Easter Transformation The Journal NEWSLETTER St. John United Church of Christ 150 Pine Street, Tamaqua, PA 18252 Sunday Worship 9:30 AM WLSH AM 1410 11:30 AM (570) 668-2573 www.stjohnucctamaqua.com www.facebook.com/stjohntamaqua stjohntamaqua@verizon.net April / May 2018 Easter was April 1st. We are now in the season of Easter at church. Easter is a time for celebrating. It reminds us that life triumphs over death. It is a happy, optimistic time. On April 8, we will begin a Sermon Series called, Stay Positive. As Christians, our joy and positive attitude comes from the love God has for all people, and even creation itself. I like thinking about the apostle Paul. He stayed positive. We are told of a time when Paul was in prison in Philippi. Paul and Silas were whipped and then chained in the deepest part of the prison. They were praying and singing hymns when an earthquake opened the cell. They jailer feared for his life because he was sure that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul called out to him and brought salvation to the jailor and his family. Paul also writes a letter to the church in Philippi. We call it Philippians. Once again Paul is in prison when he writes the letter. He tells the church, I want you to know, my brothers, that the things that have happened to me have really helped the progress of the gospel. As a result, the whole palace guard and all the others here know that I am in prison because I am a servant of Christ. And my being in prison has given most of the brothers more confidence in the Lord. Paul can stay positive in a Roman prison. How does he stay positive? Paul says, I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Paul is saying it s knowing Jesus--his love and presence--that give him the power. Let s stay positive this season and learn from the Scriptures how to have an Easter outlook on life. I ll see you in worship. Pastor Kevin
Rummage Sale: Our Spring Rummage Sale will start, April 28th and will be open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The kitchen will be open along with a bake sale. Scholarships: The sale will also be open on Monday, 4-30, from 9-5 and on Tuesday, 5-01, from 9 to noon. Tuesday will be bag day. Volunteers are needed to help all three days. Contact Linda Musseman. Scholarship forms are available for all members who are 2018 graduating seniors, as well as, students in a higher education program. Applications are due back at the church by Sunday, May 6 th. TAFFN Hunger Walk: The Tamaqua Area Faith and Fellowship Network (TAFFN) will be holding Hunger Weekend which will take place on May 4, 5, and 6. A Hunger Walk concludes the weekend on May 6. The rain date for the walk is May 20th. We will be collecting every weekend to support their efforts to help feed the hungry in our community. You can make donations by using the brown envelopes in the pews on any Sunday in April. Money collected will be distributed to the three food banks in town by TAFFN. We will also take any donations of canned goods in the month of April to be donated to the Hunger Walk. If you want to sign up to walk or have any suggestions or questions, please contact Paul Dodson at 570-668-0289 or e-mail him at dodsonp@verizon.net Mother s Day: Sunday, May 13th is Mother s Day. We will be honoring all Mothers Pentecost and Confirmation: Pentecost is on Sunday, May 20th. This is the Sunday we celebrate the beginning of the Church and the coming of the Holy Spirit to the followers of Jesus. Pentecost is also the Sunday that we have Confirmation at St. John. Communion will be served and the present at our worship service with a small gift. Come, join us as we show love for mothers. Confirmands will partake in their First Holy Communion. Those in the confirmation class are: Olivia Brown, Tegan Devlin, Adam Green and Josie Schickram.
Sunday, May 27 th is Memorial Day Weekend and the start of our summer schedule. The last day for Sunday School will be Sunday, May 20th. Our services will remain at 9:30 AM, but we will not have Sunday School or fellowship hour throughout the summer months. Blood Drive: On May 16th the Red Cross will partner with Tamaqua Remembers to host a blood drive here at the church. The drive is just a one event in a month-long celebration honoring the 150th Memorial Day. Food Sales: On March 31st the United Citchen Crew held a successful Halupki sale. We appreciate all of their hard work they put into these fundraisers for our church. The next food sale will be a hoagie sale on May 15th. The drive will be held from 1:00PM until 6:00PM in our fellowship hall. You may preregister at www.redcross.org. More information about Tamaqua Remembers can be found on Facebook. Brunch with the Bunny: Thank you to everyone who helped to make our Easter Egg Hunt and Brunch with the Bunny on Palm Sunday a big success. We had a great group of 25 kids this year and they all had a wonderful time. We would like to thank M&I Deli who provided the food for the event. If you weren t able to attend this year, we hold it every year on Palm Sunday following our morning worship service, and we hope to see you there in the future.
Bible Study: Our weekly Adult Bible Study will resume after Easter on Tuesday, April 10th. Each Tuesday, at the group meets to study. Come, as we grow together in our faith and are moved more deeply to apply the Word of God to our daily living. Email Addresses: If you have an email address you d like to share with us please contact the church office at 570-668-2573. Weekly reminder updates, as well as, the bimonthly newsletter are sent out electronically. If you are interested in receiving them and other communications please provide us with your current email address. Thank you. Follow Us: Most information about the events occurring at St. John can be found on our website at www.stjohnucctamaqua.net and on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/stjohntamaqua/. Be sure to Like us on FB. Information Changes: Are you moving? Did you get married or have a baby? Whether you are changing your status on FB or forwarding your mail from the post office, don t forget to include St. John in your list of people and places to contact. Names, addresses, statuses are all kept on record here so please make sure all of our information on you is kept up to date so we may keep you informed and better serve you.
