Lenten Observance at St. John s March 13, March 20: Wednesday Evenings at 7:30 Service of Word and Prayer (Preceded by Soup and Sandwich Supper at 6:30 p.m.) Holy Week and Easter Sunday March 31 Sunday of the Passion / Palm Sunday Services at 8:15am and 10:30am Thursday April 4 Maundy Thursday 7:30pm Friday April 5 Tenebrae of Good Friday 7:30pm Saturday April 6 Vigil of Easter 8:00pm April 7 the Resurrection of Our Lord Services at 7:30am and 10:30am (Easter Breakfast 8:30-11am)
March/early April 2013 The Revelations of Saint John s St. John Lutheran Church + 1802 Skippack Pike, Centre Square, PA 19422 Sunday Church School News In February, the Sunday School sent Valentine greetings to residents of Artman Lutheran Home in Ambler. The kids made 38 beautiful Valentine s Day cards four our neighbors at the home. We ve been singing soulful music for Lent during our Sunday morning group gatherings. Judy Winship is joining us to help lead the singing, and we thank her for sharing her considerable talent with us. The Sunday School classes are continuing our tradition of helping to serve at the Wednesday evening services during Lent. Grades 7-8 will be assisting at the March 13 service, and Grades 4-6 will be helping on March 20. Our theme this year in Sunday School is building. So it makes sense that our current service project involves collecting items to put together Welcome Home Kits for Habitat for Humanity. When a family moves into a home built by Habitat for Humanity, they receive a Welcome Home Kit containing an assortment of basic household goods and supplies. The Montgomery County branch of Habitat for Humanity will need to make three Welcome Home Kits this spring, and we hope to be able to supply them with the materials. We ve asked the Sunday School families to donate certain kitchen and bath supplies, but there are other items that Habitat for Humanity generally puts in the baskets. If you d like to help us fill the baskets with these other goods (examples are kitchen towels, potholders, mugs, spatulas, ladles, and light bulbs), please see the Giving tree in the Great Room to find out what we still need. You can also leave a monetary donation for this project at the tree, and we ll take care of the shopping. On March 24, the kids will be going on a special journey. We re organizing an abbreviated, youth-oriented Stations of the Cross downstairs in the Sunday School building. Please remember that there are no Sunday School classes on Easter morning. Anne Dobbins, Superintendent
Lenten Soup and Sandwich Suppers continue each Wednesday in Lent. Sign up sheets can be found in the Great Room table by the stairs. We need 3-4 soup chefs each week. Once again our purpose in coming together is to support the ELCA Domestic Disaster Relief. Monika Bontempo, coordinator Easter Candy Sale Hurrah, Success! We had a very successful candy sale this year -- several hundred dollars over last year thanks to all who placed an order. $1500 proceeds will go to the Mortgage Fund. Several members made cash donations instead of ordering candy. You still could do this beginning March l7th. through Easter. See Betty Jeanguenin. When paying for your candy --cash is fine or checks made out to St. John Lutheran. All monies must be in by Easter Sunday. St. John s School As we move toward the days of spring nursery school children have been super busy in their classrooms, days are filled with learning and fun. Healthy Bodies, Dinosaurs, Outer Space, Colors, and Valentines were some of the topics keeping all interested. With the calendar's turn we get ready for St. Patty's, Changes, Easter, and New Growth. Registration for the next school year 2013-2014 is in progress. We have added some new families to the enrollment list while familiar/current children will return. Mrs. O'Connor and Mrs. Engel have been working together all school year to prepare for the transition of the Directorship in June. Think warmer weather and more days of outdoor play to come! A reflective Lenten season and a Happy Easter is sent to everyone. Barbara O Connor, director
From the Council President February has been a busy month. Pastor Bell has joined us here at St John s and has dived right into council and committee meetings, getting herself familiar with members, staff and our many activities and concerns. It appears the parsonage is in need of a new roof. Best guess it has been about 35 years since it was last replaced. The property committee is evaluating bids and we hope to replace the roof in the spring. Council is also looking at renting out the parsonage to a Lutheran minister and family. The rental period would be for the same approximate time period before we have a new permanent pastor in place. If our new minister doesn t use the Parsonage the Council at that time, will evaluate either the sale or rental of the Parsonage and report their findings to the congregation. If you can possibly make the time available please join us for a soup supper and Lenten Services every Wednesday. We would love to have you join us. Jack Ruse, Council President Christian Service Group Christian Service Quilters has three new members: thank you Joan Linton, Kathy Erdman, and Irma Maslij for joining us. We can use use more volunteers to lend a helping hand: no experience necessary since it's on- the- job- training. The benefits include knowing that our "work helps those less fortunate", which keeps us going as long as the need is there. Even if you can't join us, if you or someone you know, is able to donate old sheets and/or yardage of any kind, we can transform it into a useful quilt for someone in need. Our quilts go to Lutheran World Relief. Please drop off at church anytime. Mark it "Attn. Christian Service Quilting Group". We meet most every Monday, 10 to noon. Questions? call Anita Hill, 610-279-2421 Note: we will not meet Monday, April 1. Anita Hill, quilter Copies of the Feb. 17 th annual Reports to the Congregation are available in the Great Room, for those who were unable to attend the meeting.
Our Historic Church In 1866, the Congregation of St. John s purchased a house and lot adjoining the church for $900. In 1883 the house was torn down, and the present Sexton s house was built for a cost of $825.58. Joseph Abbott was Sexton, and was provided the house to live in and an annual stipend of $35, with the requirement that he keep a cow. At the time the property was fenced and had a gate in front. The cow requirement was probably to help keep the grass down. Dear St. John s family, We so grateful for the many kind expressions of sympathy shown to us through your prayers, cards, and attending Mom's service with us. Support by our church family was heartwarming, and we thank you for your kindness. Sincerely, Duncan, Linda and David Catherwood Rick and Janet Engstrom Message about 7th Annual Ryan Weidler Golf Tournament Dear Friends, We are so grateful to all of you who played golf, sponsored holes, made donations, and enjoyed the outdoor deck at PJs. Through your generosity we were able to send $8000.00 to SADS in 2012. We are looking forward to the 8th Annual. Please save the date for Monday, July 22, 2013. Thanks again for your support and friendship. The O'Donnell, Speece, and Weidler Families
From Pastor Bell Dear Friends, I want to begin by thanking you for the warm and gracious welcome that you have extended to me. It s been just about a month since I began serving as your interim pastor, but already I feel very much at home. So many of you have introduced yourselves to me, reminded me on more than one occasion of your name, and patiently explained to me the details of congregational life here at St. John s. I am deeply grateful. Some of you have wondered about my role as interim pastor. For the most part I will provide the usual pastoral services; lead and plan worship, administer the sacraments, preach, visit the sick and homebound, preside at funerals, participate in Congregation Council, committees, and the educational ministry of the church. I will also oversee what is known as the Transition Process. Along with a small group of church members (the Transition Team), we will offer opportunities to look at the past, present, and future of St. John s. Eventually, we will prepare the Ministry Site Profile which will be an important tool in selecting the next pastor. During this transition, I encourage all of you to participate in the process, to provide input, and to continue to worship regularly. Please know that I am always available and willing to answer questions and provide clarification about the interim process. I am anxiously looking forward to observing the most significant week of the Christian week with you later this month. Our Worship and Music committee met recently to begin the planning for Holy Week, and I know that the services will be memorable. I urge you to follow in the way of Jesus: from his triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, to the upper room on Maundy Thursday where he celebrated the last supper with his disciples, and to the cross of Calvary on Good Friday. Then join us on Saturday evening to await the good news of resurrection during the Easter Vigil. No doubt the joy of Easter morning will be ever more glorious when you have followed the way to the empty tomb! With gratitude for the opportunity to serve, Pastor Marcia Bell
Council Meeting Highlights, February 2013 Treasurer's Report - Dave Ochocki Income from endowments are shown during month of January Discussed report format for Pastor Bell Cemetery - Linda Catherwood An amendment to the By-Laws was passed at the annual meeting on 2/17/13 Christian Education/Sunday School Joy McCabe Students will be helping during Wednesday Lenten services again this year Lent service project will be collecting cleaning supplies to be used by Habitat for Humanity for new homeowners Pastor Bell will join the students one Sunday for a book reading Nursery School - Carol Weidler/Jack Ruse Board meeting held on 2/18 Letter of resignation by Barbara O'Connor given to parents, as well as announcement of new director Carrie Engel New bookkeeper being sought, with church members asked first for any interest Most critical discussion involved safety. Some doors in the church are not locked during the day. Key pads at side door entrances discussed as possible solution. The school will publish a Wish List for items or projects desired. For example, revamping the landscaping near church entrance. A $1,000 donation has been received, and that may be a viable project. Youth Group Kaitlin Delaney/Tyler Brunner "Souper" Bowl Sunday raised $38 for either World Hunger Relief or buying one of the animals from ELCA hunger appeal Evangelism/Communications Monika Bontempo New directory will be distributed this coming Sunday, after 2 1/2 month delay by vendor Finance - Jack Ruse Further discussed suggested charges for funerals and weddings; will re-look at this next meeting Property - Jeff Brown Contractor is repairing the downspout and other gutters Vicki Ochocki has contacted both the Post Office and Township regarding approval to add a mailbox in front of the church, not at Skippack Pike Parsonage walk-through on 1/26 with a realtor representative who suggested some painting and re-carpeting. Roof needs replacement. Discussion on rental of parsonage until a permanent pastor is located, and then we can re-visit
Social Ministry - Monika Bontempo Scholarship money returned by member no longer attending the university Soup supper donations will benefit ELCA Disaster Relief Worship and Music Jack Ruse/Dave Ochocki Committee meetings will be re-instituted Lenten services will focus on changes and transitions New Business Vicki Ochocki's requested new job title, Office Manager, was approved A 30" electric stove and microwave has been offered for church use, possibly swapping out the ones currently in Troster Room The stove in fellowship hall was discussed. It is difficult to light but has 10 burners and accommodates large group functions. Jeff will investigate making it more user-friendly. SEPA Synod Assembly scheduled May 3-4. Carol Weidler and Dave Ochocki volunteered to attend, with one more spot available to us. Easter Sunday services will continue to be held at 7:30 and 10:30, along with the Saturday evening service on the night before Pastor Bell will take Friday as her day off, but will always be available by cell phone Transition Team: Will include six to seven members, including one from Council. Our Ministry to the Greater Church The synod has designated March as SEKOMU (Sebastian Kolowa University College) month. SEKOMU is located in our companion synod in Tanzania. The college opened in 2007 and has seen tremendous growth since then. 407 graduates received their BA degree this past December. Construction of a large academic building has just been completed and the congregations of our synod are joining together to equip the main lecture hall, which will seat 200 students. The estimated cost is $20,000. Here at St. John s we have provided financial support to the school since its inception and will be doing so again this month. We are making a gift of $800 from the Charles Schlipf Mission Endowment fund. Each of us can help to match that gift with our individual contributions. Envelopes will be available in the Greatroom and pews on Palm Sunday, March 24th.