News - Friedens United Church of Christ

2006

Last year in November of 2006 Friedens E & R UCC in Riesel,TX elected it's new Pastor Rev. Paul S. who came to Riesel, TX with his wife Gabriella from Chicago, IL. Both the pastor and his wife are former europeans, were born and raised up in the E & R religious heritage in Europe. Friedens UCC is pleased to have a pastor who is coming from the same exact religious heritage what Friedens Church was established on, more than a century ago just as well the new pastor is pleased to find a Church to serve God which has the same exact religious heritage he was born and raised up in. Thanks to the interim pastors who took care of the congregation in the last years. God Bless You All !

Praise be to God for working in such a mysterious and trustworthy ways for all of us !!!

Our Annual Congregational Meeting has been held in the beginning of January 2007 on which Meeting Friedens E&R UCC has installed it's newly elected church officers into the following positions- Mrs. Denise Hegefeld, President - Church Council, Mrs. Tammi Keller,Treasurer - Church Council, Mr. Leonard Polster, Secretary - Church Council, Mr. Herbert Groppe, Maintenance, Mrs. Theresa Voges President - Women's Guild, Mrs. Nancy Reed Vice President, Women's Guild. Congratulations, and we wish them Wisdom and Competence with God's Blessing and Help to fulfill their position faithfully and in model standing. Also, we would like to say thanks to our former officers whose terms expired for their faithful, blessed and sacrificial work what they have done for our Church in the last years.

Community thanksgiving service will be held at the First Baptist Church this time on the 15-th of November at 7 P.M. to which occasion all of you are most welcome and invited.

Christmas Eve Cantata will be held at our Church, at Fridens UCC as always on the 24-th of December at 7 P.M. to which occasion all of you are most welcome and invited.

The Women's Guild will hold a bake sale at the End Zone Exxon from 12 P.M. to 5 P.M. Ladies are asked to bring two desserts. (Pie, Cake, Cookies etc.) Please bring your desserts between 11:00 and 11:30 . This fundraiser will benefit our building fund as well as introduce Friedens to those new to the community. We need volunteers to work the bake sale.Please contact Teresa Voges or Patti Voges."If you are unable to bring your desserts to the End Zone Exxon for the Womens Guild Bake sale on Wednesday, November 21, you may drop hem off at the Church on the afternoon/evening of Tuesday, November 20th. Paul and Gabriella will transport these to the End Zone Exxon on Wednesday." Thank you. on Wednesday, November 21-th;

The Texas Historical Commission will begin accepting submissions for Historical Markers from November 1, 2007 until January 15, 2008. Notification of approved Historical Markers will be in July 2008. Lloyd and Teresa are continuing to collect information, copies of old pictures, documents etc for Historical Markers for Friedens Church and Friedens Cemetery. We will meet with the McLennan County Historical Commission prior to our submission. In order to meet all deadlines we need any information by December 1, 2007. You may contact us by phone. Please leave a message, if we are unavailable, we will return your call.

2007

Friedens has installed it's newly elected church officers into the following positions- Mrs. Denise Hegefeld, President - Church Council, Mrs. Tammi Keller,Treasurer - Church Council, Mr. Leonard Polster, Secretary - Church Council, Mr. Herbert Groppe, Maintenance, Mrs. Theresa Voges President - Women's Guild, Mrs. Nancy Reed Vice President, Women's Guild - on the 4-th Sunday of Lent, on the 18 - th of March. Congratulations, and we wish them Wisdom and Competence with God's Blessing and Help to fulfill their position faithfully and in model standing. Also, we would like to say thanks to our former officers whose terms expired for their faithful, blessed and sacrificial work what they have done for our Church in the last years.

Friedens has held it's Mid -Week Lenthen Service on Wednesday, March 21- th at 7:00 PM followed by the monthly meeting of Womens Guild and Brotherhood.

Sunday Worship Service every Sunday at 10.30 A.M., Bible School every Sunday at 9:30 A.M., Confirmation Class every Wednesday at 6 P.M.;

Cemetery Work Day, Saturday, March 31 - th at 9 A.M.; Due to sever weather condition warning it has been cancelled;

Good Friday Service has been held on the 6 - th of April, Friday at 7 P.M.

Easter Egg Hunt has been held on the 7 - th of April at 2 P.M.

Women's Spring NTA Meeting at Master's Workshop:Wednesday, April 11, 10 A.M.

Master's Workshop Camp BBQ: Saturday, May 19;

NTA Men's Fellowship Meeting at Womack: Sunday, May 20;

The Rite of Confirmation of our children: Pentecost Sunday, May 27;

Trinity Sunday worship service followed by a Holly Communion Service, June 3;

Sunday Worship Service followed by Holly Communion Service, on July 8-th;

Holy & David got married on Fathers' Day weekend in Church. God Bless their married life.

