THE DOVE. A Letter From Pastor Werk

Transcription

1 THE DOVE A Letter From Pastor Werk Saint Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church (The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod) 31 Washington Avenue Batavia, NY Office: (585) APRIL 2019 Dear members and friends of St. Paul Lutheran Church and School, As I talked with the other pastors of our circuit last month, I was intrigued by how many other pastors expressed the idea that they were regularly serving groups of people that don t come to their worship services. They described these as extra congregations that they care for, and serve, and minister to, but who for various reasons do not participate in their worship services. For one it is a food pantry, for another it is a community education project. The common theme is that they work with these people, get to know them, and if there is a crisis in their lives those people turn to the pastor for help and encouragement and guidance, but they aren t interested in participating in the regular worship services of the church. They are perfectly content to just participate in their class or come for food and prayers. I have sensed the same phenomenon in my ministry here at St. Paul. In fact a couple of years ago, Ann & I did a presentation at our District All Church Worker Conference where we talked about the extra congregation. In that instance we were talking about our school. It is a group of families that we regularly minister to, providing spiritual help and encouragement and care, but who do not participate in our worship services. It is an extra congregation with whom we pray and among whom we teach but all in a setting outside worship services. If we just ignore these extra congregations unless they come to our worship services, I believe we are missing an important opportunity to touch their lives with the love of Jesus. How should we handle these extra congregations? How can we bring Jesus to their lives? We need to accept that fact that there are more ways to share Jesus than only through our worship services. There are many ways outside of worship to bring the life changing impact of Jesus Christ into the lives of the people around us. 37 Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." Matthew 9:37-38 (NIV) Our mission, the mission Jesus has given us is not to bring people to a worship service. Our mission is to bring people to Jesus Christ. We need to open our minds to realize that there are a lot of different places and times throughout the week where we can show people that Jesus Christ is at work with His love and grace. Just yesterday, as I write this, Ann & I had an opportunity to care for a hurting young girl who came to our Blessing Box. She was angry and sad because her brother was in jail and she missed him. We got to talk to her about Jesus love and offer her better ways to deal with her anger and hurt. I don t expect that she will come to one of our worship services, but the next time I see her in the neighborhood, she will know that she can hear about Jesus and His love and comfort from me if she is troubled. Continued on Page 2 Church Allen A. Werk, Pastor (585) Ext 12 Kathy White, Organist Louise Fleming, Parish Nurse Chuck Bobo, Custodian Michele Striejewske, Admin Ass t Office: (585) Ext 10 Fax: (585) stpaulbatavia@gmail.com School Ann Werk, Principal, 4 & 5th (585) Ext 11 stpaulbataviaprincipal@gmail.com Jason Clark, 2nd & 3rd Grades Jan Shetler, K & 1st Grades Deb Porter, Pre-K 3yr & 4yr olds Betsy Austin, Latin Teacher Donna Luce, Pre-K Aide Diane Cain, Speech Therapist Theresa Pellegrino, School Nurse Ellen Larson, Librarian Erin Stiles, Occupational Therapist Jamie Masters, Physical Therapist Marissa Sampson, Psychologist Lisa Klumpp, Special Educ. Michelle Campbell, Special Educ. IN THIS ISSUE Leer from Pastor Holy Week Schedule Lutheran Hour Ministries Birthdays School News Sunday School News Youth Group News Library News Noon!me Bible Study Quilters Ladies Night Out Adult Bible Class Senior Choir, ER Singers and Bell Choir Rehearsals LWML News 5 Server Schedules 6 Monthly Calendar

