sunday worship service 9:00am live on facebook until ... · the agenda. a vote will be taken on...
TRANSCRIPT
1
The Fishnet – July 2020
Sunday Worship Service
9:00am live on Facebook
until further notice
Contents of this newsletter are the sole property of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. Contact the church office with concerns or permission to reprint.
2
From the Pastor
It’s summertime!
At long last, our days are filled with bright sunshine, blossoming flowers, green grass, and expectant gardens. We look forward to a more leisurely pace, afternoons by the pool, walks in the woods, and perhaps some traveling. Yet, this year, summertime is different. Though the number of new cases of coronavirus in Bucks County is decreasing, the threat of pandemic has not entirely passed. We still must be vigilant and cautious in our social contacts. The wearing of face masks in public, the practice of social distancing, and the use of hand sanitizer remain essential.
If that is not enough, we as a nation struggle anew with the challenges of racism. “America’s original sin,” as the prominent evangelical author Jim Wallis has termed it, has been exposed once more in the horrible death of George Floyd, in addition to many other people of color. The resulting civil unrest has shocked some, but yet it should not, as it enables white people to see the pain of injustice that the people of color have been experiencing for centuries. “The times they are a-changing,” sang the folk troubadour Bob Dylan a generation ago, and that is certainly true today. What role can each of us play in making America a better place for all people?
As we approach the day on which we celebrate American independence, we have a lot to think about. When I was in sixth grade, my teacher gave every one in my class a memorization assignment. Mine was the opening paragraphs of the Declaration of Independence. The second paragraph begins with these remarkable words:
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
At the time that declaration was adopted, the reference to “all men,” unfortunately, excluded women, slaves, Native Americans, the poor, and white men who did not own land. Yet these remarkable words lift up a vision for all of us as Americans. Much progress has been made in regard to liberty and equality since the founding of our country, but we have not yet reached “the promised land.” May we celebrate who we are as Americans this Fourth of July. Let us re-commit ourselves to the remarkable vision, found in the Declaration of Independence, that we as Americans hold dear and proclaim to the world. Rejoice in the work that lies before us as we seek to “proclaim liberty throughout the land and to all the inhabitants thereof.” Inscription on the Liberty Bell from Leviticus 25:10.
Reopening for In-person Worship No date has yet been set for when we will reopen for in-person worship. The congregational leadership is considering
options for when and how this will happen. Some modest adjustments will need to be made to the worship service. Meanwhile, we will continue to livestream Sunday worship on Facebook Live on Sundays at 9:00 a.m. We will certainly keep you informed about the date when we will return to in-person worship. _____________________________________________________________________________________________
Congregational Meeting to be held A Congregational Meeting will be held Sunday, June 28 at 10:30am in the church parking lot. Only one topic is on
the agenda. A vote will be taken on extending a call to St. Peter’s interim pastoral candidate, the Rev. Raymond A. Miller, to be the pastor of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. Please plan to arrive by 10:15am to allow for proper spacing between cars. Please bring a facial covering and also bring a lawn chair, so you may sit beside your car.
Calling for and conducting this special Congregational Meeting during these unique times required unique considerations and planning. Please observe social distancing and facial coverings for everyone’s continued good health.
A letter from the Church Council President with more details is attached at the end of the newsletter. _________________________________________________________________________________________________
Lunch Bunch Until further notice, the Lunch Bunch will not meet. Kerry Furiga thanks everyone for their participation up to March 2020 and looks forward to the time when all can enjoy a
leisurely lunch together. Until then, stay safe and stay healthy. _________________________________________________________________________________________________
3
Church Chat • Input for the August newsletter is due by Thursday, July 17, please.
• Lutherans and Netflix: The ELCA has found itself in the Netflix spotlight recently. The Netflix series Sweet Magnolias, written by ELCA member Sheryl Anderson, began streaming May 19 and features a fictional ELCA congregation. The main characters turn to their church for the community, grace and support that Lutherans can count on. Meanwhile, the Rev. Noah Hepler of Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Atonement appeared on season 5 of Queer Eye, with his congregation and his mindset getting a makeover from the Fab Five. Give these great Lutheran-featuring shows a watch!
