"11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11-13
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Please click the links below to sign up to volunteer during Sunday worship. We are in need of Greeters. If you would like to sign up for a rotating week (ex. Every third Sunday),
please contact the office at secretary@jonestownucc.org or 717-865-4453.
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Needed: Worship sign ups!
Please click the links below to sign up to volunteer during worship and to help for the many great events at St. John's!
Click below to sign up
or sign up at church
or call the church to be signed up.
Click here to sign up for Worship Participation
Click here to sign up for Helping with Events
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We have reintroduced our offertory during the Worship Service each Sunday. Please hold onto your envelopes until the plates are presented.
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While we wait for practice to resume, please consider joining choir and sharing your talents with St. John's.
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Bell Choir Practice is Every Wednesday
at 5:30
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Grow Your Church!
Share what's happening!
Bring friends, family members, co-workers, and neighbors. Call church members. Invite a stranger. Use the large post cards to hand out and invite others. They are on the church table. Call the church when you run out and need more.
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· We will be decorating the sanctuary windowsills with lanterns this Advent. If you have a lantern to share and would like to decorate a windowsill, please sign up on the sheet in the Gathering Room or you can sign up online with the “Helping With Events” link.
· If you would like to share a Nativity themed ornament for our Angel Tree, please make sure you have your name on it and bring it to church on December 12. We will hang the ornaments on the tree at the end of the service.
· Advent devotionals will be available at the church starting November 28.
· Online devotional will be available November 28. It and will interactive materials for children via YouTube video links, meditative visuals, links for single and married, etc.
· The Chapel will be available on Wednesdays from 4:00 to 6:00PM for a quiet place for reflection including a meditation guide, soft music, and blue Christmas reflections.
· There will be a Photo Booth/Backdrop of an old barn door with manger, festive décor, and theme, “The Inn: Housing the Holy”, for family/single photos. This will be in the sanctuary. Feel free to use for Christmas photos after worship each week.
· The sermons will also be available separately each Tuesday on YouTube along with the complete live streaming worship.
· Twitter will be available as well as Facebook for comments, questions, and insights as we dialogue with each other regarding “Housing the Holy” available on each Tuesday.
· Blue Christmas Service will be held December 5 at 3:00pm at Jonestown United Methodist Church. We would like to provide a way to help you through this difficult time of the year. Utilize the Chapel also.
· Live Nativity December 17 at 6:00PM free hot chocolate.
· Christmas Eve Candle Lighting Service is December 24 at 7:00pm.
· Angel Tree gift collection for children.
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Bread For
Our Journey
Click the link below to access our online devotional following our advent theme "The Inn: Housing the Holy"
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Angel Tree
The Angel Tree will be ready Sunday Nov. 28. St. John’s is sponsoring three needy families this year. Please consider taking several angels to help these families have a special Christmas.
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Pick up a copy of the
Advent Devotional
available at the church.
Contact the Church office if you would like a copy mailed to you.
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We would like to provide a way to help you through this difficult time of the year.
Join us
Holiday Blues Worship Service
December 5 at 3:00
At Jonestown United Methodist Church
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Chapel Now Open
For those needing a quiet place, our Chapel will be open
Wednesdays 4pm-6pm
The church will be unlocked during chapel hours. Pastor Roben will be available onsite.
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Nursing Home:
Beatrice Warlow
Florence Rhan
Fay Krumbine
Shirley Haldeman
Joan Cousins
Military:
Jason Galloway
Maj. Kevin White
Lee Moyer
Remember those we've lost:
Richard Gerhart
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Members:
Mary Young
Barbara Stahl
Tyler Haag
Earlene Baal
Mike Gipe
Ray Hower
Scott Strauss, A serious accident will leave him out of work. You may give to help on your own or through the church. Contact the Pastor Roben or the Church office.
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Family & Friends:
Sarah Anderson, RN at
UPMC
Brenda Marinkov
Vanessa, Christie’s friend
Josh and Ana Hertzog
Patty, Pastor's sister
Linda, Donna's friend
Mike, Judy Wolfe's son,
battling cancer
Bob, Neil's friend,
battling cancer at
the VA
Laura, Christie's friend
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Contact the pastor at 717-215-7817 or Pastor@jonestownucc.org with prayer requests and/or pastoral visits and pastoral care. |
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"God is Still Speaking"
Daily devotionals can be found on the church Facebook Group. Look on the left side of the Facebook page.
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Reimagining our common ground
for the collective good.
