PUBLISHED IRREGULARLY St. John 08ISSUE · is Thy Faithfulness”, “How Great Thou Art”, “It Is Well with My Soul”, and “When In Our Music God is Glorified”. • Songs

SEPTEMBER2013

PUBLISHED IRREGULARLYVOL. 19ISSUE

08St. John’S Lutheran ChurCh

S u m n e y t o w n

A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF CONGREGATIONAL INFORMATION

HigHligHtsin tHis issue

September 8 – Rally Day“God’s Work, Our Hands” Sunday8:30 AM – Contemporary Worship Service

Blessing of Backpacks

9:20 AM – Intergenerational Sunday School Kick-OffLutheran World Relief School KitsHandprint WallSnacks and Songs

10:30 AM – Traditional Worship ServiceBlessing of BackpacksInstallation of Sunday School Teachers

As you’ve heard in recent sermons, I am on Facebook. I don’t spend much time there, but I check in every once in a while to see what is new, see what my friends are up to, etc. Every once in a while,

there are articles that others post that are of interest. Recently, there’s been a lot of posts related to Back to Church Sunday, which is a national event scheduled for Sunday, September 15. I checked out the website and found the following explanation: Back to Church Sunday is a campaign strategically designed to help churches reach out and invite everyone to try church again. This powerful movement encourages church attendance by inspiring and empowering church members to invite their neighbors, friends and loved ones to a special Sunday service designed just for them.

Even though it is nearing the end of August as I write this newsletter article, the reality that stands before us is that, by the time you read this, school will have started and summer will be over, even if the calendar says we still have a few more weeks left. The program year at St. John’s will have begun with all sorts of ways that you and the ones you love can get involved in the life of this community.

As a congregation, we may not be officially recognizing September 15 as Back to Church Sunday, but I commend you to read the contents of this newsletter with an eye to how you can ‘come back’ to church. There are tons of new opportunities for learning, serving and growing in the pages of this newsletter. The success of all of these opportunities is in your hands—so read through it, highlight or circle the ones that seem most appealing to you. Then show up! Come out to a new bible study or volunteer for a service opportunity. Share the gifts that God has given you! Tell your friends, neighbors and coworkers about St. John’s and how this place changes your life. Give it a try! I guarantee you won’t be disappointed!

I look forward to welcoming everyone back to church this September!!

Peace,Pastor Becky +

Back to Church Month

September

3Worship Highlights

Service Opportunities

4Adult Sunday School News

5Youth Group Info

7Sharing Stories -

Gifts of God

12Heavenly Helpers

2 St. John’s Lutheran Church • www.stjsumneytown.org • 215.234.4888 • email: [email protected]

SEPTEMBER MUSIC SCHEDULESEPTEMBER 1 - Fifteenth Sunday of Pentecost

Blended Worship at 9:00 a.m.Music – Solo: Bruce Aldinger

SEPTEMBER 8 – Sixteenth Sunday of Pentecost25th Anniversary of ELCARally Day, Installation of Sunday School Teachers, Blessing of Backpacks

Contemporary Worship at 8:30 a.m.Music – Praise Team

Traditional Worship at 10:30 a.m.Music – Chancel Choir

Sunday School Children

SEPTEMBER 15 - Seventeenth Sunday of PentecostContemporary Worship at 8:30 a.m.Music – Violin: Rev. Jennifer Ollikainen


Violin: Rev. Jennifer Ollikainen

SEPTEMBER 22 - Eighteenth Sunday of PentecostHarvest Home

Contemporary Worship at 8:30 a.m.Music – Solo: Lori Weidner


Youth Choir

SEPTEMBER 29 - Nineteenth Sunday of Pentecost Stewardship Campaign Kick Off

Contemporary Worship at 8:30 a.m.Music – Duet: Christine Hoh and Kathy Fitser


Children’s Choir

OCTOBER 6 – Twentieth Sunday of PentecostWorld CommunionBlessing of the Animals Service at 3:00 p.m.

Contemporary Worship at 8:30 a.m.Music – Praise Team


Handbell Choir

Making a Joyful Noise with Hymns Janet Aldinger, Director of Music

All of us have hymns that we love to sing. Often, they are hymns from our

childhood, hymns with words that are especially meaningful or hymns that evoke special memories. Our

hymn preferences can change as we learn new ones, but “old favorites” often remain throughout a lifetime. As you sing a new hymn try to pay attention to the words, as they often “tell a story” which repeats the theme of the lessons and sermon of the week.

Did you know that during the past two and a half years we have been singing hymns and songs from the Evangelical Lutheran Worship (ELW), the “new” Lutheran hymnal? This hymnal was published in 2006 and contains more than just hymns. The settings for the liturgy, creeds and prayers, as well as formats for special services are contained in the hymnal.

Facts You May Not Know About the Hymns in the ELW

• At least 165 hymns from the SBH (red hymnal) that we sing at St. John’s are included in the ELW. Sometimes the words are slightly different. A few have different tunes.

• More than 20 “favorites” that are not in the SBH are included in the ELW. Examples are: “Amazing Grace”, “Borning Cry”, “Great is Thy Faithfulness”, “How Great Thou Art”, “It Is Well with My Soul”, and “When In Our Music God is Glorified”.

