LENTEN DISCIPLINE FEBRUARY 2015 FIRST EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH GREENSBURG, PA ASH WEDNESDAY WORSHIP RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

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1 FIRST EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH 246 SOUTH MAIN STREET GREENSBURG, PA RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION US POSTAGE PAID GREENSBURG, PA PERMIT #436 FIRST EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH 246 South Main Street Greensburg, Pennsylvania T: F: felchurch.org PASTOR... Jerry Nuernberger PASTOR...Marleen Griffith-Stull DIRECTOR OF MUSIC....Marvin Huls CHURCH TREASURER.... Patti Sias OFFICE MANAGER.... Joanie Knobloch OFFICE SECRETARY...Patricia Pluck CUSTODIAN... Jaison Smith CHURCH COUNCIL MEMBERS FIRST EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH GREENSBURG, PA PHONE FAX felchurch.org FEBRUARY 2015 Joe Bartlow Kip Douglas Boggs Rebecca Brunetta Dean Cichetti Bob Errett Elinor Giovannini Tom Gockel Lynn Hochrein Gwen Irwin Bobbie Laciak Barbara Pascarella Wendy Piper Vice President President Secretary LENTEN DISCIPLINE For centuries Christians have set aside the forty days before Easter to be a time of faithful introspection, careful repentance, and deepened service. Following this time tested tradition we will hold Lenten Wednesday worship services beginning February 18, and when we reach Holy Week we will worship Maundy Thursday (April 2) and Good Friday (April 3). Also, it has been First Lutheran s practice to have a congregational mission project during Lent. In the past it has been directed towards the ELCA s World Hunger ministry. Keep your eyes open for this year s project. WORSHIP WITH US Sunday Church School 9:30 A.M. SCS does not meet in June, July or August Sunday Worship 8:15 A.M. & 10:45 A.M. Summer Schedule 8:15 A.M. & 10:00 A.M. Elevator and Hearing Assistance Available In this ever increasingly fast paced world that seeks to take a firm grip on us and our time, you will feel the peace and hope of our Lord s grip on us as you engage yourself in our Lenten Discipline. ASH WEDNESDAY WORSHIP February 18th, 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

2 CONGREGATIONAL LENTEN LEARNING AND WORSHIP Every Wednesday beginning February 25 and ending March 25 we will gather for learning and worship at 7:00 p.m. This year s focus will be The Lord s Prayer. Teens and adults will gather in the sanctuary. Elementary children will gather in the fellowship hall. At 7:30 everyone will gather in the sanctuary, using Holden Evening Prayer for our worship. When Jesus disciples asked him to teach them to pray, Jesus gave them the words of what we have come to call The Lord s Prayer. In our study we will delve into this prayer so that we might have a deeper understanding of what Jesus has told us to pray, and also to take a magnifying glass to this prayer so that it is not simply words that roll off of our lips but flow out of our hearts. SHROVETIDE BRUNCH - SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15 The First Family tradition of gathering for the Shrovetide Brunch the Sunday before Lent continues with meal and fellowship planned for Sunday, February 15, following the 10:45 a.m. liturgy. The menu will include: pancakes, sausage, syrup, orange juice, coffee, and tea. Reservation forms will be included in the Sunday bulletin the first two Sundays in February. A donation to defray expenses may be given if you so desire. Shrovetide traditions of the past included using all of the flour in the house in preparation for the fasting of Lent. The days preceding Ash Wednesday became festive days with focus on increased baking, fellowship, and fun (as in the Mardi Gras tradition). We adapt this tradition with our pancake brunch for the First Lutheran family. Join us as we enjoy this time of food and fellowship. FIRLU HAS HEARD -that we have received many thank you letters from local, community, and churchwide ministries in appreciation of our year-end support and gifting. Thanks for making a difference in people s lives. -that Continental Breakfast is available in the fellowship hall between services. Grab some coffee, tea, juice, yogurt, or pastries and join us. Our thanks to Sue Boggs for coordinating this ministry. If you would like to help, speak to Sue or call the church office. -that the JAVA TABLE will be open in the fellowship hall February 22 between worship services. Fair Trade coffees, teas, and chocolates will be available for purchase. -that assistance is greatly needed the third Thursday of the month by 8:00 AM to unload the truck and sort groceries for Food Pantry distribution. -that registrations are now being accepted for the term of the First Lutheran Preschool. Classes are offered for children ages three and four. Please speak to Barb Krunszyinsky or call the church office for more information. -that Angel Food cakes (home baked or purchased) are needed the first Sunday of every month for Meals on Wheels. Bring your cake to the church office. Thanks! -that the deadline for the March newsletter is Monday, February 16. Please be prompt. You may submit your articles to jknobloch@felchurch.org. See you at worship, FIRLU

