December 2019
“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news
that will cause great joy for all the people.” Luke 2:10
EMMAUS MORAVIAN CHURCH
146 Main Street, Emmaus, Pa. 18049
Phone 610-965-6067; Fax 610-966-5420
www.emmausmoravian.org
Office hours: Monday – Friday 9am-3pm
Rev. Brian Dixon ~ Pastor ~ pastor@emmausmoravian.org
Charlie McDonald ~ Student Pastor ~ studentpastor@emmausmoravian.org
Melissa Heckman ~ Secretary ~ secretary@emmausmoravian.org
Martha Cox Popichak ~ Director of Music ~ popicox@rcn.com
Christopher Klump ~ Director of Brass Choir
Al Kneller ~ Sexton
2019 Watchword
Light dawns for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart. Psalm 97:11
Emmaus Moravian Church’s Mission Statement:
Living in Fellowship, Growing in Christ!
Monthly Message
“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…” You may recall this song popularized by the likes of Michael Bublé or Perry Como and the Fontane Sisters. You might even be singing it to yourself as you read this! And, it does come to mind as our mornings freeze and the days grow festive. The aisles of the five-and-dime (now Walmart, Target, and Amazon) are filled with toys and candy. Boughs of holly, lights on strings, trees, stars, candles and cake. Yes, it’s looking a lot like Christmas. But, let’s not overlook the final verse that Meredith Wilson (who wrote the song in 1951) repeated for emphasis: Soon the bells will start / And the thing that will make them ring / Is the carol that you sing / Right within your heart. You know, we do tend to judge books by their covers, to go by appearances and impressions. In the Gospels when John the Baptizer – who was in jail – sent disciples to ask Jesus if he was the long-awaited Promised One or should they look for someone else (you can read this in Matthew 11:2-6 and Luke 7:18-23), Jesus sends them back to John with a message: Open your eyes. Go tell John what’s happening: “Those who were blind are able to see. Those who were crippled now walk. People with skin diseases are cleansed. Those who are deaf now hear. Those who were dead are raised up. And good news is preached to the poor.” Jesus answers John’s question with a question. And, the question back to John is this: “What is it beginning to look a lot like around here?” Where people are shown compassion, restored to wholeness, and brought together to the table? What does it look like, to you, where people can actually see and hear and feel how very much they are loved? What do you think it begins to look a lot like when we are not just willing – but eager – to love and serve as Jesus commands and empowers us by His Spirit to be able to do? I believe this is what the Kingdom of Heaven looks like. And, I am praying that all our celebrations of Jesus’ birth – of Christmas – will have something wonderful to say to the world and to our neighbors about God’s love for us all.
In the hope and practice of Advent,
Pastor Brian
Worship Schedule
Sunday, December 1st ~ 9:00 Sunday School; 10:30 Worship ~ 1st Sunday in Advent Lovefeast
Morning Star Auditions after worship; 6:00 pm Candle trimming ~ all welcome!
Sunday, December 8th ~ 9:00 Sunday School; 10:30 Worship ~
Children’s Christmas Program during worship;
Joyful Noise Offering benefitting Heifer International;
Fellowship Days to follow worship
Sunday, December 15th ~ 9:00 Sunday School; 10:30 Worship
Sunday, December 22nd ~ No Sunday School; 10:30 Worship;
2:00 Blue Christmas Service
Tuesday, December 24th ~ 2:00 and 4:30 Lovefeast and Candlelight
7:00 Candlelight Service
Sunday, December 29th ~ No Sunday School; 10:30 Worship
Tuesday, December 31st ~ 2:00-4:00 Silent Communion
Sunday, January 5th ~ 9:00 Sunday School; 9:15 Main St. Worship; 10:30 Worship ~ Communion and Distribution of Watchwords at both services
Prayer Concerns
Dustin Haberstumpf, Danny Schmick, Rev. Diane Joseph, Sandy Erb, Catherine Trawinski, Mary Rockwell, Art & Betty Stortz, Norma Rinker, Vivian Gruber, Karl Lutz, Lynn Stout, Carolyn Leiby, Ruth Grohol, Wanda Reis (Shirley Schaup’s sister),
Christine Schneider (sister of Catherine Trawinski),
Amy & Kevin Kelly (daughter & son in law of Ken & Karen Flexer),
and our homebound members
Please uphold these church members and friends in your prayers.
Contact the office whenever a visit is needed or to inform us of any situation,
or a family member is hospitalized.
Upcoming Events
Candle Trimming ~ Sunday, December 1st at 6 pm
Join us for a fun night of trimming beeswax candles (which are served to our Christmas Eve worshippers), and our little shoppers shop. Please bring a few dollars for your child to shop for gifts (items cost around 25 cents!) It’s a very inexpensive way for your child to pick out gifts for family members! There will also be cookie decorating! It’s a great time for everyone to get together during the holiday season and enjoy this beloved church tradition! All are welcome (no experience necessary)!
Elvis will once again be in the building!
Elvis impersonator, Jeff Krick, Sr. will entertain the crowd on Sunday, December 8th at 3:00. Tickets are $10.00 per person and available through the office or from Judy Rau. Tickets will also be available at the door.
