The Courier December 2012

Transcription

1 The Courier December 2012 St. Jacob's Evangelical Lutheran Church 99 East George Street P.O. Box 216 York New Salem, PA Web Page: stjacobsluthyns.com Rev. Lisa Hair (home) (cell) Revs. John G. Bernheisel & Marshall H. Gante Pastors Emeriti Bob Knaper, Director of Music Heather Van Dyke, Church Secretary Mission Statement of St. Jacob's Lutheran Church is to: Believe in God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit Witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ in all the world Grow in faith, love, and obedience to the will of God Serve others in love through Christ Pastor's Message It has been a tough year at St. Jacob s. No, I m not talking about finances, or even the major projects we have undertaken to help preserve our building. I m talking about loss. It has been a tough year for us. Since All Saints Day in 2011, we have lost 12 members, many of them active members who have been influential in our congregation, and all of them people we have loved. But it has been a tough year in other ways, too. The economy continues to struggle, and the security of unemployment has affected our families and our communities. Divorce or the loss of a significant relationship, the weariness of illness or the care of a sick loved one, the pain of isolation, and even the many tragedies that have impacted our world can make us feel very alone in the midst of all the celebrating and joy of the holiday season. The constant refrain on the radio and television, in shopping malls and churches, about the happiness of the season, about getting together with family and friends, reminds many people of what they have lost or have never 1

2 had. We need the space and time to acknowledge our sadness and concern; we need to know that we are not alone. So this year at St. Jacob s we are doing a new thing (I know, some of you are thinking, Oh no. Not ANOTHER new thing. But bear with me ) On Sunday, December 16, at the regular 9:15am worship time, we will be observing a Blue Christmas (no, Elvis will not be providing special music). A Blue Christmas service is one that recognizes the pain and loss so many struggle with during the Advent and Christmas seasons. It is an opportunity to gather in the presence of God's comforting love, to remember. It is a time when we are safe to feel what we feel: to acknowledge our sadness, to share our concern, to release our anger, to face our emptiness, and still to know that God cares. It is a time to gather in a safe place with each other, in comfort and support. The service will have many of the same elements of our regular worship: prayers, hymns, a sermon. But it will have a more quiet, mellow feel than a traditional Advent or Christmas worship service. The scripture, music and sermon will focus on the comfort God offers during dark times. We will light candles and remember those people and circumstances which we have lost. And we will look to God and his Word to shine his light into our darkness. It has been a tough year, St. Jacob s. We have lost so much. But the seasons of Advent and Christmas are seasons of hope, seasons of moving forward in God s light as he directs us and sends his Son to save us. Join us, this year, for Blue Christmas on December 16 at 9:15am. On behalf of the staff of St. Jacob s, I wish you God s fullest blessings for a Joyful Advent and Christmas! Peace, Pastor Lisa MEMORIALS GIVEN FOR MEMORIAL FUND: In Memory of Catherine Folkemer: Clyde Hilker Family In Memory of Joye Trone Vonnie Gross In Memory of Dan Hyser Papa John's Pizza Linda Purcell, Lloyd Bell Jr, Mike Bell, Scott Bell St. Jacob's Adult Sunday School Class Larry & Joan Metzger Bill & Bev Hagan In memory of Charlotte Heiner Jack Landis Edward & Diane Tschudy Stambaugh Ness, P.C. Shareholders - Jolleen E. Biesecker, Larry E. Bream, Steven L. Hoke, Richard C. Hogentogler, Nikki H. Hoffman, M. Scott Huish, Stephen H. Klunk, Thomas J. Moul, Darren W. Welker MEMORIALS GIVEN FOR ORGAN FUND: In Memory of Betty Grove Dave Trone MEMORIALS GIVEN FOR STAINED GLASS WINDOW FUND: In Memory of Betty Grove: Geraldine Emig Robert Heaps Red Hat Misfits In Memory of Charlotte Heiner Earl & Patty Watson To Pastors, friends, family, and everyone in Christ: Dan Hyser and his family and his mother, Shirley Hyser, and her family want to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for the prayers, cards, visits, phone calls and the flowers and the donations, and also the hard work of the people of the funeral meal and also Dave Trone and whoever else for the grave opening and cleaning up everything. God bless and take care. Father, Ben Hyser, Jr. & Shirley Hyser, mother 2

