September 2015 NEWSLETTER
SEARCH COMMITTEE NEWS
The Search Committee has held
four meetings through the
summer. The responses to the family
questionnaire have been collected and the
results were compiled. A summary of the responses has been posted
on the bulletin board for the members to view. The general trend was
slightly to the positive side of the middle for most questions. Thank
you to everyone that took the time and effort to complete a question-
naire. These replies are important in assisting to generate a church
profile for the pastoral search.
In addition we held a number of small group discussion meetings
with members of the congregation during the month of August. This
was an opportunity to express thoughts, ideas and concerns on several
topics of interest to the church membership. The questionnaires and
group discussions allowed the Search committee to hear from the
congregation. This response from the church members is vital to
creating an accurate and realistic profile of St. James.
Another questionnaire will be distributed to the church members in
September. This time we will be asking for your input about the most
important attributes you think a pastoral candidate should have. This
is another chance to make your voice heard and your opinions
counted. The Search Committee wants to have a response from every
church member on this important topic. It is our intent to focus in on
those characteristics that are most significant to the membership when
considering candidates for our next pastor.
CONTACT THE CHURCH
321 South Limerick Rd. Limerick, PA 19468 610-489-0990 www.stjames-ucc.org
Pastor: Brad Haws [email protected]
Minister of Music: Donna Pinto [email protected] (610) 792-1679
Office Assistant: Sandy Chang Mon. & Thurs. 10am-2pm [email protected]
for Newsletters: [email protected]
2015 CONSISTORY
Nancy Ewing, President Cindy Valerio, V. President Kristen Serina, Secretary Betty Lou Wilson Sandie Fetterman Wendel Koenig Joan Rosen Bob Walters Ellie Wellman Jay Smith Diane Raspen Mike Serina
officers: Tom Mogel, Financial Sec. Ruth Borneman, Historian Jay Smith, Treasurer
“Like” us on Facebook!
www.facebook.com/stjamesucc
WHAT’S UP
▪ Cong’l Life…….2-9
▪ Anniversaries..... 7
▪ Birthdays ........... 7
▪ Calendar………….6
▪ Prayer Concerns 13
▪ Household Pray-
ers……………….....13
CONGREGATIONAL LIFE
PAGE 2 September 2015 NEWSLETTER
2015 GRADUATES
Brian J. Keeley - godson of Margie
Schweitzer, graduated with a Master of Sci-
ences with honors in Organizational Leader-
ship from Cabrini College.
Lisa Nuccitelli, daughter of Tony and
Linda Nuccitelli and granddaughter of
Edward and Dianne Savitsky, graduated
from Cornell University, Cum Laude, with a
degree of Bachelor of Science in Computer
Science from the College of Engineering on
May 24th 2015 in Ithaca, New York.
Dylan John Sidoriak, grandson of Laura
and Robert Walters, son of their oldest
daughter Tracy, graduated from Conestoga
High School, Class of 2015, and will soon
begin his studies at Towson University.
Miranda E. Swinehart - daughter of Scott
and Susan Swinehart and granddaughter of
Joyce Swinehart, graduated from Pottstown
High School . She will be attending Mont-
gomery Community College in the fall.
Possibly pursing a degree in Pharmaceutical
or Art Therapy with Psychology.
Alexandra Mary Letty Walters - grand-
daughter of Laura and Robert Walters,
daughter of Eric Walters, graduated with a
M. Ed from Indiana University of Pennsylva-
nia and has begun her studies at IUP working
toward a PhD in Educational Psychology.
BIBLE STUDY
It won’t be much longer
before we resume our
Sunday morning Bible
study at 9:00. We will be
looking at the Gospel of
John. It is one of the sim-
plest of all the Gospels and
very profound. It appears that John was a
close friend of Jesus and a faithful follower.
Through reading this Gospel, the figure of
Jesus becomes real, full of light and warmth
and promise. We encourage all to join us as
we read and discuss the Gospel of John and
open ourselves to new ideas and thoughts.
