THE EPISTLE of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church June 2015 Volume XXXV, No. 10 SUMMER SUNDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE JUNE 2015 9:00 A.M. Worship Service 10:00 A.M. Fellowship Time
abiding with jesus In the Gospel of John, verse 15.5, Jesus says: I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. I was a pastor for 13 years in Adams County, the heart of the Pennsylvania fruit industry. Being among all those orchards, it was impossible for me not to learn something about the fruit industry. One of the interesting sights I saw every April was the pruning of the peach trees. Because they are more sensitive to cold than apple trees, peach trees are the last to be pruned. When the branches start to become blood-red in April, it is time to prune them. The trees are pruned so that the remaining branches form a sort of bowl to get the most sunlight. The pruned branches are left on the ground for several days. The interesting thing to see when the peach trees blossom, is the pruned branches bloom with the rest of the orchard. But of course, they never produce fruit. Their flowers wither, the branches die, and they are gathered up and thrown out. Why? Because they have been cut off from the source of their strength and nourishment: the tree. Apart from the tree, they can do nothing. I have never seen a better illustration of what Jesus is saying in John 15. When Christians separate themselves from Jesus and His Body, the Church, their faith withers and dies. They do not produce the fruit God desires from His people: faith, hope, and love. What Jesus means by abiding in him is a continuing, living relationship that is always growing and developing. In John s Gospel, abiding in Jesus means continuing in His Word, hearing and learning the Gospel so that it continually strengthens and guides us in faith. It means to remain in Jesus love, to let his example of sacrificial love guide our actions. Abiding in Jesus means nurturing our faith with the food He has given us: Himself, in the bread and wine of The Lord s Supper. This is the opposite of the free-floating spirituality of our time, often expressed by the phrase, I m spiritual, but not religious. Genuine spirituality is deeply relational; it is found in community, in relationship to God and His people. May Almighty God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless and keep you in His grace, that you will abide in Jesus and bear much fruit, to the glory of God and to bring blessing to this world. Pr. Biles
SUMMER WORSHIP SCHEDULE There is no summer slowdown at St. Paul. We have a diverse schedule of interesting guest preachers, guest musicians, and special events. Worship is at 9:00 am, followed by a fellowship hour in the social room. Date Church Day Service Information June 7 Pentecost II Confirmation Sunday 14 Pentecost III Commissioning of Mission Trip to New Jersey 21 Pentecost IV Father s Day 28 Pentecost V Pr. Manfred Brockmann, Guest Preacher Conversation with Pr. Brockmann after the service July 5 Pentecost VI Colonial Era Liturgy to celebrate our nation s birthday. 12 Pentecost VII 19 Pentecost VIII 26 Pentecost IX Hymn-sing Service August 2 Pentecost X Land & Seasons Liturgy 9 Pentecost XI 16 Pentecost XII
23 Pentecost XIII SCS Open House, Commissioning of Teachers, Blessing of the Backpacks 30 Pentecost XIV Pr. Cindy Chambers, Guest Pastor Sept. 6 Pentecost XV Labor Day Sunday: Last Sunday of Summer Schedule Pr. Paddy Rooney, Supply Pastor June 5-7: Lower Susquehanna Synod Assembly Our synod meets in assembly at Messiah College. Unfortunately, St. Paul will not be sending delegates this year (other than Pastor) as no one volunteered. June 7 Confirmation Sunday The following youth will affirm their Baptism and become adult members of the church: Cody Camacho Emily Malloy Jacob Smith A reception follows the service, hosted by the families of last year s confirmands.
From the MAY Meeting cook-outs at Kennie s Market Council continued its discussion on the SWOT planning process (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats). Council plans a meeting in July to develop plans in ministry for the coming years from this process Mutual Ministry is conducting staff evaluations this month. Bishop Dunlop will visit St. Paul Church next Palm Sunday (March 20, 2016). The next Council meeting is June 15. Our Mission: To Know Jesus and to Make Him Known Churches Grow When Members Invite People to Worship Services The St. Paul Church Cook-outs at Kennie s Market in Spring Grove returned in May. These cook-outs sell hamburgers, hot dogs, and hot sausages to people shopping at Kennie s. The money raised from these cookouts goes to support projects of the Mission & Service Committee which makes Jesus known through deeds of charity and mercy. Cook-out dates at Kennie s are these Saturdays, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm: May 30 June 13 & 27 July 25 August 22 September 12 & 26 October 3 & 17 There is a volunteer sheet on the kiosk to sign-up to help.
