Ephrata Fair parking lot September 20

Bergstrasse Evangelical Lutheran Church
September 2011
Church picnic
September 11
Ephrata Township Community Park
Hot dogs and drink will be provided.
Please bring a covered dish.
Sign up on the bulletin board in the fellowship hall by September 4.
Ephrata Fair parking lot
September 20-24
We’ve received permission to use Ephrata National Bank’s parking
lot as a youth fundraiser. We can use the lot on Locust St. and a
few spaces beside the lot we used to use at the drive thru in the
past. The lot at the drive thru only has a few spaces that the bank
is allowing to be used for handicapped parking. Please sign up on
the bulletin board if you can help.
Beginning September 4 Worship is at 10:30 AM.
Food Bank
Catechetical
Instruction
Resume
September
4 canned vegetables and fruit, cereal
11 instant potatoes, rice, rice mixes
18 canned meats, tuna, canned pasta meals
25 pancake mix (just add water), syrup
Monetary donations are appreciated for help in buying meat
products and heating oil as cold weather approaches. Please
help to keep EASS shelves filled for those in need.
Dear Pastor Lohr and Friends of Luther Acres,
Thank you for sharing your resources by making a gift of $30
supporting the Friends of Luther Acres 2011 Agape Way
Courtyard Project. Your gift provides residents with late stage
dementia a safe harbor with a gazebo and gardens in which to
visit with friends and family, enjoying the beauty of nature.
Your generosity helps Luther Acres Healthcare Center residents
have a place and will touch many lives for years to come.
William C. Snyder
Vice President, Marketing & Philanthropy
The Bell is published monthly
(except a combined July-August
edition) by Bergstrasse
Lutheran Church
9 Hahnstown Road
Ephrata, PA 17522
(717) 733-7808
―Life will only work out
successfully one way,
and that is God’s way.‖
—Leslie Weatherhead
With only one student
remaining in this year’s
catechetical group (four were
confirmed in June), the class
instruction will be a little more
creative. This year’s student
will be doing a review of the
Old and New Testaments
using a curriculum entitled
Chosen: The Story of God and
His People. The Bible and its
story of God’s dealings with his
people is critical to our life of
faith, because this story is now
our story. We need to know
and appreciate the story of our
spiritual relatives. When we
were baptized into Jesus, we
were baptized into this ongoing
story of God and the people he
has chosen to be his people.
The format for this year’s
class will be one of individual
study, meeting periodically
with Pastor Lohr. In addition,
there will be opportunities to
learn more about our
congregation and its ministries
by participating in many of
them.
www.bergstrasselutheran.com
[email protected]
Sunday Church School – 9:00 AM
Worship - 10:30 AM
The Rev. Herbert A. Lohr, Pastor
687-6460 (home)
Jean Wilhelm, newsletter editor
Balance as 6/30/11
General Fund
Improvement Fund
Mission Plus
Mission Plus 2
Parsonage Security/
Memorial Fund
Handicap Accessibility
Organ fund
Due date for the October
newsletter is September 18.
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$ 1,083.23
$ 7,629.39
$20,708.66
$ 2,640.70
$ 2,280.65
$ 665.00
$ 107.92
Pastor’s Message
Members of Congregation Council are reading and studying their way through a book by
Anthony B. Robinson, Transforming Congregational Culture, which I recommended. Times have
changed, especially for congregations and the things congregations do. This book is helping our
leaders understand the changes that have occurred over the last decades, and it will better equip
our leaders to lead with an awareness of these changes and what they mean. Soon now, another
group, which has yet to be chosen, will begin the important process of discerning a renewed
vision for our congregation and its ministries for the future. The work of both of these groups will
act like a compass, giving direction so that our congregation will continue to be vibrant and
focused on mission for the remainder of this decade.
Clarity is essential to any organization or group as they attempt to carry out their purpose, and
the church is no different. We need clarity about who we are and what God has called us to do.
And it is probably safe to say that in today’s cultural climate, not everyone who is part of the
church is clear on who we are and what we are about.
A colleague gave me a good example of this lack of clarity for congregational members.
Pastor Wayne Cordero was once invited to take the helm of a battleship. He stood on the bridge
of this massive ship and he looked out at all of the sailors. Then an order came for all the sailors
to assume their battle stations. Immediately, sailors were scurrying around all over the decks.
Finally, they all stood at their posts. As Pastor Cordero looked out over 800 sailors, he felt for a
moment as though he was the captain. He was amazed that each sailor knew exactly where they
should be, exactly what they should do, and exactly when they should do it.
A few weeks later, Pastor Cordero had the pleasure of being on a ship again, this time a cruise
ship. As he walked around the different decks, he started thinking about the difference between
his experience on the battleship and the cruise ship. A cruise ship is about those aboard having
their own personal needs met. Beyond that, a cruise ship has no other purpose. It is a very
different climate and purpose aboard these two ships.
There are many church members who think the church is a cruise ship, whereas Christ called
us to be a battleship. Part of the confusion results from the fact that some believe that the church
exists only to meet their own personal needs—their needs for fellowship, for worship, for spiritual
growth and comfort. And, if our congregational cruise ship doesn’t measure up, why not look for
one that does. These are people who simply ―come to church‖ as opposed to ―being the church‖.
When we are the church, we understand ourselves and our purpose differently. Instead of
looking at the church as a place where only our needs are to be met, we understand that not only
are our needs met, but we are to also meet the needs of others, especially the oppressed, the
hungry, the sick, the lonely, those in pain, and those treated unjustly. We are more of a
battleship, and we do battle with the forces of ―sin, death, and the devil‖. Therefore, we need to
maintain clarity at all times as to who we are, what our purpose is as God’s people, how our gifts
can be used for the betterment of all, and our mission(s) as a congregation. Think battleship, not
cruise ship. It will help us remain clear on where God wants to take our congregation in the near
future.
Pastor Herb
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Lutheran World Relief
October 2
We will be collecting blankets and monetary donations to purchase blankets and to be used toward the
shipping costs. Donations should be placed in an envelope indicating it is for Lutheran World Relief
blankets and mailed to the church or placed in the offering plate. Blankets should not have church
names or religious symbols on them.
The Stitches of Love group has been making quilts to be sent to Lutheran World Relief.
We will be collecting school kits and personal care kits for Lutheran World Relief Ingathering .
Some of the items needed have changed so check the list. We need someone to make some drawstring
backpack-style cloth bags. These are different than what was used in the past. See Mary Keisling if you
are willing to make some bags; she has directions. Bags may be purchased at Walmart, Target, sporting
goods stores. They may not have any logos printed on them.
Include the following items in each School Kit:
 Four 70-sheet notebooks of wide- or college-ruled paper approximately 8‖ X 10½‖; no loose-leaf paper
 One 30-centimeter ruler, or a ruler with centimeters on one side and inches on the other
 One pencil sharpener
 One blunt scissors (safety scissors with embedded steel blades work well)
 Five unsharpened #2 pencils with erasers; secure together with a rubber band
 Five ballpoint pens (no gel ink); secure together with a rubber band
 One box of 16 or 24 crayons
 One 2½‖ eraser
 One sturdy drawstring backpack-style cloth bag approximately 14‖ X 17‖ with shoulder straps
(no standard backpacks)
Do not add other items or leave out any of the items listed. All items should be new and in good
condition. Remove any excess packaging, pack all items in bag and close. Do not enclose the Kit or any of
its contents in plastic bags.
The cost to handle and ship one school kit overseas is $1.40. Please consider a monetary donation to
help with this cost.
Include the following items in each Personal Care Kit:
 One light- to medium-weight, bath-size towel (approximately 52‖ X 27‖ or smaller), dark color
recommended
 Two bath-size bars (4 to 5 oz.) of soap, any brand, in original wrapping
 One adult-size toothbrush in its original packaging*
 One sturdy comb, remove packaging
 One metal nail clippers (with or without attached file), remove packaging
*Toothbrush multi-packs may be used by sealing an individual toothbrush in a business-size envelope;
no plastic bags or wrap
Do not add other items or leave out any of the items listed. All items should be new and in good
condition. Wrap all the items in the towel and tie securely with ribbons or yarn. Do not enclose the Kit or
any of its contents in plastic bags.
The cost for handling and shipping a personal care kit overseas is $2.65 (including the addition of a tube
of toothpaste.) Please consider a monetary donation to help with this cost.
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Worship participants for September
September
4
11
18
25
Greeters
Ben and Polly Gr
Phyllis R Cleone R
Mabel B
Ira and Miriam H
Lector
Anna M
Bonnie G
Selma H
Curt H
Acolyte
Anna M
Annalin B
Brooke S
Kendall M
Nursery
Kathy L
Wanda and
Kendall M
Lisa and Brooke S
Counters
Dave and Jean W
Dave and Jean W
Bonnie G
Sandy S
Bonnie G
Sandy S
Organist
Gail S
Anne L
Gail S
Anne L
Deb B
Larry and Edie L
Lyman and Selma
H
Flowers
Bulletin
Kathryn S
September
Bonnie G
Ushers
Communion
Ushers
Sept. 4
Altar
Guild
Debbie S
Lisa S
Glenn and
Almanara B
Chad L
Randy R
Jane P
Jane P
Mabel B
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The Women’s Bible Study Group will begin again, after their
summer vacation, on Thursday, September 22, at 10:30 AM,
meeting at the church. Previous students will be welcomed back,
and of course, new ladies are most welcome to join the study of
God’s Word. The ladies will continue their study of Luke’s second
volume, known as the Acts of the Apostles. These two works by
Luke make up over a quarter of the New Testament writings. The
book of Acts gives us a rare view of the early church as it spread
from Jerusalem throughout the world.
The group will pick up their study of Acts starting with Book 2
Chapters 13-28 of the study guide. Pastor Lohr will be the Bible
Study leader. The group will meet weekly for an hour and a half of
study and fellowship beginning at 10:30 AM in Neidamyer Hall. If you have been attending this
study of Acts, we welcome you back. If you have not been attending, consider doing so. Feed your
soul, strengthen your faith.
The Men’s Bible Study Group will begin again after
taking the summer off. They will meet on Mondays at
10 AM beginning September 19 at the Cloister
Restaurant for study and lunch. The group will pick up
their study of the prophet Isaiah once again, starting
with Chapter 5 in the study guide (pp. 39ff). This
chapter covers chapters 24-27 of Isaiah. Isaiah is one
of the great Old Testament prophets, and the study of
all that Isaiah said and wrote is challenging and very relevant to our day. Prophets were a unique
institution in Israel, God’s spokesmen throughout Israel’s history. There words were often not
appreciated, but extremely important to God’s people of faith. Human nature being what it has
always been, their words are surprisingly relevant even today and worthy of our study.
If you have not been attending this study, consider doing so. If you have been attending, we’ll
be glad to welcome you back. Pastor Lohr will continue to be the leader for this study group,
which meets regularly September through May.
Pastor Lohr will be taking vacation August 29—September 4 and
September 12—18. If you need pastoral services during this time,
please call the church office (733-7808).
Rev. Don Lindman will be the guest preacher and liturgist for
Sunday, September 4. Members Selma H and Ben G will be the
preacher and liturgist for Sunday, September 18. Do lend your support.
Thank you to both Selma and Ben for filling in for Pastor Lohr.
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Gerry D
Ben G
Lyman H
Ira H
Lydia M
Vernon S
Jeff S
Neil and Vera S
Clarence W, Jr.
Dan A (Chris A’s father)
Nancy A (Mildred W’s daughter)
Connie A (Lisa C’s aunt)
Dan B
Doris B
Joe C (Lisa C’s husband)
Theresa D
Robert E (Donna D’s father)
Lorenzo F (Jean F’s brother)
Marian G (Pastor G’s mother)
Naomi G (Jane P’s mother)
Elsie H (Polly G’s sister)
Addison H (Ron and Wendy H’s granddaughter)
Joel K
Ruth Ann L (Polly G’s friend)
Wanda L (friend of Deb B)
Lucas M (Mary D’s neighbor)
Addison M (great niece of Joanna R)
Joyce M
Ruth M (Darlene K’s sister)
David O (cousin of Phyllis and Cleone)
Susan R
Louis R (Erma S’s nephew)
Terry S (Polly G’s nephew)
Roxanne S
Carl S (Gail S’s husband)
Patrick S (Peggy R-W’s brother)
Linda S (Erma S’s daughter-in-law)
Lori S
Neil S (Almanara B’s brother)
Brian S
Ruth T (Darlene K’s aunt)
Gladys W
Whitney and Kevin Z (children of friends of Ron and Shirley M)
Congratulations to those
with September birthdays:
3 Ken D
6 Megan A
10 Nancy St
12 Debbie B
19 Neil A
22 Edie L
23 Ella Mae S
24 Pauline S
27 Lori Ann C
Anniversaries
5 John and Mabel B
16 Derek and Lori Ann
C
23 Larry and Edie L
27 Harold and Evelyn
C
29 Howard and Beverly
J
Seek to Please
Shift your prayer life from
―Please, God‖ to ―Please God.‖
Take the comma out of those
two words when you pray, and
transition your praying from
asking God for things to asking
God for the pleasure of God’s
pleasure.
—Homiletics
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Council Highlights
July 11, 2011
Parish Family: 50+ Anniversary celebration will be held on August 28. Church picnic will be held
September 11 at Ephrata Township Community Park.
Property: Pole was erected to protect the air conditioner on the east side of the church. Brick
work at flag pole has been completed. New benches in McCracken Memorial completed. Rails on
the outside of the building to downstairs have been painted.
Youth and Family: Carnival on the Hill will be held on August 20.
Unfinished Business: Wedding planners have come forward. They will be Donna D and Toni V,
who will work together as needed.
New Business: Council meeting for August will not be held. This time will be used to work on the
budget for 2012.
Pastor’s Report: Two weddings were approved by council. Mobil transmitter and hearing assist
devices have been ordered. Seven devices will now be available to the congregation. Thank you
to Mary Keisling for making this possible by her donation. Pastor Lohr met with Carillon people to
check our existing Carillon (which is not working properly and repair is not possible due to age of
the present Carillon) and pricing of new Carillon for a cost between $8,200 and $9,000.
Handbell and Senior Choirs
Begin Rehearsals
As the autumn leaves of red and gold fall to the ground at the
end of their season, our church year too comes to a close with a
glorious, spiritual richness. We celebrate the many fall festivals
and hear a calling from Matthew’s gospel for forgiveness and
reconciliation. We are also called to participate in worship and a
―re-formation,‖ of our faith, being strengthened by God’s grace
through Word, prayer, liturgy, communion, and singing.
Respond to God’s call to worship by joining one of our choirs as
we profess our faith through singing and serve God as we lead
the congregation in worship and song. Weekly rehearsals begin
on Thursday evening, September 8, with Joyous Praise
Handbells beginning at 6:45 p.m. and Senior Choir beginning at 7:35 p.m. Please let Music
Director Anne L know if you are able to join one or both of these choirs. Take time to worship and
to thankfully respond to God’s love and grace with song.
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Widow2Widow retreat
Widow2Widow, Inc. is a national non-profit support group designed to provide encouragement to
widows. There are three local W2W chapters located in southern Lancaster County,
Ephrata, and the Lancaster area. They are joining together to encourage widows by hosting a
national widow’s retreat at beautiful Sandy Cove on the Chesapeake Bay, near North East,
Maryland the weekend of October 14-16, 2011.
The retreat, entitled ―Expanding our Territories,‖ will feature 9/11 widow, national author and
speaker, Jennifer Sands. It will also include the President and national founder of W2W, Elaine
Cook, and Wilma Wyatt, a local inspirational speaker with Jabez Blessings Ministries. Music will be
provided by Nashville recording artist and W2W worship leader, Peggy Reeves. In addition, there
will be humorous skits, walks by the Chesapeake Bay, games, great food and many more surprises.
The cost of the retreat is $229, which includes lodging and five meals. For information, call Lois
Walters at 717-606-4950 or go to www.widow2widow.org.
Luther and Lutheran Experience
Power of Wit and Witness
Presented by
The Rev. Dr. Eric W. Gritsch
October 15
Lancaster Host Resort and Conference Center
2300 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster, PA
8:30 AM Registration
9:00 AM Seminar
11:30 AM Lunch
The seminar ends with lunch.
Registration forms are on the bulletin board. Cost is $10, which will be donated to the Lutheran
Lancaster Habitat for Humanity. This seminar is underwritten by the South Lancaster County
Chapter of Thrivent for Lutherans.
There are two books that are recommended and may be ordered at a cost of $5 each from Thrivent,
South Lancaster County Chapter by September 15. Contact Stephen Ruth at 293-1335 or
[email protected].
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Thrivent Choice Dollars
If you have a Thrivent insurance policy or investments, then you have Thrivent Choice Dollars. You
may direct your Thrivent Choice Dollars to Bergstrasse Lutheran Church.
Online:
 Visit Thrivent.com/thriventchoice
 Click on ―log in‖ at the top right of your screen and enter your MyThrivent user ID and password.
(If you haven’t registered on Thrivent.com, click on ―register now‖ to register for full access.)
 Look for your designated Choice Dollars on the right side of the screen.
 Click on ―Direct Choice Dollars‖ in the Thrivent Choice box on your MyThrivent page.
 Search the catalog of organizations to find the organization you want to select.
 Click on ―Direct Choice Dollars Now‖ to direct your designated Choice Dollars to benefit that
organization.
By Phone:
 Call 1-800-847-4836 and when prompted, say, ―Thrivent Choice.‖
 When prompted, say, ―Choice Dollars.‖
 Say or enter your Social Security number.
 Press 1 to direct choice Dollars or press 2 to hear the Thrivent Choice program terms and
conditions.
 A representative will then work with you to direct Choice Dollars.
Follow God’s Lead
Have you ever watched a well-trained dog walk with its master? On or off a leash, the dog will slow
or quicken its pace, turn left or right, or immediately stop at the soft command of his master’s voice.
Such isn’t the case with my pooch. Either he’s straining ahead or lagging behind, darting after a bird
or stubbornly lingering over an interesting scent. He isn’t content to follow my lead.
Sometimes that latter scene resembles my own walk with God. At times, I rush ahead or lag behind,
veer to the right or stumble to the left, oblivious of my Master’s pace and direction. How much better
to walk closely with God and let him lead!
―O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping
covenant and steadfast love for your servants who walk before you with all their heart‖ (1 Kings
8:23, NRSV).
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