FEBRUARY 2026

THE TIDINGS

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This is the Tidings for February 2026.  If you have not done so already, please sign up on the bottom of the church's website (https://www.sttimsfoxchase.org/ ) to receive additional electronic news from the church.

WEATHER BULLETIN

IN CASE OF SNOW, ICE, OR OTHERWISE INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS ON SUNDAY MORNINGS, CALL THE CHURCH OFFICE AT 215-745-4453 TO LISTEN TO OUR RECORDED MESSAGE. IT WILL LET YOU KNOW IF WE’VE BEEN FORCED TO CANCEL OUR SERVICE. 

DID YOU KNOW YOU CAN WATCH OUR SERVICE EVERY SUNDAY ON FACEBOOK? YOU CAN WATCH IT LIVE AT 9:15 AM, OR AT YOUR CONVENIENCE. IT’S SURPRISINGLY EASY:  GO TO FACEBOOK (www.facebook.com) , SEARCH FOR ST. TIMOTHY LUTHERAN CHURCH-FOX CHASE, OR USE THIS LINK:: https://www.facebook.com/sttimslutheranchurchfoxrok  (There is even a way you can use the Tithe.ly icon to make your usual Sunday donation.)

A MESSAGE FROM PASTOR KATHLEEN

Dear Ones,

This prayer was written for the National Day of Prayer in May of 2020, when the Pandemic was a blanket over the country (and the world). Written for scriptures that will appear during our "green" season of ordinary time, these words hold meaning for us today - and show us how God is our rock, is our redeemer, and is the one to whom we cry for the salvation of peace and relationship in our lives.

We love because God first loved us, showing us how to love by the example God provides for us in the words, presence, and acts of Christ.

 I pray that as the season of Winter continues to march into longer days and the warmer rays of a Spring sun closer to the earth, the world may see new life rising from the old

 and love that is made new in transformational ways as we wait, pray, linger, and call out to God.

- -Pastor

Lord, as we delicately balance a relationship between mercy and justice

Give us a [vision] for Good News when only Sheol surrounds us. Suffering is real, death is real, this pandemic is real, and you are real. Those who discern their power in the midst of crisis through wisdom, comfort the poor, shepherd the vulnerable, feed the hungry, and heal the sick.

May their work translate from the language of illness to the celebration of wholeness.

 Those who discern their power in the midst of crisis through foolishness, ignore the poor, endanger the vulnerable, hoard from hunger, and heal only some.

We know now that you show no partiality and we search to find you in all creatures. Make our leaders grow as people worthy of their civic calling. Make us uneasy when they act with injustice, and proud when they pursue peace.

Dissuade any political entity or party from propaganda, misinformation, & scapegoating.

Bring forward in our government the best of who we are when we are fully human and actively decide to love our neighbor as ourselves.

We do this because you first loved us.

In Jesus’ Name.

Submitted (to Liturgy Link) by Brian Merritt,

First Presbyterian Church of Hackettstown, NJ

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

(and check out the stories below for more info)

• TUESDAYS, FEBRUARY  3, 10, 17:  IN-PERSON BIBLE STUDY AT 4:00 PM, LIBRARY 

•  THURSDAYS, FEBRUARY 6, 13, 20, 27 EVENING BIBLE STUDY, FROM 7:30 to 8:30 PM—ON ZOOM

•  SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7: MEAL TRAY ASSEMBLY FOR CARING FOR FRIENDS/HOPE’S LODGE, 10 AM TO 1 PM, FELLOWSHIP HALL

•  SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14: HOPE’S TABLE, FROM 11 AM TO 1 PM, FELLOWSHIP HALL

•  MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16: COUNCIL MEETING, 3:30 PM, LIBRARY

•  WEDNESDAYS, STARTING FEBRUARY 18: NORTHEAST/NORTHWEST CONFERENCE LENTEN SUPPER AND WORSHIP (Supper 6 pm, Worship 7:00 pm)

• SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22: ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING, AFTER OUR 9:15 SERVICE.

