1

St. John’s Lutheran Church 44 West Main St

Shiremanstown, PA 17011

NOVEMBER 2019 VOLUME 45 NO. 10

2

���� Associate Pastor ~Pastor Sarah Keilholtz

Guess what? I don’t like not knowing the future…and I’m sure that you don’t, too. In fact, not knowing important things that are going to affect me – affect all of us – is really starting to get to me. I find myself worrying all the time and wondering what if? And when? And how? And why? Not really to anything in particular, but I’m thinking about our future together at St. John’s A LOT. And I’ve realized a couple of things. First, we have to face the future together. We can’t just wait for something to happen; we have to make it happen together. We have to worship together faithfully and pray that God will guide us. We have to move on from petty things and faithfully give of our time, talent and treasures. Nothing is going to work if we don’t work together. And I’ve also learned, and this especially applies to me, that I have to stop living in fear. Isaiah 41: 10 tells us, “Do not fear for I am with you. Do not be afraid for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you.” After being a part of so many conversations that have given more worries and fears than when I started them, I have decided to try to live into this verse for the rest of this year. I will certainly have moments of fear and worry in the months to come about the world, the future and our church here at St. John’s. But I must trust that God is with me and that God will strengthen us. That is my prayer, but I also need to live it. To be faithful in worship and the life of the church. To be part of conversations that celebrate how amazing this place really is, and to do what I can to strengthen our situation. No one person will be able to fix everything, but I can do my part by living in the faith that God is with me and I have nothing to fear.

3

Special Congregational Meeting: Financial Emergency Sunday, November 10, 2019

One Worship Service at 10:00 AM

Meeting follows the Worship Service Please note our schedule on November 10th will be

Sunday School—HARVEST HOME—at 9:15 AM and only one worship service at 10:00 AM.

Members who attend the 6 PM Saturday Service on November 9 are encouraged to return Sunday morning for the meeting.

The sole purpose of this meeting is to bring awareness of our financial status and projected budget shortfall to our congregation prior to the Congregational Meeting scheduled for Sunday, November 24.

The future of this congregation is at a crossroads. With the current level of giving, it is impossible for us to continue the current ministry of our church. This is a time for our congregation to come together for discussion, discernment, and prayer. At this meeting we will look at: � current trends in giving with a projected 2020 budget shortfall of

$100,000 � impact this has on our current ministry, programs, and staffing � ways to address the shortfall – increase giving, fundraising, endowment

funds, decrease in staffing � proposed budgets with our current Lead Pastor and Associate Pastor

model versus a Lead Pastor Only option � impact this has on the call process This is an information gathering meeting with no votes taking place. This is your opportunity to ask questions and be a voice for your church.

2019 Annual Meeting of the Congregation Sunday, November 24, 2019

One Worship Service at 10:00 AM

Meeting follows the Worship Service Please note our schedule on November 24th will be

Sunday School at 9:15 AM and only one worship service at 10:00 AM.

Members who attend the 6 PM Saturday Service on November 23 are encouraged to return Sunday morning for the meeting.

Items at the meeting will include: � deliberation and approval of a budget for 2020 � any other business germane to the life of our congregation

NOVEMBER 2019

4

NOVEMBER 3, 2019

SET YOUR CLOCKS BACK FOR

AN EXTRA HOUR OF SLEEP!

November Team Meetings Monday, November 4 6:30 PM Adult Education Meeting—Conference Room Tuesday, November 12 6:30 PM Social Ministry—Parlor Tuesday, November 12 6:30 PM Parish Council—Library Thursday, November 21 6:30 PM Children’s Garden Board Meeting—Library

2019 Budget 2019 Actual

Income 651,788 482,683.96

Expenses 651, 788 498,099.54

Difference 0 (15,415.58)

Finances September 2019

5

N)* H,-) M./.012.)0 C32.01450 B7)00./8 E9-2)00 The Mechanicsburg New Hope Ministries serves over fifteen hundred people including families and a large number of senior citizens. We can make Christmas brighter for these struggling individuals. St. John's is again participating in the New Hope Christmas Blessings program.. Starting on November 3rd, you can select an ornament from the Christmas tree in the Narthex and purchase that gift. Please place your unwrapped gift into the red box in the coat room. All gifts must be received no later than November 25th. We thank you for your continued support.

