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Celebrate!!
FreedomFest is a Fourth of July
Celebration for the Upper Perkiomen Valley at New Goshenhoppen Park, East
Greenville, hosted by the churches in the area and sponsored by the churches
and many generous businesses and professionals.
On Wednesday through Friday, July 1st
to July 3rd, festivities will be from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with
carnival rides, skilled booth games, food, and live music each evening.
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On Saturday, the Fourth of
July, the day begins at 10:00 a.m. with the Firemen's Battle.
Rides, skilled booth games, and food will open at 12:00 noon. There
will be a baby parade for children under 1 1/2 years old at 1:00
p.m. There will be music and other activities throughout the day; a
family puppet show begins at 5:00 p.m. and the Red Hill Band
performs from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
The day will end with fireworks
at 9:30 p.m. There is no charge for parking and no admission fee.
Donations received beyond the cost for FreedomFest will go to Open
Line and participating fire companies.
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Update from the Accessibility Committee
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The Accessibility Committee has met several
times this year. Even though the congregation did not approve the original
proposal the committee presented on October 19, 2008, the survey results
supported our intended goal to make New Goshenhoppen Church barrier free and
easily accessible to everyone. The majority of the members indicated they would
support a plan that was not as detailed and came with a smaller price tag. Based
on that survey we committed ourselves to finding alternatives to keep our vision
alive. |
Reverend Clemens sent personal
invitations to members of our congregation who are involved in
construction. We wanted to get their opinions and suggestions. These
individuals were very receptive to the invitation and excited about the
project. These individuals are providing invaluable resources to help us
in many ways, including cost cutting advice. This has given us new
hope.
Here is where you can help and share
your ideas with us! Are you willing to volunteer? What would you like
us to consider? If you have a plan or suggestion and would like to
present it to the committee please contact me, Tom Brauner, at
215-679-8773, and briefly tell me your idea. I can put you on the agenda
for a future meeting.
All are welcome to come to the
meetings and to help with this project.
Our next meeting is Tuesday, July
7, 2009 at 7 p.m.
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Confirmation Class
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The 2009-2010 Confirmation Class will be underway very
soon. This class is for youth who are either 14 years of age or entering ninth
grade this September. This is a one year course with mandatory attendance.
Class sessions are at 9:15 a.m. Sunday mornings and on Wednesday nights from
7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. There will also be required attendance at our Sunday
morning worship services, at special worship services, and at a retreat. We are
also planning special mission/outreach projects in which the student is required
to participate. |
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An
important orientation session will be held on Wednesday, September 9,
2009, at 7:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Attendance at this orientation
session is required for both the student and at least one parent,
preferably both parents, in order to be enrolled.
Classes will begin Sunday, September 13, 2009, at which time students
will consecrate themselves to the year’s program. The Rite of
Confirmation will be celebrated on Pentecost Sunday, May 23, 2010.
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Worship in the Park
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The 10:30 a.m. worship services have already begun at
the Church Park! The 10:30 a.m. services will continue to be held at
our park through Sunday, September 6, 2009. Please note that the 8:00
a.m. worship services will continue to be held in the Sanctuary of New
Goshenhoppen UCC.
Sunday School will be conducted at the park starting on
Sunday, July 5, 2009 and going through
Sunday, September 6, 2009, from 9:15 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.
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"Gadget's
Garage" is Coming to New Gosh
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The second
Vacation Bible School session, on August 10 - 14th from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
is “Gadget's Garage,” the workshop where a teen genius “Gadget” works on his
latest invention, who is a friendly and wacky robot named Gizmo. Gizmo and
Gadget introduce the students to five incredible Bible stories that show the
wonders of God's world, His incredible love in Christ, and His unshakable Word
in the Bible. Gadget helps the kids remember that God's Always Doing Great,
Exciting Things through Jesus our Savior. |
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On Day
1, the lesson is called "a mighty wonder" and focuses on how God made the
world for you and me. Day 2 is called "a water wonder" and uses the miracle
of turning water into wine, to show how Jesus transforms you and me. Day 3
is "a growing wonder" and centers on how God's word grows in you and me. Day
4 is called "a glowing wonder" and tells how Jesus shows His power for you
and me. Finally, Day 5 is titled "a risen wonder," where Jesus creates new
life for you and me.
This
Bible School session has the students staying in separate classrooms for
their lessons and crafts, but ends with an all-together time for singing and
mission project information. Students age 3 (potty-trained) and older are
invited and welcomed to attend. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged so
that ample supplies can be purchased. Teachers and helpers are always
needed, so contact Jeanine Roth, D.C.E if you are interested in volunteering
and spreading God's love.
Some
props needed for this Bible School are: old computer and TV parts, jars of
nuts and bolts, coils or electrical wire, shop vacuum, old paint cans, old
control panel with lights, dryer hose....other odds and ends that might make
up a creative work space. Look in your garage or cellar for any of these
things, and let me know if we can use them for decoration.