Prayer Requests Many of our members are in need of prayer for health and other various reasons. Please pray for those who we know have a need and are found on the following list: Lance Maxwell, Carol Scott, Nancy Eisley, Ron McDowell, Alma Herring, Mike Cuttic, Hannah Miller, Eric Nelson, Herbert Curvey, Evelyn Curvey, Diane Urban, Charles Urban, Sylvia Arner, Glenn Rarick, Joan Hess, Susan Hunsicker, Matt Hope, Mary Piepmeyer, Harry Ohl, John Quinn, Julie Hill, Deborah Schuetrum, David Keip, Jr., David Keip, Sr., Mabel and Norman Schuetrumpf, Mary Shafer, Florence Fegley, and Cathy Tomchick. The Prayer List is updated weekly in the church bulletin. Names are placed on the list for four weeks and then removed. If you are in need of prayer, please contact the church office. office at 570-668-2573 to be added to the list. Donations to the Food Pantry St. John has offered long standing support for the food bank housed at Trinity United Church of Christ. We are still accepting donations of non-perishable food items for Trinity UCC's food bank. Donations can be left in the back of the Pine Street side of church at any time, and we will collect them and deliver to Trinity on a monthly basis. We often remember our neighbors in need when we do our food drive in the fall, but we also strive to help throughout the year and all donations are appreciated. Holy Communion April: Applesauce/Canned Fruit & Vegetables May: Spaghetti Sauce & Pasta. Holy Communion is served during our 9:30 AM worship service on the first Sunday of every month. We will have communion on April 1st, May 6th and June 3rd. Church Office Hours The office is open Monday Thursday from 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM.
Shut-In Members Each month, the church selects a member who is no longer able to attend church and highlights them. Please consider sending that member a note or giving them call to let them know their church family is thinking of them. April Cathy Tomchick 1000 Orwigsburg Manor Dr., Room 129, Orwigsburg, PA 17961 570-621-7502 May Pauline Fenstermacher 360 W. Ruddle St. 5 th Floor Coaldale, PA 18218 United Citchen Crew: Our Citchen Crew is in need of supplies. Donations of cleaning products such as bleach, Lysol, ammonia are needed as are scrubs, paper towels and magic erasers. Anything you can give will be much appreciated. Donations can be left in the kitchen of the social hall. Boyer s Market Cards: If you shop at Boyer s Markets and want to help support the church, we have fundraising cards available. Boyer s will donate a portion of your purchases to the church if you use the card at checkout. We would like to thank everyone who has been using the card. Sponsorship Charts: There are still MANY dates still available for sponsorship. Please consider choosing a date or two to, honor memorialize or celebrate you or a loved one and help alleviate weekly costs to the church. Upcoming Dates: April 17: Tax Day April 22: Earth Day May 3: National Day of Prayer May 10: Ascension Day May 28: Memorial Day TBD: Pot-Luck Picnic ** Remember, if you cannot make it to church to hear the service, tune in to WLSH AM 1410 at 11:30 AM to hear the broadcast of our worship services. **
Sponsors Flowers April 1 In celebration of our granddaughter Ella s birthday by the Devlin family. April 8 Available April 15 In memory of Barbara Clemson by Diane Johnson. April 22 In celebration of Miriam Kester s birthday by her family. April 29 In memory of Bruce Johnson at the time of his birthday by wife, Diane. May 6 In memory of Tara Jane Boyle Mirabella at the time of her birthday from her parents. May 13 In celebration of Flossie Fegley s birthday by Lynn Meadows. May 20 In loving memory of Earnest C. Coombe by his wife, Elizabeth Coombe May 27 Available Bulletins April 1 In memory of Joe Raggio by his family. April 8 In memory of Mr. & Mrs. Wilber Ohl by Arlene Quinn. April 15 In celebration of the 7th birthday of Eli Hoppes by his Grandmother, Judy Hoppes. April 22 Available April 29 In memory of Bruce Johnson by Diane Johnson. May 6 In memory Adolph Zelonis at the time of his birthday by wife Ruth. May 13 Available. May 20 Available. May 27 In memory of Mr. & Mrs. William Miller by Linda and Joseph Musseman. Radio Broadcast April 1 Available. April 8 Celebration of Rachel Brimmer s birthday by the Shafer family. April 15 In celebration of the birthday of Joseph Musseman. April 22 Available. April 29 Wedding Anniversary of Ben and Lisa Shafer. May 6 Celebration of the birthday of Gavin Tomchick by the Tomchick family. May 13 Available May 20 Available. May 27 Celebration of the birthdays of Tracey, Cathy, Chip, George Sr. and George Jr. by the Fellowship April 8 Available. April 15 Kathleen Jones and Margaret Kruslicky. April 22 Doris Hosler and Margaret Steele. April 29 Available. May 6 Elenore and Chad Gerber May 20 Available. May 27 Available. Communion Service April 1 - Linda and Joseph Musseman. May 6 Judy and Day Slegal.
1 Easter Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 6:00 AM Sunrise Service with Communion 8 15 22 29 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 Consistory Meeting @ 7:00 PM 10 16 17 Tax Day 23 24 30 Rummage Sale 9:00 5:00 April 2018 11 12 13 14 18 19 20 21 25 26 27 28 Rummage Sale 9:00 5:00
20 Pentecost & Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 6 With Communion 13 Confirmation 27 7 Consistory Meeting @ 7:00 PM 1Rummage Sale 9:00-12:00 Bag Day 8 14 15 21 22 28 Memorial Day 29 May 2018 2 3 9 10 16 Blood Drive 1:00- National Day of Prayer Ascension Day 4 5 11 12 17 18 19 23 24 25 26 30 31