The ChimeS The United Church of Los Alamos

United in our Faith Journeys www.unitedchurchla.org January 2018 - Vol. 55 No. 1

Happy New Year!

Winter/Spring Classes and Programs

Classes and programs for people of all ages begin on

January 7, 2018. Look on page 3 to see a description of the

adult Sunday School classes being offered this month.

Annual Meeting of the Congregation

The Annual meeting will be held Sunday, January 28 at 11:00

a.m. in Graves Hall. Classes will not meet this Sunday. The

meeting will be followed by our annual Souper Bowl Lunch!

MEXICO 2018 Registration forms are now available!

All youth 8th-12th grade are welcome!

Video of Sunday’s sermons are now being

posted on www.unitedchurchla.org

and on our Facebook page!

Contacting the Church

If you have any questions or concerns, you may call the church

office at 662-2971, email us at ucoffice@unitedchurchla.org, or

send us a message on Facebook. Office hours are Monday-Friday

8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. & 1:30 – 4:30 p.m. You may also reach the

pastors at the office number, email, or phone numbers below:

David Elton Keith Lewis

979-219-8640 cell 505-412-9954 cell

david@unitedchurchla.org gohorns_99@yahoo.com

Kara Windler

719-930-6563 cell

DCE@unitedchurchla.org

Spring Semester 2018 Adult Education Classes:

Choose between two great classes!

"From Talking Donkeys to the Big Bang, the Rocks Cry out, Reconciling

Science and Religion"

– Jim Cobble, Facilitator

"Worship: What We Do and Why We Do It".

We will look at the various elements of a typical worship service and explore the

meanings and functions of each piece. – Kara Windler, Facilitator

Come and celebrate at our 2018 Souper Bowl! Taking place

immediately after the Congregational Meeting on January 28th, this

lunch helps raise funds for our local Food Bank, LA Cares. You’re

invited to bring soup, bread, and/or a salad. You can find sign-up sheets

in Fellowship Hall beginning on January 7th or call the Church Office.

LOVE VITAMINS JANUARY 2018

A GREAT NEW YEARS RESOLUTION

I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me….Then I thought… I will remember the deeds

of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. Ps 77:1, 10-11

But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more. Ps 71:14

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Ps 73:26

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me

beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me;

your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Ps. 23:1-4

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Ps. 27:14

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. The Lord works out everything for his

own ends—even the wicked for a day of disaster. Prov. 16:3-4

…but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will

run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Is.40:31

The Bible is the story of us, God’s People. People fear and then turn everything over to God. People

separate from God and God is still there for them. As you head into the unknowns of 2018, FEAR NOT for

the Eternal Loving God walks beside you.

Jesus tells us--Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke

upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Mt. 11:28-30

Our reply can be like the father in Mark 9: I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!

Jesus told his disciples in the wind tossed waves—it is I; don’t be afraid. John 6:20

The meanings behind these verses are enhanced by context, history and culture. Yet, the theme is

consistent throughout the Bible as Paul reminds us over and over.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution of famine or

nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who

loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present

nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to

separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35, 37-39

Happy New Year! Rejoice and be glad! Go into the future knowing that God goes with you!

On behalf of good Imperfect relationships and God’s consistent perfect love, Betty Smith

Monday Morning Women’s Book Study

All women of the church and their friends are welcome to attend this group.

The books for discussion are selected by the group.

The group will soon be starting “50 Ways to Pray:

Practices from Many Traditions and Times”

by Teresa A. Blyth.

Monday Mornings:

11:00 am – 12:30 pm

In the CE Lounge

Mission & Service Board

New Mexico Boys and Girls Ranch Submitted by our correspondent Jim Stapp

Jim & Suzanne Stapp joined the United Church soon after

arriving in Los Alamos in 1959. While working previously in

Albuquerque, Jim had heard of The Ranches from a colleague who

reported that The Ranches was her favorite charity. A visitor from

The Ranches speaking at the United Church young adult group

reinforced the interest of the Stapps. When Jim became a

member of the Mission Board, he suggested the church support

which began a long relationship.

New Mexico Boys Ranch was begun south of Belen, NM, in 1944

by some Albuquerque business men. Girls Ranch began in the

1970s or 80s south of Lamy, NM. The two programs were combined

for economic reasons at the Belen facility around the year 2000.

The children live in separate cottages with Christian house parents.

Meals and classes are coed.

The stated goal of the NM Boys and Girls Ranch program is to

keep families together whenever possible and to reunited families

who have experienced separation for a period of time. The

program is based on Christian principles and strives to instill values

that will provide the children with the skills and qualities they need

to live successfully.

The Ranch has about 2000 acres of land with multiple buildings.

It has the capacity for 44 young people. It is not a residential

treatment center, a detention facility, or an emergency placement

shelter.

Inquiries for admission to the programs come from relatives,

schools, friends, juvenile courts, and social welfare agencies.

Children are not forced to participate in the programs, but before

coming to the Ranch, applicants must be willing to commit to

making changes in their behavior while they are in the program.

