November - Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church
Transcription
November - Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church
The Hilltopper Like us on Facebook! Take a look and remember to like us. Look for Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church of Johnstown, PA. Check out our website at www.mt-calvarylutheran.org November 2015 - Volume 72 - Issue 11 Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church - 266-4859 1000 Scalp Ave., Johnstown, PA 15904 E-Mail - [email protected] Worship Times – Saturdays 5:30pm & Sundays 9:15am Sunday School –10:30am Web Site - www.mt-calvarylutheran.org Assembly Team… Church Staff… Linda Barnhart Shirley Brendle Joan Bunnell Lois Gallus Gladys Haupt Howard Hiltz Wilma Hiltz Bob Kamler Becky Lilja Dee Locher Mary Ann Mapes Walt Mattern Audrey Rubis Deb Wicks Reverand Walter Startzel, Interim Pastor Daniel Gresh, Director of Music/Organist Sue Cade, Church Secretary Barbara Kane, Assistant Secretary Kathy Ling, Custodian Craig Cassick, Maintenance Mailer… Congregational Council… Bob McMullen, President Claudia Plows, Secretary Paula Nihoff, Treasurer John Colosimo, Stewardship/Admin. Kim Colosimo, Outreach Brian Harshberger, Worship Kim McMullen, Christian Ed Melissa Pringle, Youth Jerry Pozun, Spiritual Life Dick Sholtis, Property Tiffany Swartz, Children & Family Randy Whetzel, Fellowship Ray Leverknight Editors/Typists… Sue Cade Barbara Kane Wealth shines in giving rather than in hoarding: for the miser is hateful, whereas the generous man is applauded. On-line giving is now available. Your support of Mount Calvary is always appreciated, and you may now give on-line if you desire. Here is how it works: >Go to www.mt-calvarylutheran.org. >On the bottom right of the home page click the “donate” button. >You will be taken to a secure PayPal page. (You do not need a PayPal account.) >Enter the amount of your donation and your credit or debit card information. Your donations will be listed on your annual giving statement. All undesignated contributions will go into the General Fund. You can, however, make a contribution to a special cause like the Stepping Forward in Faith Appeal by entering the information in the “purpose” box on the webpage. If you desire, you can also make your offering an automatic monthly contribution. About Our Interim Pastor The Rev. Walter L. Startzel was born in Northumberland County, in the southwest corner of Pennsylvania’s northeastern coal region, September 10, 1946. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, PA, in 1968 and taught public school music in the Northern York County Jr./Sr. High School, Dillsburg, PA for one year. He received the Master of Divinity from Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, PA in 1973 and accepted his first call to parish ministry at Lavansville-Bakersville Lutheran Parish in central Somerset County. He was pastor there at Mt. Calvary and Mt. Zion Lutheran Churches for 13 ½ years. Subsequently, he has served parishes in Stoverstown, York County; Gowen City, Northumberland County; Stoystown and Hooversville, Somerset County, all in Pennsylvania. His final call to Grace Lutheran Church in Stoystown marked the longest pastoral call to that congregation – 25 years -in the entire history of that congregation, founded in 1807. During his final 2 years in Stoystown, he was called by the Allegheny Synod Council to help create a new 2-church parish with the congregations in Stoystown and Hooversville, to be known as the Stonycreek Lutheran Parish. He retired from that ministry on July 1, 2014, purchased a home in Westmont, and began serving as a supply pastor throughout the Johnstown Conference. In addition to being our Interim Pastor at Mount Calvary until a new pastor is called, he is also serving as Vacancy Pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church, Sidman, and St. John Lutheran Church, Summerhill. On the second Sunday of each month he has also been serving as a Supply Pastor at Christ Lutheran Church, Westmont. Prior to that appointment, he had been serving on the second weekend each month at First Lutheran Church, Johnstown. Pastor Startzel is actively involved in the life of Allegheny Synod, chairing the Allegheny Synod Worship Committee and as a faculty member in the area of liturgy and worship in the synod’s DYD (Discerning Your Discipleship) program. DYD now helps prepare lay worship leaders to assist in the congregations of our Allegheny Synod. Pastor Startzel is very much enjoying his time here at Mount Calvary and joins the congregation in prayer that a new pastor will soon be called as the Holy Spirit guides and enlightens us through this process. Mount Calvary at a Glance For November 2015 Altar Guild Patricia Cox and Linda Barnhart Lay Assistants Saturday 7th 14th 21st 28th Sunday 1st 8th 15th 22nd 29th 5:30 pm 5:30 pm 5:30 pm 5:30 pm Cindy Solarzcyk Kathy Carr Claudia Plows Kathy Ling 9:15 am 9:15 am 9:15 am 9:15 am 9:15 am Ray Leverknight Brian Harshberger Susan Brandau Brain Harshberger Harold Ashcraft Greeters Saturday 7th 14th 21st 28th 5:30 pm 5:30 pm 5:30 pm 5:30 pm Plows/Brehm Jack & Janis Daily Jack & Janis Daily Jack & Janis Daily 9:15 am 9:15 am 9:15 am 9:15 am 9:15 am McMullen Family McMullen Family Don & Carol Sauter Don & Carol Sauter Don & Carol Sauter Sunday 1st 8th 15th 22nd 29th Saturday 5:30 pm 5:30 pm 5:30 pm 5:30 pm Emily Blinda Shane Katrancha Blake Brehm Shane Katrancha 9:15 am 9:15 am 9:15 am 9:15 am Zach Swartz Sunday 1st 8th 15th 22nd 29th 9:15 am Saturday 7th 14th 21st 28th Sunday 5:30 pm 5:30 pm 5:30 pm 5:30 pm 9:15 am Jack & Janis Daily Bill & Paula Nihoff Jack & Janis Daily Bill & Paula Nihoff Brian & Stephanie Hockensmith Parish Prayers – please remember these family friends and loved ones in your prayers: Roslyn Roberts, Laramee, Herb Enos, Josh, Nikki Brehm, Mike, Dave, Karen, Nathan, Don, Ryan, Elisa, Sam, Diane Alt, Gregg Weise, Charles & Caroline Palm, Joann Long, Maggie, Tony, Nancy, Shertzer Family, Will, Stacy, Dorothy, Jaci, Mary Jane, Dwane, Stan, Jim Rice, Ken McClutcheon, Kristy Long, Rev. Bob Kaltenbaugh, Cheryl, Joyce McGibboney, Dan Dixon, Patti and Rick Schubert. General Fund for August Beginning balance Income Expenses Ending balance 37,876.73 19,682.43 11,805.87 45,753.29 “Soul” Food for Thought A congregation is only as strong as its believers. Acolyte 7th 14th 21st 28th Ushers Kadyia Lingfelter HELP WANTED: WELCA is in need of a computer literate person to help with the creation of a brochure about the new walking track that will be developed in the gym. This venture is due to the fact that Mt. Calvary has been award $1000.00 seed grant from the churchwide WELCA organization under the auspices of Raising up Healthy Women and Girls. (more information on that in upcoming newsletters). Call Carol Sauter @495-7183 for further details on the computer guru position (non paid--unless you consider food as payment and of course, undying gratitude!) REMINDERS Choir Practice: Wednesdays at 7 Sunday School: Sunday School at 10:30 Bell Choir Practice: Sundays at 11:30 am Volleyball: Sundays at 7:00 pm Church Women United: World Community Day , Fri., Nov. 6 at 11:45 am Women’s Bible Study: Thursday, Nov. 12 at 1:00 WELCA: Thurs., November 12, at 6:30 Salvation Army Bell Ringing: Saturday, November 14 from 10 am - 8:30 pm Council Meeting: Monday, November 16 at 7:00 Thanksgiving Worship & Pie Social: Thursday, November 25 at 7:00 Advent Rally Day: Sunday, November 29 at 10:30 Saturday’s Kitchen: Sunday, Dec., 6, Blood Drive: Friday, December 11, between 12:30 and 6:00 Congregational Christmas Dinner: Sunday, December 13 at 5:30 Christmas Pageant: Sunday, December 13 at 5:30 Christmas Eve Worship: December 24 at 6:00 and 10:00 pm Containers Needed The Altar Guild is in need of pretzel (peanut butter stuffed) containers for altar flowers. If you have any or could save some it would be appreciated. Bell Choir Bell Choir practice starts November 8th, 11:30 am after Sunday School. Autumn Boutique Update Confirmation Process Dates for 2015-2016 Please Save These Dates Core Courses: (7th & 8th graders) -The Lord’s Prayer - Winter Core Course Retreat, February 5-7 at Camp Sequanota [or MakeUp, to be determined.] -Church History-. Sunday, April 3, 2:00-7:30 p.m. [or Make-Up, Monday, April 4, 3:008:30 p.m.] Confirmation Camp: (All 7th graders required) –At Sequanota with other groups and their pastors from our synod. Sunday afternoon, June 12- Friday evening, June 17. (8th graders welcome to return for a 2nd year.) 5th & 6th Grade F.R.O.G. Retreat at Camp Sequanota: for all Mt. Calvary 5th & 6th graders (plus 7th grade) Saturday, April 9th (evening) — Sunday, April 10th (early