Pizza, People, Possibilities

St. John’s Messenger
Volume 96, Issue 6 June 15, 2016

It Was…..

Pizza, People, Possibilities…

AND

Popcorn, Pepsi….

Perfectly Perpetuated!!!!

Dear St. John’s Church family and friends,

We had a GREAT planning meeting on May 20….With all the “P” words surrounding us that evening, planning just NATURALLY happened! There are tremendous ideas flowing out of our congregational family and we shared our dreams and visions for so many ministries here at St. John’s.

Be sure to check out the extended insert in our newsletter this month, because it summarizes our conversation – celebrating many current and NEW ways to be a light in this community for Jesus – nourishing, serving AND faith.

So…we decided to focus for now on several particular new ministries, beginning with a 3-month plan. At our next meeting, which will be Thursday, June 30, at 6:30 p.m. – to which ALL of you are again invited – we will further develop these ideas:

Putting together a faith “milestone” ministry – celebrating faith stages from birth throughout adulthood
Beginning the process of making our church building more accessible – using the gifts of member contractors and an architect, when possible
Learning how we can sponsor a missionary as a congregation
Planning a monthly “St. John’s Kids Klub” for our children 5th grade and younger

As we shared our dreams on May 20, we also considered goals for 6 months, 1 year, and 5years/beyond:

By December and/or Christmas, we would like to begin a “Good Samaritan Ministry” of outreach to our community. As we anticipate our 200th anniversary celebration, we hope to begin a grocery “gift card” distribution at each worship service each week to grow our ministry to those in need.
We also hope in 6 months to approach our Council leadership for official institution of a missionary support ministry.
By one year – we hope to have some results that will help us begin to improve our building accessibility; be actively supporting an ELCA missionary; and have an active, intergenerational St. John’s Kids Klub.
As we s t r e t c h into 5 years or more, we pray the Lord will grant us opportunity to have a completely accessible church building!

And….for those who haven’t yet heard – offer your congratulations to our gifted office secretary, Sue Billman. Sue came up with our creative and inspiring new mission statement, PLUS designed a logo for our ministry slogan: Nourishing, Serving, Faith.

Sue received a gift card to her favorite restaurant AND a day off from the office. MANY THANKS to Sue for her gifts, AND for both Bill Jacavage and Doug Manning who covered the office on Sue’s day off.

God is doing some wonderful things among us…May we continue to look heavenward for guidance and earthward for the ministry God gives us….

I am Particularly Pleased, Positive, and Proud of all of you!

See you in church!

Pastor Pat Pittsnogle !!

“The Lord of hosts has sworn: As I have designed, so shall it be;

and as I have planned, so shall it come to pass:…”

Isaiah 14:24

What’s Next?

Who: St. John’s members & community members, church leadership, God!!,

Advisors, synod

What: Reaching out to young families, plan $ needs from list of goals, print out dream list &

needs, interest of younger people, relationship building, access $

When: NOW: Mutual Ministry Team & Others – focus who/what/when/where/how – perhaps

set goals to discern

Where: St. John’s – Thursday, June 30th , beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the library

How: With enthusiasm! Commitment! And God’s Grace!

Latest Witness from the Children of St. John’s - - -

On Sunday, June 5, Pastor Pat served as a “reporter” in church, asking our children to tell us what people need to know about Jesus. Here’s what they have to share:

Died on the cross.
We see Jesus in symbols in the church.
Jesus lives in us.
Jesus loves us. Unconditionally.
Jesus is in our hearts.
The bread is his body, the wine is his blood.

Remember to tell YOUR story about Jesus to others!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

July 1

Sally Diehl

Audrey Seebold

July 2

Edward Fenstermacher

Brian Kearney

July 3

Robert Berry

T. Jarod Hendricks

July 4

Benjamin Meiser

July 6

Brandon Carper

Donald Seebold, Sr.