Semi - Annual Congregational Meeting rigth after the Sunday Worship Service on July 15-th;

Riesel Fair followed by Raffles on July 19-21;

Sunday Worship Service followed by Pot-Luck gathering on July 29 - th;

Master's Worshop Camp Advisory Board Meeting, Saturday, August 11, 9 A.M. at Friedens E&R UCC;

The New Pastor's Installation Service has been held on the 26-th of August at Friedens E&R UCC at 4 P.M. which event has been followed by Reception Cuttering Service; Thank you for all of you who came and shared with us the joy of this special event;

On the firs Sunday of September the 2 - nd we will have our regular monthly Holly Communion Service just like we have it regulary on every first Sunday of the month;

Christmas Cantata practice starts today afternoon at 4 P.M. at the First Baptist

Council Meeting: Tuesday, October 9; 7:00 pm

Shut-In's visitation in Riesel starts at 10 A.M. on the 10-th of october.

CAB Meeting at 9 A.M. on the 13-th of October at the master workshop camp.

Guild and Brotherhood:

R.D. Pursche is this month’s program leader.

The meal will be provided by Phyllis Neumann and Jaquita Voges.

NTA Men’s Meeting in Dallas on the 20-th of October; You are most welcome;

New minister’s regional meetingat 10,30 A.M. on the 22-nd of October at Friedens.

All Saints Day, Halloween Day on the 31-th of October;

Community thanksgiving service will be held at the First Baptist Church this time on the 15-th of November at 7 P.M. to which occasion all of you are most welcome and invited.

On December 9-th the Christmas Community Cantata Event had been held at our Church at 6 P.M. followed by a fellowship.

On December 23-rd, we will have our yearly Youth Christmas Program as part of our morning service followed by a special Christmas Fellowship after the worship service to which event the Jud’s and the Rev. Scwecke’s families have been invited to join us .

On December 24, on Christmas Eve, we will have a special Children’s Christmas Program started at 6 P.M. to which and every occasion every one of you are more than welcome.

December 25-th, Christmas Day; Merry Christmas for All of You. May Jesus Christ be exalted as we remember His birth.

On December 30-th we will have our last Sunday Worship Service of the Year;

About the Future: We have great plans for our future yearly operation in our Church also, like increasing the number of our children programs, increasing the number of our adults program etc., but in order to be able to really enjoy all of our future plans, we would like to see you all and invite you all to be a part of it also because only than we can truly fulfill our future mission of our Church.

2009

We had our Annual Congregational Meeting on the 3-rd Sunday of January on which meeting we elected 3 new officers for the council replacing those whose terms expired.

Two belowed faithfull church members have passed away, Lydia Pick and Lena Kuehn, may God rest their souls and give strength for their families they left behind to bear their loss;

Lenten Season has arrived again in this New Year, which is a spiritual preparation for the great day of Easter resurrection of our Lord. In order for a better spiritual preparation of our members our Church decided to have a Mid-Week Lenten Service Series every Wednesday nights at 7 P.M. starting with Ash Wednesday on the 25 - th of February through Palm Sunday ending with Good Friday Holy Communion and Easter services;

Children's Easter Egg Hunt Fun will follow our Easter service by our old traditional way.

Christmas Letter to the Congregation of Friedens UCC for 2009 Christmas Season! M. F.

My Friends ! Today, we see fear overcome, hopelessness turned into joy and darkness turned to light as we experience the birth of our Savior in the flesh. The world into which he was born was one of uncertainty, filled with fear and darkness. He, however, taught them that there are good things of which they can be certain. He taught them not to be afraid. And he overcame the darkness of hatred, of ignorance and of indifference to one’s fellow man with his example of love. He, himself, was the bright star that illuminated the long night into which the people of his time had been cast. And for those who were willing to welcome and step into the light, he was a new and radiant life. The world in which we live today is not very different from that in which our Savior was born. We are still plagued with fear, uncertainty and darkness. Unlike the people of old, however, we are already aware of the solution. Christ is among us today, as he was in Bethlehem and he stands ready to dispel our fears, to take away our uncertainties and to fill our lives with light. Like the shepherds, and those whose life touched during his earthly ministry, we only have to believe in him and allow him to touch our lives and lead us from darkness to light. This great Holy Day reminds us that there are good things and bright days to look forward to if we only open the eyes of our hearts to them. The Birth of Christ is not a symbol of a past deed, but an event that continually provides us with hope that the world can be a place of light. We, for our part, need to gratefully receive the gifts that have been given to us into our heart individually through our incarnate Savior and commit ourselves to sharing them with the world. May the gift of Light that is given us today fill your hearts and your homes with good things and may His peace and joy be with you throughout the New Year. With the bestowal of my blessing upon you, God’s people, I remain yours in Christ, Pastor Paul

2010

Pastoral Letter for Christmas, Holiday Season during these Holy Days!

Dear Friends and Members of the Friedens E&R UCC !.