afternoon) The Giving Tree – Be a “Helping Hand” The Giving Tree will be set up in the narthex Nov. 7. On the tree you will find gift tags with “Bag of Candy” written on them. Take a gift tag for candy and place candy under the tree. Also on the tree will be envelopes marked with different denominations. Return your envelope designated “Helping Hand Mission in the offering plate or drop off at the Church Office. The Sunday School will also donate candy. All donations will go to the Helping Hand Mission in Portage, PA. Mt. Calvary has been reaching out to the Helping Hand Mission for many years. Thrivent Financial will supplement our monetary gifts. Thank you for being a “Helping Hand”! Our Auxiliary ALSM efforts were very fruitful this year; we raised about $5,100. + $650. from Thrivent Financial. All proceeds will benefit the residents of the Johnstown Campus; we will determine what to purchase at our evaluation meeting. Thanks for your support. Lois Gallus, Treasurer A LSM Aux. Christmas Gifts Needed? How about T-Shirts, Sweatshirts & Jackets? WELCA is selling short and long sleeve t-shirts, sweatshirts, fleece jackets and denim shirts with the Mt. Calvary logo on them. Order forms are available in the narthex. The deadline for orders is November 8th. Payment is due with order. World Community Day Our Journey Together Sponsored By Johnstown Council of Church Women United Friday, November 6, 2015 Registration: 11:45 am Lunch 12:00 noon with program to follow. Mt. Sinai Institutional Baptist Church 351 Second Street, (E. Conemaugh) Guest Speaker: Rev. Webster Israel Our theme focus is bringing Christian women together from different cultural backgrounds to share stories from their Christian journey. The goal of this worship is to unite the faith community in a time of praise and worship that demonstrates Christ’s reconciling love to the community, the country, and the world. Thanks for Caring & Sharing with less fortunate individuals. Because of your generosity, 80 people from third world countries or those experiencing a natural disaster will have basic items we take for granted. They will have their “own” towel & soap to bathe, a toothbrush, comb & nail clippers. We also sent 6 blankets and $ 400.00 to purchase additional blankets, and provided $50.00 shipping costs. Kudos to the 7th & 8th grade Sunday School Class for assembling the Personal Care Kits. A generous parishioner supplied 16 back pack school kits. Great Job faithful Servants! Calling all Writers for the Advent Devotional All members are welcome to write a devotional for our Advent booklet. Please let us know if you are interested in writing one. November 8th is the deadline to submit your devotion. Name: __________________________________ Place in offing plate or call the church office @ 266-4859 or Sherry Lynn Harshberger at 248-9300. Christmas Pageant 2015 Sunday, December 13th 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm Includes a light supper. All are invited to attend. It’s time to get ready! Meet in the Sanctuary at 11:30 am, Sunday, November 8, 2015. - We’ll practice Bible School and Christmas songs - Assign speaking parts - Talk about props & costumes ideas to! For more details or to request a specific part or parts, contact Sherry Lynn at (814) 248-9300. See you there! Thanks for supporting “The Outreach Ministry Projects” Sharing the Bounty Salvation Army Christmas Angel Gifts …Youth Bake Sale will be held to raise the funds needed to buy these gifts. Anyone can help by donating baked items for the sale…please bring them to the church by 2:00 on Wednesday, Nov. 25 or11:30 on Friday, Nov. 27 Monetary donations will also be appreciated. Bake Sale at Thanksgiving Service and Pie Fest, Nov. 25; Saturday 5:30 service Nov. 28, and Sunday, 9:15 service, Nov. 29 Also, we will be collecting canned soup and boxed macaroni and cheese during the month of November through December 10th to be distributed to the Saturday’s Kitchen guests at the Christmas holiday. Please watch for a table in the Narthex for this food collection and remember how very fortunate we are. BLOOD DRIVE The next blood drive will be held on Friday, December 11, 2015 between 12:00-6:00 PM. Please take the time to come out and donate. Help save a life! SAVE THE DATE Family Winter Fest is coming! January 15-17, 2016 A weekend of winter play, worship, and food is being planned. It will be held in the Enrichment Center at Camp Sequanota. Like Family Camp in the summer this weekend will provide a time for us to get to know each other better, so that we can truly help one another grow as Disciples of Christ. All ages are welcome. Watch for more details later THANKSGIVING WORSHIP AND PIE SOCIAL We will gather for a special holiday Service on Wednesday, Nov., 25, 7:00 p.m. And then gather for a piece of pie following the service. If you have a pie, bring one along, but even if you don’t please join us as we add meaning and prayer to this national holiday. Christmas Eve Worship Services There will be two evening services, 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. candlelight service. SLEEPING MATS FOR THE HOMELESS PROJECT (A Way for Everyone to Help!) As the Outreach Team works toward our latest mission project, creating sleeping mats for the homeless from clean grocery store plastic bags, we are asking the entire congregation for your help. While not everyone is able to crochet the mats, there is a need for people to cut the bags and form the yarn (or “plarn”) which is used to construct the mats, and more basic than this, we need bags! Each mat requires between 500 – 700 bags. A new trash receptacle is in the rear of the Narthex marked for the collection of bags. Instruction sheets detailing both how to cut the bags to prepare the plarn and how to crochet the mats are on the bulletin board directly above the receptacle. If you prefer to work as an individual, that is fine. Anyone interested in getting together for a “Plarn Party” to cut bags and prepare for crocheting, please call Kim Colosimo at 254-4558. Poinsettias ~ World Hunger 2015 Enclosed in this mailing is an envelope for Poinsettias and world Hunger. The deadline for poinsettia orders is Sunday, December 6th, cost $8.50. HARVEST HOME Mark your calendar NOW!! Congregation Christmas Dinner Sunday, Dec. 13 5:30 PM More details in the December Hilltopper. Harvest Home is a tradition of sharing and caring among Lutherans that support The Lutheran Homes of Allegheny Lutheran Social Ministries (ALSM) through contributions designated for food for the residents. Contributions help defray the cost of food while still providing nutritious meals. Being accepted are donations of canned and boxed food items (no large cans please) which will be delivered to a local food pantry. Food donations should be placed on the “Harvest Home” table in the narthex from November 8th thru the end of November. Lois Gallus has been chosen as recipient of the 2015 Helping Hand Award. Her efforts to serve people through a ministry of love, compassion, and mercy in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ were exemplified by her tireless work, and service to help others in our community and surrounding area. Lois received the 2015 Help Hand Award at the Lutheran Social Ministries’ Annual Dinner on Thursday, October 22, 2015 at the Altoona Heritage Discovery Center. It is with sorrow, yet with firm faith in the resurrection that we announce the death of: Becky Shertzer Memorials Memorial Gifts in Memory of Ida Ross By Mary & Jane Utzman Ellen Haf Ray & Constance Huff Ross Family Trust Betty Weaver Cobb County School District Memorial Gifts in Memory of Pastor Ron Reed By Linda McMullen Dana Begley Raymond & Patricia McGraw Memorial Gifts in Memory of Owen Ketterer By Jayne Dunbar Mount Calvary Shawl Ladies, Thank you so much for your very generous donation to warm up Johnstown. In a few weeks, your scarves will be distributed throughout the city to those in need. You are all a blessing! Jessica – Warm Up Johnstown A huge “Thank You” to everyone who helped make the Flea Market a success. From marking items, setting up and volunteering on Saturday, we want to thank you. We made $1009.75 Flea Market Committee Thank you for thinking of me. It helped make me a happier and less anxious person. God bless you and all the Sunday school youth at my church. Luella Koontz Note: During the October Rally Day the Sunday school classes learned about Stewardship. As part of their Stewardship project they made “Thinking of You” cards for the shut in and others in our congregation. Memorial Gifts in Memory of Rebecca Shertzer By Dana Begley Book Discussion Monday, January 18, 6:00 p.m. 2016 Envelopes can be picked up in the narthex. Water’s Edge by Robert Whitlow Ambitious young attorney Tom Crane is about become a partner in a high-profile Atlanta law firm to. But first he must clear one final matter from his docket—the closing of his deceased father's law practice in his hometown of Bethel, Georgia. Killed in a mysterious boating accident, John Crane didn't appear to leave his son anything except the hassle of wrapping up loose ends. Please get yourself a copy, pour yourself a cup of tea, enjoy some time reading, and then join in the discussion. Everyone is welcome. Every year the offering envelopes are renumbered so they are in alphabetical order. Your number may have changed from last year. So, beginning Jan. 1, throw away your 2015 offering envelopes and start using your 2016 offering envelopes. If you have received envelopes and choose not to have them, OR if you did not receive envelopes and would like to have offering envelopes, please call the church office. Also, help deliver envelopes to your friends and neighbors. Thank you! CONGRATULATIONS! Coffee Hour / “Fill” the Need Donations of packaged cookies are needed to fill our cupboard. Hot coffee and tea will be provided after worship services during the next several months. If setting the table is not your “cup of tea”, no problem. You can still help by offering a donation of packaged cookies or by giving a monetary donation. Monetary donations can be given thru the church office and cookie donations can be placed on the table in the Narthex next to the volunteer sign-up sheet. Coffee hour is a time to spend in fellowship, sharing a few moments of your time with your friends and family of Mt. Calvary. We sincerely hope that this time is meaningful to all of you. In advance, thank you for considering a donation and/or volunteering your time. We rejoice with the following young people who were confirmed on Sunday, October 25, 2015 Emily Ann Belinda Christina Marie Cononie Cassidy Jordan Eash Lindsey Marie Pullin Rachael Nicole Wolfhope ALL SAINTS DAY MEMORIAL BON TON Community Days NOVEMBER 2, 2014 to NOVEMBER 1, 2015 Boscov's did it now its BON TON'S turn! Four days in November ‐‐‐November 11‐14 ‐‐your donation of $5.00 ** Helen Pfaff Owen Ketterer will get you over $500 and more in exclusive Dorothy Roth Betty Vince savings. Its BON TON'S community days and you are ** John Bigler Patricia Nolte the winner. Get $10 off coupon and a 30% off coupon Richard Hambright Brian Tressler and that's just the tip of the iceberg. There's lots of sale Louise Byroade Ida Ross items‐ like housewares, sleepwear, coats, clothes for **Thomas Culp Pastor Ron Reed the entire family. Bargains galore. Contact the church Raymond Wagner Rebecca Shertzer office or any WELCA member. ** ‐ Non‐members Check out the Sunday School and Confirmation Bulletin Boards for the latest photos from our Rally Day, Worship Retreat Core Course and Confirmation Camp. Additional photos are on our website. GRACE BANNERS A description of the different Grace Banners hanging in the Sanctuary is available in the narthex. FROM THE STAFF OF MOUNT CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH & THE RICHLAND LEARNING CENTER Church Office Closed Thursday, November 26th and Friday, November 27th Sunday School Teachers and Helpers Meeting Sunday, Nov. 8 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM Meet in the Conference Room Dessert will be served. Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign We are looking for some friendly faces to greet shoppers at the Market Basket location and raise funds during the Salvation Army Red Kettle campaign on Saturday, November 14th. Time slots are available from 10:00 a.m. until 8:30 p.m. (Slots are 10 ‐11:30, 11:30 to 1:00, 1‐2:30, 2:30‐ 4:00, 4‐5:30, 5:30‐7:00 and 7‐8:30). It has been found in our area that when organizations like ours volunteer for the day, kettle donations typically increase by 35%! Please consider adding your name to the signup sheet in the Narthex for this worthwhile opportunity. ADVENT RALLY DAY November 29 10:30 AM All youth Sunday School classes will be in Sander Hall. Join us for a video, craft, service project, and MORE!! Saturday’s Kitchen Sunday, December 6th is Mount Calvary’s last day in 2015 to have the privilege of serving food to guests at Saturday’s Kitchen. If you have done this before, you know how rewarding the experience can be. If you