<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Wednesday 6:30pm Bible Study group is finalizing the study of the Book of Romans. We will start an advent study Prepare the Way for the Lord: Advent and the Message of John the Baptist. For centuries, Christians have turned to the story and message of John the Baptist in the weeks leading up to Christmas. In Prepare the Way for the Lord: Advent and the Message of John the Baptist, best-selling author and pastor Adam Hamilton explores the Advent themes of John\u2019s life and ministry, and how John calls all followers of Jesus to prepare our hearts for his coming. In each of the Gospels, the story of Jesus is intertwined with that of his cousin John, the one whom the prophets foretold would come to \u201cprepare the way of the Lord.\u201d When we hear the message of John the Baptist, it makes us and our world ready to receive Christ.
Chapter topics include:
1. A People Prepared for the Lord
2. God Is Gracious
3. The Fruit of Repentance
4. Witnesses Testifying to the Light<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Anyone in the community who wants to join us is welcome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Adult Sunday School Class is finishing the fall quarter with stories from the books of Joshua and Judges with lessons that teach us about success through obedience and failure through disobedience. Our winter quarter will include lessons of contentment and living in Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Christ UMC will host a community Thanksgiving Service and Christmas Eve Service. We are still in the planning stages for the date and time. Please watch our Facebook page for final details for these two services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In December we will assemble and deliver cookie trays to the more than twenty businesses in the East Springfield Community. On Saturday, December 16th we will once again participate in the Wreaths Across America program<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We are collecting items for our Mitten Tree. Mittens, gloves, scarves, hats, and socks will be donated to the Urban Mission, John Gregg Elementary, and the Friendship Room in Downtown Steubenville. We continue to collect non-food items for WEBA. We were able to purchase twenty-eight (28) new coats to donate to the Urban Mission for their Annual Fall Coat Distribution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Blessing Boxes are back at the Community Center. Our Adult Sunday School has added the purchase of food items for these boxes to their regular tithing. Please stop at our Little Free Library and borrow a book or two. It is located along the sidewalk in front of the church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We want to wish each and every one of you a Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year. If you are looking for a home church, or just want to stop in for a visit, Sunday School is at 9:45am and Morning Worship at 11:00. Please come and join us. You will be welcomed!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The voice of one crying in the wilderness: \u201cPrepare the way of the LORD; Make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Isaiah 40:3 New King James Version<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Over the River and<\/strong> Through the Wood<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nBy Lydia Maria Child<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nOver the river and through the wood
To Grandmother\u2019s house we go.
The horse knows the way
To carry the sleigh
Through white and drifted snow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Over the river and through the wood
Oh, how the wind does blow!
It stings the toes
And bites the nose,
As over the ground we go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Over the river and through the wood
To have a first-rate play.
Hear the bells ring,
Ting-a-ling-ling!
Hurrah for Thanksgiving Day!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Over the river and through the wood,
Trot fast, my dapple gray!
Spring over the ground
Like a hunting hound,
For this is Thanksgiving Day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Over the river and through the wood,
And straight through the barnyard gate.
We seem to go
Extremely slow\u2026
It is so hard to wait!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Over the river and through the wood,
Now Grandmother\u2019s cap I spy!
Hurrah for fun!
Is the pudding done?
