THE EPISTLE St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church March 2019

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1 ~ A MESSAGE FROM PASTOR ALISON ~ THE EPISTLE St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church March 2019 SUNDAY MORNING SCHEDULE 9:00 A.M. Worship with Holy Communion 10:15 A.M. Coffee & Fellowship And Faith Formation Classes & Activities for All Ages MARCH 2019 St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church Non-profit Org. 201 S. Main Street POSTAGE PAID Spring Grove, PA Hanover, PA RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Permit #170 As a young child the season of Lent to me meant deprivation. As Lent approached each year my parents and I would have a discussion about what I thing or things I would be giving up for Lent. My first response was always school, but somehow I was never allowed to do that. My mom would always say, It has to be something you really love. So every year without a deviance, I would choose to give up dessert. Like clockwork every year during Lent my grandparents would come to visit. While they were at my house my grandma would always, always, always buy my favorite breakfast pastry. I would say, Mammi, you know I can t eat that. I gave up sweets for Lent. And she would always reply, I know it s your favorite and you re going to eat it. Needless to say I don t think I every managed to keep my Lenten discipline. As I got older and understood that we were supposed to sacrificially give up something to be more like Jesus I tried a wide variety of things. One year I lived in a 6 th floor apartment and I chose to give up the elevator. It was a VERY long 40 days. One year I gave up anything with white flour or white sugar in it. That was probably my most difficult Lent, although I did manage to loose 18 pounds. But as I gave these things up I realized something, none of my sacrificial disciplines were helping to improve my relationship with Jesus, nor was it helping me to better understand what it is he went through on the cross. How can going without chocolate for 40 days be anywhere near what Jesus experienced? So I developed a new Lenten discipline, adding something into my routine that helps me improve my relationship with Jesus. I have added in an extra 15 minutes of prayer time. I have prayed for a certain group of people by name. I have read a book of the Bible or a devotional book. All of these disciplines helped me to better follow Jesus and helped me to know Jesus better. This Lent instead of giving up something, or in addition to giving up something if you just can t help it, I invite you to consider what you can add into your routine to bring you closer to God. It doesn t have to be something huge, but doing something is always better than nothing. One of the things you may consider adding into your routine is our Thursday night Dinner Church. Each week, beginning the week following Ash Wednesday on March 14 th, we will gather together in our fellowship hall for a potluck that we will share in the midst of worship. Dinner church is a tradition that was rooted in Jesus time. The idea is that we will gather together, share in fellowship, food, scripture, discussion of the word, communion and prayer. The theme for our time together is Dreams. We will study the dreams of Jacob, Pharaoh, Solomon, Joseph, and the Magi and learn to listen to how and where God is speaking to us today. Our Dinner Church experience will end on Maundy Thursday with a brief order for confession and conclude with the stripping of the altar. Whether this be your tradition or something else, my prayer is you are brought closer to the Jesus who loves you and who made his journey for you. God s Peace, Pastor Alison

2 PREPARING FOR LENT WORSHIP NEWS CELEBRATING SHROVE TUESDAY Shrove Tuesday is held on the day preceding Ash Wednesday. It signals the end of Epiphany and the beginning of Lent (a time of penance and renewal prior to Easter) in the liturgical calendar of many Christian traditions. Shrove Tuesday ushers in the Quinquagesima, the fifty-day period before Easter, which begins the Sunday before Ash Wednesday. Shrove Tuesday occurs precisely 47 days before Easter and is a moveable feast determined by the lunar calendar. Its name is derived from the term 'shrive', which refers to the ritual of confession for sins leading into the penitential season of Lent.[1] [1] F.L. Cross and Elizabeth A. Livingstone, eds., The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press, 2005), FASTNACHT BREAKFAST MARCH 5, 7-9am Join friends for coffee and fastnachts (donuts) in the Fellowship Hall. Thank you to Darrell Hoffman, Carolyn Kaltreider, and Doris (Mary) White for their gift of hosting. DEVOTIONALS Available at the entrance to the sanctuary Lasting Hope Lenten Devotional: Adult Discipleship The book of Psalms gives us a realistic look at the journey of faith for individuals and a community. From crying for help to singing songs of praise and thanksgiving and everything in between the psalms show faith with all its ups and downs, twists and turns. More importantly, the book of Psalms points us to God. During times of celebration as well as suffering, loss, and lament, the psalm writers turn to God and remember God's promises promises kept and promises still unfolding. God's faithfulness to these promises creates a durable, lasting hope in the psalmists and in the community of God's people. Taking Faith Home Family Devotional Explore the Bible together using the Four Keys of Faith Formation in the Family: Caring Conversations, Devotions, Service, Rituals & Traditions Please help yourself, but if you are able, a suggested donation of $2 helps to cover the costs of these devotionals. TRANSFIGURATION SUNDAY MARCH 3 We get set for Lent with the celebration of the Transfiguration of Our Lord. This event was the turning point of Jesus ministry, after which he headed to Jerusalem and the cross. ASH WEDNESDAY - MARCH 6 Imposition of Ashes Worship Services Noon & 7:00pm GIRL SCOUT SUNDAY - MARCH 12 We will celebrate our ongoing partnership with the Girl Scouts, and JOYFULLY celebrate their completion of their My Promise. My Faith pin during worship on this Sunday. The pin will be awarded during the service with a special blessing. Please plan to attend and stay to congratulate our scouts during the Fellowship Hour, which they are hosting! LOOKING AHEAD TO HOLY WEEK 2019 SCHEDULE PALM SUNDAY Sunday, April 14 9am - Worship Noon - Main Street Processional 12:30pm - Community Lunch at Sacred Heart Parish Center MAUNDY THURSDAY* Thursday April 18, 6pm Dinner Church in Fellowship Hall Confession & Absolution Stripping of the Altar GOOD FRIDAY Friday, April 19, 7pm Tenebrae Service EASTER Sunday, April 21 7am - Easter Sunrise Service 8:15am - Easter Breakfast 8:45am - Family Egg Hunt 9:00am - Worship Service *Note this change in our Holy Week Worship for Instead of a Wednesday Night Service of Confession, the Maundy Thursday Dinner Church worship will begin with the order for confession and absolution. The service will end in the Sanctuary with the Stripping of the Altar.

