May Good Tidings - St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church

The Newsletter of
St. Peter Evangelical
Lutheran Church
Contemporary Worship
Saturday 5:00 p.m.
7834 Eastern Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21224
Sunday Worship
10:00 a.m.
410-288-0537
410-284-0336 (fax)
Sunday School
8:45 a.m.
[email protected]
www.stpeterlutheraneastpoint.org
Vol. 84
Rev. Vicki L. Hamel, Pastor
Valerie Adelung, Minister of Music
MAY, 2012
No. 05
In a recent confirmation class we discussed God’s creation (broadly understood
as all that exists, heaven and earth and all living creatures), and how to practice good
stewardship to partner with God in sustaining it. Our conversation included ideas like
recycling, sharing resources with people in need, locally and around the world,
promoting peace to facilitate distribution of goods and to cultivate good relationships,
caring for animals, and using our individual gifts and talents to better the world. We
unpacked the meaning of St. Peter’s motto “Blessed to be a blessing,” and looked up the
origin of the phrase—God’s promise to Abraham that through him all the families of the
earth would be blessed. (Gen. 12:3)
Something I read recently on formulating a personal mission statement reminded
me of a statement by Frederick Buechner, a spiritual writer I admire. I read some of his
books at a crossroads in my life when trying to discern God’s call, whether for ordained
ministry or another vocation. Buechner offers this guidance in such discernment. “The
kind of work God usually calls you to is the kind of work a) that you need most to do,
and b) that the world most needs to have done….The place God calls you to is the place
where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.”
I believe that advice pertains to us at all stages of life--in youth, in the midst of
our working years, or in retirement. Furthermore, (a) and (b) above are not static, but
can change over the course of our lives, depending upon the time and place.
In pondering a direction and purpose for our lives, another author, Bob Buford,
suggests some preliminary focus questions in his book Game Plan. These questions
dovetail Buechner’s counsel above. Buford recommends these considerations: 1) What
do I believe? 2) What is my passion? 3) What needs exist in the world that I would like
to meet? 4) What are the “should haves” that arise when I reflect on my past? 5) How
could my story and God’s larger story connect?
The above discussion could be helpful in a corporate sense too, by substituting
“St. Peter” for the individual pronouns. Towards what new and continuing ministries
might God be nudging us as a congregation? Let’s all chew on that thought for awhile,
and see where the Spirit leads us!
●
To Lisa Christhilf, who was named ProStart Teacher of the Year in the state of
Maryland. This honor is given to an outstanding teacher at a vocational/technical high
school. Lisa teaches culinary arts at Western School of Technology and Environmental
Sciences.
●
To Ophelia Bartub, who was nominated for the National Honor Roll at Dundalk High
School, and will be inducted in May. Ophelia is from Liberia and English is not her
native language, so we commend this significant academic achievement.
●
To Nicole Jansen, student at Parkville Middle School, who had two pieces of her art
featured in a juried middle school exhibit sponsored by Baltimore County Public Schools'
Office of Visual Arts. Her pieces chosen were an acrylic painting and a self-portrait in
multi-media.
●
To Sabrina Michaud, who won the First Place trophy in jazz and First Place points
plaque at the Star Power Dance Competition in March.
●
To Lindsey Rivera, who won the First Place trophy in tap and Second Place points
plaque at the same competition. Both girls will compete in the World Competition in
July in Ocean City.
CHRIST IS RISEN! ALLELUIA!
Pastor Vicki thanks the congregation for the many cards, best
wishes, and kind words she received this Easter. What a pleasure it
was to share in the joyous celebration of our Lord's resurrection with
the faith community (and new extended family) at St. Peter!
Bulletin and Flower Memorials
Congregation members continue to sponsor bulletin and flower memorials in
memory of a loved one or in honor of a special person.
Weekly Flowers (either 2 altar vases or 1 large arrangement) - $25. Open
Dates are May 27, June 3, June, 10, June 17, and June 24.
Weekly Bulletins - $15 – Open Dates are: May 6, May 13, May 20, May 27,
June 3, June 10, June 17, and June 24.
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Our next Men’s Bible Study will be May 7th at 7:30 p.m. We are
studying the Old Testament book of Jeremiah. His words brought to the
people the will of God hundreds of years before Christ. All men are
invited to join us.
Tom Flink
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Prosper Yeakula
1506 Alconbury Street
Baltimore, Md 21221
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To Our St. Peter Family,
Stephen, Kristen, Doug and I would like to thank each of you for your
prayers and support during Kristen’s medical problems and surgeries.
