Learn to be a faithful steward

Transcription

1 November, 2014 Volume 20, Number 3 Sharing our faith by sharing God s love! Learn to be a faithful steward Some of you know that about 15 years ago I began learning to play the cello. Playing a stringed instrument had been a goal for some years; and mid-life seemed as good a time as any to work on it. I had studied other instruments as a young person; but it had been decades since I was forced to accept the discipline of systematic practice. The first year or two were relatively easy because of my musical background; but then I began to encounter some more challenging material. My teacher was very skilled, and also quite patient. When I would get a bit frustrated because I had trouble mastering a particular exercise, she would remind me to practice it slowly, perhaps just a few notes at a time, until I could play it well. Only then was I to increase the tempo. Musicians (and athletes as well) understand this principle. It s called muscle memory. You practice a task until the muscles memorize what they are to do; and after that, the task becomes second nature. I think that learning to be a faithful steward of God s blessings is a similar undertaking. Giving something away, especially when we fear that we may not have enough for ourselves, does not come naturally to us. This is true of our time and our abilities; but it is especially true of our financial resources. I think that s why Jesus so often spoke about it. Someone has calculated that 27 of Jesus 43 parables deal with money or possessions. That adds up to one out of every ten verses in the four gospels! Because learning to be a faithful steward is so difficult, let me suggest that you try the muscle memory approach. Start your percentage giving with a small, very doing piece: maybe just 2% or 3%. When you see how easy that is, increase it 1% at a time. Before you know it, you will have discovered the wonderful truth that so many saints before you have found: faithful stewardship blesses your life even more than the recipients of your giving. And best of all: with practice, it becomes second nature to you. St. Timothy Mission Statement Nurtured and sustained by God s love, we are called and inspired to share His love with our neighbor, to make God s story known, and to help our neighbors near and far so that all may experience God s love.

2 2 Epistle from St. Timothy Evangelical Lutheran Church November, 2014 Worship Calendar Sunday Morning Services 10:30 a.m. Adult Forum 9 a.m. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Date Day Special Events Readings Nov. 2 Sunday All Saints Sunday Revelation 7:9-17; Psalm 34:1-10, 22; 10:30 a.m. Bell Choir 1 John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12 (Daylight Savings Time Ends) Nov. 9 Sunday Pentecost 22 Amos 5:18-24; Psalm 70; 10:30 a.m. Praise Worship 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Matthew 25:1-13 Nov. 16 Sunday Pentecost 23 Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18; Psalm 90:1-12; 10:30 a.m. Children Sing 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11; Matthew 25:14-30 Faith Commitment Sunday Rite for Wholeness Nov. 23 Sunday Christ the King Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24; Psalm 95:1-7a; 10:30 a.m. Covenant Brass Ephesians 1:15-23; Matthew 25:31-46 Nov. 26 Wednesday Thanksgiving Eve Worship 7:30 p.m. at Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, 19th & Washington Streets, Allentown You are invited to bring canned or packaged foods for the local food bank. A free will offering will also be taken with the proceeds going to the food bank. Nov. 30 Sunday Advent 1 Isaiah 64:1-9; Psalm 80:1-7,17-19; 10:30 a.m. 1 Corinthians 1:3-9; Mark 13:24-37 Moving? New ? Change Your Phone No.? We constantly struggle in this mobile society we live in to keep up with everyone's current mailing and contact information. We are asking everyone to make sure the information we have is up-to-date by completing the form below and either mail it to the church secretary or drop it in the offering plate. Name ELCA WEB SITE for information about our national church NE PA SYNOD WEB SITE or for information about our synod Address City State Zip Code Home Phone Cell Phone (optional) Work Phone (optional) Please send my copy of the newsletter to me via: include in directory omit from directory include in directory omit from directory include in directory omit from directory include in directory omit from directory Mail (post office) PLEASE PLACE COMPLETED FORM IN OFFERING PLATE OR DROP IN THE MAIL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP!!! ST. TIMOTHY s office@sttimothylc.org ADDITIONAL ADDRESSES AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE AT: EPISTLE FROM ST. TIMOTHY EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH is a publication of St. Timothy Evangelical Lutheran Church (ELCA). EPISTLE FROM ST. TIMOTHY EVANGLICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH. Published monthly except August by St. Timothy Evangelical Lutheran Church, 140 South Ott Street, Allentown, PA Questions or comments may be directed to the Editor, Epistle from St. Timothy, St. Timothy Evangelical Lutheran Church, 140 South Ott Street, Allentown, Pennsylvania