3 FOR THE FOOD PANTRY CHRISTMAS BASKETS The St. Jacob's Food Pantry will be holding a special pantry on December 22nd and handing out Christmas baskets this year again to those in the community. Below is a list of items the Food Pantry needs to fill those baskets. The food boxes will be packed up on Thursday, December 20th and handed out on Saturday, December22nd so ALL food donations must be made by Sunday, December 16th. Items Needed for Christmas Food Boxes Boxed instant stuffing (2 boxes of stuffing per food box) Canned sweet potatoes (2 cans per box) Cranberry sauce (2 cans per box) NOTE: Turkeys will be provided! Just a gentle reminder Pastor Lisa (PL) is contracted for 20 hours each week with St. Jacob s a limited amount of time! In those hours she prepares and delivers worship services, sermons, and Sunday School lessons, visits the hospitalized, and attends some committee meetings and all council meetings. If you or another member is hospitalized, please call PL to let her know (the hospitals don t always call the church). Likewise, if you are in need of additional pastoral care, please let her know. She has many obligations to fit into her 20 hours, but wants to do all she can for everyone at St. Jacob s. Thanks. - Church Council December Anniversaries December 26 December 27 December 30 Homer & Michele Dodson Christina Riccio Morton & Sharon St. Hart Members Not at Home Frances Brenneman - Pleasant Acres Miriam Strine - Delaware Nursing Home Doris Wolf - Autumn House George Snyder - Wonders Assisted Living Members At Home Paul Aldinger; Leroy & Bernice Landis; Ethel Rishel; Julia Rohrbaugh; Sam & Mary Wildasin; Annabel Shubert; Gary Lehr; Marie Miller; Mary Gladfelter; Amber Markley; Jeff Winter; Melvin Aldinger; Kyle Hughes; Kathy Shearer; Bruce Barnes; Scott Meyer; Delores Brillhart; David G. & the troops of the 173rd; Mary & Glen Gladfelter 3 December Birthdays December 1 December 2 Viona Starner Jerry Yohe, Sr. Karen Storm Marie Miller Arlene Niedzielski Kenneth Shearer Velma Travis Melvin Aldinger Ethel Rishel Justin Ackwith Alice Beard Jody Rutters Jacqueline Kramer Jenny Rohrbaugh Curtis Parrish Rosita Hamm Bernice Landis Ann McCauslin William Kramer Corey Rohrbaugh Check out the above website for the Scripture Verse for your Birthday!! December 6 December 10 December 12 December 13 December 15 December 16 December 17 December 18 December 19 December 22 December 24 December 27 December 29

4 Courier December January December/January Sponsors Dolly Emig in memory of friend, Norma OPEN Sanctuary Candle December Delores Gladfelter January OPEN Altar Flowers December 2 Ken Shearer December 9 Gerald Gingerich in honor of father, William Gingerich December 16 Mary Winter in honor of Jeff's birthday December 23 Grothey December 30 Carol Bobb in memory of husband, David January 6 OPEN January 13 OPEN January 20 OPEN January 27 OPEN Bulletins December 2 December 9 December 16 December 23 December 24 December 30 January 6 January 13 January 20 January 27 Ken Shearer Ken Shearer Ken Shearer Ken Shearer Nellie & Harold Koller in memory of loved ones OPEN OPEN OPEN OPEN OPEN Sponsorship Costs Courier - $12 Bulletins - $20 Altar Flowers - $25 Altar Candle - $10 4 Those Who Serve During December & January Altar Guild December - Jean Gerberick, Phil Gerberick January - TBD Sound December - Jeff Winter January - TBD Head Ushers December 2 - Doug Drawbaugh December 9 - Amanda Brown December 16 - Mary Winter December 23 - Wendy Boutilier December 24 - Phil Gerberick December 30 - Dave Trone January 6 - Dave Trone January 13 - Wendy Boutilier January 20 - Wendy Mitchell January 27 - Doug Drawbaugh Lectors December 2 - Wendy Mitchell December 9 - Charlotte Roser December 16 - Mary Winter December 23 - Wendy Boutilier December 24 - Larry Metzger December 30 - Lessons & Carols January 6 - Phil Gerberick January 13 - Wendy Boutilier January 20 - Wendy Mitchell January 27 - Doug Drawbaugh Deacons December 2 - Wendy Mitchell, Betty Mitchell December 24 - Larry Metzer, Wendy Boutilier January 6 - Karen Drawbaugh, Phil Gerberick Communion Bread December 2 - Betty Mitchell December 24 - Rick & Wendy Boutilier January 6 - Dave Trone Nursery December 2 - Angie Stanton December 9 - Karen Drawbaugh December 16 - Darlene Rutters December 23 - Amanda Brown December 24 - TBD December 30 - Jean Gerberick January 6 - TBD January 13 - TBD January 20 - TBD January 27 - TBD