I write to wish all of you and yours a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, while reminding you of some important upcoming church events during these Holy Days.

First, I remind you that we will celebrate the Nativity of Our Lord at 6 P.M. on Christmas Eve at Friedens with a Sunday school / Youth program. I encourage everyone to show our appreciation for this generous program presented by the children of our church by being present and thanking personally for the sacrifice of their preparation they are making in ministry to our Church on this upcoming Christmas Eve.

Second, our Annual Congregational Meeting will be hold on Sunday, January 17^th following the worship service, where mainly the final details will be discussed regarding to our Fellowship Hall Project Finances before the construction work will get started as soon as possible. Last year we elected some new members for our council, which currently consists of seven of the Friedens members, however 3 of our council members second terms will be ended by the end of this year, thus replacement for their positions in the council are required. The council decided at their December meeting to invite others to serve in this capacity, so those members who would like a role in the Friedens’ governance should speak up to let us know if you are interested, so you can be put on the slate for election on our upcoming Annual Congregational Meeting. Please make every effort to be there. We will not only elect new board members, assuming volunteers come forward, we may also offer a report of our progress thus far and discuss goals we hope to meet during 2010.

Third, our Christmas Project to help and surprise the College Students, Shut-Ins and Nursing Home Members with a Christmas package, visitation, holy communion was a great success. We have aided many in this program. I thank all of you for participating especial thanks to our Guild & Brotherhood through the prayers you offered and the gifts you gave. Such charitable works are an integral part of what it means to be faithful Christians, and your faithfulness was shown in your zeal for this ministry. Please continue to consider what other ways we might serve our Lord in our service to others, make suggestions to the council, and put more people to work for the church demonstrating Christ’s love for his human creation. How grateful we can be that we did not keep the joy of this wonderful season to ourselves!

With fondest personal regards for each and every one of you, looking forward with glee to the upcoming opportunities to spend time in your presence, we pray your Christmas season is one of devout fidelity and renewed commitment to Him who makes all good things possible.

Also our biggest project yet at our Church the Construction of our new Fellowship Hall has began.

Gratefully yours in Christ, Pastor Paul

2007

Our Semi- Annual Congregational Meeting has been held on the 15 - th of July Sunday morning right after our Sunday Worship Service and has been called to order in great unity; The Presidential and the Pastoral Semmi-Annual Report has been excepted in great satisfaction by thanking God for what we have achieved by the Grace of our Lord in the last half a year together as Friedens E&R UCC;

The Annual Riesel Fair has been held on the 19,20,21-th of July on which event our Church was selling Raffle Tickets, which raffle has been drawn on the last night of the Fair. Congratulaltions to our lucky winners.The profit of our Raffles goes to our Building Fund of our Fellowship Hall;

Christmas Cantata practice starts every Sunday afternoon at 4 P.M. at the First Baptist Church.

Council Meeting: Tuesday, October 9; 7:00 pm

Shut-In's visitation in Riesel starts at 10 A.M. on the 10-th of october.

CAB Meeting at 9 A.M. on the 13-th of October at the master workshop camp.

Guild and Brotherhood:

R.D. Pursche is this month’s program leader.

The meal will be provided by Phyllis Neumann and Jaquita Voges.

NTA Men’s Meeting in Dallas on the 20-th of October; You are most welcome;

New minister’s regional meetingat 10,30 A.M. on the 22-nd of October at Friedens.

All Saints Day, Halloween Day on the 31-th of October;

A Letter From The Pastor For 2007 Christmas Season;

My Brothers and Sisters in Christ, My Friends!

I wrote this Christmas message that as I get to know in time the members of our church and community; It is like unwrapping gifts from God. As visitors and new people come in our Church on Sunday mornings, it is like having Christmas every week of the year. There is something wonderful about having a Home Church though my friends!

It is a place where children learn values they will need for the rest of their lives. It is where young people learn, share, celebrate life and have a great fellowship, without drugs and the many things some seem to believe necessary for joy and happiness. It is where the young adults come to share and learn from one another, the Bible, the messages, the music and the other activities we share. It is where those who are busy in their business and family lives in their middle years find the rest and renewal necessary to live healthy and full lives in the business world as well as be good examples to their own families. It is also where those in the golden years of life find the inter-generational fellowship, feeling of family, as well as the guidance and strength for the years of retirement and service to their community.

My Friends! Our Church is considered an active Church. When you read of our yearly events, the list seems impossible. When I first came, I felt as if I were in the most energetic church I ever attended. We are busy, but we are also a church that takes time to visit the sick among us, serve the needs of those less fortunate, as well as create new projects to serve the community. The Friedens E&R UCC is rich in heritage and proud of its history. You may enjoy reading some of the programs about our church in this pastoral newsletter.