NOVEMBER 2019

WINTER OVERNIGHT AT SAFE HAVEN VOLUNTEERS NEEDED St. John's will once again support the Winter Overnight at Safe Haven (WOSH) program in Harrisburg. WOSH provides basic overnight accommodation to 20 men during the winter months as there is not enough room at the full-time men's shelters. This program is only possible through the volunteer efforts of churches and community organizations. St. John's has signed up to work the week of January 19-25. Two men are required each evening from 7 pm until 7 am. Most of that time is spent sleeping in the volunteer bunk room. This will be the 3rd year we have worked with the project. We were blessed last year in having 14 men step up to volunteer with some going to work the following day a bit tired but I'm sure forever touched by the experience. This is an opportunity to help those less fortunate during potentially life threatening weather where they might otherwise have to sleep outdoors. I know we can answer the call once again. Contact the church office at 717-761-5121 for more information.

Bell Tower Update Thank you to everyone who contributed to the repair of the Bell Tower. With the addition of an anonymous generous donation we now have enough funds to move forward with the project. The Verdin Bell Company has been contacted and the repair is in motion. The initial work is done at the company’s Ohio location and takes 45 to 60 days. Installation will occur at the completion of their work.

6

Do you like to sing? Have any musical talent? Choir experience? Now is the time to join St. John’s Music Ministry and share your gifts with our church family. We invite you to join our talented parishioners who form our Adult Choir. Rehearsals for the Adult Choir are held on Wednesday evenings from 7:30 to 8:30 PM, as well as Sunday mornings from 10:15 until 10:35 AM. Open to all singers from high school age through adult. Only interested in singing for Advent and Christmas? That's fine, long and short-term commitments welcome! Join St. John's Handbell Choir! Not a singer, how about being a "RINGER" in St. John's Handbell Choir? Rehearsals are held on Wednesday evenings from 6:30-7:15 PM. Prior experience not required, but the ability to count is helpful. Open to all people from High School age through adult. Do you play an instrument? In addition to singing and ringing, instrumentalists (flute, guitar, violin, saxaphone, trumpet, triangle and more!) are encouraged to participate in St. John's Music Ministry. Do you play piano or are taking lessons? Your talent could be shared as a prelude, offertory or maybe in a small group. Pianists are also encouraged to stop by the organ console following worship and try out the organ. Who knows, a future organist for St. John's could be sitting amongst us in the pews! Please speak with our Minister of Music and let Tom know of your interest and availability.

Monday, November 11, 2019 Thank a Veteran!!

GOOD NEWS: The deadline for the December GOOD NEWS is Monday, Nov.

11. If you have any information to be included in this issue, please have it in the Church Office by that date.

7

Thank you so much for the beautiful altar flowers. It was so thoughtful of you to bring them to the house. Your Friend in Christ, Bob B

Dear St. John’s, I want to thank all of my friends at St. Johns for the many cards and lovely visits I had while at Manor Care. Thank you Pastor Sarah for bringing me communion, also for the beautiful altar flowers. They really brightened up my room. I’m home now and almost well. God Bless St. Johns. Sincerely, Virginia S

St. John’s Lutheran Church, A BIG thank you to Pastor Sarah, Deanna and St. John’s church for lending my husband a wheelchair. It would have been very difficult for him to attend a family wedding without the chair. We greatly appreciated your kindness. Sincerely, Barbara Z

NOVEMBER 2019

SAGE—Remember SAGE (Senior Adult Group Explorers) This is a fun lunch bunch for anyone retired and older. They meet once a month. In November join them at T.J. Rockwells on Wednesday, November 20th at 1 PM. Contact:: the church office at 717-761-5121 to make your reservation

8

One Million Children THANK YOU! One Million Children is an organization that builds and repairs wells in Zambian villages. With proceeds from our Fall Festival in addition to an anonymous donation, St John’s has been successful in raising enough money to purchase a well for a Zambian Village. We thank everyone who made this dream a reality!

