THE EPISTLE of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church

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1 THE EPISTLE of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church August 2016 Volume XXXVI, No. 12 SUNDAY SUMMER WORSHIP SCHEDULE 9:00 A.M. Worship Service AUGUST :15 A.M. Fellowship Time

2 A SPECIAL PLACE A SPECIAL PEOPLE As I mentioned in this column in last month s newsletter, I was on a Continuing Education trip the last two weeks of June. It was the longest time I have been away from St. Paul Church in years, since my days teaching every spring in Russia. Sunday, July 3, was my first Sunday back in the saddle leading worship here. As I did, I realized how much I had missed being away from our church, and how much joy it is to worship here at St. Paul. Our sanctuary is indeed sacred space, unique among church buildings here in this south-central Pa. region. But it was not just the sanctuary that felt so good to be back in worship. It is also being with you. The Mission Trip had just returned from a very successful time in W. Virginia, doing work for Habitat for Humanity. We have been doing these mission trips, serving in the Name of Jesus, for sixteen years. The day before, the Mission & Service Cook-out at Kennie s raised over $1,100 to help flood relief in West Virginia. This is a special place and a special people. It was good to be back here with you! In this age when our lives are so busy and rushed, in which so much energy is focused on peoples resentments and what we do not have, it is easy to overlook the good gifts God has given us. Let us give thanks for the freedom and privilege we have to worship God in the beauty of holiness (Psalm 29.2) among fellow believers in Christ. ********** On another matter, the stories of senseless violence and killing seems to go on without end: Ferguson, Baltimore, Baton Rouge, San Bernardino, Minnesota, and as I write, Dallas. How do we, as disciples of Jesus, a community of faith, respond (not just react) to all this? For starters, I remember the words a prophet of my generation said: I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality... I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word. (M. L. King) If Jesus is the risen Lord, this is a truth, not just a wish. We can act on this faith. And, let us all pray often the prayer of St. Francis: Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love... (full text in the LBW, p. 48, or Google it). The Lord be with you, Pr. Dan Biles

3 August Highlights August 7: Pentecost XII Pastor cindy chambers Guest Pastor Pastor will be away this Sunday, at a family wedding. August 14: Pentecost XIII August 28: Pentecost XV First communion Sunday Five youth of our church will receive the sacrament for the first time. Of the land & seasons Every quarter we use this special liturgy to celebrate God s creation. The liturgy uses Appalachian folk tunes and agricultural imagery of this region to worship our God and Lord. August 21: Pentecost XIV Back-to-School Service To mark the beginning of the school year, we will have a blessing of the backpacks during our service, and honor members who are educators or do other work in our schools. See more information on the youth pages in this newsletter. S eptember 4: Pentecost XVI Last Sunday of Summer Schedule This is the last Sunday of our summer schedule for services. Our regular schedule will resume Sun- day, September 11: 9:00 am Service, 10:15 am Fellowship Time and 10:30 am God s Work Our Hands Sunday.

4 DOING BIBLICAL DEVOTIONS Next year, 2017, marks on October 31 the 500 th anniversary of the start of the Lutheran Reformation in Christianity. One of the principles of Lutheranism has been the importance of hearing, learning, and doing the word of God. We need to know the Scriptures for our salvation and following Jesus (see John ). Here is a simple way you can grow in faith and following Jesus, by making Scripture part of your daily devotions. 1. Set aside time each day even if just 15 minutes for reading and meditating on Scripture. 2. Select a scripture to read you can use the daily lectionary in the LBW, the Summer Bible Reading Challenge Pastor prepared, or find a daily Bible reading list on the internet. 3. Read the text, out loud. 4. Focus on the text, a verse, even a word. Ask: 5. How is God judging me in this text? 6. How is God blessing me through this text? 7. What guidance does this text give me in following Jesus? 8. Conclude with a prayer, based on your meditation. From the July Meeting Actions and information items: We are looking to upgrade our office computer system. Pastor reported on information from Synod Assembly about the shortage of pastors. This year the ELCA is short 700 pastors to fill full-time calls; by 2019 this will rise to over 1,000. The next outdoor service will be October 2, Harvest Sunday, 9:00 a.m. The mission trip in 2017 will be June and June 25 July 1. Both trips will leave on Sunday after worship, returning the following Saturday. We are considering doing a refugee sponsorship sometime in the future. This would be our first refugee sponsorship since hosting a family from Serbia in The next Council meeting is Monday, August 15, 7:00 p.m.

5 Cook-outs at Kennies Markets FINANCIAL UPDATE The famous St. Paul Church cook-outs at Kennie s Market in Spring Grove continue. These cook-outs sell hamburgers, hot dogs, and hot sausages to people shopping at Kennie s. The money raised from these cookouts goes to support projects of the Mission & Service Committee which make Jesus known through deeds of charity and mercy. Cook-out dates are these Saturdays, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm: August 13, 27 September 10 & 24 October 8 To volunteer, contact Dwight Wintrode at Or, sign-up on the church kiosk. Account Update Based on Actual Income & Expense As of June 30, 2016 Year-to-date Current Received $93,331 Current Expensed $121,038 Difference -$27,707 Benevolence Received $17,328 Benevolence Expensed $16,243 Maintenance Received $13,603 Maintenance Expensed $15,207 Any questions, contact Sue Williams. Stonework / Education Wing Revitalization Update As of June 30, Results 2016 Congregational Goal $83, Contributions Received $19, Amount Needed $64, Revitalization Loan Balance-Total $403,904.62

6 HARVEST OF HOPE FOOD PANTRY Current needs are: boxed cereal, boxed potatoes, canned fruit, canned pasta, boxed rice, hamburger helpers, macaroni & cheese, peanut butter, jelly, spaghetti sauce, tuna, soup (chicken noodle, chicken rice, tomato, vegetable beef). Monetary donations can be made to the Harvest of Hope Food Pantry by using the blue pew envelopes. **August s pantry volunteers** Tuesday, August 23; 4:15-7:00 pm Kelly Bortner Beth Flickinger Kathy Gladfelter Fay Wagaman Thank you for your continued support! Grocery Gift Card Fundraiser All money raised will go to support the Youth Ministry here at St. Paul Church * Purchase Giant or Kennies gift cards in increments of $10 & $50 * Use the cards when you do your normal shopping * Youth receives 5% of card sales directly from the supermarket Details: 1. Cards must be purchased with checks made payable to St. Paul Lutheran Church 2. Cards will be sold on the 1 st and 3 rd Sundays during coffee hour only by seeing Sue Williams. Any questions, please contact Sue Williams at WOMEN S FELLOWSHIP BREAKFAST The WOW (Women of Wisdom) Fellowship Breakfasts are not held in the summer months. The breakfasts will resume next month, September 17, at 8:30 am in the fellowship hall. See you next month! Adopt A- Highway Help clean up Roth s Church Road Sunday, September 11, 2016 God s Work, Our Hands! Sign-up on kiosk!

7 LEGACY GARDEN. A perpetual project that helps raise money for the building revitalization fund. It is a special place created for worship, prayer and reflection. Memorialize or honor your loved ones by purchasing custom-engraved bricks for the Garden. Order online at: Order forms are also available in the hall, the church office or on our website." Thank you for your support. SOUP MAKING Tuesday, September 13; 8:00 am Watch for more information in September s Epistle Summer Reading!! Our church library is stocked with wonderful selections for your reading pleasure! Please consider checking out books from our library and taking them with you on vacation. Our selections include current fiction! Even books for the children! Stop by anytime and check out a book. Back-to-School Clothing Program Thank You A BIG Thank You for all your donations and your support! Without your help, it would not have been able to take place. THANK YOU NOTES ST. PAUL BLOOD DRIVE SAVE THE DATE Wednesday, October 5, 2016 To be eligible to give at our blood drive, your previous donation must be before AUGUST 9 th. Dear friends at St. Paul : A belated thanks for the finals care package stocked full of goodies for late night studying and love from home. I am blessed to have such a supportive St. Paul family to come home to this summer. Thanks again, Haley Staub, * * * * *

8 Dear St. Paul Family, I would like to thank Pastor Biles for the visits and all the prayers given for me. Also, to Nancy for the vegetable soup and visit and to Beth for the beautiful flowers. It was greatly appreciated. God Bless you all, Larry Sullivan * * * * * Dear St. Paul Family, I am so thankful and appreciative for all of you; for your prayers of healing and all the cards. Thank you to Lynn Hershey for bringing the beautiful altar flowers. Thank you to Carolyn Diehl for the delicious and nutritious vegetable soup and delicious chocolate chip cookies. You are such a loving and caring and sharing family in Christ and I am blessed to be a part of this great congregation. May God bless you all with His Goodness as you continue to love and serve Him! In His Love, Hannah * * * * * Dear Pr. Biles and Members of St. Paul, Thank you for your $ contribution for Hunger J.A.M Our Lower Susquehanna Synod goal is ambitious: raising $100,000 and packing 400,000 meals! While we successfully packed over 415,000 meals during the Hunger J.A.M. 2016, your contribution will help us meet our financial goal. Thank you for your support for our church and understanding the difference we can make as we work together to love and serve our neighbor. Yours in Christ, James S. Dunlop, Bishop PARISH REGISTER BAPTISM July 10, 2016 Estelle Marie Munden Born: October 24, 2015 Parents: Jason C. and Allison M. (Cole) Munden * * * * * TRANSFERRED OUT Dennis & Sharon Myers To: St. Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church 839 W. Market Street, York, PA ADDRESS CHANGES Michael & Kristin Hershey and sons, Michael and Cameron 7142 Kopp Road Spring Grove, PA 17362

9 THE WRYK FAMILY Matt, Emily, Grayson, & Levi I m a fourth generation member of St. Paul. Even though I have attended other churches while living in Virginia, I always kept my membership at St. Paul in hopes of returning to Spring Grove one day! Matt is not yet a St. Paul member. He is a member of Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Virginia Beach, where Grayson was baptized. Some of my favorite memories of growing up at St. Paul include walking through the tunnel with the choir on our way to sing at church, earning a wooden ruler for learning the books of the Bible, hayrides & bonfires with the youth group, and meeting life-long friends like Ann. I am happy to be back at St. Paul so my kids can grow as Christians and form friendships with others who have strong faith. As a family, we are looking forward to getting to know or reconnecting with others in the church and giving back to the church and the community. Matt works as a software QA analyst. I am a science learning support teacher and girls soccer coach at Spring Grove High School. Grayson is almost 5. She loves animals, especially horses. Her favorite Bible song is This Little Light of Mine. Levi is 3 and likes anything that Grayson tells him to like. Some of our family s favorite Christian songs include Big House by Audio Adrenaline and any song by Rend Collective. St. Paul s Mission: To Know Jesus And to Make Him Known

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13 DATE AND TIME August 7 9:00 a.m. GREETERS ACOLYTES LECTORS AUGUST WORSHIP AIDES COMMUNION ASSISTANTS Dawn & Bill Thoman Lauren Zavatsky Carolyn Diehl Kelly Bortner Holly Malloy NURSERY To Be Determined SOUND SYSTEM Gary Williams August 14 9:00 a.m. August 21 9:00 a.m. Fay & Wayne Wagaman Lauren Zavatsky Pat Lobodinsky Kelly Garrett Lynn Hershey Pat Lobodinsky Jayne Murphy Adam Gross Ellie Hoffman Pearl Wintrode Tina Becker Ray Zavatsky Mark Bowersox Aug. 20, 3pm Wedding Lynn Hershey Gary Williams August 28 9:00 a.m. Sara & Tom Ural Zach Albright Nate Hamme Lynn Hershey Penny Gordon Robin Hamme Mark Bowersox USHERS ALTAR GUILD COFFEE HOUR HOME BOUND BIRTHDAYS Aug. 7 - Team 3 Ushers, Sam Becker, Capt. Barbara Biles Aug. 7 Carole & Bob Myers August - none 14 - Team 4 Ushers, Karen Myers, Capt. Hannah Kessler 14 Brenda & Jerry Hoover 21 - Team 5 Ushers, Jim Senft, Capt. Wendy Miller 21 Back-to-School Festival 28 - Team 1 Ushers, Brian Artz, Capt. 28 Kim & Lance Leber

14 ST. PAUL CALENDAR AUGUST, 2016 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 2 **Pr. Biles Vacation August 1-10 **Cindy Vacation August **Pr. Biles Retreat Aug 29-Sept 2 7 9:00 am Communion / Pr. Cynthia Chambers guest preacher 10:15 am Fellowship Time 8 7:00 pm Finance Comm Mtg 9 7:00 pm Boy Scout Committee Mtg 3 7:00 pm SG Group AA Evening table set-up for Clothing Program Sale in fellowship hall 10 7:00 pm SG Group AA 4 8am-1pm Clothing Drop-off / set-up 5-9pm Girl Scout Paint Nite 11 6:30 pm Boy Scouts 5 4-7:30 pm ONLY Clothing Sale 12 Church Office Closed 6 8am-till?? Clothing Sale clean-up 13 8am-2pm Cook-out at Kennies Church Office Closed 14 9:00 am Communion/Land & Seasons 10:15 am Fellowship Time Food Sharing Day 15 7:00 pm Church Council Mtg Epistle Deadline 16 9:30-11:30am Chalk the Walks Noon Stewardship Comm Mtg 17 7:00 pm SG Group AA 18 6:30 pm Boy Scouts 19 6:00 pm Wedding Rehearsal Church Office Closed 20 3:00 pm Glatfelter/Straley Wedding Back-to-School set-up 21 Back-to-School Sunday 9:00 am Communion / Blessing of Backpacks 10:15 am Carnival :30 am Sr. Citizens 6:30 pm Worship Comm Mtg 7:00 pm SG Group AA 25 6:30 pm Boy Scouts 26 Church Office Closed 27 8am-2pm Cook-out at Kennies 8-8:30am Acolyte Training 8:30 am 1 st communion workshop 28 9:00 am Communion / 1 st Communion Milestone 10:15 am Fellowship Time 1-4pm Jamie Link Recitals :00 pm SG Group AA