2 Page 2 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV) We live in a different kind of world today. If we are going to continue to effectively represent Jesus to our community, we are going to have to relate to people in new places and in new ways with the unchanging Good News of our Savior Jesus. We are a family of disciples using every gift that Jesus gives us to take the heart of Jesus to the heart of our community and to bring our community to Jesus. Pastor Allen Werk HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE Maundy Thursday 7:00 p.m. Good Friday 12:10 & 7:00 p.m. Easter Sunrise Worship 7:00 a.m. Easter Breakfast 8:30 a.m. Easter Festival Worship 11 a.m. We hope you will join us for Holy Week Services and that you will bring a friend to experience the joy of The Resurrection! April 2019 April 7 - "The Darkness Has Not Overcome It" God works through the darkness to overcome the darkness. Even in history's darkest moment, the light is still shining. (John 12:37-50) April 14 - "He Loved Them to the End" We are people of diverse backgrounds drawn together by Jesus. We want to share His life with you. (John 13:18-19) April 21 - "Cross in the Garden" God is the true Gardener. He brought the soil of His garden into His being to make a new creation. (John 19:30-20:18) April 28 - "Disturbing Cognitive Dissonance" Doubt is a normal part of our present human experience. Only the presence of the risen Jesus will overcome it. (John 20:19-31) 4/5 Allein, Braden 4/11 Schrader, Cheryl 4/12 Hill, Debra 4/12 Panzone, Mary Ann 4/12 Porter, Debbie 4/12 Wolff, John 4/14 Hill, Joseph 4/15 Corcoran, Eileen 4/15 Pangrazio, Barbie 4/15 Saluste, Christine 4/18 Dries, Mary HAPPY BIRTHDAY! May the Lord bless you as you celebrate your birthday and may His blessing follow you through the coming year! 4/19 Schermerhorn, Rosalie 4/20 Chapman, Brent 4/20 Henning, Deborah 4/22 Seward, Myron 4/23 Clark, Jason 4/23 Klafehn, Elizabeth 4/24 Athoe, John 4/25 Baldwin, Jean 4/25 Klafehn, Chris 4/25 Lexer, Barbara 4/26 Loos, Mary Ella 4/29 Bobo, Sue

3 Page 3 SCHOOL NEWS Principal: Mrs. Ann Werk Contact: Who: Preschool Grade 5 Hours: 8:15 2:30 pm Upcoming School Events - April 2 7:15 pm School Board Meeting - April 5 End of the 3rd Marking Period - April 12 Amerk s Hockey Game Fundraiser - April 8-12 Achievement Testing Grades April Easter Vacation ALEX S BBQ TICKETS - A few tickets are still available for the Take Out BBQ supper at Alex s Restaurant for $11 each. If you are interested, please stop by the office or drop a request with payment in the office lockbox. SCHOOL REGISTRATION NOW OPEN - Registration is now open for the School year. Please contact the office at for any questions you may have. Registration forms can be found in the main office or on our website at stpaulbatavia.org. ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL FUNDRAISER - CHORUS NIGHT & TV RAFFLE AT THE AMERKS HOCKEY GAME - Join us for a fun night out at the Amerk s Hockey game who will be playing against Binghamton at The Blue Cross Arena at 7:05pm on April 12th. Our St. Paul Lutheran School kids will be singing the National Anthem that evening. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased by contacting Tim Darrow at Proceeds from ticket sales in the amount of 25% will benefit our school. - Also, there will be raffles sponsored by our Parents Group FOLKS. They will be raffling off a UHD/LED 43 TV, Paint Gift Set, Sabres Hockey Jacket, Bath & Beauty Gift Set, and a Nostalgia Kettle Popcorn Popper. We hope to see you there to enjoy an evening out with friends and families of St. Paul Church and School. SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS Chair: Ruth Rigerman Who: Pre-K to Grade 6 When: Sundays 9:45 a.m. Where: Church Lower Level - The Sunday School Lenten project, Hearts for Jesus is collecting money for The REV Home Family in Haiti-A Children s Home with children. The home provides shelter, food, schooling and all the necessities these children need. All the while giving them a deep understanding of God s love. Please place your donations in the red container decorated with hearts and helping hands. Thank you. ST PAUL YOUTH GROUP Director: Linda Eick Contact: Who: Grades 7 to 12 When: Sunday s 9:45 a.m. Where: Library Join us each Sunday morning at 9:45 am in the Library for Youth Group. Bring a friend and together let us learn about the love of Jesus. LIBRARY NEWS Librarian: Ellen Larson 30 books of Amish mysteries, published by Guideposts, are available in the church library thanks to the generosity of Lori Gamin. They, along with two fitness videos are located in the first bookcase as you enter the library. Please stop by and check out the many resources we have for spiritual growth and the nice selection of fictional options for your reading pleasure.

