Grace and Peace to You All,

It has been a few months since I began as temporary pulpit supply for Taneytown United Presbyterian Church. It has been a wonderful experience and I have been truly blessed by you. You all have been tremendously welcoming and supportive.

I have learned quite a bit so far, but I do not mean to imply that this has been merely an academic experience for me. I understand what a unique opportunity this is and appreciate the opportunity to serve this congregation. I can only hope that I have been able to give back a little of what I have received from you and I also hope that

I have been a faithful steward of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I believe that same Gospel calls us all to do and be more. As we look ahead to the Advent season, I think it is important that we purposefully continue to discern what God is calling the Taneytown United Presbyterian Church to do and to be and to seek His power, guidance and direction in planning and ministry. As we continue to ground our prayer, worship and discipleship in Christ's love and celebrate the unique gifts that each of us have, we will be in a position to meet not only our own needs, but that of the wider community as well.

My experiences at seminary have taught me that trust in God is essential and that on which hope and life in Christian community is based. My prayer is that as we continue our journey together, we will maintain an awareness of God's faithfulness and use that as a foundation upon which to build.

Your brother in Christ,
Jeff

"Come, ye thankful people, come, raise the song of harvest home; all is safely gathered in ere the winter storms begin; God, our maker, doth provide for our wants to be supplied. Raise the song of harvest home; come to God's own temple come, raise the song of harvest home.

Jeff Colarossi

While our church congregation seeks a replacement pastor and until a decision about the future has been determined and the plan for that future implemented, we are happy to be led in our Sunday worship services by Jeff Colarossi. Jeff is originally from the Pittsburgh, PA area. He and his wife, Jane, met while in college, where both were active in theater. They have been married for 18 years and lived in Maryland for close to 12 years, 7 in Carroll County, with the last 4 in Eldersburg, where they currently reside. Jeff's in his second year of seminary and has a little less than 2 years remaining before obtaining his Master of Divinity degree. Before obtaining his degree, he will attend a three week Rural Ministry program in Appalachia during the month of January and a three month Clinical Pastoral internship next summer.

Should you need or wish to contact Jeff, feel free to do so at home at 410-549-8979 or on his cell phone at 443-463-1288. You can also email him at jcola@adelphia.net or jcolaross@ltsg.edu.

Jeff, the Taneytown United Presbyterian Church family wishes you success in your ministerial endeavors. Thank you for leading us, directing us and serving us as our temporary supply pulpit.

Bible Study

The planned starting date for our Bible Study is immediately following the Sunday, December 3rd worship service. This will be a planning session to decide what we would like to study, how often we will meet, etc. The study will be led by Jeff Colarossi. As Jeff has stated "studying Scripture is vital to us as individuals and as a congregation. It's the best way to understand what God has planned for us."

Prayers

• Bobby & Earl Anderson family
• Bill & Mildred Rittase
• Frank & Florence Wargney

Share the Word

The Bible tells us that God loves everyone, and He wants each and every person to have a relationship with Him. Our trust in God and His promises must spur us on to take share the word with others, in a world that is in great need to know the truth of the gospel.

TUPC KIDS KORNER

By Ms. Jane

Oh, that winter wonderland season is just around the corner!

Being a Christian is like being a pumpkin!

I was planning to use this for one of my "brown bag" messages to you but have since decided to use this as my newsletter article for the TUPC kids.

How is being a Christian like being a pumpkin? God lifts you up, takes you in, and washes all the dirt off of you. He opens you up, touches you deep inside and scoops out all that yucky stuff-including the seeds of doubt, hate, greed, etc. Then, He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside you to shine for the entire world to see. This was passed on to me from another pumpkin. Now, it is you turn to pass it to a pumpkin. I liked this enough to share its' message with all the pumpkins in my patch.

Happy Birthday - Jordan, February 23rd, Robert, May 29th, Matthew, June 16th and Ian, July 29th

OK, it's time to get Mom or Dad and make: Tree of Thanks or Thanksgiving Collage

Supplies:

• 2 Paper Grocery Bags
• Construction Paper(fall colors)
• Crayons, Markers or Pencils
• Glue
• Scissors

Cut open the grocery bags so it lays flat. Cut out a tree trunk and branch shapes. Use colored paper and cut out leaf shapes. Write down what you are thankful for on the leaves and hang them on the tree.