We offer transportation assistance in Riesel to those who are unable to attend to our Sunday services because of transportation or moving, driving difficulties. Feel free to come visit also and if you like and find a warm welcome and a great group of people you can always come join us in any of the things we are doing that interest you and your family. I will be pleased to serve you and your family in any way I can. Come visit us soon. Please introduce yourself and then we will be no longer strangers. Know, that you are important to this pastor and that I am available. Call and make an appointment, or come to any of the services listed on this website and in this pastoral newsletter.

Dear Church Family! Greetings in the name of the Word made flesh, Jesus, our Savior, Christ, the Lord. As we approach another joyous celebration of Christ's birth, I wanted to share a few thoughts with you about Christmas and our congregational life.

The Birth of a Savior

My Friends! At the heart of Christmas is the "good news of a great joy" spoken of by the angel in Luke 2. "For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ, the Lord." Christmas is so sacred because it observes the birth of a Savior. Not just any Savior. A Savior who is the long awaited Messiah and a Savior who is the Lord God Himself! God has visited his people to save them. The little babe in the feeding trough is Immanuel (God with us).

Yes, Jesus has been born to save all people. But from what? Not from what many people today think they need to be saved: political oppression, a bad economy, gender bias, political incorrectness, social inequality. So many today feel "Victimized" by a hundred things, but not the one thing that has truly victimized them: SIN. Matthew 1:21: "and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." Jesus was born to save you from your sins, that you might not be condemned to hell. And He did so 33 years later by bearing our sins on the cross.

Christmas is truly good news to those who know all too well the crushing burden of their sinfulness. It is a great joy to those who feel unworthy of God's love, who are afraid of His punishment, who struggle with guilt. In a sense Christmas is only for such people. For them it is a celebration of God's complete forgiveness and unconditional love through the Savior, Jesus Christ.

Fear Not

"Fear not," said the angel to Zacharias. "Fear not," said the angel to Mary. "Fear not," said the angel to Joseph. "Fear not," said the angel to the shepherds. Do you notice a pattern here?!

My Friends! Fear is something these people experienced when standing in the presence of the holy. What about us? We are more often afraid of the secular than the sacred, but we are afraid just the same. Afraid of failure. Afraid of rejection and loneliness. Afraid of economic hardship. Afraid of the fate of loved ones. Afraid of illness or death. Afraid of the future.

My Friends! If you are struggling with fear this Christmas season, then give heed to the words of the angel. "Fear not!" God says to you through him. Christ has been born so "that we, being delivered from the hands of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him, all the days of our life" (Lk. 1:74-75). If you have repented of all sin, know that Christ has reconciled you to God (2 Co. 5:19). God is totally on your side. And if He is for you, who is against you (Rom. 8:31)? Who or what is there to be afraid of, when the Creator of the universe, before whom the nations are as a drop in the bucket, loves you and is for you (Is. 40:15)?

God has never promised to take away all hardships and pressures in life M.F. In fact, according to Scripture, these are a normal part of the Christian life. But God has promised through Jesus to give us what we need in every situation , to supply us with His strength, His peace, His provision. He will provide for you - as He always does.

To Those who are Sad at Christmas

My Friends! We know that for many, Christmas is a time of sadness or depression. Instead of resenting such people for spoiling our "Christmas mood," we need to pray for them and help them as best we can.

Still, I think that most people become depressed during the holidays because they are focusing on who or what they don't have. When they compare the cold reality with the picture of the ideal Christmas they have in their minds (from Christmases past, etc.), sadness comes.

My Friends! Few of us will have a perfect Christmas in the sense of everything being just right. Someone we want might not be there. Something we want (good health, a job, prosperity, etc.) might not be there. Such loss and lack is genuinely hard.

The key is to follow the example of Jesus Himself and focus on others. Don't focus on who or what you don't have. Focus on the needs of others and strive to love them. Give yourself away to others this Christmas. Take the initiative, just as Christ took the initiative to help and save us. Brighten someone's Christmas with an invitation to dinner, a gift, a personal note, a phone call, a listening ear, or financial aid. Use your godly imagination! Do this and see if much of your sadness doesn't fade away. Amen.

We Wish You a God Blessed Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

In Christ, Pastor Paul and Gabriella and of course the Friedens E&R UCC

2008

Fourth of July Celebration;

Semi-Annual Congregational Meeting: July 13, Sunday right after our Sunday Worship Service;

Riesel-Fair / Raffles / Fun - July 16-18; Invitation to volunteers for the Riesel Fair Booth;

Friedens Evangelical and Reformed UCC

Men’s Brotherhood

Why is the Men’s Brotherhood needed?

