Bergstrasse Evangelical Lutheran Church September 2015

Beginning September 6 Worship is at 10:30 AM.

Holiday Bazaar at Bergstrasse Lutheran Church

Saturday, October 3 8 AM to 2 PM

Some of the vendors include: Tupperware 31 Scentsy Tastefully Simple Pampered Chef Avon Dried Flower Arrangements Plastic Canvas Jewelry Doggie Treats And more

We will have a bake sale and also hot dogs and sauerkraut, chips and drinks available for sale. Donations for the bake sale would be appreciated. There will be a sign up sheet on the bulletin board. Donations for the bake sale should be at the church by Friday, October 2 or may be dropped off at Darlene Kreider’s home.

There will be a silent auction with donations from the vendors and a quilt from Stitches of Love.

Contact Darlene Kreider for more information.

All proceeds will be used toward the parking lot paving.

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The Bell is published monthly (except a combined July-August

edition) by Bergstrasse Lutheran Church

9 Hahnstown Road Ephrata, PA 17522

(717) 733-7808 www.bergstrasselutheran.com

bergluth@dejazzd.com

Sunday Church School – 9:00 AM Worship - 10:30 AM

The Rev. Herbert A. Lohr, Pastor

Jean Wilhelm, newsletter editor

Due date for the October newsletter is September 20.

Blessing of the Animals service Sunday, October 4, 4:00 PM

October 4 is the Sunday closest to a Saint’s Day—St. Francis of Assisi, Renewer of the Church, 1226. Francis was the son of a wealthy cloth merchant. In a public confrontation with his father, Francis renounced his wealth and future inheritance and devoted himself to serving the poor. Francis was instrumental in found-ing the monastic order that bears his name—the Franciscans. Francis had a spirit of gladness and gratitude for all of God’s creation and is considered the

patron saint of animals. The Sunday nearest his saint’s day has been a traditional time to bless pets and animals, creatures Francis called his brothers and sisters. Again this year, we will commemorate St. Francis’ Day with a special service for the Blessing of the Animals. This service will begin at 4 PM on Sunday, October 4, on the church lawn. Bring your pet and a lawn chair, and invite a friend while you are at it. Each pet will receive an individual blessing. Refreshments for pets and people will follow the service.

“Education is learning what you didn’t even know you

didn’t know.”

Daniel J. Boorstin

Catechetical Classes Resume

Catechetical Classes will resume on Sunday, September 13, meeting during the Sunday School hour—9:00 AM in the Pastor’s study. This year the class will be doing a review of the Old and New Testaments using a curriculum entitled Chosen: The Story of God and His People. The Bible and its story of God’s dealings with his people is critical to our life of faith, because this story is now our story. We need to know and appreciate the story of our spiritual relatives. When we were baptized into Jesus, we were baptized into this ongoing story of God and the people he has chosen to be his people. Parents of students should plan to attend class with their young person on Sunday, September 20, for a review of our Confirmation Ministry Program. Students will be acquainted with the requirements and choose their electives (activities designed to involve students more fully in the life and ministry of our congregation.)

