The Messenger. Close to Home. July/August Because Need Doesn t Take a Vacation

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1 The Messenger July/August Rev. Erika Wesch Church Council Barry Bowman Mike Famularo Donna Haskins Monica Hoover Jan Johnson Nina Jones Jane Kershaw Joe Leiss David Nyce John Scott Patty Barndt Slater Will Stenger Staff Rita Conaway, Parish Administrator Patti Ditzel, Organist Denise Famularo, Financial Secretary Gert Hager, Treasurer Stacy Morris, Sunday School Superintendent Lee Smeltz, Facilities Manager Lisa Travis, Music Ministries Little Zion Lutheran Church at Indianfield Close to Home All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children. Isaiah 54:13 (NKJV) During our Lenten series at Little Zion, The Rev. Bradley Burke presented information about Lutheran Charities, the umbrella organization that connects the work of many ministries in our area. Some of the places include Lutheran Settlement House, Lutheran Children and Family Service, Silver Springs-Martin Luther School, Diakon Youth Services and Lutheran Congregational Services. Another one of the places connected to Lutheran Charities is KenCrest, an organization that serves over 10,000 children and adults with special needs, intellectual disabilities, and autism every year through their community homes, child develoent centers, in-home services, and more. KenCrest's mission is to help people with disabilities achieve their fair share of human dignity, become full participants in their communities, and provide opportunities that will bring their God-given ability to life. KenCrest is a place that serves many people I know. For example, the friend of mine who cuts my family s hair has a son with autism, and he goes to school at KenCrest. Even though he is only six years old, KenCrest s teachers have already made a big impact on his life and that of his family. As I announced at the semi-annual meeting on May 17, and in the June 2015 Messenger, my family is growing! I am pregnant and due to deliver in mid-october. Blood work results show that the baby almost definitely has Down syndrome. It is very likely the child will have special needs. I am so thankful that KenCrest s teachers and services are available to us and to so many people in our area. Lutheran Charities sent us a poster you ll see at church and bulletin inserts that really touched me. A portion is quoted below. Need truly doesn t take a vacation, and our God is gracious and merciful every hour of every day. May the peace of God be with you, with the people you love, and with all those served by Lutheran Charities so close to home. Yours in Christ, Pastor Wesch Because Need Doesn t Take a Vacation For many of us summer is a time of rest and relaxation, a time for fun and family, a time to take a break. But for thousands of people in our own community, summer doesn t bring a break. For women experiencing domestic violence, people with special needs, and children suffering from abuse need doesn t take a vacation. But just because you might be worlds away from them this summer, your heart doesn t have to be. By supporting Lutheran Charities special Summer Need Donation Drive YOU can bring the greatest gift of all to someone this summer Hope. (For further details, speak to Pastor Wesch).

2 Trip to See Joseph at The Sight & Sound Theater Join a group of Little Zion members and friends for a trip to see Sight & Sound s production of Joseph on Saturday, September 26th. Cost is $85.00 for adults and $43.00 for children. Price includes round-trip travel on a Hagey coach bus and tickets for the 2:45 show. Departure time is 9:30 am from Little Zion s parking lot. Our first stop will be Shady Maple where you may enjoy lunch (on your own) and/or some shopping. Following the show, we will stop at McDonald s where you can purchase a meal or a snack before the ride home. We will be back at approximately 8:00. A sign-up sheet is posted on the Choir bulletin board. Full payment is due by August 30th. Questions? Speak to Nancy Nase or Denise Famularo. Thanks to the many musicians that have played in worship this spring: Rebecca Scott, Linn Lisher, Jim Soete, Daniel Micsion, Gabrielle Micsion, Katie Scott, Carolyn Scott, John Scott, Elizabeth Morris, Liz Kerr, Zach Travis, Lauren Guthre, George Buchanan, Bill Brandis, Lynn Hasson, Rick Hunsberger, and Peter Quigley. Your gifts are truly appreciated. Many thanks to our choirs for a wonderful year. Junior Choir: Christian Barndt, Meredith Leiss, Kieran McCarty, Logan McCormick, Daniel Micsion, Gabrielle Micsion, and Madison Skrzat. Senior Choir: Paulette Gerhart, Shirley Schanely, Liz Kerr, Elaine Musselman, Kathy Evans, Ella Beck, Marge Bowman, Monica Hoover, Ginny Gerhart, Caryl Sitarsky, Jenn Kitner, Linn Lisher, Bob Hoover, Dick Herbein, Bob Musselman, Doug Johnson, Keith Bergey, and Dale Travis. Rehearsals begin on Thursday, September 10 at 6:30-Junior Choir 7:30-Senior Choir. New members are always welcome. Thank you to our Sunday School teachers Jenn Kitner, Beth Leiss, Stacy Morris, Cheryl Magee, and Karen Squiccimara for doing a great job every week with the children!

