December 2024 News
December 2024 Newsletter
Worship Schedule this Month
December 1st - First Sunday of Advent – “Are We Able to Believe the Promise?”, Isaiah 51:1-
8;1st Corinthians Psalm 113; Luke 1:5-25. Communion
December 8th - Second Sunday of Advent - “Are We Able to Trust the Promise?”
Isaiah 11:55:6-13; Psalm 96; Luke 1:26-38 Christmas Brunch and Carol Sing
December 15th - Third Sunday of Advent - “Bearing the Promise Without Fear”, Isaiah 11:1-9; 1;
Psalm 112; Luke 1:57-80, Election of Consistory
December 19th , 6:30 P.M. - Blue Christmas Service at St. Paul’s UCC (located at Brookpark
Farm in Lewisburg)
December 22nd – Fourth Sunday of Advent - “Blessed Are Those Who Give Birth to the
Promise”, Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm 111; Luke 1:39-56, Special Christmas Children’s Program
December 24th, 7:00P.M. – Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
December 29th - First Sunday after Christmas - “Witnessing Before the Promise Made Flesh”,
Isaiah 61:1-4; Psalm 148; Luke 2:21-40.
Consistory Notes from 11/19/24 Meeting
· We will be updating signs inside the church to identify restrooms and outside to direct folks to the doorbell.
· We are asking that the greeter, bell ringer, or a consistory member stay near the door to the sanctuary until 9:30 on Sundays to assist late arrivals gaining access to the church.
· Sunday School for children ages 3-10 will begin December 1 after the Children's Time. Bonnie Dodge will be teaching.
· In place of First Sunday 11/19/24 in December, we will be having a Christmas Brunch. Bring a dish to share. Drink and table service will be provided. Singing Carols after the meal.
· We will be creating a sitting area/parlor in the rear of the sanctuary near the bookcase to have a comfortable spot for conversation.
· We are looking to partner with Mifflinburg UCC to create a Blessing Box in Mifflinburg to house needed items. More information to come.
Rummage Distribution Report
The ministry of Dreisbach continues as the proceeds from the rummage sale are disbursed:
Around the World
· $2,000 to Sharon and John Mark Ambler who work with Youth with a Mission bringing the Gospel and relief ministries to countries in crisis.
· $1,500 to City of Joy in Rwanda where children from extreme poverty are given a chance at a better life through the meeting of their essential needs and by receiving a Christian education.
Around the Country
· $1,000 to the United Church of Christ Disaster Relief Fund to help people rebuilding from this year’s devastating hurricanes.
· $1,250 to the Food Sovereignty Initiative of the Siċaŋġu Lakota Oyate in South Dakota “a community-based effort to Indigenize our food system and build wicozani (the good way of life) for the Siċaŋġu people—now, and for future generations.” (see their website for more information: www.sicangu.com/food)
Around our area
· $1,500 to the Union-Snyder Agency on Aging to provide free home-delivered meals to seniors with limited means and support.
· $500 to the Getting Ahead Foundation which offers a comprehensive educational program and support system to help families move from poverty to stability. They are currently holding a class at St. John's UCC in Mifflinburg.
· $500 to Beacon Ministries of the Beaver Memorial United Methodist Church in Lewisburg. This outreach provides personal care products and household supplies free of charge to those that need them in order to help everyone live a life of dignity.
· $750 to the Mifflinburg Kiwanis Club to help fill the Christmas food boxes given to many families in the Mifflinburg School District.
· $500 to the local Fellowship of Christian Athletes to support this growing area ministry.
· $500 to the Hope’s Haven Food Pantry of the Christ’s United Lutheran Church (the Four Bell Church).
· $500 to the Union County Giving Closet which provides new or gently used clothing to children age newborn through grade 12 whose families are enrolled in the Union County Food Bank program.
· $500 to Expectations in Lewisburg which offers support to people facing unplanned pregnancies.
