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Lessons in a Minute – Major points from the sermon |
Designated Pastor, Pastor David Goode |
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11/1 Totensonntag
Sunday (Food Bank Sunday) Sermon: “A
Multitude in Heaven” Scripture:
Prophecy: Revelation 7:9-17, Gospel: Mark 12:28-34 The list of saints
is those who have loved others as themselves as Jesus commanded. Saints are
people who made a positive difference to others and us by their faith.
Praise, serve and love God. Each one of us has been called to be a saint. 11/8 Twenty-third Sunday
After Pentecost Sermon: “Giving Your Two
Cents Worth” Schools of thought on robes
and stoles: Robes evens the classes or can be decorated ornately to symbolize
who they are in wealth, power and/or status. Stoles symbolize the towel that
Jesus used to dry the feet of his disciples after washing them. Jesus didn’t
worry about how people dressed. We need to be aware of how rich we are and
how many are needy. What is your two cents worth in the kingdom of God? Does it
go toward building a community or does it go into the treasury of making an
empire of a beautiful church and nice society? Make your two cents count. 11/15 Twenty-fourth
Sunday After Pentecost Sermon: Rev. Brad
Rentzel Scripture: Hebrews
10:11-14, 19-25; Mark 13:1-8 11:22 Reign of Christ Sunday Sermon: “A Kingdom Not of
This World” Scripture: Revelation 1:4-8;
John 18:33-37 11/29 First Sunday
of Advent (Communion) Sermon: “Looking
Forward in Hope” Scripture Jeremiah
33:14-16; Luke 21:25-36 10-4 World Communion Sunday
(Communion) Sermon: “Jesus: Healing for
the World” Scripture: Hebrews 1:1-4,
2:5-12 Mission Moment: John Martin Jesus died for us and all. We
are being changed every day. God loves us and forgives us. We can be what God
wants us to be through Christ’s death and resurrection. 10-11
Twenty-seventh Sunday After Pentecost Sermon: “Where is
God when it Hurts?” Scripture:
Responsive Psalm 22:1-15 Old Testament
Reading: Job 23:1-9, 16-17 10-18 Twenty-ninth Sunday
After Pentecost Sermon: “god’s Answer to
Job’s Questions about Suffering” Scripture: Job 38:1-7 (34-41) New Testament: Hebrews 5:1-10 10-25
Stewardship Sunday Sermon: “How to
Give” Scripture:
Gospel Lesson: Mark 12:38-44 9-6 Twenty-third
Sunday After Pentecost (pew Communion @ 8:15 AM.) Food Bank Sunday Sermon: A Healing
Touch Scripture: Isaiah
35:4-7a; Psalm 146; Mark 7:24-37 Christ can fill our
needs. He heals. He is compassionate. Our job is to trust, pray, and wait.
Jesus will intercede with God on our behalf. 9-13 Twenty-fourth Sunday
after Pentecost Sermon: What Does It Mean To
Follow Jesus? Scripture: Proverbs 1:20-23;
Mark 8:27-38 Mission/ministry presentation:
Ed Min To follow Jesus requires self
denial meaning making the decision that Jesus will be the Master of our life.
Seek God’s will first. Take up our cross meaning, what does God want.
Accepting the activities that may lead to public humiliation, torture and/or
death. May mean doing things you may not want to do. Follow Jesus which means
we must know about Jesus and Jesus’ teachings – loving, understanding,
forgiving, and giving instead of receiving. 9-20 Twenty-fifth
Sunday After Pentecost Sermon: What Does
It Mean to be Christian? Scripture: Psalm 1;
Mark 9: 30-37 Mission/ministry
presentation: Outreach? 9-27 Twenty-sixth Sunday
After Pentecost Sermon: Caring for the Sick
and Suffering Scripture: Psalm 124; James
5:13-20 God is in favor of good
health. We are bound by decay but God provides us the body of Christ for
love, support and healing. God is faithful and merciful. He works from the
inside out. Pray. He will do what is best for us. Jesus works his healing through
each of us with a life of love and compassion. Mission/ministry
presentation: Friendly Visitors 8-2
EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Sermon: Getting Stuck in Life’s Pressures Scripture:
Psalm 22:1-31 Find God at all times, good and bad. Don’t
blame God. Praise God for what you have. Stress can be handled by recognizing
that we came from God. 8-9 NINETEENTH SUNDAY AFTER
PENTECOST Sermon: Worry Warts Scripture: Matthew 6:25-31 Worry reveals we have little
faith. Worry is public enemy #1 because it is linked to the 6 leading causes
of death in the US. It is a trust issue. Trust in God. Do not worry. 8-16
TWENTIETH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Sermon:
Winning Over Worry Scripture:
James 1:2-11 Consider
problems a sheer gift. Trust in God because good things are about to happen.
