9:30AM - Sunday School 9:40AM - Adult Sunday School

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1 St. John s evangelical Lutheran Church, 910 Allentown Road, Sellersville, PA Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 8:30 AM 12 PM Office Phone: stjohnsridgevalley@verizon.net Web: Worship Schedule: 8:30AM Traditional Service 10:15AM Praise Service 9:30AM - Sunday School 9:40AM - Adult Sunday School St. John s Council Members: Don Graham Council President Phyllis Kogel Council Vice President Emily fefebruary Dixon Financial Secretary Barb Klinger Treasurer Cornell Hopkins Council/Council Secretary Nancy Esposito Doug Kemp Shirley Nase Chris Wall The Reverend Amy Hotter, Pastor (267) Ministers: The People of St. John s Mark Gottesfeld, Organist & Music Director Christine Nyce, Laurie Hopkins - Sextons ST. JOHN S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH 910 ALLENTOWN ROAD SELLERSVILLE PA Place label here

2 Dear Friends, As we approach Easter this year, the joy of the Resurrection and the light of the Risen Christ among us is a counterpoint to some disturbing darkness in our world. Some of us face serious illness, while others grieve. Some of us have family members at risk here in the U.S., and others around the world. All of us, at some level, are concerned about divisive issues disturbing the peace, and the stirring of distant winds of war. This is what we read, and hear, and tell -- but there more to see than the darkness hides. It must have seemed even darker to Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, as they watched the light of the life of Jesus dim when He was crucified. It must have been a dark night of their souls after they witnessed Joseph of Arimathea closing Jesus tomb. What was it that sent the women back to the tomb in the darkness before the first dawn of the week? The light of hope that was far stronger than their understandable fear. Resurrection hope, then and today, is unshakable faith that the drama playing out in front of us is not the whole story. Throughout his ministry, Jesus called people s attention to God s work behind the scenes. God s faithfulness ensured that the combined powers and principalities of this world could not thwart God s desire to bring all of us new life in Christ. God s faithfulness follows us wherever we go. Our hope and confidence is to keep our eyes on the hidden Reign of God visible just behind whatever shadows the world casts on us. So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory. Colossians 3:1-4 Easter blessings to you, The Rev. Claire S. Burkat Bishop Scriptures for May 7 th Acts 2:42-47 Ps 23 1 Peter 2:19-25 John 10: th Acts 7:55-60 PS 31:1-5, Peter 2:2-10 John 14: st Acts 17:22-31 Ps 66: Peter 3:13-22 John 14: th Ascension of Our Lord Acts 1:1-11 PS 47 or PS 93 Eph 1:15-23 Luke 24: th Acts 1:6-14 Ps 68:1-10, Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 John 17:1-11

3 Brothers and Sisters of Christ, Today is April 27 th and finally we have moved into some warmer weather. Although the groundhog forecasted that winter would continue, it seemed as if Spring would never come. Yet, all of a sudden we wake up one day and realize that we have moved into a new season. In the past two and half months, we said good bye to eight of our loved ones. There has been many tears for those of us here and yet we celebrate those who are with Jesus. In the midst of grief, the Holy Spirit comes. It is God s promise to us. We may not feel His Spirit. We may not see His Spirit. We may not hear His Spirit. However, God is present. In the third petition of the Apostle s creed, we hear I believe in the Holy Spirit... Holy Christian church... communion of saints... forgiveness of sin... resurrection of the body... and life everlasting. So my question today, is How do we experience God s presence? In the book, Jesus, Continued... Why the Spirit inside you is better than Jesus beside you. J D Greear offers the following wisdom: In his understanding, he shares six ways of experiencing the Holy Spirit. He starts with God s Word. #1. As we read about this great love, images of Puritan Thomas Goodwin compared this experience to that of a toddler son when his father swoops him up into his arms, spins him around, and tells him, You are my son and I love you! #2. The Spirit works in us to shape us into being the kind of people God wants us to be, because then we will do the things God wants us to do. So often we feel moved to care and love others; it just comes over us. We get a nudge to pick up the phone and check on someone providing encouragement. #3. Through the church: The most common way the Spirit speaks in the book of Acts... is through the church. While worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, Set apart for me (two men- Barnabas and Saul) for the work to which I have called them. Often we hear the slogan God s plan our hands. Each of us has a part of fulfilling God s work. #4. Paul tells us each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. Here J D Greear gives us the awareness of our Spiritual gifts. Every person has them. If you are do something very well and enjoy it, that is a gift from God. For instance: compassion, organization, strength, caring, if you are very detailed person etc. Therefore, use your God given gifts for others. #5. Throughout Scripture we see that God guides his people in mission by putting special burdens into their spirits.... In our everyday words, we would say that we are called to be a teacher, or a nurse, or a bus driver... #6. Throughout Paul s life we see him interpret open and closed doors as evidence of the Spirit s leadership. Here he offers the story of Jonah and the Whale. Jonah got on a boat going the opposite direction that God wanted Jonah to go. Yet, God will redirect us to where he wants us to be!! Which type of experience God s presence do you relate to the best? Perhaps after reading the six ways of the Holy Spirit, you may feel God s power at work. May you feel the warmth and love throughout the day and season. In the Name of Jesus, Pastor Amy

