COUNTERS FOR SEPTEMBER – The

counters for September are Carol Derencin, Tootie

Welker and Bob Zolla. We will meet at Somerset

Trust Bank on Monday mornings at 10:00 a.m. If

there is a problem, please call the Parish Office.

COUNTERS FOR OCTOBER – Neil and

VerNae Rayman and Ron Schrock.

................................................................................

Did you know that the following friends and

members were hospitalized during the last weeks?

Carol Lease, Natalie Davis, Herb Harmon, Jeanne

Walker, Helen Stowers, Jerry Schimpf, Sally

Ware, Ed Baker, Betty Owen and Cindy Barron.

Please hold them in prayer and remember them

with your cards and calls!

................................................................................

“The choir needs you!!!!! The Senior Choir will

resume rehearsals on Wednesday, September 13 at

7:00 p.m. Please join us!”

................................................................................

Help with recording of the services is needed

immediately. Help needed at either the 8:00 or

10:30 service.

These CDs are given to some of our homebound

members. They deeply enjoy these recordings that

keep them in touch with their church family.

Training is available to anyone that is willing to

lend a hand. If you have any questions please talk

with Don Wildenmann, Scott Zarefoss, Pastor Ed

or call the Parish Office. Total time for this

ministry is about 15 minutes.

Blood Pressure Schedule

September 10 9:00 a.m. Jean Taylor

10:15 a.m. Betsy Ludy

................................................................................. Help! Please check out the chart in

the narthex to sign up to support the

work of our missionaries, Pr. Michael

and Leslie Fonner’s work in Kenya.

Support is $20.00 per week and may

be given in honor or memory of a loved one,

event, friend or thanksgiving to God.

.................................................................................

Retirees Gathering

The monthly retirees gathering resumes on

Thursday, September 21, in Friendship Hall.

Coffee, conversation, and working on a jigsaw

puzzle begins at 10:00 a.m. Pastor Ed will lead

the Bible study at 11:00 and a covered dish lunch

will be served at noon. All adults are invited and

encouraged to attend these monthly gatherings.

Mark your calendar now!

.................................................................................

Adult Day Workshop at Sequanota

The Adult Day Workshop that is hosted by

Sequanota will be held at camp on Thursday,

October 5, 9:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m. The topic is “The

Reformation, 500 Years Later” and it will be led

by Bishop Emeritus Gregory Pile. Bring a Bible,

pen, or pencil. Dress comfortably. The cost is

$10, which includes lunch. A sign-up sheet will

be posted later in September. Please sign up by

October 2 and Deacon Pernelle will call in our

reservations. Carpooling will be available.

.................................................................................

Counters are needed on Monday mornings to

count the offerings for the week. If you are

available on Mondays to help out, please notify

the Parish Office to be added to the list. Normally

you would only be on about every 4-5 months.

Counting of the offerings is done at Somerset

Trust Company on Main Street in Somerset.

Made a donation to the Community Ministry

Fund in memory of:

Mary Ellen Glessner

John Wharrey, Sewickley, Pennsylvania

Ray Hauger

Bob and Jean Taylor

Delana Pritts

Bryan and Anne Zeigler, Somerset

Jim and Peg Sechler

Fred and Nancy Rayman

George and Sue Illar

Jean Austin, Somerset

Dorothy Reffner

Jim and Peg Sechler

Paul and Patti Martin

The Dorothy Reffner Family

Made a donation to the Memorial Fund in

memory of:

Ray Hauger

Marvin and Jeanie Shaffer

Ron and Nila Schrock

Neil and VerNae Rayman

Ray Hauger Family

Bob and Sue Ogline

Carol Derencin

John and Connie Sloniger, Bedford

Thelma Hauger and Family

Ralph and Helen Barndt, Somerset

Cora Beabes, Somerset

Trisha Miller, Mesa, Arizona

Glenn Miller, Jr., Somerset

Made a donation to the Discretionary Fund in

memory of:

Ruth Miller

Marvin and Jeanie Shaffer

Bryan and Beth Schrock

Jim and Peg Sechler

Paul and Patti Martin

Cheryl Spangler, Savannah, Texas

Virginia Mostoller

Made a donation to the Cemetery Fund in

memory of:

John Matkoskey, Sr.

Family of John Matkoskey, Sr.

Made a donation to the Community Ministry

Fund in honor of Jim and Peggy Sechler’s 50th

Wedding Anniversary:

Bill and Connie Marteeny .................................................................................

Mickey Rayman has become a resident at Patriot

(Room 256). Her new phone number is 289-6543.

She would love your visits, calls and a ride to

worship.

Helen Stowers has become a resident at

Meadowview Nursing Center. Her room number

is 321 Bed A. She would love your visits.

....................................................................................

