Our Church. 180 Years of Declaring God s Gracious Love

Transcription

1 Our Church 180 Years of Declaring God s Gracious Love St. Paul s Lutheran Church 25 West Springettsbury Ave., York, PA / st.paulsyork@comcast.net February 2016 Sunday Holy Eucharist 8:00 & 10:30 a.m. Sunday School 9:15 a.m. Pastor in Residence: Gregory B Lindsey Pastor Lindsey was born and grew up in Roanoke, Virginia. At Roanoke College, he received his Bachelors degree in Psychology in 1986 and went on to work several years in restaurant management before working 15 years as a programmer at First Union Bank. Discerning God's call to ordained ministry, Greg, his wife Jennifer, and his two sons Daniel and Jonathan moved to Gettysburg, PA where he would attend the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg. Graduated and ordained in 2007, Greg received his first call at Christ Lutheran Church in Manchester, PA. By this time, a new addition had been added to the family with the birth of his son Nathan in After serving six years, Pastor Lindsey took a leave from call for health reasons. He is now looking forward to returning to active ministry. Pastor Lindsey has a passion for preaching, teaching, and pastoral care. He has taken ministry journeys to Yucatan, Mexico, China, Germany, and the Konde Diocese in Tanzania. Greg's wife Jennifer is a teacher at Shallow Brook Intermediate in the Northeastern school district. His oldest son Daniel is in his last year at Penn State studying graphic designs. Jonathan, 16, just got his driver's license, his first job, and is on the diving team. Finally, Nathan who is eleven loves soccer, playing the violin, and of course video games. Pastor Lindsey expresses his appreciation to Pastor Reep and the people at St. Pauls for this opportunity to serve and participate in the many ministries the congregation offers. Please remember to introduce yourself to Pastor Lindsey. Biblical Literacy Last month many of our members and friends began reading a serious portion of the Bible. A chapter or 2 each day is all that is required. By participating in an overview reading for six months those completing the task will read 186 of the 1,189 chapters in the Bible. The chapters selected are for the most part understandable to the average reader without commentary. Taken together these 186 chapters will provide a good foundation of the Bible. This is a self-guided course designed to give us greater understanding about the sacred text we hold near and dear. The chart below begins with the last Sunday of January; the 31 st. Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Joshua 24 Judges 6 Judges 7 Judges 16 Ruth 1 1 Samuel 3 1 Samuel 16 1 Samuel 1 Samuel 20 2 Samuel 3 2 Samuel 2 Samuel 1 Kings 3 1 Kings Kings 17 1Kings 18 2 Kings 5 2 Kings 17 2 Kings22 1Chronicles 17 2Chronicles 20 2Chronicles 30 2Chronicles 32 Ezra 3 Nehemiah 2 Nehemiah 8 Esther 4 Job 1-2

2 Tuesday February 9 th at 6:00 p.m. we will gather in the Fellowship Hall for our annual pancake supper. Please, please, please invite friends, and make sure your family members all come; it will insure that we have a good time as we prepare to turn our attention toward our Lenten disciplines. Ash Wednesday February 10 th, Noon & 7:00 p.m. A Day of Lament Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent. It has historically been a day of great solemnity in the church. It is a day for us to recommit ourselves to the disciplines of Christian life. Fasting, prayer, devotion, worship all help to focus our attention on the One who loves us so much that he comes among us, lives with us, dies for us and is raised up so that we have life now and for eternity. This year an added element to our Ash Wednesday observance will be the opportunity for individuals to lament. There are many things that occur in our lives for which we are given little if any time to lament. The church will be open all day for prayer, meditation, candle lighting, poem writing, painting and drawing all as a way to aid us in offering our laments before God. The things we can create can be shared or kept private, but opportunity to offer lament will be a part of our Ash Wednesday observance. Services on Ash Wednesday will be held at Noon (in the chapel) and at 7:00 p.m. (in the nave). Both services will include a Lenten Confession, imposition of ashes and Holy Communion. May our Lenten season move us from ashes to Alleluias. Lenten Suppers Wednesdays in Lent Last year we revisited the distinctively Lutheran midweek church supper entrée, the casserole. Casseroles have occupied a significant role in the life of Lutheran congregations, especially during lent. This entrée item was so well received that we have decided to try it again this year. The Lenten fellowship meals are held in the chapel at 6:00 p.m. prior to evening prayer at 7:00 p.m. If you are willing to prepare a casserole or willing to bring something else to add to the evening meal please sign up on the Springettsbury hallway bulletin board. Please know that you do not have to bring something to come to the Lenten suppers. Come and join in the fellowship and taste some of the delicious casseroles! Mid-week Lenten Services The Wednesdays in Lent offer additional opportunity for worship and prayer. There are many people for whom Sunday worship is not possible given their work schedule. Please remember that Wednesday evenings in Lent we gather for prayer and proclamation of God s Word. This year the reflections on the readings will highlight the many talented preachers associated with St. Paul s congregation.

