Volume 96, Issue 1 January 20, 2016
Jesus Didn’t Make It To the Manger on Christmas Eve….
Following two glorious, joyful Christmas Eve services, I came home at 1 a.m. Christmas Day to collapse in my living room. The chicken and ham my in-laws had brought, along with their delicious homemade cranberry salad, had already nourished my growling stomach. I opened a gift from Dean and Mary Siemsen that moment that contained an assortment of cookies that satisfied my sweet tooth. “Thank you, Jesus,” I remember praying, “for your loving care of my beloved Keith” (who was recovering from heart surgery in Williamsport (PA) Hospital). “Thank you, Jesus, for all the people who have been loving and caring for us in these tough days – and for the warm, comfortable bed into which I am about to fall desperately asleep.”
I dashed out upon wakening to spend Christmas Day with Keith in the hospital. We began opening the many Christmas cards and get well cards you sent….cards we hadn’t had time to open in all the rush of blood tests, cath labs, and operating rooms. Keith made it through about 10 of them that day. So in between our mutual naps, we gave thanks – for life, for love, for healing.
It wasn’t until the next morning that I discovered our Christmas crèche was still in Advent. Mary and Joseph were still traveling to the stable, the shepherds were still out in the fields waiting for the angels’ joyful message, and the wise men hadn’t yet made it to the traveling section of our living room display.
Jesus was still behind the manger. Christmas Day had come and gone and Jesus hadn’t made it to the manger.
What kind of pastor leaves Jesus behind the barn on Christmas Day?
I laughed – then I cried – more than I’ve ever laughed and cried my whole life!
And then I remembered….Jesus no longer lives in that manger, but in the hearts and lives of all of us. And I recalled all the countless places – more than I can remember – that I had seen Jesus since the swoosh of changed schedules that led Keith and me into an altogether different celebration of Christmas:
· The collegiality of our morning breakfast clergy that “benign” Tuesday morning, December 15.
· The normal candidacy committee meeting I attended at the synod office after breakfast and before learning Keith’s health issues.
· Keith’s regularly scheduled doctor appointment and the wisdom of his diabetic caregiver.
· The office assistants, the reliable phone service, the accessibility of a hospital that ran blood tests efficiently.
· The minivan that never missed a beat!
· The ones trained to respond to emergencies – who scrubbed for surgery, made sure surgical instruments were ready, those who had just cleaned the floors and emptied the trash, the skill of many hands, hearts, and minds who jumped right into our changed schedule and made miracles happen.
· The staff and members of our churches who flipped right into caregiving mode and re-arranged worship plans.
· Our synod staff who loved us, called others to step in for us, and all the clergy and laity of this synod who said “absolutely” when called upon to help us.
· The electric company that made the light possible in my living room when I discovered Jesus wasn’t where he was supposed to be…
· Our family, friends, loved ones, and members of our community who pray for us, stand by ready to help us at any moment…..
· And even this blessed computer that allows me to tell this story.
Jesus didn’t make it to our manger Christmas Eve OR Christmas Day – but Jesus was EVERYWHERE else, that’s for sure. Jesus was taking care of the needs of God’s children – the reason for which Jesus came at Christmas.
Our Christmas letter had already been written and reproduced – and we had no idea we’d be adding this addendum.
Jesus was and is everywhere in those days for us – and in the days and deeds of our lives all year. When you and we pack away our crèche for another Advent and cover with soft paper the baby and manger for next year, Jesus will still be outside beyond Christmas, not worried in the least that he spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day behind the barn. This year I/we get that message better than ever.
These grateful and humbled pastors – are praying that you see Jesus outside that manger in your lives, too. We have seen Jesus so many ways in you this Christmas – and we pray that we’ve helped you see how very much Jesus lives and ministers to others in YOU. Merry Christmas! Happy New Year! Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!
With all God’s Blessings and Love….
Pat & Keith –
The Pastors Pittsnogle J
“He is not here… but has risen!” --Luke 24:5b
For those of you who sent cards, texts, facebook posts, emails….who pray prayers, provide us with constant support, and those of you who gave us generous gifts and goodies during this holy season – we thank you – THANK YOU – from the fullness of all we have to offer. You are the reason we continue to heal and grow in all the changes of our lives. God bless you all!
