Solomon s Says. Pastoral Letter Pastor Bill Nienstedt

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Solomon s Says. Pastoral Letter Pastor Bill Nienstedt"

Camron Kelly
5 years ago
Views:

SOLOMON S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH GRINDSTONE HILL 4856 Wayne Road Phone: 717-267-2266 Chambersburg, PA 17201 Fax: 717-267-7030 E-Mail Address: solomons@embarqmail.

1 SOLOMON S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH GRINDSTONE HILL 4856 Wayne Road Phone: Chambersburg, PA Fax: Address: solomons@embarqmail.com IN THIS ISSUE: Pastoral Letter Solomon s News & Events Worship Server Schedule... 4 Fellowship Hall Forms Church Calendar... 7 Solomon s Says A Newsletter from the Faith Community of Solomon s Evangelical Lutheran Church Solomon s Evangelical Lutheran Church, following the example of Jesus Christ, seeks to live in the confidence and fullness of God s grace; to preach the Good News boldly and truthfully; to support and serve others in faith; to work in harmony with all creation. Pastoral Letter Pastor Bill Nienstedt Sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news! Romans 10:14-15 A recent study concluded that the most important characteristic for visitors to a congregation is not good preaching, the quality of the music, decent parking, hot coffee or convenient worship times (though these are important, too!) Rather the most compelling thing for new visitors is the warmth of the people not just from ushers and greeters but from the people who sit in the pews. In the few weeks that I have been here at Solomon s, I can say with confidence that I have experienced true warmth from the disciples of this congregation. As we look to the future together, we will look for ways to share that warmth with others as an expression of the love of Jesus Christ that we have received as a gift. In the coming months, I encourage you to share with me your hope and vision for where the Spirit is leading Solomon s to extend God s kingdom in our community and beyond. Please call or come by and visit me at the office or speak with me after worship on Sunday. The season of Lent is an excellent time to focus on the practices of fasting, giving and prayer, as ways of drawing us around the life of Jesus and the community that he called into being. How does being a follower of Jesus help us to define who we are and where we are going? I invite you to reflect on the blessings that you and Solomon s have received and consider ways you can give yourself as an offering to God s people. Instead of just forgoing something during Lent, give something away instead. For example, use less paper towels or tissues and donate an extra roll or box to our paper drive for the community food bank. Forgo a latte and donate the money saved to the ELCA Hunger Program. Volunteer at a local charity or as a tutor for schoolchildren in need. Help out at one of our soup suppers or Vespers services, held each Wednesday during Lent. Call shut-ins and let them know you are thinking about them and praying for them. The possibilities are endless. Finally, make prayer not only a Lenten discipline, but part of your daily routine. Through prayer and meditation, you can ask God for direction, confidence and strength for the journey of sharing the gospel with all people

Solomon s has a rich 245 year history of sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. Yet, I am certain that our best days are ahead. We are blessed so that we can be a blessing to others.