5 ST. JACOBS EVENTS PAGE Our winter Worship schedule is 9:15 AM worship service and 10:30 a.m. Sunday school. The Annual Church Christmas Party will be on Friday, December 7th at 6 p.m. We will be using the same Caterer as last year and cost is $10.00 per adult and $6.00 per child. Why not invite a friend? Menu includes: Roast Turkey, Ham, Potatoes, Filling, Vegetable, Roll & Butter, Relish, Fruit, Cake See Betty Mitchell or Doug Drawbaugh if you plan to attend. CHRISTMAS TREE SET-UP The Christmas tree will be set up on Saturday, December 8, 2012 at 9 a.m. Please join us as we decorate the church for Christmas - all help is much appreciated! BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR JESUS Our Birthday Party for Jesus will be held Sunday, December 9, 2012 during the worship service. Our gifts make it possible for the 365-plus residents of Pleasant Acres to receive a Christmas package. Your helping hand touches neighbors, family and friends who now call Pleasant Acres "home". Adult gifts will be delivered to Pleasant Acres. Children's gifts will be delivered to the Salvation Army. They need games, toys, games, etc. Please label each gift as to man, woman, boy, or girl and the clothing size. Gifts may be wrapped. The children will again gather the gifts and place them under the tree. Christmas Gift List 2012 Men - Pants(washable)-cotton blends or sweats-elastic waist or fitted - size 34-54; Casual shirtcotton blends-sizes S-XXXL; Fleece sweat suits-sizes S-XXXL; Cardigan sweaters-acrylic or fleece - size S-XXXL; Underwear and t-shirt - all sizes Women - House Dresses-open front - size S-XXXL; Cardigan Sweaters-acrylic or fleece - size S- XXXL; Fleece sweat suits-size S-XXXL; Sleeveless undershirts - size S-XXXL; Underwear-cotton blends or nylon - all sizes; Hair notions-ponytail bands, brushes & barrettes General - Watches with large numbers; Boxed jewelry sets/necklaces(over the head); Cosmetics/nail polish/small mirrors; tissues(boxes only); Postage stamps; Batteries(AA, AAA, C & D); Quarters for vending machines; Art Supplies-colored pencils, crayons, etc.; Inexpensive Universal Remote Controls for TV; Craft supplies-scrapbook supplies, yarn, craft paint & brushes, artificial flowers, fabric; Word search books(large print); Large print books/magnifying glass; Small coin purses/wallets; Comforters/bedspreads(twin size); Throw blankets; Large piece puzzles(100 pc); Board games Children - Alphabet train, blocks, musical toys, preschool games, dolls, shopping cart/play food, playdoh, Easy bake oven, Barbies, board games, roller skates, scooters, jewelry, Weeble toys, Elmo, cars, trucks, Lincoln logs, Thomas & Friends, Construction sets, transformers, CD player, Leap Frog learning toys/games, MP3 player Christian Life & Outreach Committee 5

6 CHRISTMAS FOR OUR SHUT-INS Your visits with our shut-ins is so important. Remember they were very active members. When you deliver their Christmas treats, take a little time, they truly enjoy every minute of your companionship. Packing Cookies and deliver date is Tuesday, December 11th at 9:00 a.m. in Room #1. If you can help, I'll see you in Room #1. Please bring donated cookies to church to the Christmas Dinner, or by Sunday, December 9th to Room #1. Thank you!! Patty Watson - (717) RECYCLED TEENAGERS Recycled Teenagers will be meeting on Monday, December 17th at 9 a.m. at Dover Valley Restaurant for breakfast. If you have any questions, please contact Gwen Lehr. ADVENT KNIT TREE The Advent Knit Tree will be available starting the 1st Sunday in Advent, December 2nd until the 4th Sunday, December 23rd. It can be decorated with new knit items, such as gloves/mittens, caps and scarves. The items will be delivered to The Bell Family Center prior to Christmas Day for holiday distribution to their clients. UPCOMING CONGREGATIONAL MEETINGS December 9, Approve the budget, Nomination of Council Representatives December 16, Election of Council persons (if needed) January 27, ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING - Approve Annual Report PLEASE SIGN UP!!! SPONSOR SHEETS ARE POSTED The sign-up sheets for sponsors for the Courier, Bulletins, and Sanctuary Candle for 2013 have been posted on the bulletin board. The cost for each are as follows: Sanctuary Candle - $10.00/month, Courier - $12.00/issue, Bulletins - $20.00/week. Articles and information for the Courier are due by the 15th of each month. Please place articles in the "newsletter" box in the office. Thank you. Tip: Detach this page and place on your refrigerator as a reminder of upcoming events! Poinsettias for Christmas Christmas is a very spiritual time of the year, the birth of Jesus. To order your Christmas poinsettia, please complete and return this form to Patty Watson by Sunday, November 20, The cost is the same as last year, $8.75 per plant. Our florist would appreciate early orders so he can reserve our poinsettias. The donor may pick up the plant or arrange for someone to pick it up after the Christmas Day service, or you may request that your plant be delivered to a shut-in. Due to the day Christmas falls on, a Sunday this year, poinsettias should not be picked up until after the Sunday church service. If you have any questions please contact Patty Watson. Check your choice: G Will pick up plant G Deliver to shut-in Attached is $ for red poinsettia plant(s). In memory or honor:of by 6

7 OCTOBER 20th YARD SALE RESULTS Total net proceeds from the Annual Yard Sale were $1,607. The "Youth Bake Sale" produced $54 which was deposited in the Youth Fund. "Kitchen Food Sales" netted $477, a significant part of our success within the total. Net deposits of $777 were made to both the Food Pantry and the newly established Organ Fund. A Big Thank You to Arlene (and Bob) Niedzielski, and Carol Bobb for all the organization, plus the many volunteers that yielded another successful sale. It is hard to acknowledge the cooperative effort of all who contributed time, food, goods, etc. ----but-----thank YOU!! Finance Committee (LRM) GENERAL FUND DEFICIT The General Fund Deficit at the end of October rose to $3,147. This compares to equivalent October deficits the last two years as follows: $2,691 and $6,511. The Finance Committee is requesting that the "Christmas Envelope" be used for extra or catch-up giving this year, so we can hopefully erase the deficit by year end. A plain envelope can of course always be used, but include your name or envelope number to receive credit by the financial secretary. Finance Committee (LRM) PROJECTS PERFORMED THROUGH DESIGNATED FUNDING A list of the Projects that have been performed over the years through Designated Funding can be found on the table by the church entrance for your viewing. Feel free to take a copy with you. The list should be quite interesting and very informative in relation to church history and maintenance. These projects represent a lot of accomplishment in relation to keeping our church facilities in good condition. Note that the last "organ project" was done in An Organ Fund was just recently established to pay for relatively small corrections/upgrading of electrical controls to a solid state switching and relay system, plus the reinstallation of pipes, tuning, etc. in the organ chamber off the altar. The total cost anticipated is $9,989 and of course will be an addition to the list. We have a right to take pride in all these accomplishments, but we must meet ongoing day-to-day operating expenses of the church. General Fund giving (left side of our offering envelopes) must not be sacrificed for other special giving. This financial stewardship must be maintained to keep the church functioning in a way we will derive. 7

8 ---Larry Metzger, Finance Committee MEANING OF "TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS" From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember. The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ. Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments. Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love. The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John. The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament. The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation. Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit - Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy. The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes. Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit -- Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control. The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments. The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples. The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed. So there is your history for today and now we know how this song became a Christmas carol. 8

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11 ~ December 2012 ~ Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 FOOD PANTRY - 10 A.M. 2 1st Sunday in Advent HOLY COMMUNION WORSHIP - 9:15A.M. SUNDAY SCHOOL - 10:30 A.M. 3 SCOUTS - 7 P.M. COUNCIL - 7 P.M Christmas Tree Set-up - 9 a.m. 9 2nd Sunday in Advent WORSHIP - 9:15A.M. SUNDAY SCHOOL - 10:30 A.M. BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR JESUS Congregational Meeting Annual Budget and nominate Council persons 16 3rd Sunday in Advent BLUE CHRISTMAS SERVICE WORSHIP - 9:15A.M. SUNDAY SCHOOL - 10:30 A.M. Congregational Meeting - election of council persons 23 4th Sunday in Advent WORSHIP - 9:15A.M. SUNDAY SCHOOL - 10:30 A.M. 10 SCOUTS - 7 P.M. 17 SCOUTS - 7 P.M. 24 CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE With Communion - 7 p.m COURIER ARTICLES DUE PACK FOOD BOXES - 7 P.M. 6 p.m FOOD PANTRY - 10 A.M WORSHIP - 9:15A.M. SUNDAY SCHOOL - 10:30 A.M. 31 Notes: January 27, Annual Congregational Meeting to present Annual Report 11

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13 ST. JACOBS LUTHERAN CHURCH P.O. Box 216 York New Salem, PA Return Service Requested Worship Schedule Come Join us for Worship Sunday Worship Sunday School 9:15 a.m. 10:30 a.m. 13