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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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