COMMUNICANT

The Communicant

April 2017

St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

3328 William Penn Ave.

Johnstown, PA 15909

814-322-1307 (office)

Email:

www.stpaulsevluth-mc.com

The Rev. Kevin McNamara

Worship Services:

Saturday 5:30 p.m.

Sunday 9:00 a.m.

Your St. Paul’s Council:

President

Jim Hockensmith

Vice President

Dave Kivisto

Treasurer

Steve Kauffman

Secretary

Joyce Long

Nora Albright

Sandy Albright

Virginia Ankeny

Deanna Deetscreek

Jamie Kmett

Carol Fox

Michael Gaunt

Shelby Livingston

Cathy Tompkins

Ed Vorhauer

Call if you have questions or concerns for them to consider. Next Council Meeting will be

April 3rd, 2017 at 7:00 p.m.

“BY GOD’S GRACE WE GROW IN FAITH, SHARE JESUS CHRIST, AND SERVE ONE ANOTHER IN LOVE!”

Weekly Worship and Lectionary Bible Study

Fifth Sunday In Lent

March 29th

9:30 a.m. Lectionary Bible Study

6:00 p.m. Prayer

7:00 p.m. Ash Wednesday Worship

April 1st

5:30 p.m. Holy Communion Worship

April 2nd

10:00 a.m. Holy Communion Worship

10:30 a.m. Sunday School all Ages

Palm Sunday

April 5th

9:30 a.m. Lectionary Bible Study

6:00 p.m. Prayer

7:00 p.m. Lenten Worship

April 8th

5:30 p.m. Holy Communion Worship

April 9th

9:00 a.m. Holy Communion Worship

10:00 Easter Egg Hunt

11:30 a.m. Choir Rehearsal

Holy Week

April 12th

9:30 a.m. Lectionary Bible Study

6:00 p.m. Prayer

April 13th

7:00 p.m. Maundy Thursday Worship

April 14th

Noon & 7:00 p.m. Good Friday Worship

Easter Sunday

April15th

5:30 p.m. Easter Vigil

April 16th

6:30 a.m. Easter Worship

9:00 a.m. Easter Worship

Second Sunday of Easter

April 19th

9:30 a.m. Lectionary Bible Study

6:00 p.m. Prayer

April 22nd

5:30 p.m. Holy Communion Worship

April 23rd

9:00 a.m. Holy Communion Worship

10:30 Sunday School all Ages

11:30 a.m. Choir Rehearsal

Third Sunday of Easter

April 26th

9:30 a.m. Lectionary Bible Study

6:00 p.m. Prayer

April 29th

5:30 p.m. Holy Communion Worship

April 30th

9:00 a.m. Holy Communion Worship

10:30 Sunday School all Ages

11:30 a.m. Choir Rehearsal

Pastor’s Page April 2017

“But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples, 'He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.'

(Mat 28:5-7 NRSV)

There you will see Him! The Risen Christ! He has gone ahead of you!

What an incredible message of joy to Mary Magdalene and the women who went to the empty tomb that Easter morning! You will see Him! He is Risen. He has gone ahead of you! Thanks be to God!

In mid-April, this penitential season, our forty days of Lent, will be over. The sadness and despair of Good Friday will give way to the joy of the Easter Resurrection. We are filled with joy and hope—for Christ has overcome death and has been raised. Oh, how we look forward to Easter Sunday. Our church will be filled with people, with family and friends. Some will have travelled great distances to worship the Risen Lord with us.

We thank our Lord and Risen Savior Jesus Christ for being present with at St. Paul’s. And we pray:

“Bless our church O Lord. Give your peace to all who enter this sanctuary! Bless our senior saints; bless our young children, and bless all people in-between. Let our joy overflow with gratitude this Easter! Amen.”

Holy Week Worship Services:

Palm Sunday, April 9th: 9 a.m.

Maundy Thursday, April 13th: 7 p.m.

Good Friday, April 14th: Noon and 7 p.m.

Holy Saturday, April 15th: Easter Vigil: 5:30 p.m.

Easter Sunday, April 16th: The Resurrection of Our Lord: 6:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.

God’s peace be with you!

Pastor Kevin

Welcome to new members......

Grecek Family

On Sunday, January 22, Eric, Melanie, son Braden and daughter Bella joined St. Paul's. The Grecek family resides in East Taylor Township. They transferred from First Lutheran Church in Johnstown. Eric and Melanie will celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary this August!

Eric has been an appliance repair technician for 25 years. He also is a member of East Taylor Fire Company. In his spare time, he enjoys helping Braden and Bella with their baseball/softball skills and supporting them in hockey. He also enjoys mowing the grass and washing his cars.

Melanie is a Registered Nurse at Laurelview Village in Davidsville. She enjoys supporting Braden and Bella in their hockey, baseball, basketball and softball games. She enjoys being a Mom and loves to go to the beach!

Braden is in the 9th grade at Conemaugh Valley High School. He played hockey at both the Junior Varsity and Varsity levels this season. He also plays baseball for CV. Braden enjoys video games, being with friends and riding his bike.

Bella is in the 6th grade at Conemaugh Valley Elementary. She enjoys playing hockey, basketball and softball. Bella loves shopping, swimming and painting!

Yarina Family

On Thursday, February 9, Stephen, Beth, son Andrew and daughter Addison welcomed son Abraham Charles Yarina into their family. Abraham was 8 pounds, 3 ounces and 21 inches. He is to be baptized on Sunday, March 26. Members Stephen and Susan Kauffman are Abraham's maternal grandparents.

Price Family

Patti Price will soon become a member of St. Paul's. We know Patti as Bear's grandmother! Patti works at First National Bank in downtown Johnstown. She has two Morgan horses and enjoys

trail riding. She also likes to golf and has obtained master gardener status.

APRIL

GREETERS

2 - Deb & Leslie Sheesley

9 - Aaron & Holly Ribblett

16 - (E) Walter Ditchcreek / Jim Amigh

(L) Lois Graham / Jeannette Vorhauer

23 - The Hodge Family

30 - Margie Bearer & children

USHERS

2 - Hailey & Jackie Sheesley

9 - Carol Fox / Virginia Ankeny

16 - (E) Steve & Sue Kauffman

(L) Jim & Ginny Hockensmith

23 - Sheena & Brian Vorhauer

30 - Sam & Joe Penna

LECTORS

2 - Marlin Plymette

9 - Bob Mikesell

16 - (E) Ellen Grace Vorhauer

(L) Kate Griffith

23 - Jamie Kmett

30 - Sam Penna

ACOLYTES

2 - Makenzie Campbell / Carter Martin

9 - Sam & Joe Penna

16 - (E) Clara Myers / Ian McGhee

Crucifer: Ashley Deetscreek

(L) Madison Tompkins/Quinten Vorhauer

Crucifer: Monica Fry

23 - Bella Grecek / Makenzie Campbell

30 - Lakelyn Campbell / Madison Tompkins

ALTAR GUILD

Jeannette Vorhauer/LaVerne Reffner/Lois Graham

WORSHIP ASSISTANT

Jamie Kmett

COMMUNION ASSISTANT

Denny Livingston

HEAD USHERS

Carol Fox / Lois Graham / Walter Ditchcreek

MAY

GREETERS

7 - Scott Griffith / Cindy Martin

14 - Alice Deetscreek / Kathryn Deetscreek

21 - Adam Sherwood / Deb Deetscreek

28 - The Hockensmith Family

USHERS

7 - LaVerne Reffner / Bonnie Leibfreid

14 - Mark & Missie Myers

21 - John Schmidt / Tiffany Jones

28 - Dennis Frombach / Jim Amigh

LECTORS

7 - Jim Penna

14 - Shelby Livingston

21 - Jean Plymette

28 - Linda Sell

ACOLYTES

7 - Carter Martin / Quinten Vorhauer

14 - Monica Fry / Bella Grecek

21 - Sam & Joe Penna

28 - Madison Tompkins / Makenzie Campbell

ALTAR GUILD

WORSHIP ASSISTANT

Ellen Grace Vorhauer

COMMUNION ASSISTANT

Dave Shoemaker

HEAD USHERS

Dave & June Cobaugh

*** Please note: The volunteers listed above for each Sunday are scheduled randomly. If it is a problem for you on a particular Sunday, please let me know and I will gladly reschedule you. If something comes up on short notice and you can’t be here, don’t worry about it, someone will cover for you. Thanks. Debbie

FOOD PANTRY

The direct phone number for the food pantry is

INTERFAITH COMMUNITY

814-242-7910

Phone calls will be returned so please leave your number.

NEXT DISTRIBUTION:

Saturday, April 22th, 2017

from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at

St. John Vianney’s Catholic Church

FOOD COLLECTION

ST. PAUL’S EVANGELICAL

LUTHERAN CHURCH

Item of the Month!

APRIL

INSTANT POTATOES

Pantry supplies of the following items are at a low right now. All of these items would be appreciated. Thank you!

Cereal; Peanut Butter and Jelly; Juice and Macaroni & Cheese (no glass please)

Sharing from the Heart….

Looking for a “crock-pot” meal…. Here’s a good one that’s been tested! Try it, you might like it!!! Enjoy!

Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup

1 pound ground beef

½ tsp garlic powder

2½ tsp kosher salt

1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

4 cups chicken broth

1 28oz can diced tomatoes

1 8oz can tomato sauce

¼ cup fresh parsley

1 tsp dried oregano

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 lg yellow onion, diced

1 bay leaf

8 oz lasagna noodles (about 10 noodles) broken into pieces

Handful of chopped fresh basil

Shredded mozzarella, for topping

Sliced provolone for topping

Grated parmesan for topping

In a large skillet over medium high heat, cook the beef, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned, 5 to 8 minutes. Season with the garlic powder, 2 tsp of the salt and ½ tsp of the pepper. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate to drain.

In a slow cooker, combine the beef with the chicken broth, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, parsley, oregano, garlic, onion, bay leaf, 1 cup water and the remaining 1 ½ tsp salt and ½ tsp pepper. Cook on high for 5 ½ hours or on low for 7 ½ hours.

Stir in the lasagna noodles and continue to cook for another 30 minutes. Stir in the basil just before serving

Preheat the oven to broil. Ladle the soup into ovenproof bowls. Top each with a few tablespoons of shredded mozzarella, a slice of provolone and a sprinkle of Parmesan. Place on a baking sheet and heat under the broiler until the cheese is bubbly, 5 to 8 minutes. Enjoy!

RELAY FOR LIFE

Thanks to all that continue to support Relay for Life by participating in the dinner events at Applebee’s and Hoss’s. We enjoyed some good lunches and dinners and at the same time, raised 15% of each tab for Relay for Life! Watch for the notice our next Applebee’s or Hoss’s event and hopefully we’ll see you there!

Bar Stool Open!

Saturday, April 8, 2017

Registration begins at 10:30am

at the Pit Stop in Mundy's Corner $10 a person

Come on out and show us your "Putting Skills", or, lack of these skills! It doesn't make any difference, it's all for a good cause!

RELAY FOR LIFE!!!

Carats & Cupcakes for a cure

Saturday April 22nd, 2017

$40 a ticket must be purchased in advance. It will be at the Carroltown Fire Co.

Doors open at 5:00 p.m. with dinner and drinks included.

Each of these events raised funds for our team! Remember, Relay for Life is

June 12 - 13, 2017

Don’t forget to start saving items you no longer need and donate them to the Youth Yard Sale that will be May 20, 2017

Hospital notes…

Blake continues to be a patient and will continue to look forward to your cards. Thank you to all that remember Blake in your prayers too! We greatly appreciate it! It is our hope that Blake will soon be having more home visits so please continue your prayers for all of us!

Michele & Bob

Lutheran Men In Mission

April 1 & 2, 2017 they will attend the Men on a Mission weekend at Camp Sequanota. They will be chopping up some felled trees. If you are interested in helping one or both days please talk with Dave Shoemaker or Marlin Plymette.

April 8th and May 6th are the next two dates for the LMM breakfast’s in Luther Hall. Please place these on your calendars.

april HAPPENINGS

Mid-Week Lenten worship for April

April 5th 7:00 pm

In our world we are surrounded by many philosophies and religions, all claiming to have the truth. In our Lenten worship this week we will gather to worship Jesus our Savior, whose kingdom is a kingdom of truth and who is himself the Way and the Truth and Life.

Palm Sunday april 9th 9:00 AM

April 9th

Children’s Easter egg hunt following worship

Maundy Thursday April 13th 7:00 PM

On the night he was betrayed, Jesus gave to his disciples and to us the holy meal that is his body and blood. As we receive this gift we will stand together in faith, trusting in the words of our Lord. Through his holy Supper our Savior nourishes our faith and strengthens our fellowship.

Good Friday april 14th

noon and 7:00 pm

As we near the end of this Holy Week, we will gather to remember our Savior’s suffering and death. In obedience to his Father’s will and out of his love for us, Jesus took his final steps to the cross. There he took our sins onto himself and suffered and died so that we would be forgiven. On Good Friday we will stand at the foot of the cross, remembering our Lord’s sacrifice.

Easter Vigil Saturday april 15th 5:30 PM

From the darkness into the light

Easter worship services 6:30am and 9 am (with breakfast in-between)

Easter breakfast will be served at 7:30 am

APRIL BIRTHDAYS

2nd Cathy Albright

Stephanie Gerber

3rd Melissa (Ling) Fry

Anthony Penna

Bill Balch

4th Pastor Erik Allen