thanks to you… - Zion`s Evangelical Lutheran Church
Transcription
thanks to you… - Zion`s Evangelical Lutheran Church
Zion’s Messenger APRIL 2014 FROM THE PASTOR.. Dear Sisters and Brothers, By now I hope that you have noticed the signs at church that proclaim, “IT’S COMING APRIL 6TH!”. The “IT” is Consecration Sunday. It will be an opportunity for you to express your thankfulness for God’s many blessings in your life through the renewing of your financial commitment to Zion’s. As you prepare for that day, I would like to share with you a story about two seas that was written by Gayle D. Erwin several years ago. There are two seas in Palestine. One is fresh, and fish are in it. Splashes of green adorn its banks. Trees spread their branches over it and stretch out their thirsty roots to sip of its healing waters. Along its shores the children play, as children played when Jesus was there. He loved it. He could look across its silver surface when he spoke his parables. And on a rolling plain not far away he fed five thousand people. The River Jordan makes this sea with sparkling water from the hills. So it laughs in the sunshine. And men build their houses near to it, and birds their nests; and every kind of life is happier because it is there. The River Jordan flows on south into another sea. Here is no splash of fish, no fluttering leaf, no song of birds, no children's laughter. Travelers choose another route, unless on urgent business. The air hangs heavy above its water, and neither man nor beast nor fowl will drink. What makes this mighty difference in these neighbor seas? Not the river Jordan. It empties the same good water into both. Not the soil in which they lie not the country about. This is the difference. The Sea of Galilee receives but does not keep the Jordan. For every drop that flows into it another drop flows out. The giving and receiving go on in equal measure. The other sea is shrewder, hoarding its income jealously. It will not be tempted into any generous impulse. Every drop it gets, it seeks to keep. The Sea of Galilee gives and lives. This other sea gives nothing. It is named The Dead. There are two kinds of people in the world. 1 As one who has strong Pennsylvania Dutch ties, I have had to resist the temptation to be overly thrifty in my sharing of the financial gifts with which God has blessed me all of my life. Generosity has not always been easy for me, especially when something has gone wrong and it would have been nice to have had some extra cash handy, but I am also aware that giving has brought me so much joy. Like you I have learned through the years that I have a need to give, and Susan and I have grown beyond tithing. I invite you to let God’s Spirit of abundance and generosity loose as you prepare to fill out your estimate of giving on the 6th during the 8 am or 10:30 am worship services. Exercise your need to give! Yours in Christ, WORSHIP MATTERS A Change in Communion Procedures to Start April 6th After discussion by the worship committee, the altar guild and the congregation council, the decision was made to become more systematic in our distribution of the sacrament of Holy Communion. Beginning at worship services on April 6, 2014 we will be gathering around the altar whenever we celebrate Holy Communion. To enable the distribution of the bread/wafers and wine in a timely manner, we will be adding an assistant to help the pastor distribute the bread/wafers. Those coming forward for communion should always fill in around the altar beginning at the front. When individuals have received the bread/wafers and the wine, they are welcome to remain for a moment, but then they can rise and return to their seats via the center aisle. Individuals will no longer wait for the whole group to be communed. Persons who have been waiting can begin to come forward and fill in the spots at the altar rail that were vacated. Those of us who are serving will always do so from the front of the altar to the back on each side. Doing this should enable us to offer communion in as timely a manner as “the picnic style” and we will eliminate any confusion regarding the method of distribution each week. Other glitches might arise, so we ask you to be patient and to work with your leaders in making the distribution of the sacrament as reverent as possible, while not prolonging unnecessarily our time in worship. Special Service Planned for Palm-Passion Sunday (April 13th) Worship that day will be a treat for our senses as we retell the events of a pivotal week in the life of Christ. The services will begin with Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. This portion will include an opportunity