Come and Worship OCTOBER 2018

Transcription

1 St. Luke Lutheran Church P O Box 278 Schaefferstown, Pa St. Luke Lutheran Church Come and Worship OCTOBER 2018 Sunday, October 7 - Food Bank Sunday Lutheran World Relief Ingathering/Blanket Sunday 9:00 AM Sunday School 10:15 AM Holy Communion Service Taizé Service Sunday, October 14 Sunday, October 21 9:00 AM Sunday School 9:00 AM Sunday School 10:15 AM Worship Service 10:15 AM Holy Communion Sunday, October 28 - Reformation Sunday 9:00 AM Sunday School 10:15 AM Holy Communion Traditional Service Community Free Meal every Sunday evening - 5:30 - Community Free Meals every Thursday - 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

2 Pastor Dan s Drift... October 2018 [Jesus] said to them, "When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us. And do not bring us to the time of trial" (Matt 11:2-4). Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven (James 5:14-15). Be it a restaurant, grocery store, pub, kitchen table, hospital, or care facility, these are some questions I struggle to answer. God will provide. when? God doesn t give us more than we can handle really? Pray without ceasing Why? Nothing changes. Some answer their own question. I guess I ain t good enough. It s probably payback time. Can t know the mind of God. It s just not supposed to be. Hardest to hear (and dispute) not long ago was a person s answer to my suggestion, Let s pray. No offense Pastor, but don t waste your time. Don t take it personally. I appreciate your lisnin. Some people are willing to give answers similar to Job s friends or the disciples in John 9:2, It s just not God s will. He s testing you. God s time is not our time. God wants to, but you must stop.... As a person who equally struggles with faith and skepticism, even at times dare I say cynicism, I have to be honest with a person and answer, I don t know why. I despise saying that, but it is as faithful and true a response as I can give. I have other suggestions. They are in the lyrics of a song that developed in my head and heart one day after having a few discussions like those above. I shared it during August s Taizé Service. Pray, Pray, Pray Why, why, pray? Why, why, pray? Why, why, pray? When nothing seems to change. Why, why, pray? Our Father, in heaven, hallowed be thy name. When idols fill our days. Why, why, pray? Give us our daily bread, forgive our debts and debtors. Yet hunger an hatred reign. Yes, all this God can change. Without any help. But God chooses partners. Who and where are they? Who and where are they? Why, why, pray? Save us from all trials. Deliver us from evil. While darkest deeds prevail. Why, why, pray? God s kingdom, power, and glory, are God s forever more. When all still seems the same. Why, why, pray? To remind us of our Father. And our partnership revealed. We, our part, must do. Yes, all this God can change. Without any help. But God chooses partners. Who and where are they? Who and where are they? Pray! Pray! Pray! That we might be changed. Embody, reflect God s will, on earth as in heaven. Change we can t wait for. The change that we long for. We must be that change, on earth as in heaven. That s why we pray, to the One who has prevailed; prevailed o er death and darkness, that the Father s will be done. That s why we pray, to give us strength to change. In us God s will be done, the world is watching us. God s will be done. In us God s will be done. Through us, God s will be done. Dan Donmoyer, 2018 DanSongs Honestly, amidst the absurdity and contradictions of life this side of eternity, all I am left with is faith. It is what keeps me from walking away. I ve tried before. Believe me. But I am always carried back the Shepherd lives. My response, until I m otherwise called, is to do what I began in January 2017; offering a fifth Sunday worship experience entitled Service of the Word for Healing. It s a reminder of God s partnership in and with us. Come! Be anointed for healing and wholeness. Pastor Dan See you in worship!