4 Upcoming Events & Activities: May 20 Spaghetti dinner & Auction June 11 - Annual picnic (note the change) One Service Sunday 10:15 am July TBA - Blessing of the Animals July Bible school Aug, 19 Annual Carillon concert Sept 16 Progressive dinner Sept. 23 Harvest set-up Sept. 24 Harvest home Sunday Oct. 14 Bingo Oct. TBA 2nd annual flea market Dec. 3 - Hanging of greens Dec. 9 Christmas tree Dec. 10 Christmas caroling Dec. 17 Decorate the tree Dec (Sunday) Christmas Eve Dec (Monday) Christmas February 4, Annual Meeting Cottage Meetings coming soon in June... You will receive a Save the Date invitation. As the world turns - God has plans to move us forward! Please Pray for healing of our loved ones: Doris Clayton; Arlene Kulp; Jeff Markley; Cornell Hopkins; Ellen Croissette; Joe Esposito; Marvin Leister; Owen Spangenberg; Harriet Woehr. Friends of St. John's: Ruth Barnaby; Eddie Galgon; Mary King; Wyatt Rotenberger; Elizabeth Schmitt; Dorothy Troxel; Pastor Vanderslice; Bill Wilds. Please keep our homebound in your prayers: Francis Allem, Claude Barndt, Edna Barndt, Pauline Berndt, Lucille Caruso, Doris Clayton, Richard Croissette, Ed Geiger, James Gotthardt, Willis & Lorraine Heacock, Bob Kulp, Margie Kulp, Marvin Leister, Charles Marx, Mark Trauger, Elaine Turner, and Dean Souder. Prayers of our Military - Pvt. Cody Hotter Prayers for the family & friends of Neala Hopkins who went to her eternal rest in April. Support Our Youth! Our Annual Spaghetti Dinner: May 20 th Starts at 5:00pm to 6:30 followed by entertainment and Silent auction with Raffle ticket drawings. This is Fund raiser for the Mission Trip. Those who are considering the Mission trip are: Logan Kemp, Dalton Kemp, Anthony Martella, Dylan Berberich, Jonathan Traynor, Allison Gilton, and Allyson Gilton, Pastor Amy and John Hotter.

5 A memorial was received in loving memory of Dorothy Barndt from James & Susan Marx. Memorials were received in loving memory of Helen Brensinger from Michael & Deborah Scheetz from James & Susan Marx A memorial was received in loving memory of Ann Leister from Lucille P. Curcio Memorials were received in loving memory of Harold Benner from Jesse & Rona Britton from Frederick Appold from J. Ralph Alderfer from Knoll International from Frank Kemp A memorial was received in loving memory of Ruth Gombert from Richard & Phyllis Snyder Memorials were received in loving memory of Neala Hopkins from Richard & Phyllis Snyder from Nancy E. Kelly from Annette Potkovac from David & Janine Capece from Daghan & Amanda Tomris from Chris & Brenda Wall This Month s Sign: Jesus password to a better life

6 Silver Springs Martin Luther School Pie Day Meeting in April, 2017 Pie Day was once again a success with 123 desserts being transported back to the school for the evening meal for the children. My guess is that they will eat these desserts for several days. It is a special night for those at the school. The free will offering netted $ and we voted to use the money for robes for the Silver Springs Gospel Choir. This is a new program and the children make visits to various churches and sing for the congregations. Amanda Bryant, a representative of the school, told us there are 70 residential students who are receiving intensive mental health care along with an education. The average stay for the residential students is one year. There are also 215 day students being served by the school. Most of the children come from homes of extreme poverty. Along with that they are traumatized, untrusting, and scared because bad, sad, scary things have happened to them in their short lives. The children are aged The child we learned about at this meeting was an 8 year old child. He came to the school because he ran away with his older sister because his parents were involved in sex trafficking and they were starting to groom him to take over the business. They were then sent to a shelter where the boy was assaulted. The children have since had their names changed, the parents are in jail, and are not in the picture at all. He has had vivid, bad dreams, was afraid of people but has found therapy and the school are safe places. He has learned to cope with his feelings, uses skills to control himself and is about to present a trauma narrative with his foster mom. He will put trauma behind him and hopefully go on to live a normal life surrounded by love. A new program provided by the school is an outpatient mental health program. This is turning out to be the largest program dealing with the struggles of these children. They work with children from age There is a waiting list to enter Silver Springs. A lot of churches are helping Silver Springs continue these programs. Someone asked the question of how do we make better parents? There is a parent coaching program. They work with parents to help them handle poverty and cycles of abuse that they have endured in their lives. There is also a program to help parents with grocery bills and rent. Silver Springs is a wonderful place and has helped many children and families. Please pray for the children, the staff and school as they are doing wonderful work. Marianne Yeakel Notice: Our Annual Picnic is being moved to June 11 th This is due to Pastor Amy s vacation. I am sorry if it is an inconvenience for others. I will be out of the country from May 26 th through June 6 th. New Member Classes: Starting May 7th, 14th and 21st between our services at 9:30 am. We will meet in Pastor s office. I am very excited to see our visitors become members!

7 Holy Week & Easter St. John s had so many wonderful faith filled happenings during Lent, Holy Week and Easter. May God be praised for the gifts He has given our church family. Special thanks to all who offered music, time, creative worship ideas, a Passover meal, and even a Last Supper. Thanks to all who clean, prepare and work in our church too you make our celebrations so special. We are praying that everyone enjoys the gift of spring and that you all join us in worship and our many activities as the nice

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9 April 10, 2017 Church council meeting: call to order 7:13pm Members of Council present: Don Graham (President), Phyllis Kogel (Vice President), Chris Wall, Vicki Dixon, Pastor Amy Hotter, Barbara Klinger (Treasurer), Nancy Esposito, Shirley Nase, Doug Kemp. Not Present: Cornell Hopkins (Secretary). Discussion of funerals: Neala Hopkins; April 15, 9am to 11am visiting, 11am to 12 noon memorial service, luncheon to follow. Rosalie Koffel; April 22, 11am to 12 noon visiting, noon memorial service, luncheon to follow. Devotions: Doug Kemp, a reading from Gods Calling, daily devotionals. Share everything. Cleaning the church, yes Christine is doing it all. Discussion of Quick Books: Quick Books is a user friendly program for accounting. Motion by Vicki Dixon for the purchase of Quick Books, seconded by Doug Kemp. All in favor, motion passed 9-0. Old Business: Property: Donald Graham needs to transfer $ for the purchase the rest of the chairs and carts for the chairs for downstairs in the fellowship area. Discussions were held about funding for a new ramp and carpet. We will have a special meeting at a later date after some quotes have been acquired. Motion by Nancy Esposito, seconded by Barbara Klinger for accepting minutes from last month. All in favor, motion passed 9-0. Pastor s Report: One correction; Rosie Koffel s funeral changed from March 31 to April 22. Candidate resumes are being collected and reviewed for church secretary. Jeff has resigned. Posting on Craig s List so far and will add Joseph s People Motion by Doug Kemp and seconded by Shirley Nase to accept Pastor s Report. All in favor, motion passed 9-0. Cemetery Report: Reviewed report. Motion by Barbara Klinger, seconded by Donald Graham to accept cemetery report. All in favor, motion passed 9-0. Treasurer s Report, Barbara Klinger. March was a good month! Next month, taxes for payroll need to be paid. Benevolence needs to be paid monthly, monies to be categorized under Witness and Service. Motion by Phyllis Kogel and seconded by Doug Kemp to approve of Treasure s Report. All in favor, motion passed 9-0. Financial Report, Emily Dixon Pending report, issues with not balancing March 19 th envelopes. Barbara will help Emily on Wednesday. Picking up bank bags: people who are authorized are: Phyllis Kogel, Loretta Detweiler, Barbara Klinger, Donald Graham Finance Meeting Chris Wall: finance committee meeting for Thrivent account. Must meet with committee before meeting with John from Thrivent. Christian Growth

