Glad Tidings
St. Matthew-Central United Church of Christ Newsletter
December 2007
The Advent Attitude
Mr. Smith is riding through Manhattan with a reckless cab driver. At the first intersection they come to, the cab driver runs a red light. “Hey, what’s the big idea?” Mr. Smith yells. “That was a red light!” “Don’t worry, fella,” the cabbie replies. “My brother drives a cab too, and he does that all the time.” Mr. Smith grits his teeth and tries to remain calm, but he loses his cool when the driver runs a second red light. “Are you insane? You’re just asking for trouble,” he yells. “I know what I’m doing, man,” says the cabbie. “My brother runs red lights all the time, and nothing’s ever happened to him.”
At the third intersection, the cabbie slows down and stops at a green light. “What’s your problem?” the passenger asks. “The light’s green!” “Yeah,” says the cabbie, “but you never know when my brother might be coming through.”
I know that was a dumb joke but at least that taxi driver was prepared. After all, being prepared is what the season of Advent is all about. Hope, peace, love and joy. Those are the themes of the candles that we are going to light each Sunday at the beginning of worship. Who among us could use a little more of each aspect of the spirit of God?
How might we be a little more hopeful, a little more faithful, a little more joyful, and a lot more loving? What I have discovered is simply this. If you are looking for more hope in your life, simply be more hopeful. If you are having trouble being peaceful, spend a few minutes in the morning praying for a more peaceful spirit as well as a peaceful day. Repeat those prayers throughout the day as needed. If you are feeling like there is not enough love in your life, try loving more. Bring a smile to a stranger’s heart. Over time you will discover that there is more joy in your being than you thought possible.
The only way we can fully experience a meaningful Christmas is to prepare our hearts and minds during Advent. This, of course, includes being willing to stop at the red lights.
Have a Blessed Advent,
Rev. Fred
CALENDAR
Dec. 1 8:30 A.M. - Noon Advent Retreat
Dec. 2 Pew Communion
After Service Pot Luck/Advent Workshop
Official signing of the Central - St. Matthew Covenant of Community
Dec. 4 7:00 P.M. Recovery Committee
7:00 P.M. Worship Committee
7:00 P.M. Central Governance Board
7:00 P.M. Finance Committee
Dec. 5 7:00 P.M. Advent Service
8:00 P.M. Choir Practice
Dec. 6 6:30 P.M. Aids Awareness Worship Service
7:30 P.M. Worship Committee
Dec. 9 After Service - St. Matthew Congregational meeting to elect Council members
After Service - Central Congregational Meeting
Dec. 12 7:00 P.M. Advent Service
8:00 P.m. Choir Practice
Dec. 13 6:00 P.M. Bible Study
Dec. 16 Altar Communion
Food Sunday
After Service - Living Nativity/Pot Luck
January Newsletter articles due
Dec. 18 7:00 P.M. Church Council
Dec. 19 7:00 P.M. Advent Service
8:00 P.m. Choir Practice
Dec. 20 6:00 P.M. Bible Study
Dec. 24 6:00 P.M. Christmas Eve Service
Dec. 25 10:00 A.M. Worship Service
Dec. 26 -Jan. 2 Rev. Wil Brown on vacation
ALTAR FLOWERS GIVEN IN THE MONTH OF DECEMBER
Dec. 02 Charles and Joyce Payne Chaix by Gloria Bourg Chaix
Dec. 09 Elizabeth Kolman by Nancy Marks and Ellen Bentz
Jimmy Adams, Kristen Adams and baby, Shirley Adams, Jr., Marion Berger, William Boyle, Mattie Braden, Tracey Braden, Marc T. Carter, James Daniels, Lillian Gary, Lucille Gebhardt and family, Christine and Pat Godfrey, Emily Herske, the Jackson Supply group, Sue Fair, Mia, Peter Morere, Nannette, Carol Noe, Megan Perry, Kendall Springman, Donna Weber, world peace, those affected by the California wildfires, the people of Pakistan, the people of Lebanon, for healing, for those still displaced from the city, public housing residents still shut out of their homes.
For: Samuel Conzonere
From: Shirley Adams
For: Loved Ones
From: Shirley Adams
For: Rose Apffel
From: Shirley Adams
BIRTHDAY REMEMBRANCE
For: Sarah H. Kost
From: Elizabeth and Lee Eilers
December 2 Isaiah 2:1-5 Psalm 122 Romans 13:11-14 Matthew 24:36-44
December 9 Isaiah 11:1-10 Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19 Romans 15:4-13 Matthew 3:1-12
December 16 Isaiah 35:1-10 Psalm 146:5-10
or Luke 1:47-55 James 5:7-10 Matthew 11:2-11
December 23 Isaiah 7:10-16 Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 Romans 1:1-7 Matthew 1:18-25
December 24 & 25 Isaiah 62:6-12 Psalm 97 Titus 3:4-7 Luke 2:1-7, 8-20
December 30 Isaiah 63:7-9 Psalm 148 Hebrew 2:10-18 Matthew 2:13-23
On Sunday, Dec. 16, our annual Living Nativity will be presented on the front steps of our church. Along with the Nativity scene there will be carol singing and the reading of the Christmas Story. This event is always an inspirational experience for the surrounding community.
The Nativity will be presented following our Christmas potluck after Sunday service. There will be a sign-up sheet in the lobby for anyone interested in participating in the Living Nativity.
WHY DO WE DO THAT IN CHURCH?
Did you ever wonder about the ways we worship, or want to know more about how they came about? On Sun. Jan. 13, 2008 after Sunday services at 11:15 am, the Worship Committee will offer a session on some origins and developments that shaped the services (aka "liturgies") we offer and receive in word and sacrament, in prayer and song ---especially in the United Church of Christ. Please plan to join us.
John Pecoul, Worship Committee
TO THE MEMBERS OF ST. MATTHEW AND CENTRAL U.C.C.
Tool Person Needed - The South Central Conference Disaster Ministry office in New Orleans is in need of a person to volunteer for a few hours a week as needed to assist in the organization and maintenance of tools and supplies in our storage building located at Little Farms UCC in River Ridge. If you are interested in volunteering and assisting in this capacity please contact Rev. Alan Coe, Minister for Disaster Recovery at 504-258-7306.
Wicker Elementary School - Central/St. Matthew is developing a relationship with Wicker Elementary School at 2011 Bienville Ave. Here's a great way to participate in ministry in the Bienville Corridor:
We need volunteers for:
1) lunch duty (11:30 a.m. til 1:00 p.m.)
2) reading enhancement (3:15 to 5:00 p.m.)
3) crossing guards (7:15 til 8:15 a.m. and 4:45 to 5:30 p.m.)
4) choir assistant - they have a choir and clubs.
Boy Scouts would be good.
If you can give one hour or two a week, it would be wonderful. All volunteers and staff have to have a police background check. I have the forms that need to be completed and taken to City Hall. There's a $5.00 cost, which will be refunded with the contribution of 10 hours to Wicker. We will conduct a volunteer training session.
Thanks,
Dale J. Bonds
From our National Office of the United Church of Christ
Justice: $100,000 for Peace
We urgently need "$100,000 for Peace" to provide much-needed food, water, health care and education for war-affected Iraqi families displaced in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan. More than four million people - 15 percent of Iraq's population - have been forced from their homes because of war and bloodshed. Act now, in the name of peace.
Your gifts are needed now to provide essential life sustaining food, water, health care and education for war-affected Iraqi families displaced in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan. Help the United Church of Christ meet our goal of $100,000 in support. A generous gift of $40 can feed an Iraqi family of four for two weeks; $85 - warm coats and hats for 5 children; $100 - medicine and necessary tests for the chronically ill; a gift of $300 can assist with the provision of clean water to 3,000 patients per week at the Abu Al-Khasib district hospital, and $1,000 can provide two months of vocational training and psychological counseling for 75 Iraqi children.
If you choose to send a check by mail, make it out to UCC Wider Church Ministries and note "Iraq Humanitarian Appeal" in the memo line. Mail to Wider Church Ministries, United Church of Christ, 700 Prospect Ave., Cleveland, OH 44115-1100. Please give generously.
Your support is a huge step forward in transforming fear and war into justice and peace.
Please help us by spreading the word to your friends, family and church members about this important campaign. So far $40,031 has been donated to war-affected families in Iraq. Will you help us reach our goal of $100,000?
The “100,000 for Peace” campaign is also committed to lifting 100,000 prayers for military personnel serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere this Christmas. Please add your personal prayers for those serving their country.
Alternative Christmas Gifts Will Benefit Our Indian Mission Partners
Christmas is on its way! Rather than purchasing another trinket, tie, or sweater for those difficult-to-shop-for folks on your Christmas gift list, consider Alternative Christmas Gifts in support of the Global Ministries work in India.
Gifts are available in amounts from $10, which could pay for a child’s school supplies and uniform, up to $100, which would buy a sewing machine so a young woman can earn a living for her family.
When you purchase an Alternative Christmas Gift, you will receive a beautiful gift card to mail or give to those on your Christmas list, letting the recipient(s) know that you have given a gift in their name in support of Global Ministries’ work with women and children in India.
The Mission Committee will be selling the Alternative Christmas Gifts at the Advent workshop on December 2nd, and after church on December 9th. If you are unable to purchase them at either of those times, you may contact Carol Etter at 504-862-0684 (evenings) to make appropriate arrangements.
Gifts are sent in their entirety to our international partners to go towards their work for women and children across India. No administrative fees are taken from gifts to Global Ministries because of the faithful giving from our churches to Our Church’s Wider Mission and the Disciples Mission Fund.
So, pass on the ties and commercialized trinkets and give a gift that really matters!
ST. MATTHEW UCC
P. O. Box 850527
New Orleans, LA 70185-0527
Contact Numbers and Office Hours:
Church Mailing Address: P.O. Box 850527
New Orleans, LA 70185-0527
Church Phone Number: (504) 861-8196
(504) 861-8197
Church Secretary: Pat Godfrey
Wed. and Thur. from 8:00am-4:00pm
Pastor Fred Meade: (504) 615-1634
Office hours on T, W, and Th – 10am-1pm
Fredmeade@aol.com
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