Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church NewsletterPage 1

The Parish Voice

Newsletter of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church of Milton, PA

Volume 25, No. 12December 2008

Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church NewsletterPage 1

The Holidays – Bane and Blessing…

Dear Friends in Christ,

Every year, as we roll around to another new Church year – the beginning of Advent – we also approach the holidays of Thanksgiving and Christmas. On any given day this time of year, those holidays can both excite us and remind us of the seemingly endless work that holiday preparation also brings. We have lists to make, food to purchase and prepare, gifts to plan and purchase – and my personal favorite – sparkles to create in our homes as we prepare for guests and celebrations.

Each year, I vow to slow down my pace during the holiday season because of Jesus. Slowing down is part of our Advent preparation in the Church – the season of preparing for Jesus to come, both as a baby into the world at Bethlehem, and as Lord of our lives. Thanksgiving and Christmas are the louder voices we hear on our radios, TVs, and even in our daily schedules during Advent, but Advent calls to something deeper – something that penetrates our souls, grabs at our lists, and begs us to contemplate the real blessing of the holidays: the celebration of our God who left heaven, came to earth, and in love, chose to reveal to us the joy of heaven and life that lives forever – beyond our limited journey here.

Those lists and menus and gifts and sparkles are blessings that bring a wonderful joy in our lives – and give us many reasons to give thanks for what God has given us. Yet if those things are the focus of our lives, and if God is somehow absent, even neglected, during that celebration, the joy will only last as long as the few weeks of Thanksgiving and Christmas. And when January gets here, the glow of celebration may find its way back into doldrums – even difficulty in living the normal, every day moments we have to share with family and friends.

Advent is the celebration that can bring us back to the core of our being. It connects us with the coming Savior, the everlasting joy that doesn’t subside when leftovers are frozen, packages are put away, and sparkles give way to daily accumulations. When the story of Jesus’ coming is the center of our celebration, Thanksgiving and Christmas and family joy are present in every day. January is just as joyful as December. We are as thankful in meager meals as we are in plentiful ones. We are just as willing to give from love any day of the year – and especially to those who need us most.

I am praying for Jesus to remain my center again this Advent. I am praying for Jesus to carry that place in my life in new ways, in many ways, and always. Let’s pray that prayer together!

What a joy it is to share another Advent with you, my brothers and sisters with whom I journey in this life. May Jesus continue to bind us in love and be our celebration at the holidays – and every day!

“The angel said (to the mother of Jesus): ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.’” -- Luke 1:30-33

Your partner in mission and ministry,

Pastor Pat 

Prayer Concerns . . .

Members, Friends and Family of Christ Lutheran Prayer List…

Pastor Gene Alexander; Bob Bailey; Laura Beck; Todd Beck, Jr.; Todd Beck, Sr.; Irene Beilger; Pr. Cheryl & Dick Berner; Inez Bingaman; Maxine Bingaman; Lauren Bodek; Rose Bolich; Mark Brouse; Betty Brown; Kathy Burnett; Steph Byers; Harley Cameron; Karen Campbell; Ben Case; Miles Crawford; Mary Cromis; Rose Deaner; Margaret “Peg” Derr; Jane Dulaney; Bill Dressler; Peggy Drum; Cy & Christine Eminhizer; Fay Engleman; Pat Evans; Pat Fox; Virginia Frantz; Jeff Frederick; Joyce Frederick; Bill & Lois Grant; Florence Greenly; Ed & Sandy Grier; Shirley Gromlich; Kellie Gross; Ida Mae Hartman; Frank & Bessie Hartzel; Deb Harvey; Verna & Syd Heddings; Sam Henney; Mindy Hewitt; Ethel Huff; Louise & Joe Johnson; Mary & Jim Hollinbaugh; Ben Housner; Florence Ishler; Kristie Ishler; Michelle Ishler; Raymond Keefer; David King; Sandy Koser; Martha Lilley; Lillian Longenberger; Corey Lose; Jeannie Macamer; Arlene Marason; Gabe Martin; Lois Ann McDonald; Sharon Metzger; Joann Meyer; Audrey Miller; Tim Miller; Charles Mitch, Jr.; Dan Morgan; David Morgan & family; Judy Moyle; Ruthella Nesbitt; Robert Newman; Sue Newton; Hunter Page; Rose Pope; Dan Rarig; Jamie Reed; Orvis Rockey; Jim Russell; Mary Lou Sanders; Casey Santi; Judy Schneider; Tammy Schneider; Walter Scholl, Sr.; Jason Smith; Laurie Smith; Paul Smith; Glenn Snyder; Mackenzie Snyder; Nancy Snyder; Tiffany Snyder; Tom Snyder; Arlene Spake; Margaret Stahl; Mary Steeley; Kisha Suarez; Mary Sudol; Jim Swift; John Taylor; Ben Trego; Sandy Wagner; Tim Walsh, Jr.; Eric Watson, Jr.; Justin Watson; Stewart Watson, Jr.; Lorraine Waugh; Linnea Weddington; Danette Weikel; Beth Wertz; Mike Wommer; Robert Yost; Cheryl Yeager; Emmie; Jennifer; Pat; Sarah; Sierra

