DECEMBER 2013

Volume 27.12

From Rev. Tom Gerstenlauer...

Greetings friends, Advent begins. Heres a favorite song of the season, made popular by Perry Como. Hope you know it but if not, its on YouTube. Blessings! Crazy things, said and done every single day but one Every night should, I believe be the same as Christmas eve Nights should all be silent, days should all slow down An end to the hurry, the noise and the worry And I hope you believe that too It's Christmas, remember? Does no one remember? The whole world needs a Christmas dream We need it to warm us, to calm us, to love us

St. Johns United Church of Christ

St. Johns is a community of faith centered in Jesus Christ, seeking guidance and direction through the Holy Spirit, and demonstrating Gods love to all people in words and deeds.

An Open and Affirming Congregation

503 Stuart Circle Richmond, Virginia 23220 Telephone: 804.358.9291 Email: stjohnsrichmondoffice@verizon.net Web Site: stjohnsrichmond.org

To help us to dream our Christmas dream

Merry Christmas from the St. Johns Staff...

Published monthly 2013 St Johns UCC

2 The Messenger | December 2013

...from the President

The Ministry plan for 2014 was discussed for the final time and voted on by council and was presented for a Congregational vote on November 24th. As of the vote, we have committed pledges of approximately $100,000 toward our goal of $126,000. We thank those who have pledged and encourage those that have not, to please do so. With Gods help, we will continue the work of St Johns UCC. We encourage you to choose one or more of our endeavors and be active! As a community of people working hand in hand with God, Richmond will be a better place due to our efforts. The Council voted on the following people to form the Search Committee for our new pastor. These members have committed to this job and we thank them. They will be meeting during the next 12-18 months to make a recommendation to the congregation. This group has a responsibility to us and will be asking for your help as to your special needs and desires in a new pastor as they complete a church profile. The group will be reading many profiles of candidates and will not be discussing this with you, as all this information is confidential to the group. You will receive updates as to their progress during the months to come. If you have questions or concerns about this procedure, please discuss them with Betsy Bighinatti. Search Committee members: Elisabeth Burnette- Co-Chairman; Don Steigler- Co-chairman; Justin Barbour, Sam Dalton, Kristina Gilbert, Jeff Jacobs, Desiree McNeice, Rob Osborn, Lynn Snyder, The following will act as consultants during the process: Rev. Lex Tartaglia, Rev. Tom Gerstenlauer The old boiler has been removed along with the asbestos in the area. The new hot water boiler will be installed during the first week of December. Our existing boiler has been serviced and is providing heat for us at this point. If you have any questions or concerns about maintenance issues in the church that you please contact Richard Bighinatti at church or at 804-502-1005. Council and I wish you all a blessed holiday season. May God Bless you all. Betsy Bighinatti Council President

To our ministry
Sunday, December 22, 2013 After Worship!
As we enter the time of Advent and prepare ourselves for the birth of our Savior, my time here at St. John's is coming to a close. I would like to thank every one of you for the open welcome I received here. When I look at the faces in the pews or in the fellowship hall now, I know little bits about some of you, and would have liked for it to be a lot more. Thank you for your support and friendliness, the way you welcomed me and embraced me, and the way you helped to carry me through this experience of learning. I believe that St. John's has a lot to offer to interns, and I hope that this may be one of the ministries you will stay involved in. May God bless you and keep you, now and always, as I will carry you in my heart and in my prayers.

Thea

Members of Church Council

Bryan Anderegg Marjorie Barbour Teresa Jolles Kenn Shirley Bill Watson Betsy Bighinatti, President Jeff Hetzer, Vice President Helena DeLigt, Secretary Allen Caraher Desiree McNeice Dreama Terrill Karen-Marie Yust
RELATIONS COMMITTEE

Members of Pastoral Relations Committee

Lex Tartaglia, Chair Elisabeth Burnette Marjorie Barbour Billy Poarch

The Messenger | December 2013

On Christmas Eve, December 24th, we will receive an offering for retired United Church of Christ ministers and their surviving loved ones. For 109 years, the Christmas Fund offering for the Veterans of the Cross and the Emergency Fund has been a means by which the members of the United Church of Christ live out the mandate to be Christs body in the world. The Christmas Fund is one of four Special Mission Offerings received annually in the UCC. It is a ministry of compassion and care to those who have served our church. Please reflect upon the ways your life has been touched by a pastor, Christian education director, church secretary or minister of music, and consider a generous gift to honor and assist others like them in difficult times.