3 November, 2014 Epistle from St. Timothy Evangelical Lutheran Church 3 Infection Prevention It is that time of year when colds and the flu begin to surface among us. If you and your family members did not receive your flu immunization, it is now time to do so. The flu is a respiratory infection. A gastro-intestinal condition with vomiting is not the flu. To protect yourself and those around you, you need to institute good personal hand hygiene. Children as well as adults can learn to do this. The mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, and mouth are the ONLY areas of entry into the body for respiratory infections. Refrain from touching the T-zone of your face (the areas in and around your eyes, nose, and mouth). Frequent hand washing is a good practice. Think of all the things your hands touch in a short period of time. Be sure to wash them before meals, after using the restroom, eating finger foods, and whenever you have touched a contaminated object. When sneezing, do so into the bend of your elbow. During cold and flu season, it is acceptable to refrain from shaking hands with another individual. Imparting a pleasant greeting is a welcome exchange. Keep you and your family safe during the coming cold and flu season by practicing these simple techniques. Adapted from the Henry the Hand Foundation and the CDC Call for Prayer Shawls Calling all knitters and crocheters! As the sun begins to set earlier and the evenings get longer, you might need a project to work on. Our supply of prayer shawls has dwindled. Members of our congregation who have surgery or an extended illness, have lost a loved one, or have a happy occasion as the birth of a baby are presented with a shawl made by the loving hands of one of our members while offering a prayer for the individual who will receive the shawl. If you are interested in making a prayer shawl and you need a pattern, please contact Charlotte Cruse. The Adult Forum meets Sunday mornings from 9 to 10 a.m. in the Lounge. Join us for interesting presentations with stimulating discussion on timely topics. You won t be bored. Sessions are informal and relaxed. EVERYONE is welcome You DON T need to a reservation There s a seat waiting for YOU. November 2 - # 5 ISLAM: A Faith Hijacked Led by Dave Hinrichs November 9 - # 6 Christians and Islam Led by Dave Hinrichs The Discover Islam material was developed by the Center for Christian-Muslim Engagement for Peace and Justice, and we are using an ELCA study guide to discuss the material. St. Timothy s Praise Band playing for the CROP Walk walkers at Alliance Hall in downtown Allentown on Sunday, October 12,

4 4 Epistle from St. Timothy Evangelical Lutheran Church November, 2014 Thanksgiving Eve Service The West Side Mission Collaborative will again host a join Thanksgiving Eve service. This year it will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 7:30 p.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 822 North 19th Street, Allentown. A joint choir will add to the worship experience, and a time of refreshments and fellowship will follow. You are invited to bring canned or packaged foods for the local food bank. A free will offering will also be taken with the proceeds going to the food bank. Endowment Committee Update The St. Timothy Endowment Fund balance as of September 30, 2014 was $51, Since January, the committee has awarded two grants totaling $1,525. The first grant in the amount of $ was awarded to Decontee Krayee to attend a sports camp at Lehigh University in July. Decontee s track coach recommended she attend the camp because it would give her exposure to scouts from various colleges that could result in scholarship money for her to attend college in The second grant in the amount of $1, was awarded to Austin Braxmeier to put toward the purchase of a $3, set of tools he was required to have prior to the start of classes in August at the Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport. Contributions to the Endowment Fund are always welcome. Increasing the principal generates more dividends, allowing the committee to consider more and larger grants. Contributions may be made directly to the fund as an designated memorial gift or as a bequest. If you have any questions about giving to the fund, please contact any committee member: Lorna Meyer, Anne Ritter, Lucille Stephens, Charlotte Cruse or Dick Cruse. Where is St. Timothy Headed? We have all heard that question lately. On Saturday, September 27, a meeting of Church Council and other Leaders was held in an attempt to come up with an answer. Rosalie Maehrer discussed two churches she had visited with growing congregations: The Barn and Horizon Church. These churches operate as mission congregations members are drawn to charismatic pastors and the congregation is grown by word of mouth. We discussed what these types of churches have to offer, and would it make sense for St. Timothy to adopt any of their practices. We brainstormed on what we felt the best churches have in common; what we feel God is calling St. Timothy to do; what our biggest fears and strongest hopes are; what we do well and what we seem to fail to do; and what we think God wants St. Timothy to become. Nothing happens overnight or all at once! We started by planning a contemporary praise service one Sunday per month, with coffee and conversation time after the service. We are working to coordinate a weekday Bible study. There is also the possibility of a new pictorial directory. We have formed an Implementation Committee, with George Fennell as Chairperson, to keep the ideas going. We will be meeting once per month. Pray for guidance for the members of the committee as they help to usher St. Timothy through a challenging new phase. DEADLINE for the DECEMBER NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 15!

