The New

Covenant

January

2019

Inside this issue:

Blackstone Valley

Emergency Shelter

Front

Volunteer Schedule 2

Pastor’s Piece 3

Book Club 3

Coffee Fellowship 3

Joys and Concerns 4

Peace of Bread 4

KMHMC Love Gifts 5

Book Nook 6

Overriding Heat 6

Day-Time Bible Study 6

Birthdays 6

Calendar 7

Youth Choir Back

News of the Family from The United Presbyterian Church at Whitinsville

The United Presbyterian Church at Whitinsville

51 Cottage St. (church) - 7 Spring St. (office), Whitinsville, MA 01588

Phone: 508.234.8220 Website: www.whitinpres.org www.facebook.com/whitinpres

Office E-mail: office@whitinpres.net

Rev. Dr. Susan DeHoff E-mail: sldehoff@verizon.net

Office Hours: 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM Monday & Wednesday

8:00 AM - 12:00 PM Thursday & Friday

*The church office is CLOSED on Tuesdays.

In case of emergencies, please call 774-246-6313

Blackstone Valley Emergency Shelter is in full swing

Now that the holidays are over and we are in the first week of January 2019 we have

some typical bitter cold moving into the Northeast. Our shelter was open 16 nights in

December and has had a number of different guests taking advantage of the warmth of

our local churches.

We are excited to announce that we are close to having our fourth church coming on

board! The Cornerstone Church in North Uxbridge has just received their approval to

become a temporary emergency shelter! God is SO good.

The Cornerstone Church is hoping to be open on Friday nights as soon as they get their

local inspections from the Uxbridge Board of Health and the Building Inspector. Having

them onboard will be a true blessing and hopefully will open the door for other

Uxbridge churches to consider becoming a part of the BVES system.

The BVES currently has 126 volunteers. We are looking for many more. Our goal is to

have two more churches consider becoming shelter locations and then focus on being

open more often. To do that we will need to double the number of volunteers.

Please consider filling out an application to become a volunteer. Your time would be

such a gift to those that are less fortune that us. We have a number of people living in

their cars or in tents when the shelter isn’t open and they truly appreciate a warm cot,

blanket and pillow on the nights we are open.

**Sunday Morning Worship Schedule**

Adult Education 9:30AM - 10:30AM Morning Worship Service 10:30AM - 11:30AM Coffee Fellowship 11:30 AM “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them” Matthew 18:20

Page 2

Ministries Jan 6 Jan 13 Jan 20 Jan 27 Feb 3

PoM WL 1/9

S. Phoebe

1/16

D. Redden

1/23

L. Redden

1/30

G. Shannon

2/6

J. Vollmer

PoM Power

Point C. Phoebe C. Phoebe C. Phoebe C. Phoebe L. Joyce

Worship Leader A. Reichert M. Thomas G. Shannon R. Thomas K. Bilodeau

Children's

Sermon Rev. DeHoff A. Santoro K. Bilodeau G. Shannon

Welcome Center

J. Baker M. Spalton S. Santoro C. Matchett B. Keeler

Greeter A. Castonguay K. Bilodeau T. Morin C. Frieswyk G. Giemza

Offering Counters

N. Joyce & D.

Miedema D & S Mateer

M. Austin & T.

Schelin

C. Pilibosian & G.

Giemza

Power Point N. Redden N. Redden N. Redden N. Redden N. Joyce

Communion Server

B. Spalton,

A. Reichert,

B. Giemza &

R. Matchett

G. Shannon,

S. Phoebe,

B. Giemza &

A. Whitney

Communion In-Home

B. Spalton,

R. Matchett,

T, Morin

~ January ~

From December 2 to December 24 we waited. What we waited

for and what we received will inform our waiting during Advent

2019. It should also inform our New Year’s resolutions.

It often seems that we focus quite a bit of attention on waiting during Advent but

little on what we receive as the days of waiting are fulfilled on Christmas Eve. It seems

that as soon as Christmas Eve services are over, we turn our attention to the wrapped

and ribboned gifts beneath the tree. That may be the way we segue back into the daily

routine after the transcendent moments of Christmas Eve, but it truncates Christmas.

Just for a moment, reflect on what we received on Christmas Eve. Go back to a

moment during the service when your spirit transcended the daily routine and felt the

stirring reality of God coming to earth. In the stillness of that moment, recall what it was

like to be so loved by God that God came to earth to cuddle up next to you. That is

what babies do: They nestle in your arms and lay their heads in the curve of your neck.

There is so much promise and so much depth in that love! It grows and takes on different

modes of expression, but its depth reaches into the very heart of our being.

The love we experience on Christmas Eve is the love that changes us and our

world. At least it has the potential to do that. Now, as Christmas Eve fades into the

distance and we experience the nearness of the trade war, threats from North Korea, the

daily barrage of news about Russian political interference around the globe, the increasing

threat of gun violence in our schools, and upcoming winter snow storms, that

transcendent moment when we felt loved and new again, when we felt all the promises

for the future that come with the reality of God With Us, seems like just a fantasy dream.

The challenge for us as Christians is to bring the reality of that transcendent

moment on Christmas Eve into everyday reality. In giving us that challenge, God does not

ask us to do anything God has not already done. A little over 2000 years ago, God took

up the challenge of bringing transcendent reality into everyday earthly reality; God

entered our reality as a baby. That gives us permission to bring the Presence of God that

we felt on Christmas Eve into our daily reality one baby step at a time. We can begin

with one moment a day devoted to communion with God. We can spend one moment

each day experiencing God’s love for us and for each person we meet. We can begin

with one small, loving gesture toward another person. We can begin by seeing, for just

one day, God With us in the newspaper headlines, our financial strains, our health

concerns, the snow in the driveway.

My prayer for us all is not a “Happy New Year,” but rather a blessed new year in

which we each become increasingly aware of and increasingly share with others all the

blessings of Immanuel.

Page 3

Sign up at church to

volunteer for Coffee

Fellowship

Epiphany Sunday

Women’s Book

Club for January

will be Friday,

January 18th at

6:30 pm. We will

be discussing the

book “Rhinestone

Jesus” by Kristen

Welch

Saying Yes to God

When Sparkly, Safe

Faith Is No Longer

Enough.

Page 4

Our praises to God for:

Second Sunday

Social

January has us

hoping to be

rooting for the New

England Patriots in

the Playoffs so we

will gather for

appetizers and

finger desserts after

Sunday worship,

January 13th.

Rosie—Danielle Redden expressed joy and praise that her friend Josh’s sister, Rosie, had

her surgery for colon cancer and is now CANCER FREE. Her wedding plans can now

resume.

Tony--Katrina expressed praise that Tony, the father-in-law of a friend, who suffered a

stroke while visiting from Ireland is now back in Ireland recovering. Doctors have told him if

he had not have been in the United States when he suffered the stroke, he would not have

made it!

James Serna—It was with great joy that we learned of the birth of James Serna to Renn

& Aaron Serna. Mom, Dad and Baby are all doing fine.

Carol Pilibosian expressed joy on the occasion of her daughter’s (Heather) 42nd birthday.

After some troubled years, Heather has found real happiness and joy. Carol also thanked

the Lord for the four generations of women in her family.

The Platt Family—Harriet expressed joy that her grandson, Jacob, will be home on leave

from the Air Force for Christmas and that her granddaughter, Ariel and Ariel’s son, Finn,

will also be home for Christmas. She also expressed happiness that her granddaughter,

Kaitlin, has been accepted to the college of her choice.

Suzanne Santoro expressed joy that her granddaughter, Melanie Powers, has finished

her first semester of college and did very well.

Pastor Sue expressed joy that her grand-nephew, Cameron, will be graduating from

Clemson University the week before Christmas.

Betsy Aldrich—Bev Keeler thanked everyone for their prayers for her friend, Betsy, who

is now settled in at home after a short stay at St. Camillus. She would especially like to thank

Gay McCrea who is an “angel of mercy” when anyone is in need.

Maria Powers—Suzanne expressed thanks that her daughter, Maria, will not need to have

surgery on her wrist which was broken in an automobile accident during the recent

snowstorm.

David—Danielle would like to thank everyone who prayed for her friend Esther’s little

brother, David. His treatments are working and his bone fracture is finally healing.

Tanya—Tanya expressed thanks and joy for a successful first week at her new job; she is so

happy to be back doing what she loves.

Henry—Mark Thomas expressed thanks for our prayers for his dad, Henry, who is making

progress.

Please be in Prayer for:

Maria Powers—Maria announced that she will be having surgery on Thursday, December

27 and asked for our prayers for successful surgery and good news.

Gail’s Family—Diane Copp’s neighbor, Gail, passed away on December 20. Diane asked

for prayers for Gail’s family.

Ronda Thomas shared that her Mom had been planning a trip to Canada with Ronda’s

brother, but fell as she was leaving the house. Please pray for her healing.

Carl—Annmarie Castonguay requested prayer for her brother-in-law’s dad, Carl. Carl’s

health is very fragile. Please pray that God will give him peace and that Carl will be aware of

God’s great love for him.

Page 5

Ray & Sue—Mary Spalton’s brother-in-law, Ray, (after enjoying Thanksgiving with his family) went to be with the Lord

on Sunday, November 25. Please keep Mary’s sister, Sue, and her family in your prayers.

Christopher & Nicky—Please keep Mary Spalton’s nephew and his wife, Nicky, in your prayers. Nicky’s father

recently passed away quite suddenly, and Christopher’s dad, Ray, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 25.

Chris Bilodeau’s Mom—Chris requested prayer for his Mom who has Parkinson’s disease.

Theresa’s Mother—Annmarie requested prayer for her neighbor Theresa’s mother who has been falling. She has

been in and out of the hospital and doctors do not yet know why she is falling.

Katrina’s Dad—Katrina requested prayer for her Dad who has been diagnosed with colon cancer. Doctors suspect

there may also be cancer on his pancreas.

Bob & Jean—Bob, a dear friend of Jean Finnegan’s, passed away recently. Please keep his wife, Jean, and her family

in your prayers.

Katrina also asked for prayer for a friend’s family who have been visiting from Ireland. While visiting, the father

suffered a stroke.

Richard--Brandy’s brother, Richard, is very ill and needs a blood transfusion and a liver transplant, but refuses

treatment because of his religious beliefs.

Jean—Tanya’s friend Jean developed a hernia and required immediate surgery. Please pray for her speedy recovery.

Gaye Shannon’s Mom--Gaye’s Mom celebrated her 85th birthday last week. She still has severe nerve pain in her

leg which the doctors have not yet figured out how to treat. Please keep her in your prayers.

Remember Those in Hospitals, Rehab Centers and Nursing Homes:

Leona Cook - St. Camillus Health Center, 447 Hill Street, Whitinsville, MA 01588

Marion Boyd – Beaumont Assisted Living, 85 Beaumont Dr., Rm 21, Northbridge, MA 01534

Arlene Koopman - Beaumont Assisted Living, 85 Beaumont Dr., Rm 17, Northbridge, MA 01534

Making Your Requests for Prayer Known

You may use our Email prayer chain (upcwprayerchain@googlegroups.com) to share your prayer request.

Before the worship service, write your request on a piece of paper & give it to the worship leader.

During the worship service, share your request during the “Prayers of the People” segment. OR

Call (508-234-8220)or Email (whitinpres@gmail.com) your request to the church office.

Kathryn M Huston Mission Circle Love Gifts 2018

Church

Fuel Fund $1, 000

Peace of Bread Community Kitchen $500

UPC Shelter $100

Gaye Shannon - PrimeTime $100

NAC Fuel Fund $500

Children’s Haven (Inner City Ministry) $500

Philippines Health Center (Kelses) $600

Missionary Athletes (Davidsons) $500

Native American Christian Academy $600

Scholarship for Karolina Owens

Christmas Gift for Karolina $50

Presbyterian Disaster Relief $300

Presbyterian Women’s Birthday Offrng $250

——————

$5,000

To God be the Glory!

Page 6

I have two books to suggest this month, both of which focus on personal spiritual growth. The

first book is “an old chestnut” that has been translated into about every language there is and

printed and re-printed more times than anyone can count. In short, it is a classic in the genre of

spiritual growth literature. Abide In Christ by Andrew Murray takes its title from John 15, the mid-

dle of Jesus last discourse with his disciples before he was crucified. Murray explores what Jesus

meant by that directive. The 31 chapters are short, and each one can be read easily in a day.

They can be read in one sitting if you can spend more than five minutes in your devotional time.

