Volume 92, Issue 6 March 21, 2012
From The Pastor
PART ONE
Greetings to all of you as our Lenten season is winding down. That means that Holy Week is not far away beginning with Palm/Passion Sunday, then Maundy Thursday, followed by Good Friday. The services of that week are among the most somber of the church year for good reason. Our Lord endured all of the humiliation, the torture, the excruciating pain of Good Friday for all of us. Without his doing this there would be no Easter celebration. We do not have to be crucified to overcome our sin because Christ suffered it all for us. The least we can do to remember and honor what he did is to be with him in worship as we recall his sacrifice and consider the love that made it possible. It makes the celebration and joy of Easter that much more meaningful as we see the sanctuary go through its changes as the altar is stripped on Maundy Thursday, is covered in black and the lights are slowly dimmed on Good Friday, and then Easter Sunrise service reverses all of that: the lights are restored, black drapes are removed, all revealing the Easter flowers and changes. And changes occur in those for whom Easter becomes a reality. The disciples are our example. They once were devastated by Christ’s death, and suddenly they are proclaiming joyously his resurrection appearances in their midst. May Easter do the same for you.
We wish you all a happy and joy filled Easter!
PART TWO
It is time to begin planning for the First Communion Retreat for those children completing the 3rd grade who are ready to begin receiving Holy Communion. The Retreat is scheduled for Saturday, May 12th at Weller Park in Shamokin Dam. I will be meeting with the parents of those attending the First Communion Retreat on Sunday, April 29th at 9:00 a.m.(during Sunday School) in the choir pews of the Sanctuary to go over the retreat, what the students should bring, what to expect on Pentecost for their child’s first communion, and to answer any questions. This should only take about 15 or 20 minutes at the most. Pentecost this year will fall on Sunday May 27th. Sign your child up for the retreat by calling the church office at 570-473-3770. If you call after hours leave the child’s name and your phone number on my voice mail.
PART THREE
Synod Assembly this year is June 15-16th, a Friday and Saturday. We need a male and a female delegate. If you are interested just let Pastor Dale or any council member know. It begins first thing on Friday morning and is usually over by 3:00 or 4:00 on Saturday afternoon. We meet at Susquehanna University which is air conditioned. We have our meals in the Student Union Building. The church will pay for your registration and meals (which includes one breakfast, two lunches and one Supper).
Rev. Dale F. Biesecker, Jr.
Sunday, March 25 Girl Scouts/Fellowship Hall 1-4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, March 28 Mid-week Lenten Soup & Sandwich Program @
Trinity United Methodist Church, 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 29 Messenger deadline, 3:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 31 Men’s Prayer Breakfast @ St. Marks Episcopal Church 8:00 a.m.
Sunday, April 1 Breakfast sponsored by the Cub & Boy Scout,
Fellowship Hall, 7-11:30 a.m.
Girl Scouts/Fellowship Hall, 1-4:00 p.m.
Monday, April 2 Boy Scout District Committee, 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 4 Messenger folding, 9:30 a.m.
Thursday, April 5 Maundy Thursday Service with Communion, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, April 6 Community Good Friday Service, Christ United Methodist, Noon,
process from Trinity United Methodist with Cross
Tenebrae Service @ St. John’s, 7:30 p.m.
Now thru Sunday, March 25 Easter Egg Sale, Grace Lutheran Church, Sunbury,
Peanut Butter or Coconut Cream $.60 ea.; $3.50 half doz.; $7 doz.
Call Grace Lutheran at 286-7346 to order
Friday, March 23 Think Spring Dinner, St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, 501 Catawissa
Avenue, Sunbury, 4-6:30 p.m. Free will offering donation.
Saturday, March 24 6th Annual Health & Wellness Fair for All Generations,
Nottingham Village Retirement Center Great Room, 60 Neitz Road,
Northumberland, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Friday, April 6 YMCA Good Friday Breakfast @ Hotel Edison, Sunbury
8:00 a.m. Guest speaker will be Pastor Mark Gittens.
Cost is $8 for buffet style which includes scrambled
eggs, ham, waffles, home fries and beverage. Call 286-5636 to
make a reservation; walk-ins welcome.
ST. JOHN’S MESSENGER (USPS-515-660) is published biweekly, annually, by
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 21, 2012
Volume 92, Issue 6
St. John’s Evangelical
Lutheran Church
570-473-3770
This Sunday at St. John’s
March 25, 2012
5th Sunday in Lent
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
April 1, 2012
6th Sunday in Lent
PALM SUNDAY
7:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Breakfast in Fellowship Hall
Sponsored by the Cub and Boy Scouts
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
Dale F. Biesecker, Jr., Pastor
William J. Jacavage, Director of Music
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 Fleming
April 6
Jillian Hafer
April 7
Larry Miller
Louis VanGilder Jr.
Erin Veronick
April 8
Charles Hudock
Robert Orr
April 9
Barb Eisely
Aaron Knouse
Lewis Litchard
Jessica Miller
Nicole Scholl
Mary Shipe
Carl Spigelmeyer Jr.
Thomas Stover
Julia Tiedman
April 10
Tammy Brown
Beth Ginck
Laura McWilliams
Barry Moser
April 11
Elizabeth Kinsley
Miles Krouse Jr.
Zachary Reed
Parker Volinski
April 12
Tret Fitzgerald
Michael Gautsch
Donna Sees
April 13
Stephen Henry Sr.
April 14
Jennifer Colchado
Sandra Shaffer
Helen Snyder
April 15
Catherine Broome
Allen Drumheller
Charles Meiser
April 16
Matt Billman
Evelyn Ruch
April 17
Matthew Fasold
Canyon Sterowski-Heck
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 15
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
APRIL 2012Sunday / Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday / Friday / Saturday
1 PALM SUNDAY
Scout Breakfast 7-11:30 a.m.
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.
Girl Scouts/F.H 1-4:00 p.m. / 2
TOPS 6:00 p.m.
Cub Scouts 6:30 p.m.
Scout Dist. Committee
7:00 p.m. / 3
Boy Scouts 6:30 p.m.
Senior Choir 7:00 p.m.
Bell Choir 8:00 p.m. / 4
Messenger Folding
9:30 a.m. / 5 MAUNDY
THURSDAY
Maundy Thursday Service
7:30 p.m.
AA 7:00 p.m.
Al anon 8:00 p.m. / 6 GOOD FRIDAY
Office Closed @ Noon
Community Good Friday
Service, Noon @ Christ United Methodist; process with cross from Trinity UMC at Noon
Tenebrae Service @ St. John’s 7:30 p.m. / 7
8
Sunrise Service 6:00 a.m.
Sunday School 9:00 a.m.
Worship w/ Comm. 10:15 a.m. / 9 OFFICE CLOSED
TOPS 6:00 p.m.
Cub Scouts 6:30 p.m.
Finance 7:00 p.m.
Scout Dist. Commissioner
7:00 p.m. / 10
Boy Scouts 6:30 p.m.
Senior Choir 7:00 p.m.
Bell Choir 8:00 p.m. / 11
Council Meeting 7:00 p.m. / 12
Messenger deadline 3:00 p.m.
Bread of Life 5-6:00 p.m.
Social Ministry 6:00 p.m.
AA 7:00 p.m.
Al anon 8:00 p.m. / 13 / 14
15
Worship w/Comm. 8:00 a.m.
Sunday School 9:00 a.m.
Worship w/Comm. 10:15 a.m.
Girl Scouts/F.H 1-4:00 p.m.
. / 16
TOPS 6:00 p.m.
Cub Scouts 6:30 p.m.
WELCA 7:00 p.m. / 17
Boy Scouts 6:30 p.m.
Senior Choir 7:00 p.m.
Bell Choir 8:00 p.m. / 18
Messenger Folding
9:30 a.m. / 19
Christian Education & Evangelism 7:00 p.m.
Scout Roundtable 7:00 p.m.
AA 7:00 p.m.
Al anon 8:00 p.m. / 20
Kitchen Reserved / 21
Kathryn’s Kloset
9-11:00 a.m.
Fulmer Memorial 10:00 a.m.
22 George Groff Preaching
Worship w/Comm. 8:00 a.m.
Sunday School 9:00 a.m.
Worship w/Comm. 10:15 a.m. / 23
TOPS 6:00 p.m.
Cub Scouts 6:30 p.m.
Kitchen Reserved / 24
Boy Scouts 6:30 p.m.
Senior Choir 7:00 p.m.
Bell Choir 8:00 p.m.
Kitchen Reserved / 25
Set up Rummage 8:00 a.m.
Scout Parent & Leader Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Kitchen Reserved / 26
Messenger deadline 3:00 p.m.
AA 7:00 p.m.
Al anon 8:00 p.m.
/ 27 / 28
29
Mr. Sticky Orders Due
Worship w/Comm. 8:00 a.m.
Sunday School 9:00 a.m.
Worship w/Comm. 10:15 a.m.
Girl Scouts/F.H 1-4:00 p.m. / 30
TOPS 6:00 p.m.
Cub Scouts 6:30 p.m. / 31
Boy Scouts 6:30 p.m.
Senior Choir 7:00 p.m.
Bell Choir 8:00 p.m.
Service Assistants for April 2012
Date / Lector / Greeters / CommunionAssistants / Bread / Ushers / Crucifer / Acolyte/
Torch-
bearer / Sound
System
April 1
8:00 AM
Palm Sunday / Bill Troutman
Sue Billman / Esther Bartholomew
April 1
10:15 AM
Palm Sunday / Choir / Karen and
Rick Smeltz / Mike Erdley
Doug Manning / Esther Bartholomew / Bob Berry, Capt.
Bonnie Berry
Maryann Berry
Mike McWilliams / Kayla Billman / Kobe Swanger
Amanda Hite
Dylan Kremer / Nick Auman
April 3
1:00 PM
Quiet Comm. / 1:00 PM
Judy Stuck
April 5
Maundy Thursday
7:30 P.M. / Mike Erdley / Barb Moyer
Tina Pontius / Judy Stuck
Lou VanGilder / Nancy Erdley / Lee Miller, Capt.
Ken Reigle
David Menges
Derek Menges / Owen Long
April 6
Good Friday
7:30 P.M. / Congregation / June and Bud Diehl / David Menges, apt
Derek Menges
Greg Morton
Blaine Shaffer / Mariah Brouse
April 8
EASTER
Sunrise Service
6:00 A.M. / Diane
Hoffman / The Cunningham Family / Brenda Herbert
David Herbert / Carol Diehl / Tom Propst, Capt.
Pat Propst
Bill Troutman
Lee Bettleyon / Tyler London / Derek Amerman
Trey Cunningham
Brennon Hilner / Lou VanGilder
April 8
10:15 AM
EASTER
Worship w/ Communion / Bob Berry / Judy and Frank
Hoffman / Nick Auman
Blaine Shaffer / Carol Diehl / Tina Pontius, Capt.
Barb Moyer
Virginia Butler
Trish Long / Amanda Hite / Dylan Kremer
Kobe Swanger
Kayla Billman / Bob Berry
April 15
8:00 AM / Pat Propst
Tom Propst / Cindy Manning
April 15
10:15 AM / Doug Manning / Judy and Ken Reigle / Patricia Long
Virginia Butler / Cindy Manning / Mike Erdley, Capt.
Nick Auman
Mack Fleming
Glen Weaver / Mariah Brouse / Owen Long / David Menges
April 22
8:00 A.M. / Bill Troutman
Sue Billman / Lori Bogovich
April 22
10:15 A.M. / Blaine Shaffer / Sharon and Mack Fleming / Mary Menges
David Menges / Lori Bogovich / Doug Manning, Capt.
Lou VanGilder
Franklin Hoffman
Frank Hoffman / Lou VanGilder
April 29
8:00 A.M. / Brenda Herbert
David Herbert / Lorraine Weaver
April 29
10:15 A.M. / June Diehl / Linda Bingaman
Mary Siemsen / Judy Stuck
Lou VanGilder / Lorraine Weaver / Barb Moyer, Capt.
Judy Hoffman
Lori Bogovich
Teresa Miller / Trey Cunningham / Tyler London / Harry Bingaman