5 November, 2014 Epistle from St. Timothy Evangelical Lutheran Church 5 Notes from the West Side Collaborative Who is the West Side Collaborative?? The collaborative includes the following members: Christ Lutheran Church, Muhlenberg Chapel, Redeemer Lutheran Church, St. Stephens Outreach Center, and St. Timothy Evangelical Lutheran Church. What is the West Side Collaborative?? It is a group of churches that have banded together to advance community outreach. They work to identify and address specific needs in the community that can be targeted by the group. They always are looking for new opportunities for community outreach and welcome suggestions from members of the congregations. The group was able to solidify the following joint worship opportunities at its September 18 meeting: Thanksgiving service at Redeemer Lutheran Church Midweek Lenten services at St. Timothy Lutheran Church (Bible study on the readings of the Vigil)* Holy Week Maundy Thursday Seder at Christ Lutheran Church* Holy Week Good Friday at St. Timothy Lutheran Church* Holy Week Easter Vigil at Redeemer Lutheran Church* Pro/Regressive dinner (including sharing of our ministries) (April 17)* *Exact time to be announced at a later date We pray weekly for our members at home. Every month we highlight a portion our list of homebound members so that you can send cards, and perhaps visit! Here is this month s list (birthday in italics): Dorothy Brunone, Country Meadows, 420 Krocks Rd., Bldg. #2, #278, Allentown, PA (October 10) Sharon Clark, Good Shepherd Home, Raker #216, 543 St. John St., Allentown, PA (February 5) Al Jaindl, Luther Crest, 800 Hausman Rd., Apt. 261, Allentown, PA (September 11) Reds McEllroy, Cedarbrook, 350 S. Cedarbrook Rd., D-4 Unit, Rm. #417, Allentown, PA (July 31) Laura Myhre, Cedar Village, 4234 Dorney Park Rd., Apt. 305, Allentown, PA Maryanne Dedekind and Steven Hader, 3146 Mosser Dr., Allentown, PA (Maryanne November 14) November birthdays include: Maryanne Dedekind (see above) (November 14) Marlea Fritzinger, Fellowship Manor Terrace, 3010 Fellowship Dr., Rm. #157, Whitehall, PA (November 16) THANKSGIVING 2014

6 6 Epistle from St. Timothy Evangelical Lutheran Church November, 2014 Dear St. Timothy s super congregation!!!! We may be small, but we are mighty! Ray & I want to thank you for your total support in making our 2014 Rainy Fun Fest a success. We had 111 people and 41 families come out in the rain. Our volunteers were outstanding not only in what they did, but how they did it! The Boy Scouts and their leaders came to our call and were a wonderful help with all the games, set up and clean up. Our food was over the top, and we thank everyone. Kurt Koehler furnished all the prizes and games that helped make the event fun for all the children. Our very own St. Timothy Praise Band was a real treat for everyone. Words cannot thank all of you for all your help. Love & Hugs in Christ, Ray Stickradt & Sue Koehler, Fun Fest Chairpersons Dear St. Timothy Members: Happy fall! Life is good & so are all of you wonderful friends at St. Tim s Your prayers & kindness made each day of my recovery go faster. I feel so blessed having my church family surround me and help me know that our Lord watches over all of us. Love & Hugs in Christ, Sue Koehler

7 The Recycling Corner Have you ever wondered how to recycle some of the items around the house? How to be better stewards of God s earth and help others at the same time? Here are some of our ongoing projects: ARTICLES WHERE TO PUT THEM PERSON IN CHARGE Sheet blankets coatroom by upstairs restroom..quilting committee Soda cans coatroom by upstairs restroom..nancy Fennell (for Scouts) Men s socks in good condition coatroom by upstairs restroom..nancy Fennell (Alliance Hall) Toiletries (from hotels/motels).....coatroom by upstairs restroom..nancy Fennell (Alliance Hall) Card fronts from all greeting cards coatroom by upstairs restroom..nancy Fennell (St. Jude's Home for Children) Eyeglasses Coatroom by upstairs restroom..nancy Fennell (Center for Visually Handicapped) Good used sneakers......coatroom by upstairs restroom..nancy Fennell (Alliance Hall) Plastic bags coatroom by upstairs restroom..nancy Fennell (Food