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Parish Parchment The Mountain Grove Lutheran Parish
The Reverend Christine Kirchner, Pastor
1558 Rock Glen Road
Bloomsburg, PA 17815-9207
October 2016 Return Service Requested
This newsletter is sent with a prayer for…
The Mountain Grove Lutheran Parish Newsletter News and Information About Emanuel, Saint Peter's,
and Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Churches
Rev. Christine Kirchner, Pastor October 2016
Phone: 570-384-4125
E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]
MISSION STATEMENT OF MOUNTAIN GROVE LUTHERAN PARISH
“To spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ through a ministry of worship and outreach”
O Lord, we pray that the visitation of your grace may so cleanse our thoughts
and minds that your Son Jesus, when he shall come, may find in us a fit dwelling
place; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the
Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
PASTOR’S PAGE
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Growing up in East Texas, I often heard my father refer to our town as the buckle of the Bible Belt. Most people in town identified as Christians and the churches held an impressive amount of influence. But in spite of identifying as a Christian and going to church every Sunday, I found myself an outsider (as one of my friends kindly pointed out while we were on the playground one day) because I had not accepted Jesus Christ as my personal savior. In other words, I was not “saved.” Understandably upset, when I got home after school I asked my dad what my friend meant and he explained to me what it means to be Lutheran. He talked about how much God loves us and because of that love, we as Lutherans focus on how God has claimed us, rather than how we claim God.
While this focus on the grace and love of God is certainly not unique to the Lutheran denomination, it is a cornerstone of our theology. Consequently it shapes the way we view God, ourselves, and the world. In college, I took a class on Luther and one of the books I read was Luther’s Freedom of a Christian. It was in reading this book that I began to see that God’s grace and radical love shaped not only my own self-perception (as a beloved child of God), but my perception of and interaction with others as well. Since I can radically love myself because I am loved by God, I am also able to extend this love towards others because they are also beloved children of God. This love allows me to live my life in service to my neighbor, not because I am afraid of God’s retribution, but because I have experienced the extent of the love of God.
This concept of radical love resulting in loving service is clearly seen for me in John 13. It is the night
before the crucifixion and Jesus and his disciples have gathered for one last meal. In the midst of their
dinner, Jesus, who is free to do anything, chooses to strip off his outer robe and wash his disciples’ feet. He
chooses the path of sacrificial love, not for future reward or because the disciples earned it through their
faithfulness, but because it is the love of God bringing the fulness of life into that moment. Truly, this is the
in-breaking of God’s Kingdom. In the radical freedom we experience through the gospel we are invited to
choose the path of loving service as God continues the in-breaking of the Kingdom in our midst. This
invitation to participate in God’s mission can be daunting, humbling, and exciting all at the same time. I am
looking forward to seeing all the ways that you and the community of MGLP respond to this invitation.
In Christ’s love, Pastor Christine
Keeping the Sabbath I have decided to make Mondays my official day off. In an effort to keep a balance between my
professional and personal life, I will not be checking emails or the church office phone on my day off.
However, if someone is dying, in the hospital, or there is a pastoral emergency, please let me know,
regardless of the day of the week. During those times, the best way to contact me would be through my cell
phone, 808-652-6740.
Peace,
Pastor Christine
OUTREACH PROJECT FOR OCTOBER
We will once again have the TRUNK OR TREAT which is Sunday, OCTOBER 30th from 5:30-7:30 pm at the
MAINVILLE COMMUNITY BUILDING. We need people/families to decorate their Trunks.
Questions - contact any outreach committee member. Nancy Chulock, Betty Tretter, Elsie Angus
OUTREACH PROJECT FOR NOVEMBER
SEAFARER’S PROJECT: CHRISTMAS AT SEA During October and November, MGLP will be collecting items for the Seafarer’s Project: Christmas at Sea. The Seafarer’s Project collects items for people who work on shipping barges and cannot be home for the holidays. Port chaplains bring satchels filled with gifts to the ships they visit in the weeks prior to Christmas. Later, on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, when the ship is in the middle of the ocean, the captain holds a holiday celebration and every crew member will open their satchels, each containing:
One Sweatshirt – hooded or unhooded (size L-XL) Three Pairs of Socks – thermal or white gym One Casual Pullover T-Shirt (size M-L) One Knit Winter Cap One Can of Nuts or Large Bar of Chocolate A Christmas Card from you!
You are welcome to pick the colors, styles and brands you wish, but please no substitutions from the list. The Christmas-at-Sea satchels should be comparable for each member of the crew. This is a great opportunity to help share the love of Christ with others and turn what might otherwise have been another lonely night at sea becomes a joyous occasion. In order to make sure the satchels arrive in plenty of time, we are asking that all donations arrive by Sunday, Nov. 13. If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Christine, Elsie Angus, Nancy Chulock, or Betty Trettor.
