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St. Luke’s Episcopal Church 806 Thirteenth Street, Altoona, PA 16602-2422

814.942.1372 [email protected] www.stlukesaltoona.org

StLukesEpiscopalAltoona

EUCHARIST

Sundays February 18 and 25

9:30 am Pastor Scott Custead

Saturday

The Rev. Jeanne Jacobson February 10 5:30 pm

MORNING PRAYER

Sunday February 4 and 11

9:30 am

Prayer Group Sun., February 4

10:45 am Parish Hall

Senior Lunch Wed., Feb. 7

12:00 pm Parish Hall

Choir Rehearsal Wednesdays

Feb. 7 5:00-6:30 pm Nave

Feb. 21 6:00-7:30 pm Nave

Advisory Board Sun., Feb. 11

10:45 am Parish Hall

ANNUAL MEETING Sun., Feb. 25 10:45 am Nave

Food Pantry Thu., March 1

3:00-7:00 pm Pantry

What is Lent, Really?

Do you love Lent? I do, but many people don't. Many Christians think of it in negative terms, but Lent is not about hair shirts, solemn countenances, and the like. Rather, it is a positive, strengthening, lovely spiritual experience, and if you want to grow in your love of God and your neighbor, then Lent is for you! There are a couple of things that you can do with single-mindedness this Lent which will give you a clearer vision of the Risen Christ, come Easter.

Before I list these things, here’s a little about the origins of Lent.

The early Christians observed "a season of penitence and fasting" in preparation for the Paschal feast, or Pascha (BCP, pp. 264-265). The season now known as Lent (from an Old English word meaning "spring," the time of lengthening days) has a long history. In the third century this fast was lengthened from two to six days. Eventually, this fast became attached to, or overlapped, another fast of forty days, in imitation of Christ's fasting in the wilderness. The forty-day fast was especially important for converts to the faith who were preparing for baptism, and for those guilty of notorious sins who were being restored to the Christian assembly. In the western church

the forty days of Lent extend from Ash Wednesday (February 14, 2018) through Holy Saturday (March 31, 2018), omitting Sundays. The last three days of Lent are the sacred Triduum of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. Today,

Lent has reacquired its significance as the final preparation of adult candidates for baptism. Joining with them, all Christians are invited "to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God's holy Word" (BCP, p. 265). First, we’ll look at fasting and self-denial.

The biggest problem today’s Christians have with fasting and self-denial is confusion. The priest gets up and talks about what they mean, but when he's done they’re more confused than they were when he started. So, here's a simplified explanation of fasting and self-denial: Self-denial lowers the quality of food (usually by not eating meat) and fasting lowers the quantity, and usually means not more than a light breakfast, one full meal, and one-half meal daily each fast day. Therefore, the rule is "keep it smaller and keep it simpler." Smaller portions of food, and simpler menus. Don't eat so much during Lent because the practice will give you strength in your spiritual life by weakening the attractions of the sensate pleasures. Fasting makes the waistline shrink and the heart get larger, and abstinence makes the heart grow fonder.

• For the forty days of Lent, start and end each day with prayer. Do the Daily Office for Lent both in the morning and evening. This can be done as a family, as well as individually. Dust off that old grace you used to say before eating. Spend some table time in quiet reflection and prayer instead of chattering and chomping. Pray daily, making sure you indulge in all the qualities of Christian prayer: adoration, thanksgiving, petition, penitence, and invocation. By doing this, on Easter you’ll have a clearer vision of the Risen Christ.

• Do this daily, also, and if you haven't availed yourself of reading the Daily

Continued on page 2

Luke’s Letter February 2018

Office, you are missing out on the opportunity the Church has given you for daily study and reading of the Bible. There's peace, insight, and so much more in scripture. That can't be said about any other book in your library. The Good Book is precisely that, and those who read it daily learn how to be good, godly, and themselves.

• Corporate worship is a basic Christian duty. Our prayer book puts it succinctly, telling us that part of our bounden duty

is to worship God every Sunday in His church (Luke 22:19, Cor 11:24-25). Doing so brings us understanding, strengthens our faith, gives us hope, fills us with encouragement, and gives us the first-hand experience of being loved by God, and that gives us the ability to love others more fully. There is nothing we can do on Sunday morning that is more important than being in God's House and being fed by His grace-filled presence in the Blessed Sacrament.