3 ST. LUKE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2018 Connecting the Church to the Family St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church P. O. Box 278 Schaefferstown, Pa Website Address comcastbiz.net Pastor: Rev. Daniel O. Donmoyer (717) Address PEOPLE SPREAD BIRTHDAY CHEER!! Happy Birthday wishes to all who celebrate October birthdays. Also, OUR SYMPATHY is extended to the Family and Friends of Linda (Elliott) Richards and Robert Speicher. Linda passed away Wednesday, September 5, 2018 and Robert passed away Monday, September 10, Organist: Sr. Choir Director Accompaniment Contemporary Worship Leader Mrs. Linda Holt Church Office Secretary Jeanie Trimble Phone: SUNDAY SCHOOL 9:00 A.M. WORSHIP SERVICE 10:15 A.M. OUR SYMPATHY is extended to the family and friends of Barbara Englemann, a member of our congregation. Barb passed away Monday, July 23, PLEASE WELCOME into our Church Family through Holy Baptism Sunday, September 16, 2018, Mason Jeremy Ulrich. Mason is the son to Jeremy and Kelly Ulrich.

4 October 2018 BUILDING FUND 2018 ANNUAL REQUEST St. Luke Congregation, I wish to extend a heartfelt thank you for the Sympathy cards, kind words, and warm embraces from members of this congregation after the passing of my husband. Sincerely, Diane Kurtz * * * * * * The figures as of Sunday, September 16, 2018 are: Campaign Goal: $12,000 Received: $4, Remaining: $7, Thank you for all your support. St. Luke Monthly Emphasis For the month of October the monthly emphasis will be for the Lutheran World Relief. And for the month of November the monthly emphasis will be for Lebanon Co. Christian Ministries Food Bank. FAIR TRADE FAIR Thanks to everyone who participated in the Basket Raffle at our picnic, September 9 th. To those who participated bringing in the beautiful baskets to those who supported the cause. The money raised was $ and will be used for the Warmth for Winter. * * * * * * St. Luke Congregation, Thank you to all who sent birthday cards and gifts. Pastor Dan LWR QUILTING Donations of material, sheets, blankets, mattress pads and crochet yarn are needed and helpers to cut, sew, and put together. Thank you to everyone who helps to make the quilts for Lutheran World Relief. Envelopes can be found in the Narthex and downstairs Miller Chapel to help pay for the costs of shipping the quilts. All are welcome to continue - God s Work Our Hands! This year, in lieu of an actual Fair Trade Fair, we will have catalog ordering from the SERRV catalog. People can peruse the catalogs, order and prepay, and the merchandise will be here in time for Christmas. More information will be forthcoming when the Fall catalogs arrive. Thanks, The Women of the ELCA OUR MISSION STATEMENT "As the Body of Christ we proclaim the Gospel by serving and doing God's will in a manner that meets the needs of our changing world."

5 NOMINATING COMMITTEE During the month of October we will be asking the congregation to recommend those individuals who have the necessary gifts to make good Church Council members. On Sunday October 14 th and 21 st there will be slips of paper in the bulletin to write recommendations. At any other, time recommendations can be given to members of the Nominating Committee, Ann Pearson, Sue DeLong, Donna Moyer and Mike Reber. The ideal number of council members is twelve. Currently we only have eight. We would like to find six people to fill all the available openings in That means we need four people for the normal three- year term expiring December 2021, one person to fill the opening expiring December 2019 and one person to fill the opening expiring December The Church Council is divided into three groups, Deacons, Elders and Trustees. Each group chooses a chairperson. The responsibilities are as follows: Deacons To assist the pastor with worship, communions, greet people, hand-out bulletins, count attendance and offering, and put in bank deposits; Report attendance and offering at council meetings. Elders Disperse funds as per the Spitler Trust to those in need due to illness, financial hardships, etc. Names are not revealed. A record of funds dispersed is kept and the total is put in the annual report. Trustees Maintain the property, church and chapel buildings. During the month of November the Nominating Committee will be contacting people to see if they would serve on Church Council. If you are called, please prayerfully consider serving.

