 Hello!
First, let me pass along thanks from Elizabeth and myself for the Christmas cards, greetings, gifts, and goodies we received. We rejoice in the relationships which have begun here at Hazelwood and look forward to nurturing them in 2023.
And Happy New Year 2023!
A few bible verses come to mind when I think about the “new” in Happy New Year. The Psalmist asks us to “Sing to the Lord a new song.” Here’s to saying goodbye to the ear worms of 2022 and singing a new tune to God in 2023. Paul’s words to the Corinthians challenge the making and setting of any New Year’s resolutions, “So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!” - as do the words of the Lord sitting on the throne in the vision of John of Patmos: “See, I am making all things new.”
Perhaps for God it is possible to make ALL things new. For mere mortals, perhaps one thing at a time is more manageable. What might that look like for the Body of Christ known as Hazelwood Christian Church? See below where I offer one word, ENCOUNTER, to guide us into and through 2023…
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 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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Upcoming Sermons
January 15: Now What?; Matthew 3:13-17
January 22: First Encounters; Matthew 4:12-23
January 29: Encountering the Word; Matthew 5:1-12
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Encounter God.
Encounter God’s Word.
Encounter God’s People.
Encounter. Defined as: “a meeting; often unexpected.”
Some of the most meaningful relationships in my life have begun with unexpected encounters that then have been nourished and sustained over time. In my four months serving as senior minister I have delighted in encountering each of you in various ways and settings. And, to hear of your encounters with all that life brings has been richly rewarding. It is out of these conversations where the word “encounter” began bubbling up in my pastoral psyche as a possible theme or focus for the congregation in 2023.
I began thinking about what we as a church encounter. We encounter God. We encounter, engage, and respond to God’s Word. We encounter God’s people and God’s world. Seeing God in other people and in the world then brings us back in circular fashion to an encounter with God; and the circle continues. Hazelwood Christian Church’s mission statement, “Sharing Christ with our community through service and relationships,” presumes that an encounter has been made: with God, with God’s Word, and with another person with whom we share Christ.
If encounter is the beginning of relationship, how can we, how can you, how can I, be more intentional about encountering? There is a sense where we can’t “make” an encounter happen. But can we open ourselves up and shape our lives in ways that “make” the possibilities for encounters to happen? I love the biblical image of Moses catching an appearance of the angel of the Lord in a burning bush and saying, “Now let me turn aside that I may see this great sight.” In my mind there are burning bushes all around us. What would it look like for us, for you, for me, to make time and space and, with intention, turn aside to see these great sights in our community? What might new encounters mean for our church?
Let’s encounter and find out…
Rev. Eric
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Encounter God’s Word - This Week, Matthew 1
The lectionary Gospel reading for the year 2023 is the Gospel of Matthew. [The lectionary is a three-year cycle of reading scripture. In 2023, Year A, the Gospel of Matthew is read. In year B the readings come from the Gospel of Mark, and in year C the readings come from the Gospel of Luke.] Reverend Eric will be primarily preaching on the Matthew readings from the lectionary during 2023.
So, why not join Rev. Eric in study and reflection on the Gospel of Matthew, and read one chapter of the Gospel every two weeks? In this way, the congregation of HCC can encounter the Word of God together throughout the year. Every other week Rev. Eric will be posting a reflection on the “assigned” chapter.
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Notes of Appreciation
Nursing Home Gift Lift
Sending our sincere thanks for your help in bringing Christmas joy to residents in local nursing homes. Your generosity is truly appreciated!
Happy Holidays!
~The Gift Lift Crew & Kay Walker, Center Township Trustee of Delaware County
Oh my goodness!! Thank you all so so much for all the bags of presents!! The kindness and generosity in this program are amazing! We really appreciate y'all for picking us again this year!! Many residents are going to be so thrilled!! Thank you!!
~Heather Quirk, Yorktown Manor Activity Director
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Christian Ministries' Sleeping Room
Volunteers are needed to help provide meals for the Men's Sleeping Room during the week of January 15-21. Each day, Hazelwood will be providing two meals: breakfast from 6-7:30am and supper from 6-7:30pm. Volunteers are encouraged to bring food already prepared- you can choose to stay and serve the food, or they will serve it there for you. If you prefer to make a monetary donation to provide enough food for breakfast and supper, financial help is always welcome (please write a check separate from your regular offering, and be sure to mark “Sleeping Room” on the memo line). We will need to know when you sign up if you are providing food for your meal.
This is a great opportunity to help those who are less fortunate than we are. Prayerfully consider where you can help. You can sign up after worship now through Sunday, January 15.
For more information, contact Shirley Bookout at 765-744-1207.
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Looking Ahead
Christian Ministries' Food Pantry
Volunteers are needed for Tuesday, January 24, from 9:45am-12:30pm and for Wednesday, January 25-Friday, January 27, from 8:45am-12:30pm to help with Christian Ministries' Food Pantry. Two volunteers are needed for each day to bag groceries for the clients.
If you are able to help or would like more information, please contact Shirley Bookout at 765-744-1207.
Muncie Mission: Walk a Mile in My Shoes
Muncie Missions' annual Walk a Mile in My Shoes will be held on Saturday, February 11. All proceeds support the Muncie Mission. The purpose of the walk is to take a step into the struggles facing the homeless.
Sign up to walk or to support a walker with a contribution begins Sunday, January 22, after worship (please write a check separate from your regular offering, and be sure to mark “Walk a Mile” on the memo line).
~Blessings & Gratitude from the Missions & Benevolence Team
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Our sympathies and prayers go out to the family of Pat Patterson, who passed away on Tuesday, January 2. Services will be held at 1pm on Monday, January 9, at Garden View Funeral Home (10501 N. SR 3) with visitation from 11am-1pm.
Dee Moser's brother, Douglas Firestone, is in the hospital in Florida following a fall.
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Prayers requested for these Hazelwood participants (alphabetical by last name):
- David Cartwright
- Jeff Clary
- Ruthanne Devroy
- Jeane Garrett
- Lois Gross
- Louise Maley
- Marcia Miller
- Jairen Rees
- Bill Ritchie
- Leah Ritchie
- Ron Smith
- Judy Thomas
- Mark Wages
- Molly Wantz
- Annie Yingst
Prayers requested for these friends and family of Hazelwood participants:
- Donna's Dye's granddaughter, Heather Kruger
Note, the friends and family list will re-set at the first of every month. At that time, we request confirmation that the one being named has given permission to continue to be listed on this newsletter prayer list, in order to honor their personal agency and privacy. Thank you for understanding the importance of this in the digital age.
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Note of Appreciation
Thank you for the gift of the poinsettia from the congregation, the many cards and notes I have received from members and friends in the church, and for the visits from the Elders with communion on Sundays. I watch the service here in my room and their visits really keep me connected. A special thank you to Rev. Eric for his visits. Much appreciated.
~David Cartwright
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A Conversation Between Two Wonderful Teachers!
Rev. Eric Highly Recommends This 2-part Podcast…
Love Brené Brown? Love Fr. Richard Rohr? Brené Brown sat down with Fr. Rohr this month to engage in a wide-ranging conversation about Fr. Rohr’s books, Breathing Under Water: Spirituality and the Twelve Steps and Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life.
You can listen to the podcast and read the transcript here:
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Bible Study
Weekly Bible Study (both in-person and on Zoom) continues today, January 4, at 10am in Cartwright Hall. Rev. Eric will be facilitating. We continue our study of the Gospel of Mark, studying Chapters 9 & 10. You may participate every week or as you are able; each week’s study will be independent from the others.
All are welcome and invited to join us! If you would like to participate via Zoom, click HERE to receive the link.
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Sunday School
Our class (both in-person and on Zoom), continues this Sunday, January 8, after worship in Cartwright Hall. We will be finishing up our 6-week study by Richard Rohr titled, “Resurrection Now.” All are welcome, and you may attend any or all of the sessions.
All are welcome and invited to join us! If you would like to participate via Zoom, click HERE to receive the link.
Looking Ahead
Love the musical Les Miserables? Have you managed to read Victor Hugo’s 1,500-page book from cover to cover? From January 15, 2023 to Lent (6 weeks) we will study The Grace of Les Miserables by Matt Rawle. The church can pick up copies on Amazon for $9.69. Please email the church if you would like the church to order a copy for you and have it available here for pick up. Hope to have everyone join in the discussion!
http://mattrawle.com/publications/the-grace-of-les-miserables/
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Calendar
Wed., January 4: Bible Study, 10am, Cartwright Hall & Zoom; Elders, 5:30pm, Zoom
Fri., January 6: Band Rehearsal, 5pm, Sanctuary
Sun., January 8: Sunday School, 11:15am, Cartwright Hall & Zoom
Wed., January 11: Bible Study, 10am, Cartwright Hall & Zoom
Thurs., January 12: Preschool Team, 3pm, Room 108 & Zoom
Click HERE to see events further out on the calendar.
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Five biblical encounters with God
- God encountering Adam and Eve in the garden (Genesis 3)
- God appearing to Jacob in a dream (Genesis 28)
- God calling to Moses from a burning bush (Exodus 3)
- God passing by Elijah in the sound of sheer silence (1 Kings 19)
- God encountering Mary through an angel (Luke 1)
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YTD Receipts through November 2022: $250,732.30
YTD Expenses through November 2022: $260,444.76
YTD Outreach Disbursements through November 2022: $48,846.73
New Church Development: $571.15
Easter Offering: $905
Reconciliation Offering: $1,282
Thanksgiving Offering: $175.00
Christian Ministries' Food Pantry: $110.66
Sleeping Room Project: $590
Winnie's Kids: $24,570
Week of Compassion: $2,456.16
Muncie Afghan Refugee Resettlement Committee: $13,170
Feed My Sheep: $250
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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