Calendar of Events for the Week of  October 18, 2026: Monday - 5:30pm - Karate; 7:00pm - Congregation Council Tuesday -     Wednesday - Thursday - 5:30pm - Karate; 6:30pm - The Chosen Viewing; 6:30pm - Celebration Singers Rehearsal Friday - Saturday -Â
OCTOBER IS CLERGY APPRECIATION MONTH - Please give thanks to Pastor Cindy and all clergy you know for the important role they play in our lives!!!!
VALLEY FOOD PANTRY THANKSGIVING BASKETS - Our congregation has been asked to provide GRAVY (100 cans or jars). Please place you donation on the table in the parlor (not in grocery cart) by November 8th.
âA TIME TO SHARE OUR BOUNTIES!â - During all of November the month of giving thanks, personal care items will again be collected to donate to our local food pantries. Pet food will be included in this monthâs donations, too. Food stamps cannot be used to purchase personal items or pet supplies. Items that would be greatly appreciated include: toothpaste and toothbrushes for both adults and kids; bath soaps; shower gel; razors; shaving cream; skin cream; hand lotion; hand sanitizer; deodorant (especially for men); shampoo; conditioner; feminine hygiene products; laundry detergent; mouth wash, baby wipes and what ever you use in your daily routine, as well dog and cat food and treats. Thanks again for your generosity as we show love to our neighbors!
MEAL PACKAGING EVENT APRIL 17th, 2027 - It may seem far away, but fundraising has started! Our goal of 38,000 meals needs $17,000. So far, we have $6,789.00 from grants and offerings, but we have a long way to go. A large glass jug is in the parlor next to the poster about the event. Drop in your gifts each week to help us reach our goal.
CLC GERTRUDE HAWK CANDY BAR FUNDRAISER - Each box contains 48 candy bars and must be sold for $2.00 each. When a full box is sold, please give money to Cindy Derr at the church office or Jessica Thorne. Envelopes should be marked with your name, number of boxes sold, and dollar amount. Please do not turn in money for partially sold boxes. Deadline to turn in money is Sunday, January 31, 2027. Additional boxes can be picked up after church services or from the church office. Questions? Text or call Jessica Thorne 570-926-7176. Thank you for helping us reach our meal packaging event fundraising goal!
APPLE FEST 2026 - The annual Apple Fest will be held Saturday October 17th from 8am-3pm.There will be Tricky Trays, Crafts, Indoor-Outdoor Fles Market, Better Items & Lottery Tree Raffle. There will also be a bake sale, apple pies, apple dumplings, apple cale, apple bread pudding & apple sauce for sale. The kitchen will have breakfast sandwiches, pastries, Sloppy Joe BBQ, soups, haluski, pulled beef, chicken tenders, chicken salad croissant, hots dogs, French fries, sausage & peppers.
*The Tricky Tray drawing will be held at 2:30pm the day of the fest. Winning tricky trays may be picked up Sundays October 18th & 25th from 12:30pm-1:30pm and on weekday mornings from 9am-Noon.
QUILTING GROUP - PLEASE NOTE - NO quilting group in October.Â
WATCH âTHE CHOSENâ AT 6:30PM:
* Thursday, October 22nd - Season 4, Episode 4 - "Calm Before" (65 minutes) * Thursday, November 5th - Season 4, Episode 4 - "Calm Before" (65 minutes) * Thursday, November 19th - Season 4, Episode 5 - "Sitting, Serving, Scheming" (67 minutes) * Thursday, December 3rd - Season 4, Episode 6 - "Dedication" (64 minutes) * Thursday, December 17th - Season 4, Episode 7 - "The Last Sign" (73 minutes)
HELP OTHERS KEEP WARM - Christ Church will collect used and new clothing during the month of October. All jackets, coats, and winterwear will go to the Heartwood Center. Other clothing will primarily be taken to the Hazleton Enlarged Ministry Clothing Depot located at Christ Lutheran Church, Hazleton. New warm socks are highly desired to be distributed to the homeless and others in need. A bin for socks will be placed in the parlor. Â Bag up other donations and mark them as âDonated Clothingâ and place in the parlor closet. If you have questions about donations speak to Brother Fred.
SAMARITANS PURSE CHRISTMAS SHOE BOXES - You can fill your shoebox by picking items for the girl/boy and age ONLINE or have them fill the shoebox for you @ Operation Christmas Child under âBuild A Shoebox Onlineâ. The cost for that is $30.00. We will have shoeboxes and labels available for you to use if you still wish to fill your own. Pick up a brochure as the items allowed and the cost per box for shipping is $10. Boxes are due back by Sunday November 8th.
ADVENT DEVOTIONAL BOOKLET - The time is here and writers are needed! Please sign-up on the sheet in the narthex to be one of our devotional writers. Readings are available for you to choose from. Make sure you mark your name next to the devotional date you choose. Then write a few thoughts about the verse, or just some feelings and ideas about the Advent/Christmas season. Â Then, end with a prayer. This has become an annual event that many people look forward to receiving and we can only complete the booklet if we have enough writers. The sample booklet from last year is on display for you to look at. E-mail (clccony@ptd.net) your writing to the church office by Sunday November 8th or drop it off at the office.Â
ALL SAINTS SUNDAY OCTOBER 31st & NOVEMBER 1st - On All Saints weekend please bring in a picture(s) of your loved ones to be placed in front of the altar in remembrance. We will be remembering those who died from our congregation since last year at this time. Â VETERANS DAY OBSERVANCE NOVEMBER 7th & 8th - For the Veterans observance, please bring in a picture of your military loved one(s) who have served or are currently serving our country. Those pictures will be placed in front of the altar to honor them.
ARTICLES FOR THE NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER ARE DUE BY OCTOBER 18th!
BIBLE STUDIES - The Wednesday night Bible Study starts at 7pm. Â We are currently reading the book of Isaiah. Wednesday morning Bible Study meets the 1st & 3rd Wednesday mornings of the month at 11:00am studying Ephesians.
LUTHERAN DISASTER RESPONSE - LDR is asking for gifts to help with the recent earthquakes, fires and floods. Checks may be out to the church and marked LDR. Â 100% of all money donated goes directly to help those in need!! See info and forms on the bulletin board.
HISTORIC BRAINERD CHURCH EVENTS:
* Sunday October 18th â Painting Class at 1pm and Edgar Allan Poe Performance at 2pm * Friday October 23-Graveyard Painting Class 8pm-10pm * Saturday October 24-Graveyard Painting Class 8pm-10pm * Wednesday November 25th-Annual Thanksgiving Eve Worship Service 7pm Â
COMMUNITY EVENTS:
* CONYNGHAM UNITED METHODIST CHURCH HEARTWOOD CENTER BLANKET DRIVE FOR THE HOMELESS - Donations accepted at the Methodist Church. Please see the poster on the bulletin board in the foyer for all the information! * SOUP SALE - Christ UCC Church. Order deadline October 14th by calling 570-788-1964. Italian Wedding; Chicken Noodle; Southwest Chicken; Chili-Gluten Free; Broccoli Cheese-Gluten Free. Cost: Quart $12-Pint $6. Pick-up Saturday October 24th from 10am-12pm. * HAZLETON LIBERTY BAND 167TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT - Sunday October 18th at 2PM in St. John Bosco Church. Come hear a variety of great music and learn the history of the band. This is a free concert. * ANNUAL PUMPKINFEST - Christ UCC Saturday October 24th from 10am-3pm. Tricky Tays (10am-2pm); Bake Sale; Homemade Food/Soups; Childrenâs games & activities and more. * SAUSAGE SUPPER - St. Johnâs Lutheran Church in St. Johns on Saturday October 31st. Cost is $15. More info to come. * ELECTION DAY PASTA DINNER - at St. John Bosco Church on Tuesday November 3rd. Take-outs begin at 3pm. Sit down is 4pm-7pm. Tickets: Adult $15 and children under age 10 - $7. * LEILANI CHESONIS CONCERT - St. Johnâs Lutheran Church, 772 St. Hohns Road, St. Johns on Sunday November 8th from 2pm-3pm. Light refreshments following the concert. A goodwill offering will be taken. Â
STEPHEN MINISTRY:
Bear one anotherâs burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2, NRSV)
What does the Stephen Ministry logo mean?  The banner in the back of the church displays this symbol.  The broken person behind the cross symbolizes the brokenness in our lives due to our sin and imperfections. The whole person stands in front of the cross because it is only through the cross of Jesus that we are made whole. The circle symbolizes both the wholeness we receive through Christ and Godâs unending love for us.  If you would like to know more about Stephen Ministry, please contact Deb Jones at 570-233-7675.