St. John’s Messenger

Volume 96, Issue 3 March 16, 2016

Ready to Consider Another Wayto Serve Jesus?

Dear St. John’s Church family and friends,

We have had the blessing here at St. John’s of a number of folks who have been taking communion to members who have had difficulty attending worship. As I have visited with homebound members, they have expressed to me much gratitude and thanks for this special ministry to them. I write to thank all of you who give of yourselves so more of God’s children can receive Christ’s Holy Sacrament on a monthly basis.

The Holy Spirit has placed on my heart an idea to expand this good ministry by broadening its possibilities. Are you, for example, gifted and ready to serve as a regular visitor to folks in our congregation who would welcome it? Do you see yourself gifted in writing and/or leading our weekly prayers? Might you feel called to serve in youth ministry, additional responsibilities in worship, or perhaps you have been thinking about our home communion ministry as well and would like to serve as an additional servant in that ministry? Maybe you’d like to consider communion ministry but can’t commit to monthly service? How about a brainstorming team about what we might want to consider for our future at St. John’s?

There are many possibilities for you to offer yourselves in addition to worship and committee work and general leadership. I would love to hear your own ideas about how God might have been guiding your gifts. To that, I invite you to a conversation about where God is leading us together.

If the Spirit nudges you toward something new that you can offer – please call me (768-6705; or 473-3770) – or talk w/ me at church – or email me prpat@ptd.net – to share your interest. You can also call (or email) Sue in the church office (473-3770) and express your interest. I would like to take this group to the next step and schedule a relaxed time when we can explore the possibilities together.

I’m thinking perhaps of a Friday evening in May – sharing pizza and snacks – and hearing where the Spirit has enlightened you. If training is needed, we could spend the summer preparing and fine-tuning our new ministries, and ready to offer ourselves as the Spirit leads us.

Pray about this. Share your interest. I’d love to hear from you.

And – by the way – this has a precedent in the early Church.When the apostles served a growing church and they needed help for all the day to day tasks before them, they called the Church to appoint deacons to serve the needs they could not do alone. That is where the title, “deacon,” first appeared.

Perhaps we’ll call this a new deacons ministry at St. John’s – but we’ll leave that to the Holy Spirit as well.

God bless your discerning.

See you in church!

Pastor Pat

“The twelve (apostles) summoned the full number of the disciples and said, ‘It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve (other needs of the community).

Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven (people) of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to

the ministry of the word.’”Acts 6:2-4

What is God’s Mission at St. John’s?

We are called to serve Jesus Christ our Lord: By responding with love and compassion to human needs

Faithfully sharing the Gospel Working for peace

And growing in unity with all Christians

Invitation to Participate in a Mission Trip:

Lutheran congregations in our area are planning a mission trip to New Jersey the week of July 10 through the 14. We will be doing repairs and continuing cleanup from Hurricane Sandy. Folks age 14 and up are invited to join us!

You need a willingness to work – no special training needed – and to help others who have gone through a very difficult time in their lives. If you have special construction skills, we will have lots of room for your expertise, too!

The cost of the trip will be $20 per night plus the cost of food. We will probably leave after worship on Sunday and return that Thursday night.

If this sounds like something the Lord might be calling you to do – call the church office (473-3770), or see Pastor Pat. We can get you connected to the process and what you’ll need to do to register.

Don’t forget to stay tuned to the mission statement finalists to be announced on Easter Sunday!!!!

Do you ever wish you could pick the hymns we sing on Sunday? Wishing and hoping for a favorite hymn? This is YOUR chance to choose!!!

This summer, in the months of June, July, and August, we will be singing favorite hymns of our members for our opening and closing hymns. We need to know which ones to use – and that’s where you come in. Submit your favorite hymns to Sue in the church office (570-473-3770) between now and the first of May.

As the choices come in, we’ll be planning to use them for hymn singing, for additional music in our worship service, as well as for our summer “pick-up” choir we’ll be including once a month in June, July, and August.

So get those choices in – and don’t miss the opportunity to hear your favorite this summer!

Interested in choir but just too busy to commit every week? Join our summer “pick-up” choir!