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We live in changing times. The pandemic, politics, and culture has made a major shift in our society affecting our community and spiritual life. The church is challenged more than ever to reimagine its place and purpose. The Courageous Church offers twenty-six videos addressing the needs of society and the role of the church.
You are invited to meet with us in person or through Uber video conferencing to discuss the videos and major issues affecting the life of the church. It is the church's desire to offer the love of Christ in a relevant and an effective way.
These videos include cutting edge speakers who speak to what it means to be the church today.
You won't want to miss this.
Next Meeting:
To Be Determined
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Check your email for the link to click on for the Uber Conference session for this the online option. |
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The Upper Room
The November/December issues are on the table at the church entrance. Please let the office know if you want a copy mailed to you. 717-865-4453
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THANK YOU FOR YOUR GIVING |
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Enjoy the Convenience of Electronic Giving |
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Giving Back to God is a
Spiritual Practice
It is encouraging to see both new and familiar faces at our worship services. Throughout the year, many of you already support the congregation with your time, talent and financial contributions but greater participation is always welcome. We encourage you to look into our electronic giving program. It takes just a few minutes to set up a recurring giving plan. Contact the church office for more details or pick up an authorization form today.
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But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
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Bruce Daub 12/02
Emily Casey 12/06
Ashley Sim 12/06
Tyler Longenecker 12/07
Jeffrey Young 12/10
Kaye Miller 12/11
Holly Gerhart 12/12
Natalie Rudy 12/12
Beth Bachman 12/13
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Barry Stickler 12/15
Allen Cox 12/19
Rachel Hubbs 12/19
Brian Miller 12/21
Jordan Zimmerman 12/23
Elaine (Susie) Moyer 12/25
Ronald Royer 12/26
Amber Rizzo 12/27
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Please include on your envelope
- your name
- phone number
- quantity
- amount enclosed
- whom you would like your poinsettias to be placed in honor or memory of.
Please place order forms in offering plate or through the mail slot of the office door.
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YOU MUST HAUL
Call the Church Secretary to arrange pickup.
(717)865-4453
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SUMMARY OF PASTORAL
EXPECTIONS QUESTIONNAIRE
In order for the pastor to gain an understanding of what the members of Jonestown St. John's United Church of Christ think are the most important expectations of the pastor, a questionnaire was distributed to all members. The responses would also serve to inform the members what other members expected. A generic questionnaire was secured from a United Church of Christ resource. The members were asked to rank12 items that were the most important expectations of a pastor. There were 43 expectations listed. Approximately 15% of the members responded. Two formats of the questionnaire were used, one hard copy and one on line. The results were tabulated, sorting by ages, above 55 and below 55. It must be noted that several “over 55” were calculated with the “below 55”, therefore the age difference will not be a listed factor in the summary which follows.
The expectation receiving the highest number of responses was:
- is an effective preacher/speaker.
Also receiving high responses were:
- make pastoral calls on people in hospitals and nursing homes and people who are home-bound
- as well as people who are not home-bound.
Another group of expectations receiving high numbers were:
- helping people develop their spiritual life
- effective in planning and leading
- developing theological and biblical skills.
The following expectations were marked as important by both age groups:
- is a person of faith
- is effective in working with children
- is effective in bringing new members into the church.
Other expectations marked were: (in no particular order)
- ministers effectively to people in situations,
- is a good leader
- builds a sense of fellowship among the people with whom he/she works
- has a strong commitment to the educational ministry of the church
- reaches out to inactive members
- works regularly in the development of stewardship growth
- is a compassionate and caring person.
Twenty three out of the 43 expectations listed received no responses which does not mean they were not important, the items just did not make the top 12.
If you have any questions or desire to see the exact numbers by age, please contact any member of the pastoral relations committee.
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Use our church Facebook to add pictures and comments. Let people know how much you love your church at St. John's. Make comments If you worship online.
To post on St. John's Facebook page, email or text photos and messages to Facebook administrator Peggy Miller at pimiller@comcast.net
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If you need a ride to Sunday Morning Worship Services, please call the Church Secretary 717-865-4453 no later than 11:00 am on the Friday before to arrange transportation. Thank you.
Volunteers needed to help with transportation for those who need it in order to get to worship. Church Office 717-865-4453
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Attention Amazon Shoppers |
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If you shop on Amazon, please use www.smile.amazon.com as the web site when you do your shopping. This is a small way you can help your church. Even your family members and friends can participate.
At the top of the menu, search for St. John's United Church of Christ Jonestown. Once you select that charity anything you buy, the church will receive a portion of what you’ve spent. There is no difference in pricing or selections when using the smile.amazon.com web site.
