JANUARY 2017

Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church

The People of Jerusalem Congregation, Ministers Reverend Daniel M. Schaefer, Pastor

The Rev. Kenneth S. Ensminger, Pastor Emeritus David A. Crist, Director of Music Sue Fulmer, Church Secretary

Volume 55 Issue Number 1

Non-Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE

PAID Permit No. 708 Lansdale, PA

Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church 311 Second Street Schwenksville, PA 19473

* Address Service Requested * Time Dated Material

Epiphany, January 6th

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WORSHIP SCHEDULE

8:30 & 11:00 AM Worship Services

9:45 AM Sunday School & Confirmation

Mission Statement

SOW: The Gospel of Jesus the Christ to all generations

GROW: His followers into spiritually mature disciples

GO: Back into the world to serve others in His name

OFFICE HOURS Tues., Wed., Thurs.

9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Closed Fri.

Pastor is in the office Mon.-Thurs. and by appointment

Office Telephone: 610 287-7104 Office FAX: 610 287-7992

Website: www.jelc.org

Pastor’s cell phone: 484-942-9364 Pastor’s Email:

pastordan01@verizon.net Church Email:

jelcsecretary@verizon.net David Crist, Director of Music

cell phone: 610-489-3320

Jerusalem Lutheran Nursery School & Day Care (JLNS&DC)

Telephone: 610-287-6360

Sunday, January 1 - 10:00 AM - New Year’s Day Worship Service

Tuesday, January 3 - 7:30 PM - All Committee Night

Thursday, January 5 - 6:00 PM - Take down the Chrismon Tree

Sunday, January 8 - 8:30 & 11:00 AM - 2017 Council Members installed

Sunday, January 8 - 12 noon-4:00 PM - Santa Display at the Ayres’ farm

Tuesday, January 10 - 7:30 PM - Council Meeting

Thursday, January 12 - February Good News Deadline

Friday-Sunday, January 13-15 - Youth Skiiing at Jack Frost & Lock-in at Good’s Mt. House

Saturday, January 28 - 9:00 AM-3:00 PM - Council Retreat at Meadowood

LOOKING AHEAD...

On the day of Epiphany, January 6, the church celebrates the revelation of Christ to all nations as

represented by the Wise Men (Magi) who came to worship Jesus. Church tradition since the seventh century names the

Magi as Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar. The church calendar recognizes the season of

Epiphany from January 6 until the last Sunday before Ash Wednesday which is celebrated as the Transfiguration of our Lord.

Beginning with the star that guided the Wise Men to Bethlehem, God fills the lives of Christians with His holy light during Epiphany

so that His light can shine through them into the world.

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Dear Friends in Christ,

I hope you had a good Christmas and are ready to begin a New Year. I also want to say

“thank you” for all of the Christmas cards and gifts and especially the Christmas cookies. It was a

special Christmas for us and the services were well attended. The choirs, musicians, and various

committees did a fantastic job in getting our Church into the Christmas spirit. God has really blessed

our Church through the years and we have a lot to be thankful for.

As we begin this New Year let us turn our attention to God’s word and look to it for inspiration

and guidance in living our lives. This verse from 2 Corinthians says that being “in Christ” makes us

a new creation. We are brand new people on the inside. The Holy Spirit gives us a new life and

we are no longer the same. Being a new creation is more than being reformed, rehabilitated, or

reeducated. We are not merely turning over a new leaf, we are living a new way of life under Christ.

In Christ, we have been brought into a relationship with God and made righteous. We are

going to think different, act different and be different. Compared to the world we are really counter-

cultural. We’re headed in a different direction than the world. Our beliefs are different. Our values

are different. The world would be glad to drag us into a way of life without God where all our time is

taken up with other things and we neglect our spiritual life. But the Holy Spirit

is with us and we have God’s Word to guide us through any challenge we face.

We can make a difference for Christ in this world.

I wish you all the best of God’s blessings in the New Year!

In Christ’s service and yours,

Pastor Dan

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation:

the old has gone, the new has come.”

