PassWord
November 15, 2024
Dear PassWord People,
A lovely day here in Middletown. For whatever reason, it feels warmer today to me than yesterday, even if that is not reality. Yesterday was the first the cooler air actually felt cold to me. In fact, it felt like snow to me, smelled like snow to me, lol. There is something like little ice crystals in the air that forewarn of snow. But alas, it was just a touch of rain. Jeff says the problem is that I am still wearing summer clothes. Jeff may be right. Currently, 45 degrees in our backyard.
Yesterday, I set aside time to go shopping for some pie supplies – not all of them, understand but some basic things that I know we will need. Next week when I have a better idea of the final count I will make another run, Lord willing. But before I could go, there were other things that needed attention. We have a Thanksgiving Tree in fellowship hall right now, that was put up for the Fall Fest last week. Donny, my son in law made the tree and it is truly a marvelous tree. While I was expecting just a flat tree made of paper, somehow Donny was able to make a “textured” tree. Ginny Welsh made the sign for on it and the tree and the sign go beautifully together, even though they worked on them separately.
So, last Friday night kids and parents started writing on the leaves of the tree, things for which they are thankful. And Nicole Moore was glueing them onto the tree. And then on Sunday morning at the congregational meeting, whoever wanted, was also invited to write their leaves of thankfulness. And again, this week at WNL, the crowd was encouraged to write down things for which they were grateful. At the end of the evening there were leaves that hadn’t yet been glued to the tree and so I – who should have just stayed in my own lane and asked someone else to do this – attempted to glue these on. They got glued on, but so did the floor – a big splotch and trail of glue stuck to the carpet. So before shopping yesterday, I go up there and having googled it, tried to get it off with a butter knife. I laid on the gym floor, working my knife with dismal results, only getting off a few small chunks. And so, brave me, decided to go with the rest of the google advice and take a wet cloth and a hot iron to the glue. I knew we had an iron somewhere in the building and finally on a search of the fourth (4th!) classroom, there it was. It actually might be the Latino Church’s iron but by that point I didn’t care who I borrowed it from. I was praying by this point – actually praying before this but knowing that I have what my mother calls a “Calamity Jane” streak, I could see a lot of things going wrong with a wet cloth and a hot iron on the gym floor. But much to my own amazement – forgive me Father, oh me of little faith – almost all the glue came off onto the tea towel! It was seriously amazing. No joke. Thank you, Jesus.
I finally made it to Aldis for my 64 cans of evaporated milk and a whole bunch of other stuff and then cleaned Walmart out of their brand of vegetable shortening – 14 cans and I only need a few more. And then I finally got to the Restaurant Store. We needed a number of things from the Restaurant Store, including spoons – which have nothing to do with pies, by the way. But Wednesday night the kitchen people discovered that most of our teaspoons were missing, which initiated a crisis that Patty is calling “Spoongate”. But Fred pointed out that the RS has spoons – and cheap ones at that – so all is now well😊
I made it back to church and had already decided that instead of reading to the daycare I was going to have them also add their leaves to our Thanksgiving Tree. And they did….some can’t write yet, but their teachers helped. All the different color sharpie markers enthralled them and so it all took awhile, but finally, everyone had their leaf ready. And this time I glued them on without spilling the glue and only burning myself a couple times with the glue gun. And together we said, “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.”
I know you can’t read what it says on the Thanksgiving Tree from this picture, but there are a wide variety of things for which we are thankful. We are thankful for family. We are thankful for God. We are thankful for Jesus. We are thankful for heat, and food, and forgiveness, and church. And a bunch of other things. I am thankful for glue that comes off of carpet and new spoons. And this morning I am thankful for a church that embraces a lot of different people from a lot of different backgrounds and who open themselves to inviting all who know Him to worship Him and who invite all who don’t yet know Him to learn about Him. Ironically, Donny’s brown paper came from the True Value store, and though he didn’t mean for this to happen, in a couple places the words, “True Value”, show through. How appropriate. May our tree of Thanksgiving, our tree of “true value” honor our God and His Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. But more than that, may our lives honor Him. Blessed be His Name.
