Zwingli UCC - Paoli

10/14/2026

Join us this morning!

10/12/2026

Happy Indigenous Peoples' Day! Today, we honor the histories, cultures, and ongoing contributions of Indigenous peoples. Today's holiday recognizes Native peoples as the original inhabitants of the Americas and celebrates the diverse Tribal Nations and communities that continue to shape life today. This day promotes awareness of Indigenous peoples’ struggles, resilience, and unique traditions, fostering understanding and unity among diverse cultures.

Read more about Indigenous Peoples' Day at Almanac.com/indigenous-peoples-day

10/12/2026

Happy National Farmer's Day! 👩‍🌾 Today we pay tribute to the men, women, and families who put food in the grocery stores and on our tables every day. We especially rely on farmers to get fresh food on our tables during uncertain times, and if you love to visit a pumpkin patch, just remember how much work goes into the planning, timing, and ex*****on of these festive festivals. Thank you, farmers, for all you do! 👩‍🌾 Almanac.com/national-farmers-day

10/10/2026

Join us at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow for Worship and Community! This image comes to us from New Zealand where it's calving season! Our scripture reading on Sunday tells us the story of another 'calving season' a long time ago: the story of the golden calf in Exodus chapter 32. Join us as we reflect together on the story and on golden calves today!

It is calving season in Aotearoa New Zealand: a time of new life in paddocks across the country.

Today’s sermon, “Calving Season,” by Pastor Anthony takes us to a very different calf—the golden calf of Exodus 32. While Moses was away, Israel grew anxious and impatient. They made something visible and manageable, attempting to shape worship on their own terms.

We may not make golden statues, but we can still turn to small certainties, familiar systems, or our own understanding when waiting on God feels difficult.

The good news is that God is bigger than our limitations. God’s mercy is not exhausted by our fear or failure. In Jesus, we see the true image of the invisible God—the One who meets us, restores us, and leads us on.

A song that can also be reflected on today is "O povo de Deus" (“The People of God”), which pictures God’s people on the road: sometimes faltering, yet continually sustained by grace. I like the opening line: "𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝑮𝒐𝒅 𝒘𝒂𝒍𝒌𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒕, 𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒍𝒌𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎" (O povo de Deus no deserto andava, Mas à sua frente alguém caminhava).

What might you be tempted to control when God asks you to trust?

10/09/2026

Today's edition of the Hen House News is now available. Click on this link: Email link https://conta.cc/4BbbarE

10/08/2026

On Sunday Oct. 4, our Council hosted a Cookout on our backyard fireplace! In Worship Jerry and Kriss shared a fun bit of history about how the fireplace was built: Jerry was a younger member of the youth group who built it. Many thanks to Jerry's son-in-law Greg and grandson Devin for doing the grilling, and to Council members for serving the meal. Many of Jerry's family came, including two of his great grandchildren. We also enjoyed a visit from our special friends from Maine this weekend -- Forrest, Molly and 3 year old Phoebe! Many thanks to our Council for making this fun Cookout happen and honoring the history of the fireplace!

10/03/2026

Join us at 9:30 am tomorrow, Oct 4, for Worship and Community!
During Worship we will celebrate World Communion Sunday (the image and poem in the post below is from Jan Richardson celebrating that the diverse world-wide table of Christ). All are welcome to this Table. We will also dedicate our Neighbors in Need Offerings.

Following Worship, at our Friendship Time we will enjoy another meal -- a hot dog and brat Brunch cooked on our backyard Mason Fireplace in addition to lots of other goodies from our Council.

We hope you can join us for the morning!

Near the end of her life, one of my aunts was at a dinner table at the home of friends. During the dinner, she asked a pastor who was at the table, “What do you think heaven is like?” The pastor paused, looked around the table, and said, “I think it’s a lot like this, only with more people.” I love how a table invites us to know this, and how it calls us into a life that is not just for “someday” but is present here and now.

This Sunday is World Communion Sunday. In celebration and in hope, this blessing is for you. Every day.

AND THE TABLE WILL BE WIDE

And the table
will be wide.
And the welcome
will be wide.
And the arms
will open wide
to gather us in.
And our hearts
will open wide
to receive.

And we will come
as children who trust
there is enough.
And we will come
unhindered and free.
And our aching
will be met
with bread.
And our sorrow
will be met
with w**e.

And we will open our hands
to the feast
without shame.
And we will turn
toward each other
without fear.
And we will give up
our appetite
for despair.
And we will taste
and know
of delight.

And we will become bread
for a hungering world.
And we will become drink
for those who thirst.
And the blessed
will become the blessing.
And everywhere
will be the feast.

—Jan Richardson
from How the Stars Get in Your Bones: A Book of Blessings
janrichardson.com/books

Image: “The Best Supper”
© Jan Richardson
janrichardsonimages.com

10/02/2026

Today's edition of the Hen House News is now available. Click on this link: https://conta.cc/4zcxpM0

09/30/2026

Are you Curious?
Have you ever wondered about the origin of the Mason fireplace in the backyard of our church? Come to our Worship service on Sunday, October 4 and hear the history of this firepit and enjoy a picnic lunch after the service. There will be brats and authentic Swiss case wieners from Hoesley's in New Glarus -- all cooked on this beloved landmark. One of our members is from the group that originally built the fireplace with their fellow Youth Fellowship friends and he will take us down memory lane recalling the day it was built. Hope to see you there!!