MARCH 2014 VOLUME 40, NO. 3

Transcription

1 MARCH 2014 VOLUME 40, NO. 3 1

2 INSIDE THIS ISSUE Our Pastors Thoughts Communion Schedule...2 Team Schedule...5 Team News Lenten Schedule...9 Youth Events...11 With Appreciation...12 This and That Spiritual Gift Spotlight World Day of Prayer March 7, 2014 MARCH COMMUNION SCHEDULE Saturdays 4:00 PM & 6:00 PM March 1 6:00 PM March 8, 15, 22, 29 Sundays 8:00 AM, 10:45 AM & 4:00 PM March 2 8:00 AM & 10:45 AM March 9, 16, 23, 30 Wednesdays 6:30 AM March 12, 19, 26 7:30 PM March 5 2

3 OUR SENIOR PASTOR S THOUGHTS A Lenten Challenge ~Pastor Michael Seifried One of my strongest experiences during Lent is to continue to discover (or re-discover) who is really the Lord of the church. (It is Christ, not any of us.) I believe this discovery influences us to work more and more for what Christ wants the church to be. This is a challenge for two reasons. First, we never totally get right what Christ wants for the church. Second, when we look at what Christ wants, it often can be a challenge for us to go beyond our wishes to hear Christ s call to us. Here is an idea for the season of Lent (beginning on March 5 th with Ash Wednesday): 1. Think of what God is calling you to do in your life and how that reflects the message of the love of Christ for all. 2. Let s all pray and discern where we believe God is leading us and calling us to be as a church. Let Lent be the time to center our thoughts and lives on Christ and then let s see where God will lead us after that. Pastor Seifried Let Lent be the time to center our thoughts and lives on Christ. I would like to thank everyone for your expressions of care and concern during my recent TIA episode. It is wonderful to have a loving church family at such times. Pastor Mike 3

4 Dust - by Pastor Sarah Wednesday service. A reminder that even these beautiful little ones are so fragile and mortal, just like the rest of us. Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return. Those are the words that we will hear as ashes are placed upon our foreheads on Ash Wednesday. The sign of the cross is made, and we are reminded that we are no more than the dust that gets wiped away after we are done. We are mortal, fragile and certainly breakable. We are what we are made of. I don t know about you, but I don t really like to dwell on this all that much. It s not a happy thought, it s a reminder of our mortality and it s something that tends to bring back memories of those who have died. It s not something that I like to think about, and I m not sure that any of us really like to think about our own mortality. I find it hard to think about this especially when I m placing the cross of ashes on the heads of our daycare students at their Ash But it is good to be reminded once in a while that we aren t going to live forever. We aren t going to be a part of what we see now forever. It is good to be reminded that we have been created from the dust created by a God who loves us, breathed life into us and gives us the gifts to serve and walks with us. What an amazing reminder that is, simply by hearing the words, Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return. We need to know that God has given us each breath that we breathe, no matter how many that is. We will return to the dust, but our time now is what is important. How we serve and How we praise and love God serve and and others is what is praise and important. To walk together, through love God Lent and through and others life, knowing that we is what is are God s child and God s creation. And important. if that means that I m a little dusty, then so be it. 4

5 MARCH 2014 March Team Meetings Tuesday, March 4 6:30 PM Church Council Meeting Library Monday, March 10 6:30 PM Outreach and Nurture Conference Room 7:00 PM Youth Ministry Team Youth Lounge Monday, March 24 6:30 PM Coordinators Meeting Library Sunday, March 30 3:00 PM Evangelism Task Force Parlor NEWS FROM OUR TEAMS ADMINISTRATION TEAMS DECEMBER Financial Manager's Report Beginning Ending Income Disbursements Balance Balance CURRENT 7, *97, , $64, Benevolence $0.00 BENEVOLENCE World Hunger $0.00 BUILDING 33, , , $27, MEMORIAL 29, $30, TOTALS 70, , $122, * $30,000 of Income is from the Trustee Distribution FINANCE JANUARY Financial Manager's Report Beginning Ending Income Disbursements Balance Balance CURRENT 64, , , , Benevolence , , $0.00 BENEVOLENCE World Hunger , , $0.00 BUILDING 27, , , , MEMORIAL 30, , TOTALS 122, , , ,

