Volume 96, Issue 3 March 16, 2016
Ready to Consider Another Way
to Serve Jesus?
Dear St. John’s Church family and friends,
We have had the blessing here at St. John’s of a number of folks who have been taking communion to members who have had difficulty attending worship. As I have visited with homebound members, they have expressed to me much gratitude and thanks for this special ministry to them. I write to thank all of you who give of yourselves so more of God’s children can receive Christ’s Holy Sacrament on a monthly basis.
The Holy Spirit has placed on my heart an idea to expand this good ministry by broadening its possibilities. Are you, for example, gifted and ready to serve as a regular visitor to folks in our congregation who would welcome it? Do you see yourself gifted in writing and/or leading our weekly prayers? Might you feel called to serve in youth ministry, additional responsibilities in worship, or perhaps you have been thinking about our home communion ministry as well and would like to serve as an additional servant in that ministry? Maybe you’d like to consider communion ministry but can’t commit to monthly service? How about a brainstorming team about what we might want to consider for our future at St. John’s?
There are many possibilities for you to offer yourselves in addition to worship and committee work and general leadership. I would love to hear your own ideas about how God might have been guiding your gifts. To that, I invite you to a conversation about where God is leading us together.
If the Spirit nudges you toward something new that you can offer – please call me (768-6705; or 473-3770) – or talk w/ me at church – or email me – to share your interest. You can also call (or email) Sue in the church office (473-3770) and express your interest. I would like to take this group to the next step and schedule a relaxed time when we can explore the possibilities together.
I’m thinking perhaps of a Friday evening in May – sharing pizza and snacks – and hearing where the Spirit has enlightened you. If training is needed, we could spend the summer preparing and fine-tuning our new ministries, and ready to offer ourselves as the Spirit leads us.
Pray about this. Share your interest. I’d love to hear from you.
And – by the way – this has a precedent in the early Church.
When the apostles served a growing church and they needed help for all the day to day tasks before them, they called the Church to appoint deacons to serve the needs they could not do alone. That is where the title, “deacon,” first appeared.
Perhaps we’ll call this a new deacons ministry at St. John’s – but we’ll leave that to the Holy Spirit as well.
God bless your discerning.
See you in church!
Pastor Pat
“The twelve (apostles) summoned the full number of the disciples and said, ‘It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve (other needs of the community). Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven (people) of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.’”
Acts 6:2-4
What is God’s Mission at St. John’s?
We are called to serve Jesus Christ our Lord:
- By responding with love and compassion to human needs
- Faithfully sharing the Gospel
- Working for peace
- And growing in unity with all Christians
Invitation to Participate in a Mission Trip:
Lutheran congregations in our area are planning a mission trip to New Jersey the week of July 10 through the 14. We will be doing repairs and continuing cleanup from Hurricane Sandy. Folks age 14 and up are invited to join us!
You need a willingness to work – no special training needed – and to help others who have gone through a very difficult time in their lives. If you have special construction skills, we will have lots of room for your expertise, too!
The cost of the trip will be $20 per night plus the cost of food. We will probably leave after worship on Sunday and return that Thursday night.
If this sounds like something the Lord might be calling you to do – call the church office (473-3770), or see Pastor Pat. We can get you connected to the process and what you’ll need to do to register.
Don’t forget to stay tuned to the mission statement finalists to be announced on Easter Sunday!!!!
Do you ever wish you could pick the hymns we sing on Sunday? Wishing and hoping for a favorite hymn? This is YOUR chance to choose!!!
This summer, in the months of June, July, and August, we will be singing favorite hymns of our members for our opening and closing hymns. We need to know which ones to use – and that’s where you come in. Submit your favorite hymns to Sue in the church office (570-473-3770) between now and the first of May.
As the choices come in, we’ll be planning to use them for hymn singing, for additional music in our worship service, as well as for our summer “pick-up” choir we’ll be including once a month in June, July, and August.
So get those choices in – and don’t miss the opportunity to hear your favorite this summer!
Interested in choir but just too busy to commit every week? Join our summer “pick-up” choir!
This summer, with the help of our favorite hymn choices and Bill Jacavage, our gifted music director, we will offer a once-a-month chance for you to sing in our choir – no practice dates, no preparation – you’ll even be able to come forward to sing from the comfort of your regular church pew! (no robe needed, either)
We’ll choose from our favorite hymns list and invite anyone who wishes – all ages, all are welcome – to come forward and sing together.
We’d love to add your voice to God’s heavenly summer chorus at St. John’s. Watch the bulletin/newsletter for the summer choir date in the months of June, July, and August….and bless us with YOUR gift of music!
______
______
Name ______# of Adults _____ # of Children _____
Amt. Paid ______Cash ___ Check # ______
Adults (13 and up) $7.00 Children (5-12 years) $5.00 Children (under 5 years) Free
Senior Citizen Discount - $6.99
Sunday / Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday / Friday / Saturday
/ / 1 / 2
3
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.
Dinner reservation due / 4
TOPS 5:15-6:15 p.m.
Daisy/Brownies 6:00 p.m.
Cub Scouts 7:00 p.m. / 5
Tulpehocken Conference
@ Rebuck 9:00 a.m.
Boy Scouts 6:30 p.m.
AA 8:00 p.m. / 6
Savidge Trust Noon
Girl Scouts 6:15-7:15 p.m.
Bible Study 7:00 p.m. / 7
Al-non 7:00 p.m.
AA 8:00 p.m.
Worship & Music 7:00 p.m.
Scout District
Committee 7:00 p.m. / 8 / 9
Fellowship Hall Reserved
10
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.
Spaghetti Dinner & Skit following late service / 11
TOPS 5:15-6:15 p.m.
Daisy/Brownies 6:00 p.m.
Cub Scouts 7:00 p.m.
Finance 7:00 p.m. / 12
Troop 325 Committee Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Boy Scouts 6:30 p.m.
AA 8:00 p.m. / 13
Girl Scouts 6:15-7:15 p.m.
Council Meeting 7:00 p.m. / 14
Messenger deadline 3:00 p.m.
Social Ministry 6:00 p.m.
Al-non 7:00 p.m.
AA 8:00 p.m. / 15 / 16
Fellowship Hall Reserved
Kate’s Kupboard
9-11:00 a.m.
17
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. / 18
TOPS 5:15-6:15 p.m.
Daisy/Brownies 6:00 p.m.
Cub Scouts 7:00 p.m.
WELCA 7:00 p.m. / 19
Pastor @ Synod Office
Boy Scouts 6:30 p.m.
AA 8:00 p.m. / 20
Messenger folding 9:30 a.m.
Girl Scouts 6:15-7:15 p.m.
Bible Study 7:00 p.m. / 21
Anniversary Planning
Committee 7:00 p.m.
Scout Roundtable 7:00 p.m.
Al-non 7:00 p.m.
AA 8:00 p.m. / 22 / 23
24
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. / 25
TOPS 5:15-6:15 p.m.
Daisy/Brownies 6:00 p.m.
Cub Scouts 7:00 p.m.
/ 26
Boy Scouts 6:30 p.m.
AA 8:00 p.m.
Life Line Screening
9 a.m.-5:00 p.m. / 27
Girl Scouts 6:15-7:15 p.m.
Set up for Rummage Sale
8:00 a.m.-? / 28
Al-non 7:00 p.m.
AA 8:00 p.m.
/ 29 / 30
Service Assistants for April 2016
Date / Lector / Greeters / CommunionAssistants / Bread / Ushers / Crucifer / Acolyte/
Torch-
bearer / Sound
System
April 3
8:00 AM / Pat Propst
Tom Propst / Mary Rogers
April 3
10:15 AM / Gail Lehman / Mary & Greg Morton / Rebekah Amerman
Barb Moyer / Mary Rogers / Mike Erdley
Glen Weaver
Brian Cunningham
Mack Fleming / Cecelia Shellenberger / Eryn Swanger / Trey Cunningham
April 10
8:00 AM / Jamie Feaster / Nancy Erdley
April 10
10:15 AM / Bob Berry / Maryann Berry
Bonnie Berry / Nancy & Mike Erdley / Nancy Erdley / Doug Manning
Tom Propst
Greg Morton
Frank Hoffman / Brayden Varney / Ian McAllister / Bob Berry
April 17
8:00 AM / Sue Billman
Bill Troutman / Lorraine Weaver
April 17
10:15 AM / Ginny Butler / Nancy & Mike Erdley / Trish Long & Ginny Butler / Lorraine Weaver / Lee Miller
Ken Reigle
Larry Redington
Todd Deans / Hanna Long / Daniel Lehman / Mike Erdley
April 24
8:00 AM / Brenda Herbert
David Herbert / Linda Bingaman
April 24
10:15 AM / Rachel Anderson / Sharon & Mack Fleming / Blaine Shaffer
Dean Siemsen / Linda Bingaman / Trish Long
Ginny Butler
Nancy Erdley
Barb Moyer / Madalynn Sawyer / Cecelia Shellenberger / Lou VanGilder
April 1
Denise Litchard
Judith Rohland
April 2
Corey Billman
Terri Dodge
Logan Gallo
April 3
Tara Amerman
Richard Bowman
Becky Connor
Angela Kinsley-Chubb
April 4
Gwen Naginey
Gerald Runyan III
April 5
Genna Feathers
Lindsay Granquist
April 6
Jillian Hafer
April 7
Larry Miller
Louis VanGilder Jr.
April 8
Charles Hudock
Robert Orr
April 9
Barb Eisely
Aaron Knouse
Lewis Litchard
Jessica Miller
Nicole Scholl
Mary Shipe
Thomas Stover
April 10
Beth Ginck
Laura McWilliams
Barry Moser
April 11
Elizabeth Kinsley
Miles Krouse Jr.
Zachary Reed
April 12
Michael Gautsch
Donna Sees
April 14
Jennifer Colchado
Sandra Shaffer
Helen Snyder
April 15
Catherine Broome
Allen Drumheller
April 16
Matt Billman
Evelyn Ruch
April 17
Matthew Fasold
April 18
Brian Bingaman
Dean Dunkelberger
April 19
Heidi Kerchoff
Cole Lynch
April 20
Andrea Watt
April 21
Margaret Campbell
Jason Dreese
Alexa Snyder
April 22
Lindsay Pahl
George Stuck
April 23
Barbara Kiger
Betty Meiser
Gary Smith
Carl Spigelmeyer III
April 24
Curtis Bickel
Kyle Bickel
Nicholas Payne
Terry Walker Sr.
April 25
Dustin Beaver
Lee Bettleyon
Zachary Feaster
Grace Herrold
Joseph Meehan
George Specht
Gary Steiner
April 26
Skyle Badman
Jill Bahner
Carl Drumheller
April 27
Sally Swank
James Williams
April 28
Craig Treacher
April 29
James Kohler Jr.
April 30
Esther Bartholomew
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 March 16, 2016 Volume 96, Issue 3
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