My Friends! It is a continuing phenomenon Churches in particular, that the vast majority of men on parish rolls do not attend worship services or participate in the life of the parish in any way whatsoever. Generally, those attending services are 60% to 70% women, 10% to 20% children and youth with the men comprising about 15% to 25% on the average. In most communities as many as 50% of the men do not attend any Christian church at all. Why? We do not know all the answers to this phenomenon, but one thing we do know is that where men are able to come together with other men to share in discussions of their Christian Faith along with the discussion of the Business of their Church and study the Holy Bible, they become more active in and supportive of the parish ministry in that community. As they begin to accept the Disciplines of PRAYER and STUDY, they grow to accept the Discipline of SERVICE. No parish needs another men's organization, but every parish needs a ministry to its men. And the Brotherhood of Friedens is a ministry to men, so we welcome all Friedens men to attend our meetings and events. Meetings are held 7:00p.m. in the Church Fellowship Hall on every 3-rd Wednesday of the month. (No meetings in July) New and prospective members are welcome and invited to attend any one of our monthly meetings. Bring a friend or come alone and meet new friends. All our occasions starts with social time and refreshments before our meetings. We look forward to your acquaintance.

Many thanks to the Brotherhood members for their continued support.

Your contributions and patronage have enabled us to serve the Lord and one another.

God Bless You All!

Friedens Evangelical and Reformed UCC

Women’s Guild

Why is the Women’s Guild needed?

My Friends! It is a continuing phenomenon Churches in particular, certain number of women on parish rolls do not attend worship services or participate in the life of the parish in any way whatsoever. In most communities a significant number of the women do not attend any Christian church at all. Why? We do not know all the answers to this phenomenon, but one thing we do know is that where women are able to come together with other women to share in discussions of their Christian Faith along with the discussion of the Business of their Church and study the Holy Bible, they become more active in and supportive of the parish ministry in that community. As they begin to accept the Disciplines of PRAYER and STUDY, they grow to accept the Discipline of SERVICE. No parish needs another women's organization, but every parish needs a ministry to its women. And the Women’s Guild of Friedens is a ministry to women, so we welcome all Friedens women to attend our meetings and events. Meetings are held 7:00p.m. in the Church Fellowship Hall on every 3-rd Wednesday of the month. (No meetings in July) New and prospective members are welcome and invited to attend any one of our monthly meetings. Bring a friend or come alone and meet new friends. All our occasions starts with social time and refreshments before our meetings. We look forward to your acquaintance.

Many thanks to the Women's Guild members for their continued support.

Your contributions and patronage have enabled us to serve the Lord and one another.

God Bless You All, Pastor Paul

2010

Annual Pastoral Congregational Report of the church operation for the past year of 2009;

Written by Pastor Paul

Dear Friedens UCC! Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ!

Our Annual Congregational meeting in the past year has been held on the 3-rd Sunday of January, our regular Holy Communions have been given on the first Sundays of every month in the past year except in June when we had the SCCUCC Annual Meeting, we postponed the Holy Communion to the second Sunday of June out of necessity;

Lenten Season in the past year was again a spiritual preparation for the great day of Easter Resurrection of our Lord. In order for a better spiritual preparation of our member by having a Mid-Week Lenten Service Series every Wednesday nights at 7 P.M. started with Ash Wednesday and ended with Good Friday.

Our beloved Church / Shut-In members in Waco Lena Kuehn, Lidia Pick, Lena Federwisch, Bernice Newman of Riesel have passed away from us in the past year to their Heavenly Home. God Bless their Souls and comfort their family members during the time of their loss and mourning.

Palm Sunday service has been held along with Good Friday service followed by Holy Communion.

Easter service has been held followed by Holy Communion and Children's Easter Egg Hunt Fun by Youth / Sunday School;

A letter from the Pastor for 2009 Easter Season along with the Christmas letter have been mailed to our shut-in, nursing home members as well it’s been shared and given out to the congregation during the holidays of the past year.

Pot - Luck Sunday has been held on every 5-th Sunday of the month.

SCCUCC’s Annual Meeting has been held and our Church was represented by Pastor Paul & Gabriella: Good news all over in the SCCUCC that the Churches along with the Conference are getting more active on local and national level, taking more part in the Conference and Community life thanks to the reduction of pastors shortage in the SCCUCC, but Churches are being encouraged to support more mission projects, also there was a concern of 25 % nationwide drop in contribution & attendance in UCC.

Our Mother's Day, Father's Day and Pentecost Celebration have been Blessed by God abundantly, along with the Father's Day BBQ / Bake Sale Fundraiser for which we thank to the Brotherhood / Women's Guild great help. Proceed of almost $ 1500 from the BBQ and over $350 from the Bake Sale went to the Church Building Fund. Memorial Day, Independence Day, Veterans Day has been remembered and our veterans in church have been honored during our church services;

All of our regular Sunday School services and Youth Services have been held at 9:30 A.M. all of our regular Sunday morning services have been held at 10:30 A.M.

Council Meetings have been held on every 2-nd Tuesday of the month at 7 PM. except the one in July which was held on the 2-nd Tuesday of the month due to this Semi-Annual Congregational Meeting.

