The Eagle V ICAR S CORNER 會者定離去者必返 AUGUST, 2015 ST. JOHN S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH

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1 The Eagle AUGUST, 2015 New Series Volume XXXX, No 8, 2015 (published monthly) ST. JOHN S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH a reconciling in Christ congregation 330 Ferry Street Easton, PA The Reverend Susan D. Ruggles, Pastor Hayley Bang, Vicar phone: fax: stjohnseaston@gmail.com website: stjohnseaston.org V ICAR S CORNER 會者定離去者必返 This phrase from Buddhist teaching that it means that all the meeting must have an end and all the people who departed must come back again. This phrase is what I would like to say for this month s vicar s corner. 會者定離 (Korean pronunciation: hweh-jah-jung-li) In September 2014, I came to St. John s Lutheran church as a new intern right after one year chaplain residency at St. Luke s hospital in Bethlehem. I was very nervous and excited to spend a year at St. John s and I looked forward to meet new people and learn from them. I had a very good impression on the pastor and the people of St. John s. I enjoyed the time here being the vicar and interact people in church and in the neighborhood. The time flies and it is my last month at St. John s Lutheran Church. Yes. It is time to depart. Like the phrase says on the top, the meeting must have an end, and now it is the time. It has been a good year for me and I learned a lot from each of you. Thank you so much. The teaching and learning through St. John s are so precious that no one can take away from me. I am leaving the church with many good memories. 去者必返 (Korean pronunciation: guh-jah-pil-bahn) That is not the end of the story between St. John s and I. My role as an intern may end, but I will keep praying for the church and the pastor and I hope that the people of the St. John s will do the same for me for my further steps. I will see you again in another time in another place, not as your intern but another fellow sister in Christ who is doing God s ministry with my hands with the help of the Holy Spirit for the people of God. Until we meet again. It is not good bye but See you later! Vicar Haley

2 Upcoming Homebound Birthdays August 1 August 20 Church Register Joined in Marriage July 13 Bridgett A. Rummel and Jermel Fountain Funeral June 26 Ethel Brunell who passed away on June 21 Death of a Member Jeanne F. Gilbert who passed away on July 8 Bernice Roberts An Luong Upcoming Homebound Anniversary August 23 Verna and Donald Miller Memorials were received for Myrtle Frenchko from Elsie Amy; City of Easton Employees, AFSCME Local 447; Philipsburg NJ High School Class of 1951; and Ralph and Charlotte Powell for Ethel Brunell from: Ahart Market coworkers of Nancy Buttner; Linda and Stephen Bookwalter; Nancy and Charles Buttner, Jr.; Karin DeBiasi and John Nee; Rice Evber #588, American Legion Auxiliary; Susan and Robert Horvath; Betty and Russell Kern; Northampton County, Fiscal Affairs; and Kathy and Ken Yeager Dear Church Family: Thank you for your support, prayers, and memorials during my daughter s recent illness and passing. In Christ, Sandra Weitknecht NOTES from the OUTREACH COMMITTEE: CORRECTION: $ was raised for NEPS Bike for World Hunger, held in May. Thank you to all who supported this event. Thank you to all who supported the Safe Harbor Lunch on June 28 th, through donations, helping to prepare and serve food at Safe Harbor. BOWL FOR HABITAT all are invited to participate in Thrivent s annual Bowl-a-thon at Bar-don Lanes in Palmer Township on Sunday, August 2, beginning at 1PM. Each bowler is asked to gather pledges. Funds raised will help Habitat for Humanity. For registration information and a pledge sheet, please call the church office. The deadline to register is July 31 st. The Family Fun Festival is scheduled for Friday, August 14 th. We will be collecting, again this year, school supplies, such as pens, pencils, rulers, glue sticks, pencil sharpeners, etc., which will be given out to the children who attend the festival. If you would like to make a donation, a box will be available in the narthex through August 9 th. We thank you in advance for your support. Pride of the Greater Lehigh Valley will be holding its Annual Pride in the Park celebration on Sunday, August 23, 2015 from 12pm-6pm at Cedar Beach Park, located in Allentown. St. John s will have a booth at the festival. Please join us. The Bethlehem/Easton Mission District December Ingathering-December 2 nd Even though it s still summer, we would like to begin thinking about the Christmas Ingathering. St. John s has been asked to donate 175 tubes of toothpaste (no travel size). Also needed are: toys, puzzles, games, caps, mittens, gloves, towels, bedding, blankets-new or in good used condition, cleaning supplies, adult socks and sweat shirts. If you would like to make a donation, a box will be available in the narthex.