Hurrah for the pumpkin pie!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Amsterdam Community<\/strong> Church of God<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n8247 Bear Road SE<\/em>
By: Tony Kovalesky 740.543.4041<\/em>
Pastor David Guess<\/em>
Church: 740. 543.3927<\/em>
Parsonage: 740. 543.3036<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nAmsterdamchog@gmail.com<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our continuing theme is \u201cBring Life (Jesus) to the \u201cgarden\u201d God has placed you with your gifts, resources, and talents.\u201d Our theme verses from Genesis 2:15 \u201cThe Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it\u201d and Colossians 3:17 \u201cAnd whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sunday, November 5, is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church with NEPAL as the emphasis for our time of prayer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The church will hold their annual business meeting on Sunday, November 5, following the morning service as we celebrated 2023 accomplishments and share goals and set financial obligations for 2024.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nThe church will host their annual community Thanksgiving dinner from 4-6 on Saturday, November 18. This dinner will be a Sit-N-Eat and is a free dinner for all the communities around Amsterdam to express our thanks and promote community in our area. The meal will include turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, corn, drinks, and desserts. Invite your family and friends to attend. On Sunday, November 19, we will hold our Annual Leftovers Thanksgiving Dinner following our morning worship service (around noon).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This year’s Advent Christmas messages will focus on PEACE. Moments of peace are precious. When we find them, we hold on tight and pray they last. But there is a peace that goes beyond our understanding\u2014beyond the pain and fear we face today. If you have been Missing Peace, come discover it with us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Advent season begins on Sunday, December 3. Advent is not only a time of preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, but also a focus on the Second Coming of Christ where everything will be made right. With the hustle and the bustle of the holidays, it is rewarding to reflect on the reason for the season\u2026the birth of our Savior, Christ the Lord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Each year Christian Women Connection (CWC) (formally called Missionary Society) receives a Christ Birthday Observance Offering on the Sunday before Christmas to be used for Missions. This year\u2019s theme is focused on the persecuted church in Pakistan. Our goal is $1,000.00. Each week of Advent leading up to this offering, an Advent Reading will be read during our focus on the theme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The CWC will sponsor the annual Church Christmas Dinner on Sunday, December 3, at 6:00 pm. This covered dish event will be held in the church\u2019s fellowship hall, and everyone is invited for a wonderful time of food, fellowship, and the singing of Christmas carols. During the morning worship service on Sunday, December 17, the children will present their Christmas program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Join us for our annual Candles, Carols, and Communion Christmas Eve Service on December 24 at 6:00 pm. Have a blessed end of the year and beginning of a new year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered ministry for anyone struggling with hurts, habits, or hang-ups of any kind. CR is a safe place to find community and freedom from the issues that are controlling our life. CR meets every Wednesday night at 6:30.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our Sunday morning worship service starts at 10:30 each week with the children being dismissed during the service for an experience geared towards their ages. The youth (grades 6-12) meet on Monday nights at 6:00 and are fundraising for Winter Retreat in January 2024. On Tuesday nights at 6:30 we have Women\u2019s Prayer and Bible Study. On Thursday nights at 7:00 we have Iron Sharpens Iron Men\u2019s Prayer and Bible Study. There is also a Co-Ed Prayer and Bible Study held on Wednesday nights at 7:00.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Everyone is welcome as we are Becoming a Christ-Centered Church by Growing Christ-Centered Followers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let\u2019s Fight Together<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nBy: T.J. Anderson<\/em>
740.512.3278 740.543.4353<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nletsfighttogether58@gmail.com<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Well, I just want to thank everyone this reaches that has ever supported Let\u2019s Fight Together<\/em> and supported local kidney dialysis patients. We’ve been fighting either to beat it or to support people with kidney disease or on kidney dialysis for over 20 years. Your support and the love everyone has shown me is \ud83d\udcaf appreciated.<\/p>\n\n\n\nStarting in 2024, we change to Let\u2019s Fight Together Outreach<\/em> where we will support local causes, but I\u2019ll be taking some time off and won’t be doing the day-to-day fight for kidney dialysis patients. I just need a break from everything mentally.<\/p>\n\n\n\nI\u2019ll still be doing the jerky for the outreach, and you’ll still see me at fundraisers and local benefits. So, the Fight will still continue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bergholz Fellowship \/Chestnut Ridge Churches<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nBy: Pastor Lee Iden<\/em>