3 New Members Class The Sundays in Lent Pastor Reep will be offering instruction for anyone interested in uniting with our family of faith during five Sundays in Lent; February 14, 21, 28, March 6, and 13. Each Sunday morning from 9:15 to 10:10 a.m. interested persons should meet in the library, room #12 Springettsbury Hallway. This is a great opportunity to learn about St. Paul s ministry, the Lutheran tradition, and learn your way around the building! If you are interested in attending, please call the church office or us at st.paulsyork@comcast.net to register. Next Meetings with the Architects As we continue our movement toward facility renovation many things are happening. The Architectural team has met with the small groups; Food Pantry, Preschool, Music Ministry, and Office staff. This work is helping to bring focus and clarity to some of our designated spaces. There are some big shared spaces that require input and discussion. On Sunday February 14 th following the 10:30 a.m. liturgy the architectural team will be available to hear from you and to respond to concerns and questions. They will listen and take copious notes. Upon returning to their office they will add what they have learned to our design. They will return again to St. Paul s on Sunday March 13 th following the 10:30 a.m. liturgy once again to share what they have prepared from the last gathering and to seek further clarity. This process is important to the life and vitality of our congregation. Please plan to attend on February 14 th. Come to the session with ideas, suggestions, and questions, as well as an openness to hear and see and learn from the team how all of the components will work together to strengthen and enhance our ministry facility. And please do keep us in your prayers as we continue our work on your behalf, The Focus Team Women s & Attention Men! You Are Invited! The Women of St. Paul s group is inviting you to attend a Combined Breakfast Meeting on Saturday, February 6, 2016 at 7:30 AM. As a result of a combined event in October, with lively discussion and sharing of ideas, both groups decided to meet several times throughout the year to discuss combined ministry opportunities. Please plan to attend. No RSVP necessary. All women and men of St. Paul s are invited to share breakfast and participate in collaborative ministry! York Conference Confirmation Ministry Winter Sessions Begins The next session for Confirmation in our joint program is Sunday February 14. The program runs for 5 consecutive Sundays takes a break on Palm Sunday and Easter Day and then resumes for April 3 and 10. The first and second year students will be studying The Lord s Prayer and Holy Communion. The third year students will be completing the Apostles Creed and Church History. Sessions begin promptly at 6:00 p.m. and conclude at 8:00 p.m. Families having students confirmed will want to mark their calendars for the Confirmation Banquet and Student led Evening Prayer on May 14 with confirmation on May 15 at the 10:30 a.m. liturgy. Information pertaining to the banquet will be mailed to confirmation Students next month.

