Calendar of Events for the Week of December 14, 2025: Sunday - 1:00pm - Building Use Monday - 5:30pm - Karate Tuesday - Wednesday - 11:00am - Bible Study; 6:30pm - AA Meeting; 7:00pm - Bible Study Thursday - 9:00am - Quilting Group; 5:30pm - Karate; 6:30pm - Choir Rehearsal; 6:30pm The Chosen Friday - Saturday - 12:00pm - Christmas Cookie Packaging & Delivery
SMILE FOR THE CAMERA!! We are pleased to announce that we will be compiling a 2026 church family pictorial directory with Universal. It will include all member’s family portraits & roster info so we can stay connected.
There are two ways to schedule a session: 1. NOW ONLINE at www.ucdir.com (click scheduling login) (code is pa1240) (password is photos) 2. AT CHURCH before & after services
There is no cost to be photographed & every family will receive a complimentary 8x10 portrait. Take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to make a treasured family keepsake. Only participating households will receive a free directory! Photography will take place Thursday- Saturday January 8th - 10th, 2026
Please join us-it won’t be the same without you!
WATCH "THE CHOSEN" - “The Chosen” viewing is on Thursdays at 6:30pm. There will be a quick synopsis of the episode before we start it. After viewing, there will be a Q & A.
* Thursday December 18th - Season 1, Episode 6 – “Indescribable Compassion”
BIBLE STUDIES - Wednesday nights Bible Study is 7-8 pm. We are finishing Job and then moving on to Psalms. We will meet in the parlor. Our group focuses on reading the Bible from start to finish and discussing it. Join us and hear God's Word.
The Wednesday morning Bible Study meets the first & third Wednesdays of the month at 11:00am. We will continue with “The Workbook on the Christian Walk”. Everyone is welcome to join. Sessions last about an hour.
VALLEY FOOD PANTRY CHRISTMAS BOXES - Our congregation has been asked to supply napkins for this collection. Coffee and tea are always needed. Monetary donations are always appreciated as the pantry is experiencing its second lowest treasury amount to buy needed items. Have items here by December 14th.
POINSETTIAS AND HUNGER RELIEF DONATIONS SOUGHT FOR CHRISTMAS - Orders for poinsettias are now being taken. There will NOT be a sign-up sheet. Please use the envelopes from the basket on the table in the narthex. And make sure the information on the envelope is complete and clear. Place it in the offering plate or return to the church office. Fifty poinsettias will be purchased and the balance of money received will go to the Hunger Appeal. All gifts will be listed in the bulletin on Christmas Eve. The cost of a poinsettia is $10.00, but any amount of your donation is appreciated. All donations must be in the church office by Sunday December 14th.
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE - We will have Christmas Eve Service of communion and candle lighting at 7PM !!
JANUARY NEWSLETTER - Please note the deadline for all articles, information, etc. for the January newsletter is January 18th!!
HAVE THAT ‘HARD TO BUY FOR’ PERSON ON YOUR CHRISTMAS LIST? - Consider a gift to ELCA GOOD GIFTS. This includes God’s Global Barnyard and many other areas for donations for health care, food, plants, bibles, books, etc. An order form with all the information is on the table in the narthex on how to order, who to make your check out to and where to send your order. Also, cards are on the table to allow you to tell the recipient of your gift. Any questions, see Cindy.
YEAR-END FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Please note – all donations for 2025 MUST be in the church office by Sunday December 28th to appear on your 2025 statement. Thanks.
SECOND SATURDAY SUPPERS - No December Supper. The next supper will be held on January 10th at 5:45pm downstairs in Roth Hall right after the Saturday worship service. You will need to bring your own beverages. Place settings will be provided. The simple entrée (soup or a casserole) will be provided, and it is sure to be yummy!
CHRISTMAS PLAY - Our children and a few adults will be presenting the Christmas play “A Christmas Road Trip” on Sunday December 21st at the 10:45am worship service. Join the Anderson family on their Christmas road trip to visit Grandpa and learn along the way about God’s love expressed to all of us when Jesus “hit the road” leaving Heaven and coming to Earth to become our Savior.
COOKIES COOKIES COOKIES - We will be delivering Christmas cookies to our local responders and nursing homes the week of December 21st. We are blessed by so many talented bakers and are asking if you could make an extra dozen or two of cookies and bring them to the church by Noon on Saturday December 20th. If baking is not an option, you would still like to contribute donations of Hershey Kisses and miniature candy bars are appreciated. We toss these among the cookies in the boxes. We will be packing them up that Saturday starting at Noon. I’ve done this before and have seen nurses start to cry because someone thought of them at Christmastime. It means more than you think. If you are able to bake, help pack, write out cards to go with the cookies or deliver cookies, see the sign-up on the table in the parlor. Lenora Hampton
EPIPHANY NATIVITY DISPLAY - Casting Our Nets will again host the display of Nativity sets in the church parlor and sanctuary for Epiphany. The display can be seen after the 4:30 worship service on Saturday January 10th and again on Sunday morning from 9 until 10:30 a.m. and after worship service until 1 p.m. Coffee and light refreshments will be served on Sunday.
If you would be willing to allow us to display one or more of your nativity sets, please use the sign-up sheet in the parlor to let us know your intent so we can plan for setup. All nativities should be brought to the church parlor on Saturday, January 10th between 10 and noon. Anyone who displays a Nativity will be responsible for pick-up after the event on Sunday by 2 p.m. or can make arrangements to get it during the following week when the office is open.
ADVENT GIVING - Advent is a season to be mindful and deliberate in our acts of charity and giving. Please consider joining other members of our congregation in collecting some of the most needed items for the Willow Foundation’s Heartwood Center. Those who utilize the center are incredibly grateful for our congregation’s support and care for them.
The Heartwood Center Wish List is as follows: • Coffee (Hot Drink) cups • Powdered Coffee Creamer • Large Garbage Bags • Disinfectant Wipes • Plastic Spoons • Gloves (men & women) • Hand Sanitizer
Also, the center is always appreciative of any warm clothing and coats this time of year. To donate these items, please place them in the collection bin in the parlor or mark them for Heartwood and place them in the parlor closet. Please contact Brother Fred if you have any questions or have other items to donate.
BREAKFAST IS SERVED - The Valley Vets Auxiliary will host a breakfast on Sunday December 21st from 7am-11am. Everyone is invited.
A CHRISTMAS CANTADA - “Night of the Father’s Love’ will be presented Sunday December 14th at 3pm at Faith UCC-Airport Road-Hazle Township presented by the Freeland Community Choir
LUTHERAN DISASTER RESPONSE - LDR is asking for gifts to help with the recent disasters. Checks may be out to the church and marked "LDR". 100% of all money donated goes directly to help those in need!!
STEPHEN MINISTRY - Stephen Ministry multiplies blessings throughout the church and community.
* Congregations receive a practical and powerful way to respond to Christ’s commandment: “Love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12 RSV). * Pastors have a team of gifted, trained, and committed lay caregivers ready to minister to hurting people. * Members develop and use their gifts in meaningful ministry, growing spiritually as they serve others. * People who are hurting have a compassionate companion—a caring Christian friend who provides emotional and spiritual support.
If you are going through a challenging time, or if you know someone who is, please contact Deb Jones at 570-233-7675. Our Stephen Ministers are ready to bring God’s love and care to those in need. It’s a great way for you to show how much you care!