~ Deb Hockenberry Resources: http://www.episcopalnet.org/TRACTS/5ThingsLent.html https://www.episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/lent

What is Lent, Really? - continued from page 1

We parishioners here at St. Luke's are a prayerful community and one that is ever mindful of Our Vision: Passion for God; compassion for people. And we thankfully mark our yearly progress through the calendar of the church. We continue to be blessed as we adhere to the longstanding doctrine and disciplines set out in The Book of Common Prayer. As we continue through the new year in the present season of Epiphany, our resolves during St. Luke's period of transition can be counted in our ongoing efforts to promote service and fellowship in our community. We give thanks that through God's grace we continue to welcome, serve, and participate with the community through our own Food Pantry, monthly senior luncheons, and combined celebrations and functions with other churches.

We are most thankful for the current and past supply services of Pastor Scott Custead, the Rev. Jeanne Jacobson, Canon Robyn Szoke-Coolidge, Rev. Lisa Schoonmaker, Canon Joseph Seville, and Canon Dan Morrow. We have also been blessed with our own lay worship leaders Penny Lescher, Padraic Farrell, and Greg Williams. And we continue to look forward to Bishop Audrey Scanlan's visits and guidance. In addition, we gratefully acknowledge our many lay Eucharistic ministers, lectors, acolytes, ushers, and choir members. We congregants anticipate each service and enjoy one another's fellowship in Christ.

Dear Friends

At this time we are all encouraged to continue to pray, worship, serve, observe the upcoming Lenten season, and celebrate together as we affirm the following:

Our Core Values & Principles:

As a parish of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Pennsylvania in the Episcopal Church of the USA, we are Christians who practice our faith through the sacraments of the Church. We therefore:

1. respect the dignity of every human being, seeking to serve Christ in all persons.

2. honor the Anglican sources of authority: scripture, tradition, and reason.

3. give of our time, talent, and treasure to care for each other, the community, and the world.

Our Mission:

1. To meet the practical and spiritual needs of the Altoona community and Blair County through direct action, as well as through cooperation with other religious and service organizations.

2. To provide a safe and nurturing place where all persons can grow in faith and fellowship.

3. To communicate what it means to be an Episcopalian, and to grow our parish in both numbers and influence.

If you find yourself in need of a pastoral visit at home or in a hospital, please notify the Church office (814) 942-1372, [email protected] or call Senior Warden, Jane Gable at (814) 932-2187.

Additionally, Communion from the Reserve Sacrament is available to all home-bound (or hospitalized) parishioners. Our Lay Eucharistic Visitor Team is Laura Gottfried-Letsche, Shannon Berndt, Anna Fleck and Deb Burgan.

Pastoral Care


Senior Lunch

Wednesday, February 7 at 12:00pm

Burning Books discussion resumes this Spring on the 4th Monday of the month. With the theme of redemption and renewal in mind, the selections include The Help by Kathryn Stockett, March 26, and Tattoos on the Heart by Gregory Boyle, April 23. The third selection, Gilead by Marilynne Robinson, will be May 21 (third Monday), the week before Memorial Day. The group meets at 7 p.m. in

Burning Books …discussion continues

Food Pantry

Our shelves could use the following to continue to help those in our community that need help

Pasta Pasta Sauce Ramen Noodles Canned Fruits Condiment Peanut butter & Jelly Crackers Snacks Juices Rice Personal Hygiene products such as:

Toothpaste Soaps Deodorants

Thank you all so much who have donated and thank you to all who will continue to donate. We would also accept monetary donations to be able to purchase items at reduced cost from the Harrisburg distribution center.

We are pleased to announce that our Food Pantry received a $400.00 Feed My Sheep Grant from the Diocese of Central PA.

Through Marilyn and Woody Pyeatt's diligent work in grant-writing, St. Luke's has applied for several Diocesan grants in December, with notification of awards to be announced. The grant fields include operating, missional experiment, construction, scholarships for youth programs and for the Stevenson School of Ministry, and Feed My Sheep. Thank you, Marilyn and Woody.

Grant Applications ANNUAL MEETING

The date for the Annual Meeting is February 25 after the Sunday service. A

potluck will follow the meeting.

I’ve heard that quite a few people in the congregation can’t get into St. Luke’s website. My first response to this was, “Huh?” Then, I thought that maybe these people aren’t using the correct address, so here you go. Remember, don’t forget a word, dot, or letter. Spelling counts!

http://www.stlukesaltoona.diocpa.org/ Thanks, Deb Hockenberry

December 31, 2017

Financial Report

Total Income $12,776.58

Expenses $7,814.04

Balance in checking $12,226.67

Investment Balance $73,084.41


Prayer List

We pray for comfort and healing for those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit especially those

