The X-UPdate October 2021

Kevin’s Korner

Welcome! We invite you to join us in worship Sundays at 10:30a.m. in the sanctuary or watch the live stream on Facebook. There is a link on our website (xeniaunited.org) to our Facebook page.

Ahh, Fall is in the air. With October comes cooler nights and shorter days that remind us winter is on the way. Though we may dread the thought of icy windshields, shoveling driveways and

shivering just from walking out to get the mail, winter isn't here yet. “Don't get ahead of yourself.” is a common idiom that begs the question of how can one actually get ahead of oneself? We can't. We have to live in the moment God gives us.

At a recent Bible Study, as we were considering the issue of suffering, someone observed that a

lot of unnecessary suffering is brought on by ourselves when we worry about what might happen in the future. We can drive ourselves nuts with what-ifs that have very little possibility of happening and

most times do not. Though it is always a good idea to plan ahead, we can never predict the future. As Jesus says, “can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?” (Matthew 6:27)

The other way we might fail to live in the moment is when we spend too much emotional

energy worrying about the past. Certainly, we all have things we regret doing, stupid things we said in a fit of anger or fear, impulsive actions we wish we could take back. Just as God's grace bids us to not worry about the future, God's mercy is there for us to not get too wrapped-up in the past. When we make mistakes or fail to do the good God intends, we have to admit it to God and perhaps the person we have wronged, ask for forgiveness, know our God is loving and merciful, slow to an-ger and abounding in steadfast love, and just move on!

We are meant to enjoy the beauty and joy of each day and deal with the trouble of today as it

comes to us. As Jesus also says, “So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” (Matthew 6:34) Today we have all sorts of things to be thankful for. We might also have troubles. We simply must enjoy the good and deal with the bad and not get too worked up with worry about what tomorrow will bring. I know, easier said than done.

There have been a LOT of changes here at Xenia United over the past three years – changes in

pastoral leadership, a merge and a pandemic to deal with. At each point you have had to make many tough decisions. Most were good and right, but I'm sure some could have been better. OK, let's move on. There are still more changes to come. Mostly, the call of a new pastor, but there will be other things that need to change as well. OK, we'll deal with them as they come. No need to get “ahead of ourselves” with worry.

Once more, Jesus gives us excellent guidance, “strive first for the kingdom of God and his

righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33) Keeping our hearts,

minds and eyes focused on Jesus and God's kingdom goals is the way the faithful are to live, it is the way to celebrate and enjoy everyday we live in Christ.

I'll see you in church and as the church in the world.

Peace, Kevin

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!

Volume 10 , I ssue 3 Page 2

Brother Puzzle’s Corner Hi! My name is Brother Puzzle. Like most of you, I am a member of Xenia United Presbyterian Church. My wife and I have two school-age grandsons who live with their mom and dad (our youngest son). Our grandsons enjoy puzzles, playing together and learning just about anything. Does anyone care to guess my real name. Shoot me an email if you think you got it. Brother Puzzle’s Corner is a brand-new monthly feature in the Xenia United Presbyterian Church newsletter. Each month will bring a fresh challenge in the form of a puzzle, which, when solved, supports a Biblical truth Let’s start with a gem from Lewis Carol, author of Alice in Wonderland and a math teacher. In the 1870s, Carol invented a word game that he called “Doublets”. This game has had several names throughout the years but the one I will use today is “Word Chains”. Here is how it goes. Take two words having the same number of letters, say cat and dog. Can the cat be turned into a dog by changing only one letter at a time, where each intermediate word can be found in an English dictionary? Cat to dog are doable, just consider the sequence: cat, cot, dot, dog. Again, every word in the chain must conform to these three simple rules: Every intermediate word must be in an English dictionary The player can only change one letter at a time The player cannot swap letter within a word And it goes without saying that the start and end words must be of the same length. Here are some difficulty guidelines: three letter words are usually easy; four letter words are the ones most often played; five letter words are just plain difficult; and six letter words are next to impossible. Here is a four-letter example, warm to cold: warm, ward, card, cord, cold. A five letter impossibility back in Carol’s day was taking a horse to the field? Hmm, might still be undoable! With that introduction, here are some challenges! Take the leftmost word in bold and turn it into the rightmost word in bold. Can a cow turn into a pig? Have you learned to tell time? The fox ate the hen. It’s summer, let’s go out and play ball! Jesus wants his disciples to Give to the poor. Jesus wants his disciples to Heal the Sick Jesus turned five fish into many fish. Hope for the best! Now for a real head banger! The devil wanted Jesus to turn a stone into bread To close can you create some puzzles of your own using instances from the life of Jesus? Have fun and Brother Puzzle will present a new challenge next month

