Volume 93, Issue 19 September 18, 2013
“Serve the Lord with gladness…the Lord has made us and we are his.” Psalm 100
If I were to ask you if you love St. John’s, most of you would say yes. If I asked if you were concerned about the future of St. John’s, again I would hear a resounding yes. But if I were to ask what you are doing about either your love or concern, what response would you give?
I was distressed last week because our youth had an invitation to participate in “Youth Olympics” with other Lutheran youth in our area. I could not go because of another commitment. And I did not have time to make what could have been innumerable phone calls to find someone for the responsibility. Thanks be to God that when I shared this on Sunday morning, a volunteer stepped forward, too late for the Olympics but ready to work with our youth. Since many of us are concerned about our youth, since most of us see a huge need here, this was an answer to prayer. Actually, revitalizing our youth group in some way is one of the chief concerns we have. So we pray that this will begin to build.
But there are other needs we have. It is so easy to say, “I have done my part. Let someone else do it.” Many folks feel that way. I wonder whether we have a real understanding for what has to happen for us to function. It is so easy to think we have finished our work. Or maybe we are burned out by doing too much for too long because we saw the need and “no one else would do it.”
A few key people do the bulk of the work. What happens if they get sick, or exhausted? Who is ready to step in or “step up to the plate”? Are we all so busy we cannot help? And what happens if you take on a responsibility and then do not show up? You are missed; there is a hole where you should be.
Who or what is first in your life?
I pray that you can say that God is at the center of your living and thinking, and that you include in your morning prayers some version of “in all we do may we serve and please you.” (Luther’s morning prayer.) We do this in response to God’s love and goodness to us.
If God is at the center,then who is next? Your family. God puts us in families where we ideally find love and encouragement and support from one another, where children are loved, protected,and nurtured, where the sick and the elderly are cared for, where the responsibilities and household tasks are shared according to ability.
Family is a way to describe a loving, supportive relationship. It extends to our church family, all children of God and all needing the love and support of our sisters and brothers in Christ. As a family of God’s people, we also have household tasks to share. What are they?
We are working to identify and name them all. What thoughts do you have? Will you share them? A “time and talent” survey is in process and hopefully will have a complete listing of opportunities. Please prayerfully consider not only your gifts, but also your willingness to use them for your church family. While you are praying, listen to the thoughts that God puts into your awareness. Could it be that God has a task for you that you had not thought of? What is your “household task” in the family of God?
And if you are a leader in some capacity, whom are you training to fill in, to help, to assume the responsibility if needed? The burdens and the joys are meant to be shared.
May God bless our St. John’s family and help us to grow in nurturing ways as we learn to care for each other.
God’s peace to you.t Pastor Moll
August 22, 2013
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ:
The churchwide assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America met for the first time on the territory of Region 8, a region of the church that includes the Upper Susquehanna Synod. While in Pittsburgh, a number of important actions were undertaken by our church including the election of a new presiding bishop and secretary.
Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson had indicated his willingness to serve another six-year term, having already served for twelve years. I believe that contemporary wisdom suggested that he would be re-elected on the second or third ballot, but for reasons only known to the Holy Spirit, it was not to be. Instead, the Rev. Elizabeth Eaton, the bishop of the Northeastern Ohio Synod was elected on the fifth ballot with a strong showing beginning on the third ballot.
Three of the candidates being considered by the assembly in addition to Bishop Hanson were women, and I believe that is one of the factors that resulted in the election of a new bishop. Many believed, including me, that the time had come for this church to affirm the many gifts of the women in this church. Others seemed to believe that a bishop’s term of office should be limited to two terms (12 years) and, therefore, looked for another candidate. I also suspect, however, that another significant factor was Bishop Eaton’s directness and her affirmation in her address to the assembly that ours continue to be a welcoming church, but a welcome that includes those who disagree with the action’s taken by the church in 2009 related to human sexuality. I have known Bishop Eaton for six years, since we serve together on the Conference of Bishops. I think she is an exciting choice. I know her to be thoughtful, down-to-earth, humorous, and collaborative. She, no doubt, will lead us with courage as we move into God’s future. In speaking to the assembly,Bishop Eaton shared her conviction that the renewal of the church must begin with recapturing our Christian identity, an identity which is distinct from the culture in which we live, and affirmed a servant theology of the cross in a culture of glory.
Bishop Hanson was wonderfully gracious and expressed confidence in Bishop Eaton’s leadership. “When I stood before you 12 years ago” he said, “I told you this is not an election won, this is a call received. And now this call has been extended to Bishop Eaton.” “This call process,” he continued, “was a call process for new leadership. In our history we have never looked back. We have always looked ahead.” On numerous occasions, the assembly made clear its appreciation and affection for Bishop Hanson and his leadership. “This is a humble and a holy privilege,” he said to the assembly, “to serve the gospel as the pastor of this whole church.”
In still another important election, former bishop W. Christopher Boerger of the Northwestern Washington Synod, was elected Secretary of the ELCA, succeeding Mr. David Swartling who announced that he was not interested in serving a second term. A trained parliamentarian, he and Bishop Eaton will make a great team. I have every confidence the ELCA will be well served by these two new officers along with our Vice President, Carlos Pena.
In other business, the assembly approved the ELCA’s first major fundraising campaign. With a goal set for $198 million, the five-year campaign, to begin in 2014, is designed to increase our ability to renew and start new congregations, educate and develop leaders, bolster our global mission efforts and expand the impact of our relief and development work. Voting members approved two amendments to the proposed campaign by adding the additional priorities of forming lay youth and young adult leaders and strengthening ourdisability ministry.
The Assembly also adopted a new social statement, “The Church and Criminal Justice: Hearing the Cries.“ The statement addresses many questions being asked about our criminal justice system, calls upon us to offer compassion and hospitality to all who are engaged by this system – including victims of crime, offenders and their families – and to work to ensure a just system. This statement is now aart of the official teachings of the ELCA, and it can be a useful educational tool for your congregation.
Among the many memorials received by the assembly, there were two from the Upper Susquehanna Synod. The first was related to the issue of Horizontal Slickwater Hydraulic Fracturing and urged that ELCA members inform and educate themselves about the issues pertaining to hydraulic fracturing, contact their national and state legislators regarding specific legislation and policies, and encourage its rostered leaders to work with their communities to establish responsive leadership to help facilitate discussion and resolve conflicts which may arise. While the precise language proposed by our synod assembly was not adopted, the major thrust of our memorial was supported.
The second memorial from the Upper Susquehanna Synod addressed the issue of peace in Israel and Palestine. Once again, our memorial was not adopted, since there were many different memorials proposed by various synods of the ELCA; but I believe that the action taken by the assembly was consistent with what our memorial requested, namely the support of policies that promote a fair and just peace for both Israel and Palestine, policies that do not punish one side or the other in a complex conflict but encourage positive incentives and build trust.
I am grateful for the opportunity to have served as a voting member of the assembly along with a dedicated group of clergy and laity from the Upper Susquehanna Synod. My thanks to our newly elected synod Vice President, Dr. Karla Bohmbach; Pastors Ted Cockley, William Esborn, and Josh Reinsburrow; Mr. Arthur Erickson, Ms. Crystal Bollinger, Ms. Mindy Bartholomew, and Mr. Jeff Mitchell.
Surely, the God who declares, “See, I am making all things new” (Isaiah 43), will continue to work among us as the ELCA , leading us into a new future for the sake of the gospel and the world. I encourage you to pray for the church, and especially Presiding Bishop-elect Elizabeth Eaton and Secretary-elect Chris Boerger. May they be instruments for the new thing God is doing, along with all of us in the Upper Susquehanna Synod.
May God richly bless you!
+ Bishop Robert L. Driesen
Thursday, September 19Boy Scout Training, 6:00 p.m.; Roundtable, 7:00 p.m.
Christian Education/Evangelism Committee, 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, September 21Kathryn’s Kloset, 9-11:00 a.m.
Sunday, September 22Apple Dumpling orders and money due
Girl Scouts, Fellowship Hall, 1-4:00 p.m.
Monday, September 23HLC, Fellowship Hall, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Thursday, September 26Messenger deadline, 3:00 p.m.
Monday, September 30Scout Fall Kickoff Picnic, Fellowship Hall, 3:00-9:00 p.m.
HLC, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
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 September 18, 2013 Volume 93, Issue 19
St. John’s Evangelical
Lutheran Church
570-473-3770
This Sunday at St. John’s
September 22, 2013
8:00 a.m. Worship Service with Communion
9:00 a.m. Sunday School
10:15 a.m. Worship Service with Communion
Next Sunday at St. John’s
September 29, 2013
8:00 a.m. Worship Service with Communion
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
MarthaSue Moll, Pastor
William J. Jacavage, Director of Music
SOUP SALE
The “Soupsters” are doing their soup thing again.
We will be selling:
Chicken Corn, Vegetable Beef, and Ham & Bean
Please place your order by
October 13, 2013
Make checks payable to St. John’s
Soup can be picked up
October 24, 25, 26 during the Rummage Sale
------
NAME ______
Phone # ______
Make your selection of the number of quarts at $5.00 per quart.
Chicken Corn ______@ $5.00 ______
Vegetable Beef ______@ $5.00 ______
Ham and Bean ______@ $5.00 ______
Total amount $ ______
Date Paid ______check # ______cash ______
October 1
Laura Potter
Kayleb Shirk
Tyler Vayda
October 2
Kenneth Drake
June Hudock
Michael Mertz
Jeffrey Wagner
October 3
Gwen Luden
October 4
Richard Berry, III
Emily Bogovich
William Long, Jr.
Whitney Troutman
October 5
Dennis Deihl
Danielle Erdley
October 6
Brett Albertson
Judith Stuck
October 7
Chris Hafer
John Hoffman
Derek Menges
October 8
Brandon Hendricks
James Leitzel
Elizabeth Wallace
October 10
LoganBrouse
Philip Erdley
Kayla Tanner
October 11
Michael Payne
Madalyn Sawyer
October 12
Rebecca Boyer
Steven Lahr
Tiffani Walter
Allen Wolfe
October 13
Janna Berry
Florence Stuck
October 14
Kendra Mull
October 15
Michelle Bowersox
Crystal Reed
October 16
Julia Mayo
Sean Neidig
October 17
Michael Daddario
Robert Hudson
Esther Stamm
CamrenVovakes
Charles White
October 18
Austin Paul
October 19
Katelyn Kremer
October 20
Fred Beaver
Holly Bedisky
Barbara Follmer
Dylan Kremer
October 21
Jeremy Berry-Propst
October 22
Vicki Beaver
Nicole Eisely
Thomas Propst
October 23
Diane Hoffman
Betty Wiand
October 24
Kami Kohler
Adam Sees
October 25
Frank Jennis
October 26
Wendy Derk
Megan Straub
October 27
Brett Benfer
Caitlin Cunningham
Alice Snyder
Owen VanKirk
October 29
Kalyn Deans
Kolton Meeker
October 30
Jake Reedy
October 31
DillinHolub
October 2013Sunday / Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday / Friday / Saturday
/ 1
Webelos
Boy Scouts 6:30 p.m. / 2
Messenger Folding
9:30 a.m. / 3
Worship & Music 7:00 p.m.
AA 7:00 p.m.
Al anon 8:00 p.m. / 4 / 5
Roadside cleanup 9:00 a.m.
Animal Blessing
Noon-2:00 p.m.
6
Worship w/Comm. 8:00 a.m.
Sunday School 9:00 a.m.
Worship w/Comm. 10:15 a.m.
Quiet Communion 1:00 p.m. / 7
HLC 4:30-6:30 p.m.
TOPS 6:00 p.m.
Finance 7:00 p.m.
Cub Scouts 7:00 p.m. / 8
Webelos
Boy Scouts 6:30 p.m.
Senior Choir 7:00 p.m.
Bell Choir 8:00 p.m. / 9
Council Meeting
7:00 p.m.
Apple Dumpling pickup / 10
Messenger deadline
3:00 p.m.
Social Ministry 6:00 p.m.
AA 7:00 p.m.
Al anon 8:00 p.m
/ 11 / 12
FISHING
TOURNAMENT
10 a.m.-3 p.m.
13
Worship w/Comm. 8:00 a.m.
Sunday School 9:00 a.m.
Worship w/Comm. 10:15 a.m.
Soup orders and money due / 14
HLC 4:30-6:30 p.mTOPS 6:00 p.m.
Cub Scouts 7:00 p.m.
WELCA 7:00 p.m. / 15
Webelos
Boy Scouts 6:30 p.m.
Senior Choir 7:00 p.m.
Bell Choir 8:00 p.m. / 16
Messenger Folding
9:30 a.m.
Scout Parent/Leader Mtg
Fellowship Hall 7:00 p.m / 17
Christian Ed/Evangelism
7:00 p.m.
Scout Roundtable 7:00 p.m.
AA 7:00 p.m.
Al anon 8:00 p.m. / 18 / 19 Kathryn’s Kloset
9-11:00 a.m.
20
Worship w/Comm. 8:00 a.m.
Sunday School 9:00 a.m.
Worship w/Comm. 10:15 a.m.
/ 21
HLC 4:30-6:30 p.m
TOPS 6:00 p.m.
Cub Scouts 7:00 p.m.
/ 22
Webelos
Boy Scouts 6:30 p.m.
Senior Choir 7:00 p.m.
Bell Choir 8:00 p.m. / 23
Set up for Rummage Sale 9:00 a.m. / 24
Messenger deadline
3:00 p.m.
/ 25 / 26
27 Reformation
Sunday
Worship w/Comm. 8:00 a.m.
Sunday School 9:00 a.m.
Worship w/Comm. 10:15 a.m.
Confirmation & Luncheon / 28
HLC 4:30-6:30 p.mTOPS 6:00 p.m.
Cub Scouts 7:00 p.m. / 29
Webelos
Boy Scouts 6:30 p.m.
Senior Choir 7:00 p.m.
Bell Choir 8:00 p.m. / 30
Messenger Folding
9:30 a.m. / 31
Service Assistants for October 2013
Date / Lector / Greeters / CommunionAssistants / Bread / Ushers / Acolyte/
Crucifer / Sound
System
October 6
8:00 AM / Pat Propst
Tom Propst / Judy Hoffman
October 6
10:15 AM / Don Steele / Joanne & Don Steele / Barb Moyer
Lou VanGilder / Judy Hoffman / Bob Berry, Capt.
Bonnie Berry
Maryann Berry
Mike McWilliams / Derek Young / Nick Auman
October 6
1:00 PM Quiet
Communion
October 13
8:00 AM / Sue Billman
Bill Troutman / Linda Bingaman
October 13
10:15 AM / Dave Eisley / Judy and Frank Hoffman / Virginia Butler
Trish Long / Linda Bingaman / Dave Menges, Capt.
Greg Morton
Blaine Shaffer
Derek Menges / Rachel Anderson / Bob Berry
October 20
8:00 AM / Brenda Herbert
David Herbert / Lorraine Weaver
October 20
10:15 AM / Dean Siemsen / Mary & Greg Morton / Nick Auman
Blaine Shaffer / Lorraine Weaver / Barb Moyer, Capt.
Teresa Miller
Lori Bogovich
Judy Hoffman / Derek Young / Mike Erdley
October 27
8:00 AM / Pat Propst
Tom Propst / Jamie Feaster
October 27
10:15 AM / Trey Cunningham
Caitlin unningham
Nick Auman / Trey Cunningham
Rachel Anderson / Mike Erdley
Doug Manning / Jamie Feaster / Trey Cunningham
Kobe Swanger
Owen Long
Derek Amerman / Brandon Deans / Lou VanGilder