November 2023 Newsletter

Barbara Schenk • November 1, 2023


Dear friends,

 

This month, our thoughts turn to Thanksgiving and Blessings. 

I am grateful for the ways that we, as this community of faith, offer encouragement and care for one another and hope into the world.


Psalm 100



1Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.

2Worship the Lord with gladness!

Come into God’s presence with singing.

3Know that the Lord is God!

It is God who made us, and to God we belong;

we are God’s people, and the sheep of God’s pasture.

4Enter God’s gates with thanksgiving, and God’s courts with praise. Give thanks to God, bless God’s name.

5For the Lord is good;

God’s steadfast love endures forever,

and God’s faithfulness to all generations.


 

Blessings,

Pastor Barbara




DAYLIGHT SAVINGS


Daylight Savings Time ends on Sunday, November 5. Please remember to set your clocks back one hour the night before.




NOVEMBER DRIVE THROUGH


Our November Drive Through Collection for Open Pantry will be held on Saturday, November 11 from 1-3 PM. We will be collecting food as well as coats and jackets for all ages.

 

We collect non perishable food for Open Pantry each Sunday. We are also collecting coats and jackets for all ages on Sunday mornings during November and December. Thanks for your support!



THANKSGIVING / STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY: NOV 19


A Stewardship letter will soon be distributed to everyone ,with a pledge card enclosed for the year to come. Our theme this year is: “Grateful Hearts.” On November 19, Thanksgiving/Stewardship Sunday, we are invited to bring our pledge cards to our morning worship service. For those who cannot be with us, please mail your pledge cards to the church office. Also, please contact the office if you do not receive a pledge letter soon. Every pledge is greatly appreciated and a symbol of our engaging together to continue to “be the church” and further God’s realm, right where we are. 



Ongoing:


Worship Sundays at 10 AM

God Time (church school) each Sunday

Filmed worship services filmed on Wednesday afternoon and posted each week on our church Facebook page and website: fostermemorial.org

Waving for Peace: Mondays 3:30 – 4:00 PM

Monthly prep for Fishes and Loaves dinner

 

If you would like a printed copy of the bulletin and meditation by mail, please contact the church office.



NOVEMBER / DECEMBER OUTREACH


Beginning November 19 through December 10, we will be collecting toys and games and gift cards for children and youth, to be distributed through the Gray House. Please bring gifts unwrapped. The gifts will be blessed on December 10. Most needed: gifts for teens: suggestions include robes, blankets, toiletries and gift cards.



Through December 24, we will be collecting new mittens, hats, scarves and gloves for all ages for our Mitten Tree.



FOSTERIANS GATHERING: SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2 AT NOON


All women of the church are invited to a luncheon hosted by the Fosterians. A light lunch will be provided. We’ll have a “Yankee Christmas Swap” (bring gifts $5-10 to swap) and collect donations (suggested; $5) for holiday bags to be distributed to our confined members and friends. Please let Judy or Lori know that you are coming or call the office at 782-2112. Friends are invited too! 



PANCAKE BRUNCH FOR TENZING


We usually have a fundraising Pancake Brunch in November to support our sponsored youth, Tenzing, a Tibetan refugee living in India with her family. This year, we’re moving the brunch to Sunday, December 3. In addition to a delicious brunch, we will have a gingerbread house craft for the children and a winter craft for all ages.



CROP HUNGER WALK: OCTOBER 15

Thank you to everyone who supported our local CROP Hunger Walk this year! Thank you to our sponsors! We had a great team of walkers, “Welcome Back” greeters and hosts for refreshments at the Walk. Thanks to all!



BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS


Thanks to everyone who supported our Blessing of the Animals on October 22. We had great weather for the event - and lots of pets!



PASTA SUPPER: OCTOBER 29


Thank you to Jim, Judy and all our volunteers for a wonderful pasta dinner! Thank you to Lori, for the beautiful gift bag raffles. Thank you to everyone who supported the dinner. It was a very successful fundraiser for the church.


april newsletter

April 2025 Newsletter

By Barbara Schenk • March 29, 2025
Dear friends, These are tumultuous times for our nation. At the time of this writing, we have scheduled a Prayer Service for our Nation for Sunday, March 30 from 4-4:30 p.m. This brief service will include special music and time for shared prayers. As I was thinking about the state of our nation and the continuation of our Lenten season, these beautiful words from a Lenten hymn, “Before the Cross of Jesus,” came into my mind and heart: The hopes that lead us onward, The fears that hold us back, Our will to dare great things for God, The courage that we lack, The faith we keep in goodness, Our love, as low or pure - On all, the judgment of the cross Falls steady, clear, and sure. Yet humbly, in our striving, O God, we face its test. We crave the power to do Thy will With Him who did it best. On us let now the healing Of His great Spirit fall, And make us brave and full of joy To answer to His call. Blessings and Peace, Barbara

March 2025 Newsletter

By Barbara Schenk • March 4, 2025
Dear friends, Please be sure to read Peter Well’s article about an important discussion on the Intersection of Faith and Politics and opportunities for next steps. ** The season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on March 5; we will hold an in-person worship service that evening at 7 PM. The season continues until Easter Sunday, which is celebrated this year on April 20. One of the ways we can put our faith into action during this season is through our One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) Special Offering. The money raised from this offering is utilized through the UCC’s Wider Church Ministries to respond to a wide variety of global and local concerns. This year’s OGHS theme is “Be The Light.” Our grateful thanks to Sharon Gormbley for a special OGHS Sharing/Engagement Calendar that runs from March 9 – March 29. The calendar is attached to this newsletter. We also have fun “Fish” Coin/Money boxes at church, available on Sunday mornings. We will collect our OGHS special offering on Sunday, March 30 during our worship service. In this holy season, and in these tumultuous days, may we be bearers of God’s light – and take actions to “Be The Light.” In Christ, Barbara
FosterMemorial Church

February 2025 Newsletter

By Barbara Schenk • January 31, 2025
Dear friends, The season of Epiphany, a season to focus on the beginnings of Jesus’ earthly ministry, his teachings, healings and ministries, continues for a longer period of time this year. Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of the season of Lent, will be on March 5; Easter Sunday will be celebrated on April 20.