Laurel Highlands Conference – “Oktoberfest”

As we celebrate the 500th

Anniversary of the

Reformation this fall the Lutheran churches of

Somerset County (Laurel Highlands Conference)

invite you to come out for a fun fellowship event

at Tailgatez on North Center Avenue. The date is

Saturday, September 23rd

from 2:00 to 4:00pm.

The cost is $8.00 per person for an appetizer

buffet and the entertainment. Additional food and

drinks may be purchased. The entertainment will

be provided by a German/Dixieland Band called

“Northland Dixie Band.” Everyone is welcome!

Tickets may be purchased from our parish office.

....................................................................................

Needed – Large juice cans are needed for

transport of the altar flowers to the sick and

homebound. Please thoroughly wash them out

and bring them to the church placing them on the

Gathering Place table.

A Summary of Council – June 6, 2017

Treasurer’s Report

Council reviewed the May 2017 report.

Treasurer Beth Schrock entertained

questions regarding the monthly expenses. A

motion was made to accept the report as

presented. All were in favor. Report was

accepted.

Pastoral Reports

Deacon Pernelle and Pastor Ed presented their

May 2017 reports and highlighted:

Video chatting with nine kids from Kenya

was positive experience.

Thank you from Grace Lutheran, Johnstown

who received our $250 donation which was

used for their VBS

Hospital visits

Supervised open gym to be held this summer

on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday nights,

6:30 - 8:30pm

Graduate reception

New Business

Church picnic is at Noon on 8/13/17 at

Faranda Farm (bring covered dish)

FLC will host an international group from

India 7/29/2017 in honor of Father Heyer

4th of July parade a go

Old Business

Plans continue on Community Yard Sale day

to be held 6/10/2017 in Friendship Hall

Mission team leaving July 27-30, 2017 for

Richwood, West Virginia to help flood

victims

ELCA and Allegheny Synod

Reformation Festival 10/14/2017

Organ recital with Bryan Lohr planned at

FLC

Property Ministry Team

Roof under way

Geraniums planted

Boy Scouts mulching

Cemetery workday 7/22/17

Getting new pads for basketball nets

Connecting Faith & Life Ministry Team

Final Coffeehouse of the season was held

May 19 with Fellowship of the Strings

performing. 125 people attended.

Youth Ministry Team

Advisors were nominated to attend 2018

ELCA Gathering in Texas with youth. They

are: Amanda Davis, Mary Ann Troy and

Schawn Thropp.

Yard Sale June 10 money earned is for

ELCA gathering 2018

Christian Education Ministry Team

Camp Sequanota- FLC will pay half the cost

up to $180 for those interested

Sequanota Day Camp- June 19-23- 9am-

4pm, hosted at FLC for kids completing

grades K-5 (low sign up so far)

SBX (Summer Bible EXperience) to be held

July 18-19, 25-26 from 6:15p-8p for kids

completing grades K-5. Preschool SBX to be

held July 18-20 from 6:15-8pm.

Adult Faith Formation will continue through

June and July. Lutherism 101 is the topic.

Caring and Sharing Ministry Team

Plans for a “pet blessing” continue

Back pack program over for the summer

Outreach of providing drinks and snacks

continues to county jail for their daily check

in program, using Thrivent Action Team

money.

Bloodmobile summer drive 7/7/2017

7/23/2017 Meal of the Month bags for

Salvation Army

10/18/17 New Windsor trip

Worship and Music Ministry Team

Altar guild - dates will be decided for times

per year for the polishing team

Organist-Richard Kingera will assist with

organ substitution

Director of Music - more worship hymnals

for evening to be ordered (plan to introduce

some new songs)

Memorial gifts - reviewed list of memorial

items requested, choir robes added to the list.

Beth will acquire a team to assist in deciding

the new robes to purchase.

Worship - change in liturgies will begin

8/6/17 using the ELW setting 10 thru fall

then returning to WOV setting 5 in October.

Lent- consider a “Living Last Supper” for

Maundy Thursday 2018.

August service- agreed on one service at

9:15am

Fall Music Events- Beth will discuss date

and times with Bryan Lohr. Beth and Kirk

will research young Christian groups to

schedule (possibly Allan Scott). Beth will

research Polka bands for conference

reformation event.

Finance & Stewardship Ministry Team

A motion was made that FLC extend their

line of credit of $100,000 with Somerset

Trust Company, cost of which is $100.00 for

two years. All were in favor. Motion passed.

Volunteers to help with the audit are

Katelynn Pucci and Madeline Ream

Next meeting August 29, 2017 at 7pm

Endowment meeting July 25, 2017 at

6:30pm

................................................................................

Whole Body Wellness Retreat at Sequanota

The Whole Body Wellness Retreat will be held on

October 13-15 at the Bowersox Enrichment Center

at Sequanota. It will be a weekend focused on

spiritual and physical wellness. Discussion will

include clean eating, digestive health and foods

that heal from the inside out. Chef Andi Luscher

will create a meal with participants using whole

foods. Elizabeth Hunsberger will guide the group

in Christian focused yoga for all abilities. Please

bring a mat if you have one. Sequanota staff will

nurture participants’ spirits with Bible study at the

prayer labyrinth and creative worships.