3 MOSES AT THE SIGHT & SOUND THEATER, LANCASTER, PA The story of Moses is truly epic and monumental and the Sight & Sound Theater has brought his story to life. First Lutheran is planning a trip to Lancaster to see and experience this epic story. Our one day journey will depart from Greensburg on Saturday, March 21, 2015 and will include a stop at Kitchen Kettle Village for some shopping, lunch at the Plain & Fancy Restaurant and then on to the Sight & Sound theater for the show. Cost is $ per person and includes the bus, lunch and show tickets. Please call the church office to make your reservation (a deposit of $50.00 is requested) or for additional information. CHILDREN S STUDY OF THE LORD S PRAYER During Lent our younger youth, from preschool thru 6 th grade are invited to learn more about the Lord s Prayer. The group will meet on Wednesday evenings from 7:00-7:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall while their parents are encouraged to join Pastor Jerry in the sanctuary for adult study on the Lord s Prayer! At 7:30 the whole group will be together upstairs in the sanctuary for worship together. The youth will be doing craft projects, a fun food lesson, an interactive game, and other hands-on activities during their time together. This is a great way to help your children learn the Lord s Prayer while they are having a fun time together! BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION *** FREE *** It costs you nothing, and you get great satisfaction out of helping someone else. Glade Run Foundation in Zelienople is just one of the Lutheran service centers that benefit from your saving BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION coupons found on General Mills products. For each ten coupons we collect and send to them, Glade Run can purchase one dollar s worth of supplies for the children they serve. So, cut out those coupons and put them in the plastic jar in our education wing s entrance, and let yourself feel good about helping someone for nothing. BIBLE BOWL This year we have a small but dedicated team of Bible Bowl participants from First Lutheran Church! Our team members are Jennifer McCanna, Drew Erdman, Erik Hanzel, Lexi Hahn, and Erika Ament. They are studying the gospel of Mark and the letter to Philemon. They will compete locally on Sunday, February 22! Please pray that they learn and are shaped by God s Word during their time together. Remember, it is only BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION from General Mills products that we need. And, we THANK YOU!

4 YOUTHFEST - APRIL 10-12, 2015 YouthFest is a Junior and Senior High Retreat to Camp Lutherlyn to play, worship, learn, grow, and get away from it all with other youth. This year s Youthfest will begin the evening of Friday, April 10 and will conclude on Sunday, April 12. The theme this year is THE STORY story of God and God s people (that s us!). The musician and speaker is Nate Houge who is singer/song writer/cyclist/baker from St. Paul, MN. This is a great way to experience Camp Lutherlyn or to get out to enjoy Lutherlyn between summer camp sessions. Anyone in Junior or Senior High School is invited to attend! Registration forms are in the church office and due back to the office by March 1, Total cost is $122 per person but First Lutheran will cover $62 for each person registering by March 1!! (Please, if cost is still an issue talk with Pastor Marleen or Pastor Jerry and they will work on a plan to get you to this event!) SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE THROUGH CONGREGATION AND COMMUNITY The Lego Movie (DVD) The first-ever full-length theatrical LEGO movie follows Emmet an ordinary, rules-following perfectly average mini-figure who is mistakenly identified as the most extraordinary person and the key to saving the world. He is drafted into a fellowship of strangers on an epic quest to stop an evil tyrant, a journey for which Emmet is hopelessly and hilariously underprepared. Beauty and the Beet by Veggietales (DVD) Mirabelle and her traveling family band, the Veggietones, are determined to make their next gig at Vegetable Square Garden. On their journey, a fierce winter snowstorm hits, and the family gets stuck at a run-down resort! Mr. Beet, the grumpy manager makes them sing and clean for their supper. Why is Mr, Beet such a beast? Can Mirabelle s kindness change him? Find out in this hilarious and heartwarming tale of unconditional love! Two different scholarships are available to members of First Lutheran. Members of First who plan to attend Thiel College during the next academic year are requested to inform the church office during February and write a letter to church council requesting the scholarship. The Education Society of Westmoreland County also provides Lutheran residents of the county who attend any Lutheran College or seminary the opportunity for scholarship aid. Applicants are asked to contact Lisa Robosky at 831 Wisconsin Avenue, Greensburg. MEMORIAL GIFTS RECEIVED First Lutheran Church s Memorial Fund has received gifts in memory of Marshall Hoffman from Sue Boggs, Gary and Marsha Hampton, Darrell and Alice Goodlin, Donna Paul, Helen Ann Parke, and Roy and Nancy Green. We are thankful for these and all gifts.

