Professional Documents
Culture Documents
APRIL 2014
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Ready for spring! I have been ready for spring since January 22, which was such a cold day, after so many cold and snowy days, that I made reservations to fly to Florida after Easter without clearing the dates and times with my sister (at whose home we will be staying) because I couldnt wait another minute! That was over 2 cold and snowy months ago. As I write this, it is below freezing outside. We all need spring, right? Now the Green Blade Rises is one of my favorite Easter hymns. (#148 in the Lutheran Book of Worship, #379 in Evangelical Lutheran Worship) It likens the great story of Jesus suffering, death and resurrection to a wheat seed that has been planted in the earth. Laid in the earth, like grain that sleeps unseen is the Good Friday reference, while the refrain is the Easter reference: Love is come again like wheat arising green. As I reflect on this long winter (that I do pray is nearing its end), I am especially drawn to verse 4 of this hymn: When our hearts are wintry, grieving or in pain, Your touch can call us back to life again, Fields of our hearts that dead and bare have been; Love is come again like wheat arising green.
Wintry Hearts Of course, hearts can be wintry no matter what the weather is outside. And when my heart is wintry, I lean on the rest of the body of Christ (you!) to remind me of Gods love that comes again and again. Gods love comes like a determined spring flower, pushing up out of the cool earth. Gods love is made known through you and me. Gods love is made known to those who are sad or desperate by us, when we offer an encouraging word or an understanding nod or by actions that lead to greater justice in our society. Love is Come Again That is truly the point of the Jesus thing: that Gods love is come, again, and will not be denied, by any power. Not evil, not hatred, not snow, not death! I look forward to seeing you in worship so we can celebrate Gods love that does indeed come again even in the worst of winters and the worst of our lives. [As always, when your hearts are wintry, grieving or in pain, contact me or another member of St. Johns so we can be the body of Christ for you. Pastor Donna Wright, 215-635-3465 or 215-277-5744.]
Pastors Page
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The MacPhersons are serving for a third year through the fall of 2014at the Irente Childrens Home (ICH), a mission of the North Eastern Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania. The Irente Childrens Home cares for babies and toddlers who have lost their parents or whose families are too destitute to raise them. Susan and Tom care for the children, mentor the young women in training, teach English, help with repairs, ferry children in their truck, and participate in all aspects of life at ICH. As self-funded lay missionaries, they rely on support from individuals and churches to carry out their work in Irente. We ask all SEPA Synod congregations to pray regularly for the MacPhersons as they share Gods love walking shoulder to shoulder with brothers and sisters in Christ in Tanzania. To find out more about their experiences, please read their blog at http://macphersonmission.blogspot.com/. Heres a sneak peek to what you will find:
Sunday, June 1st 3:00 p.m. Organ Concert by St. John's Director of Music
Chuck Griffin
Reception following Sunday, March 30th 11:20-1:30 Fellowship Hall Special transition workshop "Pastor-Congregation Attachment" Led by the Rev. Dr. Dee Littleton
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Friday, January 17, 2014
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VOLUNTEER VALUES
Did you ever think about how many hours are volunteered at St. Johns. Well start with Sunday morning. The acolyte, worship assistant and lector are all volunteers. Then we have the communion assistants, ushers and sound system people. Oh then someone has to count the offering and put together the coffee hour. I almost forgot my favorite the choir. This is just Sunday morning. Joyce puts together great receptions for art shows. Roberta has been working on cleaning and organizing the many rooms and little corners of the church. Barbara Lawson has been helping in the office t wo Tuesdays a month.
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If you have experience selling items on Craigslist or Ebay, and would be willing to donate your time to sell unused items to benefit St. Johns, contact Pastor Donna or Roberta.
Simply Giving
Several members of St. Johns already use Simply Giving as their way of making their offerings to St. Johns. Forms are available at the church or contact the church office so one can be mailed to you.
We could use more help with the office Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday.
Maybe you had an idea of something that needs to be taken care of. But you just didnt know how to start. If you just call and ask someone will help you get started. You could be in the VOLUNTEER VALUES next month telling us what project you have volunteered to get started.
Thanks to:
Ken Kretschmer, Jerry Coyle and Roberta Coyle for a lot of little "fixes" around the building. St. John's is looking better every day!
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Congregational Life
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7:30 PM Choir
St. J ohns W ors hip 11 :00 AM Coffe e Hour 11 :30 Eglise Francophone Wors hip 11 :30 Soc ia l Ministry and Parsonage Comte.
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7:30 PM Choir
6:3 0 PM Eglise Francophone Wors hip 7PM tra ns ition tea m 7:0 0 PM Pas sion/ Poe try study
P A S S O V E R
7:30 PM Choir
14TH 22ND
P A S S O V E R 14TH 22ND
Palm Sunda y 10AM St. J ohns W ors hip 11 :00 AM Coffe e Hour 11 :30 Council Mee ting 1:3 0 Eglis e Francophone Worship P A S S O V E R 14TH 22ND
R C H I ME n i e D ea d l
Easter Sunday
6:3 0 PM Eglise He lping Francophone Ha nds Day Wors hip 9:3 0-4:3 0
10 AM St. Johns W orship 11 :00 AM Coffe e Hour 11 :30 Eglise Francophone W ors hip
7:30 PM Choir
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10 AM St. Johns W orship 11 :00 AM Coffe e Hour 11 :30 Eglise Francophone Wors hip 11:30 Book Club
Thursday nights in the Hagan Room, 7:00-8:15 p.m. April 3 and April 10. Transition Events May 18 Community Needs Event June 8 Mission Voting
The Council met on March 16th. Here are some of the things we did.
Decided to put the big cross outside during Lent. We continued to discuss ways to cut expenses. Looking into different proposals for the copier in the office. Discussed the other goals that Council has established for the year. We received updates from all committees.
Flowers Offered:
Hydrange a ----------------------------------Azalea Tulips Mums ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------$ 18 each $ 18 each $ 12 each $ 12 each
In Memory of
or
In Honor of
__________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ Hydrangea Azalea Tulips Mums -------------------------------------------------------------------$ 18 each $ 18 each $ 12 each $ 12 each Quantity Quantity Quantity Quantity ______ ______ ______ ______ Total ______ Total ______ Total ______ Total ______
Please make checks payable to St. Johns Lutheran Church, Melrose Park. If you have any questions, please con tact the church office: 215 635-3465
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Amount Enclosed
Welcome
from the staff of St. Johns
Donna Wright, Interim Pastor prdonnawright@gmail.com David Lembo, Parish Administrator atchair@gmail.com Chuck Griffin, Jr, Director of Music Sibyl Weidner, Design Specialist
Volunteer Staff
Sunday School Coordinator: Norajean Flanagan Office: Roberta Coyle Parish Activities: Steve Brown !"#$%&&"'()%**+,,""-!Allison Nguyen, Bob Baetke, Joyce Rasmussen, and Marcia Boraas Financial Resources: Tim Terry Property Resources: Tim Terry Social Ministry: Norajean Flanagan
Congregational Leaders
Fellowship
Coffee Hour: Sue Kershner & Steve Brown St. Johnsmen: Steve Brown & John Kopyar Ruth Circle: Joan Seader
The CHIMER
Editor & Design: Sibyl Weidner Photographer: Bert Glenn CHIMER Copyright 2014 St. Johns Lutheran Church of Melrose Park, PA Whos Who at St. Johns
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