The Beacon
Newsletter
October 13, 2023 Volume 65, No 42
This SUNDAY: October 15, 2023
Theme: When the Golden Years Are Not So Golden
It’s not easy to grow old. No matter the outside, we still feel young and able inside. But then we find ourselves, sometimes suddenly and sometimes little by little, faced with the inevitable losses that go with aging. We have a harder time hearing and a harder time seeing. Our knees ache and get to be so painful that we need knee replacement surgery. We don’t bounce back like we used to. We look in the mirror and feel surprised to see an older person looking back at us; or we feel shocked when we see a photograph of someone who’s our age and they look old! The list goes on with minor annoyances and serious problems, sometimes culminating in giving up our homes and giving up the freedom of driving. To top it off, our culture dismisses us as we grow older, as if we are no longer relevant or important. It’s enough to give a person an identity crisis or depression. So, how do we age gracefully, with wisdom and peace? How do we hold on to our identity and hope? How do we keep living into who we are even when what we can do changes significantly? While this message may be more relevant to some than to others, all of us know someone who’s going through this. And all of us are growing older every day.
To prepare, please read Isaiah 46:3-4.
Pastor Paula Ulrich
Sunday, October 15
9:30 a.m. Meet & Eat
10:30 a.m. Worship
Monday, October 16
7:00 p.m. Executive Committee
OFFICE CLOSED
Tuesday, October 17
Office Closed
Wednesday, October 18
9:00-2:00 Office Open
9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Food Bank
11:30 a.m. Worship Preview meeting
5:30 p.m. Worship Team Meeting
Thursday, October 19
6:30 p.m. Choir
Office Closed
Friday, October 20
9:00 a.m-2:00 p.m. Office Open
Saturday, October 21
Remember to check the Breeze calendar for upcoming events and activities!
Worship on 10/08/2023:
In-person attendance 56
Offering 10/01 $3,336.00
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Food Bank on 10/11/2023:
27 Families served
87 Individuals in families
MEET AND EAT
During Meet and Eat the next two Sundays (Oct. 15 and 22), Dan Ulrich will share about a book that he is writing titled, Gospel Visions for Troubled Times. For the first session, we will discuss the agenda and method of the book based on the introductory chapter. For the second session we will focus on Mark 14:1-11 in connection with Chapter Three of the book on "The Gospel of Mark and Solidarity in Suffering."
Dan has described the book this way when pitching it to a publisher: "Gospel Visions for Troubled Times demonstrates that the four canonical Gospels can inspire life-giving responses to crises that trouble people and the planet today. Each of the four main chapters begins with information about a pressing problem and then models how close reading of a Gospel text can contribute to present-day solutions. This book is essential reading for present and future church leaders who have been called by Jesus to help heal the world."
craft and bake sale
Saturday, October 14th
Craft and Bake Sale: 1:00-6:00
Pork Chop Dinner: 5:00-7:00
We still have space available if you would like to sell any craft or baked items (no table fee). You do not need to be present – we can sell items for you.
There will be Gluten Free baked goods!!
For more information, please contact:
Ronda Mendenhall, Pastor
Cedar Creek Church of the Brethren
5952 CR 7, Garrett, IN, 46738
Text/call: 260-237-5007
Refugee FAmily Update
We have confirmation for a rental house! The house is conveniently located close to the church. Move in date is Saturday, October 21. We would greatly appreciate help that day. We have lots of stuff for the family at the church that we need to get into their home and then we’ll have a couple of days to move the things from their current home. Thank you so much for your past (and future) help!
Weekly food bank update
The food bank is happy to report your food donations have helped the shoppers purchase smaller amounts of food. They have not had to carry such large orders down to the food bank. Currently, the most needed items are chili with or without beans and pancake mix. Monetary donations are also appreciated.
A shopper is needed for November 29th, you can sign up on the sign-up sheet on the counter in the office. Thank you for all you do to feed our community!
Rain Barrels
The church has three 50 gallon rain barrels available to anyone who might have a need. There are stands as well as diverters for each. Persons who are interested can contact one of the stewards or the church office.
B.I.C.Y.C.L.E.
The Next Beacon's Intergenerational Cycling (Yes Cycling!) League of Enthusiasts ride is on October 14th. We will start in Shipshewana at 11 a.m. and ride the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail. There are varying distances to choose from, the shortest being an about 14 miles round trip to Middlebury. Note that THE TRAIL HEAD HAS CHANGED. Head north on S.R. 5 to the north end of town. Pass the Blue Gate Restaurant and Bakery on the right and then about 2 blocks later, turn right on Depot St. and go several blocks to the parking area. Let me know if you have any questions and also let me know if you are planning ride. That way no one gets left behind. This is a fantastic trail. Hope you can join us!
Brian
bkzehr@yahoo.com
260-433-6244
All Saint’s day worship
For worship on Oct. 29, we'll remember All Saint's Day. Everyone is invited to bring along a photo or object on October 29 that represents a “saint” in their lives, whether that’s a person who has passed on or a person still living, who has inspired or encouraged them spiritually or impacted their faith in some way. You will be invited to place it on a table during the service. There also will be an invitation to share briefly about that person during the Message if you wish to do that.
Trunk or treat
Join us after worship on October 29th in the church parking lot for trunk or treating. We will have decorated trunks and candy to hand out!
looking ahead
The Nurture Commission would like to thank everyone who has so thoughtfully planned, crafted, and presented breakfast since we started Meet and Eat! As we approach the Holidays we understand everyone's schedules get busy with other commitments. With this in mind, we wanted to fill up our Eat calendar through the new year. If your heart leads you to help, please go to the shared google documents: Meet & Eat Sign Up. This does require you to have a Google account, so an alternative is to reach out to Thom Quinlan at: thomquinlan@gmail.com or 260.341.5064 (text is preferred).
As a reminder, we ask EAT's be out at 9:20-9:30 to allow those attending the MEET part of the morning to grab a bite. Please do not be intimidated by bringing breakfast, it can be anything you'd like to bring. Not a cook, bring donuts or bagels. Not sure what needs to be done, let Thom know, he can help guide you and even show up that morning to help!
Women’s winter art fair
Sophia's Portico is proud to sponsor its 22nd annual Women’s Winter Art Fair on Saturday, December 2, 2023, 11 am to 4 pm at Beacon Heights Church. Admission is free and open to the public. We invite you to support local women artists selling their handcrafted works of jewelry, fabric art, Native American art, glass, pottery, photography, clothing, prints, cards and mixed media. This is a lovely event to find that unique holiday gift. In addition, we will offer delicious homemade soups, breads and a wide assortment of baked goods in a festive atmosphere.
For further information call Sophia’s Portico 260-482-7402 or kuanyin011@frontier.com
website: www.sophiasportico.org and Facebook
NEXT SUNDAY: October 22, 2023
Theme: Call The Midwives
We will consider the Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, and their spiritual resistance to power when Pharaoh orders the destruction of every male Hebrew child. Instead, they save the children, relying on their loyalty to God, and lying to Pharaoh for the protection and preservation of God’s people. To what kind of resistance or counter cultural life does God call you? How do you “go against the grain” in your everyday life - In big ways or small ways? Have you ever had to tell a lie? How do we find the courage and energy to practice resistance? How might we find support, inspiration, and energy through the stories of scripture, God’s presence, and one another?
To prepare, please read Exodus 1:8-22.
Pastor Paula Ulrich
Published by Beacon Heights
Church of the Brethren
Editor: Alexis Shoda
Phone: (260) 482-8595
Email: office@beaconheights.net