Brother Puzzle’s Corner

The Spoken Word - Lectionary Readings October 17 21st Sunday after Pentecost Mark 4:35-41; Job 38:1-7, 34-41 “Divine Encounter” October 24 22nd Sunday after Pentecost Mark 10:46-52; Job 42:1-6, 10-17 “Now My Eyes See You”

October 3 World Communion Sunday Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper Psalm 8; Mark 10:13-16; Job 1:1; 2:1-10 “Meet Job”

October 10 20th Sunday after Pentecost Mark 10:17-31: Job 23:1-9, 16,17 “Questioning God”

October 31

All Saints Sunday Wisdom of Solomon 3:1-9; John 11:32-44 “Unbind Him”

Volume 10 , I ssue 3 Page 3

Catching Up with You

Kathy Barnett

Kathy Carter Barnett was born in Portsmouth, Ohio on September 25th, 1933. She had two sisters, and three brothers. She attended Valley Local High School in Lucasville, Ohio, and the Universi-ty of Dayton in Dayton, Ohio. A Presbyterian for over 50 years, Kathy’s church affiliations in Xenia have included Second UP Church, Memorial UP Church, and now Xenia United Presbyterian Church. Kathy shares that she has a great love of God, and holds Dr. Tom Martin, (Col.) and his wife Betty Martin in

high esteem as having influenced her Christian walk.

Kathy remembers her wedding to Robert Barnett, Col., Retired, as being a memorable event in her life. Bob and

Kathy were married for forty years until his death on May 25th, 1999. They have no children.

Her friendships include Eloise Kinder Logan, and also Ann Williams, who was her former neighbor in Xenia. She enjoys spending time walking and reading. Kathy is now residing in Assisted Living in the Dayton area, and says she

misses everyone.

Betty Anderson is a conversationalist, a talker, a singer, an excellent cook, and a server of people.

Betty turned 90 years old February 14th. Does that make her a sweetheart? She was born in

Woodford County, Kentucky; attended Nonesuch Elementary School, Versailles High School, West-

ern Kentucky University, and University of Kentucky. In 1953 she married Robert DALE Anderson

and moved to Xenia, his hometown. To that union came two children, Jayne and David. Dale and David have been

deceased for a number of years. Betty listed as her most memorable event, the birth of her two children.

Betty's work life includes being a telephone operator, a cashier, and an electronics assembler. Favorite past-times

are boating, sewing, and reading; and I am going to add cooking. Betty wants us to know that Neil and Phyllis

Bottorff are special friends to her, the best friends a person could have. In college she was a home economics major

and she has demonstrated at church meals that she had mastered the cooking end of that major quite well; those

green beans, scalloped potatoes, potato salad were special and the rhubarb pies were exceptional---they didn't last

long.

Betty has been a part of a Presbyterian Congregation for over 65 years, more than 50 at Westminster. During that

time she has served as a Deacon, headed the preparation of special meals, on numerous committees, active in the

Women's Association and sang in the choir. In the last few years she and her daughter Jayne have delivered

hundreds of meals prepared by XARSC to people in need. Unfortunately numerous physical problems, including

losing much sight, has restricted her activity. Fortunately she has a fantastic memory so she can relive an eventful

life of service.

Betty H. Anderson

February 14, 1931 - September 24, 2021

The X-UPdate from Xenia United Presbyterian Church Page 4

Mission at Work The letter below was given to the Mission Committee in response to a COVID-19 donation that was made to the Xenia Community Schools. Donna Shaw and Sandi Jacobs met with the Mission team during our Sept. committee meeting.

To Our Friends at Xenia United Presbyterian Church,

My name is Donna Shaw, and I am the gifted coordinator for Xenia Community Schools. I have the privilege of working alongside the great Sandi Jacobs of your congregation! On behalf of our staff of the elementary gifted department that includes Sandi, match teacher Amanda Johnson, reading teacher Leah Pham, and myself, we just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you, person, for your generous contribution to our program last year.

The XTAR program has been around for over 30 years and it has been one of my greatest joys to serve the gifted and talented students of Xenia Community Schools in grades 3 through 5 for almost 20 years now. We provide services to approximately 150-175 students each year and price ourselves on running a program that focuses on project-based learning.

As our program has expanded over the years, the need has become greater as many families in our community are not able to afford to cover the cost of participating in the gifted program. Because of this, I have written grants, sought out donations from family, friends, and even previous students, offered sponsorship opportunities through a banner program, and we have held fundraisers each year. Each year, we have been fortunate enough to raise enough money to cover the cost of those students whose families are not able to pay the activity fee. But then, the COVID-19 pandemic hit and we had no idea how we were going to maintain the integrity of our program in both and in person school setting where we went into the different schools rather than have our students with us in our own building while also providing students who were working remotely with the same opportunities. In short, we ran a hybrid program to meet the needs of all of our students last school year.