The Christmas Tree in the Parlor has ornaments with gift suggestions for families. Please take a paper ornament, purchase the item listed, wrap it and use the ornament as the Gift Tag. Then return the gift to Church and place it under the tree NO LATER THAN Sunday, December 15th. St. Johns Mission Elves will deliver the packages in time for Christmas. In addition, you are invited to place hats, mittens and/or scarves under the tree to be delivered to the William Byrd Community House in January.

St. Johns UCC

William Byrd Community House Donations (WBCH) December 15

December Offering to Support Circle Center

Thirty-six years ago, St. Johns and four other Stuart Circle churches worked together to create the Circle Center, an adult day care center that has now grown into the biggest and best organization of its kind in Virginia. The Center provides a way for frail or functionally impaired older adults to continue living at home with their families instead of in a residential institution. Its participants receive professional care during daytime hours, including an innovative, Montessori-based activity program for those with dementia.

Our younger youth church school class will continue to organize and deliver all donations to WBCH. Dont forget that on the third Sunday of each month, we receive contributions of non-perishable food items for the William Byrd Food Bank. Ask for a shopping bag with a shopping list attached from a member of the Welcome Team when you come to worship.

Richmond PAL Concert Here December 15

We hope you will come out and support the Richmond Police Athletic Leagues Christmas Concert that will be held here, in our sanctuary, on Sunday, December 15th at 2:30 pm.

The Center uses donations from individuals and organizations to provide scholarships for Richmond families and to make up the gap between costs and Medicaid reimbursement.
On Sunday, December 15, Executive Director Lory Phillippo will be here to tell us more about the Centers ministry and to invite our financial support. Please listen, pray and be generous!

CROP Hunger Walk

Thank you to all who made this years CROP Hunger Walk a success. St. Johns hosted over 100 people, who raised over $7,000 (funds are still coming in ) for both local hunger-relief agencies and Church World Services global hunger relief efforts. St. Johns had a total of participants at the walk and the SJUCC CROP Team raised over $500! Participants from St. Johns not only walked and raised money but they setup tables, posted signs, managed a water-station, organized, cleaned-up, welcomed guests into our church and much more! A special thank you to our youth and youth-leaders/parents who installed signs for the walk-route during their lock-in.

Helping Typhoon Victims

If you would like to help with the aid to the Philippines you may contribute at any time. The money will be contributed, along with monies collected by our sister church in Chesterfield County, to the Asian American UCC Church. Rev. Tom has talked with the Pastor of this church, Rev. Jun Jumandre regarding these gifts.

4 The Messenger | December 2013

Advent Wreath Making Keeping the Christmas Grinch at Bay

Observing the Christian season of Advent can be a great way to resist some of the craziness created by endless gift shopping, party responsibilities, decorating binges, and overwhelming expectations for a perfect Christmas. Pick up a copy of Taking the Advent Story Home and let the short reflections and suggested activities provide a respite from the holiday chaos. There are ideas provided for every day. No matter the size or makeup of your household, Taking the Advent Story Home has something to help you remember the Christ child amidst the market-driven holiday whoopla. To help families mark the season of Advent at home, children will be making or receiving a variety of age-appropriate Advent wreaths during church school on December 1. Toddlers will enjoy a stuffed wreath with candles that attach with Velcro. Preschool and younger elementary children will make an Advent door hanger with stick-on flames. Older elementary children and youth will decorate actual wreaths with wax candles that families can light each evening. If your family will miss church school that Sunday and would like a kit to complete your childs or grandchilds project at home, let Julia know.

Retelling the Nativity Story

Children and youth will spend the season of Advent exploring the story of Jesus birth and preparing to retell that story in the annual Christmas pageant Sunday, December 22. During the church school hour, we will practice a French carol, He is Born, and focus on the important role played by the angels and shepherds in celebrating the first Christmas. Tony Sharpenstein will also be working with the children during December to help them learn their parts for the nativity play.
Parents and grandparents, we need your help to get children to church each week so they will be comfortable with the song and their parts in the play. Watch your email for additional information from Julia about rehearsal times in addition to church school practices.