6 Sharing Our Gifts-Monthly Property Steward STEWARDSHIP We are thankful for those members who help take care of church property concerns and have for many years. We have many volunteers (some as young as kindergarten-teenager) who come out and help us on Property Work Days. We also have people tackle bigger projects (for example, painting, building the frame work for the new organ, and constructing a divider for one of our education building classrooms.) Yet, there seems to be a never-ending need to keep up with our repairs. Therefore, one group we are now starting is a Monthly Property Steward. This person will do a property maintenance task or two for one month a year. Here is what has happened so far: John S was the steward for December and raked leaves we did not get on Property Work Day. Dave K was the Property Steward in January and replaced stained ceiling tiles. Bob F was the Property Steward in February and replaced supply lines and float valves in some of our education building toilets. Gareth P is the Property Steward in March but he has already done some snow shoveling. The plan is the property steward will give 2-3 hours a month to help us keep the building in good repair. If this sounds like something you might be interested in, please let us know by filling out the information below. I am interested in learning more about being a property steward. Name: Phone Number: Or call Pastor Seifried at or him at pastors@stjohns1787.org 6

7 MARCH 2014 THRIVENT CHOICE DOLLARS MISSING!! Eligible THRIVENT Members THRIVENT St. John s has 135 Thrivent members, of which 48 eligible members can direct Thrivent Choice Dollars. As of December 31, 2013, of these eligible members, 26 have directed $ 6, dollars to St. John s. If you are a Thrivent member and don t know if you are one of the other 22 eligible members for distribution of Thrivent Choice Dollars, PLEASE contact the church office at Your participation could provide an additional $ directed to St. John s. Directing 2013 Choice Dollars must be accomplished by MARCH 31, 2014 by either internet ( or by calling Thrivent ( ). Thank you to those who have directed Choice Dollars to St. John s. SPRING PROPERTY WORKDAY Saturday, March 29 th at 8:00 AM Bring yourself (and any friends and family members) for breakfast on Saturday, March 29 th at 8:00 AM. At 8:30 AM and concluding by 12 Noon, we ll have our Annual Spring Property Work Day. Tasks include yard clean-up and repair from the winter, painting, building clean up and window washing, florescent tube replacement, tan barking, etc. We want the building to look great for Easter! If you can come, use the form below, call the church at , or us at church@stjohns1787.org. is coming to the Work Day. (Name) Put me (us) down for the breakfast, too! PROPERTY 7

8 St. Johns Has a New App! Check it out!! Receive church notifications Link to our church calendar Daily Devotions Prayer Wall Links to bulletins, announcements, and Good News Sermons in audio The app is for both apple and android and can be found at the following locations: TECHNOLOGY Apple: Apple Shortlink: Google Shortlink: HTML5 Site URL: Everyone can serve Look for opportunities to serve; don t wait to be asked! Remember: You can serve without being a part of an official ministry. We all can: extend the word of welcome, whether or not we are official greeters; be listening, caring friends, whether or not we are official lay counselors; be ready to give reason for the hope that is in us, whether or not we are on the evangelism team; be enthusiastic participants and ready to give a hand, whether or not we are on the planning or cleanup teams. Worship and Music Team Bishop James Dunlop Visits Sunday, March 16, 2014 Bishop Dunlop will be our guest on Sunday, March 16. He will preach at both Sunday worship services and be a presenter during our Sunday School hour. We look forward to this time together and invite all members and their friends to join us. A reception will follow the 10:45 AM worship service. 8

9 MARCH 2014 Lenten Programs at St. John s Worship and Music Team We begin our Lenten Journey with our Ash Wednesday Service on March 5 th at 7:30 PM in the church. (There is also the Church and Children s Garden Service for young children and their families at 2:30 PM) St. John s offers two different Wednesday Lenten Programs: Morning Lenten Worship-Brief (approximately 15 minutes) Services of Word and Sacrament in the Church Parlor 6:30 AM every Wednesday in Lent Soup Suppers (beginning at 6:45 PM) Evening Lenten Devotional Services (approximately 30 minutes) The beautiful service of Holden Evening Prayer in the Sanctuary 7:30 PM every Wednesday in Lent Our Theme is Faithful Witnesses March 12 Amos: Prophet of Justice and Righteousness Amos 5:21-25, 7: March 19 Jeremiah: The Prophet Who Struggled Jeremiah 1: 4-10, 31: March 26 Jesus: The One who Taught Us to Live for Others Mark 10: 35-45, Luke 22: April 2 Peter: Understanding God s Learning Curve Acts 2: 37-44; 10: 34-37, April 9 Paul: A Lesson about Serving Christ 2 Corinthians 11: 21b-31; Phil 4: April 16 Mary Magdalene: The Faithful Disciple Matthew 27: 57-61; John 20: Blood Drive Sunday March 9, 2014 St. John s will hold its first of two blood drives this year on Sunday March 9, 2014 in the Education Building from 8:30-12:30. Please mark your calendars. Keep our Blood Donor program strong. St. John s account number is #378. Service Teams 9