2 Corinthians 5: 17

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Church Council Members for 2017

Eric Foster President

(Vacant) Vice-President

Sue Fulmer (non-voting) Secretary

Caesar Gorski, Jr. Treasurer, Finance

Renee Bartlett (non-voting) Financial Secretary

Gail Bell

Dave Hawks

Steve Lonesky

Marie Mancini

Lisa Pfister

Jill Schaefer

Bob Schirk

Gina Weygand - - - - - - - - - - -

Others not on Council -

Debbie Bartlett Assistant Fin. Sec. Donna Wisniewski Assistant Treasurer Sandy Ling Christian Education Chair Bruce Fulmer Finance Chair Babs deFrenes Senior Concerns Chair Kate Gabel Worship & Music Co-Chair

GOOD NEWS DEADLINE

for the FEBRUARY Edition is Thursday, January 12th.

Please send all submissions to jelcsecretary@verizon.net or drop off at the Church Office.

Don’t forget to fill out a

Communion Card for 2017!

Please fill in and place in the offering plate

so that your Communion Record can be

updated in the Church Office.

Thank You!

Happy Birthday!

05 Nancy Peters, Frank Renninger, Carol Hunsberger 06 Matthew Douglass, Sharon Morgan 07 Elaine McDaniel 09 Elizabeth Molitoris 10 Amanda Saeger 11 Julianna Miller 12 Tim Arnold 13 Michael Saeger, John Souder 14 Michael Radicioni 15 Erin Lonesky 18 Ed Eccker, Jr., Jill Kuiken 20 Emily Kiefaber, Bob Rhoads 24 Robin Fry, Joel Stever 25 Gene Miesse 26 Joshua Fulmer, Amiee Kistler, Natalie Wells 27 John Fry 28 Emily Arnold, Steve Balla 31 Fred Poust

*** Please note that Birthdays are listed only by request. If you would like to add a name to our list, please contact the Church Office.

Thank you! ***

~ SANTA COLLECTION ~

OPEN HOUSE JANUARY 8, 2017 Noon-4:00 PM

AT THE AYRES’ FARM

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COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

December 13, 2016

-The Advent Luncheon was attended by 79 persons and was a great success. -The following motions from the Finance Committee were passed: -The Staff Christmas Gift will be distributed the same way as last year- Pastor=40%; Director of Music=30%; Secretary=30% -The distribution of special giving envelopes to be as follows: A. Initial Offering (used to offset cost of envelopes)-Current B. Ash Wednesday-Current (undesignated plate offering to go to the Food Pantry) C. Maundy Thursday-Current (including undesignated plate offering) D. Good Friday-Current (including undesignated plate offering) E. Easter-Current F. Gone Fishing-Eliminate G. Summer Break-Eliminate H. Back to School-Eliminate I. Fuel-Current J. Thanksgiving-Benevolence (if the service is a shared service and is held at JELC, the

undesignated plate offering would go to the benevolence account) K. Christmas-Current

Please see articles in this publication which cover other topics discussed at committee meetings & Council.

Our Christian Sympathy is extended to family & friends of…

...Ella Mae Schwalm, Jill Schaefer’s grandmother, who entered into Eternal Life on November 15, 2016

...Jeffrey J. Kehs, Marie Kehs’ son, who entered into Eternal Life on November 18, 2016

...Ginny Brackett, Pat Giarocco’s sister, who entered into Eternal Life on November 28, 2016

...Margaret L. Uller, Linda Sheets’ mother, who entered into Eternal Life on December 7, 2016

...The Rev. Dr. Allan Hart Jahsman, who entered into Eternal Life on December 13, 2016

Youth Activities !!!

Please watch for more information on the following planned events:

-January 13-15 - Skiing at Jack Frost and Lock-In at Good’s Mt. House -February (TBD) - Game, Pizza & a Movie Hangout in Youth Loft -March (TBD) - Feeding the homeless; Cardboard City at JELC -April 1 - Toby Mac Tour @ Temple University -May (TBD) - Spring Mountain Canopy Tour

6

Dear Jerusalem family,

The new year 2017 has arrived and we will observe the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. As we progress through the year, there will be special ways of honoring our history and marking our continuing journey as Reforming Christians. Stay tuned for details as the year unfolds. Many thanks to our Chancel Choir, Steepleringers, Adoration Worship Team, Cherub Choir, all of the Sunday School Children and parents, and all who added their musical talents through Advent and Christmas. Your ministries have truly helped to make this season special! Thank you for letting God use your talents and abilities for His worship. As always, we look for untapped talent, and I will be on the lookout for more singers in our choirs. Please consider adding your voice to our worship of God. Sometimes it means rearranging our personal schedules to fit the important things into our lives. In this new year I would like to bring back our Junior & Teen Choir for singers in grades 3 through 8. If your family has children in this age group, I want to talk with you about this choir. One of the best hymns of transition from Christmas to Epiphany sung by the Church for the last 400+ years is “O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright!” (Worship #308). This month I would like to highlight two stanzas for devotional consideration. Notice the exclamation points in the text. Let's be encouraged to live enthusiastic (“in God”) lives and to share the GOOD NEWS that Christ is with us!

O Morning Star, how fair and bright! You shine with God's own truth and light, aglow with grace and mercy!

Of Jacob's line, King David's son, our Lord and Savior, You have won our hearts to serve You only! Lowly, holy! Great and glorious, all victorious, rich in blessing! Rule and might o'er all possessing!

Oh, let the harps break forth in sound! Our joy be all with music crowned, our voices gaily blending! For Christ goes with us all the way—today, tomorrow, every day! His love is never ending!

Sing out! Ring out! Jubilation! Exultation! Tell the story! Praise to Christ, who reigns in glory!

words and music by Philipp Nicolai, German Lutheran pastor, poet, and musician

In Christ's love, David Crist

Dear Pastor Dan, Holly, Sue and the JELC family: It is with a heavy heart that we write this note to our JELC family. Unfortunately, we didn’t have the opportunity to update all of you about what has been happening with our family. With news of baby #2 on the way, we made the decision to finally move closer to our work in Chester County. The opportunity to move and the sale of our current home became available much quicker than we expected. Words cannot express our feelings about JELC. The welcome we received and the sense of community we gained at JELC is comparable to none. While we are excited for what is ahead for our family, what we are leaving behind is very difficult to digest. We love JELC.

You all will remain in our hearts and prayers always. We will certainly keep in touch and attend services whenever we possibly can. Take care and God bless you. Sincerely, The Astheimers (Karen, Kurt and Graham)

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

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We need your help taking

down the Chrismon tree on

Thursday, January 5th

at 6 PM.

See you there!!!

Many thanks to the following 2016 Altar Guild members who lovingly and faithfully dust, bake, set up, and clean up after each of our communions. During Advent and Christmas seasons we especially thank the help members give. Also thanks to Ardie Musselman who is so willing to bake when asked,

and to Louise Hunsicker and Carol and John Souder who keep the banners seasonal. Mary and Steve Balla Louise Hunsicker Renee Bartlett Rose Koehler Barbara Blanchard Janet Luyben Michelle Charles Marie Mancini

Babs de Frenes Diane and Bob Martin Tricia Hawks Gail Maser

During 2016, 3 of our helpers could no longer serve,

so we need some new Altar Guild members (especially from the 11:00 am service) and/or communion bread bakers. Please see Babs deFrenes or Janet Luyben.

I would like to thank our 2016 Chrismon Tree crew for helping to cut, carry, bundle and set up the tree. Our helpers this year were Bill Luyben, Ed Graf, Paul Esminger, Caesar Gorski, Tim Arnold, Kevin Stolfo, Alex Schell, Dave Hawks, Bob Rhoades and Jim Koehler.

Also, a SPECIAL thank you to the Hackett family for donating the cedar tree and Ralph Heacock for lending us his scaffolding for decorating the tree. Sincerely, John Markley, ‘Tree Chairman’

2016

Thanks to all who helped decorate the Chrismon Tree this year... Jack Bowman, Paul Ensminger, Bruce Fulmer, Tim Arnold, Carol Sprainer, Doug and Sydney Gabel.

And, special attention and thanks to Kate Gabel...photographer…

for doing an amazing job of organizing this huge effort again this year!!!!!

8

SENIOR CONCERNS

HAPPY NEW YEAR

from the

Senior Concerns Committee.

Many THANKS to all the volunteers who help us set up for the special luncheons and

also to the Lay Communion Ministers and the Volunteer Contact Persons visiting our Sunshine Friends during the year.

There are no January or February Sunshine Friends’ birthdays.

Our Christmas luncheon was delicious as usual with a great variety of food. We had 28 in attendance.

The Day Care children entertained us with several holiday songs.

Mr. Lee Ford had a presentation on the Mummers. Each member pays for his own costume and they cost between $300 and $1,000 depending on the amount of feathers and/or sequins. The captain picks the theme and they practice about 1 day a week. Gene and Pat Miesse put on

costumes which he brought with him. It was amazing how heavy they were. Of course, it depends on how many sequins, etc. are sown on them.

Just a reminder that the committee will meet on January 19, 2017, at 9:30 a.m. in the Youth Center.

JERUSALEM LUTHERAN NURSERY SCHOOL AND DAY CARE CENTER

The children and staff at Jerusalem Lutheran Day Care enjoyed celebrating the

arrival of the New Year in style with a grand pajama party. Everyone wore their

warmest pajamas to school for a relaxing morning filled with watching movies and eating snacks.

Then we put on some string band music and had fun doing the mummer's strut up and down our

hallway. Also, we pretended to ride fancy horses from the Rose Parade. Next we did our best to

recreate Times Square. We put on funny hats and gathered confetti as we

watched the clock move closer to 12 noon. Then the countdown began.

When the clock struck 12, a large ball covered in shiny foil fell to the floor

"just like" in Times Square. Finally, cheers of "Happy New Year" filled the

room. We are looking forward to a wonderful 2017!

Special thanks to everyone who sent in Campbell's soup

labels for the past few years. With your help and Mrs. Judy Bubeck's cutting and counting,

JLNS&DC recently received $950.00 from the program. That's a lot of soup!

The money will be used toward learning materials for the classrooms.

We truly appreciate your support!

9

General Information about Sponsoring Bulletins

The cost of sponsoring special bulletin covers for a Sunday morning is $20.00. If you wish to sponsor bulletins please contact the Church Office at 610-287-7104 several weeks in advance to select the covers to be ordered. We will also need the dedication message you wish included in the Bulletin on the specified date. Checks should be made payable to Jerusalem Lutheran Church and “bulletin sponsor” should be written in the memo part of the check. Thank you.

General Information about Donating Altar or Chancel Flowers

Altar flowers consist of the two bouquets, one on either side of the altar. The cost of altar flowers is $37.10. Chancel flowers consist of one arrangement, usually placed under the cross. The cost of chancel flowers is $26.50. More than one family can donate chancel flowers on any given Sunday.

After donating, a bill from our florist, Risher Van Horn, will be sent to you. Please pay the florist directly (by mail) upon the receipt of their bill.

After the final church service the flowers are yours to keep. The vases for the altar flowers must stay at the church, so please only take the insert of flowers (the bouquets) with you. There are plastic containers found in the plastic box in the Narthex (which do not need to be returned) in which to carry your altar flowers home. The chancel flower arrangement can be taken as is. Any flowers remaining on Monday will be taken to shut-ins or those in the hospital.

ANYONE can donate altar or chancel flowers. Please just take a moment to sign up and write a dedication in the “MESSAGE” box about whom you would like to honor or remember. Also, please

indicate if you wish to take the flowers or whether Senior Concerns can deliver them to our shut-ins. The sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board across from the Coffee Corner.

Any questions or comments about the flowers are welcome. Please contact the Church Office. Thank you.

Shop at AmazonSmile and Support Jerusalem Lutheran Church

AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to your favorite charitable organization. You can choose from nearly one million organizations to support. Search for ‘Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church.’

A New Year's Prayer

Lord, You make all things new You bring hope alive in our hearts And cause our Spirits to be born again.

Thank You for this new year For all the potential it holds. Come and kindle in us A mighty flame So that in our time, many will see the wonders of God And live forever to praise Your glorious name. Amen

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TREASURER EXPENSE REPORT NOVEMBER 2016

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FINANCIAL SECRETARY REPORT NOVEMBER 2016

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