 The
United Church of Los Alamos
United
Chimes: Vol. 41, No. 9, September 2005
Table
of Contents
Front
Page News
Fall
Educational Opportunities
Please
Take Note
For
our Children and Youth
Children’s
Worship
KAC
God
and Me Program
Wanted!
Sunday
School Begins September 11
UC
Extreme
Fall
2005 Programming Highlights
Continuing
Opportunities
A
Word From Keith…
Church
News and Announcements
September
Sunday Worship Themes
Fall
Women's Retreat
Calling
All Cooks
Lunch
Bunch Callers
Talking
Faith
Highlights
Calendar
Fall
Music Programs Begin
Church
Attendance
Reminders!
Coffee
Hosts for September
Chimes
Newsletter Deadline
October
LA Cares Suggestions
The
Bazaar is Coming
WCSS
Circle Meetings
A
Missionary’s Glimpse of Panama
Companions
in Christ
Marriage
Vitamins
Sanctuary
Flowers
United
Church Bridge Group
Church
Office Hours
Pastors
Office Hours
Fall
Men's Retreat Reminder
Companions
in Christ Invitation
Table
Talk from Don
September
Marks the Beginning of Fall
Prayers,
Praises, Thanks and More
Sympathy
Prayer
Concerns
Chimes
Newsletter
Congratulations
Thrift
Shop Needs Your Help
Prayer
Chain
Thank
You
Front
Page News
Fall
Educational Opportunities
Sunday
Morning--11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Beginning
on September 11th
A History
of The United Church Graves Hall
Georgia Strickfadden
The United
Church of Los Alamos has an interesting history. This class offers a chance
to learn more about the early years and the ideals that drove its creation
as a multi-denominational church. The fiftieth anniversary book will be
the primary text for this class.
Getting
Oriented CE Lounge
Sandy Charles,
Arnie Nance, Brian Newnam
The book class
for this class is titled Getting Oriented: What Every Christian Should
Know About Eastern Religions, But Probably Doesn't. This class
ventures into
the area of comparative religion. It will provide an overview of Hinduism,
Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism in relation to the Christian perspective.
The class will include reading, some presentation by facilitators and a
lot of discussion.
Paul’s Letter
to the Romans Sangrey Chapel
Kathleen Logan
This class
will be an in-depth look at the book of Romans: history, themes, theology,
etc. The book of Romans is Paul’s most comprehensive doctrinal presentation.
As well, it offers guidance and insight into living faithfully. It is a
grand presentation of the gospel. This pinnacle of Paul’s writing has inspired
theologians from Augustine to Barth and undergirds much of classical Christian
theology. This class will continue in the winter-spring session. The Bible
and various commentaries will be the resources for the class.
Thursday
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Afternoon
Bible Study Room 115
Contact Deborah
Worley for information on topics
Thursday 2:00
p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Beginning September 15th
Book Study
and Discussion: CE Lounge
The Spiral
Staircase by Karen Armstrong
Open to anyone
who is interested. Purchase your book and begin reading. First meeting
will be organizational with discussion beginning on
September
22nd.
Friday Morning
6:45 a.m. - 7:45 a.m.
Men’s Study
group - contact David Powell for more information.
Coming Wednesday,
October 5th for six weeks
Spring Forest
Qigong in Fellowship Hall, from 4:30 - 5:30 pm
Return
to Table of Contents
Please
Take Note
The next CHIMES
deadline is Sunday, September 25th at 12:00 noon for the October
2005 issue. Articles may be sent via email to: UCChimes@hotmail.com (note
new email address) or put in the CHIMES Editor’s mail box in the Church
Annex (room just outside the Church Office).
Return
to Table of Contents
For
our Children and Youth
Children’s
Worship
Children’s
Worship is designed to allow children in grades Kindergarten though second
to worship in their own space. It meets weekly during the last part of
the 9:30 worship service. Parents and interested church member volunteer
to be storytellers and greeters. If you would like to volunteer contact
Jean Picard, 662-2971or Susanna Naud.
September 4
No Children’s Worship All Church Camp
September 11
Creation
September 18
Noah
September 25
Abraham and Sarai
Return
to Table of Contents
KAC
Kid’s Adventuring
with Christ (KAC) had a great time with “Backwards Night” last month. This
month we look forward to a games night in Craig Hall on Friday, September
23rd, from 6-7:30 pm. All youth and their friends in grades 3-6 are invited.
Look for more information in the mail. Mark your calendars for the annual
Harry Potter Night November 4th.
Return
to Table of Contents
God
and Me Program
Jean Picard
will be offering a God and Me program for interested children in The United
Church. This program is for boys and girls in grades 1-8. The Boy Scouts,
Girl Scouts, Campfire and 4-H members are just a few of the kids who might
be interested in this faith building program. Age appropriate groups can
be formed for after school, weekend or evening hours. Please contact Jean
Picard, 662-2971 by October 1 if you are interested.
Return
to Table of Contents
Wanted!
