THE LONGswAMp UCC BEACON

MArCH 2013
Dear Members and Friends,
This month we prepare for the great celebration of Easter. It is a time when we join with Chris tians throughout the world to re-live the wonderful announcement of the angels at the empty tomb, Why are you looking among the dead for the One who is alive? He is not here. He has been raised. Luke 24:5. Our faith is built on God doing something completely different in Jesus Christ. So let s be careful not to limit our imagination of what God can do. We worship an amazing and surprising Still Speaking God. During these harsh times it is good to remember that our destiny is in the hands of a God who has the power to overcome all disgrace and devastation, even death itself. This month we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, but the real miracle is that God is constantly at work in our own lives bring hope out of darkness. We worship this God of new beginnings. We worship this God who takes people that the world considers insignificant, and turns them into servants of the eternal kingdom. Please invite family members, friends and new neighbors to attend Easter Day worship with you at 7am or 10:15am. Holy Communion (at both services) will be served to all baptized Christians. Remember that 80% of new people who come to worship attend because they have been invited by a friend or family member.

CALLING YOU HOME

Grace & Peace

Pastor Kathy

Longswamp UCC Holy Week & Easter Worship Services

200 Clay Road, Mertztown, PA 19539 Phone 610-682-6230 E-Mail: longswampucc@windstream.net Web: www.longswampucc.org

Please Join Us
Sunday March 24th 10:15 am Worship Palm Sunday Distribution of Palms American Cancer Society Daffodil Sunday Wednesday March 27th 7pm Community Worship At St. Paul s Lutheran Church Rev. Roger Ulrich, Preacher Maundy Thursday March 28th 7:30pm Worship The Last Supper. Celebration of Holy Communion G 7:30pm Worship ood Friday March 29th Service of Light and Shadows

Easter Sunday March 31st

7:00 am 8:30 am 10:15 am Worship & Holy Communion Coffee, Orange Juice and Donuts Worship & Holy Communion, Bell Choir

Longswamp United Church of Christ, Mertztown, PA 2013 Worship & Mission Calendar
Sun Mar 3 Wed Mar 6 Sun Mar 10 Wed Mar 13 Sun Mar 17 Wed Mar 20 Sun Mar 24 Wed Mar 27 Thur Mar 28 Fri Mar 29 Sun Mar31 Sun Mar31 10:15 7 pm 10:15 7 pm 10:15 7 pm 10:15 7 pm 7:30pm 7:30 pm 7 am 8 am 10:15 am Third Sunday of Lent Community Lent Worship St. Patrick: CONGREGATIONAL MEETING Community Lent Worship Holy Communion One Great Hour of Sharing Mission Offering Community Lent Worship PALM SUNDAY Community Lent Worship Maundy Thursday Holy Communion Good Friday - Tenebrae Sunrise Worship & Holy Communion Coffee & Donuts Easter Worship & Holy Communion Confirmation Field Trip New Jerusalem Rev. Brearley START OF DAYLIGHT SAVINGS Anniversary of Althea and Jeanette s passing. Blessing Prayer Shawls Longswamp UCC - Rev. Borden FAITH WORLD Christ DeLong - Rev. Sassaman Daffodil Sunday St. Paul s ELCA - Rev. Ulrich

Holy Communion: The Sacrament of Holy Communion will be

celebrated on Sunday, March 17th, March 28th (Maundy Thursday), & March 31st (Easter Sunday). If you wish to receive private Holy Communion or if you have a family member who cannot attend church for Communion, please notify Pastor Brearly.

YOUTH CLASSES!!: March17, 9 am downstairs -Youth Class for high-school age, taught by Andrew Thomas. Coffee & discussion, Caffeine & Character- Who's in Charge Here?-Theme of Authority (pt.2)
Calling all children ages 3-11! Join us on March 17th for Faith World during the 10:15 worship service.

Flower Covered Cross On Easter Sunday morning remember to bring flowers to adorn a
six foot cross that will be placed in front of the church. This activity is sponsored by the church school and represents Christ s victory over death. Help transform the old rugged cross into the wonders of redeeming love, Christ, the Son of God.

Daffodil Sunday will be held on Sunday, March 24th, here at Longswamp UCC. This is in support of the American Cancer Society's annual campaign in finding a cure and to help support programs and services for Cancer survivors and their families. What a great way to beautify our sanctuary for such a worthwhile cause! Thank you for your support from the American Cancer Society!

