Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Friday, January 1, 2010
Epiphany
You may have heard someone exclaim I had an epiphany. My eyes were suddenly opened, and now I see...Generally
Epiphany means one suddenly understands. Things make sense to them..Something has been revealed, and now things are understandable. In our Church year we have the celebration of Epiphany. Something great has been revealed. A new understanding has come to us. This is the understanding of who Jesus was. For the Wise Men this great revealing was of the birth of the child... The one they sought, that they followed to the star to see..Imagine the faith they had to venture out on such a trek. knowing a king may be at the other end...They heard the stories, they heard the prophecies. They studied the stars. They knew something great had happened. So they go out in faith. Faithfully going where that star leaded them..They who were not even Jewish, who were pagans of the time. Yet they go and seek. They know enough that this mere child is something special, so special that they feel they dare not tell Herod where this child is. Great enough to bring this child gifts of Gold ,Frankinsense and Mhyr. Gifts for a king. Jesus is unveiled to world. Not just to the Jews. But for all, for all who seek him. The wisemen were in Awe of the child, so much so they would fall to their knees and bow down and worship this child. Who knows how this event would have fully affected these men. We do know they broke their promise to Herod. They refused to tell him where this child was. I wonder, did they hear of the events 30 some years later? Would they hear of the stories of this child and how he traveled the area with the good news? Would they have heard of the man that the Romans placed on a tree to be crucified? Would they ever know of Jesus fate? Would they hear the tales and know that this man who was crucified rose again and Ascended into heaven? IF they did would they have believed? I think they would of. Now to you do you have this great epiphany. Has Jesus been revealed to you in your life? Can Jesus make a difference to you.?Do you bow down before Jesus and give thanks for all that has been given you. Through life we are faced with many great epiphanies. We have sudden realization of what Jesus means to you in your life. Can you share your great epiphanies with others? I had an epiphany once. I remember the day in my late 20's that I realized that Jesus was a real person. I was taking college courses on world history. I was not thrilled to take this class, I was told I had to in order to recieve my BSN in Nursing. I could not figure out what in the world history had to do with nursing..my thoughts was..this will help me be a better nurse because......Well I never did figure out why history helps my nursing career, instead in was another stepping stone in my life of faith. I realized that I had always thought of Jesus as a fairy tale, a myth like Santa Clause. Something pretend. I suddenly now realized through my history course Jesus was real, Jesus did exist. I started digging into history, started comparing the bible with history, I had a new found hunger in understanding Jesus and who he was. NOw there is quite a difference in knowing Jesus really existed and believing that Jesus is our Saviour. But through the knowlegde I gained, my faith grew. I discovered how Jesus could be of help to me in my life. How he guided my life, and how he brought me here. It was the work of God, that I would begrudgingly,take that history course. It was through the work of God that I have grown faithfully.. enough to lead me into a new career path. Jesus was revealed to me, My eyes were suddenly opened, the scales fell from my eyes, and here I am now., sharing my faith with you all. Keep your eyes open for God's epiphany in your life. Look for God and Jesus outside of church on Sunday Morning. You may be surprised what will be revealed to you. AMEN
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Monday, December 21, 2009
Jan - Feb 2010 Newsletter
First Congregational Church
January and February 2010
Greetings
As I write this we are approaching Christmas and the New Year. We are busy with the seasonal activities and sometimes we forget to take time to meditate. We are aware that for many of us, we look forward to the New Year but for others there may be uncertainty of what the New Year may bring. I remember going through that when my daughter was ill in 1993 and 1994. It was New Years Eve 1993 when my daughter lay in a hospital room, she had been on dialysis since September and had been hospitalized several times since then. She now was lying in the hospital with blood pressures of 210/130, and she was only 13 yrs old. They had on 5 different medications and they were unable to bring it down. I remember feeling overwhelmed by all that was happening and feeling afraid for what we still had to face. I know at times many of you have had to face those days, some of you are facing those days today and if you are you need to know that you are not alone. Christmas was about Christ coming to the world to give light to a dark world. That light still shines today. The Holy Spirit works today, not only through prayer and meditation but also by working through other Christians. Darkness does not just come to our lives through illness or death, but also comes with other issues in our lives. Through marital problems, job loss or difficulties, conflicts between people and money problems or any other things. If you are in need of someone to confidentially share your concerns with, please contact me. I may not know you have a concern, so please let me know. Here is hoping that your New Year is Bright and full of Christ’s Hope.