OTHER IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

FEBRUARY 11-- HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KATHARINE SWIFT!

 FEBRUARY 16—HAPPY WEDDING ANNIVERSARY, SHARON AND TIM MADDEN, SR.! 

God’s blessings to all who are celebrating a birthday or anniversary in February. Please join us at our coffee hour after our service on the first Sunday of the month for a special treat.

HAVE WE INADVERTENTLY MISSED YOU IN OUR BIRTHDAY AND ANNIVERSARY GREETINGS? PLEASE LET US KNOW, SO WE CAN UPDATE OUR LIST.

*****ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING*****

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, AFTER THE 9:15 AM SERVICE

CONGREGATIONAL LUNCH FOLLOWS

COUNCIL OPENINGS

We have openings on our Council, and we need you to consider if you might be willing to become involved by taking on a position in 2026. Please consider where your talents may be and prayerfully reflect on how you can get involved. Reach out to Pastor Kathleen (201-638-8217) or Susan Feola (215-718-9600) if you would like to be nominated for one of the available positions.

EVANGELISM COMMISSIONER:

Job Description:

1.     Serve as Advertising/Public Relations Coordinator. Make use of all means available through social media for publicizing St. Tim’s events/activities

2.     Establish follow-up program for first-time visitors with the Pastor

3.     Communicate/correspond with other area churches regarding joint activities/events to reach out to the community

4.     Investigate outside programs that are relevant to people’s daily lives and connect them to the church. Create ways to bring people inside our doors

5.     Etc….

PARISH LIFE COMMISSIONER:

Job Description:

1.     Provide for and implement regular opportunities for social activities and fellowship within the congregation and ecumenical outreach within the surrounding community (i.e., coffee hour, lunches, celebrations, etc.)

2.     Help to maintain a photo and historical/special event file for use in displays or promotion of interest in St. Timothy. (Church Archive)

3.     Seek ways to assimilate new members and inactive members to become more involved in the life of the church, especially during times of need such as death, illness, or any other needs of prayer

4.     Etc….

WHAT’S COMING UP AT ST. TIM’S…

BIBLE STUDIES RESUME

The Tuesday Bible Study, held in person and led by Pastor Kathleen Kerin, will start up on February 3 in the Library at 4 pm. Everyone is welcome! You don’t need to be a Bible scholar—just come with an open heart, a willingness to “think outside the box,” and a pencil. Sounds intriguing!

Don’t want to travel after dark?  Consider joining the Thursday Bible Study, 7:30 to 8:30 pm, held in the comfort of your home, via Zoom. Led by Pastor Kathleen, we will focus on the book, Jesus Said, “I Am,” by Andrea Skevington. The book, according to Pastor Kathleen, is “a treasure of scriptures, questions, and reflections that explore the signs and stories that surround the ‘I am’ sayings of Jesus.”

CARING FOR FRIENDS/HOPE LODGE MEAL TRAY ASSEMBLY

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7--10:00AM-1:00PM

We would like to have a group of energetic people meet to assemble meal trays.  The food will already be cooked and ready to be scooped into the tray compartments.  The trays will be sealed, labeled, and placed in our freezer.  Once frozen, the meals will be delivered to Caring For Friends and Hope Lodge. 

We hope you will consider coming to Fellowship Hall to help make these meals.  We will be making turkey, ham, and meatball dinners.

If you have any questions, please call Tina (267) 879-4637.

Thank You!

--Tina Snyder, Service Commissioner

JOIN US FOR LUNCH AT HOPE’S TABLE

ON VALENTINE’S DAY, February 14,

from 11 am to 1 pm

Because our free community lunch, always scheduled for the second Saturday of the month, falls on Valentine’s Day we’re putting our hearts into preparing a nice meal for our guests—soup, entrée, treats, and a special Valentine’s Day dessert. Bring a friend, or come alone and make a friend—all are welcome!

If you would like to help, too—either by cooking (at home, or onsite on the 14^th), setting or cleaning up, or serving, please give Liz Soltan a text/call at 215-828-1619, or email her at soltan320@comcast.net.

We would to love see you there!

PRESCHOOL NEWS

February is always a busy month for the Preschool staff as they offer prospective parents and/or students tours of our well-regarded preschool.

Preschool Director Linda Yesenosky reports that open enrollment for the ‘26/27 school year starts on February 1^st, and she suggests directing interested parents (or grandparents) to the information about enrollment posted on St. Tim’s website. 

The Three-Year-Olds and Pre-K students will enjoy a visit from Pastor Kathleen for Chapel time on February 9, and Ms. Victoria from the Fox Chase Free Library is visiting on Feb 27. We can expect to see our hallways brightened by many hearts on display, as both classes celebrate Valentine's Day on February 11.  

COUNCIL NEWS

If you have a question or concern, reach out to any member. If you wish to attend a Council meeting—usually held the third Monday of the month-- please let us know beforehand.

·      SUSAN FEOLA (PRESIDENT) -- 215-718-9600 or  suefeola07@msn.com

·      VANESSA FINEBERG (VICE PRESIDENT) —215-605-2653 or  vfineberg@comcast.net

·      SHARON MADDEN (SECRETARY)—267-205-1560 or shmadden8133@gmail.com

·      KATHY SWIFT (TREASURER) –215-813-0824 or kswift6267@comcast.net

·      DAWN WEBER (EDUCATION)—215-828-6370 or ddirl@hotmail.com

·      JOHN CREEDON (PROPERTY) –267-249-8369 or creedonsr@comcast.net

·      TINA SNYDER (PARISH LIFE/SERVICE) – 267-879-4637 or jimntina87@comcast.net

·      ELISA DAVIS (WORSHIP) —215-532-1773 or edsmjjd@gmail.com

·      PASTOR KATHLEEN KERIN –201-638-8217 or  kathkerin@gmail.com    

THE NEXT CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING IS MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, AT 3:30 PM

NORTH EAST/NORTH WEST CONFERENCE NEWS:

THIS YEAR’S LENTEN SUPPER AND WORSHIP THEME

IS

FORGIVENESS

PASTOR DANIEL EISENBERG, DEAN OF THE NE/NW CONFERENCE AND PASTOR AT ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH IN MAYFAIR, WILL ALSO OFFER A LENTEN BIBLE STUDY THAT REFLECTS THE FORGIVENESS THEME. (See the link below.)

LECTIONARY READINGS

• FEBRUARY 1: Micah 6:1-8; Psalm 15;  1 Corinthians 1:18-31;  Matthew 5:1-12

• FEBRUARY 8: Isaiah 58:1-9a [9b-12]; Psalm 112:1-9 [10]; 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 [13-16]; Matthew 5:13-20

• FEBRUARY 15: Exodus 24:12-18; Psalm 2; Psalm 99 (alternate); 2 Peter 1:16-21; Matthew 17:1-9

• FEBRUARY 18 (Ash Wednesday): Joel 2:1-2, 12-17; Isaiah 58:1-12 (alternate); Psalm 51:1-17; ; 2 Corinthians 5:20b—6:10; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

• FEBRUARY 22: Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7; Psalm 32; Romans 5:12-19; Matthew 4:1-11

FRIGID TEMPS DIDN’T SLOW DOWN ACTIVITIES AT ST. TIM’S ….

FELLOWSHIP HALL GOT A FRESH COAT OF PAINT…

A NEW SIGN TO INVITE OUR NEIGHBORS TO HOPE’S TABLE WAS INSTALLED …

AND THE FOLKS WHO TOOK US UP ON THE INVITATION

ENJOYED A DELICIOUS LUNCH!

DID YOU KNOW THAT FOX CHASE REFORMED CHURCH HAS EXTENDED ITS HOURS?

Our newest cost-sharing partner is currently worshiping weekly at St. Tim’s on Sunday evenings at 6:30 pm.  In April, the congregation will move their Sunday worship to an earlier time.