Rally Day & Backpack Blessing, Sept. 8

Calling all Sunday School students!

We’ll be back in session on Sunday, September 8. We’ll start at 9:30 a.m. during the worship service by blessing your backpacks, asking the Lord to be with you through the school year. Then our first Sunday School class for the fall will be at 10:45 a.m.

Join us as we learn and grow together!

Elaine Luoma

Sunday School

Picnic on the River, Sept. 1st

What better thing to do on Labor Day week-end than a pic-nic with our church family?! Join us on Sunday, Sept. 1st for a Picnic on the River followed by our final Worship on the River this season! Meet at the riverside pavilion at 5:30 p.m. Bring a

side dish or dessert to share and a lawn chair if you have one! We will provide hamburgers and hotdogs.

Mark your Calendars! Potluck Supper & Candy Bar Bingo Friday, Sept. 20

St. Paul’s United Methodist Church West Deptford, NJ

September-October 2019

Prayers: Harriet Lawson needs our prayers (Joyce); Travel mercies for those on vacation or traveling for any reason (anon)

Health Concerns: Friends Maude P. and Joanne K. health issues, Gwen lost fos-ter son, Rosemarie S. fell & broke hip and wrist, Dave w/ back pain & Sandy, health problems (Denise); Linda Schnei-der, medical problems (Lillian); My dad Nick having heart surgery on Aug 30th /Dave Jones had back surgery/ Barb Jones had a bad fall recovering at home (Jeanette); Ed Carson, Bernice’s brother, in hospital with health prob-lems (Patty); Prayers for a dear friend having medical tests (Nancy); Donna Ski/Prayers for the families of both Ken Hartman & John Stephanik on their passing (PD); Sandy Daws not feel-ing well, Harriet Lawson & Donna Ca-rilli w/ medical problems (Lillian); Midge Adhers very ill, needs prayers (Joyce);

Praise: Rick Barker is home after 3 stents, Thank you for Prayers (Sandi & Mike); Praise for the birth of another great niece, Mom & baby are great (Kathie); Harriet - Thanks to the An-chor class for the flowers and everyone for their prayers & cards (Lillian)

Every week: All those in need, unspoken requests, all servicemen/women, our nation and leaders.

Ongoing Prayer Concerns: Joyce N., Mendez Family: Christina, Asante, Julian & Arianna; Felicia A, Vanessa M, Garry & Peg P, Diane W, Samm S, Hope T, Gerry M, Barbara B, Chris S, Janet B, Betty C, Terry D, Harriet H, Annisia M, Rachel & Regina, Helen R, Corey T.

Serving in the Military: Daniel D, Rachel R, Gabby T, Ed S, Jo-seph B, Taylor P, James Thomas A, Jr., Kailey R, Jaime Dan S, Brandon H, Chris Y.

Shut-Ins & Nursing Home Residents Jean K, Jackie Z, Bertie C, Harriet H, Ron & Eve C, Betty C.

2 Sept./October 2019 Lamplighter

SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS &

ANNIVERSARIES

1 – Jacqueline Clement 2– Colin Grassia 7– Kelly Kinley 7– Dawn Moore 9– Heather Cooper

Hudgins 9– Doris DuBois 9– Margaret Gogolin 10– Angel Cosme 10– Sean Favretto 10– Gregory Hamilton 10– Judy Muhlbauer 11– Alice Kern 11– Ellie Luoma 12– Mario DiVento 12– Samm Smith 13– Bill Blair 13– Kyle DuBois 13– Jeff Jones 13– Ryan Moore 13– Pat Strockbine 13– Christian White 14– Rebecca Gibson

Eller 14– Danielle Ferrara 14– Tommy Gittinger 14– Rachel & Douglas

Merckx 18– Ginny & Rich

Gibson 19– Sandy Daws 19– Kathie & Mike

Spellman 19– Matthew Weber 19– Tom White 20– Dana & Steve

Kovack 21– Casey Kovack

21– Amanda Strock Kaiser

22– Jason Gittinger 22– Mary Ann & Larry

Jones 24– Diane Favretto 26– Gwen Jones 27– Michelle Black 28– Don Black 28– Brian Cooper 28– Olivia Ferrara 28– Sandy & Jack

Spellman 28– Jaclyn Weber

OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS &

ANNIVERSARIES

1– Ron Cervantes 1– Michelle & Kevin

Wright 2– Brooke Zirbser 3– Jeff & Danielle

Matlack 3– Nathaniel Weisser 4– Merrilee Chappell 4– Ashley Dugan 5– Sandi DiLeo 5– Nancy Huebshman 5– Gina Leonardo 5 - Jill Galka 7– Don Davis Jr. 7– Rich & Gerrie Lynn