Pastor Marcy
THANKSGIVING DINNER
This past Thanksgiving the Hebron church embarked on a new project. We decided to serve Thanksgiving Dinner for anyone in the community who did not have a place to go, or just decided to enjoy dinner in the company of the members of the church. It was put on entirely by donations, with no cost to the church and was a great success. Members of Church prepared and served the meal. A free will donation was received of more than $500. The donations were given to the Hebron/Glen Ullin Salvation Army, and the Community Youth Ministry. We thank all those who made donations of money, food, and time.
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS FOOD SALE
On December 5th the Guiding Light had their annual Christmas bake sale. They sold many bake goods along with have a noon meal of chili burgers, potatoes salad and desserts. It was determined that this event has been held for over 50 years. The sale made greater than $1100. Proceeds go for donations made to several entities including the Charles Hall Youth Services, Anne Carlson Home, Ruth Meyers Home and others and for things needed for the church. In the past they donated to the basement fund, and paid for the new stove at the parsonage. They also furnish the Upper Room Devotional and the phone bill for the church.
SOMETHING NEW!!!!!
Here is something for you internet users. If you would like to keep up with some news from the church with photos, check out this site on the internet http://firstcongregationalhebron.blogspot.com. Even though the link only has Hebron on it, I have Glen Ullin on here as well; I felt that having both on the link was getting too long and hard to remember. This is free; I will post messages, daily devotions and fun stuff more regularly. I will also post pictures without names. If you do not want me to post your picture or any of your family let me know. Book mark this page to favorites and then check in daily. If really interested you may also sign up with an account, then you can write comments on a blog about events. I would like to post pictures of the Thanksgiving Dinner, Bible school, Baptism and other events. Right now it is available to everyone looking for it. There is an option to make it private for only our organization. This is still a work in progress. Let me know what you think.
GLEN ULLIN CELEBRATES 125 YEARS
Last August the Glen Ullin Church celebrated their 125th Anniversary. They Celebrated by having a special worship service at 9 am and a Service of Music at 2 pm. Close to 100 people were in attendance. The theme of the anniversary celebration was Traveling Memories.
STEWARDSHIP CORNER
Four legs of a stool - For a church to survive it counts on 4 legs for financial support. If any leg does not exist the stool cannot stand. So the church will not survive. The Four legs are weekly offering, capital fund drives, donations/annual membership and bequests. The weekly offering is self explanatory, capital fund drives are used for special projects like the basement floor and bathroom remodeling. Other donations include any other donations from members and former members. Bequests are the gifts received upon the death of a person.
Both of our churches currently have membership fees. We are aware is that most churches do not have a membership fee and rely only on faith giving. A problem with that is that many members give little to nothing. This membership fee is considered a minimal donation to the church, but this by no means meets all the needs of the church. There are basic expenses needing to be met, like heat, building upkeep, water, electricity, etc and then pastoral support. The budget is usually averages around 28,000 dollars each year. You can see that the annual membership fee will not cover all that. In the coming newsletters I will cover more on how to put the church in your will. Take time now to think about your growing up years. Many of you were brought up in these churches and the church education you received was the foundation of your faith formations. What was that worth to you? Many people are concerned that a small church will not stay open so they withhold their funds. This is a sure way of ensuring the death of the church. The church needs your support in order to survive. Will you ensure that your church will be here for future generations? Will you leave behind more than an empty pew?
