April 2014 Newsletter - St. John`s Lutheran Church of Highland
Transcription
April 2014 Newsletter - St. John`s Lutheran Church of Highland
GRAPHIC DESIGNED BY NICHOLAS ROSS APRIL 2014 If you are in need of a Stephen Minister, or feel a calling to care for another, please call Pastor Bill Or Pastor Kari 412-364-1606. ~We are a Stephen Ministry Congregation~ Sunday Morning Worship Services at 8 & 10:30 a.m. Christian Ed. at 9:15 a.m. Summer at 8 & 9:30 a.m. Saturday Worship 5:30 p.m. Pastor William Diehm & Pastor Kari Smail or [email protected] www.stjohnslutheranchurch.com RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED "On Eagles’ Wings" is the official newsletter of St. John’s Lutheran Church of Highland, published & sent monthly to members and friends. The APRIL 2014 Issue Volume 46, Number 4 Phone: 412-364-1606 St. John’s Lutheran Church of Highland MAY INFO. DUE 4/15/14 311 Cumberland Road Pittsburgh, PA 15237 DATED MATERIAL Please Deliver by March 31, 2014 Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Pittsburgh, PA Permit 125 “ON EAGLES WINGS” Caring and Connecting Two events in April focus our mission emphasis for the year. th On April 6 after church, various groups whose calling is caring for others inside and outside our congregation will meet for a “caring audit.” How may we best be faithful in our caring ministries will be the theme of our gathering. Included will be lunch, presentations and conversation. If you have a sense that God is calling you to care for others and you are currently looking for ways to be engaged, you are encouraged to attend this two hour seminar from Noon to 2 p.m. Another “connecting” event is our Saturday night “Spring Fling” April 26th, after the 5:30 liturgy. Our stewardship committee is using our seasonal social event to assist members and friends in discovering ministry talents for the good of our community. Food, a “jeopardy-style” game and group interaction about the time and talent part of God’s call in our lives will highlight this light hearted but poignant fellowship event of self-discovery! Children’s activities will be staffed after the meal. May God shower you with blessings this April as we move from Lent into Easter, caring and connecting with one another. In Christ, Pastor Bill Points of Interest Inside Easter Schedule Easter Flowers Easter Breakfast Thank You! Garage Sale!! Stephen Ministers are there for you! Children’s Good Friday Program Notary Services are available for members at the office Vacation Bible School is coming! JOURNEY TO ISRAEL! St. John’s Golf begins Spring Fling— Talent Search WE ARE ALWAYS UPDATING EMAIL ADDRESSES! RECYCLE TO HELP THE Youth Work Camp/N.Y.G. The senior high youth group is continuing to collect cell phones, along with Inkjet and laser cartridges. So far we have earned over $900. This project will continue as long as members of the church bring in items. Any recyclable items can be brought to the youth room or church office. Thank you for all of your support. Food Item Of the Month Do We have yours??? If not, please send it to sjlutheran@ verizon.net The N.H.C.O. Fishes Food Pantry & North Boroughs Food Pantry need our food donations. APRIL’S food of the month is Peanut Butter and Jelly Toilet Paper, Toothpaste, Shampoo & Bar Soap are always needed & appreciated. Containers are in the coat room in the Narthex. The St. John’s Stampers ... It’s almost Spring! With spring comes Easter!! Join us on Saturday, April 12th for a morning of fun with special projects and cards for Easter. We meet from 9 a.m.-Noon in Fellowship Hall. Cost is $5/person to help cover the cost of materials. Then mark your calendars for May 17th when we will have Stamp Camp & Sale. We will be meeting from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. that day. There will be lots of projects, cards, a used stamp sale and lunch. Everyone will be asked to bring something to share. Details to follow. YAY SPRING!!! Questions? Contact Betsy at 724-935-1321 or [email protected] Have you ever wanted to see where Jesus lived and died and rose again? Have you ever thought about what it would be like to go to the Holy Land? Pastor Kari, along with her husband, Pastor Dan, Are looking into the possibility of a Journey to Israel, February 1-10, 2015 For any interested members of their congregations. If you are interested, please contact Pastor