Fun-loving,
creative Individuals of any age to perform as a part of the puppet ministry
team! We need your talent, ideas, and willingness to carry God’s
word to children of all ages. Contact Angie Chipera, or Sue Tonelli.
Return
to Table of Contents
Sunday
School Begins September 11
9:30 (
During Worship service)
Nursery
Birth- 2 year olds room 113 Ashley Schmiedicke
Jillian Tomlinson
3 &
4 year olds room 109
Deb Worley and Judy Posada (coordinators)
Children’s
Worship room 105
Parents Rotate
Susanna Naud, coordinator
10:30 Singing
for K through
Suzanne Johnson
Second
grade room 101
10:30-11:00
Junior Fellowship Graves Hall
(Snack)
11:00 Sunday
School room
lead Teacher
Childcare-
Birth through 4 room 113 Ashley Schmiedicke
Jillian Tomlinson & Rachel Brown
K through
2nd grade room 105
Phyllis Foley
3rd &
4th grades room 309
Janice Childers
5th &
6th grades room 311
Steve and Cathy Renfro
A special thank-you
to everyone who is part of the Children’s Ministry team. Volunteers for
Children’s Worship, helpers for the classrooms
and substitutes
are still needed. Please contact Jean Picard, 662-2971 if you can help.
Return
to Table of Contents
UC
Extreme
So
what is ……… UC Extreme?
UC Extreme
is the working name of the Mid-Hi and Senior-Hi Youth Program at United
Church. UC is United Church….Get it?
The definition
of Extreme when used an adjective is “of the greatest possible degree.”
When you think of Youth Ministry at church programs and opportunities shouldn’t
things be geared in such a way that they are “of the greatest possible
degree?”
Why “extreme”
as a group name? We live in a time where our lives are lived to the
extremes. We schedule each and every moment of our day from the time we
get up until the time we go to bed to maximize our use of time. Shouldn’t
we be extreme in the way we approach church especially in the lives
of our young people?
The three “e”s
in Extreme have a central meaning to the overall program:
We Experience
the love of Christ [Fellowship/Study etc.]
We Express
our gratitude and love for Christ [Worship]
We Extend
the love of Christ to others [Mission]
Our logo will
have the greek Chi-Rho [pronounced KI-Row] symbol in place of the
X in Extreme
Having a point
of reference or a focal point [Experience, Express and Extend] allows thoughtful
planning and coordination of activities and opportunities.
Return
to Table of Contents
Fall
2005 Programming Highlights
Fall 2005
Programming Highlights
New Opportunities
“Hangtime”
Begins Aug. 31 Wednesday 4:00pm to 5:30pm open to Mid and Senior
High. Relaxed setting with a snack stocked fridge and the opportunity to
spend time with friends, play pool, fussball, ping pong or simply
chill.
“Focus”
Begins Sept.22 Thursday 5:30pm to 8:00pm Mid and Senior High in separate
settings. In preparation for Fall Seminars we will start a Thursday night
program in September. We will eat dinner with everyone at 5:30, move to
Craig Hall for a couple of quick over the top games and then breakout
into Mid and Sr. High groups. Focus groups will be a time for study
and group building.
“Fan
Vans” During the Football and Basketball season we will schedule
fan vans to go to specific games.
“Santa’s
Helpers” During the first two weeks of December we will set
our sights on a Christmas Project for each group….Mid-Hi will collect
health and comfort items for Nursing Home Residents to be delivered the
third week of the month….Senior-Hi will determine their project with
an emphasis being on helping a family in need for the holidays.
[This can easily be achieved by working with a local agency]
Return
to Table of Contents
Continuing
Opportunities
Thursday
Morning Senior Hi Breakfast the legacy continues with a few new
twists. Burritos are still available, however cereal, juice, bagels,
coffee etc. will be available. We’ll still do the Wednesday call
in for burritos and keep the same 7:15 am start time. Food and fun
on the go! Watch for a new start date.
Sunday School
Starts Sept. 11
What is church
without Sunday School? We’ll have 15 weeks o’ fun in the fall for each
group from 11:00am to Noon. Donuts and juice plus friends and cool teachers
= happy learning!
Sunday
Night Youth Starts Sept. 11
Youth groups
with a new zip. To twist a borrowed quote from Napoleon Dynamite “the church
needs people with skills.” So, Sunday will be our Thrills and Skills night.
Fun and fellowship with skills thrown in….it’s gotta be fun! Our own version
of X-games. [Ever play Chee-toes? The name says it all!]
Return
to Table of Contents
A
Word From Keith…
I’m excited
about the new opportunities and programs that are in place for the Fall.
Whether it is Extreme, the Discipleship Class in the new
format, Fall
Seminars or other Adult Education opportunities, United Church is abuzz
with activity and that is exciting. I hope that you will look at your calendars
and make sure that you participate as you and your family are able. We
are going to have fun over the course of the next four months and I hope
to see You here!
Blessings,
Keith
Return
to Table of Contents
Church
News and Announcements
September
Sunday Worship Themes
| September
4th |
“Take My
Faith to Work?!”
