ST. PAUL LUTHERAN CHURCH WEBSITE: www.stpaullutheranmillersville.org

222 NORTH GEORGE STREET PHONE: 717-872-7392

MILLERSVILLE, PA 17551 EMAIL: stpaulmvl@windstream.net I N S I D E T H I S

I S S U E :

Church Council News

2

Church News & Announce-ments

3

Treasurer’s Report

4

Pastor’s Post

Post

5

Puzzle 6

Camping News 7

March Birthdays

& Among Our

People

8

March Worship

Asst. Schedule

9

The Loft 10

Kid’s Corner &

Puzzles

11

Insert-March

Calendar

ST. PAUL’S LETTER ST. PAUL’S LETTER M A R C H 2 0 1 7

S P E C I A L P O I N T S

O F I N T E R E S T :

Girl Scout Sunday

Plant Sale

Bread n’ Broth

Our life is like the dial of a clock. The hands are

God’s hands, passing over and over again —

the short hand of discipline and the long hand

of mercy. Slowly and surely, the hand of

discipline must pass, and God speaks at each

strike. But over and over passes the hand of

mercy, showering down sixtyfold of blessing for

each stroke of discipline or trial. And both

hands are fastened to one secure point: the

great, unchanging heart of a God of love.

—Virginia Brandt Berg

GOD’S HAND

S T . P A U L ’ S L E T T E R

Page 2

Council Highlights

On Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Congregational Council held its regular

monthly meeting. The following items were

among those discussed:

Pastor Mentzer reported:

Entries for the Lenten Booklet have been

submitted. Printing should be accomplished

for the scheduled distribution.

Paperwork has been received for a

$20,000.00 bequest from the estate of

Darlene Ford.

As Lent approaches some arrangements

must be made to coordinate the MU

Wednesday evening suppers with the Bread

and Broth gatherings.

Adult Ed Committee reported:

There are 11 Sunday’s left before summer

break and 11 chapters left in the current

book. This has proven to be a very popular

program. A new series will begin in the fall.

Property Committee reported:

The Fire Exit was serviced.

Lighting in the sanctuary is in need of

updating.

A request was received from the Election

Board to use St. Paul as a polling place.

After considering the list of requirements

for time and space the committee decided

to decline this use of the building.

The committee is checking into the cost of

trash haulers.

Carl Bruce will investigate louvers for the

Bell Tower to help keep out debris.

Fellowship Committee reported:

Committee has set the dates for Bread and

Broth

Initial plans are underway for Easter Brunch

Children’s Ministry Committee

reported:

Vacation Bible School will be held July

16-20th

There will be two students in the

Confirmation Class next year. Some

alternative teaching strategies are

being investigated

Ideas were brainstormed for a

reorganization of the Sunday School

program as numbers of both students

and teachers are down.

Worship and Music Committee

reported:

The organ has been repaired. It was an

electrical problem

There are 3 openings on Altar Guild

Discussion was begun concerning

flower arrangements for Easter

Page 3

ST. PAUL’S LETTER

CHURCH NEWS

&

ANNOUNCEMENTS

CHILDREN & YOUTH MINISTRY INFORMATION & UPDATES:

Children and Youth Ministry is in need of a chair person. Please see Tricia Landis if you are interested.

The Millersville Senior Center that meets at St.

Paul is holding a sub sale to benefit a bus trip. Subs are

$4.00 each. Sub sales will continue

throughout the year. If you are interested, please call

the church office at 872-7392 for more details.

OUR FIRST LENTEN “BREAD ‘N BROTH” SUPPER WILL BE HELD ON WED., MARCH 8TH AT 6 PM IN THE ALL SAINTS/FELLOWSHIP HALL. This will be followed by a Vesper Service at 7 pm in the Sanctuary. We will continue Bread & Broth on March 15, 22, 29 and April 5. If you are interested in contributing soup or bread, please see the sign-up sheet in the Narthex. Again this year, we strive to have a light Lenten meal.

Questions? See Bruce Thens or Joan LeFever

BREAD N’ BROTH

SUPPERS TO BEGIN

ON MARCH 8TH

The first Concert Series for 2017 will be

May 7th at 3PM at St. Paul Lutheran

Church. The concert will feature Joe

Holt and Beth McDonald.

More to follow closer to the time……...

GIRL SCOUT SUNDAY is March 12, 2017. St. Paul’s welcomes Girl Scout

Troops 70167 and 71523 who will be assisting with our worship service.

There will also be refreshments provided and Girl Scout cookies for

sale.