Dyal 8 – Victor Ferrara 9– Doug & Denise

Brown 9– Sally Jordan 9– Jessica Keegan 9– Heather Strockbine 11– Aubrey McLaughlin

11– Bob Rowand 11– Scott Weems 12– Leisa Keegan 12– LeighAnne Richman 13 – Brooklyn Gittinger 13– Carl “CJ” Kinley 13 – Anthony Panetta 14– Chris McGee 14– Lillian Quillin 15– Janet Brown 16– Heather Jones 17– Jacqueline Gullifer 17– Ann & Jay Hamel 17– Elliemae Rutter 17– William Rutter 18– Jennifer Barger 18– Christina & Ed

Yurick 20– Rich & Carol

Grossman 20– Mark & Evett

Heffernan 21– Cindy Fifis 21– Delaney Yurick 22– Donald Gortowski 22– Dana Kovack 25– Rori Beidle 25– Danielle Brown 27– Rich & Diane

Favretto 28– Bertie Cast 28– Debbie Richman 28– Cheri Clement 29– Sharon & Gary

Rutter 29– Hillary Toppin 30– Joe Bryan Jr. 30– Kathy Schanne 31– Jack Heritage

Staff Editor: Trista C Jones

Assistant Editor: Denise Hosier

Regular Contributors: Pastor Dave, Gary Rutter, Ruth Schultz,

Carol Strock, Sunday School

Production: Trista C Jones

The Lamplighter is published bimonthly, in Jan., March, May, July, Sept. & Nov. Deadline is the 15th of the month preceding publication. For more info

contact Trista C Jones or email admin@stpaulsthorofare.com.

THELAMPLIGHTER Bimonthly Newsletter of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church PO Box 125, West Deptford, NJ 08086 Pastor: Rev. Dave Delaney Phone (856) 845-6638 E-mail pastor@stpaulsthorofare.com Sunday Morning Worship .............. 9:30 a.m. Sunday School .................................. 10:45 a.m.

evening in June. Are they chairs that have been emptied forever or are they chairs ready to be filled? As I walked around our sanctuary the other day looking at our pews, the same thought came to me, since we have not yet achieved our goal of 130 unique individuals in the pews every week for worship this past year. September’s new school year also represents a new “church year” of possibilities. Are you with me in wanting to strengthen and grow our church so that we can be secure in our mission in this community and the world in the years to come? If your answer is yes, I need your help to get more people in the pews and more participants in our Bible Studies and mission programs. 130 is a very realistic number for Sunday mornings … Wednesday Bible studies with 10 to 20 people in each class can happen … our online TUNE UP Bible Studies on Tuesday mornings at 8 and evenings at 9:30 can easily handle 15 people in each online class. Imagine the strength of St. Paul’s future, as other churches slowly fade away, if we could get those numbers this year. Sunday School will be back in session this month and wouldn’t it be great to have the 85 children who came to Vacation Bible School joining us every

Lamplighter September/October 2019 3

Jesus said, “I have spoken these things to you while I am with you. The Companion, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I told you.” John 14:25-26

Another summer … and what a summer for St. Paul’s! EIGHTY-FIVE children experienced God and Christ, perhaps for the very first time in their young lives! More than 50 volunteers stepped up to ensure that VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL WORKED at our church! Joy and energy filled St. Paul’s!! Our RED BIRD MISSION TEAM brought the light of Jesus Christ and God’s love blended with St. Paul’s unique loving spirit to Kentucky. We made a difference in the lives of Mr. Otis, Kathy and Calvin, Miss Susie and Suzanne, and Miss Thelma and her family of five. Energized FAITH and ACTIONS blended with joy! Summer started with a fantastic joy-filled FAMILY PROMISE week! We are providing weekly meals to one of our beautiful members who is stuck at home due to illness. Our Bible studies and worship services have been joined by people around the world. And in contrast to all too many churches, the church we call home is active and growing rather than fading away into the sunset of the season. WORSHIP at the RIVER brought us up close to God’s presence in creation, and hopefully our FAITH and ACTIONS sermon series challenged you into deciding how God can use you in service to others. Welcome to another September! The photo is from my high school’s front lawn. A lot of empty chairs from an

Sunday to learn more about God and Christ? It would require all of us to invite families to church. Right now we already have a need for a couple of additional adult volunteers to help in our Sunday School classrooms… Are you one of them? Would we be ready if those 85 children from VBS walked through the doors with their parents excitedly interested in learning more about Jesus and God? We are going to try to start a youth group for teens; will you support us by

inviting teens or stepping up to help? My new sermon series, ‘Building my Faith; a Workout for Life,’ is being designed to give each of us faith tools to get stronger, but it takes your investment of ‘time sharing’ with God. Church only works when the church family is ready and willing to grow in faith while discovering new ways to serve God. We can’t predict where any of us will be in the coming days but as of this moment we are all part of an awesome church whose summer was a busy one. Right around the corner we have Sunday School classrooms to fill and Family Promise slots to fill. I believe that the people of St. Paul’s, whose love for all is known far beyond Church Street, are ready and willing to do what it takes … FAITH and ACTIONS, friends …

FAITH and ACTIONS!