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7 OCTOBER, 2018 LAY READERS October 7 - Janet Zerbe October 14 - Rosemary Sanders October 21 - Kit Ahnert October 28 - Faith Thunberg November 4 - Melissa Gettler CHILDREN S SERMON October October 14 - Richelle Deysher October October 28 - Faith Thunberg November LEB. CO CHRISTIAN MINISTRY (Food Bank) WISH LIST SUNDAY October 7 is Food Bank Sunday. The items needed are: Canned Fruits, Spaghetti Sauce, Canned Meats, Peanut Butter and Jelly, Paper products (Toilet Tissue, paper towels, and facial tissue). Also needed: Men and women s Jackets. FALL FOLIAGE DAY Sunday, October 21, 2018 at Kirchenwald and Nawakwa Kirchenwald - Corn Hole Tournament, Pumpkin Painting, Canoeing/Kayaking, Mountain Biking, Hiking and more! Nawakwa - Pumpkin Painting, Apple Butter Boil, Hayrides, Hiking and more! Bring your family and friends to camp for a fall afternoon! Both events will run from 1-6pm. An evening meal will be provided. Registration is $7/person. Please call or visit LutheranCamping.org by October 12 to register.

8 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday October 2018 Food Bank Sunday 1 Lioness Meeting Bible Study 2 9-Noon LWR Quilting 3 Sr. Choir 4 11:30-1:00 PM 7 PM Water to Wine Bible Study - Franklin House 5 3-6:00 PM TEFAP AM Sunday School 10:15 AM LWR Blanket/Holy Com. 5:30- Taize Service 8 Women of the ELCA Bible Study 9 Music, Worship & Altar Guild 10 Sr. Choir 11 11:30-1:00 PM Deadline Newsletter 14 9 AM Sunday School 10:15 AM Worship Service 5: :30 PM Lioness Board Mtg. Bible Study 16 6 PM Committees for Council 6:30 PM Cong. Council Meeting 17 Sr. Choir 18 11:30-1:00 PM AM Sunday School 10:15 AM Holy Com. 5:30-22 Bible Study Sr. Choir 25 11:30-1:00 PM Reformation Sunday 9 AM Sunday School 10:15 AM Traditional Holy Comm. 29 Bible Study Sr. Choir 5:30-

9 PRAYER VENTURES OCTOBER Give thanks for our elders who share wisdom and inspiration, pass their faith on to others and contribute so much to our communities; pray we continue to engage daily the wisdom and gifts of our elders, are attentive to the needs of people as they age and work to ensure no elder is neglected or forgotten. 2 Give thanks for the faith, gifts and service of people of all gender identities and gender expressions, and pray our congregations and communities are welcoming and affirming safe places for everyone to thrive. 3 Pray for situations and people who are on your mind today, be they cause for celebration and joy or concern and healing. 4 Feast of St. Francis Pray the behaviors and values we learn from our redeemer, teacher and true example Jesus Christ are evident in our faith and daily life with respect to our neighbors, all living things and creation: simplicity and humility, respect and justice, compassion and love, and selfless generosity. 5 National Disability Employment Awareness Month reminds us that while our society and work places are making progress, they are not yet free of discrimination and obstacles for those who live with physical, sensory, intellectual, mental and developmental disabilities. Trusting in God s mercy and wisdom, pray we are advocates and agents for change that all God s people with a wide spectrum of abilities and gifts have equal opportunities for appropriate, equitable and supportive employment. 6 We remember people, communities and regions affected by recent flooding and widespread wildfires and pray for their safety, recovery and rekindling of hope and fortitude in the wake of devastation and loss. 7 Pray we work diligently to change our perspectives, behaviors and practices that make assumptions based on traditional roles or bias, undervalue or ignore the value and gifts of women and children in the church and society. 8 Pray for victims of domestic violence and all those it impacts, asking for protection and healing and that congregations and communities work together to care for victims, prevent violence and change attitudes, values, culture and institutions that intentionally or unintentionally encourage, hide or brush aside domestic violence.