Steps to overcoming worry: 1. Make God #1 priority, 2. Read Bible and seek
guidance, 3. Be active in church, 4. Personal prayer and meditation time, 5.
Have a system of accountability (mentor), 6. Visualization, 7. Biofeedback,
8. Deep controlled breathing 8-23 TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY AFTER
PENTECOST Sermon: Paul on Relationships Scripture: Colossians 3:18-21 8-30
TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Sermon:
Home Sweet Home Scripture:
Deuteronomy 5:21-6:4 Marriage
and family is God’s plan for stability. Love God and practice and teach this
love in our homes. Honor and love each other. Love is given and received
freely. Guidance is given lovingly with suggestions. 7-26
EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Sermon: God Makes All the Difference in Our
Lives, Scripture: Ephesians 3:1-21; John 7:37-39 Hymns:
84, 105, 262 7-19 SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER
PENTECOST Sermon: God Takes Us As We Are, Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10;
Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 Sin is the failure of hitting
the target of life by not being the best that God wants us to be, failure to
hold on to faith. But God loved us so much he saved us through Christ Jesus.
This is God’s Gift to us. 7-12
SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Sermon: God’s Amazing Love for Us, Scripture
Psalm 139:1-18; Ephesians 1:3-14 Hymns:
258, 77, 53 7-5 FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER
PENTECOST Sermon: “Christ Has Set Us Free” Scripture: Galatians 5:1,
13-25; John 8:34-38 Hymns: 249, 192, 101 6-28
FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST SERMON: “called by God for a purpose”
SCRIPTURE: John 1:35-51 6-21 THIRD SUNDAY AFTER
PENTECOST SERMON: “Love God” SCRIPTURE: Deut. 6:1-9, Matt. 22:34-40 6-14
SECOND SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST: GUEST MINISTER Haydn McLean 5-31
PENTECOST SUNDAY SERMON: “Tongues of Fire” SCRIPTURE: Acts 2:1-21 5-24 SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
SERMON: “Know God’s Will” SCRIPTURE: Acts 1:15-17, 21-26; John 17:6-19 5-17
SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER – SERMON:”LOVE: the Number on Commandment” SCRIPTURE:
1 John 5:1-6; John 15:9 17 5-10 Fifth Sunday of
Easter/Mother’s Day – SERMON: “The Heart of the Family” SCRIPTURE: Exodus
2:1-10; John 14:23-29 5- 3
Fourth Sunday of Easter – SERMON: “The Lord is my Shepherd” SCRIPTURE: Psalm
23; John 10:11-18 His name is so important that
the way of salvation is reduced to a simple statement . . . “Believe on His
name . . . for there is no other name . . . by which we must be saved.” Two
point conversion: 1. Be quiet and listen. 2. Get rid of whatever is holding
you back from a better life with God. Mark
1:21-28 I wait patiently for the Lord;
he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the desolate pit, out
of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put
a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Psalm 40: 1 – 3a |
November “Let
us come before God with thanksgiving and praise God with music and song.”
Psalm 95:2 Dear Sisters and Brothers, There is so much to be thankful for. We have received blessings upon blessings. Now is the time to remember all the good things in our lives. Now is the time to tell all about how good God is. Now is the time to thank and praise God. This is a great month for Nan and I. We will celebrate our church wedding ceremony Saturday, November 7th and are glad so many of you will join us. For us, this is the important time for our marriage covenant to be shared in front of all our family and friends. We are so very thankful that God has given us one another. After the wedding, we will be going on our honeymoon. Thank you for all your love and support which you give to us. Rev. Brad Rentzel will be preaching and leading worship Sunday, November 8th and 15th. Brad is a retired minister who also happens to be a farmer. Brad and I have worked together at his farm and I am very glad that I am not a farmer. He is also an auctioneer and has been in new Holland many times over the years. Brad is a great speaker who should be enjoyed by all. The last Sunday in November is the First Sunday Of Advent, when we began to look forward in hope for Jesus’ first coming and Jesus Christ’s second coming. Thankful for you, Rev. David Goode October “From Jesus’ fullness we have all
received, grace upon grace” (John 1:16) Dear Sisters and Brothers, October is Stewardship month here at St. Stephen. Every Sunday we learn about a ministry or mission of St. Stephen’s that we can give our time, talents and treasures too. Our stewardship campaign will end on Sunday, October 25th, when we all give our “Stewardship of time and Talent” pledge cards, as well as our Financial “Faith Promise to God” information. God has been blessing St. Stephen over and over again. Good worship and now our choirs have begun. Good opportunities to learn with Sunday school classes for all, daytime and evening Bible studies, Confirmation, youth activities, new members class beginning and more. Mission and outreach has been a highlight of our life together as a faithful church. We need YOU to continue all these ministries and missions. God is moving to develop more ways of growing in our faith and practicing it faithfully in sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. “From Jesus’ fullness we have all received, grace upon grace” (John 1:16) and we respond to God by giving a portion of our time, talents and treasures back to God, who has provided us everything we have. Peace, Pastor David Goode September “See,
I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive It?”
