Facing Our Fears
What will you be doing with your family for vacation this summer? Sharon and I have plans to spend a week camping. Plans are still up in the air as to where we are going. Wherever we end up I am sure we will have a great time.
A couple weeks ago I suggested to my adult children that, as a family, we should all go to either Hershey Park or Dorney Park for a day this summer. Both parks are very kid friendly, offering rides for small children and thrill seekers as well.
When I was a child living in Virginia, our family would visit relatives in Pennsylvania almost every summer, and a trip to Hershey Park was always on our agenda. As a child I thought Hershey was a great place. I still remember the gravel walkways and the white wooden roller coaster.
As an adult, I must admit I am not a big amusement park ride fan. In fact when it comes to amusement park rides, I am the biggest coward God ever created. When visiting places like Dorney with youth groups I am amazed at the courage of our teenagers. At Dorney, there are at least four roller coasters that travel at amazing speeds and heights, twisting and turning and throwing the rider from here to there. There is one ride where you are strapped
in a contraption that shoots you straight up in the air for about 150 feet. I am not much good when I get five feet off the ground. I am always terrified just watching this thing, but whenever I visit Dorney there are always people waiting in line to ride that contraption.
The ability to face one’s fears head on is an admirable trait. I am always reminded of that fact whenever I go to an amusement park and find myself sitting on a bench in the shade, watching others enjoy the ride of a lifetime. I am also reminded that the ability to face one’s fears goes beyond amusement park rides. It is applicable to life itself. Life itself can be a roller coaster at times. What gives us the courage for the journey is faith in our Lord, who is with us at every twist and turn of life’s path. Our task is simply to trust in the Lord and to hold on for what is truly the ride of a lifetime!
Christ’s Peace,
Pastor Pat
7/1 Joel Heb
7/1 Thomas Agnew
7/1 Ashley Fox
7/1 Kendall Spangler
7/1 Taylor Pavlick
7/2 Rosemary Davies
7/2 Jack Tongue
7/2 Sherri McKently
7/2 Christina Lesher
7/2 Cortney Gordon
7/2 Paul Schoellkopf
7/3 Matthew Siggins
7/4 Curtis Olinger
7/4 Anna Mae Diehl
7/4 Christy Hetrick
7/4 Benjamin Mell
7/4 Andrew Hagginbothom
7/5 Faye Absalom
7/5 Allen Fox
7/5 Ethan Makovsky
7/6 Mae Border
7/6 Richard Hicks
7/6 Robert Schwartz
7/6 Heidi Pierce
7/6 Sue Kline
7/6 Justin Hill
7/6 Julie Fisher
7/6 Stephen Bleiler
7/6 Jordan Strause
7/6 Brian Schumacher
7/6 Lyle Greiss II
7/6 Kaitlyn Pytleski
7/7 Jackie Gauker
7/7 Dale Dietrich
7/7 Audrey Agnew
7/8 Valerie Frey
7/8 Brandon Boyer
7/9 Steven Wertz
7/9 Tyler Absalom
7/9 Frederick Kerling II
7/10 George Endy
7/10 Chris Nasados
7/11 Merrill Schaeffer
7/11 Carrie Wentz
7/11 Melissa Williams
7/11 Ashten Rolon
7/11 Evan Blickley
7/12 Pamela Ann Pashley
7/12 Jan Williams
7/12 Stephanie Negri
7/12 Jessica Keck
7/12 Aiden Soumas
7/13 Jane Folk
7/13 Carolyn Christ
7/13 Traci Hicks
7/13 Ian Houck
7/13 Jenna Schumacher
7/14 Mary Boeshore
7/14 Allen Gracely
7/15 Phyllis Zimmerman
7/15 Lynda Shenk
7/15 Herbert Dunkelberger III
7/15 Todd Gruber
7/15 Hannah Sell
7/15 Mark Brielle
7/16 Jody Laverdure
7/16 Courtney Eisenhofer
7/17 Susan Bigg
7/17 Kathleen Beitzel
7/17 Micah Barlet
7/17 Gwyneth Trafford
7/18 Terry Smith
7/19 Andrea Kurzweg
7/19 Sarah Moll
7/20 Robert Lenhart
7/20 Derek Geisinger
7/20 Michael Sunday
7/20 Allison Souders
7/20 Alex Plucker
7/21 Rose Kurzweg
7/21 Thomas Weir
7/21 Rob Barth
7/21 Rachel Bergeman
7/21 Lauren Nahrgang
7/22 Debra Fink
7/22 Robert Hagginbothom
7/22 Linda Sue Speece
7/22 Wendy Strohl
7/22 Lindsay Schaeffer
7/22 Tyler Lance
7/23 Kermit Knerr
7/23 Miriam Seifrit
7/23 Julie Feldman
7/24 Jason Sloss
7/24 Andrea Gracely
7/24 Kristen Tongue
7/24 Colton Plucker
7/24 Jarren Valick
7/25 Joseph Ludwig
7/25 Jeffrey Miller
7/25 Brandi Hill
7/25 Alex Weeast
7/25 Connor Noll
7/26 Samuel Kemmerer
7/26 John Reinkemeyer
7/26 Courtney Posey
7/26 Molly Robison
7/27 Carl Wink
7/27 Joan Miller
7/27 Mary Keck
7/27 Aleesha Fritz
7/28 William Kurtz
7/28 Kyle Lesher
7/28 Leah Gurney
7/30 Yolanda Schaeffer
7/30 Karen Shollenberger
7/30 Lisa George
7/30 Douglas Heydt
7/31 Janet Koller
If your birthday is not listed or is incorrect, please call the church office at 610-944-0406 so it can be recorded for future birthday lists.
July 1
8:55 a.m. – Janice Lenhart, David Bingaman, Lorraine Bingaman, Rob Stilwell, Mary Ann Hayes, Dwight Bigg, Chris Vojtasek, Becca Weida
10:25 a.m. – Pat Sausser, Tom Hoch, Mike Richards, Malcolm Dreibelbis, Ro Wolf, Samantha Wolf, Ann Heinly, Joel Schaeffer
July 8
8:55 a.m. – Janice Lenhart, David Bingaman, Lorraine Bingaman, Rob Stilwell
10:25 a.m. – Ken McDowell, Jessica Keck, Marcia Moll, Jim Goldman
July 15
8:55 a.m. – Mary Ann Hayes, Dwight Bigg, Chris Vojtasek, Becca Weida
10:25 a.m. – Pat Sausser, Tom Hoch, Mike Richards, Malcolm Dreibelbis
July 22
8:55 a.m. – Ro Wolf, Samantha Wolf, Ann Heinly, Joel Schaeffer
10:25 a.m. - Ken McDowell, Jessica Keck, Marcia Moll, Jim Goldman
July 29
8:55 a.m. - Janice Lenhart, David Bingaman, Lorraine Bingaman, Rob Stilwell
10:25 a.m. - Mary Ann Hayes, Dwight Bigg, Chris Vojtasek, Becca Weida
July 1 – Kitchen Krew
July 8 – Lois and Rob Stilwell
July 15 – Lorraine Bingaman & Janice Lenhart
July 22 – Heidi Pierce
July 29 – Peg & Keith Ruch with Joyce Hottenstein
July 1
8:55 a.m. – Rob Stilwell
10:25 a.m. – Jay A. Smith
July 8
8:55 a.m. – Cheryl Weiser
10:25 a.m. – Jack Creswell
July 15
8:55 a.m. – David Balmer
10:25 a.m. – David Balmer
July 22
8:55 a.m. – Sandy Dugan
10:25 a.m. – Carol Strause
July 29
8:55 a.m. – Melissa Ruemmler
10:25 a.m. – Jean Weidner
July 1
8:55 a.m. – Max Pavlick & Chip Mason
10:25 a.m. – Alex Plucker & Keith Brokhoff
July 8
8:55 a.m. – Jeremy Pieja & Rachel Bergeman
10:25 a.m. – Erin Bogacki & Haley Krueger
July 15
8:55 a.m. – Emily Levan & Maxwell Ruemmler
10:25 a.m. – Chad DeLay & Jenna Schumacher
July 22
8:55 a.m. – Hannah Hetrick & Erin Bogacki
10:25 a.m. – Kaitlyn Kachel & Klarissa Pierce
July 29
8:55 a.m. – Morgan Long & Alyson Keller
10:25 a.m. – Alex Plucker & Hannah Sell
Eric Marsteller
635 Seem Drive, Kutztown, PA 19530
University of Pittsburgh
Summa cum laude
Bachelors of Science in Business Administration
December 18, 2011 graduation
Will be attending Princeton Theological Seminary in September 2012
Austin Marsteller
635 Seem Drive, Kutztown, PA 19530
Kutztown High School
June 5, 2012 Graduation
Will be attending Penn State University Park for Turf Grass Science and Landscaping
Britney McNabb
108 Judy Drive, Blandon, PA 19510
Graduated May 12, 2012 from Moravian College BSN in Nursing Plans to move to NYC this summer and work in a hospital
Kenneth A. Weidner
671 Shropshire Drive, West Chester, PA 19382
Graduated March 23, 2012 from Art Institute of Philadelphia
Associates, Web Design and Interactive Media
Become gainfully employed!
Elizabeth Leigh Wilson
1306 Frush Valley Rd., Laureldale, PA 19605
Graduated May 12, 2012 from Millersville University Dual Major: Bachelor Degree in Elementary Education Bachelor Degree Special Education Career in Elementary and/or Special Education Extended School Year Program Life Skills & Teacher at Muhlenberg High School
Mengying "Ann" Liu
825 N. Richmond St., Fleetwood PA 19522
Graduating from Berks Catholic High School (International Student)
Going to University of Delaware for International Business
St. Paul’s U.C.C. Book Group Information
On Tuesday, July 31, 2012, we will meet and discuss Greetings From Somewhere Else by Monica McInerney at the home of Sharon Dreibelbis at 7 p.m .
Book Summary of
Greetings From Somewhere Else
Lainey Byrne is a master at controlled chaos, juggling her hectic, demanding job, her chef boyfriend with his crazy hours, and her roiling family with all its daily dramas. But her life truly threatens to spin out of control when her aunt May, who owns a B&B in Ireland, passes away. In order for the Byrnes to collect their inheritance, someone from the family must take over Aunt May’s business for a year. And apparently that someone is Lainey.
Between running a run-down, virtually guest-free B&B (without the slightest ability to cook or clean), worrying about her family from afar, adjusting to country life, and dealing with the complications of long-distance love, Lainey is in way over her head. But when a reunion with a childhood friend sparks unexpected complications, Lainey realizes that fate may have another path for her–a direction she never imagined.
SPECIAL GIVING ENVELOPES FOR JULY
Loan Reduction - July 1
Building Maintenance Fund - July 15
Parents & guardians of Confirmation-aged youth,
As we look toward the year ahead, it's time to begin planning for the next phase of the excellent journey that is confirmation! The confirmation process relies on building a relationship between parents, youth, mentors, leaders and all who are involved in the program. If you are the parent or guardian of someone entering first or second year confirmation, you are welcomed and encouraged to join us for an overview of the program, finding ways that you can be involved, critical dates, and a question and answer session to make sure that we are all on the same page as we walk together toward finding deep, lasting meaning that comes from exploring our faith together. 2nd Year Confirmation Parents' Meeting will be on July 15th following second service. 1st Year Confirmation Parents' Meeting will be on July 22nd following second service.
Peace,
John
YOUTH
July 1-7 Mission Trip John
Orland, Maine
Thurs., 7.5 Fleetwood Food Pantry
July 9-14 National Youth Event John
Purdue University
WOW! Poor Oksana sure did have a scare last week. She overheard a conversation and caught words like summer, tanning, and children. These words sent panic through our ostrich friend because back home she knows that ostrich hides (especially young ones) are often tanned and used to create ostrich leather products. Thinking that someone might be looking to turn her into a pair of shoes, Oksana was planning a hasty retreat to the savanna. Upon hearing the explanation of how the word “tanning” was being used she relaxed and realized no one was scheduling her demise. With further clarification she understood that the original conversation was probably mothers discussing the value of protecting their children from too much sun and tanning during the summer.
This scene reminded Oksana and the food pantry crew that our supply of products for babies and young children has been depleted. So, during the month of July, we would like to fill the grocery cart with any item that can be used by our youngest individuals. We can use jars of baby food, baby cereal, baby snacks, diapers, baby wash, shampoo and especially baby wipes. We do know that some of our eldest clients at food pantry are also in need of items such as baby food and wipes. When you are grocery shopping, add a few baby choices for the grocery cart in the narthex. All contributions will be taken to the food pantry for distribution on August 2nd.
Oh, yes, Oksana reminds all her St. Paul’s family members to use the appropriate SPF when enjoy the summer sunshine!
The deadline for articles and information to be included in the August issue of the Tower Tymes is Sunday, July 15th.
Senior Spotlight This Month
This month we are spotlighting Marie Boyer of 301 W. Vine St., Fleetwood. She recently celebrated her 87th birthday on May 12th. Marie was born in Wanamakers, PA near Kempton. At the age of four, her family moved to a 240 acre dairy farm in Windsor Township between Lenhartsville and Hamburg. She continued living at home until after her marriage in 1945.
Marie grew up in a large family with five brothers and two sisters. Four siblings are now deceased and her brother, Bob Lenhart, sister, Grace Shollenberger, and brother, Jim Lenhart all live in Berks County.
Growing up on a large farm required hard work, and Marie was a "tomboy" who toiled out in the fields just like the boys. Her brother Bob often tells her, "You did a man's work!" However, there was always time remaining for the siblings to make up their own games and have fun. In the winter when roads were treacherous, she recalls her father using the sled to transport milk to the creamery.
Until 8th grade, Marie attended a one-room country school called The Sunday School near Hamburg. She graduated from Hamburg High School in 1942. Getting to school required walking long distances of one to three miles.
During high school, Marie's favorite past time was participating in a roller skating club called the Fleetwood Stumbling Bums. She enjoyed spending free time at Trexler's Rolling Rink near Hamburg skating with her friends. Sometimes the club would rent a bus to travel as far away as New Jersey.
In fact, Marie's interest in roller skating provided the opportunity to meet her future husband. Her best friend introduced her to Raymond who was known as “Red Boyer" because of his red hair. Everyone in Fleetwood called him by his nickname, and it took a year before her father actually asked, "What is his real name?" She was the first one in her family to have a church wedding in July of 1945.
Marie and Raymond have three children. Richard lives near Breinigsville, Diane in North Carolina, and Dennis lives locally. They also have been blessed with six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
After getting married, Marie’s full-time job was taking care of her family and raising her children. In 1956 she took a job working in the cafeteria at the old Fleetwood Middle/High School. Next she worked for the Penn Dutch Cookie factory first half time then full time, retiring in 1984.
Since Marie's husband was a member of the Lions Club, they had many opportunities to travel to the national conventions in Hawaii, Texas, and western Pennsylvania. They also enjoyed traveling on many car trips as well. In July 1995, a particularly memorable 50th anniversary celebration trip was taken out west with their son. Sadly, her husband passed away in September of that year. Since that time, she has continued her love of travel and has taken trips to Germany, Switzerland, and Alaska. Every winter Marie spends three months in Florida. Marie continues to stay active by participating in Blandon Senior Citizen's bus trips. Once a month she enjoys going to a dinner theater and is looking forward to a trip to Minnesota in September.
When she was younger, she enjoyed sewing and making all her own clothes. Family ties are very strong and there are always gatherings of the Lenhart clan on July 4th, Christmas, and other occasions.