Kari at [email protected] Or you can call her at the church office at 412-364-1606. Space is limited, so if you are thinking about going, Please let her know soon! Wanted: A New sound system for the sanctuary! As you may have noticed, we’ve had frequent problems and breakdowns with our current mikes and sound system, and one speaker has been in use since the 1980’s. Thanks to diligent research and effort by Nick Ross, your church Council has reviewed several bids and chosen one that seems to be the best fit and value. The approximate cost of all phases will be $25,000, and we are asking for donations from the congregation to meet this need. Gifts may be given in honor or memory of a loved one, and these will be acknowledged in the bulletin. Please note ‘sound system’ on any donation. The Council thanks you for your consideration of this need. VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL JULY 7-11, 2014 WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND? When we have worries it can be helpful to have a listening ear. Each Sunday, between the 8 and 10:30 a.m. worship services, one of our St. John’s Stephen Ministers is available near the balcony steps. Please stop by to say hello, to share concerns, or ask for prayers. Join us for V.B.S. this year!!!!!!! The Congregation as Part of Social Ministry The Social Ministry Committee would like to thank the congregation for their support for the projects we sponsored in 2013. With your help, we were able to provide the following: North Side Common Ministries -- approximately $1200 in food, 12 shelter meals, a Fathers’ Day collection, $600 dollars for the men’s shelter, and 130 Christmas gifts for the children of food bank clients. Glade Run -- a Lenten collection of $841 for kids clothing & shoes. North Hills Community Outreach -- on-going donations of food, purchase of citrus fruit, donations for utilities & donations of coats. St. John’s-- meals and transportation for our members; Bethlehem Haven Women’s shelter, Mothers’ day collection of $610. Grace’s closet -- clothing collections at approx. 1000 pounds. The Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank--- piggy bank collection of about $600. We thank Thrivent for Lutherans for their one third match for North Side Common Ministries and Glade Run collections. Candle & Flower Openings for APRIL Please call the church office if you would like to have one of these weeks. Remember: there are 2 openings for the flowers each week @$15 per vase & 3 openings for the candle each week @$3 each. Candle Flower April 6—2 openings April 6—0 openings April 13—2 openings April 13—0 openings April 20—0 openings April 20—0 openings April 27—0 openings April 27—0 openings Spring Fling Talent Search & Pot Luck Dinner Saturday, April 26, 2014 at 6:30 p.m. There will be dinner, games for kids and adults and a chance to explore your hidden talents. Don’t worry, you will not be asked to get onstage (unless that’s where your hidden talents lie). The Stewardship Committee will be sponsoring a gift assessment activity. Let’s find out how we can be better connected to the life of St. John’s Ministries! Food is provided, there is no cost!! Please make reservations by calling Dawn Andersson at 724-935-4863 or Tom Nardina at 412-364-7489 or the church office at 412-364-1606 by April 18th. More info and details to follow!! Come Golf with St. John’s St. John’s has a permanent tee time at 4:30 p.m. every Monday at Pittsburgh North Golf Course. All ages and skill levels are welcome. We will begin play April 21st. Join us as often as you can. Invite your friends. For more information contact Walt Treser at 724-687-0545 or [email protected] Opening New Doors The current Opening New Doors Capital Campaign will be coming to an end in June 2014. Currently our mortgage has a balance of $1,203,420.54. with a monthly payment of $10,668. This monthly payment includes an additional principal pay down of $2,483. to reduce interest costs and pay off the loan as soon as possible. There are three ways to contribute to the building fund if you have not yet made a pledge. OPENING NEW DOORS Saturday, May 31, 2014 - 7:30 a.m.-Noon MAKING CHRIST KNOWN Fill out a 2014 Angels Among Us pledge card and include a pledge for the building fund Use a Building Fund envelope from your monthly envelope packet Use the Opening New Doors envelope found in the pews. EVERY GIFT MATTERS! Thank you for your ongoing stewardship & generosity. Financially Speaking February 28, 2014 General Fund Income Building Fund Income Feb. Actual Feb. Budget Gain (Short Fall) $ 42,872.94 $ 49,366.67 ($ 6,493.73) $ 7,083.44 $ 10,668.00 ($ 3,584.56) YTD Actual YTD Budget Gain (Short Fall) $ 97,174.58 $ 98,733.33 ($ 1,558.75) $ 19,016.09 $ 21,336.00 ($ 2,319.91) We would like to thank the congregation for their support in keeping their pledges current. Watch each Sunday’s church bulletin for good news about the growing stewardship life of our congregation, as we share our time, talent and treasure to “Make Christ Known” ST. JOHN’S GIANT GARAGE SALE OPENING NEW DOORS Utilization of Funds–Priority 1. Monthly Mortgage Payment$10,600.00 , with Accelerate Principal Payment 2. Monthly Utilities – Maintenance & Insurance, $3,500.00 Needed: Contributions of your unwanted, but still useful items! Children’s toys and accessories (no clothing) Household items – Furniture – Vintage items Christmas decorations – Crafts and supplies Books, Magazines and Music – Live plants Sports equipment – Hardware and Tools Please…no exer-cycles, Christmas trees or plastic mugs because experience has shown that these items do not sell. Donations can be dropped off downstairs in the back hall of the lower west wing, starting, but not before Saturday, May 17th. Fire Marshall Regulations do not allow longer accumulation in hallways. All items should be clean and in good working order. Call the church office if you need someone to pick up your items. We need workers in all areas the morning of the event, but a large part of the work happens in the week leading up to the sale. From Tuesday, May 27th through Friday, May 30th, sorting, organizing and pricing of the items will take place. You can come and go at the convenience of your schedule…all helping hands are welcomed. If you can help, please check the appropriate boxes and return the tear-off slip to the church office. ------------------------------------------I can help with: Pricing/Set-up Work/day of sale Clean – Up Name Phone A Big THANK YOU to Pastor Bill, Pastor Kari and all my “St. John’s Family” and friends for the LOVE and kindness shown to Nancy and our family during her recent illness and death. The many cards, meals, thought and prayers were greatly appreciated! The work of the “Floral Arrangers” and the “Gardeners” was very special. Again, many thanks for being there when needed. Bill Danklefsen CHRISTIAN LITERACY APRIL 2014 Christian Literacy, St. John’s Literacy Mission to the World, has been headquartered in the “Second Floor Apartment” since 1975. Staff: Dr. Bill and Linda Kofmehl, Chris and Jennie Ebner, Rebecca Pirone, and a host of volunteers. Call 412-364-3777. Websites: christianliteracy.com and literacyempowers.com Christian Literacy continues to reach out locally, nationally, and internationally from the second floor "apartment" If you would like to "see the Doctor", please call 412-364-3777. The BLOOM Program: Jennie Ebner, Children’s Literacy Ministries. Birds are chirping, daylight is lasting longer, and children are blooming into readers. BLOOM (Basic Literacy Outreach Opening Minds) programs have reconvened for the spring sessions, helping mature 4 year olds to at-risk 8 year olds grow in mastering basic reading skills. Thrivent Financial, through an Action Team, has sponsored BLOOM Days in Butler, which began March 9 and will finish on May 4 with a Parent Training Workshop. Here in the North Hills, Christian Literacy Associates will be hosting two BLOOM Summer Reading Camps at St. John’s Lutheran Church of Highland and one in Butler. During the months of JuneAugust, small groups of our community’s children will be learning how to read and growing in their desire to read God’s Word. More information to come in the following months! Overseas Work: Chris Ebner, CLA President. The Basic English App (English Ade Lite) for iPad and iPhone has gone through its 4th revision and is currently in the publication process for Pre-Primer 1 section steps 1-3. This is an introductory “sample” that will eventually be available to the public. We will be working on the rest of CLA’s ABC Look at Me Reading! Material for iPad and iPhone with the assistance of some dedicated programmers in India. Once the English version is completed, we have been requested