This summer, with the help of our favorite hymn choices and Bill Jacavage, our gifted music director, we will offer a once-a-month chance for you to sing in our choir – no practice dates, no preparation – you’ll even be able to come forward to sing from the comfort of your regular church pew! (no robe needed, either)

We’ll choose from our favorite hymns list and invite anyone who wishes – all ages, all are welcome – to come forward and sing together.

We’d love to add your voice to God’s heavenly summer chorus at St. John’s. Watch the bulletin/newsletter for the summer choir date in the months of June, July, and August….and bless us with YOUR gift of music!_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Working for God on earth does not pay much, but His Retirement plan is out of this world.

The great lesson is that the sacred is in the ordinary, that it is to be found in one's daily life, in one's neighbors, friends and family, in one's backyard. Abraham Maslow

SERVICE SCHEDULESunday, March 20th

8:00 a.m. and 10:15 a.m.Palm Sunday Service with Communion

Breakfast sponsored by the Scouts – 7 a.m.-Noon

Thursday, March 24th7:00 p.m.

Maundy Thursday Servicewith Holy Communion

Friday, March 25th

7:00 p.m.Good Friday Tenebrae Service

Sunday, March 27th

6:00 a.m. Easter Sunrise Service with Communion

10:15 a.m.Easter Service with Communion

ANNUAL SPRING RUMMAGE AND BAKE SALE

It’s Springtime and time to clean out your closets. We will be taking items for our Rummage Sale beginning April 1st. Items for the rummage sale may be dropped off Monday-Thursday 9 AM-3 PM and Fridays 9 AM-Noon. Please place items to the rear of the stage. NO ELECTRONICS/TVs PLEASE.

Mark your calendar for our annual rummage and bake sale which will be held on

Thursday, April 28 & Friday, April 298:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Saturday, April 308:00-Noon

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Calling all of our terrific bakers!!!! Donations of baked goods for the bake sale can be dropped off in the kitchen on or before Thursday the 28th.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Name _________________________________________ # of Adults _____ # of Children _____

SPAGHETTI DINNER & SKIT

Sunday, April 1011:30 a.m.

(following the late service)

Adults - $7.00Senior Citizen Discount - $6.99 (Must show ID)

Children, ages 5 to 12 - $5.00 ; Children under 5 freeReservations requested – please call Church Office

473-3770 or send in the reservation slip below byMonday, April 4

Menu – spaghetti with/without meatballs; tossed salad with assorted dressings; rolls; applesauce, assorted desserts & drinks

“Church Ladies” Will be presented following the meal. Join us while we meet these

lovely zany ladies.

Amt. Paid _______________ Cash ___ Check # ______

Adults (13 and up) $7.00 Children (5-12 years) $5.00 Children (under 5 years) FreeSenior Citizen Discount - $6.99

Thank you to everyone for your prayers, cards, and well wishes after my recent surgery. And a special “thank you” to Pastor Pat for her hospital and home visits following surgery. Her presence and prayers are comforting and always reassuring.

Karen & Rick Smeltz

NAME CHANGEKathryn’s Kloset has changed its name to Kate’s Kupboard. All other aspects of this outreach ministry will remain the same. The next product distribution is Saturday, March 19th. Product distribution is from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * A special thank you to our Kate’s Kupboard pick up crew – Steve Reed, Howie Paul and Glen Weaver, to Lou VanGilder for product inventory, to Barb Moyer for organizing the products and volunteers, and to all the volunteers who come out and help distribute products.

If anyone is interested in helping out with the pick up crew please see Jim Williams. It takes about one hour once a month.

HISTORY & ARCHIVE COORDINATOR

Interested in church history, like looking through at old archives? Are you a good organizer? Well, we need you!!!

Our current archives are in need of some organization, especially as we are preparing for our 200th anniversary celebration. Most of the materials are housed in the fire proof cabinet in the copy room.

If you are interested in helping with this project, please contact the Church Office.

