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Beaver Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 167, Beaver Springs, PA 17812 Page 1
You Belong
to Christ The high point of the church’s liturgical year
is our Annual Easter Vigil, which culminates our
celebration of the The Three Days of Maundy
Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil. (See
our website for more about these services.)
Taking the lead from an ancient practice, we
gathered outside to the light a new fire and proclaim that Christ is our light. We gathered in a darkened sanctuary, lit our
candles, and sat as a “family circle” to hear the ancient stories of faith: Creation of the World, Crossing the Red Sea,
Isaiah’s Promise of Salvation, the Valley of Dry Bones, Jonah and the Whale, and the Three Children and the Fiery
Furnace. These stories point to our passage from death to life through God’s grace.
The highlight was welcoming three new members into the family of God through the sacrament of Holy Baptism. We
rejoiced and sang as Vaughn, Laine and Lincoln Phelps were washed by these waters and through God’s word. Baptism is
both their story and our story, the place where we are joined forever to Christ’s death and resurrection. As these little ones
were baptized, so we remembered our own baptism.
Following the baptisms, we ascended the chancel steps to gather around the Lord’s Table to eat our Savior’s
resurrection meal and to share it with the newly baptized. With Mary Magdalene and Vaughn, Laine, and Lincoln, we
were sent out with confidence that Christ is risen! We join them in sharing the good news of new life in Christ.
God of tenderness, source of all goodness, your Son took children up in his arms and blessed them. Hold Vaughn,
Laine, and Lincoln in the strong arms of your love. Look with kindness upon them and their family as they celebrate their
baptism. We thank you for giving them new birth by water and the Holy Spirit. Sustain each one of us in the gift of
baptism, so that together we may praise you and carry your word into all the world; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and
Lord.
Beaver Lutheran Church
CCOOMMMMEENNTTAARRYY Vol. 28, No. 5 The Season of Easter May 2014
Sunday School – 9:00 a.m. www.beaverlutheranchurch.org Holy Communion – 10:15 a.m.
Beaver Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 167, Beaver Springs, PA 17812 Page 2
Laine, Vaughn
and Lincoln
Phelps became
baptized members
of the Family of
God during the
Easter Vigil.
Easter
2014
Beaver Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 167, Beaver Springs, PA 17812 Page 3
Palm Procession The Middlecreek Valley Ministerium
sponsored their first-ever Palm Procession through
the streets of Beaver Springs. We gathered at
Haines Park at 3:00 for prayer and singing,
followed by an afternoon walk that was led by the
cross of Christ. We even had an opportunity to
sing a Palm Sunday hymn for one of our
homebound members, Mona Dutrow.
Other participating churches included: Christ
Church, St. Paul’s Reformed, Beavertown United Methodist parish, Trinity
Lutheran, Messiah Lutheran, and St. Peter’s Independent.
Annual Easter Egg Hunt Was Egg-citing! Children of all ages arrived on Saturday, April 19 for our
annual Easter Egg Hunt. Rainy weather had been the norm,
but on that day the sun was shining down and made for a
wonderful afternoon of egg hunting.
The children were divided into three age categories and
then took off to gather their goodies. Thanks to the Fellowship
Committee of the church for sponsoring this annual event!
Beaver Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 167, Beaver Springs, PA 17812 Page 4
‘The Discombobulated Church’ We welcomed artist and
pastor Trey Everett and his
wife, Corene, on Sunday,
May 4. Trey is the artist
behind the traveling exhibit,
“The Discombobulated
Church,” featured earlier this
year at Beaver.
Trey led a stimulating
conversation on the image he created for us, based upon
the call of the disciples in Matthew 4:12-23. Surrender and
“letting go” to be aware of God’s presence was the theme
of the discussion. The original image, along with a
description, will soon be on permanent display at the
church.
Mother/Daughter Banquet Scheduled for May 18 The Beaver Lutheran
Women of the ELCA
(WELCA) will once again
sponsor our annual
Mother/Daughter Banquet.
This year’s banquet will be
held Sunday, May 18 at 6 p.m.
Cost is $8 for adults and $5
for children 5 to 12 years of age. A sign-up sheet is located
on the bulletin board next to the church office. Please let us
know how many to expect.
The menu includes: ham, scalloped potatoes, green
beans, candied carrots, cold lettuce salad and dessert. The
men of the church will prepare and serve the meal. If you
would like to help out, please see Bryon Beaver.
