The Transformer. June Friedens (Peace) Lutheran Church, 301 W. Washington Ave., Myerstown, PA

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1 June Friedens (Peace) Lutheran Church, 301 W. Washington Ave., Myerstown, PA Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:9-11) You won t find the word stewardship in the Bible. You will find the word steward. A steward, in the Bible, is someone who manages the stuff that belongs to someone else. So stewardship is a lifestyle of management that comes from the heart. Peter begins with the word hospitality and encourages us to use our gifts (because everything we have is a gift from God) in such a way that we are faithful stewards of God s grace by serving others. So often we mis-read the word stewardship as $teward$hip, and fear fills our hearts and minds. But the word means so much more than just money. Stewardship ought to lead us to see ourselves as servants so that in all things we give thanks and praise to God through Jesus Christ. Using our gifts to the glory of God both in the church and outside the church, calls for a new view of ourselves and all of our possessions. Stewardship is a lifestyle that begins and grows in the heart. So let s set the record straight when it comes to the stewardship of our money. Money tends to have a certain power over us that prevents us for truly living as stewards and servants of God s grace. I offer you this list of ten guidelines for our life together as financial stewards at Friedens Lutheran Church. This list is intended to generate a healthy conversation about the role of money in our lives. Please feel free to me with your comments and questions at robmiller@flcmyerstown.com. I look forward to our ongoing conversations, as we give prayerful thought to the following: 1. Our standard of living should not determine our standard of giving; instead our standard of giving should determine our standard of living. 2. The New Testament model of stewardship of money is based not on what you give but on what you keep. 3. Life is meant to be given away; horde it and you wither and die; pass it on and you blossom and flourish. 4. It s not how much you give; it s how much you have left after giving. 1 This list comes from a weblog by Bill Easum I ve edited it for our purpose and discussion.

2 Page 2 5. If giving isn t giving you joy and bringing your fulfillment, don t give. 6. God doesn t need our money but we need to honor God s claim on everything we are and have including our money. 7. We re not fully devoted followers of Jesus until we learn to master our money otherwise it will continue to master us. 8. Show me your checkbook and I ll show you who you are and what (or who) you worship. 9. You re not giving to the church; you re giving to God s mission in the world. 10. Owe no more than you absolutely have to. I am convinced that we can t go wrong if we apply these financial stewardship guidelines to our lives. At the same time, I am convinced that God will bless us even more as we strive to live faithful lives as stewards and servants of God s grace. Peace, Pastor Miller SHUT-IN BIRTHDAYS June 16 Mr. Charles Kieffer Hearthstone Manor 1125 Birch Road, Room 104 Lebanon, PA June 25 Mrs. Margaret Fessler Spng Crest 945 Duke Street Lebanon, PA June 28 Mrs. Rhoda Lesher 208 Church Street Richland, PA On Sunday, June 5, food will be collected for the Lebanon County Food Bank. All gifts are welcomed. There is a need for instant mashed potatoes, canned potatoes, cold cereal, 18 oz. jams & jellies, 5 oz. canned chicken, 12 oz. Spam, toothpaste, toothbrushes and toiletries. STUDENT LOAN APPLICATIONS College students and students attending other qualified institutions may pick up loan applications at the church office. Applications must be returned by June 15.

3 Page 3 JUNE 2011 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat PM Mission Team 5 9 AM Contemporary 10:30 AM Traditional 6 7 6:30 PM VBS Work Nights 8 9 AM Women Sew 9 6:30 PM VBS Work Nights AM Contemporary 10:30 AM Traditional Mission Team Trip (12-19) 13 6 PM Women of ELCA 14 7 PM Property Teanm :45 PM Church Council AM Contemporary 10:30 AM Traditional 20 Deadline for Transformer articles AM Women Sew AM Contemporary 10:30 AM Traditional PM Anniversary Committee