The other book is a more recent one. The Path of Waiting by Henri J. M. Nouwen is a very small book that would

easily fit into a jacket or sweater pocket. It recalls Psalm 130:6 that says, “my soul waits for the Lord more than they

that watch for the morning.” The liturgical calendar begins with the first Sunday in Advent, which is a time of waiting.

Nouwen talks about how Zechariah, Elizabeth, and Mary waited and suggests the meaning of that waiting. But he goes

on from there to speak more broadly about waiting. The reality is that throughout our lives we are waiting for some-

thing. The discipline of Christian waiting is a discipline worth considering, and Nouwen’s book is a good place to

start.

Rev. Dr. DeHoff

Winterwear for the Homeless

January Birthday Corner

Troy Giezma 1/8

Kevin Redden 1/11

Courtney Ritchings 1/11

Anna Santoro 1/18

Dave Miedema 1/20

Linda Skillen 1/20

Chris Shannon 1/21

Todd Schelin 1/24

Palmer Swanson 1/25

Joanne Zeis 1/30

Anniversary Corner

Tom & Sharon Emerick 1/7

If the church office doesn’t have you/your family’s birthday/anniversary information, start 2017 off

right and let your church family celebrate your special days with you. Please call Alice in the office

at 508-234-8220 or email the office at office@whitinpres.net so we can include your birthday/

anniversary dates in the Sunday bulletins and monthly newsletter.

Overriding Heat Problem

We are having a huge problem with people

overriding the programmed thermostats and

leaving the heat up in the sanctuary, gathering

room and Fellowship hall. The past week.

Whoever puts it on Hold must be responsible for

turning it back down. We are wasting a

considerable amount of the heat budget.

Interested in a Daytime Bible Study?

We are looking for people who would like to have a day

time Bible study on Mondays (late morning or early

afternoon). Studying the Book of Galatians until the Lent

Season, then we will focus on scripture about Lent. If you

are interested please let Rev. DeHoff (sldehoff@verizon.net,

508-845-5005), Dianne Copp (smithcoppde@yahoo.com,

508-476-5039) or the church office.

Jan

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Year's

1

2

2:45

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Prim

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3

4

5

5

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Peace of B

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6:30

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Men’s Bible Stud

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6

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Peace of M

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Choir Practic

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Sund

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Trustees

6:45

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Mission

Stud

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5:30

Peace of B

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6:30

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Men’s Bible Stud

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8am B

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10:30

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7:00

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6:15

Peace of M

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7:00

Serm

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Choir Practic

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14

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18

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PM

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5:30

Peace of B

read

6:30

AM

Men’s Bible Stud

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8am B

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10:30

Worship Service

6:15

Peace of M

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6:30

PM

Wom

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Book

Club

11:30

Second

Sun

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7

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7

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Choir Practic

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22

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5:30

Peace of B

read

6:30

AM

Men’s Bible Stud

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8am B

ible Study

10:30

Worship Service

6:15

Peace of M

usic

11:30

Coffe

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7

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Serm

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Choir Practic

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27

28

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Choir Practic

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51 Cottage Street

Whitinsvile, MA 01588

Phone: 508-234-8220

Email: office@whitinpres.org

United Presbyterian

Church of Whitinsville

News of the Church Family from the

United Presbyterian Church at

Whitinsville

NON-PROFIT

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

Permit No. 27

whitinpres.org

www.facebook.com/whitinpres/

2019 UPC 12-Week Spring Youth Choir with Matthew and Kristin Stone

The UPC Spring Youth Choir is about growing together in music and God's abounding love. For youth ages 5-18

We will meet at United Presbyterian Church Whitinsville downstairs in the main fellowship hall, 9:00 - 10:15 AM

Sunday mornings. Any child not wanting to be in the choir is also very welcome!

- 9:00 - 9:20: Worship-through-Music Group Lesson, Chat, and Prayer

We will reflect on music, what it is, and how it connects us with God and each other and we will briefly discuss the songs

for the day!

- 9:25: Warm up

- 9:30 - 10:15: Youth Choir Practice

We will learn, practice, and rehearse songs including those in preparation for the Palm Sunday Church Service.

- 10:15: Wind down

- 10:20: Dismissal for Church Service

* We will not meet January 20 or February 24.