10 Move Flea Market to August or September, will discuss at a later date. Adult Sunday School, Donald Graham, Summary of adult classes this past month: Mar. 19 Do we ever grumble against God because of difficulties? Story of Israelites in desert, God gave them water from a rock (Exodus 17:3-6). What great things has God done for you in your life? In Romans 5-1-5, Paul talks about how we are justified through our faith, and salvation comes through Jesus. He also talks about how suffering can lead to increase in character and hope. We also focused on John 4:5-42, the story of the Samaritan woman coming to know Jesus. Samaritans well not well regarded by Jews, and woman were not considered equals to men in Jesus time. This story illustrates how Jesus came to bring salvation to everyone, not just the Jews. Many Samaritans came to believe through the woman s testimony. Do we testify to what Jesus has done for us? Mar. 26 Lectionary readings. God chooses unlikely people to proclaim his glory. David, as young boy, chosen as God s king of Israel (1Sam 16:12-16). Also, the man blind from birth (John 9:1-3). Both David and the blind man glorified God (John 9:37-41). Apr.3 Lectionary Readings. We looked at the John chapter 11, where Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. All agreed it was a mighty display of Jesus power. Many of the Jews around Jerusalem came to believe in Jesus through this miracle. We shared our own stories of healing and inspiration, and what God has done for us. In the same theme, we looked at Ezekiel 37:1-14, where God turns a valley of fallen warriors bones into living breathing men, again a mighty sign of the power of God. These stories about death of mortal bodies brought about a discussion of burial traditions: specifically cremation versus whole body burial. The class was in consensus that there is no specific biblical guidance, and that such matters are a personal choice. We also looked at Romans 8:6-11, where Paul talks about being people of the spirit, versus people of the flesh. We discussed how we are to love and honor God, and not partake of practices that satisfy only our earthly pleasures. Indeed, when we crave only pleasures for our earthly bodies, it can lead to addiction and hurt. April 10. Lectionary Readings. We looked at Jesus triumphant entry into Jerusalem in Matt. 21:1-11. A point was made that Jesus popularity with the people probably brought about jealously and envy from the Pharisees and Sadducees. This may have started their collision course with Jesus that ultimately led to Calvary. Pastor Amy s sermon focused on the happenings between Palm Sunday, and Jesus passion. Events such as Jesus driving the money changers out of the temple, and eating with sinners, and allowing a prostitute to anoint Him, further drove a wedge between Jesus teachings, and the Pharisees interpretation of the law. The class agreed that Jesus came to save everyone, even (especially) sinners. We discussed how Jesus death was foretold in the Old Testament (Isiah 53), and also the New Testament (John 3:14). God had always planned that His Son should be sacrificed for our sins. Memorial, Phyllis Kogel: Chair of the Memorial Committee, Penny Markley said that he committee agreed to purchase the copyrights for the books on Sundays And Seasons at the cost of $ She did not know of this would be an annual cost item. Future annual cost should be a budgeted item under Worship and Music. Concerning the purchase of a new kitchen refrigerator, the consensus of the committee was that if it is up and running now, that we should not purchase a new one right now. The committee did agree that a new refrigerator was the way to go rather than a second hand one. They will agree to purchase of we continue to have trouble in the future. Doug Kemp has offered Rose Koffel s used refrigerator instead of buying a new one. Discussions will happen offline. Parish Life, Nancy Esposito:

11 Easter Breakfast went well. We raised $ but paid $ for the food. We did sell some leftover food on Sunday and raised $144.00, bringing our total to $598. We discussed raising the adult price from $7 to $8 for next year. More discussion with Worship and Music Committee. Soup, 43 Quarts of soup made and delivered today, April 10, 2017 Worship and Music: Phyllis Kogel The Worship Committee met April 2, Wednesday s With Luther were discussed and everyone thought that they were successful and interesting. Thank you, Pastor Amy! We also want to thank the members who provided soup and desserts as well as coffee! Mark Gottesfeld and Pia Graham are working on the program reading and music for Maundy Thursday s presentation of the Last Supper, as well as the Good Friday service. The church will be open Good Friday for meditation in the afternoon, and the evening service will be at 7:30pm. Saturday will be a Vigil with music and a bonfire. Easter services are scheduled for 6:30am for procession from the cemetery into the church and a 10:15am service. Easter breakfast on April 8 th was delicious thank you to everyone who helped set up, cook and do the Easter Egg hunt. We need to consider raising the price of adult tickets next year - food is expensive. We paid to buy food and actually raised $ on Saturday. We sold flowers and leftover food and made $ more, so our total was $598. See also Parish life report above. Respectfully Submitted, Phyllis Kogel Property: Chris Wall Pansies are planted Yuccas have been dug up Ramp: It will be OK for this summer but needs to be replaced. No roof. Rugs in sanctuary; Quotes? What Color? Pattern? Fabric? Mutual Ministry: Donald Graham and Pastor Amy need three people to have a full committee. Stewardship: Donald Graham to replace Dan Traynor. Motion by Barbara Klinger, seconded by Nancy Esposito for acceptance of all committee reports. All in favor, motion passed 9-0. New business: Barbara Klinger would like to get a credit card for the church. Details to follow. Need to check Pastor s microphone before Thursday s service. Correspondence: Telford Lutheran Home is looking for a member from St. John s to become a member of the Advisory Committee which is being pulled together for the Board of Directors. Shirley Nase volunteered. Lynn Kelly went to the Upper Bucks Assembly and was involved with the Refugee Settlement discussions. Pastor Amy Hotter is on the Board of Directors. Motion by Nancy Esposito, seconded by Chris Wall for new business acceptance and adjourning the meeting. All in favor, motion passed 9-0. Meeting adjourned at 9:02pm, April 10, 2017, and we concluded with a special prayer by Donald Graham and the Lord s Prayer.

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