J
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February 2016
Sunday / Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday / Friday / Saturday
1
TOPS 5:15-6:15 p.m.
Daisy/Brownies 6:00 p.m.
Cub Scouts 7:00 p.m. / 2
Tulpehocken Conf. @
St. John’s 9:00 a.m.
Boy Scouts 6:30 p.m.
AA 8:00 p.m. / 3
Girl Scouts 6:15-7:15 p.m. / 4
Worship & Music 7:00p.m.
Scout District Committee 7:00 p.m.
AA 7:00 p.m.
Al anon 8:00 p.m. / 5 / 6
7 Boy Scout Sunday
Worship w/Comm. 8:00 a.m.
Sunday School PreK-6 8:45 a.m.
Sunday School 9:00 a.m.
Worship w/Comm. 10:15 a.m. / 8
TOPS 5:15-6:15 p.m.
Daisy/Brownies 6:00 p.m.
Cub Scouts 7:00 p.m.
Finance 7:00 p.m. / 9
Boy Scouts 6:30 p.m.
Council Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Troop 325 Comm. 7:00 p.m.
AA 8:00 p.m. / 10 Ash
Wednesday
Girl Scouts 6:15-7:15 p.m.
Ash Wednesday Service 7:00 p.m. / 11
Messenger deadline 3:00 p.m.
Social Ministry 6:00 p.m.
AA 7:00 p.m.
Al anon 8:00 p.m. / 12 / 13
14
Worship w/Comm. 8:00 a.m.
Sunday School PreK-6 8:45 a.m.
Sunday School 9:00 a.m.
Worship w/Comm. 10:15 a.m. / 15
TOPS 5:15-6:15 p.m.
Daisy/Brownies 6:00 p.m.
Cub Scouts 7:00 p.m.
WELCA 7:00 p.m. / 16
Boy Scouts 6:30 p.m.
Bible Study 7:00 p.m.
AA 8:00 p.m. / 17
Messenger folding 9:30 a.m.
Girl Scouts 6:15-7:15 p.m.
Lenten Service &
Bible Study 7:00 p.m. / 18
Anniversary Planning Committee
7:00 p.m.
Scout Roundtable 7:00 p.m.
AA 7:00 p.m.
Al anon 8:00 p.m. / 19 / 20
Kathryn’s Kloset
9-11:00 a.m.
21
Worship w/Comm. 8:00 a.m.
Sunday School PreK-6 8:45 a.m.
Sunday School 9:00 a.m.
Worship w/Comm. 10:15 a.m. / 22
TOPS 5:15-6:15 p.m.
Daisy/Brownies 6:00 p.m.
Cub Scouts 7:00 p.m. / 23
Boy Scouts 6:30 p.m.
AA 8:00 p.m. / 24
Lenten Service &
Bible Study 7:00 p.m. / 25
Lighthouse Café 4:30-6:00 p.m.
AA 7:00 p.m.
Al anon 8:00 p.m. / 26 / 27
28
Worship w/Comm. 8:00 a.m.
Sunday School PreK-6 8:45 a.m.
Sunday School 9:00 a.m.
Worship w/Comm. 10:15 a.m. / 29
TOPS 5:15-6:15 p.m.
Daisy/Brownies 6:00 p.m.
Cub Scouts 7:00 p.m. / March 1 / 2
Lenten Service &
Bible Study 7:00 p.m. / 3
Worship & Music 7:00p.m.
Scout District Committee 7:00 p.m.
AA 7:00 p.m.