have not, we welcome new faces. We’ll need to arrive by 11:00 a.m. and will be done by 1:15 at the latest. Please call either the church office or Kim Colosimo at 254‐4558 with questions or interest. Calling any artistic person!!! We need someone who could paint a logo on each end of the gym in the next few weeks. It would be the church logo of 3 crosses on hills either with or without the "reflection" of the cross on the hill as in the original logo. Please let the church office know if you can fill the bill. The first thanksgiving was celebrated by two different groups of people coming together and sharing food. They didn’t even speak the same language, yet they broke bread as one. From the time our children are little, parents can be heard saying, “You need to share that.”, “You have two, give the other to someone else.” This year for Harvest Home, take your child shopping and let him/her choose their favorite food to donate. Explain that like the Indians on the first Thanksgiving, we are sharing our bounty with another. Even if that bounty is Lucky Charms or Fruit Loops. Enjoy Thanksgiving with your family and Give Thanks. PROPOSED CHANGE TO BY ‐LAWS Why is Mount Calvary’s Council proposing these changes to our By‐laws? In 2010 this was changed so that there would be a 2 year term and new council would be elected bi‐annually with a 2 year term. With this set up it would be possible that all 12 members of council could leave at the same time, with 12 new members not knowing what was done or needs to be completed. It would make for a stronger council if some members were left on council when new members come in. In the past it was that council shall be elected for 3 years and could serve 2 terms. At any one time only 4 members of council would leave and 8 would remain. The terms of one third (1/3) of the members of the congregation council shall expire each year. What is being proposed? That section B12.02.01 of the by‐laws be changed to read. Members of the congregational council shall be elected for a term of three (3) years at the January meeting of the congregation. Terms of one third (1/3) of the members of congregational council shall expire each year. Terms shall coincide with Chapter12 (C12.02) of the Constitution. JOHNSTOWN CONFERENCE MEETING October 21, 2015 Bishop Michael opened the Conference meeting with devotions on Matthew 28. He continued to explain that the Allegheny Synod is made up of 116 congregations, 7 counties, and an average of 35,000 in attendance each Sunday throughout the Synod. Bishop Michael explained the definition of Synod, which means “Walking Together.” In Bishop Michael’s presentation on Mission Support he stressed the importance of what our ministry is within the Synod. He explained the various ways we do provide ministry and service in our congregations and the Synod. Each congregation has their own ways of providing service in their communities however, it is also important to provide support to the Synod so they can provide each congregation with services. The Bishop discussed the challenge to each congregation. He is asking each member of each congregation to help support the ministry and services the Synod provides by trying to give $1.00 more a week to the benevolence fund for mission support. He is also asking all congregations to increase the amount they are currently giving each year for mission support. We do not have a money problem in our congregations. WE HAVE A SHARING PROBLEM!!! LET’S REMEMBER WHAT JESUS HAS DONE FOR US…and do as this little duck is doing and take a little step in our benevolence by giving $1.00 more each week. He sends his thanks… Respectfully Submitted by: Claudia Plows The Hilltopper NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 121 JOHNSTOWN, PA. 1000 Scalp Avenue Johnstown, PA 15904-3035 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Sent With A Prayer To: __________________________ November 2015 Thanksgiving Service and Pie Social Wednesday, November 25, 2015 at 7:00 pm Mount Calvary’s prayer for mission: Send your Holy Spirit, O Lord, to guide the ministry of Mount Calvary that we may grow together as disciples of Jesus Christ. Inspire our worship, give wisdom to our learning, be the center of our fellowship, encourage our giving, and give zeal to our witness. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen