MARCH 2017

THE EPISTLE of

St. Paul Evangelical

Lutheran Church

March 2017

Volume XXXVII, No. 7

SUNDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE

9:00 A.M. Worship Service 10:15 A.M. Fellowship Period 10:30 A.M. Faith Formation Hour

Partner

to

Partner

In anticipation of Lent, I’ve been

reading some meditations by John Leax,

who retired as professor of English and

poet-in-residence at Houghton College in

2009. Leax does much of his writing in a

little cabin on his property in upstate New

York. The cabin is primitive, so each win-

ter morning he enters the frozen room and

starts up a little propane heater to make the

place habitable and to thaw out a small

patch of ice that forms each night in the

very middle of his writing desk. How does

this water get there? He can’t figure it out,

but he muses that the “insidious”, daily

reappearance of this water is “an analogy

for the way sin, as subtle as water, finds

the hidden cracks in my life, flows to the

center of my work, and disrupts the whole-

ness of my relationships.”

Sin is indeed insidious and persis-

tent. That’s why we need regular, frequent

disciplines to help us address it. Like John

Leax daily thawing out the ice on his desk

and mopping up the water with a towel,

you and I come into worship each week

and begin by confessing our sins. Many of

us follow a daily prayer regimen that in-

cludes confession.

Lent is an annual discipline by

which we examine our consciences and

invite the purging, cleansing work of the

Holy Spirit to renew us and make us ready

to do God’s work in the world. We need

this lengthy penitential season each year,

because, though much of the sin we con-

fess and battle on a day-to-day and week-

to-week basis is immediate, in the front of

our minds, right before our eyes, some sin

insinuates itself into the underlying fabric

and pattern of our lives. We need the time,

the slower pace, the devotion of Lent to

train our attention on areas of our lives

where we may be ignoring God’s guid-

ance, missing opportunities for obedience

or wasting God’s gifts.

Fortunately for us, as Leax reminds

us, water is also analogous to another spir-

itual reality, contrary to the workings of

sin. The living water that Jesus promised

to all who ask for it, also “infiltrates” our

lives. This living water of Christ brings,

with conviction of sin, new insight and im-

agination for seeing our way into a freer

life, and the grace, the hope and the cour-

age we need to get there.

As Lent begins, I’m giving thanks

together with you for God’s relentless

mercy, Pastor Jack

WORSHIP

HIGHLIGHTS

PARISH LIFE

UPDATES

BLOOD DRIVE

March 30, 2017

Save a Life

Eat a Cookie

That’s a Good Day!

DONORS Sign up online, or by calling the Church

Office (225-3466), or on Sundays

during Coffee Hours.

VOLUNTEERS Sign up to work at the Registration Table,

Canteen,

or to donate a baked good

REGISTER ONLINE:

www.RedCrossBlood.org

WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP BREAKFAST Saturday, MARCH 18

The “WOW” Women’s

Fellowship Breakfast will

be held on Saturday,

March 18, starting at 8:30

a.m. in the fellows

ship hall. All ladies are invited and encour-

aged to join us for these very enjoyable get-

togethers!! Sign up on the sheet located on the

kiosk in the fellowship hall.

Please remember….March’s specific food pan-

try items are Ramen Noodles and canned pas-

ta. Monetary donations are always

welcomed and can be made to the Harvest of

Hope Food Pantry, Inc. by using the blue pew

envelopes. For further information about vol-

unteering or about giving, contact 792-6070.

**This month’s pantry volunteers**

Thursday, March 16; 4:15 -7:00 pm

Brenda Bowersox

Brenda Hoover

Wendy & Leanna Miller

George Smith

Thank you for your continued support!

FINANCIAL UPDATE

Based on Actual Income & Expense

As of January 31, 2017

Year-to-date

Current Received $14,222

Current Expensed $19,584

Difference -$5,362

Benevolence Received $1,488

Benevolence Expensed $1,255 Maintenance Received $2,678

Maintenance Expensed $3,678

Any questions, contact Sue Williams.

Stonework/Education Wing

Revitalization Update

As of January 31, 2017

2017 Results

2017 Congregation Goal $84,000.00 2017 Contributions Received $1,630.00

2017 Amount Needed $82,370.00 Revitalization Loan Balance –

Total $288,988.58

World Day of Prayer – Friday, March 3

“Am I being unfair to you?”

World Day of prayer began in the US in 1887.

Every year a different country (Philippines)

chooses a theme and prepares the order of

worship so people worldwide learn how other

countries, languages and cultures understand

the biblical passages. Together let us pray for

the children and each other throughout the

world.

Harvest of Hope Food Pantry

March’s Pantry Item

Grocery Gift Card Fundraiser…

All money raised will go to support the

Youth Ministry here at St. Paul Church.