to have the instructions and narrative made available in Hindi on a separate App version. Guide to Establishing a Christian Literacy Outreach: Dr. Bill Kofmehl, CLA Founder. The Guide” is being revised and extended to bring in new programs (Summer Reading Camps, BLOOM, English as a Second Language, etc.). We hope to place it on our CLA website as a resource for churches and groups that wish to set up Christian Literacy programs. Please keep this ministry in your prayers, and bring its existence to the attention of your friends, your church, or anyone, anywhere in the world (literally) who might find our literacy materials, training, and consultations services of use in their own ministries. THRIVENT has offered its local members the opportunity to designate their "Thrivent Choice" dollars to Christian Literacy. Christian Literacy has already applied for approval and has been accepted. Call Dr. Bill for information. Check on Thrivent “action teams”, as well. These can provide funding for CLA to advance its ministries. Keep Christian Literacy in mind if a child you love is having reading problems in school. Dr. Bill and his staff would be happy to discuss the matter with you. "Early intervention" is the best policy. We can train you to work with your own child, if you desire. Senior High (9th-12th grade) Youth News AND Holy K.O.W.S. (6th-8th grade) Youth News Senior High/Holy K.O.W.S. (6th-12th grade) ROLLER SKATING AT NEVILLE ROLLER DROME DATE: April 6, 2014 TIME: 1:15 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. COST: $5.50 plus $2.00 skate rental/$3.50 roller blades and money for snacks. LOCATION: Neville Roller Drome 5109 Neville Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15225, 412-264-9856 We will leave St. John’s back parking lot at 1:15 p.m. and carpool to Neville Roller Drome and we will return around 5:30 p.m. We will need a few parents to carpool with us. If you have any questions or concerns, please email Linda Meyerdierks at [email protected]. God Squad (1st-5th grade) Youth News Mark your calendar for April 16th! Hosted by Elizabeth and Anne Beilstein Event to be announced… watch bulletin & Sunday school fliers for details! N.H.C.O.’s Way to Work VISTA member will build the capacity of N.H.C.O.'s Community Auto program, which serves low-income individuals who need vehicles to get to work and support themselves and their families. For more information and to apply, click here: https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do? id=40319&fromSearch=true OPPORTUNITIES FOR SERVICE WE NEED VOLUNTEERS for all worship assisting positions. We need ushers, greeters, lectors, deacons, assistant ministers & ESPECIALLY kid’s corner staff!! Please call 412-364-1606 if you are interested. Thank you for considering this call to ministry! AS A REMINDER, WE HAVE MANY GROUPS USING THE CHURCH, PLEASE, KEEP IN MIND THE SECURITY OF THE BUILDING. ALWAYS LOCK THE DOORS!! WHETHER OR NOT YOU THINK SOMEONE IS IN THE BUILDING! THANK YOU! ST. JOHN’S has received a donation of eleven gravesites located in the Allegheny Memorial Cemetery. The Cemetery Committee is offering to sell them for the same price as our own plots--$500 each plus a transfer fee. This is a considerable savings. This offer is not limited to church members, so if you or any of your neighbors or friends want to take advantage of this, contact Debbie at 412-364-1606. HERITAGE HOSPICE Do you love music? Do you sing or play an instrument? Those who want to share the song in their hearts need to look no further! Heritage Hospice, LLC is looking for musicians of all abilities – amateurs to professionals, beginners to experienced - who would like to share their time and talents with our patients and families right here in the North Hills. One of the most appreciative audiences is hospice patients and their families! Volunteers will be matched to patients with a strong love of music and supervised by a board certified music therapist. Contact Sara Kiley 724-334-6600 or [email protected] to join the Heritage team! Music is forever; music should grow and mature with you, following you right on up until you die. ~ Paul Simon Preschool Panorama Spring has arrived and we will talk about God’s wonders of spring. The 2 ½ year old classes are doing very well. They continue to have fun interacting with each and making and learning about storybook favorites. They will do Easter crafts too. The 3’s are learning about traffic safety, shapes, the alphabet and numbers 1-10. The 4’s are busy making special projects for our Mother’s Day tea and Donuts with Dad. We will finish the alphabet this month and continue to learn about numbers 15-20. The 5 year old classes love numbers! Several of the students have written 1 – 100 to get on our Wall of Fame. The students are also excited about our daily equation. We are selling Betsy Ann candy – “Yummy!!” We thank you all for your help in making our school so special! May you have a Blessed Easter! Cumberland Kids Meet at 3:45-5:45 p.m. on Wednesdays This program is open to all 1st through 8th graders. The program will consist of recreation and activities in our new gym, help with homework, plus a meal. The cost per student is $1 per week. Register your child now! Please contact the church office for a registration form and more details. [email protected] or at 412-364-1606 Children’s Good Friday Program April 18, 2014 from 9:30 – 11:00 a.m. St. John’s Lutheran Church of Highland Hear the Story of the Passion Make a Craft Have a Snack Finish with an Easter egg hunt Ages 3 through 3rd grade, Parents are welcome to stay. Registration is required ******************************************************************** Child’s Name ________________________Age _______ Child’s Name ________________________Age _______ Child’s Name ________________________Age _______ Child’s Name ________________________Age _______ Child’s Name ________________________Age _______ Parents Name ________________________Phone # _____________ Allergies/Special Needs: ___________________________________________________ ________________________________________ __________ Contact the church office for directions or questions (412)364-1606. R.S.V.P. by April 14, 2014 EASTER SUNRISE BREAKFAST Join us for breakfast in Highland Hall Easter Morning, April 20th. The Fellowship Committee will be serving egg casseroles, fresh fruit, pastries, cereal, juice and hot beverages. Serving time will be from 7:30 a.m. until 8:30 a.m. There will be a free will offering taken during breakfast. Please join us! EASTER FLOWERS The Priscilla Guild will decorate the church with flowers for Easter Sunday. These flowers are donated to honor or memorialize loved ones. The cost is $13.00. Please return the tear-off to the church office with a separate check. ------------------------------------- EASTER FLOWERS – DUE MONDAY, April 14, 2014 Name In honor of In memory of Amount Enclosed $ (This year, we would ask that you please do not bring the flowers home with you after worship services, so that the gardening group might plant them around the church to beautify the property. Thank you!) Holy Week Worship April 17—Maundy Thursday Holy Communion—Noon & 7:30 p.m. April 18—Good Friday Children’s Program—9:30 a.m. Reading of the St. John’s Passion—Noon Tenebrae—7:30 p.m. April 19—Easter Vigil Candlelight Holy Communion with Choral Cantata “The Green Blade Riseth” - 7:30 p.m. April 20—Festival of the Resurrection of Our Lord Sunrise Holy Communion-6:30 a.m. Easter Breakfast-7:30 a.m. Festive Holy Communion with Choral Cantata “The Green Blade Riseth” - 8:30 a.m. Contemporary Holy Communion -10:30 a.m. STEWARDSHIP STEW During lent we focus on the physical life and trials of Jesus. We mentally feel the ridicule, the lashes, the thorns that our precious Savior suffered. We are saddened by, but grateful for the sacrifice He made on our behalf. His gift to us is immeasurable! How will the value of our days be measured? What will matter is not what you bought, but what you built, Not what you got, but what you gave. What will matter is not your success, but your significance. What will matter is not what you learned, but what you taught. What will matter is not what you gave in to, but what you stood up for. What will matter is not your competence, but your character. What will matter is every act of integrity, compassion, courage, love or sacrifice that enriched, empowered or encouraged others. Living a life that matters doesn’t happen by accident. It is not a matter of circumstances, but of choice. Choose to live a life that matters. Jesus has your back…and He always will ! “QUOTE” of the Month “You are not only responsible for what you say, but also for you do not say.” -Martin Luther