News from Northern Plains Conference
Youth Summer Camp
July 25-29- Camp Wesley, Dazey ND ages 8-16
July 5-10 Regional Youth Event, Billings Montana, ages 13-18; chaperones also needed
Contact Pastor Marcy for flyer
Paul Nixon is coming to Jamestown
Thanks to the North Dakota Conference of Churches’ support Paul Nixon, author of “I Refuse to Serve A Dying Church” and “Finding Jesus on the Metro,” will be coming to Jamestown to host a workshop March 22& 23. The cost of the workshop will be $40 plus lodging, travel and some meals. A block of rooms have been reserved at the Quality Inn where the program will be held. There will also be a banquet Monday evening (the cost of which is covered by registration as will that of a concert by Chuck Suchy following the banquet). Ther egistration form can be found on the Conference Web site. Checks accompanying the form can be made to the
North Dakota Conference of Churches of the Conference Office. (if interested in going contact Pastor Marcy)
Events
Hebron Choir following services
Glen Ullin Sunday School- Mondays at 5 pm starting 1/11 except 1/25- no SS
Hebron Sunday School- Wednesday 3:30 pm starting 1/13
Sunday January 10-Glen Ullin Annual Meeting
Hebron Services at 9 am, and Glen Ullin at 10:30 am Potluck Lunch with Meeting following
No Guiding light meeting in January
Tuesday January 12 – 10 am clergy cluster Dickenson
2 pm GU Women’s Fellowship Carol K. Hostess
Sunday January 17- Contemporary Service Hebron
Hebron Council meeting following services
January 24-26- Clergy Pre-Lenten Retreat/WS in Fargo starting 5 pm on 24th, until 12:00 noon on 26th
Subject Church Vitality
February 9- Clergy Cluster
February 14 Valentines Day – Guiding Light meeting following services. Potluck lunch
February 17- ASH WEDNESDAY
Lenten Services Glen Ullin 7 pm Service every other Wednesday
February 21 – Contemporary service Hebron
Hebron Council Meeting following services
Hebron Community Lenten Services begin 7:00 pm (Where TBA)
February 28 – Hebron Community Lenten Services 7 pm
IF YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE NEWSLETTER BY EMAIL LET ME KNOW=save paper and stamps
Courage is Fear that has said it prayers
January and February 2010
Greetings
As I write this we are approaching Christmas and the New Year. We are busy with the seasonal activities and sometimes we forget to take time to meditate. We are aware that for many of us, we look forward to the New Year but for others there may be uncertainty of what the New Year may bring. I remember going through that when my daughter was ill in 1993 and 1994. It was New Years Eve 1993 when my daughter lay in a hospital room, she had been on dialysis since September and had been hospitalized several times since then. She now was lying in the hospital with blood pressures of 210/130, and she was only 13 yrs old. They had on 5 different medications and they were unable to bring it down. I remember feeling overwhelmed by all that was happening and feeling afraid for what we still had to face. I know at times many of you have had to face those days, some of you are facing those days today and if you are you need to know that you are not alone. Christmas was about Christ coming to the world to give light to a dark world. That light still shines today. The Holy Spirit works today, not only through prayer and meditation but also by working through other Christians. Darkness does not just come to our lives through illness or death, but also comes with other issues in our lives. Through marital problems, job loss or difficulties, conflicts between people and money problems or any other things. If you are in need of someone to confidentially share your concerns with, please contact me. I may not know you have a concern, so please let me know. Here is hoping that your New Year is Bright and full of Christ’s Hope.
Pastor Marcy
THANKSGIVING DINNER
This past Thanksgiving the Hebron church embarked on a new project. We decided to serve Thanksgiving Dinner for anyone in the community who did not have a place to go, or just decided to enjoy dinner in the company of the members of the church. It was put on entirely by donations, with no cost to the church and was a great success. Members of Church prepared and served the meal. A free will donation was received of more than $500. The donations were given to the Hebron/Glen Ullin Salvation Army, and the Community Youth Ministry. We thank all those who made donations of money, food, and time.
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS FOOD SALE
On December 5th the Guiding Light had their annual Christmas bake sale. They sold many bake goods along with have a noon meal of chili burgers, potatoes salad and desserts. It was determined that this event has been held for over 50 years. The sale made greater than $1100. Proceeds go for donations made to several entities including the Charles Hall Youth Services, Anne Carlson Home, Ruth Meyers Home and others and for things needed for the church. In the past they donated to the basement fund, and paid for the new stove at the parsonage. They also furnish the Upper Room Devotional and the phone bill for the church.
SOMETHING NEW!!!!!