330.894.2389\/330.614.4395<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nGreetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who was born, lived, served, died, and was resurrected by His Father, the God of the universe! Summer is GONE! I am a winter person, and I cannot wait for those great cold and snowy days that will soon be upon us! I disdain 723the hot, humid days of summer. When the temperatures get anywhere near that 90-degree mark and the humidity ranges above 80%, I not only fight to breathe, I fight to keep even a little bit active! GIVE ME THAT 20-DEGREE STUFF! GIVE ME THAT SEVEN-INCHES OF SNOW STUFF! That is of course exactly why God created four-wheel drive, isn\u2019t it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My wife and I were blessed on October 1st to be able to invite the two churches to come to our home for an outdoor service on our back patio. The weather was VERY co-operative with temperatures in the mid-sixties, no rain, and a beautiful light breeze blowing. We shared a covered dish lunch following the service and as ALWAYS, the food was GOOD and PLENTIFUL! <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nWe have had a BUSY summer at the two-new churches I am blessed to serve. Bergholz United Methodist Church (formerly) is now Bergholz Fellowship Church and the former Chestnut Ridge UMC, is now<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nChestnut Ridge Church! All of the dirty stuff is done, and we are now officially independent churches worshiping God in Spirit and in truth. If you get a chance, drive by, or better yet, stop by and visit us on a Sunday morning at our 11:00am worship service and take a look at our new signs! They were graciously built by a local man who wished to remain anonymous, but they are BEAUTIFUL! And well made, I might add. We alternate between meeting at the two churches; even months at Bergholz Fellowship Church, (BFC), odd months at Chestnut Ridge Church (CRC). October, we are at BFC, November, back at CRC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We are looking to expand our foot print in the community. In years past, the church was the focal point of activities in the community and while the other churches in the Bergholz area are very active and meet many of the local needs, we at our churches wish to help out with that process. There are so many needs in our culture and our society that there is plenty of work to go around for everyone! At some point in the near future, I would like to hold, perhaps on a semi-regular basis, what I will call a prayer summit. Worshipers, pastors and laity from the area churches will gather together somewhere, I would suggest BFC first, for a time of corporate prayer and worship. This would NOT be on a Sunday morning to interfere with the regular worship experience, but more likely on, say a Saturday afternoon when we can gather together and pray for the needs in the area; community needs, church needs personal needs and any other need the body has.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We are blessed to be in the place we are in, in the time we are in, and in the circumstances we are in, and I thank our God in heaven for all He has accomplished through His Son and by Him, through us!
AMEN<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nBy: Jennifer Cesta<\/em>
740.282.9782<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nBOOKMOBILE SCHEDULE
Thursdays<\/strong>
November 9th <\/sup>& 30th<\/sup>
December 21st<\/sup>
Grammy\u2019s Diner Amsterdam
10am-11am
Bergholz Fire Hall
11am-12:00pm
Red Dog Road
Home Delivery<\/p>\n\n\n\nContact the Library to learn about our Book Club dates and current titles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Should I Be Thankful For?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n By: Patricia A Fleming<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nNow what should I be thankful for?
Now where do I begin?
Of course the greatest gift of all –
My family and my friends.
But it’s also all the little things
That touch my life each day
That I sometimes take for granted
Letting life get in the way.
Like my comfy bed that keeps me warm
As I sleep away the night
And that lovely glowing, smiling sun
That wakes me with her light.
Just lying there and taking time
To hear the world as she awakes.
The peaceful sounds of early morn
That nature starts to make.
The smell of breakfast cooking
My cat entreating me to rise
Breathing in the crisp fall air
And looking up at pillowed skies.
To be blessed with still another day
To laugh and love and live.
To have enough to care for me
And still have plenty more to give.
To smell and hear the rainfall
As it pitter patters from the sky.
To watch a snowy blizzard roar
While sitting safe and warm inside.
To look upon the bluest sea
As the gulls go soaring by.
To feel the salt upon my skin
As I lay beneath the sun to dry.
I’m so grateful that God still allows
Another child to be born
And that He opens up His heavens
To all those loved ones I mourn.
I feel blessed by each new moment.
Another chance to make things right
And for all good people in this world
Who love and give with all their might.
It’s important each and every day
To bring all our thanks to mind.
It’s tragic we’re so lost in life
That we seldom take the time.
But as for me, I plan to make a change.
It’s a simple change to make.
To thank God for all my blessings
Every morning when I wake!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An English Winter’s Day<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nBy: Paul L. Kennedy<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nOn those cold and frosty winter’s mornings when the grass crunches beneath your feet,
and you’re wrapped up in layers, hats and scarves, as is everyone else you meet
When each time you exhale a breath of steam quickly disappears into the chilled air,
and any part of you that is open or exposed is numbed and quickly covered, or beware
Often every outside surface is dusted with winter’s cold makeup white,
and Jack Frost at your nose your ears and fingertips tries to take a bite.