There are copies of the study book in the
parlor on the small table with the Bibles. If
you have any questions, please contact
Charlotte Fiedler
WELCOME COMMITTEE
Welcome committee will resume meetings
Sept. 15 @ 10:00 am. If anyone is interested
in joining, please come on out on Sept 15th.
Thanks, Lillian Weidner
PAGE 3 September 2015 NEWSLETTER
CONGREGATIONAL LIFE
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING ON
SEPTEMBER 27, 2015
This is an official public notice to all
members that we will hold a congregational
meeting after the worship service on
September 27, 2015.
The items on the agenda will be: 1) Approval
of a revised constitution and bylaws for St.
James, 2) Formal approval of the roof
project so that we can officially begin raising
money, 3) Discussion and vote on changing
our OCWM distribution.
Consistory has reviewed and approved a new
format for the constitution and bylaws.
Most of the items covered have stayed the
same but the language and general format
has been updated. Some items of notable
content change are:
A. The monetary limit for expenses
that consistory may authorize was
raised from $3000 to $5000
B. Number of deacons and elders will
be reduced from six each to four
deacons and four elders who shall
be elected for two years terms.
They may then serve three
consecutive terms before being
required to be off consistory for at
least one year.
Copies of the constitution and bylaws will be
available in the narthex and on the church
website: www.stjames-ucc.org.
We have been collecting money to replace
the roof on the church building which is
needed in the next few years, but the congre-
gation needs to formally give the go-ahead to
proceed with this project. We will not have
formal quotes available at this time, but we
have some projections from several
contractors that can give us a general idea of
costs.
The last item on the agenda concerns our
contributions to Our Church’s Wider Mission
for the local conference and the national
programs. In the past St. James has instruct-
ed that our donations be divided as 30% to
Wider Church Ministries and 70% to the
local Penn Southeast Conference. The
normal division is 10% to the national UCC
and 90% to the local conference. It was
discussed several years ago at a congrega-
tional meeting about stopping this special
designation for our gifts. At that time, the
consensus was that we could discontinue this,
but there was never a vote recorded so we
need to make this decision official.
Any consistory member can answer questions
on the above. Consistory has spent a good
amount of time considering these changes.
We hope that all members will prayerfully
review the proposals before the meeting so
that we can have a respectful discussion of
the issues and proceed in the best way to con-
tinue God’s work in Limerick.
Please plan on attending the meeting so that
we can have enough members present to
conduct business. Nancy Ewing
PAGE 4 September 2015 NEWSLETTER
CONGREGATIONAL LIFE CON’T
RALLY DAY TREASURE HUNT
The first day of Children’s Church for the
2015-2016 season will be held on
September 13, 2015 during the 10:15
worship service. The theme for this year’s
Rally Day is “You are a treasure in God’s
eyes” and we will have fun and engaging
activities planned for the children,
including a treasure hunt! We look forward
to seeing everyone. All children and teens
are welcome!
PRAYER CHAIN
Over the years our prayer chain has been very
active in praying for our members, friends
and relatives, as well for our congregation.
The chain at the current time has nine people
who have dedicated themselves to offer pray-
ers daily for those in need. Most of the peo-
ple are contacted by email with prayer re-
quests as they are received and some are con-
tracted by telephone. Sandy Koenig and
Charlotte Fiedler are the main contacts for
prayer requests as well as cards that can be
filled out during Sunday worship service that
are at the end of the pews. These cards can
then be placed in the offering plate. As
Christians, prayer is a very important part of
our lives and also a necessary part. If anyone
would like to join us in our daily prayers for
others and be notified as we receive prayer
requests, please let Sandy or Charlotte know
and you will be added to our list. PRAYER TEAM
The Prayer Team (different from the PRAY-
ER CHAIN) has been making available the
Prayer Tree in the Narthex. We are happy
to see that people have been using this to
lift up people who need prayers. Unless
these names are given to the prayer chain,
they do not show up on the list of prayer
requests that are available on Sunday
mornings. If you would like them also to
go through the prayer chain, please let Sandy
or Charlotte know.
THANK YOU!!!
A big Thank You for
another successful
barbeque, to all who
helped and those who
bought dinners. Our
profits will be announced
as soon as we calculate our expenses. The
profit will be divided between Main Street
Ministries and our roof fund. We will have a
final rap up meeting on September 13th after
church, to discuss this year's barbeque.
