- Millcreek Lutheran Church

The Parish Echo
Millcreek Lutheran Church, 221 N. Sheridan Rd., Newmanstown, PA 17073
May 2016
Parris C. Beckhardt, Pastor
Home: 717-866-9606
Church: 610-589-2570
Cell Phone: 717-926-8168
E-mail: [email protected]
www.millcreeklutheran.com
Worship Service: 10:15 AM
Sunday School 9 AM
Editors: Roy & Dotti Hoglund
610-655-7692
[email protected]
Pastor B’s Message
On May 15 we celebrate Pentecost Sunday, a day referred to as the birthday
of the Christian Church. The story is told in Acts 2:1-41, and in its telling we hear a
pattern that is well for us to model as our Sunday experience.
1) People came to remember and celebrate.
Pentecost was a Jewish holy day before it became a Christian one. It was a
day to remember and celebrate God’s giving of the 10 Commandments, a gift
of grace to enable his people to live together in loving, supportive
relationships.
Not every Sunday is a set aside holy day, but every Sunday is a remembrance
and celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus. We worship on Sunday because
Easter was on a Sunday. This alone is sufficient to call us to be in God’s
presence.
2) Those who came that first Pentecost were from all over the known world.
The Sunday experience is inclusive to all. The arms of Jesus represented by
our wall sculpture of him are infinitely long and infinitely wide. None are too
far, too different to exist outside his welcoming embrace.
3) The disciples let God’s spirit do the talking.
It is essential that what is offered on Sunday is the “living word” of God. “All
authority is given to me,” Jesus said, as well as, “to see and hear me is to see
and hear God”. Jesus is who is to be seen and heard on Sunday morning.
4) People who did not understand, asked questions.
It is OK to ask questions about anything that goes on during our time
together on Sunday morning.
They did that first Pentecost. Understanding is a critical outcome to seeing
and hearing. The time to ask “What was that all about?” is before leaving,
not after.
5) The disciples were prepared to answer the people’s questions.
a) To be able to say: why we say what we say, why we do what we do.
b) To give the purpose for any action involving the church body is critical for
those speaking and leading in Christ’s name.
6) The people left.
That might seem to be a Captain Obvious statement but its significance
needs to be emphasized. Those folks of the first Christian Pentecost went
home, taking with them their Sunday experience. They remembered and
celebrated Jesus and what he had done by sharing him where they lived with
friends and neighbors. Look up and read the sign over the door as you leave
church on Sunday.
Come and go. Called and sent. Remember and celebrate Jesus here on
Sunday and in the places we find ourselves during the week. Every time we
speak or act as Jesus would, we remember and celebrate him.
Pentecost is the birthday of the church, because what happened that
day is what we are born to do. Come, remember and celebrate on Pentecost
Sunday and every Sunday.
Blessings to all, Pastor B.
Congratulations to Pastor B. and Katie on becoming grandparents for the first time with the
birth of Jacob Christopher Beckhardt on April 6, 2016. His parents are Kyle and Lyndsey
Beckhardt. Blessings to everyone!
LISTEN TO MILLCREEK’S SERVICES WHILE AT HOME OR TRAVELING
On Sunday morning at 10:15 AM, dial 717-628-0125. The number is a local call for
the ELCO School District, plus Womelsdorf, Frystown, and Lebanon. It is a long distance
call for all other areas. You will hear a message welcoming you to Millcreek. At that point
you are connected to our church sound system, and as long as you stay on the line, you will
hear everything coming through the sound system in the church sanctuary.