Bank) Styrofoam Peanuts Coatroom by upstairs restroom..nancy Fennell Mailbox) Styrofoam blocks, cups, plates and trays (meat, cookies, etc.) nancy Fennell Liberty Recycling) General Mills boxtops for education; cash register receipts from Redner s & Fairgrounds Market; Campbell s labels appropriate boxes in narthex....cheryl Christensen Rubber Bands* Coatroom by upstairs restroom..nancy Fennell (*from newspapers) Current Calendars Cabinet in narthex anyone who can use them Empty printer, fax machine or desktop copier cartridges coatroom by upstairs restroom..nancy Fennell FundingFactory) Old cell phones coatroom by upstairs restroom..nancy Fennell FundingFactory) Women s and men s business attire and accessories (for The Perfect Fit / First Impressions for Men ) Must be Clean, Good Condition/gently used laundered/ironed IN SEASON ONLY!!!......Coatroom by upstairs restroom..gloria Hinrichs If you know of any additions or corrections to this list please call Nancy Fennell ( ). Thanks for your help and cooperation with these projects!

8 Key: [F] = Fellowship Hall [L] = Lounge [P] = Pastor s Office [NV] = Nave [N] = Nursery [LB] = Library [YR] = Youth Room [LP] = Land of Promise SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 2 ALL SAINTS 9 am Adult Forum [L] 9:30 am Sunday School [F] 10:30 am Worship Bell Choir ~12N Blood Pressure Screening [L] 3-6 pm Outside Support Group [L] DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME ENDS 3 6:45-7:15 am The Lutheran Academy (TLA) Pickup in Parking Lot OFFICE CLOSED After Care [F] 7 pm Boy Scouts [F] 4 6 am-10 pm Election Day Polls [F] 9 am Quilters [L] 5 6:45-7:15 am TLA 3:30-5:30 pm Lutheran Academy After Care [F] 7 pm Allentown Hiking Club [F] 7:30 pm Senior Choir Rehearsal [NV] 7:30 pm Venture Crew [F] 6 10:30 am-3 pm AARP [F] 12:30-5:30 pm TLA After Care [F] 4 pm Worship Committee [L] 7 pm 3D [L] Operation Sunshine in Parking Lot 7 12:30-5:30 pm TLA 6:30-11pm Chess Club [L] PENTECOST 22 9 am Adult Forum [L] 9:30 am Sunday School [F] 10:30 am Worship Praise Service 3-6 pm Outside Support Group [L] 10 OFFICE CLOSED After Care [F] 7 pm Boy Scouts [F] 11 VETERANS DAY 9 am Property [L] 6:30 pm Cub Scouts [F] Bishop s Conference 12 6:30 pm Hamilton Park Crime Watch [F] 7:30 pm Senior Choir Rehearsal [NV] AARP in Parking Lot Bishop s Conference 13 2 pm Daybreak Mission Team 7 pm 3D [F] 7:30 pm Council Meeting [L] 14 12:30-5:30 pm TLA 6:30-11pm Chess Club [L] 15 DECEMBER NEWSLETTER DEADLINE 16 PENTECOST 23 6:30 am Mission Team at St. Paul s 9 am Adult Forum [L] 9:30 am Sunday School [F] 10:30 am Worship Children Sing Wholeness Faith Commitment Sunday 3-6 pm Outside Support Group [L] 17 OFFICE CLOSED After Care [F] 7 pm Boy Scouts [F] 7 pm Mental Health Support Group [L] 18 9 am Quilters [L] 6:30 pm Cub Scouts [F] 7:30 pm Council Meeting [L] 19 6:45 pm Bell Choir Rehearsal [NV] 7:30 pm Senior Choir Rehearsal [NV] 7:30 pm Venture Crews [F] :45-7:30 am TLA Before Care [F] 6 pm Venture Crew Lock In Begins [F] 6:30-11 pm Chess Club [L] am Venture Crew Lock In Ends [F] 12-8 pm Boy Scout Eagle Event [F] 3-4 pm Eagle Ceremony [NV] 23 CHRIST THE KING 9 am Adult Forum [L] 9:30 am Sunday School [F] 10:30 am Worship COVENANT BRASS 3-6 pm Outside Support Group [L] 24 6:45-7:30 am TLA OFFICE CLOSED After Care [YR 7 pm Boy Scouts [F] 25 6:45-7:30 am TLA 6:30 pm Cub Scouts [F] 26 6:45-7:30 am TLA 7:30 pm Thanksgiving Eve Worship at Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer 27 THANKSGIVING OFFICE CLOSED 28 6:30-11 pm Chess Club [L] ADVENT 1 9 am Adult Forum [L] 9:30 am Sunday School [F] 10:30 am Worship 3-6 pm Outside Support Group [L]

