 I delighted in the energy of the conversations held in the sanctuary after the worship service Sunday which also carried into the Commons area. Such a presence of aliveness and engagement that “testified” to the presence of God and to the joy we felt in being in the company of each other. Again, what a delight!
In this season of gratitude I simply want to say, Thank you! Thank you to a wonderful staff which has made my transition to serving here at Hazelwood so seamless and joyful. Thank you for the wonderful sounds of music; from choir to bells to band to organ and piano. Thank you for all the volunteers who give time, talent, and treasure. And, most deeply, thank you for your presence at Hazelwood!
Paul writes, “Listen, I will tell you a mystery! In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, we will all be changed.” (1 Cor 15:51) Those moments are a delight to behold. They are a delight to participate in. They are a delight to share not only with each other, but to share with the world. As I mentioned in my sermon Sunday, we have an “opportunity to testify.” In the upcoming holiday seasons of thanksgiving and gift-giving, delight yourselves by “testifying” to love with those closest to you, with your neighbor and with the stranger. Start by simply saying, “Hello!”
In Christ,
Rev. Eric
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Sunday Worship begins each week at 10am, in-person and online, streaming via Facebook. Click HERE to go to our Facebook page.
For those of you worshiping online, click HERE after Friday to find the upcoming Bulletin.
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To see information about the songs we will be singing this Sunday, click here: http://www.hazelwoodchurch.org/worship-songs-this-week/
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To read last Sunday's Pastoral Prayer and Sermon, click HERE.
To watch past services, you may go to Youtube by clicking HERE.
To see just the scripture and sermons from each week, click HERE.
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Advent Season Devotional
The devotional for the 2022 Advent Season, I Am Mary, is available now! It is asked that $4 be donated to cover the cost of each booklet. Please write on your envelope or check memo line "Advent Devotional." Pick up your copy in Sulanke Commons on Sunday!
“ Experience the Advent story this year through Mary's eyes. In this daily devotional featuring scripture, reflection, and prayer, join young Mary on her extraordinary journey to Bethlehem as she experiences the surprise, confusion, fear, anticipation, and ultimate blessing that follows her brave response to God's call: ‘Here am I, Lord.' Listen carefully, and you may hear that call in your own life.” (from Chalice Press)
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'Winnie's Kids' Calendars
The Annual 'Winnie's Kids' Calendars are back! The 2023 calendars are $20 each, and all proceeds go towards buying school uniforms for the kids at Shivembe primary school. Stop by Sulanke Commons after worship this Sunday to pick one up!
These calendars make great gifts!
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This Sunday, we will celebrate our many blessings during Gratitude Sunday. There will be a special time in our worship service for you to bring forward non-perishable food items for delivery to Christian Ministries’ Food Pantry.
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Thanksgiving Offering
This Sunday, November 20, we will once again collect your gifts to the Thanksgiving Offering, which helps to support the fifteen colleges and universities and the seven theological institutions in covenant with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) as they work diligently to ensure safe and healthy learning environments.
While there is much to be thankful for as our schools continue to meet the needs of students, there is also much work still to be done to ensure they remain financially viable. It is vitally important that the work of these institutions continue as they encourage students in their intellectual pursuits and nurture them as leaders to transform church, society, and the world.
Your generous gift to the Thanksgiving Offering helps support these efforts in education and leadership formation, which also benefits the future health of our Disciples congregations and their future ministerial and lay leadership.
Click HERE to read more about the Thanksgiving Offering or to donate directly to this worthwhile cause.
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Our sympathies and prayers go out to Leah Ritchie and family on the passing of her sister, Zelmeda Dearing, on November 8.
Pat Patterson is back home following rehab at Morrison Woods.
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Prayers requested for these Hazelwood participants (alphabetical by last name):
- David Cartwright
- Jeff Clary
- Ruthanne Devroy
- Jeane Garrett
- Mariangella Glaze
- Lois Gross
- Louise Maley
- Marcia Miller
- Pat Patterson
- Jairen Rees
- Bill Ritchie
- Leah Ritchie
- Ron Smith
- Judy Thomas
- Mark Wages
- Molly Wantz
- Annie Yingst
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2022 Annual Congregational Meeting
Our annual business meeting will be held this Sunday, November 20, following the worship service, in the Sanctuary as well as on Zoom for those who prefer. Important issues that will affect Hazelwood's future will be presented for the congregation's consideration. If you would like to participate via Zoom, please click HERE to let us know. Those participating via Zoom will receive an email with the information needed to attend the meeting on Friday, November 18.
The following is a list of 2023 candidates which will be presented at the meeting. The Officers will serve one year in these positions, while the Elders, Deacons, and Trustees will serve 3-year terms.
Officers:
Moderator: Andy Rees
Vice-Moderator: Amy Stucky
Treasurer: Sue Weller
Secretary: Judy Van Fleet
At-Large Board Member: Felix Muhiga
Board of Elders:
Mary Ann Matchett
Bob Weller
Board of Deacons:
Jay Matchett
Marcia Miller
Maggie Ratts
Board of Trustees:
Bill Ritchie
John Starnes
Preschool Committee:
*The Nominating Committee proposes no changes be made to the Preschool Committee members in 2023
Chair: Julie Thomas
Vice-chair: Mary Ann Matchett
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Bible Study
Weekly Bible Study (both in-person and on Zoom) continues today, November 16, at 10am in Cartwright Hall! Rev. Eric will be facilitating. We will begin our study of the Gospel of Mark. This week we will be reading Chapters 1 and 2. You may participate every week or as you are able; each week’s study will be independent from the others.
If you would like to participate via Zoom, click HERE to let us know.
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Pastor's Class/Sunday School
There will be NO Sunday school this coming Sunday, November 20, due to the Congregational Meeting following church worship. The class (both in-person and on Zoom), will resume on Sunday, November 27 after worship in Cartwright Hall.
The class is engaging in a 6-week study by Richard Rohr titled, “Resurrection Now.” All are welcome, and you may attend any or all of the sessions. If you would like to participate via Zoom, click HERE to receive the link.
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You're Invited!
You are all invited to a concert I'm playing in this coming Saturday, November 19, at 4pm at Temple Beth El (525 Jackson St. in Muncie). Galit Gertsenzon and I will be joined by cellist David Rezits to perform a concert of music by Jewish composers, at least 4 of which died in the Holocaust. Their music was banned by the Nazis. I will be performing selected movements from a sonata by Irwin Schulloff that was influenced by jazz, plus the final movement of the Pavel Hass Suite for Oboe which I have arranged for soprano saxophone.
Admission is free, and all are welcome to attend.
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Calendar
Wed., November 16: Bible Study, 10am, Cartwright Hall & Zoom; Preschool Team, 3pm, Room 108 & Zoom; Choir Rehearsal, 7pm, Sanctuary
Fri., November 18: Governance Document Revision Team, 10am, Cartwright Hall; Praise Band, 5pm, Sanctuary
Sun., November 20: Gratitude Sunday Worship, 10am, Sanctuary (see article above); Annual Congregational Meeting, After Worship, Sanctuary; Sunday School, After Congregational Meeting, Cartwright Hall
Wed., November 23: Bible Study, 10am, Cartwright Hall & Zoom
Thurs. & Fri., November 24 & 25: Church Office Closed
Click HERE to see events further out on the calendar.
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2022 Fall Bazaar: Thank You!
"What a wonderful day we had at the Fall Bazaar on Saturday. We had such a great turnout from the community and wide variety of vendors. Santa did a fantastic job as always, and we are so thankful for the freshly fallen snow to give everyone that holiday spirit. The food was delicious and we could not have asked for a better crew to set up and clean up. Special thanks to the Preschool Team for a marvelous job and another successful bazaar."
~Angela Lopez, Preschool Director
"Sending out a big thank you to everyone who helped with the bazaar, volunteers in every capacity, those baking and donating baked goods, and those who supported our vendors by shopping. We couldn’t do it without everyone’s help."
~The Preschool Team and Staff
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Walter Rauschenbusch (1861-1918) is perhaps most famous for being a lead figure in the Social Gospel Movement. The Social Gospel Movement sought to apply Christian ethics to the social justice issues of the day. Here is a Thanksgiving poem written by Rauschenbusch:
Thanksgiving Day Prayer
For the wide sky and the blessed sun,
For the salt sea and the running water,
For the everlasting hills
And the never-resting winds,
For trees and the common grass underfoot.
We thank you for our senses
By which we hear the songs of birds,
And see the splendor of the summer fields,
And taste of the autumn fruits,
And rejoice in the feel of the snow,
And smell the breath of the spring.
Grant us a heart wide open to all this beauty;
And save our souls from being so blind
That we pass unseeing
When even the common thornbush
Is aflame with your glory,
O God our creator,
Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
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2023 Offering Envelopes
If you would like to receive 2023 Offering Envelopes, click HERE to fill out a Offering Envelope Request form.
Requested envelopes will be ready to pick up on December 11. |
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YTD Receipts through October 2022: $230,765.85
YTD Expenses through October 2022: $235,055.76
YTD Outreach Disbursements through October 2022: $49,500.63
New Church Development: $571.15
Easter Offering: $905
Reconciliation Offering: $1,282
Christian Ministries' Food Pantry: $189.56
Sleeping Room Project: $590
Winnie's Kids: $24,570
Week of Compassion: $2,456.16
Muncie Afghan Refugee Resettlement Committee: $13,170
Sulanke Trust Outreach: $5,766.76
-Christian Ministries of Delaware County: $431.76
-A Better Way: $400
-YWCA: $400
-Second Harvest Food Bank: $400
-Motivate Our Minds: $400
-Children's Clothing Center: $400
-Muncie Mission: $1,635
-Habitat for Humanity: $400
-First Choice: $400
-Muncie Soup Kitchen: $400
-Special Olympics: $200
-Love Gift: $300
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To make a financial gift online via Givelify, click here:
https://giv.li/cv3bky
After you are in the Givelify site, to designate a gift to something other than the general fund, choose "Other" and then type in the message box to let us know to which fund you are donating.
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Please submit items for the newsletter by Monday at noon each week.
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Rev. Eric Brotheridge, Senior Minister
Stefanie Petty, Office Administrator
Rhea Morgan, Bookkeeper
Marianna Gill, Worship Coordinator
Lori Rhoden, Organist
Brooklyn Wolf, Youth Ministry Assistant
Angela Lopez, Director of Weekday Preschool and Extended Learning Center
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