Full Moon Campfire
Our next campfire will be Sunday, June 4th at the Prayer Wall. This is a busy New Goshenhoppen weekend so we are again scheduling a day later than the actual full moon. Join us at 8:30 p.m. Bring at chair, a personal beverage, and a flashlight for a safe walk back to your car. You are welcome to bring snacks to share. This is a good time to meet and greet and share social time with your fellow New Goshenhoppeners. Watch the bulletin for any updates.
Memorial Day Service
Memorial Day was originally established on May 5, 1868, as a federal holiday “... for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during [the Civil War] and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet church-yard in the land.” (General Orders No. 11, Washington D.C., General John Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic). By the 20th century, Memorial Day had been expanded to include all Americans who died while in the military service.
On Sunday, May 28th, we will honor their sacrifice with a brief (~15 minute) service of prayer in our cemetery to remember those who died serving our country and protecting our freedom. The service will take place at 10:00 a.m., prior to the 10:30 service of worship. Please invite your friends and neighbors, bring some wildflowers or flowers from your garden (if you have any), and join us.
First Monday Meals
January 6 was our first First Monday Meal served here at New Gosh! Eighty four (84) people in the community received and enjoyed a hearty spaghetti dinner served “take-out” style by the Sell Family. In February, members of St. Marks’ Outreach Committee served 101 community folks a delicious hamburger BBQ dinner, and in March our own New Gosh congregation served a wholesome chicken noodle soup and sandwich meal to 146 folks!
Thank you, thank you, thank you to all who have donated supplies for the meal, as well as those who have helped prepare and serve the meal. It’s always a good time in the kitchen and what a wonderful way to share with our community. Many have been asking if we will go back to “dine in” style meals…there will be a meeting in late March to determine if/when that will change.
Our next Monday meal will be May 1st. We still have a few open months in 2023 that need to be hosted (July, October, and December). If you know an organization or family or group of friends that would like to get together to prepare/serve a Monday meal, please contact Lori (267.261.7273) or Janine (267.261.7272) or email mission@newgoshucc.org.
Outdoor Ministry News
Getting Ready for Summer Camp!
Brochures will be available at locations around the church and also on line.
Five camps are on the schedule:
Sports Camp from June 26-30
Time Travel Camp from July 10 – 14
Science Adventure Camp from July 17-21
Mystery Camp from July 24-28
Mission Adventure Camp for teens from July 31-August 4
Day camper ages are from 5 to 12. Must have completed kindergarten.
For more details check out our camping page pick up a brochure, email camp@newgoshucc.org, dfried@newgoshucc.org, or contact Shayla Good at 215-767-1802.
"We Sing" Youth Ensemble
Calling all young voices and musicians - we’re building something great and you’re invited!
Hello, my name is Cynthia Hector, and I have been given the great pleasure of bringing a fun, spirit-filled music program to the youth of New Goshenhoppen UCC. I have been teaching and developing music programs for over 20 years throughout the country in private lessons, group settings, choirs, and early childhood music and am thrilled with this opportunity.
This year, all New Goshenhoppen youth are invited to join together as “We Sing” our way through the year sharing God’s love. Whether you’re a child or a teen there’s a place for you in “We Sing.” Parents and caregivers of our youngest members are welcome to learn right along with the children and join in the fun.
Come and bring your voices, ideas, and musical gifts as we learn, share, and grow together!
Make Music Upper Perk
Make Music Upper Perk is pleased to invite you to the 11th annual event, always held on the first day of summer. On Wednesday, June 21st , musicians and music lovers will come together for a day of songs and smiles. The event is always FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!
We will be part of a world-wide celebration of music, joining more than 700 cities who host a big musical party on that day. Nobody does it quite like we do though! MMUP meets people where they are, in parks and coffee shops and local businesses. The first notes of the day will begin around 9:00 a.m., and the festivities will continue till after dark. With a wide variety of musical styles, ages, and abilities, there is certainly something for everyone.
Watch for the printed program, which will include the schedule of events and locations available mid- May
Graduate Recognition
Graduate Recognition All persons graduating from high school, technical institute, business school, or college/university will be commissioned on Sunday, June 11, 2023, at the 8:00 a.m. and the 10:30 a.m. worship services. If it is your wish, please inform the Church Office of your name and the name of the school from which you will be graduating. You may indicate the type of degree and in what field it is. Also, please let us know if you will be worshipping with us on this particular Sunday---your church family would like to honor you with a presentation. Kindly let us know your intentions no later than Monday, June 5, 2023, at 215-679-2041. You may also email the Church Office at office@newgoshucc.org.
Strawberry Festival & Silent Auction
Get those creative juices flowing to make a donation for the “New Item” Raffle, Saturday, June 3rd. The raffle will be held during the Strawberry Festival at the New Goshenhoppen Park. Our big event is only about three months away, so start to make your hand-made items now! Gift Baskets are a super popular raffle item! Gift certificates, and other brand new items are also accepted. THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX this year!
Did you receive a gift that wasn’t quite right for you? Donate it to the raffle! Do you want to help out a local business who might need a boost this year? Donate a gift certificate to the raffle. Larger ticket items will be bid on in a silent auction format. All the proceeds from the raffle go directly to the Sunday School Department. Please contact Bev Benner at benner@newgoshucc.org if you are able to make a contribution.
Organ Renovation Project
Thank you to everyone who helped with the “removal” of the pipes of our pipe organ on Easter Monday. We had volunteers who served so very well. The Emery Pipe Organ Co. staff was impressed by our service. Thank you also to the “Team” who constructed the audio shelves of the organ and installed them.
The next step in our “labor” in this project will be to wash all the pipes that are now stored in the “Pipe Shop” at New Goshenhoppen. We hope to complete this process by working together from Monday, May 8 through Friday, May 12! We will be working in 2 hour shifts beginning at 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily. Sign-up sheets will be available in the lower level Narthex so that we can build a schedule. Every hour we fill with the volunteers saves well over $100.00 per hour! Steve Emery will be with us as we learn how to properly wash each pipe, dry the pipe and return it to its tray. You are welcome to bring a pair of rubber gloves if you don’t want “prune” hands from having your hands in the soapy water. We will be using a form of Palmolive to wash all of the pipes