4 Page 4 NOONTIME BIBLE STUDY Leader: Jackie Blank Contact: When: 1st Tues. of month 12 p.m. Where: Church Library NOONTIME BIBLE STUDY will meet in the library on Tuesday, April 2. This month we will be learning about women in the bible. In addition to the study Nameless Women in the Bible, which is found in the Spring 2019 LWML Quarterly, we will look at other women in the Bible. These will include eight women prophets, widows, a liar, and possibly some others. Can you name any of these? Bring a bag lunch, come early to enjoy some social time and then explore God s Word with us. You are encouraged to give this study a try and will find it to be a very welcoming group. Copies of the study are always available to anyone who does not have the Quarterly magazine. QUILTERS Leaders: Jackie Blank & Eunice Gardner Contact: When: Tuesdays 9:00 a.m. Where: Church Basement ST. PAUL QUILTERS meet in the church basement every Tuesday at 9:00, averaging about 12 women each week, with the hope of completing at least 200 quilts. We are on the home stretch as we continue to assemble quilts for Lutheran World Relief. Our last work session will be April 30, following which we will celebrate by going out to lunch. The quilt and kit blessing will take place at both services on Sunday, April 28. Watch for scheduled work sessions May through August to sort donations and prepare for next season. LADIES NIGHT OUT Leader: Deb Porter Contact: When: 1st Thurs. of month 6:30 p.m. Sept to May Where: Memorial Hall - Ladies Night Out will NOT meet during the month of April, but will resume in May. Watch the May issue of The Dove for details. ADULT BIBLE CLASS Leader: Pastor Allen & Ann Contact: Who: Adults When: Sun. 9:45 a.m. Where: Memorial Hall We are currently studying the Book of John. Please join us each week for studying God s Word. All are welcome. SENIOR CHOIR REHEARSALS Director: Kathy White Contact: When: Sun s at 10:20 a.m. Where: Organ Loft - We meet in the chapel to rehearse from 10:15 10:50am each Sunday morning. We welcome new members. Join us for rehearsals. ER SINGERS Director: Ann Werk Contact: When: As Announced Where: Memorial Hall - The ER Singers will rehearse on April 7 and 28 at 5:00 p.m. If you would like to see what we are all about, please join us for rehearsal. BELL CHOIR Director: Linda Eick Contact: When: As Announced Where: Church - Bell Choir will meet each week in preparation for the Lent & Easter Season on Tuesdays at 6:30 pm. Newcomers always welcome.

5 Page 5 A P R LWML NEWS By Sharon Wolff, President In lieu of gathering this month, March was our prayer service and this year also our LWML Sunday month. We provided the Pre-Lenten meal and then participated in the combined Lenten/Prayer Service. LWML Sunday is on March 31, where the women will again be serving as ushers, readers, etc. in both of our services. Thank you to all the women who serve in the church, their families, in their communities and schools, and elsewhere. We all have gifts that we use in helping others, letting our light shine in the world, as we serve the Lord with gladness. Our April gathering will be on the 9th at 7pm in Memorial Hall. The ingathering will be notepads and pens for the Crossroads House. Refreshments will be provided by Flo and Charise. God continues to bless our gatherings with great conversation, relationship building, and bible devotion/study. All women are welcome to attend for all or part of our gathering. If you would like to ride...contact Sharon Wolff! LWML MEETING April 9 7:00 p.m. Theme: Use It or Lose It Matthew 24:14-30 Gifts of Love: Notepads and pens for Crossroads House Refreshments Provided By: Flo Williams and Charise Donahue UPCOMING EVENTS Mark your calendars: - SPRING ZONE EVENT - May 4 th - NATIONAL LWML CONVENTION June 20 23, 2019 Location: Mobile, Alabama Theme: "In Praise to the LORD!" Scripture Verse: Sing to the Lord, all the earth! Tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations. (1 Chronicles 16:23 24a). Convention Goal Statement: Led by God s power, we praise and proclaim the Lord among all the nations. Convention Objectives - Each convention attendee will: Sing and rejoice in celebration of His Word. Tell of His salvation for all. Declare His glory among the nations. Go forth in His joy! Gifts from the Heart Purchase Bibles to give as Gifts From the Heart to NOLA-4H: Hearts for the Hungry, Homeless, and Hurting, as part of the 2019 LWML Convention Gifts From the Heart. - SUMMER PICNIC AT CAMP PIONEER- August 8 th - FALL ZONE EVENT - September 28 th - LWML DISTRICT CONVENTION - June th 2020 Double Tree, E. Syracuse, NY - Theme is 20/20 vision - Live By Faith - 2 Cor. 5:6-7