CONSISTORY CORNER

March 2013

Your Consistory held their monthly meeting on Monday evening, February 18th, 6:30 PM at the parsonage. Much of our time was spent on the outcome and impressions from the Leadership Retreat held on January 26th. Using the book, Springs of Living Water and another recommended book by Rev. Marchetto, Leadership & the New Science , Pastor Kathy discussed with us new ways of thinking about how we might proceed in today s fast-paced world using Quantum Mechanics. Essentially, we must notice new information as it emerges, processing information and responding quickly to feedback. Information and communication are essential as they are dynamic and ever-changing. What works today, may not work tomorrow. Pretty heady and forward thinking concepts, but your Consistory will be utilizing some of this new way of thinking as we move forward. With our vision for our mission and ministry for the next 3-5 years identified as Serving the Community: Spiritually & Physically , we must learn to adapt and change, identifying what works and what doesn t, and be able to respond to ever-changing needs in our community and in our very midst. Dylan Weaknecht provided some interesting data he compiled using information from the past 10-11 years regarding membership and attendance, and we will be using that data and some other information to come up with some new ideas for increased attendance, membership, and retention of our current church family. This will be addressed by the Membership Committee, one of the three new committees that arose from Church Life and Growth (CLAG). We will begin to make contact with inactive members, continue to evaluate current LUCC programs, and encourage new growth through innovative marketing solutions (internet, social media, direct mailings) and increased community outreach and sponsored programs. We will also be dividing the membership into 12 teams led by Consistory members and Elders, in a new Stewardship campaign that will be on-going for most of the year. Lots of new ideas Property Committee provided an extensive report of projects they are currently working on, and Consistory voted to approve their recommendation for J.R.Wegman Construction to replace all of the windows in the Christian Education Building. The congregation will be asked to vote on this recommendation at the Annual Congregational Meeting to be held on Sunday, March 10, 2013, incorporated into the end of the worship service. By now you should have received a written notice of this meeting in the mail. Please plan to attend to get Annual Reports from all of the church s organizations and to learn more about the window replacement proposal and cast your vote. The Longswamp Church Historical Committee also formally asked Consistory if they may use more space in the upstairs of the parsonage, providing us with a map of their intentions. Many items of LUCC significance have been given to the Committee, and they are in the process of catalogue-ing all items for ease of reference. The fire-proof safe that was purchased several months ago is getting filled with very important, irreplaceable items from our church s extensive history. As we move forward, we must never lose sight of where we have been. The LUCC Historical Committee is ensuring that our church s past is well-preserved for generations to come. We thank them for that, and look forward to YOUR contribution to the current life and growth of Longswamp United Church of Christ. In Christ, Kimberly Jenkins 2013 Consistory President

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Have You Remembered the Church In Your Estate Planning??

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SURVEY RESULTS FOR CHRISTIAN ED/FEGELY HALL

This month, as promised, we will be detailing this portion of the survey results. Next month: the Parsonage. Christian Education Building & Fegely Hall: Restroom Modernization & Accessibility - 68% view this as a #1 priority (Wheelchair accessibility is included) 18% view this as a #2 priority in this area) 10% view this as a #3 priority Needed wheelchair/handicapped accessibility is mentioned throughout all parts of the campus by more than 24% or respondents. Painting/Insulation/Floors/ General facelift 14% think this should be a #1 priority 16% think this should be a #2 priority 2% think this should be a #3 priority 12% think this should be a #4 priority Kitchen Modernization/Upgrades - 8% list this as a #1 priority 12% list this as a #2 priority 30% list this as a #3 priority Small Addition - 2% see this as a #1 priority 6% see this as a #2 priority 12% see this as a #3 priority 12% see this as a #4 priority Storage area added 0% of respondents list this as a #1 or #2 priority 4% list it as a #3 priority 12% list it as a #4 priority Comments, regarding the use of the Walbert Building Funds for this purpose: Facelift, paint, tile, windows small investment with big return. Bathrooms need to be updated and accessible to older and handicapped visitors. Currently there is NO bathroom access by wheelchair or walker for any guests using Fegely Hall. Much of the wear and tear in this area is generated by the LLC. A small addition overlooking our beautiful view of the valley might be money well spent, and would alleviate our space sharing issues with the LLC. Paneling is outdated and lowers curb appeal . Paint or remove. Side entrance is unattractive and worn out. New door, replacement of siding would be a big improvement. Stay tuned next month for detailed results regarding your thoughts on the Parsonage. Thank you for your feedback Consistory and Property Committee are using this data to help us move forward.

