Chapel Chatter. April 2018 Volume 69 Issue #4

Transcription

1 1 Chapel Chatter April 2018 Volume 69 Issue #4 St John s United Methodist Church or Church stjohns_umc@comcast.net Church Facebook: Church Website: Reverend Gene Errickson g.errickson@gmail.com Cell Pastor s Musings My Dear Friends in our Risen Lord, Praise be to our Risen Savior, now and forever. Amen. It is with great joy that I write this Easter letter to you. May all of you experience the joy of commemorating once again the Resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ. The Resurrection is the Miracle of Miracles and the one that confirms our Christian faith. At this time, I also want to thank God for the many blessings of the Lenten Season. This is that time which led up to the commemoration of Easter. God never fails to shower his blessings on us. Our Easter Theme this year is Following the Lord by Living his Commandments. Elsewhere in this Newsletter is a listing of the Ten Commandments for our reference to reflect on throughout the Easter Season. Also, in the hope of making our Easter Season spiritually fulfilling, I have developed Lectio Divina readings beginning Easter Monday and continuing through Pentecost Sunday. The readings are verses taken from Psalm 119. These appear elsewhere in the Newsletter. During these first three months of 2018 our various Boards and Committees have been very active in their work. Physical work has been completed in and outside the building under the Board of Trustees. Church Council is attempting to reduce meeting to a lesser number but at the same time accomplish more. Staff Pastor/Parish Relations and Leadership and Nominations Committees have met to look at personnel and volunteer positions for Fund Raiser Team has provided funds to assist Trustees in completing work in the second floor of the building and the Church Sanctuary. Mission Team has supported The North Star Initiative and Lifeway for Kids. We may be small numerically, but we are big in our outreach and our accomplishments. God is enabling us to be his faithful witnesses in the world today. Gail and I want to take this opportunity to wish all of you a Blessed Easter Season. Be assured of a special remembrance in our prayers asking God s choicest blessings on you. Please continue to pray for us. Love you in our Risen Lord, Pastor Gene

2 2 April 1 April 8 April 15 April 22 April 29 April 1 April 8 April 15 April 22 April 29 Nursery Schedule for April Brandi Hurst-Sunday & Christine Levering Kristen Dressler & Gail Errickson Monica Deckman & Liz Maisano Jillian & Jenae Knosp Volunteers Scripture Readers for April Wanda Gregg Carol Dittoe Sue Mallory Nancy Pfahler Phyllis King Church Close-Up Schedule April ~ Wanda Gregg May ~ Matt Maisano Worship Schedule for April Easter Sunday Acts 10:34-43 Psalm 118:1-2, Corinthians 15:1-11 John 20:1-18 or Mark 16:1-8 2 nd Sunday of Easter Acts 4:32-35 Psalm John 1:1-2:2 John 20: rd Sunday of Easter Acts 3:12-19 Psalm 4 1 John 3:1-7 Luke 24:36b-48 4 th Sunday of Easter Acts 4:5-12 Psalm 23 1 John 3:16-24 John 10:11-18 TREASURE BOX MISSION A MONTH April ~ Lumina 5 th Sunday of Easter Acts 8:26-40 Psalm 22: John 4:7-21 John 15:1-8 Prayer Focuses for April April 1 That God will strengthen us to rise with him to a new life this Easter. April 8 That God will enable us to be of one heart and one mind. April 15 That we will find true spiritual peace this Easter Season. April 22 That God will give us the grace to follow the voice of Jesus, the good shepherd. April 29 That by living the commandments we will always remain in Christ, the true vine.

