The Meetinghouse Newsjanuary2019

The Meetinghouse News The Pastor’s Corner January 2019 During the last several days, I’ve noticed HAPPY NEW YEAR 2018 a number of TV shows and Time for those New Year’s magazines have created numerous “looking back” moments, “looking Resolutions. back” at the events of this past year. I agreeEveryone makes \"New Year's that history needs to beResolutions\" – things that we plan to do looked at in the right context, but I’mto make this year better than last. That also convinced that we need tolist can include any number of promises be looking forward as well. There areto ourselves like: eat better, exercise areas within the life of thisregularly, save more money and any church that we need to look forward andnumber of other things that we think “we do better in this coming year.need to do” to make our lives better.Unfortunately our new goals often fail if You’ve heard several of these concernswe forget the one thing we need to do from various people, and I’m surefirst. In reality, there is only one that we are all committed to theseresolution that any of us needs to make ‘looking forward’ ideas. You knowin order to cause all of the other things some of them: participation in churchwe desire to fall into place. What is that functions, finances, membership,resolution? It's stated perfectly in apathy, and a host of others. But I’d likeDeuteronomy 6:5: to focus on another item that we seem to gloss over all to often.\"Love the Lord your God with all your And that is commitment.heart and with all your soul and with allyour strength.\" Most of us made a commitment to our Lord Jesus as children. We accepted the life changing mercy and grace that Jesus came to bring us, and we’ve all done our best to live that life that he called us to. Then, as an extension to that, we made a commitment to the church when we became members of this church. And I’m convinced that at many times during our lives that commitment has been stronger than at other times. That’s just the way we are. There is an old, old analogy to being committed or just being involved,

and I’ve even used it from the pulpit on Clerk Reportseveral occasions, it goes likethis: “How is a bacon and egg breakfast Annual Reports are due to the Churchrelated to involvement and Secretary by January 13, 2019 so theycommitment? The answer: in that can be collated and ready to be viewedbacon and egg breakfast, the chicken by the Congregation.is involved, but the pig is committed! We currently have two open positions onAs this New Year begins, it might be a the church boards - one Trustee positiongood time to re-evaluate your and one Elder position. Candidatecommitment and involvement. There suggestions can be made currently to theare many places where the church Clerk of Session so that they may beneeds some of this commitment, and get voted on at the Congregational Meeting.more involved. Committee ReportsLet us band together and make 2019, theYear of Commitment, here at Old Church LifeTennent Presbyterian Church. The women of Old Tennent had aImportant Dates wonderful time at the Women'sJanuary 19 - DeGreening Christmas Party. 20 women madeJanuary 20 - Soup Pot appears picture frames to take home. We sharedJanuary 13 - Annual Reports Due some delicious food and great companyJanuary 27 - Congregational Meeting as well as took home a prayer favor to remind us to pray for a member of ourDeacons congregation during 2019. Special thanks goes to Pat Herczeg andThe Deacons would like to thank RoseAnn Thompson for coordinatingeveryone for their generosity in this event.providing both food and gifts for our 5families for Christmas. Our families are Coffee Hour signups for the new yearso grateful for your love and caring. are up. If you can sign up to serve coffee the congregation would appreciate it on these cold Sunday's. All you need to bring is milk for coffee and a goody to share. All else is provided. Membership and Outreach The 2018 Drive Through was a wonderful community outreach reaching. Even though the weather was not cooperative we did have good

attendance on both Saturday and Sunday Financenights. Happy New Year and thanks to everyoneWe thank the individuals and businesses who supported OTC in 2018 by donatingwho donated materials and money to and tithing.make the event a success. The Drive-Thru Committee would like to thank Support from pledges and SundayBoy Scout Troop 180 who tirelessly donations was down about 25% in 2018.attempted to keep the luminaries going Old Tennent Church needs everyone'sin the rain and especially the actors and support so please try to be generous inactresses who performed in the rain on 2019. We need this money to pay ourSaturday. We are truly blessed. everyday bills for operating, Insurance, oil for heat, salaries, and more and as weRoseAnn graciously sent out thank you all know the bills just continue tonotes to everyone including copies of the increase. We are ready for your 2019program in notes to sponsors. Throughthe efforts of many people, the cemetery Per Capita will be $40 per member andis back in its original condition. There is can be paid at any time. New Pledgestill work to do to put all the costumes envelopes are available in OSH. If youand props away. Many thanks again to do not have an assigned number pleaseeveryone who contributed to this take an unmarked box and let the Churchoutreach. Treasurer or the Bookkeeper know what know you are so you can get credit forCommunity Outreach your pledge. Thank you.The Facebook and Old TennentWebpage continues to draw new viewers Worshipregularly. During the month ofDecember the Webpage had over 3000 Thank you to all the people who helpedpage views and the Facebook site had to make our Christmas season servicesover 300 views per day. Pastor Doug is very special. Thank you to the Adventeven writing an occasional Facebook wreath lighters, greeters, ushers,blog. Facebook was particularly helpful liturgists, readers, soloists, musicians,during the Drive-Thru with people lighting technician and those whosending us messages to ask if the Drive- decorated the sanctuary so beautifully.Thru was still going on. Check with May the message of God’s special gift ofCathy Mitschele or Nancy Dieker to see love and mercy fill your hearts.what other types of CommunityOutreach they have planned for 2019.

The worship committee is in need of Jan. 6, 2019additional persons age 14 and above to Liturgist—Leni Hughesbe greeters, ushers and liturgists during Greeter- Sarah Shawour Sunday morning service. If you Head Usher- Charles Budawould like to serve in this ministry Ushers- Susan Mooneyplease speak to Linda Sauer Jan. 13, 2019Please remember to mark your date Liturgist- Laura Herczegfor assisting at worship on your Greeter- RoseAnn Thompsoncalendar. If you are not available on Head Usher- Eda Cruzthe date you are assigned please Ushers- Sara Hughesremember to switch with someone inadvance and let the church office Jan. 20, 2019know. It is very difficult to find Liturgist—SaraJane Nixonsomeone to replace you as worship is Greeter-Carol McLeanbeginning when you don’t show up. Head Usher- Bob McLean Ushers- Susan MooneyYouth Ministries Jan. 27, 2019The final day to contribute gloves, Liturgist- Linda Sauermittens and hats if January 6. Epiphany Greeter- Sarah ShawSunday is this Sunday and the Sunday Head Usher-Charles BudaSchool Youth will host Coffee Hour. At Ushers- Joyce Zimmermanthat time the youth Christmas tree in OldScots Hall will be taken down and the Final Thoughtsofferings distributed to those in thecommunity who need them. One kind word can warm three winter months. ~Japanese ProverbSTOP THE PRESSES !!!\"Souper Bowl\" Sunday is comingsooner than anyone realizes. Our SoupPot will appear in Old Scots Hall onJanuary 20 to receive contributionswhich will be donated to the SamaritanCenter. On February 2nd the youth willmeet at Old Scots Hall from 6-9:30 pmto prepare potato soup which will beserved at coffee hour on February 3.Come and join the fun.