2 Solomon s has a rich 245 year history of sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. Yet, I am certain that our best days are ahead. We are blessed so that we can be a blessing to others. Peace and joy in Christ, Pastor Bill INVITATION TO PASTOR NIENSTEDT S INSTALLATION Solomon s Evangelical Lutheran Church cordially invites your presence and prayers for the celebration by Word and Sacrament of the Installation of William B. Nienstedt to the office of Pastor on Sunday, March 6 at 4:00 PM. A dinner reception will follow the service. Please sign the attendance sheet on the bulletin board in the Sunday School room if you are planning to attend the service and stay for the dinner reception. Activities during Lent and Holy Week Please join us for an Ash Wednesday service with Imposition of Ashes and Holy Communion on March 9 at 7:30pm. This service ushers in the 40 days of Lent, a time of preparation, when we examine ourselves and strive to follow Jesus on his walk to the cross. The traditional Lenten disciplines are fasting, giving alms and prayer. You may wish to examine ways you can give back to others in need as thanks for God s blessings in your life. Take a special time each day during Lent, perhaps in the morning or in the evening when the sun sets, to read the Psalm for the day (they are listed in the pew hymnals, beginning on page 1123), make the sign of the cross on your forehead and say, I am a baptized child of God, and pray for the needs of others and for God s healing presence. You can light a small candle as a reminder of Christ s light in the darkness. During Lent, we will gather on the five Wednesdays (March 16, 23, 30 and April6 and 13) at 6:00pm in the Fellowship Center for a soup supper, followed by a beautiful Vespers Service in the Sanctuary at 6:45pm. On Palm Sunday, April 17, in worship we will recall Jesus journey to the cross in a responsive reading of the Passion of our Lord according to Matthew. Holy Week services continue with a service with Holy Communion and stripping of the Altar on Maundy Thursday at 7:30pm. On Good Friday, we will hear the Passion according to John, which celebrates Christ s victory on the cross, in a service at 12:00 Noon. Please join us on Easter morning, April 24, for a Festival Service with Holy Communion, as we celebrate Christ s passage from death to life in the resurrection. Alleluia! Christ is risen! And Christ will come again

MEMBERS NEWS AND NOTES Do you have news or notes that you would like to include in Solomon s Says?

to the following new members who joined our membership on Sunday, 2/20/11: Bernie and Edna Harris Pastor Bill, Kristy and Katy Nienstedt ADDRESS CHANGE Please update your

Radio stations to listen to on Sunday from 7:00-9:00 AM: WRST 92.1; WIKZ 95.1; WCHA 800 AM; WJEJ 1240 AM and TV Stations WHAG and WJAL.

3 MEMBERS NEWS AND NOTES Do you have news or notes that you would like to include in Solomon s Says? If so, please submit your news/notes to Carolyn Clouser in her church mailbox or by to c-clouser@comast.net. WELCOME! to the following new members who joined our membership on Sunday, 2/20/11: Bernie and Edna Harris Pastor Bill, Kristy and Katy Nienstedt ADDRESS CHANGE Please update your directory with the following: Carolyn Clouser 301 Stonegate Circle South Chambersburg, PA (717) c-clouser@comcast.net Pastor Bill s address at the church is: pstrbill@embarqmail.com. Sally s address at the church (and the general church address) is: solomons@embarqmail.com. Newsletter items can be ed to Carolyn Clouser at c-clouser@comcast.net. Solomon s Church Closing Policy! The weather conditions will be evaluated and a decision will be made by 7:00 AM on Sunday morning for church cancellation. Radio stations to listen to on Sunday from 7:00-9:00 AM: WRST 92.1; WIKZ 95.1; WCHA 800 AM; WJEJ 1240 AM and TV Stations WHAG and WJAL. If unsure, call the church office after 7:00 AM and any cancellations will be left on the answering machine. INCOME Envelopes and Plate Giving $ 23, Other Income 2, Total Income for January $ 25, FINANCIAL REPORT FOR JANUARY 2011 GIFTS and GIVING REQUIRED to meet budget each month $ 17,427 EXPENSES for January $ 10,

Save the Date! Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania, LAMPa, has announced that Tuesday, May 17, will be Lutheran Day at the Capitol.

The keynote speaker will be David Beckmann, an economist, a Lutheran pastor, and president of Bread for the World.

The Social Ministry Committee will be selling bags of Fair Trade coffee in the Sunday School room on the first Sunday of every month.