Please mark your calendars for our General Congregational Meeting to be held on Sunday, March 10, 2013, incorporated into the end of the regular 10:15 AM worship service. This meetings purpose is for a general overview of our church s ministry and programs, with annual reporting by all facets of our church and Learning Center. In addition, Property Committee and Consistory will be bringing their recommended bid for replacement of all windows in the Christian Education Building, to the Congregation, for a formal vote. Stay tuned for more information. Plan on attending worship, and continue to stay informed in the life of YOUR church. See you March 10th!

A Message from our Treasurer

Distributions from the estates of Althea and Jeanette Walbert have been deposited into a money market account called Building Fund . This is in accordance with the wishes of Althea and Jeanette as expressed in their wills. Therefore, the use of the funds is restricted to the construction, repair and maintenance of church buildings and property. The funds may not be used for operating expenses or purposes not related to these specific categories. The use of these funds is spelled out in the revised endowment by-laws. The Endowment Committee is tasked with making recommendations to Consistory for investment of the funds. In this regard, the Endowment Committee recommended to the Consistory that $580,000 of monies in the Building Fund be invested with Institutional Advisors, an investment management firm associated with National Penn Investors Trust Company. Consistory approved the investment and the funds were deposited with Institutional Investors in July, 2012. Please refer to the Walbert Building Fund Endowment Investment Performance included in the Annual Report. In addition, a new account called the Building Fund Checking was opened in 2012. Funds are transferred from the Building Fund money market account to the Building Fund Checking as needed. An accounting for the Building Fund and Building Fund Checking for 2012 is included in the Annual Treasurer s Report. Detail of the Building Fund expenses is included with this Report. Please note that the Building Fund money market earned $3,490.71 in interest in 2012. Deposits of distributions from the Walbert Estate totaling $1,253,638 were made to the Building Fund in 2012. In the past, we have found it necessary to transfer funds from the Maintenance and OCPP accounts to the General Fund in order to pay our bills. A total of $6,200 was transferred from the Maintenance and OCPP accounts to the General Fund in 2012 in order to cover a short fall in General Fund income. The OCPP account was closed in 2012 with the balance transferred to the Maintenance Fund. Please note that heating oil expenses totaling $21,790.19 and church insurance package premiums totaling $5,460.33, as detailed in the Annual Treasurer s Report, were paid from the Building Fund money market and Building Fund checking for 2012. These payments are considered building or property maintenance expenses and are permitted payments from the Building Fund. Sufficient funds were not available from the General Fund to cover these expenses. While the generosity of members is greatly appreciated, the funds received through offering fall short of covering the operating expenses of the church. Please give prayerful consideration to your giving for 2013. While increased giving would of course be very beneficial, regular giving is also very important. The church has bills to pay on a regular basis throughout the year. Though we have received a generous gift from Althea and Jeanette Walbert, the use of the funds is restricted. Giving to the General Fund and Maintenance Fund of the church is still very much needed. The day to day operating expenses of the church are paid from the General Fund and maintenance of equipment and minor repairs have been paid from the Maintenance Fund. While we may be building toward the future with the generous bequest, we still must pay today s bills. Please continue to support these funds through your generous giving. With everyone s prayers and generosity, the church can be in a much improved financial situation in the future. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Dawn Strunk for all her hard work in keeping the books and other work as our financial secretary. The treasurer s job would be much more difficult without her efforts. A special thank you also to Harold Dankel, Barbara Weaknecht and Bob Fritz for counting the offering and making the deposits. They are faithful and diligent in their duties and very much appreciated. Your servant in Christ, Bob Friedly, Treasurer

Heating Oil Offering Your help is needed!

The church budget for 2013 projects heating oil expense of $23,463. Any additional financial assistance that church members could provide to help defray this large expense would be greatly appreciated. You may put your offering for heating oil in an envelope marked Heating Oil. Envelopes designated for heating oil are also provided for your convenience in the sanctuary pews. You may put the envelopes in the offering baskets on Sunday, return them by mail or drop them off at the church office at your convenience. Thank you!