Full weekend (Fri. 6:30 p.m.-Sun. 2:00 p.m.) –

Double occupancy, linens, program, meals - $130

Whole program and meals (no lodging) - $50

Saturday only - program and meals (9:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.) - $30

Register by mailing in a registration form and a

check, contact the office at 814-629-6627, or

online at www.sequanota.com.

................................................................................

Needed – The Historical Center is in need of

empty cat litter buckets with lids and old single

pane window glass. Contact Mark Ware for more

information.

.

June Treasurer’s Report

Summary of Cash June 30, 2017

Current Fund – First National Bank 2,235.82

Somerset Trust Company Accounts

Current Fund 14,089.11

Benevolence 1,332.58

Building/Maintenance 3,020.25

Community Ministry Fund 7,105.10

Total of Accounts at Somerset Trust 25,547.04

Mission Investment Accounts

Community Ministry Fund 53,541.60

Memorial Fund – MIF 30,074.72

MJ Ross – MIF 2,054.07

Organ Fund – MIF 3,162.53

Total of Mission Investment Accts. 88,832.92

Total cash as of 6/30/17 $116,615.78

.

July Treasurer’s Report

Summary of Cash July 31, 2017

Current Fund – First National Bank 2,235.82

Somerset Trust Company Accounts

Current Fund 4,173.78**

Current - $1,963.78

Memorial - $2,210.00

Benevolence 1,435.83

Building/Maintenance 1,101.75

Community Ministry Fund 4,615.15

Total of Accounts at Somerset Trust 11,326.51

Mission Investment Accounts

Community Ministry Fund – MIF 53,575.70

Memorial Fund – MIF 30,093.88

MJ Ross – MIF 2,054.68

Organ Fund – MIF 3,163.47

Total of Mission Investment Accts. 88,887.73

Total cash as of 7/31/17 $102,450.06

** Transferred $2,200 from Building and $5,500

from Community Ministry Fund to Current to

cover month end expenses and insurance for the

quarter.

Pastor Ed, Pernelle and Fellow Church Members,

My family would like to extend to you a “thank

you” for your care and concern during my recent

medical issues. My last appointment with the

doctors in Pittsburgh went well with no changes to

my vision and we are hoping to maintain or have

the results even a little better during my upcoming

appointment in a few months.

Also, thank you for the continued prayers for my

brother, Wayne. He has a long journey ahead of

himself and every prayer makes a difference.

It means quite a bit to our family members to

know our church family is there for us and cares in

a time of need. We are truly blessed to be part of

such a wonderful congregation. Also, John and

Catherine Barndt and Patty Troy, I owe each of

you a special thank you for your much appreciated

thoughtfulness during this time.

Patti Martin

................................................................................

Friedens Lutheran Church,

A donation was made to the Cemetery Fund in

memory of our Dad, John Matkoskey at the

direction of my dad’s request.

Even though he didn’t belong to a church he

praised the Lord and served his family, friends and

community in any way he could, as the Lord

wanted him to.

We will miss him very much, but were blessed to

have him for 91 years.

We are at peace knowing he has a place to rest

next to my Mom and brother in Friedens Cemetery

and that he has eternal peace.

We also want to thank you for the use of the hall

to celebrate my Dad’s life with family and friends.

It was nice to know we had a place to go to do

this.

Tina Shaffer Family and the Matkoskey Family

I want to thank everyone for their cards and

prayers while I was in Siemons. Especially Jean

Taylor for her visits.

Carol Lease

.................................................................................

The family and I want to thank our church family

for all the cards and prayers sent our way after

Ray’s passing.

It means so much to have so many good friends.

We also want to thank the cooks and servers for

the dinner. It was delicious!

Thanks also to Pastor Ed for your visits.

Thelma Hauger & Family

.................................................................................

The first bloodmobile of 2017 was held in

Friendship hall on July 7.

We had four people to donate double reds. Our

quota was 21 and we received 23 productive pints.

I would like to thank all my volunteers for going

the extra mile to help as I am still on the

wheelchair. Those who gave of their time were

Deb Kinney, Barb May, Carol Derencin, Sue

Ogline, Nancy Foley, Deb Hittie, Esther Weigle

and Pat Troy.

Our next bloodmobile will be Saturday, December

31, 2017 which will be our Lon Schrock Memorial

being done by the Central Blood Bank of Western,

Pennsylvania. Please reserve that date. At this

time they have a critical need for blood.

We had pizza from Fox’s (a gift from Thrivent)

and tossed salad to share with donors.

Again my sincere thanks to all who helped and

those who gave their time to give the gift of life!!

