there is comfort in the praying. ere is hope in the reality that I am not in this alone and that God is on my side and working for good, in this instance, in the life of those babies that I was praying for so fervently. So what does all of this have to do with Advent? Well, many of us are not that good at waiting in the season of Advent. e idea of holding these four weeks leading up to Christmas as a sacred time of preparing and opening our hearts and our lives for the coming of Christ as a child becomes more and more difficult to do when held within the busyness and to-do lists that we attach to this season. And while I could sit here and tell you (and myself) to consider what really needs to get done and how can you let go of some things in order to allow more space this Advent, I know what an uphill battle that is for so many of us. So instead I simply want to remind you to pray. I want to remind you that resources will be available at church to help you keep the season of Advent as a time of waiting and watching, of preparing and making space for what is coming. ose resources will be available in both the narthex and the parlor, starting on Sunday, December 2. Use them, as you will, and the events and activities listed within this newsletter, as an aid in watching and waiting, in preparing and readying yourself, your heart and your mind, for what is born anew in us and the world on December 25. And may you know that God is with you in the waiting and the busyness, too – even if you can’t feel His presence, He is there. Advent Blessings, As I sit here writing my article for the Advent newsletter, I keep thinking about one of the primary themes of Advent – waiting. We talk about preparing and we talk about making room, and those are valid themes liſted up in the four weeks leading up to Christmas. But for me, the waiting always seems to be where my heart and mind go – and maybe it’s because I am not good at waiting. As I sit here writing this article, it is November 21 – it was on this day last year that I found out that Kevin and I were pregnant with twins. is date will probably remain with me for years and years to come because the prayers I was praying for a healthy baby took on a new depth when I found out it was actually two babies. I held that secret close to my heart until telling our family on April 1 that we were welcoming two bundles of joy and it was one of the most difficult things to do – because even aſter the truth was out, even though I didn’t have to watch the pronouns I used anymore, the reality was I still had to wait – and the waiting of that pregnancy seemed so very different than it was with my older children. I couldn’t help but read about the risks – the risks of twin pregnancies ending in miscarriage, the risks of birth defects in moms of ‘advance maternal age’ (one of my least favorite medical terms!) or the risks of delivering early and the possibility of extended NICU time. e waiting got better week by week, because each week we got closer to 34 weeks, the odds continued to get better. But I’ll be honest – for months, I was on edge. For months, I waited for something horrible to happen. e thought that we would make it to 37 weeks, which is full-term for twins, and deliver two beautifully healthy babies just seemed out of my reach. I went to each doctor’s appointment, expecting to be told something that would devastate me. I was scared of things I did and how they would impact the twins – I was afraid and anxious and so very tired. ere was only ONE thing that made that journey bearable – and that was prayer. I prayed every single day for those babies. I prayed for them to stay nice and warm inside for as long as possible. I prayed for them to grow stronger each and every day. I prayed for God to watch over them and keep them safe. I’ve never been one of those “let go and let God” type people – I have a hard time with praying for something and then just giving it up to God, trusting that He’s got it under control. I usually pray and then continue to work it out for myself, but S UMNEYTOWN VOL. 24 ISSUE 6 Advent Issue 2018 St. John’s Lutheran Church • Sumneytown • www.stjsumneytown.org • 215.234.4888 • email: [email protected]S T . J OHN ’ S L UTHERAN C HURCH “consider what really needs to get done and how can you let go of some things in order to allow more space this Advent” In This Issue: 2 Worship Notes 2 Advent Trees 5 Christmas Caroling 5 Adult Sunday School
Transcript
there is comfort in the praying. There is hope in the reality that I am not in this alone and that God is on my side and working for good, in this instance, in the life of those babies that I was praying for so fervently.
So what does all of this have to do with Advent? Well, many of us are not that good at waiting in the season of Advent. The idea of holding these four weeks leading up to Christmas as a sacred time of preparing and opening our hearts and our lives for the coming of Christ as a child becomes more and more difficult to do when held within the busyness and to-do lists that we attach to this season. And while I could sit here and tell you (and myself) to consider what really needs to get done
and how can you let go of some things in order to allow more space this Advent, I know what an uphill battle that is for so many of us.
