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
October Special Envelope
Common Ministries -The common ministries of the Worldwide Moravian Church include (but are not limited to) the following ministries: Moravian Open Door, Camp Hope, Ministerial Education, Board of World Mission,
Moravian Music Foundation, and Provincial Archives
2020 Watchword
Emmaus Moravian Church’s Mission Statement:
Living in Fellowship, Growing in Christ!
October Worship Schedule
We continue “being” God’s church with daily zoom prayer time and Facebook posts. Please continue to notify the office if you have any prayer concerns or communication that needs to be shared.
Sunday, October 4th ~ Worship in the pavilion 10:30 ~
World wide Communion (please bring a filled cup and bread of your choosing) Sunday, October 11th ~ Worship in the pavilion 10:30
Sunday, October 18th ~ Worship in the pavilion 10:30
Sunday, October 25th ~ Worship in the pavilion 10:30
Sunday, November 1st ~ Worship in the sanctuary 10:30
For outdoor services, if there is inclement weather, the service will be cancelled. Please check website and facebook for cancellation notices.
A message will also be available via phone if you call the church office number.
We will follow these guidelines for everyone’s safety:
Masks will be required.
Benches will be placed to allow for social distancing.
Lawn Chairs are recommended to help social distancing.
Hand outs such as bulletins will not be used.
Offering baskets will be placed in the rear of the pavilion.
The nursery will not be open at this time.
Beverages will not be provided. You may bring your own beverage in an enclosed cup. Social distancing is to be practiced on church property, including the parking lot.
The link to all of the zoom meetings and worship services is: https://zoom.us/j/4429489211
Go to www.zoom.us, go to “join a meeting” and enter code 4429489211
If you don’t feel comfortable joining by internet, and would prefer to listen in by phone, simply call this number: 1- 646 -876- 9923, and enter meeting ID: 4429489211, followed by the # key twice. Morning Prayer; Mon – Fri at 8:15 a.m. (same log in info as above)
Change is difficult. Over the past several months, we have all experienced a lot of change. Eventually we will be able to worship without restrictions. We will be grateful when that time is here. Until then, our goal is to provide meaningful worship while keeping everyone safe.
Praising God can be done in many different ways. If attending an in person worship service does
not feel safe to you at this time, please know that we understand. All of our services will be available on line either live through zoom or afterwards via facebook.
A Message from Pastor Brian
Surprise Plays
I am not a real sports fan, but I appreciate a well-executed surprise play. Things like a “flea flick- er,” fooling the defense into covering the run instead of the pass. Or the old “fake throw” to the pitcher, allowing an infielder to tag out the unsuspecting runner. Such plays can be unorthodox and surprising. They are sometimes improvised, not always successful, and generally reserved for when you are not sure what else to try. However, when they work – it is pretty amazing.
Not to alarm anyone, but this is how I have felt about worship for much of 2020.
Logging onto Church Without Walls for live worship with Moravians across the country was un- orthodox, but it gave us time to figure out some streaming, video, and recording for ourselves. Starting a Sunday Coffee Hour online was surprising. Bringing us back into more direct fellow- ship with each other. Hosting an 18th Century Prayer Watch on Zoom (every weekday morning at 8:15) feels a bit improvised; holding the joys and concerns of our congregation in the light of Christ from week-to-week.
Besides digital doxology, we have made creative use of the church grounds and outdoor pavil- ion. Bringing the prayers and songs of the church, our liturgy and lessons of faith, and happy gatherings of God’s flock at Emmaus (safely distanced and wearing masks) out onto the lawn several Sundays running.
Just as those “trick plays” are best when you are not sure what else to do and may not always succeed, some of what we have tried has not always worked the way we wanted it to. But, on many occasions over the past six months – with much thanks to many people – it has actually been kind of amazing.
Funny thing, I guess, about the Church.
Over and over again in the bible: Gabriel saying to Mary, “Look! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.” Luke 1:31 or Jesus telling Saul, “Now get up and enter the city. You will be told what you must do.” Acts 9:6 or Abram and Sara trusting they would get to a place God had yet to show them, Genesis 12:1 we find believers facing significant difficulties, disruptions, and disorientation. We also find people of faith responding to extraordinary challenges unaware, unrehearsed and unexpectedly. And we always find a loving God hard at work – in ways myste- rious and full of wonder– accomplishing surprising, amazing, and extraordinary things.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we figure out what we are doing. Thank you for being a community of curious, courageous believers. And thank you for the many meaningful ways we remind each other that we worship a God of endless possibility, loving purpose, and faithful promise.
In every sense of the Word Our Lamb has conquered. Let us follow Him, Pastor Brian
With Christian Hope and Sympathy
On September 2nd, Ruth Grohol was called to her eternal home. Services for Ruth were held at Emmaus Moravian Cemetery. Please keep Ruth’s family including her brother, Carl in your prayers.
Please remember those in need of our prayers:
Kenny Flexer, Amy Flexer-Kelly, Michael Henry, Martha Cox-Popichak, Sandy Weida, Nancy Repp, Kate Dekker, Judy Rau, Ron Hertzog, Rev. Diane Joseph, Karl Lutz, Catherine Trawinski Donna & Jim Leffler (daughter & son in law of Ron & Bette Hertzog)
our homebound members, nursing home and assisted living
facility residents, all essential workers on the front lines of this pandemic
and those personally affected by the COVID-19 virus.
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.
Flower Sponsorships
Below are the acknowledgements for flower sponsors: October 11th ~ In loving memory of Gladys M. Lovell by her family
October 18th ~ In loving memory of William M. Baringer by his family
In loving memory of Paul & Grace Smith by Chuck & Margaret Shackelford
Oct. 25th ~ In loving memory of Gerald & Jeannette Mintz by their daughter, Phyllis Gagner In loving memory of Helen Rinker’s birthday on Oct. 27th by Kathy and Barb
Thank you EMC!
Dear Emmaus Moravian Congregation,
It has been a great honor to have served as director/head teacher of Emmaus Mo- ravian Preschool for the past 25 years. It has always felt like my second home and second family. The tribute held on Sunday, August 23rd was beautiful. I am so thankful for the leaf on the Tree Of Life, the necklace, the 2 plaques, the memory book, the banner, the flowers, the cake and the cards I received. It is a wonderful feeling to know all the heartfelt things I did for my job came back to me in that cel- ebration. I am grateful for all the friends I made along the way. Special thanks to Melissa Heckman and all her helpers. Love, Bev Godusky
Dear EMC,
Many thanks for all the support shown during Sandy’s recent heart surgery and recovery. The many cards and calls from our church family has been great. Also, many thanks to Pastor Brian for keeping in contact during the shut down. It meant a lot. Sandy and Phib Weida
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
“I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers…” Grateful. Thankful. Blessed! My heart overflows with gratitude for the Emmaus Congregation and all the ways you have made my day of ordination a celebration. The celebration belongs to all of us, because it is through the love, Christian nurture, faith development, prayers and loving service with all of you that God worked in my heart and opened me to this call of ordained ministry. Thank you for those who planned, set up, prayed, sent cards and gave words that blessed. Thank you for the “Ordination Motorcade Parade!” It is all received with grati- tude and counted as pure blessing!
My prayer for Emmaus is that you keep nurturing faith in your lives and help one another to grow. Encourage one another and when you see gifts for ministry in people– tell them! Encourage them! Pray for them! It matters that we are people of faith-be blessed in your witness of love!
Grace and peace,
The Rev. Linda C. Wisser
The Blessing Box
Our box is located on the side porch of the church office. It is filled with non perishable food and toiletries (when available) for those in need. The box is filled weekly (at least). We keep additional donations in the office to replenish supplies when needed.
The immediate needs of the blessing box are: pasta, pasta sauce, jelly, spaghettios, packets of peanut butter or cheese crackers, canned tuna, and toiletries (soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant). You can place your donations directly in the box, or contact the office to arrange a drop off time. Thank you for supporting this community ministry.
The EMC Book Club
Keep up with your reading! The next book club meeting is August 10th at 7:00pm. Meetings are held on Zoom. We also meet every week for conversation and company. Everyone is welcome to join! Email Judy Williamson
at stellawitchey@hotmail.com for info.
Oct. 12th ~ A Midwife’s Song Oh, Freedom, Patricia Harmon
Nov. 9th ~ One in a Million Boy,
by Monica Wood
News to Know
Spiritual Direction/Spiritual Companion
Have you ever experienced sadness in your life? How did sadness feel and how did the feeling impact your day to day life? Recently I lost our dearly loved dog, Sasha, a precious companion and member of our family. Every day I experienced the sadness that accompanies such a loss. I shared my sadness with my spiritual director and she suggested there might be an invitation from God in this sadness. I could not imagine this idea of an invitation in the middle of my profound sadness!! What kind of invitation might this be? Well with the guidance of my spiritual director and through the practice of centering prayer God’s comfort, support and teachings were accessed. The invitation was to transform the sadness into a place of healing and wholeness.
Spiritual sharing with God and others has the opportunity to bring us to a new place of peace and transformation. I invite you to consider the practice of spiritual direction/spiritual companion and hear what God has to say to you.
Linda Unser, RN, MA, Spiritual Director, offers individual and group spiritual direction via face time or zoom. Specialty groups can be requested for 3-5 people such as women’s group, first re- sponders group, nurses group, etc. This spiritual practice is available to everyone. Please feel free to contact Linda at (610 ) 390-7771 or via email at lugraphics@aol.com.
Sunday School Update
We had a beautiful day to celebrate the kids of EMC on Sept. 27th! It was wonderful to see kids at worship and participating in worship as well. We miss seeing the kids on a weekly basis; but new opportunities are in the works!
Here is the upcoming class schedule:
The nursery class will not meet until after the new year. Please look for updates in the future.
The Kindergarten through 5th grade class will meet via zoom on October 18th & 25th from 9:30-10. The zoom link is the same as the church zoom listed. It is hopeful the regular indoor classes will meet beginning on Nov. 1st. Zoom will be available for classes after Nov. 1st as well.
The middle school/high school classes will begin meeting in person this Sunday, Oct. 4th. They will meet outdoors from 9:30-10:00(ish). Please have the kids bring a chair! Hopefully on November 1st, the middle school/high school class will meet in their regular room upstairs. We hope to also have a zoom link for that class.
All children are required to wear masks while indoors. An email will be sent with more details as they are worked out. We are excited to once again begin teaching your children!
Thank you! Melissa Heckman and Karen Semet, Sunday School Coordinators
Trunk or Treat!
On October 17th, the CE Committee is hosting their annual Trunk or Treat event. We are looking for members to decorate their trunks or hand out candy or other goodies to our community children. The CE committee can provide items for you to hand out. Your trunk doesn’t have to be extensively decorated. A few streamers, a pumpkin or two and viola, you have a great setting to make the kids smile! As this is one of our few community events this year, we are asking for lots of participation! Please contact the office if you are willing to participate or help! So many events have been cancelled for the kids this year that we want to give a little back. Please join us for an afternoon of festivities and fun! And kids, bring your friends to this great event. Masks required!
Saturday, October 17th from 2:00-4:00 (please arrive by 1:30 if you are handing out candy) Rain date: Sunday, October 18th 2:00-4:00 EMC parking lot
Hot dogs and drinks provided!
Costumes and trunk decorating optional!
The Board of World Mission’s Moravian Disaster Response (MDR) fund stands ready to be of assistance whenever and wherever a disaster strikes and impacts Moravians around the world. This year we have been incredibly busy with an extensive hurricane season and the Covid-19 pandemic. To date in 2020, we have sent aid to our Moravian brothers and sisters in Wilmington, NC (Hurricane ); to the Eastern Congo (flooding); to over 55 Moravian congre- gations and agencies in the US and Canada to assist with expenses related to adapting wor- ship and church administration due to Covid-19. We have sent Covid-19 aid to Cuba, Peru, and Honduras. All told, we have sent out over $80,000 to people who have experienced some truly unfortunate circumstances. So much more needs to be done, and we cannot ex- tend this compassionate help without your help. Please visit our website
at www.moravianmission.org for more details on what is happening around the world and how you can help send relief.
Saturday, October 17th from 9am-3pm
Join us on the grounds of the historic 1740-1743 Whitefield House. Featuring locally made items, music, & regional food.
Free parking and free admission.
The Moravian Historical Society presents the 42nd Annual Arts & Crafts Festival
Plans are in place to keep our vendors, guests, volunteers, and staff safe including redesigned wide aisles, extra room around booths, hand sanitizing stations, crowd control measures, mask and social distancing requirements.