Singing the Christmas Story with Handel

Join members of St. Johns womens group on Sunday, December 8 on a trek to Bon Air Presbyterian Churchs Messiah sing-along. The singing begins at 4 p.m., with orchestra and soloists, and members of the audience joining in on the choruses. Non-singers are also welcome. BAPC is located at 9201 W. Huguenot Road. For more information or to discuss carpooling to the event, contact Karen-Marie Yust by email (kmyust@upsem.edu) or phone (804-380-8670).

5 The Messenger | December 2013

Income

St. Johns Financial Picture YTD as of 10-30-13

Pledge Payments* Cash Offerings Other Income (Endowment Contributions Parking Lot Rental, Wedding Income, etc.) Total Income

Budget

Actual

$100,000 $16,667 $121,421 $238,088

$89,359 $26,778 $122,957 $239,094

Expenses Personnel Committees Operations/Maintenance Local Benevolences Other Total Expenses Income/Expenses Total surplus (deficit) * 55 pledging households. 150,189 17,283 95,117 7,563 7,275 277,427 (39,339) 138,591 14,468 93,081 5,899 7,275 259,314 (20,220)

Have You Turned In Your 2014 Pledge?

SJUCC 2014 Proposed Expenses

Total expenses: Expenses $328,855 Total $328,855
Personnel $167,374 Committees $22,191 Operations $71,850

SJUCC 2014 Proposed Income

Total Income $272,050 Total income: $272,050
Pledges $126,000 Cash Collections $23,200 Parking Lot Rentals $18,500 Endowment Fund $85,000

Maintenance $50,540

Weddings $8,400
Local Benevolences $7,300

Fund Raisers $3,650

Membership Dues $9,600

Local Benevolences $7,300

The Messenger | December 2013

December Lectionary Readings

First Sunday of Advent December 1, 2013 Second Sunday of Advent December 8, 2013 Third Sunday of Advent December 15, 2013 Fourth Sunday of Advent December 22, 2013 First Sunday after Christmas December 29, 2013 Isaiah 2:1-5 Psalm 122 Isaiah 11:1-10 Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19 Isaiah 35:1-10 Psalm 146:5-10 Isaiah 7:10-16 Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 Isiah 63:7-9 Psalm 148 Hebrews 2:10-18 Matthew 2:13-23 Luke 1:47-55 James 5:7-10 Romans 1:1-7 Matthew 11:2-11 Romans 15:4-13 Matthew 3:1-12 Romans 13:11-14 Matthew 24:36-44

Matthew 1:18-25

Dec. 1

First Sunday of Advent 11:00am Communion 5:30 pm Care Group 1 6:00 pm Care Group 6 Second Sunday of Advent 11:00 am Blue Christmas Last day to order poinsettias

Dec. 8

Dec. 15 Third Sunday of Advent 10:00 am Play Rehearsal 12:30 pm Christmas Tea 2:30 pm PAL Concert here Dec. 22 Fourth Sunday of Advent 10:00 am Play Rehearsal 11:00 am Christmas Pageant Dec. 24 Christmas Eve 10:30 pm Christmas Eve Service (music, candle light, carols, scripture, communion) Dec. 25 Christmas Day

St. Johns United Church of Christ

The Messenger | November 2013

The Fellowship will host the Christmas Tea, a favorite holiday tradition at St. Johns, on December 15th following worship. Bring a guest and celebrate the joyous season. This is a special tradition that brings joy to those who have been faithful in their love of the church across the years. Volunteers will be asked to provide food for the occasion. Please note there will not be a Fellowship Meeting in December or January.

The Gift of Generosity

One extra week to order Poinsettias!

Each year we have lovely poinsettias on display in the chancel area during the Christmas Season. If you wish to order a poinsettia in memory of or in honor of a loved one IT IS NOT TOO LATE! Please complete the form found in the bulletin or call the church office. The cost is $12.50 per plant, and you may take it home after the completion of the Christmas Eve Service.

This holiday season, we thank everyone who has supported St. Johns this past year with their time, talent and financial contributions and look forward to support from all of our members in the year ahead. If you need a convenient way to make regular offerings or if you plan to make an additional gift before the end of the year, we encourage you to look into our electronic giving options. As the pace of life speeds up, especially around the holidays, you may find electronic giving a most welcome way to make contributions. Visit www.stjohnsrichmond.org or contact Bud Higgins at 804-301-5059 for more information.

Ordering Deadline: Sunday, December 8th

Covenant Care Groups

Over the past several weeks most all of the Covenant Care groups have met, and those who have not yet have scheduled their first gathering. It is clear to me that our capacity to care for one another and cultivate a healing community at St. John's is well served by this program for congregational life. I look forward to continuing to work with the church in this way, as the body of Christ.