3 PARISH LIFE UPDATES CYF News Children, Youth & Family Ministry DINNER CHURCH THURSDAYS IN LENT 6-7pm Fellowship Hall March 14 March 21 March 28 April 4 April 11 April 28 - Maundy Thursday A new worship opportunity this Lent! Gather weekly in the Fellowship Hall for Dinner Church. Dinner Church is a style of church that has been around for centuries. Christians gathering around a table to worship, pray, eat, and talk about their faith. Dinner Church at St. Paul this Lent will be in the form of a Potluck Style Dinner. Please sign up on the kiosk for the weeks you expect to attend. This will give our Fellowship Hosts a better guess for set-up needs. ORDER EASTER LILIES If you wish to order an Easter Lily to be placed in the sanctuary on Easter Morning, please pick up an order form at the entrance to the nave. Fill in the form below by placing your loved one s name(s) in the appropriate category (In Memory of or In Honor of), and return to the Church Office. Order Deadline is Monday, March 31, 2019 Cost per lily: $10 WOMEN OF WISDOM (WOW) WOMEN S BREAKFAST Saturday, March 16 WOW will meet at the church at 8:30am. COMMUNION MILESTONE Families with elementary school aged children Is your child interested in learning more about communion? Plan now to join the fun during this year s communion milestone! Exploration Night (with Parents) Thursday, April 25-6pm Pottery Night (Off-site location) Thursday, May 2-6pm Workshop (Bread Baking, Banner Making, Set the Altar, Time with Pastor) Saturday, May 11-8am-10:30am Celebration Sunday, May 12-9am Sign up via the registration link. This milestone is to help expand understanding of communion and is open to those who have never communed and are seeking a first communion experience, as well as those who are already communing but would like to know more. SUMMER KID S CLUB 2019 SAVE THE DATES Family Ministry FAMILY NIGHT - APRIL 28 Monday-Wednesday June Mornings Toddlers with caregivers PreK - Grade 5 During Lent we hope families will participate in the Thursday Night Dinner Church opportunities. Therefore, our next Sunday Night Family Night will be in April, on the 4th Sunday (not the 3rd, due to Easter). Mark your calendar and hope to see you then! SEE YOU IN APRIL!

4 FINANCIAL NEWS Donations Requested COUNCIL, COMMITTEE, & STAFF NEWS FINANCIAL UPDATE LITTLE FREE PANTRY UPDATES COUNCIL & COMMITTEE MEETINGS 2019 CHURCH COUNCIL MEMBERS Question: What do I do? I have a donation for the storeroom but the door is locked. Answer: The room is open on Sunday mornings before and after services. If you bring a donation during the week, you can place it outside the door and a pantry volunteer will add it to the shelves for you. Church Council - March 25, 7pm Cemetery - Children, Youth & Family Children s Team - April 7, 11:15m Fellowship - Finance - Mission & Service - Mutual Ministry - Property - March 11, 6pm St. Paul Staff - March 11 & 25, 10am Stewardship - Worship & Music - March 13, 4:15pm Co-Presidents Brenda Bowersox: bbowersox@comcast.net Darrell Hoffman: deh9@psu.edu Vice President Jim King: (note:zero15) Jking015@gmail.com Secretary Pat Lobodinsky: Patlobo2000@yahoo.com SOUP SALE - MARCH 17 Mission, Service & Outreach will have a ham & bean soup sale on Sunday, March 17th after the service. Also remember, anyone is welcome to stock the Little Free Pantry at anytime. The storeroom is to help us maintain a stock of items with high turnover. ST. PAUL HAS HEART MONTH TOTALS Danielle Gauldin: daniellegauldin@yahoo.com Travis Gladfelter: travis.gladfelter@comcast.net Jacob Greco: jacobgreco@gmail.com Tracy Gross: Tgross2002@comcast.net The cost is $8.00 per delicious quart. Proceeds go to support the mission, service & outreach projects of our congregation. HARVEST OF HOPE Monthly Donation Item Ramen Noodles Canned Soup Souper Bowl Thank-you: A total of $ was raised to benefit Harvest of Hope Food Pantry & the Little Food Pantry at St. Paul through the Souper Bowl collection on Feb. 3rd. Scott Hoover: smhoover@comcast.net Alan King: lakewini@gmail.com Wendy Miller: memillerfam@comcast.net Pastor Alison Bowlan: pastoralisonbowlan@gmail.com

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