Thank you for supporting St. John’s UCC
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Giant and BG’s Market Gift Cards are available
You can purchase Giant gift cards for $25, $50, or $100
You can purchase BG's gift cards for $100.
Contact the church office for more information.
This program serves as a fundraiser for Women of Worship at St. John’s. They make great gifts, of course. But please also consider purchasing them for your own use. If you shop at either of these stores, you can purchase the gift cards from the church and use them instead of cash on your next visit.
Thanks in advance for helping St. John’s Women of Worship by participating in this program.
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United Church of Christ Homes
In order to provide each resident with a meaningful gift this coming Christmas, UCC Homes is asking their sponsoring congregations to consider donating a monetary donation or gift cards to be used towards purchasing desired gifts of residents of the communities of UCC Homes.
We will be collecting for Kindred Place and Lebanon Valley Homes. Below is a list of gift cards requested.
Please place any monetary donations or gift cards in the collection plate, labeled. You may also mail them to the church secretary.
Deadline is December 5, 2021
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Giant Foods
Boscov's
CVS
Wal Mart
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Dairy Queen
Michaels
Dunkin Donuts
Amazon
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JOY Pantry
The JOY Pantry is resuming hours for clients to come into the pantry so they can select the items they want. Following CDC guidelines, we feel it’s safe to resume service inside.
Our community was very generous during this pandemic. We were able to remain open the entire time to provide much needed food to the less fortunate. We serviced over 40 new families since the pandemic started. Thank you for believing in our ministry and supporting us financially so we can provide a space where we can care for our community.
We are providing “Kid Friendly” food again this summer. Items like canned pasta, individual fruit cups, Mac & cheese, peanut butter & jelly, and crackers are appreciated.
-Linda Wood, Volunteer Director
Financial donations are always welcome and can be mailed to:
JOY Pantry,
P.O. Box 121
Jonestown, PA 17038
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Band Together (Strength Training)
We're Back!!!
Join us Monday and Wednesday mornings from 9:30 to 10:30 am in the Social Hall.
For information about this program, please contact Ann Ritchie at 717-865-6172.
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Nar-Anon Meetings
Thursdays at 6:30 pm
We are resuming live meetings in the church’s social hall!!!
For information about this program, please contact Denise Eiceman at eicemand@aol.com.
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Print this page and color! Bring it to church when you are done so it can be hung on the bulletin board during the Christmas season! |
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Print and cut these advent cards. Read one each day leading up to Christmas.
Pre-printed cards are available on the information table at the church.
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Look for more fun activities on the information table and in upcoming emails! |
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ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEADERSHIP |
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We will be having our annual congregational meeting on December 12th following the worship service. There will be a luncheon to follow.
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The last day for offerings to be included in the 2021 tax year will be Sunday, December 26. It must be in the offering plate on December 26 or mailed before that date to be counted for this year. Anything given after that Sunday will be included in 2022.
Envelopes will be renumbered again for 2022. Your number may or may not change. It’s important to use the correct year’s envelopes. E-givers do not have envelopes but do have a number, which will not change in 2022. The 2022 envelopes should be ready for you to pick up by mid-December.
If you have received a contribution report in past years, you will receive one again for 2021. If you haven’t received a report and would like one, please contact the church office at 717-865-4453 or Peggy Miller at 717-507-4376; e-mail pimiller@comcast.net.
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St. John’s Vitality Team
Members: Danielle Koch, Larry Miller,
Luanne Clay, and Pastor Roben
This team looks at the health and life
of the church and community for
spiritual and numerical growth.
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MONTHLY AND WEEKLY PUBLICATIONS
"The Eaglet" is our monthly newsletter emailed to our members and contacts.
"St. John's Weekly Happenings" is our weekly news & updates emailed to our members and contacts.
Printed copies are available on the table in the church lobby as well as mailed to shut-ins.
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St. John's Board Members
Tim Schaeffer
Chuch Koch
Wendy Lingle
Scott Strauss
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Rooted in the grace of God, our mission is:
Penn Central Conference, where congregations passionately declare and demonstrate the courageous love of Christ.
The vision of the Penn Central Conference of the United Church of Christ is:
United in Christ’s love, we are…
Connected to God, neighbor and each other
Engaged in serving the needs and ensuring justice in our community and the world
Transformed in Christ’s love to create a better future for all to flourish
Penn Central Conference is one of 38 regional bodies of the United Church of Christ (UCC), which has 5,100 churches and 1.1 million members
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