Announcements |
Celebrate!!
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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. |
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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
| 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. |
"Gadget's Garage" is Coming to New Gosh
| 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? |
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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. |
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Holy Communion
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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
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Come out to our Church Park for a time of prayer on Wednesday, July 15 and Wednesday, August 19 at 7:45 p.m. |
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. |
New Members' Class
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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. 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. |
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Wish List
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Interested in donating an item the church needs
or making a financial contribution toward purchase of an item? |