Bev Mostoller, Coordinator of the Bloodmobile

.................................................................................

Thank you to everyone who has brought back

“Meal of the Month” bags for our Salvation Army.

So far 85 bags have been received. Food received

goes to help local emergency food needs.

.................................................................................

Thank you for your prayers and thoughtfulness

while Mom was at “The Patriot.”

The Dorothy B. Reffner Family

Dear Pastor and members of the Mission Outreach

Support Team – On behalf of the members of the

Holy Family Catholic Church I would like to

express our sincere gratitude for your generous

donation in the amount of $1,000.00.

With the consent of the council members of the

Holy Family Church, your donation will be used

to buy food for the food pantry. I personally thank

your MOST team for coming to Richwood, West

Virginia to help the poor.

Pastor of Holy Family Catholic Church

Richwood, West Virginia

................................................................................

The Mission Team Fundraiser at the annual

antique fair raised $406.03. Thanks to everyone

who provided food and/or helped that day!

................................................................................

Special thanks to Derek Zolla for handcrafting two

sturdy picnic tables for use here at the church.

They are located on the former Yoder property by

our fire ring. They will be used for Day Camp

cookouts, youth group camp fires, etc. Thanks

Derek!

................................................................................

We would like to thank you for the donation of

$664.33 for the work of the Next Step Center in

Somerset. Ours is the only homeless shelter in

Somerset County. Our purpose is to provide

emergency housing for neighbors in crisis due to

fire, flood eviction, job loss or unsafe living

conditions. Because of your donations and

continued support, we have assisted 62 guests,

which include 16 children last year in 2016.

Currently, 2017 we have assisted 27 guests, 4

children.

We appreciate the generosity of your donation. It

really does help! Your donation helps us purchase

the supplies we need to keep this house running

smoothly and to make our guests who stay with us

safe and comfortable. We appreciate your giving.

We also have a website at www.nextstepcenter.org

which you may visit anytime to get an inside look

at how comfortable and welcome our shelter is to

those that come to us.

Meals on Wheels would like to thank you for your

recent donation of $500.00. Gifts like yours help

to keep cost down and enables us to provide

nutritious hot meals five days a week.

Our fresh meals daily are a unique service in

Somerset County. There is no shortage of people

in need, and because we are not a government-

sponsored program people do not need to qualify

by age or financially. Our clients qualify because

they can no longer provide nutritious meals for

themselves. We are glad to provide these meals

and your gift helps make it happen.

There is an added benefit from our daily service.

Many of our clients have few contacts through the

week. Some see no on from day to day except the

Meals on Wheels volunteers. Even these contacts

are encouraging to lonely people. Frequently our

volunteers have discovered a health problem that

could have become a tragedy had no one stopped

by. Meals on Wheels provide a system of caring

that helps many of our neighbors.

Your gift will make a real difference for many

people.

.................................................................................

Dear FLC,

It was very meaningful that the meal committee

that our mother served with prepared such a

wonderful meal for her funeral. Thank you.

Sally Miller

.................................................................................

We want to express our sincere appreciation to

Pastor Ed, Deacon Pernelle, the funeral dinner

committee, and the FLC congregation for your

prayers and sustained long-distance “connection”

with our mother over the past five years of her

living with us in Winchester. Pastor Ed

eloquently stated the importance of “connections”

in his beautiful homily. Our mother knew the

importance of the “connections.

She would often express this in gardening terms,

“Grow where you are planted”; and she always

felt planted in Friedens and this congregation.

Thank you for your support and loving kindness.

Family of Ruth Miller

Lutheran World Relief Happenings

at Friedens Lutheran Church

Annual Fall Project – Once again this year we

will be gathering items to construct at least 100

personal care kits for LWR. These kits are

shipped all over the world to give to refugees and

people forced from their homes because of natural

disasters. This year we are in need of the

following:

Item Last Name Begins With

Bath size towel A through M

2 bath size bars of soap N through R

Large tooth comb S through Z

(No fine tooth combs)

Items are due by September 17th

. Put in marked

boxes in the Gathering Place.

................................................................................

Trip to LWR Warehouse – Each year we travel

to New Windsor, MD (near Frederick) to work at

the LWR warehouse and SERRV International

warehouse packing items. At LWR we pack items

to go overseas to assist people in need (i.e.

blankets, school kits, etc. At SERRV we

repackage handcrafted items from developing

nations to then be shipped to local SERRV stores

across the USA to be sold at a fair price.

This year the trip is set for Wednesday, October

18th

. We leave at 6:45 a.m. and return by 8:15

p.m. Cost for the trip is $25.00. Lunch is

provided. We stop for dinner on the way home. It

is a great day of fellowship. Sign up on the

Gathering Place bulletin board.

................................................................................

Fall Work Day at Sequanota

The fall work day at Camp Sequanota begins at

9:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 16. Come and

help prepare the camp for retreat season! Lunch

will be provided.