DAILY MESSAGE BIBLE READINGS
FOR THE WEEK OF November 17, 2024
Nov 17 John 13-15 & Psalm 141
Nov 18 Reflection
Nov 19 John 16-18 & Psalm 142
Nov 20 John 19-21 & Psalm 143
Nov 21 Daniel 1-3 & Psalm 144
Nov 22 Daniel 4-6 & Psalm 145
Nov 23 Daniel 7-9 & Psalm 146
Annoucements:
Caramels:
The original Church of God caramels have returned! Being sold by the pound for $10 each. You can order the original caramels, chocolate caramels or a bag of mixed. Pickup times will be Sundays after both worship services, Wednesdays from 5-6:30pm at WNL or by special arrangement.
Operation Christmas Child:
We will once again be participating in Operation Christmas Child by filling shoeboxes that will travel around the world as well as in the United States. Customized shoeboxes are available for pick up now. Pamphlets with labels are also available, so please help yourself. Our collection date this year will be Sunday, November 17th.
Thanksgiving Pies:
It is not too early to order your Thanksgiving Pies. Apple, pumpkin, and pecan pies are available to order at a cost of only $12.00 per pie. Pies will be ready for pick up Wednesday afternoon, November 27, from noon to 6:00 or by special arrangement. Order pies here or use the order form in the church narthex. You may also contact Pastor Kim with your order by emailing or calling: kbshifler@comcast.net or 717-944-9608. Pies sales will benefit our youth group. Thank you.
Interfaith Food Pantry Sunday will be on Thanksgiving Sunday, November 24th.
We will collect non-perishable food items such as: hot chocolate, canned vegetables
& fruits, canned meats, soups, spaghetti sauce, mac & cheese, oatmeal, cereal, baby food & formula, etc. There will be a box in the Narthex where you can place your items. Donated items will be placed, displayed and prayed over at the front of the sanctuary on the 24th. Thank you so much for your willingness to help those who are in need of food this holiday season.
Seniors Alive! Thursday, November 21 at 11:30 join us for a traditional turkey dinner. Elivs will be in the building for your entertainment. All seniors are welcome!
Pre-Decorating Party. Everyone is invited to join us Monday, November 25 at 6:00 PM as we prepare to pre-decorate the sanctuary for the Hanging of the Greens service. Pizza and drinks will be provided. We would love to have your help!
CALENDAR
Sunday, November 17. Worship at 8:00 and 10:30. Today we look at 2 Corinthians 6:3-7:1.
Sunday, November 17. Shoebox Sunday. We will pray over our shoeboxes today.
Sunday, November 17. 9:30 Season Four of "The Chosen" continues in the chapel. All are welcome.
Wednesday, November 20. WNL. Supper at 5:45, Classes at 6:30.
Thursday, November 21. 11:30 Seniors Alive! See more details above.
Thursday, November 21. 6:30 Sunshiners
Sunday, November 24. Thanksgiving Sunday. We will collect items for the Interfaith Food Pantry and dedicate them to the Lord for His use.
Sunday, November 24. Noon Youth Group Friendsgiving.
Monday, November 25. 6:00pm Pre-decorating of the sanctuary. More information above.
Sunday, December 1. Hanging of the Greens service!
Saturday, December 7. 8:00-2:00 Christmas Bazaar
Wednesday, December 18. 5:45 Christmas Caroling!
Friday, January 31-February 2. Annual all-church Retreat at Camp YoliJwa - "Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread" Save the Date!
PRAYER REQUESTS
Jimmy and Cece Abromitis
Glenn Bosley, friend of the Rabucks
Shay Centeno
Robert Dintaman
Doug Earl
Tammy Frank
Debi Misheck
Pastor Bill Reist
Jim Sauerwine
Unspoken and more unspoken.
Enough. “Give thanks to the Lord for He is good. His love endures forever.” Thanks giving is not confined to one day of the year. It is a lifestyle, a way of living that honors God for all that He has done for us. May you build your own “Thanksgiving Tree” as you remember God’s great mercies.