SCHEDULE FOR LENT Mondays, April 7 & 14 Book Study with Pastor Bill Why Jesus? By William Willimon 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., please bring a lunch. Wednesdays, April 2 & 9 11 a.m. Lenten Service of the Word in the Sanctuary 11:45 a.m. Lenten Lunch 6:15 p.m. Lenten Supper 6:45 p.m. Lenten Bible Study 7:30 p.m. Lenten Evening Prayer in Highland hall TO PARENTS WITH CHILDREN KINDERGARTEN AGE & YOUNGER! The first thing we would like to say is thank you for coming to church with your children – we are so glad that they are here as that is how they learn! The other thing that some of you may not know is that we do offer a service during the 10:30 worship called Kids Corner for any kids kindergarten age and under that need childcare. It takes place in the preschool daycare room, which is also the 2 and 3 year old Sunday school classroom, through the door on the left at the front of the sanctuary. This is certainly not a requirement as we love to have kids in church at St. John’s however; it is an option for parents who are interested in this. Each week the Kids Corner is staffed by a teenager of the congregation, as well as an adult volunteer. The other thing that we wanted to let parents know is that volunteers are really needed to help with the adult supervision role. Right now we have three adults who faithfully help out, however we would like to get some more adults involved so that those three volunteers have more opportunity to worship. The parents of those who utilize this service seemed like a logical place to start to ask for help. If we are able to get about 5 more volunteers, then each person would only have to help out about once every other month. If you are willing and able to do this on an occasional Sunday, please let Pastor Kari or Debbie, our office manager know. The church office # is 412-364-1606 and the email is [email protected]. Thanks for your consideration and for your partnership in ministry! Your kids are a joy and a blessing to our church! APRIL 2014 Assisting Schedule APRIL 2014 Assisting Schedule ACOLYTES 8 a.m. 10:30 a.m. 5:30 p.m. April 6 Nina Ruffolo Lindsay Worrall-Pinevich 4/5 Grant Jones April 13 Abby Miller MacyWorrall-Pinevich 4/12 Drew Hunker April 20 Jonathan Partridge 6:30 Abby Miller 8:30 Nina Ruffolo Paige Miller Drew Hunker April 27 DEACONS April 6 8 a.m. Beth & Lee Fischer April 13 Tom Beilstein, Eric Kofmehl 6:30 Bob & Margie Miller 8:30 Linda Falck, Harold Huffmyer Bob & Margie Miller April 20 April 27 Pat Hartman, Matt Reiff Sue Diehm 4/19 7:30 p.m. Brandon Visconti April 13 Drew Leister April 20 6:30 Betsy Fackler 8:30 Paul Krepps 4/26 Joseph Hunker April 27 Barb Eback 5:30 p.m. April 5 Pat Hartman April 12 Chris Lindberg April 19 7:30 Jeff Maltz April 26 Margie Miller 8:00 a.m. Linda Falck Ellen Fowkes 10:30 a.m. Nina Ruffolo John Miller April 20 6:30 Matt Reiff 8:30 Carletta Nichols Matt Reiff Jeff Maltz 8 a.m. 8 a.m. April 6 LECTORS April 6 April 13 April 27 GREETERS 10:30 a.m. Mac McIlvried, John Miller Mary Pat Jackson, Doug Hull Chris Lindberg, Cathy Coudriet ASST. MIN. USHERS 8 a.m. 10:30 a.m. April 6 Curt Soergel, Bill Crawford, Tom Beilstein, Harold Brandt Mike & Clay Sheleheda April 5 Mary Jean Voigt April 13 Rosina & Dan Maljak, Matt Reiff, Roger Gail Polosky, Joseph Ulomi McQuaid April 12 Curt Soergel April 20 6:30 Bill Danklefsen, Heather McElroy, Mario DeIuliis, April 19 Ron & Laura Coombs 5:30 p.m. 7:30 Jennifer Singleton 8:30 Kent & Jim Bruggeman, Sam Falck, Jeremy Fowkes April 27 Steve Hrvoich Brian Miller, Jerry Cronenweth, Gene Modic Mac & Paula McIlvried April 26 Matt Reiff 10:30 a.m. April 6 Gail & Frank Bankowski Jean Martz, Cathy Coudriet April 13 Dan & Rosina Maljak Dorothy Winner, Jim Cislon April 20 Roger & Jan McQuaid April 13 Dawn Andersson, Youth April 27 6:30 Ellen Fowkes, Sam Falck 8:30 Shirley Brunner, Bill Danklefsen Mary Ethel Hague, Sam Falck Mary Ann Eppinger, Doug Hull April 20 Laura & Nick Lankes Alternates Jane & Bob Robertson Dawn Andersson, C. Sperandeo April 27 Dawn Andersson, Youth “FRIDGE FACTS” (This page made especially for placing on your refrigerator.) KIDS CORNER 10:30 a.m. April 6 Jean Martz, Youth Kids Corner is offered at the second service on Sunday mornings for children up through Kindergarten in the daycare room. “FRIDGE FACTS” (This page made especially for placing on your refrigerator.)