9 Volume 22, Issue 11 November 2014! SYNOD NEWS Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod, ELCA Faith-a-Palooza Senior High Youth Leadership Training Event The event will teach planning skills that will be useful in all aspects of life. Learn how to plan events, teach a class, or make a creative idea for ministry happen in your congregation. This event also will be helpful for youth who are attending the ELCA youth gathering in The date is November 7-9, 2014 at the Kenbrook Christian Retreat and Conference Center, Lebanon, PA. The cost is $128 (includes room and board: 1 dinner, 2 breakfasts and 1 lunch) For more information, visit and follow the links under Events Events for Youth Scholarship Sunday (continued) With that in mind, Congregation Council recently affirmed the Special Gift Fund committee s recommendation to contribute $25,000 to the synodical Fund for Leaders account. This is an additional way in which Trinity can add to the life and ministry of students well into the future. Trinity challenges each congregation of the synod to join them in making a gift to the Fund for Leaders, and in so doing to live out the reality that we truly are Blessed to be a Blessing. Scholarship Sunday August 3, 2014 was a time of joy and hope for Trinity, Lehighton. It was Scholarship Sunday, a day when the congregation fulfills promises made decades ago to support not only its own young members who are going off to college, but also seminary students, most of whom are unknown to Trinity. This year awards were presented to Brian Riedy, Justin Lingenfelter, Kristian Kohler, Anthony Setley, Deborah Taylor, Karen Ward Telyea, Samantha Wertz, and Cynthia White. Over $16,700 was given out in scholarships to seminarians and another $13,300 to college-bound members of Trinity. A particular joy for Trinity s members is inviting the seminarian recipients to worship with them and help conduct the service. This year Deb Taylor delivered the sermon, Brian and Justin led in worship and served as lectors, and Cynthia provided inspiring musical selections. Pastor Mary Gade, the associate to the bishop who helped the Special Gifts Fund committee identify candidates, was on hand to officiate as well. Because of the generous forethought of Trinity s members throughout the generations, substantial funds have accumulated. (continued in the left hand column)

10 Stewardship: Living by Faith, Stories of Hope On September 13 & 14 Grace Duddy conducted workshops for congregations interested in a new approach to stewardship. Grace is the Executive Director of Operations for Kairos, a Christian resource development organization. Before that, Grace served as the Assistant Director of the Center for Stewardship Leaders at Luther Seminary. Here are some comments from Bishop Zeiser: We took a close look at the way narrative budgets offer a hopefilled approach to congregational stewardship and financial planning. For me, we got to the heart of Grace's presentation when she surfaced the dilemma: How can a narrative budget speak to those in the congregation who are primarily concerned about how are we going to pay the light bill? I think Grace offered helpful insight in response to this question. What's fantastic is that all synod congregations have ongoing access to the insight, even those congregations not represented at the event. If you think your congregation could benefit from this approach, ask your stewardship chairperson to contact Pr. Mike Bennethum at the Lutheran Center (mike@nepsyond.org or ). God s Work Our Hands. Sunday! Congregations around the Synod serve their community! God s work. Our hands. Sunday was an opportunity to celebrate who we are as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor. We are a church that boldly does God s work of restoring and reconciling communities. On Sunday, September 7, 2014 many congregations in our Synod gathered to serve communities in ways that share the love of God with all of God s people. Several groups prepared Personal Care Kits for Lutheran World Relief. Others collected food for local food banks. Some engaged in cleanup efforts for a local site, while still others made quilts or blankets to give away. These and other stories have been shared both on our website ( and on our Facebook page ( Pennsylvania-Synod-of-the-ELCA/ ). If you haven t already visited them, be sure to take a look. Perhaps you too will be inspired to find new ways to do God s work with your hands in the ministry of your daily life. Learning Ministries Day Milestone Ministry: Vibrant Faith through Life January 24, Hope Lutheran Church, Cherryville Learning Ministries Day is one of the most popular events our synod has to offer. This year s keynote speaker is Deborah Streicher, Project Coordinator for Milestones at Vibrant Faith Ministries. With a focus on faith formation, this event is for Sunday school and confirmation teachers, committee members, youth group members, congregation council members, and church staff. Save the date and plan to attend this year. Synod News is published monthly by the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod, ELCA 2354 Grove Road, Allentown PA 18109; nepsinfo1988@gmail.com;

