July 2015 717-866-4910 Friedens Lutheran Church, 301 W. Washington Ave., Myerstown, PA Dear Friends in Christ at Friedens, At this writing I am at the end of week two serving as your pastor. The role fits well. Thank you for the trust invested in my coming to serve as shepherd leader, and for the warmth that greets me with every conversation. With this month s message I want to convey how the move to the Lebanon Valley is progressing, the dialogue I want for us to have, and the focus for the sermons over the coming month. At present we are working with an excellent loan officer who is guiding us through the many steps necessary to obtain a mortgage. The intended closing date is July 8 with our belongings arriving on July 16. Cheri and I are making good use of our phone plan as she manages the leaving part of our move in Charleston and I manage the arriving part of our move in the Lebanon Valley. Currently, our desire is to have Cheri move here in time to attend worship on July 12. She is so looking forward to meeting you and entering the life and fellowship of Friedens and the greater community. One request we both have is for your patience as we put together names and faces. The house we are in the process of purchasing is located at 130 Valley Road in the Timbers section of Mt. Gretna. Our mailing address after July 8 is PO Box 392, Mt. Gretna, PA. 17064. On Thursday, I meet with the church council for our June meeting. At that time we will consider a plan for a series of cottage meetings that will take place over the summer. The purpose for these meetings is, first of all, to give you and me the opportunity to get to know each other better. These sessions will also welcome your story telling as you narrate your love, hopes, concerns, and suggestions for Friedens Lutheran Church. Likewise, these cottage meetings will give me a place to talk about how I understand the work of the Holy Spirit revitalizing congregations bringing the richness of yesterday s experiences into this day s mission and ministry opportunities. Please know how I value the gift of each day and the varied responsibilities we all have. When I invite folks to a meeting it is for the purpose to give value to our life together and to discern our God-given role as a missionary people. By attending one or more of these cottage meetings you will make a contribution to both. Thank you. At the first Sunday worship as your pastor, I launched a sermon series called God s BIG Story and Our Story. From June 14 through November 22 (Christ the King Sunday) we will journey from Genesis through Revelation taking note of the major theme revealed through the biblical narrative. Through the bible stories we will attend to the implications and applications of living either in harmony or discord with God s preferred future. (Continued next page)
Page 2 Here are the sermon topics for the month of July: July 5 Genesis 11:1-9 The Genesis Prologue: Formation-Disintegration-Restoration God names humans, however, in our sin sickness humans endeavor to make a name for ourselves. The Genesis Prologue, chapters 2-11, records the ongoing cycle of gift, rebellion, consequence, and restoration July 12 Genesis 12:1-3; 15:1-17 Covenant of Divine Promise Abraham is the distant ancestor of all who embrace the name children of God. To God s people comes the promise of the son, the Kingdom, and the blessing to share among all humanity. July 19 Genesis 50:15-21 Joseph: Keeping Faith When Life Goes Badly The story of Joseph narrates the man s life from his brash youth, through hardship and injustice, into an adult life of servant leadership and spiritual influence. July 26 Exodus 3:1-12 Moses: What to Do When a Burning Bush Interrupts Your Life While checking out a burning bush, Moses received an even greater surprise. The choice before him was whether or not he would trust God to provide all that is necessary. Together in Christ, Pastor Robert The church office hours are 9 A.M. 1 P.M. Monday to Friday Many Eager Ambassadors Lending Service... Do you know anyone coming home from the hospital at Friedens, who will be homebound for one or two weeks and in need for meals? Please call Joanne at 717/507-1997 to schedule the meals.
