The Bazaar Committee is cleaning out the freezer.  There are shoofly pies available for $4 and mince meat pie filling available for $5.  See Linda Schlegel if you are interested in making a purchase.

The Work Camp Committee has issued the challenge of collecting 2,500 pounds of new or gently used shoes in 60 days.  Friedens will receive 40 cents for every pound collected to be used toward our Work Camp in Florida in June 2019.  The shoes we collect will be shipped to developing countries around the world.  Micro-entrepreneurs then purchase the footwear for a small fraction of the original cost of the shoes.  They clean and prepare them for sale in their communities.  The vast majority of people in these countries need good walking shoes to get around because they can’t afford cars.  Children who attend school need shoes to complete their uniform.  Parents need shoes to go to work.  Everyone needs footwear to prevent disease from parasites that can enter the bloodstream from the ground.  The reality is, if you wouldn’t buy a pair of frayed or torn-up shoes, people in developing countries wouldn’t want to buy them either.  Drop your shoe donations in the collection box located in the Narthex.  This challenge will run through the end of February, so encourage your family and friends to participate! If you have any questions, please contact Sue Henne, Brian Ott, or Lynn Boyer. 

The 2019 Greeter, Reader, Flower Sponsor and Bulletin Sponsor sheets have been posted in the Narthex.  Sign up for your favorite dates.  If you sponsor the flowers ($30) or bulletins ($8), please fill out a green sponsor form (found in the basket under the sponsor sheets) and place it in an offering plate along with your payment. 

Thanks to our many dedicated volunteers, we again had a very nice Church Bazaar with a great number of people attending.  We had increased expenses, but still realized a profit of $7,858.52.  We will be meeting after the holidays to review and discuss our plans for next year’s event.  All ideas are welcome!

Need to know if a date is available for an event at our church?  Looking for information from a bulletin announcement?  Want to refer back to an old issue of the newsletter?  Did you lose your youth group schedule?  This and more can be found on the Friedens UCC web site (www.friedensuccoley.org).  Check it out!

A woman’s earring was found in Weidner Hall following the Youth Group Christmas Luncheon last Sunday.  If you are the owner or know who the owner may be, please contact the church office at 610-987-3536.

The Bible teaches us that it is better to give than to receive.  But, what if you don’t have anything to give?   Hear about a Ukranian lady who was faced by this dilemma and what she did.  Join us at 10 am on Thursday, December 20 when Mary Ann Owens narrates the solution to the plight of the Ukranian lady.  After Mary Ann’s presentation we will enjoy our Annual Christmas Party feasting on cookies, hot drinks, and more cookies!  Admission to this festive party is 6 cookies.  If you have any questions regarding this program, please contact Ron or Naomi Klein at 610-929-4898.

You can “send” your Christmas cards by bringing them to church by December 24 and leaving them in the mailbox in the Narthex.  The Youth Group will then hand deliver them for you as they see folks in church.  Don’t forget to make a donation to the Youth Group with your postage savings for this free service!  When you are addressing your Christmas cards, remember our Friedens shut-ins to brighten their day.

2019 offering envelopes are available in the Narthex.  Save the church postage fees by picking yours up today.  Please do not start using these envelopes until January.