Members & Friends
Georgine Achey, Kathryn Allwein, Mary Andrews, Mary Artz, Peg Auman, Linda
Avallone, Amanda Barry, Frank Bergman, Deb Boger, Kathy Bollinger, Justin Boyer, Liz
Brandt, Grace Bricker, Jamie Brown, Sandra Brown, Laurie Carrington, Russell Carrington,
Serenity Cash, Margaret Clemens, Nicole & Steve Cleamens & daughter Ella Rose, Donna
Collins, Jim Crawford, Rob Curry, Larry Deiter, The Derr Family, Jane Doe, Dan Ebling,
Donald Ebling, Alissa Ehrhart, Carl Erwin, Mary Erwin, Mary Esher, Peggy Evanson, Yvette (Eberly) Faiola,
Jennifer (Strickler) Falasca , Barbara Faust & Family, Stella Fortna, Shirley Fox, Marion Frederick, Cathy
Friede, Julie Gemmel, Brenda Wolfe Gettle, Brandon Grabe, Brook Grabe, Julie Grabe, Terry Greiner, Cory
Gress, Edith Gress, Diane Grove, Mary Hancock, Carolyn Hauck, Mark Hawley, Robert Hefner, Brian
Hendricks, Violet Hepler, Neil Hickernell, Beryl Hoffman, Bill Hoffman, Jean Hyypio, Alyssa Jackson, Bob &
Shirley Jackson, Josie Jones, James Kantner, Ben Kapp, Nebiye Karlonis, Linda Kellenberger, Lary Keller,
Donald Keppley, Charlie Kirkpatrick, Landon Kreider, Donald Kriss, J.D.Leidich, Elaine Lengel, Sue Lengel,
Henry Lindermuth, Gordon Link, Erin Little, Alec Lloyd, Duke Long, Ed Marinak, Andrew Marshall, Dean
Martin, Michael May, Nancy May, Martin Mazarrotta, Amy McCartney, Dana McNally, Edna Meyer, Roger
Meyer, Victor Meyer, Jr., Gordie Meyers, Emily Miller, Frank Miller, Josh Miller, Logan Miller, Ray Miller Sr.,
Richard Miller, Bob Mills, David Mock, Priscilla Mock, Sharon Mohl, Joel Moehlman, Judy Montgomery,
Dale & Lynn Ober, Becky O’Dell, Mary Ellen O'Donnel, Gladys Ohlinger, Ruth Paul, Stanley Paul, Linda
Petrys, Harold Romberger, Jeff Sallade, Betty Schaeffer, Pam Schoonover, Kathleen Scott, The Seldomridge
Family, Zachary Shade, Kevin Shallcross, Joe Sharmer, Robert Shirk, Rick Shultz, Sue Reber Simpson, Bryan
Sites, Diane Sites, Ruth Sova, Spang Crest Residents, Irene Starner, Joe Stevens, Glenn & Barbara Stoudt,
Don Sweigart, the Taylor Family, Stan Templin, Adam Tice, Mary Lou Tillman, Diana Tshudy, Chelsea Ulrich,
Matthew Urey, Tristan Valentine, Michael Walsh, Bobby Wasko, Daniel Weaver, Mary Wentzel, Shirley
Whitehead, Les Whitmoyer, Sandy Wolf, Stewart Wolf, Kendra (Allwein) Wuchterl.
You can sign up to sponsor Flowers and Bulletins in 2016 by placing your name
on the charts in the narthex. Suggested donations for flowers are $25 and
bulletins are $10.
Please consider these opportunities available in our Sunday School: assistant
superintendent, Kindergarten teacher, and Cradle Roll teacher (babies to age
3). Contact Jen Rosengrant or Pastor B. if you are interested.
MILLCREEK NURSERY
Nursery care is available during worship service for children under 6 years
old. Anyone interested in volunteering to care for the children during the
worship service is encouraged to sign up—speak with any of the Sunday School
staff. We would love to have someone volunteer to coordinate the
scheduling.
MILLCREEK: MAY DATES AND
ACTIVITIES
LAY READERS
May 1-Lois Garloff
May 8-Eddie Wolfe
May 15-Dara Wolfe
May 22-Linda Derr
May 29-Rachel Mock
GREETERS
May 1& May 8-Elaine Hemperly & Mary
Moyer
May 15 & May 22-Roy & Dotti Hoglund
May 29-Sarah Webber & Barbara
Heckendorn
ACOLYTES
May 1-Beth Ann McNally & Kaila Harris
May 8-Cole Pennington & Cole Thomas
May 15-Zane Ruth & Nolan Sweitzer
May 22-Brigette & Aiden Heck
May 29-Julie & Jenna Angstadt
Please remember to call a replacement if
you are unable to acolyte on your scheduled
Sunday. If you cannot find a replacement,
Contact Pastor Beckhardt at 717-866-9606
(home) or 717-926-8168
(cell), or call the church 610-589-2570 or
Linda Sheetz at 717-866-4273.
“We are not human beings having a
spiritual experience, we are spiritual
beings having a human experience.”
Quote from Pierre Teilhard de Chardin
MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THE
CHURCH YARD SALE
Big News! Our church yard sale
will take place on 2 days, May 6-7.
Spread the word. 2 days worth of
treasures! And you can add yours to
the pile. Once Again, Betty Lou Weik is
graciously allowing us to store items for
sale in her Sunday School room. You
can bring yours in any Sunday and put
them there, or you can take them
directly to Charmayne and Jim
Balsbaugh’s place on Route 501 at the
south end of Reistville Thursday night or
any time the sale is going on. Friday
we will be open from 7 AM-5 PM and
Saturday from 7 AM-1 PM.
