MESSIAH MESSENGER Published by MESSIAH LUTHERAN CHURCH www.messiahsouth.org Phone: 570-326-9171 e-mail address: messiahoffice@comcast.net March 21, 2018 VOL. 76 NO. 12 FAREWELL AND GODSPEED Over the next two months Messiah will say farewell to Kathy Wither and Linda Herbst as they have announced their departures. I wanted to take a moment to say thank you for their ministry service. The efforts of our Parish Assistant/Director of Youth and Family Ministry, Kathy and Administrative Secretary, Linda are appreciated by all of us in the Messiah family. The demands of serving in ministry can be numerous and it takes a special person to balance all of these demands while remaining patient and compassionate. Kathy and Linda have been faithful in sharing the Word with care and dedication. We at Messiah were blessed to have them with us, helping to carry out our mission with honor and respect for all of God's children. I look forward to our continued work together as we are taking immediate steps to secure a replacement beginning in May for our Administrative Secretary and also considering options for the role of Parish Assistant and newly revised role of Christian Formation Coordinator positions. I want you to know that the Staff Support Committee and the Congregation Council are working expeditiously and thoughtfully to fill these positions. May the Lord bless Linda and Kathy as they have blessed us. Yours in Christ, Pastor Reinsburrow Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3: 23-24 (NIV)
SERVICE ASSISTANTS USHERS: 8:15 am Joel Sutkins, Diane Strauser, Albert Kelley, Rhonda Koch 10:45 am Dennis Guthrie, Fred Harbaugh, Jean Nolan, Charles Harstead LAY ASSISTANT: 8:15 Virginia Amme; 10:45 Susan Bryan COMMUNION ASSISTANT: 8:15 Rita Strickler; 10:45 Diana DiCenso ALTAR GUILD: 8:15 Margie Huyck; 10:45 Jean Bower GREEETERS AND COMMUNION PRESENTERS: 8:15 Al and Marcella Kelley; 10:45 John and Mary Haller CHIEF COMMUNION USHERS:8:15 Jody Fullmer;10:45 Dave Bausinger ACOLYTE: 8:15 Megan Aungst; Crucifer: Owen Sherman 10:45 Ray Demarest; Crucifer: Abby Greevy FLOWER DELIVERY: Charles Luppert Sunday, March 18, 2018 at Messiah: Attendance 163; Offering - $5,157.38 The Altar Flowers are given to the glory of God and in honor of Nathan Rundio s 10 th birthday, March 31, with love from Grammy and Pappy Bausinger and his uncle Mike. The Basket of Flowers is given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Omar DeWald by his wife, Connie DeWald. The Palms are given to the glory of God by the Memorial Fund. Maundy Thursday Pot Luck Dinner will be offered at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 29 with the worship service to follow at 7:00 p.m. Hamburger BBQ, rolls and beverage will be provided. Bring a covered dish to share. Sign up in the narthex by Palm Sunday, March 25. Easter Breakfast will be offered at 9:30 a.m. on Easter Sunday, April 1. The cost will be $5.00 per person with a minimum of 25 people needed to proceed with the breakfast. The menu will consist of a strata, sausage, fruit, coffee/tea and juice. Sign up in the narthex by Palm Sunday, March 25. Lenten Banks should be returned on Palm Sunday, March 25. A box is located at the rear of the church. Save the Date: Messiah s 150 th Anniversary Celebration and meal: April 28. More information about the Administrative Secretary position can be obtained by e-mailing messiahoffice@comcast.net. Applications will be accepted until April 3.
Daily Bible Readings Sunday March 25 Isaiah 50:4-9a; Philippians 2:5-11; Mark 14:1 15:47 Monday March 26 Psalm 36:5-11; Hebrews 9:11-15; Isaiah 42:1-9 Tuesday March 27 Psalm 71:1-14; Isaiah 49:1-7; 1 Corinth. 1:18-31 Wednesday March 28 Psalm 70; Isaiah 50:4-9a; Hebrews 12:1-3 Thursday March 29 Ps. 116:1-2, 12-19; 1 Cor. 11:23-26; John 13:1-17, 31b-35 Friday March 30 Psalm 22; Isaiah 52:13 53:12; John 18:1 19:42 Saturday March 31 Psalm 143; Romans 6:3-11; John 20:1-8 The Library Corner Highlighted Books for the Week: Twas the Night Before Easter by Veggie Tales -It's Easter time in Crisper County and cable news reporter Marlee Meade is hunting for a way to help others. On a tip that the old town theater will be shut down, Marlee cooks up a plan to save the stage and make a difference through the power of musical theater! With a cast of costume-clad townies, massive props and a 20 ft. robot rabbit, "Up with Bunnies is hatched. When news spreads that singing sensation Cassie Cassava is arriving to perform in her hometown church's Easter service, Marlee gets worried. Concerned about the competition, she schemes to steal the starlet for her own pageant! But when things go haywire, will it be curtains for Marlee's dreams-or will she discover the true meaning of Easter and what helping others is really all about? This DVD is in the Easter Section of the library. Adult - Before and After Easter - Activities and Ideas-Lent to Pentecost - For each day of Lent, each week of Easter and the Day of Pentecost, there are...activities, service projects, crafts and recipes, Bible readings, fascinating facts, family worship ideas...and full color illustrations on every page make activities and projects a snap! Book is in the Easter section of our Library. In December, 1975 the congregation voted to purchase buildings to be used as a parking lot. The purchases were financed through the sale of bonds with a maturity value of $300,000. In November 1978, Pastor Donahoe resigned to serve as parish developer in Stafford County, Virginia. Pastor Donahoe had served Messiah for six years, longer than any associate or assistant in the history of Messiah. Thanks to those who sent cards and called with prayers and concerns the last two times I was in the hospital. Also, thanks to Pastor Amme for the visit and thanks to Marilyn Winter for the visit and the flowers. All were appreciated. Linda Hammond
