st. paul’s news · 2018-01-01 · flower & bulletin sponsorships 2018 social media ministry...
TRANSCRIPT
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St. Paul’s Lutheran Church 215 N. Warren St. Orwigsburg, PA 17961 570-366-2316 Fax 570-366-7357
www.stpauls-orwigsburg.org
NEW MEMBER CLASS
We might not yet have a new pastor, but St.
Paul’s is alive and thriving. To keep us moving
forward, our energetic Pastor Kathy has kindly
offered to teach new member classes in
January! If you are interested in joining St.
Paul’s, please let her know. She will check her
calendar and choose a night and time convenient
for all. Email her at [email protected] or put
a note in Justin’s mailbox.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
We are in need of more Lectors, Ushers, and
Communion Assistants at the Sunday morning
8:00 AM Worship Service. If you attend 8:00
AM Worship regularly, please consider serving
in any of the above mentioned roles. If you are
interested in serving, please let Justin know by
calling the office (570) 366-2316 or sending an
email ([email protected]).
If you are interested in serving as a Communion
Assistant (at 8:00 or 10:30), please Pastor Kathy
know by sending an email to
[email protected] or put a note in Justin’s
mailbox. Pastor Kathy will have a training class
in January.
Rev. Kathy Ash-Flashner 570-977-4189
Emergency Contact Pastor
St. Paul’s, Summer Hill, PA
Justin McClure, Organist/Choir Director 570-573-4076
Office Support Staff 570-366-2316 [email protected]
Karen Travor, Treasurer 570-366-8757 [email protected]
Wayne Lutsey, Financial Secretary 570-366-8766
Tracey Barnes, Sexton 570-366-2316
Jessica Swick, Social Media Manager 936-648-6809 [email protected]
WORSHIP
Saturday - 5:30 PM
Sunday – 8:00 & 10:30 AM
St. Paul’s News January 2018
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We have some exciting changes coming to our
Christian Education program! After many
meetings and a lot of research, we have decided to
try a WHOLE NEW APPROACH!
SECOND SUNDAY - A NEW Student Ministry
for youth in grades 6-12 and their
Parents/Guardians
Join us on Sunday evenings for a simple meal
together (yes, parents, a night off from planning
dinner), followed by separate breakout sessions
for parents and students. Our first Second Sunday
event will be held on Sunday, February 11th, from
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM.
Student discussion will be led by Jason Swick and
parent discussion by Jessica Swick.
Please RSVP by February 7th (preferred, but not
required, so we can plan for the dinner) to
[email protected] or by calling the
church office at 570-366-2316.
BIG EVENT - A NEW approach to Sunday
Morning Christian Education
Students, join us on select Sunday mornings as we
prepare for the next BIG EVENT.
These unique four-week sessions will include 30
minutes of Youth Bell Choir Rehearsal and 30
minutes of lesson/discussion leading up to the next
BIG EVENT in the church year, when the Youth
Bell Choir will present a musical offering.
Our first BIG EVENT is scheduled for Palm
Sunday, March 25th. Students will meet on the
four Sundays in March: 4, 11, 18, and 25, from
9:15 AM – 10:15 AM to prepare for this event.
Mark your calendars; you won't want to miss the
next BIG EVENT!
ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL
Sundays at 9:15 AM in the parlor.
We invite you to continue the Reformation 500
Journey and join in the lively discussions each
Sunday morning at 9:15 in the parlor. Our
discussions will include use of the book, By Heart,
Conversations with Martin Luther’s Small
Catechism.
Join us!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
WOMEN OF THE ELCA
A record number of thirty-five women enjoyed the
Christmas luncheon on the 12th of December, at The
Oak Hill Inn. Our guest speaker, Kathy Dewald,
shared stories and her collection of vintage
Christmas cards which were mailed between
servicemen and their families during WWII.
The In-Gathering offering of $222.00 was given to
the Santa Workshop at the Orwigsburg Food
Pantry. The following note was received:
"Dearest friends at St. Paul's - WOW!
You truly did help to make Christmas 2017 ‘over-
the-top’ with your generous gift of $222.00. We
were able to have many pantry children (we served
close to 40) pick out just the right gift for a family
member!
With loving gratitude, Susan McCarthy, Santa
Workshop Helper.”
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
ALTAR GUILD
Altar Guild is looking for a new member! If you
are interested, please speak to any Altar Guild
member. Rest assured that we’ll help you!
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Click. Like. Share. Social Media Ministry Monthly News
Jessica Swick
936-648-6809 (cell)
Welcome to 2018! Oh, the possibilities of a
New Calendar Year! Even in the online
world, it’s nice to have a fresh start, a clean
slate, so to speak, to take a look at where
we started, how far we’ve come in a short
amount of time and where we hope to go
with our online ministry. Thanks to all of you
who have been sharing our videos and
posts online. We are up to 174 likes on our
Facebook page, and there are many new
things in the works which will be added to
our web-site in the next few months. Stay
tuned!
In a book I’ve been reading, The Social
Media Gospel, Meredith Gould wrote a
contemporary take on Saint Teresa of
Avila’s well-known prayer “Christ Has No
Body” that has given me much to
contemplate. I share it with you, so that you
may also take some time to consider this
simple, yet profound, message.
“Christ has no online presence but yours,
No blog, no Facebook page but yours,
Yours are the tweets through which love
touches this world,
Yours are the posts through which the
Gospel is shared,
Yours are the updates through which hope
is revealed.
Christ has no online presence but yours,
No blog, no Facebook page but yours.”
Flower & Bulletin Sponsorships 2018
For 2018 we have changed the procedure for
flower and bulletin dedications. We have prepared
a notebook with three pages, Altar Flowers,
Bulletins, and Chancel Flowers, for each
month. There is plenty of space for dedications,
and the notebook is bright green. You’ll find the
Sponsorship Book on the table below the bulletin
board in the Gathering Room. Please remember,
the book is first come, first served. If you would
like to be a sponsor on a date that is important to
you, please reserve your sponsorship early. Even
if you pay at the time of your dedication, please
don’t mark yourself paid.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
SUPPLY PASTORS for January
January 6 & 7 - The Rev. Susan Fox
January 13 & 14 – The Rev. David Kistler
January 20 & 21 – Mr. Kristian Kohler, Graduated
Seminarian
January 27 – The Rev. David Kistler
January 28 - The Rev. Susan Fox
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ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETINGS
Election of Church Council
A brief meeting at 9:15 on 28 January 2018 for the
Congregation to vote on the re-election of Scott
Butler, Chris Long, and Ron Rozansky and the
election of Crystal Brensinger and Robert Schuld II.
Reports to the Congregation for 2017
Sunday, February 11
*The deadline for annual reports is Sunday,
January 28. Reports may be e-mailed to Justin at
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
St. Paul's Youth Group Dine In/Out
DiMaio’s Mustard Seed Café
Wednesday, January 17th from 4 PM - 10 PM
Support the Youth Group’s trip to Houston, TX
(Summer 2018) while enjoying a nice dinner out
with family and friends. The Youth Group
receives 10% of all sales made, dining in or taking
out, including gift card sales.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Memorial Gifts Received:
In memory of Ray C. & Helen N. Diefenderfer
By Mark and Becky Herb
In memory of D. Mark and Gertrude Herb
By Mark and Becky Herb
In memory of Carl Long
By Mark and Becky Herb
In memory of Ralph J. Herb
By Mark and Becky Herb
In memory of loved ones
By Mark and Becky Herb
A memorial anthem, “Tidings of Comfort,” is
presented in memory of Elizabeth Ritschel and in
honor of Jeff Ritschel by Sue, Kurt, & Juli Schenck.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
A from Justin…
To all singers, ringers, instrumentalists, lectors,
bakers, worship team members, and everyone else
who helped with our 2017 Christmas Concert:
Thank you for your hard work, dedication, and
faithfulness to St. Paul’s! Despite being in the
midst of transition and some uncertainty, we were
able to proclaim that the light of Christ is still
shining at St. Paul’s. Many blessings in the New
Year!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and the princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flocks,
The work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost,
To heal the broken,
To feed the hungry,
To release the prisoner,
To rebuild the nations,
To bring peace among people,
To make music in the heart.
Howard Thurman.
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JANUARY BIRTHDAYS
1. Jason Kaunas, Darlene Henry
2. Jessica Witman
3. Sue Schenck, Connie Rudy
4. Charlene Rarick
5. Robert Ruff
6. Shannon Frampton, Mike Bright
7. Debra Kokitus
8. Jack Miller, Karly Hine, Tammy Mosher
9. Madyson Riegel, Kathleen Wimbrow
10. Bill Folk, Jr., David Witman, Scott Butler
11. Joe Marcusky, Donavan Spatz
12. Noel Brensinger, Cameron Keener, Jodi Spotts
13. Darcy Medica
14. Chris Long
15. Dennis Seigfried
17. Leslie Dahl, Jason Trubilla, Elizabeth Williams,
Jerry Goessel
19. Joy Wolfe, Janice Grove, Gerald Hinnershitz
20. Janet Mertz, Ethan Spatz
25. Mark Wilson, Joyce O’Rourke
27. Christa Sterner, Cynthia Kennett
28. Paulette Sassaman
30. Madison Travor, Ann Spitler
*******************************************
JANUARY ANNIVERSARIES
22. Jim and Sandy Spotts
JANUARY FLOWER SPONSORS
January 7
In memory of Tim & Jan Gerberich and in honor of
Charlene Knauss’ birthday by Gail & Jeff Rarick
January 14
In memory of Guy and Frances Lengel by sons,
James and John, and families
January 21 OPEN
In honor of Joy Wolfe’s birthday by Bob & Wendy,
Den & Kathy, Scott & Marci, & their families
January 28
OPEN
JANUARY BULLETIN SPONSORS
January 7
In memory of Francis Piacine by daughter, Danielle
Richards
January 14
In memory of mother and grandmother, Muriel S.