To paraphrase Paul’s greeting to the church at Philippi – I thank God every time I think of you, and our partnership in ministry fills me with joy.
Mark your calendars now with the dates of next year’s rummage sales: May 1, 2, &3 and September 18, 19, & 20.
Gift Collection
We will be collecting the gifts for Devitt House and Bethany Children’s Home on December 8th. All of the names for Devitt House have been claimed. There is a wish list of ideas for the Bethany Children’s Home available at the back of the sanctuary.
7th Annual Veteran’s Christmas Remembrance
Our Veterans Christmas Remembrance in support of Wreaths Across America will be held on Sat. Dec. 14, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. Please plan on attending our wonderful patriotic service. Our goal is to place a wreath on every Veteran’s grave in Dreisbach cemetery. We will be taking donations for wreaths and seeking volunteers for wreath laying from Nov. 3 thru Dec 8. See us at the back of the church every Sunday morning. Questions or concerns call or text Elaine Rockey, 570-847-0163
2025 Offering Envelopes
Next years’ offering envelopes are available at the back of the sanctuary. If you would like envelopes and you did not receive any please let Pam Pfirman know. We are happy to provide them. If you receive them and prefer not to use them also let Pam know and we will remove them next time around. Remember, e-giving is an option. Details on how to set that up are available on the church website, dreisbachucc.org.
Pastor’s Christmas Gift
Envelopes have been included with the newsletter and can be found at the back of the sanctuary for contributions to the Pastor’s Christmas gift. Please return to the church at 875 Dreisbach Church Rd., Lewisburg. Thank You!
Shut-ins Address List
An updated list of our Shut-ins is currently available at the church and will be included with the newsletter for those who receive the newsletter via mail. Please contact Pam to update information or if you know of someone to add to our list.
Youth Sunday School
Beginning December 1st Youth Sunday School, ages 4-10, will begin directly after the Children’s Time downstairs with Bonnie Dodge teaching. Younger children are still welcome in the nursery at that time.
Nursery
Volunteers are available to care for your infant to two or three-year-old child in the nursery every Sunday after the Children’s Time until the end of the service. All volunteers have appropriate clearances. The volunteers for December are: December 1 – Mike Finerghty; December 8 – Michelle Owens; December 15 – Kathleen Swartzlander; December 22- Christmas program; December 29 – Diane Hackenberg
Kiwanis Food Boxes
Donations for Mifflinburg Kiwanis Christmas boxes will be collected from November 17 through December 18. Last year, the club provided food boxes for over 80 families in the Mifflinburg School District. Monetary donations can be given to Sandy Catherman or Don Bowman.
Wednesday Evening Bible Study, 6:30 – 8:00 PM
· December 4th: Acts 21-24
· December 11th: Acts 25-28
Directory Updates
Please send your address, phone, email updates to Pam Pfirman so that we may keep in touch with you. This is also a great time to update your family photos! For information on accessing the church directory visit instantchurchdirectory.com or ask Pam to help get you setup. All updates can be sent to Pam at 570-898-9774 (phone or text) or e-mail dreisbachsecretary@gmail.com . Paper notes are always welcome as well.
Upcoming Meetings
· The Prayer Shawl Group will not meet in December. Our next meeting will be Tuesday, January 14th at 6:30 at the church. All are welcome. If you would like to give a prayer shawl to someone, talk to any member of the group. Shawls are available for all, no questions asked.
· Lattes & Laughs will meet Thursday morning at 10:00 am downstairs in the social hall.
· Prime-timers will meet at DC Coffee on December 19th at 12:30.
· Bell Choir Practice, Thursday, December 5th at 7pm.
SAVE THE DATE
2025 ALL CHURCH RETREAT
(An Uplifting & Spiritually Fulfilling Weekend)
Fun – Food - Fellowship
Friday February 28, 6:30 PM - Sunday March 2, noon
Crystal Springs Retreat Center
(More information in the January newsletter)