3 3 April Altar Flower Sponsors Ushers Schedule for April 10:00 am April 1 April 8 April 15 Builder s Sunday School Class In Loving Memory Of deceased members Bill & Jan Hershey In Loving Memory Of our daughter-in-law, Rebecca Arnold Hershey Alverda Zook In Honor Of my grandsons & great grandchildren and in Loving Memory Of my husband Jonas Zook April 1~ Team #1 April 8~ Team #2 Dean Seese ~ Head Usher Jim Bowman ~ Head Usher Brian Gregg Volunteer Wanda Gregg Dean Seese Jim Knosp Ben Pickel Louise Knosp Bob Dressler April 15~ Team #3 April 22~ Team #4 Volunteer ~ Head Usher Jon King ~ Head Usher Volunteer Lamar Sensenig Russ Groff Sue Sensenig Mike Worst Curt Moseng Volunteer Russ Groff April 29~ Team #5 Volunteer ~ Head Usher Volunteers April 22 Carol & Barry Nickel In Loving Memory Of our parents, Rev. Linton & Anna Mennig and Walter & Adele Nickel and son, Barry Nickel II 8:00 am Service Nelson Strubel ~ Head Usher April 29 Bob & Mary Parke In Loving Memory Of our daughter Sue Guest and grandchildren Amanda & Joe Guest

4 4 NEW BUSINESS COOKIES FOR MEALS ON WHEELS April 4 th ~ Kay Rice April 11 th ~ Caron Mesing April 18 th ~ Karen Whitton April 25 th ~ Liz Thompson SPECIAL CLOTHING BANK NEEDS/GIVING TREE Clothing items Coats for men and women-all sizes. Men shoes, jeans, underwear (s-xl) and socks. Women shoes, underwear (Sizes 5-8) socks. Boys and Girls Coats, Boys shoes, clothing, underwear sizes 10-16, Girls shoes, socks, and underwear sizes Place on Christmas tree or bin in Gathering Area. THANK YOU On behalf of the North Star Initiative I want to thank you for your generous hospitality to Kin Seldomridge who spoke on their behalf last Sunday and for your extreme generosity. The Free Will Offering was in the amount of $ and in addition the Mission Team donated an additional $ The total gift to the North Star Initiative was $ BOARD OF TRUSTEE S MEETING There will be a Board of Trustees Meeting on Tuesday, April 10 at 6:30 PM. CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING There will be a Church Council Meeting on Tuesday April 17 at 6:30 PM. PARAMENT COLORS I was approached recently and asked to explain the different colors of the Paraments. The Paraments are the colored cloths that are on the altar and the pulpits in the sanctuary. They are for decorative purpose, but the colors are meant to signify the different seasons of the church year or major important events. The White paraments are used during the Easter and Christmas seasons and for Trinity Sunday, Christ, the King Sunday, Holy Thursday. The color gold or silver can be substituted for white. These colors are meant to signify a time of joy or happiness. We have special Easter white paraments at our church and a different white parament to be use for Christmas and the other significant events. The Red paraments are used on Pentecost Sunday and when we celebrate the Ceremony of Confirmation. The color, red is meant to signify the presence of God, the Holy Spirit in the tongues of fire that appeared on the first Pentecost Sunday. The Green paraments are used for most of the year. The color, green is meant to signify the virtue of Hope. We are meant to be a people of hope as followers of Jesus. The Violet or Purple paraments are used during Lent. The color, purple is meant to signify Penance. Lent is a penitential season preparing us to celebrate the feast of the Resurrection-Easter. The Blue paraments are used during the Season of Advent. Advent is a penitential season preparing us to celebrate the feast of Christmas. However, it is not meant to be as serious a penitential season as Lent. The color, blue signifies a less penitential season. During these different seasons or significant events, the pastor will usually wear a stole of the same color as the paraments. Christians use other signs and symbols. For example, we use bread and juice to symbolize the spiritual nourishment we receive in the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Water is used in the Sacrament of Baptism to signify the washing away of sins. Oil is used in the ceremonies of Confirmation and Anointing of the Sick to indicate strength to be a follower of Jesus and healing. SAVE THE DATE Faithful Women will hold a mother daughter gathering on Saturday, May 5 th, am at Fisher s Amish Restaurant in Gordonville. We d love to see everyone there to celebrate the beautiful women in our lives. More details to come.

5 5 Easter 2018 EASTER THEME: Following the Lord by living his Commandments. Easter Season: Lectio Divina-Divine Reading During this Easter Season I would like to suggest that as a means of living our Easter theme we continue to engage in a modified use of a practice known as Lectio Divina. Lectio Divina is basically a prayerful reading of a portion of Holy Scripture until a passage strikes one strongly enough that they then begin to meditate and pray on it. To simplify this practice somewhat, I am offering a Scripture verse from Psalm 119 for meditation and prayer each day of the Easter Season beginning Easter Monday and continuing through Pentecost Sunday. Psalm 119 is the longest of the Psalms and often not read in one sitting. The passages I have selected are ones that I have found spiritually uplifting, strengthening, and consoling as I have dealt with health challenges in recent months. What I would suggest is to set five to ten minutes or more time slot aside each day to slowly read and reread the passage applying it to your own life situation. Then simply pray to God in your own words or the words of the Psalm. While you only need to do this once a day you can return to it at other times during the day if you care to. I have found that selecting one verse each day, I return to it throughout the day at different times. It then becomes a springboard for prayer throughout the day. You may also pray from other Psalms which you have found meaningful to you. You might begin your time with the words: May the meditation of my mind and the prayer of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord. or Open my mind and heart to spend this time with you, O Lord. An ending prayer could be: Thanks for taking time to be with me, Lord. Then add a short prayer for our Church Family. I hope this practice will add to the spiritual experience of your personal devotion during the Easter Season this year. The list of verses from Psalm 119 is attached.

6 6 Lectio Divina Daily Readings-Easter Season 2018 Psalm 119 4/2 vs. 1 Blessed are they whose way is blameless. 4/3 vs. 1 Walk according to the law of God. 4/4 vs. 2 Blessed are they who keep his commandments. 4/5 vs. 2 Seek him with all your heart. 4/6 vs. 3 You do nothing wrong; you walk in his ways. 4/7 vs. 4 God has laid down commandments that are to be obeyed. 4/8 vs. 5 Oh that my ways were steadfast in obeying your commandments. 4/9 vs. 7 I will praise you with an upright heart. 4/10 vs. 7 I will learn your commandments. 4/11 vs. 8 I will obey your commandments. 4/12 vs.10 I will seek you with all my heart. 4/13 vs. 10 Do not let me stray from your commandments. 4/14 vs. 11 I have hidden your word in my heart. 4/15 vs. 12 Praise to you Lord; teach me your desires. 4/16 vs. 13 With my lips I recount all your commandments. 4/17 vs. 14 I rejoice in following your commandments. 4/18 vs. 15 I meditate on your commandments. 4/19 vs. 15 I consider your ways. 4/20 vs. 16 I delight in your commandments. 4/21 vs. 16 I will not neglect your word. 4/22 vs. 17 Do good to your servant and I shall live. 4/23 vs. 17 I will obey your law with all my heart. 4/24 vs. 18 Open my eyes that I may see the wonder of your commandments. 4/25 vs. 20 My soul is consumed with longing for your law. 4/26 vs. 22 I keep your statutes. 4/27 vs. 24 I, your servant, will meditate on your decrees. 4/28 vs. 26 You teach me your commandments. 4/29 vs. 27 Let me understand the teaching of your precepts. 4/30 vs. 27 I will meditate on your wonders. 5/1 vs. 28 My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me with your law. 5/2 vs. 30 I have chosen the way of truth. 5/3 vs. 30 I have set my heart on your commandments. 5/4 vs. 31 I hold fast to your commandments. 5/5 vs. 33 Teach me to follow your commandments. 5/6 vs. 33 I will keep them to the end. 5/7 vs. 34 Give me understanding and I will keep your law. 5/8 vs. 34 I will obey your Law with all my heart. 5/9 vs. 35 Direct me in the path of our commandments.

7 7 5/10 vs. 35 In your commandments I find delight. 5/11 vs. 36 Turn my heart to your commands and not to selfish gains. 5/12 vs. 37 Turn my eyes away from selfish things. 5/13 vs. 37 Preserve me according to your word. 5/14 vs. 38 Fulfill your promises to your servant. 5/15 vs. 39 Take away my shame. 5/16 vs. 39 Your commandments are good. 5/17 vs. 40 How I long for your commandments. 5/18 vs. 40 Preserve my life in your righteousness. 5/19 vs. 42 I trust in your commandments. 5/20 vs. 44 I will always love your commandments for ever and ever. The Ten Commandments 1. I am the Lord your God; you shall not have other gods before me. 2. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain. 3. Remember to keep holy the Lord s Day. 4. Honor your father and mother. 5. You shall not kill. 6. You shall not commit adultery. 7. You shall not steal. 8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. 9. You shall not covet your neighbor s wife. 10.You shall not covet your neighbor s goods.

8 8 Daily Thoughts for April April 1 He is risen. Jesus is with us. April 2 Easter happened. Jesus rose. Be his witness to others. April 3 Tell someone about Jesus resurrection today. April 4 Let Jesus reach out to someone today through you. April 5 Jesus will give you the strength to be his witness, April 6 Jesus wants to spend time with you today. April 7 Jesus say he loves you just for you. April 8 Believe in Jesus. He believes in you. April 9 Jesus says, Don t be afraid. I am here with you. April 10 Listen carefully. Jesus will tell you what he wants from you. April 11 Jesus wants you to follow him more closely today. April 12 Bring your needs to Jesus today. April 13 Jesus wants you to be nice to someone today. April 14 Stay close to Jesus today. April 15 If things get agitated, Jesus can make them calm. April 16 Some people are not nice. Try to love them anyhow. Jesus does. April 17 Say thanks to Jesus today. April 18 Jesus is your friend. Introduce someone else to him today. April 19 Look around you today and enjoy the scenery with Jesus. April 20 Stay on the road Jesus has chosen for you. April 21 Jesus says go forward today. April 22 Do what God wants you to do today. April 23 Jesus is not just your friend he is your partner. April 24 Trust Jesus. He will get you through it. April 25 Be God s blessing to someone today. April 26 Slow down and let Jesus catch up to you. April 27 Share your calmness with someone else. April 28 Be Jesus helper in the world. April 29 Find peace with Jesus. April 30 Open your hands to receive a blessing from Jesus today.

9 9 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 Easter Sunrise 6:45 am 8:00 & 10:00 am Worship Services 8 Darlene Strubel Beth Workman 8:00 & 10:00 am Worship Services Shirley White 9 St. John s vs. Grace 6:30 pm Field 2 10 Happy Birthday Patti Brackbill Trustee 6:30 pm Choir Practice 6:30 pm to 7:45 pm Happy Anniversary Jim & Dale Bowman Choir Practice 6:30 pm to 7:45 pm 6 7 Carol Dittoe Jane Eckman Breakfast 8:00 am Kristine Miller 15 8:00 & 10:00 am Worship Service 16 Little Britain vs. St. John 8:45 pm Field 1 17 Church Council 6:30 pm Choir Practice 6:30 pm to 7:45 pm Margaret Richards 22 8:00 & 10:00 am Worship Service 29 8:00 & 10:00 am Worship Service 23 Calvary Monument vs. St. John 8:45 pm Field 1 30 Jon King 24 Happy Birthday Dick Zimmerman Dick Richards Choir Practice 6:30 pm to 7:45 pm 27 Kevin Cummings 28 Tom Denlinger St. John s vs. Weaverland 7:30 pm Field 2 Events Anniversaries Birthdays Choir Practice Worship Services Softball April May Altar Flower Pick Up Schedule Jim Knosp Jim & Alice Bowman

10 10 St. Johns United Methodist Church 3001 Lincoln Hwy E. PO Box 86 Paradise, PA Pastor: Reverend Gene Errickson Administrative Assistant: Vicki Worst Church Facebook: Church Website: ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Mission Statement: ~St. John s UMC is a warm, welcoming church where all are invited to build relationships with Christ and each other. ~ Vision Statement: ~To be a growing, giving, praying church that responds to the needs of our congregation and community. ~ Worship Services 8:00 am & 10:00 am Praise Singing Nursery Provided Handicap Accessible Join Our Journey!!