ADULT BIBLE STUDY BEGINNING Starting in October, a parish bible study will begin. Since an important part of studying the Bible is reading the Bible, we will start by discussing how we as Christians and Lutherans read the Bible and how the Bible impacts our lives of faith. We will meet on the first and third Thursday of the month at 7 pm. The first meeting will be at the parsonage, 1558 Rock Glen Rd. If you have any questions or would like to know more, please contact Pastor Christine.
JOINT WORSHIP SERVICE To commemorate Reformation Sunday, there will be a joint service on Oct. 30. The service will be at St. Peter’s at 10:30 am. There will be a potluck lunch following the service and sign-up sheets will be in the back of each church. In keeping with the Reformation celebration, we are asking that dishes be German themed.
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HARVEST HOME: A big thank you to everyone who helped and donated food for harvest
home. The food was donated to local food pantries and very appreciated.
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This year’s Pet Blessing will be Sunday, October 9th at 1pm at Trinity. Bring your fury friends or a picture of them if they don’t travel well to receive a blessing.
Hope to see you there.
.PRAYER LIST UPDATE: Familes & friends of Hazel Halye, Edward Engler
Also: Robyn Baker, Donna Dalesandro (Bill Brior’s sister), Lee Rupert, Sylvester Fry, Joe & Cathy Petruncio (Dale Michael), Doyle Smethers, John Adler, Elaine Stauffer (Dale Michael), Dan Davis, Ann Temborski (Sharon Hartzell sister), Robert Williams (Susan Spudes), Shelly Milheim Johnson, Dick Baker, Julia Galatis (Kathy Brior), Elyse Bankes (
Susan Spudes), Marilyn Broadt, Tom Kester (Susan Spudes), Denise Zaruta (Michelle Bower’s sister), Danielle & Crystal Demeler (Susie Spudes), Wayne Spudes Jr., Rita Kenna, Richie , Theresa (friends of Kathy Brior), Pastor Jenn & Rob Kopacz, Donna Midway (Susie Spudes), Kyle Foster, Sandy Ortman ( Dale Michael), Carol Ann, Buddy & Wendy Jastremsky Day, Mary Isabel Phillips (Vicki Bolinsky’s mom), David Pooley (Dale Michael), Janet Matyas, Cindy Shuman, Karen Baylor, Sandee Knecht, Carol & Debbie Chyko, Lindsay, Jerry Fisher (Susie Spudes brother), Laune Fenstemaker (Chuck Henry’s sister), Jack Millard, Patsy Millard, Heather Hetherington, Jim Bankes, the young people of our congregation.
Please pray for all the people of MGLP, especially: those in need of healing; those suffering from chronic health issues; & our members who are confined to their homes or long-term care facilities.
UPDATES: Notify Sharon Hartzell at 384-4107 or [email protected]
---------------------PLEASE REVIEW PRAYER LIST AND UPDATE AS NECESSARY-------------------
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Note the website name change below
Check out our newsletter &
Visit us on the web at www.mountaingrovelutheranparish.com Pastor Christine Kirchner
Contact info:
(808) 652-6740 or 570-384-4125Email: [email protected]
Prayer Ventures for October 2016
1 On this International Day of Older Persons we remember in prayers our elders and how they have cared for us, shared their faith, and continue to bring special wisdom and experience to our lives and faith communities.
2 Just as we pray for God to refresh our own faith, we ask God to deepen the faith and strengthen the witness of our family, friends, congregation members and all our sisters and brothers in Christ throughout the world.
3 We pray that God will guide and equip our leaders, congregations, synods, members and affiliated organizations to implement and bring to life the actions of the 2016 Churchwide Assembly, actions that support ministries, build relationships, pursue justice and peace, advocate compassion and affirm leaders throughout the church.
4 Francis of Assisi We give thanks and praise to God for the wonders and diversity of creation and nature
and for all the ways in which it sustains and inspires us. We pray for wisdom and diligence in caring for all that God has entrusted to us.
5 We remember in our prayers families, individuals and communities healing and recovering from the
trauma and destruction of recent flooding, wildfires and severe weather, especially in Louisiana, the western states, Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas and West Virginia.
6 We ask God to grant us boldness and compassion in denouncing and preventing violence that threatens
the lives and safety of women, children and families. We pray our congregations are always safe places of healing and hope, especially for those experiencing, fleeing or recovering from domestic violence.
7 We give thanks in prayer for our brothers and sisters in Christ who live with intellectual and
developmental disabilities. We pray that all people experience full participation in the church and the world and that we all know the blessings of living and worshiping in faith communities of diverse abilities and mutual care.
8 We remember in our prayers the faithful leaders, bishops, pastors, synod staff and volunteers who have been called to serve God’s people and the mission of the church in the 65 synods of the ELCA.
9 We pray that we never take for granted or forget to express our thanks and praise to God for the healing
and wholeness we experience in Jesus Christ.
10 More than 250,000 people died and more than 11 million people have been displaced from their homes during the five-year civil war in Syria. We fervently pray for a peaceful, lasting end to the war, and for the healing and rebuilding of the lives of Syrians and their communities.
11 We remember in our prayers the ELCA missionaries serving in Tanzania as teachers, physicians, counselors, program coordinators and theology instructors supporting the ministry and outreach of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania and its 21 hospitals.
12 In our daily prayers we praise God for God’s good works, mercy, grace and trustworthiness for the world’s sake.
13 We remember in our prayers the United Methodist Church, a full communion partner with the ELCA, and pray that our relationship will grow and our work together will thrive as we share the gospel and do God’s work in the world.
14 God’s word is our source of wisdom, direction and assurance. We pray that we are open and attentive to God’s word in the course of our daily routines and relationships and throughout life.
15 We pray for those who are in treatment, live in fear of, or are in remission from breast cancer. We ask
God to place people of hope, faith and medical skill in their lives and to further the work of people dedicated to prevention, effective treatment and cures.
16 Our human needs are many and sometimes urgent. We ask God to be patient with us and to teach us
persistence in our personal prayers and our prayers on behalf of our neighbor.
17 As the ELCA continues to discern how we will faithfully serve God’s mission in the years to come, we pray that God will shape and clarify our vision through prayerful conversations, Scripture, reflection and further revealing the needs of the world to us.
18 Luke, Evangelist We pray that we give witness to and speak daily of God’s love and presence through Jesus Christ, just as the disciple Luke did so freely and widely.
19 We praise and recognize God for the boundless ways in which God cares for, sustains and helps us day and night throughout life in the face of every uncertainty and threat.
20 Young adults serve in educational ministries in Jerusalem/West Bank through the ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission program. We pray for the ministries and people they work alongside and that their witness reflects hope for reconciliation and peace – in the name of Jesus Christ.
21 In the course of conflicts, conversations and debate in our society, we pray the Spirit will instill in us the will and ability to listen to each other, be thoughtful, not lose sight of justice and compassion, and be guided by our faith.
22 We remember in our prayers people serving in Christian education and youth and family ministry in congregations that they may serve as faithful leaders, mentors, teachers and nurturers of lifelong faith formation.
23 We ask God to surround us with people who encourage our faith, accompany us through life’s twists and turns, and care about us and that we in turn are mindful of the ways we can care for others in our midst.
24 We give thanks for the progress made toward greater unity between Catholics and Lutherans and pray
that we continue, with the help of the Spirit, to work through our differences and discover our shared identity as the body of Christ and brothers and sisters in Christ.
25 Living in the human reality of our capacity to do good and be just and to also turn our backs to each
other and inflict pain and injury, we pray for God’s forgiveness and mercy and cling to the newness we have in Jesus Christ and experience in our baptism as children of God.
26 We remember in our prayers musicians, composers and hymn writers who are blessed with creative
gifts and abilities that help us express our praise, faith, needs and emotions to God.
27 We pray for first responders – firefighters, paramedics, police and others – who respond to emergencies in spite of the personal risks. We pray for their physical, spiritual and emotional well-being and that they receive the care, comfort and affirmation they need.
28 Simon and Jude, Apostles Being a student and follower of Jesus is always lively and dynamic. We pray that we remain curious, faithful and active as disciples and that we enjoy the diverse gifts and company of disciples who serve together with us.
29 We remember in our prayers ELCA missionaries serving in India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Papua New Guinea and Thailand, and we ask God to bless their work in theological education, health programs and teaching English with our partner churches and institutions.
30 Jesus Christ has set us free from sin and the despair of a life without hope. We pray that we use our gift of freedom to do God’s work in the world and to share the hope and good news of Jesus Christ with all people.
31 Reformation Day We give thanks for how God has shaped and guided the church throughout history, especially as a result of the Reformation movement and Martin Luther’s faith and teachings. We pray that we continue to reflect, learn and change with the guidance of the Spirit and God’s word, for the sake of our neighbor, to be faithful to God’s mission in the world.
Emanuel’s volunteer for Heat/AC & Communion for
October is Brenda Pitonyak
October Babies
10/01 Donna Colosimo
10/02 Brandon Bankes
10/04 Marlin H. Boehmer
10/05 Marlin V. Boehmer
10/07 Brittany Bankes
Glenn Ferry
10/08 Francis Sorber
10/10 Nancy Chulock
10/13 Judy Hartranft
10/17 Allen Kotansky, Jr.
Connor Hartzell
10/20 Alice Fritz
10/21 Judy Brown
10/22 Carol Davenport
10/24 Steven Storaska, Jr.
10/25 Timothy Storaska
10/26 Emily Pitonyak
10/27 Andraya Davenport
10/28 Tess Solenberger
Jamie Coombe
October Anniversaries
10/03 Franklin & Patricia Newhart
10/04 Jay & Mary Jane Derr
10/11 Jack & Jane Troy
10/16 Jack & Patsy Millard
10/18 Jerry & Shirley Bodman
10/21 Dale & Marqueen Davenport
10/23 Rob & Pastor Jenn Kopacz
10/25 Dan & Brenda Pitonyak
10/26 Kerry & Irene Fisher
10/30 Robert & Alice Fritz
Emanuel Worship Service Schedule for October
10:15 on October 2nd, 16th & 30th
10:45 on October 9th & 23rd
Loose Change will be collected for Mainville Fire Co. on October 9th & 23rd
Coffee Klatch will be held October 23rd at 10:00am.
Pastor contact info: The Rev. Christine Kirchner
Contact info:[email protected] 808-652-6740 or 570-384-4125
Upper Susquehanna Synod Events Calendar
October 15, 2016: Craft/Vendor Fair in Berwick A Craft/Vendor Fair will be held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1600 Fowler Avenue, Berwick on October 15, 2016, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Come enjoy crafters and vendors of jewelry, handbags, beauty products, kitchen items and so much more! Lunch, beverages, and desserts will also be available to purchase. Vendor tables are available for $25. Contact Jan Hoida at 570-759-9988 or 570-204-1045 if interested.
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ATTENTION MARRIED COUPLES: Fall is the perfect time to fall in love with your spouse all over again at one of
the beautiful retreat centers where Lutheran Marriage Encounter Weekends are scheduled this fall. NOW is the
time to sign up for the one of your choice while there are still openings. The fall weekends are:
October 21-23, 2016 at the Olmsted Retreat Center in Ludlow, PA—a lovely, hotel-styleretreat center perched on a hillside in the Allegheny National Forest, a couple hoursnorth of Pittsburgh.
Weekends run from Friday at 8:00 p.m. to Sunday around 3:00 p.m. and are designed to help you make your marriage a more intimate, loving, Christian union. Two nights lodging, five meals for each of you, and all supplies
are included with your registration fee of $100, plus a contribution of whatever amount you wish toward the
continuation of the program. Registrations are limited, so sign up today. For questions, contact Pennsylvania
Directors of Lutheran Marriage Encounter, Fred & Julie Schamber, at [email protected] or 724-325-3166.
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OCTOBER 22, 2016: BUILDING YOUTH GROUP EVENT AT CAMP MOUNT LUTHER
Keep your youth group strong and growing by laying a foundation for its future members! Bring
your youth to Camp Mount Luther for BYG, a fun community building time. We’ll work with you
and your campers to facilitate relationship-building experiences. Youth leaders, pastors, and
parents should bring as many as you can in this age bracket to help build comfort and trust
within your future youth group. Come along- bring the youth leader, pastor, or parents with
your kids. Camp Mount Luther invites you to bring one adult free for every seven kids you bring
to camp. Additional adults come for half of the participant’s fee. We’ll have team building,
reflection time on God’s Word, Frisbee golf, ropes course, and fellowship. Our theme this year is “Pray!” Cost for the program is $20.00, which runs from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Each participant is asked to bring a bag lunch.
To register, call the Camp Mount Luther office at 570-922-1587 or e-mail [email protected]
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October 29, 2016: Installation of Bishop Barbara J. Collins Your prayers and presence are requested on the eve of Reformation Sunday, Saturday, October 29, 2016, at 1:30 p.m. for the service of installation for The Reverend Barbara Jeanne Collins as Bishop of the Upper Susquehanna Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The installation will take place at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, 5th and Market Streets, Sunbury, PA 17801. A time of fellowship and light refreshments will follow the service downstairs in the social hall. Rostered Leaders are invited to vest and process. The color of the day is red. Please RSVP no later than October 15, 2016, by calling the Upper Susquehanna Synod Office at 570-524-9778 or by e-mailing directly to: [email protected]. Additional parking available in city lot between 4th and 5th Streets and one block north on 5th Street.