• Songs for children include “This Little Light of Mine” and “Jesus Loves Me”.

• Approximately 47 of the songs sung at the Contemporary Service are in the ELW, many of which are sung during blended services.

• The ELW also contains gospel hymns such as “Marching to Zion”, “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms” and “Just a Closer Walk With Thee”.

• The congregation has sung approximately 64 new hymns from the ELW. “All Are Welcome” has become a favorite of many of our members.

On September 15 Pastor Jennifer Ollikainen will be presenting information about the ELW. Copies for your perusal, or to borrow and return the following week, will be in the narthex for your convenience. Please take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to become familiar with the ELW.

3St. John’s Lutheran Church • www.stjsumneytown.org • 215.234.4888 • email: [email protected]

Service Opportunities at St. John’s this Fall…as the program year kicks-off in September, there are many ministry areas that could use your help. Please consider sharing your gifts with the community in one of the ways listed below!

Animal Lovers Needed – if you love animals, we would love to have your help in planning our first Blessing of the Animals outdoor worship service, scheduled for Sunday, October 6 at 3:00 p.m.

Do you like to decorate? Then we could use your help in decorating our church. We’re looking to form a small group of folks who assist with seasonal decorating in the sanctuary to enhance our worship.

Singers wanted! All of our choirs (children, youth, adult, praise team, handbells, chimes) would love to welcome YOU into their midst! No musical experience necessary – just a love of singing or ringing praises to God!

Do you like to visit people? We’d love to give each of our homebound members a visitor who stops in to see them every other month. All you have to do is be able to talk and listen – the rest will happen naturally!

Do you love kids? Then you will definitely want to consider working with our Sunday School – the more folks we have, the more team teaching that can be done (teach two weeks, off two weeks, etc.)

Do you live in Pennsburg? (Or Red Hill, or Green Lane, or East Greenville or …) Perhaps you’d like to be one of the monthly delivery people to take our non-perishable food donations to Open Link’s food pantry. Might be helpful if you can lift bags of soup, since we are the Soup and Stew Congregation! J

Sign Tenders Needed! Hundreds of cars pass our church every day. Our sign needs to be changed weekly to reflect ministry opportunities and/or positive messages that might speak to those who drive by. Great opportunity for some retired gentlemen!

Acolytes play a vital role in our worship life. Students in Grades 5 thru 12 are welcome to consider serving in this role – primary tasks include lighting candles, passing out and collecting the offering plates and assisting with communion.

Crucifers/Banner Bearers needed! Students in Grades 8 through adults are welcome to share their strength by carrying the cross and/or banners in procession in worship!

25th Anniversary of the ELCA Celebrate with Service Project SundayIn honor of the ELCA’s anniversary, all Lutheran congregations have been asked to participate in a service project on Sunday, September 8 to honor the anniversary of our church body. All three Lutheran Churches in the Upper Perkiomen Valley have decided that we will serve together by serving those who are hungry in our community.

If you haven’t already received one, please come to church and pick up a canvas grocery bag. We then invite you to fill that bag with non-perishable foods that will all go to the food pantry at Open Link. Since we are the soup and stew congregation, make sure to include some soup and stew in your bag, but feel free to add other non-perishable foods!! If you won’t be able to join us in worship on Sept 8, please bring your filled canvas bag to the church prior to Sept. 8. We want to make sure we get a picture of all our filled bags before we send them off to Open Link!!

Worship Highlights for SeptemberSeptember 8

Rally Day – 25th Anniversary of the formation of the ELCA

• Blessing of Backpacks – all students are invited to bring their school bags to worship and we will offer a blessing over our students as they begin a new school year.

• SS Teachers will be installed at the 10:30 a.m. worship service.

September 22 Harvest Home Sunday – let’s try to cover the windowsills with soup and stew for Open Link as we celebrate and share the abundance God has blessed us with!!

September 29Stewardship Campaign Kicks Off – you’ll want to be in worship this weekend as we begin a four week exploration into telling the stories of our faith and sharing the gifts that God has given us!


Sponsorships for Flowers, Bulletins, BoutonnieresFor any open dates you may wish to fill, please call: Flowers - Kathy at 610-754-6156 Bulletins - Office at 215-234-4888Boutonnieres - Mary J Dzurenda at 215-679-5783

Flowers $30 & $25 Bulletins $10 Boutonnieres $29/1 Clare Bossert Breyer9/8 OPEN

Base - MillerPortock OPEN

9/15 Johnson N. Johnson

9/22 Clare Kershner Miller

9/29 OPEN OPEN Reptsik10/6 Hutt Hutt Romig

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS

Coming in September – a Book Discussion on Reclaiming the ‘L’ Word: Renewing the church from its Lutheran Core. Beginning Sunday, September 29, a discussion group will meet around this book by Pastor Kelly Fryer. This book discussion will also serve as our New Member Class this fall. If you are interested in being part of the conversation, please call the church office by Sunday, September 15 so we can have enough books ordered for the class.

Reclaiming the ‘L’ Word: Renewing the church from its Lutheran Core

If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a member of St. John’s Lutheran church, the next New Member class will begin on Sunday, September 29. Classes will be held during the Sunday School hour at 9:20 a.m. New Members will join on Sunday, November 24, at 10:30 a.m. Individuals interested in being part of the New Member Class are asked to call the church office by Sunday, September 15, so we can have enough books ordered for the class.

New Member Class

Wednesday Morning Adult Small Group will begin on Wednesday, October 2, at 10:00 a.m. – mark your calendars so that you are able to participate in this weekly study group. Our first topic will be a book study! If you’re interested in joining the group, please let Pastor Becky know so that a book can be ordered for you. The cost of the book will be $12.

Adult Small Group Study

St. John’s is participating in the Full Pantry Challenge through the Open Link (formerly the Open Line) – what this means is that we, as a faith community, have promised that we will keep the food pantry at Open Link stocked each month in SOUPS and STEWS! St. John’s is the Soup and Stew Congregation. While you can continue to provide donations of other non-perishable food items, we have made a commitment to provide soup and stew – so watch the grocery circulars and watch for sales on soups and stews!! Soup and stew donations can be dropped off in the Parlor.

Full Pantry Challenge

Save the Date!Consecration Sunday

October 20, 2013Special ServiceGuest Speaker

Celebration Lunch


MARK YOUR CALENDAR!Sept. 7-8 – Camp-out* and Rally Day (6:00 p.m. Saturday – 10:30 a.m. Sunday)

Sept. 26 – Car wash and bake sale (after second service)

Oct. 26 – Dorney Park* (all day)

*Registration Required

YPO - Youth GroupWe hope everyone had a great summer! We’re excited to start another year full of fun and rewarding activities with the wonderful teens of St. John’s. We actually met already with parents and teens on Sunday, August 25, to discuss our plans for the 2013-2014 YPO year. If you missed this meeting and would like information about the activities we have planned, please contact Elaine Keller or Tricia Bolton. We are also asking for feedback from our parents and teens on some possible new opportunities for this year. Please provide us with your input by Sunday, September 8.

September 8 is also “Rally Day”, the official start of our Youth Group and Sunday School program. Thanks to a great suggestion from a few of our teens and parents, we’re excited to try something new this year and kick off our YPO year with an outdoor camp-out at church. We’re asking all of the teens to come on Saturday, September 7, at 6:00 p.m. with a sleeping bag (and tent if you have one) and spend the night camped out on the church property. We’ll enjoy hot dogs and S’mores over a campfire, play games and then wrap up on Sunday morning with a Rally Day event after the early service. We hope to see everyone there! Please register for this event by responding to the emailed invitation. If you didn’t receive an email, please call the church office and ask to be added to the Youth Group email distribution list.

Also in September, we already have plans for our first fundraiser of the year. On Sunday, September 26, we will be hosting a car wash and bake sale at church. Please stop by to have your car washed after the second service. While you’re there, you can also eat some hot dogs and baked goods, all while supporting our teens. The money we raise will help fund the retreats and other Youth Group events we have planned throughout the year.

One new event that we are planning this year is a day at Dorney Park. On Saturday, October 26, all members of the congregation are invited to join us as we ride the rides and get scared after dark with the park’s Halloween Haunt attractions. Registration is required for this event. Please look for more information regarding the ticket sales in the next few weeks.

Finally, we will continue to meet every Sunday morning from 9:20-10:20 a.m. in the YPO room. Please encourage all teens to join us each week and also attend some of our events. We look forward to another great year with a great group of teens!

Confirmation NewsThere will be a parent/student orientation meeting on Wednesday, September 11, at 7:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall. Whether your student is a first year student or you are returning for your second year, please attend this meeting to find out what is new in the confirmation ministry this year. The first learning night for 8th and 9th grade students will be Wednesday, September 25.

Small Group Opportunity for High School StudentsIf you have already been confirmed but are looking to dig deeper into your life of faith, you are invited to join a small group for high school students. This group will meet on the same nights as confirmation does. A schedule will be made available to students who express interest – email Pastor Becky if you’d like to be part of this small group!

Prayer Partner OpportunityThe ministry that takes place during confirmation helps our young people learn about their faith. Some of that learning happens by studying the catechism and the Bible, but that learning also happens through conversations with other Christians who live the faith every day of their lives. We are looking for adults in the congregation who are willing to be paired up with a confirmation student for the duration of the program year (September thru June). As a prayer partner, you commit to pray for the student you are paired with throughout the entire year. In December, there will be a gathering for you to meet your student, and then during the season of Lent, you and your student will meet for two conversations about life and faith. If you are interested in serving as a prayer partner for a young person in our confirmation class, please email Pastor Becky at [email protected].


WELCAWomen of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in AmericaIt’s that time again!!!---Time to begin Fall activities.

Our first meeting will be held Tuesday morning, September 10, at 10:00 a.m. in Parish Hall. We welcome all women to attend our monthly meetings...always held the 2nd Tuesday of each month.

The Planning meeting for the Fall Gathering of the Upper Montgomery Conference of WELCA will be held at Augustus Lutheran Church in Trappe on Saturday, September 14, at 9:00 a.m. The Gathering itself is on Saturday, October 12, at Augustus. Our own Elaine Keller will be the speaker describing the work being accomplished by the Heavenly Helpers. More information will be in October’s Newsletter.