PASTORAL VISITATION DAYS These are days Pastor will set aside on his calendar this summer for visits with members. Visits can be in the home, a place of business, or a public place (e.g., a restaurant). The purpose is to talk about matters of faith and the life of our church. Sign up on the sheet on the kiosk or call Pastor to arrange a time. Pr. Manfred Brockmann Special Guest June 28 On Sunday, June 28 we will welcome the return of Pr. Manfred Brockmann (he was last here in September, 1999). Pr. Brockmann is originally from Hamburg, Germany; since 1990 he has been serving as Pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Vladivostok, Russia and Dean of the Lutheran Church in the Russian Far East. In that time he has helped found nine churches in a region that stretches a distance equal from New York to Los Angeles. Pr. Biles has been working to support his ministry since 1992, visiting the Russian Far East in 1997 and 2000. Pr. Brockmann will preach in our service and engage in conversation about life and the work of the Church in Russia after the service and fellowship period. FINANCIAL UPDATE Based on Actual Income & Expense As of April 30, 2015 Year-to-date Current Received $67,084 Current Expensed $93,945 Benevolence Received $9,456 Benevolence Expensed $7,852 Maintenance Received $8,880 Maintenance Expensed $11,678 Any questions, contact Vince Seebach or Sue Williams. Stonework / Education Wing Revitalization Update As of April 30, 2015 2015 Results Current Loan Balance-Total $518,166.00 Loan Interest Paid $5,943.84 Loan Principle Paid $12,299.00 Contributions Received (within congregation) $11,199.00 Donations Received (outside congregation) $1,100.00 Grants Received $0.00 Project Expense 2015 only $2,740.36 2015 Congregational Goal $83,599.00
Back to School Clothing Program WOMEN S FELLOWSHIP BREAKFAST The WOW (Women of Wisdom) Fellowship Breakfasts will not meet in the months of June, July and August. The breakfasts will resume September 19. Have a great summer and see you in September!! St. Paul Church is once again signed up in the Community Treasures Award Program through Kennies Market. If you have a Kennies Preferred Shopper s Card and want your purchases to help St. Paul, just complete an enrollment form which can be found on the table outside the sacristy and return to Sue Williams. (Give forms to other family members and friends that may have a Kennies Card too) Thank you for your support! LEGACY GARDEN. Memorialize or honor a loved one by purchasing a customengraved brick to be placed in our upcoming LEGACY GARDEN. Money raised will be used to restore and maintain our beautiful church home. Order your bricks online at: www.polarengraving.com/stpaulevangelicall utheranchurch. Order forms are also available in the office. Thank you. Goal: to provide new and gently used clothing and shoes, new socks for children in Grades K 6 Spring Grove School District in August 2015 How you can help: 1. Save, collect or purchase clothing boy and girl sizes 3/4, 5/6, 7/8, 9/10, 11/12, 13/14 2. Donate clothing - collection begins July 5 th for St. Paul members 3. Volunteer your time to sort and organize clothing Thank you for your support!! Watch Kiosk for more details Contact Sue Williams (225-6480) with questions St. Paul/Trinity 2015 Mission Trip June 18-21, 2015 Designation: Atlantic County, New Jersey Cost: $100 per person $50 is due May17, 2015 $50 is due May 30, 2015 ( If you sign up to help at either the May 30 or June 13 Cook-out, the 2 nd $50 will be waived) Information Meeting, May 31, at St. Paul More information on kiosk in fellowship hall. Questions? Contact Dwight Wintrode (465-0902)
HARVEST OF HOPE FOOD PANTRY Please remember. Monetary donations are always welcomed and can be made to the Harvest of Hope Food Pantry, Inc. by using the blue pew envelopes. For further information about volunteering or about giving, contact 792-6070. **June s Pantry Volunteers** Thursday, June 11; 4:45-7:30 pm Pat Lobodinsky Dixie McMaster Debbie, Sarah & Lauren Zavatsky Thank you for your continued support! HARVEST OF HOPE FOOD PANTRY Summer Lunch Program Begins June 2015 Financial assistance is needed ($3 per child, per week, for 12 weeks) to provide lunch for over 135 children this summer. Contributions should be made in blue pew envelopes noting: Harvest of Hope Summer Lunch Program St. Paul s day to pack/distribute lunches is Monday, July 13, from 12 noon to 5:00 pm. Sign up on church kiosk to help. Thank you for your continued support! Through the Lenten Offerings $650.55 was collected and given to the Women s Rescue Mission. THANK YOU NOTES Dear Pr. Biles, Our family wanted to thank you for being there for our mother during her illness. Your support, guidance and words of comfort on Thursday were also appreciated by all. With grateful hearts we thank you. Kathy Costello s Family * * * * * Dear Pastor Dan, We wish to thank your congregation at St. Paul for their generous donation of $200.00 for John s Meals. We will forward this donation to the church that is handling this program. Sincerely, Helen Rex, Treasurer St. James Lutheran Church * * * * * Dear Friends in Faith, Thank you for your generous gift of $1,000.00, which enabled us to offer support to so many homeless York County families this past winter. Your donation to Bell Socialization brought immediate and positive changes, providing nourishing meals and a warm place to sleep, and a chance for a bit of happiness and hope during trying times. Averie Clark Director of Community Engagement * * * * *