11 November 2014 LMD website: Volume 19, No. 10 The Rev. Jerel W. Gade, Dean Mr. Joshua Fink, Mission District Chair The Rev. Glenn L. Simmons, Assoc. of the Bishop Mrs. Linda Smith, Newsletter Editor December 2014 LMD NL news will be due November 12 th. any information to me at Let s try going green; to do this you need to have a church website. If you do and you have your church newsletter advertised, why not add the LMD Newsletter? While researching this I found a few church websites that already include the LMD Newsletter and that is awesome. Yes you may still need to print a few for those without computers. Any questions please call or me lmd.newslettereditor@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing how this would work in your church! POSITION AVAILABLE: St. Peter's Lutheran - Hanover is seeking a Parttime Parish Coordinator. Interested parties please send a cover letter and resume to: St. Peter's Ev. Lutheran Church, 1933 Hanover Ave., Allentown, PA 18109, Attn: Pr. Langensiepen LCS Offers Healing through Grief at Luther Crest- Thurs afternoons, 2:00-3:30 p.m., Oct. 2 through Nov. 6. The loss of a loved one is one of the most difficult times in our lives. As individuals we experience grief in our own unique way. LCS is offering bereaved families and friends a free support group facilitated by Sylvia Havlish a professional bereavement counselor. Join us in the Fuellenbach Room of Luther Crest, 800 Hausman Rd., Allentown, PA. Our goal is to help each person gain the tools needed for lifelong healing and understanding. Thanks to the generous sponsorship of Heintzelman Funeral Home, there is no charge for the group. However, advanced registration is required. For more information or to register, please call Luther Crest Chaplain Dianne Kareha, Craft Bazaar/Basket Auction Nov 1 st at Zion Lehigh Lutheran Church 8269 Spring Creek Rd. Alburtis, PA. 9:00 am -3:00 pm. Crafts, Basket Auction and lunch will be served. For more information call Annual Chicken and Waffle Dinner Join us at St. John s Lutheran Church (1028 Church St, Fogelsville) on Sat, Nov 1 st. Dinner will be served from 4:00-7:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Cost: Adults $12, Children $6, under 3 are FREE. Tickets will be sold at the door. Please join us for homemade family-style dinner. For more information call or visit Theology, Literature and Coffee Luther Crest will host a Moravian Theological Seminary-sponsored course, which will be held 2:30-4:30 p.m. at Luther Crest, 800 Hausman Road, Allentown, Mon. Nov 3. Enjoy a time of learning and fellowship as theological themes in selected literature are presented and discussed. Cost for the series is $25, beverages will be provided. To register, please contact Moravian Theological Seminary or Luther Crest Chaplain Dianne Kareha The book to be discussed is: Nov. 3 rd: The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula LeGuin. Journeys Through Grief will be held starting Oct 15 th Nov 19th from 7-8:30 p.m. at St. John s United Church of Christ, 139 N. 4 th St., Emmaus. The facilitator will be Sylvia Havlish. You can register by calling LCS at There is no fee to attend this event since it is sponsored by Schantz Funeral Home and Bachman, Kulik & Reinsmith Funeral Homes. LCS will hold a Marriage Preparedness Series on Nov. 1 st and 15 th from 9:00-Noon at St. John s Lutheran Church, Emmaus. The cost is $60/couple. Couples can register and pay on line or call the LCS office at Presentations at Luther Crest: The public is cordially invited to attend Dr. Bill Jennings lecture, Muslims Come to Allentown, on Tues, Nov 11, at 2:30 p.m., as well as a Tues, Jan 13, 2015, 2:30 p.m. panel discussion of Dr. Manfred Bahmann s new book When All Hell Breaks Loose. Both presentations will