* Purchase Giant or Kennies gift cards in

increments of $50

* Use the cards when you do your normal

Shopping

* Youth receives 5% of card sales directly

from the supermarket

Details:

1. Cards must be purchased with checks

made payable to St. Paul Lutheran

Church

2. Cards will be sold on the 1st and 3rd Sun-

days during coffee hour only by seeing

Sue Williams.

Questions,

contact Sue Williams at 225-6480.

LEGACY

GARDEN ….

A perpetual

project that helps

raise money for

the building

revitalization

fund. It is a

special place created for worship, prayer and

reflection. Memorialize or honor your loved

ones by purchasing custom-engraved bricks for

the Garden. Order online at:

www.polarengraving.com/stpaulevangelicallut

heranchurch. Order forms are also available in

the hall, the church office or on our website.

Thank you for your support.

DID YOU KNOW………….

The Property Committee budget is separate

from the current account which covers staff

salaries, utilities and most other committee’s

expenses ????? This committee is financed

only through the offerings that are designated

to “Maintenance” on your offering envelopes

or the giving card you submitted last Fall. If

you fail to mark your envelope where your

offering should go, it will all go into the cur-

rent account. Property committee depends on

the maintenance offerings to keep our building

completely maintained. This committee is not

only responsible for the upkeep and repairs,

but also replacements as needed, along with

the many yearly service contracts necessary to

ensure properly working equipment. If you

have any questions as to how this committee

functions, please ask any member on the

committee.

PEANUT BUTTER EGG SALE

Our peanut butter egg sale is

back!! Watch for it the

beginning of Lent up till

Easter. We will be selling

our eggs at Kennies Market

on Friday, March 31 and Saturday, April 1.

Order forms are available for those willing to

take orders outside of church. Questions, see

Cheryl Onelius or any Stewardship Committee

member.

Delicious Chicken Corn Soup!!!!!

Soup will be available for purchase on March

5, 2017 after the worship service. $8.00 per

quart of delicious chicken corn soup. Sale to

benefit Mission & Service Committee to help

others in their need. Thank you for your

support!!!

SOUPER BOWL OF CARING….

THANK YOU!! St. Paul Church raised $237.86 & 82 food

items which will be donated to the Harvest of

Hope Food Pantry. Thanks to your efforts

again this year, more dollars have been raised,

more lives have been changed and the nation

has seen the impact of people working together

to help those in need.

Thank you for your support!!

Thank you, Thank you Dear

God for making these gifts

available. Because of YOUR

loving care for the babies at

Rocky Boy, by the cradle at

Christmas, St. Paul sent these

items to them in mid-January: Bibs (10);

Towel/washcloth sets (2); Sleepers (7); Gloves

(2 pairs); Blankets (7); Onsies (10); Hats (2);

Jackets (3); and Diapers and wipes.

Thanks for your generosity!!!

Mission & Service Committee

Missing Coat…January 22, after the Annual

Meeting, someone mistakenly went home with

a long black all-weather coat with a white rain

bonnet in the pocket. The coat left behind has

a hood attached. Please call 717-225-3994 to

arrange an exchange.

Family Ministry &

Adult Discipleship

THANK YOU NOTES

Dear St. Paul,

Thank you very much for the soup for our

family, it was delicious. We appreciate all

your expressions of sympathy and prayers

after the passing of Sharon’s brother.

God Bless You!

Sharon & Rodney Wentz and Family

* * * * *

Nancy & St. Paul Lutheran Church,

Thank you for the beef vegetable soup. It

was delicious. Soup is such a comfort during

our time of loss. Your gift of thoughtfulness

and kindness is appreciated.

Sincerely,

Bill & Jane

* * * * *

To everyone at St. Paul,

Thank you for thinking of us during the

holidays. You made Christmas special at High

Street Residental.

Laura, Diane, Brandon, Meghan, Ana

New Dawn & Sunrise Organizations

* * * * *

Dear Friends,

Your financial support of our students con-

tinues to be very important as the need for

leaders in the church continues to grow. So,

we thank you, as do the students, for your

faithful direct support and for your prayers.

Thank you for your prayers for Matthew and

for your generous support of his education

Your Partner in Service,

The Rev. Angela Zimmerman

Vice President of Seminary Advancement

Gettysburg Seminary

PARISH REGISTER

TRANSFERRED OUT

Pr. Dan & Barbara Biles

To: Trinity Lutheran Church

East Berlin, PA

ADDRESS CHANGES

Helen & Bruce Yohe

120 Rockwood Avenue

York, PA 17406

717-848-6736

WORSHIP AIDES – MARCH 2017

DATE

AND

TIME

GREETERS

ACOLYTES

LECTORS COMMUNION

ASSISTANTS NURSERY

To Be Determined

SOUND

SYSTEM

Mar.

1

7:00 p.m.

Ash

Wednesday

Greg & Lyn Greco

Fay Wagaman

Tina Becker

Daniel Hess

Lynn Hershey

Mar.

5

9:00 a.m.