Icicles form to look just like the teeth of some long since past prehistoric beast.
Winter’s grip in some places on this our Earth holds on; we hope never ever to cease.
The winter sun is low in the sky and its weak rays have little warmth, if any.
God’s creatures brave the cold in search of food, but really not that many.
Snug in their winter’s long sleep, others see neither day nor night.
The world outside of which they knew now blanketed cold and white.
Eventually when the night draws in and there are no clouds and the sky is clear,
and the only light is from the moon, its silvery glow throughout the heavens appear.
The temperature drops until the very air you breathe chills your lungs with every gasp,
and even the tiniest sound seems to be magnified and its echo all around is cast.
And when the morning light again returns as the sun is again risen from its slumber,
the beauty of our treasured land we once more behold, with eyes of awe and wonder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
November Holidays<\/u><\/strong>
1st<\/sup> – All Saint\u2019s Day
5th<\/sup> \u2013 Daylight Saving Time Ends
7th<\/sup> \u2013 Election Day
11th<\/sup> – Veteran\u2019s Day
23rd<\/sup> \u2013 Thanksgiving Day<\/p>\n\n\n\nDecember Holidays<\/u><\/strong>
3rd<\/sup> \u2013 Advent Begins
7th<\/sup> \u2013 Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
8th<\/sup> \u2013 Hannukah Begins
21st<\/sup> \u2013 First Day of Winter
24th<\/sup> \u2013 Christmas Eve<\/p>\n\n\n\n25th<\/sup> \u2013 Christmas Day<\/p>\n\n\n\n31st<\/sup> \u2013 New Year\u2019s Eve<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Read the Bergholz Community Foundation November\/December 2023 newsletter.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1942,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"November\/December 2023 Newsletter | Bergholz Community Foundation","_seopress_titles_desc":"Read the Bergholz Community Foundation November\/December 2023 newsletter.","_seopress_robots_index":"","_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,5],"tags":[],"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":6,"label":"News"},{"value":5,"label":"Newsletters"}]},"featured_image_src_large":["https:\/\/bergholzfoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Nov-Dec-2023-Newsletter.jpg",1200,630,false],"author_info":{"display_name":"Caitlyn deHoust","author_link":"https:\/\/bergholzfoundation.org\/author\/cdehoust\/"},"comment_info":0,"category_info":[{"term_id":6,"name":"News","slug":"news","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":6,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":6,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":6,"category_count":6,"category_description":"","cat_name":"News","category_nicename":"news","category_parent":0},{"term_id":5,"name":"Newsletters","slug":"newsletters","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":5,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":15,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":5,"category_count":15,"category_description":"","cat_name":"Newsletters","category_nicename":"newsletters","category_parent":0}],"tag_info":false,"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/bergholzfoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Nov-Dec-2023-Newsletter.jpg",1200,630,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/bergholzfoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Nov-Dec-2023-Newsletter-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/bergholzfoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Nov-Dec-2023-Newsletter-300x158.jpg",300,158,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/bergholzfoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Nov-Dec-2023-Newsletter-768x403.jpg",768,403,true],"large":["https:\/\/bergholzfoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Nov-Dec-2023-Newsletter.jpg",1200,630,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/bergholzfoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Nov-Dec-2023-Newsletter.jpg",1200,630,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/bergholzfoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Nov-Dec-2023-Newsletter.jpg",1200,630,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Caitlyn deHoust","author_link":"https:\/\/bergholzfoundation.org\/author\/cdehoust\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Read the Bergholz Community Foundation November\/December 2023 newsletter.","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bergholzfoundation.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1936"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bergholzfoundation.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bergholzfoundation.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bergholzfoundation.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bergholzfoundation.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1936"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bergholzfoundation.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1936\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bergholzfoundation.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1942"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bergholzfoundation.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1936"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bergholzfoundation.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1936"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bergholzfoundation.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1936"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}