NEW MEMBER CLASSES OFFERED We are joyful for all who join us for worship. This includes all members and visitors. For those who have been visiting with us, we invite you to consider joining with our church family. We are offering a series of New Members’ Classes on December 1 and De-cember 8. These classes will be from 9:15 to 10:15 in the education build-ing. We’ll meet in the atrium lobby for coffee and fellowship, then move to a classroom. New members will be received on December 8th at our 10:45 Service. Call the church office at 761-5121 for more information.

9

NOVEMBER 2019

Library Update Our church has partnered with the Children’s Garden to open our education building library to include a large selection of children’s books. These books are used by our school’s teach-ers in their classrooms as well as by our school children when they come to visit the library once a week. This is a beautiful way for the church to utilize this space while encouraging the love of reading in our children. There are two opportunities for members to get involved:

1. Join our team of library aides to maintain the organization of the library. We currently have four members on this team.

2. Volunteer to visit the school to spend time in the library reading storybooks to our school children. Classrooms visit once a week. We’re looking for members to come read dur-ing their scheduled time.

Please sign up if you would like to volunteer

Name(s) __________________________________

Phone Number ____________________________

Email: ___________________________________

10

Messiah And More! Harrisburg Choral Society Christmas Presentation Sunday, December 15, 2019 3:00PM Camp Hill Presbyterian Church 101 North 23rd Street Camp Hill, PA 17011 Tickets $20 general admission / $17 seniors / $5 students Interested in attending as a St Johns Group? We’ll go to lunch together, then attend the concert. Check the weekend bulletin for more information or contact Beth Bard at beth.bard@stjohns1787.org. I am interested in going: Name: ______________________________________________________ Phone: _____________________________________________________ Email: ________________________________________________________

No. Attending: ___________________ Cost: ______________________

11

EVENTS..

NOVEMBER 2019

Please join our Connect information texting service, Flocknote. Text ConnectAtStJohns to 84576

This will help me to get information to you quickly, and you can join groups for retreats, national gathering, fundraisers, etc!!

On Sunday November 3, we will have a Gathering in the lounge from 6-8pm. These are relaxed evenings with Bible study, games, and snacks. Friends are always welcomed!!

On Sunday November 10, we will return to the Ronald McDonald House for a fun afternoon of baking. Plan to be there from 1-3pm and please bring all ingredients needed for your baked treats:) They love to have us make muffins, cookies, rice krispie’s, brownies, etc. Please come out and support this wonderful cause in Hershey!

Our fall Retreat to Nawakwa will be November 15-17 for all youth in grades 7-12. This fun weekend will take us to Dietz lodge at Nawakwa. The cost for the weekend is $95. The increase this year reflects increases in fees from Nawakwa for use of the lodge. For youth in 7th grade, this fee will be at $50. We will enjoy a weekend of Bible study, games, free time, fun times with friends and lots of great memories. Please bring a snack to share. Please sign up with Stephanie to secure your spot!

On Sunday November 23, we will have a Gathering in the lounge from 6-8pm. These are relaxed evenings with Bible study, games, and snacks. Friends are always welcomed!!

December 1: Gathering in the Lounge 6-8pm

December 7-8: Winterfest at the Nook (Senior High Synod event weekend)

12

Worship Schedule and Hours

Wednesday Communion and Prayer—12:15 PM Saturday Worship Service—Saturday—6 PM

Sunday Church Services—8 & 10:45 AM Sunday Church School—9:15 AM

Interim Pastor—The Rev. Richard Whitesel Associate Pastor—The Rev. Sarah Keilholtz

Office Hours: Monday—Friday

9:00 AM—1:00 PM

Office Phone (717) 761-5121 Office Fax (717) 761-4110

Email: church@stjohns1787.org Website: www.stjohns1787.org

News and Notes: sjnewsandnotes.wordpress.com Facebook: St Johns Lutheran Church 1787

Twitter: stjohns1787