THE PARISH PUBLISHER ST. PETER EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH NORWALK, OHIO OCTOBER 2015
From Pastor Ann In my first year as a seminary student, I attended a Service of Healing. I had never been to a healing service and only knew of the healings that televangelists did which I thought was ridiculous and fake. But because I was trying to be open to new ways to encounter God, I chose to go forward when they invited us up for the laying on of hands. One of the professors placed his hands on my head and prayed for healing in my life and then anointed my forehead with oil. I m not ashamed to say that I became very teary. I felt the presence of God in a new and powerful way and knew myself loved by my Creator. And I was reminded that we all carry around pain that only God can heal. At my first parish, I offered a Service of Healing, a new service for the members. I did not know what sort of response I would get when I invited them down for the laying on of hands, but to my surprise the entire congregation came forward to be prayed for. Again, there were tears and hearts were deeply moved. I was reminded again that we all carry around pain that only God can heal. We had the service every year thereafter. Because I want you to have the opportunity to experience this encounter with the divine, we will have a Service of Healing at all three weekend services on October 10-11. During the service, there will be a time when you are invited forward for the laying on of hands and anointing with oil, an ancient practice mentioned in James 5:14 (Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord.) This is an OPTIONAL action. If you do not wish to participate, you can simply remain in the pew and listen to the music and pray in your own way. Please know that the purpose of a healing service is not to ask God for miraculous cures as we might have seen done by televangelists. The purpose is for us to experience the healing and strengthening presence of God in a way different from our other experiences. To have someone lay hands upon you, pray for healing in your life (whatever form that healing takes), and feel the cross traced on your forehead can be a powerful spiritual encounter. May God bless us all with healing and with the sure and certain knowledge that we are loved, forgiven and precious to God. Peace, Pastor Ann 2
SEPTEMBER S UPCOMING EVENTS October 1 st 1:00 p.m. Altar Guild meets in the library. Anyone interesting in assisting with altar duty or coming to the Bible study is welcome to come and join. October 10 th 8:00 a.m. Men s Bible Breakfast/Bible Study. All men are welcome to come and join in a breakfast at McDonald s followed by a Bible study at the church. Contact Chuck Hemenway for more information, 419-663-4011. October 10 th 10:00 a.m. - Prayer Shawl Ministry meets in the fellowship hall. All knitters and crocheters welcome! October 21 st 9:00 a.m. Christian Service Day with potluck lunch. We will work on LWR kits. All women are welcome. Contact Betty Oblender for more information, 419-499-4261. October 21 st 6:00 p.m. Christian Service Day Evening starting with a potluck. We will work on LWR kits. All women are welcome. Contact Michelle Schaffer, 419-706-8732. October 22 nd - 1:00 p.m. Afternoon Guild Meeting is held on the fourth Thursday of each month. Contact Helen Hintz for more information at 419-668-5649. Fellowship Committee ** Mark your calendar** The Fellowship Committee would like to invite you to the Church Hayride on Sunday, October 25 th at 5:00 p.m. at the Sherman Farm. Please bring a snack to share. Hot dogs and drinks will be provided. A signup sheet will be in the narthex. Hope to see you there! The date of December 5th has been set for the Adult Progressive Dinner. We will visit 3 homes for appetizers, main meal, and desserts. Sign up to come. 3
SR. YOUTH GROUP Zip-Line at Tree Frog Canopy Tours Arrangements have been made for our youth group to go on a zip-line adventure on October 11 th. Departure will be 1:00 p.m. from the church. The cost will be $24.00 for the zipline plus money for a fast food supper. You must sign up for this event by September 27 th! October 12 th is Columbus Day and there is no school. You will not want to miss this event so make arrangements now. RUMMAGE SALE The Youth Group will be holding their Annual Rummage Sale on October 16 th and 17 th in the fellowship hall for the 2018 Youth Gathering in Houston. All items for donation will be collected from October 9 th through the evening of the 15 th. The youth are asking for donations of clothing, toys, books, holiday and other household items. All items should be clean and still have a purpose. We will not take T.V.s, computers, printers or large pieces of furniture. PLEASE DO NOT BRING THEM. If you have any questions about something or have a of nice piece furniture, you will need to get an OK from Vickie Hemenway. Dates to remember October: 11 th Zip Line Trip 16 th -17 th Rummage Sale 25 th Hayride at the Sherman s November: 7 th Raking for Operation Christmas Child CONFIRMATION Confirmation started in September. We began our study of the Old Testament, learning about the canon of Scripture, getting an overview of the OT, and delving into Genesis and Exodus. In October, we meet on the 11 th and 25 th at 4:00 p.m. and will be looking at the Law, Judges, Ruth and Kings. Confirmands, remember to bring to class your monthly Student Activity Reports. 4
