February 2024 Newsletter

Worship Schedule this Month

February 4th- 5th Sunday after Epiphany – “Where and With Whom Will Our Search for Jesus

Take Us Today?”, Isaiah 40:21-31; 1 Corinthians 9:16-23; Mark 1:29-39 - Soup & Salad Lunch

February 11th- Transfiguration Sunday -“Transfigured As the Heavens Declare the

Righteousness of God”, Psalm 50:1-6; 2 Corinthians 4:1-6; Mark 9:2-9 – Souper Bowl Sunday

February 18th - First Sunday in Lent – “Where There Is Human Sin, The Goodness of God Will

Still Prevail”, Psalm 25:1-10; 1 Peter 3:18-22; Mark 1:9-15

February 25th- Second Sunday in Lent – “Take Up Our Own Cross; Following Jesus Ain't Gonna

Be Easy”, Genesis 22:1-18; Psalm 22:25-31; Mark 8:31-38

Wednesday Evening Lenten Meals and Worship

5:30-6:45 PM. A Journey Through Ephesians

- A light meal followed by a time of worship downstairs in the social room.

2/14 Ash Wednesday- The Church as Spiritually Blessed: Chosen and Destined

Psalm 51:1-17; Ephesians 1:3-14; Psalm 34

2/21- The Church in Her Glorious Inheritance: Made Alive with Christ to Do Good Works

Psalm 91; Ephesians 1:15-2:10; Psalm 62

2/28- The Church That Bears God's Peace: Through the Cross That Breaks Down Dividing and Divisive Walls, Psalm 25; Ephesians 2:13-22; Psalm 32

3/6- The Church That Witnesses to God's Eternal Purpose: Where the Spirit Strengthens and Christ Dwells, Psalm 63:1-8; Ephesians 3:1-21, Psalm 103:1-18

3/13- The Church Called into Service: Until We All Reach Unity in Faith

Psalm 84; Ephesians 4:1-16; Psalm 111

3/20- The Church Dressed for Action: Suited to Battle the Forces of Evil

Psalm 46; Ephesians 6:10-20; Psalm 71

January 2024 Consistory Meeting Highlights

The Consistory Officers for 2024 are as follows: President Robert Pierce, Vice President Dave Beckley, Secretary Sandy Catherman.

The Consistory Members Terms

Elders: Rober Pierce 2024-2026

Dave Beckley 2020-2022, 2023-2025

Tammy Pierce 2019-2021, 2022-2024

Deacons: Detra Dodge 2021-2023, 2024-2026

Sandy Catherman 2020-2022, 2023-2025

Sue Leitzel 2024-2026

Jerry Amabile 2022-2024

Bonnie Dodge 2023-2025

Trustees: Leroy Gabel 2020-2022, 2022-2024

Scott Eberhart 2021-2023, 2024-2026

Chad Willow 2022-2024

· The keypad to the church will be changed by the end of February.

· February 11, 2024, Souper Bowl Sunday, we plan to serve a free soup and hot dog lunch from 12-2. We need volunteers to help serve the meal and donate items. Please sign-up on the list at the back of the church, your willingness to help is greatly appreciated.

· An organ maintenance contract with Susquehanna Organ has been approved by Consistory. $800/year includes 2 maintenance visits with minor parts included.

· Please see the church calendar for many activities to attend in February and March.

Easter Flowers

Easter is early this year and therefore it’s time to think about flowers! We invite you to purchase tulips, hyacinths, daffodils and lilies (Pastor John has a severe allergy, so the lilies will be kept outside of the sanctuary for his safety). Order forms are included with the newsletter and are available at the church. Please have orders to Tony Noll (570-837-3104, tmnoll1@verizon.net) by Sunday, February 25th. Thank You

Upcoming Meetings

· The next meeting of the Prayer Shawl group will be Tuesday, February 27, at 6:30 p.m. at the church. All are invited to join for the fellowship and the ministry.

· Prime timers for February will be at OIP Mifflinburg on the 22nd at 12:30 PM

· VBS Planning – February 18th, after church

Childcare Volunteers

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.

The volunteers for February are: February 4 – Pam Eberhart; February 11 – Tara Young; February 18 – Bonnie Dodge; February 25 – Diane Hackenberg

2024 VBS

The VBS Program – “Camp Firelight” – a summer camp adventure with God takes place the week of June 10-14.

We are in need of volunteers to help in the following areas:

· Snacks

· Decorations – Help in making decorations and decorating the church

· Crafts – Help in getting the supplies ready & helping each night.

· Teachers *Younger/Older Elementary

*Preschool/KDG

· Games

· Music

We will be meeting February 18th right after church. We welcome anyone to the meeting and we need your help to make VBS happen.

Any questions, please call:

Tricia Lloyd, 570-412-3511

Sharon Rein, 570-713-9503

Judy Willow, 570-412-2814

Lattes and Laughs

Let’s beat the Winter Blues with some Lattes and Laughs!!! Join me, Tammy Pierce in the downstairs social room Thursdays from 10-11:30am for games and puzzles. This is open to anyone, who wants to get together and have fun with others during these cold months, so please invite your friends. Coffee will be provided or bring your own. If you have questions or would like to help, please see me.

Mifflinburg Backpack Club

March is Backpack month at Dreisbach. We will be filling backpacks with food for the weekends each week in March for approximately 190 students in the Mifflinburg school district. Please make use of the plastic totes in the vestibule for food contributions. Monetary donations are always welcome as well. We anticipate filling the bags on Tuesday evenings at 6:30 starting March 5th. Please reach out to Pam Pfirman if you have any questions (570-898-9774, pam_adminsec@dreisbachucc.org)

Needs include:

Mac – Cheese Cups 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!

2024 ALL CHURCH RETREAT

(An Uplifting & Spiritually Fulfilling Weekend)

Fun – Food - Fellowship

Friday March 1, 6:30 PM - Sunday March 3, 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 again 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.