On February 3rd, Karen Friedly, wife of Robert Friedly, was received as a member of the Longswamp Church Family by reaffirmation of faith. Please take the time to introduce yourself and welcome her!

News:

FIELD-TRIP: MARCH 3, 2013 to Zion s United Church of Christ, 620 West Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA 18010 & the Liberty Bell Museum.

Come and celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ after the 7AM service on Easter morning. Everyone is invited to come down to Fegely Hall on Easter morning and enjoy some donuts and coffee. Hope to see you there!

Saturday March 30th at 3PM - RAIN OR SHINE

EASTER EGG HUNT FOR CHILDREN OF ALL AGES

Your 2013 Church Envelopes are available to be picked up. Please notify the church office if you wish to have your envelopes mailed to you. If you would like a home visit from the Pastor and/or Elders please let us know. Someone will be glad to come to your home.

Sunday, March 10th marks the beginning of Daylight Savings Time!

Please be sure to set your clocks ahead one hour so that you will be on time for Sunday morning activities at Longswamp UCC!

Ann Mabry Miller

C HOIR REHEARSALS As we march into March we await the first peeps of the tiny spring p eepers! Our Loft Choir rehearsals for the Lenten Season and Holy Week will be over by the e nd of March, as Easter Sunday is March 31st! Rehea rsals for our Loft Choir members will be on the choir loft on these Thursdays from 7:30 - 8:30 P.M. ---- March 7th, March 14th and March 21st. A short Loft Choir rehearsal will be held after the Maundy Thursday Worship Service on Thursday, March 28th, so that the Loft Choir can go over the anthems for Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

NEXT SCHEDULED SUNDAY TO SING March 3rd (Lent, Praise Music) March 10th (Lent) - "Awake, My Soul, and Sing!" - Arr. Purifoy (from "A Service of Worship for the Easter and Lenten Season) March 17th (Lent, Faith World) - early in service March 21st (Palm Sunday) - "The Palms" - Faure March 28th (Easter Sunday) - "Alleluia! Christ Is Arisen" - Kopolyoff

DO YOU KNOW YOUR HYMNS? - The Dentist's Hymn - "Crown Him With Many Crowns"

THANK YOU - Thank you to Jenna Masenheimer and Mary Beth Weidman for their musical selections in February. Jenna played piano accompaniment while Mary Beth sang, "You Raise Me Up". Later in February, they sang a duet for "Pass It On", by Kaiser, with acc ompaniment by Ann Miller. We hope to hear more beautiful music from Jenna and Mary Beth!
HI MARGE! - WE MISS YOUR LAUGHTER ON OUR CHOIR LOFT! WE HOPE YOU ARE FEELING BETTER! COMING IN APRIL - Music for Earth Day....music for Spring! (9-10am on Sundays) Join us in March as we continue our study titled 'The Jesus Creed': Explore what it means to love God and love others.

Friendship Discussion Hour:

2012 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS: Members are reminded to advise the church office if you desire a copy of your giving for the year of 2012. Otherwise your copy will not be printed out. Those who have already signed up to receive theirs can pick them up in the Church Narthex.

LONGSWAMP UCC WEB PRESENCE: Church website: www.longswampucc.org. Church Facebook page: If you have a Facebook profile, search for Longswamp UCC and feel free to join the group. Contact Ellie Long at eloiselong@gmail.com or Andrew Thomas at awthomas@ptd.net

Please note that in case of inclement weather, weather cancellations will be announced and/or posted on WFMZ-TV (Channel 69 News) and wfmz.com at least one hour before church school and/or services.

UPPER ROOM DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE: These books are available in the church Narthex for a $1 contribution. Large Print is also available.

Absolute Deadline for Newsletter Articles for the April issue are due in the Church Office by Tuesday, March 12th! We appreciate them being sent to us by email or in typed format. Thank you!

The 2013 Altar Flower and Bulletin Sponsor Charts are hung up on the bulletin the left side when exiting the sanctuary.

board on

your is

Please remember to contact Dawn in the church office in advance to inform us of change of address to help save us additional postage cost. Each time a piece of mail returned to the church, we have to pay the corrected address and return of that mail.

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enealogical Help: Ellie Long has graciously offered to handle any genealogical inquiries. Please ontact Ellie at eloiselong@gmail.com.

