Amber Congregational Church

Worship & Education News

 

   We will finish up our series of sermons from the Apostle Paul’s letter of 1 Timothy.  These last few chapters address specific issues with regard to leadership in the family, the church and in business.  The end of the month brings us to that most pleasant time of year, Thanksgiving.  And as Thanksgiving ends the church year, we begin the cycle again with Advent.    Note the passages for each week, together with the prayer Psalm, are listed below so that you can read them in advance of our Worship together.  

 

   Remember if you can’t be with us on a Sunday morning, we do post an audio and a video of the Worship Service on our church website (www.amberchurch.org).  This is not a live stream, and it may take us a day or two to get it up on our site, but check it out.  This newsletter is also posted there.  

 

A Study of 1 Timothy

Teaching, Correcting, Practicing

 

Nov  5 – Family: Widows and Elderly

            (5:1-16, Ps. 118:1-29) All Saints Communion

Nov 12 – Church: Leadership

            (5:17-25, Ps. 119:49-56)

Nov 19 – Business: Slaves, Masters, Money

              (6:1-19, Ps. 119:105-112)

 

Nov 26 – Thanksgiving  Sunday  (Ps. 72:1-20) Communion

 

Advent-Christmas Series

Learning to Respond to God – Luke 1:5-2:40

 

Dec 3 – Announcement to Zechariah and Elizabeth: Preparing the

             Next Generation (1:5-25, Ps. 125:1-5) Advent Communion

Dec 10 – Announcement to Mary: Accepting Personal 

              Involvement (1:26-56, Ps. 132:1-18)

Dec 17 – Birth of John: Determining Obedience (1:57-80, Ps. 139:1-24)

Dec 24 – Birth of Jesus: Finding Our Place (2:1-20, Isaiah 9:2-7) 

Dec 31 – Presentation of Jesus: Completing Our Tasks (2:21-40,

              Ps. 150:1-6) 

 

   The average Worship attendance for the month of October was 47.  Our present offerings total $103,147 toward the proposed annual budget of $120,340. 

 

If you wish to receive giving envelopes for the 2024 year, please contact Faith Stopyro (315-673-1516, fsstopryo@windstream.net) 

Envelopes will be available in the foyer the end of December for use beginning January 1, 2024.

 

   Our weekly Bible Studies are on Sunday following Worship and Friday at 10:30. We will be finishing up the Sermon on the Mount on Sunday mornings.  These classes are being led by Sue Ellen Harris and Cathy Smith.   Our Friday Bible Study is working slowly through 1 Corinthians.  We are presently at chapter 7.  All are welcome at both studies.

 

 

Search Committee Update

 

   The Search Committee is continuing to meet, pray, and sift through applications.  Please feel free to ask questions of any of the committee members.  They are Gail Frary (chairperson), Nancy Barber, Cheryl Curtis, Andy Henderson, Mark Henderson, Cathy Smith and Faith Stopyro. Please pray for Rick & Lois and their retirement transition, the Committee, and a godly choice in a new pastor. 

 

 

Musical Thanksgiving

 

   Fall is here and that means Thanksgiving is around the corner.  The Worship Committee is planning a music service such as last year's that focuses on thanks, bounty, and blessings.  Won’t you consider being a part of this service on November 19th by playing or singing a musical selection at our Worship Service.  Please let Nancy Barber (315-406-2491) know your song selection by October 31st.   Any need for accompanist should be requested by the 31st also.  The music titles need to be in by November 5th.  We are looking forward to this service, praising and thanking our Lord!  

 

 

2023 Thanksgiving Dinner Menu

 

   Everyone is invited to come to our shared Thanksgiving Dinner at the church following Sunday Worship on November 19 at noon.  Gail Frary (315-391-6443, gailfrary@gmail.com) is organizing the event.  We will need to purchase about 50 pounds of turkey so if you would like to contribute to the purchase, or donate a bird yourself, please speak to Gail.  We also have already received the donation of the potato, dressing, gravy, and applesauce.  The rest of our menu depends on you and we are asking all who come to bring a dish to pass based on the following chart and the first letter of your last name.  Come and enjoy the family.

 

            A-G     dessert

            H-N     salad 

            O-Z     vegetable or bread

 

 

My Brother’s Keeper

 

   The “My Brother's Keeper” group in Marcellus is looking for donations of adult sweaters or sweatshirts, blankets and mattress pads.  Among other things, they make sleeping bags for the Rescue Mission, Salvation Army and other facilities.  When they roll up the completed sleeping bag, they add a knit scarf, mittens & hat, a sweater or sweatshirt, a hygiene bag, and an Upper Room.  See Gail Frary (315-391-6443, gailfrary@gmail.com) for more information or to make a donation.

 

 

Friendship Luncheons

 

   Our Friendship Luncheons are held the first Wednesday of each month.  These are intended to be an outreach to the seniors of our community, providing them the opportunity to get out and gather with friends for a good meal and some pleasant conversation.  Our next luncheon will be at noon on November 1.  For more information on these monthly meals you may contact Linda Henderson (315-378-7305).

 

 

Ladies Game Night

 

   Several of you have been enjoying a monthly gathering of the “Ladies Only Game Night.”  They have been meeting on the third Friday of each month.  The next gathering will be on November 17.  The start time is 7:00 pm.  The evening continues to 9:00 with some good conversation, rousing play, a little friendly competition and snacks.  We invite our teen ladies also and hope to see more of you join us.  We gather at the church and look forward to meeting and deepening friendships.  For more information contact Cathy Smith (cjsmarietta@gmail.com) and/or Gail Frary (gailfrary@gmail.com).

 

 

200th Anniversary Preparation

(1824-2024)

 

   Thank you to everyone who has already shared a recipe for the upcoming 200th anniversary cookbook.  There remains plenty of room for more recipes.  Don’t delay.  There are also plans for a quilt.     Not all of us are quilters but anyone can still plan to submit a quilt square for your family.  Take a look at the current quilt hanging in the Kish Room.  Some squares are elaborately done others are very simple.  Provide whatever you are comfortable in doing.  

 

     If you have any other ideas on how to make our 200th anniversary celebration special, please share them with the committee.  The contact individuals are Nancy Barber (315-406-2491) and Cathy Smith (315-456-9198).  Thank you.