Dondalynn Snyder

Susan Stamm

July 7

JeneeHolub

Lisa Kohler

June Kreitzer

Susan Stevenson

July 8

Harold Wiand

July 9

Cynthia Paul

Kenneth Ulp

July 10

Jeffery Boyer

Justin Boyer

Lynzie Mull

Martha O’Malley

July 11

Rebecca Bowman

Braydon Lahr

July 13

Holden Coyle

Amy Doyle

Mackenzie Wolfe

Larissa Redington

July 14

Logan McAllister

Mason McAllister

July 16

Karen Smeltz

July 17

Arianna Barrera

James Benner

July 18

Mary Rogers

Stephanie Snyder

July 19

Thomas Hendricks

Nathan Kearney

Michelle Yoder

July 20

Gail Lehman

July 21

Steven Benfer

David Hauck

Corinne Lyons

Sue Ann Sees

July 22

Jennifer Haddon

Judy Hafer

Alyssa Hamor

Laura Sue Zeigler

July 23

Benjamin Amerman

Sandra Saxman

Daniel Young

July 24

Kenneth Reigle

July 25

Constance Arter-Davis

Judy Bickel

July 26

Cole Bowman

Debra Doebler

Thomas Hamor

Stephen Reed

July 27

Rebekah Amerman

Rebecca Hare

Daniel Lehman

Kimberlee Neitz

Douglas Ray

July 28

Ashley Daddario

David Heckert

Thomas Stuck

July 29

Charles Bartholomew, III

Angela Fasold

TrentonKoons

Brian Shaffer

July 30

Abigail Brouse

July 31

Ryan Eisely

Sharon Fleming

Albert Whitecavage

July 2016
Sunday / Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday / Friday / Saturday
/ 1 / 2
3
Worship w/Comm. 8:00 a.m.
Sunday School 9:00 a.m.
Worship w/Comm. 10:15 a.m.
Ladies Choir Sings / 4OFFICE CLOSED / 5
Boy Scouts 6:30 p.m.
AA 8:00 p.m.
PINEKNOTTER CAKEWHEEL / 6 / 7
Scout Dist. Committee 7:00 p.m.
AA 7:00 p.m.
Al anon 8:00 p.m. / 8 / 9
10
Worship Service 8:00 a.m.
Sunday School 9:00 a.m.
Worship Service 10:15 a.m.
Summer Singers Choir / 11
Finance 7:00 p.m. / 12
Boy Scouts 6:30 p.m. / 13
Council Meeting 7:00 p.m. / 14
Messenger deadline 3:00 p.m.
AA 7:00 p.m.
Al anon 8:00 p.m. / 15
Wedding Rehearsal
Fellowship Hall reserved / 16
Wedding - Erdley
Kate’s Kupboard
9-11:00 a.m.
17
Worship Service 8:00 a.m.
Sunday School 9:00 a.m.
Worship Service 10:15 a.m. / 18 / 19
Boy Scouts 6:30 p.m. / 20
Fold Messenger 9:30 a.m.
Bible Study 7:00 p.m. / 21
Scout Roundtable 7:00 p.m.
AA 7:00 p.m.
Al anon 8:00 p.m. / 22 / 23
24
Worship Service 8:00 a.m.
Sunday School 9:00 a.m.
Worship Service 10:15 a.m.
Noisy Coin Offering - Haven / 25 / 26
Boy Scouts 6:30 p.m. / 27 / 28
AA 7:00 p.m.
Al anon 8:00 p.m. / 29 / 30
31
Worship Service 8:00 a.m.
Sunday School 9:00 a.m.
Worship Service 10:15 a.m.

Pizza/People/Possibilities – Friday, May 20, 2016

St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church – Northumberland PA

Summary of our conversation/visioning

Categorized by our Mission Statement 2016 Slogan: Nourishing/Serving/Faith

Current Ministries of Nourishing:

(duplicates indicate items were listed by more than one person)

Great volunteers

Weekly communion

Receiving God’s message in services

Lighthouse Café

VBS

Kate’s Kupboard

Nourishing young minds w/ the good

news

Worship

Regular services

Pre-Communion

PreSchool education

Home communion

Children’s Sermon

Birthday cards to homebound

Confirmation class

Many social events for the

congregation and community

Bible Study

Mitten Tree

A wonderful new minister

Current Ministries of Serving:

(duplicates indicate items were listed by more than one person)

Lighthouse Café

Place for community groups to meet

Sponsoring AA

Church Council

Home Communion

Homebound outreach

Gifts on holidays to homebound

Kate’s Kupboard

Blessing Bags

Mitten Tree

2 worship services and Sunday School

every Sunday

Roadside clean-up

PreSchool

Rummage Sale

Scouts

Christmas Bazaar

Current Ministries of Faith:

(duplicates indicate items were listed by more than one person)

Attending church

VBS

PreSchool

Holy Week services

Bell choir

Planning special events

and having faith they

will work out the way

God plans

All our church activities

Our cross on the steeple is

a faith symbol to the

community

Church bell

Believing that the Lord would

lead us to our new pastor

Prayer list

Teach faith confirmation

Teach faith youth

Sunday School

Home communion

Ice Cream Social honoring

50 year members

Children’s choir

Kid’s choir Sunday

Support of Missionary (whenever)

Bible study

Ministries of Nourishing that we DREAM about:

Adult nourishing

Adult Camp Mt. Luther weekend

Good Sunday School lessons for all ages

Resources Needed:

$ for camp

People TO ATTEND

Encourage parents

Nurture relationships

Volunteers

Nourishing the needy

Food Pantry

Expand Kate’s Kupboard

Resources Needed:

Food

Space/Storage

Volunteers & Leadership

Accessibility

Communication

Transportation

Products

Youth/Children

Community daycare facility

Blessing bowls: each newly baptized gets a bowl, then receives stones for faith milestones throughout their lives

Playing role-playing games for encouraging creativity, team work, and fun

Youth group activities

Resources Needed:

Bowls & Stones

Space

Guidelines

Volunteers & leadership

Food

Child Care Clearances

Yard; Playground & equipment

Bibles

Curriculum

Imagination

Activities

Supplies

Ads

Entertainment

Employees

Youth/Parent activities

Ministries of Serving that we DREAM about:

Youth/Young families

Mentoring (children, youth, newly married, newly baptized, etc.) – support & prayer for those going through faith/life

milestones

Kid’s Club – ages 5-5th grade

More confirmation teachers (needed right away!)

After-school program or shelter for neighborhood kids

Junior Youth group

Bibles for children to receive in 2nd-4th grade

Resources Needed:

Space

Guidelines

Volunteers & leadership

Food

Child Care Clearances

Yard; Playground & equipment

Bibles

Curriculum

Imagination

Activities

Supplies

Ads

Entertainment

Employees

Youth/Parent activities

Property

Provide office/meeting space to other groups who serve the needs of others

Handicapped accessible to Wheatley Avenue – offices & Pre-School; Fellowship Hall – ramp; Memorial Room – ramp

Building accessibility – parking garage with raised community garden on top level – maybe a game court of some kind

Resources Needed:

Elevator

Plan

Contractor

Benefactor(s)

Guidelines

Infrastructure

Accessibility

Communication

Dirt!

Multi-media

Dynamic website: sermons, prayers, daily devotions, etc.

Social media presence (facebook, twitter, Instagram, etc.)

Social media (blog, vlog, etc.)

Resources Needed:

Volunteers

Time

Plan

Guidelines

Hardware

Hosting service/Software

Attitude change?

Open Mind

Outreach

Stronger presence in community: Memorial Day, Pineknotter days, Veterans Day, Riverview day of remembrance, etc.

Look for a variety of programs/activities to interest people and draw them into service

Men’s service group

A surplus of pastors for church leadership

Encourage and invite others to join a committee/join the choir

Serving as a committee member

Motivate people to serve – there is lots for everyone

Resources Needed:

Fostering/Supporting

theological education

Volunteers

Communication

Leadership/Time

Retirees

Invitations

Embrace changes & new ways

Stronger evangelism

from members

Ministries of Faith that we DREAM about:

Evangelism/Outreach

A growing congregation

Increase attendance

Church full every Sunday

Lots of young faces!

Don’t be afraid to invite neighbors and friends to attend church with you. Don’t be shy about talking about your love for God;

the trust you have in him.

Attitude of “not being afraid to do/try new things”

Publicity – telling our story/God’s story to others; newspaper articles, billboard, TV, radio, limitless possibility!

Advertise special services and events – posters to businesses – door-to-door flyers – also to PreSchool and Scouts

More people to help with confirmation!

Serving a missionary by name – so we can relate to the mission field and go into the world

Resources Needed:

Planning & vision

Communication

Interest

Enthusiasm

Motivation

Services at the marina

Worship team input/planning

Volunteers

Writers

Children/Youth

Youth participate in synod events (i.e. Knoebels in June, youth day at Susquehanna University, Camp Mt. Luther)

Offer youth group activities

Youth group

Teach the Word to young minds

Resources Needed:

Youth

Parents

Hire professionals

Adult leaders

Ideas

Child Care Clearances

Transportation

Entertainment

Food

Worship

Outdoor Easter Sunrise Service

Offer contemporary services

Recording of worship

Resources Needed:

Planning & vision

Communication

Interest

Enthusiasm

Motivation

Services at the marina

Worship team input/planning

Volunteers

Hire professionals

Milestones/Intergenerational Ministry

Blessing of the Backpacks (fall) and/or Bikes (spring)

Spotlight a member per month – feature in newsletter. Youth group can spend a Sunday morning with him/her.

To attract young members – high-tech screen with words to hymns in the sanctuary

More intergenerational activities

Faith milestones – pebbles decorated that each child receives for their blessing bowl (i.e. recognizing baptism, Sunday School,

acolyte, choir, confirmation, graduation, etc.)

Faith milestones – baptism to confirmation – and BEYOND – even into adult milestones

Resources Needed:

Bowls & stones Ideas for activities

Plan

Milestone list

Life-long milestone recognition

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 June 15, 2016 Volume 96, Issue 6

St. John’s Evangelical

Lutheran Church

570-473-3770

8:00 a.m. Worship Service with Communion

9:00 a.m. Adult 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