Shut - In, Nursing Home visitations to our church members have been made every month regularly in Waco and Riesel along with Holy Communion been taken to our visited brothers & sisters of ours in Christ;

Women’s Guild and Brotherhoods have been held on every 3-rd Wednesday of the month, except in July.

A monthly church activity calendar has been released every month to the church members along with the regular church website and bulletin board updating activities have been done.

Our Church Record Book has been updated to date, confirmations, weddings, funerals have been recorded in chronological order along with the church history has been updated to date.

All of the maintenance tasks, needs and duties around the church have been done regularly in the past year, 1 water heater and 2 refrigerators, 1 faucet needed to be replaced in the Fellowship Hall kitchen and personage due to leaking; Lawn care has been taken care of.

Sick visitations in hospitals, nursing homes, shut-in homes to our church members with Holy Communions along with the follow up phone calls and get well prayer cards along with the anniversary, sympathy, birthday cards have been mailed, remembered and sent out regularly.

Master Workshop Camp has been organized and set ready for operation for the spiritual benefit of our youth for summer time. Our church held and was in charge for the fundraising of the MWC in the past year generated $1500.

Riesel-Fair Community Fun has been held and our Church was represented on this Event with setting a Fair Booth.

A Revival, Crusade has been held in September by help and participation of the Churches in the Riesel Community; Youth group took a field trip to Arlington, TX in the past year.

Reformation Sunday has been remembered, Thanksgiving Week Bake Sale generated $500 of which proceed went to the Building Fund; Advent Preparation, Christmas Youth / Sunday School Program has been held on Christmas Eve which was followed by the New Year;

Our Fellowship Hall Building Project is in its last stage when we are about to begin the project after your approval.

Historical Marker for the Friedens Cemetery has been applied and waiting for the approval of the State of Texas.

Our Church was able to support all our budgeted charities by doubling donation for the Eden’s Children Home and the Christmas Eve offering went to the Retired Minister's Fund which was not even budgeted for the past year. We were able to meet and balance the last year budget thanks to the generous offerings and donations of yours all year long, especially in Christmas time.

Our church members have been visited, called, checked upon by the pastor 157 times combined in 2009.

Our Usher List has been released for the year of 2009 for our church members to be followed in this year.

Sincerely, with God’s Blessing in Christ, Pastor Paul

Our Master's Workshop Advisory Board Meeting has been held on the 11 - th of August at 9 A.M. on Saturday Morning in our Fellowship Hall at Friedens E&R UCC;

The New Pastor's Installation Service has been held on the 26 - th of August, Sunday afternoon at 4 P.M. which even has been followed by a Reception Cuttering Service; Thank you for so many of you who came and enjoyed this special event with us;

Pastor's Installation Speech:

Dear Brothers and Sisters in our God Jesus the Christ !

Thank you M.F. for your very supportive attitude and positive remarks and encouragement of yours in the last 9 months while we worked together for the Glory of God and for the benefit of our Church members and the community of Riesel.Thank you for the members of the church staff who have worked behind the scenes for many, many hours to prepare for this day. Thank you for the installation committee members who in addition to their day jobs, took on the details of planning and shaping of this event.

M.F.We gathered here this afternoon not only to celebrate a pastoral installation but to celebrate the community of this Church and to affirm our important mission to God also. So, I ask M.F., that we use this gathering to uphold our commitment to God's Church our sipiritual home to Friedens E&R Riesel UCC today. I ask also M.F., that we promise this generation and every generation that follows, that we want to renew our dedication to God and to the local community for the future. Finally, I ask M.F., that we commit ourselves to one another in serving God and our community by praying for God's Holy Spirit to support us in this Holy effort of ours.

Our installation service today M.F celebrates the collective efforts also – past and present – all of whom, through their dedication and passion, have inspired generations, who have given form and energy to their Church in a cohesive community effort, including those past pastors and staff and members of our church who benefited and sacraficed to benefit of this church in the past and made for us possible to get to this hour today. We celebrate today also M.F. more than a century of commitment by generations of church members, staff members who made for us possible to get to this hour who often placed their relationships with their Church before themselves and their family commitments.

We celebrate those staff members also today M.F. who work with exceptionally high standards on behalf of God and the community to ensure that Friedens E&R UCC operates not just with mission but with precision, effectivness, plan and with heart. Our staff members are the ones who manicure our grounds, support the pastoral teaching and church service programs and ensure that our Church may become the primary spiritual home also for those of our members and visitors also who are still has not commited themself to us officionaly.

Finally, we celebrate today also more than a century of faithful believers in this Church who has been yearning for a deeper understanding of their God's Word and themselves, who has been setting exceptionally high expectations of them, and more often than not, they exceed those expectations and push us to imagine new ones.

