The Church is Alive with Activity

Hello My Dear Ones in Christ:

I do not know about you, but I am finding my mailbox overflowing with requests for donations to support all kinds of causes. Many are really good causes and at times I feel overwhelmed, wishing I had the ability to help them all. Then of course, I have those moments when I am simply frustrated at how many organizations have my information and are asking for money when things are already so tight!  Kind of makes me frustrated and at times even angry.

Here’s the thing. We will not be sending out any annual requests or even having a large Stewardship Campaign to ask for you to give money this year.  Rather, 

we ask you pray about your relationship with God and the church. Pray on, and 

think about, what the church makes available to the public through helping people 

stay physically fit with yoga, Zumba, and a new Women’s Health Program, along 

with food and health seminars throughout the year. We help with emotional and 

spiritual concerns offering grief groups and more private options of meetings/visits with the pastor. We have educational programs such as Sunday Time for Children, and Lectionary Studies on Friday mornings at 10am.

We are planning to begin an Advent Book Study on the Gospels on Monday afternoons at 1pm starting November 25th. We plan to offer a Genesis: Reboot class, come January. We are even looking into a study  

of the Women in the Bible with even more options coming next year. The most important thing among all of this is that we are here to Worship the Lord our God every Sunday morning at 10am both in-person and on Facebook. As we approach the holidays you will note the Social Action and Mission Committee (SAM) are supporting Heifer International. You may have already noticed that we are promoting support to the Friends of the Somerset Council of Aging’s food drive. Please see the flyer for more details.  

We will begin the White Gifts Program soon, and forms for Luminary Candles and also the Poinsettias will be available as you are invited to place a light on the cross outside and/or a poinsettia on the Altar in memory or honor of a loved one on Christmas Eve. You are invited to do one, both, or all the above. You are also invited to please take your poinsettia with you following Christmas Eve services.

This 2024 we are offering an at home journey with the Advent season, a reverse Advent Calendar. This is a fundraiser to support our local food pantries. This holiday journey begins the day after Thanksgiving and continues through Christmas. We will collect your boxes on Sunday, December 29th . With the funds received and blessed they will help replenish empty food pantry shelves for January. We will receive and decorate our collection boxes for the Reverse Advent Journey on Sunday, November 24th during our Fellowship time.

With all of this, we do hope to have you pledge what you are able to do for 2025, along with continued support to our regular programs such as to the Birthday Bank, the General Fund, the Discretionary Fund, the Benevolent Fund, and the Emery Scholarship. If I have missed something here, please let us know. And please, do not forget to help with and shop at the Christmas Bazaar on November 23rd!I know this is a lot!  But please remember that it is all about what is on your heart, mind and soul, as you speak with God in your prayers and listen to what God says, you will know what is right for you. “So let each one give as they purpose in their heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7; “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also,” Matthew 6:21.

Peace,

The Reverend Cheryl Rieder