Allegheny Synod Reformation

Celebrations this Fall

With the upcoming 500th

Anniversary of the

Reformation coming to pass on October 31st, there

are a number of special events happening around

our synod to which you are invited:

Thursday, September 14th

at 7:00pm at St. James Lutheran Church, Altoona –

“Renew, Rejoice, Revive: A Lutheran

Revival Service” with guest preacher, Pr.

Jackie Utley.

Saturday, September 23rd

from 2:00 to

4:00 pm at Tailgatez in Somerset –

“Oktoberfest Celebration” A fun &

fellowship get together of folks from the

Laurel Highlands Conference (Lutheran

churches in Somerset County). “Northland Dixie Band” will provide German and

Dixieland musical entertainment. Cost is

$8.00 for an appetizer buffet & the

entertainment. Additional food and

beverages can be purchased. Tickets are

available from our parish office.

Saturday, October 14 at 6:30pm at Legion

Park in Hollidaysburg. An outdoor,

candlelight service culminates the

Reformation Festival being held that day.

Bishop Rhyne will preach and special

music will be provided.

Sunday, October 29th

3:00pm at First Lutheran Church, Altoona a synodwide

Reformation service will be held. All are

welcome.

Wednesday, November 1 at 7:00pm at Zion Lutheran Church, Johnstown “the

First Day of the Next 500”. Celebrate All

Saints Day together as we move forward

into the next 500 years.

.................................................................................

Final Evening Worship

Opportunity for the Season

On Sunday, September 10th

we will have the final

summer evening worship service. This annual

summer evening worship opportunity is designed

to provide worship for those who are away during

busy summer weekends.

September Meetings:

5 7:00pm Council

7 7:00pm Property Ministry Team

10 9:15am Meeting for all parents of

youth in Grades 7 & 8

catechism ministry

10 11:30am ELCA Youth Gathering

parents & youth

11 7:00pm Caring and Sharing

Ministry Team

17 11:45am Mentors & 9th

Grade

Youth lunch & first get

together

................................................................................

Wedding Celebration Upcoming

On Saturday, September 30th

at 1:00pm Jacy

Walker and Lavan White – members of our church

family – will be united in marriage here at the

church. Please keep them in your prayers as they

begin their new life together. Jacy has her

doctorate in rehab therapy and services in the area.

Lavan presently works at SCI Somerset and in the

process of entering training for the PA State

Police. They reside in Somerset.

................................................................................

“Almost heaven – West Virginia!”

Mission Team shares their trip to WVA!

This summer 21 folks of all ages went for a long

weekend to West Virginia to assist with flood

relief. Last summer the central area of that state

suffered a once in a thousand year flood of

catastrophic proportions. Come out and hear

about their trip!

Sunday, September 17 at 9:15am in the Hall

................................................................................

“The aim of education is the knowledge not of

facts but of values.”

--William S. Burroughs

Reformation Bus Trip

In commemoration of the 500th

Anniversary of the

Reformation, you are invited to join us for a bus

trip to the National Cathedral in Washington D.C.

on Reformation Sunday, October 29. At 4:00 p.m.

the Metro D.C. Synod of the ELCA will be

hosting a reformation worship service with

Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton preaching.

The bus will be leaving from North Carolina

Furniture (next to Giant Eagle on 31; in front of

the old Jamesway) at 11:00 a.m. with expected

return around 11:00 p.m. Cost is $45.00. There

will be a dinner stop on the way home at your own

expense. There are a limited number of seats

available. Please call Pastor Dena Gable (814)

352-3138 to reserve your spot. Checks should be

made out to Mt. Zion Lutheran Church and mailed

to 3093 Glades Pike, Somerset, PA 15501. All

reservations and payments are due by October 15.

.................................................................................

“The Idea That Changed the World!”

A PBS special about Martin Luther’s life and

work will be aired on Tuesday, September 12 at

8:00 p.m. This is a new production and promises

to be a very true to life account of Luther’s life

and work. The tremendously huge impact Luther

made on not just the Christian faith but the entire

world is lifted up. Plan to watch this TV special.

.................................................................................

“Spuds of Faith” Potato Picking for 2017

Bring a bucket and come out for a fun morning of

picking potatoes for our county food pantries. The

date is set for Saturday, September 23 starting at

8:30am. The place is Laurel Vista farms in

Allendale near Edie (same place as always).

There are jobs for all ages. Those who can (from

preschoolers up) follow the unearthing machinery

picking the potatoes. Older folks who desire bring

a lawn chair and bag the potatoes in ten pound

bags.

This project is sponsored by the Lutheran

congregations in the Laurel Highland Conference.

Over the past years we have been able to give out

well over a ton of potatoes annually to the food

pantries in our county. It is a lot of fun and a great

chance to get together to do a project that does a

lot of good for the community. Plan on coming

out!