10 The Social Ministry Committee delivers our donations on a weekly basis to New Hope Ministries in Mechanicsburg and the Ecumenical Food Pantry in Harrisburg. The items listed below are the ones they are most in need at this time. Please place your items in the bins located in the Coat Closet in the Narthex. Thank you for your donation! Food: Canned vegetables Canned meat Peanut butter Canned fruit Canned pasta Non-food items: Laundry soap Toilet paper Toothpaste Shampoo Sunday School Class Offerings For Adults No Experience Necessary At 9:15 we gather in the Education Building Library for a study of Luke with No Experience Necessary. Here is our schedule for March: March 2 John 11- I Am the Resurrection and the Life March 9 John 12- Jerusalem and the End of Jesus Public Ministry March 16 John 13- Events at the Passover Meal March 23 John 14- The Way, the Truth and the Life and the Holy Spirit March 30 John 15- An Image of the Church-the Vine and Branches You are always welcome. Grab a cup of coffee and join us! Learning Teams Adult Sunday School Class Nearly 500 years old the Augsburg Confession is one of the most important documents of the Lutheran Reformation and it still serves as the primary confession of faith for Lutherans. During this Lenten season the Adult Sunday School class will be taking a closer look at the Augsburg Confession, the history surrounding it, its articles, and its continued relevance. Feel free to join any or all of these sessions. 10 Are you in your 20 s or 30 s? Join our 20/30 Somethings on Sunday mornings at 9:15 AM in the church parlor. For more information contact the church office at

11 MARCH 2014 EVENTS... THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR Souper Bowl of Caring! Thanks to your support to love our neighbors by dropping a dollar in our soup pot we were able to raise $ All money was given to Project Share in Carlisle. The Youth Group attended the Ice Cream Social in February. March Calendar: 1 st /2 nd Winter Retreat till 2 pm Sunday Camp Nawakwa 9 th Youth Gathering 4pm to 7:30pm Youth Lounge 16 th Jr. LYO Gathering 4pm to 6:30pm Youth Lounge 22 nd Project Share Service 8:15am to 12pm Project Share 30 th Pasta Dinner 4pm to 7pm Fellowship Hall Mission Trip When: July 13th to 19th Where: New Jersey Shoreline Cost: $360 (Max) Deposit of $100 is ASAP for a guaranteed spot (registration will close April 1st) Anyone interested in Advising please let Michael Knill know. 11

12 Church Friends, Thank you so much for the cards and beautiful altar flowers I received after my eye surgery. They certainly brightened my days. Thanks also to Pastor Seifried for his visit prior to surgery. Elaine B St. Johns, Many thanks for the beautiful poinsettia it adorns my living room window, still lovely as always! My gracious thoughts to the Gardners who helped when I needed help with many problems and unknown means and ways. Love and prayers, Betty P Dear Friends of Saint Johns, Thank you for the lovely poinsettia and altar flowers and many thanks for all the beautiful 95th birthday cards. It was wonderful and I was really thrilled to know I had so many thoughtful friends that remembered me. Sincerely yours, Mary M. This acknowledges receipt of your contribution of $45.00 to Carlisle Truck Stop Ministry, Inc. Thank you for your generous support of this vital ministry which continues to touch lives for Christ. Blessings to you, Chaplain Dan Lehigh 12 To My Church Family, Thank you to Pastor Mike and Pastor Sarah for all your prayers, communion, and visits to my mother, Ruby Stuppy, in the hospital and to her home at Messiah over the last 5 years. She loved her St. John s family and she was so blessed by your prayers, cards and friendships. Thank you all for your prayers and cards to me and my family at this difficult time. We truly felt your love and blessings. Joan and Paul V Dear friends of the Navajo Lutheran Mission School: Thank you for your recent donation of your Campbell s UPC codes. We have just been informed that because of your efforts as of the 1st of the new year the Mission has accumulated a credit of over 2 million UPCs which will enable it to buy another van. Many of the roads on the reservation are hard on the vehicles so the school needs new ones on a regular basis. Thanks for your efforts. Pastor Edward Busch, for The Navajo Lutheran Mission

