St. Paul's February 2003 Newsletter

February
NewsLetter
Page Four

Education Building

If you wish to dedicate a window in the Education Building, please print and complete the form below and return it to the church office, with your check for $200.

A plaque will be placed in each room, noting the dedication

Women’s Guild

On an icy day, thirteen members attended the noontime meeting on Tuesday, January 7^th.

Dot Klesitz offered the luncheon prayer. Donna’s soup and chocolate pie was enjoyed by all. Following lunch, Donna Young, our President, conducted the meeting. She read several poems appropriate for the snowy day as God makes all seasons. She reported Soup Sunday January 5 was a sell out. We thank all who supported our fund raiser. We will have two more soup Sundays, February 2 and March 2.

The secretary read thank you notes from the recipients of our Christmas gift to them. Carolyn Erb, Pastor Rich, Phoebe-Devitt Home and Bethany Children’s Home.

Treasurer’s report was read and accepted.

The week of Feb. 2 will be Women’s Week. Members agreed we should participate in the morning service.

Donna reported that Catherine Voorhees has donated several of the Christmas decorations to the Guild. We thank Catherine for her generosity.

Note the upcoming dates:

Feb. 2nd – Soup sale following the church service. $4.00 per quart.

Although April is a way off, keep in mind we will participate in the Church Women's United Blanket Fund. Final day for contributions will be April 27.

Next regular Guild meeting will be: February 12 – Ingathering Service in the Chapel at 7:30 p.m. Phyllis Anderson, our Spiritual Life Leader, will conduct the service.

^{Ruth C. Karren,

Secretary}

Dear Women of St. Paul’s,

By virtue of your membership in St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, you are automatically a member of the Women’s Guild. Your attendance and support are needed for promotion of the success of the Guild.

A donation returned in the envelope given to you will be appreciated and will help us accomplish our projects of service to the church.

We extend a most cordial invitation to each of you to join us on February 12 in the chapel for our devotions. Refreshments will be served.

However, if your attendance is not possible, you may wish to place your donation in the collection plate or mail it to the church office. Please be sure to put your name on the envelope. We are truly grateful for your support.

Sincerely,
Donna Young
President, Women’s Guild

Music

Please be advised that the salary for choir members will be increased due to a lack of interest.

Church & Family Life

There will be an Appreciation Luncheon for the teachers and staff at Parkview and Joyce Kilmer schools on Friday, February 14. The luncheon will be held in the Social Hall. Anyone interested in lending a hand, please call Maryanne Stout at 732 828-7111.

Martha Circle

On a very cold night, Monday, January 20th, the Martha Circle met in the Social Hall with Ruth Karren, leader, presiding. Doris Weber led devotions about “Counting Our Blessings” and concluded with excerpts from “Reasons Why Older Is Better”. (This all warmed our hearts!)

The women will conduct the Sunday worship service on February 2nd. Donna Young, Guild President, presented the order of service and various members of the circle volunteered to help.

We were honored to have a “special guest” – Fraulein Maudie Raber, from an Amish kirche told us about her familie and her life as an Amish. (Her mann is a bauer – she has two tochters and a sohn.) The women asked her questions and she explained many things to us. It was a very interesting and informative discussion. We thanked Maudie for coming to visit with us and wished her a safe horse and buggy ride back home.

The next meeting will be held on Monday evening, February 17 at 7:30 p.m. in the Social Hall with Grace Novello having devotions and Marjorie Conger refreshments. All women of the church are invited to our meetings – “come on out” – our leader, Ruth, has made our evenings very interesting.

^{Marjorie Conger,

Secretary}

Letters.......

.
Members of St. Paul’s,

It was such a wonderful way to welcome Christmas having the St. Paul’s carolers coming to my home the Sunday before Christmas.

My neighbor was also impressed by the large group of carolers. We both enjoyed their songs so much.

Many thanks to the Women’s Guild and Youth Group for the beautiful poinsettia and fruit basket they brought me.

Sincerely,
Marie Wilder

.
Dear St. Paul’s Youth Group,

Thank you very much for coming to my home to sing Christmas carols, for the cookies and the poinsettia plant.

We enjoyed your visit very much and appreciate that you remembered us during the holiday season.

William Hettler

Dear St. Paul’s Family,
Thank you all for your cards, prayers, calls and visits after the passing of my brother Doug. Your love and support was of great comfort to my family.

Carol Lagowski

A Prayer as We Grow Older

Lord, keep me from the fatal habit of thinking that I must say something on every subject and on every occasion. Release me from craving to straighten out everybody’s affairs.

Make me thoughtful but not moody; helpful but not bossy. With my vast store of wisdom, it seems a pity not to use it all – but Thou knowest, Lord, that I want a few friends at the end.

Keep my mind from the recital of endless details – give me wings to get to the point.

Seal my lips on my aches and pains. They are increasing and love of rehearsing them is becoming sweeter as the years go by.

I dare not ask for grace enough to enjoy the tales of others but help me to listen to them with patience.

I dare not ask for improved memory by a growing humility and lessening cocksureness when my memory seems to clash with the memory of others. Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be mistaken.

Keep me reasonably sweet. I do not want to be a “saint” – some of them are hard to live with – but a sour old person is one of the crowning works of the devil.

Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected places and talents in unexpected people. Give me the grace to tell them so.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Growing old can be a frightening thing. We worry about what we will be like in the years ahead. We hope to be wise and gentle and kind and loving. The only way to be that way as an old person, though, is to strive to live that way every day as a young person.

“Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you say, ‘I have no pleasure in them.’” (Eccl. 12:1)

Alan Smith,
White House Church of Christ,
White House, Tennessee

Click Here For
February NewsLetter
Page five

Drink From Our Cup