So instead I simply want to remind you to pray. I want to remind you that resources will be available at church to help you keep the season of Advent as a time of waiting and watching, of preparing and making space for what is coming. Those resources will be available in both the narthex and the parlor, starting on Sunday, December 2. Use them, as you will, and the events and activities listed within this newsletter, as an aid in watching and waiting, in preparing and readying yourself, your heart and your mind, for what is born anew in us and the world on December 25.
And may you know that God is with you in the waiting and the busyness, too – even if you can’t feel His presence, He is there.
Advent Blessings,
As I sit here writing my article for the Advent newsletter, I keep thinking about one of the primary themes of Advent – waiting. We talk about preparing and we talk about making room, and those are valid themes lifted up in the four weeks leading up to Christmas. But for me, the waiting always seems to be where my heart and mind go – and maybe it’s because I am not good at waiting.
As I sit here writing this article, it is November 21 – it was on this day last year that I found out that Kevin and I were pregnant with twins. This date will probably remain with me for years and years to come because the prayers I was praying for a healthy baby took on a new depth when I found out it was actually two babies. I held that secret close to my heart until telling our family on April 1 that we were welcoming two bundles of joy and it was one of the most difficult things to do – because even after the truth was out, even though I didn’t have to watch the pronouns I used anymore, the reality was I still had to wait – and the waiting of that pregnancy seemed so very different than it was with my older children. I couldn’t help but read about the risks – the risks of twin pregnancies ending in miscarriage, the risks of birth defects in moms of ‘advance maternal age’ (one of my least favorite medical terms!) or the risks of delivering early and the possibility of extended NICU time. The waiting got better week by week, because each week we got closer to 34 weeks, the odds continued to get better.
But I’ll be honest – for months, I was on edge. For months, I waited for something horrible to happen. The thought that we would make it to 37 weeks, which is full-term for twins, and deliver two beautifully healthy babies just seemed out of my reach. I went to each doctor’s appointment, expecting to be told something that would devastate me. I was scared of things I did and how they would impact the twins – I was afraid and anxious and so very tired.
There was only ONE thing that made that journey bearable – and that was prayer. I prayed every single day for those babies. I prayed for them to stay nice and warm inside for as long as possible. I prayed for them to grow stronger each and every day. I prayed for God to watch over them and keep them safe.
I’ve never been one of those “let go and let God” type people – I have a hard time with praying for something and then just giving it up to God, trusting that He’s got it under control. I usually pray and then continue to work it out for myself, but
S u m n e y t o w n
VOL. 24 ISSUE 6Advent Issue 2018
St. John’s Lutheran Church • Sumneytown • www.stjsumneytown.org • 215.234.4888 • email: [email protected]
St. John’S Lutheran ChurCh
“consider what really needs to get done and how can you let go of some things in order to allow more space this Advent”
In This Issue: 2
Worship Notes
2Advent Trees
5Christmas Caroling
5Adult Sunday School
2 St. John’s Lutheran Church • www.stjsumneytown.org • 215.234.4888 • email: [email protected]
ADVENT TREESThis year, our Advent trees will provide TWO opportunities to reach out and share blessings with folks near and far.As we did last year, gift tags to support the ELCA Good Gifts program will be available – each tag will represent a different gift and each gift has a specific dollar amount associated with it. Gifts include an assortment of animals and other items and range from $10-$100. Forms will be available at the table to give here at St. John’s or you can pay for your item online at www.ELCA.org/goodgifts.
NEW THIS YEAR will be gift tags for gifts that will go to the residents of Pennsburg Manor. There are residents at this local home who do not have family and who therefore do not receive Christmas gifts. Our Advent trees this year will also feature homemade tags that contain specific items that are requested by residents at Pennsburg Manor. These gift tags can be taken by members to purchase the item listed – we ask that you then wrap the item you purchased and attach the gift tag from the Advent tree to the package. ALL packages are due to St. John’s on Sunday, December 16 so we can deliver them to Pennsburg Manor in time for their Christmas party. We hope that the people of St. John’s will be generous in their giving – both to our brothers and sisters here in the Upper Perkiomen Valley and across the world.
Sunday, December 2 – The First Sunday of Advent
We will worship at 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM with Sunday school at 9:30 AM
Sunday, December 9 – The Second Sunday of Advent
We will gather for ONE worship service at 10:30 AM with Sunday school at 9:30 AM. This worship experience gathers us as we tend to the business of our life together – election of new council members, approval of the 2019 budget along with opportunities to look back and to look forward. All confirmed members of the congregation have voice and vote so please join us for worship!
Sunday, December 16 – The Third Sunday of Advent
We will gather for ONE worship service at 10:30 AM with Sunday school at 9:30 AM as our young people join with the adult choir to provide their take on the Christmas story in word and song. Come out to support the hard work of our young people as they point to Jesus. Worship will be followed by a birthday party for Jesus, complete with birthday cake!
Sunday, December 23 – the Fourth Sunday of Advent
We will gather for ONE worship service at 10:30 AM with no Sunday School.
Monday, December 24 – Christmas Eve
3 PM Worship provides an opportunity for a quieter service of lessons and carols with Holy Communion – perfect for those who don’t want to be out in the dark or who might be traveling to family and friends in the evening.
7 PM Worship is our family service that is led by our young people and includes Holy Communion. This service has the most energy as many of our families with young children come to a hear a sermon designed specifically for the young at heart.
10 PM Worship is a traditional Christmas Eve service with Holy Communion and candle lighting. Join us and watch as the light grows strong and we sing praise to God with all the familiar carols.
Sunday, December 30 – The First Sunday of Christmas
We will gather for ONE worship service at 10:30 AM featuring a traditional lessons and carols service. There is no Sunday school.
Sunday, January 6 – Epiphany of Our Lord Sunday
We worship at 8:30 and 10:30 AM with a special Sunday school Epiphany celebration for students and their families. Worship will include the appearance of the three kings as we celebrate Epiphany!
Sunday, January 13 – Baptism of Our Lord Sunday
We worship at 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM with Sunday school at 9:30 AM. Worship this Sunday will include the remembrance of baptism as we remember when Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan.
WORSHIP NOTES
SPONSORSHIP FOR BOUTONNIERES
It is helpful if the donations for sponsorship are paid on or as close to the week of
your sponsorship. If you sponsor more than one item and want to write a check,
please do not include boutonniere money. Boutonniere money goes to a separate account:
the Ushers Association.You can leave your $2.00 boutonniere
sponsorship money in the church office any time for Mary Jane Dzurenda, treasurer for the
Reformation Sunday was a day of celebration at St. John’s as we watched Meghan Carlin, Erin Eisenhart, Amelia Harris and Natalie Truskowski affirm their baptism and become full members of our church community. This was one of many special milestones in their faith journey. Congratulations to our confirmands and their families!!!
Congratulations to Madison and Chase Truskowski and Aaliyah Raffle, our 2nd graders, as they received their Bibles on All Saints Day!!On November 9th-11th, our youth headed up to Bear Creek Camp for their annual retreat. The weekend was full of worship, fellowship, hiking, and FUN!! (and lots of yummy food and treats!).
The youth are now energized to bring joy and fellowship to our church and community with these upcoming Christmas and New Year events:
• Sunday, December 2nd: Afternoon of Crafting/Prepping for Christmas Bazaar
• Saturday, December 8th: Christmas Bazaar. More details to follow.
• Sunday, December 9th: Christmas Caroling following 10:30 am worship.
• Sunday, December 16th: Live Nativity.
• Monday, December 24th: Luminary set up at 10am and lighting at 5:30pm.
• Wednesday, December 26th: Luminary clean up at 10am.
• January/February: Martin Luther School. Date to be determined.
• Sunday, February 3rd: Pancake Breakfast and Super Bowl Square Fundraiser
• Friday April 5th-7th: Tuscy Retreat at Tuscarora Center. This is the new venue replacing Harvey Cedars.
U P D A T E
CHRISTMAS EVE MUSICA prelude of special music by our youth
musicians will be presented on Christmas Eve at 6:30pm as a prelude to the family
service at 7:00pm. Please plan to join us for this joyful and inspiring Christmas music
by our talented young musicians.
PLAYGROUND PIECES AVAILABLE
As the council has been working to update our playground, it has been brought to our attention that much of the equipment currently on the playground is not up to code and is therefore a liability if left there. In early 2019, all playground equipment with the exception of the swings will be removed. If congregational members are interested in taking any of the plastic playsets that have been donated to the playground throughout the years, please do so by the end of December.
4 St. John’s Lutheran Church • www.stjsumneytown.org • 215.234.4888 • email: [email protected]
COMMUNITY MEALSt. John’s will be serving our first Community Meal of 2019 on Monday, January 7th at Pennsburg UCC. There are several volunteer opportunities available and needed: prep, set-up, serve, and clean-up at meal. We also need donations of food items which will need to be brought to church by the Sunday before the meal (January 6th). Please look in the Narthex for the Volunteer and Donation sign up sheet. We will be serving shepherds pie.
If you have any questions, please contact Jamie Ernst at 215-960-8340 or [email protected].
Thank you so much for your help! This is a great way to serve our community and getting involved!
WHAT IS THE CHRISTIAN MEMORIAL FUND? This is a fund that was established a number of years ago to help members of our congregation and community who were in need. Over the past years the fund has been used to help folks with an illness; families that have experienced a house fire and lost everything; folks that have found themselves suddenly unemployed with bills they could not pay.
Due to the requests we have experienced over the last several years, the fund has a low balance. One of our important ministries at St. John’s is to reach out to help those around us who are experiencing a hardship. If you would like to make a donation to this fund to help keep this ministry going, it would be greatly appreciated. Donations may be made Sunday during offering or dropped off at the church office. Please indicated that your gift is designated for the Christian Memorial Fund.
Please save the date – Sunday, December 9 – and join us for our annual congregational meeting worship service at 10:30 AM. All confirmed members of the congregation have voice and vote!
In preparation for the meeting, the 2019 proposed budget will be available in the parlor and narthex. Two Q&A times are scheduled for members to join our council officers for conversation about the proposed budget. Those two conversation times are listed below:
• Sunday, November 18 following the 9:30 AM IGNITE worship service.
• Sunday, December 2 between the two morning services at 9:45 AM
Should you have any questions and are unable to attend either Q&A time, please reach out to Dave Lewis, Treasurer at 215-285-5026 or [email protected]
ANNUAL CONGREGATION MEETING
In the fall of 2017, our council approved a year-long commitment to a new style of worship – we called it IGNITE and met on the third Sunday of the month for the duration of the 2018. This fall, the
Worship and Music Committee reviewed feedback that was provided by members
who experienced IGNITE so they could recommend to council how to
proceed in 2019. Due to a number of factors, the recommendation
from Worship and Music was to continue to offer IGNITE
worship services, but on a limited basis.
Two IGNITE Sundays have been identified
for the early part of 2019 – mark the dates so that you are able to join us for this interactive, informal worship experience – Sunday, January 27 and Sunday, March 24 at 9:30 AM.
All crafters/vendors who attended our Christmas Bazaar last year and new prospective table renters have received a letter of invitation to this annual event. To date 52 spaces have been reserved. November 15th was the suggested deadline for the reservation cards to be returned and we are hoping our request will be honored. We would not want to wait any longer than that date to advertise publicly for additional crafters. If anyone in our church family wishes to have a spot, please notify Diane Appold (215-234-4001) or Elaine Keller (215-262-5366) ASAP.
WELCA members are selling raffle tickets for 3 items. There is an afghan, a tissue box cover done in a blue winter church snow scene and a hand embroidered tea towel set. The total amount from their raffle each year is given to the Open Link Office for its Emergency Fuel Fund. Social Events will be doing an Italian dinner basket raffle again with the profit going to a charitable donation of our choice. General profits from this endeavor will be used to purchase gifts for Open Link’s Christmas Room and we always give a donation to the church.
Some of us will gather on Monday, November 19 to clean and cut celery and parsley in preparation for our fundraiser potato filling making on Tuesday. REMINDER: Potato filling pick up will be between 5-7 pm on Tuesday, November 20. Instructions for baking and OR freezing will be included with each order.
For those of you who answer the call to be manpower for Christmas bazaar set-up, remember – we no longer
require rug hauling and furniture stacking!! Set up will be Thursday, December 6 at 7 pm.
The Bazaar closes at 2 pm on Saturday, Dec. 8th
We try really hard to get as much help as possible to get the church back in order for Sunday services as quickly as possible because we know a lot of you go to the malls to shop or have a holiday party to attend – so - please respond with a YES when asked, so we can all go home before dinnertime!
Diane L. Appold Chairperson of Social Events
ALL are invited to join us in bringing Christmas cheer to some of our homebound members. We’ll gather for a quick pizza lunch following worship on Sunday, December 9th – then we’ll head out to visit and sing. Don’t like to sing? We’ve got bells you can ring! The more, the merrier – and remember, our homebound members love to see the faces of those who participate in this yearly ministry.
NEW THIS YEAR – Funky Christmas Sweater/Outfit Contest – $25 gift cards to Amazon will be awarded for the best (or worst) Christmas sweater and for the all-around most creative Christmas outfit amongst our carolers! If nothing else, you’ll want to come out and see how creative folks can be!C
hris
tmas
Car
olin
gSA
VE
THE
DAT
E!The Adult Sunday School class will begin meeting on January 6th. Our first topic will be digging into the faith we hold as Christians – the series we are using is designed to offer a unique way of digging into some of the questions we all have about faith and spirituality:
• Is God real?
• Can we be spiritual without being religious?
• What is salvation?
• Why read the Bible?
• What was Jesus up to?
• What really happened on the cross?
• What does it mean to be the church?
Each week will include a video presentation to introduce the topic and share one person’s perspectives and wonderings about the topic – and then the group will share and reflect. No matter how long you’ve been following Jesus or how many doubts and questions swirl around inside your head, you are welcome to be part of this group as we all seek to explore ideas together and grow deeper in faith while we do so.
The Adult Sunday School Class will meet in the Parent Lounge, which is downstairs in the middle of the Sunday school hallway.
ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL
6 St. John’s Lutheran Church • www.stjsumneytown.org • 215.234.4888 • email: [email protected]
Thelma Bardman116 Walnut StreetP O Box 423Green Lane PA 18054-0423
Myrt Beideman12 Lutheran DrivePC126Telford PA 18969
Arlene Culp1091 Magazine RoadGreen Lane PA 18054-2233
Leora FeickPO Box 548Frederick PA 19435-0548
Marie Fretz4436 Upper Ridge RoadPennsburg PA 18073
Elmer & Phyllis Holsinger415 Dock DriveLansdale PA 19446
Hazel Hootc/o Janice Neuber1309 Payne RoadGreen Lane PA 18054-2341
Catherine Hunsbergerc/o Mary Bea Frost217 Dagus Mines RoadKersey PA 15846-2507
Betty Martin108 Walnut StreetP O Box 37Green Lane PA 18054-0037
Elsie Miller1407 School House RoadPennsburg PA 18073-1404
Bob Moran50 Oak StreetGilbertsville PA 19525
Glenna Mutter107 East 5 Street Apt 111Red Hill PA 18076
Erik Ockenlaender2830 Burton Road Harleysville PA 19438
Arlene Rivers207 West Summit StreetParkview, Room 3505Souderton PA 18964
Gladys Smith1660 Park AvenueRoom 202Quakertown PA 18951
Ruth Stoudt213 Pottstown AvenuePennsburg PA 18073-1819
Paul & Shirley Walker201 West Third StreetRed Hill PA 18076-1441
Remember our HomeboundAs you mail your Christmas cards this year,
our homebound members would love to hear from you.
Family Christmas Eve Worship7 PM – participants needed!
The 7 PM Christmas Eve service is enhanced by the leadership of our young people – if you have a young person who is interested in having a speaking part in the 7 PM Christmas Eve service, please sign up on the bulletin board outside Pastor Becky’s office. Also indicate if your young person would prefer a short or long part. We will hold a quick run through of the service for all participants on Sunday, December 23 at 9:30 AM (there is no Sunday school that morning!)
LIVE NATIVITYSUNDAY, DECEMBER 16
5-7 PMIn the dark, cool night, gather with us around the fire to see the old story of Christmas come to life with Mary, Joseph, the baby Jesus, angels, shepherds and live animals!
This year’s nativity will not only feature the usual characters but some new additions – a bonfire will be available, complete with seats to enjoy the warmth and perhaps a roasted marshmallow or s’more, a simple Christmas craft for children and refreshments under a lit tent and Christmas music.
As we share the greatest story ever told, we need folks who are willing to be part of the live nativity. Our youth will cover the first hour, so check out the sign-up sheet outside Pastor Becky’s office for spots from 6-7 PM. All costumes provided!
Our three year capital campaign came to an end this November, but there is still work to be done. That might not seem obvious if you’ve paid attention to the updates in the bulletin – not only have we accomplished all of the building improvements that were part of the original campaign proposal (and a few that weren’t!), we also paid off the remainder of the mortgage with the bank.
It appears that we accomplished everything we had hoped to do with the campaign. The truth is that our mortgage either needed to be repaid or refinanced this summer – and rather than go through the process of refinancing, the council made the decision to borrow the necessary funds to pay off the mortgage from other funds in the church accounts. So while the mortgage has been paid off to the bank, the mortgage was not paid off fully by gifts from the capital campaign – instead funds were taken from a recent bequest and used to accomplish the full payoff on the mortgage.
So we essentially owe ourselves what was borrowed from the bequest, which is $19,554.34.
We deeply appreciate everyone who pledged to the capital campaign and everyone who has given in support of the capital campaign. Some folks have met their pledge and continued giving. Others still owe what they committed to at the beginning of the campaign. And some didn’t pledge but have given, both their dollars and their prayers to support the work of the campaign.
As we seek to truly complete the campaign and pay off the debt we owe ourselves, the campaign team invites all members to consider an end-of-year gift to help us reach our goal. Any and all gifts are deeply appreciated!
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN UPDATE
CHURCH DIRECTORYIf you had your picture taken for the directory, please be sure to pick up your copy from the bin in the narthex.
8 St. John’s Lutheran Church • www.stjsumneytown.org • 215.234.4888 • email: [email protected]
HOSPITAL INFORMATION Recently returned home from the hospital:
Keith BardmanJaneMarie ConnellOlivia ConnellKathryn ConnellRuth Walp
Currently hospitalized:Charles Krupp
If you know of anyone who is ill, please let the church office know as soon as possible. The Federal HIPPA Regulations put certain restrictions on what is now considered private information. Please remember that most hospitals will not release room number information to the church secretary unless, the patient has given permission.
BAPTISMS
September 30: Rylee Rose Brooks, daughter of Collin Brooks and Bridgette DeLoach.
November 11: Reese Cailin Davis, daughter of Chad and Shannon (Souder) Davis.
DEATHS Our Christian sympathies are extended to the family of Millie Texter who died on October 13. Funeral services were held at St. John’s Lutheran Church on October 25th. Please keep Millie’s family and friends in your prayers in the weeks to come.
WEDDING ANNIVERSARIESPhyllis & Elmer Holsinger celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on October 23rd.
Over the years, it has been our privilege to congratulate members who have reached the milestones of 50 and 60 or 60 plus years of marriage. Please inform the office with your special date if you have been missed!
SHUT-INS BIRTHDAYS Elmer Holsinger – December 11Erik Ockenlaender – December 24Larry Walker - December 25
Member Events Dear St. John’s,
Thank you very much for your generous donation to the Hometown Hero Banner Program! Your support will provide funding for the 2019Banner Program that will honor veteran soldiers with ties to the Upper Perkiomen Valley.
Thank you again for your support!!Sincerely, Luanne B. Stauffer, President, and Kasey Schultz, Event Coordinator
Dear Friends,
On behalf of the board and staff of The Open Link, it gives me immense pleasure to acknowledge your contribution from members of St. John’s and six other churches. Thank you for you generosity and dedication to our community!
We could not do our jobs without the kindness of community organizations, like yours, who help build and strengthen programs and services that truly make a difference. Together we help your friends and neighbors flourish!
Stuart Bush, Ph.D.Executive Director
Dear St. John’s,
Thank you so much for the cards. I really appreciated them. Also, many thanks to Pastor Becky for her visits and to Mary Jane Dzurenda and WELCA for the cards.
