Parish Administrator Sandy David will be using a vacation day
on Monday, September 13th.
Dear Friends,

With the increase of COVID-19 cases due to the Delta Variant, we will continue the practice of wearing masks until future notice. 

Pastor Bruce
Lehigh Conference of Churches
911 Remembrance Service
Saturday, September 11 - 3 PM at Calvary Moravian Church
This year we mark the 20th Anniversary of the tragic attacks of September 11th, 2001. Calvary Moravian Church
(948 N. 21st, Allentown, 18104) is planning a simple remembrance service in our sanctuary at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 11th.   
 
There will be a time of brief prayers, meditative music, and quiet reflection as we remember together. Special music will feature Mendelssohn's "Songs without Words, Opus 19: Remembrance, Faith, and Hope" performed by Anne Ettinger on piano.  All are welcome; masks are required regardless of vaccination status. This service will also be livestreamed to Calvary's Facebook page as well. Contact 610-435-6881 or churchcalvarymoravian@gmail.com for more information.  
Join us Sunday, September 12th at 10:15 am for Worship

Don't forget to bring your loose change to make

Special thanks to Darin Jellison for sharing his gift of music,
and to our volunteers:
Caroline Frantz, Head Usher
Cindy Talaber & Michele Keeler, Ushers
Cindy Talaber, Lay Reader
Wes Koser, Stream Team
Bruce Torrence, Financial Secretary
Bruce Torrence & Wes Koser, Lawn Crew

Printed bulletins are available in the Narthex.
To view the live streamed service from home at 10:15 am
Sunday morning, go to YouTube
To print out this Sunday's bulletin to follow along click here.
To print out hymns click here.

To listen to the service via live phone streaming, call
1-855-883-5992.
Interested in joining Faith Church?

A New Member Orientation will be held
this Sunday, September 12th from 2 - 3 pm in the Memorial Room.
Please RSVP to Pastor Bruce by calling
610-282-3939 or emailing pastorbruce@faithchurchucc.org
or speaking to him after worship on Sunday.
If you would like to take part in the service as usher or lay reader, please email Joan Hassler .
Is there someone in your life in need of prayer? Click here to fill out a prayer request form and Pastor Bruce will mention that person’s first name during worship. Please be sensitive to privacy. Permission to share from those involved must be granted before making a request.
Sunday School is Coming Back!
 
Sunday School will resume on BACK TO CHURCH SUNDAY, September 19th at 9:00 am. Currently students must wear masks and all classes will meet in the Fellowship Hall. We’ve missed you and can’t wait to see you again!



Letter from our Conference Minister

Isaiah 2:4 “He'll (sic) settle things fairly between nations. He'll (sic) make things right between many peoples. They'll turn their swords into shovels, their spears into hoes. No more will nation fight nation; they won't play war anymore.” (The Message translation)
 
This Saturday will be the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks that brought down the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, crumbled portions of the Pentagon, and crashed an airplane in rural Pennsylvania. The terrorist attacks resulted in 2,977 fatalities, over 25,000 injuries, and substantial long-term health consequences, in addition to at least $10 billion in infrastructure and property damage. It remains the deadliest terrorist attack in human history and the single deadliest incident for firefighters and law enforcement officers in the history of the United States, with 340 and 72 killed, respectively.[1]
 
Almost every American remembers where they were and what they were doing when the news of the attacks began to be shared on the news. For some of my friends, the reality was all too well: one worked in the North Tower and was on her way to work, one’s brother was in the North Tower and was thought to be trapped. I am sure you can relate your own stories and connections. I remember gathering that evening with Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Sikh, Hindu, and Buddhist siblings to grieve and mourn, to pray and beseech God for peace. And yet, peace did not, has not come to our world. If anything, we have lost sight of the need to work together to make the world a more peaceful and less violent place. We rail at one another about differences in political stance and opinion. We rage about the best ways to control a virus that is decimating our world, causing death after death. We incite riots and protests about any number of perspectives – election results, control of our bodies, racism, sexism, ableism. We have not turned our swords into shovels or our spear into hoes. We continue to battle violently in word, in thought, and in action.
 
In 2012 late Congressman John Lewis published a book called Across That Bridge: A Vision for a Change in the Future of America. In this book, Lewis, a consummate storyteller, and activist for justice, writes, “Don’t close your eyes because you’re afraid of what you will see. Be honest in your assessment. Transformation and revelation require an adjustment from what we know to what we know can be.”
 
My friends, today is a day, now is a time, when we need to open our eyes and see the world as it is for us, for those around us, AND for the least among us. We need to see in order to do the work of peace, to seek the peace that is truly a peace with justice, not just a silencing of those with whom we disagree. That is my hope for us – not that we forget, because we will never forget, but that we will see the world and injustice through the eyes of the oppressed and marginalized and act to build bridges of peace.