take place in Crest Hall of Luther Crest, 800 Hausman Road, Allentown, PA The Clothes Closet located at St. Luke s, 417 N 7 th Street, Allentown is in desperate need of all men s clothing. Especially pants and shirts that could be worn for a casual dress job interview. We are constantly getting requests from agencies trying to help men attend job fairs and interviews. For more information or questions contact Leslie at or stluke@enter.net LCS s Refugee Resettlement case workers would like to thank everyone for their generous donations. At this time, we are in dire need of the following items: pillows, mops, brooms, vacuum cleaners, twin sheet sets, twin blankets, bathroom and kitchen waste cans, alarm clocks, bathroom boxes (from Welcome Box list), and microwaves. Items can be dropped off at our office Monday through Friday between 8-12 and 1-4. We are also in need of apartment sized furniture such as chests of drawers/dressers, kitchen tables and chairs, living room small sofas/loveseats/chairs, end tables, etc. (NO BEDS). Please call Ammar at to arrange for pickup of items. Muhlenberg College Chapel invites you to join us for worship any Sunday evening during the academic year. Worship is at 5:30 p.m. in Egner Chapel, followed by dinner in the Hoffman House at Muhlenberg. If you are interested in bringing your confirmation students or high school youth to join us for worship, and/or your congregation would be willing to provide a Sunday dinner for Muhlenberg students, please contact Chaplain Callista Isabelle for scheduling and more information: cisabelle@muhlenberg.edu. Speakers Available: Luther Crest has a variety of speakers available to speak to congregations, adult Sunday school classes, organizations such as women s and men s groups, Bible studies, seniors groups, and youth groups. Topics include: Alzheimer's Disease/Dementia, Depression, Elder Care, and Caring for the Caregiver, Senior Housing Options, and Continuum of Care, Living with Loss/Grief Support, Communicating during Times of Conflict, Prayer, and Scripture Studies. For more information or to schedule a speaker, please contact Rev. Dianne Kareha, Diakon Chaplain for Luther Crest Can you provide an hour or two per week to help someone who wants to change their life? St. Luke s at 417 N 7 th St, Allentown still has an ongoing need for volunteers to assist as tutors or substitutes for our growing multi-level ESL program for individuals who desperately want to learn English. No foreign language needed. Contact Leslie Talago or Pastor Lamb at or stluke@enter.net for class times and orientation sessions. Volunteers needed: bi-lingual volunteer needed to make phone calls for 1-3 hours per week, gift shop at the Allentown Campus, pediatric unit, accompany residents on outings, and special occasions. For additional information call JoAnn Frey, Volunteer Coordinator at or apply on line at Free Akaloo Sunday school Books - Free to a church that can use them... a variety of Akaloo books and materials. Contact Grace LC in Macungie at gracemacungie@verizon.net or

12 GRAND OPENINGS IN ALLENTOWN Leslie E. Talago, Parish Administrator, St. Luke s, Allentown This week center city Allentown saw the opening of another restaurant. This one, Sindbad s, features incredible Middle Eastern cuisine. There have been many such openings here over the last several weeks; the PPL Arena, The Hamilton, Tim Horton s and others. There will be another grand opening here in center city on Nov. 1 st. This one won t be touted as the place to go for a meal before or after one of the events at the arena. But this grand opening is nonetheless just as important. The 6 th & Chew Winter Shelter (6CWS) will be open from Nov. 1, - May 1, between 7:00 pm -7:00 am. to shelter individuals and allow homeless families to remain together rather than being separated. This coalition of municipal, private and faith groups have worked together for some time to plan for this. Several heart breaking situations have precipitated this new grand opening. A few years ago one of the pastors in our LMD was called upon to conduct funerals for 4 individuals who died from exposure during freezing temperatures. In response, his congregation, felt