Over the coming months and years, I plan examine carefully the future of this great Church of Riesel, our Spiritual home and by doing it so we should try to bring back the old glory of this church by dadicating ourself even more effective way to try to make our Church even more attractive in our community by turning all of our Church members into active members first, so the base members of our Church should get stronger and even more cohesive and by achieving it, every active members of ours should have a mission of trying to bring and help back one of our old members with my pastoral support so more of our people who were born and raised in our E&R religious heritage just like all of our achestors did would feel home again in our Church or should I say would feel again home in their Church which is their Spiritual Home too. May God Help us in this holy effort of ours in doing it so.

Amen

2008

Our Annual Congregational meeting has been held on the 2-nd Sunday of January, our regular Holy Communions will be given on the first Sunday of every month this year following by this our Church old traditional way.

Two of our Council members term expired last year, Nancy Ford's and Donna Oliver's, to whom we approtiate all of their hard work what they did for their home church in the council.

We welcome our two new council members this year Steven Oliver, Lloyd Voges, we wish them good luck and God's Blessing.

Lenten Season has arrived again in this New Year, which is a spiritual preparation for the great day of Easter resurrection of our Lord. In order for a better spiritual preparation of our members our Church decided to have a Mid-Week Lenten Service Series every Wednesday nights at 7 P.M. starting with Ash Wednesday on the 6 - th of February ending with Good Friday on the 21 - th of March following by this our Church old traditional way.

Palm Sunday service will be held on the 16 -th of March, Sunday morning at 10:30 A.M.

Good Friday service will be held on the 21 -th of March at 7 P.M. followed by Holy Communion following by this our Church old traditional way.

Easter service will be held on the 23 -rd of March, Sunday morning at 10:30 A.M. followed by Holy Communion and Children's Easter Egg Hunt Fun following by this our Church old traditional way.

Pot - Luck Sunday on the 30-th of March right after the 10:30 worship service.

All of you are more than welcome to all of our Sunday, Weekday and Holiday services and wish you all a God Blessed Easter Holiday;

In Christ, Pastor Paul and Gabriella

A letter from the Pastor for 2008 Easter Season;

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ !

Here how "THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST" happened:

Don't be afraid," he said. "Are you looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified ? He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him." Mark 16: 6;

M.F. The Gospel of Mark tells us that Friday Jesus died on the cross and was buried in a tomb. A big stone was rolled against the door of the tomb. The followers of Jesus were sad and afraid. Sabbath day had passed and now the first day of the week has arrived. Early on that Sunday morning three women, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Salome, went to the garden where they had buried the Lord Jesus Christ. They were mourning and sad. They wanted to anoint the body of Jesus Christ. They talked about who would roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb. When they arrived at the garden tomb, they found that the stone was rolled away and the tomb was empty. The angel of the Lord said, "Are you looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified, He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him." Jesus had risen from the dead and was alive forever more.

M.F. In Romans 4: 25, Paul writes "He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification." Christ died and rose again for our salvation. Christ is Risen and therefore we can be assured of his presence and help in every time of need. Christ conquers death on Easter. He takes on his shoulder the sins of us all. Our hope and strength comes from Jesus, who is alive. We believe in the living Savior, who will help guide and lead every step in life that we take if we ask him. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Romans 10:13. Thank God that our Savior Rose from the tomb with the victory over sin and death. Who assures us "because I Live, you shall live also."

M.F. How wonderful, we as believers and followers of Jesus Christ can sing again on Easter "Because He Lives I can face tomorrow, because He lives all fear is gone; because I know he holds the future, and life is worth the living just because He lives."

I pray that all of us know the joy, love, courage and peace of having the Risen and Living Jesus in our hearts;

Have a God Blessed Easter Holiday;

Rev. Paul and Gabriella

Our Mother's Day, Father's Day and Pentecost Celebration have been Blessed by God abundantly, along with our Mother's Day Bake Sale and the Father's Day BBQ Fundraiser Events for which we thank to the Women's Guild and Brotherhood's greta help.

Happy Mother's Day, Father's Day and Pentecost Day. Happy Birthday to the Christian Churches.

Pot - Luck Sunday / Kitchen Shower on June 29 - th after the Sunday Worship Service;

All of our regular Sunday School services are being held at 9,30 A.M. all of our regular Sunday morning services are being held at 11 A.M.

First sunday of every month worship service is followed by Holy Communion Service.

Council Meeting on every 2-nd tuesday of the month at 7 PM.

Shut -In,Nursing Home visitaion on every 3-rd wednesday of the month at 10.30 A.M.

~November 26; Pre - Thankgiving Bake Sale Fundraiser at 9 A. M.

~November 27; Wishing You All a Peaceful, Blessed and a Thankful Thanksgiving Day;

~ November 30; Pot-Luck Sunday; First Sunday of Advent;

~ December 7; Second Sunday of Advent Holy Communion Sunday;

~ December 9; Council Meeting at 7 P.M.

~ December 10; Nursing Home & Shut-In Visitations with Communions at 10 A.M.

