EMMANUEL SOUL

KITCHEN DINNER
JANUARY 8 AT 5:30PM

PARISH OFFICE
CLOSED
THURS. JAN. 1ST
WORSHIP AT
EMMANUEL ON
SUNDAYS AT
9:30AM

January 2015

Messenger
The

EM M ANU EL EPISCO P AL C H UR C H, NO R WIC H, N EW YOR K

Greetings From Fr. Chuck

We had just sat down to
supper when the phone rang. I should
have ignored it but I picked it up. Is
this you, Charles,. And then, Hows
everything at home tonight, doing all
right?
I had been suckered into
thinking someone actually knew me
and cared how we were doing. I tried
being polite even as my meal grew
cold. I tried the polite route but it got
me no where, so I just hung up.
We get a couple of these
calls every week and usually I can see
whats coming. I still feel a pang of guilt
when I cut them off or say that I am not
interested. And I feel guilty when I tell
them that, I am too poor to pay
attention. This got me to thinking
about what we are communicating to
others about the church. Does the
message we send out speak Gods
message or is it a hope to just survive?
I know there are times that I
avoid the messy parts of scripture and

paint a rosy picture. I often speak of

one of my pet peeves rather than
address Gods message. What is our
witness to the world? Like my walking
and hunting buddy Coal, sometimes I
just growl and bare my ugly nature.
They say dogs take after their master
and sometimes we both are ugly
natured dogs. Do I need an attitude
adjustment? Of course I do, and so do
we as a people of faith. The question
is, will we make the effort?
We have just celebrated
Christmas, the birth of Jesus and the
gift has been given to us. How will we
use this gift of love come down?
The challenges that face us
our real and often distressing in these
troubled times. Often, we see
ourselves in the church at the fringes
of society with little power to change
things. I dont want us to just survive.
I want us to thrive and make an impact.
I want to search and see what God is
doing, how God is going about it, and
tell people where it is happening.

Sometimes I wonder if we
have forgotten who we are and where
our source of power, hope, and grace
originate.
We are Gods people, a
people empowered to stand up for
justice, peace and human dignity. We
are a people striving to have a heart
like Jesus. Do we want people to know
that we are Christians? Or are we
afraid to be labeled as crazy or worse a
religious fanatic? What I know is this,
deep in our hearts and souls we can
make the world a better place.
To do this we need a joyful
seriousness that says God is in our
midst. Be proud of who you are as a
faithful follower of God. Go about your
daily life in assurance that God is with
us and that we can be a driving force
not only to make a difference but to
share Gods love with everyone we
meet along the way.
And yes, Happy New Year!

Moving into 2015

Our longing for the presence of God
and the fulfillment of Gods
promises come to fruition in the
twelve days of Christmas. The
season is one of intimacy between
God and us, His people. It is a joyful
season of the longed for Messiah
who comes to us as a child of hope.
Soon Epiphany is upon us and it
begins with an affirmation of Jesus

identity as we begin a time of Jesus

public, earthly ministry. We will
glimpse the continuing story of Gods
presence within our lives. Amidst the
mystery, majesty, and awe we
encounter God. All of this summons
us to listen to Jesus as we go about
our lives in service and proclaiming
the good news. Go and share the
joy!

Worship Schedule for January

Starts at 9:30a.m. on Sundays
January 4: Holy Eucharist, Rite I
January 11: Holy Eucharist Rite II
January 18: Morning Prayer : Holy Eucharist
Rite II
January 25: Holy Eucharist Rite II, Annual
Meeting following Coffee Hour

Psalm 63: 1-3

CHURCH OFFICE
AND FOOD
PANTRY CLOSED
ON JANUARY 19
IN OBSERVANCE

You are cordially invited to worship with us.

Please call 334-8801 for details or to arrange a ride.
Weekday Services
Wednesday Morning 9:00a.m.
Interactive Contemporary Eucharist in St. Francis
Chapel, Anointing with oil for the sick on the second
Wednesday of every month( Last approximately 40
minutes)
~No Chapel Service will be held on January 7th.
Valley View Nursing Home: Holy Eucharist celebrated on the 2nd Wednesday of month at 10am
Chenango Valley Home: Holy Eucharist on the 4th
Wednesday of every month at 10:30a.m.

January Lessons

O God, you are my God,

and I long for you. My
whole being desires you,
like a dry, worn-out, and
waterless land, my soul is
thirsty for you.
Let me see you in the
sanctuary; let me see how
mighty and glorious you
are.
Your constant love is better
than life itself, and so I will
praise you.