Page 3 Lutheran World Relief Update: Ever wonder where the quilts, personal care kits, and fabric kits that we assemble in September every year end up? Here's where- Quilts made by Friedens Sewing Group- India-January 2015 Personal Care Kits assembled by Children's Church-Angola and Yemen-February 2015 Fabric Kits assembled by Friedens WELCA-Georgia-February 2015 Coming soon-lutheran World Relief InGathering, September 2015 SHUT-IN BIRTHDAY July 8 Mrs. Irma Kuchinsky 31L StoneRidge Poplar Run Myerstown, PA 17067 "VBS 2015 - Registration is now open! Visit www.groupvbspro.com/vbs/ez/ FriedensMyerstown (put this address on your tool bar, not google) to register, or call the church office. Deadline to register is July 1st. Come on out and embark on an icy expedition where kids overcome obstacles with God's awesome power! Sun., July 12 - Wed, July 15, 6-8:00 pm." ESSENTIAL PRAYER Prayer is as natural an expression of faith as breathing is of life; and to say a man lives a life of faith and yet lives a prayerless life is every whit as inconsistent and incredible as to say that a man lives without breathing. He that lives a prayerless life lives without God in the world. How can you expect to dwell with God forever if you so neglect and forsake him here? Jonathan Edwards OUR TITHES & OFFERINGS May 2015 % of Budget Current Budget Goal $27,266.00 Goal to Date $136,333.00 88% $327,195.00 Rec d $28,072.50 Rec d to Date 119,368.00 Spang Crest Rec d 81.00 Rec d to Date $ 232.00 Hunger Rec d 250.00 Rec d to Date $ 1,195.00
Page 4 JULY 2015 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3 4 Independence Day 5 9 AM Contemporary Service 10:30 AM Traditional Service 6 7 8 9 AM Women Sew 9 10 11 12 9 AM Contemporary Service 10:30 AM Traditional Service 6 PM VBS Youth Group 10:30 AM 19 9 AM Contemporary Service 10:30 AM Traditional Service 13 6 PM VBS 14 6 PM VBS 7 PM Property Committee 15 6 PM VBS 20 21 22 9 AM Women Sew 6:30 PM-Worship Committee 16 7 PM Church Council 17 18 23 24 25 Youth Group 26 9 AM Contemporary Service 10:30 AM Traditional Service Youth Group 27 Life Line Screening 28 29 30 31
Page 5 Bradley Gardner graduated from Elco High School and plans to attend PA College of Health Sciences to be a paramedic. Stephanie Kleinfelter graduated from Lebanon Valley College with a bachelor of science in early childhood education and special education. She graduated Summa Cum Laude honors. Your kindness means so very much. Dear members of Friedens, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the members for the many phone calls, visits, and cards I received during my recent knee surgery. A special thank you to Pastor Light for his visit and to Sally Sholley for giving me communion. Many thanks to all. God bless, Edith Grumbine Friedens Child and Youth Abuse Prevention Program(CYAPP) In accordance with PA House Bill 435, paid staff and adult volunteers(over 18) for youth activities(youth Group, Children's Church, VBS, Chaperoning, etc.) will be required to complete the PA State Police Request for Criminal Record Check (SP4-164) and the PA Child Abuse History Clearance (CY-113). Cost is $10.00 each. If you have not lived in PA for the past 10 years, you must also get a Federal Criminal History Background Check($28.75 with submission of finger print records). All of these will be reimbursed by Friedens with submission of receipts and confirmation of satisfactory clearances. Questions? Please connect with a Council Person or a Child/Youth Leader. Links to complete the two main background checks may be found at http://www.lss-elca.org/blog/makingour-congregations-safe-space-for-all/ For those without Internet access hard copies of forms are available in church office. Thank you so much for all the hygiene products that Friedens Church so generously donated for our benevolent residents at StoneRidge s Towne Centre community. These residents were so very appreciative of receiving these hygiene items. Your thoughtfulness and caring for these residents is very much appreciated. Kindest regards, Christie Kline Director of Personal Care On Sunday, July 5, food will be collected for the Lebanon County Food Bank. All gifts are welcomed. There is a need for frozen hams, bottles of juice, canned meats and stews, canned fruit, canned vegetables, canned soups, peanut butter, towels/wash cloths, paper towels, baby wipes, and diapers.