Blessings,
Pastor Kim
Our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/middletowncog/
Our Website: www.middletowncog.org
Dear PassWord People,
A lovely day here in Middletown. For whatever reason, it feels warmer today to me than yesterday, even if that is not reality. Yesterday was the first the cooler air actually felt cold to me. In fact, it felt like snow to me, smelled like snow to me, lol. There is something like little ice crystals in the air that forewarn of snow. But alas, it was just a touch of rain. Jeff says the problem is that I am still wearing summer clothes. Jeff may be right. Currently, 45 degrees in our backyard.
Yesterday, I set aside time to go shopping for some pie supplies – not all of them, understand but some basic things that I know we will need. Next week when I have a better idea of the final count I will make another run, Lord willing. But before I could go, there were other things that needed attention. We have a Thanksgiving Tree in fellowship hall right now, that was put up for the Fall Fest last week. Donny, my son in law made the tree and it is truly a marvelous tree. While I was expecting just a flat tree made of paper, somehow Donny was able to make a “textured” tree. Ginny Welsh made the sign for on it and the tree and the sign go beautifully together, even though they worked on them separately.
So, last Friday night kids and parents started writing on the leaves of the tree, things for which they are thankful. And Nicole Moore was glueing them onto the tree. And then on Sunday morning at the congregational meeting, whoever wanted, was also invited to write their leaves of thankfulness. And again, this week at WNL, the crowd was encouraged to write down things for which they were grateful. At the end of the evening there were leaves that hadn’t yet been glued to the tree and so I – who should have just stayed in my own lane and asked someone else to do this – attempted to glue these on. They got glued on, but so did the floor – a big splotch and trail of glue stuck to the carpet. So before shopping yesterday, I go up there and having googled it, tried to get it off with a butter knife. I laid on the gym floor, working my knife with dismal results, only getting off a few small chunks. And so, brave me, decided to go with the rest of the google advice and take a wet cloth and a hot iron to the glue. I knew we had an iron somewhere in the building and finally on a search of the fourth (4th!) classroom, there it was. It actually might be the Latino Church’s iron but by that point I didn’t care who I borrowed it from. I was praying by this point – actually praying before this but knowing that I have what my mother calls a “Calamity Jane” streak, I could see a lot of things going wrong with a wet cloth and a hot iron on the gym floor. But much to my own amazement – forgive me Father, oh me of little faith – almost all the glue came off onto the tea towel! It was seriously amazing. No joke. Thank you, Jesus.
I finally made it to Aldis for my 64 cans of evaporated milk and a whole bunch of other stuff and then cleaned Walmart out of their brand of vegetable shortening – 14 cans and I only need a few more. And then I finally got to the Restaurant Store. We needed a number of things from the Restaurant Store, including spoons – which have nothing to do with pies, by the way. But Wednesday night the kitchen people discovered that most of our teaspoons were missing, which initiated a crisis that Patty is calling “Spoongate”. But Fred pointed out that the RS has spoons – and cheap ones at that – so all is now well😊
I made it back to church and had already decided that instead of reading to the daycare I was going to have them also add their leaves to our Thanksgiving Tree. And they did….some can’t write yet, but their teachers helped. All the different color sharpie markers enthralled them and so it all took awhile, but finally, everyone had their leaf ready. And this time I glued them on without spilling the glue and only burning myself a couple times with the glue gun. And together we said, “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.”
I know you can’t read what it says on the Thanksgiving Tree from this picture, but there are a wide variety of things for which we are thankful. We are thankful for family. We are thankful for God. We are thankful for Jesus. We are thankful for heat, and food, and forgiveness, and church. And a bunch of other things. I am thankful for glue that comes off of carpet and new spoons. And this morning I am thankful for a church that embraces a lot of different people from a lot of different backgrounds and who open themselves to inviting all who know Him to worship Him and who invite all who don’t yet know Him to learn about Him. Ironically, Donny’s brown paper came from the True Value store, and though he didn’t mean for this to happen, in a couple places the words, “True Value”, show through. How appropriate. May our tree of Thanksgiving, our tree of “true value” honor our God and His Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. But more than that, may our lives honor Him. Blessed be His Name.