Our Fall Rummage Sale is scheduled for October 22-24 in our Parish Hall. Additional information will be in October’s Newsletter.

See you on September 10!!! Mary Jane Dzurenda will have devotions.

Myrt Beideman, Secretary.

Just because you have not received a phone call to set up, clean up or serve, does not mean that the Social Events Committee has had nothing to do.

Behind the scenes, Ruth Walp has been busy several times since the Turkey Dinner making sure that you are able to purchase some tasty barbeque for a quick lunch or can use turkey noodle soup along with a salad and bread for an easy summer evening meal. And that old fashioned bread pudding is a dessert pleaser with any meal!! Thank you Ruthie!

Thanks also to the Kathie’s in our group who along with Rich and Ruth usually package these goodies for sale. These same folks along with Elaine have been taking turns as cashiers Sundays after service.

Just to let you know, at the present time our supply of items to sell has been extinguished but we’ll be announcing something again in the fall.

The paper goods attic has been straightened up and an inventory taken. Some kitchen cabinets have been wiped out and straightened. And as always, MaryJane (who is not an official member of this committee) but one of our quiet shoppers, has kept us supplied with white paper towels for use in the kitchen.

A very large job has been tackled almost single-handedly by Marilyn Young and that is, giving the steam table/potato filling pans a good scrubbing and oven cleaner treatment on the sides and bottoms to keep them looking shiny!

One big job to go are our coffee pots. They’ve needed a good dose of TLC for a while. Anyone with spare time is welcome to help.

The committee will meet on Monday evening, August 26, at 6:30. The plan is to sample another type of turkey soup and to begin our planning of the Annual Christmas Bazaar. This year’s date is Saturday, December 14, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

We appreciate those who support our efforts and welcome newcomers if you are inclined.

Diane L. AppoldChairperson of Social Events

SOCIAL EVENTS UPDATE

Under the Rainbow PreschoolUnder the Rainbow welcomes back our old and new students for another great year. We look forward to love and laughter with all our little ones. Along with Becky LaBar, Linda Hart and Kathy Casey we begin our 28th year at St. Johns! We thank St. Johns for hosting our wonderful program and serving the community for so many years!

We do have several openings in our T/Th 3 year old class and our 4 and 5 year old MWF class. We appreciate you spreading the word to new neighbors and new families in your neighborhood. Please call Becky LaBar at 215-234-8862 for additional information.


CHURCH COUNCIL UPDATEWhere did summer go? How can that much time pass so quickly?

Council took time out of the busy summer activities to read a book and then reflect on it during our July meeting. The book “Reclaiming the L word” gave us so much to discuss at our council meeting. Many ideas were shared and we spent our evening discussing where we are at Saint John’s. So many ideas were shared it was overwhelming! As we look forward, council saw a need to hone in on a core purpose statement so that we could clarify who we are as a community. This led us to a discernment process that we are excited to embark on this fall. We will be asking God to speak loudly as we identify our core purpose statement. Stay tuned for more information on this as we know this will energize the entire St. John’s community.

Thanks to our many volunteers who continued the many missions of our church this summer.

The Sunday School Halls and classrooms are getting brightened up and that project will continue into the fall.

Please keep in touch, share your ideas, thoughts and feel free to contact me anytime.

See you soon!

Kent Krauss, Council [email protected]

Gifts of God Are For Sharing“Declare how much God has done for you.” – Luke 8:39

“We cannot keep from speaking about what we have seen and heard!” – Acts 4:20

We all have stories to tell: humorous happenings, learning experiences, news about our families, triumphs and tragedies, and plans for the future.

And as the people of God, we have stories to tell about what God has done for us and about the difference that God’s grace has made in our lives. Sometimes we are less aware of these stories until they are coaxed out of us—but they are there, part of whom we are.

That’s not all. Whether we know it or not, we also have stories to tell about what God has done through us—stories about how God has used us to make a difference in the lives of others. Getting to know those stories makes us even more aware of God’s grace.

God has given us so much—and the gifts of God are for sharing.

The Bible is a collection of stories about people with gifts to share—stories about people whose lives were so changed by God that they were able to make a difference in the lives of others. Starting on September 29, St. John’s will spend four weeks focused on storytelling and on giving—and to think of both storytelling and giving as grateful responses to the grace of God. Please make every effort to join us in worship as we share the stories of our lives and look at how we give in grateful response to how God has blessed us!

If you feel that you have a story to tell about how God has been active in your life or how God has worked through you, we’d love to hear it! Please reach out to Pastor Becky in the church office or via email [email protected].

Stories to Tell & Gifts to Share, Copyright © 2007 Augsburg Fortress. Permission is granted to reproduce this material for local, congregational use only.

Hot Air Balloon Landed on St. John’s Property in August.


7/24/2013St. Johns Lutheran Church

June 30, 2013

Account Balances 30-Jun-13General Fund Checking (Includes some BF offering yet to be transferred & $5,000 transfer from Neetz bequest) $4,072.90Building Fund Checking $2,789.23Petty Cash $88.52Designated Gifts (includes Henuber estate) $125,386.94Benner CDs $5,902.79Benner Savings $1,836.43Endowment $125,878.85Mortgage Principal Owed (rate 4.25%; matures 4/9/18) $152,775.50

General Fund Checking Beginning Balance 5/31/2013 $1,077.82

General Fund Offering for June 2013 $15,387.00Other General Fund Income June 2013 $860.86Designated Gifts Income June 2013 $2,533.10Simply Giving to BF June 2013 $673.00Benevolence Offering for June 2013 $684.00Building Fund Offering $892.00Total General Fund Income for June 2013 $21,029.96

General Fund Expenses/Transfers for June 2013 -$23,034.88(a complete listing of GF expenses can be found in the church office)

General Fund Balance June 30 2013 -$927.10Transfer from Neetz Bequest 6/30/13 $5,000.00General Fund Balance End of June 30 2013 $4,072.90

Building Fund Checking Beginning Balance 5/31/2013 $3,011.38

Building Fund Offering & other income for June 2013 $1,565.00

Building Fund Expenses for June 2013 -$1,402.15

Building Fund Checking Ending Balance June 30 2013 $2,789.23

Total Estimated GF Bills & transfers July 2013No business meeting held in July

Total estimated BF expenses for July 2013 Estimated expense report not prepared

Issues:

1) $250 to GF, $100 to Mower Fund & $100 BF memorial received from WELCA

2) $1,564.50 rec'd in June for Mower Fund; $30 rec'd for Thrivent Builds campaign

3) $50,640.88 was rec'd on 6/12/13 from the estate of Earl Henuber.This bequest was undesignated.However, it hasbeen deposited into the Designated Gifts account until it's use has been decided.We thank the Henuber family for remembering the church with this generous gift.

3) We are trying a new offering counting system.All offerings rec'd on a Sunday are counted and deposited into the GF checking. Once the Financial Secretary has confirmed the amounts, the Building Fund offerings will be transferred from GF to BF checking.

4) GF was short again in June. $5,000 was transferred from the Neetz bequest to cover the June shortage and to prepare for payroll tax payments due in July. Neetz bequest balance now at $33,329.37.

Treasurer’s ReportSt. John’s Lutheran Church

June 30, 2013


8/3/2013St. Johns Lutheran Church

July 31, 2013

Account Balances 31-Jul-13General Fund Checking (Includes some BF offering yet to be transferred & $5,000 transfer from Neetz bequest) $640.78Building Fund Checking $3,158.08Petty Cash $113.52Designated Gifts $118,985.23Benner CDs $5,930.33Benner Savings $1,836.43Endowment $129,819.98Mortgage Principal Owed (rate 4.25%; matures 4/9/18) $151,914.53

General Fund Checking Beginning Balance 6/30/2013 $4,072.90

General Fund Offering for July 2013 $13,723.56Other General Fund Income July 2013 $601.63Designated Gifts Income July 2013 $397.00Benevolence Offering for July 2013 $415.00Simply Giving to Building Fund July 2013 $713.00Building Fund Offering July 2013 $594.00Total Income for July 2013 $16,444.19

General Fund Expenses/Transfers for July 2013 -$24,876.31(a complete listing of GF expenses can be found in the church office)

General Fund Balance July 31 2013 -$4,359.22Transfer from Neetz Bequest 7/31/13 $5,000.00General Fund Balance End of July 31 2013 $640.78

Building Fund Checking Beginning Balance 6/30/2013 $2,789.23

Transfer from GF for BF offering for 6/16 thru 6/30 $1,058.00Transfer from GF for Simply Giving BF July 2013 $713.00Building Fund Expenses for July 2013 -$1,402.15

Building Fund Checking Ending Balance July 31 2013 $3,158.08

Total Estimated GF Bills & transfers August 2013 $22,546.63

Total estimated BF expenses for August 2013 $1,557.15

Issues:

1) July Offerings way down. $5,000 transferred from Neetz bequest to cover July expense. Neetz bequest balance is $28,329.37

2) $1,589.50 rec'd to date for Mower Fund; $230 rec'd to date for Thrivent Builds campaign

3) The adjusted rate period w/Young's is over and our oil budget payments have returned to $1,850 per month. Due to our effortsto be more energy concious, our oil usage in the 2012-13 was less by 1125.40 gallons at church & 74.5 gallons at parsonage. We can call Young's to negotiate a lower monthly budget rate if we feel our usage will stay down for the coming season.

Treasurer’s ReportSt. John’s Lutheran Church

July 31, 2013


WORSHIP ATTENDANCE June 23 78 June 30 102July 7 79July 14 106July 21 170July 28 106Aug 4 114Aug 11 98TOTAL 853

FACTS & FIGURES

JUNE/JULY/AUGUST 2013

GENERAL FUND GIVING

Beginning Balance $96,928.32 June 23 4,123.00 June 30 2,383.86 July 7 2,983.00 July 14 3,641.00 July 21 4,105.50 July 28 2,836.00 Aug 4 4,435.63 Aug 11 2,696.00 $124,132.31

Budgeted at $163,582.08 week # 32 -124,132.31 - $39,449.77

BUILDING FUND GIVINGBeginning Balance $7,466.00June 23 510.00June 30 218.00July 7 301.00July 14 290.00July 21 421.00 July 28 240.00Aug 4 392.00Aug 11 297.00 $10,135 .00

Budgeted at $18,088.00 week # 32 -10,135.00 -7,953.00

RECYCLED REFUND CHECKS ARE A PLUS FOR YOUR CHURCH!Our most recent refund check was for $16.63. Your efforts are appreciated both by your church and the environment. This small dollar amount saved 10.42 cubic yards of landfill space. Keep those papers coming to the recycle bin on the church parking lot!

WELCA'S FALL RUMMAGE SALEPlan to join us for WELCA’s Fall Rummage Sale on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, October 22, 23, and 24 in Parish Hall. Lookfor more detailed information regarding set-up, drop-off dates, donations, etc. in October's Newsletter. Drop-off items for sale can be placed under the shed overhang anytime after September 1. Please be sure all items are in strong trash bags or securely packed boxes. Thank you for your participation and support. St. John's WELCA

HOMEBOUND VISITORSIn an effort to provide more regular visitation of our homebound members, Pastor Becky is looking for members of the congregation who are interested in visiting a homebound members. If you agree to serve in this ministry area, you would be assigned one person to visit and the time commitment would be a visit every other month, at a time that works in your schedule. If you are interested in being a homebound visitor, please contact Pastor Becky.

FIRST COMMUNION CLASSES First Communion classes for students in Grades 2-4 will be offered on Saturday, October 19, and Saturday, November 2, from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Students attending must bring a parent with them to each class. Students will then receive their first communion in worship on Sunday, November 10. If you have a student interested in attending the first communion classes, please email Pastor Becky at [email protected]

11St. John’s Lutheran C

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CALENDAR – September 2013SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

1 9:00 Summer Worship Blended Holy Communion

2

Office Closed

310 Staff Mtg.1st day Under the Rainbow Nursery School 6:30 Youth Ministry Mtg.7:30 Council Exec.

4

6 Praise Team

7:30 Chancel Choir

5 6 7

Noon til 6 pmHall Rental

6 pm YPO Camp-out

8 Rally Day God’s Work, Our Hands Sunday 8:30 Contemporary Worship Intergenerational Sunday School Event 9:20 Sunday School (ages 3-Adult) School Packs for Lutheran World Relief 10:30 Traditional Worship

9

7 Council Meets

10

10 WELCA

6-8:30Leadership Night

11

6 Praise Team 7 Confirmation Orientation Meeting

7:30 Chancel Choir

12 13

6:30-7:45 Scouts

14

15 Guest Pastor: Rev. Jennifer Ollikainen 8:30 Contemporary Worship 9:20 Sunday School (ages 3-Adult)10:30 Traditional Worship Coffee Social afterward

16

7 Christian Ed.

7 Evangelism Committee

17 18

Choir Rehearsals

19 20

6:30-7:45 Scouts

21

22 Festival of Harvest Guest Pastor: Larry Guenzel 8:30 Contemporary Worship 9:20 Sunday School (ages 3-Adult)10:30 Traditional Worship YPO Car Wash/Hot Dog/Bake Sale

23 24 25

Choir Rehearsals7 Confirmation7:45 High School Small Group

26 27

6:30-7:45 Scouts

28Heavenly Helpers lv. for Mississippi

4 Wedding Away Krewson-Keller

29 8:30 Contemporary Worship 9:20 Sunday School (ages 3-Adult)10:30 Traditional Worship

30

7 Worship & Music

October 1 Youth Ministry 7 pmOctober 6World Wide CommunionWELCA Thank Offering SundayBlessing of the Animals Service 3 pm

Deadline for October Newsletter Articles: September 15


What a fast summer that was?!? I wonder if that old adage that ‘years go faster as we get older’ is correct. Certainly seems that way.

Heavenly Helpers did not stop this summer. We again offered our hoagie sales for the months of June, July and August. Thank you to all who supported by eating our wares and also to those who helped build them. We’ve even been pulling in some of our members who usually just eat to help while some of the team actually went on vacation. We always have a good time going through the assembly line. Of course, as always we try to put fun in all we do. We find that smiles and joy certainly add to the meaning of what we are doing.

Our next trip is September 28-October 6, returning to Mississippi. We haven’t been there for few years now and have a need to see to those who are still struggling from Katrina, Isaac and more recent storms. We wanted to go to Moore, OK, but they are not yet ready to house “out-of-state” volunteers so we have moved that trip to spring. By then I know we will be able to find housing.

Anyone wanting to join us for the trip to Mississippi in September, please let me know. There is still a need in Mississippi for recovery work. You might think they should be back to order by now. After all, Joplin, New Orleans and other places of disaster seem to have their act together. What we need to remember is Katrina was our first really big disaster and their local and our national governments were not prepared. I think we, as a nation, are so much better prepared for natural disasters. Good thing, because we have not seen the last of them. Anyway, New Orleans was part of Katrina but New Orleans is a huge tourist city. Ocean Springs, Pasqucoula, and other cities along the Mississippi gulf are not. And to make it more devastating—these people have lived there their whole lives—many are elderly and very

very poor. Not good combinations. We are their only hope and the last few years, we have been called to go to other areas. I’m very happy to go back to Mississippi. I’m praying we will be working on the last of the houses still in disrepair.

Locally, we have been helping a family in the area and will be helping the Vets for Vets housing project in Pennsburg this fall. I will let you know more about that when I get some dates. Right now Home Depot is in there helping. After I heard what they are doing for this project, I’m thinking we may have to look at the gift cards we take with us on our trips a bit closer and show a little more support to Home Depot. It’s so encouraging when you see a large corporation take the time for such a worthy project.

October 13 is our basket raffle. The bins to collect goodies are in the narthex and parlor. Please add to it if you get the chance. Since, we have all been hit a bit by the economy, we are thinking of having less baskets this year and make the ones we have a little bigger. So, how can you help?--if you think of a theme, start it going. Then watch the bins, see what’s in there and what can be added to make it a more exciting basket. Or, if you are able, make up a basket by either putting the theme items in a bag and we will assemble the basket for you or tell me how big of a basket you need and I will find one for you. Everyone has been so supportive by bringing their winning baskets back for us to reuse. We will be putting the baskets together in September so we can have some time to get those tickets in the bags. Whether we have lots of baskets or larger baskets, please know we use every penny for mission.

As always, thanks to all of you who help make Heavenly Helpers possible.

Elaine Keller215.262.5366 or [email protected]

Heavenly Helpers

Pick up St. John’s Year End Report in the church office.

SEPTEMBER WORSHIP SCHEDULE 2013CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP SCHEDULE

DATE GREETER READER USHERS AUDIO COMMUNIONASSISTANTS

Sept. 1 9 a.m.

Summer Worship Schedule

Sept. 88:30 a.m.

Jill Gray Lindsay Detwiler Stan & Cleta Landis Jason Detwiler

Sept. 158:30 a.m.

Hank & Wendy Clare Hank Clare Hank & Wendy Clare Bob Kemmerer

Sept. 228:30 a.m.

Tina Hersh Christine Ciesielka Soffa Family Jason Detwiler

Sept. 298:30 a.m.

Sara Shellaway Alex Grande Marcia & Alex Grande Bob Kemmerer

October 68:30 a.m.

Jason Detwiler

TRADITIONAL WORSHIP SCHEDULE

DATE RECEPTIONISTSLesson

READERPsalm Reader

ACOLYTE/CRUCIFER NURSERY USHERS

Sept. 1 9 a.m. Barb Klees Matthew Hoh Sarah Soffa/

Leslie Soffa This roomis available

eachSunday

during the service.There is audio.

Parents arerequested to remain

WITH theirchildren.

Team #C 1 Ray Moats, L. Loughery, Paulette Moats

Sept. 810:30 a.m.

Meagan & Kathleen Hutt

M. LaessigS. Kirkwood

Maison Jabs/Jacob Irvin

Team # 7 Lin Diehl, Janet Keyser Doris and Herb Blair, Sr.

Sept. 1510:30 a.m.

Meagan & Lynsey Quinn

C. SweeneyDennis Krauss

Dominic DiDio/Dan Crum Team # 9 Hank and Wendy Clare

Sept. 2210:30 a.m.

Ro Hartzell Hope Long

C. ChepakMary Jane Dzurenda

Tori Faust/Trevor Faust

Team # 11 MaryJane Dzurenda, Kristie Faust, Susan McNeill and Justine Quinn

Sept. 2910:30 a.m.

Mary Jane DzurendaTina Hersh

T. HunsbergerW. Hunsberger

Mitch Jellen/L. Loughery

Team # 10 Dave Lewis, Linda Lewis Richard and Janemarie Connell

Oct. 610:30 a.m.

Sandra GraberKathy Weidner

Alyssa GeganLinda Quinque Team #C4 Erika Haldeman, Tina Hersh, Joan

Miller and Cathy Sweeney

DATE AUDIO COMMUNIONASSISTANTS OFFERING TEAM ALTAR GUILD

Sept. 19 a.m. Jason Detwiler Christine Ciesielka Ray Moats –Leader

for September

This responsibilityis presently being

done on a monthly schedule by 4 teams.

Emily and Amy RyanCassondra, Robert and Kellie Sowden

Sept. 810:30 a.m. Chris Appold

Sept. 1510:30 a.m. Rick Berry

Sept. 2210:30 a.m. Chris Appold

Sept. 2910:30 a.m. Chris Appold Mary Jane Dzurenda, Susan McNeill

Oct. 610:30 a.m. Rick Berry TBA Barry Long - Leader

Communion Set-up: Jenny and Lauren Reineke, Wanda and Travis HunsbergerGlass Washing: Diane Appold and Arlene Culp


BIRTH May 27 - son Hunter Mason, to Brian and Devon (Schaffer) Lynn

BAPTISMSJune 30 - Chase Thomas, son of Christopher and Laurie(LeBleu) Vaszily. The sponsors are George and Carol Vaszily.

July 21 - Bella Grace, daughter of Daniel and Jennifer (Nolan) Caciolo. The sponsor is Jamie Caciolo. Bobbi Elizabeth, daughter of John and Kristen (Berry) Maciejewski. The sponsors are Heather Heacock and Ryan Maciejewski. July 28 - Danielle Lauren, daughter of William and Ashley (Watt) Cush. The sponsors are Catherine Cush andBenjamin Arnold.

WEDDING ANNIVERSARIESOver the years, it has been our privilege to congratulate members who have reached the milestones of 50 and 60 or 60 plus years of marriage. Please inform the office with your special date if you have been missed!

OFF TO COLLEGE!Some of our most recent grads off to college:

Elizabeth Allebach -- Lebanon Valley CollegeKatherine Allebach -- Susquehanna UniversityShelby Reinert -- Shippensburg UniversityBrendan Fitzgerald -- Clarion UniversityCarver Loughery -- The College of William & Mary, Law SchoolAlex Tomlison -- University of PA (Master’s)

We wish them well in their new surroundings and in their intellectual growth!

SHUT-INS BIRTHDAYSSept. 15 Hazel Hoot 12 Lutheran Home Drive Rm 110 Telford, PA 18969

HOSPITAL INFORMATIONMembers who most recently returned home are:

John Schirk and Barbara Snyder

If a member of your immediate family is hospitalized, please call Pastor Becky or the office.

Just as a reminder -- The Federal HIPPA Regulations put certain restrictions on what is now considered private information. In keeping with these regulations -- the office can no longer print information passed on by a third party. Hospitalizations and deaths need to be verified by the patient, spouse, adult child or a parent. We thank you for your understanding. Also, please remember that most hospitals will not release room number information to the church secretary unless, the patient has given permission.

DEATHSJuly 11 Laura Piston July 12 Martha WaltersJuly 16 Lorraine BarndtJuly 29 Eugene Kulp

We express our deepest Christian Sympathy to each of these families and remember them in prayer as they continue through the grieving process.

Kenneth Brumbaugh1 Moorelands StWindsor, CT 06095-3127

Elliott & Audrey Davis 717 Elmwood PTAurora, OH 44202-7309

Lori Goodz 310 Camp Green Lane Rd Green Lane, PA 18054

Michael Hutt 34 Heffner RdRoyersford, PA 19468

Shannon Renninger 3420-4 Louisa StreetPittsburg, PA 15213

Tara Stichter623 Rhoads AveBoyertown, PA 19512

Tasha Umstead 591 De Narvaez DriveLong Boat Key, Fl 34228

ADDRESS CHANGES

Please remember to remove the names of deceased members from your directory.


A Stewardship Minute

Parish Publishing, LLC (888) 320-5576 www.parishpublishing.org

SEPTEMBER 2013 Christopher Chapman died in 1680 and his burial stone is in Westminster

Abbey in London. Etched in that stone are the words that describe the way Christopher tried to live:

What I gave, I have. What I spent, I had. What I left, I lost by not giving it. In those words it is clear that he felt most fulfilled in his life when he lived

as a giver. What he gave he had, because it came back to him multiplied. What he left behind he lost because he couldn’t take it with him … and he could have given rather than having left it. There is a very practical side to this story.

A pastor was visiting an old man whose wife had just died. During the conversation the husband told the pastor that his wife left a gift for the church in her will. It was not a large amount, just over a thousand dollars. Of course, the pastor was pleased that the woman had remembered the needs of the church in her will. Two nights later the pastor told the church board that the improvements in the parsonage had cost about one thousand dollars over the budget. Just as the board members began to wonder if the treasury had enough money to meet the need, the pastor told them about the gift, which would more than take care of the overrun. Suddenly each of the board members began to smile. The problem was solved. Prayer: Dear Lord, every good thing on earth has come from you. Accept our profound gratitude for your indescribable goodness. In Jesus' name. Amen

Inspiring a deeper understanding of true giving An introduction of Stewardship to the congregation

A Stewardship Minute is available to subscribers of Stewardship at www.parishpublishing.org. Simply click on the “Parish Resource Center” and log in using with your account number (Username) and zip code (Password), both of which can be found on the invoice or mailing label.

Non-Profit OrganizationU.S. Postage P A I DBOYERTOWN, PAPermit No. 11

ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH3104 Main Street, P.O. Box 255Sumneytown, PA 18084-0255

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTEDPLEASE DO NOT DELAY DATED MATERIALMailed: August, 2013

Label Here

The next Leadership Night will take place on Tuesday, September 10, from 6:00-8:30 p.m. In an effort to promote open communication and sharing, the church council invites all committee chairs, members of the committees, ministry groups and the entire congregation to join us in a conversation about our ministry together here at St. John’s. The schedule for the evening is as follows:

6:00-6:45 – Dinner

6:45-7:00 – Brief Devotion Time

7:00-7:30 – Communications at St. John’s

7:30-8:15 – Fall Event Conversation and Planning

8:15-8:30 – What’s next??

Leadership NightA night of open communication and sharing

Documents

PUBLISHED IRREGULARLY St. John 08ISSUE · is Thy Faithfulness”, “How Great Thou Art”, “It Is Well with My Soul”, and “When In Our Music God is Glorified”. • Songs