Reibie, by Sue, Kurt, & Juli Schenck
January 21
OPEN
January 28
OPEN
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An update from Church Council…
First, we know from our Constitution (Chapter 12, Section 2) that Council members must “be elected at a
legally called meeting of the congregation during the month of January.” We have therefore decided to hold
a brief meeting at 9:15 on 28 January 2018 for the Congregation to vote on the re-election of Scott Butler,
Chris Long, and Ron Rozansky and the election of Crystal Brensinger and Robert Schuld II. We will ask the
supply pastor who serves on 4 February to install all members.
Second, Council would like anyone who requests that an announcement be made at the beginning of the
Service to make sure that the announcement benefits the congregation. If it does, please place your
announcement in Justin’s mailbox by Thursday of the week in which you want it to be read.
And third, as you may know, Council Secretary Sue Schenck is our liaison with the Synod. She reports that
although Pastor Carl Shankweiler has had no success in finding an interim pastor for us, Laurie Christman,
who secures our supply pastors, is doing an excellent job. She had sent all of the contact information for the
pastors serving in December to Sue on 21 November. This included clergy for the Saturday night Services
and all three Christmas Eve Services!
Besides communicating with the supply pastors, Pastor Shankweiler has given Sue two additional tasks. The
first was to set up an online account for St. Paul’s to be used by the Call Committee—that has been done.
His second request, that she begin entering information on our Ministry Site Profile, is a work in progress.
In 2014, this document was called the Parish Study Report and contains facts and figures about our
congregation. It must be done again in 2018.
Thank you for your patience. Rest assured, Church Council wants to do all we can to keep things running,
and progressing, smoothly.
From the Call Committee…
CONGREGATIONAL SURVEY
Beginning next weekend, January 13 and 14, and continuing at all three services through the month of
January, the Call Committee will offer a survey to members regarding our future pastor at St. Paul’s. The
survey is anonymous, and the results are sent directly to the Synod, where they will be used to formulate our
next Parish Study Report. That Report will be made available to any Pastor who is interested in St. Paul’s. If
you are unable to attend Saturday or Sunday Worship, the Survey is included in this newsletter. You may
send the Survey back to St. Paul’s by mail or drop it in the office. (Your response will still remain
anonymous).Your feedback is very important to us. We sincerely hope that you will take the time to
complete this survey.
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ST. PAUL’S CONGREGATIONAL TRANSITION SURVEY
This survey is the first step in identifying a new pastor for our congregation.
DO NOT sign your name. If you filled out this form on a previous week, DO NOT
fill out another. Your answers will be kept confidential. SPCTS04
1.) Are you: _____ Male _____ Female
2.) Are you: _____ Member _____ Non-Member
3.) Age: __19 or younger, __ 20-34, __35-49, __50-65, __ 66 or older.
4.) How long have you been a member of this congregation?
____less than 1 year ____ from 7-10 years
____from 1-3 years ____ from 10-15 years
____from 3-5 years ____ from 15-25 years
____from 5-7 years ____ more than 25 years
5.) Please list here the following information about unconfirmed children in your family. (Only ONE
person in family should answer this question.)
Attends Church school
Age Male Female Yes No
1st child: ____ ____ ____ ____ ____
2nd child: ____ ____ ____ ____ ____
3rd child: ____ ____ ____ ____ ____
4th child: ____ ____ ____ ____ ____
5th child: ____ ____ ____ ____ ____
6.) How far, approximately, do you live from the church building?
____less than ½ mile ____from 3 to 5 miles
____from ½ to 1 mile ____more than 5 miles
____from 1 to 3 miles
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7.) How frequently do you attend worship services here?
____every week ____about once a month
____every other week ____less frequently
8.) Do you participate in Sunday Church School?
____Yes ____No
9.) Do you participate in organizations of the church other than Sunday Church School?
____Yes ____No
If yes, list the organizations in the church in which you are active:
__________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________
10.) Using the following scale, circle the number you feel best describes this congregation at the present
time. (5=Strongly Agree, 4=Agree, 3=Neutral, 2=Disagree, 1=Strongly Disagree.)