Page 6 Friedens Lutheran Church, Myerstown, PA CONGREGATIONAL MEETING Sunday, May 31, 2015 1. Jody Appleby, Council President, welcomed and thanked everyone for attending. 2. Following the first worship service Jody Appleby called the congregational meeting to order at 10:15 am and opened with a prayer. A quorum was present. 3. Purpose of Meeting - from the April 16, 2015 Special Church Council Meeting Minutes: Pastoral Search Team unanimously recommends Pastoral Candidate, Rev. Robert W. Wallace, Jr. Congregational Council voted to recommend the Pastoral Candidate to the congregation of Friedens, with a tally of 7 yeas and 0 no. 4. Jody Appleby read the definition of a Voting Member from the Constitution and then turned the meeting over to Rev. Robert Blezard, Synod Representative. Pastor Blezard explained a successful vote would need to be 2/3. Pastor Blezard led the congregation in the voting process via paper ballot. 5. Jody Appleby recessed the meeting at 10:25 am. 6. Following the second worship service Jody Appleby welcomed and thanked everyone for attending and called the meeting back into order at 12 Noon. Jody Appleby led the group in prayer. A quorum was present. 7. Jody Appleby read the definition of a Voting Member from the Constitution and then turned the meeting over to Rev. Robert Blezard, Synod Representative. Pastor Blezard explained a successful vote would need to be 2/3. Pastor Blezard led the congregation in the voting process via paper ballot. 8. Pastor Blezard reported the Congregation voted to call Rev. Robert W. Wallace, Jr. to Friedens Lutheran Church, Myerstown, PA with a tally of 168 yeas and 5 nos (97.1 %). 9. Pastor Wallace shared with the group that he accepts the call to Friedens Lutheran Church, Myerstown, PA. 10. Roger Kauffman made the motion to adjourn. Seconded by John Flesher. Meeting adjourned at 12:15 pm. 11. Pastor Wallace closed with prayer. Sharon Riegel Council Secretary
Page 7 Friedens Lutheran Church, Myerstown, PA Church Council Meeting June 25, 2015 Jody Appleby, President, called the meeting to order at 7:05 pm. Present: Jody Appleby (President), Janice DuBois, Valarie Herron, Jim Kneasel, Jon Koller, Elaine Lasch (Treasurer), Bev Levengood, Sharon Riegel (Secretary), John Umberger, Rev. Robert W. Wallace, Jr. (Pastor) Excused: Frank Armstrong (Vice President), Chris Heft 1. Opening Reading/Prayer: Valarie Herron opened the meeting with devotions and prayer. 2. Minutes/Reports/Communications: a. Jon Koller made a motion to accept the May 21, 2015 Church Council Minutes. Janice DuBois seconded. Motion carried. b. Janice DuBois made a motion to accept the May 31, 2015 Congregational Meeting Minutes. Bev Levengood seconded. Motion carried. c. Jim Kneasel made a motion to accept the May 2015 Financial Secretary s Report. Valarie Herron seconded. Motion carried. d. Bev Levengood made a motion to accept the May 2015 Treasurer s Report. Janice DuBois seconded. Motion carried. e. Pastor Wallace gave a verbal Pastor s Report. Highlights included: The tentative date of Sunday, August 16 was discussed for Breakfast/One Worship Service with Installation of Pastor Wallace. Details to be worked on by Pastor Wallace and Worship and Music Committee. Cottage Meetings will be scheduled now into the Fall as a way for Pastor Wallace to get to know the people of the congregation and their stories. f. Thank you letters from LutherCare for recent gifts of $25.00, $30.00 and $23.00 to Spang Crest. g. Thank you note from Harmonia Club of America for the recent assistance and use of the sanctuary on May 3. 3. Finance Committee did not meet in June 2015. 4. Jim Kneasel reported the highlights from the Property Committee meeting of June 9, 2015. Council held a discussion on keys to the church. Council expressed their appreciation to all involved in the recent Parlor Renovation Project. (Continued next page)
Page 8 5. A Capital Campaign Report was available. As of May 2015 the Campaign Goal of $149,000 is short $5,676.21. 6. As reported at a previous meeting, the resignation of Katelyn Umberger, Handbell Choir Director, will be effective June 30, 2015. John Umberger made the motion to approve Mike Yeagley as Hand Bell Choir Director effective July 1, 2015. Jim Kneasel seconded. Motion carried. Mike Yeagley will also continue as Adult Choir Director. 7. Janice DuBois, Jon Koller & Sharon Riegel gave a few highlights of the recent Mission Trip to Crisfield, Maryland. A video highlighting the trip was shared with the congregation at worship on June 21, 2015. The video will also be shared on the church Facebook page. The Mission Team is open to suggestions of where to go next year. 8. John Umberger expressed appreciation from the volleyball team to the Property Committee for the fresh sand recently added to the court. 9. Janice DuBois made the motion to remove Robert K. Miller from the Bank of America church credit card account and add Robert W. Wallace as an authorized user. Valarie Herron seconded. Motion carried. 10. Next Council Meeting will be held on July 16, 2015 at 7 pm. A person to be determined will prepare opening prayer/devotional. 11. Jon Koller made the motion to adjourn. Bev Levengood seconded. Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Meeting closed with the sharing of joys & concerns and prayer led by Pastor Wallace. Sharon Riegel Council Secretary
Page 9 HARMONY Have you ever wished to harmonize your voice with another or others and produce pleasing and melodious chord? Then combine that chord with others and produce beautiful and wonderful music. Try and you will find it requires a focused and selectively discerning mind. Something that sounds so pleasing and seems so uncomplicated as harmonizing will shock you with its intricacies and difficulties. It is not as simple as it appears. True harmony demands effort, patience and practice to master. But once mastered, it will flow seamlessly and tranquilly into your being - your very soul with beauty and clarity of color enriching your world with its universal language. Harmony of sound is not limited to music. Harmony of sound such as letters which produce words and harmony of words produces writing. Writing produces poetry and literature which bless us with an insatiable appetite for beauty, clarity and truth. With effort, patience and practice we discover the beauty, clarity and essence of well written words. We are led on a journey of excitement and discovery that last not just to the chapter s end, but till end of time. Would it surprise you to find harmony in everything beautiful, clear and true? Well prepare to be surprised! Without harmony of line and color there is no beauty. Without the harmony of proof, fact and belief there is no truth. Without the harmony of vision and understanding there is no clarity. Harmony is an amazing quality and quantity found whenever beauty, clarity and truth are sought. Harmony could be that elusive particle so desperately sought by today s physicists which they labeled The God Particle. They believe The God Particle holds the key to understanding our universe. Physicists say it holds the answers and the proofs of the Quantum Theory and the String Theory. The God Particle just may be the foundation of the beautiful, the clear and the truth. Calling that particle The God Particle, are scientists proclaiming the existence of God? Perhaps they now believe that beauty, clarity and truth are all found in one place. That place being the harmony of and the unity of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. Perhaps their revelation can strengthen our resolve to harmonize with God, find harmony in God and live a peaceful, tranquil and harmonious life. Surely then beauty, clarity and truth can be ours forever. Wishing Harmony for All F. A. Armstrong Friedens Peace Lutheran Church is pleased to offer a preventive health event. Life Line Screening, a leading provider of community-based preventive health screenings, will host their affordable, non-invasive and painless health screenings on 7/27/2015. Five screenings will be offered that scan for potential health problems related to: blocked arteries which is a leading cause of stroke; abdominal aortic aneurysms which can lead to a ruptured aorta; hardening of the arteries in the legs which is a strong predictor of heart disease; atrial fibrillation or irregular heart beat which is closely tied to stroke risk; and a bone density screening, for men and women, used to assess the risk of osteoporosis. Register for a Wellness Package which includes 4 vascular tests and osteoporosis screening from $149 ($139 with our member discount). All five screenings take 60-90 minutes to complete. In order to register for this event and to receive a $10 discount off any package priced above $129, please call 1-888-653-6441 or visit www.lifelinescreening.com/community-partners.