Catechism – Grades 7 & 8

Sunday, September 10

9:20 a.m. – Meeting for parents of 7th

and 8th

grade in the Youth Room to go over the

guidelines/expectations of the catechism program

Sunday, September 24

9:15 a.m. – Catechism Servant Event –

Congregational Breakfast (along with Sr. High

Youth, set up at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday; cook,

serve, and clean up on Sunday morning)

6:00 p.m. – Catechism Workshop Event

7:00 p.m. - Acolyte training (for all youth in

grades 6, 7, 8) followed by games and devotions –

ends at 8:15 p.m.

Sunday, October 1

6:00 p.m. – Catechism Workshop Event (ends at

7:15 p.m.)

Sunday, October 15

6:00 p.m. – Catechism Workshop Event (ends at

7:15 p.m.)

Saturday, October 21

5:00 p.m. – Catechism Fellowship Event – Corn

Maze and other activities at the Faranda Farm

Sunday, October 22, 2:30 p.m.

Catechism Servant Event – Travel to Johnstown to

assist with the worship service at the Allegheny

Lutheran Home

................................................................................

Youth Group Activities

Grades 6 - 12

Saturday, September 23

9:00 a.m. – Youth and parents set up and prep for

the congregational breakfast

Sunday, September 24

9:15 a.m. – Congregational breakfast – youth and

parents cook, serve, and clean up

Sunday, September 24

7:00 p.m. – Acolyte training (youth in grades 6-8)

Sunday, October 21

5:00 p.m. - Corn Maze and other activities at the

Faranda Farm

Sunday, October 22, 2:30 p.m.

Travel to Johnstown to assist with the worship

service at the Allegheny Lutheran Home (youth in

grades 6, 7, 8)

.................................................................................

Mentoring Program

We will have our first meeting for the 9th

graders

and mentors on Sunday, September 17, from

11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Friendship Hall. We

will begin with a covered dish meal followed by

the orientation session. At the meeting we will go

over information regarding mentoring, the

guidelines, and the schedule. Please bring your

calendar with you so each youth/mentor pair can

schedule their October and November meeting

dates.

.................................................................................

Ignite

Grades 2-6

Children in grades 2-6 are invited and encouraged

to participate in Ignite. This is an event offered at

Camp Sequanota on Saturday, September 23,

beginning at 11:00 a.m. and ending on Sunday,

September 24 at 1:00 p.m. Ignite has been

designed to help nurture faith in participants while

allowing them to enjoy the great outdoors while

the weather is still good. The event is being led by

the Sequanota summer staff and Pastor Nathan

Pile. Sequanota staff will be providing the 24

hour supervision.

The cost per child is $45 which includes all

programming, overnight lodging, and four meals.

Friedens congregation will pay $20 towards the

cost of each child attending who is a member of

FLC. To register, click on the parent dashboard

link at the top of the website

(www.sequanota.com). Past campers can use the

same log-in as summer camp. New participants

can select the link for new family enrollment. If

you have questions, call the camp at 629-6627.

We encourage all of our children to attend! If

further financial assistance is needed or

transportation is an issue, please talk with Deacon

Pernelle.

Fall Men’s Breakfast

Want a great breakfast? Then come on out for a

hearty home cooked breakfast, good fellowship,

and some nourishment for your soul the fourth

Saturday of each month starting September 23rd

at

7:30am. ALL guys of ALL ages are welcome!

Bring a friend or neighbor along!

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Homebound Communion by our Lay Ministers

On Sunday, September 10 our Lay Ministers of

Holy Communion – Team B – will take out the

sacrament from worship to some of our

homebound folks.

If you are unable to attend worship and desire to

receive Holy Communion please speak with

Pastor Ed so arrangements can be made.

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Blessing of the Animals

Saturday, October 7th

11:00am – Rain or Shine

God has gifted us with aardvarks, zebras, and a

whole lot of animals in between! St. Francis of

Assisi was one of God’s servants who celebrated

God’s gifts in creation. It has been traditional

each year around his day – October 4th

– that

Christians give thanks to God for the gift of

animals and ask God’s blessing upon the.

So on Saturday, October 7th

we invite you to bring

your cats, dogs, chickens, hamsters, fish, and

maybe even aardvarks and zebras out to our

“Blessing of the Animals.” The short (about 20

minute) service of blessing will be held at the

front entrance (or under the drive through if

raining). Snacks for humans and animals will be

provided.

Please bring along any of the following as a gift

for our local Humane Society: Laundry soap,

dishwasher tabs, dryer sheets, dish soap, bleach,

copy paper, toilet paper, canned dog or cat food,

dry cat food, soft dog treats, cat treats, dog toys,

peanut butter, hand soap.

Note: All animals must be under the owner’s

control with a leash, carrier, etc.

Renowned Local Organist to Give

Reformation Recital at FLC

On Sunday, October 17 at 2:30pm Bryan Lohr

will present an organ recital with connections to

Martin Luther and the Reformation. Included in

the program will be a “Choral fantasy on ‘A

Mighty Fortress’” by Dutch composer Jan Zwart,

and collections from “Clavierubung III” of J. S.

Bach, a collection of chorale preludes based on

Luther’s Small Catechism. Additional works will

be presented by contemporary composers.

Bryan grew up in Stoystown, and has lived for the

past ten years in Hooversville. He holds degrees

in organ performance from The Juilliard School

and Carnegie Mellon University. He has traveled

across the USA to perform recitals and is one of

the most sought-after accompanists in western

Pennsylvania. Currently, Bryan works with

“Inclined to Sing Children’s Chorus” of the

Johnstown Symphony Orchestra and the choral

ensembles of the North Star School District, where

he is also the varsity forensics (speech and debate)

coach. Presently, Bryan serves to oversee the

music program at First Presbyterian Church in

Cumberland.

.................................................................................

Matthew Custer’s military address:

Pvt. Matthew Custer

Marine Battery

759 Geronimo Rd.

Fort Sil, OK 73503

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God of tomorrows

This is the blessed life –

not anxious to see far in

front, nor eager to choose

the path, but quietly

following behind the

Shepherd, one step at a

time. The Shepherd was

always out in front of the

sheep. He was down in

front. Any attack upon them had to take him into

account.

Now God is down in front. He is in the

tomorrows. It is tomorrow that fills (people) with

dread. God is there already. All the tomorrows of

our life have to pass him before they can get to us.

Faith Formation Classes

Faith Formation classes will begin on Sunday,

Oct. 1, at 9:15 a.m. The preschool/prekindergarten

class will meet in Noah’s Ark; children in

kindergarten-grade 5 will gather in Room 7; youth

in grades 6, 7, and 8 will meet in Room 13; senior

high youth will be meeting for breakfast one

Sunday a month and Bible study another Sunday

in the month. The adult class will meet in the

Heyer Room.

We are planning to offer a class for young adults

twice a month. This class will meet in the

sanctuary near the nursery.

During the month of October, the topic will be

Martin Luther for those in preschool through

middle school. We encourage all children and

youth to attend these special Sunday morning

classes to learn more about their Lutheran

heritage.

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Holy Communion Classes

We offer Holy Communion classes for children in

grades 1 and 2 and again in grade 5. All children

who are members of the congregation are

expected to participate in them. The classes will

be held on Sunday, October 8 from 2:30-5:00 p.m.

with Deacon Pernelle leading the first and second

grade classes and Pastor Ed leading the 5th

grade

class. If the children who are in first and second

grade have not yet begun receiving Holy

Communion, they will receive their first Holy

Communion on Sunday, October 8.

Families will receive more information closer to

the time but please mark your calendars now for

your children to participate on October 8.

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ELCA Youth Gathering Meeting

On Sunday, September 10th

after second service

(about 11:45am) all youth registered for the ELCA

Youth Gathering and parents are invited to come

to a meeting for planning and organizing for fall

fundraisers. The meeting will be held in the

library.

Summer Bible EXperience (SBX)

Summer Bible EXperience was held this summer

with the preschool group meeting July 18, 19, 20

and the elementary group meeting July 18, 19, 25,

and 26. The overall theme was “The Jesus Way”

and each evening the lesson was focused on

feeding, loving, serving, or praying. Fifteen

children were registered for the preschool SBX

with an average of 12 participating each evening

and twelve children were registered for the

elementary SBX with an average of 8 each

evening. The offering project was collecting

school supplies to be distributed through the

Salvation Army. Items collected included paper

notebooks, crayons, pencils, pens, markers, and

glue sticks as well as $18.

Thank you to all the adults and youth who assisted

with SBX. Amy Will was the preschool

coordinator with assistance from Debbie Hittie,

Jocelyn Brant, Tessa Scherer, Amy Halverson,

Madison Troy, Morgan Troy, and Gale Wagner.

The coordinator and leader for two of the

elementary evenings was Deacon Pernelle with

Barb Halverson, Jean Varner, and Becky Maser

serving as leaders two of the evenings. Heidi

O’Neal, Natalie Davis, and Mallory Bowser

assisted with the elementary group. Debbie Hittie

provided accompaniment for the group singing

and Sue Illar assisted with registration.

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Getting Ready to Affirm Their Baptisms Sunday, October 1 – 11:45am to 1:15pm

All tenth graders, parents, & mentors will meet

with Pastor Ed to get ready for their affirmation of

baptism (confirmation). Parents and mentors are

asked to bring a covered dish or dessert to share.

The tenth graders will be receiving a mailing with

some homework for this luncheon meeting.

Confirmation promises will be explored and

discussed. The role of one’s Christian faith in

daily life will be shared by mentors and parents.

This gathering is mandatory for all tenth graders

planning to be confirmed. If any tenth grader has

a scheduling conflict please speak with Pastor Ed

immediately.

Hayride & Cookout

A hayride is planned for Sunday afternoon,

October 1, at 3:30 p.m. Families of preschoolers

and elementary-aged children are especially

invited to participate but it is open to all who

would like to share in the fall fun! Jim and Peg

Sechler will again be providing the tractor and

wagon and serve as our driver. Following the

hayride, everyone is invited to stay for the hotdog

roast and s’mores at the church’s fire ring.

A sign-up sheet will be posted in the Gathering

Place. Please sign up by Friday, September 29, so

we have an idea of how much food to purchase.

We need a couple of volunteers to assist in setting

up for the hotdog roast while the hayride is in

progress. Please talk with Deacon Pernelle if you

can help.

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Our good God

For the love of God is broader

Than the measure of man’s mind

And the heart of the Eternal

Is most wonderfully kind

If our love were but more faithful,

We should take him at his word;

And our life would be thanksgiving

For the goodness of the Lord.

--Frederick W. Faber

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Doing faith

Faith is better understood as a verb than as a noun,

as a process than as a possession. It is on-again-

off-again rather than once-and-for-all. Faith is not

being sure where you’re going, but going anyway.

A journey without maps. (As theologian) Paul

Tillich said…doubt isn’t the opposite of faith; it is

an element of faith.

-Frederick Buechner

“WakeUp!”

Your Sunday Mornings

Beginning Sunday, October 1st, come and join us

for a new Faith Formation class! “Wake Up!” is

for all Young Adults (ages 19-39). We will be

meeting twice a month at 9:15 a.m. during the

Sunday morning Faith Formation hour.

Our discussion topic for this fall is based on the

newest book written by Max Lucado, Anxious for

Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World. Our

first two (2) sessions are scheduled for October 1st

and October 15th

at 9:15 a.m. and we will meet in

the Overflow (by the church nursery).

All Young Adults are welcome! Be sure to check

your mailbox and next month’s Tower Tones

newsletter for more information!

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“You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity

is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty,

the ocean does not become dirty.

--Mahatma Gandhi

Reformation Organ Recital by Bryan Lohr

Sunday, October 17 at 2:30 p.m.

Bryan Lohr grew up in Stoystown, and for the past

10 years has lived in Hooversville. Bryan holds

degrees in organ performance from The Julliard

School and Carnegie Mellon University. In

addition to regularly traveling across the United

States to perform recitals, Bryan is also one of the

most sought after accompanists in western

Pennsylvania. Currently, Bryan works with the

Inclined to Sing Children’s Chorus of the

Johnstown Symphony Orchestra and the choral

ensembles of the North Star School District, where

he is also the varsity forensics (speech and debate)

coach.

After working for 11 years in the United Church

of Christ, and twice serving as that denomination’s

General Synod Organist, last September Bryan

accepted a call to ministry at First Presbyterian

Church in Cumberland, Maryland, where he

oversees a dynamic semi-professional music

program.

Bryan’s program at Friedens will feature

numerous pieces with connections to Martin

Luther and the Reformation, including a

Choralfantasy on ‘A Mighty Fortress’ by Dutch

composer Jan Zwart, and selections from the

Clavierübung III of J.S. Bach, a collection of

chorale preludes based on Luther’s Catechism.

The program will also include works by several

living composers and several female composers.

.................................................................................

Love’s lesson

A new school year promises new adventures,

challenges and friends – as well as new classes,

homework and lessons. But the most important

(and simplest) lesson we can learn is summed up

by 19th

century hymn writer Jane Eliza Leeson:

Savior, teach me day by day

Love’s sweet lesson to obey,

Sweeter lesson cannot be,

Loving him who first loved me.

Look What’s Coming in October:

1 9:15am Senior High (Grades 9-

12) breakfast at

Mostoller’s Restaurant

11:45am Grade 10 Youth, Parents,

& Mentors “Getting

Ready to Affirm”

luncheon meeting

3:30pm Hayride & bonfire cook

out for all ages

6:00pm Catechism workshop for

Grades 7 & 8

3 7:00pm Council

5 7:00pm Property Ministry Team

7 11:00am Blessing of the Animals

8 8:00 & 10:30am Lay Ministers of Holy

Communion Team A

take out Sacrament

2:30 to 5:00pm Holy Communion Class

for elementary youth

15 9:15am Senior High Study

2:30pm Reformation Organ

Recital

6:00pm Catechism Workshop

18 6:45am Bus leaves for New

Windsor, MD

19 10:00am FLC Retirees

21 5:00pm Grades 6-12 Trip to Corn

Maze & Faranda Farm

22 2:30pm Grades 6-8 leave for

worship at the Lutheran

Home, Johnstown

24 6:30pm Endowment Fund