For almost 15 centuries, the church possessed a visible unity in the form of the Catholic Church. In 1457 the Unitas Fratrum, or Moravian Church, became the first protestant church. Since that time 38,000 (FN1) other protestant churches have been formed. Today protestant churches are forming at the rate of 300 a year. These numbers do not include the many fiercely independent congregations that are scattered all over city and world.
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Band rounds on Sunday afternoon, November 23, 2008. Starting at the Elms where our former flute player Clarence now lives; then to South Fork Retirement Center, home to band members mother, grandmother, and mother-in-law; next to Kelly and Donna, giving Kelly chance to direct us again; concluding at the Livingood’s – a joyful day! Thank you Jane for taking pictures. For more pictures please see: http://jkt.smugmug.com/Band
Many thanks for everyone’s help with the annual Square Dance for Sunnyside Ministry on Sunday, November 23! We hosted over 200 youth at the square dance, and we collected a huge amount of food to help with hunger relief during the holidays. We’re grateful to New Philadelphia’s youth and adults, who set up for the event, gathered donations, served refreshments, and cleaned up afterwards. Thank you!
Here are some pictures:
Square Dance 2008
Greetings from the Seniors – The seniors have had a busy time this beautiful fall. On September 5 we celebrated Older Adult Sunday with a special Litany in Church Service. Several of our members attended the Senior Fall Rally at Advent Moravian Church on October 14.
We are looking forward to two sessions by our pastors: November 20 John Rights will talk about “Memory.” John will accent what we remember, how we retain those memories, and the meaning that they have. Dave Marcus will speak on the subject of “Prayer” on December 18. This is a great opportunity to look at all the hows, whys, and why nots of prayer. Lunch afterward at K & W.
Our story telling sessions which started in April, ended with the last session November 13 with war stories from our veterans of WWII. Kay Windsor, our facilitator, has guided us to recall, through laughter and tears, the memories of our lives. You’ll hear stories of our early church, “the little church in the woods,” and the families who started it, personal stories, many “do you remember” stories and finally, touching stories from our veterans. Contributors of these veterans’ stories were Sidney Teague, Grover Chaney (who was wounded) Clyde Dula and Bill Newsom. We want to thank all who have contributed to these sessions, and a special thanks to Kay, who has shown great tolerance for some of our boistrous sessions. Thanks Kay!! You’ll be able to see and hear these stories at our Senior Potluck Luncheon, December 11, 10:00am in Fellowship Hall. We welcome everyone to come and be entertained as we share these stories with you.
Don’t forget to check the Senior Bulletin Board in the Commons Area for announcements. We welcome all suggestions and ideas to help make our Senior Fellowship more effective.
An important question to ask ourselves as we grow older, “Do you see yourself as a person of worth who is created in the image of God, and continue to find opportunities to serve God and the Church?” There’s always a place in the Senior Fellowship for you!
Thanksgiving Blessings to each home and family,
Clendon
Foreword: In order to appreciate the Festival of the Chief Elder, one must understand the principal of the Lot. The early Moravians submitted many decisions to the Lot. When a matter had been discussed, and a decision reached, one of the elders would reach into a bowl containing a collection of texts, some affirming, and some denying the decision, and draw out a single text. This single text affirmed or denied the action. The use of the Lot eventually fell from favor, but for a time it one mark among many of the total faith and radical obedience of our church.
Our youth raked leaves for several church families on Sunday, November 9! Click the link below for more pictures:
19 Now the works of the flesh are plain: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger, selfishness, dissension, party spirit, 21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering (patience), gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 meekness, and self-control; against which there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. 26 Let us have no self-conceit, no provoking of one another, no envy of one another. Galatians 5:19-26
The 6th Essential is “the fruit of the Spirit” in the life of all believers. The term “fruit of the Spirit” is used only once in the Revised Standard Version of Scripture.