To all those who supported the fundraiser sponsored by Thrivent Chapter
30950, either by purchasing tickets, donating or getting auction items, you
are a true blessing in our lives.
Thank you our family…Love and peace,
Doug & Lill Tomecek
We would like to wish a Happy Mother’s day to all the women!
It’s hard to believe the end of the school year is right around the corner and
with that are summer vacations and relaxing times with family and friends.
On that note we hope all our families remember that we do not take a
vacation from God!
We will be having the annual Sunday School/Church Picnic on Sunday, June
24th immediately following the 10:00 service. Save that date! More
information will be forthcoming!
We are in need of disciples for VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL. Please see Phyllis or Nancy for
more information. All materials are provided.
Many thanks to all the committed Sunday School teachers and leaders for their commitment to
the children. Without all of you we could not run a Sunday School!
Yours in Christ,
Phyllis Schmitt & Nancy Hammond, Directors of Christian Education
The Child Abuse Prevention Training Classes for volunteers will be held in
May for all Board Members and congregational members. If you are
involved in any children’s program, Sunday School, Vacation Bible Schools,
Youth Group, Nursery, etc. it is mandatory that you take this class. A list of
classes and times are shown below. For more information see Phyllis
Schmitt or Nancy Hammond.
Sunday, May 6th, 11:30 a.m.
Tuesday, May 8th, 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, May 9th, 6:30 p.m.
Here it is already May and the flowers have come and gone and
the summer heat is upon us. At least we had a mild winter and
the kids get out of school early – teachers love that!
Starting off the first Saturday in May, May 5th, 11:30 a.m.-3:00
p.m., we will have our WELCA Spring Luncheon. Tickets will
be $3. There will be a guest speaker (?), someone we all know
and love at the luncheon. A short business meeting will be
held with election of new officers. All ladies are welcome, you
know we have a good time so join us.
Also that weekend and the following, Mothers’ Day, the youth will have a bake table, crafts and
gifts sale. Proceeds will go to their New Orleans trip. It is getting close and they are working
very hard.
The Annual Tea Party is May 19th, 12:00-2:30 p.m.. You know what a fun time we have and the
food is excellent. All are invited to attend, women, children, friends and relatives. Cost of
tickets and time will be in the bulletin. Look for it!
On the 20th of May we will have a World Hunger Pot Luck Dinner here at 6:00 p.m. That means
area Lutheran churches will be attending and we would like to have a nice representation as we
all are the host church. This is on a Sunday evening – more to follow. It is good to see friends
and neighbors from different churches come together and discuss our mutual problems and
successes.
Finally the 27th is Pentecost – 50 days after Easter already. Wear red. Confirmation is usually
celebrated that day but we have no confirmands this year as all are first year students. Next year
we will have a nice class to welcome to the Church.
June brings our 2nd Annual Sunday School Picnic. It is the 24th at Merritt Park after the 10:00
a.m. service. Hamburgers and hot dogs will be provided and you can fill in your own extras. It
was a great time last year, so you all come.
Friends forever,
Beverly Flohr
Director of Fellowship
Old Fashioned Afternoon Tea Party
at
St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church
7834 Eastern Avenue
Baltimore, Maryland 21224
May 19th 2012 12 Noon 'til 2:30 p.m.
Bring that special tea cup from Aunt Mary or Grandma
and have High Tea with us.
We will be serving fresh brewed hot and cold tea
With appetizers, finger sandwiches and Yummy Desserts
Come join the fun..... There will be fancy tea and good food,
and best of all.......
Sharing the afternoon with each other.
Tickets will be available starting Saturday April 28th.... price
$10.00
We have only 90 tickets to
sell.
SORRY.....No Tickets at the Door.
Cosponsored by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
East Baltimore County Chapter 30950
Proceeds to support:
St. Peter – National Youth Gathering
Bread for the World
Navajo Evan Lutheran Mission
For Advance Tickets and/or
For More Information Call:
Doris Huber 410-285-1831
Lill Tomecek 410-686-9270
Who do you see in an apron more often than not? Who fearlessly cooks and serves
fabulous meals without ever knowing exactly how many people might show up? Who readily
volunteers to host and feed groups for events ranging from a Thrivent dinner, installation or
retirement service, a meeting with the bishop, a potluck raising funds for World Hunger, to
monthly luncheons and dinners for the hungry in the neighborhood? It's no mystery that Beverly
Flohr is the woman behind St. Peter's legendary hospitality. She serves on the Board as director
of fellowship, and as we well know, fellowship for us always includes food!
Beverly honed her culinary skills in various venues before taking charge of the kitchen at
church some 20 years ago, albeit reluctantly at first. She had previously worked in school
cafeterias, at Sparrows Point Country Club, and at Essex Community College as assistant to the
president. In that capacity she directed hospitality for functions of all sizes--ranging from just a
few people to a hundred participants.
You may see her often in the kitchen, but Beverly is hard at work all over the church, and
mostly behind the scenes. She does plenty of cleaning when she notices something that requires
attention (including scrubbing and waxing the fellowship hall floor), shows up when someone's
needed to let a group into the church, planned, organized and initiated the two Saturday monthly
meals that now draw regulars who wouldn't miss them, wheeled and dealed with Weis grocery
store for food donations which she picks up herself, arranges for clothing donations and
distribution, coordinates kitchen helpers and dessert bakers, and more. No one quite knows
where she finds the stamina for all that she does; some of us decades younger are in awe of this
lady who hardly ever sits still (except in worship!)
Speaking of worship, Beverly customarily attends services on both Saturday AND
Sunday, serves as a lector, and leads the opening worship for the Sunday School every week in
the chapel. She unflinchingly steps up to the plate when a public prayer is required, and it's quite
apparent that she really knows her Bible. Active in WELCA, Beverly has served on its board in
the past, is in one of the circles that meets for Bible study and discussion, and enjoys doing crafts
with the Monday night group.
Since Beverly speaks her mind without mincing words, she can be intimidating to some.
But make no mistake, underneath the surface of her occasionally gruff and abrupt manner lies a
heart of gold a mile wide. Compassion flows through her veins, and her bright blue eyes radiate
kindness. Those who are sick, homebound, or recovering from surgery are likely to get a card or
even a full meal from Beverly; she has her quiet ways of taking people under her wing and
making sure they know they're cared for no matter their situation, no matter how far away
they've moved.
So this month we take the opportunity to lift up and give thanks for Beverly, tireless servant of
God, and express our love for her, the woman "whose giving knows no ending." (LBW #408)
Relay For Life is a life-changing event that gives everyone in communities across the
globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember
loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease.
On June 8-9, 2012 the Youth Group of St. Peter Lutheran Church will be sponsoring a
team at Relay for Life. We will camp out at Essex Community College and take turns
walking or running around a track. Because cancer never sleeps, the Relay is overnight
and 12 hours in length. Relayers do not have to walk all night, but each team is asked to
have a representative on the track at all times during the event.
Members of the congregation, and friends and family are all invited to be a part of this
event. You could participate as a team member, or join in for any of the ceremonies or
contests listed below.
Food, games and activities provide not only entertainment but fundraising opportunities
throughout the event. Activities include:
·
Opening Ceremony
· Survivor’s Lap
· Luminaria Ceremony
At sundown, lunimaria will be lit in memory of or in honor of loved ones and friends who
have had cancer.
· Hope Lodge Lap
Hope Lodge offers cancer patients and their caregivers a free, temporary place to stay
when their best hope for effective treatment is in another city. Donations to support the
residents are acted during this lap.
· Duct Tape & Newspaper Fashion Show Lap
· Team Banner Contest
· Ms. Relay 2012 Contest
A contest for men, dressed as a woman. Whoever garners the most votes (money) in
10 minutes will be crowned Ms. Relay.
· Fight Back Lap/Closing Ceremony
For additional information please contact Mary Flohr, telephone 410-949-0590.
May 2012
Frank Albanese
Marge Ard
Richard Ard
Mike Barnes
Davis Barkley
Anna Bowler
Margaux Chrystal
Lynn Clark
Lois Cole
Chris Copeland
Jan Albert-Elliott
Keith Fewster
John Harris
Jim Hayes
Nancy Hayes
Fred Heim
Jaykobb Hill
Michael Hipchen
Craig Jones
Peter Kantorsky
Mandy Kent
John King
Robin Kisselstein
Betty Knight
Dawn Kulczycki
Dolores Lynch
Ed Lynch
Marilyn Lynch
Eadie Mehring
Pr. Carl Myers
Laura Pharr
Michael Redmond
Betty Riden
Lou Robl
Hellenlee Sands
Wayne Sautter
Bill Schehlein
Marie Schehlein
Garnet Stevens
Robert Tankersley
William Tankersley
Kristen Tomecek
Stephen Tomecek
Shonda Waybright
Denise Heath-Winter
Jaxon Yeagy
Also pray for those persons listed on the next page, who are in assisted living or nursing facilities
and are no longer able to come and worship with us.
All of the above persons should be lifted in prayer by members of St. Peter twice a day. If you
would like to participate, just begin praying! If you have anyone you would like to add to the
Prayer Chain, please fill out a “Remember in Prayer” slip in the pew rack, or call the church
office, 410-288-0537. Please sign your name as the person requesting prayers in case there is a
follow-up.
WE’RE PRAYING FOR YOU
Several of our members are residents of local nursing home/retirement
communities. In Christian love we should keep them in our prayers, and also
maintain contact with them as we are able.
If you should find time and find it in your heart, please send a card or call the
following members of our congregation:
Hedi Devine
Augsburg Lutheran Village
6825 Campfield Rd, Apt 10-G
Baltimore, MD 21207-4634
Ethel Donnan
Riverview Care Center
1 Eastern Boulevard
Baltimore, MD 21221
John Harris
Heavenly Home
22 Chandelle Rd
Baltimore MD 21220
Lois Cole
Riverview Care Center
1 Eastern Avenue, Rm 613
Baltimore, MD 21221
June Issue
May 11th, 2012
MAY BIRTHDAYS
05-02
05-10
05-10
05-16
05-17
05-17
05-22
05-23
05-27
Robert Weber, III
Marie Gellert
Nancy Murphy
Robin Kisselstein
Lisa Christhilf
John Hartman
Judy Kerns
Dolores Lynch
Chad Russell
The very Happiest of
Birthdays
to those “active” adults
members of our church
family listed here.
This listing is provided
so “Greetings”, “Best
Wishes”, and other
expressions of love may
be shared.
If you find an “active”
adult member’s name
missing, it simply means
that our church records
are incomplete. We will
be happy to add that
information as you give
it to the Church Office,
410-288-0537
Our birthday list also
includes the children of
our Sunday School.
MAY
2012
WORSHIP ASSISTANTS & CANTORS:
Mary Campbell 1-617-529-4149
6 -- (WA) Lillian Tomecek
(C)
Patricia Hipchen
13 -- (WA) Jan Jones
(C)
Susan Neumeister
20 -- (WA) Angela Carpenter
(C)
Valerie Adelung
27 -- (WA) Lillian Tomecek
(C)
Patricia Hipchen
GREETERS:
Lorraine Ward 410-288-1013
6 -- Mary Flohr
13 -- Robert Weber
20 -- Robin Goodwin
27 -- Patricia Yarrington
ACOLYTES & CRUCIFERS:
Mary Campbell 1-617-529-4149
6 -- (A) Adrianna Kinsella
(C) Courtney Russell
13 -- (A) Brian Bischell
(C) Gabrielle Weiser
20 -- (A) Gavin Mooney
(C) Nicole Jansen
27 -- (A) Sabrina Michaud
(C) Tracy Michaud
LECTORS:
Mary Campbell 1-617-529-4149
6 -- Bunny Robl
13 -- Marie Gellert
20 -- Beverly Flohr
27 -- Vivian Bold
NURSERY ASSISTANTS:
Mary Campbell 1-617-529-4149
6 -- Tracy Russell
13 -- Donna Barnhart
20 -- Phyllis Schmitt
27 -- Deborah, Melissa Miller
ALTAR GUILD:
Marie Gellert 410-288-4278
6 -- Frank & Mildred Albanese, Margaret Krug
13 -- Beverly Flohr, June Grap
20 -- Marie Gellert
27 -- Bunny Robl, Jordan & Gabrielle Weiser
COMMUNION ASSISTANTS:
Mary Campbell 1-617-529-4149
6 -- Marie Gellert
13 -- Jean Jansen
20 -- Vivian Bold
27 -- Bunny Robl
HOST/HOSTESS:
Linda Heath 410-282-1731
6 -- Nancy Hammond, Phyllis Schmitt
13 -- Phil Rutledge, Steve Carpenter,
Jason Adelung
20 -- Bea Thomas, Robin Goodwin
27 -- Chuck Sistek, Shirley Hisker,
Joan Sarzynski
If you would like to serve your Lord
through any of these ministries, please call
the person listed next to the ministry title.
Note: Anyone interested in becoming a Host
or Hostess, we need you! See Linda Heath