Kathleen will
be preaching on Faith and Work based on Colossians 3:12-17. Don and Keith
will be attending All Church Camp at Ghost Ranch. |
| September
11th |
“Through
the Waters to Freedom” Exodus 14:19-31
Slavery comes
in all forms. In today’s world many of us are enslaved to our careers,
to possessions, to a particular idea, even to a particular belief system.
God frees us from slavery and leads us to freedom. The Exodus story is
our story and it is our hope. Don’s sermon will explore the modern implications
of the Exodus story. |
| September
18th |
“Surprise
Endings” Matthew 20:1-16
In the Parable
of the Vineyard Jesus turns values upside down. In some respects the outcome
appears unfair. In the parable the master decides to pay the same wage
to all who worked, even those who only worked for one hour. This angers
those who had toiled all day. We too become angered at times with God’s
generosity. Don’s sermon will explore the implications and challenges of
grace. |
| September
25th |
“Homemade
Apple Pie” Philippians 2:1-13
The brokenness
of life has been healed through Christ. Yet, salvation, although a gift
of grace, has a cost to it. Those in a dynamic relationship with God are
called to live out their faith. The journey of faith takes effort and dedication.
Don’s sermon will explore the discipline and commitment that leads us to
a more dynamic faith. |
Return
to Table of Contents
Fall
Women's Retreat
Letting in
the Light
When:
October 14 - 16
Where:
Sonlight Christian Camp, Pagosa Springs, CO
Cost:
$120.00 - covers seminar/lodging/meals (Fri. dinner through Sun.
lunch)
Full fee due with registration by Oct. 1 (space available thereafter).
Partial scholarships are available and donations accepted for scholarship
fund (contact Kathleen Logan at 662-2971)
Speaker:
Pat Livingston
Our speaker
will be Pat Livingston, author of This Blessed Mess, Finding Hope Amidst
Life's Chaos. According to reviews, this 60-year-old lady's particular
gift is her ability to tell stories, some funny, some not. Her stories,
all true, release both energy and power as she tells how she has used those
events to piece together the fragments chaos has spewed into her life,
finding in them threads of Hope, and weaving, over time, a fabric strong
enough for carrying on. Her how-to list includes developing core
beliefs, caring for ourselves, connecting with life, looking for goodness,
deepening our joy, hanging in there, praying. Her books and tapes
will be available for sale at the church.
Agenda
Fri:
5:00 PM check in
Sat: 8:30 AM breakfast Sun:
8:30 AM breakfast
6:30 PM dinner
9:30 AM session I
9:30 AM session III
7:30 PM gathering
12:30 PM lunch
11:00 AM worship
Afternoon free
12:00 PM lunch
6:00 PM dinner
1:00 PM homeward
7:00 PM session II
9:00 PM campfire*
*raspberry smores
Name: __________________________
Emergency Contact__________________________
Phone:__________________________
Phone____________________________________
Address:_________________________
Access Needs:_____________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Dietary Needs:______________________________________________________________
Email:__________________________
Transportation
will be available if you don't wish to drive.
REGISTRATION
DEADLINE: October 1 (space available thereafter)
$120.00 due at registration
Make checks
payable to: United Church (memo: Women's Retreat)
Mail or hand
carry to: United Church of Los Alamos
2525 Canyon Rd.
Los Alamos, NM 87544
Return
to Table of Contents
Calling
All Cooks
The CE and
M&E Boards need your culinary talents for the upcoming fall events.
Starting in late September, we will be hosting dinners associated with
our fall seminar every Thursday night. Please lend us your talent
with a side dish, salad, drinks, bread, or of course a favorite dessert.
We will be providing the main dishes for these educational and enjoyable
events. Watch the coming church bulletins for more information.
Contact Steve Renfro, Mac Ennis, or the church office to inquire how you
can help share your culinary genius.
Return
to Table of Contents
Lunch
Bunch Callers
Lunch BunchCallers
for September are: Betsy Comly, Wilma Durham, Ann Thomson, Rosemary
Benton, Maggie Davis, Linda Goforth and Lorna Cooper.
Return
to Table of Contents
Talking
Faith
Would you like
to talk with people in our congregation about more than the next committee
meeting? Would you like to spend some time considering big questions with
great people in fun ways? Would you like to deepen your faith and grow
in your ability to share it? Join us for Talking Faith, an eight week course
that promises to energize us and get us talking with one another about
things that really matter.
Each session
will last 2 ½ hours and will include a meal, some fun activities,
and great conversation. After a meal together there will be sessions for
children, youth, and adults and child care for those four years of age
and under.
Sessions will
begin with dinner at 5:30 p.m. and we promise to finish up by 8:00 p.m.
Dates and information on the sessions are below. We hope that all of you
will choose to participate. To save your place call the church office at
662-2971.
Session Outlines
and Dates
September
29
What do
I need to know?
When it comes
to faith, what do you wonder about? What do you feel sure about?
How do you
balance your need to know with your need to wonder?
October
6
How do
we know anything about God?
Where do we
get information about who God is?
How can we
understand claims about God that other people make?
October
13
What does
God do?
How do we
understand God’s power?
How does that
relate to our understanding of human power?
Can we talk
about this with other people?
October
20
Why do
bad things happen?
How can we
make sense of bad things that happen in our life and in our world?
How does God
respond to suffering?
How should
we?
October
27
Who’s to
say what is right and wrong?
How does our
faith affect the way we live our lives?
How does our
faith and our culture interact? When they conflict ,what do we do?
November
3
Who’s invited?
Who is faith
for? Is this about us or about the world? Is everyone welcome?
What difference does it make?
November
10
What about
all the other religions?
Does it make
sense to be a particular religion? How should we respond to people of other
religions?
Is there only one way or many ways to God?
November
17
What can
I hope for?
Is there such
a thing as heaven? Where? What difference does it make?
Return
to Table of Contents
Highlights
Calendar
| SEPTEMBER
2-5TH |
ALL CHURCH
CAMP – Ghost Ranch |
| SEPTEMBER
7th |
“HANGTIME”
in Craig Hall from
4 - 5:30 pm
for Mid and Senior High |
| SEPTEMBER
8th |
BIBLE STUDY
group with Deb Worley
(1 – 2 pm
in the lounge) |
| SEPTEMBER
11th |
CHURCH SCHOOL
& ADULT EDUCATION
starting at
11 am - see CHIMES for more information
“CONNECT” is
a new outreach ministry of The United
Church. On
the second Sunday of each month, persons
who are interested
in learning more about The United
Church, are
invited to join with the staff for
refreshments
and conversation. We will meet in the
Christian
Education Building lounge at 12:15 pm. |
| SEPTEMBER
12th |
COMPANIONS
IN CHRIST classes
Daytime: 1
- 3 pm
Evening: 7
- 9 pm |
| SEPTEMBER
15th |
BIBLE STUDY
with Kathleen Logan
(The Spiral
Staircase)
(2 - 3 pm
in the CE Building lounge) |
| SEPTEMBER
29 |
FALL SEMINARS
- “Talking Faith” Sessions will begin
with dinner
at 5:30 pm and will end at 8 pm. Youth and
children will
have programs with their leaders. Please
RSVP at the
church office – 662-2971 |
| SEPT. 30-OCT.
2nd |
MEN’S RETREAT
– sign up after church, in the church
office or
in this issue of the CHIMES.
DISCIPLESHIP
RETREAT - sign up after church or in
the church
office. |
Return
to Table of Contents
Fall
Music Programs Begin
Sanctuary
Choir
Meets for
rehearsal Wednesdays 7:00-8:30 pm in the Sanctuary choir loft
Sings approximately
3 Sundays a month for 9:30 am worship
Is open to
all adults who enjoy singing traditional choral literature from Renaissance
to Gospel and who feel a strong commitment towards serving as musical
leadership in worship
Praise Choir
Meets for
rehearsal Sunday evenings *4:00 - 5:00 pm in the Sanctuary choir loft
Sings one Sunday
a month
Is open to
all mid-high and high school youth and adults who enjoy singing more
contemporary
choral music - praise songs, spirituals and gospel songs, world music
Accompanied
by a praise team instrumental ensemble and geared towards more
contemporary
styles of worship
Junior Choir
Meets Thursday
afternoons from 4:15 - 5:15 pm in the Sanctuary choir loft
Sings one Sunday
a month for the 9:30 am worship
Is open to
children in grades 3 - 6
Sings a variety
of choral styles as well as learning basic principles of singing,
musicianship
and our role as choristers in worship
Joy Singers
Meets Sunday
mornings in Room 101 from 10:30 - 11 am immediately following Children’s
Worship
Sings occasionally
for 9:30 a.m. service of worship
Is open to
all children in grades K - 2 who have a strong interest in music
This program
is based on Stepping Stones (an ecumenical children’s choir curriculum)
which helps the children develop their singing voices, discover natural
rhythms and musical concepts, and learn how we use our voices to praise
God in worship.
Beginning
Dates:
Sanctuary
Choir September 7th
*Praise Choir
August 14th
Junior Choir
September 1st
Joy Singers
August 21st
For information:
Call Suzanne Johnson, Director of Music Ministries at the church (662-2971
or at home 662-7897) *Please note: Some choirs are beginning
earlier than in previous years and the Praise Choir rehearsal time has
changed to 4:00 - 5:00 pm.
Return
to Table of Contents
Church
Attendance
|
Date
|
8:00
Service
|
9:30
Service
|
|
July
24th
|
18
|
148
|
|
July
31st
|
24
|
163
|
|
August
7th
|
27
|
153
|
|
August
14th
|
25
|
158
|
|
August
21st
|
25
|
210
|
Return
to Table of Contents
Reminders!
Liturgists
for September:
September 4th
Kay Swadener
September
11th Lorna Cooper
September
18th Angie Chipera
September
25th Alison Mercer-Smith
Greeters for
September:
September 4th
Pete & Rosie Shalek
September
11th John Charles
September
18th Bob & Wilma Cowan
September
25th Deirdre Boak
Return
to Table of Contents
Coffee
Hosts for September
September
4th:
September 11th:
Tim & Nancy Johnson
September 18th:
September 25th:
Chris & Arnie Sierk
We all enjoy
the coffee fellowship time after church. It's a great way to stay
"in-touch" with other members of our Christian community. But in
order to keep enjoying coffee after worship, we need volunteers to host.
It's an easy job - the instructions are printed inside the cabinet in the
Sanctuary kitchen. Just arrive by 9:00 am to start the coffee and
hot water pots etc. Most Sundays you should be finished by 11:00
a.m. Please consider being a coffee host--it's a great way to serve
the church, particularly if you can't serve in other ways.
If anyone has questions about being a coffee host, or you have a specific
date on which you would like to volunteer, please contact Nancy Johnson.
Return
to Table of Contents
Chimes
NeOctober 2005
Deadline is Sunday, September
25th, 2005 12:00 Noon.
Return
to Table of Contents
October
LA Cares Suggestions
This month’s
request for the LA Cares’ collection is:
Canned meat
(i.e., tuna or chicken) Tuna Helper, Vegetable Oil.
And remember
that any non-perishable food item is welcome at any time, with a few suggestions
being instant coffee (regular, not decaf), mayonnaise or salad dressing
(think Miracle Whip, not Thousand Island), and toilet paper (individually
wrapped is most helpful).
Thanks in advance
for your help. You are indeed loving God by loving your neighbors
as you drop that extra box of cereal…or jar of coffee or mayo and so on…into
the LA Cares collection box. Let’s continue to work together to make
a difference in our community, one person at a time.
Moms
and More
Return
to Table of Contents
The
Bazaar is Coming
November 19th is fast approaching. The bazaar committee will be holding
workshops on Monday mornings, September 12th, 19th, and 26th, from 9:30
to 12:00. Bring your own project or work on one of ours. If
you need child care, please call the church office at 662-2971.
Also, be thinking of ways you can help - making items to sell, staffing
a table, working on kitchen prep or serving the luncheon, baking for the
Bake Table, helping with publicity, or just donating your white elephants
for the Trash to Treasures Table. We need everyone's help to make
this year's bazaar a success.
Return
to Table of Contents
WCSS
Circle Meetings
| Circle I |
September
13th at 9:30 am |
Home of Phyllis
Phillips |
| Circle IV |
September
13th at 1:00 pm |
Lounge
Hostess -
Virginia Emelity |
| Moms &
More |
September
9th at 12:30 to 2:30 pm |
Lounge
(every Friday
in September) |
Return
to Table of Contents
A
Missionary’s Glimpse of Panama
The jungle city of Norteño (Northern) sits in a valley surrounded
by tree-covered mountains, much the same as Los Alamos. It was the base
camp where 25 students slept, bathed in the river, ate, and attended church.
The village homes were built on stilts and the native people bathed in
the river. Exotic birds made noise all night and people traveled by horseback
or on foot. It was an impossibly hot winter —98 degrees with 100% humidity!!
In Filo Verde (Green Sharp because the river intersection was a sharp point),
a small village north of Norteño, the missionaries taught Vacation
Bible School in the local school building. The school was an open hut with
benches and a chalkboard, and children of all ages attended the same school.
All of the VBS songs and skits were spoken in Spanish. They had a new message
everyday, but focused on the theme of colors – gold represented heaven,
black was sin, red was the blood of Christ, and blue was the resurrection.
The students gave the barefoot village children bracelets that contained
one bead of each of the four colors.
The missionaries did women’s ministry and hut-to-hut ministry. The village
women’s role was reproduction, slave-like work, and raising the kids. Women’s
ministry focused on the equality of God love. For hut-to-hut ministry,
the students talked to each native for a short while and got to know them.
Then they’d talk about Jesus, using experiences from the life of the native.
If the native people allowed, the students prayed for them.
In Filo Verde, Jessi was asked to be a translator. Doubt crept in. “What
am I doing?” she asked herself. “I’ve only been studying Spanish for three
years. I can’t speak to these people.” Then she remembered Acts 2:4,
“. . . They
were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to talk in other languages,
as the Spirit enabled them to speak. . .”
With her Spanish Bible in hand, she charged on to speak to the villagers.
Jessi’s group prayed for a man named Simon (See moan) who liked John 9.
He had lost his sight as had one of his children. “Imagine how grand it
would be for an unbelieving village to see a blind man healed,” Jessi thought.
Although Jessi only visited Simon personally three times, many others visited
him as well. He asked everyone to read John 9. Talk about faith in the
word of God!
On the last visit, Jessi’s group came up a trail behind Simon’s home, too
tired to talk. Yet, Simon called out to them, “Hóla, Gringos!” Awed,
Jessi asked how he knew they were there. Simon said, “I can see black tall
figures against the bright sun.” Praise God! The Pastors of Norteño
and Filo Verde agreed to continue visiting him and reading his passage.