Dear Wonderful Quilters at St. Paul Lutheran Church, I wish you could have seen the happy faces and heard the oohs and aahs when your beautiful quilts were distributed at the Mother s Day Brunch to the mothers in residence at the Bell Family Shelter. It was so thoughtful of you to put together something that will bring lasting joy to the children and families for many months and years to come. We work hard every day to help our neighbors live the best lives they can and it s so nice to know people in our religious community embrace the value of those efforts. Thank you for sharing your lovely handiwork with us. God bless you all for your kindness. Janel C. Fox, Coordinator Community Engagement PARISH REGISTER FUNERALS April 30, 2015 Katherine (Glatfelter) Costello Born: October 29, 1947 Died: April 24, 2015 Buried: Spring Grove Cemetery
she is enrolled in a program to become an emergency medical technician (EMT). Katie Holtzapple graduated from Towson State University last year and has been accepted into dental school at West Virginia University. We congratulate the following members who are graduating this year. (If we did not list you below, please tell us and we will list you in the next newsletter.) High School Grad Nolan Marks (Spring Grove) plans to attend Penn State York to study electromechanical engineering. College Grads Carly Bolton graduates from the University of Pittsburgh Johnstown with a major in Biology and a minor in Spanish. She plans to apply to a graduate school to become a physician s assistant. This summer John King graduates from Colgate University with a bachelor s degree in political science. He will be employed by M & T Bank. Andrew Walker graduates from Lebanon Valley College with a degree in Elementary and Special Education. He plans to teach in the public school system. One of the important tools we use to get information to our members is through the internet. We send weekly copies of the sermon and an almostweekly news update, as well as the newsletter. Make sure we have your email address; send it to Pastor at danbiles@pa.net if we do not have it. Email is also the best way to get information to Pastor Biles; he checks his e- mail several times a day.
DATE AND TIME June 7 9:00 a.m. GREETERS ACOLYTES LECTORS Phil & Lora Marks Family WORSHIP AIDES JUNE, 2015 COMMUNION ASSISTANTS Lauren Zavatsky Pat Lobodinsky Penny Gordon Tina Becker NURSERY Coordinator: Heather Lehman, 887-6470 Heather Lehman SOUND SYSTEM Kevin Holtzapple June 14 9:00 a.m. Jessica Heller Sandy & Jim Gingerich Cody Camacho Jessica Plummer Kelly Bortner Ray Zavatsky Jessica Cole Lynn Hershey June 21 9:00 a.m. Sarah & Jason Richardson Joe Legore Kelly Garrett Pearl Wintrode Heather Lehman Doug Shearer June 28 9:00 a.m. Emily Smith Family Grace Gordon Barbara Biles Penny Gordon Holly Malloy Heather Lehman Gary Williams USHERS ALTAR GUILD COFFEE HOUR HOME BOUND BIRTHDAYS June 7 - Team 5 Ushers, Jim Senft, Capt. *Sandy Gingerich June 7 Confirmation Reception June 23 Stuart Garman 14 - Team 1 Ushers, Brian Artz, Capt. Judye Garrett Jessica Heller 14 Karen & Rob Myers 165 W. Hanover Street 21 - Team 2 Ushers, Alan King, Capt. Darlene Hershey Sue Silcox 21 Kathy Hunt Spring Grove, PA 17362 28 - Team 3 Ushers, Sam Becker, Capt. 28 Beth & Jordyn Hengst
ST. PAUL CALENDAR JUNE, 2015 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY **Vacation Bible School** June 22-26 8:30-11:30 am Sacred Heart Parish Center 1 6:30 pm Property Comm Mtg Safety Comm Mtg 2 3 9:00 am Bible Study 7:00 pm SG Group AA 4 5 8:00 pm Summer Movie Series @ Sacred Heart Synod Assembly 6 Synod Assembly 7 Confirmation Sunday 9:00 am Communion / Confirmation 10:15 am Reception for Confirmands Synod Assembly 8 7:00 pm Finance Comm Mtg 9 7:00 pm Boy Scout Committee Meeting 10 7:00 pm SG Group AA 11 6:30 pm Boy Scouts Church Office Closed 12 Carpet Cleaning fellowship hall & basement Church Office Closed 13 8am-2pm Cookout at Kennies 14 9:00 am Communion / commissioning Mission Trip to New Jersey 10:15 am Fellowship Time Food Sharing Day 15 7:00 pm Church Council Mtg. Epistle Deadline 16 17 7:00 pm SG Group AA 18 6:30 pm Boy Scouts 19 8:00 pm Summer Movie Series @ Sacred Heart Church Office Closed 20 21 9:00 am Communion 10:15 am Fellowship Time 22 8:30-11:30 am VBS 23 8:30-11:30 am VBS 24 8:30-11:30 am VBS 11:30 am Senior Citizens 7:00 pm SG Group AA 25 8:30-11:30 am VBS 6:30 pm Boy Scouts 26 8:30-11:30 am VBS 27 8am-2pm Cookout at Kennies 28 9:00 am Communion / Pr. Manfred Brockmann, Guest Preacher 10:15 am Fellowship Time 29 30 **St. Paul/Trinity 2015 Mission Trip** June 18-21 Church Office Closed