PAGE 5 September 2015 NEWSLETTER
CONGREGATIONAL LIFE CON’T
ST. JAMES VETERAN’S MINISTRY
This ministry has been low key within the
congregation, but behind the scenes Bob
Smith, Jay Smith, Laura Walters, Rich and
Charlotte Fiedler have been actively learning
more about the needs of veterans and have
been active with a group that gather at St.
Andrews church in Perkasie. By attending
workshops and talking with people involved
with veterans, we have been learning ways to
reach out to veterans and help with their
healing.
We have learned about the struggles our vet-
erans are facing physically, mentally and
spiritually. We hear about those that lose
their battles by committing suicide; because
they don’t get the help they desperately need
or the understanding of people around them.
It is hard for families and friends to fully un-
derstand what they have gone through and
the struggles they still face. Through
“Touchstone Veterans Outreach”, the group
at St. Andrews UCC we have partnered with,
we have found a way to help with what is
known as a “Healing Circle”. What is a
Healing Circle?; it is a circle formed by vet-
erans, families and people who care that cre-
ates a place of safety, a sacred space, creates
trust, respect, intimacy, good will, belonging,
generosity, mutuality and reciprocity. This is
a place where people can tell their stories
and talk freely. The circle is not about
changing others, but a way to bring healing
and transformation.
In August we held our first Healing Circle at
PRAYER SHAWL
Prayer Shawl group will start up on
Wednesday September 2 at 6:30pm. We
have taken the summer off and rested our
nimble fingers to begin a new season! All
are welcome to come and chat with us as we
continue to remember our sick and home-
bound, our sad and recuperating or anyone
who needs a touch of kindness brought their
way. We have plenty of needles and yarn for
first timers and some good teachers too!
St. Andrews UCC in Perkasie. These will be
held at St. Andrews the first Tuesday of eve-
ry month, in hopes that we can reach out to
veterans and their families who would like to
take part in a circle. Our hope is that those
who are struggling themselves or are strug-
gling along with someone they know will
look into what is being offered. If you are
aware of anyone any veteran and/or family
of a veteran who might appreciate this min-
istry and would like to talk about this more,
please let me know.
Our team is looking at doing something for
Veteran’s Day on the Sunday of Nov. 8 dur-
ing our worship service. More about that
service will be given closer to the date. Our
congregation last year helped to support the
veterans at the VA Center in Spring City at
Christmas. This year we will again have an
angel tree to help with our spirit of giving.
If you have an interest in learning more
about what we are doing or would like to
join our outreach, let one of our team
members know. Charlotte Fiedler
PAGE 6 September 2015 NEWSLETTER
Calendar September 2015
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
1 2 Prayer Shawl 6:30 pm Missions 7:00 pm
3 4 5
6 Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost Svc of Word Worship Team 4
7
8 Prayer Team 2:00pm Consistory 7:00 pm
9 10 Cub Scouts 7:00 pm Choir 7:00 pm
11 12 Men’s Breakfast @ Shady Maple Restau-rant
13 Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost Svc of Word & Sacrament Worship Team 5 Nursery - Amy Friemann
14 Boy Scouts 7:00 pm
15 Welcome Committee 10: am
16 Fellowship Dinner 5:30 pm
17 Choir 7:00 pm
18
19 PSEC Consistory
20 Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost Svc of Word Worship Team 6 Nursery - Joanne Levering
21 Boy Scouts 7:00 pm
22 Women’s Fellowship 7:00 pm
23 24 Choir 7:00 pm
25
26
27 Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost Svc of Word Worship Team 7 Nursery - Nancy Ewing Congregational Meeting 11:30 am
28 Boy Scouts 7:00 pm
29 District AA Meeting
30
PAGE 7 September 2015 NEWSLETTER
FELLOWSHIP DINNER
All are welcome to the
Fellowship Dinner
Wednesday September 16th
at 5:30pm! Come out and
fellowship with friends.
