June & July

 

2008 Congregational Council

 

Donna Treaster

Susan Shawver

Worship/Music

Worship/Music

David Yoder, Jr.

Property

Allen Mengel

Treasurer/Finance

David Borland

Vice President/Personnel

Sherry Felmlee

Social Ministry

Steven Burk

Cemetery

Theresa Snyder

Youth/Stewardship

Winston Libby

President

Mary Barr

Christian Ed

Allison Yoder

Evangelism

Larry Niemond

Christian Ed./Personnel

Arica Monsell

Christian Ed.

Andrew Thierwechter

Stewardship

LaDonna Smith

Evangelism

 

The Congregational Council is the official decision-making body of our parish, comprised of fifteen active, confirmed members and the pastor. Each year at the Annual Meeting of the Congregation, five persons are elected to a three-year term. The group meets regularly on the third Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. Minutes of the meetings are posted in the office and at the entryway to the church.

 

 

From the Pastor

 

                        This year we started a couple of new groups in the congregation, two of which are mandated by our Constitution, but which haven’t been part of our on-going life as a congregation.  Our constitution states (C13.04) that there shall be a Staff Support Committee.  The duties of the committee are not spelled out in our constitution, but are generally to be exactly what its name implies: a committee that is not under the direct supervision of the church council, that listens to staff concerns, encourages their growth, and helps to mediate any problems that might arise between them and members of the congregation.  They are also folks the congregation can go to when they have a concern regarding the staff, when they cannot work out the problems on their own.  They are not there to listen to general or anonymous complaints, or to be a “dumping ground” for problems members may have with staff.  Our constitution is clear about the process people are to use if anyone has a staff concern:  first they are to take it to the person involved.  If they do not find a resolution, then the Staff Support Committee can be used to mediate.  If the problem persists, it can be taken to the Council.  We thank Pam Logan, Pam Tressler and Joe Shirk for serving on this committee!

 

Our constitution also says that we are to have a Nominating Committee of six members of the congregation, including two outgoing members of the Council.  You may be hearing from some of these folks in upcoming months, as they prepare the ballot for the election of next year’s Church Council and Synod Assembly representatives.

 

Along with these, we have formed a Memorial Committee, consisting of Ginny Libby, Sue Phillips and Scott Price.  The purpose of this committee is to solicit memorial gifts, make sure they are appropriately noted and celebrated, and to develop a list of potential memorial gifts.  A list of potential Memorials and Endowments is located on our web site.  Follow the link to “Memorials and Gifts.”

 

Finally, we are investigating the possibility of setting up a Parish Nurse Program.  We already have several people interested in the possibilities, which might include monthly blood pressure checks, home visitors to help people recently home from the hospital, or people who need someone to sit a couple of hours with a loved one so that they can get a break, and other ministries like these.  If you are interested in this ministry, please see Pastor Roth or Barb Henry.

 

As you can see, there is a lot going on at St. Johns!  If you have an idea for ministry – a need you see that needs to be met in our congregation or community – come share it with us!  Every great ministry starts with an idea that God’s Spirit has laid on someone’s heart!

 

Yours in Christ,

 

Pastor Roth

 

One Service?

 

The Worship Committee, after studying the recommendation for one service, has concluded that we will continue to hold two services in the fall and winter months.  The idea of moving to one service was brought forward because of declining attendance, particularly at the 8:00 a.m. service.  It was felt, however, that both services meet particular needs of different groups of people in the congregation, and should be continued, along with the 1:30 p.m. Communion service on the first Sunday of the month.

 

 

Worship

June 1           Pentecost 3                     David Treaster, liturgist and guest speaker

June 8           Graduate Recognition      Romans 4:13-25

June 15         Pentecost 5                     Donna Treaster, guest speaker; David Treaster, liturgist

June 22         Pentecost 6                     Romans 6:1b-11

June 29         Pentecost 7                     Romans 6:12-23

July 6            Church Picnic                  Romans 7:15-25a

July 13          Pentecost 9                     Romans 8:1-11

July 20          Pentecost 10                   Romans 8:12-25

July 27          Pentecost 11                   Romans 8:26-39

August 3        Pentecost 12                   Conference Pulpit Exchange

 

 

*Worship notes: You are invited to take home a copy of the green hymnal, Lutheran Book of Worship. Some copies are still available in the office area.