compelled to open their parish hall to allow the homeless to lie on a blanket on the floor in a heated room, out of the elements. That was the only service that could be offered out of that small space which came to be known as Safe Haven. They are no longer open effective this fall The Salvation Army and the 6 th St Shelter house women and children, but they have a 6 month waiting list. There are less than 7 beds for women with children at the Salvation Army. I have seen the lobby at their Rich Fleming Center filled with strollers, which is where mothers and their children slept on the floor last winter because there were no beds available. The Allentown Rescue Mission houses men only. They have had to add bunks because of the record number of homeless men this summer. The Allentown School District has its most recent estimates of homeless school children at 700 students. In response to this plight, The Lehigh Conference of Churches (LCC) agreed to open the doors of its gymnasium each night that 6CWS is open. What will make this shelter different is that it seeks to help reverse the reasons that people have become homeless. This is to be achieved by having social workers and other staff available to help these individuals and families make the climb upward. This is no small undertaking, but will have major impact. Your congregations in the LMD will be receiving an important letter about this initiative in the next few weeks. I ask your members and councils to pray for discernment regarding how each of you can help. There will be opportunities for volunteer training, donations of products and goods, but most importantly financial assistance. The largest part of this year s budget is for start-up costs of cots, blankets, pillows, etc. I am asking each of you to consider a gift in one or more of the categories mentioned in this link which goes directly to LCC since we cannot divert funds away from the current programs that are operated by LCC. Or send a check to them earmarked specifically for the winter shelter. Some churches will be designating their plate offering once each month, some are starting the new liturgical year on Nov. 30, the first Sunday in Advent as a day to donate their plate offering. Wouldn t it be affirming if we, the congregations of the LMD all contributed the plate on Nov. 30? In the stark cold of a winters night, it doesn t matter why a family is without shelter, only that it can t be ignored. It reminds me of another family over 2000 years ago who depended on the kindness of others in seeking shelter when they had nowhere else to go. May you all be blessed to be a blessing for this new grand opening! OPERATION SUNSHINE 36 S. 8 th St, Allentown, PA Mon 11-3 Wed. 9-4 LMDopsunshine@aol.com Paula & Dick Skelly Co-Trip Coordinators Day of Trip Emergency Number Operation Sunshine is a non-profit fellowship opportunity within our Mission District, run solely by volunteers. Please join us and invite your friends as we enjoy a variety of venues together. Nov. 6 (Thur) Penn's Peak The Glenn Miller Orchestra - In June of 2011, the Glenn Miller Orchestra celebrated their 55th Anniversary of continuous touring. Always a sell-out concert! Family style lunch at Penn's Peak is included with this trip. Bus leaves St. Timothy's at 10:30 AM and will return approximately 4:30 PM. Cost $86 Payment Deadline: Mon., Oct. 20. Dec. 11 (Thur.) - It's a Wonderful Life Dutch Apple Theatre, Lancaster, PA - The story of George Bailey and his wonderful life remains a timeless fable of dreams and love as he finds out what life would have been like without him. Enjoy with heart-warming Christmas classic along with a wonderful buffet lunch as only the Dutch Apple Theatre can do. Bus leaves St. Timothy's at 10:00 AM and will return approximately 5:00 PM. Cost $90 Payment Deadline: Wed., Nov. 19 REMEMBER: ALL TIPS ARE INCLUDED WHEN YOU TAKE AN OPERATION SUNSHINE TRIP! Operation Sunshine and Collette Travel proudly offer our trip to... THE NORTHERN NATIONAL PARKS September 12-19, 2015 Salt Lake City, UT, Jackson Hole, WY, Grand Tetons National Park, Yellowstone and Park City UT Call the Operation Sunshine Office for details. Request your color brochure!