Rev. Tom

Fellowship Nursery Welcome Sound Acolytes Lay Team System Readers Hosts Helpers Leader
December 1
Justin Barbour David Pittman Josh Lyle Bryan Etter Elisabeth Burnette Sal Anselmo Joe McGregor Ken Shirley Richard Yuk Melissa & Dan Mascher Chris Miles

Tellers

Facilities

Adrianne Dery Justin Barbour Billy Poarch

December 8

Justin Barbour

David Pittman

Josh Lyle

Johanna Gilbert Vivian White

Adrianne Dery Justin Barbour Billy Poarch

December 15

Lynn Snyder

December 22

Lynn Snyder

Dreama Hank Allen Melissa & Dan Christmas Laura Totty Denise Martin Joe McGregor Terrill Cammie Allen Mascher Tea Bud Higgins Eddie Please find a Allen substitute if you are unable to perform your ministry and contact your team coordinator AND the office to let them know who will be filling in for you. Thank you for making our church ministries run smoothly! Dreama Hank Allen Christmas Laura Totty Marjorie & Denise Martin Joe McGregor Terrill Cammie Allen Play Justin Bud Higgins Eddie Allen Barbour Mark Atkinson Savannah Quick Ashley Quick Cammie Allen Chris Etter Sarah Allen Martha Cook Rob Osborn Tony Sharpenstein Bill Watson

December 29

Bill Watson

Fellowship Coordinator: Tellers Coordinator: Lay Readers Coordinator:

Sal Anselmo 358-1696 Bud Higgins 301-5059 Sal Anselmo 358-1696

December 1 June Moore Mary & Fritz Will

December 8 December 15 December 22 December 29 Lynn Snyder Poinsettias Poinsettias Poinsettias

To order fresh flowers to be placed on the altar in honor of a special occasion or person or in remembrance of someone, please sign-up on the flower chart on the bulletin board in the hallway near the nursery or contact Sonny Darnell at 743-7528 or kenandsonny@comcast.net $45.00 for two beautiful bouquets.

December
11 am Worship
Communion 5:30 Care Group 1 6:00 Care Group 6 9:45 am Christian Formation

2013
5
11:30 am NA Meeting 7 pm Choir Rehearsal

3
10 am Staff Mtg. 11:30 am NA Meeting

4
5:00 pm Card Ministry 5:30 pm NA Meeting 5:30 pm Mission & Outreach 7:00 pm WEBS

7
9 am 4:40pm NA

8
11 am Worship
Blue Christmas 12:30 Intern Committee 9:45 am Christian Formation

9
Church Council 7 pm

10
10 am Staff Mtg. 11:30 am NA Meeting

11
5 pm Card Ministry 5:30 pm NA Meeting 7 pm WEBS

12
11:30 am NA Meeting 7 pm Choir Rehearsal

13

14
8:30 am India Orthodox Church

9:45 am Christian Formation 10 am Play Rehearsal

15

16

17
10 am Staff Mtg. 11:30 am NA Meeting

18
5 pm Card Ministry 5:30 pm NA Meeting 7 pm WEBS

19
11:30 am NA Meeting 5:30 pm Worship & Music 7 pm Choir Rehearsal

20

21

11 am Worship

Noon Christmas Tea 12:30 Facilities Mtg. 2:30 PAL Concert here

22
9:45 am Christian Formation 10 am Play Rehearsal

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24
CHRISTMAS EVE 10:30pm Worship Service
11:30 am NA Meeting

25

26
11:30 am NA Meeting

27

28

11 am Worship
Christmas Play

Church Office Closed

29
11 am Worship
9:45 am Christian Formation

30

31
10 am Staff Mtg. 11:30 am NA Meeting

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS
2

2 3 6 6 7

Robert Wieckmann Ulysses Hall Jeff Hetzer Jennifer Erkulwater Catherine Jacobs Anita Sharpenstein

9 9 9 14 14 16 21 21

Chris Burnette Patricia Mutia Logan Vass Eric Hetzer Mary Miller Julia Eliades Leigh Caraher Sharon Machrone

22 27 28 29 29 29 31

Christine Krausse Dean Eliades Gloria Van Houten Chris Etter Kyra Miller Lacy Miller Iola Miller