PASTOR’S MESSAGE
Well, it’s November now, and you know what that means: In just a few weeks, the church stewardship drive will be underway. Session will be reviewing the 2010 budget at its meeting November 9, and shortly thereafter you will be asked to consider again what God is calling you to do in support of the ministry and mission of this congregation.
>But first, I want to share with you a list that our treasurer, Helen Hopkins, put together of ways in which the leadership of PUPC has been working to reduce expenses, in order that we might be good stewards of the resources with which we are entrusted. Our buildings and grounds are beautiful and useful, but also expensive to maintain. Here are some of the ways we are striving to be good stewards of what God has provided:
>We make the most of the space, not only for worship, education, fellowship, and service, but also for projects like quilting and candy-making and now Welsh-cookie making as well.
>We are creative as we use our space to continue the tradition of dinners and barbeques.
>Our Property Committee – particularly Bill Montgomery and Ron Moore – have worked regularly and thoughtfully to maximize the utility of our buildings. They have built a storage room in the annex (you may know it as the “garage”), installed running water and electricity in the pavilion (formerly the “carport”), and installed the bell from our old church building, to name just a few of their projects.
>Our Trustees approved a contract with Direct Energy which will provide electricity at a lower rate than PPL. They also approved an agreement with UGI Penn Gas for a fixed rate for gas for the winter. This will lower the cost of heating the building. These arrangements are important because the utility costs for a building such as ours are higher than in the past. The Trustees also renegotiated our mortgage rate, thus reducing our costs.
>Our spacious grounds and parking areas are also wonderful, but costly. The cost of snow removal last winter was approximately $1,600. The contractor did a great job of keeping our extensive sidewalks on Tripp Street and Providence Road open, plus clearing our large parking lots so that church activities can take place even in bad weather. This is something we cannot do for ourselves, and we appreciate the conscientious work of our contractor.
>To reduce the cost of landscaping, the Property Committee (with the help of the Deacons and other volunteers) did much of the work of trimming shrubs, planting flowers, weeding flower beds, and planting bulbs. The committee arranged to have the grass mowed by a less costly landscaper. A gift of $400 from a congregational member paid for much of the supplies and equipment.
>While it was costly to install our LED sign, Session made the decision to purchase the sign in order to let our neighbors know what we are doing, and to extend a genuine welcome to all.
These are just some of the ways in which your leadership team has tried to be good stewards. Soon it will be your turn to do what you can do.
Thanks in advance, and peace,
THANKSGIVING BASKET DRIVE
The Mission Committee will sponsor our annual Thanksgiving Basket Drive. Sign-up sheets will be available on Sunday, November 8th and Sunday, November 15th. If you sign up to donate food, please bring it to church on Sunday, November 22nd, when the baskets will be made up after worship. TnT will deliver them. Please see Mary Beth Rude if you have any questions or to sign up.
On Sunday, December 6th, the Mission Committee will sponsor the annual “Angel Tree” with a twist. This year, each angel will contain the name of a local area store such as Walmart, Giant, Gerrity’s. If you choose to take an angel, you purchase a $10.00 gift card for that particular store. (We are placing a minimum/maximum amount of $10.00 for each card.) If you wish, you may take multiple angels but each gift card amount needs to be $10.00. For example, if you want to spend $30.00, then take 3 angels and purchase 3 separate gift cards for $10.00 each. The best thing? – No waiting in long lines at the mall. Area stores such as CVS and Price Chopper have a gift card center located in their store!
The gifts will be distributed to members of our own congregation who are in need this holiday season. Please note – the recipients of the Angel Tree will remain anonymous. All angels are due back under the tree by Sunday, December 20th. Please place your gift card in an envelope and tape your angel on the envelope.
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
Once again this year, shoeboxes filled with Christmas gifts for children (boys & girls with ages ranging from 2 to 14 years old) will fill this church. PUPC has participated in this unique mission project for many years, brightening the life of children in over 100 countries. Additional information is located in our Narthex.
Dedication of our shoeboxes will take place on November 15th. May God bless us as we share the love of Jesus Christ with precious children around the world.
WELSH COOKIES
Welsh Cookies will be made on Monday evening at 4:30 p.m. and Tuesday morning at 8:00 a.m., November 30th & December 1st.. Orders are due the Tuesday the week before the cookies are made. Call Mary Thorpe (347-6162) to place your order. Cost-$4 a dozen.
Think how tasty Welsh Cookies are served for the Holidays with tea, hot chocolate or egg nog!
PUPC is selling Rada paring knives and vegetable peelers. These are the knives and peelers we’ve all known from the past (and our mothers). Selling price - $5.00 each.
See Helen Hopkins or the church office to purchase them. (Think Christmas – a good “stocking stuffer”; an inexpensive gift for a friend or relative; good implements for preparing those special meals.)
NOVEMBER WORSHIP
November 1 All Saints’ Day
Revelation 21:1-5a; John 11:32-44
Sermon: Unbind Him and Let Him Go
November 8 32d Sunday in Ordinary Time
Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17; Psalm 127
Hebrews 9:24-28; Mark 12: 38-44
Preaching: Elder Linda Kays
November 15 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
I Samuel 1:4-20; I Samuel 2-1-10
Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25; Mark 13:1-8
Sermon: It’s the End of the World as We Know It
November 22 Christ the King / Reign of Christ
II Samuel 23:1-7; Psalms 132:1-12 (13-18)
Revelation 1:4b-8; John 18:33-37
Sermon: The Kingdom of God
November 29 1st Sunday of Advent
Jeremiah 33:14-16; Psalm 25:1-10;
I Thessalonians 3:9-13; Luke 21:25-36
Preaching: The Rev. Dr. Barbara Smith,
General Presbyter of the Presbytery of Lackawanna.