4 Getting Ready for Easter We are planning to have another fantastic Easter egg hunt this year for the children. We need your help. Would you please donate some regular size plastic eggs and small individually wrapped candies for this event? A box for all such contributions will appear in the Springettsbury Hallway on Ash Wednesday. Last year we gave out about 1,000 eggs! Please help us get ready with your contribution. The Transfiguration of Our Lord February 7 We shall celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord on Sunday, February 7 th. We will recall Jesus going up the mountain with Peter, James and John. We hear again the voice of God identifying Jesus as his beloved Son and that we are to listen to him. This Feast Day brings to a close the Epiphany season and points us toward Jerusalem and the cross. It is the day when we burry our Alleluias until we sing them again fresh and new on Easter Day. If you wish to return your palm branch from last year s Palm Sunday liturgy you may do so on Transfiguration Sunday. The dried palm branches will be burned to make the ashes for the Ash Wednesday services. The children participating in the Exploring Music and Craft sessions will present their projects and sing at the 10:30 a.m. liturgy. Please plan to be in worship with your sisters and brothers as we hear again God s call to us to listen and follow. Choir and Worship News To close out the season of Epiphany, on Transfiguration Sunday, February 7, the Chancel Choir will sing Dazzling Presence on the Mountain. This is a brand new choral anthem written by Karen Black. The text of this anthem is written by Paul E. Hoffman. Some of you may remember Pastor Hoffman who previously served at St. Paul s. Pastor Hoffman stopped by and gave an autographed copy of the anthem to Pastor Stan. I ordered the music and the Chancel Choir will get to sing this dazzling work! During the penitential season of Lent, the congregation and choir will chant psalms using our handbells suspended on our handbell tree. This will give us the opportunity of experiencing chanted psalms without the use of the organ or the piano. The Chancel Choir will also render Lenten choral music of British, French, German and American composers spanning four centuries. Please say hello and welcome to Sean and Leah McComas to the Chancel Choir. Sean is a 10th grade Civics and Economics teacher at Kennard-Dale High School and Leah is a Music Teacher at Dallastown Intermediate School. They were recently married last November at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Ephrata where Leah s mother is the church organist. I played the organ for their wedding ceremony after Leah s father who works for the SDG Organ Company who services St. Paul s pipe organ introduced us. Victor Fields Food Pantry February 2015 Items needed: Pasta, canned peas, canned pork & beans, juices. Plastic Bags are still needed. Money donations are also accepted. Please place cash or check in a pew envelope marked Pantry. With the State Budget impasse Pantry is in need of all non-perishable food items.

5 BEHIND THE SCENES THE WORSHIP AND ARTS COMMITTEE Have you ever thought about the way our nave looks when you come to a worship service? White linens, the vessels used by the pastor to administer Communion, clean glasses that you are given by the ushers in order to commune, the bread brought forward by the ushers with the offering, restock the pews with pencils and attendance cards, who cleans all those wax covered hand candle holders after the Christmas candle light services, etc. etc.? These are but a few of the BEHIND THE SCENES activities that make the service possible and we need help to accomplish all these tasks each week. We need you. No attendance at monthly meetings, just a willingness to help our worshipping community. Yes, there are the administrative duties we take care of as defined in our bylaws, but if that s not your thing, give consideration to becoming one of our BEHIND THE SCENES stage hands. Stewardship is not only about your monetary gifts, it also is about your time and talent. If you are willing to help, see Kristine Gross the chair of the committee or call her at Thank you for your prayerful consideration. Thrivent Choice Dollars If you are a Thrivent member (years ago known as The Lutheran Brotherhood or Aid Association for Lutherans) through your participation in their insurance and/or annuity offerings you earn Choice Dollars which you can direct to thousands of organizations such as congregations, schools, seminaries, camps, etc. Through this charitable outreach program the members get to choose who will receive the approximate fifty million dollars generated each year for approved causes/ organizations. Yes the number is correct - $50,000, And yes, St. Paul s Lutheran Church can be a recipient if you so designate or any other approved organization in the Thrivent network. The important thing is that you take the time to send Your Choice Dollars to a worthy cause. This can be accomplished by doing it on-line at If you don t have a user I.D. and password you will be asked to create one. If you are registered simply click on the tab Choice Dollars and pick the cause of your choice and send the dollars to it. You can also accomplish the same effort by telephone Should you have any questions about Thrivent, our local representative is John Spadafora, On Saturday February 6 th from 9:30-11:30 a.m. members of our Preschool staff will be available to answer questions that you may have regarding St. Paul s Preschool and enrolling children for the fall program. We offer classes for two year olds, three year olds, and four year olds. Children must be the appropriate age by August 31 st. Opportunities range from two days per week for 2 year olds, to four days per week for 4 year olds. Additionally a student can have an extended day by signing up for PM Pals. Members of St. Paul s receive a discount as do families who have two or more children enrolled. The Open House provides another way for us to reach out to our neighborhood so please share this information with others to whom it may be interest.

6 What are the Women of St. Paul s? We are a community of women created in the image of God, called to discipleship in Jesus Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit; teaching the world that God is LOVE by committing ourselves to grow in faith, affirming our gifts, supporting one another in our callings, engaging in ministry and action and promoting healing and wholeness in the church, the society and the world. When do we meet? Meets the 1 st Monday of each month at 7:00 PM at the church What are we up to? Service Projects like a New Windsor Work Day with SERRV scheduled for Thursday, March 3, We will meet at the church to carpool at 7:30 PM. We will return to the church at approximately 5:00 PM. Collaborating with other church groups on ministry like having a combined men/women groups breakfast meeting on Saturday, February 6, 2016 at 7:30 AM. Faith Formation in Christian study and planning a retreat for Thank you for all your cards and well wishes for my birthday Margie Martin Thank you so much for donating holiday gifts to the residents at SpiriTrust Lutheran, the Village at Kelly Drive. It truly made the holidays extra special and smiles were big and bright all around! Happy Holiday & Thank You, Lauren Ericksen, Volunteer Services Coordinator Thank you for all the prayers, well-wishes, cards, dinners, and the lovely bouquet. They were all very much appreciated! - Anna Mae Cook Boy Scout Troop Calendar 2/8 Monday 6:00 p.m. Troop Committee Meeting 6:45 p.m. Boy Scout Meeting 2/15 Monday 6:45 p.m. Boy Scout Meeting 2/22 Monday 6:45 p.m. Boy Scout Meeting 6/29 Monday 6:45 p.m. Boy Scout Meeting Troop 19 will celebrate Scout Sunday on February 21st at the late service by assisting with greeting and ushering. We also will have a cake in the chapel and we invite people to stop by to discuss 98 years of Scouting at St. Paul's and suggestions for celebrating 100 years. Handbell and Children s Choir News The winter sessions of Exploring Music & Crafts, and Cantabile Bells are well underway. Children in Exploring Music & Crafts continue to sing, play instruments, and create projects while learning about using our hearts, hands and voices to love and serve God. The Cantabile Bells have picked up some new ringers and we are working on learning some new techniques such as echo, let vibrate, and martellato. You will be able to see all of these children in action on Sunday, February 7 th, at the 10:30 liturgy. Please come out and support our young music makers. After a busy advent season, the adult bell choir is hard at work on our music for the Lenten and Easter season. They will be playing a lovely rendition of the hymn tune Aberswyth on Sunday, February 21 st, at the 10:30 liturgy. We are also hard at work on a joyous and challenging piece called Festival Sanctus for both liturgies on Easter day.

7 Council Highlights The Congregation Council gathered for their regular meeting on Monday January 11 th at 7:00 p.m. in the Youth Room. The meeting was begun with prayer by Tim Yakim. Devotions centered on the Baptism of Our Lord. The Minutes from the Annual Meeting in November were reviewed, corrected and filed for approval at the 2016 meeting. The Treasurer reported that we exceeded our projections for regular giving in The Facility Focus Team reported on the up-coming meetings with the architects scheduled with small groups on January 13 & February 3, and with the congregation on February 14 & March 13 following the 10:30 a.m. liturgy. The Finance Team reported on their progress interviewing firms to assist us with a major capital campaign. In order to raise the projected 4.5 million dollars necessary to complete all phases of the renovation project we will need to secure the right firm, keep communication open within the congregation, share the vision for ministry and mission, and continue to pray for God s direction, as we continue the work assigned from the annual meeting. We begin the third year of the Always Being Made New campaign of the ELCA. In 2016 our focus is on the Lower Susquehanna Synod Camping Corporation. We will be receiving gifts for the camp. Our goal is to donate $5,700 in (In 2014 we supported the ELCA Malaria Campaign $3,142. In 2015 we supported the ELCA World Hunger Appeal $5,012.) Property Committee will meet with the Insurance Company for the Annual Policy review. We are in need of a Kitchen Coordinator. The 180 th anniversary year of the congregation will be officially begun with an historic liturgy to be utilized at both services on Sunday February 28. Other events will be held throughout the year. Please see the display cases in the Springettsbury Hallway. The annual retreat for Council members and Committee Chairpersons will be held on Saturday January 30 th at 8:00 a.m. Pastor Richard Jorgensen will be our guest for part of the day. The Reverend Gregory Lindsey will begin working with us at St. Paul s as Pastor in Residence. Pastor Lindsey has been on leave from call for the past two years. His health has improved and he is now eager to see if he can return to the full schedule and work of full time ministry. His time with us is a gift, there is no financial obligation placed on the congregation. He will be working in much the same way as our interns with the clarity that he is an ordained ministry of the Church and will be able to fulfill all aspects of Gospel Ministry. He will be preaching, teaching, presiding and visiting. Please make him feel welcome at St. Paul s during his time with us as Pastor in Residence. The request of the Boy Scout Troup to host a blood drive in February for the Red Cross was approved. The request of the Social Ministry Committee to designate our Coin and Mid-week Lenten offerings to the Veteran s Homeless Shelter in York was approved. The request of the Social Ministry Committee to receive donations at the Easter breakfast for the work of Lutheran Refugee Immigration Services, York resettlement, was approved. This is a York Conference project. The request of the Social Ministry Committee to partner with three other congregations for a Stop Hunger Now food project on Sunday March 13 was approved. The congregations are The UUCY, Temple Beth Israel, and Luther Memorial. This is an interfaith project. The meeting adjourned as 8:25 p.m. The closing prayer was offered by Tom Ruth. Respectfully submitted, Pastor Stan Reep

8 Up-coming events: Shove Tuesday Pancake Supper Tuesday February 9, 6:00 p.m. A Day of Lament / Ash Wednesday Wed. February 10, Noon &7:00 p.m. Congregation Sharing with the Architects Sunday February 14, Noon Winter Session of YCCP (Confirmation) Sunday February 14, 6:00 p.m. 180 th Anniversary Service Sunday February 28, 8 & 10;30 a.m. Fellowship following each service. Foosball Friday Friday, March 11, 5:30 p.m. Congregation Sharing with the Architects Sunday March 13, Noon Palm Sunday Sunday March 20, 8 & 10:30 a.m. Holy Week Wed./Thurs./Fri./Sat., 7:00 p.m. The Resurrection of our Lord Sunday March 27, 8 & 10:30 a.m. Exciting news from the Witness Committee - If you haven t checked the Webpage lately, starting in December and going into January major changes are occurring. There is a totally new format for the Our Church Newsletter; much improved with color and graphics. A new dropdown under About Us, St. Paul s Gallery, which features photos taken at St. Paul s events, and last but not least; the Web Page is linked to our Facebook Page. See us at: Flower Chart The 2016 flower chart is posted on the Springettsbury hallway bulletin board. The cost of the flowers is $30 per vase. You are welcome to sign up to provide one or both vases. After you have signed up, simply make a check payable to St. Paul's Lutheran Church and mark it altar flowers. This is a great way to honor someone, celebrate a milestone in life, or remember a loved one. The flowers may be taken home with you at the conclusion of the 10:30 a.m. liturgy or you may have them given to someone who is sick or hospitalized. If you wish, you can contact the office to reserve a date, and to provide us with all of the correct information for inclusion in the Sunday bulletin. In advance, thank you. St. Paul s Dinner Group The Dinner Groups will be gathering March through May. They are a great way to socialize and get better acquainted with our church friends, new and old. What is the St. Paul s Dinner Group? It is groups of about 6 people (singles and couples) who get together for a dinner and fellowship during the months of March through May. The host of the dinner provides the main meal and their guests provide the appetizer, salad, or dessert. The host may also invite others (new members, current members, prospective members, and neighbors). Those who would like to participate but are unable to host are also welcome and asked to please make a notation on the sign up sheet. They have been great fun and we hope you will join us! Look for the poster in the Springettsbury hallway and sign up today! Reminder: New church pictorial directory photos will be taken in April. Updates will be posted as we get them from LifeTouch.

9 St. Paul's book club will next meet Feb. 17th at noon in the church library. The book we will be discussing is Under the Wide and Starry Sky, by Nancy Horan. It is a new book, non fiction about Robert Lewis Stevenson and is proving hard to find. I haven't yet received the book I reserved a month ago from the library. I DID, though, read a wonderful book. It is called Gaining Ground by Forrest Pritchard and is the book selected by the library system as the book of the year in Soon lots of copies will be in libraries. If you are not able to find the Starry Sky book, read the Gaining Ground book and we can discuss both books. See you! Always Being Made New Campaign Year 3 In 2016 we will be providing additional support for the Camping Corporation of our Lower Susquehanna Synod. Our St. Paul s challenge for the year is to give $5, to the Camping Corporation. The dollar amount was arrived by the camp, 15 cents per square foot will pay off their land debt. Our building s square feet is 38,000, so by giving 15 cents per square foot we arrive at our goal of $5, Please place your gifts in a special envelope and mark it Square Feet. Thank you for your faithful and generous support. SUMMER CAMP 2016 Camp Kirchenwald and Camp Nawakwa The Jesus Way Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us. Ephesians 5:1-2 The Lutheran Camps offer - Christian Community, Worship, Daily Prayer, Making New Friends, Seeing Old Friends, Fun Activities, Adventure and Acts of Service. Check out the all of the programs the Camps offer on the 2 nd floor right outside of Miss Kelly s office. Watch for more information in the March Newsletter! The Lutheran Camping Corporation carries out its mission as a gracious expression of God's love. The heart of that mission is to: Strengthen the faith of children, youth, adults, and families; Offer opportunities for children and youth to grow in Christian leadership; Provide outdoor ministry experiences to all, regardless of their financial capacity; Foster Christian fellowship; Nurture God's children of all ages as good stewards of all God's good gifts. The Lutheran Camping Corporation provides a creative, Christ-centered ministry for people in all stages of life, in partnership and cooperation with congregations and individuals, for the service and proclamation of the Gospel.

10 ST. PAUL S LUTHERAN CHURCH Non-Profit Organization 25 W. SPRINGETTSBURY AVE. Return Service Requested York, PA YORK, PA U.S. Postage Paid (717) (717) (Fax) Permit No st.paulsyork@comcast.net Web Page: Our Church Goes Green Would you like to receive your copy of Our Church via ? Help save paper, printing, and mailing costs. You will also get to see the newsletter in full color! Contact the office at st.paulsyork@comcast.net to make your switch from snail-mail to . Church Office: 25 W. Springettsbury Ave., York, PA st.paulsyork@comcast.net Web Page: Stanley Reep Pastor Ext. 101 Kelly Moore-Spencer Youth Director Ext. 102 Victor Fields Organist, Choir Director Ext. 107 Emily Reep Director of Children, Ext. 107 Youth & Handbell Choirs Dale Zeiger Bookkeeper Ext. 105 Patee Pizzirusso Secretary 0 or 100 Ted Weikert Sexton Deborah Becker Director of Pre-School Winter Worship Schedule Sunday Holy Eucharist 8:00 & 10:30 a.m. Sunday School 9:15 a.m.