Adult Sunday School begins September 13

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Pastor’s Message

The second of our congregational gatherings to develop a list of how to steward the Linda M. Falkenhagen bequest was held on Sunday, August 2 following morning worship. Approximately 40-45 members attended and helped set priorities on which projects and ideas would be set in motion and in what order. It was announced that an additional $100,000 had been received since the June gathering—again split 80% to the church and 20% to the cemetery. Working individually and then in small groups, members discerned the top seven priority projects. The results of the groups work together were as follows: 1) completing the ADA bathrooms near Neidamyer Hall, 2) repave the parking lots and driveways (includes lighting the angel and the flag pole), 3) replace all the exterior doors (four entry ways), 4) install a new pipe/digital organ in our sanctuary, 5) place some of the funds in an endowment account for future use, 6) renovate the large stained glass window on the east side of our sanctuary, and 7) replace insulation in the ceiling of Neidamyer Hall. Council announced that the remaining 23 projects would be filed and used by Property Committee as a guide in future maintenance, working them into yearly budgets. Congregational Council also began work on identifying the various benevolence recipients for the 10% of the bequest that is mandated to be given to benevolent causes. This is in compliance with a policy enacted by our congregation many years ago. 10% of all bequests are to be given to benevolence. For this bequest, that total is approximately $40,000 that will be given to benevolence. Council at their last monthly meeting, acting on suggestions from both congregational gatherings, decided that we should raise 25% of each projects cost as seed money. This will enable us to “stretch” the bequest funds and accomplish the maximum amount of needed projects. Council also authorized a Three Year Capital Fund Campaign to help secure this seed money. You will be hearing more about this Capital Fund Campaign in the near future. As each of these seven projects is scheduled over the next three years, they will be presented to the congregation for approval. Estimates and three bids are required by our By-laws. It will be exciting to finally see some of these much needed property improvements finally be finished, continuing our ongoing repair and maintenance of our congregation’s property. The first project, installing ADA bathrooms, will come to the congregation for approval sometime this fall. Matching seed funds have already been secured. So once three bids have been received and council has had time to reflect on the one they will recommend to the congregation, a special congregational meeting will be held to discuss and authorize this project. Our thanks to Linda M. Falkenhagen for her generosity and to everyone who attended the two congregational gatherings and helped us identify and prioritize our needs and wishes. May God bless our efforts to steward all that he has given us. Pastor Herb

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Lutheran World Relief October 4

We will be collecting blankets and monetary donations to purchase blankets and to be used toward the shipping costs. Donations should be placed in an envelope indicating it is for Lutheran World Relief blankets and mailed to the church or placed in the offering plate. Blankets should not have church names or religious symbols on them. The Stitches of Love group has been making quilts to be sent to Lutheran World Relief. We will be collecting school kits and personal care kits for Lutheran World Relief Ingathering. We have some of the backpacks needed for the school kits. Bags may be purchased at Walmart, Target, sporting goods stores. They may not have any logos printed on them. Include the following items in each School Kit: Four 70-sheet notebooks of wide- or college-ruled paper approximately 8” X 10½”; no loose-leaf paper One 30-centimeter ruler, or a ruler with centimeters on one side and inches on the other One pencil sharpener One blunt scissors (safety scissors with embedded steel blades work well) Five unsharpened #2 pencils with erasers; secure together with a rubber band Five ballpoint pens (no gel ink); secure together with a rubber band One box of 16 or 24 crayons One 2½” eraser One sturdy drawstring backpack-style cloth bag approximately 14” X 17” with shoulder straps

(no standard backpacks) Do not add other items or leave out any of the items listed. All items should be new and in good condition. Remove any excess packaging, pack all items in bag and close. Do not enclose the Kit or any of its contents in plastic bags. The cost to handle and ship one school kit overseas is $1.40. Please consider a monetary donation to help with this cost. Include the following items in each Personal Care Kit: One light-weight, bath-size towel (approximately 52” X 27” or smaller), dark color recommended Two bath-size bars (4 to 5 oz.) of soap, any brand, in original wrapping One adult-size toothbrush in its original packaging* One sturdy comb, remove packaging One metal nail clippers (with or without attached file), remove packaging *Toothbrush multi-packs may be used by sealing an individual toothbrush in a business-size envelope; no plastic bags or wrap Do not add other items or leave out any of the items listed. All items should be new and in good condition. Wrap all the items in the towel and tie securely with ribbons or yarn. Do not enclose the Kit or any of its contents in plastic bags. The cost for handling and shipping a personal care kit overseas is $2.65 (including the addition of a tube of toothpaste.) Please consider a monetary donation to help with this cost.

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Worship participants for September

Ushers Communion Ushers Sept. 6

Altar Guild

September

Debbie Stone Clarence Wise, Jr.