5 FEBRUARY LIBRARY NEWS First Lutheran library is located on the second floor of the education building. Materials are also located on the bookshelves in the parlor on the first floor. Serving At First In February /1 2/8 2/15 2/22 New in First Lutheran library this month: Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good by Jan Karon This is the latest novel in Jan Karon s Mitford series. After five years of retirement from Lord s Chapel, Father Tim Kavanagh and his wife, Cynthia, return to Mitford from a so-called pleasure trip to the land of his Irish ancestors. Fans will applaud the chance to spend time in the often comic and utterly human presence of Jan Karon s characters. Indeed they have never been more sympathetic, bighearted and engaging. Drew Erdman Alyssa Tomb Haley Tomb Jean Miller Malcolm Sias Jennifer McCanna Molly Krunszyinsky Tanner DeTesta Kim Nicassio Wendy Piper ACOLYTES LECTORS Brandon Armstrong Brenna Barnhart Tyler Crosby Bailey DeTesta 2/18 Julia Gogol Hazel Adams Alex Byers Nick Nicassio Sawyer Rehak Kendyl Crosby Gail Armstrong Joan Orr New in our children s library: A Girl s Guide to Making Really Good Choices by Elizabeth George Have you ever counted how many choices you make each day? A lot! God says that when you make good choices, your day will go so much better. You ll enjoy life a lot more and have more fun along the way! Every good decision you make is a chance to grow close to God, your family and your friends. So start learning how to make the best kinds of choices today! Snow Angel by Glenn Beck Siblings Ryan and Lily are feeling the pinch during difficult economic times for their family. Mom and Dad are often away, working long hours, leaving Grandma to care for them. They feel alone and left behind, and don t - understand why their parents are never there. But one night, after a particularly moving and magical bedtime story from Grandma, Ryan and Lily learn that sometimes sacrifice is not only necessary, but can be a true measure of love. continued... Dennis Acita Al Danilko AV MINISTRY TEAM Drew Erdman Bailey DeTesta Delivery Dwight Miller Liz Rowe Helen Marie Flinner Betty Mohney Cheryl Lucas Betty Kraus ASSISTING MINISTERS Pat Yost Rebecca Brunetta Suzy Flory Dianna Marusko 8:15 USHERS Dave Cobb - chief Sue Cobb Jeff Barnhart 10:45 USHERS Dan Lucas - chief Debbie Delisi Dave Delisi Malcolm Sias ALTAR GUILD Bev Attenberger - coordinator Elinor Giovannini Pat Eidemiller Barbara Christner

6 February 2015 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday FOOD/HEART :15 W&S Souper Bowl Sunday 8 8:15 W&S 9:30 Information Technology 15 8:15 W&S Shrovetide Brunch 12:30 Youth 22 8:15 W&S JAVA TABLE 9:30 Social Ministry 9 10:00 Mary Martha Circle 16 NEWSLETTER DEADLINE 23 6:30 Priscilla Circle 10 6:30 Personnel 17 6:30 Finance 7:00 Christian Ed 7:00 Fellowship 11 FOOD/HEART FOOD/HEART 11:00 & 7:00 W&S Imposition of ashes FOOD/HEART 6:00 Property 7:00 Midweek Lenten Observance 8:00 Executive 6:15 Bell Choir 7:00 Choir 6:15 Bell Choir 7:00 Choir 7:30 Ruth Circle 19 FOOD PANTRY Actual Size: 6 ¾ High x 5 ¼ Wide x ¾ Thick First Lutheran Church is providing an opportunity for you to purchase a unique keepsake. Our church holds many wonderful memories and life-changing stories for each of us. And to celebrate our 230 th Birthday, The Cat s Meow has designed a beautiful miniature wooden, color replica of our church to provide us with a visual reminder of those precious memories we hold dear. Proudly display your church keepsake and share your stories of faith with friends and loved ones. Please call the church office for availability and/or additional information. The price is $10.00 each. Cash or check (payable to First Lutheran Church)