Corene and Trey Everett on a hike at Shikellamy State Park.
Granddaughter Micheala Wagner, mother Tammie Wagner
and grandmother Betsy Ann Klingler at the 2013 Banquet.
Beaver Lutheran’s WELCA is in need of members! We meet the second Monday of the month at 7 p.m. from September
through May. We also get together sometime in August at a local restaurant for fellowship and to discuss plans for the
upcoming year. Remember … if you are a female and you’re a member of the church, you are already a member of WELCA.
Please join us!
Beaver Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 167, Beaver Springs, PA 17812 Page 5
Baby Bottle
Boomerang Begins This Sunday, Mother’s Day, please take home an empty baby bottle located in the
narthex. Fill the bottle with your loose change and return it on Father’s Day, June 15.
Money raised during the Baby Bottle Boomerang Campaign goes to Crossroads
Pregnancy Center in Lewistown and its life changing work of meeting the physical and
spiritual needs of men and women who find themselves facing an unplanned pregnancy.
For more information on Crossroads Pregnancy Center, please go to crossroadspcs.org.
Still Time to Sign-Up for AED Training A class on learning to use the AED (Automated External Defibrillator) will be held
Tuesday, May 27 at 5 p.m. at Evangelical Hospital. You still have time to sign-up for this life-
saving class. There is a small cost for the instruction book. If you are interested, please see
Bobbi Leister.
An automated external defibrillator is the small red box that is located in the hallway. It is
able to diagnose and treat life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias and tachycardia in a patient by
defibrillation which is an electrical therapy that stops the arrhythmia and allows the heart to
reestablish normal rhythm.
Apple Pies Wanted! Six apple pies are needed from this congregation for the lunch which is held following
Memorial Day services in Beavertown.
Your donation should be at the church by Sunday afternoon, May 25. The pies can be
homemade, store-bought or frozen – it doesn’t matter! A sign-up sheet is located on the
bulletin board. For information, please see Kim Rigel.
Road Litter Clean-Up Between 10 and 12 volunteers are needed to help fulfill our obligation to PennDOT to keep
our two-mile stretch of highway clean. Your help is needed Saturday, June 7 at 10 a.m.
The youth of the church are encouraged to help. However, those younger than 16 need a
permission slip. Please contact Erman Lepley at 658-7605 if you have questions or need a
permission slip.
Beaver Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 167, Beaver Springs, PA 17812 Page 6
Academic Loan Applications Available Applications for Academic Loans are now available on the bulletin board. Please have the applications completed
and in to the church office no later than Sunday, June 1, 2014.
Sunday School & St. Nicholas Choir With the school year winding down we are winding down our children’ ministry as well.
Our children’s Sunday School classes are no longer meeting. Instead our children’s choir, the
St. Nicholas Choir, will meet Sunday mornings at 9 o’clock. Any child kindergarten age and
up is welcome to come and participate in their rehearsals which also includes formation in
the Christian faith.
The St. Nicholas Choir is looking forward to singing for both our upcoming
Mother/Daughter Banquet on May 18 and worship on May 11.
Conversation on Children’s Sunday School With our children’s Sunday School instruction now complete for the current school year,
now is a great opportunity to reflect and talk about the future of this ministry.
Are you an adult who cares about the faith formation of our children? Are you a young
parent who would like to see your children participate in our education ministry? Join Pastor
Nathan on Sunday mornings in the Food Pantry classroom on May 11, 18 and 25 as we reflect
on and discuss together the future of this ministry.
We are Looking for
Your Graduates The church will recognize our graduates on Sunday, June 8. If you have a loved one
who will be graduating from high school or a school of higher learning, please let us
know so they can be blessed and prayed for that Sunday.
Beaver Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 167, Beaver Springs, PA 17812 Page 7
It’s Red for Pentecost! Pentecost Sunday will soon be upon us … June 8! This Sunday marks 50 days after
Easter and the coming of the Holy Spirit. Since the Holy Spirit is often symbolized as Fire,
it has become our tradition to wear red and bring red geraniums. So plan on doing both!
We’ll plant the red geraniums following worship outside the sanctuary entrance.
Help is Needed for the Relay for Life Breakfast The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life is scheduled for June 20 and 21. The event
is held each year at the Beaver Fair Grounds in Beaver Springs.
Our “Busy Beavers” team will once again hold a breakfast on the morning of Saturday,
June 21. Much help is needed to make this happen. Preparation begins long before the actual
date, however many hands are needed to help prepare the meal on Friday, June 20 anytime
after 1:00 p.m. The day of the meal will begin at 4:30 a.m. You may also do your part by
helping transport items to and from the fairgrounds.
Please contact Isabel Zerby at 570-658-7551 if you are available to help those two days. You may also contact Isabel
if you are in need of registration forms or survivors sheets.
Looking for a Great Gift? If you are looking for a last minute mother’s day gift for mom, mom-in-law, sister, aunt,
daughter, grandma, or neighbor … we’ve got a great idea! Why not a collection of wonderful
down-home recipes put together by the women of our church? Cost of the book is $15.00.
Please see a member of WELCA before or after worship if you are interested in
purchasing a copy, or the books will be available for purchase at the Mother/Daughter
Banquet on May 18. You may also call the church office at 570-658-2001 to place your
order. Checks may be made out to Beaver Lutheran WELCA.
Check Out Our Website! Go to www.beaverlutheranchurch.org to check out our new website! Though still under
construction, you’ll find links to our monthly newsletter, calendar, and lay assistant schedule. You’ll
also find a link to our Facebook page!
Also, remember that we have been sending out weekly emails, “News from Beaver Lutheran
Church,” which give you a glimpse at Sunday’s worship and upcoming events.
If you currently do not have your email address registered with us at the church office, and would
like to receive those weekly emails, please let us know.
Beaver Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 167, Beaver Springs, PA 17812 Page 8
Helpers are Needed
for Altar Guild
Volunteers are needed to help out with the
altar guild. It is not hard and only requires
about an hour or so each week for one month
a year.
If you are interested in this important part
of our worship, please see Bryon Beaver or Pastor Nathan.
Still Room to Sign Up for Altar Flowers! The 2014 Altar Flower Chart is ready and waiting. If you wish to place flowers in the
church, please sign up today!
The next available “open” date is July 20. Other dates are: July 27; Aug. 31; Oct. 26;
Nov. 9; and Dec. 7 and 28.
Information to be included in the bulletin must be submitted to the secretary no later
than the Thursday before your flowers are to be in the church. Cost for 2014 is $35. Please
make sure you include your name on the altar flower envelope located in the narthex
so your payment may be credited to the correct account. You may also wish to pay
Country Flowers directly.
Church Council Highlights from April Church Council met on Tuesday, April 15 at 6:30 p.m. Highlights of the meeting include:
●Discussed options for funding our general operating expenses beyond 2014. Decreased
Sunday contributions and increased contributions to the All Saints Fund presents both
opportunities and challenges.
●Approved purchase of a fire-proof vault to store vital church records.
●Holy Communion will be celebrated on Sundays at 9:15 a.m. beginning June 15 through
August 31. Sunday School will follow at 10:45 a.m.
●Treasurer’s Report indicated the following balances as of March 31: Current Fund
(general operating expenses) had a positive balance of $6,058.12. Capital Equipment &
Repair Fund had a positive balance of $18,569.85. Nerine Benfer Estate Fund (for general operating expenses) had a
positive balance of $26,061.29.
●Regular meeting times are the second Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. Next regular meeting is Tuesday, May 13
at 6:30 p.m.
Full minutes of the meeting will be approved at the May Council meeting and posted outside the church office.
Beaver Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 167, Beaver Springs, PA 17812 Page 9
Come to the Table, Sing at the Table
By Jennifer Baker-Trinity
When we sing in worship, we are doing many things. We praise God in song. We pray
through song. We tell the Christian story and we proclaim the Good News of the gospel.
We do this sung praising and praying, story telling and proclaiming at different times in
the service. As we sing at those times, our song helps us express what is happening. A hymn
like “Gather Us In” helps us to gather as God’s people and a hymn like “Sent Forth by
God’s Blessing” sends us on our way to be Christ’s hands and feet in our daily lives.
We also sing during the distribution of communion. This has been a new tradition for
many churches over the past decades. For years, communion had a strict, penitential
character. Yet we know that what we experience at communion is so rich; it is indeed a
celebration. Yes, we can enjoy reverent silence as we pray, but we can also come to the
table singing. Holy Communion is thanksgiving, feasting, celebrating. It’s hard to imagine a celebration without music!
The choir has an important role in leading us in song during communion, but the song belongs to all. If a song has a
repeatable refrain (“One bread, One body”, for example), that can be something you can sing while you are walking
without any hymnals. When we are waiting to commune and once we have returned, we sing songs that express the rich
and varied meanings of communion. We sing the meditative “Jesus, Remember Me” and the joyful “Blessed, Assurance.”
Many styles of music find their place at the table.
So come to the table with a song in your heart and on your lips.
In the singing, in the silence, in the hands expectant, open,
in the blessing, in the breaking, in your presence at this table.
Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ, be the wine of grace.
Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ, be the bread of peace.
“In the Singing” – Shirley Erena Murray, ELW #466
Beaver Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 167, Beaver Springs, PA 17812 Page 10
Thanks from the Cub Scouts
Thank you Beaver Lutheran for allowing us to use the church. – Pack 3429
In Loving Memory CHARLES W. “BILL” BENFER, JR. February 6, 1919 – March 29, 2014
NANCY L. AURAND June 19, 1938 – April 6, 2014
May Birthdays and Anniversaries Those celebrating birthdays this month include:
●Janelle VanHorn, May 6.
●Jill Kline and Morgan Stone, May 7.
●Stacey Keefer and Skyler Sassaman, May 15.
●Jeffrey Markley, May 17.
●Leon Bickhart, Erman Lepley, May 20.
●Chelsea Krebs, May 22
●Ty Benner and Maggie Etzler, May 23.
●Jennifer Wray, May 24.
●Thomas Rigel, May 26.
●Thomas Baker-Trinity, May 27.
●Betsy Ann Klingler, May 28.
●Jean Melton, May 31
We extend our deepest
sympathies to the family and
friends of Bill and Nancy.
We are confident in the teaching
of Christ which brings solace
and comfort, that the lives of Bill
and Nancy have not ended, but
changed.
We will miss them as members
of this Family of God at Beaver
Lutheran Church.
Those celebrating anniversaries this month include:
●Craig & Greta Wagner, May 2.
●John & Dueressa Hassinger, May 11 (62 years).
●Glenn Jr. & Jocelyn Royer.
Beaver Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 167, Beaver Springs, PA 17812 Page 11
“God has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus
Christ from the dead.” (1 Peter 1:3b)
These words from Peter’s letter were probably written to new Christians who were
just baptized. Baptism is more than just being washed and guaranteed a place in heaven.
Baptism is a new birth. It is a new life that replaces the old. It means that you have died
with Christ and risen with Christ.
We tend to separate the act of baptism from the cross of Christ. We think of baptism
as a kind of stand-alone act that God performs for us. God washes us. God clothes us.
God forgives us.
This is all very true. But it’s not the whole story. The deepest meaning of baptism is
the one that both Peter points out here and that Paul points out in Romans 6:3-11 and
Colossians 3:1-4. Baptism is dying and rising. It is death and resurrection. Baptism is the
beginning of your death, but it is also the beginning of your new birth.
This all happens because of Christ’s dying on a cross. On the cross, Christ died for us – not only so that we can live,
but so that we can die. We must die before we can rise. Like fields that must be burned before a new crop can be planted,
so the fields of our old lives must be burned so that new lives can be born.
What does this dying look like in your life? Perhaps it’s the death of your expectations of a good life. Perhaps it’s the
death of a relationship. Perhaps it’s even the death of who you think God is.
Often our expectation is that these deaths will be few and far between and that we will quickly be filled with joy and
hope and peace. But the reality is far different. We might spend days, months, perhaps even years in these valleys,
wondering if we really have faith that God is with us and accepts us.
The good news, brothers and sisters, is that God is present when these things die. Because of the cross, we know that
God is present in the valley of the shadow of death. Christ didn’t just suffer on the cross 2,000 year ago. Christ suffers
with us now.
But we also believe that Christ has been raised. Christ’s love is with us now through the power of the Spirit. Christ’s
love did not die with him on the cross. Even as he was dying, his love did not die.
As John’s gospel describes it, Jesus’ final breath that left his body was the breath of the Holy Spirit. That breath, that
wind, that Spirit did not die. That Spirit of love and acceptance for those who dwell in the valley of the shadow of death is
alive and with us now.
The good news of Easter is not merely that Jesus physically rose from the dead. The good news is that God’s love did
not die. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, that Easter love is alive and well in the world today. And it has the power
to rescue us from death now.
See you in church,
Pastor Nathan
From the Pastor’s Desk