3 A special summer show in the gallery celebrates the lives and history of our ancestors as St. John s celebrates its 275 th anniversary year. Step back into history and enjoy this show. The Gallery at St. John s presents HISTORIC IMAGES: CIRCA August 2 Tenth Sunday after Pentecost green 9:30 AM Holy Communion Gospel reading - John 6:24-35 August 9 Eleventh Sunday after Sunday green 9:30 AM Holy Communion Gospel reading - John 6:35,41-51 August 16 Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost green 10:30 AM at Penn Pump Park Gospel reading - John 6:51-58 August 23 Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost green 10:30 AM Holy Communion Gospel reading - John 6:56-69 August 30 Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost green 10:30 AM Holy Communion and Service of Healing Gospel reading - Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, PASTOR S DISCRETIONARY ACCOUNT Discretionary is often used to describe money that isn t designated for a particular purpose. It is not budgeted for anything particular but meant for pastor to decide how and when to spend it. Most of the time, it is used to help buy bus tickets, groceries, rent assistance, clothing, transition from homeless to apartments, or some other need or something deemed important that is not budgeted. The monies come from generous donors including the pastor. If you would like to designate any monies to Pastor s Discretionary Fund, just mark in an envelope and give to the church office. Paintings and drawings of models dressed in 1700s-style clothing, done by several artists, are part of this exhibit. In addition to art works there are historic maps of Easton, a print of the oldest painting of Easton, a historic representation of Lafayette College, a large collection of historic postcards of Easton, an 1839 book Centenary of Wesleyan Methodism and a set of five prints showing the history of printing. An outstanding piece in this show is a 1790s gown made by Annette Stoody. This woolen gown was created using a Sense & Sensibility pattern in the style of the early Regency. It was designed using several sources, including a 1798 fashion plate, a gown in the collection of the Musee des Arts de la Mode in Paris, and an extant short gown illustrated in Patterns of Fashion. Unique images and writings are found on Nancy Bossert s rubbings of old grave stones from the grave cellar beneath St. John s church. Some of the stones are so old and worn the writings are difficult to read. Working with them in her studio she was able to make some of them legible. Two large works of these rubbings are on exhibit. Matted prints are also available. An exquisite pencil/ink drawing by Joseph P. LaDuca portrays a typical 18 th century room when convex mirrors, patterned wallpaper, religious art and a Bible were common. Depicted at the top of the mirror frame is St. John s church. Reflections of objects in the room are seen in the mirror and crosses are the wallpaper design. The three main items in the room remind us of the Trinity. HISTORIC IMAGES: CIRCA Sundays: August 2 August 16, 11:00 am 1:00 pm Sundays: August 23 30, 12:00 3:00 pm AUGUST 30: CLOSING RECEPTION, 12:00 3:00 pm / ARTISTS TALK at 12:30 pm

4 Daily Bible Reading August 2015 During August read four of Paul s letters to early Christian churches. Remember when reading a letter you are reading one side of a conversation and each is very different. Romans is thought to be Paul s must theological letter. The church at Galatian questions Paul s authority as an apostle and he shares his ideas on Christian freedom. In Ephesians, Paul describes the church as the body of Christ, the temple of Christ, and the bride of Christ. Philippians was written while Paul was imprisoned in Rome to the first congregation he established with affection. August 1 Romans 1 August 2 Romans 2 August 3 Romans 3 August 4 Romans 4 August 5 Romans 5 August 6 Romans 6 August 7 Romans 7 August 8 Romans 8 August 9 Romans 9 August 10 Romans 10 August 11 Romans 11 August 12 Romans 12 August 1 3 Romans 13 August 14 Romans 14 August 15 Romans 15 August 16 Romans 16 August 17 Galatians 1 August 18 Galatians 2 August 1 9 Galatians 3 August 20 Galatians 4 August 21 Galatians 5-6 August 22 Ephesians 1 August 23 Ephesians 2 August 24 Ephesians 3 August 25 Ephesians 4 August 26 Ephesians 5 August 27 Ephesians 6 August 28 Philippians 1 August 29 Philippians 2 August 30 Philippians 3 August 31 Philippians 4 LOOKING AHEAD: Mark your Calendar and be sure not to miss Sunday, August 23, Worship returns to 10:30 AM, Sunday School and Adult Forum start back up at 9:00 AM Sunday, September 6, We welcome the new Vicar for the school year Articles and Information for the September 2015 newsletter are due Friday, August 14. submissions using Microsoft WORD to newsletter@stjohnseaston.org or call WORSHIP ASSISTANTS' SCHEDULE August 2015 August 2 & 9, 2015: Worship at 9:30 am; Gallery 11:0 am - 1:00 pm August 16, 23, & 30, 2015:Worship at 10:30 am; Gallery Noon-3:00 August Altar Guild: Delores Caul, Patsy Woodson Ushers: N = narthex; OF = offering ; C = communion August 2: Acolyte: Logan Weber Ushers: Shirley Kressler(C,OF), Loretta Heck(C,OF), Patsy Woodson(N,OF) Worship Assistant: Cindy Black Reader: James Heck Communion Assistants: James Heck, Barbara Horinko Gallery: Pamalee LaDuca, Joseph LaDuca August 9: Acolyte: Tara Fogle Ushers: Ryan Betts (C,OF), Phyllis Schurz (C,OF), Victor Unks (C,OF) Worship Assistant: Roger Ruggles Reader: Monica Weiss-Nolen Communion Assistants: Cindy Black, Robert Black Gallery: MariAn Olson, Curtis Olson August 16: WORSHIP and PICNIC at PENN PUMP PARK at 10:30 AM Gallery: Joyce Powell, Chris Swan August 23: Acolyte: Jonas Orange Ushers: Robert Black (C,OF), Jacob Ruggles (N,OF), Shirley Kressler (C,OF) Worship Assistant: Victor Unks Reader: Charles Lewis Communion Assistants: Barbara Horinko, Diane Coker Gallery: Rhemy Golab, Kathryn Johnson August 30: Acolyte: Aaron Howey Ushers: Ryan Betts (C,OF), Loretta Heck (N,OF), Shirley Kressler (C,OF) Worship Assistant: Cindy Black Reader: Monica Weiss-Nolen Communion Assistants: Robert Aerni, Stephen Remel Gallery: Mary Buccos, Patsy Woodson

5 Anniversary Quiz Answers (for questions see page 12) 1. C 2. B 3. A OUTDOOR WORSHIP & PICNIC Worship on August 16 is at 10:30 (note the time change) and is at Palmer Penn Pump Park. This will also be Vicar Haley s last Sunday at St. John s. Join us in wishing her God s blessing in the future. Directions will be available in the church the week before. Some seating is available, bring lawn chairs if desired. Following worship is the annual Church Picnic. Feel free to bring a side dish or salads to share. Membership will supply barbecue and hot dogs and a cake to wish Vicar Haley farewell on her last day with us. If you need a ride check with a neighbor or friend. Limited space is available on the van. Contact Robert Lynn, Van Driver to reserve. Come and share in fellowship! GOD S WORK. OUR HANDS. God s work. Our hands. is a time when many in the ELCA join together to dedicate a day to serve in the community. St. John s will celebrate our 275th year of being a church and on Saturday, September 12 we plan on inviting the other Lutheran churches (especially those not participating in God's Work/Our Hands) plus the local downtown churches, and anyone with a heart to serve, to work with us to Clean Up-Spruce Up our Town! We are hoping with the volunteers we reach 275 volunteer hours (that's 68 volunteers with 4 hours/55 volunteers with 5 hours/45 volunteers with 6 hours or pastor (and friends) spends the night working! So get out there and invite some people to help! We begin at 8 AM and meet in the church parking lot on September 12. If you register in August, we will get you a T-shirt! Register in church or on the web page, but register and register early! We work side by side to be the hands that do the work! God s work! SPECIAL ANNIVERSAY NEWS Mark your calendars for August 23 at 9:45, an Anniversary Celebration Sunday School will take place! A special dedication up stairs will have your eyes popping! There will be refreshments and a welcome to the Sunday School s newest addition thanks to artist Joe Swarctz. Come to check it out! At 10:30 worship, Pastor Amanda Nesvold (former Vicar Amanda) returns to St. John s to preach. We look forward to getting caught up and sharing news! September 12 God s Work. Our Hands. Will celebrate the ways St. John s serves the community with the help of others! We will gather at 8 AM and work to Clean Up-Spruce up our town! It would help if volunteers register. (See article on page 11). October 4, Pulpit exchange with First United Church of Christ, whom we share history with. Reverend Michael Dowd will preach at St. John s and Reverend Susan Ruggles will preach at First UCC. December 6 National ELCA Bishop Eaton comes to Easton! St. John s Lutheran Easton 275 Anniversary Quiz During the year we share a quiz about St John s and Easton s history to build our awareness of our congregation and its blessed ministry. Answer s can be found on page 11. Thank you to Pastor Charles Orem for creating the quiz. 1. Beside Pastor John Peter Heccht ( ), what other Pastor served St. John s just short of three decades (30 years)? a) John W. Richards; b) Richard Lundin; c) Franklin K. Fretz 2. The first African-American couple was married by? a) John Steinbruck 1966; b) John W. Richards 1849; c) Edmund Belfour The foresight of Pastor Franklin K. Fretz helped provide for the future of St. John s by establishing? a) The Endowment Fund; b) a Church Nursery School; c) for enlarging the building

6 LA HERMOSA In Spanish, the word La Hermosa means the beautiful. That was the name of the ministry that officially began worship services at St. John s in La Hermosa was started as a shared ministry with the United Methodist Church Conference and the ELCA Lutherans at Christ Lutheran Church and was in planning conversation when Christ Lutheran closed. St. John s was asked to adopt the ministry and the worship services began in the St. Peter s Chapel May 6. They have gone through growth and growing pains since beginning. Their first musician was Vicar Amanda Nesvold until they were able to hire a musician! Pastor Ángel López has moved out of the area and La Hermosa is currently led by Manfredo Martínez-Luna. Manfredo hopes to soon become an ordained minister. With funds from the Methodist, seed money from other churches, including Christ Lutheran when they closed, Manfredo is considered an employee of St. John s as he leads this ministry. Now, the small gathering meets on Saturday nights at 6:30 for worship (in Spanish) and on Thursday nights for a Bible Study (in Spanish). All are welcomed to attend! THRIVENT Thrivent is known for its missions to support churches with their missions. They are a resourceful agency giving loans for things like elevators to workshops which help people learn how to spend money wisely, to Thrivent Builds, working in cooperation with Habitat. Two things for you to consider are the Choice Dollars program and the new Action Team program. On September 13 at the 9:00 Adult Forum, a Thrivent representative will be here to discuss these programs and help our church utilize them to the fullest. Briefly, Choice Dollars is where people with Thrivent accounts can recommend to Thrivent how to distribute some of Thrivent s charitable funds among nonprofits, including St. John s. For some, an Action Team grant may jump start a program at St. John s or re-invent an existing program. Watch for the Action Team and consider joining to make it a success! Come on Sept. 13 to learn more and check out the web site (Thrivent.com). SAFE HARBOR is in need of: Sugar, coffee, paper cups (8oz. hot and cold), paper napkins, heavy-duty paper plates (10 to 12 inch), paper towels, plastic forks, spoons, knives, Kool-Aid, iced tea, lemonade, hair conditioner, body lotion, plastic grocery bags Please place your donations in the Safe Harbor Box in the Narthex. MEALS on WHEELS of Northampton County: Meals on Wheels has clients in need of lap robes, scarfs, gloves, stamps, woolen hats, stationary, socks and toiletries, such as lotions and other items. A box will be available in the narthex for donated items. BACK PACK BUDDIES PROGRAM For the summer months, we will be collecting ravioli or canned pastas (individual size or large cans) and individual servings of macaroni & cheese with pop up lids. Thank you for your continual support of this program. PROJECT FOOD PANTRY The PROJECT FOOD PANTRY provides supplementary food service to thousands of hungry people who are experiencing a variety of emergency situations. HIGHLIGHTED ITEMS FOR August St. John s the Rice Church any type of rice. Also needed: Tuna Jelly and Preserves Lunchbox-sized Items Soap Shampoo/Conditioner Plastic grocery bags Reuseable Shopping Bags Please bring donations to St. John s (please, no perishable items). Your contributions will be forwarded to the Food Pantry, which is open Mondays and Thursdays. Volunteer are always needed. If you can help out, please call , ext. 11. Please check out the list posted in the narthex for other items needed. Your support of all these programs is greatly appreciated. The Outreach Committee