Glenn and Almanara

Buffenmyer

Chris Ament Chad Landis

Darlene Kreider

Jane Pittman Mabel Bolar

September 6 13 20 27

Greeters Ben and Polly Gunzenhauser

Cleone Rudisill Mabel Bolar Mary Keisling

Lector Bonnie Grater Selma Hainley Curt Hare Chris Ament

Acolyte Marissa Spacht Austin Landis Justin Carvell

Nursery Wanda and Kendall Mumma

Lisa and Brooke Stover

Kathy Landis Megan Ament

Counters Dave and Jean Wilhelm

Bonnie Grater Kathy Landis

Bonnie Grater Kathy Landis

Selma Hainley Sandy Summers

Organist Anne Lohr Anne Lohr Anne Lohr Anne Lohr

Flowers Deb Burkholder Karen Plowman

Bulletin Randy and Toni Rice Kathryn Sweigart Jean Fryberger Bonnie Grater

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The Men’s Bible Study Group will begin again after their summer sabbatical. They meet on Mondays at 10 AM beginning September 14, at Gus’s Keystone Family Restaurant (formerly Ephrata Diner). The group meets first to study a book of the Bible, and then they enjoy fellowship and breakfast or lunch together. The men will be studying the New Testament book of Hebrews. The Epistle to the Hebrews is perhaps the least known of the major New Testament writings. This is due in part to the priestly and

sacrificial terminology, no longer native to modern Christians; and in part to the writer’s idealism which also does not appeal to contemporary Christian thinkers. While Hebrews will never rival the Gospels or Paul’s letters in popularity, it contributes to the richness of New Testament Christianity and merits careful study today. The Epistle begins like a treatise and ends like a letter. The emphasis of this writing is on the superiority of Jesus Christ above all other previous revelations from God. In addition to Hebrews, students will study the minor or “little” epistles of James, 1 and 2 Peter, 1, 2, and 3 John, and Jude. If you have not been attending a Bible Study, consider doing so. If you have been attending, we will be glad to welcome you back. Pastor Lohr will be the leader for this study group, which meets regularly September through May each year.

The Women’s Bible Study Group will begin again after their summer sabbatical. They meet on Thursdays at 10:30 AM beginning September 17, at the church. The group meets weekly September through May of each year. The ladies will be studying the New Testament book of Hebrews. The Epistle to the Hebrews is perhaps the least known of the major New Testament writings. This is due in part to the priestly and sacrificial terminology, no longer native to modern Christians; and in part to the writer’s idealism which also does not appeal to contemporary Christian thinkers. While Hebrews will never rival the Gospels or Paul’s letters in popularity, it contributes to the richness of New Testament Christianity and merits careful study today. The Epistle begins like a treatise and ends like a letter. The emphasis of this writing is on the superiority of Jesus Christ above all other previous revelations from God. In addition to Hebrews, students will study the minor or “little” epistles of James, 1 and 2 Peter, 1, 2, and 3 John, and Jude. Pastor Lohr will be the Bible Study leader. The group will meet each week for an hour and a half of study and fellowship beginning at 10:30 AM in Neidamyer Hall. Come, be fed with God’s Word, and strengthen your faith.

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Ephrata Fair parking lot September 22-26

We’ve received permission to use Ephrata National Bank’s parking lot as a youth fundraiser. We can use the lot on Locust St. and a few spaces beside the lot we used to use at the drive thru in the past. The lot at the drive thru only has a few spaces that the bank is allowing to be used for handicapped parking. Please sign up on the bulletin board if you can help.

Handbells and Senior Choir Begin Rehearsals September 10

My life flows on in endless song; above earth’s lamentation Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth, how can I keep from singing?

The words of this familiar hymn echo our response to God’s love, mercy, mighty deeds, and the many gracious gifts he has bestowed upon us. Indeed, we have numerous instances in the Old Testament wherein God’s people sang their responses to His gracious love: The Song of Solomon, The Blessings of Moses, The Song of Miriam, The Song of Hannah, and The Testament of Jacob. More familiar to us are songs found in the New Testament and often used in our liturgy. These include Mary’s Song (The Magnificat) that Mary sang after the angel Gabriel announced she would bear the Christ child; Zechariah’s Song (The Benedictus) that Zechariah sang following the birth of his son John; the Song of Simeon (Nunc Dimittis) that Simeon sang when Jesus was brought to the temple); and the Song of the Angels (Gloria in Excelsis) that the angels sang at the birth of Christ. Each Sunday, we too join with God’s people in our responses of sung worship and praise that fit with the preached Word and Scripture of the day and so honor our Lord. We offer music that is not necessarily anyone’s favorite tune or text, but like the songs found in scripture, reflects the time of the church year and the associated readings. While church music may also ease our sorrow, give us a joyous feeling, or touch our heart in perhaps the same way that giving a gift to someone in need makes us happy, its primary purpose is to worship and adore God. Thus, we offer our best to our Lord and King. Come join our choirs in giving to God your gift of song. Weekly rehearsals begin on Thursday evening, September 10, with Joyous Praise Handbells at 6:50 p.m. and Senior Choir at 7:40 p.m. Please let Music Director Anne Lohr know if you would like to join one or both of our choirs. You will find that God will return your gift many times over, and that you just can’t keep from singing!

