The

GOOD NEWS GAZETTEMarch 2020

‘Christ Be Beside Me!’

From the Pastor's DeskPastor Bob Weidmayer Acts 1:8 people in the season of Lent.

“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

We started the year focusing upon our role as Acts 1:8 people.

We are witnesses,

by the power of the Holy Spirit,

starting in our own homes, families (Jerusalem)

by extension throughout our communities and region (Judea)

even to those we may not consider,

to the ends of the earth.

During these days of Lent, we remember our Lord’s passion as He goes to the cross and ending at the empty tomb of Easter. I remember a tradition of “giving something up for Lent”. It is intended that we abstain from something and use that time to reflect, meditate and pray I would like to suggest that instead of giving something up, we add something for Lent this year. I challenge you this Lenten season to find a new opportunity, to share the love of God with someone else.

It does not necessarily have to be a formal event. Rather, spend this season looking at the opportunities God has placed before you, and identifying ways in which you are able to refer to His work among us. As we become aware of these opportunities, adjust your thoughts, words and actions to point to God. It may surprise you how many opportunities there are each day. Instead of saying “Have a great day”, add “God bless you”. Instead of the usual small talk about the weather or our families, add in how blessed we are in these moments. Instead of “Good luck”, or “we were lucky”, reflect that we are or were truly blessed.

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The hardest witness is the first one. Eventually it will become second nature and we will share the concept of God’s love and power without even realizing it. Look for the opportunity to invite others to join with us in God’s house to be refueled by the Holy Spirit on a Sunday or Wednesday night.

What if they say no? Using the words of Jesus in John 14:1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” You will be told, “no”. It’s okay. Don’t write them off, just know that the seed was planted and follow up again at another time as God cultivates and causes that seed to sprout.

The results are not our responsibility. Our responsibility is simply to plant the seed by being His witnesses.

Serving Christ with you,

Pastor Bob Weidmayer +++

Lenten Service Schedule 2020:

Ash Wednesday, February 26th, 7:00 p.m. with the imposition of Ashes and Holy Communion.Wednesday Lenten Services weekly 7:00 p.m. with Holy Communion.(Soup dinners 6pm)Palm Sunday April 5th; 8:30 & 11:00 a.m.Maundy Thursday Seder, April 9th; 5:30 p.m. Service with Holy Communion follows at 7:30p.m.Good Friday Tenebrae, April 10 at 7:00 p.m.Easter Sunday: Sunrise at Farmington Cemetery 6:00 a.m.Worship at St. John’s 8:30 & 11:00 a.m. with Holy Communion.

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Preschool NewsLynda Scribner 

February was a fun filled month at Preschool! Both classes celebrated Valentine's Day in a big way! Children exchanged valentines and partied with their parents and grandparents. Thanks to all who provided special snacks and assistance.

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It is so exciting to watch the 3's as they learn how to have fun making new friends and playing cooperatively. Such growth since the beginning of the school year. We've also seen so much improvement in listening skills, both in Circle time and centers.

The 4's/Multiage class is looking forward to a field trip to the Strasenburgh Planetarium in Rochester. In preparation, they are learning about God's creation of the earth, sun, moon and other stars.

On February 1st, we were blessed with a very successful Open House. Our 4's/Multiage class is almost full. Our 3's class is not far behind. We continue to accept registrations every day. Please spread the word that we will schedule individual tours for parents/families who would like to visit and learn more about our program.

If you haven't done so already, please "Like" us on Facebook (St. John's Christian Preschool). We love to post pictures of our celebrations and adventures!

Keenagers Izzie Braun

Keenagers, and all members of our church, you are cordially invited to a Cook-off luncheon. This event will take place on Sunday, March 15, 2020 after the 10:30 AM service.

Secret ingredient is Cabbage !!

Ladies Circle Claudia Poh

 

Our February meeting was most stimulating. Alice Daskiewich led us in some “Silver Sneakers” exercises. What a nice way to start a meeting. Thank you again, Alice.

We will be having a speaker, Norma Davis, author of “Holy Happenings”, at our March 18 th meeting. Everyone is invited! It should be truly interesting.

Thank you to the congregation for buying our baked goods at our annual Super Bowl sale. Your contributions will be distributed to various non-profit organizations.

Ladies of the congregation feel free to join us. We would love to have you here!

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President’s Message

Howard G Barnes

The formal relationship between St. John’s and Redeemer Church in Newark has been suspended. There was a misalignment on what St. John’s was willing to offer and what Redeemer was asking for that could not be accommodated. We will continue to pray for our brothers and sisters in Newark, and Pastor will provide individual pastoral services when needed and requested. However, Pastor will not be continuing with sermons and sacraments after March 8th. In no way was working with Redeemer Newark a failure, on the contrary, I believe it has benefited from this partnership. First and foremost, God has shown us what will happen if we do not focus on growth and spreading His message. The experience has clearly identified the strengths and the gifts that St. John’s has to offer to it’s members and to the community. Lastly, if it has not unified St. Johns, it has unified and united our council in a way that is difficult to describe. Membership has its privileges, but it also has its responsibilities. The responsibly to be in faith, to be engaged, to be prayerful and vigilant as evil will always try to find a way to root itself where ever it can. As change happens in the near future, lets be ready to embrace it and use it to our advantage to spread the love of Christ.

Picnic in the Park

Sunday, July 12th 2020. Picnic in the Park!

Notes from the Office Lance Eckler Pastoral Assistant

The season of lent is upon us and during this very important time of reflection is also the perfect time for fellowship. Please join us for a soup and sandwich dinner each Wednesday at 6 p.m. A Service follows after each supper at 7p.m. I hope to see you all there!

As always, please do not hesitate to call the church office if you need any assistance.

(315) 986-3045 Monday through Friday 8:30AM- 12:30PM 

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Church Attendance 

Month: February 2020 Church Attendance(Sunday/Wednesday)

Week of 2nd 95/15 Week of 9th  79/16Week of 16th 76/17Week of 23rd 98/59

TOTAL: services 348/107     

 Sign-Up Sheets in Family RoomShoveling: both services through April.

Hot Wheels Derby: March 28th with pizza!

Movie Night: 4:30 PM, March 29th.

Seder Dinner: coming soon! April 9th seating and servants

Easter flowers: order forms coming soon! for our April 12th service.

Upcoming EventsJen Barnes

Come join us for an afternoon movie... March 22nd at 1pm at Eastview Mall.  "I Still Believe” Award-winning Christian singer Jeremy Camp is gearing up for the release of a movie about his life that tells the inspiring story of love, loss and faith.  Please sign up so that tickets can be ordered ahead of time!

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 March 2020 Servant List

Early Service Late Service Greeter- late service March- Sandy Bastian

March 1Reader Kevin Delehanty Debbie SavageUshers Steve Holtz, Ed Holtz Steve Maier, Dave HeckmanCommunion Asst. Jen Barnes, Cindy Trullo Lauree Meehan, Al SchoenknechtAcolyte Mikey Kirsch Laura SmithMarch 8Reader Howie Barnes Dave HeckmanUshers Howie and Jen Barnes Claudia Poh, Linda ArmstrongCommunion Asst. Ed and Luann Holtz Tamsyn Kuehnert, Lisa MaierAcolyte Danny Kirsch Payton WaltersMarch 15Reader Linda Armstrong Debbie BeiderbeckeUshers Kim and Brian Baxter Don Kuehnert, Dave HeckmanCommunion Asst. Cindy Trullo, Cheryl Power Al Schoenknecht, Lauree MeehanAcolyte Morgan Baxter Laura SmithMarch 22Reader Jen Barnes Claudia PohUshers Don Dulmage, Steve Holtz Debbie and Phil BeiderbeckeCommunion Asst. Ed and Luann Holtz Jackie Weidmayer, Sue HabberfieldAcolyte Mikey Kirsch Payton WaltersMarch 29Reader Kim Baxter Tamsyn KuehnertUshers Dale and Cheryl Power Gerald Case, Linda ArmstrongCommunion Asst. Kim and Brian Baxter Lisa Maier, Tamsyn KuehnertAcolyte Morgan Baxter Payton Walters

April 2020 Servant List

Early Service Late ServiceApril 5 Palm SundayReader Nicky Kirsch Lynda ScribnerUshers Steve Holtz, Ed Holtz Lynda and Gary ScribnerCommunion Asst. Ed and Luann Holtz Sue Habberfield, Al SchoenknechtAcolyte Danny Kirsch Laura Smith

April 12 Eastera caring congregation reaching out to all

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Reader Linda Armstrong Debbie SavageUshers Don Musfeldt, Kiel Hansen Don Kuehnert, Gerald CaseCommunion Asst. Linda Braun, Jen Barnes Tamsyn Kuehnert, Lauree MeehanAcolyte Morgan Baxter Payton Walters

April 19Reader Kevin Delehanty Linda ArmstrongUshers Jen and Howie Barnes Phil Beiderbecke, Dave HeckmanCommunion Asst. Cindy Trullo, Kim Baxter Al Schoenknecht, Lisa MaierAcolyte Mikey Kirsch Laura Smith

April 26Reader Howie Barnes Al PlumbUshers Kim and Brian Baxter Claudia Poh, Linda ArmstrongCommunion Asst. Dale and Cheryl Power Jackie Weidmayer, Sue HabberfieldAcolyte Morgan Baxter Payton Walters

Maundy ThursdayReader - Linda BraunUshers - Steve Maier, Howie BarnesCommunion Assistants - Luann and Ed HoltzAcolyte - Danny Kirsch

Good FridayReader - Debbie BeiderbeckeUshers - Dale and Cheryl PowerCommunion Assistants - Lynda and Gary Scribner Acolyte - Laura Smith

___________________________________________________________Worship Service Times are Changing!Linda Armstrong

At the Church Council meeting on February 10 the decision to discontinue our relationship with Redeemer Lutheran Church allowed us the opportunity to once again determine our worship times. After two weeks of voting during worship services, the congregation has chosen by a significant majority to return to our “old” service times – 8:30am and 11:00am. This change will begin on March 22. One advantage of this change is that our Sunday School will once again be able to have a full hour for their classes.

Thank you to all for your prayers and help as we have worked through the process of supporting Redeemer Lutheran Church.Family promise Of Ontario CountyCandy Aldrich

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2019 in review: In 2019 Family Promise served 14 families, which included 16 adults, 20 school-age children and 9 children under the age of 5. In this group more than half came into the program so stressed and beaten down that they were unable to work. After completing the Family Promise program 40% regained the ability to work. That is an amazing statistic.

In 2020 there are many advances and exciting new challenges. The Zion Fellowship in Canandaigua has recently joined FPOC as a host congregation which brings the total number of host congregations to 14. Add 21 support congregations (that’s us) and 4 “friend” congregations and you have a lot of people helping achieve our goal ending homelessness in Ontario County.

New to the staff at the Day Center in Canandaigua is Lauren Lamb who will be operating as chief communication person. Lauren was on the FPOC board while FPOC was being created, so she knows the organization from the ground up. She has retired from the Geneva City School District and the FPOC board of directors in order to take this position, and she is an invaluable asset.

NEEDS: Right now, FPOC is setting up a “volunteer driver corps”. Guests need to be transported from their host congregation to the day center and back again every day. FPOC has been gifted with a 15-person passenger van to use for shuttle service even once or twice a week. Also, they would like to have volunteers with a truck and a hitch to pull the trailer with the mattresses from church to church on Sundays. AND, they would like to be able to call on these volunteers to occasionally move belongings for guests when they move into their own apartments.

OFFICE HELP: The Day Center could also use help in their office. You can imagine that there are endless forms, paperwork and copying that needs to be done. A few hours a week would be a major blessing to them.

Mission and MinistryCandy AldrichEASTER 2020

Easter is coming and with it the opportunity for us to share our love and gifts with those in our community who are in need. St. John’s will be offering an “Easter Basket” of food for an Easter dinner to those who received Christmas baskets from us. The Easter tree will be up in the church entrance way, and it will be decorated with eggs. Each egg will have on in an item that is needed and a corresponding number indicating which family that item is for, and there will be corresponding lists for each family on the table next to the tree. When you select your egg(s) PLEASE find the corresponding list and write your name next to the item(s) you have chosen to provide. For example, your egg might say “2 boxes of potatoes” and have the number 5 on it. Find the list for Family 5 and put your name and phone number next to “2 boxes of potatoes”. When you return your item to church (as soon as possible, please) put your item in the bag marked with the number your egg and put a check mark next to your name Our absolute deadline for returning food to church is Sunday, April 22.Missions and Ministry will add eggs, butter, rolls and ham to the baskets, and they will be distributed Saturday, April 4.

Opportunities in Communities

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Candy AldrichThank you to Phoebe Eckler for mentioning that there are my opportunities to work to improve the lives of others in our communities. I hope to highlight some of these in this and future issues of the GNG. If you know of an opportunity to help in the community please let me know and we can include details here. Helping others helps us to do as Jesus directed.

FOODLINK

Mission: “To leverage the power of food to end hunger and build healthier communities.”

About FOODLINK

“For more than 40 years, Foodlink has leveraged the power of food to end hunger and build healthier communities in Allegany, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming, and Yates counties. Through good stewardship, innovation and collaboration, Foodlink mobilizes a diverse network of community partners to address both the symptoms and root causes of food insecurity.

Foodlink’s community health programs provide new access points to nutritious and affordable food in underserved communities. We empower individuals and families to make healthy choices through nutrition and culinary education initiatives. Through our food bank, we distribute nearly 20 million pounds of food annually to a network of nonprofit partners. The Foodlink Community Kitchen nourishes thousands of children daily with healthy meals, slices locally grown apples that are distributed throughout New York, and prepares people for careers in the regional food industry through a one-of-a-kind career empowerment program. Learn more about how we are transforming lives and creating healthy futures for every community we serve at www.FoodlinkNY.org, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram at @foodlinkny.”

There are many ways for individuals and groups to volunteer with Foodlink to work to address the nutritional needs in the Rochester area. These include working at the distribution center to sort, categorize, inspect and assemble bags of food to be given away; help with the mobile Curbside Market program which goes out into the community; work in the community kitchen preparing meals for school children. There are many other ways to help as well. All of these are described in detail on the website.

WOW! Wednesday Worship Service Assistant NEEDED.

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Worship on Wednesday is every Wednesday night at 7PM.

We are looking for people to assist during the service in ushering, greeting, etc.

Please contact the office if you would like to serve in this capacity at our midweek services,thank you!

Sunday School News

Debbie Beiderbecke

Do you ever wonder what happens during the hour between our two worship services? Almost everyone knows this is our Sunday School hour. You may remember your own days in Sunday School.

The children join in the church sanctuary with the adult leaders for an opening of worship and praise and prayer. It is an interactive time led by Lance Eckler, our musically gifted pastoral assistant. Lent begins this month. We will be learning of Jesus’s love for us, culminating in the celebration of His glorious Resurrection at Easter!

After our opening, we go to our classes. Each class is led by our adult volunteers. They give willingly of their time to teach the children about God and His eternal love for us. Lessons are designed with the age group of the children in mind. And, of course, there is “snack,” an opportunity for us to share the goodness of God’s bounty and each other’s fellowship.

We are grateful to have the children come to learn about God. We are grateful to the parents, grandparents, and friends who bring them each Sunday. We are grateful to the adult volunteers who demonstrate their love for the Lord by sharing it with the next generation.

If you have children in your life who are not already coming to Sunday School, it is a great opportunity for them to learn that God’s love is for Christians of all ages. Each of us is responsible to carry out the instruction of Proverbs 22:6

‘Train up a child in the way he should go,And when he is old, he will not depart from it.’

Hot Wheels Derby Rescheduled Mike Weisenburg

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Rescheduled for Saturday, March 28th. 10:00AM-Noon.Pizza served at the end, bring your favorite hot wheels car!!See Mike Weisenburg or call office for more info. 

Board for Christian EducationJackie WeidmayerWe are starting to work on Confirmation Sunday to celebrate the young members of our church who have worked so hard these past 2 years. The celebration will take place on Sunday, June 14th at the late service with a reception to follow to congratulate our young members with their families. Hope to see everyone there to help in this celebration!

Property and MaintenanceDon Kuehnert

A Request from Property Maintenance:

 

1.       We are looking for the following lawn equipment from anyone willing to donate or knows of a good used one for sale; A) small riding mower B) push mower C) string trimmer.

2.       Volunteer(s) to mow the church lawn this coming year.

 

 

     We will be having a church “Work Day” Saturday March 21, 8am – noon (arrive when you can).

     Work will be focused primarily indoors on replacing faucets, cleaning storage closet, pew(s) etc.

     …. ‘many hands make light work’

 

 Thank you,

  Brian, Eric and Don

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Family& Friends: Michael Murray & Judy Michael (Linda Armstrong’s family friends)Bill Heltzel & Lisa Smythe (Nancy Wints’ brother& friend of Wints)Nadine Printup & Ellen Naun (friend & sister of Meades)D. Kuehnert (Don Kuehnert’s brother)Allen Hammerick ,Jackie Dippert Amy Gaesser(Laura Hammerick’s son,friend & sister)Shirley Netzband& Richard Almekinder (Jeff Netzband’s mother& Karen’s Father) Don Nugent & Jane Bryant (Father and Mother of Chuck Thomas)Mildred O’Neil (Charlene Musfeldts’ sister)Noelle Henning (Roger’s daughter-in-law)Kenneth Soscia& Wayne Grewe (friend & brother of Buckingham’s &Sharon Jenkins)Jane Barmaster,Autumn, & Emily & Charlene & Katie(Martha Barmaster family& friends)

Ashley Chand (Brian Maier’s fiancé) Betty Davis (Debbie Torkelson’s Mother)

Kailee (Friend of Jean Heberle) Diane Lucey (Friend of Karen & Paul Meyer)

John Paul Braun (Izzie Braun’s Grandson) Libby (Lisa Maier’s friend)

Gail Knowlton (Mary Ballou’s Friend) Jenny Otto(niece of Connie&Gary White)

The Cole family (Vicky Cole’s Family) Jeff,Peggy&children Coons(Pat Coon’s family)

David Reamer (Jackie Weidmayer’s Step-brother) Rolf Ertel (Heidi VanAken’s Brother)

Members of St. John’s

Roger Carpenter Gordon Hill Karen Carey Doug Snyder Don Arnold

Glenn Bastian Mia Howie Karen ScofieldMilitary and their Families: LCpl Bryan Podgorski (Carpenters Grandson) ET3 Adam Hopseeker (Friend of Barnes) A1C Brian Heckman (Heckman family) LT Paul Kuehnert (Don’s nephew) AE Rebekah Thorpe (friend of Barnes Family)For additions or changes please call: Jean Heberle (315)538-0373OR the church office (315)986-3045. Thank You.  

 

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ChoirLinda BraunHave you ever thought of singing with our choir? What a great way to get to know others within our congregation. What a wonderful way to help us enhance our worship services. Perhaps your schedule doesn’t allow you to join us all year round. If you are interested in participating just during the upcoming Lenten and Easter season, come join us! We practice on Thursday nights at 7pm. No previous training or ability to read music is required. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Linda Braun, Director at 585-355-9416 or frau11braun@gmail.com

Upcoming Schedule:

2/26: Ash Wednesday 7pm – The Lord is my Shepherd – J. Martin

3/01: 10:30 – O Lord throughout These Forty Days

3/15: 8:15 – O Lord throughout These Forty Days

Planning ahead to Holy Week – Mark your calendars, we will be singing at all services!

April 5 Palm Sunday Prepare the Way! Besig

April 9 Maundy Thursday

Meditation for Communion - Althouse

April 10 Good Friday Who is that Man? – D. Besig

April 12 Easter Now the Green Blade Riseth- Carter

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153 Church AvenueHamlet of Pumpkin Hook Farmington, NY 14425

St. John’s Lutheran Church The Good News Gazette—

March 2020 ‘Focused On Growing Families In Faith’ ‘Christ Be Beside Me!’

a caring congregation reaching out to all

WORSHIPSundays

8:15 am & 10:30 am 

Wednesdays 7pm

  Come as you

are

Pastor Robert Weidmayer

pastor@pumpkinhook.orgPastoral Assistant Lance Eckler

Stjohns@pumpkinhook.orgChoir Director Linda Braun Choir.Director@pumpkinhook.orgCouncil President Howie Barnes

President@pumpkinhook.orgPreschool Director Lynda Scribner

preschool@pumpkinhook.org

315 ◦ 986 ◦3045 Office M-F 8:30-12:30pmwww.PumpkinHook.org

Non-Profit Org.U.S. POSTAGE

PAID Macedon, NYPermit # 13

193746