10 9 The story of creation in Genesis imparts a sense of importance and purpose for relationships and community. Give thanks for relationships and communities that provide support, encouragement, hope and joy, and hold us accountable to one another; ask God to help us rebuild relationships that are strained or broken and to grant us wisdom and patience for working through conflicts in our communities and congregations. 10 Pray the bounty of fall harvests is distributed fairly and helps feed the world; give thanks for all those who work farms, ranches, fields and fisheries, and remember and give thanks for the countless people involved in moving our food from field to table. 11 Churchwide and synodical networks help connect people, organizations and resources for God s work in the world. Pray the Spirit is at work in and through our networks to equip and support leaders, gather new gifts and perspectives, and strengthen congregations and ministries to meet new and evolving challenges and opportunities. 12 Give praise and glory to God, creator of the universe and its mysteries, humanity in all its diversity, animals and wildlife, and the wonders and resources of earth that both inspire and sustain us. 13 Give thanks for the rich partnership and relationship we have with the Moravian Church in America, a full communion partner with the ELCA since Pray for the Moravian church and ask God to further our respect for one another and work together sharing the gospel and serving our neighbor. 14 Pray we grow to value what God values, even when it stirs discomfort or defiance in us. 15 Ask God to bless the numerous ways in which our congregations, ministries, members, synods, churchwide programs, organizations and ecumenical partners work together to care for our neighbors and spread the good news and hope of Jesus Christ. 16 Discouraged by life s challenges, the state of the world, the presence of evil and injustice? Finding it difficult to wake up in the morning and face life? Pray for reassurance of God s compassion, presence and power, and for the Holy Spirit to refresh our faith and hope. 17 Give thanks to God for the concern and generosity of youth, individuals and congregations in achieving the $515,000 goal of the Global Farm Challenge the youth-driven fundraising challenge to help end hunger and poverty by supporting ELCA World Hunger s agricultural programs and equipping communities around the world with livestock, seeds, tools, training and more. 18 Pray for leaders, volunteers and resource people serving on the staffs of our 65 synods; give thanks for their service and gifts, and pray the Holy Spirit will guide, inspire and sustain them for ministry in diverse and unique contexts. 19 With our every human thought and intention laid bare before God, pray for God s mercy and grace promised through the life, suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

11 20 Remember in prayer ELCA missionaries and those in the Young Adults in Global Mission program accompanying and serving in a variety of roles alongside our companions in Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and South Korea. 21 The ELCA and The Episcopal Church are committed to prayer, fasting and advocacy addressing cuts to public programs that are vital to hungry people who are living in poverty. Remember to pray for these concerns, our leaders and people in need on the 21st of each month through December As children of God disciples and followers of Christ pray for humility, accepting that we are not granted privilege, praise or reward for being members of the body of Christ but are instead called to lives of service, sacrifice and witness for the sake of the world and our neighbors in need. 23 Pray for those who are running for public office and upcoming elections that what we stand for and decide reflects concern for the well-being of all communities and people, justice and care for people dealing with poverty, hunger and the need for health care; give thanks for the work of the ELCA Advocacy program, the ELCAvotes initiative and all those who have joined in these efforts. 24 Give thanks for the fruitful service and witness of our church in accompaniment with our brothers and sisters in Christ and companion churches around the world and for the programs, mission opportunities and resources of ELCA Global Mission that enrich these global partnerships and ministries. 25 With joyful hearts, give loud thanks and praise to God for the gifts of mercy, love and salvation we receive through faith in Jesus Christ. 26 Pray for the continuing work, resources and influence of the ELCA s Book of Faith Initiative that encourages members of all ages, congregations and synods to explore our book of faith the Bible through reading, study, conversation and prayer. 27 Remember in prayer the Deaconess Community of the ELCA, a community of women of all ages using their theological training and gifts in specific areas of service in congregations, partner organizations, communities and the world. 28 Reformation Sunday Rejoice in God s promise of the true freedom we have in the good news of Jesus Christ, that nothing stands between us and God s love and mercy no institution, authority or human decree. 29 Give thanks for the healing, hope and new life we have through the gift of being justified by faith in Jesus Christ and liberated from our sins, weaknesses and consequences of our human imperfection.

12 30 Pray that as a publicly engaged church we remember and remind one another of our call to participate in God s work, in the thick of life, embracing individuals, families and communities that are hungry for hope and healing, justice and peace. 31 Reformation Day Give thanks for Martin Luther and other leaders of the reform movement who immersed themselves in prayerful study of Scripture, tough questions, lively discussion and careful discernment of God s will for the church and our baptismal journey as children of God; pray we are open and responsive to how the Holy Spirit is still at work in us and the church today.