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ELCA Youth Gathering By Annalin Bolar

Back in July I went with a youth group to Detroit for a Lutheran youth gathering. I had started the trip only knowing one person, my best friend who had invited me, Maya. By the end of the trip I became friends with everyone in my group and the adults in charge as well. Our group was close knit and safe place. The organization in charge of the entire Detroit trip was ELCA and the theme was Rise Up. Upon arriving in Detroit I didn’t realize how large this was actually going to be—30,000 people. Lutherans left a mark on Detroit that will long be remembered. Every day was planned, but different. Our days included sight-seeing, going to an expo center, and a service day. But every night, no matter what schedule anyone had planned, 30,000 Christians went to Ford Field for worship. There was a great house band and dj, but the best parts were the speakers. There were at least three every night who shared personal experiences and talked about how their experiences made that person closer to God. During the worship, guest singers also came to spread the word and two of the most exciting bands were Skillet and The Temptations (two original members and another member). For me, one of the most powerful moments was when a poet from Detroit got up and performed original poems. Her presence was thrilling and her words were powerful. Everyone was silent when she spoke and she talked about the beauty of Detroit, not the negative things associated with it. The expo center had many activities and every one had some kind of lesson to go with it. One activity I did was called “disability dodgeball” where were put onto teams and randomly given a “disability”. My card said I was blind so I was given blacked out goggles and couldn’t see anything! I was able to throw some balls at people but as I was told, I accidently hit someone waiting on the sidelines for the next game that was given the disability to be in a wheelchair. That was kind of embarrassing! The game gave perspective on how semi simple things to an abled person are a challenge for someone who is disabled. We also had a service day where we went to a neighborhood and cleaned up three houses/yards. When my group got to the meeting spot before we went on the buses to get to our location it became a downpour. We were stuck outside with a couple other hundred groups in the pouring rain trying to share umbrellas. This made our day seem like it was going to be long and stressful. There was a dj playing and once the “cupid shuffle” came on, everyone started dancing in the rain! At that point it seemed like this day may not be so bad. Once we boarded our bus, the rain stopped and we began our day of service. We learned that the other groups along with us were from Arizona and Florida! We got to meet new people while we worked. The homes we were tidying were a mess and the yards were horrific. Halfway through the day we learned one of the houses we were cleaning up was going to be turned into a youth group/home for homeless teenagers or teenagers going through a rough spot. Learning that made our work much more purpose filled and meaningful. Unfortunately, also at that point in the day we found out one of the girls on the trip’s father had passed away. This was an especially hard hit for Maya and me because she was our roommate. She was flown back home and everyone from our bus immediately stopped and prayed. We finished working early so we were able to leave early. We continued praying the rest of the trip. Overall I feel that this experience has brought me clear to God and opened my eyes to how others live and how simple actions can have a big impact.

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Council Highlights August 10, 2015

The meeting was called to order by Chris Ament, devotions led by Sandy Summers. Meeting with the Sexton, she reported all repair work has been completed, and now she awaits new carpeting. The treasurer reports giving is down, typically low due to late summer/ vacations, etc. Action Items included: Council reviewed priorities set by congregation for the use of the endowment funds. The overwhelming

first two projects chosen are the completion of the ADA bathroom, and repairs to the parking lot. It was decided that 25% of the project money is to be “seed” money raised by the congregation, and the endowment to be used for the remaining 75% of the project costs.

A Capital Fundraising Project will be announced and carried out through the next 3 years to provide the seed monies needed for these and other projects chosen.

Date for the annual church picnic has not been announced, pending availability of the Township Park for dates in September.