Your generous donation last school year played a vital role in helping the staff of the Xenia Community Schools gifted program continue to provide real world enrichment opportunities to our students through project based learning and hands-on activities. Some of these opportunities include: 3rd graders being able to investigate different methods of gardening which included learning about hydroponics and being able to borrow shoebox hydroponic kits to grow vegetables at home; 4th and 5th graders learning the ins and outs of entrepreneurship by choosing items to manufacture and sell in an online store they created all while collecting donations for various charities throughout Green county, as One Bistro, Simon Kenton Bridges of Hope, Humane Society of Greene Count, X-Out Hunger, Interfaith Hospitality, and the Xenia Area Fish Food Pantry; and 5th graders exploring the many facets of flight through kits provided by our friends at the Central State University 4H Extension Office just to name a few.

Additionally, some of the funds given by your organization were initially allocated to help us purchase dividers to use on our tables to provide a little more protection for our students when they came to our building in person. Since we did not get to have them in our classroom space last year, we did not need the dividers at that time. However, we are happy to report that our students are now back with us in our own space and each classroom has 2 sets of dividers (total of 6) that will give us a little more peace of mind when we have small groups working together from different schools.

On March 22nd of this year, I sent this in an email to the parents of our nearly 160 students…

“Dear XTAR Parents

I wanted to share a bit of good news with you. Due to the generosity of several benefactors and connections with organizations, I am happy to inform you that we have received enough money and supplies to be able to waive the XTAR fees for this school year. We have formed some strong community partnerships and have been able to reallocate grant funds in addition to receiving private donations to be able to provide our students with the hands-on kits that we have passed out this year.”

To be able to offer some relief to our parents and to maintain the integrity of our gifted program was made possible,

in part, because of you. On behalf of my staff and the students we work with, we thank you again for seeing a need

and sharing your resources with us. We are truly grateful for your generosity.

The X-UPdate from Xenia United Presbyterian Church Page 5

Feeding Mind, Body, and Soul

Pumpkin Crunch Cake

15 ounces canned pumpkin puree 12 ounces evaporated milk

4 large eggs 1 1/2 cups sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon ground ginger pinch of cloves

1 teaspoon salt 1/2 box yellow cake mix see note

1 cup chopped pecans 1 cup butter melted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13 baking dish with non-stick spray. In a large bowl, beat together the pumpkin, milk, eggs, sugar, and spices until well combined. Pour into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the top with yellow cake mix. I prefer a half of a box, but use more if you want it to be very cakey. Sprinkle with the chopped pecans. Pour the melted butter evenly over the top of the cake. Bake for 60-70 minutes or

until the top is lightly browned and the custard is set. Serve warm or cold. Store in the refrigerator.

XUPC Cooks

Bible Study: Contact the church office or Pastor Murphy for details. Tuesdays at 10:30a.m. in the church library and via Zoom Refer to the Spoken Word for scripture references… the class studies the next Sunday’s scripture each week.

Attention Single Ladies of XUPC:

The Single Ladies Lunch group travels to restaurants once a month. If you are interested in joining or have questions, please contact Linda Howey (937-376-9686) .

Oct. 22nd Village Family Restaurant, Waynesville - Noon

Men’s Monthly Fellowship Breakfast Date: Second Tuesday of the month

Time: 08:30

Location: Xenia Frisch’s (order and prepay at the counter per Frisch’s current policy)

All the XUPC Men are invited to come for a short devotional, prayer, and breakfast. Contact John Sparks for more info. (937-376-9044)

Fill Up the FISH Boat!

Xenia FISH Food Pantry: non-perishable food and monetary donations. Sunday, October 31 is our next collection day. Please mark “FISH Pantry”

on checks or envelopes. Thank you!

No Steak Steak Fry Fund Raiser

Sunday, Oct. 10

Due to COVID, the Mission Team has decided to skip the steak dinner and instead asks for donations of $10 (the cost of the dinner ticket). All funds raised will go to the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance program. Please mark your donation “PDA Mission”

Page 6

If I have missed anyone’s birthday, please let me know in

the office. Mary

Remember in Prayer: Ben White, John Curry, Jackie Nowak, Kathleen Strickland, Joan Anderson, Sandy Smith, Leesa Poole, Jennifer Harphant, Judy Martin, Mary Ann Van Horn, John Townsley, John Sparks, Carolyn Sparks, our members who are homebound and in care facilities, and military personnel and their families who wait for them to come home.