Ken & Kim Renoll

Daniel Gordon

Cameron Smith

Brenda Bowersox

Heather Hamme

Daniel Hess

Gary Williams

Mar.

12

9:00 a.m.

Girl Scouts

Adam Gross

Austin Ural

Girl Scouts

Robin Hamme

Daniel Hess

Lynn Hershey

Mar.

19

9:00 a.m.

Bill & Marian Sterner

Aidan Hamme

Emma Hamme

Betsy Scheivert

Kelly Garrett

Daniel Hess

Lynn Hershey

Mar.

26

9:00 a.m.

Ron & Paula Bollinger

Nate Hamme

Jayne Murphy

Jim King

Daniel Hess

Gary Williams

USHERS ALTAR GUILD FELLOWSHIP PERIOD HOME – BOUND BIRTHDAYS Mar. 1 (7pm) - Team 4 Ushers, Karen Myers, Capt. *Kathy Leese Mar. 5 – Penny & Dan Gordon March – none

5 (9am) - Team 5 Ushers, Jim Senft, Capt. Jessica Coyne, Margie Frisk 12 – Girl Scouts

12 (9am) - Team 1 Ushers, Brian Artz, Capt. Sandy Grimes, Tracy Gross 19 – Theresa & John Sprenkle

19 (9am) - Team 2 Ushers, Alan King, Capt. Heather Hamme, Robin Hamme 26 - Cindy & Botts Messersmith

26 (9am) - Team 3 Ushers, Sam Becker, Capt. Carolyn Kaltreider, Cindy Messersmith

Sara Ural

ST. PAUL CALENDAR – MARCH 2017

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 ASH WEDNESDAY

9:00 am Bible Study Noon Service 7:00 pm Communion 7:00 pm SG Group AA 8:00 pm Chancel Choir

2 5:30 pm Exercise Class

3

Church Office Closed

4

5 9:00 am Communion/Camp Sunday 10:15 am Fellowship Time 10:30 am Faith Formation Hr

6 8:30 am Quilters 6:00 pm Refugee Team Mtg 6:30 pm Cub Scouts

7 12-1pm Lenten Lunch 5:30 pm Daisy Scouts 5:30 pm Brownies 5:30 pm Cadettes 5:30 pm Exercise Class

8 9:00 am Bible Study 6:30 pm Evening Prayer 6:30 pm Cub Committee Mtg 7:00 pm SG Group AA 7:00 pm Chancel Choir

9 5:30 pm Exercise Class 6:30 pm Boy Scouts

10

Church Office Closed

11

12 9:00 am Communion / Girl Scout Sunday 10:15 am Fellowship Time 10:30 am Faith Formation Hr Food Sharing Day

13 8:30 am Quilters 6:30 pm Property Comm Mtg 6:30 pm Stewardship Comm 6:30 pm Cub Scouts 7:00 pm Finance Comm Mtg

14 12-1pm Lenten Lunch 5:30 pm Daisy Scouts 5:30 pm Brownies 5:30 pm Cadettes 5:30 pm Exercise Class 7:00 pm Boy Scout Committee Meeting

15 9:00 am Bible Study 10:00 am Staff Meeting 6:30 pm Evening Prayer 7:00 pm SG Group AA 7:00 pm Chancel Choir Epistle Deadline

16 5:30 pm Exercise Class 6:30 pm Boy Scouts

17

Church Office Closed

18 8:30 am “WOW” Women’s Breakfast 5:30-9:00 pm, Amy Baublitz, nave

19 9:00 am Communion 10:15 am Fellowship Time 10:30 am Faith Formation Hr 11:30am-3pm Youth Photo Scavenger Hunt

20 8:30 am Quilters 6:30 pm Cub Scouts 7:00 pm Church Council Mtg

21 12-1pm Lenten Lunch 5:30 pm Daisy Scouts 5:30 pm Brownies 5:30 pm Cadettes 5:30 pm Exercise Class

22 9:00 am Bible Study 6:30-8pm Refreshment Wednesday 7:00 pm SG Group AA 8:00 pm Chancel Choir

23 5:30 pm Exercise Class 6:30 pm Boy Scouts

24

Church Office Closed

25 1-7pm Fellowship Hall in use, Eagle Scout Ceremony

26 9:00 am Communion 10:15 am Fellowship Time 10:30 am Faith Formation Hr

27 8:30 am Quilters 6:30 pm Cub Scouts

28 12-1pm Lenten Lunch 5:30 pm Daisy Scouts 5:30 pm Brownies 5:30 pm Cadettes 5:30 pm Exercise Class

29 9:00 am Bible Study 6:30 pm Evening Prayer 7:00 pm SG Group AA 7:00 pm Chancel Choir

30 12-8pm Blood Drive 4:30 pm Palm Processional Mtg 5:30 pm Exercise Class 6:30 pm Boy Scouts

31

Church Office Closed