A Craft Fair will be held here on Saturday, October 3rd. The proceeds will be donated to the parking lot project.

We are in great need of volunteers for our nursery. Those who would like to help out now must complete background checks. This can be arranged here through Jean Wilhelm.

The next meeting will be held September 14th, at 7:00 pm. Respectfully submitted, Peggy Rushton-Witmyer Council Secretary

Balance as 7/31/15 General Fund $ 82,070.53 Improvement Fund $ 4,025.73 Mission Plus $390,010.52 Mission Plus 2 $ 2,694.91 Parsonage Security/ Memorial Fund $ 6,817.40 Handicap Accessibility $ 6,145.05 Organ fund $ 441.20

Quilt raffle The winner of the Quilt Raffle will be announced on October 4, when we have the Ingathering service. If you have not turned in your proceeds from selling raffle tickets, please do so by Septem-ber 27. If you would like more tickets to sell or purchase tickets for a chance to win the beautiful quilt hand made by our own Carolyn Hibshman, please see Almanara. The proceeds from the ticket raffle sales will be going to the cost of the ADA bathroom project.

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Congratulations to those with September birthdays: 6 Megan Ament 10 Nancy Sweigart 12 Debbie Burkholder 19 Neil Althouse 22 Edie Lausch 24 Pauline Schmuck Anniversaries 5 John and Mabel Bolar 23 Larry and Edie Lausch 27 Harold and Evelyn Coldren 29 Howard and Beverly Jorgensen

Neil Althouse Mabel Bolar Jeremy Carvell Bob Dimizzi Earl Eshleman Polly Gunzenhauser Susan Hagen Selma Hainley Howard Jorgensen Elta Leicy Shirley Martin Paul Michael Alex Ressler Phyllis Roberts Erma Snader Noah Stahl Bishop Villarreal Tracy Bear (daughter of Deb Burkholder) Lori Bender Joe Conway (husband of Lisa Conway) Bill Eberly (friend of Chad and Kathy Landis) Evanna Estes (friend of Mary Duing) Earl Goshert (Jane Pittman’s step-father) Albert Heiser (Jane Pittman’s father) Amy Hickey (Toni Rice’s sister) Bob Horst Sarah Irons (daughter of Robin Irons) Madeline Kilmer (Megan Ament’s grandmother) Kristopher Kipp (friend of Darlene Kreider) Ryan Martin (Susan Hagen’s nephew) Tracy Martin (sister-in-law of Susan Hagen) Gregory Schmuck (son of Vernon and Polly Schmuck) Thelma Shenk (Jean Fryberger’s sister) Lori Stayer (friend of Chad and Kathy Landis) Cosette Sweigart (Polly Gunzenhauser’s niece) Randy Walker (friend of Chad and Kathy Landis) Anne Wells (friend of Betty Evans) Jim Winters Hudson Wise (Ron and Donna Daub’s nephew)

Food Bank September 6 canned vegetables and fruit, cereal, peanut butter, jelly 13 instant potatoes, rice, rice mixes, macaroni and cheese 20 canned meats, tuna, canned pasta meals 27 pancake mix (just add water), syrup

On behalf of the board of directors of Ephrata Area Social Services, our staff and those we serve, I want to thank yours, and all of the Lutheran Churches, for the recent donation of $2,466.31 made to EASS, as a result of the combined Season of Lent and Ascension Day offerings for “...Hungry People.” Also, thanks for your recent food donation. During June 2015, EASS distributed food to 200 families, helping 662 people in the food bank. 250 people benefited from the clothing bank. We provided 115 rides in the transportation service. We also helped 19 new families, having 57 members. 19 families (75 family members) benefited from our emergency financial assistance program expending $2,028.83 in financial assistance to help with prescriptions, home heating fuel and electric payments to prevent disconnections.

Sincerely, Thomas A. Swalwell, Executive Director, EASS

Sympathy Hilda Hornberger died August 5. Please keep her family in your prayers, especially Vernon and Polly Schmuck.

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Bergstrasse Evangelical Lutheran Church

9 Hahnstown Road Ephrata, PA 17522

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Our mission at Bergstrasse is to widen the community of people who know, love, and follow God.