May it be so,
Bonnie
 
[1] "How much did the September 11 terrorist attack cost America?". Institute for the Analysis of Global Security. Retrieved April 30, 2014.
Morgan, Matthew J. (August 4, 2009).

The Impact of 9/11 on Politics and War: The Day that Changed Everything. Palgrave Macmillan. p. 222. ISBN 978-0-230-60763-7.

"Deadliest incidents resulting in the deaths of 8 or more firefighters". National Fire Protection Association.

"Deadliest Days in Law Enforcement History". National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. Archived from the original on February 13, 2014.
9th ANNUAL
FAITH UCC YARD SALE
 SEPTEMBER 25, 2021
8 AM TO 2 PM
Rain or Shine!
 
We are in need of help on Friday, September 24th to move yard sale items outside and to set up the tent. Help is needed Saturday
morning, 6 am on the 25th, to set up for the day. Help is also
needed throughout the sale and at 1:30 to start cleaning up.
Please contact Brenda Hovis at 610-282-3450
if you can help.

We are also in need of baked goods for our Bake Sale.
Encouraging our College Students

For those of us who have left home for the first time after graduation, whether it be to attend college or service or some other adventure, it can be a difficult and lonely time. Faith Church provides encouragement to our college students and lets them know that they are not forgotten and we are praying for their success. We do this by sending cards and care packages. The post office has boxes for a flat fee that can be jammed as full as you want with treats and fun things. Or send a note with a gift card to any place to eat. Anytime is a good time whether it be right after their arrival at college or during finals. We are looking for people to sponsor college students. Please contact Sandi DiSanto if you are interested in sending a card or care package to a college student this fall.
 
Sandi DiSanto · sandidisanto@gmail.com · 610-360-9637
LOOKING AHEAD TO OCTOBER...

Look for this flyer on our Facebook page and share with all your Facebook friends to get the word out to as many people as possible. Invite everyone to attend our exciting Rally for Rylie! Lots of fun and prizes happening!
(click link for more info and to register)
Recycling Soft Plastic

We are collecting plastic shopping bags and all other soft plastic bags (#2 & #4).  By February 15, 2022 we will need to collect 500 pounds of recyclable plastic in order to earn another TREX bench!

Collection boxes can be found in
the Narthex and in the Office Lobby

Here is a list of acceptable plastics:
 
Let’s save our oceans and the animals that live there
by turning these materials into a reusable product!
Any questions please see Jerry Trexler. 
The Betty Lou's Pantry basket has been returned to the Narthex and is anticipating your donations! Currently, the most needed items are:

Chunky Soup or Chili
Boxed Potatoes
(Scalloped, Au Gratin, Stovetop Stuffing)
Packaged Pasta & Rice Side Dishes

If you or someone you know is in need of food,
please call 610-282-2838 and leave a message
We have an opening for Lawn Crew volunteers during the week of 9/20 (2 volunteers). Please take a look at the 2021 schedule and consider how you can help. Call Tim Hovis (484-223-9476) to let him know what dates you can cover.
Let's remember our Friends, Members, Forget-Me-Nots and others as we continue through some uncertain times. Keep each other in your thoughts and prayers and stay connected if possible.

SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS:

09 Patti Shelly
10 Carol Beck
10 Olivia Muth
14 Howard Barrick
14 Virginia Haller
14 Patricia Bley
17 Cindy Talaber
17 Kate Jellison
18 Donna Herndon
21 Carrie Fosbenner
22 Romaine Zeiner
23 Cathy Wimmer
23 Diane Talaber
26 Susan Roberts
26 Erin Gollie
27 Abby Muth
28 Michael DiSanto
28 Damyn Allison
29 Ruth Smith
29 Eric Fosbenner

(If you would like to send cards, addresses can be found in the Members & Friends Directory link at the bottom of this email.)

Click here for a list of birthdays and addresses of our Forget-Me-Not's. Some phone numbers are also included if you'd like to give a call! Also included on the list are names, addresses, and phone numbers of members who usually attend services but don't get to see the recorded services on a regular basis. Reach out to them and say hello or fill them in on the weekly news!
A Special THANK YOU to all who continue to financially support our ministry as you are able. Through these uncertain times our financial obligations continue and our regular bills are still coming in. Again we'd like to remind you there are several ways you can do this:

  1. Mail your offering directly to the church
  2. Make an electronic donation through Tithe.ly on our website's Giving page
  3. Use your bank's Bill Pay service
IMPORTANT LINKS


Need to make changes, corrections, or additions to our Church Directory? Click HERE to let us know if your info is current or if we need to make
changes. Thanks in advance for taking the time to keep our
Church Directory up to date.





Contact us via email or call the church office at 610.282.3939

Dennis J. Duda, Organist & Music Director
Sandy David, Parish Administrator
(click on names to send an email)