• Online book discussion: The SEPA Synod Anti-racism Team invites you to online conversations about race based on the book “America’s Original Sin” by Jim Wallis. These interactive discussions will take place on Tuesday evenings, from
7pm-8:15pm on June 30th, July 7th and July 14
th. To join in the next session (June 30) please register by noon June
26. Send an e-mail to: [email protected] with your name and contact information. Space is limited -- "first come, first served." The Team looks forward to your participation in this new venture.
______________________________________________________________________
Treasurer’s Report The May financial results are shown below. Thank you for your continued support of St Peter’s.
Ken Shanks, Church Treasurer Monthly results 5/1/2020 to 5/31/2020: Actual Weekly Offering Income $ 8,444 Budget Weekly Offering Income $10,159 Actual Total Income $10,030 Budget Total Income $13,279 Actual Expense $ 7,302 Budget Expense $13,267 Actual Net Income $ 2,728 Budget Net Income $ 11.85
Scam Alert!! Some area churches have been victimized by an email scam, in which the pastor, usually by name, is presented as
requesting contributions to purchase gift cards for whatever purpose. If you receive such an email, even if it uses St. Peter’s email address and Pastor Miller’s name, please note that IT IS A SCAM. Do not send any funds through the link provided in the email. Neither St. Peter’s nor Pastor Miller would solicit contributions in this way. If you have questions or concerns about the authenticity of a particular email from St. Peter’s, please call the church office. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Life During the Corona Virus Stay-at Home Period: Part 2 From Deb Detweiler, St. Peters Lutheran Church Council, 1st term
Ray and I live in Bedminster where we own and operate an 81 herd dairy farm. We have a border collie Gracie. Her sister Maggie developed an illness over the pandemic and she passed away the end of March. We have a lop ear bunny named Bella Rose and numerous cats. When I am not working on the farm, I work full-time as the nursing supervisor for Doylestown Health cardiology. Personally, the virus hasn't affected our lifestyle significantly. We still need to milk the cows and I was fortunate that Doylestown Hospital did not furlough any of their staff. I was sad when I couldn't go into to the vet with Maggie, and I can only imagine how it feels for patients in the hospital that couldn't have family members visit. I did have family members, friends, and patients diagnosed with COVID. I feel everyone's perspective is different depending how you have been affected by the virus. This is likely our new normal and we need to trust the decisions by the CDC. I do miss having family and friends visit the farm especially on Easter Sunday. I am thankful for Pastor Miller, Tammy, Rick, and Norm for providing Sunday Services live
streamed. Kudos to all for their wonderful efforts.
4
Congregational Staff
• Rev. Raymond Miller, Bridge Pastor 215-822-9108
• Pastoral emergency: 267-733-5243 [email protected]
• Sue Fellman Jacob, Parish Administrator 215-822-9108 Office hours: Monday through Thursday, 9:00am to 2:00pm [email protected]
• Norman Geist, Organist
• Bill Gottshall, Worship Ensemble Leader Susan Scherffel, Worship Ensemble Leader
• Jeff Thompson, Sexton
St. Peter’s Congregational Council
Pam Abaza, President (term ends: December 2021) 2nd Term
(215) 500-8458 [email protected]
Diane Gall, Vice-President (term ends: December 2020) 1st Term (215) 651-1112 [email protected]
Linda Ertel, Secretary (term ends: December 2021) 2nd Term (215) 712-9820 [email protected] Ken Shanks, Treasurer (completed two terms on council as of December 2015) (267) 424-0202 [email protected] Spencer Butterwick (term ends: December 2021) 1st Term (215) 881-7464 [email protected]
Rick Daubert (term ends: December 2020) 1st Term (215) 830-1270 [email protected] Debra Detweiler (term ends: December 2020) 1st Term (267) 228-0530 [email protected] Patti Dowse (term ends: December 2022) 2nd Term (215) 738-2781 [email protected] Scott Fischer (term ends: December 2022) 1st Term
(215) 997-7799 [email protected]
Joan Gerhart (term ends: December 2022) 2ndt Term (215) 822-9186 [email protected]
5
God’s Protection and Safety:
On all who drive buses, trains & planes. For all the service men & women especially:
Petty Officer Second Class Abigail Gall, US Coast Guard, daughter of Diane & Chris Gall
2nd LT. Walker Gall, US Air Force, son of Diane & Chris Gall
God’s Healing: Parishioners: Bob Bair, Bill Detweiler, Jim Ertel, Kim Jerasa, June Bair, Jean Gugger, Wilson Triol, Eleanor Peitzman, Trudy Ramsey, Bob Snider, Jim Lynch, Sharon Senigo, Mary Ettore, Jeff Flagler, Sandie Driscoll. * - new addition God’s Healing: Friends and family: *Dorothy Slack (daughter-in-law of Marie Slack), *Ike (friend of Judy Rockelmann), Derek (grandson of Joan Johnson), Jeff Heacock (brother-in-law of Deb Detweiler), Beverly Goheen (sister of Maureen Simpkins), Jack Palko (John Snyder’s brother-in-law), Pat Daubert (sister of Rick Daubert), Mason Long (grandson of Peg & Ed Hardy), Mary Clarke (friend of John Snyder), George Yarns (father of Tammy Daubert), Jackie Korbas (Jerry Gerhart’s sister), York Cassel (husband of quilter, Sue Cassel), Gene Gugger (son of Jean & Gene Gugger), Brooke Smith (friend of Donna Blackburn), Aidan Drakeley (Carol Barringer’s grandson), Lauren Gugger (granddaughter of Gene & Jean Gugger), Holly Olsen (friend of Charles Rizzo), Faye Slack (daughter of Blanche Wimmer), Betty Zepp (relation to Maryann Zepp), Donna Kuehlewind (friend of Deb Detweiler), Kay Moyer (friend of Hope Garrett), Arlene Leonard (Gene Gugger’s sister), Steve Traynor (friend of Sandie Driscoll), Jim Hardy (son of Peg & Ed Hardy), Barbara Jones (Danielle Simpkins’ mother), Al Palmer (friend of Dean Jerasa), Mark Newbold (friend of Charles Rizzo), Donna Cross (friend of Jim & Linda Ertel), Debbie Breithaupt (sister-in-law of June Bair), Brandon Latham (friend of Scherffel family), Patricia Deitz (sister of Bob Bair), Debra Scott (Sue Scherffel’s cousin), Butch Trucksess (brother-in-law of Donna and Brian Blackburn), Michael Burgess (brother of Kim Jerasa), Joseph Hartner (brother-in-law of Michael Ettore, Sr.). * - new addition [Names for healing will stay on the printed list for 1 month]
God’s Comfort & Peace: For our homebound members: Ted Fickert (Dock Woods), Joe Haenn and Bob Bergey (Lutheran Community at Telford), Esther Saylor and Tillie Murray (Hidden Meadows on the Ridge), Betty Nash (Springhouse Estates), Charlie Gehman (Home). God’s Grace for the Family & Friends who mourn the death of: +Ray Johnson, +Sharon Snider (daughter-in-law of Joan & Bob Snider),+Ted Hilmer, Sr., Marie Russell (Tammy Daubert’s mother), Raymond Michael Mayerzak (son of Marilou Mayerzak), Francine Moyer (aunt of John Snyder), Florence White (Pastor Miller’s aunt), James Payne (brother of Laurel Tackett), Ann Weikel (sister-in-law of Sue Jacob), +Mary Van Thuyne, Jeanette Kraus (mother of Rebecca Jerasa), June Breithaupt (mother of June Bair), Pat Lewis (aunt of Lori Lombardo), Charles Jacob (brother-in-law of Sue Jacob), A. Floyd Hacker (father of Gerry Gerhart), Josephine Patton (mother of Nancy Wendig), John Jerasa (brother-in-law of Kim Jerasa), Marie Davies (cousin of Chris Fellman), +Blanche Wimmer. [+indicates a member of St. Peter’s. Names will stay on the printed list for 1 year]
6
7