The EMC Book Club
Book club meets at 7pm the second Monday of the month. Copies of past selections are available in Comenius room, feel free to borrow a book.
Bring along suggestion for upcoming months. New books to be chosen on Dec. 9 Bring along your suggestions!
December 9 ~ The Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
January 13 ~ The Storyteller Secret by Senjai Badani
Unity Prayer Watch ~ This year our turn for the Unity Prayer Watch is December 15th. Every day of every year Moravian congregations around the world are assigned a day of prayer. To uphold this tradition, Emmaus Moravian is asked to fulfill 6 hours of prayer. Please contact the office to sign up for a ½ hour of prayer. Topics for prayer are provided. Our times are 1-1:30 am, 1:30-2 am, 5-5:30 am, 5:30-6 am, 9-9:30 am, 9:30-10am, 1-1:30 pm, 1:30-2pm, 5:00-5:30pm, 5:30-6pm, 9-9:30pm, 9:30-10pm.
Blue Christmas ~ You are invited to join us for a special service at EMC. This service is designed for those who are grieving, hurting and in need of peace for the Christmas season. Anyone is welcome to come on Sunday, December 22nd at 2:00.
Join us for our Christmas Eve Services
2:00 and 4:30 pm ~ Candlelight and traditional Moravian Lovefeast
These 2 services get very crowded. Please arrive early to ensure seating.
15 minutes prior to the service starting, seats will not be able to be saved. The doors will open 45 minutes prior to the service.
The 7:00 service is candlelight only.
Silent Communion ~ Please join us for a time of meditation and prayer on Tuesday, December 31st from 2:00-4:00. This is a time of reflection for the past year and prayers for the year ahead. Communion will be served individually whenever you are ready.
6:15 Prayer time ~ The gathering is at Superior (102 State Ave in Emmaus). Each morning at 6:15 am, there will be a few short readings of Scripture, a gathering up of cares for the day, maybe a little singing, and always a shared blessing. We are excited to offer the timeless practice of daily prayer in a new way, and hope you’ll consider giving it a try. Think of it as a “gas and go” on your way into the office or into the world. It’s a way to “rise and shine and give God the glory.”
FYI…
Offering envelopes for 2020 are available in the Comenius Room. Please pick yours up when you are here for worship! Or stop in the office during the day!
Daily Texts available ~ The Daily Texts grew out of a spiritual renewal of the Moravian Church (Unitas Fratrum) that dates back to Aug. 13, 1727. The texts were first published in 1731 in Herrnhut, Germany. Today, the Daily Texts continues its promise of “a daily message from God that is new every morning.”
Paperback $10.00; Large Print $12.00; Hard Cover $14.00; Journal $15.00
Threatening weather ~ In the event that there is snow or ice on a Sunday morning, please refer to our website for cancellations. The other option is to call the church office number (610.965.6067) and if an event or church is cancelled, there will be a message stating so.
Connect with EMC in various ways: Facebook, Email, Website and Newsletter.
If you do not receive a monthly newsletter, contact the office. It can be mailed or emailed
to you. Always know what is happening in the life of your church!! Better yet, share this newsletter with a friend so they can know what is happening here too!
Opportunities for You to Serve or Give
EMC Blessing Box ~ What is a Blessing Box? I’m so glad you asked! It’s a box where people can leave donated non-perishable food and other items for people in the community to pick up in time of need. The motto is “Take what you need. Leave what you can”. The box is located on the side porch of the church office facing Keystone Ave. Stop by and check it out. Donations may be placed in the box at any time, or can be given on a Sunday with the Food Bank donations. Please spread the word!
Nominating Committee ~ On any given day, the Gospel invites a response to God’s initiative in our lives. And, there are many ways to respond. For some, it is through outreach and volunteer service. For others, it is by dedication to prayer and spiritual encouragement. Our responses vary, but they each express a sense of gratitude (for what God has done for us) and generosity (toward others). A specific response I ask you to consider, is to servant leadership on one of the Church Boards (Elders or Trustees), the Sacristan Corp, Christian Education Committee, or as a delegate to the Eastern District Synod. Please reach out to a member of the Nominating Committee: Susan Adams, Michael Maurer, Judy Rau, or Pastor Brian if this is something you are willing to give thought to and would like to know more.
Joyful Noise Offerings ~ These offerings are collected on a monthly basis for various ministries, both Moravian and local ministries. November’s offering benefitted East Penn Neighbors Helping Neighbors and raised $323.41. December’s offering will be collected on the 8th. It will benefit the Sunday School Advent project, Heifer International. We are trying to raise enough money to buy a cow! This organization helps communities by providing them with animals to provide food and income. One cow costs $500.00! Thank you for your support!
Volunteers needed ~ Christmas time is a big deal around here! How can you be a part of the festivities? There are numerous areas where EMC can use your help. Our church has become a special place where our community comes together to celebrate and worship the birth of our Savior with us!
November 26th at 6:00pm ~ the Sacristan Corp will be decorating the Sanctuary and the outside of the church. We need extra hands to help with all the preparations.
December 24th ~ There are 3 services where we need lovefeast/candle servers.
Lovefeast/Candlelight ~ 2:00pm, Lovefeast/Candlelight ~ 4:30pm
Candlelight ~ 7:00pm
If you are able to join us for one or more of the above, please let Judy Rau, Head Sacristan, or the office know.
Sound System ~ Are you interested in helping run the sound system during the Sunday worship service? We need volunteers to help on a rotating basis. Training available! Please contact the office if you can give of your time.
The Allentown Area Food Bank ~ Our church serves at the Food Bank on the fourth Thursday of each month. Regular or substitute volunteers are always needed. The following items are needed: boxed stuffing mix, sugar (2 lb bag), flour (5 lb bag), small canned ham or Spam,
vegetable oil, powdered milk, coffee – 1 lb bag or can, cranberry sauce, canned pumpkin.
Donations of clean, unused cloth grocery bags would be welcome.
We would also like to give books to the children, all ages.
Thank you for your continued generosity. For more info contact Kim Schmick 610.739.6587
Sunday School News
Advent Project– This year the Sunday School Advent Project will benefit Heifer International. Since 1944, Heifer International has worked to bring help, healing and hope to impoverished families worldwide. Heifer Int. has assisted more than 34 million families. Heifer programs have reinvigorated communities through livestock and training. They work to alleviate hunger and poverty. On November 17th, banks and calendars were handed out. This is a fun way for the kids to be directly involved in collecting money for this cause. Each day your child is directed to look around the house for specific items and add coins for different answers. We will collect the banks on December 15th. We hope to raise enough funds to buy a heifer for $500.00! A joyful noise offering will be collected on December 8th to help our cause as well!
Morning Star Auditions will be held on Sunday, December 1st after worship.
If your child (grades 3-9) would like to sing Morning Star on Christmas Eve, please have them audition (please limit this to children who have never sung Morning Star, or have only sang it 1 time). A copy of the music is available from Martha popicox@rcn.com.
Meet Martha in the balcony after the postlude is finished.
The Children’s Christmas Program will take place on December 8th at the 10:30 worship. There will be a practice on Saturday, December 7th from 9-11. Please contact Melissa Heckman for more information.
You are invited to celebrate the birthday of Jesus!
Friday, December 13th 6:30-8:30
EMC Fellowship Hall
No gifts necessary!
Bring a friend! All ages welcome!
RSVP to the church office if possible!
Fund Raisers
Nutty Buddies Order Form
Sale Date ~ Dec. 18th Christmas Candy and Nut sale
Stock up for the holidays!
Name and phone number _________________________________________________
Salted Unsalted $Total
Peanuts ½# bag $3.00 __________________________________
Cashews ½ # bag $5.25 __________________________________
TOTALS __________________________________
Peanut Clusters (½ lb.) $5.25 _______________________
Cashew Cluster (½ lb.) $7.00 _______________________
Cashew Turtles (½ lb.) $7.75 _______________________
Pick up orders in Fellowship Hall day of sale between 11 – 12:30 Orders not picked up will be in office To place order call the office 610-965-6067 or secretary@emmausmoravian.org Contact person — Judy Rau; 610-398-6286 or rau27@ptd.net
Cash Card Program Do you give gift cards as a gift? Then think about buying them from EMC! If you need gift cards at any of the stores or restaurants listed below, give us a try! We carry an inventory of over $8,000 in 50 different cards for everyday shopping or gift giving! We have access to hundreds more we can order for you and have them in a week. We are available every Sunday before church and after church or cards can be purchased in the office. Our cash cards never expire.
Typically in stock: Applebees, Arby’s, Bath & Body Works, Barnes & Noble, Best Buy, Cabelas, Carrabba’s, Cracker Barrel, CVS, Dominos, Dunkin Donuts, Giant, Home Depot, Itunes, JCPenney, Kohl’s, L.L. Bean, Macy’s, Olive Garden, Outback, Panera, Petsmart, Papa Johns, Starbucks, Staples, Subway, Target, TGI Friday’s, Walmart, Weis, Wawa, Wendy’s
Christmas Poinsettias
Christmas Eve will soon be here along with the smell of burning beeswax in the air.
The beauty of a tree adorned with delicate handmade stars, set aglow by white lights,
topped with a majestic Moravian star and surrounded by the deep red of the poinsettias.
All the visual beauty is but a backdrop for the true beauty of the season,
the birth of our Savior!
We offer members the opportunity to sponsor poinsettias used in decorating the Sanctuary.
Return form with payment (checks payable to Emmaus Moravian Church)
By Sunday, December 8th, 2019
Your Name and Number__________________________________
# of Plants ______ x $10.00 each = _________________
I wish to place my poinsettia: (chose ONE only)
____ In memory of: ______________________________________
By: _______________________________________________
____ In honor of: _____________________________________
By: __________________________________________
____To the Glory of God
____I prefer that my gift of a poinsettia not be recognized
____I will pick up the poinsettia after the 7pm Candlelight Service
____Please deliver my poinsettia to a shut-in