Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.

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1 St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church 158 S. Hoernerstown Road Hummelstown, PA The Rev. Martha S. Boyd Phone: /FAX Pastor Church St. John on the Web: StJohnhtown.com From the Pastor: Passing on Wisdom Do you remember things that your parents told you? You know what I mean, those little nuggets of wisdom? My parents always told us to be grateful for we had and to remember that possession and money are not the source of happiness and joy. And one thing my mother always said to us was, it doesn t cost much to be clean. I think she definitely felt that cleanliness was next to godliness! To this day, I remember how she took pride and care of all that she and my father had. They were both good stewards and encouraged us to give thanks for what we had and not to focus on what we didn t have. Those words and attitudes came from their faith in God, which they both took very seriously. I am thankful for their gift of knowledge, experience and faith that they passed on to me. These days, it doesn t seem like we look to our elders for wisdom. To find information, or guidance, it s so easy to search on the Internet to find what we need in any particular moment. And indeed, there is an immense amount of information available on the web. But when we only look at information in a static way, just reading, we often don t get the whole story, and more importantly, we lose the human touch. We miss the interaction of the other person, their body language, the inflections in their voice, the meaning behind their words. The elders in the biblical witness are sometimes dismissed, but some, like Abraham, are sought out for wisdom and insight. Abraham had his own difficulties, challenges and sinful behavior but he did answer God s call to speak prophetically in a world full of apathy and self-belief. It doesn t seem that humanity has changed much since the days of Abraham! Recent events of violence against each other in these United States have politicians and other leaders calling for an end to acts of hatred and racism. I wish it were that easy just to tell people to stop. Here, I am reminded of Leo Tolstoy s quote about changing behavior: Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself. As followers of Jesus, we know the way to change begins with us. Only when our hearts, minds and souls, are opened to the love of God, will we be able to fight against the evil in and around us and be truly transformed. Changing means acting as followers of the light, walking in the ways of Christ, and modeling love and advocacy for others. So that all might know the everlasting, powerful promise of God s mercy and love, who has no beginning or end. Your fellow servant in Christ, Pastor Martha

Pastoral Care Pastor Boyd may be reached by calling the church office at 566-6296 and leaving a message in mailbox 1. You may also contact her via email at: stjohnpastor158@gmail.com.

Please leave a message if there is no answer. Pastor Martha will be attending a church redevelopment seminar in Newark, NJ from August 24-27.

Secretary s Summer Hours Wanda is only be in the office on Thursdays through Labor Day. Her hours will be from 8:00 am to approximately 4:00 P.M.

Thank you to Bob Getz for being this month s sponsor and Cathy and John McDivitt for being last month s sponsor.