Just a ReminderAnyone hosting fellowship or after church activities, please make sure that the church
or Christian Ed building is locked, windows are closed, and lights turned off before leaving. Thank you. SAVE THOSE REGISTER TAPES! (Very easy way to assist your church) If you shop at Radcliffe s market , Be sure to drop off your receipts in the vest Radcliffe). ibule (papered box marked

If you shop at Redner s, you need to obtain a Save a Tape Card from the store and use it every time you shop, then simply collect your receipts and deposit them in the designated box found in the side vestibule (papered box marked Redner s).

LOAVES & FISHES Free Fellowship & Soup/Salad/Sandwiches Meal : Tuesday, March 19 th from 6-7:30pm at Trinity Lutheran Church, Topton. All are Welcome! Desserts are greatly appreciated.

BRANDYWINE FOOD PANTRY Thank you to Longswamp UCC for keeping our pantry shelves stocked this winter. Currently, the pantry is serving 44 area families. Thanks to your generous donations, it has been possible to meet the growing demand. Below are items that the pantry is in need of: navy beans, refried beans, wax beans, canned potatoes, canned spinach, canned asparagus, cream corn, sauerkraut salad dressing, ketchup, mayonnaise, cake mixes, snacks, boxed cereal, assorted jello (no orange or strawberry), aspirin, deodorant, canned apricots, canned cherries, mandarin oranges, canned pineapple canned meats, canned chicken, penne noodles, farfalle noodles, rotelle noodles, orzo, assorted tomato sauce, Chef Boyardee cheese ravioli, Chef Boyardee beefaroni, macaroni and cheese, tea, coffee, assorted juices. The pantry staff thanks you again for your support. Marie (Your Brandywine Food Pantry Administrator)

NOTICE: A FREE QPR Suicide Prevention Training Seminar will be held on April 21 @ 12:30 in the chapel building on the Huff's Church Campus. All interested persons are invited to attend.

Assisting In Our Worship...

*Communion Sunday **Special Service

HEAD USHERS:
Mar. 3 Tina Cirafesi Mar. 10 Kyle Koller **Mar. 13 *Mar. 17 Don Siegfried Mar. 24 Barb Weaknecht **Mar. 28 Barb Weaknecht **Mar. 29 Don Siegfried *Mar. 31 7am Dylan Weaknecht 10:15am Fran Zettlemoyer

GREETERS:
Mar. 3 Dawn Weller Mar. 10 **Mar. 13 *Mar. 17 Mar. 24 **Mar. 28

**Mar. 29 *Mar. 31 7am 10:15am

Please drop a note or call the church office or sign up on the charts in the Narthex if you would be interested in sponsoring altar flowers and/or bulletins for any of the open dates for 2012.

NURSERY HOSTS:
Mar. 3 Chris & Kayla Freudig Mar. 10 Jennifer & Mary Beth Weidman *Mar. 17 Coralie & Weylin Eck Mar. 24 Volunteers Needed *Mar. 31 10:15am Tina & Julianna Cirafesi

READERS:
Mar. 3 Vern Shade Mar. 10 Amy Riovo **Mar. 13 Local Pastors *Mar. 17 Harold Dankel Mar. 24 Bev Thomas **Mar. 28 Kim Jenkins **Mar. 29 Andrew Thomas *Mar. 31 7am Barb Weaknecht 10:15am Alex Jenkins

FELLOWSHIP HOSTS:
Mar. 3 Mar. 10 **Mar. 13 LUCC Members *Mar. 17 Friendship Discussion Hour Mar. 24 *Mar. 31 8am Donuts & Coffee

ATTENTION:
We are still in need of greeters for all dates, except March 3rd and fellowship hosts for March 3, 10, & 24. Please contact Barbara Weaknecht by phone at (610-6822406) if you re willing to greet or host fellowship on any of the above listed dates. Your dedication to serving as greeters and/or hosting fellowship is greatly appreciated. Thank you for serving your church in this way!

A SPECIAL NOTE ON HOSTING FELLOWSHIP

If anyone is interested in donating food, beverages, or financial donation for fellowship on a specific Sunday, but not wanting to host it, please call the church office or talk to the Pastor.