Sight and Sound Production: Jesus Saturday, May 12, 2018 $146.00 Adult - $95.00 Child 3-10 Reservations and payment are due by April 5 to Messiah Lutheran Church. Sign up and deposits can be made during the week in the church office. Please note: We have now opened up the trip to other churches, so in order to be sure that you reserve your space, please plan to make reservations and a $50 deposit as soon as possible. 4 St. Paul Lutheran Church Fund Scholarship Students who wish to apply to the scholarship program must complete an online application available at www.infaithfound.org/scholarships. Paper applications are available only by request. Application and required attachments are due April 30, 2018. Scholarship Available to the Pennsylvania State University The Jane Elizabeth Newlin and Everett Mason Batschelet Memorial Scholarship is offered annually to an incoming first year student who will be enrolled at any campus of the Pennsylvania State University including the Pennsylvania College of Technology. Applications for this scholarship may be obtained by calling the church office. All applications are due in the church office by Monday, April 16. Because references, SAT scores, and transcripts must also be filed, applicants should obtain an application as soon as possible. Don t Be Fooled Hunger is No Joke! Meal Packaging Event at St. Mark s Saturday, April 21, 2018 10 a.m. to Noon Volunteers of all ages and abilities are needed to package 20,000 fortified tomato basil pasta meals. Volunteers fill, weigh, seal, and box the meals for delivery to local Food Banks/Pantries. TO SIGN UP: Call Michele Owen at St. Mark s at 570-323-4619 OR sign up in the narthex on Sunday mornings. Please sign up as soon as possible if you are able to help! Together, we can make a difference! CAT S MEOW Figures are here! Wooden shelf sitters in the shape of our church building are available for purchase on Sundays after each service. The cost is $15.00.
Seasoned Helpers Ministry Seasoned Helpers Ministry s very special mission is to be God s helping hands serving family, friends and neighbors during times of change. Sanctuary Animals: For the past few weeks, we have offered a little vignette of the various services we offer and how we are able to reach out to serve others in need. Among other things, our home visitors will strive to maintain connections between those who are homebound and their Messiah family and to be sure they know they have not been forgotten. One of the ways in which we can do this is through Sanctuary Animals. These are small to medium sized stuffed animals which are placed around the sanctuary to be present during worship services. The idea is to then deliver them to members of our congregation who can no longer attend church a few weeks after they become homebound. The animal comes with a tag explaining its purpose and will serve as a comfort and a message that we remember those who cannot be among us. In a few weeks, we will begin delivering these Sanctuary Animals to those who are already homebound. Our ministry is underway and Pastor Amme reports that it has been well received. Kathy Wither will continue to coordinate this ministry. At this time, we have enough animals to fill the need, but soon the supply will be depleted. Would you be willing to reach out in love by donating a NEW small to mid-sized stuffed animal for the cause? NEW items only, please. A small basket has been placed in the sanctuary to collect your donations, or they may be brought to the office on weekdays. And now... there is one other way in which we need your help. Can you be our eyes and ears, and alert us as you become aware of any needs? Or can you be our voice to let others know that this ministry is available? Can you be our hands and feet by volunteering in one of the ways highlighted in the past few issues of The Messiah Messenger? Can you be our heart by praying for those who are in need as well as those who volunteer their services? In whatever way you are able to contribute, thank you for sharing your love with others through this ministry! To request help, to make us aware of a need, or to volunteer, please call: Linda Dieffenbach 570-322-1973 or 570-337-8888 or Gary Hutchinson 570-220-1305 Seasoned Helpers Ministry You are the salt of the earth... Matthew 5:13a How may we serve you?
Weekly Calendar of Events Sunday, March 18 Wednesday, March 21 8:15 am Holy Communion 7:00 pm Lenten Vespers/Bible Study 9:30 am First Communion Ed. 10:45 am Holy Communion 5:30 pm Youth Group Thursday, March 22 6:30 pm Celebration Ringers Monday, March 19 7:30 pm Sanctuary Choir 6:30 pm Preschool Committee 7:00 pm Property Committee Tuesday, March 20 Friday, March 23 4:00 pm Morningstar Choir
Weekly Calendar of Events Sunday, March 25 Wednesday, March 28 8:15 am Holy Communion 9:30 am Sunday School Thursday, March 29 10:45 am Holy Communion 5:30 pm Fellowship Dinner 5:30 pm Youth Group 7:00 pm Maundy Thursday Service Monday, March 26 Friday, March 30 12:00 pm Good Friday Service 7:00 pm Good Friday Service Tuesday, March 27 March 31 4:00 pm Morningstar Choir 7:00 pm Easter Vigil Vacation Bible School Monday-Friday, June 11-15, 9 a.m. to Noon Age 4 through Grade 6 Adult leaders and helpers and teen helpers are now being identified. Needed: Group leaders for children of all ages; Crafts leader; Snack leader; and helpers in all of these areas. If you are able to take part in VBS this summer, please call the office to let us know! If you are called, please prayerfully consider giving of your time and talents to share the Gospel with the children in our congregation and the surrounding community.