Loma de Chaparro (Midget Hill) had never before been reached by Christian
missionaries. Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses had been there. They
were not well received because these groups didn’t read to the villagers
from the Bible. The villagers gathered in the yard of one Christian man.
The missionaries talked to them about four miracles of Jesus – when he
healed the blind man (John 9), where Jesus fed the five thousand (Luke
9:10-17), Jesus walks on water (Matthew 14:22-33), and Jesus rose from
the dead (John 20).
There wasn’t nearly enough time the day they visited Loma de Chaparro.
The days were short since it was the winter season and it took them 2 ½
hours to hike up the muddy hill leading to town. It had no switchbacks.
They struggled while carrying water, food, and ministerial
supplies.
A lady passed them carrying fifteen gallons of water in jugs similar to
that of the missionaries. She had one under each arm and one hanging down
her back from a strap that she wore around the crown of her head. She made
the trip in only one hour.
There were
two main jungle rules:
1. Don’t
touch the trees. Many were spiny like a cactus.
2. Don’t
touch the frogs. They were all poisonous.
At a Latino school in Volcan (Volcano), they preached and performed skits
about Jesus. During the altar call, every native stepped forward. Later,
the missionaries realized that it was Saturday and the students did not
have to come to school that day! Talk about the power of God!
Satan challenged
them with doubt, blisters, sprained ankles, bug bites, and dehydration
but they prayed to God and he answered them. They’d all take a moment to
laugh at Satan.
Throughout
their trip the missionary students shared many words of wisdom with each
other.
It’s much hotter in hell.
It would be easier to get from village to village if we had a canoe.
Skirts allow legs to breathe when sweaty.
Rocks are slippery when wet.
Sometimes things have to be spiny or poisonous to survive.
Sometimes God feeds us steak; sometimes he feeds us peanut butter and jelly
(Matthew 10:29-31).
To spread the word, sometimes you have to get your shoes dirty (Matthew
9:37-38).
Sometimes the river is impossible to cross without a bridge (Luke 23-24).
God is like mud. When you put your foot in him, he never lets go (Psalm
91:1-3).
Palm trees make different kinds of coconuts (1 Corinthians 12).
Yellow bananas are coated with chemicals to make them look good
(To God, some people are yellow bananas; Psalm 101:7).
Sometimes the temperature forecast is forever hot, and that’s actually
good when you’re on fire for the Lord (Revelation 3:15-16).
Vines may look like fun but they are actually parasites to the trees (1
Kings 18).
Tall trees shouldn’t drink up all the rain (Psalm 42, Mark 10:13-16).
Rivers don’t go straight. They go where the land guides them (Matthew 7:14).
Rocks can cause the water to flow in different directions and change speed
but it still flows (Psalm 40:1-3).
Four buckets of 2 ½ gallons of water are easier to carry than 2
buckets of 5 gallons of water (Galatians 6).
We should drink the water in the jugs because it makes us well and lightens
our load (Matthew 11:28).
All of the darkness in the jungle cannot cover a flashlight’s light (Matthew
5:14).
Sometimes to learn how to be a Christian you have to go to a place that’s
so ho that sweat bleeds (Daniel 6).
Sometimes you have to go out of your way to avoid the muddy parts (1 Samuel
19:22).
Blisters hurt less than nails and water jugs are lighter than a cross.
(Luke 23).
Despite the
bug bites, heat, sprained ankles, and sore feet, the 25 student missionaries
survived the trip. No matter what, they kept going. Thus goes the war
between good and evil. God won!
A
personal Interview with Jessi Chipera
By AngieChipera
Collage of Panama Trip
Return
to Table of Contents
Companions
in Christ
Deepen
Your Prayer
Pray with
Scripture
Identify Your
Spiritual Gifts
Become a Spiritual
Friend
It is all part
of
Companions
in Christ
A small group
opportunity that is beginning
In September
We invite you
to become part of Companions in Christ, a twenty-eight-week, small-group
journey that focuses on deepening your relationship with God. Through daily
readings, reflection, and weekly meetings, you will be guided in exploring
prayer, scripture, vocation, and spiritual friendship as avenues to deepen
your faith.
We promise
that it will make a difference in your life.
Group meetings
will be held on Monday’s
1:00 p.m.
- 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
beginning
September 12th
For more information,
or to register, contact
Pastor Kathleen
Logan or stop by the church office.
Return
to Table of Contents
Marriage
Vitamins
PUT YOUR MARRIAGE
FIRST
IN ORDER TO
HAVE HAPPY, HEALTHY KIDS.
John Rosemond
is a prominent psychologist, author and columnist. He stresses putting
your marriage first as one of the top priorities in raising children. In
his book, JOHN ROSEMOND’S SIX-POINT PLAN FOR RAISING HAPPY, HEALTHY CHILDREN,
he states:
“In a two-parent
family, the marriage must come first.. After all, the marriage created
the family, and the marriage sustains it. The marriage preceded the children,
and is meant to succeed them. If you don’t put your marriage first, and
keep it there, it’s likely to become a mirage.”
He later goes
on to write that like a cell, “the family is the basic unit of social life.
It is a social cell within a larger social organism called society.” The
cell should have a nucleus of either the married couple or the single parent.
If the needs of the “nucleus” are being met, then the family will be healthy.
If the parents are taking care of themselves, the children will in most
cases be fine. They will feel protected, secure and have a clearer sense
of identity, which help to build good self-esteem.”
“This means
that in a two-parent family, the marriage must be held in the highest regard.
It must be the most important relationship within the family, and it must
be more mportant than any single individual with in the family.”
People often
agree with this, but turn around and behave as if the parent-child relationship
is the most significant relationship. Is your marriage put first? Or, are
your career, passions and even children pushing your marriage towards becoming
a “mirage.” Is your child the center of attention and therefore always
seeking more attention? Does your child know that your marriage is of utmost
importance? When Roger and I put our marriage first, our children really
seem happier and more secure. It’s not easy but it can make a marriage
blossom, which in turn makes the kids bloom brighter.
Take a date
without kids! Then repeat the process!
Our kids now
ask us when we will take our next date.
Submitted on
behalf of all imperfect good marriages,
Betty Smith
and the Board of Elders
Return
to Table of Contents
Sanctuary
Flowers
The altar
flower committee wishes to thank the following for flowers in July and
August
Lois and Jim
Hudgins, Joan and Mahavir Jain, Karen and Jim Leach, Dan Rusthoi, Monica
and Randy Johnson, Nancy and Ross Lemons, Gloria Gilmore-House and Leigh
House, Mary Brooks, Janis Childers, Sharon Stover, and Ted and Dorothy
Crawford.
The members
of the altar flower committee place the arrangements and candles for the
Sunday services. They also provide the flowers (fragrance free) for Sangrey
Chapel. If you would like to help the committee, please notify Dorothy
Crawford, chair.
Return
to Table of Contents
United
Church Bridge Group
The United
Church Bridge Group is a friendly, low-key group of people who enjoy
the game of
Bridge. The organizer arranges the schedule, and four people join
in the designated
host's home once a month for eighteen hands of Bridge. The
host couple
usually provides dessert and coffee, but this is entirely up to the
host.
Games are played during six months of the year: October, November,
January, February,
March, and April. A final "Bridge Bash," a potluck lunch and
afternoon
of Bridge, takes place in late April or May. Each Bridge team
will
host three
of the six get-togethers during the year.
It is not mandatory
to stick to the schedule, but if hosts are not able to meet
their obligation
during a particular month, we ask that the host inform the
guest couple
that they will play at an alternate time.
Singles are
welcome and are asked to arrange for their own partner (one for the
season).
Players are not required to be United Church members.
To sign up
or for more information, call Mary or Jim Billen. The year’s schedule
will
be generated
the middle of September, so please call soon!
Return
to Table of Contents
Church
Office Hours
Monday
– Friday 8:30-12:00 & 1:00-4:30 p.m.
CLOSED
Thursday mornings
Tuesday
morning-staff meeting (10-12 Noon)
Check out
our Web Site: www.losalamos.org/unchla
Office e-mail
address: ucoffice@losalamos.org
Phone: 662-2971
FAX: 662-5927
CHIMES newsletter
e-mail: UCChimes@hotmail.com
Return
to Table of Contents
Pastors
Office Hours
Don Childers
– (Mon., Tues., Thurs., Friday)
(Wednesday – day off)
9 to 12 Noon - Open door
1 – 4 pm by appointment only,
study, pastoral calls and preparation)
Kathleen
Logan - (Monday through Thursday)
(Friday – day off)
9 to 12 Noon by appointment only,
(study, pastoral calls and preparation)
1 – 4 pm - Open door
Keith Lewis
– (Monday through Thursday)
(Friday – day off)
9 to 12 Noon – Open door
1 – 4 pm by appointment only,
(study, pastoral calls and preparation)
Return
to Table of Contents
Fall
Men's Retreat Reminder
This may be
your last chance for a relaxing weekend of fellowship and faith with the
men of the United Church. This restful and spiritually invigorating
event will be at Sonlight Christian Camp over the weekend of September
30th - October 2nd. If enjoying the beautiful San Juan mountain retreat
or delighting in wonderful home cooked meals isn't enough we are also blessed
to have an engaging speaker join us. Please come welcome Bill Sykes
as he discusses how to integrate faith and our work lives. Come enjoy
the outdoors, learn how to live your faith at work, and relax with the
men of the United Church. Contact Steve Paglieri or the church office
to sign up.
Return
to Table of Contents
Companions
in Christ Invitation
Companions in Christ
is:
A small group
committed to deepening prayer and listening for the Spirit.
Individuals
who study each day about prayer, scripture, and discernment, and
who keep a personal notebook or journal of their learnings and questions.
A small group
of people who meet weekly to support one another, share about what
God is revealing in their reflections, and open themselves to exploring
on a deeper level the theme of the week.
Individuals
who know that daily spiritual disciplines and weekly meetings offer
a good balance and provide holy ground for growing in faith.
If you wish
to develop your daily disciplines and you long for a small
group with
which to share the journey of faith, come join
Companions
in Christ.
A new class
will begin on Monday evening
September
12th at 7:00 p.m.
For more information,
or to register, contact
Pastor Kathleen
Logan or stop by the church office
Registration
deadline is September 7th
Return
to Table of Contents
Table
Talk from Don
September marks the beginning of Fall and the beginning of a new program
year here at the United Church. We have had a busy and productive
summer and look forward to an exciting year.
At the end of this month, many of us will be gathering at Ghost Ranch for
All Church Camp. This will be a meaningful and enjoyable time together.
At the end of next month the men of our church will gather at SonRise Retreat
Center for their annual retreat. At the same time youth will gather
for the first of four retreats in our new reformatted Discipleship/Confirmation
classes.
This summer we began a ministry called “Connect”. On the second
Sunday of
each month persons interested in learning more about the United Church
join with our staff and members for an informal time. It is an
opportunity
to “connect” with each other and to discover more about our
congregation.
This along with the new Welcome Center provides a significant outreach
to potential members.
The new Lay Ministry program that has evolved out of the StephenMinistry
will provide a needed ministry too many members. One of my goals
is to improve and enhance our support of each other.
The Fall Seminars will be an exciting opportunity to explore each of our
individual understands of our faith. This is only one of the many
opportunities that we offer to grow in our understanding of God and to
grow spiritually.
This past Sunday we began our new program year with a festive celebration.
Walking around the tables and displays that highlighted ministry opportunities
one had to join with the Psalmist and declare:
It is good
to give thanks to the Lord,
to sing
praises to your name O Most High
Psalm 92:1
Return
to Table of Contents
September
Marks the Beginning of Fall
September marks the beginning of Fall and the beginning of a new program
year here at the United Church. We have had a busy and productive
summer and look forward to an exciting year.
At the end of this month, many of us will be gathering at Ghost Ranch for
All Church Camp. This will be a meaningful and enjoyable time together.
At the end of next month the men of our church will gather at SonRise Retreat
Center for their annual retreat. At the same time youth will gather
for the first of four retreats in our new reformatted Discipleship/Confirmation
classes.
This summer we began a ministry called “Connect”. On the second Sunday
of each month persons interested in learning more about the United Church
join with our staff and members for an informal time. It is an opportunity
to “connect” with each other and to discover more about our congregation.
This along with the new Welcome Center provides a significant outreach
to potential members.
The new Lay Ministry program that has evolved out of the Stephen Ministry
will provide a needed ministry too many members. One of my goals
is to improve and enhance our support of each other.
The Fall Seminars will be an exciting opportunity to explore each of our
individual understands of our faith. This is only one of the many
opportunities that we offer to grow in our understanding of God and to
grow spiritually.
This past Sunday we began our new program year with a festive celebration.
Walking around the tables and displays that highlighted ministry opportunities
one had to join with the Psalmist and declare:
It is good
to give thanks to the Lord,
to sing praises to your name O Most High
Psalm 92:1
Don
Return
to Table of Contents
Prayers,
Praises, Thanks and More
Sympathy
Prayers for
the family of Neil Davis upon his death.
Return
to Table of Contents
Prayer
Concerns
Carol Wechsler
Kitty Russell
Mahavir Jain
Ina Coulter
Bill Deal
Al Dross
Mike Lynch
Lars Engel
Sandie Berner
Bob Ullrich
Return
to Table of Contents
Congratulations
Al and Myrna
Dross will be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary on September 3rd.
Congratulations
to the family of Megan Kathryn Crawford upon her baptism at the United
Church.
Return
to Table of Contents
Chimes
Newsletter
Now available
on our WEB site! If you prefer not to have a hard copy sent to you,
opting to read the CHIMES on the web monthly, please e-mail us your request
at: UCoffice@losalamos.org or call the church office at 662-2971.
Return
to Table of Contents
Thrift
Shop Needs Your Help
If you can
HELP in the Thrift Shop each week, please call Florence at 662-2971.
They need your help desperately!!!
Return
to Table of Contents
Prayer
Chain
If you have
a prayer concern, please call the United Church office at 662-2971
or email at: UCoffice@losalamos.org and Mardel will email the prayer chain.
Return
to Table of Contents
Thank
You
I’d like to
take this opportunity to Thank each and every one of our
summer music participants for being willing to share their musical talents
with our congregation. It gives us a chance to experience a wide variety
of musical styles, both vocal and instrumental, all of which greatly enhance
our service of worship. It also gives our choirs a much needed break and
an opportunity to attend church with their families.
With
appreciation,
Suzanne
Return
to Table of Contents
|