Blessings!

Pastor Dave

4 September/October 2019 Lamplighter

Outreach

Welcome to the new Fall Season. Hope you enjoyed your hot & humid summer; now it is time to start anew and kick back into gear with mission activities.

Upcoming Mission Projects & Offerings

• September Our first Sunday offering

(Sept 1) will benefit Shared Ministries

On the third Sunday (Sept 15) the offering will

benefit Ranch Hope Inc.

Ranch Hope for Boys and Victory House for Girls are United Meth-odist ministries for trouble youths.

• October Our first Sunday offering

(Oct 6) is for World Communion Sunday

Our third Sunday (Oct 20) will be supporting Urban Promise

Urban Promise provides aid to children and teens in Camden with after-school programs that aid academic success.

SAVE THE DATE - • Wendy’s Night is Oct 17th,

5-8pm • New Beginnings UMC of

Northern Camden meal prep & serve is at 1pm, Sunday October 20th

As always, thank you all for supporting our Projects.

Ruth Schultz

Eight members of St. Paul’s spent a week at the Red Bird Mission, located in the nation’s poorest county. They helped the people who live there experience a safer and healthier life through work on their homes. The work of missions teams is directly connected to God’s

charge for us to go into the world and shine the Light of Christ! The team put a roof on Otis’s double-wide in the Appalachian Mountains in Kentucky. Thanks to all who contribut-ed to cover ex-penses. The costs included a

van rental and gas plus tolls, plus $375 for each person on the trip for their costs and construction supplies at Red Bird. We still need a few contributions, so feel free to give at any time and mark your donation “Red Bird.” Thank you so much for your support of this mission trip!

Red Bird Team Helps our Kentucky Neighbors

Our team left on August 4 at 4 a.m. and returned Saturday, August 10. They partnered with Central United Methodist Church’s team. Mary Ann Jones was the “team leader.”

A BIG SPLASH! We really enjoyed dunking Pastor Dave, Mary Ann Jones, and our District Superintendent Myrna Bethke.

Tickets were sold to raise money for the Red Bird Mission Trip.

Thanks to Mary Ann for organizing!

Lamplighter September/October 2019 5

WORSHIP AT THE RIVER had another great summer, with fun music and inspiring messages. If you get this in time, join us on the Sunday of Labor Day Weekend for a picnic & final service!

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

Chicken BBQ Dinner Sunday, Oct. 20 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Advance tickets $10 See Sharon Rutter or

Denise Hosier

Join the Choir! Worship Team

We’d like to invite anyone who likes to sing, no experience required, to join our choir at St. Paul’s.

Rehearsal is every Thursday at 7 p.m. beginning on Thursday, September 26. Come any Thursday. We always look forward to an exciting music filled year!

Music is a very powerful ministry, and we work hard to make the music in our church lift, enrich, and inspire. We believe in Christ-centered music, fellowship, friendship and most importantly, the sharing of the gospel of Christ through music in worship. Music speaks a universal language and facilitates real Christian celebration.

6 September/October 2019

It is our hope that our music provides a way for people to connect with Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord. Every-one who participates in our music ministry is challenged to grow in Christ and to experience God’s

unconditional love through the love of music that we all share. No matter what your age or ability, we have opportunities for you to be involved in our music ministry! So join in and celebrate!

HYMN SING was a time of joy and sharing our favorites. Thanks to Patty Fish for playing, Dave Fish for leading, and Ellie Luoma for playing our offertory, “All You Need Is Love.”

Lamplighter September/October 2019 7

SURPRISE!

In July a special moment of love happened before

church started. A surprise visitor brought

joy in worship, Gloria’s grandson Vincent!

When a church family

is loving and welcoming joy-filled moments occur

all the time!

UNDIE SUNDAYS: Seeds of Hope Ministries in Camden is an organization that helps the

homeless, men and women reentering life from prison (and

their children), and women who have drug issues or are on the street. Just in time for back

to school, we collected new underwear, socks, sports bras,

onesies and pajamas for children who have a mom or

dad in prison. Thanks to Chris Taylor for organizing this!

VBS Smiles at Rolling River Rampage

Family Promise returns from Sept. 15th - 22nd Help is needed in all areas!!

* Drivers, am & pm * Meals * Overnighters *Evening Fellowship

Please sign up to help with this important ministry!

8 September/October 2019 Lamplighter

ROARING RIVER RAMPAGE We had an incredible Vacation Bible School program that packed the church not only with 85 children but with volunteers of all ages.