Supplies:

• Old Magazines, Newspapers or Catalogs
• Scissors
• Construction Paper
• Glue

Cut out pictures from old magazines or newspapers to make a collage of things you are thankful for this year. Glue these things onto construction paper, overlapping them to form a collage. You can even frame your picture by cutting another piece of construction paper into strips to line the outside of your collage. Be sure to sign it before you post it somewhere.

2006 COMMUNION DATES

• November 19, 2006
• Additional dates for 2007 to be announced in weekly bulletin.

Mark Your Calendar

Thursday, November 22nd 7:30pm - Thanksgiving Eve  - Emmanuel (Baust) United Church of Christ

• Sunday, November 26th (immediately following Worship) - Decorate the church (this is a fun time and amazing to witness the beautiful transformation)
• Sunday, November 26th - deadline for ordering poinsettias. Forms available small stand rear of sanctuary
• Sunday, December 3rd 10:00am - Bible Study Planning Session
• Sunday, December 17th 6:00pm - Community-Wide Carol Sing
• Sunday, December 24th 7:00pm - Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
• 2nd Sunday of each month 10:00am - Coffee & Fellowship Hour

(held immediately following the worship service in the lower-level Fellowship Hall

coffee and tea provided, feel free to bring items to share such as coffee cake, donuts, etc.)

If you are interested in an old fashion hymn sing, see Marvin & Doris Leedy, Joe & Barb Ziegler, or Don Benson for details. This is an informal get together. Plan to bring your friends and neighbors. All are welcome. Tentatively to be held the 1st Monday of the month at 1pm in our sanctuary.

Our Church Family Birthdays and Anniversaries

• Alan Gowen(B) November 2nd
• Florence Wargney(B) December 16th
• Carol Gehlsen(B) December 24th
• Florence & Frank Wargney(A) December 25th
• Anne Harney(B) December 31st
• Doris & Marvin Leedy(A) December 31st
• Patrick Seitz(B) January 3rd
• Bev Seitz(B) January 28th
• Lauren Bond(B) February 11th
• Joe Ziegler(B) February 22nd
• Carol & Emroy Gehlsen(A) March 16th
• Helen Kreit(B) March 18th
• Jane Zimmerman(B) March 21st
• Ruth Ferrence(B) March 26th
• Barb and Joe Ziegler(A) April 4th

SESSION

• Elders Trustees
• Carol Gehlsen Carl Griffiths
• EmRoy Gehlsen Marvin Leedy
• Barbara Harvey-Ziegler Stacey McArthur
• Jane Zimmerman Pat Seitz
• Jim Wieprecht

Marvin Leedy and Dave Zimmerman for another year of exceptional lawn care. We can be very proud of the workmanship of these two individuals. Each and every week spring through the fall of the year, they gear up the mowers and keep our lawn beautifully landscaped. Doris occasionally lends a helping hand and hops on the mower, too. Marvin continues the grounds upkeep throughout the winter months. Come spring the bulbs and flowers are planted giving us the opportunity to experience the wonderful transformation of these small plants bursting into beautiful flowers throughout late spring, summer and early fall.

EmRoy and Carol Gehlsen for hosting a delightful picnic this past October. We enjoyed great food, experienced camaraderie with our fellow church family and were able to visit with Ben and Becky.

Walt Peters for your leadership and ability to work so closely with the Session of our church. (For those who don't know Walt, he's been moderating our session meetings, pursuing the incorporation of our church, leading training sessions for our church elders, presiding over the Lord's Supper and items too numerous to continue listing.)

Thanks to all who support our "Little Church with a Big Heart"!

Please submit articles or any information you would like included in an upcoming Church Mouse newsletter to Jane Zimmerman. Also, if you have not previously submitted your birth month and day or anniversary date, please do so

Thanks,

Jane