ALTAR GUILD:
March Fern Fritz, Cindy Conrad, & Sue McElrea

Members and riends Prayer List:

As of newsletter preparation time]

ACOLYTES:
Mar. 3 Julianna Cirafesi Mar. 10 Garrett Jenkins **Mar. 13 Dale Loch, Jr *Mar. 17 Matt Masenheimer Mar. 24 Mackenzie Gross **Mar. 28 **Mar. 29 Mary Beth Weidman *Mar. 31 7am Weylin Eck 10:15am Nick Strunk

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FLOWER & BULLETIN SPONSORS:

Mar. 3 Siegfried Family Mar. 10 Walbert Estate *Mar. 17 Eloise Long Mar. 24 Robert & Fern Fritz *Mar. 31 Cost: Altar Flowers $35.00 $10.00 Bulletins $45.00

Active Military Members: PFC Michael Xiques Long-term Needs: Amy Roth, Alayna Biltcliff, Olivia Radcliffe, Niki Ferrizzi, Hope Distasio Rev. William Thomas, Mark Grim, JoAnn Jones February Prayer Needs: Marjorie Shoemaker, Marcia Strause (open heart surgery) and her doctors, Lehman and Freund, & Edward Ritter (starting treatment for bladder cancer). Shut-ins: Mary Conrad [Kutztown Manor], Ruth Hertzog & Corinne Reppert [Lutheran Home, Topton], Jean Rhode & Ruth Romig [Lewisburg], Webster Heffner [Carlisle, PA], Helen Schuler [Oakhurst, NJ], Anna Delong, Caroline Delong, Catherine Miller, Anna Reppert, & Doris Weller [home] [Please give the Pastor a note with any special prayer needs]

Hospital ID Number:
Our hospital identification number for Lehigh Valley Area is #451 and for Reading Hospital use Longswamp UCC. Please use our name or number when entering the hospital. Also, make sure that a family member or friend contacts the church office to let us know when you are hospitalized. 03/05/1960 Barbara & Paul Weller 03/14/1992 Dawn & Derek Strunk 03/23/1957 Jean & Allen Oswald

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY & MANY MORE!

For Your Information

March 1 - Jayne Siegfried March 3 - Kimberly Jenkins March 4 - Gail Zettlemoyer March 5 - Dan Eck March 6 - Kim Toth, Dawn Strunk March 7 - Arlene Chase March 8 - Allison Isamoyer March 10 - Sandra Reppert, Dawn Weller March 13 - Anna Delong, Zachary Strunk March 15 - Fern Reidnauer March 19 - Corinne Reppert March 20 - David Snyder, Sr. March 21 - Robert Friedly March 22 - Kylee Wessner March 24 - Amy Riovo, Skylar Strunk March 25 - Cole Fredericks March 26 - Mark Godfriaux March 27 - Elizabeth Teeters March 31 - Curtis Dorwart For parents with children up to and including age five, or at parent s discretion, a NURSERY is available in our Christian Education Building. There are BUSY BOXES available for use by the young and the restless located in the bookcase in the narthex. Please replace them after the worship service. WIRELESS HEARING DEVICES are available upon request from the Greeters. Always sign PEW PADS when in attendance and ESPECIALLY when you have communed Please use OFFERING ENVELOPES OR put offering envelope number on check.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY & MANY MORE!

THE PRAYER SHAWL MINISTY at LUCC

The February meeting of THE PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY at LUCC was held February 12th at 6:30 PM in the church library. The following ladies worked on prayer shawls at this meeting: o Chris Freudig o Kathleen Herman o Shirley Solt o Doris Rumble o Jennifer Loch o Jayne Siegfried o Judy Koller Our inspiration was taken from the book, Prayer Shawl Ponderings by Karen Doolard. The following scripture verse was discussed: But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marr ed in his hands: so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. Jeremiah 18:4 Gifts to the Prayer Shawl Ministry:

o o o

A $50.00 gift was received from Barbara Weaknecht s Bible Study Group. We thank you for your generosity. Jean Althouse, Cindy Conrad, and Sue McElrea provided 2 boxes of Hefty Bags for packaging shawls. Thank you for thinking of us and keeping us supplied with these bags on a regular basis. Shawls donated and made by Maryalice, then delivered to LUCC by Ron and Millie Newhard: Blue & White Shawl with long white fringes Crochet Triangle Shawl Blue & Brown Multi color Crochet Shawl Multi shades of Gray with fringes Crochet Lap Shawl Solid Gray Crochet Shawl Burgundy/Crme/Navy Stripe Knit Shawl Lilac and White blocks

3 Thank you cards were received 11 Shawls were blessed on February 10th

You may join the prayer shawl ministry by getting involved in making shawls, or by requesting a shawl for a friend or loved one that is in need. If you wish to make a donation, we welcome your contributions. NEXT BLESSING: March 10th, NEXT MEETING: March 12th at 6:30 PM.