All Prisoners

Renny Alley

Terry Andrew

Richard Anna

Debbie Beck

Zoe Bellamy

Fr. Harold Bishop

Virginia Bishop

Gina Blakeslee

Emily Burkhard

John Burns

Larry Carothers

Terry Carothers

Bryan Collins

Jean Conrad

Charlotte Cooper

Jack Cooper

Mendle Covitch

Sally Cupp

Ronald Dandrea

Mike Davis

Lois Dickson

Sherry Dimov

Virginia Drobnoek

Evelye & family

Michael Fellabaum

Trenia Fulton Reynolds

Barbara Gardner

Chris Gardner

Colleen Garlick

Skip Gracey

Barry Griswold

Debbie Hazenstab

Steve Hazenstab

Jack Hoffer

Tristan Houser

Loraine Knisely

Debbie Koontz

Mark Kuhn

Maddie Letsche

Jerry Lescher

Deb Little

Ellen Little

Ken Loose & Family

Jane Lynn

Louise Magee

Bob McGregor

Cowan, Shannon & Adam

Mikolajczyk

Ruth Most

Milton Nickola

Gwen Pattillo

Ed Petriski

Leslie Pitzer

Ryan Plank

Ellie Plisskin

Joyce & Sid Price

Denise Reeder

Cleda Rencher

Henrietta Reynolds

James Ritchey

Jim Ross

Carl Russo

Bill Sigmon

Jennie Sigmon

Sandra Snyder

Kathy Steiner

Carol Stevens

Janice Sunderland

Dave Swearingin

Phyllis Szewezak

Jessica Thatcher

Glenna Thompson

Gene Totten

Connie Trach

Owen Tyler

Ann VanVeenendaal

Toni White

Renu Williams

Frances Woomer

Eric & Tori Yahner

Tom Young

Vivian Zabel

Ken Zeller

The next Advisory Board meeting is

Sunday, February 11 at 10:45 am.

Advisory Board Prayer Group

The Prayer Group, seeking foundational principles and practices of prayer, continues to study through reading and prayerful action. Stemming from its reading of M. Basil Pennington's Invitation to Centering Prayer, the group will join next on Feb. 4 after Sunday service in the parish hall to share individual

responses to private centering prayer, followed by a group practice of centering prayer in the nave. Also, beginning this season of Lent, join the group for Monday evening prayer on Feb. 19 at 5:30 p.m. in the nave.

Hoagie Sales March-October 1,808 sold Profit $4,434.39

Ham/Cheese S. July-August 96 sold Profit $288.00

Spaghetti Dinner Sept.23, 2017 Profit $677.87

Holiday Bazaar Oct. 8, 2017 Profit $369.91

Fundraising in 2017


Deb has been a member of St. Luke’s for eight years. She came when her mother was in the Lutheran home in Hollidaysburg. She has always heard how people need the church, but never understood it. She found that understanding that year! Her mother had Alzheimer’s and Deb was watching her slip away, week by week, over a period of

five years. She never told anyone about this, but if it hadn’t been for the St. Luke’s family, she couldn’t have kept it together for so long. Deb found the people of St. Luke’s to be accepting of everyone. She also found that the members don’t just talk the Biblical talk, they live the talk. It was like coming home for her.

She has always wanted to write stories for children since she was a kid herself. She has taken two courses from The Institute of Children’s Literature, and since the children’s market is always changing, she’s taking the online and ongoing workshop from the Children’s Book Insiders.

She has also won first honorable mention in the Jory Sherman Short Story Awards.

In her spare time, Deb is a regular contributor to this newsletter, loves to attend parties, knit, crochet, and play with her cat, Harry. You’ll also find Deb singing in St. Luke’s choir, which is one of her greatest loves, besides writing.

She has participated in several activities around Altoona to share her debut picture book Where Can We Have The Party?, including the Downtown Festival last May. Deb has also done book readings, crafts, and signings at St. Luke’s, LaVintage Décor in Juniata, and two readings/signings at Hollidaysburg Public Library. She has an upcoming bookreading/booksigning at Bradley’s Books at the Logan Valley Mall.

Getting to Know ...Deb Hockenberry

Fourteen people, from 7 different congregations in three different counties (and ranging in age from elementary school to retired) gathered in State College on Tuesday night, January 9 to enjoy the hospitality of Trinity Lutheran Church (State College), and to participate in an evening of learning about an effort co-sponsored by 19 organizations, including Pennsylvania Interfaith Power & Light.

Justice for #EachGeneration and the "1000 Sermons" initiative were begun by the United Church of Christ, designed to lift up the work of 21 youth who are suing the United States government over its reckless inaction on climate change and to provide opportunities for solidarity in both prayer and action. The lawsuit, Juliana v. U.S., was initiated in 2015.

Our learning group was a mix of clergy and laity — all connected to Pennsylvania Interfaith Power & Light. Together we learned about moral, ethical, and legal foundations of the lawsuit brought by these courageous young people, aged 10 -21. The suit takes the government to task for violating the rights of the plaintiffs (and the future generations they represent) to life, liberty, and property because of the government's failure to adequately respond to climate change and protect essential public resources.

The attendees heard an essay by Rev. Peter Sawtell, Executive Director of Eco-Justice Ministries, and watched a video of Bill Moyers interviewing the remarkable lead plaintiff, Kelsey Juliana, about the suit, just before the People’s Climate March (New York City, Fall 2014). We heard a legal precis from a member of Trinity Lutheran Church who researched the legal issues in advance, followed by a discussion of what those present might do to help. Finally, we closed with the text reflection by Rev. Brooks Berndt, Minister of Environmental Justice for the United Church of Christ, highlighting the way that Mary’s Song places her moment into a generational sweep claimed by God.

Participants brainstormed a variety of ways to help. That night, people talked about the possibility of presentations to youth and confirmation groups in the next few weeks. Another suggested reaching out to the college student groups to which our various congregations are connected for intergenerational study and conversation. One pastor considered doing a sermon — and was pleased to learn that there are resources for preaching on climate change issues for every week of the Revised Common Lectionary (a 3-year cycle of scripture readings followed by many Christian traditions). Since then, one active member of our group has actually scheduled a sermon on February 4 in Altoona, and we hope to see many more teachings and studies scheduled between now and when the young people stand before the court on February 5, and then continuing as their case is heard. Members of the group also discussed connecting studies and teachings with more

PA Interfaith Power and Light direct climate actions, such as urging our congregations to take the Paris Pledge and committing to do that work as communities of faith.

We are buoyed by this start and eager to share our enthusiasm with others in any way we can. The resources available at the Justice for #Every Generation website as well as the resources at the Our Children's Trust website are helpful, and we have created some resources with expanded language and linked resources (and an inter-religious text study!) that are shared at paipl.org.

Greg Williams will preach about this on Sunday, February 4, at the Morning Prayer Service