We will also have food and baked
goods for sale. If you would like to bake
for the yard sale, that would be great
and if you would like to help during the
sale, equally so. Notify Pastor B. if you
need someone to pick up your yard sale
items or baked goods. All proceeds go
to the church.
Church council has its regular
monthly meeting after the worship
service on Sunday, May 8.
Also on Sunday, May 8 we welcome
Assistant to the Bishop Rob Blezard to
our worship service. Pastor Blezard
had responsibility for 80 of the
congregations of the Lower
Susquehanna Synod, and is visiting
with us as part of his ministry to those
congregations. He will be preaching
in the service and meeting with the
Church Council after worship. We
hope you can come to hear and
meet him.
Sweet Second
Sunday will be
Sunday, May 8.
Baked goods
will be available
for purchase in
the multi-purpose room after the
service. All proceeds go to the
church.
Please save your Dutchway
Dollar Stretchers to purchase baking
supplies. There will be a box on the
narthex table for those. Thank you
in advance.
--The Sweet Second Sunday Bakers
The Senior Choir rehearsals are at 7:30 PM
on Wednesdays.
The children will sing during
worship service on Sunday May 8
(Mother’s Day).
LOOKING AHEAD TO SUMMER MUSIC
Thanks to all who provided
special music during the Lenten and
Easter season.
We are now beginning to
schedule for Summer music,
beginning with Sunday, June 26,
which is our first service at our
summer worship time of 9 AM. The
only date taken so far is July 10, so
check with your favorite performer
and sign them up now!! Senior
Choir continues to lead the worship
until that time, and will practice
through this month.
Lebanon area and would like to buy some,
they are $8 each and DO NOT have an
expiration date. Our team gets a portion of
the sales.
.
CANCER SURVIVORS- We are always
looking for survivors…fill out the form
available on our table so you can be
recognized.
Can pull tabs are still being collected for the
dialysis machine at the Ronald McDonald
House. A container is on the table in the
narthex.
You can communicate with Deb Tice at:
[email protected]
2016 MLC RELAY FOR LIFE
Relay is almost here - we begin walking Friday
May 13 @ 4 pm and continue thru May
14 @ 4 pm. Anyone who wants to join us
anytime is welcome. New this year is a 5K and
Fun Run on Saturday morning at 9 am.
If you are able to donate desserts
for Friday evening's survivor social, tell a team
member and we will be happy to pick it up and
deliver.
MLC BREAKFAST FELLOWSHIP
Our monthly church breakfast is
Saturday, May 14 at 8:30 AM at
Country Fare Restaurant in
Myerstown—all are welcome.
MAY 15 IS PENTECOST SUNDAY
On that day we will share in the
We will always take survivors signing up and or
luminaria donations and ANY donations. We
would like all change collected turned in
by May 1 if possible.
Rite of Confirmation. Two young people
We also will have one last fundraiser with our
Mother's Day gifts and flowers.
and Julia Angstadt. We encourage
ONGOING PROJECTS:
your presence to offer your expressions
-Dimes in a Bottle
-Collecting cans for recycling (please place
any bags of ALUMINUM (NO STEEL) cans at
the kitchen entrance to the church)
-The County Relay for Life is selling
Bruno’s sub tickets. If you live in the
of our congregation will be received as
confirmed members: Devon Rosengrant
of support for them as they take this
important step on their spiritual journey.
MEMORIAL DAY OBSERVANCE
Deadline for the June Parish Echo
newsletter is May 16.
This year’s observance for our area will in
Richland. The parade will start on Monday
May 30 at 10:00 AM at the carnival grounds
at the Veterans’ Memorial with the laying of
the wreath. The parade will continue down
Main St. to N. Race St., concluding at the
Cemetery. Pastor Beckhardt will have the
Invocation and Closing prayer at the
services there.
EVANGELISM COMMITTEE
Our Evangelism Committee will
meet on Wednesday May 18 at 6:30 PM.
You are invited to share in this ministry of
the congregation. Check with Pastor B. or
Betty Schware if you are interested, or just
show up that night.
EVANGELISM’S ONGOING PROJECTS
1) Need transportation to a doctor’s visit?
Contact Betty Schware at 717-866-7511.
MILITARY
PERSONNEL
Lt STANLEY R. KAHL
PSC 477 Box 3
FPO AP 96306
Lt JOSH WEIDMAN
416 Prevost Drive
Houma, LA 70364
2) Be a driver to provide transportation to a
doctor’s visit-contact Betty Schware at 717866-7511.