Al anon 8:00 p.m / 4 / 5
Date / Lector / Greeters / Communion
Assistants / Bread / Ushers / Crucifer / Acolyte/
Torch-
bearer / Sound
System
Feb 7
8:00 AM / Brenda Herbert
David Herbert / Pat Propst
Feb 7
10:15 AM / Scouts / Scouts / Nancy Erdley
Mike Erdley / Pat Propst / Scouts / Eryn Swanger / Cecelia Shellenberger / Trey Cunningham
Feb 10
7:00 PM
Ash Wednesday / Mary Siemsen / Kate Billman
Laurie Robinson / Trish Long
Ginny Butler / Jamie Feaster / Barb Moyer
Tom Propst / Daniel Lehman / Daniel Lehman
Feb 14
8:00 AM / Jamie Feaster
Sue Billman / Judy Reigle
Feb14
10:15 AM / Rachel Anderson / Bonnie & Bob Berry / Rebekah Amerman
Barb Moyer / Judy Reigle / Owen Long
Trey Cunningham
Derek Amerman
Kobe Swanger / Brayden Varney / Brayden Varney / Bob Berry
Feb 21
8:00 AM / Pat Propst
Tom Propst / Jacki Cunningham
Feb 21
10:15 AM / George Shearer / Nancy & Mike Erdley / Caitlin Cunningham
Trey Cunningham / Jacki Cunningham / Barb Moyer
Teresa Miller
Judy Hoffman
Gloria Auman / Hanna Long / Hanna Long / Mike Erdley
Feb 28
8:00 AM / Sue Billman
Bill Troutman / Karen Smeltz
Feb 28
10:15 AM / Blaine Shaffer / Judy & Frank Hoffman / Dean Siemsen
Blaine Shaffer / Karen Smeltz / Doug Manning
Tom Propst
Frank Hoffman
Greg Morton / Ian McAllister / Ian McAllister / Lou VanGilder
February 1
Annabelle Booker
Mary Dunkelberger
Patrick Fiori III
February 2
Corinne Brock
Allana Long
Erin Reigle
February 3
Patricia Propst
February 4
Barbara Savidge
February 5
Katelyn Eisely
February 6
Weston Campbell
Lawrence Redington
February 7
Jennifer Berry
Ryder Feaster
Sarah Long
Robert Neitz III
February 8
Frank Knorr
Barbara Moyer
Mary Startzel
February 9
Ryan Billman
Isabella Heckert
Sandra Miller
Ian Reitz
February 10
Bryant Hamor
Bessie Hetzendorf
Alison Singh
February 11
Christopher Eisely
William Troutman
February 12
William Duncan III
Malinda Sawyer
February 13
Samantha Hamor
Jeana Snyder
February 14
Roger Kerstetter
February 15
Leonard Broome
Jennifer Fleming
Susan Fromm
Kathryn Kistner
February 16
David Bogovich
Robert Naginey
Allen Potter
David Wolfe
February 17
TeeAnn Ferguson
Clayton Kessler III
February 18
Evan Neidig
February 19
Brian Kauffman
Robert Mull IV
Jessica Steele
February 20
Lauren Knouse
Judy Kohl
Jack Luden
February 21
William Jacavage
February 22
Sophia Feathers
Lynn Noecker
Nicholas Sees
February 23
George Eisenhower
Cole Stuck
February 24
Betsy Kauffman
Allan Funk
Tina Vayda
Glen Weaver
Lorraine Weaver
Katherine Welsh
February 25
Richard Smeltz
February 26
Jennifer Fromm
James Smith
Nancy Tomlinson
Glenda Whitecavage
February 27
James Brosious Jr.
Dustin Holub
Mark Sees
February 28
James Kohler Sr.
Michael Sees
Steven Snyder
February 29
Samantha Ferguson
St. John’s Lutheran Church, 300 Queen Street, Northumberland, PA 17857
Periodical postage paid at Northumberland, PA.
POSTMASTER: Send address change to St. John’s Messenger,
300 Queen Street, Northumberland, PA 17857.
ST. JOHN’S MESSENGER January 20, 2016 Volume 96, Issue 1
St. John’s Evangelical
Lutheran Church
570-473-3770
8:00 a.m. Worship Service with Communion
8:45 a.m. Sunday School for Preschool-6th Grade
9:00 a.m. Sunday School
10:15 a.m. Worship Service with Communion
Church Office Hours Mon-Thurs 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Fri 8:30 a.m.-Noon
Rev. Patricia Pittsnogle, Pastor
William J. Jacavage, Director of Music