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FOCUS ON

FAITH

Volume 51, Number 6 2021

United with Christ, we are committed to sharing the transformative love of

God’s grace and peace through service to our neighbors.

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Faith United Church of Christ 5992 Route 378 Center Valley, PA 18034 610-282-3939 faithchurchcv@gmail.com www.faithchurchucc.org

We are an Open & Affirming Congregation

No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey you are welcome here.

2021 Consistory

Officers: President: Becky Hite

Vice President: Mike Ford Secretary: Mary Ellen Long

Elders: Deacons: Mike Ford Tom Berghold Tracy Adams Jerry Trexler Mary Ellen Long Justin Koser Becky Hite Brenda Hovis Matt Long Kim Ritter Ken Koehnlein Joan Hassler

Church Treasurer: Deb Herstine Liaisons:

Christian Ed: Mike Ford Budget/Finance: Jerry Trexler Fellowship/Outreach: Matt Long Mission: Tracy Adams Enduring /Mem. Gifts: Mary Ellen Long Youth Group: Becky Hite Property: Ken Koehnlein Day Care: Pastor Bruce Staff Relations: Joan Hassler Fundraising: Brenda Hovis Worship: Kim Ritter Choir: Tom Berghold

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A NOTE FROM THE PASTOR

Dear Friends,

A few weeks ago I displayed the magnificent power of Gorilla Glue to the youth through the Children’s Sermon. I had broken a pottery chalice. It was a clean break and I was able to put it back together without a problem. The break is hardly noticeable but I will not be able to drink from it again. I’m sure the crack is not completely sealed and I’m sure that Gorilla Glue is toxic. For now, this chalice will have to be retired. However, retired does not mean forgotten. It will still have a purpose and a use.

I have used this chalice more times than I can count celebrating communion with you. At the heart of the Sacrament of Communion is the act of remembering. Remembering in a deep and personal way. Remembering Jesus, His life, His ministry, the example of His love, His sacrifice on the cross, and His victory over sin and death for humankind through His resurrection.

I have moved the Chalice and the matching plate and pitcher to a shelf on the book shelf in my office. The set has been retired from service on the altar but on the shelf, it will become a constant reminder of communion with Christ and with you, the meal of community, community, and everlasting life. A reminder that death cannot overpower life, sorrow cannot over shadow joy, sharing does more than selfishness, community is the way of the Gospel, and that these truths are too easily forgotten. We need to be reminded.

And so, there it is. Standing on the shelf as a silent reminder of what Christ has done for me and the blessings that I have received from this community of faith.

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Do you notice something else? The small silver chalice in front of the plate. It was with that chalice that I celebrated communion with my first Confirmation Class back in 1986. It was a sacred moment that I don’t care to forget and with the help of that chalice I won’t. Jesus told us to remember Him whenever we return to the table. Find ways to remember them and all of the days in between. Peace,

Puzzle Answer: breath, egg, rain, hole, , sun

Because we are not all attending church in person yet, we will vote

to approve a 2022-2024 slate of Elders, Deacons, and Consistory Officers

by mail in ballots or electronic voting.

A Ballot and a return envelope are included in the newsletters mailed to those who do not have access

to a computer.

For those who do have access, click here to vote electronically.

Voting will open on June 6th and close on June 14th.

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ALL MEMBERS

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Faith United Church of Christ Pierogi Fundraiser The Fundraising Committee is having a Pierogi Sale! The pierogies are top quality and homemade by Papa Sarge's, a new company

based in the Lehigh valley.

When: May 24 - June 13th orders will be taken Pick-up - July 1st 4:00-6:00 in the church parking lot by pantry door Payment - Pay for your orders on the day of pick-up (cash or check made out to Faith Church) How to order: Click HERE to order online or you can call Louise Christman @ 610-216-0547 to place an order (leave a message if you get an answering machine) Types of Pierogies: Potato and Cheese - 1 Dozen $8.00 Bacon, Potato, Cheese - 1 Dozen $9.00 Sauerkraut, Potato, Cheese - 1 Dozen $9.00 Apple - 1 Dozen $9.00

The pierogies freeze well, in fact, they are flash frozen for your convenience. You can prepare one, five, or the whole dozen at one time. Stock-up and enjoy!

WE WILL BE WELCOMING NEW MEMBERS ON SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2021.

If you are interested in joining Faith Church please contact Pastor Bruce at 610-282-3939 or email him at

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Pentecost Sunday, May 23, 2021

Sadie Shafer & Lily Maginn had their 1st Communion and received Bibles.

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ALERT -

Members and Friends of

Faith UCC, CV, PA

We’re ramping up efforts to return

to a new normal in the coming

weeks - and many of you will be an

important part of this effort. Music

at Faith has always been a primary

component of our community

worship experience. Your weekly

singing since April 11 reopening has

been an inspiration to all of us. I

hope more will attend these safe

surroundings. Thank you for that beautiful experience! Before we

can be in full gear later in the year, I invite and encourage those

who possess a magical talent to be part of special music in the com-

ing weeks. You are NEEDED. No money requests from you just

share your talent of music in community worship experience. It

really has a significant impact on everyone - sanctuary and cyber-

space. Want to sing, choose a favorite hymn tune - solo, duet,

etc.; play guitar, trumpet, piano or harp, just choose a Sunday to

offer your gift. It is a critical moment for ALL of us as we journey

through this challenging time. Check your life calendar, choose a

Sunday and call me... Dennis Duda at 215.361.8641 or

ddduda@verizon.net. We can make this a wonderful moment for

everyone at Faith Church. Thank you so much. Miss you all so

very much! DD

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Dads are most ordinary men turned by love into heroes, adventurers, storytellers and singers of song. —Pam Brown

JUNE VOLUNTEERS

Date Head Usher

Usher Usher Lay Reader

Fin. Sec Lawn Crew (week begins Monday)

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Edison Joel Zehnder was baptized on his 1st birthday, Sunday, May 23, 2021! God’s Blessings to the family!

Left to Right: Adam, Gwendolyn, Rachel, & Edison Zehnder Godparents—Uncle Kyle Ritter & Aunt Lauren Zehnder Ginter

Pastor Bruce Stevenson

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From the Secretary:

FROM THE TREASURER— APRIL FINANCIALS

APRIL

Receipts $18,612.37

Disbursements $19,630.46

($1,018.09)

Special Offering OGHS - $95 Blankets - $ 250 (Total $1,500) Haiti - $320 Joyful Noise - $15

CURRENT NEEDS AT BETTY LOU’S PANTRY

The pantry is well stocked but could use BOXED POTATOES /STOVE TOP STUFFING

CHUNKY SOUP OR CHILI MEAL HELPERS

(Chicken/Tuna/Hamburger Helper)

Weekly Offering

4/4 $ 2,420 4/11 $ 2,385 4/18 $ 2,435 4/25 $ 2,155

Tithely $ 3,007

Total $ 12,402

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Strengthen the Church offering supports congregations across the UCC in many ways - by Connie Larkman |

There are many ways to strengthen the church. In the last year, investments in technology allowed many United Church of Christ congregations to enhance their online worship services.

Other funds enabled new and renewing churches to grow their communities, one in a gentrifying neighborhood, others on a college campus and a town square.

COVID-19 grants empowered 50 churches to better serve their neighbors and their congregants gathering virtually during the pan-demic.

All of these ministries were supported through gifts to Strengthen the Church.

This special offering will be collected through the months of June & July. Please designate your donation “Strengthen the Church” on your offering envelope or on Tithe.ly

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05/31/2021 Kevin Long 610-751-4653

Tony DiSanto 610-653-3403

06/07/2021 Dwayne Schantz 610-797-4994

Bob Shelly 610-965-7999

06/14/2021 Tim Hovis 484-223-9476

06/21/2021 Steve Sosnowsky 610-248-9306

NEED VOLUNTEER

06/28/2021 NEED VOLUNTEERS

07/05/2021 Brett Dill 610-850-2679

Jack Maginn 610-533-3044

07/12/2021 Chuck Talboo 610-282-1552

Randy Hughes 610-967-5061

07/19/2021 Kevin Long 610-751-4653

NEED VOLUNTEER

07/26/2021 Scott Christman 610-428-1182

NEED VOLUNTEER

08/02/2021 Brett Dill 610-850-2679

Jack Maginn 610-533-3044

08/09/2021 Tom Hovis 610-282-3450

George Rau 610-865-1448

08/16/2021 Terry Muth 484-894-4669

Glenn Gunkle 610-838-1266

08/23/2021 Tom Herstine 610-797-7129

NEED VOLUNTEER

08/30/2021 Tim Hovis 484-223-9476

09/06/2021 Dwayne Schantz 610-797-4994

Roger Erney 610-797-7227

09/13/2021 Bruce Torrence 610-282-4081

Wes Koser 610-841-7077

09/20/2021 NEED VOLUNTEERS

09/27/2021 Brian Bross 484-223-5171

10/04/2021 Tim Hovis 484-223-9476

LAWN CREW SCHEDULE - If you can fill in one of the NEED

VOLUNTEER spots, please contact Tim Hovis @ 484-223-9476.

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JUNE BIBLE READINGS

June 1 Deut. 12:1–12 2 Cor. 6:3–13 Luke 17:11–19

June 2 Deut. 13:1–11 2 Cor. 7:2–16 Luke 17:20–37

June 3 Deut. 2 Cor. 8:1–16 Luke 18:1–8

June 4 Deut. 26:1–11 2 Cor. 8:16–24 Luke 18:9–14

June 5 Deut. 29:2–15 2 Cor. 9:1–15 Luke 18:15–30

June 6 Deut. 29:16–29 Rev. 12:1–12 Matt. 15:29–39

June 7 Deut. 30:1–10 2 Cor. 10:1–18 Luke 18:31–43

June 8 Deut. 30:11–20 2 Cor. 11:1–21a Luke 19:1–10

June 9 Deut. 31:30–32:14 2 Cor. 11:21b–33 Luke 19:11–27

June 10 Song of Sol. 1:1–3, 9–11, 15–16a; 2:1–3a 2 Cor. 12:1–10 Luke 19:28–40

June 11 Song of Sol. 2:8–13; 4:1–4a, 5–7, 9–11 2 Cor. 12:11–21 Luke 19:41–48

June 12 Song of Sol. 5:10–16; 7:1–2 (3–5) 6–7a (9); 8:6–7 2 Cor. 13:1–13 Luke 20:1–8

June 13 Exod. 6:2–13; 7:1–6 Rev. 15:1–8 Matt. 18:1–14

June 14 1 Sam. 1:1–20 Acts 1:1–14 Luke 20:9–19

June 15 1 Sam. 1:21–2:11 Acts 1:15–26 Luke 20:19–26

June 16 1 Sam. 2:12–26 Acts 2:1–21 Luke 20:27–40

June 17 1 Sam. 2:27–36 Acts 2:22–36 Luke 20:41–21:4

June 18 1 Sam. 3:1–21 Acts 2:37–47 Luke 21:5–19

June 19 1 Sam. 4:1b–11 Acts 4:32–5:11 Luke 21:20–28

June 20 1 Sam. 4:12–22 James 1:1–18 Matt. 19:23–30

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June 21 1 Sam. 5:1–12 Acts 5:12–26 Luke 21:29–36

June 22 1 Sam. 6:1–16 Acts 5:27–42 Luke 21:37–22:13

June 23 1 Sam. 7:2–17 Acts 6:1–15 Luke 22:14–23

June 24 1 Sam. 8:1–22 Acts 6:15–7:16 Luke 22:24–30

June 25 1 Sam. 9:1–14 Acts 7:17–29 Luke 22:31–38

June 26 1 Sam. 9:15–10:1 Acts 7:30–43 Luke 22:39–51

June 27 1 Sam. 10:1–16 Rom. 4:13–25 Matt. 21:23–32

June 28 1 Sam. 10:17–27 Acts 7:44–8:1a Luke 22:52–62

June 29 1 Sam. 11:1–15 Acts 8:1b–13 Luke 22:63–71

June 30

Acts 8:14–25 Luke 23:1–12

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01 Amy Schafer

02 Amy Grammer

02 Joel Ritter

03 Ruth Cressman

05 Alyce Featherman

05 Roger Erney

05 Alison Stebbings

05 Miles Stebbings

06 Adele Gasda

08 Jean Cambiotti

08 Carol Eisenhart

09 Ellen Stetler

09 Sara Hovis

09 Morrison Hite

12 William Steele

12 Brooke Bittenbender

13 Nicole Schaffer

16 Gertrude Steinbach

17 LaVerna Diehl

17 Diane Haas

18 Diane Jenny

18 Brenda Snyder

19 Amanda Y

24 Karen Talboo

25 Shirley George

25 Jennifer Schaffer

26 Monica Campbell

27 Deb Orach

27 Adam Bouc

27 Andrew Weidner

28 Rodney Koch

Please call the church office with any omissions or corrections.

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