If you or someone you know would like prayer, please contact Mary Quinn in the church office (937-376-9461 or mquinn@xeniaunited.org)

Birthdays/Volunteers

October Birthdays

If you are willing and able, please consider being a lay reader or doing children’s time for our Sunday morning services. You can contact Carolyn Randall (937-372-3239) to be a lay reader and the office (937-376-9461) to help with children’s time. We have resources if you would like to help but need a story or lesson for children’s time.

The Flower Chart is posted on the bulletin board in the hallway across from the parlor. If you would like to provide sanctuary flowers in honor of a special occasion or in memory of a loved one, please sign up on the chart and take a copy of the instructions. You can call the office for more information.

The list of lay readers and children’s time leaders is posted on the bulletin board in the hallway across from the parlor.

Have you noticed the updated Bulletin Boards at Xenia United Presbyterian Church?

The Mission Committee maintains two Bulletin Boards, one across from the Fellowship room and one in the hallway with the offices. Keep update to date with the things happening with the Mission team.

Michael F 4-Oct

Sawyer B 10-Oct

John D 12-Oct

Kathy H 12-Oct

Leesa P 16-Oct

Marlene E 18-Oct

Sandi J 19-Oct

Lynda M 24-Oct

John S 24-Oct

Logan D 25-Oct

David C 26-Oct

Sarah H 29-Oct

Pat R 31-Oct

Thank you to all who sent Happy Birthday wishes for my surprise card shower. They were greatly appreciated and made it a very Happy Birthday!

Ruby Rector

Trunk or Treat is happening at Xenia

United. Our plan is to have it the same

day as Xenia’s Trick or Treat. More

details to follow

Xenia United

Presbyterian Church

343 West Ankeney Mill Rd,

Xenia, OH 45385

Church Office – 376-9461

Contact Information

Office Hours: M-F 10a.m.-2p.m.

E-mail:

xupc@xeniaunited.org Website:

www.xeniaunited.org

Xenia United Presbyterian Church

Rev. Kevin Murphy

Interim Pastor kmurphy@xeniaunited.org

Nancy Beam, Director of Youth & Children’s Ministries

nbeam@xeniaunited.org

Michael Weller, Music Director

Jill-Ann Bryant, Organist

Anne Posey, Dixie Szalejko Memorial Preschool Directors

preschool343@aol.com

Mary Quinn, Office Admin. mquinn@xeniaunited.org

Pam Lubbers, Financial

Secretary plubbers@xeniaunited.org

Office Memos

Bulletin information must be received in the office by Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m. to guarantee inclusion in the next week’s bulletin. Newsletter information and articles must be received in the office by the 22nd of each month to guarantee inclusion. Committees and Teams, please let the office know of any meeting schedule changes as soon as possible.

If you need assistance immediately for an emergency outside of office hours, you can call Mary at home (937-736-2531) or Pastor Murphy (859-391-7867).

Sweet Dreams Ministry:

937-376-9461 ext. 2

As of September 1, 2021, masks are required inside the church building. Please be considerate of those who continue to wear a mask for their own health and comfort.

Other protocols listed below are still in effect at this time.

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2

3 World Communion Peace & Global Witness Offering

10:30 AM Worship with

Communion - Sanctuary and

Facebook Live

4 5

10:30 AM Bible Study -

Library, Zoom

6

1:00 PM GCRTA Board

Mtg. - Fellowship Hall

7 8 9

10

10:30 AM Worship - Sanctuary and

Facebook Live

No Steak - Steak Fry

Fund Raiser for Presbyterian Disaster Relief

11 12

8:30 AM Men's Fellow-

ship Breakfast - Xenia

Frisch's

10:00 AM Visitation -

B. Anderson

11:00AM - B. Anderson

Memorial Service

3:00 PM Worship and

Music Team -

Library/Zoom

4:00 PM Stewardship

Team - Computer Rm

4:30 PM Spiritual

Growth Team - Room 1

6:00 PM Mission Team -

Library/Zoom

13 14 15 16

17

10:30 AM Worship - Sanctuary and

Facebook Live

18 19

10:30 AM Bible Study -

Library, Zoom

20 21 22

Deadline for Memos

12:00 PM Single

Ladies Lunch

23

24

10:30 AM Worship - Sanctuary and

Facebook Live

25 26

10:30 AM Bible Study -

Library, Zoom

5:00 PM Trustee

Meeting - Chapel

5:00 PM Deacon

Meeting - Room 1, Zoom

7:00 PM Session -

Fellowship Hall, Zoom

27 28 29 30

31

FISH Food Pantry Collection Day

10:30 AM Worship - Sanctuary and

Facebook Live

Trunk or Treat

I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits,

and in his word I put my hope.