Our Daily Bread Food Pantry continues to see an

increased need. Thank you for your past,
present, and future support! With the busy holiday
season upon us, our monetary needs are
particularly important. If you wish to make a
contribution, monetary contributions may be sent
to Our Daily Bread Food Pantry, P.O. Box 813, 37
West Main St., Norwich, NY 13815.
Thank you for your continued support!
Barb and Gary Tompkins
Volunteer Coordinators

1st Jeremiah 31:7-14

Psalm
84
2nd Ephesians 1:3-6,15-19
Gospel Matthew 2: 13-23

11 1st Isaiah 42: 1-9

Psalm
89: 1-29
2nd Acts 10: 34-38
Gospel Mark 1: 7-11

The Epiphany
1st Isaiah 60:1-6,9
Psalm
72
2nd Ephesians 3:1-12
Gospel Matthew 2: 1-12

18 1st 1 Samuel 3: 1-20

Psalm 63: 1-8
2nd 1 Corinthians 6: 11-20
Gospel John 1:43-51

25 1st Jeremiah 3: 21-4:2

Psalm 130
2nd 1 Corinthians 7:17-23
Gospel Mark 1:14-20

Stewardship
Have you made your New Years Resolution? Its tough to include a real pledge of time or money in
your New Years Resolutions. Especially when you realize how you will feel if you do not follow through
on it. But this is a new year, 2015. Shouldnt it be the cause of each one of us that we will resolve to
give our time, and our money, and become part of the dedicated people of the new year?
The Messenger

Page 2

January Birthdays & Anniversaries

3 Cheryl Loomis
4 Robert Michael Murry
5 Justin McGrain; Terry
Woodard
7 Mallery Stone
9 Anna Snow
12 Kimberly Harris
15 Gloria Scottie Decker

17 Karen Sullivan; Sabrina

Carnachan
19 Logan Adist; Stephen
Turner
20 Laurel Wiltbank; Ruth
Stiess
23 Ashley Murphy; Rachael
Loomis
25 Lindsey Jenkins
26 Helen Murray

27 Jean McDowell; Matthew

Gladstone
28 Michael Murray, Jr.; Ruth
Mason
29 Matthew Murray
30 Aiden Sullivan
31 Tracey Davis

Prayers for Parish Families

January 4to January 11-Lance Henderson; Ilene Herrington; Barbara Higley; Deborah &
Mark Hitchcock.
January 12 to January 18-Karen & Rick Ingraham; Victoria Kappel; Nancy Karaman& Harold
Palmer.
January 19-to January 25-Devin, Savanna, Belinda, & James Keator; Russell Ketch.
January 26 to February 1-Carrie Sue LaCoe; Joyce & William Lawrence; William, Tyler,
Karen Banks-Lindner & Richard Lindner.
Altar Flowers for January
Jan. 4 OPEN
Jan. 11-OPEN
Jan. 18-OPEN
Jan. 25-In Thanksgiving of Emmanuels Annual Meeting.
Please Consider Donating flowers for the altar.
(Please see listing in this publication for Christmas 2014
Plants/Flowers on page 5.)

HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR COFFEE HOUR YET?

Now that a New Years is upon us, would you

be willing to host a coffee hour on Sunday
morning? Check your calendar and sign up for
the Sunday that suits you best. A Sign-Up
sheet is on the doors in the Parish Hall near
where the coffee is served.

Altar Flowers, Easter Flowers, and Christmas Flowers

We wish to thank you for providing the beautiful flowers that grace our church throughout the
year. The Altar Flowers, Christmas Poinsettias, and Easter Lilies are provided by Maiuranos Flower
Shop. In order for us to honor your request to place flowers in the church we do need your help.
Some people request a certain date and others call to see if we can place flowers on the altar during
the year. We will begin to place an item in the monthly newsletter letting you know when flowers are
going to be provided and when there is an open date.
Also, to help us remember your loved ones or your blessings during special times, such as
Easter and Christmas, we ask that you mail in the request form that is printed in the monthly
newsletter, place it in the alms basin with your donation, or call the church office.
If you request that flowers be placed in the church on Sundays, Maiuranos will bill you.
Again, thank you for providing the beautiful flowers!

The Messenger

Page 3

CELEBRATING EPIPHANY
Epiphany, from the Greek word
epiphaneia, means an appearance or
manifestation. Christians celebrate this
festival each year on January 6, the 12th
day after Christmas. Epiphany ends on
Ash Wednesday, when Lent begins.
Epiphany marks the coming of the
Magi, or wise men, to worship the baby
Jesus. Because the Magi were Gentiles,
epiphany symbolizes the first recognition
of Christ by non-Jews. Its a reminder that
Christ came as the light and Savior of
the whole world.
The traditional color for Epiphany is
green, indicating life, growth, hope and
eternity. Symbols for the season include a
light, candle or star; a crown or three
crowns; three gifts; and a globe. In the
modern church, Epiphany has become a
time to focus on reaching out and
showing Jesus as the Savior to al people.
Its also a reminder to engage in Christian
Community and to heal divisions among
Gods children.

The 183rd Annual Parish Meeting~

Sunday, January 25
Worship at 9:30am followed by Special
Coffee Hour and the Annual Meeting.
-Come and hear some ideas for the future
and cast your vote in electing new
Vestry Members and Warden.
-Come and hear about building/grounds
items and news about what has been
completed and what is still in the works.
-Come and see, come and hear, come and
celebrate a new year with worship and
fellowship at this years annual
meeting with worship at 9:30am.