Homebound & Special Concerns Members…

Phyllis Albertson; Carrie Bastian; Blanche Benfer; Caroline Bobb; Lucille Bruss; Mary Burns; Dr. Ken & Betty Jeanne Callenberger; Edith Coup; Bill & Betty Dotts; Gladys Fisher; Irmgard Gordos; Merritt & Doris Heffelfinger; Margaret & Tommy Kline; Mary Kathryn Leiby; Helen Manning; Catherine Mazeall; Elva Mazeall; Dix & Pauline Reitz; Marguarite Ruth; Connie Sholly; Marie Springer; Leah Walker; Audrey Wands; Kenneth Webb; Nancy Weikel; Jeannine Wilkerson; Josephine Yocum

Military…

Adam Arndt; Todd Beck, Jr.; Jennifer Bower; Amy Brown; Joshua Brown; Shawn Coover; Justin Dorman; Matthew Dorman; Daniel Gonzales; Gabriel Gonzales; Justin Gonzales; Christopher Grimsley; Jason Hutt; Jay

Milinichik; Anthony Nudson; Dan Moll; Derek Snyder; Glenn Snyder; Eric Strobeck

More prayers needed…

These are member families we have prayed for in Church since last issue: William Reed, Todd & Laura Beck; Charlene Francis & Barry Yeager; Jerrold & Alice Roush; Todd & Garrett Beck; Randy Francis; Jenelle, Jason, Olivia, & Paul Rohland

Our prayers and love are with the family of Jane A. Sullivan, wife of the Rev. Glenn T. Sullivan, a retired pastor on the roster of the Upper Susquehanna Synod, who passed away on Friday, November 7, 2008, at Geisinger Medical Center.

Remember these leaders and congregational families as you offer your prayers this next month.

Thank You . . .

  • Thank you to Nancy Mensch and Larry Gray, who helped with Pastor Pat’s confirmation class in October while she was on vacation – AND when the “bug” captured her voice Reformation week! Thanks, too, to Ed Coup, for being her

hands at distributing the bread of communion on Reformation Sunday.

  • Thank you to Betty Morgan and all our Hospitality helpers for your countless ways of reaching out with tasty goodies at our church gatherings. We thank you especially for your help at the Synod Reformation Service on October 26.
  • Thank you to Tim Walsh and our Council leaders who coordinated our first hotdog roast under the pavilion on

November 16. Your tasty treats brought into our social hall made for terrific fellowship! Thank you for braving the tentative weather of Fall!

  • Have you noticed all the changes with our pavilion construction and security system installation? You can thank Roger Watts for overseeing these new projects in our congregation!

Thank-You Notes…

Thank you for remembering our family in your prayers. What a comfort to us as we faced our challenges that came along! Knowing that our church family kept us in their prayers made all the difference.

-Carol, Scott Reed & Family

To my dear church family,

You all were so loving in the celebration of Pastor Appreciation Sunday last month. Thank you for the lovely – and creative! – gifts. I am so enjoying all of them. Just look at the amazing things everyone shared:

  • An assortment of books and music
  • gifts for my grandsons
  • Lots of delicious popcorn and other snacks
  • Two very special rocks for my collection
  • Butterfly flower decorations, stickers, tattoos, a paperweight, and even a magic butterfly!
  • Yummy homemade spreads
  • Note cards, other stickers, and special notes of love
  • Restaurant gift certificates
  • A bouquet of daisies, and daisy handkerchiefs
  • Angel ornaments and prayer angels

It is such a blessing to have received from your lives these many signs of appreciation and love. God certainly shows me every day wonderful pieces of your lives and ministries. I cherish that gift most of all!

May our faith continue to grow, our fellowship deepen, and our thanksgivings overflow in the wonderful days and years God continues to have in store for us.

Thank you again – and may God bless you richly!

With Love,

Pastor Pat 

American Red Cross Volunteers: Glenn Snyder & Robert Spotts (Dagwood Sandwich Sales); Anna Mae Harpster (Blood Collection Services)

Red Ribbon Week in Katie Kling’s First Grade Class: Tatum Brittingham & Sydney Mensch

Rotary Club Honors to Ruth Greenly for picking up trash during her daily walks!

Special AppealEnvelopes – Hunger

(envelopeprovided with newsletter)

HandUP Foundation

Food Bank—The Milton Food Bank is collecting jello & puddingfor the month of December. Please place your donations in the grocery cart in the narthex. Thank you.

Don’t forget, you can recycle many items at the HandUP Foundation recycling center located on Mahoning Street by the railroad tracks. They are open 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday thru Friday. Check out the bulletin board for more information on what items you can recycle! You can also visit the HUF Discount Store at its new location in the same building as the recycling center.

American Red Cross

Bloodmobile

Wed., December 3

12 – 6 p.m.

WeContinue To Offer Our Thanks for God’s Servants at ChristChurch….

During December, your Staff Support Team will offer thanks to our Social Ministry volunteers. These folks work tirelessly at reaching out to people in need with warm clothing, thoughts of love and care to those who cannot be with us regularly at church, and many special projects, such as our penny and food drives and pop tab collections. They also coordinate our CROP Walk to help the hungry in our community, as well as guide our Souper Bowl for Caring Sunday each Super Bowl weekend that also helps feed the hungry. On the Second Sunday of Advent, December 7, we will give thanks for them and their ministry. Those on the team: Penny Coup, Mary Steeley, Betty Morgan, Charlene Francis, Deb Bartlett. Others who serve: Ida Snyder, Kim Mitch, Steph Byers, Lindsay Byers, Lauren Byers, Ryan Byers, Alyssa Byers, Barbara Gray, Larry Gray, Brody Gray, Penny Ulmer, Dale Kriner, Kim Herr, Anna Mae Harpster.

In addition, on the Fourth Sunday of Advent, December 21, we will give thanks for our Staff Support volunteers: Kay Dunn, Penny Ulmer, Janie Bloom, Bob Greenly, Karen Lubrecht, & Frank Kovilaritch. They spend many hours pondering ways we can strengthen our ministries together, plus they serve as liaisons for our paid staff, offering

their listening ears and skills to help support their day-to-day tasks of serving the Lord at ChristChurch. Staff Support has also been a

tremendous gift in hiring new staff and fine-tuning job descriptions.

Come to worship in December and help celebrate these special volunteers. And…as the year progresses, stay tuned for more “thanksgivings.” Each month, Staff Support will lift up others who give so much to make our ministry happen here. In January, we will give thanks for our Financial Secretary, Ruth Greenly, and our Finance Team.

Keep these leaders in your prayers as you offer prayer for others in our congregation each day.

Congregation Council Meeting Highlights – Nov. 4, 2008

  • The Witness Ministry Group is planning a hospitality event for January.
  • Materials were ordered for the younger Sunday School groups.
  • Installation of the fire and security system is underway.
  • The pavilion project is proceeding nicely.
  • The congregational meeting will be held on November 16.
  • The November 16 congregational meeting items include Constitution change concerning the nominating committee; Endowment member election; Council elections; and the 2009 budget adoption.
  • A “simple” lunch of hotdogs cooked in the new pavilion will follow the November 16 congregational meeting.

The complete record of the meeting minutes can be viewed on the church website at or you may pick up a copy in the church office during normal office hours.

Endowment Committee Update

The Endowment Committee has been busy reviewing applications. As of November 4, 2008, they have approved the following: “Free Milk & Bread Sunday” with costs up to $500; “Christmas Gift Cards for Needy Families” with a total cost of $1,050; “Christmas Gift for Pastor Ron Shellhamer, Missionary Serving in Liberia” with a total cost of $500; “Support Navajo Lutheran Mission Children’s School Supplies & School Equipment” with a total cost of $500; and one application pending.

News from Property

At the September 28, 2008, Congregational Meeting, two major Church Capital Improvement Projects were approved as follows:

( 1 )A free standing pavilion to be placed on the property at the East end of the Fellowship Hall at a cost not to exceed $ 75,000.00.

( 2 )A fire alarm and warning system coupled to a building security system at a cost not to exceed $ 30,000.00.

The pavilion construction contract was awarded to the low bidder, Russ Lloyd Construction,of Lewisburg, with construction

beginning on Monday October 6, 2008. By December 3, 2009, pavilion construction should be complete except for a few finishing touches and the landscaping, which will be done next spring. The electrical contract portion of the project was awarded to Ray Zimmerman Electrical Const., of Turbotville, and should be complete as well..

Upon completion of the pavilion, the property committee will be selling the old

storage shed located at the East end of the parking lot to the highest bidder with preference being given to members of the congregation. The successful purchaser will be responsible for the removal of the existing storage shed from Church property at his or her own expense. All bids should be submitted, to the Church Property Committee, for consideration.

The alarm and security system purchase was awarded to The Lock Pros of Milton with installation started the week of November 3rd and completion scheduled by November 28, 2008. Upon completion LockedBuilding access will no longer be available through the use of a key. Anyone wishing to have open access to the premises will be required to attend training on the use of the access part of the system prior to receiving their access code. We are also looking for two to four responsible individuals to volunteer for detailed training on the entire system as backup when the primary individuals are unavailable and we have an event.

There is a signup sheet in the Narthex for anyone who needs an access code for unassisted entrance into the building. Training for access via the new system will be performed during the last week of November and the first week of December. Scheduled dates and times will be posted in the Church bulletins beginning on Sunday, November 23. You will not need to schedule an appointment, just come out at any of the listed times. The locks will be changed, and the system activated on December 8, 2008. You will always be able to gain access during regular church office hours without an access code, the same as now.

Giving Tree Update

Thank you for your offerings that have helped reduce our operating budget shortfall. Your additional gifts for God’s work at Christ Church have reached an amount in excess of $1,000. Together, we continue to make a difference!

Word Watchings…a time to reflect on God’s Word and ponder the many ways God speaks to us…

Have you checked out the new BLOG on our church website? [ – click on the running title at the top of the page.] Pastor Pat is completing a series of discussions about the first creation story.

Coming soon – reflections on the SMALL CATECHISM. Take some time to share your comments on the BLOG!

Pigs for Jesus? Cows? Rabbits?

Our Sunday School Heifer project gift for Jesus on Christmas Day has reached an amount in excess of $64– that’s enough to purchase sixshares of goats already! THANK YOU for your gifts that will help sisters and brothers all around the world have animal resources to help them gain work and food resources for their families. Keep the gifts coming!