiday Season is upon us and it is a great time to remember our friends and family who are unable to join us. A little greeting can go a long way. If we have missed anyone, call the church office. Doris Evenstad 223 Monroe Street Stowe, PA 19464 Jeanne Graham 151 Oak Street Gilbertsville, PA 19525 Ruth Hardaker 225 Evergreen Rd., Room 208B Pottstown, PA 19464 Eleanor Mauger Keystone Villa #120 1180 Ben Franklin Hwy East Douglassville, PA 19518 Lois Oister 1135 Claire Drive Birdsboro, PA 19508 Grace Rounds Keystone Villa #2211152 Ben Franklin Highway East Douglassville, A 19518 Virginia Slody Manatawny Manor 30 Schuylkill Road Pottstown, PA 19465 Her mailing address: C/o Sharon Harvey 87 Douglas St. Boyertown, PA 19512 Paul Steffy 1135 Claire Drive Birdsboro, PA 19508 Lee Steiner 829 Worth Blvd. Pottstown, PA 19465 Dave Stout 738 White Pine Lane Pottstown, PA 19464 Truman Tyson Chestnut Knoll Room #214 120 W. 5th Street Boyertown, PA 19512 His mailing address: 105 Fox St. Gilbertsville, PA 19525 Bob Witmyer 2849 Big Road Apt. #1228 Zieglerville, PA 19492Cluster NewsThe Cluster’s current needs are:a bulk supply of new reusable bags and new unused plastic bags to pack food in for distribution.Also, items to support our housing program:Masks (adult and children sizes) to bring to the families we visit or are housing.Items for Move-in Kits:Disinfectant wipes, dish soap, toilet bowl cleaner, toilet brush, bleach surface cleaner, Lysol spray, sponges, cleaning cloths, paper towels, toilet plunger,dust pan and brush, rubber cleaner gloves, mop, broom, laundry DetergentIMPORTANT COVID-19 RELATED ANNOUNCEMENT:At this time we are not accepting in-kind donations of food and we are only accepting the self-care items listed above?from the public as we are limiting all that comes into the building to assure we are taking every precaution we can. We can only accept new and unopened items.To donate the items listed above, please call 610-970-5995.?NEWSLETTER DEADLINEThe deadline for the January issue of the Tymes is December 20th. Please send articles to: zionsuccoffice@ December 2020SunMonTueWedThuFriSat1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 January newsletter deadline21 Start of Winter (Winter Solstice)22 23 24 25 Christmas26 27 28 29 30 31 Zion’s United Church of Christ209 Chestnut StreetPottstown, PA 19464 Newsletter Behold, the Lamb of God, who takesaway the sin of the world! John 1:29 ................
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