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

28

Eucharist 9:30 AM

Pastor Louder

29

Trauma Yoga—

Parish Hall—12 PM

Pam’s Chargers—Gym 3 PM

30

Parish Office 9AM—2 PM

AAJH Majorettes Aud—3 PM


31


AA—Parish Hall - 7-9 PM

1 Parish Office 9AM—2 PM

AAJH Majorettes Gym—3 PM

AAJH Silks Aud—3 PM


2

Beacon After School—

Parish Hall 3-6 PM

Beacon—Parish Hall—7 PM

3

4

Morning Prayer 9:30 AM

Prayer Group—10:45 AM

5

Trauma Yoga—

Parish Hall—12 PM


6


9AM—12 PM



7

Senior Lunch—Noon



Choir Rehearsal 5—6:30PM


8





9


Parish Hall 3-6 PM


10

Eucharist 5:30 PM

The Rev. Jeanne Jacobson

11

Morning Prayer 9:30 AM

Advisory Board 11 AM

12

Trauma Yoga—

Parish Hall—12 PM



13



Pancake Dinner—

Parish Hall 4-7 PM

14

Ash Wed Service—

St. James 12 PM




15




Taize—Mt. Carmel 5:30 PM


16


Parish Hall 3-6 PM


Hoagie Orders/Money Due

17

18

Eucharist 9:30 AM

Pastor Scott Custead

19

Trauma Yoga—

Parish Hall—12 PM


Evening Prayer—Nave 5:30 PM

20




All Stars—Choir Rm 3 PM

21



Hoagie Prep 4 PM

Taize—Nave 5:30 PM

Choir Rehearsal 6—7:30PM


22





Hoagie Building 4 PM

23

Hoagie Delivery 11 AM


Parish Hall 3-6 PM


24

25

Eucharist 9:30 AM

Pastor Scott Custead

ANNUAL MEEETING—

Nave 10:45 AM

26

Trauma Yoga—

Parish Hall—12 PM


Evening Prayer—Nave 5:30 PM

27




All Stars—Choir Rm 3 PM

28




1 Parish Office 9AM—2 PM



Food Pantry Distr. 3-7 PM


Taize Mt. Carmel—5:30 PM

2


Parish Hall 3-6 PM


3

St. Luke’s

February 2018

Lenten Reading

The Lenten season is a time for reflecting on life's promise and for seeking direction for the way ahead. It anticipates the heart of the Christian experience. And as we are not simply believers who put our faith in Jesus but are also called to be followers, we prayerfully seek devotional Lenten readings. One current powerful book that explores God's love is best-selling author and pastor Steven Furtick's Seven-Mile Miracle: Journey into the Presence of God Through the Last Words of Jesus (Multnomah, 2017, 192 pages). Through the story of the seven-mile walk to Emmaus, where the resurrected Jesus revealed His place in Scripture to two of his followers, Furtick explores how Jesus' seven last statements on the cross offer a proven path of spiritual growth for us. Seven-Mile Miracle, through imagining these statements as mileposts along the way to Emmaus, examines not only how each of Christ's words fulfilled prophecies about Him, but also how each sentence matches our own experiences and struggles in life. Furtick's writing offers deep insight into the Scriptural truths offering us hope, through Christ, in this world and the next. A compelling read, the book at its conclusion also contains a "Forty-Day Reading Guide to Jesus' Death and Resurrection," readings from the New Testament to, in Furtick's words, "use during the Lenten season or at any time when you want to spend an extended period absorbing what Jesus went through for you. Think about the pattern it gives you to know God better."

Hoagies

It’s hoagie time again! The date to have the order

forms and money in for them is February 16, 2018.

Prep will be in the parish hall on the 22 and delivery/

pickup will be on the 23.

The cost per hoagie

is $8.50. If you

haven’t tried one of

St. Luke’s 18”

hoagies, try them this

month. They’re all

hand-made,

scrumptious and come with the delicious St. Luke’s

hoagie dressing. They make a good meal, or two, or

three!

Services During Lent

Monday Evening Prayer—St. Luke’s—5:30-6:00 PM

February 19 March 12 February 26 March 19 March 5 March 26

Ash Wednesday Service—St. James—Noon

Taize Services—5:30-6:00 PM

February 15—Mt. Carmel February 21—St. Luke’s March 1—Mt. Carmel March 7—St. Luke’s March 15—Mt. Carmel March 21—St. Luke’s

Holy Week Services

St. James

Maundy Thursday—March 29—7:00 PM

Good Friday—March 30—2:00 PM

St. Luke’s

Easter—April 1—9:30 AM

The dinner will be held on

Tuesday, February 13th from

4pm until 7pm in the

Auditorium. Donations are

requested to defray the cost of the

food and beverages. We hope you will join us. You’ll have a

great time! Bring your family! Bring a friend!

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner Lenten Luncheon and Study

We are invited to join Bethany Lutheran and St. James

Lutheran churches for their Lenten lunches. There will be

discussion exploring the baptismal covenant. The lunch

begins at noon.

February 21—St. James

February 28—Bethany

March 7—St. James

March 14—Bethany

March 21—Bethany

Visit us on the Web

www.stlukesaltoona.diocpa.org

www.facebook.com/StLukesEpiscopalAltoona

806 13th Street

Altoona, PA 16602-2422

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church

Phone: 814.942.1372

Fax: 814.942.0756

Email: [email protected]

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage

PAID Altoona, PA Permit No. 57

Return Service Requested

Office Hours Office hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00am—2pm. Colleen can be contacted at 942-1372 or [email protected].

Church Memories

Walking through St. Luke's while decorating before A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols service, then sitting the next night in church Christmas Eve with a full congregation, gave many members pause in recalling the past and in creating new memories in our hallowed nave. The following is an excerpt from the Burning Books discussion group's third Spring 2018 selection Gilead by Marilynne Robinson, in the words of the narrator, a 76-year-old pastor named John Ames, who refers to "grace as a sort of ecstatic fire that takes things down to essentials." Please enjoy his depiction of the church at dawn.

It's a plain old church and it could use a coat of paint. But in the dark times I used to walk over before sunrise just to sit there and watch the light come into that room. I don't know how beautiful it might seem to anyone else. I felt much at peace those mornings, praying over very dreadful things sometimes--the Depression, the wars. There was a lot of misery for people around here, decades of it. But prayer brings peace, as I trust you know.

In those days , as I have said, I might spend most of the night reading. Then, if I woke up still in my armchair, and if the clock said four or five, I'd think how pleasant it was to walk through the streets in the dark and let myself into the church and watch dawn come into the sanctuary. I loved the sound of the latch lifting. The building has settled into itself so that when you walk down the aisle, you can hear it yielding to the burden of your weight. It's a pleasanter sound than an echo would be, an obliging, accommodating sound. You have to be there alone to hear it. Maybe it can't feel the weight of a child. But if it is still standing when you read this, and if you are not half a world away, sometime you might go there alone, just to see what I mean. -- From Gilead

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