Here is something for you internet users. If you would like to keep up with some news from the church with photos, check out this site on the internet http://firstcongregationalhebron.blogspot.com. Even though the link only has Hebron on it, I have Glen Ullin on here as well; I felt that having both on the link was getting too long and hard to remember. This is free; I will post messages, daily devotions and fun stuff more regularly. I will also post pictures without names. If you do not want me to post your picture or any of your family let me know. Book mark this page to favorites and then check in daily. If really interested you may also sign up with an account, then you can write comments on a blog about events. I would like to post pictures of the Thanksgiving Dinner, Bible school, Baptism and other events. Right now it is available to everyone looking for it. There is an option to make it private for only our organization. This is still a work in progress. Let me know what you think.
GLEN ULLIN CELEBRATES 125 YEARS
Last August the Glen Ullin Church celebrated their 125th Anniversary. They Celebrated by having a special worship service at 9 am and a Service of Music at 2 pm. Close to 100 people were in attendance. The theme of the anniversary celebration was Traveling Memories.
STEWARDSHIP CORNER
Four legs of a stool - For a church to survive it counts on 4 legs for financial support. If any leg does not exist the stool cannot stand. So the church will not survive. The Four legs are weekly offering, capital fund drives, donations/annual membership and bequests. The weekly offering is self explanatory, capital fund drives are used for special projects like the basement floor and bathroom remodeling. Other donations include any other donations from members and former members. Bequests are the gifts received upon the death of a person.
Both of our churches currently have membership fees. We are aware is that most churches do not have a membership fee and rely only on faith giving. A problem with that is that many members give little to nothing. This membership fee is considered a minimal donation to the church, but this by no means meets all the needs of the church. There are basic expenses needing to be met, like heat, building upkeep, water, electricity, etc and then pastoral support. The budget is usually averages around 28,000 dollars each year. You can see that the annual membership fee will not cover all that. In the coming newsletters I will cover more on how to put the church in your will. Take time now to think about your growing up years. Many of you were brought up in these churches and the church education you received was the foundation of your faith formations. What was that worth to you? Many people are concerned that a small church will not stay open so they withhold their funds. This is a sure way of ensuring the death of the church. The church needs your support in order to survive. Will you ensure that your church will be here for future generations? Will you leave behind more than an empty pew?
News from Northern Plains Conference
Youth Summer Camp
July 25-29- Camp Wesley, Dazey ND ages 8-16
July 5-10 Regional Youth Event, Billings Montana, ages 13-18; chaperones also needed
Contact Pastor Marcy for flyer
Paul Nixon is coming to Jamestown
Thanks to the North Dakota Conference of Churches’ support Paul Nixon, author of “I Refuse to Serve A Dying Church” and “Finding Jesus on the Metro,” will be coming to Jamestown to host a workshop March 22& 23. The cost of the workshop will be $40 plus lodging, travel and some meals. A block of rooms have been reserved at the Quality Inn where the program will be held. There will also be a banquet Monday evening (the cost of which is covered by registration as will that of a concert by Chuck Suchy following the banquet). Ther egistration form can be found on the Conference Web site. Checks accompanying the form can be made to the
North Dakota Conference of Churches of the Conference Office. (if interested in going contact Pastor Marcy)
Events
Hebron Choir following services
Glen Ullin Sunday School- Mondays at 5 pm starting 1/11 except 1/25- no SS
Hebron Sunday School- Wednesday 3:30 pm starting 1/13
Sunday January 10-Glen Ullin Annual Meeting
Hebron Services at 9 am, and Glen Ullin at 10:30 am Potluck Lunch with Meeting following
No Guiding light meeting in January
Tuesday January 12 – 10 am clergy cluster Dickenson
2 pm GU Women’s Fellowship Carol K. Hostess
Sunday January 17- Contemporary Service Hebron
Hebron Council meeting following services
January 24-26- Clergy Pre-Lenten Retreat/WS in Fargo starting 5 pm on 24th, until 12:00 noon on 26th
Subject Church Vitality
February 9- Clergy Cluster
February 14 Valentines Day – Guiding Light meeting following services. Potluck lunch
February 17- ASH WEDNESDAY
Lenten Services Glen Ullin 7 pm Service every other Wednesday
February 21 – Contemporary service Hebron
Hebron Council Meeting following services
Hebron Community Lenten Services begin 7:00 pm (Where TBA)
February 28 – Hebron Community Lenten Services 7 pm
IF YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE NEWSLETTER BY EMAIL LET ME KNOW=save paper and stamps
Courage is Fear that has said it prayers
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