3) Be a MLC Mentor for new memberscontact Pastor B.
4) Recycle used ink and toner cartridges
and old cell phones-place in bin leading to
multi-purpose room.
5) Collect new and lightly used building
supplies and tools for Habitat for Humanity.
Place smaller items in the bins leading to
the multi-purpose room. For larger items,
contact Roy Hoglund at 610-655-7692 or
717-228-8175.
MAY Birthdays
2
5
6
9
10
Gerald Wolf
Gene Flory
James Balsbaugh
Beth Sova
Mitchell Derr
Jonathan Kurtz
Rachel Mock
Lourdes Kahl
11
12
13
14
18
20
21
22
24
26
27
30
31
Nolan Sweitzer
Christopher Layser
Jarad Glucksnis
Jack Kahl
Linda Bump
Abbie Keath
Finn Zartman
Robert Stettler
Matthew Sonnen
Lori Goss
Monica Griffe
Roarke Singer
Evan Glucksnis
David Engle
Jack Wolgemuth
Alex Sova
Peg Auman
Cory Sholly
Derek Zartman
Pastor Beckhardt
Jillian Zerby
To be included on the birthday list, please
submit your name by placing a note in the
Newsletter mailbox in the church office, calling
610-655-7692, or emailing us at:
[email protected]. Also, if
there is a name that should be removed from
the list, or a correction made, please use one of
the above ways to notify us. Thank you.
TREASURER’S REPORT
CHECKBOOK BALANCE-NORTHWEST
BALANCE @ 02/29/16
$3,988.81
MAR Deposits
$16,089.88
MAR Expenses
-$16,709.08
BALANCE @ 03/31/16
$3,369.61
MISSION PLUS-SPEC. PROJECTS
BALANCE @ 02/29/16
$7,727.54
MAR Receipts
$323.50
INTEREST FEB
$2.16
BALANCE @03/31/16
$8,053.20
GETTING TO KNOW YOU
BETTY SCHWARE
Betty Jean (Layser) Schware, age 82,
has been living at her current address in
Arbor Gate, Myerstown for 17 ½ years.
Betty was baptized as an infant in
1933 in Myerstown and confirmed there at
the United Brethren Church (now
Methodist). She graduated from Myerstown
High School in 1951 and married Lee
Schware (now deceased) on December 30,
1951. Their family includes: daughter
Katrina and husband Dean Wagner, son
Scott and wife Val, son Gregg and wife
Debra, and daughter Elizabeth and husband
Thomas Cavanaugh. There are 8
grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.
Betty worked part-time as a
seamstress until 1972. She then began
employment at the Lebanon VA Hospital as
a nursing assistant until 1984, when she
became an occupational therapy assistant for
the VA. She retired in 1996, and then
worked part-time at ECC Retirement Village
until 2007.
Betty’s interests include music,
singing, Bible study, and history. She
enjoys learning and took college courses in
her 50’s until her husband became ill. She
earned enough credits for an associate
degree.
Betty joined the Lutheran church
when she got married in the Richland
Lutheran Church, which later merged into
Millcreek Lutheran. She taught the nursery
Sunday school class until the merger and
sang in the choir until she had to work
weekends. She currently sings in
Millcreek’s choir, is chairperson of the
Evangelism Committee, and attends Eddie
Wolfe’s Sunday school class.
Betty said she finds church has been a
comfort and a place to give back to people.
“Bringing children to church and teaching
the love of Jesus is the best thing one can
give to a child. Most are more respectful
and kinder as they grow.”
Her words to live by: “Be respectful,
kind, and love my God.”
THE MLC WEBSITE
If you prefer to read the newsletter online instead of
receiving a hard copy in the mail, please contact
Linda Hauck Sheetz at 610-589-2570 or Roy and
Dotti Hoglund to have your name removed from the
mailing list. If you supply your e-mail address, we
will e-mail the newsletter directly to you. You also
have the option to read it on the MLC website
www.millcreeklutheran.com.
LIBRARY NEWS
Recent donations to the library include
2highly recommended books about being
raised Muslim and converting to Christianity.
These books are very eye-opening: Son of
Hamas by Mosab Hassan Yousef; Seeking
Allah, Finding Jesus by Nabeel Qureshi. Also
donated are 2 books about what heaven is like
by 2 people who saw it first hand when they
experienced near death injuries: Falling into
Heaven by Mickey Robinson; Heaven is
Beautiful by Peter Baldwin Panagore.
Due to the need for shelf space for the
most recent books, the older books for both
adults and children are being taken to the
church yard sale. Be sure to browse through
the books when you shop. You will find oldies
but goodies!
LOOKING
AHEAD TO
This year we are trying something
different…we will be having VBS type
activities on the 3 Sundays of June—led by
our Senior High kids. We are very excited
about this, so try to be here for those
Sundays and have a great time! Same
schedule –opening, story time, crafts, snacks
and games. The children will sing in church
on Sunday June 19—probably doing some
VBS songs!!
IT’S GRADUATION TIME
Is someone you know graduating from high
school, college, or beyond? We would love
to share their success! Please bring the
information concerning what school the
graduate is graduating from, future plans if
known, and college degree for those
graduating from college to the church office.
Eagle Scout
Michael “Vito” Heck recently
completed the requirements for
the Eagle Scout award. You may
remember Vito from the March
2015 “Getting to Know You”
column. This is a significant achievement,
and we congratulate him and wish him all
the best in his future endeavors.
Food Pantry Needs
Canned vegetables, stews,
soup, meats, fruit, peanut
butter, reusable plastic
containers, jackets
men/women/children, men’s
pants (28-36), men’s shoes (9-13), socks (all
types and genders), sneakers men/women,
men/women plain sweat pants & shirts, plus
size men’s apparel, king/queen sheets and
blankets.
Spang Crest News
On April 12th Millcreek Lutheran Church
volunteers hosted a fun musical night for 31
Spang Crest residents. Deb Tice and Julie
Strickler provided the singing entertainment,
and residents were encouraged to sing along
and call out the names of the tunes. Ten
residents celebrated April birthdays and
each received a gift bag of goodies from our
church donations. Thanks go to volunteers
Peg, Linda, Lorraine, Mary, Marian, Teresa,
Betty, Deb, Julie, and the members of our
congregation who generously donated for
this entertaining evening.
Thinking about summer camp? For
information about camping, including
discounts, contact the MLC camp
person, Margie Kriss.
Thrivent Members
Are you a Thrivent member? If so, you are
eligible to apply yearly for 2 grants of $250
each for community projects related to the
church. Just recently, one of these grants
helped to fund the Sunday School Senior High
and Youth Group’s blanket project for the
Hershey pediatric hospital. This year, the
Evangelism committee would like to have one
of these grants for the personal care kit project.
Thrivent members may also accumulate
Thrivent choice dollars which they can donate
to charities of their choice. Our church has
received $107 in choice dollars this past year.
Thrivent members are encouraged to contact
their Thrivent representative for more
information.
Habitat for Humanity of Lebanon County
has consolidated with Lancaster Area
Habitat for Humanity in order to expand
their building and repair programs and to
help more families in need of safe,
affordable housing.
Habitat’s new housing project is
located at 1042 Lehman St. in Lebanon. The
house was damaged by fire and must be
completely renovated at an estimated cost
of $70,000. Thrivent Financial awarded
Habitat a grant for half of the project costs,
but additional support is needed from the
community, local businesses, and
churches to raise the remaining $35,000.
You can get involved by making a
donation and/or volunteering. Donations
can be made by check and sent to:
Habitat for Humanity of Lebanon County,
1455 E. Main St., Annville, PA 17003.
Speak with Roy Hoglund If you would
like to volunteer as an individual or as part
of a group.
Millcreek Lutheran Activities
MAY 2016
SUNDAY
1
8 MOTHER’S
DAY
MONDAY
2
9
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY THURSDAY
3
4
7:30 Choir
10
16
June
Newsletter
Deadline
17
22
23
24
29
MEMORIAL
DAY
SUNDAY
30
31
PENTECOST
-CONFIRMATION SUNDAY
-Communion
MEMORIAL
DAY
10:00 Parade
& ServiceRichland
SATURDAY
5
ASCENSION
DAY
6
11
7:30 Choir
12
13
18
6:30 Evangelism
19
20
11:30-12:30
Community
Meal LCCMELCO
21
26
27
11:30-12:30
Community
Meal LCCMELCO
28
Wedding Alex
Sova & Dan
Cottle in
Bloomsburg
7:30 Choir
25
7:30 Choir
7:00-5:00
Church Yard
Sale
11:30-12:30
Community Meal
LCCM-ELCO
11:30-12:30
Community Meal
LCCM-ELCO
- Relay for Life
Begins 4 PM
-Children Sing
-Council
-Sweet Second
Sunday
15
FRIDAY
7
7:00-1:00
Church Yard
Sale
14 -8:30
Breakfast @
Country Fare
-Relay for Life
ends 4 PM