Gather together to
enjoy a meal prepared by our Hospitality
Ministry, along with some great conversa-
tion. Dessert donations are welcome. Please
sign up today in the narthex so we can pre-
pare enough food!
BIRTHDAYS
September
1….Peter Cibulsky
2….Kenneth Raspen, Sr.
10….Millie Alderfer
11….Doris Frain
14….Ellie Wellman
15….Arthur Gelwicks
17….Janice Moore
19….Joyce Clarke
20….Patricia Earnshaw
20….Tony Nuccitelli
23….Jennifer Clarke
23….Betty Lou Wilson
24….Dorothy DeWane
26….Donna Serina
27….Frank Donofrio
ANNIVERSARIES
September
4….Vincent & Pamela Marino
7….Scott & Sue Swinehart
20….Frank & Eleanor Donofrio
CONGREGATIONAL LIFE CON’T
HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE
Fall is almost here and that means the
Hospitality Committee will be back to serve
you, after our summer break. Our first
Fellowship Dinner will take place
on September 16th, a sign up sheet will be
on the bulletin board. Come out and enjoy a
meal and the fellowship with each other.
Coffee hour after Sunday
worship will also begin in
September in fellowship
hall. Volunteers are needed
to provide our coffee hour
goodies. There is no need
to bake, bought items are fine, fruit or cheese
and crackers would be great. We thank you
for your support. A sign up sheet will also be
posted on the bulletin board.
BOOK CONVERSATIONS
St. James Prayer Team
would like to start a book
discussion group, this Fall It
will meet at the church in the
parlor, where the library is located. We will
be asking people to share a short synopsis of
any book, even if you downloaded it to your
e-reader, sharing what you liked or didn’t
like about the book. It does not need to be a
religious book, it can be any book you
enjoyed or even one you would not
recommend. If you are interested, please
contact Rugene Caldwell at 484-300-4475 or
email [email protected]. Day & time
will be determined when we have 3 or four
people interested.
MENS’ BREAKFAST AT SHADY MAPLE
Saturday September 12th, time to be announced. We'll car pool from the St James parking lot.
With at least 15 folks, we can make a reservation for our usual time of 8:30. Please sign the
sheet on the sign-up board if you're planning to join us, so we can have a firm head count in
order to make a decision on the time. Bring your appetite!"
WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP
Women's Fellowship is meeting September
25th at 7pm at the church. We will be pick-
ing new Secret Pals and revealing ourselves
to our present ones. Bring a last time gift
for your pal and an empty tummy for an ice
cream social! Planning for the October
Rummage sale and later programs will take
place in our monthly meeting. All are
welcome!
PAGE 8 September 2015 NEWSLETTER
CONGREGATIONAL LIFE CON’T
SAVE THE DATE OF TUESDAY,
OCTOBER 20, 2015!
We have the opportunity to hear from Ariel
Royer who has been serving as a Global
Mission Intern with the Department of Ser-
vice for Palestinian Refugees in Lebanon.
Ariel assisted the director with English lan-
guage publications, communications, and
project proposals/reports. Her ministry was
made possible because of funds provided by
the Week of Compassion of the Christian
Church (Disciples of Christ) with whom the
UCC is affiliated.
Ariel is the daughter of Rev. Homer and Su-
san Royer. Homer has served churches in
Penn Southeast – New Goschenhoppen, Cal-
vary (Barto), Shenkel and is currently in Al-
lentown.
Lebanon is located on the coast of the Medi-
terranean Sea, a narrow strip of land slightly
smaller than the state of Connecticut. It of-
fers a range of land formations such as a
coastal plain that gives way to mountains in
the east. There is the fertile Bekaa Valley
that is cut by the Litani River. Cedar forests
once covered much of ancient Lebanon but
have now given way to urbanization. Beirut
is the capitol. Their constitution provided
for equitable political power among Chris-
tians and Muslims. However, social dispari-
ties between them continued and eventually
led to internal tension and strife. Civil war
erupted in 1975 and again in 1983. Peace
treaties were signed but not honored for
long. Its deep issues of political division and
burgeoning sectarian strife continue to be
highlighted by the conflict in Syria.
Our program will start at 7 p.m. There will
be time for questions. Light refreshments
will be served following Ariel’s sharing with
us.
Everyone is welcome to attend this talk by
Ariel. She'll be bringing us very current in-
formation of life in Lebanon....things that
don't always make the news. Let's extend a
warm welcome from St James to her!
CHOIR NEWS
Choir practice will
resume Thu. Sept.
10th, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
If you’ve been think-
ing about singing, this would be a good time
to start. We welcome back all current mem-
bers and are always happy to get new peo-
ple, or the return of former members. Con-
tact Donna Pinto (610) 792-1679 or email
music @stjamesucc.org for more info.
PAGE 9 September 2015 NEWSLETTER
CONGREGATIONAL LIFE CON’T
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRAYER
TEAM
We hope that by now everyone has noticed
the addition of the Prayer Tree placed on the
wall by the door on the left entrance to the
sanctuary. The Prayer Tree is just one of the
projects undertaken by the Prayer Team to
reach out and support the need for prayers
for our church members, visitors and the
community.
On one side of the tree, there is a basket of
stick-on notes and pens conveniently located
so anyone can add a prayer request. When
you learn of someone in need of prayer and
support, please consider posting a prayer re-
quest. You can be specific and add detail or
just add a name to the Prayer Tree. In addi-
tion to praying for the needs of others, we
also hope that you will remember to add a
note of praise and thanksgiving, and share
the joy of answered prayers with our church
community by posting a brief note.
Each week the names and prayer requests are
presented to the prayer chain and are then
included in daily prayers. On the last Sun-
day of the month, a member of the Prayer
Team will share the prayer requests with the
congregation and then will be included in our
prayers during the morning worship service.
If you have an update or change to the initial
posted prayer request, please contact a mem-
ber of the Prayer Team before the last Sun-
day.
The Prayer Tree is available for anyone to
use any time the building is open. We hope
everyone will feel free to take a moment to
add a prayer request to the tree and let your
prayer concern help us connect with God and
His amazing grace.
As the Prayer Team .we are extremely happy
and excited to have the ability to share prais-
es and concerns through prayer. Please join
us as our tree grows and continues to
flourish.
PAGE 10 September 2015 NEWSLETTER
FROM A MINISTER TO THE MINISTERS
Throughout the summer I shared a sermon series I called “Being Church.” I explored what I
consider to be the “ingredients” of the first church as described in Acts 2:42-47 when the first
Christians formed themselves following Pentecost. Each Sunday I discussed a different ingre-
dient using not only the Acts 2 verses but also other accounts in Acts that supported each par-
ticular ingredient.
When I worked on these messages, I found myself more and more intrigued by what I was
reading, studying, preaching, and discussing. When one really considers the foundation and
beginnings of “Church” as presented in Acts 2 and beyond, one (or at least, I) can’t help but
question how our typical 21st century Sunday morning church gathering resembled, if at all,
what I had been learning and continued to discover about the original church.
Several themes began to show up repeatedly in what I studied and the messages I shared;
themes of togetherness, sharing, openness, and gathering. It was also reiterated for me in
many ways that all that we do and are as “Church” originates and revolves around God and the
work of God demonstrated through Jesus Christ. As Jesus lived he encountered a variety of
people and life situations those people were experiencing. Each encounter produced different
reactions and responses from those who he met.
For me, a question surfaced, one that I have continued to mull around in my head. This
question has led me to pause and reflect on my typical, customary approach to “Church.” In
particular, this question has caused me to re-envision various elements of church life, especial-
ly our Sunday morning experience. The question goes something like this: What would be
different (if anything) if I/you/we approach our time together on a Sunday morning first
and foremost believing we are going to have an ENCOUNTER WITH GOD? Perhaps that
doesn’t sound like the revolutionary question I was setting it up to be; however, it really is one
that I think cuts to the heart of much of our contemporary Christian matter.
I believe most people attend a church on a Sunday morning to have a worship experience.
What I mean by that is not necessarily negative or critical, but rather just matter of fact. We
“go to church” to have an experience, one that, because it’s an experience, we already have
some preconceived notion of what is going to happen in some form or another. From out of
such a mindset we expect a worship experience to involve singing, praying, giving offering,
hearing someone preach a sermon based on Scripture that is also expected to be read. Such an
“experience” is happening in various shapes and sizes in church buildings, homes, auditori-
ums, warehouses . . . you name it, every Sunday (maybe even Saturday). It’s one of the main
measuring sticks people use to evaluate their church affiliation and it’s become one of the
main sources of contention over what is the “best” way to “do church” and/or get others to
“come to church.” (continues on page 11)
PAGE 11 September 2015 NEWSLETTER
More and more we expect to experience something in virtually everything in life. So why
not church? Either it’s, as I said, a preconceived idea of what we expect and always have ex-
perienced, or it’s the contemporary notion that we should have an emotional experience of
some sort via music of a band, soloist, top-notch instrumentalist, choir, etc. and/or a charis-
matic, dynamic speaker.
So what I’m asking with my questions is, would it be different for you and me to come to
our time on Sunday morning not expecting an experience of worship, but seeking an encounter
with God? Perhaps you might accuse me of splitting hairs or semantics. However, I believe
there is a difference. I believe that an experience preconceives expectations, while, on the oth-
er hand, an encounter implies a relationship of sorts.
Ask yourself: Would I approach Sunday morning gathering at St. James UCC church dif-
ferently if I went to meet God as opposed to go worship? You might, again, say, But I’m going
to worship God but, admit it, you and I are usually going to experience a worship service and
the various elements of that service/event.
But what happened when people met Jesus? What was their response to the encounter?
- Crying out, “Have mercy on me!”
- Reaching out in despair to touch his garment
- Bowing before him pleading for help
- Completely changing their lives around
- Dropping everything and following him
In other words, there were all sorts of responses, few of which looked much like our Sunday
morning worship experience. Encountering Jesus brought to surface unexpected emotions and
raw feelings; it lead to tossing aside pride and presenting oneself naked and unashamed before
him for his attention, touch, healing, word of assurance . . . . It might have resulted in a sprint,
a hug, a falling on the face, a scream of joy, a cry of relief, a song, a dance, a gasp, an ap-
plause, trembling in fear, holding each other in anticipation, silence . . . . When we encounter
God anything can and does happen. When two or more are gathered together in Jesus’ name,
he promises to be there.
What happens on Sunday morning if we come to meet God, to encounter Jesus?
Shouldn’t that be the attitude we have each Sunday (each day, frankly, but let’s focus on our
Sunday gathering together)? We’re not gathering to experience songs and prayers and sermons
and the like; we’re not gathering because of a preacher, a soloist, a musician, a band. We’re
coming on Sundays first and foremost to meet and encounter God in Jesus Christ. So things
will happen in the parking lot, restrooms, kitchen, Bible Study gathering, foyer, and the sanctu-
ary.
So what do you need this Sunday: Mercy? Forgiveness? His healing touch? A word
from Him? Assurance? Inspiration? Come and encounter Him, for where two or more gather
together in His name, he’ll be there. Pastor Brad
PAGE 12 September 2015 NEWSLETTER
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
GIRL SCOUT TROOP 71471
Girl Scout Troop 71471 completed their time as Brownies and officially
bridged to Junior Girl Scouts in June. This marked the second time the girls
have moved to another level of scouting by crossing a special bridge during a
ceremony in the pavilion at St. James. Later that month, we had our first tent-
camping experience with an overnight on the church grounds. We look for-
ward to many more years of growing and learning new things, and becoming girls who can
help the community and change the world, all from our "home" at St. James UCC. We thank
you for your continued support and allowing us to operate from your church.
PRAYING FOR ST. JAMES MEMBERS
Initiated by St. James Prayer Team, each Sunday two
church families are being included in the Sunday
worship prayer time. You are invited to include these
members and their families in your prayers
throughout that week.
September
6 Betty Lou Wilson
Elizabeth Wines
13 Dennis Ziegler
Ken and Nona Alderfer
20 Millie Alderfer
George and Mary Banyai
27 Leonard Baranoski
Stephen and Mary Barnaik
CUB SCOUTS TROOP 230
Cub Scout Pack 230 will be holding their annual Flag Retirement Ceremo-
ny on Thursday, September 10th from 7-8pm at St. James UCC. All are
invited to participate in this ceremony as we respectfully retire U.S. flags
and also remember America's heroes. If anyone has flags to retire they can
be brought to the ceremony, or arrange for drop-off if unable to attend in
person. Please contact the Pack with any questions or to arrange flag drop-
off ([email protected]).
PRAYER CONCERNS
For our friends Pearl Reinhart, Mary Ann Stonelake, Janice Moore, Betty Wines, Pat McFarland, Mary
and Steve Barnaik, Doris Frain, Pauline Ebersole, George and Mary Banyai, Heather Yates, Frances Ma-
jor, Melissa Moore and others who are in long term care or unable to leave their homes. We pray for
comfort, peace, healing and companionship for each of them.
For our friends Doris Frain, Amy Jo, Mark, Nona Alderfer, Stephen Barnaik, Nancy, Greg G, Christy T,
Laura Walters, Tyler, Holly, Greg, Steve, Bob and others with ongoing health concerns and challenging
life circumstances, we pray for caring hands, hope to live each new day, and the reassurance of God's
presence through the support of our congregation.
For our friends Iris, Kevin, Debbie K, Michael, Pat, Johnny, Don M, Chris, Florence Wilson, Nancy, Carl
H, Sharon Pugh, Richard Wildermuth, Rudy Meier, Paul B, Ralph Bainbridge and all cancer survivors,
we pray for treatment where it is possible and release from suffering where it is needed.
For our Military personnel including Nick Hurff and others we hold in our prayers all the men and wom-
en serving in the military. We pray for their safety while serving in foreign lands and also for the those
stationed in the US. We hold in prayers those that are suffering from PTSD, that they may find some re-
solve.
We ask prayers for St. James' search committee as they begin the process of putting together a profile of
our church and seek to find a spiritual leader for our congregation.
For the friends and family of Jim Postell, the son of Madeline Postell and sister of Pam Marino, and for
all who grieve at the deaths of those they deeply love and dearly miss, we ask that they might know the
comfort God offers through the community of faith as we surround them with our prayers.
Lord we thank you for all the blessings you have given each of us. We thank you for the healing, com-
fort, support and strength you have given to those in need. We pray for continue healing for those that
are still struggling with health concerns and those that morn the lost of loved ones. We continue to pray
for the Search Committee and the congregation, that we continue to be open to the Spirit's guidance.
Amen
We ask that any prayer requests during our church service be put on the cards at the end of the pew and
placed in the offering plate.
Please note that we will remove names on the prayer list after one month, except for homebound and hos-
pitalized members. Let us know if you would like to add or renew a request by office phone or email.
PAGE 13 September 2015 NEWSLETTER
Household Prayer: Morning
Into your hands, O Mighty God, I place
myself - my thoughts, my actions, my
intentions, my schedule, my ideas, my
work, my studies; let it all be yours. Turn
what I expect into what you want for me
and through me, and let me not miss you
this day. Amen.
Household Prayer: Evening
Loving Savior, into your hands I place my day;
it has been your day. Grant me rest, and while
I rest grant to me visions of what you have been
doing, dreams of where you are taking me,
solace in who you are making me through
Christ. This has been your day; prepare me to
DAILY PRAYERS FOR THE MONTH
September 2015 NEWSLETTER
Notes & Reminders
Materials for the October Newsletter are due on September 14th, 2015.
St. James United Church of Christ 321 South Limerick Road Limerick, PA 19468
NURSERY
September Schedule
September 13 Amy Friemann
September 20 Joanne Levering
September 27 Nancy Ewing
If you would like to volunteer to help with
the nursery, please contact Nancy Ewing at
SAVE THE DATE !
Rummage Sale
The Fall rummage sale is being held on
October 17th from 8 am to 1pm. This event
is sponsored by the Women’s Fellowship.
Blood Drive
Many thanks for the 19 donations of blood
at the summer Miller Keystone Blood Drive
on July 19th.
The next blood drive will be held on
Tuesday, December 29, 2015 from 2 to 7pm.