13 Thanks to Pastor Mike for his visits during my hospital stay. Also, the beautiful flowers from church, friends, and family and all the get well wishes and prayers. They are all greatly appreciated. I would add that Pastor Seifried has been with each and everyone of us in sickness and health. He has led us, supported and prayed for us. Now it is time to support him with prayers in his need. My thoughts and prayers are with you always, Pastor Mike, You are one of a kind. God Bless. Blanche K MARCH 2014 Dear Friends of the Food Pantry, On behalf of the Ecumenical Food Pantry, and those who benefit by your generosity, I would like to thank you for the generous contribution we recently received. You contributed $ in December Through our pantry we have been able to provide the sustenance needed by so many. Jacqueline Young Ecumenical Food Pantry THIS AND THAT NEWS TO KNOW COFFEE FOR SIX... continues its monthly get together on Tuesday, March 11, at 7:00 PM. We meet at Juice and Java, Windsor Park Shopping Center in Mechanicsburg. Come out to socialize and have a cup of coffee, juice, etc. and a relaxing evening. All members are welcome to attend this monthly get together sponsored by our O u t r e a c h a n d N u r t u r e Committee. S.A.G.E. MARCH EVENT The S.A.G.E. members are dining at Lower Allen Diner on March 19 at 1:00 PM For more information, please call the church office at from page 2 of the Good News. Did you solve the puzzle? Did you know what it meant? We begin the Lenten Season on Ash Wednesday and take our Lenten Journey for 40 days ending on Easter Sunday. This is a time of penance, fasting, and prayer. Sundays are not included in the 40 day count, because all Sundays are considered a day to celebrate Christ s resurrection. GOOD NEWS: The deadline for the April GOOD NEWS is Monday, March 10. If you have any information to be included in this issue, please have it in the Church Office by that date. 13

14 Continuing our Spiritual Gift Spotlight Series Th_ gift of M_r]y This gift equips one to respond lovingly and compassionately to those who are suffering or have struggled with sin or the conditions of life. An example of leading through mercy would be feeding a homeless person (Mt. 25:35). Characteristics of Those Who Have This Gift: Sensitive, caring and compassionate Understanding of those who fall into sin, seeking to protect & lift them up Able to cheerfully minister to sick, homeless, handicapped Careful not to be judgmental Regularly enjoy doing small acts of kindness Application Application for World/Workplace/Neighborhood Settings Look for co-workers who are stressed out of facing life and work challenges and seek to encourage them Be on the lookout for people in the neighborhood, children s friends parents, etc. who are facing these challenges and be proactive in ministering to them Application for Church Ministry Serve in food pantry, homeless, orphans, recovery, and hospital/sick type of ministries Seek to comfort and lift up those who are going through divorce, bereavement, depression, anxiety, worry, job loss Application for Family Watch for stresses in your spouse s life and when they come, offer to do something that will lighten their load Explain to your children why people who fail should be given a second chance St. Barnabas Center nurtures the spiritual, educational, and social development of the children and youth of Uptown Harrisburg. Linda serves on their Board of Directors. 14 Diane leads a program in the spring called Baskets of Love. This is a collection for persons leaving the prison system and starting a new life.

15 MARCH 2014 Th_ gift of Musi] This gift equips one to respond joyfully to life s trials and tributes through the use of singing or playing an instrument. An example is the psalmist calling for God s people to use trumpets, harps, lyres, tambourines, stringed instruments, flutes, and cymbals to praise the Lord (Psalm 150) Characteristics of Those Who Have This Gift: Inspires others to experience the presence of God in their lives through the playing of musical instruments or through singing Application Application for World/Workplace/Neighborhood Settings Use music to bring people together, to express emotion and to find a common focus Instrumental musicians may play at the everyday celebrations or in a variety of settings to bring joy to others. Application for Church Ministry Use music in worship Enhance fellowship activities with vocal or instrumental selections Join a choir Perform a solo during a prelude, offertory, or postlude. Application for Family Go Christmas Caroling at a nursing home Sing to your children and help them lift up their voices in song Stephanie sings in our choir and often performs solos. She shares her gift of music with her son who is in the Sonshine Choir. We are blessed to have a Minister of Music who enjoys working with all ages and all musicians. Tom Notestine shares his gift of music by highlighting the musical gifts of others in our congregation. 15

16 Worship Schedule and Hours Saturday Evening Service 1st Sat of the month 4 PM Contemporary Worship Service Saturday 6 PM Sunday Quiet Communion 1st Sun of the month 4 PM Sunday Church Services 8 & 10:45 AM Sunday Church School 9:15 AM Senior Pastor The Rev. Michael Seifried Associate Pastor The Rev. Sarah Keilholtz Office Hours: Monday Friday 7:30 AM 12 Noon 1:00 PM 4:30 PM Office Phone (717) Office Fax (717) church@stjohns1787.org Website: News and Notes: sjnewsandnotes.wordpress.com Facebook: St Johns Lutheran Church 1787 Our mission, as members of St. John's Lutheran Church, is to worship God; learn Christ's way, truth and life for all ages; serve others; and witness to the Risen Christ. 16