Weekly News Broadcast

January 31, 2024

February Newsletter Info

Consistory Minutes: January

Elders Minutes: December

Treasurer's Report: December

February Printable Calendar

Jesus sought me when a stranger,

wandering from the fold of God;

he, to rescue me from danger,

interposed his precious blood

~ From “Come Thou Font of Every Blessing”

Dear Friends,

Lent is just around the corner! This Lent, we will be focusing on the life and faith of one of Jesus’ most famous disciples...

Pastor Gaye will be retiring at the end of 2025. At the Annual Meeting, she discussed how the church will be entering a transitioning phase. Our UCC Association has shared some insights on what our church should be starting to think about as we clarify our mission and purpose of the next phase of Emanuel. They shared these 3 questions to consider:

• Who are we today?

• Who is our neighbor?

• What is God calling us to be and do?

Member spotlight:

Tom Gerstenlauer

By: Sandy Bee Lynn

A new but familiar face has joined the Emanuel “High Church” family - Tom Gerstenlauer. Tom is Pastor Gaye Santoro’s husband and is a retired ordained minister.

Tom was born in East Providence, Rhode Island. Before entering the ministry, he spent 20 years in the transportation / trucking industry first working for Carolina Freight Carriers in Seekonk, Massachusetts...

This Lent, we will look for ourselves in the stepping stones of Peter’s story. We will reflect on the stages of our own faith journeys as well as who and what has shaped us along the way. As we wander, let us tune our hearts to sing God’s grace. May we rest in streams of mercy, never ceasing.

Link to e-reader Lent Devotional

What do you see? Imagery key to sub-icons in the logo

The e-reader version of the devotional can be accessed on your computer, tablet, and phone. We will have paper copies of the devotional booklet and cards at the church. Daily Facebook posts following our Lent program will also be available.

Ash Wednesday:

February 14

12-1PM: Drive-thru ashes

6PM: Service in the sanctuary with Burning Bowl ceremony

There will be no Zoom streaming for these events.

Other key Lent dates:

Palm Sunday – March 24 (Easter Egg hunt following service)

Maundy Thursday – March 28

Easter – March 31 (sunrise and traditional worship services)

Send some love to an Emanuel member. We are collecting Valentine cards to cheer up our homebound and older members. Feel free to make generic cards we will share or send some to people on the address list (below and in the narthex). Please have cards to Emanuel by February 4.

Address list

PayPal Giving: When people donate via PayPal and do not click on "Show name & address", the donation comes in as Anonymous and Bonnie doesn’t know whose giving records to credit. Please contact Bonnie (330.607.8758 call/text; bkurtz1@aol.com) if you need your financial statement for 2023 adjusted.

The Lunch & Learn video series - Thursdays at noon. This week’s video is The Books of Samuel. Please sign up in the narthex if you plan to attend and/or provide soup.

Pastor Vacation: February 4 - 7. There will be no office hours since Pastor Gaye will be out of town. Rev. David Loar will be guest preaching. Please contact an Elder if you need pastoral assistance during this time.

Pancake Dinner Fundraiser for Blessing Box: February 13 5-6:30PM

Freewill offering and/or pantry donations will be accepted. Spread the word! All are welcome. Volunteers can sign up in the narthex.

Lego Movie & Activities:

March 3 2-5PM

We’ll be playing the movie in the sanctuary with Lego building and taco bar to follow. Bring a favorite Lego set to display. All ages are welcome! Please sign up in the narthex.

Annual Meeting video

2023 Annual Report

Nathan Weyand – driver’s license

UCC summer camp registration begins February 1. Please contact Andrea before you register because there is a new payment method for the church to assist campers.

UCC Camp Info

Blanket Sunday Offering: February 25

Your donation to Church World Services provides not only blankets to those in need but also school kits, hygiene kits, emergency cleanup buckets, and welcome backpacks. Please make checks out to Emanuel UCC. Blanket the world with love and consider donating to this mission. Thanks for your generosity.

Blanket Sunday video

Missions will be Zoom meeting February 28 at 7PM.

Please bring in any plastic caps that you have been collecting. We will be weighing them to see if we have enough to get our bench made. Thank you for all your help! There is a donation tote in the narthex. Please click link below for a list of acceptable caps/lids. They should be cleaned and any paper should be removed.

We are still collecting plastic bags to be made into a sleeping mat for an unhoused person.

Plastic caps/lids info

We will no longer be collecting items for them but anyone who wishes to donate can drop off items at the Methodist Church, 153 Church St. in Doylestown. They have a drop off box open 24/7.

Winter and Spring 2024 Music at Bath Concert Series at The Bath Church, 3980 W. Bath Road

These concerts are FREE and Open to the public.

Friday, February 2 @7pm in the Historic Chapel

Wit’s Folly: Passing the Baton

Thank you for the thoughtful graduation gift! I appreciate the support from the church and look forward to seeing everyone in the New Year.

Thanks, Rebecca Painting

February Schedule

Liturgists

4: Art Holden

11: Karen Foster

18: Art Holden

25: Ernie Lyons

Acolytes

4: James Ulmer

11: Nora Miller

18: Aliyah Fischer

25: Tatum Sutton

Door Monitors

4: Rich Little

11: Brian Sammons

14: Vaughn Daniels (Ash Wednesday)

18: Ulmers

25: Karen Foster

Card Ministers

1-15: Helen Tritt

16-29: Amy Wagner

Emanuel News

Consistory will be Zoom meeting February 20 at 7PM.

Pastor Update: Pastor Gaye will not be having office hours February 21 & 22 due to her sinus surgery. Rev. Tom will be guest preaching on February 25.

March Newsletter Deadline: February 25

Elders will be Zoom meeting February 27 at 7PM.

If worship is cancelled due to the weather or other circumstances, it will be announced on Fox channel 8, 104.5 WQKT, the church website, and Facebook. During the week, please contact the church office before coming out to make sure it is open.

Latest church news:

Lucy

Bud

Sally

Gerry & Erv

Alexandra

Bev Sedlock

Jean

Ralph

Lois

Ernie

Tom & Ellie

Bill & Harriet

Rose & Rich

Robert

Roger

Sue

Diane

Margaret Jacobs Family

BIRTHDAYS

February 2 Robert Nice

February 3 Tom Finley

February 7 Betty Barr

Emanuel Blessing Box

Current Needs:

Shampoo, conditioner, Hand cream, Cough drops/throat lozenges, Mac & Cheese, Soup, Instant oatmeal packets, Dried milk

Please bring donations for the Blessing Box when the church is open (Sunday morning & during office hours), so items can be kept out of the elements. Thank you for continuing to bless our community.

Blessing Box Donation Items