SAY A PRAYER
Little Johnny and his family were having Sunday dinner at his Grandmother's house. Everyone was seated around the table as the food
was being served. When Little Johnny received
his plate, he started eating right away.
"Johnny! Please wait until we say our prayer."
said his mother.
"I don't need to," the boy replied. "Of
course, you do." his mother insisted. "We always say a prayer before eating at our house."
"That's at our house." Johnny
explained. "But this is Grandma's house and
she knows how to cook!"

Consider Your Stewardship for 2015

1st Consideration
Make a commitment to spend
more time in communication with
God. Consider participating in
worship an extra day during the
week, in addition to Sunday. Try
starting your day with a few
minutes of quiet prayer and
ending your day with spiritual
reading.
The Messenger

2nd Consideration
When you pray, dont spend all
the time telling God what
problems you want Him to solve
in the world. Instead, be still and
ask God what HE wants You to
do.

3rd Consideration
Then listen carefully. Listen to
hear if God is calling you to a
more active, conscious
participation in our parish and
our world and then consider
sharing your time, talents and
your commitment to our parish.

Page 4

The Following Members have NEW Addresss:

Betty Nolan
Senior Living @ UHS Rm 207
179 North Broad Street
Norwich, N.Y. 13815

RECIPE

Mariba Chmielewski
Hampshire House RM 207
1846 County Hwy 28
Oneonta, N.Y. 13820

Date Bars (Matrimonial Cake) by Maude Baum

3 cup chopped dates 1 1/2 cup water 1/4 cup sugar (Bring to a boil until mixture is a smooth paste)
Cream together: 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) margarine or shortening, I cup brown sugar
Sift: 1 3/4 cup sifted flour 1/2 tsp. soda
1 tsp. salt
Add: 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
Blend above mixture into creamed sugar and margarine. Take 1/2 of above and pack into aa layer in a
cookie sheet or 9 cake tin. Spread date paste over the layer.
Cover with rest of oatmeal crumbs, packing lightly.
Bake 400 degree oven 25 minutes, or until lightly browned. Cut in squares while hot.
Donors of Plants & Flowers Christmas 2014
Cici Blood in memory of George Blood.
Gary and Patsy Brookins in memory of Gladys Stewart; Kenneth Stewart; William Brookins; Billy
Brookins; David Brookins; Mary Jane Prindle; Bob & Virginia Prindle; Konrad & Doris Roeser;
Derek Konrad; Richard Lollman; and Margaret Prindle
Ruth and Robert Buck in memory of Mr. & Mrs. Randall Breed and Mary Alice Breed.
Gina and George Denning in memory of Virginia & Owen Jones; Elizabeth & George Denning, SR.;
Nancy Denning Phillips.
Richard & Karen Ingraham and family in loving memory of Janice & Erwin Collier; Irene & Edward
Ingraham; Eddie George; and Richard Schermerhorn.
Fred and Sally Miers in memory of The Millspaugh & Miers Families. And in Thanksgiving for
Peter & Nicole.
Barb & Gary Tompkins in memory of Louis Dunckel & Everett Tompkins.
Pauline & Sharlene Smith in memoy of Bob Smith & Loved Ones.
Mary Alice Whitney in memory of Family Shepardson.
The vase floral arrangement is given by Florence Hand in memory of her beloved husband,
Gerard Hand and in memory of Jerrys grandparents, Joseph & Barbara Kiefer.

The Messenger

Page 5

Messenger
J A N U A R Y

NON-PROFIT
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID

2 0 1 5

Fr. Chuck Taylor

PO Box 361
New Berlin, NY 13411
Phone:607-847-6361
Email: frchuckt@frontiernet.net
Editor: Cathleen Reeder
Phone: 607-334-8801
Email: emmanuelchurch@frontiernet.net

Were on the Web!

www.emmaneulnorwich.com

NORWICH, NY 13815

PERMIT # 8

MAY GOD RICHLY BLESS:

To Know Christ And To Make Him Known!

Remember the Church in Your Will!

Safe Church Training

On November 16, 2014, Epiphany Church in
Sherburne hosted a Safe Church training session for the
Chenango District. Seven people attended from
Sherburne and Oxford. Lynne Walton presented the
training and video from the Diocese of Central New York
program. There was a discussion of current perceptions
versus proven facts about sexual abuse in the United
States. The three steps to protect our children were
reviewed along with how to respond to situations.
The next Safe Church training session is
scheduled for Saturday 17, 2015 at ZION church in
Greene from 9:00 AM to 12:00 noon. Please call
607-334-8803 or the ZION church 607-656-9502 to sign
up for this class. All families attending Episcopal services
are encouraged to participate in the class to help raise
awareness and support of all the children in our
communities. The class is free.
The Messenger

Thursday, Jan. 8, 2015

MENU:

Beef Stew, Roll,

Beverage, & Dessert

Page 6