 

Throughout the summer, we will have one worship service, at 9:00 am.  There is no Sunday School during the summer months.  Our fall worship schedule will begin on September 14, with services at 8:00 and 10:15 am, and Sunday School at 9:00 am.  “Favorite Hymns” recently gathered by the Worship and Music Committee, which were not used in the service on May 25, will be sung during communion in the summer months.

 

Beginning June 1, white grape juice will be available during communion for those who cannot tolerate wine, or wish to have an alternative.  We also offer gluten-free wafers for those who are allergic to gluten. White grape juice is available from the tray that contains the cups for communion.  If you require gluten-free bread, please see Pastor Roth before the service, and let your need be made known to him.

 

Graduate Recognition Sunday is on June 8!  We will honor our recent graduates from high school and college, with a small gift and reception after church.

 

Throughout the summer, we will have a Fellowship Hour after worship.  Individuals and groups may sponsor our Fellowship Hour by signing up at the Church Office.  Sponsors are asked to provide a light snack (fruit, dessert, etc.), set up and clean up afterward.

 

At the end of June, we will switch to the former Setting 5 from With One Voice (in our new hymnal, it is “Service of the word,” beginning on page 210).  We have had many people who said they miss this setting, so we will use it for the remainder of the summer.  The Worship and Music Committee have also heard you voice concerning singing the Lord’s Prayer – we will continue to sing it in worship.

 

Our summer focus in worship is on Paul’s great Letter to the Romans.  No one knows exactly the occasion for this letter – perhaps it was to introduce himself to a church he had not founded (the Roman church was founded by Peter), but was planning to visit.  Unlike his other letters, which were generally directed at particular issues in congregations he had founded himself, this letter lays out the heart of his theology:  “Justification by grace through faith.”  It was in this letter that Luther found the “pure Gospel” that became the heart of the Reformation movement.  The Letter to the Romans is still a revolutionary document, helping us to understand the God who loves sinners, and the radical ethic of love which breaks down all barriers.  I hope you will take time to read the whole letter through, in preparation for this summer series!

 

Don’t forget our Congregational Picnic, July 6, at Derry Township Park Green Pavilion.  Worship begins at 10:00 a.m., followed by lunch, games, fun and fellowship!  The children who attended Vacation Bible School will provide special music for us.  Bring a tureen, salad or dessert to share – chicken, drinks and place settings will be provided.   In case of inclement weather, the service and picnic will be moved to the church.

 

Contemporary Worship?

 

St. Johns is considering beginning a Contemporary Worship Service.  If you have an interest in exploring this possibility, we invite you to join our group.  See Pastor Roth or Sue Sharver.

 

Junior Church

Every Sunday we have a special worship hour especially for kids Grades K-6 during our 10:15 am worship service!  After the children's message, the children can leave the Sanctuary with an assigned adult and go to the chapel for instruction time, music and crafts.  On Communion Sundays, the children will return to the Sanctuary in time for communion.  On other Sundays, parents can pick them up in the Sunday School wing.

 

 

Polling the Church

 

This fall, we will participate in two studies of our congregation:  the first is the national Harris Poll on church attendance and beliefs.  We will take the poll on September 28 at the conclusion of worship.  The other study is being done by our synod’s Evangelism team, to help us identify needs and strengthen ministries in our congregation and community.  A date has not yet been set for this study.

 

Pastor's Class

 

The Epistle to the Romans

Every Tuesday, 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Beginning September 9!

 

This is an in-depth course on Paul’s Letter to the Romans.  We will look at Paul’s letter (see the introduction, above), using tools of modern scholarship, but with an emphasis on life application.  Paul did not write his letters just for an opportunity to “talk theology,” but to address real-life concerns of congregations.  As we look at this letter, we will see what application it has to our life.

 

Worship Sponsors

You can sponsor the bulletin, flowers or communion elements, either in memory of someone you love, or to honor someone special to you.  Call the church office for details.  We are also still accepting donations for the new hymnal, Evangelical Lutheran Worship.  If you would like to sponsor a hymnal, call the office.

 

New Bibles?

The Sunday School is in need of new Bibles, geared to the ages of our pupils.  If you would like to sponsor one or more Bibles, contact the church office.

 

Youth Happenings

 

On Friday, July 4, our young people and their sponsors will be embarking on a Mission Trip to the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Browning, Montana.  A Mission Trip is a great way to see how faith is put into action, and to experience a differing culture from ours.  It helps make the Gospel “come alive,” in ways we usually do not experience it at home.  Please pray for our young people, their sponsors, and the Blackfeet people.  For more information on the Blackfeet tribe, go to http://www.blackfeetnation.com/.

 

Summer Carnival

The Third Street Summer Kick-off Carnival was a bigger success than ever!  On June 14, several churches, including our own, set up booths and offered activities, food and games as a way of reaching out to our community, and to help us get to know our brothers and sisters in Christ a little better.  Our congregation gave out a lot of free ice cream, with thanks to the Barnabas Brothers, as well as overseeing games.  Thanks especially to Larry Niemond, who has helped to spearhead the project!

 

Summer Camp!

What’s summer without Summer Camp?  The theme at Mt. Luther this summer is “Just for Life.”  Through parables, we will look at the justice of God.  This summer, Camp Mount Luther is also inviting adults to come to camp for a day away – get a group together, call the camp office, and schedule your summer day away!  Camp Mount Luther will provide programming, including good food, fellowship, Bible Study and activities geared for adults.  They have crafts, bible study, a nature activity and worship time – even take a dip in the pool to cool off!  Most summer Wednesdays, you can come and enjoy the fabulous Bruch Buffet.  Cost of the Apple corps:  A Summer Day Away is just $15.00!

 

Camp Mount Luther will hold a Quilt and Craft Auction on Saturday, November 8, and is inviting quilters from around the area to donate quilts of all sizes and varieties.  Crafters are also invited.  If you are interested, please call the camp office to give us an idea as to how many donations we will have.

Christian Education

It’s not too early to begin planning for the fall!  Rally Day is scheduled for September 7 at the 9:00 am worship service.  This year we will have a “Blessing of the Bibles” as part of the service.  Last year’s event was a great event, followed by a nice brunch.  Mark the date on your calendar – we’ll see you in September!

 

This year, the Third Street Churches extended their Vacation Bible School invitation to include the children of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church.  First United Methodist hosted, from June 22 through June 26.  It was kicked off with a hot dog roast on June 22 at 4:30 pm.  There was a closing service on June 26 at 7:45 pm.

 

Angel Food Ministry

The Angel Food Ministry now has 235 families participating!  Please continue to get the word out regarding this ministry, which provides a discounted package of quality foods (a $60 value for only $30), and supports our local food pantry, “Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard.”  Each month the menu is different, consisting of both fresh and frozen items, including meats, fruits vegetables, eggs and desserts.  Everyone is eligible! It’s both a blessing and a bargain, to assist with balancing budgets and to combat rising fuel bills.  Fliers are available from the Church Office or from bulletin racks in the nave.

 

Have you Considered the Ministry?

Have you thought about a career either in the ministry or in teaching?  Not sure what vocation you would like to pursue?  The Fund for Theological Education is a leading national advocate for excellence and diversity in Christian ministry. Their work supports the next generation of leaders among pastors and scholars. They provide fellowships and a network of support to gifted young people for both undergraduate and graduate work, from all denominations and racial/ethnic backgrounds—encouraging those with gifts for leadership to consider vocations in ministry and teaching and nurturing them in their exploration and study.  For more information, go to http://thefund.org/ on the web!

 

Speaking of Christian Vocation:

Project Connect is web of connections among many and various parts of the church in the East—seminaries, colleges, camps, campus ministries, pastors, lay leaders, congregations, social ministry organizations, volunteer organizations like Lutheran Volunteer Corps and Lutheran Student Movement, and, particularly, young adults—that works together toward a single important goal: to involve young adults in programs and projects and retreats and discussions about how God is calling them to build a life, providing programs of vocational discernment for college-age adults that take our understanding of who God is and what God calls us to be and do seriously.

     Identify programs include various discernment events, college courses about vocation, and a variety of opportunities for people in the network to identify young adults who might be interested in this project.

     Nurture programs focus on deepening the discernment by making connections with outdoor ministry programs, with colleges and campus ministries, with Lutheran Volunteer Corps, with seminaries.

     Sustain programs dig deeper still by offering opportunities for immersion experiences in congregational settings and mini-grants that will explore fresh ideas in congregational ministry.

For more information, go to their web site, http://projectconnect.org/

 

 

Faithful Journey

The third part of the Lutheran study on sexuality is now available online at www.elca.org/faithfuljourney.  Copies are also available on disk from Pastor Roth, and a paperback copy is available for borrowing from him as well.  The study invites participants to moral deliberation on human sexuality from the perspective of Paul's letter to the Galatians and Martin Luther's essay, "On the Freedom of the Christian."  Responses to the study will help shape a social statement being prepared by the ELCA to be brought before the Churchwide Assembly in 2009.

 

The ELCA on the Net!

Videos about the ELCA are now available on the Net!  87 videos have been posted in the last six months, and the number continues to grow!  You can "Open the Door to Luther," view an introduction to the New Testament, learn about Islam, learn about "prayer scrapbooking," walk through the Luther lands, listen to messages on important topics from Presiding Bishop Mark Hansen, experience the ELCA Youth Gathering in San Antonio, and much more!  Just go to youtube.com or video.google.com and type "ELCA" to see what is available!

 

Charitable Giving Opportunities

The Pension Protection Act of 2006 includes a variety of charitable giving incentives, most notably a version of the long-awaited “IRA Charitable Rollover.”  Individuals 70½ years old or older may make a qualified charitable distribution outright to charity in an amount up to $100,000 per year directly from an Individual Retirement Arrangement (“IRA”).  Under prior law, these distributions would be taxable to the IRA owner, but under the Act, the distribution will be excluded from the donor's taxable income.  The IRA Charitable Rollover is only available in 2006 and 2007. Another benefit of the IRA Charitable Rollover is that the charitable distribution may be used by the IRA owner to satisfy a portion or all of their annual minimum distribution requirements.  For more information, or to learn about giving through you will, charitable gift annuities, or other giving vehicles, contact the ELCA Foundation office at 1-800-638-3522, ext. 2970.  Also available are the publications, "Why Do I Need a Will?" "What Will Your Legacy Be?" "Will and Trust Workbook."  For Memorial Gifts and Endowments to St. John’s, visit our Memorials page.

 

"Simply Giving"

The Simply Giving® program is a reliable, safe way to move your stewardship plan into action. It allows you to share your gifts through planned giving and activates your generosity into ongoing stewardship. Because your gift is given consistently, you won’t need to play “catch-up” at year-end or worry about forgotten checkbooks or missed Sunday offerings. But you’re not the only one that benefits. Your congregation benefits from steady, more predictable revenues throughout the year, more efficient bookkeeping, and greater confidence in meeting its financial commitments.  Simply Giving® is sponsored by Thrivent for Lutherans, but is available to all members of Lutheran congregations.  To enroll, call the church office, or stop by the "Simply giving" booth on May 20.

 

New in our Library

New in our Library:  Prayer: Does it Make Any Difference? by Philip Yancey. An excellent book on prayer, by the author of two other very good books:  What's So Amazing About Grace and The Jesus I Never Knew.  Philip Yancey takes a fresh and no-holds barred approach to a subject that is central to Christian life, but often neglected and misunderstood.  Yancey's books are well-written, well-reasoned, and offer a depth not usually found in popular Christian literature.  In this latest book, he describes prayer as "keeping company with God."  If prayer is important to you, and particularly if you struggle with prayer, this is a "must read!  Also new are Amazing Grace by Kathleen Norris, an account of her gradual conversion, offering believers and doubters a perspective for finding faith in the contemporary world; The New Testament Story, by David Barr, a college-level introduction to the writings of the New Testament, integrating historical information, and stressing vital elements in the lives of real persons; and Great Songs of Faith, by Robert Brown and Mark Norton, containing devotions for an entire year, based on popular hymns.

 

 

Shut-In Visitation

We call on members in nursing homes in the area, and on shut-ins on a monthly basis, through our "Friendly Visitor" program!  Many of our shut-ins already have a visitor - if you know any one who would like a regular visit from one of our members, please call the office.  We can also use folks who would like to make phone calls to our shut-ins once or twice a day, just to make sure they are o.k., for our Telephone Assurance program.

Scouting

Our Scout Troops are a wonderful way to have fun, learn about the outdoors, and build character and long-term friendships.  You can help, too - our Scout Troops are looking for more helpers and board members!  Call the church office for more information.

The Pennebaker Trust

In her will, Mrs. Irene Pennebaker established the Irene Pennebaker Trust, for the care of members who worship or worshipped at St. John’s who have a financial need.  There are restrictions on the use of the fund, but if you know of a senior member of the congregation (over age 60) with a financial need, see Pastor Roth.  Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Health Ministry Notes

See what's going on at Gettysburg Seminary this summer!

The Ark-Currents
Synod Notes and Happenings