ACTUAL BUDGETFebruary 2016

Income 16,678.30 19,156.75Y-T-D Income 36,440.24 40,648.50

Expenses 22,320.51 19,964.93Y-T-D Expenses 42,537.95 46,241.36

February Income Less Expense: (5642.21)Y-T-D (6097.71)

OFFERINGS RECEIVEDEnvelope giving needed to meet

budget - $3167.00 weekly

Envelope Offering Received

2-21-16 $3707.002-28-16 $3863.003-6-16 $2977.003-13-16 2366.00

PRAYER REQUEST: Macy Minnier; Joseph Geiser; John Graybill; Budd Feaster; Ian Latsha; Larry Faux; Herbert Faux; Suzanne Musser; MaryAdams; Larry Mensch; Kay Swank; Jim Stahlnecker; Mary Jane and Nelson Hoover; Dorothea Rauch; Ron Cameron; John Brown; GearranJames Graybill; Donald Zearfoss; Glovene Youngkin; Marti Row; Esther Persing; Don Propst; Gary and Rita Lenig; Karen Gerst; Joan Rebuck; Daniel Lyons; Beverly Windus; Betty Leitzel; Marlyn Deihl; Steve and Rose Brungard; Darvin Straub.

HOMEBOUND AND SPECIAL PRAYERS : Karen Smeltz; Dixie Wagner; Jane Ressler; Barb Kiger, Ruth Ramer; Robyn Snyder; Ruth Eleanor McCorkill; Ryder Feaster; Melissa Williams; Lee Bettleyon; William Wagner; Carl Dunkelberger; Doug Manning; Millie Lennon Blyth; Nicholas Chiarkas; Elsie Mae Meehan; Catherine Broome; Peg Feaster; Sally Diehl; Sally Lewis; Kate Billman; Arlet Hummel; Diane Hoffman; Margaret Smith; Joanne Lynch; Lorraine Weaver; Phyllis Gordon; Nancy Hendricks; Fietta Osman; Helen Snyder; Mike Payne; Shirley Wolfe; Carol Diehl; Betty Yerg; Elaine Kohl; Franklin Hoffman; Harold Billman; Tina Pontius; Jan Albertson; June Seebold; John Kistner; Margaret Rantz; Joshua Gordon; Harold Reid; Joyce Shearer; Connie Lahr; Steve Lahr; Zachery Baker; Carol Wilks; Jodi Graybill; Brittany Graybill.

Pray for our military

Logan Brouse; Colton Brouse; Kale Gallo; Wyatt Kohl, Joe Hampton

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS

March 16 Numbers 18:1-7March 17 Hebrews 9:23-28March 18 Exodus 29:38-30:8March 19 Mark 9:14-29March 20 Philippians 2:5-11March 21 Mark 9:38-50March 22 Mark 10:17-22March 23 Mark 10:32-40March 24 Luke 22:7-20March 25 John 19:17-30March 26 Matthew 27:57-66March 27 Luke 24:1-12March 28 Mark 16March 29 Luke 24:13-35March 30 John 21:1-14March 31 Exodus 4:27-31April 1 Mark 4:35-41

April 2 John 20:11-16April 3 Romans 15:7-13April 4 Mark 9:14-29April 5 Luke 11:14-28April 6 Matthew 25:14-23April 7 John 11:17-27April 8 Luke 20:9-17April 9 John 21:15-19April 10 2 Kings 5:1-14April 11 1 Peter 1:22-2:3April 12 Mark 14:3-9April 13 Hebrews 12:1-3April 14 Romans 8:22-27April 15 Hosea 10:1-12April 16 Luke 21:1-4April 17 Matthew 13:10-17April 18 Matthew 26:30-35April 19 Luke 13:34-35

Life After LossWednesdaysMay 4-June 85:00-7:00 p.m.

Hospice of Evangelical Office235 Hospital Drive

Lewisburg

Fee: $20

The program helps participants learn coping techniques to deal with grief and loss. Pre-registration is requested. Please call 570-522-

BISHOP’S OPEN GOLF CLASSICBenefits CampMt. Luther

Monday, May 9, 2016Susquehanna Valley Country Club

Routes 11 & 15Hummels Wharf

Registration and sponsorship form can be picked up in the Church Office. Registration deadline is April 22nd.

Schedule:

11:00 a.m. Registration starts11:30 a.m. Lunch12:30 p.m. Golfing Shotgun Start

SYNOD ASSEMBLY 2016June 17-18

Susquehanna University

This year David and Brenda Herbert will be attending the Synod Assembly as our congregation’s Voting Lay Members.

Any member can attend the Synod Assembly as a visitor. If you are interested in attending, please stop by the Church Office for a registration form. Meals and lodging are available for a nominal fee.

SYNOD ASSEMBLY CHOIR

Adult and highschool singers who would like to sing in the Assembly Choir are invited to joinin providing musicfor the Eucharist on Saturday, June 18, time to be announced.

Two rehearsals will be held at Zion Lutheran Church, Market Street, Sunbury on May 22 and June 5 from 2:00-3:30 p.m.

Stop in the church office for the choir form to fill out and return by May 16.

Did You Know?

Geographically, the synod is divided into six conferences, each represented by a conference dean, conference secretary, and three elected representatives to the Synod Council. The Dean is an ordained minister, elected by the ConferenceAssembly, who facilitates communication among the conference’s rostered leaders, congregations and the synod at large. The Dean also convenes regularmeetings of the conference’s rostered leaders (pastors and rostered lay leaders).In addition, the dean is part of the bishop’s staff, helping the synod office with congregations in the call process. Deans are elected for two-year terms with the possibility of being re-elected once.

Life After LossWednesdaysMay 4-June 85:00-7:00 p.m.

Hospice of Evangelical Office235 Hospital Drive

Lewisburg

Fee: $20

The program helps participants learn coping techniques to deal with grief and loss. Pre-registration is requested. Please call 570-522-

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday

Thursday Friday Saturday1 2

3Worship w/Comm. 8:00 a.m.Sunday School PreK-6 8:45 a.m.Sunday School 9:00 a.m.Worship w/Comm. 10:15 a.m.Dinner reservation due

4TOPS 5:15-6:15 p.m.Daisy/Brownies 6:00 p.m.Cub Scouts 7:00 p.m.

5Tulpehocken Conference @ Rebuck 9:00 a.m.Boy Scouts 6:30 p.m.AA 8:00 p.m.

6Savidge Trust NoonGirl Scouts 6:15-7:15 p.m.Bible Study 7:00 p.m.

7Al-non 7:00 p.m.AA 8:00 p.m.Worship & Music 7:00 p.m.Scout District Committee 7:00 p.m.

8 9Fellowship Hall Reserved

10Worship w/Comm. 8:00 a.m.Sunday School PreK-6 8:45 a.m.Sunday School 9:00 a.m.Worship w/Comm. 10:15 a.m.Spaghetti Dinner & Skit following late service

11TOPS 5:15-6:15 p.m.Daisy/Brownies 6:00 p.m.Cub Scouts 7:00 p.m.Finance 7:00 p.m.

12Troop 325 Committee Meeting 7:00 p.m.Boy Scouts 6:30 p.m.AA 8:00 p.m.

13Girl Scouts 6:15-7:15 p.m.Council Meeting 7:00 p.m.

14Messenger deadline 3:00 p.m.Social Ministry 6:00 p.m.Al-non 7:00 p.m.AA 8:00 p.m.

15 16Fellowship Hall ReservedKate’s Kupboard 9-11:00 a.m.

17Worship w/Comm. 8:00 a.m.Sunday School PreK-6 8:45 a.m.Sunday School 9:00 a.m.Worship w/Comm. 10:15 a.m.

18TOPS 5:15-6:15 p.m.Daisy/Brownies 6:00 p.m.Cub Scouts 7:00 p.m.WELCA 7:00 p.m.

19Pastor @ Synod OfficeBoy Scouts 6:30 p.m.AA 8:00 p.m.

20Messenger folding 9:30 a.m.Girl Scouts 6:15-7:15 p.m.Bible Study 7:00 p.m.

21Anniversary Planning Committee 7:00 p.m.Scout Roundtable 7:00 p.m.Al-non 7:00 p.m.AA 8:00 p.m.

22 23

24Worship w/Comm. 8:00 a.m.Sunday School PreK-6 8:45 a.m.Sunday School 9:00 a.m.Worship w/Comm. 10:15 a.m.

25TOPS 5:15-6:15 p.m.Daisy/Brownies 6:00 p.m.Cub Scouts 7:00 p.m.

26Boy Scouts 6:30 p.m.AA 8:00 p.m.Life Line Screening 9 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

27Girl Scouts 6:15-7:15 p.m.

Set up for Rummage Sale 8:00 a.m.-?