for the congregation to sing The Palms and for our children to have an active part in the proceedings. Then we will move off into the events of Holy Week. A dancer/mime will give us glimpses of Christ’s emotions that he experienced and the love that he poured out to everyone throughout the week. A drummer will help worshippers experience the rhythms of those days and readers will remind us of the words that were spoken and what was done to the one who was without sin. Worship will conclude with the sacrament of Holy Communion and worshippers will depart in silence to contemplate the mystery and majesty of God’s love for us and the whole creation. Maundy Thursday – Foot-washing and Stripping of the Altar Thursday evening we will gather to remember what Christ did for his disciples as he gathered and ate with them for the last time. The liturgy will be simple and will include the rite of foot-washing, the sacrament of Holy Communion and the dramatic stripping of the altar. This service also will end in silence. Good Friday – The Passion of the Crucifixion The altar will be bear and the lighting subdued as we gather to reflect upon the events of the first Good Friday. The story will be simply told and hymns will be interspersed amidst the readings, and finally the sanctuary will be plunged into a time of darkness as the Christ candle is removed and worship concludes with a simple recitation of the Apostles’ Creed and Lord’s Prayer. Easter Worship – Celebrating the Resurrection All the stops will be open as we gather in praise and thanksgiving for the great gift of salvation won through Christ’s suffering, death and resurrection. Worship services will be held at 6:30 am and 10:00 am. With the congregation council breakfast between the two services along with Sunday School at 9:15 am. The 6:30 am service will focus upon our baptism and how through the waters of baptism God connects us to the death and resurrection of Christ. We will be invited to experience the uncertainty of the disciples that first Easter and rejoice with them when they come to realize that Christ is no longer dead but lives! The 10:30 am service will be joy-filled festival of word, music and sacrament as the brass and orcheband will join our talented choirs, directors and musicians in leading us to experience the fullness of Christ’s resurrection! Mark your calendar and plan to be present for all of these special opportunities for worship and the retelling of the old, old story of our salvation. Northern Berks Ministerium Cross Walk and Worship The ministerium of northern Berks is planning its traditional Cross Walk in the community and Worship Service on Good Friday, April 18, 2014. As plans are not fully laid at this time, watch our Sunday bulletins for further details. MID-WEEK LENTEN MEAL & WORSHIP The schedule each Wednesday evening is as follows: 6:15 pm – A meal of soup and bread 7:00 pm – Worship (Holden Evening Prayer) 7:45 pm – Conversation in the Gold Room on the topic for the evening 8:15 pm – Departure Individuals are welcome to come as they are able each evening and on the weeks that they are able. While the weekly presentations form a series around the theme, Life Questions for the Christian Journey, you do not have to be in attendance every week to get something out of future topics. Here is the listing of the topics for each Wednesday evening: April 2 – Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People? April 9 – Why Forgiveness Is Important? WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES IN APRIL APRIL 6/ FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT 8 & 10:30 A.M.- Services of Holy Communion APRIL 13/ PALM SUNDAY 8 A.M.- Worship Service 10:30 A.M.- Service of Holy Communion APRIL 18/MAUNDY THURSDAY 7 P.M. – service with Holy Communion APRIL 19/GOOD FRIDAY 7 P.M. – Worship APRIL 20/ EASTER 6:30 A.M. Early Dawn Service with Holy Communion 10:30 A.M. Service of Holy Communion SAVE THE DATE: BENEFIT CONCERT AND DINNER APRIL 27/ FIRST SUNDAY OF EASTER 8 A.M. Contemporary Service 10:30 A.M. Worship Service Sunday, May 4, 2014 3 pm concert - featuring Zion's musical groups - bells, brass, choir, praise band - duets and solos. Also including a special guest appearance by organist Bruce Rohrbach. Free-will offering. 5 pm dinner - pig roast, including pulled pork, roll, cole slaw, potato salad, apple sauce, beverages and homemade dessert. Tickets: $8 in advance, $10 at the door. Take-out available All proceeds will be used to help defray Wellesley's medical expenses. 3 THANKS TO YOU… ACOLYTES April More than nets In Malawi, preventing malaria is more than handing out nets. The ELCA Malaria Campaign, working through the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malawi, has handed out nets but has also worked to educate people about the signs and symptoms of malaria. People like Maria (pictured). When one of Maria’s sons became sick – she knew it was probably malaria and she knew she needed to act fast. But the nearest hospital was eight miles away. Without transportation or money for transportation her son was potentially facing life or death. Thankfully Maria was able to take out a loan through the village savings and loan group. With this loan, she was able to pay for a bike taxi and take her son to the hospital to get the treatment he desperately needed. The ELCA Malaria Campaign is helping support sustainable solutions like the village savings and loan group that helped Maria get her son to the hospital. Simple training and supplies are all it takes to get these groups up and running. Community members invest their own money – as little as 25 cents a week – to grow a loan fund and save money that can make a huge difference. For Maria’s family, that huge difference was a bike taxi. For others, it’s paying for an extra net so that a growing family is protected. The village savings and loan group exists so that community members can continue anti-malaria efforts, helping themselves and others. 2 – 7:00 pm. Brett Daub 6 – 8:00 am. Julia Doklan 6 – 10:30 am. Autumn Eyer 9 – 7:00 pm. Ryan Kemp 13 – 8:00 am. MacKenzie Stocks 13 – 10:30 am. Trevor Fegley 17 – 7:00 pm. Chaz Cornman 18 – 7:00 pm. Brett Daub 20 – 6:30 am. Trevor Fegley & Karyna Blandford 20 – 10:30 am. Logan Heffner & Brooke Bensinger 27 – 8:00 am. Chaz Cornman 27 – 10:30 am. Brett Daub LECTORS April 6 – 8:00 am. Jeanette Heckman 6 – 10:30 am. Faye Heckman 13 – 8:00 am. Rita Decker 13 – 10:30 am. Susan Lutz 20 – 6:30 am. Venus Fioravanti 20 – 10:30 am. Eileen Puglia 27 – 8:00 am. Henry Seidel 27 – 10:30 am. Joe Leone GREETERS April 6 – 8:00 am. Venus Fioravanti 6 – 10:30 am. Susan & Woodrow Lutz 13 – 10:30 am. Brenda Hartman & Myrle Werley 20 – 10:30 am. Barbara Shafer & Maylynn Wagner 27 – 10:30 am. Leone Family MAIL TEAM #1 Wednesday, April 24, 7:00 pm. Harry & Shirley Sohon, Ruth & Gary Wilhelm, Linda Sousley NURSERY ATTENDANTS April 6 – Ruth Ann Eyer & Logan Heffner 13 – Tiffany Gruber & Brandi Seidel 20 – Joe Leone & MacKenzie Stocks 27 – Eileen Puglia & Nathan Bender OPPORTUNITY HOUSE MEAL leave church at 5:30 pm. April 23 – Brian Smith, Rita Decker, Jeanette Heckman, Christine Miller Your gifts to the ELCA Malaria Campaign are at work through 13 Lutheran partners in Africa. We are uniquely positioned to help provide mosquito nets, education, testing, medication and more to help eliminate deaths from this disease OFFERING VOLUNTEERS April 6 – 10:30 am. Michael Puglia 13 – 10:30 am. Brian Smith 20 – 10:30 am. David Mengle 27 – 10:30 am. Paul Engle RESPONSIBILITIES FOR APRIL ALTAR GUILD Ruth Hoppes, Mabel & Phares Fry 4 MEMBERSHIP NOTES ADDRESS CHANGES William Miller 1463 Main St. Shoemakersville, PA 19555 Bradley & Jenelle Reinhart P.O. Box 232 350 Ridge Rd. Shoemakersville, PA 19555 ZION’S UNIFIED FUND through February 28, 2014 Beginning Balance Current Offerings Special Offerings Sub Total Current Expenses Fund Balance Katie Stefan 608 W. Spring St. Fleetwood, PA 19522 BAPTISMS – AC Balance as of 1-1/14 AC Offering AC Payback AC Balance as of 12/31/12 $ 1,654.88 25,835.45 2,685.00 30,175.33 - 38,962.07 - 8,786.74 0.00 605.00 0.00 605.00 SHUT-IN CARD SHOWER Riley Michael Heckman, son of Michael & Jessica Heckman was baptized on March 9, 2014 April Shut in Birthday: Mary Ellen Fraunfelter will celebrate her birthday on April 28. Her address is: 1425 Philadelphia Ave. #242, Chambersburg, PA 17201 FOOD BANK UPDATE Our April Collection will be MACARONI & CHEESE. Please place your donations in the box in the Narthex. Thank you. Paisley Rebecca Blank, daughter of Brandon & Danielle Blank was baptized on March 9, 2014 5 CHURCH COUNCIL CORNER Brian Moroney was elected by unanimous vote at the Tuesday, March 11th Church Council meeting, to fill one of its two vacant positions. In keeping with Zion’s Constitution, Brian will serve until the 2015 Annual meeting, when the congregation will have the opportunity to re-elect him for a regular term should he be willing at that time to run. Thank you, Brian, for your commitment! Our annual EASTER EGG HUNT will be held on Saturday morning, April 19th at 9:30 am. We welcome everyone from toddlers through adults to come out for the hunt. The Egg Hunt is held rain or shine. Please bring your favorite Easter basket and meet in the Fellowship Hall by 9:30 am. Friends are welcome. Adult volunteers are needed. Please see Eileen Puglia. At the December meeting, Council referred the Child/Youth Protection Guidelines to the Christian Education and Youth Ministry leadership for a complete review. Both those groups immediately went to work and as a result of their efforts, Council was able to unanimously approve the revised Guidelines at their March meeting. MONETARY DONATIONS are always welcome to help offset the cost of the eggs, candy, prizes, and crafts. If you wish to make a donation, please see either a Fellowship Committee member, or place donation in the offering basket marked for the Egg Hunt. Pastor Ritter reported on the Community Garden and the progress made by that committee is awe inspiring! They have managed in a very short time to locate and design the plot, assemble workers from the local community and solicit funding, equipment and supplies. Now it is just a matter of waiting for the weather to cooperate so the planting can begin. BOILING OF EGGS FOR THE EGG HUNT. We are asking the congregation to help with the boiling of eggs. The eggs can be picked up Palm Sunday, April 13th and returned by 10:30 am Good Friday. The youth will color the eggs the morning of Good Friday. This year’s Synod Assembly will take place at Split Rock Lodge on May 30th and 31st. In addition to the Pastor, each congregation is expected to send two delegates, one male and one female. Mitch Shestok has agreed to attend but Zion’s still needs a female representative. Participants will elect our next bishop for a six year term. Any woman interested in attending, please let Pastor Ritter know. You can find more information on the Synod website at www.nepsynod.org. ALL YOUTH IN GRADES 6TH THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL are needed to help color Easter Eggs on Friday, April 18th. We will start at 10:30 am and will provide pizza for lunch. We will also need help from the youth to hide the Easter Eggs on Saturday morning at 8:45 am. Any questions, please see Eileen Puglia. Are you familiar with Zion’s Vision Statement? Could you recite it if asked? That’s alright, none of us can either. So, the focus of Council’s annual team building retreat, scheduled for Saturday, April 5th, is to come up with a version that is concise, inspiring, clear and easy to remember. Hopefully, we’ll have something worthy to submit for congregational approval by the end of the session. 6 Our ham and egg breakfast has become a special part of Zion's Easter celebration. We welcome members and friends to stay for breakfast following the Sunrise Holy Communion or come for breakfast before Sunday Church School begins. There is no charge, but a free will offering is encouraged. The meal will be served from 7:45 a.m. through 9 a.m. Please join us for our April 20th Easter Breakfast! The following plants are available for sponsoring on Easter Sunday, April 20th. Lilies (3-5 bloom) (white only) Azaleas (6 inch pot) (purple only) Tulips (6 inch pot) (pink & lavendar only) Daffodils (yellow only) ORCHEBAND TO PLAY $8.00 $11.00 $8.00 $8.00 A sign-up sheet is posted on the Narthex bulletin board. Please indicate color of flowers on sheets. Deadline to sign up is April 6th. Thank you. Orcheband will be playing again this year at the 10:30 am. Easter Service on Sunday, March 31st. We will practice April 13th after the 10:30 service and on Easter Sunday at 9:30 am. A sign up sheet is posted on the bulletin board in the narthex. Any questions call Dan Geist at 610-926-5077 or ask any brass member. A Peach Festival organizational meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 1st at 7 pm. anyone interested in helping with this event is invited to attend the meeting. COMMUNITY LENTEN SERIES Lenten Series sponsored by the Northern Berks Ministerium “Finding Jesus Where?...” will be held each Thursday in Lent, at 11:30 am. with a Prayer Service and soup lunch Schedule: LAWN MOWING VOLUNTEERS April 3 – here at Zion’s “Meeting the Neighbors” April 10 – St. Paul’s “Smoke” Lutheran “Homecoming” A sign up sheet will be posted on the Bulletin Board in the Narthex for those interested in helping to maintain the lawn this summer. All interested volunteers are urged to attend a meeting to set the final mowing schedule on April 17th at 7 PM at the church. Contact: Michael Puglia (610) 562-9512 Good Friday, April 18 – “Cross Walk” in Hamburg, 11 am. Prayer Service at Bethany United Methodist at 12 noon. (Does not include luncheon.) A freewill offering will be taken in support of the Ministerium’s emergency response outreach ministry. 7 Mr. Luther Kunkel C/O Linda Jones 2412 Province Rd. Reading, PA 19610 PLEASE REMEMBER OUR SHUT INS THIS EASTER We have compiled a list of our shut-ins’ names and addresses. Will you please remember them on Easter Day with a card? Thanks! Mrs. Edith Reppert 4100 Seventh Ave. Temple, PA 19560 Mrs. Jane Francis Grand View Manor 129 Houck Rd. Fleetwood, PA 19522 Mrs. Delite Kramer Kutztown Manor 120 Trexler Ave. Kutztown PA 19530 Mrs. Dorothy Kline Laurel Center 125 Holly Rd. Hamburg, PA 19526 Mrs. Helen Wanner 604 Main St. Shoemakersville, PA 19555 Mr. & Mrs. David Peters 267 Zion’s Church Rd. Shoemakersville, PA 19555 IHARTHARVEST, INC. - THE POTATO PROJECT 2014 Miss Grace Yeager 1 South Home Avenue D 318 Topton, PA 19562 The Potato Project 2014, Seed Potato Cutting Sessions will be held Saturday, April 26th 1PM at The Raudenbush Farm Barn, 435 Dryville Rd., Fleetwood, PA 19522. And again Sunday if needed April 27th 1PM. Bring your own knife and snacks. Please come, your help is needed. This is a rain or shine event. http://IHartHarvest.dyndns.org www.facebook.com/potatoproject Mrs. Marguerite Hepner 1 South Home Avenue D 330 Topton, PA 19562 Mr. & Mrs. Lester Wessner 350 Witchcraft Rd. Hamburg, PA 19526 Mrs. Barbara Mengel 83 Kindts Corner Rd. Shoemakersville, PA 19555 Mr. Donald Smith 463 Zion’s Church Rd. Shoemakersville, PA 19555 As of February 28, 2014 we have raised $179.13 from saving Redner’s Tapes. If you would like to participate in this program, it’s easy. Just get a savea-tape card at the store, put your whole register tapes in the basket in the narthex. Mrs. Mary Ellen Fraunfelter 1425 Philadelphia Ave. # 242 Chambersburg, PA 17201 You must use a SAVE-A-TAPE card from Redner’s for the church to receive credit for the tapes. 8 If manual labor, dirty fingernails or picking produce isn’t your idea of a good time, the Northern Berks Community Garden (that’s us!) could really use your help in coming up with a catchy name for the garden. And if financial support suits you better, checks can be made payable to Zion’s Lutheran Church, with note in the memo section: Community Garden. COMMUNITY GARDEN NEWS An enthusiastic group of seven members aren’t the only ones excited about spring’s arrival! Several members of Zion’s have been coming together to develop a plan for the Northern Berks Community Garden to be established here at Zion’s. The driving force behind the project came from Pastor Ritter, who had a connection with St. Peter’s Lutheran Church of Plainfield Township, near Wind Gap, PA. That congregation has been operating a successful community garden for several years, aptly named “God’s Garden of Grace.” David Ketner: [email protected] Eileen Puglia: [email protected] Nancy Dusko: [email protected] Lori Palubinski: [email protected] Wanda Bechtel: [email protected] Melissa Reidenhour: [email protected] Pastor Ritter: [email protected] A project of this scale does not get off the ground without an expression of community support. It has been an awesome experience for the members of our own garden committee to see an outpouring of donations this early in the game in the form of tillage, post hole digging, plastic laying and irrigation equipment, in addition to fence posts, and seeds. FINAL NOTICE & REMINDER OF HISTORY BOOKLET MESSAGES We're setting up the pages and need your remembrance/memory of life at Zion's before our next meeting which is April 22, 2014 - it's also Earth Day. These memories will be included throughout the booklet determined by your message. The rough draft of the booklet is being read by 3 members outside of the committee at this time. So, this is your chance to be part of the "written" history of Zion's Evangelical Lutheran Church. You don't have to be a lifetime member to contribute, because we'd love to receive messages from our newer members as well. You can e-mail your message to the [email protected] or to [email protected] (Nelson & Ruth Ann Eyer), or put it in the offering basket or church office secretary's bin. The Northern Berks Food Pantry and the Salvation Army of Hamburg have also been very helpful in figuring out what will help the most vulnerable members of our community and where we might turn for additional community support and donations. We have also heard of possible interest from the Hamburg Rotary Club. Other youth organizations such as the Hamburg High Ag Club have also been contacted and expressed some interest in helping with this ambitious ministry. The remainder of the seed order has already been placed, plastic for weed barrier and some irrigation equipment has already been purchased. In the near future, the earliest plants will be sown, including peas, onions and cabbage, followed by lettuces, beets, green and wax beans, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, cucumbers, yellow and butternut squash and sweet potatoes. HAPPY KNOTTERS UPDATE On February 17th, Pastor Ritter took 73 quilts from Zion’s to Lutheran Disaster Response of Eastern Pennsylvania in Allentown, PA. Some of the quilts were sent to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Allentown for the homeless who are sleeping there during code blue in the cold weather. They also had a request for 500 quilts for incoming refugees here in eastern PA. the rest of the quilts will be sent to Lutheran World Relief. Thank you to everyone that contributed to this cause. As soon as the weather cooperates, you will see noticeable changes to the Zion’s property as the community garden takes shape – 75’ X 100’ shape. We anticipate that you may have questions or might even want to get your hands dirty as this process unfolds. You are encouraged to contact any of the members listed below and we invite you to join us in this community effort towards a worthwhile cause. Elaine Clark, Happy Knotters 9 hope and humor. The following articles are included: Take a Number, How Old Do You Have to Be to Be Old, Living by Praise, Epiphany, The Cost of Discipleship, Paul Bunyan of the Prairie, If All Began With an Apple.., Act Like a Christian, Carol Burnett and the Spiritual Principle of Giving in Secret, Remarkable Walker Weston, Wait a Minute,Living Light, First Snow, Where Will It Lead?, The Same Price, Joy Jars, Delphino's Hope Locker, Fearfully and Wonderfully Made, Candlemas, "Take Some of My Money, Mom", and Riding with Rachel. Also included in the magazine are, Living Words, Word Find, Puns Intended, Famous Quotes, this'n that from here'n there, On the Lighter Side and a Bible Quiz. LIBRARY SHELVES The following items were purchased and added to the library collection. Some of the items were requested by our members. Killing Jesus - by Stephen Mansfield - the unknown conspiracy behind the world's most famous execution. Siblings Without Rivalry - by Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish – how to help your children live together so you can live too. Help Thanks Wow - by Anne Lamott - the three essential prayers. Killing Jesus - by Bill O'Reilly & Martin Dugard – the bestselling authors of killing Kennedy and killing Lincoln. Almost Christian - by Kenda Creasy Dean - what the faith of our teenagers is telling the American church. This book is based on the results of the National Study of Youth and Religion and investigates why American teenagers are at once so positive about Christianity and at the same time so apathetic about genuine religious practice. The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven - by Kevin & Alex Malarkey – A true story and a remarkable account of miracles, angels, and life beyond this world. 801 Questions Kids Ask About God with answers from the Bible by Focus on the Family - this book is for all ages. The Lost Books - by Ted Dekker - the visual (graphic) edition of the best-selling novels Chosen, Infidel, Renegade, and Chaos. This is a juvenile book with the 4 novels in one book. Barbara Shafer will be ordering the books for the church library in the future. If anyone has any requests, contact Barbara at 484-336-8995. THANK YOU Dear Zion Church Friends, We have been humbly overwhelmed by the support and caring that you have showered on us with cards, offers of help, prayers and the donations and attendance at the fund raiser. We can't thank you enough! You are dear and wonderful people. Thank you so much Wellesley and Ian Keal Volunteers for Sundays in April April 6 Shirlene Epting 13 Carolyn Geist 20 Ruth Ann Eyer 27 Barbara Shafer Next meeting of library volunteers is Monday, April 14 from 6:30 to 8:00 P.M. Dear congregation, I’m writing on behalf of my father, Luther Kunkel, a longtime member of the church. He would like to thank everyone for remembering him with cards, phone calls, and visits. It makes his day a little brighter when that happens! This past Sunday, I took him to the worship service held at Berks Heim. He seemed to enjoy it and even sang along with the hymns. Things are moved around - again - in the church library. All the Dvds are now on the small book case under the white board. "New Arrivals" are at three places either the lower shelves right inside the library door on the right, on the table tops, or on the mobile cart as you enter the library and sometimes in the pews or on display in the narthex. The children's board and paper back books were moved to the shelf next to the small book case. In Christian Love, Luther Kunkel & Linda Jones A new subscription called the "The Lutheran Digest" was ordered for the next two years. It's a small magazine that a woman could carry in her purse. Someone left a copy of this on a library table and I picked it up - read and liked it. The Winter 2014 issue is filled with inspiration, 10 MUSICAL OPPORTUNITIES The Reading Choral Society presents Musique Magnifique RECIPE REQUEST Sunday, April 27, 2014 at 4 pm. Advent Lutheran Church, 16 Telford St. West Lawn This recipe was requested from a Wednesday night Lenten service. (The soup was made by Ruth Ann Eyer) You are invited to spend the afternoon with the Reading Choral Society when they sing music written by G.F. Handel and Gabriel Faure. The concert will feature world renowned soprano, Julianne Baird, two soloists, and an orchestra. The Reading High School Vocal Company will be joining RCS in singing Faure’s Requiem. Hello Soup Season 2 tablespoons butter 1 small onion, chopped 1 stalk celery, chopped 1 medium carrot, chopped 2 medium potatoes, cubed 1 medium butternut squash – peeled, seeded, cubed 1 (32 fluid ounce) container chicken stock Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste Silent Auction and reception to follow concert. General Admission $15 in advance/$20 at door. Students $5. To order tickets, call the RCS office at 610-898-1939 Directions Melt the butter in a large pot and cook the onion, celery, carrot, potatoes and squash 5 minutes, or until lightly browned. Pour in enough of the chicken stock to cover vegetables. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover pot and simmer 40 minutes, or until all vegetables are tender. Transfer the soup to a blender, and blend until smooth. Return to pot, and mix in any remaining stock to attain desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper. Enjoy! The Hawk Mountain Civic Club will be holding a Hoedown on Saturday, April 5th at the Kempton Community Center in Kempton. Doors open at 5:30 pm., Meal starts at 6:30 pm., Dancing at 7:30 pm. Tickets are: Adults - $15.00 in advance Children 6-12 $7.00 * Under 6 – Free For advance tickets call: 610-562-0169 Music by the Majestics with Callers: Paul, Doris, & Lester. CHOCOLATE EVENT Friday, April 4th 6:30 pm. the Fellowship Hall. The Shoemakersville Fire Company would like to thank us for the donation of stuffed animals. These items come in handy at emergency scenes for children that are upset, and help make them calm and more comfortable in their situation. Thank you so much. The event is for all ages who want to enjoy the making, smell, taste & fun of everything chocolate. Sincerely, The Shoemakersville Fire Company Truck Crew Sponsored by Zion’s Women of the ELCA and Chocolate Mountain 11 ZION HISTORY GROUP APRIL EVENTS Please feel free to invite family members, friends and neighbors to our events. Saturday, April 5, 2014 - 2014 Park Day sponsored by Civil War Trust. Nationwide hands-on preservation event at Gettysburg National Military Park Visitor Center, 1195 Baltimore Pike, Gettysburg, PA 17325. Meet at the Visitor Center and ride shuttle bus to work site. 9:15 a.m. is registration. Brush clearing and vegetation management on Little Round Top on the battlefield. We worked at this area in 2013, if area has been completed as of Park Day we will be working at another area. Last year an area that had been projected for work was the fields of Pickett's Charge. Bring work gloves, repellent and sunscreen. Event is rain or shine. Contact person is Barbara Shafer, please call cell 484-336-8995 if you will be participating so we can register for the event. Please invite family, friends or neighbors to the event. Mark Your Calendars: Vacation Bible School will be held at Zion’s June 23-27 from 9 – 11:30 am. Smokey Bear BBQ Date: Saturday ~ May 10, 2014 Time: 11:00 am - 2:00 pm 1/3lb. Pulled Pork w/BBQ Sauce, Bun, Baked Potato, Applesauce & Drink Advanced Price: $8.00 Day of Sale: $8.50 1/3 lb. Beef Brisket w/BBQ Sauce, Bun, Baked Potato, Applesauce & Drink Advanced Price: $8.50 Please let me know if there is an event you would like to have our group plan, Barbara Shafer 484-336-8995. Day of Sale: $9.00 Pick up location: Dollar General Parking Lot Baked Goods Will Be Available For Purchase Purchase tickets at the following Hamburg locations: The Salvation Army Hamburg Service Center 700 S 4th Street Open: Tues, Wed, Thurs: 9am to 4pm Kay Greenawalt State Farm Ins. Agency - 124 S 3rd St Open: Tues, Wed, Thurs: 9am to 5pm Mon & Fri: 9am to 7pm The church will be open from 9 am. – 3 pm. on Good Friday for prayer and meditation. Materials will be provided. Please sign the sheet on the bulletin board. Dietrich’s Men Shop – 320 State Street Open: Mon, Tues & Thurs: 10am to 7pm Fri: 10am to 9pm Sat: 9am to 5pm Local Area Churches Also Have Tickets Available For Purchase Call Kay at 610-562-4025 for details 12 SUMMER CAMP WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18TH to MONDAY, JUNE 23RD The Salvation Army Service Extension’s Hamburg Office is sending 47 children, ages 7 to 12, to CAMP LADORE in the Poconos. COME JOIN THE FUN @ CAMP LADORE! www.ladore.org (click on Youth Services) The Purpose of Salvation Army Camping The purpose of Salvation Army camping is to serve the physical, social and spiritual needs of its campers. This is done through providing guidance for healthy living habits, exercise, the opportunity to contribute to and receive from a group living experience and the lifting up of Jesus Christ as a model for living and God’s gift of forgiveness to the world. Camp Ladore is owned and operated by The Salvation Army. It is nestled among picturesque mountains and consists of approximately 1,200 acres of land surrounding a 265 acre lake. Its programs take full advantage of these natural resources for contributing to the spiritual, educational, social and recreational needs of every camper. An integrated Christian education program provides opportunity for spiritual decision-making and growth. The Salvation Army is committed to providing the ultimate camping experience with a mature, well-trained staff and excellent facilities. The camp is fully accredited through the American Camping Association. For many inner city children that attend this camp, it is their first experience in a more natural and rustic setting. Many can only have such a life changing experience because others such as those of us at Zion’s provide the financial means for them to attend. We are asking you to return your tents to Zion’s on April 27, 2014. We will celebrate your generosity at both worship services that morning. THANK YOU FOR MAKING A DIFFERENCE! April Birthdays 2014 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 Lucas Price 3 4 Amy Koller 5 Erin Seidel Carl Heckman 6 Michael Puglia Douglas Kemp 7 Autumn Eyer 8 Stephanie Schumaker Lyndsey Mazaika 9 Gerald O’Brien Neil Hoffman Codi Trabosh 10 Mary Mengle Olivia Wilhelm Aaron Decker 11 Sherry Houser 12 13 Nicholas Clark Andrew Scheidt Bobbe Jean Madeira 14 Emily Kohler Donald Seidel Dorothy Seidel Russ Olszewski Matthew Bensinger 15 16 Jacob Fegley Bryce Brennan Carrie Reeser Amy Smith 17 18 Jessica Long 19 Joan Sayer 20 Veronica Heckman 21 Gloria Machemer Evelyn Hoppes Colby Grugan 22 Jordan Smith 23 Jack Wertz Michael Houtz 24 25 Carol Justice Kendra McCurdy 26 Richard Miller 27 Linda Bowling 28 David Peters Ian Sullivan 29 *Mary Ellen Fraunfelter Noah Bensinger 30 Mitch Shestok Daniel Geist Karen Brown Andrew Heckman *Denotes Shut in APRIL 2014 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 A. A. 7:00 pm. Al-Anon 7:00 pm. Christian Education Com. mtg. 7 pm. Peach Festival mtg. 7 pm. 2 Soup & Worship 6:15 pm. Jr. Choir 6:15 pm. Senior Choir after 3 Community Garden mtg. 6:30 pm. Bells 6:45 pm. Brass 8 pm. 4 Chocolate Event 6:30 pm. 5 Council Retreat 9 am. A.A. 7:00 pm. Al-Anon 7:00 pm. Fellowship Hall rented 6 Holy Comm. 8 am. S. School 9:15 am. Holy Com. 10:30 am. Luncheon after worship 7 Cub Scouts 6:30 pm. Boy Scouts 7:30 pm. 8 Quilt Knotting 9:30 am. A.A. 7:00 pm. Congregational Council 7:00 pm. Al-Anon 7:00 pm. 9 Soup & Lenten Worship 6:15 pm. Junior Choir 6:15 pm. Senior Choir after Worship 10 Zion’s Cemetery Board mtg. at Zion’s W.C. 9am. Bells 6:45 pm. Brass 8 pm. 11 12 Fellowship Hall rented A.A. 7:00 pm. Al-Anon 7:00 pm. 13 PALM SUNDAY Holy Comm. 8:00 am. S.S. 9:15 am. Holy Comm. 10:30 am. Orcheband after worship 14 Library Volunteers 6:30 pm. Cub Scouts 6:30 pm. Boy Scouts 7:30 pm. 15 Al-Anon 7:00 pm. A.A. 7:00 pm. 16 May Newsletter Deadline Junior Choir 6:15 pm. Senior Choir 7:30 pm. 17 Maundy Thursday Worship 7 pm. 18 Youth Egg dying 10:30 am. Opportunity House Meal 5:30 pm. Good Friday Worship 19 Youth hide eggs 8:45 am. Egg Hunt 9:30 am. A.A. 7:00 pm. Al-Anon 7:00 pm. 20 EASTER Easter Dawn 6:30 am. Breakfast 7:45 am. S. School 9:15 am. Orcheband 9:30 am. Holy Com. 10:30 am. Fellowship Hall rented 21 Cub Scouts 6:30 pm. Boy Scouts 7:30 pm. 22 Quilt Knotting 9:30 am. History Group booklet mtg. 1 pm. A.A. 7:00 pm. Al-Anon 7:00 pm. 23 Worship & Music Com. mtg. 6 pm. Junior Choir 6:15 pm. Senior Choir 7:30 pm. 24 Bells 6:45 pm. Brass 8 pm. Mail Team #4 7 pm. 25 26 A.A. 7:00 pm. Al-Anon 7:00 pm. 27 Holy Com. 8 am. S. School 9:15 am. Prayer Shawl 9:15 am. Worship 10:30 am. 28 Cub Scouts 6:30 pm. Boy Scouts 7:30 pm. 29 A.A. 7:00 pm. Al-Anon 7:00 pm. 30 Junior Choir 6:15 pm. Sr. Choir 7:30 pm. Youth Overnighter 7 pm. Youth Overnighter ends