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Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Stone Arabia

St. Johns - St. Marks Lutheran Church, Canajoharie 518-673-2224 [email protected]

Sunday Monday Tuesday

5 Pulpit Exchange 9 am Trinity worship/

6 9:30 am STJ/M Worship

7

special music 9:45 am STJ/M Sun.S. 11 am STJ/M worship 7 pm combined confirmation class STJ/M

and Music Committee meeting 6:00 pm walk on bike path

12 Mother’s Day 9 am Trinity worship

13 6:00 pm walk on bike path

14

9:45 am S”TJ/M Sun.S. 11 am STJ/M worship/new members Sun./ Blessing of Soil and Seed

19 Day of Pentecost 9 am Trinity worship

20 6 pm walk on bike path

21

9:45 STJ/M Sun.S. 11 am STJ/M worship Both churches-confirmation

7 pm WELCA meeting

26 The Holy Trinity 9 am Trinity worship

27 Memorial Day

28

11 am STJ/M worship

Note: Last day of STJ/M Sunday School is May 19. Youth Group

MAY 2013

Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

1 7 pm STJ/M new member

2 3

class

8 7 pm STJ/M new member

9 7 pm STJ/M church council

10

class

15

16 Information for newsletter

17

is due

22 23 7 pm VBS meeting at

24

STJ/M

29 30 31

Last day of STJ/M Sunday School is May 19. Youth Group at the Reformed Church parsonage will resume in the fall.

Friday Saturday

4

11 9:30am Trinity Ladies’ Aid meeting

18 10 am work day at STJ/M

25


Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Stone Arabia MAY 2013


Grace and peace to you from God our Father and our Risen Lord, Jesus Christ. We are fully immersed in the Easter season: The weeks between Easter Sunday and Pentecost which are two vital events for the church. The season of Easter shows the power of God’s love and promise. The other, Pentecost, is the birthday of the church. On the first Pentecost believers gathered from all corners of the known world to worship together.

Pentecost is still a significant event in our church year. This year on Pentecost we welcome new members through the Affirmation of Baptism, otherwise known as Confirmation. We have one youth from each congregation, Kristina Richards (Trinity), and Jared Paratore (STJM). Confirmation is an important milestone for the youth of our congregation as it confers on them the ability to be voting members of the congregation, and to be seen as adults within the congregation. I often share that it is not an end to their faith formation, but another step in their lifelong formation. They both have worked hard for the last 2 years, to come to this date, and I pray that on May 19th you will join me in celebrating with them this momentous day. Along with being in a transition between Easter and Pentecost, we are in a seasonal transition, welcoming in spring, , and preparing ground, and crops. On May 12th we will offer a blessing of soil and seed at our Community Garden after worship. We will also celebrate as we welcome new members on the 12th, further sharing the message of grace and love to those in our community,

and rejoicing with those who have worshiped with us. All of this moves us to the day of Pentecost, and the season of Pentecost, the most common, and longest season of our church year. Pentecost is the birthday of the church, because those who received the Holy Spirit didn’t stay and wait for something else to happen. Instead they left the safety of the large group to go out and proclaim the message of God’s purpose for the world. In this season of Easter, as we prepare our way towards the celebration of so much this coming month, including Pentecost; I am brought back to our Synod’s mission statement: “We are a Resurrection people who pray first, walk together, and change lives.” We are living out this mission statement in our daily lives, as we proclaim the message of God to those we interact with. I pray that as we head through the rest of Easter and the month ahead, we continually seek out ways to serve God in our daily lives, to uplift those in our congregation who are joining with us in faith, and find new ways to serve God this spring, as we await the leaves and flowers that will surround us throughout the upcoming months reminding us of the power of God, the love of God, and the promise of the Holy Spirit. Peace in the Risen Christ,

Pastor Zach




Rev. Zachary Labagh, Pastor Trinity and STJ/M Churches

Pastoral emergency: 518-817-8542 Pastor’s e-mail: [email protected]

STJ/M website:stjmcanjo.org Church office e-mail and phone number listed in

heading above.

MAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE 5/5 Pulpit Exchange

9am Trinity worship/special music 9:45 am STJ/M Sun. School 11 am STJ/M worship

Both churches-sending of Eucharistic Ministers

7 pm combined confirmation class at STJ/M 5/12 9am Trinity worship 9:45 am STJ/M Sun. School

11 am STJ/M worship/new member Sunday/Blessing of Soil and Seed.

5/19 Pentecost Sunday 9 am Trinity worship/confirmation 9:45 am STJ/M last week of Sun. S. 11 am ST/M worship/confirmation 5/26 The Holy Trinity

9 am Trinity worship 11 am STJ/M worship 6/2 9 am Trinity worship 11 am STJ/M worship Both churches-sending of Eucharistic Ministers

GOSPEL READINGS FOR MAY

5/5 John 14:23-29/John 5: 1-9 5/12 John 17: 20-26 5/19 John 14: 8-17 (25-27) 5/26 John 16: 12-15 6/2 Luke 7: 1-10

MAY SERVER SCHEDULE Please find your own substitute if unable to serve

when scheduled. Thank you. TRINITY LECTORS 5/5 Janet Ouderkirk 5/12 Mary Simpson 5/19 Kathy Schlotzhauer 5/26 Jeannette Kling 6/2 Chris Nellis STJ/M LECTORS 5/5 Marie LaComb 5/12 Mike Metzger 5/19 Shirley Schaffer 5/26 Gracie Adams 6/2 Amy Dievendorf STJ/M ASSISTING MINISTERS 5/5 Kathy Williams 5/12 Chris Graham 5/19 Peter Liljeberg 5/26 Norma Maring 6/2 Shirley Schaffer STJ/M COMMUNION SERVERS 5/5 Janine Labagh and Betsy Liljeberg 5/12 Shirley Schaffer and Norma Maring 5/19 Kathy Williams and Kathie LaBarge 5/26 Bob Lindholm and Gene Felter 6/2 Chris Graham and Kylie Graham STJ/M USHERS 5/5 Ron and Sue Barker 5/12 Tom and Gail Coppernoll 5/19 Karl Gustafson-Sr. and Jr. 5/26 Walt and Roberta Haig 6/2 Vicki Hazzard and Matt Hazzard STJ/M ACOLYTES 5/5 Gregory Meyers 5/12 Jared Paratore 5/19 Michelle Reese 5/26 Barry Yerdon 6/2 Jared Paratore Send forth your spirit and renew the face of the earth. (Psalm 104:30)




5/1 Norma Bowley 5/2 Joanna Bowley 5/4 Marilyn Bellinger 5/5 Don LaComb 5/6 Fred Wheeler 5/16 Melissa Bowley, Sue Barker, Joseph

VanHeusen, David Perozzi 5/17 Heather Brand, JoAnn Hanley 5/18 Dorothy Wingett 5/19 Pete Liljeberg, Melodie Swanson, Matt

Hazzard 5/21 Mary Miller, Trisha Bobowski 5/22 Tracy Paratore 5/23 Sarah Adams 5/24 Jeremy Acovangelo 5/28 Christopher Jennings 5/30 Deborah Christman, Amanda Metzger and…Melissa Jonker, Seids Jonker, Malcolm Pulver

CAUGHT ON CAMERA

Friends Lola Keller and Marie Suits enjoy an afternoon visit and partake of Communion at home as participants in Trinity’s Eucharistic Ministry. Image by Margaret Schlotzhauer

PRAYERS AND CONCERNS June Kaiser Howard Sitterly Rose Frasier Michael Boyd Midge Eric Bramwell Jessica N. Sharon Ann Egmon Lisa Sadie Dillenbeck Allysa Nellis William Shuster Bob Smith Marsha Louise McDonald Cathy Buck Lewis Knickerbocker Marian Warner Rachel Roisman & Jason Koening

PRAY FOR THOSE WORSHIPPING AT HOME OR IN CARE FACILITIES

Florence Becker Jane Jonker Clara King Helen Nellis Malcolm Pulver Frances Shults Sarah Smith Teresa Snyder Lola Keller Marie Suits Charlotte Walts Bill Schaffer Tony Prime Virgil & Anna Weaver

PRAY FOR THOSE IN THE MILITARY AND THEIR FAMILIES

We especially pray for Marshall Franks, Matthew Kane and Josh Weaver.

PRAY FOR ALL WHO MOURN We especially pray for the families and friends of Charles Klump, Laura Flynn, Natalie Swanson, Fred Roscoe and Shannon Bitler. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold. (Psalm 46: 7)




TRINITY MANNA MEALS

The Trinity Ladies Aid and helpers recently hosted a second Manna House Meal on March 23. A spaghetti dinner was served. Manna House meals are held every Saturday evening at 5 pm at the Fort Plain Reformed Church. Thanks to the Ladies Aid for their volunteer work.

Tossed salads ready to go.

Connie Chamberlain and Irena Garin

SPECIAL MUSIC AT TRINITY

On Palm Sunday, Trinity enjoyed flute and piano duets performed by Christine Dettmer and Jan MacLauchlin. On Wednesday during Holy Week, Connie Chamberlain and Irena Garin performed. Irena was born in Belgium. Both singers perform with the Bobcats. The next special music at Trinity will be on Sunday May 5 during the worship service. Performing will be Andrea Montanye on her accordion. There will be refreshments after the service.

NEWS FROM OLD PALATINE CHURCH

Stirring the pot.

Work and a little conversation.

The annual meeting of the Palatine Church will be held on May 5 at 4 pm at the church.

On Sunday June 9 there will be an organ recital at 4 pm and on Sunday August 4 there will be a jazz concert at 4 pm. Both of these events will be held at the church. More information will be available later.

Images by Margaret Schlotzhauer




STATIONS OF THE CROSS AT STJ/M

On Palm Sunday at STJ/M, the Stations of the Cross were read by some of the adults and Sunday School youth. Carrying in the cross were Nick Sitterly and Karl Gustafson, Jr. In an especially meaningful part of the service, nails were hammered into the cross.

Nick and Karl stand with the cross.

EASTER

Shown below are two of the Easter plants at STJ/M. Both Trinity and STJ/M looked festive with beautiful plants decorating the respective churches. Thanks to Robin Hodge (Trinity) and Barbara Kramer (STJ/M) for taking care of the Easter plants.

Altar at STJ/M –Easter Sunday

Images by Amy Dievendorf

STJ/M REMINDERS

• There are still open dates on the flower

chart. Cost is $8.50 payable to WELCA.

• There are also still dates available on the coffee chart. Just bring a few “goodies” to share.

• Don’t forget to support FULMONT with your canned and boxed goods. Please leave them in the back of the sanctuary in the basket provided. They are taken to FULMONT in Fort Plain every month.

• Have you filled out a Communion card? You only need to do it ONCE during the entire year. Cards are in the pews.

• There will be a work day at STJ/M on

Saturday May 18 at 10 am. Please donate some time and help spruce up the church!

• Both congregations: Please bring in your soda tabs (for synod) through June5.




APRIL COFFEE HOUSE AT STJ/M

WELCA organized another successful coffee house at STJ/M on April 14. Money raised(about $400.00) will support the Canajoharie Youth Center. Performing were Mickey Boslet and Lou Sierra. Thanks to everyone who helped with this successful event.

Musicians perform at the coffee house.

Sue and Kathy serve some of the many delicious

desserts that were available.

Images by Pastor Zach

Betsy and Jacob working in the kitchen.

Tom, Roberta and Gail.

VBS—PAUL’S JOURNEY IN ATHENS Mark your calendars! VBS will be held this summer from July 15-19 from 6-8 pm at STJ/M. As before, VBS will be a combined event with STJ/M and the Canajoharie Reformed Church sharing responsibilities. The next planning meeting will be held at STJ/M at 7 pm on May 23. If you can help, please contact Pastor Zach. Be thou my vision, o Lord of my heart; naught be all else to me, save that thou art: thou my best thought both by day and by night, waking or sleeping, thy

presence my light. (from ELW Hymn # 793




STJ/M TREASURER’S REPORT Operating Account

We were blessed in 2012 in that we had several significant savings in our operating expenses. However, most of these were for non-reoccurring items (a mild winter). As shown in the following table, our deficit has significantly increased to $4,448! Because Easter was in March this year, congregational giving for 2013 includes the extra Easter giving that is not in the 2012 amounts.

As of March 31, 2013 Description 2013 2012

Congregational Giving Donations & Fund Raisers

$ 17,695 428

$ 17,196 18

Investment Income 5,958 6,116 Total Operating Receipts $ 24,081 $ 23,330 Less: Operating Expenses

28,529

23,946

Net Operating Surplus (Deficit) $ (4,448) $ (616)

Because of our continuing operating deficits, we have transferred $5,660 from the General Fund to the Operating Account. This means we have less money invested in income producing securities. Give freely—For as I can testify they gave voluntarily according to their means. (2 Corinthians 8:3)

STEWARDSHIP

Looking for ways to save money?

Try the following Internet sites: Wisebread.com This site gives you information on a wide variety of subjects, including frugal Living, best deals and best credit cards. Tipshero.com This site includes savings tips by category, such as cars and electronics. Don’t forget to include your church in your Will.

Any amount you wish to leave will help to maintain the future work of the church. Bob Lindholm, STJ/M treasurer

STJ/M PARISH NURSE NOTES

� May 6-12 is National Nurses Week. Nurses are angels in comfortable shoes. (author unknown)

� Weather permitting, walk on the bike

path every Monday at 6 pm. When you see the heart-check mark on food packaging, you’ll know the food has been certified to meet the American Heart Assoc.’s guidelines for a heart-healthy food. It’s a good first step in creating an overall sensible eating plan. Barbara Kramer, Parish Nurse RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE AT STJ/M A big thank you to Kathy Schlotzhauer ( a Red Cross volunteer) and Kathy Williams and Barbara Kramer who donate their time to work at the blood drives held at STJ/M. At the last blood drive, 54 people signed in-5 were first time donors. 50 units of blood were collected which means that potentially 150 lives will be saved. The Red Cross thanks the church and volunteers for their support. The next blood drive will be held June 17 from 1-6 pm at STJ/M. STJ/M CHURCH COUNCIL NOTE The STJ/M Church Council has created a subcommittee to approve building usage in between council meetings. The members are Pastor Zach, the council president and the property chair.

SAVE THE DATE A church picnic is being planned for July 28.


Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Stone Arabia


TRINITY RUMMAGE AND BAKE SALE

View of some the merchandise offered for sale.Image above by Ron Dievendorf

Kathy with baskets put together by Lois. Four baskets were raffled off.

The lucky winners were:

Italian Cooking Basket-Marilyn BellingerSpa Basket-Sharon Hazzard

Nails Galore Basket-Esther NurnAll-Occasion Cards Basket-Kristina Richards

A special thank you to Lois Pecora for creating these

beautiful baskets.

Jeannette and Lois Images by Amy Dievendorf


Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Stone Arabia MAY 2013St. Marks Lutheran Church, Canajoharie

[email protected]

RUMMAGE AND BAKE

View of some the merchandise offered for sale.

Image above by Ron Dievendorf

baskets put together by Lois. Four

The lucky winners were: Marilyn Bellinger

aron Hazzard rnberger

Kristina Richards

A special thank you to Lois Pecora for creating these

TRINITY LADIES AID

Hopefully by the time you read this it will truly be spring! I want to thank everyone who contributed items for our annual rummage and bake sale. To say we were overwhelmed was an understatement! I sorted and folded 10 garbage bags of clothing and each of us did about tsame amount. You can’t prove to me “I have nothing to wear!” has any validity. We would also like to thank those who came to our sale and purchased items. Most of all, credit goes to our wonderful workers and how well we all just buckled down to get the job done and have fun doing it. On April 27, we will again host Manna Meals with a special request for soup and sandwiches. Our special music on May 5 with Andrea Montanye playing accordion will feature a Mothers’ Day theme. May is a quiet time to reflect on mothers past, present and to be. Please enjoy this special time to remember mom. Flowers will be distributed after the Mothers’ Day service to all mothers present. Maybe Mother’s Day won’t be too quiet but enjoy the homemade projects and cards and even the noise that always accompanies family events. Best wishes to all the moms! The next Ladies Aid meeting will be held on May 11 at 9:30 am at the church. Jeannette Kling, Ladies Aid President

KUDOS STJ/M member JoAnn Hanley has been elected Employee of the Quarter at the St. Johnsville Nursing Home. JoAnn “works hard at accomodating everyone’s needs..is always friendly and full of fun.” Congratulations!

2013

TRINITY LADIES AID

Hopefully by the time you read this it will truly be spring! I want to thank everyone who contributed items for our annual rummage and

were overwhelmed was an ment! I sorted and folded 10 garbage

us did about the t prove to me the phrase;

ng to wear!” has any validity. We would also like to thank those who came to our sale and purchased items. Most of all, credit goes to our wonderful workers and how well we

the job done and

host Manna Meals with a special request for soup and sandwiches.

Our special music on May 5 with Andrea Montanye playing accordion will feature a

May is a quiet time to reflect on mothers past, present and to be. Please enjoy this special time to remember mom. Flowers will be distributed after the Mothers’ Day service to all mothers present. Maybe Mother’s Day won’t be too quiet but enjoy the

de projects and cards and even the noise that always accompanies family events.

Best wishes to all the moms! The next Ladies Aid meeting will be held on May 11 at 9:30 am

Ladies Aid President

ley has been elected Employee of the Quarter at the St. Johnsville Nursing Home. JoAnn “works hard at accomodating everyone’s needs..is always friendly and full of fun.” Congratulations!




“Concerning: Free Will”

Free will is one topic that has separated religions, for

centuries and continues to do so. Do we have free will or not? If we don’t then what

does that mean for our life? If we don’t than how can we be anything than what we are, because

if we do not have the power to change our life then we are doomed to be who we are. As

Lutherans we do believe in free will. We trust in the power of God, however we have the ability

to make our own decisions, hence Adam and Eve and the Apple. We have freedom to make our

own decisions, to live a life that is honorable and to choose among the positives and negatives of

this world. However Luther points out that “without grace, help and operation of the Holy Spirit

a human being cannot become pleasing to God, fear or believe in God with the Whole heart, or

expel innate evil lusts from the heart. Instead this happens through the Holy Spirit who is given

through the Word of God.”1 The Word of God is open to all who desire to hear it, as Jesus states

many times throughout the gospels, “Let those with ears hear.” We too must be open to the

Word of God, and therefore to have the Holy Spirit guide us. The power of God among us, to

offer us this freedom, and the willingness to offer his son for our sin, and our redemption, opens

us to the true desire of God to be part of our lives. Luther also shares “Therefore even though we

concede to free will the freedom and power to perform external works of the law, nevertheless

we do not ascribe to free will those spiritual capacities, namely true fear of God, true faith in

God, the conviction and knowledge that God cares for us, hears us, and forgives us, etc, these are

the real works of the first table, 420 which the human heart cannot produce without the Holy

Spirit…”2 The footnote 420 above denotes the language of the ‘first table’ which is another term

for the ten commandments, especially comprised of the first three commandments. In those

Commandments we hear the trust and faith in God. This we offer to God, and this God offers to

us, the freedom to do yet the willingness to obey and trust in the power and love of God.

Trusting in God’s Grace,

Pastor Zach

11

Book of Concord, Augsburg Confession Section XVIII, 2 Book of Concord, Apology of the Augsburg Confession Section XVIII,

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