28Al-non 7:00 p.m.AA 8:00 p.m.

29 30

RUMMAGE & BAKE SALE 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.Pastor @ Bishops Retreat, State College

RUMMAGE & BAKE SALE 8:00 a.m.-noon

Service Assistants for April 2016

Date Lector Greeters Communion

Assistants

Bread Ushers Crucifer Acolyte/Torch-bearer

SoundSystem

April 38:00 AM

Pat PropstTom Propst

Mary Rogers

April 310:15 AM

Gail Lehman Mary & Greg Morton

Rebekah AmermanBarb Moyer

Mary RogersMike Erdley

Glen WeaverBrian Cunningham

Mack Fleming

Cecelia Shellenberger

Eryn Swanger Trey Cunningham

April 108:00 AM Jamie Feaster Nancy Erdley

April 1010:15 AM Bob Berry Maryann Berry

Bonnie BerryNancy & Mike

ErdleyNancy Erdley

Doug ManningTom PropstGreg Morton

Frank Hoffman

Brayden Varney

Ian McAllister Bob Berry

April 178:00 AM Sue Billman

Bill Troutman

Lorraine Weaver

April 1710:15 AM Ginny Butler Nancy & Mike

ErdleyTrish Long & Ginny

ButlerLorraine Weaver

Lee MillerKen Reigle

Larry RedingtonTodd Deans

Hanna Long Daniel Lehman Mike Erdley

April 248:00 AM Brenda Herbert

David HerbertLinda

Bingaman

April 2410:15 AM Rachel

AndersonSharon & Mack

FlemingBlaine ShafferDean Siemsen

Linda Bingaman

Trish LongGinny ButlerNancy ErdleyBarb Moyer

Madalynn Sawyer

Cecelia Shellenberger

Lou VanGilder

April 1Denise LitchardJudith Rohland

April 2Corey BillmanTerri DodgeLogan Gallo

April 3Tara AmermanRichard BowmanBecky ConnorAngela Kinsley-Chubb

April 4Gwen NagineyGerald Runyan III

April 5Genna FeathersLindsay Granquist

April 6Jillian Hafer

April 7Larry MillerLouis VanGilder Jr.

April 8Charles HudockRobert Orr

April 9Barb EiselyAaron KnouseLewis LitchardJessica MillerNicole SchollMary ShipeThomas Stover

April 10Beth GinckLaura McWilliamsBarry Moser

April 11Elizabeth KinsleyMiles Krouse Jr.Zachary Reed

April 12Michael GautschDonna Sees

April 14Jennifer ColchadoSandra ShafferHelen Snyder

April 15Catherine BroomeAllen Drumheller

April 16Matt BillmanEvelyn Ruch

April 17Matthew Fasold

April 18Brian BingamanDean Dunkelberger

April 19Heidi KerchoffCole Lynch

April 20Andrea Watt

April 21Margaret CampbellJason DreeseAlexa Snyder

April 22Lindsay PahlGeorge Stuck

April 23Barbara KigerBetty MeiserGary SmithCarl Spigelmeyer III

April 24Curtis BickelKyle BickelNicholas PayneTerry Walker Sr.

April 25Dustin BeaverLee BettleyonZachary FeasterGrace HerroldJoseph MeehanGeorge SpechtGary Steiner

April 26Skyle BadmanJill BahnerCarl Drumheller

April 27Sally SwankJames Williams

April 28Craig Treacher

April 29James Kohler Jr.

April 30Esther Bartholomew

St. John’s Lutheran Church, 300 Queen Street, Northumberland, PA 17857Periodical postage paid at Northumberland, PA.POSTMASTER: Send address change to St. John’s Messenger, 300 Queen Street, Northumberland, PA 17857.

ST. JOHN’S MESSENGER March 16, 2016 Volume 96, Issue 3

St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church 570-473-3770 sjelc300@ptd.net

8:00 a.m. Worship Service with Communion8:45 a.m. Sunday School for Preschool-6th Grade

9:00 a.m. Sunday School 10:15 a.m. Worship Service with Communion

Church Office Hours Mon-Thurs 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Fri 8:30 a.m.-NoonRev. Patricia Pittsnogle, Pastor

William J. Jacavage, Director of Music

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