LONGSWAMP LEARNING CENTER NEWS

Everyone Who Enters Must Hibernate is the sign on the door of the preschool classroom downstairs. Preschool students brought in bears and experienced hibernation in caves. They also discussed animals that migrate and adapt during the winter months. In the photos below, Abbey is exploring her cave and Jenna is counting and sorting teddy grahams with Nancy. Jenna also practiced subtraction as she enjoyed eating the teddy grahams.

Church Staff and Information: 2013 Consistory Members: Rev. Dr. Katherine Brearly, Pastor Kimberly Jenkins, President Dawn Strunk, Church Secretary Donald Siegfried, Vice-President Ann Mabry Miller, Organist Dylan Weaknecht, Secretary Vern Shade, Bell Choir Director Francis Zettlemoyer, Deacon & Elder Ronald Newhard, Sexton Barbara Weaknecht, Deacon & Elder (Also contact for Longswamp Union Cemetery) G. Kyle Koller, Deacon Beverly Thomas, Director of Longswamp U.C.C. Shirley Solt, Deacon Learning Center Tina Cirafesi, Deacon Robert Friedly, Treasurer Richard Conrad, Deacon Church Website: www.longswampucc.org Contact Person - Eloise Long 610 682-0696 E-mail Contacts: Church longswampucc@windstream.net Pastor longswamppastor@windstream.net

LONGSWAMP UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

March 2013
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday

Friday

Saturday

9:00am Conf., FDH 10:15am Worship Confirmation Field Trip 5:30pm Bell Choir

6:30pm Boy Scouts

5
(cabin)

7:15pm PCRC

7:00pm Community Lenten Service @ New Jerusalem UCC (Rev. Brearley preaching)

7:30pm Loft Choir

10

9:00am Conf., ,FDH 10:15am Worship: Anniv. Walbert deaths, Blessing Prayer Shawls CONGREGATIONAL MTG
3:30pm LUCC Historic Com

11

6:30pm Property Comm. 6:30pm Boy Scouts (cabin) 7:00pm LLC Board of Directors

12

6:30pm Prayer Shawl Ministry

13

APRIL NEWSLETTER ARTICLES ARE DUE!

7:00pm Community Lenten Service @ Longswamp UCC (Rev. Borden preaching)

14

7:30pm Loft Choir

15

16

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME BEGINS

17

9:00am Conf., YG,FDH 10:15am Worship; Holy Communion, Fellowship, FAITH WORLD & OGHS 5:30pm Bell Choir PALM PLANTS & LILY ORDERS ARE DUE!

18

6:30pm Consistory 6:30pm Boy Scouts

19
(cabin)

6 7:30pm FREE FELLOWSHIP & Soup/Salad/Sandwiches MEAL @ Trinity Lutheran, Topton

20

7:00pm Community Lenten Service @ ChristDelong UCC, Bowers (Rev. Sassaman preaching)

21

7:30pm Loft Choir

22

23

24

9:00am Conf., FDH 10:15am Worship: Palm Sunday / Daffodil Sunday 5:30pm Bell Choir

25

6:30pm Boy Scouts

26
(cabin)

27

7:00pm Community Lenten Service @ St. Pauls ELCA, Mertztown s (Rev. Ulrich preaching)

28

7:30pm Maundy Thursday Service with Holy Communion

29

7:30pm Good Friday Tenebrae Service

30
3:00pm Easter Egg Hunt (for ALL ages)

Palm Sunday

OFFICE CLOSED Good Friday

31

7:00am Easter Sunrise Holy Communion Service 8:00am Coffee& Donuts 9:00am Confirm & FDH 10:15am Worship: Easter Holy Communion Service

Easter Easter

Longswamp Learning Center Hours: Monday thru Friday - 6:30am till 5:30pm

(610) 682-9750 (610) 682-6230

Church Secretary (Dawn Strunk) Office Hours: Monday thru Friday

9:00am till 2:00pm