DAILY MESSAGE BIBLE READINGS
FOR THE WEEK OF November 17, 2024
Nov 17 John 13-15 & Psalm 141
Nov 18 Reflection
Nov 19 John 16-18 & Psalm 142
Nov 20 John 19-21 & Psalm 143
Nov 21 Daniel 1-3 & Psalm 144
Nov 22 Daniel 4-6 & Psalm 145
Nov 23 Daniel 7-9 & Psalm 146
Annoucements:
Caramels:
The original Church of God caramels have returned! Being sold by the pound for $10 each. You can order the original caramels, chocolate caramels or a bag of mixed. Pickup times will be Sundays after both worship services, Wednesdays from 5-6:30pm at WNL or by special arrangement.
Operation Christmas Child:
We will once again be participating in Operation Christmas Child by filling shoeboxes that will travel around the world as well as in the United States. Customized shoeboxes are available for pick up now. Pamphlets with labels are also available, so please help yourself. Our collection date this year will be Sunday, November 17th.
Thanksgiving Pies:
It is not too early to order your Thanksgiving Pies. Apple, pumpkin, and pecan pies are available to order at a cost of only $12.00 per pie. Pies will be ready for pick up Wednesday afternoon, November 27, from noon to 6:00 or by special arrangement. Order pies here or use the order form in the church narthex. You may also contact Pastor Kim with your order by emailing or calling: kbshifler@comcast.net or 717-944-9608. Pies sales will benefit our youth group. Thank you.
Interfaith Food Pantry Sunday will be on Thanksgiving Sunday, November 24th.
We will collect non-perishable food items such as: hot chocolate, canned vegetables
& fruits, canned meats, soups, spaghetti sauce, mac & cheese, oatmeal, cereal, baby food & formula, etc. There will be a box in the Narthex where you can place your items. Donated items will be placed, displayed and prayed over at the front of the sanctuary on the 24th. Thank you so much for your willingness to help those who are in need of food this holiday season.
Seniors Alive! Thursday, November 21 at 11:30 join us for a traditional turkey dinner. Elivs will be in the building for your entertainment. All seniors are welcome!
Pre-Decorating Party. Everyone is invited to join us Monday, November 25 at 6:00 PM as we prepare to pre-decorate the sanctuary for the Hanging of the Greens service. Pizza and drinks will be provided. We would love to have your help!
CALENDAR
Sunday, November 17. Worship at 8:00 and 10:30. Today we look at 2 Corinthians 6:3-7:1.
Sunday, November 17. Shoebox Sunday. We will pray over our shoeboxes today.
Sunday, November 17. 9:30 Season Four of "The Chosen" continues in the chapel. All are welcome.
Wednesday, November 20. WNL. Supper at 5:45, Classes at 6:30.
Thursday, November 21. 11:30 Seniors Alive! See more details above.
Thursday, November 21. 6:30 Sunshiners
Sunday, November 24. Thanksgiving Sunday. We will collect items for the Interfaith Food Pantry and dedicate them to the Lord for His use.
Sunday, November 24. Noon Youth Group Friendsgiving.
Monday, November 25. 6:00pm Pre-decorating of the sanctuary. More information above.
Sunday, December 1. Hanging of the Greens service!
Saturday, December 7. 8:00-2:00 Christmas Bazaar
Wednesday, December 18. 5:45 Christmas Caroling!
Friday, January 31-February 2. Annual all-church Retreat at Camp YoliJwa - "Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread" Save the Date!
PRAYER REQUESTS
Jimmy and Cece Abromitis
Glenn Bosley, friend of the Rabucks
Shay Centeno
Robert Dintaman
Doug Earl
Tammy Frank
Debi Misheck
Pastor Bill Reist
Jim Sauerwine
Unspoken and more unspoken.
Enough. “Give thanks to the Lord for He is good. His love endures forever.” Thanks giving is not confined to one day of the year. It is a lifestyle, a way of living that honors God for all that He has done for us. May you build your own “Thanksgiving Tree” as you remember God’s great mercies.
Blessings,
Pastor Kim
Our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/middletowncog/
Our Website: www.middletowncog.org