February 2023 Newsletter

Worship Schedule this Month

February 5th – 5th Sunday after Epiphany, “The Righteousness That Exceeds The Letter of the

Law”, Rev. John Yost – Psalms 112:1-10, 1st Corinthians 2:1-16, Matthew 5:13-20

February 12th – 6th Sunday after Epiphany, Rev. Sally Dries – Deuteronomy 30:15-20, 1st

Corinthians 3:1-9, Matthew 5:21-37, Souper Bowl of Caring

February 19th – Transfiguration Sunday, “The Law, The Prophets, and The Light of Christ”, Rev.

John Yost – Exodus 24:12-18, 2nd Peter 1:16-21, Matthew 17:1-9

Wednesday, February 22nd – Ash Wednesday Service @7:00 pm, “Living a Ministry of

Reconciliation”, Rev. John Yost - Isaiah 58:1-12, 2nd Corinthians 5:16-6:10, Matthew 6:1-

6, 16-21

February 29th – First Sunday in Lent, “The Reality of Sin Now Conquered by The Righteousness

and Grace of Jesus”, Rev. John Yost – Genesis 2:15-17 – 3:1-7, Romans 5:12-19, Matthew 4:1-11

Highlights for January 19, 2023 Consistory Meeting

· The 2023 Consistory officers will remain the same as 2022, President-Sharon Magyar, Vice President-Dave Beckley, Secretary-Tammy Pierce.

· The Music Committee, headed by Dave Beckley, continues to search for a Music Director as well as an organist. Please keep this search in your prayers as we move forward.

· The Consistory would like to thank Tricia Lloyd and Ruth Romig for helping the church with our musical needs at this time.

· The officers of Consistory will be reviewing the Bylaws as well as other policies of the church in the coming months.

· Consistory continues to work on the Safety and Security Policy for the church and is hopeful we will have it completed and approved soon.

· Please note that there will be a sign posted on the combination door as a safety precaution. Please use the front doors of the lobby or the back doors to exit the church instead of the combination door. There have been several people who have fallen at the bottom of these steps because the bottom step is shorter. This problem is being addressed with a new dusk to dawn light that will shine on the steps.

· Sandy Catherman has been keeping tabs on attendance and we are happy to report that from the months of July through December, attendance went from 54-77.

Foster Child Sponsorship

Did you know that Dreisbach sponsors a foster child in Haiti? Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and since 1983 New Missions has been working to share the gospel, plant churches and schools, and provide medical care, good nutrition, and education to the children of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Currently, we are sponsoring Woodley Boulin, a 13 year old boy who lives in the village of Lafferonay on the west coast of Haiti. All those services are provided for only $396 a year. If you would like to help support this child, you can put a donation in one of the brown mission envelopes in the pews and put it in the offering plate or designate money through your regular offering envelope. If you would like to know more about this mission, check out the bulletin board at the back of the church near the lockbox entrance. Thanks for your support.

Prayer Shawl

The next meeting of the Prayer Shawl group will be Thursday, February 2, at 6:30 p.m. at the church. All are welcome. If you know anyone who might appreciate a prayer shawl, please talk to Diane Hackenberg or any member of the group.

Child-care

Volunteers are available to care for your child in the nursery every Sunday after the Children’s Time until the end of the service. Parents and caretakers are welcome to send their children to the nursery during that time. All volunteers have appropriate clearances. If you would like to participate in this ministry, please contact Diane Hackenberg.

February’s volunteers are: February 5 – Michelle (Laudenslager) Owens; February 12 – Diane Amabile; February 19 – Pam Eberhart; February 26 – Sharon Rein.

Souper Bowl of Caring

Our Souper Bowl of Caring event will be on February 12th. We welcome the donation of all non-perishable food items, monetary/gift cards are also welcome and may be mailed or dropped in the soup kettle at the church. All donations will benefit Hope’s Haven as they provide for those in need in our local area. Thank you for your generosity.

Wednesday Evening Bible Study

February 1- Philippians 3:1-11

Value Is Determined By the Life, Death and Resurrection of Jesus

February 8- Philippians 3:12-4:3

Straining Forward to What Lies Ahead: Heavenly Calls vs. Enemies of the Cross

February 15- Philippians 4:4-23

Rejoice in the Lord Always and Embrace the Peace of God

2023 ALL CHURCH RETREAT

(An Uplifting & Spiritually Fulfilling Weekend)

Friday March 3, 6:30 PM - Sunday March 5, noon

Crystal Springs Retreat Center

Please fill out a registration form and return it along with your payment to Scott Sanders, 221 Pine St. Mifflinburg, PA 17844 or see him during worship no later than February 19. Forms are on the table in the back of the sanctuary. Checks should be made payable to Dreisbach UCC. Payment is due before the start of the retreat. This year’s speaker will be Rev. Rachel Hackenberg. Rachel grew up in Dreisbach and is currently the publisher of Pilgrim Press, the publishing branch of the United Church of Christ

If you have any questions please contact one of the committee members - Sharon Magyar, Sue Leitzel, Mallory Leitzel or Scott Sanders.

The theme of our all-church retreat, led by Rachel Hackenberg, is “Fire in My Bones.” The theme comes from Jeremiah 20:9 – “If I say, ‘I will not mention God, or speak any more in that holy name,’ then within me there is something like a burning fire shut up in my bones. I cannot hold it in.” What does the Bible say about our bones, and what do our bones say about our faith? Come prepared for engaging conversation, a bit of playful imagination, and a rich time of connection!

Rachel Hackenberg is a daughter of Dreisbach and an ordained United Church of Christ minister. She currently serves in Cleveland, Ohio as publisher for The Pilgrim Press, the UCC's publishing arm.

Mifflinburg Backpack Club

March is backpack month at Dreisbach. We will be filling backpacks with food for the weekend each week for approximately 140 students in the Mifflinburg school district. Our collection bin is in the back and ready to be filled. Monetary donations are always welcome as well. We anticipate filling the bags on Wednesday evenings in March. We will update you with a time soon. Needs include:

Mac – Cheese Chef Boyardee Microwave Pasta Meals

Granola Bars Juice Pouches/Boxes

Fruit Cups Cereal

Crackers Fruit Gummy Snacks

Pudding Pop-Tarts

Thank you for your support!