Mark your calendars---we will have our 3rd annual spring plant sale

on Saturday, May 6, 2017. Please contact Karen Napier at

717-405-9083 if you are able to help Friday or Saturday. Order

forms will be available prior to the sale.

Page 4

ST. PAUL’S LETTER

Finance Update:

Mortgage balance Jan month end $271,929.15

Income $18,001.00 vs Expenses $17,842.38 for January

Thank you,

The Finance Committee

CHURCH NEWS

St. Paul Family,

Barry and I thank you for the wonderful Cheer Basket. They certainly

bring cheer to the recipients! All of the “goodies” were delicious!! We

thank all who had a part in the Cheer Basket process. Pastor Fisher deliv-

ered ours and visited with us. We appreciate his visit very much.

This has been a difficult time for us, to say the least. We are definitely on

“the mend” and doing much better.

Thank you all, Patty & Barry Leed

THANK YOU NOTE

To My Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

At 97, I should be addressing you as “My Sons and Daughters” but only in family would

the members plan and execute such an awesome surprise and honor to one of the least

of them on her special day. My heartfelt gratitude for each wish and gesture in

celebration of a long journey. It has been challenging especially health wise, but with

faith and God given strength and courage and humility; so each day is met with

gratitude for the love and respect of a special family. May each of you have a life of

quiet joy in many days of kindnesses and love in service to many as you have given me.

Thank you.

Ann Rannels

A note from

Ann...

CALLING ALL HANDBELL RINGERS

All ages:: Grade 5 to ?? Tall or Short/Strong or Weak. No Experience

Necessary.

Rehearsals: Beginning Thursday, March 2, 2017 from 7:15 pm-8:00pm

In the Music Room.

Any questions…..See Carolyn

P.S. Do not give up music for Lent.

S T . P A U L ’ S L E T T E R

Page 5

For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus' sake...but we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies. 2 Corinthians 4:5, 7-10 The apostle Paul wasn't thinking of the Church's forty days of Lent when he wrote this portion of a letter to the congregation in Corinth, but his words certainly set us on the right path for a good understanding of our Lenten journey. The season reminds us that we are nothing more than clay jars, earthen vessels, fashioned in love by our Creator God and redeemed by the blood of Christ; flawed, cracked and destined to carry the Gospel of Jesus Christ into a flawed and broken world. "We do not proclaim ourselves." We are called to bear the message of salvation into a world which measures purpose and meaning differently than we do, to people who have lived for their own purposes rather than in the posture of the self-emptying servant. Lent reminds us of our mortality. The words "remember that you are dust" rattle about in our hearts most of the time, but during Lent, it is as if someone turned up the volume on the message. We are more aware, more attuned to the truth of our limits when, in the grand dance of life, we keep bumping into boundaries we cannot break, walls we neither want nor can penetrate. The boundaries and walls of death, sickness, the enormity of the world's pain, the enormity of our own burdens and fears, grief, and our inability to outrun or outshoot the injustices of society: these are all painful reminders that we are dust and destined to return to dust. But the Lenten journey is also a journey of hope. With each step, God reminds us that he loves the dust. We are created in God's image, mold-ed and shaped from the dust of the earth and given life and breath. And we are also united with God through our dusty mortality as God

himself is clothed in fleshly dust and ash, to show us how to live as well as how to die. In this, Christ has led us into the hope of resurrection life. Our lives, our flesh, has been sanctified, blessed. God through Jesus Christ makes the bold promise that we will never be lost. We belong to Christ forever. Clothed in this promise, we carry out the work of sharing Good News. We are the messengers, clay jars bearing the Word of life entrusted to us, a dusty people who bear witness to nothing but the cross of Jesus Christ. The afflictions, perplexities and persecutions we face no longer hinder our mission; rather, they reflect the One in whom we find life, who looks upon us and our world and declares, "Behold, I make all things new". In this season of Lent, I pray that your eyes will be open to new and renewing ways to live for Christ and Christ's Church. ~Pastor Constance Mentzer

Page 6

S T . P A U L ’ S L E T T E R

The key of the day Prayer should be the key of the day and the lock of the night.

“Faith is

permitting

ourselves to be

seized by the

tings we do not

see.”--Martin

Luther

Daylight-Saving Time

begins March 12,

2017

Page 7

S T . P A U L ’ S L E T T E R

CAMPING NEWS

2017 Lutheran Camping Corporation Events

March 11 Lenten Day Apart at The Wittel Farm

March 10-12 Women’s Quilting Weekend at Kirchenwald

March 19 Summer Camp Open House at Kirchenwald & Nawakwa

April 1 Facility reservation book opens for 2018

April 1 Summer Camp Early Full-Pay Registration Discount deadline

April 9 Summer Camp Open House at Kirchenwald & Nawakwa

April 23 Earth Day Celebration at Kirchenwald

April 29 Work Day at Kirchenwald, Nawakwa & The Wittel Farm

May 5-6 Men’s Retreat at Kirchenwald

May 5 Lutheran Camping Night at the Harrisburg Senators

May 7 Summer Camp Kick-off Worship & Picnic at Kirchenwald

June 9 Annual Golf Tournament at Honey Run Golf Club

June 18 Summer Camp begins at Kirchenwald & Nawakwa

July 9-15 Elder Camp at Nawakwa

July 16-22 Adult B.Y.O.C. Camp at Kirchenwald

July 16-22 Family Camp I at Nawakwa

August 6-12 Family Camp-K-tion (Family Camp) at Kirchenwald

August 6-12 Family Camp II at Nawakwa

October 1 Capture the Flag at Kirchenwald

October 3-5 Book Study Retreat at Nawakwa

October 22 Fall Foliage Day at Kirchenwald & Nawakwa

November 5 Annual Quilt Auction at Nawakwa

November 10-12 Women’s Craft Retreat at Nawakwa

December 9 Advent Day Apart at The Wittel Farm

January 5-7, 2018 Winter Youth Retreat at Kirchenwald

The Lutheran Camping Corporation of Central PA, Kirchenwald, Nawakwa, and The Wittel Farm,

PO Box 459, Arendtsville, PA 17303, 717-677-8211, www.LutheranCamping.org

Answer: A, B and D (See John 4:4-7ff.) --answer to Bible quiz on page 11

Among Our People We welcome our homebound members to follow along with us in our worship readings.

If you are a homebound member and would like to receive a weekly bulletin in the mail and/or a copy of the daily devotions please inform the church office. We realize you may

not be able to join us physically in the church but we always welcome your connection spiritually.

Norma Gunzenhauser Oak Leaf Manor North Rm. D5 2901 Harrisburg Pike Landisville, PA 17538 Marian Otthofer 168 Blue Rock Road Millersville, PA 17551 717-872-8408 Doris Swarr Mennonite Home 1520 Harrisburg Pike Swarr Run #406 Lancaster, PA 17601 717-490-8421 Romaine Wetzel 20 Jake Drive Ronks, PA 17572 717-687-5644

Ann Rannels 186 Blue Rock Road Millersville, PA 17551

Vivien McKee

Highland Springs

7910 Frankford Road

Dallas, TX 75252

Dorothy Bender

1380 Elm Ave

Country Meadows Apt.

39

Lancaster, PA 17603

PLEASE-if you are hospitalized, anticipating surgery, or in need of pastoral care, please notify the church office at 872-7392 ASAP as we are not always informed by the hospitals. Even if Pastor Mentzer is out of town,

another pastor will still be on call.

Thank you.

If you need to contact Pastor Mentzer for any reason you may call her at (717) 666-9586. Please leave a message if there is no answer. Or, you may e-mail her at: revcentzer@comcast.net

Please remember the following St. Paul family

members and friends in your prayers.

Hospitalized or Recuperating: Bill Engle, Norma Gunzenhauser, Paul Miccolupi, Marian Otthofer, Nick Shauley, Others requesting prayer: Curt & Lura, Peter & Barb Conforti, Dolly Gaughan, Doris Harper, Dolores Heiney, Roy Lehman, Laura McCauley, Doris M., Betti-Bob Scharnberger, Tammy Schmelzer, Dick Shipman, Jacob Spencer, Beth Homsher-Traxler, Lucinda Weiler, Romaine Wetzel

S T . P A U L ’ S L E T T E R

Page 8

To our MARCH St. Paul members who are 80 or more!

Gale Reekie--3/4/1927

Lois Bitner--3/12/1931

Mary Fritz--3/13/1936

Glenda Hurtt--3/15/1935

Erma McCauley--3/25/1930

George Francis--3/29/1924

March 2017 WORSHIP ASSISTANTS

March 5

March 12

Girl Scout Sunday

March 19 March 26

ACOLYTES

Dominic Roma Emma Landis Jackson Kuhns Evan Schwebel

ASSISTING MINISTERS

Holly Freas-Webster Karen Napier Tim Brooks Dick Shipman

GREETERS Bill & Marty Kahler Bob & Suzette

Lawrence

Peanut Lambert Gail Miller

USHERS Bob & Suzette

Lawrence Vaughn &

Joan LeFever

Girl Scout Sunday Anita & Dom Roma,

Betty Bringman, Glenda

Hurtt

Dick Shipman, Lauren

Buchmann, Bruce &

Linda Hampton

NURSERY Volunteer Needed Volunteer Needed Volunteer Needed Volunteer Needed

ALTAR FLOWER SPONSORS

$25.00 FOR FLOWERS

Landis Family (To the

Glory of God); Gaynel

& Steve Daugherty (In

Honor of Emma’s

birthday)

Holly Freas-Webster

(To the Glory of God);

Carol Heintzelman (In

Memory of Loved Ones)

Karen & Bill Napier (In

Honor of Bill & Karen’s

birthday)

Donald Moyer (In

Memory of Brenda C.

Moyer & Rev. John

Conz)

Sherry Symonds (In

Memory of

Grandparents & To the

Glory of God)

BULLETIN SPONSORS

$25.00 FOR BULLETINS

Ann Rannels (To the

Glory of God)

Bill & Marty Kahler (To

the Glory of God)

Ann Rannels (To the

Glory of God)

Erik & Bobbie Frick (To

the Glory of God)

ALTAR GUILD March 2017- Marty Kahler and Dolores Garrett

Page 9

ST. PAUL’S LETTER

Who are we?

The Loft was started in response to the Penn Manor School District social workers needing a readily accessible place to store and receive food for students and their families. We have since expanded services to include anyone who lives within the Penn Manor School District. Our desire is to provide a place where people can get what they need, give what they can and grow together.

At The Loft we realize that all people, at some point in their lives, are faced with needs-whether physical, emotional or spiritual in nature. Yet, at the same time all people have some sort of abundance that they are able to give of—whether it is relational, time, talents or financial in nature. This is why The Loft provides the opportunity to both give and get, all within the same context in hopes that as a community we will all grow together.

When is The LOFT open? Wednesdays 6-8 p.m.

Sundays 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

Where is The LOFT? The Loft is located at the

Millersville Church upper entrance Millersville Church 3116 Blue Rock Road, Lancaster, PA 17603

Who does The LOFT serve? The LOFT

serves those living in the Penn Manor School District.

HOW DO I F IND OUT MO RE?

Send us an email theloftinmillersville@gmail.com Give us a call 717-872-6882

Facebook: facebook.com/TheLoftInMillersville

St. Paul Lutheran Church 222 N. George St.

Millersville, Pa 17551 The Church Staff Pastor: The Reverend Constance Mentzer Organist: Carolyn Lee Walker-Smith Adult Choir Director: Lucy Esbenshade Church Secretary: Anita Kissinger Parish Sexton: Rick Kilby

The Congregation Council Council Officers: Bruce Hampton, President Karen Napier, Vice President Lauren Buchmann, Secretary Jim Dierolf, Treasurer

Council Members: Lauren Buchmann Tim Brooks Lori Dierolf Jan Fisher Don Harrold Suzanne Herr Peanut (Mary Lambert) Larry Liddick Sandy Miller Frank Witmer Pastor Connie Mentzer By appointment of the Cong. Council Financial Secretary - Ruth Derby

Committee Chairs Adult Education – Holly Freas-Webster Children’s Ministry – Tricia Landis Endowment – Carol Heintzelman Fellowship – Bruce Thens Finance – Cathy Trissel Personnel - Jim Dierolf Property – Dick Shipman Visual Arts – Ken Hoak Youth Ministry - Don Harold Worship and Music- Holly Freas-Webster

The Church Office

Church Office Phone: 872-7392 Office Hours: Mon-Thurs. 8:45am - 12:00pm Fri. 9am-12:00pm

E-mail: stpaulmvl@windstream.net WESITE:stpaullutheranmillersville.org

St Paul’s Letter is published 10 times a year -- monthly and 2 double month issues in June/July and December/January. This publication is intended solely for the benefit of the membership of St. Paul Lutheran Church.

S T . P A U L ’ S L E T T E R

PAGE 10

March Loft Needs:

TOILET TISSUE, FACIAL TISSUE AND RICE

S T . P A U L ’ S L E T T E R

Page 11

Bible Quiz

In John 4, Jesus talks with a woman about living water. Where does that conversation take place? A. Sychar B. Samaria C. Galilee D. Jacob’s well (Answer on page 7)

St. Paul Lutheran Church 222 N. George Street Millersville, PA 17551

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