4 Save the Date! Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania, LAMPa, has announced that Tuesday, May 17, will be Lutheran Day at the Capitol. This year s focus will be on how Lutheran congregations can address the issue of hunger through direct action and advocacy. The keynote speaker will be David Beckmann, an economist, a Lutheran pastor, and president of Bread for the World. Workshops will offer opportunities to learn more about hunger in the Commonwealth and best practices for addressing hunger it. The Social Ministry Committee will be selling bags of Fair Trade coffee in the Sunday School room on the first Sunday of every month. In addition to supporting the Lutheran World Relief (LWR) Coffee Project, we have also decided to support the LWR Chocolate Project. We will be offering milk chocolate bunnies, speckled eggs, pralines eggs, milk chocolate and dark chocolate mini eggs. Each package will sell for $6. The chocolate comes highly recommended. We are hoping to have the chocolate available during the coffee sale on March 6 th. The Franklin County Library System Bookmobile will stop in our parking lot for the convenience of our members and others who live in our community. They will be here every other Friday. The schedule for March is Friday, March 4 and March 18 from 9:45-10:00 a.m. Our congregation will host a birthday party at The Inn at Luther Ridge on April 18, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. We need your help. A sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board in the Social Room. This is a good way to share your goodwill with others! Any questions, please see Gladys Mull. Start stocking up now on paper goods to prepare for the Social Ministry Committee s paper goods drive the first three Sundays in April to benefit the food pantry. Donations such as tissues, toilet tissue, diapers and paper towels, etc. will be very much appreciated. You may place your donations in the big, blue Social Ministry Committee bin in the Sunday School room. Save Magazines for Ronald McDonald House! Now you can support the Ronald McDonald House of Hershey and help our community in the recycling effort too. How? By saving magazines and catalogues, then dropping them off at Solomon's Fellowship Center during the month of March. What kind of paper is needed? Anything that is GLOSSY! That means magazines, catalogues, and annual reports just as long as the pages are slick and glossy. What does the Ronald McDonald House do with Magazines? When the magazine containers are full, Brandywine Recycling in Lebanon, PA is called to pick up the containers. They recycle the glossy paper and send a check to the Ronald McDonald House! How are the proceeds used? All funds are used to support the operations of the Ronald McDonald House in Hershey. They offer a temporary home to out-of-town families who have seriously ill children being treated at the Penn State Children s Hospital. Up to 21 families each night stay at the Ronald McDonald House free of charge, because of the generosity of their wonderful donors

I Thessalonians 1: 2-3 We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly.

Thank you to the individuals below who are serving in various capacities during the month of March.

Gladys Mull Head Usher Janice McEntire Janice McEntire Janice McEntire Janice McEntire Janice McEntire Ushers Wayne Dale Becky Mull Dick Mull Gladys Mull Greeters Clayton & Annamarie Judy Johnson Tom

5 I Thessalonians 1: 2-3 We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly. As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you to the individuals below who are serving in various capacities during the month of March. March 6 March 9 March 13 March 20 March 27 Acolyte Kristen Mull Wayne Dale Sean Kindall Marjorie Dale Aaron Shreiner John Wolfinger Karen Wolfinger Cantor Alan Johnson Judy Johnson Peggi Joe Mock Gladys Mull Head Usher Janice McEntire Janice McEntire Janice McEntire Janice McEntire Janice McEntire Ushers Wayne Dale Becky Mull Dick Mull Gladys Mull Greeters Clayton & Annamarie Judy Johnson Tom Dooley Glenn & Patsy Bonney Coldsmith Schwartz Pat Yetter Helen Hess Wildeson Sue Dooley Comm. Asst. (Servers) Wayne Peggi Clayton Schwartz Curt Shreiner Karen Wolfinger Comm. Asst. (Trays) Karen Wolfinger Table Communion Table Communion Table Communion Communion Bread Carolyn Clouser Carolyn Clouser Carolyn Clouser Carolyn Clouser Carolyn Clouser Communion Set-Up Wayne & Peggi Wayne & Peggi Wayne & Peggi Wayne & Peggi Wayne & Peggi Communion Clean-Up Dick/Gladys Mull Dick/Gladys Mull Dick/Gladys Mull Dick/Gladys Mull Dick/Gladys Mull Children s Church Cindy Tweedy Marilys Johnson Jared Mummert Kathy Bowen Leah Wolfinger Becky Pecha Gladys Mull Carolyn Clouser After Service Coffee Peggi Patsy Wildeson Karen Wolfinger Bonney Coldsmith Flower Delivery Wayne & Marjorie Dale Here s what s cooking in the Kitchen! There is a week in March when we seem to be very busy with some meals. We have several scheduled events coming up as follows: Tuesday, March 15, 2011 Dinner at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, March 17, 2011 Breakfast at 9:00 a.m. Saturday, March 19, 2011 Lunch at 12:00 noon Your help would be greatly appreciated with any of these events. Watch for sign-up sheets on the bulletin board or call Frances Reichard. St. Patrick s Day Riddles 1. What is out on the lawn all summer and is Irish? 2. When is an Irish Potato not an Irish Potato? (See answers at the bottom of page 7.) Knock, knock. Who s there? Irish. Irish who? Irish you a Happy St. Patrick s Day! - 5 -

LSS NEWS AND EVENTS The Lower Susquehanna Synod is planning the following events during March. For more information, contact the church office or visit www.lss-elca.org.

Mark s Lutheran Church in Harrisburg Saturday, March 5, 2011. What Happens When You Die? Are You Ready? Discover answers to these questions, and more! The Rev. Dr.

Register early as this event is limited to 85 participants! Saturday, March 26, 2011 8:30 am 2:30 pm St.

6 LSS NEWS AND EVENTS The Lower Susquehanna Synod is planning the following events during March. For more information, contact the church office or visit Leadership Training Event You are invited to participate in a Leadership Training Event sponsored by the Lower Susquehanna Synodical, Women of the ELCA at St. Mark s Lutheran Church in Harrisburg Saturday, March 5, What Happens When You Die? Are You Ready? Discover answers to these questions, and more! The Rev. Dr. Rick Carlson (Gettysburg Seminary) and Chaplain Jim Wise (Hershey Medical Center) are presenters for this half-day event at Gettysburg Seminary on Saturday, March 12, Registration fee is $15. Register early as this event is limited to 85 participants! Saturday, March 26, :30 am 2:30 pm St. James Lutheran Church, Gettysburg Featuring practical workshops for keyboard musicians, choir directors and leaders of children s music ministries. Bishop s Prayer Petition for Christians in Places of Unrest and Upheaval God of all nations, we pray for your church in every land, especially those places beset by political upheaval and social strife. We pray for our sisters and brothers in Christ in the Coptic Christian Church in Egypt, who have faced personal attack and whose country faces political change. May they be kept safe and be comforted by the presence of your loving Spirit. We pray for our brothers and sisters in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Jordan and the Holy Land, for Christians in Bahrain, Libya, Tunisia, and Yemen, wherever the winds of change and civil discord threaten social peace and personal safety. Bring an end to violence, grant peace and justice to the oppressed, bring calm to fevered hearts and minds, and let the reign of righteousness prevail. We pray in the name of the Prince of Peace, our crucified and risen Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen. Thursday, February 17,

7 April 3 rd. Answers to St. Patrick s Day riddles from page 5: 1. Paddy O Furniture 2. When it s a French fry

Join us Sunday mornings for Sunday School at 9:00 a.m. and Worship Service at 10:15 a.m. Solomon s Evangelical Lutheran Church 4856 Wayne Road Chambersburg, PA 17202-9355 Phone: 717-267-2266 www.

8 Join us Sunday mornings for Sunday School at 9:00 a.m. and Worship Service at 10:15 a.m. Solomon s Evangelical Lutheran Church 4856 Wayne Road Chambersburg, PA Phone: Pastor Bill Nienstedt When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth. Genesis 9:16 ESV SOLOMON S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH 4856 WAYNE ROAD CHAMBERSBURG PA

Solomon s Says. October 2018

Solomon s Says. October 2018 October 2018 SOLOMON S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH GRINDSTONE HILL 4856 Wayne Road Phone: 717-267-2266 Chambersburg, PA 17202-9355 Fax: 717-267-7030 E-Mail Address: info@solomonslutheran.org IN THIS ISSUE: