THE EVANGELIST. Issue 4 A Word from the Pastor... April 2015

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1 THE EVANGELIST A monthly publication of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church - Ridge Valley St. John s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Ridge Valley, 910 Allentown Road, Sellersville, PA Office Hours: Monday through Friday 9:00 am to 2pm Pastor Rev. Amy Hotter Administrative Assistant Jennifer Nyce Phone: stjohnsridgevalley@verizon.net Issue Website: 10 Facebook: https//facebook.com/stjohnsridgevalley October 2013 Sunday Worship Schedule: 8:30 am Traditional; Sunday School-9:30 am (no summer); 10:15 am Praise Issue 4 A Word from the Pastor... April 2015 It s time for Spring Cleaning! Have you ever noticed when our homes appear cluttered, it has a direct effect on our emotions and thinking abilities. When physical things are piled up, we may not recognize it but it does affect our state of mind. Now, I m not talking just about all the papers, junk mail, or everyday objects that are left on the countertops.; No, I m talking three, ten or even twenty years of stuff that we cram into our closets, attics, basements, or storage spaces. How does all this accumulate, anyway? We wonder, how did it get this bad? What is it that we really need? This past month, with all the snow coming down outside, I spent my free time cleaning out and carting many boxes to the Care and Share in Souderton. What a freeing feeling! Not only did I feel better, I also enjoyed giving away my things that I was not using anymore so that someone else would be able to enjoy it. Our scriptures, have a lot to say about having too many possessions. Do we really think that we are better people because of our stuff? Hear the words of Matthew 6: Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Instead of things, may we store up riches in our hearts which turn to treasures in heaven? What would this look like? Well, on Sunday March 22 nd we spent time during the sermon to figure out ways that will lead us to Jesus. It was Phillip who stepped us and asked this question Sir, we want to see Jesus. So where do we see him? How do we see him? Instead of being overwhelmed with seeing stuff, hear the ways that the congregation responded to these questions. We see Jesus by giving or receiving forgiveness, the love of one another, warm blanket, flowers, strength that comes out of no where when we thought everything was hopeless, the sun, a breeze, prayers that have been answered, smile, kindness, people helping other people, singing God s praises, guidance, sympathy, joy, healing, protection and voice when you think you are all alone. We could have stayed all day listing ways we see Jesus, however it is time for us to live them out! May we do some Spring cleaning to make room to see Jesus!! Be a blessing, Pastor Amy

2 Page 2 The Evangelist February Scripture Schedule Date Principal Festivals First Reading Psalm Second Reading Gospel OFFICE CLOSED APRIL 3rd and 6th for EASTER 7 Nut Free Pie Day 9 Inclusions due for Council Agenda 13 Council Meeting 7pm, Souper Cooks/Comfort Crafters 15 Articles due for Newsletter Read the Bible in a year! Go to: and follow along with their suggested readings for each day or follow the readings below in our Newsletter. You ll be on your way to reading the Bible as it s events occurred in real time! Here are the readings for April: Apr 1: Jud 6-7 Apr 2: Jud 8-9 Apr 3: Jud Apr 4: Jud Apr 5: Jud Apr 6: Jud Apr 7: Ruth Apr 8: 1Sam 1-3 Apr 9: 1Sam 4-8 Apr 10: 1Sam 9-12 Apr 11: 1Sam Apr 12: 1Sam Apr 13: 1Sam 18-20; Ps 11/59 Apr 14: 1Sam Apr 15: Ps 7/27/31/34/52 Apr 16: Ps 56/120/ Apr 17: 1Sam Apr 18: Ps 17/35/54/63 Apr 19: 1Sam 28-31; Ps18 Apr 20: Ps 121/ / Apr 21: 2Sam 1-4 Apr 22: Ps 6/8-10/14/16/19/21 Apr 23: 1Chron 1-2 Apr 24: Ps 43-45/49/84-85/87 Apr 25: 1Chron 3-5 Apr 26: Ps 73/77-78 Apr 27: 1Chron 6 Apr 28: Ps 81/88/92-93 Apr 29: 1Chron 7-10 Apr 30: Ps

3 The Evangelist Page 3 Altar Flowers 19th In honor of John and Phyllis Kogel s Anniversary 19th In honor of Vicki Dixon s Bday Bulletin Sponsors 12th In honor of Vicki Dixon s Bday on the 19th given by Mom and Dad 19th In honor of John & Phyllis Kogel s Wedding Anniversary given by John and Phyllis Kogel Our Members: Doris Clayton Shirley Schirk Jill Guenst Emily Dixon Our Grieving Family: The Knerr Family The Leister Family Don Harrell Family Candle Memorial In Memory of Carl Rapp given by Sharon Saylor Memorials for April Our Friends: Richard Clark Rosie Crouthamel Betsy Graham Dylan Thorpe Rich Graver The Polichetti Family Lindsay Beuke Mazie Seachrist Johnny Tate Nancy Collier Mary King Barbara Lawrence Elizabeth Schmitt Diane Nice A memorial was received in loving memory of Arlene Knerr from Carl & Denise Kessler. Francis Allem Doris Barndt Claude & Dorothy Barndt Our Homebound: Ed Geiger Willis & Lorraine Heacock Pat Mackey Edna Barndt Ruth & Charles Marx Harold & Gert Benner Pauline Berndt Helen Brensinger Paul & Pauline Brensinger Thomas & Blanche Matczak Mark Trauger Barbara Warmkessel James Gotthardt Lucille Caruso

4 VISITOR CARDS The CGOC would like to share with our congregation that shortly there will be new and brightly colorful Visitor Cards in our pews..the hope is that the colorful cards will attract our visitor's attention and prompt them to fill one out. We hope, you, our congregation will like them as much as we do! The Evangelist Highways and Byways to St. John's The CGCO is looking for ideas for the placement of St. John's Lutheran directional signs to our church. Any suggestion for intersections or roads in the surrounding areas would be most appreciated. Please contact Pat Traynor or place you suggestion in the CGOC Mailbox in the Church Office. Thank you. CHURCH HISTORY BROCHURE Have you seen our new CHURCH HISTORY BROCHURE? If not, please check it out. The brochure can be found in the Fellowship Area. We are very proud of this accomplishment. The CGOC would like to acknowledge our Church Administrator Jen Nyce for her computer expertise and Input with regard to the completion of the aforementioned projects. Thank you Jen. Pat Traynor E arly one morning A long time ago S ome faithful women T o Jesus' tomb did go! E mpty they found it! R isen was he --For you and for me. Lay Eucharistic Visitor Training For those of you interested in providing Holy Communion to our homebound, please consider signing up for a training on April 18th, 2015 at St. Michael s Lutheran Church located at 25 E. Church Street, Sellersville, PA The cost of $25 per person will be covered by St. John s. Please call the office with questions or to sign up! Thanks

5 Calling all men of all ages!! Please Join Us!! Men s breakfast every 3rd Sat at 8am at the A&N dinner. Faith, Food, and Fellowship! NUT FREE PIE DAY Tuesday, April 7, 2015 Please join me and other members of The North Penn and Friends Auxiliary Meeting for Silver Springs Martin Luther School on Tuesday, April 7, We will meet at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 20 Dill Ave., Perkasie, PA from Noon until 2 PM. Please bring a sandwich, the beverage and dessert will be supplied. This is a great way to learn more about the school and the children that are served by the school. The meeting is always very interesting Please bring any nut free dessert with you that day and those special desserts will be transported to the school for the children for their evening meal. These treats are looked forward to twice a year when the children are allowed to have more than one dessert after their meal. If you are unable to come to the meeting, but want to supply a dessert, please bring those items to church on Sunday, April 5 th (Easter Sunday) and I will take them to the meeting. A free will offering is always taken at the meeting and then we vote as to what project we will support. This is a wonderful school that serves many children with social/emotional disorders. They heal these children with love, support and education. Please try to attend. The next Nut Free Pie Day meeting will be Tuesday, October 6, Thank you, Marianne Yeakel FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS We recognize that many of the members of our congregation as well as friends of St. John's own, operate or are affiliated with a family business venture, and this can include baby sitting, dog walking, sitting, mowing of grass, etc.. Please feel free to post your business card, or a little memo with regard to what might be of interest to our congregation. "We are Family...Our Congregation and Me." The CGOC.

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7 Page 8 The Evangelist MINISTRY FAIR SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 2015 Please come into the Coffee Fellowship Area on Sunday, April 19 th and see what our various committees (teams) are doing here at St. John s Ridge Valley. Each committee will have something set up so you can see the work they do throughout the year. A lot of us are unaware of what happens during the year at St. John s. There is more going on than Sunday worship. By living God s word we care for the building, cemetery and many folks in need of comfort. We try to reach out to our community and the world in caring for all people. So please stop by and have a look for yourself.

8 The Evangelist ST. JOH S LUTHERAN CHURCH RIDGE VALLEY Page 8 APRIL Establishment of St. John s Lutheran Church Ridge Valley History and Artifact Center We have so much rich history and unique items pertaining to St. John s scattered throughout our church the items sometimes seem to lose their real significance. We would like our congregation and friends of St. John s to put on your thinking caps and let us know your ideas as to where a center could be established within our church for displaying St. John s history in one central area. The center would serve multiple purposes. Foremost the safety of the artifacts would be insured by being in one location. Also, this would be a great educational medium for our Confirmation class, and new members coming into St. John s. Included would be a framed copy of Martin Luther s 95 Theses and some information with regard to Martin Luther s life. The center would be included as a tour, an added attraction to our Special Happenings here at St. John s such as: The Annual Blessing of the Animals, Carillon Concert, and other concerts. Plus who knows what other special happenings might take place in the near future. With events of this nature, we always receive numerous people from other areas and congregations who love to tour our church and have stated; We look forward to returning next year. What an opportunity if someone is looking for a new church home to Share our History and our Joy! Please help us in this endeavor by placing your suggestions in the CGOC mail slot in the Church Office. Thank you so much, Pat Traynor J Christian Growth, Outreach & Communications Committee HELPING TO MAKE ST. JOHN'S WISH LIST A REALITY Our sincerest appreciation to an anonymous, thoughtful and kindhearted contributor for the benefit of St. John's Wish List. Thank you - CGOC

9 The Page Evangelist 8 The Evangelist Fun Celebrations for April: 1. International Fun at Work Day 2. Children s Book Day 2. National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day 7. Carmel Popcorn Day Celebrate Earth Day! 14. International Moment of Laughter Day 16. National Stress Awareness Day 17. National Cheeseball Day 19. National Garlic Day 20. Look Alike Day 22. Earth Day 23. National Take Your Daughter to Work Day 26. National Pretzel Day 27. Tell a Story Day 30. National Honesty Day

10 St. John s Lutheran Church 910 Allentown Road Sellersville, PA Place Label Here St. John s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 910 Allentown Road, Sellersville, PA Office Hours: Visiting Hours Monday through Friday, 9:00 2:00 Phone: E Mail: stjohnsridgevalley@verizon.net Website: stjohns ridgevalley.com Facebook: Worship Schedule: 8:30 am Traditional Service; 9:30 am Sunday School; 10:15 am Praise Service St. Johns Staff: The Rev. Amy Hotter, Pastor Mark Gottesfeld, Organist & Music Director Jennifer Nyce, Administrative Assistant Christine Nyce, Rick Rogers, Sextons St. John s Council Members: Don Graham Roy Hafler, Congregation/Council Vice President Barbara Klinger, Financial Secretary Dan Traynor, Treasurer Brenda Wall Nancy Esposito Cornell Hopkins, Congregation/Council Secretary Marianne Yeakel, Congregation/Council President Megan Yoder