~ December 14;Thrid Advent Sunday; Community Christmas Hymn Singing at 6 P.M.

~ December 17; Guild & Brotherhood Meeting; Christmas Party 7 P.M .

~ December 21; Fourth Sunday of Advent;

~ December 24; Sunday School Christmas Christmas Eve Program at 6 P.M .

~ December 25; Merry Christmas; Christmas Day;

~ January 1; Happy New Year;

~ January 4; Historical Marker Dedication; Holy Communion Sunday;

~January 18; Congregational Meeting;

~Early reminder to the congregation that Denise Hegefeld ( President), Tammy Keller (Treasurer) and Linda Gentry council member’s term in the council will be expired by the end of this year, replacements are wanted to take their seats in the council next year. Their faithful services for their Church over the past years are greatly appreciated! God Bless Them All and Keep Them!!!

Christmas Creed

I believe in Jesus Christ and in the beauty of the gospel begun in Bethlehem.
I believe in the one whose spirit glorified a little town; and whose spirit still brings music to persons all over the world, in towns both large and small.
I believe in the one for whom the crowded inn could find no room, and I confess that my heart still sometimes wants to exclude Christ from my life today.
I believe in the one who the rulers of the earth ignored and the proud could never understand; whose life was among common people, whose welcome came from persons of hungry hearts.
I believe in the one who proclaimed the love of God to be invincible:
I believe in the one whose cradle was a mother's arms, whose modest home in Nazareth had love for its only wealth, who looked at persons and made them see what God's love saw in them, who by love brought sinners back to purity, and lifted human weakness up to meet the strength of God.
I confess my ever-lasting need of God: The need of forgiveness for our selfishness and greed, the need of new life for empty souls, the need of love for hearts grown cold.
I believe in God who gives us the best of himself.
I believe in Jesus, the son of the living
God, born in Bethlehem this night, for me and for the world. Amen.

2010

Annual Pastoral Congregational Report of the church operation for the past year of 2009;

Written by Pastor Paul

“When hunger and war shall vanish, when hope shall replace all fear, When people shall work together, when Love shall dry every tear, Then we will be the New Jerusalem, Holy City adorned as a bride, And we will sing with the saints and martyrs at the throne,’ Hallelujah! We are God’s own!’”- The New Jerusalem;

Dear Friedens UCC! Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ! What a wondrous past year we had. Thank you for all you have done as members of the Body of Christ. You have been faithful in many of your ministries. You have given of yourselves--your time, talents and resources--for Christ’s mission in this community in 2009 again. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I am grateful also to all who offered their gifts of service and hospitality to others and in so doing reminded us again and again that we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. I am also grateful to everyone who volunteered as ushers and lay readers in the past year also. Thank you for the gift of your presence in this holy space and for the contribution of hard work of all our volunteers. We can always use more ushers and lay leaders though, so please let us know if you are interested in these powerful ministries of hospitality and service. Two of our council member’s second terms has ended with the end of the past year, so we may need to reelect and replace them with new ones today by thanking them for their services, sacrifices of their talent, time, and work for the church. Thanks to all of you who made a financial commitment to the Congregation in 2009. We are so grateful for your trust and support of Christ’s ministry here and are delighted to report that we ended 2009 with a balanced budget. Thank you! If you have not yet made a pledge for 2009, please feel free to do so. Providing us with that information helps us to plan better and more conveniently for this next year. The end of the year support for our budget in Christmas time was truly wonderful. A new year has begun 3 weeks ago. We have much work to do if we take our calling seriously to become the New Jerusalem. Please join us as we open our hearts and minds to Christ in this place. God only knows what might happen!

Upcoming Events, Suggestions to discuss for the year of 2010 by the Congregation, Council:

Our Fellowship Hall Building Plan may be able to get started in this New Year upon your today’s approval;

We may need to elect 2 new members for the council, also must accept the budget for 2010 today;

Cemetery Historical marker may be ready for dedication in this New Year also;

We need to increase our church support by at least 25 % to keep up with increased cost of life.

Time frame on the Church report toward the SCCUCC to send is by February 4-th;

All of our past year church programs and services will be continued this year by God’s Grace;

Ash Wednesday, Good Friday Lenten Services will be held according to the tradition;

A special Palm Sunday service is scheduled in this New Year to remember and bring possibly together those who celebrated their Rite of their Confirmation 40 years ago.

Easter, Pentecost services will be held and remembered according by the tradition;

Mother’s Day Bake sale, Father’s Day BBQ may be planned to be held also;

Our church will be represented on very upcoming church meetings and gatherings;

Community thanksgiving event in this New Year scheduled to be held in our Church along with the Community Hymn Singing shortly following it in the beginning of next year.

Praise be to God for His Blessings on all of our efforts and services in the past year and for your participations in them.

Sincerely, with God’s Blessing in Christ, Pastor Paul;

2010, Friedens E&R UCC