Parents or guardians of the residents are expected to

participate in classes using The Ranches’ “Your Family Matters”

curriculum. The course teaches practical tools to increase

effectiveness, promote resiliency, and help children increase

achievement, motivation, and discipline.

A BIG Thank You to all who helped the K-5th Grade Sunday

School Class with our Food Drive this year. The 59 bags of

food that were collected will really help those who are

struggling to have enough to eat. Thanks again for your

help.

k-5th Sunday School Class.

Many thanks to the walkers and runners and all who sponsored

them for the November 19th CROP Hunger Walk for Church World

Services and LA Cares. Our church family alone raised $2,300! 25%

of what was raised comes back to LA Cares to help those in need

with food, utilities, and rent.

Nancy Bliss and her very enthusiastic Sunday School class deserve a

huge Thank You for decorating and handing out grocery bags to

our church congregation. Over 65 bags were returned, filled with

cans and boxed food items, toilet paper and paper towels which

they carried out to my car on 3 Sundays (again, with enthusiasm!).

The generosity of our United Church Family is overwhelming and

very appreciated!!! Thank you very much!!!

LA Cares food distribution is on the 2nd Friday of every month, and

the Thursday night before, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Anyone

interested in seeing how our distribution is set up can come on the

Thursday before the 2nd Friday, when we pack the boxes for each

family (usually 70-80 or more boxes). We can always use more

volunteers to pack boxes and do deliveries (we make about 14-20

deliveries each month on that 2nd Friday). If interested, please

contact Jeanne Butler (LA Cares Board Member & Food Pantry

Coordinator) at 662-6670 or 412-3631.

Friday Morning Women’s Bible Study

@White Rock Presbyterian Church, Fridays 10am – Noon (Beginning Sept. 8th)

We are largely comprised of women of the United Church and are all welcome.

We spend time each week in study and, equally as important, in fellowship and

prayer.

The Fall Semester’s study is I & II Corinthians.

For more information please contact:

Deb Worley 672-0699 or Dorothy Crawford 672-3315

Happy Birthday!

Janet Clayton 02

Clark de Nevers 02

Bob Hilko 05

Monica Johnson 07

Hanna Little 09

Quinn Girrens 10

Linda Lambert 11

Pat Slentz 11

Sharon Allen 13

Jim Cobble 13

Ross Lemons 14

Harry Clifford 15

Jim Goforth 15

Heather Jones 16

Maria Jones 17

Sierra Foley 19

Madison Foley 19

Craig Girrens 19

Jillian Puckett 21

Jas Mercer-Smith 22

Krik Krikorian 23

Murlin Nutter 23

Jacqueline Cooke 29

John Dermer 31

PRAYERS

Please continue to hold these persons in your prayers during the month of January.

Jan Sander ~ Krik Krikorian ~ Albert Romero

Rebecca Easley ~ Ed Macmann ~ Carol Sierk

Bob Nance ~ Jody Rigg ~ Pamela Massey

Men's Koffee Klatch All men of The United Church are invited to coffee, refreshments, and

fellowship! There are no lesson plans, no required or suggested topics, no

devotions, no leaders, but there is a lot of fun! Hosting duties are passed

around within the group. The wit and wisdom shared cover all sorts of topics

and the discussions have proven extremely interesting, informative, and

supportive. We laugh a lot! See you there!

Thursdays: 9:30 – 11:30 am in the CE Building Lounge.

JANUARY DAILY CALENDAR

SUNDAYS 8:00 am - Worship Service –

Fragrance Free (Chapel)

9:00 am - Library Opens

9:15 am - Nursery Available (CE Building)

9:30 am - Worship Service (Sanctuary)

9:45 am – Children’s Worship

11:00 am – Sunday School

(Sanctuary, CE & Craig)

7:00 pm – PAC 8 Taped Worship Service

MONDAYS 11:00 am – Women’s Book Study

(Lounge)

TUESDAYS 10:00 am - Staff Meeting (Lounge)

12:00 pm - PAC 8 Taped Worship Service

WEDNESDAYS 8:30 am - 12:30 pm Thrift Shop Open

7:00 pm – Sanctuary Choir (Sanctuary)

THURSDAYS 9:30 am - Men’s Koffee Klatch (Lounge)

FRIDAYS 10:00 am - Women’s Friday Bible Study

(WR Presbyterian Church)

Weekly Word

Weekly Word email: If you would like to receive the email David sends out

each week about the upcoming Sunday, please email or call the church

office and tell us to add you to the “Weekly Word” list.

Upcoming Events

Jan 1 New Year’s Day

Church Office Closed

Jan 14 All Church Potluck

Jan 15 MLK Jr. Day

Church Office Closed

Jan 17 Aspen Ridge

Gathering

Jan 18 Sombrillo Worship

Jan 21 Mexico Mission

Meeting

Jan 28 Congregational

Meeting (Following

9:30am Worship)

THE JANUARY 2018 CHIMES Newsletter

The United Church of Los Alamos

2525 Canyon Road

Los Alamos, NM 87544

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