2 Pastoral Care Pastor Boyd may be reached by calling the church office at and leaving a message in mailbox 1. You may also contact her via at: stjohnpastor158@gmail.com. If there is an emergency, she can be reached by: Cell phone: or Home: Pastor s Hours Monday Thursday from 9:00 am to 1:00 p.m. Hours are subject to change depending on meetings, etc. Please leave a message if there is no answer. Pastor Martha will be attending a church redevelopment seminar in Newark, NJ from August Please call Pastor Lois Van Orden, (Zion Lutheran in Hummelstown), at for a pastoral emergency. Pastor Laurie Roberts will be supply pastor on Sunday, August 28th. Secretary s Summer Hours Wanda is only be in the office on Thursdays through Labor Day. Her hours will be from 8:00 am to approximately 4:00 P.M. She will resume her Tuesday and Thursday schedule after Labor Day. Fellowship Coffeetime: Sunday, August 7 following outdoor worship. Coffee, tea and light refreshments will be served. Thank you to Bob Getz for being this month s sponsor and Cathy and John McDivitt for being last month s sponsor. Worship Committee News We will be having our second outdoor worship service on August 7th. Worship will be more relaxed under and around the pavilion. Zion Lutheran Union Deposit will be joining us for worship. Dress casually (shorts are OK!) and bring a lawn chair. Our regularly scheduled fellowship time will follow the service. In case of inclement weather, we will move indoors. Our last outdoor worship for this summer is September 4 th. Hope to see you there! The lessons in this season of Pentecost center on the Gospel of Luke with many stories of Jesus healing. On Sunday, August 21 our Worship will focus on healing. There will be special prayers for healing and the opportunity to come forward to be anointed. Swatara Creek Lutheran Churches Shaffner Park in Hummelstown August 21, 2016 Picnic begins at 4:30 PM Dinner at 5:00 PM Outdoor Worship 6:15 PM TIE/KNOT QUILTS: The quilting ministry invites the congregation to join them in Fellowship Hall on Sunday, September 18 to tie and knot quilts. The quilts will be delivered to Windsor, MD for Lutheran World Relief on October 17tth. Be on the lookout for more details! BISHOP DUNLOP will be visiting St. John on September 25, He will be presiding and Pastor Martha will be preaching. The service will be followed by brunch. Save the Date St. John Chicken Corn Soup Sale Saturday, October 1 Mission Trip Speaker: Dr. James Malone will be our guest speaker on October 16, 2016 following worship. Dr. Malone will be speaking about his mission trips to provide medical care overseas. James is the son of Dorothy Malone. The St. John Quilting Ministry is leading a trip to New Windsor, MD Monday, October 17th! We are going to be serving our neighbors in need by packing things like: personal care kits, school kits, baby care kits, fabric kits, and quilts/blankets that will be shipped from Lutheran World Relief (LWR) to places around the world. Additionally, we hope to take some of the quilts we have made at St. John's. And some members of Zion Lutheran, Union Deposit are also joining us for this day of service! Would you like to go along? If you are interested in helping with this outreach, please call the church office to sign up. We will leave in the morning, probably around 7 a.m. and return approximately by 5:30 p.m. Lunch will be included. We are hoping to arrange van transportation--more details to come. The group is limited to 25 people. Sign up now!

FAITH FORMATION The Spiritual Journey of Aging We are aging from the day we are born, but what does it mean to spiritually age?

Using materials from various authors, this course is for those who want to explore spirituality as they age and is for anyone who is ready to embrace aging as a gift of years.

Falling Upward: Stepping Stones to Greater Spiritual Understanding November 16 Week Four The Gift of Years November 30 Week Five Aging as a Spiritual Practice Class is from 6:30 PM 7:30 PM St.

Members include Louise Bretz, Marge Plouse, Carol Hamm, Phil Mathias, Gloria Mader, Deb Fisher, and Pastor Martha. A number of events are being planned and we need our help.

We would like to have these items/information by early September. All items will be returned to you.