Thanks! Jeanine Roth
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Planned Giving & Endowments
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The following is the first in a series of articles on planned giving and
endowments. The other articles will appear in The Steeple on an intermittent
basis. The information in this article was taken from the Local Church
Planned Giving Manual, published by the United Church of Christ.
What is a Planned Gift? |
A planned gift is a gift that is planned for during the donor’s lifetime,
but not actually received by the church until after the donor’s death. Planned
gifts may include bequests, life income gifts, and certain life insurance
arrangements.
Stewardship – The Big Picture
Stewardship in the church is often limited to meeting next year’s budget by
members giving out of their current income. Seldom is the holistic perspective
of stewardship cited – that all we are and have been given is a trust from God,
including one’s accumulated assets.
A Ministry to Persons
Planned giving is a means by which persons are assisted in responding in a
holistic and faithful way as Christian stewards. That is accomplished by
enabling individuals to make sound financial plans that take into account their
needs and those of their family, as well as commitments to church.
Persons are often reluctant to seek assistance in dealing with financial
matters, thus making this a valuable ministry of the church. The primary goal of
planned giving is not providing another fund-raising technique, but rather
helping persons be faithful stewards in their financial planning for family and
in giving to the church as part of their family.
Mission into the Future
A hoped-for end result of a financial development ministry is to have persons
provide for the work of the congregation through gifts to endowment funds. This
involves the development of a long-range plan for the development and
administration of the endowment funds on behalf of the congregation.
The invitation to consider a planned gift is an important and often neglected
aspect of individual and congregational stewardship. Understanding the
stewardship of one’s assets, engaging in estate planning, and building
endowments are all important, but the invitation to become “stewards of the
future,” needs to be extended.
God calls members of New Goshenhoppen UCC not only to be faithful stewards now,
but also to join the mission in the future. |
Holy
Communion
The sacrament of Holy Communion will be
celebrated on Sunday, August 2, 2009, at 8:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary of New
Goshenhoppen UCC and then, at 10:30 a.m. in the New Goshenhoppen Park. All
confessing Christians are welcomed at the Lord’s Table---please join your
church family, either in the beauty of our Sanctuary (8:00 a.m.) or in the
beauty of our park (10:30 a.m. with the bonus of cool breezes).
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Prayer in the Park
Come out to our Church Park for a
time of prayer on Wednesday, July 15 and Wednesday, August
19 at 7:45 p.m.
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Picnic with the Pastor
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There will be opportunities to gather
with a pastor (and others who come) for a meal at the Church Park or Bell
Garden on several occasions in the summer months.
Reverend Clemens or Reverend Royer will
be at the Church Park or Bell Garden on several dates listed below for times
together with whoever comes.
There is no agenda other than enjoying
the time together, and all you are asked to bring is your meal and supplies
for those with you. It will be as simple or involved as you make it.
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Here are the dates and times:
Picnic with the
Pastor:
Date and Place
Time
July
9---Park 12 noon
July
23---Park 12 noon
August 5---Bell Garden
12 noon
August
20---Park 12 noon
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Cemetery
Work Nights
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The Cemetery Committee will meet at 6:00 p.m. on the following dates
(Thursday evenings): July 23rd and August 20th.
Please come out and help the committee to maintain the cemetery. |
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Women's Fellowship Summer Meetings
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The July meeting is scheduled for Monday,
July 13th at 6:00 p.m. in the Church Park. Join us for a "Hot Dog Roast”
and an informal ladies get-together.
The August meeting is scheduled for
Monday, August 10th at 1:00 p.m. in the Church Park. Join us for an “Ice
Cream Social” and an informal ladies get-together.
If you wish, bring a chair.
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New
Members' Class
All persons interested in joining New
Goshenhoppen United Church of Christ are cordially invited to attend the new
members’ class that will be held at the New Goshenhoppen Park starting on
Sunday, July 5, 2009, at 11:30 a.m. The class will continue on July 12, 19,
and 26. Please bring a bagged lunch. Anyone interested in joining the
class or learning more information is encouraged to call the Church Office
at 215-679-2041.
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Take Some Time for God & You
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Camp/retreat
registrations are available up to a week before the event. Brochures are
available at www.MenschMill.org or from Jeanine Roth or Donna Fried. |
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Senior Adult event will be held on September 22 - 24,
2009 (Tuesday through Thursday) at the Kline Center. “Pot Pie, Pow Wows, &
People - Exploring our PA German Spirituality” is the theme for Ventures
2009.
Scholarship
money is available for all ages.
Register for day participation or overnight. Tuesday
evening we’ll hear from Rev. Harry Serio about our PA Dutch history and culture.
On Wednesday we’ll connect with the local history of Mensch Mill and hear an
evening presentation about Pennsylvania German Christmas. In the afternoon there
will be workshops for writing, painting, and labyrinths.
We’ll also celebrate the 80th year of programming at
Mensch Mill.
Wednesday and Thursday morning Bible Studies will be led by Rev. Dr. Russell
Mitman.
This is just a sampling of what is available.
Full time
registration - two overnights with seven meals is $150. Bedding and towels
provided.
Part time registration - $30/day including 2 meals. |
Wish List
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