(Isaiah 43:19) Dear Members and Friends of
St. Stephen, God has been doing some
amazing things here at St. Stephen Church. The Back Pack outreach, the
Outdoor Movie ministry, Vacation Bible School, an ongoing Adult Bible study
on Sundays, Shut-ins visited regularly by our Friendly Visitors and I am sure
I missed a lot more. God is doing new things here
as well. We have reorganized an exciting new Educational ministry under the
new leadership of Shana Hood, Ed Min Director. PLEASE JOIN US FOR RALLY DAY,
Sunday, September 13th at 9:15 AM in the sanctuary to learn more.
Sunday morning Sunday school will provide educational opportunities for all
ages. There will be three different adult Sunday school classes. Fellowship
youth groups will become active again. A new Confirmation program began
Wednesday, August 26th. Two new mid-week Bible studies will start
in September. The three choirs under the leadership of Kelly Saylor will kick
off another great year of music ministry. Planning has begun for Farm Show,
stewardship campaign, a new library, Coffee House ministry, Thanksgiving
meal, and I am sure I missed many more. St Stephen is moving in new
directions, never forgetting the foundations established in the past. Extravagant
welcome to the new guests we have visiting us regularly, growing new respect
of ALL the various ministries under the umbrella of St. Stephen, a new
willingness to listen to the still Speaking God and doing God’s will of
ministry and mission. “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you
not perceive it?” (Isaiah 43:19) God Bless, Pastor David Goode 823-1735 August Dear
sisters and Brothers in Christ, This summer, we have been
enjoying our new flower garden. Picking out new flowers, digging, planting,
watering and watching them grow has not only been a pleasure, it has been
spiritual refreshing times. Even weeding hasn’t been that bad for us. Imagine if in the middle of
our flower garden we planted vegetables. In every space within the flower
gardens, vegetables are growing. What do you imagine the flowers would be
thinking? How would the vegetable plants perceive the flowers all around
them? Could the flowers and vegetables live together in peace and harmony in
the same garden? Would they trust each other? Could they tolerate one another
in all their differences? Not only are there different kind of flowers and
different kind of vegetables, there are weeds as well. For me, this is the recent
history of St. Stephen Church. Well established flowers and recently
established vegetables. You know, we even have weeds around here. God loves
us all. God has planted us all here for a reason. We are simply asked to love
God and love one another. Flowers and vegetables and weeds; all living together
in tolerance, peace and love. What do you think; dream or reality? With God,
all things are possible. God Bless, Pastor David Goode July Dear Sisters and Brothers in
Christ, Let me share with you SOME JEMS FOR JULY: · Pray all the time. If necessary, use words. · God forgets the past. Imitate him. · Greed I’ve often regretted. Generosity – never. · Don’t ask God to do what you want. Ask God to do what is right. · No one is useless to God. No one. · Nails didn’t hold God to a cross. Love did. · You will never forgive anyone more than God has already forgiven you. Have a safe summer and don’t forget to bring along some spiritual reading and your Bible for vacation. The church will continue to have bills this summer, so also don’t forget your offerings to the church. God Bless, Pastor David Goode June “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for
this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Dear sisters and Brothers in Christ, The foundation of St. Stephen United Church of Christ is Jesus Christ. The foundation of our lives and of our lives together is PRAYER (our relationship with God). We are asking that this summer, beginning now, that you pray through the church directory. Pray for a few people or families each day. Say their names in your private, couple or family prayers. Pray specifically for what you know about their joys and concerns, as well as their family’s joys and concerns. Ask yourself: how could I find out more about their specific prayer concerns? Is God leading me to seek out that information in conversation with them? Should I make an intentional contact with them this week – speaking with them at church, calling them, writing a letter or e-mail, etc? Prayer is the beginning. Acting on what God is saying to us in our prayer times shows our faithfulness. If you do not have a St. Stephen church directory, one will be available for you at each worship service. As you pray through the directory, share with others how it is going for you and what you are getting out of this important ministry of prayer. Talk with a family member or church member or a friend about your praying daily through the church directory experience. “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” God bless, Pastor David Goode May “This is my command: Love one another the
way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line
for your friends. You are my friends when you do the things I command you.”