3 FAITH FORMATION The Spiritual Journey of Aging We are aging from the day we are born, but what does it mean to spiritually age? Wondering what the second half of life looks like from a Christian faith perspective? Using materials from various authors, this course is for those who want to explore spirituality as they age and is for anyone who is ready to embrace aging as a gift of years. October 19 Week One Meaning and Purpose: What Really Matters in Pre and Post Retirement October 26 Week Two The End of a Divided Life: Integrating What We Do with Who We Are November 2 Week Three Falling Upward: Stepping Stones to Greater Spiritual Understanding November 16 Week Four The Gift of Years November 30 Week Five Aging as a Spiritual Practice Class is from 6:30 PM 7:30 PM St. John Anniversary As we look forward to celebrating St. John s 125th Anniversary in 2017, the anniversary planning committee is hard at work! Members include Louise Bretz, Marge Plouse, Carol Hamm, Phil Mathias, Gloria Mader, Deb Fisher, and Pastor Martha. A number of events are being planned and we need our help. The committee is looking for: -pictures -artifacts -memorabilia -your and your family s history at St. John including baptisms, marriages, military service. We would like to have these items/information by early September. All items will be returned to you. Be sure to save these dates: -September 25, 2016 Kickoff for our celebration coinciding with Bishop Dunlop s visit. He will be presiding, Pastor Martha will be preaching. The service will be followed by brunch. -April 2, 2017 Bishop Dunlop will be at St. John to celebrate our 125th Anniversary. We anticipate some of our former pastors will attend as well. Stay tuned for more information about these and other upcoming events. THANK YOU: *To Susan Shellenhamer and Irma Mengel for updating and refreshing the nursery. Dorothy Malone will celebrate her 86th birthday on August 14th. Her address is 135 S. Landis Street, Hummelstown, PA Mary Jane Heisey will celebrate her 75th birthday on August 18. Mary Jane s address is 6660-C Union Deposit Road, Harrisburg, PA Dick Conrad will celebrate his 83rd birthday on August 30. Greetings can be sent to 105 S. Hoernerstown Road, Hummelstown, PA Belated birthday wishes go out to JoAnn Smith who celebrated her 80th birthday on July 24th. Her address is 230 N Hoernerstown Road, Hummelstown, PA Congratulations to proud parents, Leo and Astrida Curis on the birth of their daughter Mia Astrida Curis, born July 19th at 1 a.m. Mia was 7 lbs. 12 oz. and 19 1/2 in. long at birth. Congratulations also to the proud grandparents, Brenda and Keith Kahley. We rejoice with you in God's gift of life! Capital Improvement Committee Some of you may have recently seen surveying stakes throughout our property. These stakes were part of an updated site survey plan for the structures and property here at St. John. The survey work was performed by Evans Engineering Inc. of Harrisburg. The committee discovered that we did not have an updated document showing where our property boundaries were located and also where the existing building setbacks per present code and utility right of ways were located. This updated site survey will be required by South Hanover Township as we move forward with any interior or exterior facility renovations which will require a building permit. Without this document, we could not move forward with any of our space planning objectives. Council approved our request to proceed with the updated site survey at their June meeting. The funding for this surveying work, which cost $ 5,400.00, was paid from the $ 5, that was raised about a year and a half ago for the future short and long term space planning needs here at St. John. Anyone wishing to help replenish this fund with a donation, can specifically mark your weekly offering envelop in the Building Fund for the Capital Improvement Committee (CIC) or see Gloria Mader our church treasurer. -Submitted by John Ignatosky, Chair, Capital Improvement Committee