3 285th Church Picnic/Reunion Join us on Sunday, September 20th at 10:00 am for the Land and Seasons worship service followed by our annual church picnic. Food will be provided by Mike Famularo. Enjoy music from the Little Zion Acoustic Group, games, and friends past and present. Indian Valley Cluster of Lutheran Churches Join us for worship on August 23rd at 10:00 am for the cluster worship service at St Paul s Lutheran Church in Telford. Along with St. Paul s we will join Advent Harleysville, Emmanuel Souderton, and Grace Hatfield for our annual joint worship. Mark your calendars! Be Attitudes: An original musical by Jan Barndt November 20, 21, 22 First Rehearsal/Organizational Meeting: Tuesday, September 15th, 7:00. Rehearsals will follow each Tuesday. Sign up on the bulletin board if you would like to participate. If you have questions, see Kathy Brandis, Denise Famularo or Lisa Travis.

4 Summer Sunday at 9:00 AM ~ July 2015 ~ Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Independence Day 5 6 Secretary out of office today Quilters Eastern Star Rehearsal 6:00 Fellowship Hall Eagle Scout Ceremony 4:30 in Fellowship Hall Quilters Church Council 7:00 PM Wedding 2:00 ; reception to follow in Fellowship Hall Scouts Pack 10 Ticket pick-up Church House 6:00 20 Quilters 1-4 Pastor s Vacation this week 27 Quilters 1-4 Secretary out of office today Eastern Star 6: Notes:

5 Summer Sunday at 9:00 AM ~ August 2015 ~ More Calendar: Sep, Oct, PDF Calendar Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 School Brandis Family Reunion School Quilters School Church Council 7:00 5 School School Scout Meeting 7:00 Church House Quilters I V Cluster Service 10:00 am at St. Paul s Lutheran 24 Quilters Quilters 1-4 Notes:

6 Have You Seen? School 2015 School at Little Zion will be held Sunday, August 2nd from 12:00 until 3:00 and Monday August 3rd through Thursday, August 6th from until 12:00. Our theme this year is Have U Seen? Each day we ll enjoy a summer backyard adventure with Jesus as our guide. During our week together, children will learn to pay attention to the world around them, to have empathy for all people, and to look for ways that we can work with God to share the resources God provides. We ll tell Bible stories, make crafts and snacks, and work on mission projects that connect children to what God is doing in their own lives, in our community, and around the world. Children age three through grade five are welcome to participate in this high-energy, fun-packed week. Invite your children, grandchildren, friends, and neighbors to join us for the adventure! We will need teen and adult volunteers for the week of VBS. If you are interested in volunteering, please speak to Pastor Wesch or Lisa Travis. Penn-Jersey Blood Services Region 700 Spring Garden Street Philadelphia, PA Dear members of Little Zion Lutheran Church: On behalf of The American Red Cross and the hospitals we serve, thank you for supporting our efforts. Your generous donations at the June 10 th, 2015 blood drive are already on their way to help a patient in need. The blood drive was a success with 36 donations. Since each donation helps up to 3 people, 118 patients will benefit from your donation. Thank you for giving hope to hospital patients and their families!

7 Registration Form for Have You Seen? VBS 2015 at Little Zion Lutheran Church Child s name: Parent/Guardian name(s): Address: Home phone: Cell phone: Home address: Child s age and birthday: Last school grade completed: Home congregation (as applicable): In case of emergency (if parent/guardian(s) cannot be reached) please contact: Name: Telephone: Relationship to child: Please list any allergies (including food allergies) or medical concerns the VBS staff should be aware of: Person who will pick child up at the end of each VBS day: Name: Phone number: VBS leaders have permission to photograph/film the minor(s) designated above in any manner or form for any lawful purpose associated with this VBS program and Little Zion Lutheran Church. Parent/Guardian signature: Please return this form to Little Zion Lutheran Church, 267 Morwood Road, Telford, PA Questions? Call the church office:

8 T-Shirt Order Form: God s Work, Our Hands. We will participate in the ELCA s God s Work, Our Hands Sunday on September 13th. We will be working on several service projects around the Upper Bucks Conference. T-shirts are available for purchase that will include Little Zion Lutheran Church on the back. Cost is $6.50 each (slightly higher for 2XL-5XL; see below). Name: Size: Adult Small Medium Large X-Large 2 X (add $2) 4 X (add $4) 5 X (add $4.50) Youth Small Medium Large Total Please place your order with payment in the offering plate. Order deadline is Sunday, August 2nd. (Please note that 285th Anniversary T-shirts are still available to order, too!) A big thank you to everyone who helped us produce the Ditzel Sisters Recital on May 30th! We really appreciate all the people who donated their time and talents to assist with the various details of this event. (Patti & Cindy) Submit your news and information for the next Messenger by August 15th for the September issue to Rita Conaway, Parish Administrator, at secretary@littlezion.org or put your submission in the Parish Administrator s mailbox. Thank you to everyone for this month s submissions! Dates to Remember... July 5th-Sept. 6th: worship service August 2nd-6th: School August 23rd: Indian Valley Cluster at St. Paul s Lutheran Church in Telford Church Office Hours Monday through Thursday - 2:00 Friday closed