John
15:12,13 (The Message) Dear friends of St. Stephen, What a privilege it is for me to join St. Stephen UCC in worship, learning and service. The love and support shared during this time of transition has been amazing. God is using you to demonstrate the extravagant welcome which we all receive from God. The numerous ministries which occur at St. Stephen are remarkable. Please carefully look through the Gleanings to celebrate what God is doing and pray how God would have you get involved in worship, learning and service here at St. Stephen. Love and peace, Pastor David Goode April The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are
looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as
he said. Matthew 28:5-6 Dear Friends of the Living One, Easter. New Life. New hope. Resurrection. Something about “resurrection” causes me to feel nervous and concerned. There can be no resurrection without death; no new beginning without an ending; no recovery of the economy without a recession. In the past few years, I have experienced death of loved ones and a death of a relationship. Others have as well. We have all experienced significant loss of finances or health or family members moving far away or significant changes in the church. Death has such finality to it. Endless separation. Life never being the same again. Gone forever. Is this the end of the story? For some, yes. For God, no! Winter turns into spring. Loss turns into gain. Death turns into life. One door closes and another one opens. Do you see it? Do you experience it? That’s what resurrection faith is all about. May we live as people of the Living One. As we come together as pastor/people; expect resurrection and new hope and new life. Resurrection still causes me to feel a little uneasy. I want the new life without the death, spring without winter, new beginnings without endings. God is doing something new. Can you see it? Easter Joy, Rev. David Goode, St. Stephen UCC Pastor Introducing Pastor David
Goode!! The Consistory of St. Stephen United Church of Christ is very pleased to announce that Pastor David Goode has agreed to come to St. Stephen as a designated pastor. Many of you will remember Pastor Goode from his term with us as an Interim Pastor. David was born in Boston, MA, graduated from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity in 1982 and from Marywood College School of Social Work with a Master of Social Work in 1994. He was ordained March 20, 1983 by Franklin Association, Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ. His experiences as an Ordained UCC Minister and Licensed Social Worker have been varied and include ten years as a settled full time pastor in two different UCC Churches, ten years as a therapist with both Philhaven and Bethany Counseling Ministry, and serving eight different UCC Churches as Interim Minister. Pastor Goode will be moving somewhere between New Holland and Hallam. He has two sons. His older son Adam and daughter-in-law Kelly live in Pittsburgh. First grandchild, Madelyn Mackenzie Goode was born June 27, 2008. Both parents work professional jobs, so it can be difficult at times to manage the family life. John moved out to Portland, Oregon last year and is enjoying living on the west coast for now. David’s interests include being with family and friends, physical fitness activities, traveling, spiritual retreats and educational opportunities, the arts, shows, movies, and games. By now you may be asking, “What is a Designated Pastor?” Since we have been through so many transitions over the past several years, David will serve on a contract basis for a period up to three years. This will provide us with stability during the coming years. During this three-year period, annual reviews will be conducted. Also at any time during this period, we can call him as our settled pastor, or either party can cancel the contract with a 29-day notice. The main benefit of this will be that, unlike an Interim, he will perform all the functions of a settled pastor. An Interim’s job is to prepare the way for a settled pastor and not take any steps that would get in the way of the pastor who is to follow. David will take complete leadership in assisting us to develop the kinds of ministries that will attract young families and new members. His special emphasis and interest are in helping St. Stephen Church grow and become a church full of vitality to fulfill its role as “the beacon on the hill”. Consistory has voted to extend this agreement and will be finalizing the contract over the next few weeks. Keep in mind that before David is called as a settled pastor, there needs to be a Congregational Meeting and the congregation MUST vote to accept him, as outlined in the constitution. David will begin his ministry at St. Stephen on Monday, April 6. We are excited about the future of St. Stephen and his first Sunday with us, which will be Easter Sunday – the celebration of the resurrection of our Lord and Savior. For the next two months, Feb. and March, we will have two pastors alternating and filling our pulpit. |
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Pastor’s Page |