4 St. John Council Minutes June 14, 2016 Present: Pastor Boyd, Deb Fisher, Bob Getz, Darryl Hamm, Pat Ignatosky, Keith Kahley, Gloria Mader, Irma Mengel, Susie Shellenhamer, Valerie Steinman The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. by President Pat Ignatosky. The agenda was approved (motioned by Deb Fisher, seconded by Susie Shellenhamer). Keith Kahley read the evening s devotions with Gloria Mader slated to read in July. Capital Improvements: Council received a special presentation by John Ignatosky regarding the church s land. It appears no survey exists to define our boundaries, setbacks, etc., something which is required for any improvements we may undertake. John recommended we hire Evans Engineering Inc. at a cost of $5,400 to effect the site survey. John has worked with this company previously and believes the price tag is very reasonable. As such, Valerie Steinman motioned to contract with Evans Engineering and Darryl Hamm seconded. Secretary s Report: Minutes from the May meeting were approved as submitted. Susie Shellenhamer motioned to approve the minutes while Irma Mengel seconded. Treasurer s Report: The May report was approved as submitted. Darryl Hamm motioned to approve the Treasurer s report while Deb Fisher seconded. Pastor s Report: Written report submitted C R Worship and Music (Valerie Steinman) The committee has planned service music through the end of September. Susie Shellenhamer has donated a keyboard to the church, which will enrich our outside worship services. Council reviewed the new Wedding Policy. Irma Mengel motioned to approve the policy while Gloria Mader seconded. Learning/Youth (Gloria Mader) The September resignation of Cathy McDivitt creates a huge vacancy in our small cache of Sunday school teachers. Additional teaching help is required. Social Ministry (Pat Ignatosky) Working on a new project for our outreach. Shepherding-Evangelism-Stewardship (Gloria Mader) A business card has been developed, which Gloria will pass around for review and input before a large number is printed (in-house). Pew/Prayer card is still a work in progress. A potholder handcrafted by the quilting ministry may (dependent on the availability of the fabric) be given as a welcome gift to visitors. Coffee/fellowship time for the first Sundays in July, August, and September will be held outdoors, weather permitting, in conjunction with our planned outdoor worship services. Due to many events in September, the traditional St. John picnic will not be held. The Bishop s visit on September 25 will include a brunch and fellowship time following worship. Altar Guild (Pat Ignatosky) The Altar Guild is getting estimates on shampooing carpets in the sanctuary, narthex, nursery, and new gathering room and stripping the wax on the floors in the kitchen and Fellowship Hall. Costs will dictate which actions will be taken. Long-Range Planning-Facilities (Susan Shellenhamer) Still waiting for bids from Bittner Electric and Evanoff Roofing for needed repairs to the steeple lighting and roof. Received a bid for painting our corner sign; this item will be moved to the wish list. Swatara Creek Lutheran Community (Irma Mengel) A picnic has been scheduled for August 21, 2016 at Shaffner s Park in Hummelstown in an attempt to reenergize group. Mutual Ministry (Darryl Hamm) no new updates since April meeting Capital Improvements (Pastor Martha) Committee has been meeting with Arthur Funk and Sons and much good information was shared. See beginning of minutes for the special presentation to Council by John Ignatosky. Thirty-seven percent of the congregational questionnaires were returned, and the committee was pleased with this response. This feedback plus that from Arthur Funk and Sons will be analyzed and reviewed for the space planning needs at St. John. O#$ B&' Wish List: We agreed to move the church sign to the wish list. The painting estimate is not to exceed $3,000; the electric part of the repair will be a separate cost. Amazon Smiles: St. John is still not yet listed on Amazon Smiles. Pat Ignatosky thinks it may be because she had been using her personal . She has changed it to the church in hopes that this will move the process along. N2 B&' Hummelstown Fuel Oil has offered a cap of $2.199 per gallon in exchange for a monthly fee. That fee is currently unknown. Decision is contingent upon fee. We discussed the sexton responsibilities including oversight of the cleaning people. It is obvious that our list of duties and what the cleaning people perform do not match. We also discussed expanding the facilities committee. Council expressed sadness with regard to Cathy McDivitt s planned return to New Mexico. She will be sorely missed. O3 B&' None Meeting adjourned (motioned by Keith Kahley and seconded by Deb Fisher) at 8:30 p.m. with the Lord s Prayer. Respectfully submitted, Valerie Steinman