4 Page 4 Message on the death of Osama bin Laden Sisters and brothers in Christ, The death of Osama bin Laden is an occasion for solemn remembrance. We remember the lives of all whose deaths resulted from his choosing hatred and violence. We stand with those who continue to mourn the death of loved ones while giving thanks for their lives, their love and their faith. We also continue to hold in prayer all whose service in the military, in government and in humanitarian and peacemaking activities contribute to a safer and more prosperous world. At the same time we also recall who we are: people baptized into Christ, freed to serve our neighbors. We are people called as Christ's ambassadors of reconciliation with our neighbors, serving God's work of restoring community. We engage our neighbors of other faiths, including our Muslim neighbors near and far, in respectful, searching dialogue and shared commitment to build a world that reflects God's will for peace with justice. We pray for our neighbors, even those who are our enemies. Most of all, in these 50 days of celebrating Christ's resurrection, joy finds its fullest and deepest expression not over a human death but in God's promise to unite all things in heaven and on earth, to reconcile the human family and to bring God's reign of peace. Confident in what God has promised, we witness our resolve against any act of violence in the name of religion and our renewed commitment of service to the neighbors and world God so deeply loves. In God's grace, The Rev. Mark S. Hanson Presiding Bishop Evangelical Lutheran Church in America June 19

5 Page 5 DIRECTOR OF DISCIPLESHIP Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 While having a sleepover with my granddaughter, Angeline, last weekend I was quickly reminded how children want things now! But I want go to the playground now! But I want a snack now. Are we there yet?? In contrast, as we get older we learn to wait. My daughter, Nicole, is pursuing a medical career in college and now has to wait for clinicals to begin. I spoke to a parent the other day who is waiting for their prodigal child to return to them. Did you ever notice how we wait for what is worth waiting for and in the process we learn patience? God, who is timeless, requires us to have a mature faith that may involve delays that for us.can seem like trials. Patience is one sign of that maturity, a quality that can only develop through the passing of time. So far this has been a year filled with trials, some good and some not so good, but through them I am developing and growing and realizing that with each trial comes an opportunity to walk with the Lord, the bible is filled with stories about waiting. (Gen ) Jacob waited 7 years for a wife and then worked 7 more after being tricked by her father. How about the Israelites who waited 4 centuries for deliverance; Moses waited 4 centuries to lead them into a promised land that he would not enter. (talk about patience) (Exodus Joshua) As we continue to grow and move forward at Friedens Lutheran Church I pray for patience to endure times of trials, I pray for hope, hope for a future not completely revealed yet, and lastly I continue to pray for patience. I m continually reminded that God seldom does great things in a hurry. Christ s Peace Valerie Summer Semester LIFE Groups; June -5 th August 13 th Joanne Maurer (General Group) Open to all Wednesday evenings 7pm- 8:30pm Location: Home- 3 Springhouse Dr. Myerstown Our study will be: Gospel in Life by; Tim Keller In a video- based study of the gospel and how to live it out in everyday life. Our group will study the city, our home now and the world, that is. This study closes with the theme of the eternal city, our heavenly home the world that is to come. In between, you ll learn how the gospel changes our hearts, our community, and how we live in this world. Gospel in Life is an invitation to all who seek to live the message of Jesus right here and right now in our hearts, in our homes, and in the community around us. Child care not provided for this group Valerie Hauck (General Group) Open to all Tuesday evenings 7pm- 8:30pm Location: Church Parlor - Our study will be: Growing in Christ Together Our world these days is so hectic, so complex. Where do we turn for wisdom and guidance in navigating the ins and outs of life? There are many voices to listen to and many examples to follow, but we really need look no further than the Author of Life, Jesus. He taught and lived a way of life that was purposeful and pleasing to God. This book study will show you the value and the nature of a life of discipleship, as modeled by Jesus.

6 Page 6 PandaMania News June 19th- 23rd 6-8 PM Ages 3-5th Grade Our School theme this year is "PandaMania...Where God Is Wild About YOU!" Get ready for an exciting week set in a lush bamboo forest where kids and adults will discover God's presence, power and love. Registration Continues You can register your child online using the following website: friedens You can also fill out a registration form in the fellowship hall or call the church office Please feel free to invite a friend, neighbor or grandchild to join in the fun. Please register by June 12th so we can plan accordingly for materials. VBS Team Members There is always room on our team for you. If you are interested in serving as part of this exciting ministry and sharing your gifts with others, please speak to Amber Miller or amiller70@comcast.net You do not need to be available all 5 nights... we are flexible and would love to have you join us for 1, 2 or more nights. Decorate the Forest This year's bamboo forest theme is a bit of a challenge. We are looking to borrow bamboo items, stuffed pandas, a gong, artificial plants/ greens, etc... (use your imagination) to help enhance the VBS experience. Please label your items so they can be returned to you after VBS and place them on the stage in the fellowship hall before June 12th. VBS Work Nights June 7th & 9th Although called "work nights" there is sure to be lots of fun too and yummy snacks! To prepare for VBS, there will be 2 work evenings in the church fellowship hall: June 7th and June 9th at 6:30 PM. We will be painting, constructing, decorating and organizing supplies. There are many little tasks and a few big ones that need to be accomplished. If you are able to join in the fun one or both nights please RSVP to Amber Miller amiller70@comcast.net or Boomer says: SEE YOU AT VBS!

7 Page 7 Dear Pastor Miller, I am writing to thank you for being so good to my family during the death of Verna Miller. My Dad thinks very highly of you and I m sure your presence and concern helped to ease his suffering. I worked oncology for many years. I ve seen a lot of death, young and old. I ve had many letters and gifts of gratitude, to me, I was just doing my job, I m sure you have felt the same. However, when you are on the other side so to speak, people like yourself are so important! I wish you the best of health and strength to continue touching people s lives in happy times and sad. Most sincerely, Rhonda Fisher Dear Friends and Family, We would like to thank you for all the cards and visits to our Mom and Grandma, Verna Miller, during her short but terminal illness. Thank you to Pastor Miller and Pastor Kehrli for helping us to find comfort in knowing our Mom has gone to her loving God and her suffering is over. May the peace of our Lord be in your hearts. The Family of Verna Miller MARK YOUR CALENDAR Senior Fest will be held on Thursday, July 21 at noon. OUR TITHES & OFFERINGS March 2011 % of Budget Current Budget Goal $29, Goal to Date $117, % $353, Rec d $26, Rec d to Date 98, Spang Crest Rec d Rec d to Date Hunger Rec d Rec d to Date 1,538.00

8 Page 8 Friedens (Peace) Lutheran Church Congregational Council Meeting May 19, 2011 Council President, Bob Hauck, called the meeting to order at 6:47 PM. Present: Frank Armstrong, Jeff Gumpert, Bob Hauck (President), Bruce Kauffman, Dottie Kemble, Elaine Lasch (Treasurer), Joanne Maurer (Secretary), Pastor Miller. Excused: Jody Appleby, Greg. Gardner (Vice-President), Denise Noll. Bob Hauck opened the meeting with a devotional called "The Comfortable Church" and scripture from Matthew 28: Discussion followed. Pastor Miller offered the opening prayer. 1. Minutes: Bruce Kauffman motioned to accept April 28, 2011 minutes. Jeff Gumbert seconded. Motion carried. 2. Reports: A. Financial Secretary's report. Frank Armstrong motioned to accept financial reports. Dottie Kemble seconded. Motion carried. B. Treasurer's report: Bruce Kauffman motioned to accept the reports. Jeff Gumbert seconded. Motion carried. C. Property report: Frank Armstrong motion to accept property report. Jeff Gumbert seconded. Motion carried. D. Bruce Kauffman motioned that we pass the motion recommended from finance to spent up to $8,000 to fix the doors, with the encouragement that the Property Committee acquire two more bids on fixing the doors. Dottie Kemble seconded. Motion carried. E. Pastor Miller motioned to accept recommendation from the finance committee to take $1000 for El Salvador from the Zartman Fund. Bruce Kauffman seconded. Motion carried. 3. Joanne Maurer communicated: A. Thank You from Janet Moyer for the flowers for Secretary's Day. B. Thank you from Global Mission for providing financial support for David and Mary Kuck, serving in Jamaica. C. Thank you from Brownie Troop #70663, for use of Friedens Church building. Pastor Miller communicated: A. A wooden unit is being built to secure the sound system in the back of the sanctuary. We will be trying some other arrangement up front at the Contemporary service. B. Pastor is reading the book "Sticky Teams." It has been helpful in understanding the importance of team leadership needed to take the congregation to the next level. 4. Open forum: Discussion occurred. 5. Bob Hauck closing with readings from 1 Corinthians 9: 6-8 and "Becoming a Generous Giver." Closed with the Lords Prayer. 6. Meeting adjourned at 9:29 PM Respectfully submitted by Joanne Maurer, Congregational Council Secretary