In our congregation, I have seen that members usually:
SA A N D SD
Go out of their way to greet visitors. 5 4 3 2 1
Like to have new people join us. 5 4 3 2 1
Welcome new members into leadership. 5 4 3 2 1
Listen to new ideas and act on them. 5 4 3 2 1
Make decisions that benefit everyone. 5 4 3 2 1
Are interested in serving the wider community. 5 4 3 2 1
Will volunteer to work with the church leaders. 5 4 3 2 1
Enjoy informal fellowship after worship. 5 4 3 2 1
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As a member of St. Paul’s, I would be accepting of:
A member of a different race or ethnicity. 5 4 3 2 1
A pastor of a different race or ethnicity. 5 4 3 2 1
A member with a different sexual orientation. 5 4 3 2 1
A pastor with a different sexual orientation. 5 4 3 2 1
A female pastor. 5 4 3 2 1
11. ) Areas of leadership needed:
Assuming that a congregation expects a pastor to be skilled in preaching, leading worship, and
providing regular pastoral care, rank the following seven (7) leadership skills in the order of their
priority for your congregation. (1=most important, 7=least important)
_______ Evangelist/ Visitor
_______ Leader in Congregational Planning
_______ Administrator
_______ Youth Leader
_______ Participant in Wider Church & Society
_______ Stewardship Developer
_______ Spiritual Leader/ Teacher
12.) Please check your family’s approximate yearly income: (This question should be answered by
only ONE PERSON IN YOUR FAMILY.)
_______ less than $10,000
_______ from $10,000 to $24,999
_______ from $25,000 to $34,999
_______ from $35,000 to $49,999
_______ from $50,000 to $74,999
_______ $75,000 and above.
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JANUARY 2018 SERVICE SCHEDULE
8:00 AM January 7 January 14 January 21 January 28
LECTOR Kay Weidensaul Ruth Ann Withers Kim Stramara Becky Herb
COMMUNION
ASST. Gail Rarick Kay Weidensaul Ruth Ann Withers Gail Rarick
USHERS Elser Family Barb Lafko & Ron
Rozansky Kim Stramara &
Ruth Ann Withers Mark & Becky
Herb
ALTAR GUILD
Barb Lafko & Fern Moyer
Barbara Lafko & Fern Moyer
Hope Clarke & Sue Schenck
Hope Clarke & Sue Schenck
GREETER Ron Rozansky Ron Rozansky Ron Rozansky Ron Rozansky
COUNTERS Rosalie Wingle,
Marlene Eidam, & Diane Brobst
Joyce O’Rourke, Gloria
Dierwechter, & Dana Jenkins
Connie Teter, Jean Premich, & Barb
Sterner
Connie Teter, Barb Sterner, & Glenda
Bright
10:30 AM January 7 January 14 January 21 January 28
LECTOR Robert Schuld II Deb Bolinsky Jenn Betz Samantha Clarke
COMMUNION
ASST. Jan Snyder Greg Sklar David Krewson Jim Spotts
Acolyte/ Crucifer Danika Bolinsky Maddie Swick Logan Shoener Caddie Spotts
USHERS Scott Butler & Wayne Lutsey
Sandy Freeman & David Kriner
Samantha Clarke & Madelyn Knecht
Nikki & Robert Schuld II
GREETERS Robin Zimmerman
& Mary Ellen Hering
Robin Zimmerman & Karen Shoener
Robin Zimmerman & Richard Shoener
Robin Zimmerman & Barb Sterner
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JANUARY 2018
SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT
1 2 3
Chancel Choir
7:00 PM
4 5 6
Worship 5:30 PM
7
Worship
8 & 10:30 AM
Confirmation
5:30 PM
8
9
10
Bell Choir
6:00 PM
Chancel Choir
7:00 PM
11
Financial Peace
6:30 PM
12 13
Worship 5:30 PM
14
Worship
8 & 10:30 AM
15
Council
7:00 PM
16
17
Bell Choir
6:00 PM
Chancel Choir
7:00 PM
18
Financial Peace
6:30 PM
19
20
Worship 5:30 PM
21
Worship
8 & 10:30 AM
Confirmation
5:30 PM
22
Worship Team
7:00 PM
23
24
Bell Choir
6:00 PM
Chancel Choir
7:00 PM
25
Financial Peace
6:30 PM
26
27
Worship 5:30 PM
28
Worship
8 & 10:30 AM
29 30
31
Bell Choir
6:00 PM
Chancel Choir
7:00 PM
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JANUARY 2018
ST. PAUL’S LUTHERAN CHURCH
PO BOX 156
ORWIGSBURG, PA 17961
Visit our website: www.stpauls-orwigsburg.org
Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/StPaulsOrwigsburg
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage Paid
Pottsville, PA
17901
PERMIT NO. 52
Pottsville, Pa
17901
PERMIT NO. 52