Our Stewardship for August Altar Guild Louise Bretz Lockup After Sunday Service Valerie Steinman Assisting Ministers 7 Paul Garrison 14 Chet Cassel 21 Deb Leshak 28 Kim Balog Ushers and Greeters 7

14 placed by Jim and Deb Lambert 21 in memory of Lottie Ignatosky 28 in memory of Cyrus and Elizabeth Cassel THANK YOU for your benevolence! As of June 30 we are right on track to meet the $11,000.

(Our benevolence giving as of 6/30/2016 = $5590.05) The 2016 flower chart is posted on the church office door. Altar flowers are $30.00 for two vases per Sunday. There are some open dates available.

Please remember to bring nonperishable food items to church and place them in the basket in the hallway for the Hummelstown Food Pantry.

2016 Council Members and Officers President Pat Ignatosky 566-2284 Vice-President Darryl Hamm 564-4388 Secretary Valarie Steinman 540-9978 Treasurer Gloria Mader 566-2901 Financial Secretary Debra

5 Our Stewardship for August Altar Guild Louise Bretz Lockup After Sunday Service Valerie Steinman Assisting Ministers 7 Paul Garrison 14 Chet Cassel 21 Deb Leshak 28 Kim Balog Ushers and Greeters 7 Jerry Boyd 14 Jerry Boyd Bulletin Sponsors in memory of Mable Shertzer Flowers 7 in memory of Joseph Cassel, Sr. 14 placed by Jim and Deb Lambert 21 in memory of Lottie Ignatosky 28 in memory of Cyrus and Elizabeth Cassel THANK YOU for your benevolence! As of June 30 we are right on track to meet the $11, commitment to Lower Susquehanna Synod (LSS) projected on our 2016 budget. Through our benevolence we are furthering the mission of God in our community and in the world. (Our benevolence giving as of 6/30/2016 = $ ) The 2016 flower chart is posted on the church office door. Altar flowers are $30.00 for two vases per Sunday. There are some open dates available. If you have any questions, please contact Kim Balog. Open dates are: October 9, and October 30. Please remember to bring nonperishable food items to church and place them in the basket in the hallway for the Hummelstown Food Pantry. Newsletter deadline for the September issue of The Eagle is Thursday, August 18th Council Members and Officers President Pat Ignatosky Vice-President Darryl Hamm Secretary Valarie Steinman Treasurer Gloria Mader Financial Secretary Debra Leshak Deb Fisher Robert Getz Keith Kahley Irma Mengel Susan Shellenhamer Committee Chairpersons Altar Guild Kim Balog Capital Improvement John Ignatosky Facilities Phil Mathias Financial Marge Baranowski Learning/Youth Mary Jo Hanley Mutual Ministry Deb Leshak Social Ministry Kim Balog Shepherding/Evangelism/Stewardship Cathy McDivitt Quilting Ministry Deb Fisher Website/Facebook Lauren Leshak Espenshade Worship Marge Plouse Technology and Faith Prayer Ventures Need some prayers to help you nurture your prayer life? Try the Living Lutheran website, Prayer Ventures. Each day a different prayer is offered in support of those who are in need in the world, and to uphold and encourage the ministries of the church. Go to then click on the Prayer Ventures link on the right hand side of the screen. Luther s Small Catechism and Spanish El Catecismo Menor de Lutero are both included in a free mobile app, available from the Apple ios App Store and on Google Play. Content from the Study Edition is also available as an in-app purchase. Search Catechism in the Apple or Google app stores. Attention Singers and Musicians Bill Dressler has been in touch with the music director at St. Mark's Lutheran Church of Mechanicsburg about the possibility of doing a joint Christmas music program. The music director was as enthusiastic as Bill about the idea. We need to know who is interested in committing from St. John so that logistics and music can be planned. Please see Bill to express your interest. Make a joyful noise! Holocaust Memorial Museum Trip Saturday, October 15, 2016 Organized by Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Hummelstown Evangelism Committee SEE FLYER IN THE NARTHEX For more information

6 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Quilting Tuesdays 8-11:30 am 7 PM Anniversary Committee 3 PM Wedding (off site) 7 9 am Outdoor Communion Worship Coffee Hour follows worship 10:30 am Assisting Minister Instruction PM Council Meeting 10 3 PM Pastor Martha leading worship at Frey Village am Communion Worship 6 PM Swatara Creek Lutheran Churches meeting 10 am Capital Improvement Committee 21 9 am Communion Worship With healing service 4:30 PM Swatara Creek Picnic at Shaffner Park 28 Pastor s Seminar 9 am Communion Worship Pastor Roberts Supply Pastor :30 PM Volunteer at Hummelstown Food Bank Pastor Martha Redevelopment Seminar Newark, NJ August

7 Blessing When the World is Ending Look, the world is always ending somewhere. the sun has come crashing down. it has gone completely dark. it has ended with the gun, the knife, the fist. it has ended with the slammed door, the shattered hope. it has ended with the utter quiet that follows the news from the phone, the television, the hospital room. it has ended with a tenderness that will break your heart. But, listen, this blessing means to be anything but morose. It has not come to cause despair. It is simply here because there is nothing a blessing is better suited for than an ending, nothing that cries out more for a blessing than when a world is falling apart. This blessing will not fix you, will not mend you, will not give you false comfort; it will not talk to you about one door opening when another one closes. It will simply sit itself beside you among the shards and gently turn your face toward the direction from which the light will come, gathering itself about you as the world begins again. Jan Richardson from Circle of Grace Jan Richardson. janrichardson.com.

8 St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church 158 S. Hoernerstown Road Hummelstown, PA Address Service Requested Do Not Delay Delivery - Dated Material St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church Hoernerstown, Pennsylvania 158 S. Hoernerstown Road Hummelstown, Pa /FAX StJohnChurch158@gmail.com Rev. Martha S. Boyd

DECEMBER 2016 From the Pastor:

DECEMBER 2016 From the Pastor: St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church 158 S. Hoernerstown Road Hummelstown, PA 17036 The Rev. Martha S. Boyd Phone: 566-6296/FAX 566-7148 Pastor e-mail: stjohnpastor158@gmail.com Church e-mail stjohnchurch158@gmail.com