6 THANK YOU FOR SERVING IN APRIL 2019 GREETERS 7 E M. Massaro L B. Pangrazio 14 E J. Schultz L Weicher Family 18 Maundy Thursday 7pm C. & B. Huntley 19 Good Friday 7pm N. Foley 21 Easter E 7am D. Williams & Family L 11am D. & B. Starkweather 28 E G. & B. Churchill L D. & A. Pehrson LAY READERS 3 7pm John Canale 7 E Jean Berry L Dee Johnson 10 7pm Betty Huntley 14 E Mary Ella Loos L Madeline Gogolack 18 Maundy Thursday 7pm Tom Maier 19 Good Friday 12:10pm Wayne Grefrath 7:00pm Charise Donahue 21 Easter E 7am Betty Huntley L 11am Brenda Seward 28 E Sue Bobo L Joanna Weicher COMMUNION ASSISTANTS 7 L EICK/GREFRATH 14 E WOLFF/WARNER 18 Maundy Thurs. 7pm FLEMING/KUMPF 21 Easter L CANALE/BELL 28 E FLEMING/KUMPF COUNTING TEAMS 7 L. Eick / M. Seward 14 E. Thielemann / M. Seward 21 Easter L. Gamin / M. Seward 28 B. Seward/M. Seward ACOLYTES 7 E Maggie DeMare L Olivia Kabel 14 E Austin Williams L Samantha Kabel 19 Good Friday 7pm Gabe Weicher 21 Easter E 7am Maggie DeMare L 11am Henry Rigerman 28 E Maddie Gogolack L Olivia Kabel ALTAR CARE Barb Cole and Cheryl Schrader COMMUNION WARE April 7, 18 & 21: Sandra Hofert, Hazel Brownell April 14, 18, 21 & 28: Mary Ella Loos, Deb Lathan ALTAR COLORS 7: Purple 14: Red 18: 21, 28: White 19: Black USHERS 3 7pm Lenten Service Team 9 7 E Team 1 L Team pm Lenten Service Team 3 14 E Team 5 L Team 2 18 Maundy Thurs. 7pm Team 7 19 Good Friday 12:10pm Team 9 7:00pm Team1 21 Easter E 7am Team 3 L 11am Team 4 28 E Team 5 L Team 6 SAFETY & SECURITY TEAM E=8:00-10:00am L =10:00-12:00pm 7 E C. Taylor L M. Seward 14 E Gogolacks L C. Canale 21 (6:45am)E C. Huntley L M. Seward 28 E J. Berry L L. Eick

7 Apr-19 St. Paul Lutheran Church & School Calendar Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday :30A - SCHOOL 9:00A - QUILTERS 5:30P - LENTEN CHAPEL 12P - BIBLE STUDY SUPPER 6:30P - BELL CHOIR 7P - LENTEN 7:15P - SCHOOL WORSHIP BOARD MEETING :30A - CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP 9:30A - SCHOOL 9:00A -QUILTERS 9:30A - CIRCUIT SCHOOL AMERK'S 9:45A - SUN SCHOOL & BIBLE CLASS CHAPEL 6:30P - BELL CHOIR PASTOR'S MEETING GAME FUNDRAISER 7:00P - LWML MTG 5:30P - LENTEN 11:00A - TRADITIONAL WORSHIP-LS SUPPER 5:00P - ER SINGERS REHEARSAL PALM SUNDAY 14 THE RESURRECTION 21 7P LENTEN WORSHIP :30A - CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP-LS 6:30P - LEADERSHIP 9:00A -QUILTERS 7:00P - MAUNDY 12:10P - GOOD FRI 9:45A - SUN SCHOOL & BIBLE CLASS TEAM MEETING 6:30P - BELL CHOIR THURSDAY WORSHIP NOONTIME WORSHIP 7:00P - GOOD FRI 11:00A - TRADITIONAL WORSHIP WORSHIP SCHOOL - EASTER VACATION BREAK :00A - EASTER SUNRISE WORSHIP-LS 9:00A -QUILTERS 10:30A - STATE ST 8:30A - EASTER BREAKFAST 6:30P - BELL CHOIR MINISTRY WITH 9:45A - SUN SCHOOL - ALL AGES CARE-A-VAN SCHOOL 11A - EASTER FESTIVAL WORSHIP-LS EASTER BREAK Blessing of the Quilts :30A - CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP-LS 9:30A - SCHOOL 9:00A -QUILTERS 9:45A - SUN SCHOOL - ALL AGES CHAPEL LAST MEETING 6:30P - BELL CHOIR 11:00A - TRADITIONAL WORSHIP 5:00P - ER SINGERS REHEARSAL