CHRISTIAN DAY NURSERY SCHOOL As of September 19 th, CDNS has 42 three-year-olds, 53 four-yearolds and 15 PreK (5 Year Olds). We still have room for a few more 3's, 4 s and 5's, so if you know of someone looking for a preschool, have them give us a call. On September 31 st and October 1 st will be the CDNS School Picture day. These will be taken in the Fellowship Hall. On October 23 rd the CDNS staff will have a staff In-service day with No School for the children. The topic will be a hands-on training about getting to know our technology tools. The main theme for the children this month will be things that happen in the fall. Activities about leaves and their colors and pumpkins (weighing, carving and some may even roast a few seeds). The classrooms will celebrate Fall on October 28 th and 29 th. Remember if you want to know what is going on at CDNS; look us up on the WEB at www.stpeter-elca.org and come like us on face book at Christian Day Nursery School Norwalk. Keep bringing in your Schild s IGA receipts and General Mills Box Tops. The box for collection is on the narthex coat rack, thanks! Michelle Schaffer CDNS Director ACOLYTES Those who signed up to acolyte should have received an acolyte schedule in late September. A copy is posted on the bulletin board in the narthex. Thanks to all who agreed to serve. 5
SUNDAY SCHOOL UPDATE It is so nice to have everyone back Everything is going really well. Thank you to all of our dedicated people who are teaching and helping in our Sunday School. To all of our parents Thank you for bringing your children to share the wonders of Sunday School with us. We couldn t have classes without you! Our Adult Sunday School Class is being held in the fellowship hall and is being led by Pastor Ann and Duane Woods. Everyone is welcome! Shirley Silcox and Sandy Reitzel, Sunday School Superintendents A SPECIAL THANK YOU to the Sunday School staff, parents and youth who helped on Rally Sunday. With all of your help fun times were enjoyed by all. Here is a list of our Teachers and Helpers Superintendents Shirley Silcox & Sandy Reitzel Preschool 3 s Krista Wagner Preschool 4 s & Joanne Woods, Amanda Stang Kindergarten Tammy Stang & Allison Stang 1st & 2nd Grade Stacy Tweto & Kristin Rupp 3rd & 4th Grade Peggy Hintz 5th & 6th Grade Becky Parcher 7th & 8th Grade Margaret Wiles High School Mark Rupp Sub Eric Yetter Adult Duane Woods & Pastor Ann Marshall Substitutes Joyce Stevens, Beth Osborn & Vickie Hemenway Fellowship Committee Betsy Ruggles & Megan Culler Bulletin Board Helpers Eric & Allison Yetter Openings Kristin Rupp & Stacy Tweto Christmas Program Vickie Hemenway Thank you to all for volunteering your time. 6
Bible Instruction/Presentations It is St. Peter s tradition to present Bibles to 3 rd graders as a way to encourage them to read the stories of Scripture. This year, Bible presentations will be made in worship on Reformation Sunday, October 25 th at both services. Those 3 rd graders who wish to receive a Bible should plan to attend an Introduction to the Bible class on Saturday, October 24 th from 9:00-11:00 a.m. Pastor Ann will do an overview of the Bible, teach the kids how to look up a Bible verse, and explain how the Bible was put together. Parents of 3 rd graders should have received a letter with details. Call the office if you did not get a letter. If you have questions, contact Pastor Ann. Luke Bible Study Beginning in Advent, we will be in Year C of the Revised Common Lectionary the list of readings for each weekend. In Year C, most of our gospel readings will come from the Gospel of Luke, a book which contains unique material that does not appear in any other gospel. It seems a great time to learn more about the third evangelist and likely traveling companion of St. Paul and to become better acquainted with his version of the life of Jesus. This 5-week study will begin on Wednesday, October 21 st at 7:00 p.m. and will meet through November 18 th. All are welcome. Bring your Bible and feel free to bring a friend as well. Pastor Ann will lead. 7
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Worship Notes During the month of October, we will be well into Setting 10 as our primary liturgy on Sunday mornings. October also brings with it a couple annual St. Peter traditions including: Blessing of Lutheran World Relief quilts and kits (October 3-4) and Bible presentations to 3 rd graders (October 24-25). Reformation is also celebrated on October 24-25 and you are invited to wear red to worship on that day. There will also be a new worship experience offered on October 10-11: we will have a Service of Healing at all three weekend services. (See the pastor s article for more details on this.) November continues our annual traditional services: All Saints (Oct 31-Nov 1), Stewardship (Nov 8-9), Thankoffering (Nov 15-16), Christ the King/Harvest (Nov 22-23) and then comes Advent. The Community Thanksgiving Service will be at St. Peter at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, November 24 th. CHERISH ALL CHILDREN CAC is a ministry whose goal is to prevent childhood sexual abuse. In September, St. Peter s new CAC committee kicked off a ministry of prayer for the children of our congregation. We hope many of you took names and are now regularly praying for a child or several. If you would like to be a pray-er and need names, contact Karen Hoffman (419-660-1219). Amy Hartman, national director of CAC, will be at St. Peter on Tuesday, October 20 th to provide information and support to those who want to know more about how to protect children. You are invited to come at 7:00 p.m. to hear Amy and learn more about what the church can do to keep kids safe. Everyone is welcome and feel free to bring a friend. For more information, contact Pastor Ann. 10
WOMEN S BOOK CLUB October 11 th at 2:00 p.m. Same Kind of Different As Me by Ron Hall (Author), Denver Moore (Author), Lynn Vincent (Contributor) From the book cover: A dangerous, homeless drifter who grew up picking cotton in virtual slavery. An upscale art dealer accustomed to the world of Armani and Chanel. A gutsy woman with a stubborn dream. A story so incredible no novelist would dare dream it. 2015-2016 Book Club List October Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall November The Red Tent by Anita Diamant December Three Strong Women by Marie Diaye January The Samurai s Garden by Gail Tsukiyama February The Grace That Keeps This World by Tom Bailey ROCKTOBERFEST This new downtown festival is sponsored by the Norwalk downtown businesses. Held on Saturday, October 24 th, the website says there will be kids events, a pet parade, food, vendors, bands and a scarecrow contest. St. Peter plans to have a booth at the festival to share with the community the many ministries we have. If you would like to help at the booth or have ideas for it, please contact Pastor Ann. 11
OCTOBER ASSISTANTS October 3-4 5:30 p.m. 8:00 a.m. 10:30 a.m. Communion Jean Dircks Sylvia Miller Donna Sutter Lector Sue Jackson Michelle Schaffer Donna Sutter Slides Sandy Reitzel Marty Hanke Acolyte Alyssa Faley Assisting Minister Michelle Schaffer Marty Hanke Chancel Flowers Wenzel Family October 10-11 5:30 p.m. 8:00 a.m. 10:30 a.m. Communion Nick Wenzel Shirley Silcox Lector Donna Gercke Kathy McClendon Woody Dail Slides Amelia Ruggles Dan Woods Acolyte Kaiti Wenzel Julia Fries Assisting Minister Ellie Sigsworth Kathy McClendon Vickie Hemenway Chancel Flowers Dareyl Smith October 17-18 5:30 p.m. 8:00 a.m. 10:30 a.m. Communion Ellie Sigsworth Becky Beck Lee Ann Wentel Lector Mary Strayer Ed McClendon Robyn Rogers Slides Michelle Schaffer Connie Hanke Acolyte Claire Kelley Assisting Minister Ed McClendon Melissa Cervelli Chancel Flowers Jamie Ebert October 24-25 5:30 p.m. 8:00 a.m. 10:30 a.m. Communion Lyne Dircks Michelle Schaffer Stu Young Lector Ellie Sigsworth Paul Hiszem Brenda Toney Slides Amelia Ruggles Dan Woods Acolyte Nevan & Amelia Kaitlynn & Isaac Assisting Minister Ellie Sigsworth Paul Hiszem Bob Battiste Chancel Flowers Gus & Karen Hoffman October 31 Communion Lector Assisting Minister 5:30 p.m. Sue Jackson Vera Albright OCTOBER ALTAR DUTY Lee Ann Wetzel, Polly Geiger and Virginia Leimeister 12
Music News Choir is off to a good start, but there is still plenty of room for you to join us. Remember that if you like to sit with your family or have kids you want to be with, you may certainly join them after we sing which is early in the service. Hope to see you Tuesday nights at 7:30. Calling all singing children! Jr. Choir is starting and all youth in Kindergarten through 8th grade are welcome!! Jr. Choir will meet on Saturday mornings (starting September 26 th ) from 9:30-10:30 a.m. in the chapel. We look forward to hearing your singing voices soon! Robyn Rogers, Jr. Choir Director ADDRESS CHANGES If your address or telephone number have changed, please contact the church as soon as possible. Each month we send out the newsletter and receive several address changes from the post office. These postal returns are an expense for the church and we want to ensure that everyone is receiving their newsletter. Also, whenever a special event happens at the church, we send out a One Call letting everyone know. If we do not have a good telephone number for you, you will not receive our One Call. CHURCH DIRECTORY The Church Directory Committee is working on the military photo page. Please submit a photo of your family member in military uniform as soon as you can to the church office. DIRECTORY UPDATE To make sure we have as many current pictures in the directory as possible, the directory will be out in early 2016. 13
THANK YOU A special thank you to Elfriede Weiss for the lovely prayer shawl, Pastor Ann for her many visits and prayers, Megan Culler for her wonderful meal and the congregation for their many prayers and card. ~Jane Mills Thanks to you the lives of others have been touched in a special life giving support. We deeply appreciate your recent gift for the Eastern Region LSS Ministries. ~Nancy Yunker, Executive Vice President for Lutheran Social Services Thank you to our St. Peter family for your cards, prayers, poems and expressions of support at the time of the death of our son, Ron. Thanks also to Pastor Ann for her comforting words. ~Sharna & Bruce Kinsel. Check out the Thank You book in the narthex for the complete letters. St. Peter would like to thank Tim Parcher, who stained and finished our new credence table (behind the altar). A credence table holds the elements for communion CONCERNS CORNER The Concerns Committee would like to thank everyone who participated in God s Work, Our Hands. All your hard work is appreciated. The Concerns Committee is also looking for someone who may be interested in leading a Monthly Bible study at Luther Oaks here in Norwalk. If you are interested in leading this Bible study, contact Joyce Stevens or the church office. 14
OUTREACH/CONCERNS NORWALK AREA FOOD BANK October requests: spaghetti o s, canned ravioli, top raman, canned fruit, popcorn, crackers, boxed dinners, cereal, dried pasta, rice or beans, dish soap, tissue and toilet paper. Place your donations in the shopping cart in the narthex. CONCERNS OF THE MONTH August: The Concern of the Month was Habitat for Humanity. Thank you to those who donated to this wonderful cause, together the St. Peter family donated $285.00. September: The Concern of the Month was God s Work Our Hands. Thank you to those who donated not only your money but your time to this wonderful cause. CONCERN OF THE MONTH FOR OCTOBER OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD Once again our congregation will participate in this year s Operation Christmas Child. Look for a table in the narthex for more information on ideas and packing of boxes. Our high school youth group s goal this year is to pack and pay for the shipping on at least 50 boxes. Our date for Raking is November 7 th. Here s how you can help. 1. Pack your own shoebox and return to church by Sunday, November 15 th. 2. Hire a Raking Crew. We will rake leaves to the curb. Norwalk City residents only. Contact Vickie Hemenway 419-663-4011 or the church office 419-668-2856. 3. Sponsor the shipping on a shoebox with a $7.00 donation. 4. Sponsor an entire box (gifts and shipping) with a $20.00 donation. 5. Make a donation of any amount to help the youth group reach their goal of 50 boxes. Donations can be made through the offering. Mark the envelope OCC. 6. Pray that the boxes we pack will show a child the love and joy of Jesus Christ. As always we are grateful for the continued support of our youth. 15
SAINT PETER EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH 243 BENEDICT AVENUE NORWALK, OH 44857 MISSION STATEMENT: KNOWING CHRIST AND SERVING OTHERS PASTOR: Ann Marshall 419-602-9405 Church Office & CDNS: 419-668-2856 Fax Number: 419-663-8457 Email: stpeternorwalk@gmail.com Web: www.stpeter-elca.org Twitter: www.twitter.com/stpeternorwalk Facebook: www.facebook.com/stpeternorwalk CDNS Facebook: www.facebook.com/christiandaynurseryschool Mon. - Fri. - 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Church Secretary: Sandy Boggs WORSHIP SCHEDULE: Holy Communion Celebrated Weekly Saturday 5:30 p.m. Sunday - 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Sunday School for All 9:15 a.m. (September- May) 10:30 a.m. service live on WLKR, 95.3 FM and www.wlrk.northcoastnow.com/listen-live/ Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 11 Norwalk, Ohio ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED