THE STAR
SAINT DAVID’S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF PHILADELPHIA
9169 ACADEMY ROAD
PHILADELPHIA, PA 19114
PHONE: 215-332-7424 FAX: 215-333-5096
EMAIL: STDAVIDSELCA@COMCAST.NET
WEBSITE: WWW.SAINTDAVIDSELCA.ORG
OFFICE HOURS: MONDAY – FRIDAY 10:00AM – 1:00PM
CHURCH ADMINISTRATOR: SALLY KALESSE
MUSIC DIRECTOR: JOE MCARDLE
THE REVEREND KEVIN V. HILGENDORF
NORTHEAST CONFERENCE WEBSITE: NECPHILA.ORG
NOVEMBER 2014
GREETINGS BLESSED SAINTS!
"Lord God, you have surrounded us with
so great a cloud of witnesses. Grant
that we, encouraged by the example of
your servants, may persevere in the
course that is set before us and, at the
least, share in your eternal joy with all
the saints in light, through Jesus Christ,
our Savior and Lord, who lives and
reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one
God, now and forever. Amen."
~ ELW p.59 ('Saints')
"Help Me to Keep in Touch"
Give me roots to grow.
Touch me, Mom and Dad.
Hear me when I really hurt.
Touch me, friend.
Love more than the physical me.
Touch me, my dearest one.
Move me beyond myself into new
worlds. Touch me, all you strangers.
"Litany of the Saints" ELW #237
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Fill my life with meaning.
Touch me, God.
~ Keep in Touch by H. Ahrens, Jr.
(p.93)
Those who have gone before us in faith
and now who rest in their labors:
+Arlene Ashworth
+Ray Harkins
+Bill Schiffler
+RuthAnn Palko
+Bernice Bane
+Ellwood Simon
+Katherine Lindenmuth
The Star 1
Be gracious to us; Hear us, O God.
Deliver your people: Hear us, O God.
You loved us before the world was
made; Hear us, O Lord.
You rescued the people of your
promise: Hear us, O God.
You spoke through your prophets: Hear
us, O God.
You gave your only Son for the life of the
world. Hear us, O God.
For us and for our salvation he came
down from heaven: Great is your love.
and was born of the Virgin Mary: Great
is your love.
who by his cross and suffering
redeemed the world: Great is your love.
and has washed us from our sins: Great
is your love.
who on the third day rose from the
dead: Great is your love.
and has given us the victory: Great is
your love.
who ascended on high: Great is your
love.
and intercedes for us at the right hand
of God: Great is your love.
For the gift of the Holy Spirit: Thanks be
to God.
For the one holy catholic apostolic
church: Thanks be to God.
For the great cloud of witnesses into
which we are baptized: Thanks be to
God.
For Sarah and Abraham, Isaac and
Rebekah: Thanks be to God.
For Gideon and Deborah, David and
Esther: Thanks be to God.
For Moses and Isaiah, Jeremiah and
Daniel: Thanks be to God.
For Miriam and Rahab, Abigail and
Ruth: Thanks be to God.
For Mary, mother of our Lord: Thanks be
to God.
For John, who baptized in the Jordan:
Thanks be to God.
For Mary Magdalene and Joanna, Mary
and Martha: Thanks be to God.
For James and John, Peter and Andrew:
Thanks be to God.
For Paul and Apollos, Stephen and
The Star 2
Phoebe: Thanks be to God.
For all holy men and women, our
mothers and fathers in faith: Thanks be
to God.
For the noble band of prophets: Thanks
be to God.
For the glorious company of the
apostles: Thanks be to God.
For the white-robed army of martyrs:
Thanks be to God.
For the cherubim and seraphim,
Michael and the holy angels: Thanks be
to God.
Be gracious to us: Hear us, O God.
Deliver your people: Hear us, O God.
Give new life to your servants by the
grace of baptism: Hear us, O God.
Strengthen all who bear the sign of the
cross: Hear us, O God
Clothe us in compassion and love: Hear
us, O God
Bring us with all your saints to the river of
life: Hear us, O God
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Thank you God for filling my life with
meaning through the saints. The saints in
heaven and on earth, whom we
remember, reveal God's love in their lives
of faith.
God Bless You,
Pastor Kevin
SAINT DAVID'S STAINED GLASS WINDOW
This six panel suite of stained glass windows
depicts David, patron saint of Wales, along
with four symbols referring to his life and
ministry: a leek, a harp, candles, and a
bible. All the symbols are set in a unifying
border based on Celtic knots.
St. David is shown as a bishop delivering his
best known sermon where, because of its
eloquence and power, a dove landed on
his shoulder and the ground rose up in a
hillock so the people could see him.
The leek is a national symbol of Wales.
According to legend, St. David instructed
Welsh warriors to put a leek in their hats to
distinguish themselves from their enemies.
The harp is a Celtic symbol referencing
Ireland and Wales.
The candles, known as corpse candles,
refer to his vision in which the people would
be warned of an imminent death in the
community by the appearance of a
mysterious blue light. Three candles
symbolize the Trinity.
The bible signifies his sanctity, and the
daffodils of spring refer to his feast day,
March 1st.
The leaded stained glass panels will be
installed in six existing window openings to
the right of the altar. The selected color
scheme is meant to attract the eye and
lighten the area.
"GOD'S WORK...OUR HANDS" TEE SHIRTS
FOR SALE - $10 EACH. Shirts hanging in
Narthex. Place money in envelope for
offering - mark tee shirt & your name.
The Star 3
DID YOU KNOW...?
...Stewardship Sunday, November 9, 2014 Breakfast Blast, 9AM - 1PM
...CROP Walk - Sunday, November 23, 2014
1PM(starting at Faith Lutheran Church, 4150
Woodhaven Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19154)
MANAGING YOUR CHURCH OFFERING JUST
GOT EASIER- Visit our website:
www.saintdavidselca.org where donation
buttons are available to give offerings by
means of PayPal and Parish Giving.
WAWA VOUCHER FUNDRAISER
The Northeast Conference Board is selling
Wawa vouchers, good for one Shorti
Hoagie. The cost is $5 per voucher, and all
proceeds will be used to defray the cost of
sending youth from our congregations to
the National Youth Conference in Detroit
next summer. See Judie Borkowicz, to buy
vouchers, or contact Carolyn Edwards at
ceds71@yahoo.com. Thank you for your
support!
COFFEE HOUSE - "Souled Out" - Grandeur
Live - Band flying from Missouri for this one
night show. November 1, 2014, 7PM at St.
David's. Light fare, coffee, drinks. Food
donation and Good Will offering are
greatly appreciated.
Confirmation Class 2014/15
Classes will meet November 9th & 23rd,
December 14th from 6:30 - 8:30PM at
Rhawnhurst Turning Point, 7812 Castor
Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19152. Our Fall
Retreat for students in grades 7-9 will be to
the SEPA Junior Youth Gathering on
October 11-12 as part of our class.
Financial assistance is available (please see
www. sepayouth.org). December 21st will
be a combined class and service/learning
project at Feast of Justice.
CHRISTMAS BAZAAR - MODIFIED - Instead,
Christmas items will be sold on Stewardship
Sunday, November 9, 2014 from 9AM 12:30PM.
STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY - NOV.9,2014
BREAKFAST BLAST 9AM - 1PM - Chef Bill
Reinhart will use his hands to prepare an allyou-can-eat Breakfast Blast from 9am to
1pm with a free-will offering. Plan now to
celebrate Christian stewardship with us.
St. David’s Council
Meeting on Tuesday,
November 18th at
7:00PM.
Congregational members are invited to
attend. They are the 2nd Thursday of every
month at 7PM.
KIDS FUN NIGHT - monthly on Saturdays
from 7-9PM. Next scheduled on November
15th, and December 20th.
CROP WALK - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Sunday, November 23, 2014 1PM (starting
at Faith Lutheran Church, 4150
Woodhaven Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19154)
Thanksgiving Eve Service - Philadelphia
Northeast Churches will be worshipping
together for Thanksgiving at Saints United
Church, 3200 Ryan Avenue, Philadelphia,
PA 19149 (215-624-6446) at 7:30PM on
Wednesday, November 26th.
POINSETTIA sign-up forms are in the
Narthex. Place $10.00 per plant in the
offering plate. Orders due by Dec.11th.
FEAST OF JUSTICE - Please bring your
donations of can goods to the Narthex.
YOUTH GATHERING - JULY 2015 - DETROIT,
MICHIGAN - All teens ages 1518(sophomore - senior in high school) are
The Star 4
invited to attend. Please contact Matt
Cantz (215-268-8765) for more information.
NEC PRAYER MINISTRY
During the month of November, we will
be praying for the Welcome Home Ministry,
which welcomes refugee families and
helps they get acclimated to living in the
Philadelphia Area. As Welcome Home has
increasingly worked with more families, it
becomes more difficult to keep up with the
families after they go through the
orientation process. Pray for guidance in
this area. Pray also for the English As a
Second Language program, which will
soon max out the capacity of the program,
and people will have to be turned
away. Pray for the volunteers and their
ministry.
Finally, thanks be to God for the
generosity Welcome Home has
experienced from many places. Pray for
our donors and volunteers from
congregations and from the
community. Thank God for how happy our
volunteers are and how they feel God's
blessing in this ministry.
STUFFED ANIMALS & NEW HATS & GLOVES
DONATIONS - We are collecting for the
Silver Springs- Martin Luther School. This
facility offers comprehensive assistance to
the children of families dealing with abuse,
neglect or recovery situations. These
services including residential, educational,
and community based services. Please
bring your donations to the Narthex by
November 16th. Thank you for your support.
ANNUAL ADVENT WREATH MAKING WITH
LIVE GREENS Following November 30th
11AM service in Fellowship Hall.
Refreshments to be served. Possible
donations include: $ donation, live greens,
additional accessories for the wreaths such
as bows, ribbons, etc., food/drinks.
Christmas Eve Services
Wed, Dec. 24, 2014
Children’s Service–4PM
Candlelight Service – 7PM
Candlelight Service – 10PM
No Worship Service on
Christmas, Thursday,
December 25, 2014.
thanks for our wonderful children and
dedicated staff. The children will be
bringing in canned goods to share with the
less fortunate. We wish everyone a Happy
Thanksgiving!
Church Cleaning Tuesday Evenings at
6:30PM. Volunteers needed. Light
cleaning - wipe down bathroom, empty
trash, sweep Narthex. Only takes 30-45
minutes if we have 3 or 4 people. If
interested sign-up sheet is in the Narthex
Saint David’s Annual Congregational
Meeting is the
fourth Sunday in
January.
(January 25, 2015
following 11am
Rejoice Service.) All committee reports are
due to the Administrative Assistant, by
Friday, January 2, 2015. If you are unsure
you need to turn in a report, call the
church office at 215-332-7424. Thank you.
CHRISTIAN NURSERY
SCHOOL NEWS
November brings a
host of exciting
guests into our
classroom.
Representatives from Street Smarts will be
teaching the children about seat belt
safety. We all know reading is fun and the
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday class will
enjoy reading good books with the
Librarian, Ms. Hornbach, at the Torresdale
Library. Ms Hornbach will be coming to see
the Monday, Friday class to share her joy of
reading with them. The Thanksgiving
holiday is fast approaching and we all give
The Star 5
Remember in Prayer
With the whole people of God, let us join in
prayer for the church, those in need, and
all of God’s creation. For all who mourn
and for those who suffer in body, mind,
and spirit, especially: Dot Blowes, Art and
Marge Braun & Ron (Son), Fran Brossman,
David Campbell, Ron Check, Samantha
Clark, Carol Compton, Bonnie DePalmaCain, Hilda Dornhecker, Betty Evans, Jane
Farley, Noelle Fisher, Edwin Groeber, Scott
Hessert, , Paul & Donna Jones, Karen Kull,
Ray & Edna Mc Ardle, Marie Mills, Hal
Rhodes, Dawn & Marlys Roba, Doris Sabec,
Doris Simon, Tecla Simon, Pauline Thornley,
John & Joanne Truman, Shawn Vincent,
Chloe Hilbert, John Tholey, Janice Oechsle,
Jane Fowler, Barbara Gerold, Geraldine
Schulz, Lilly Griffin, Debbie Manila, Edwin
Groeber, Shawn Vincent, Pat Tomaro,
Dawn Cooper.
Our Homebound
Betz, Ruth and Ed – Home
Brandt, Fred and Myrtle – Home
Blowes, Dorothy - Home
Buntru, Guenter and Elfrieda – Ann’s
Choice
Campbell, David - Home
Dornhecker, Hilda – Somerton Center
Evans, Betty - Home
Golebiowski, William - Home
Heffner, Jack – Protestant Home (Chapters)
Hillis, Gladys – Twining Village
Houck, Nancy – St. Joseph Manor
Marcinkevich, Dolores - Home 11/13
McArdle, Ray and Edna- Home
Miller, Doris – Home, Lansdale
Mills, Marie – Home
Oldfield, Lucretia – Home
Rhodes, Hal and Alma - Home
Sabec, Doris - Home
Simon, Tecla – Paul's Run
Thornley, Pauline – Wood River Village
Tinney, Robert - Home 9/14
“St. David’s Christ Community
Celebrating 62 years”
Anniversaries
2 – Deborah and Sean Malloy (10yrs)
7 – Marie and George McClay (20yrs)
23 – Steve and Linda Smeltzer (38yrs)
26 – Joseph and Marie Silvestro (6yrs)
29 - James and Yvonne Cantz (32yrs)
The Star 6
Birthdays
1 - Christopher Andriso
2 – Paige Vincent
3 - Anna Maria Varano
4 – John Bergmann
4 – Carol Clarke
4 – Kristen Gerenger
4 - James Payne
6 - Jason Malloy
7 – Daniel Fisher
10 – Henscia Tyler
12 – Scott Hessert
12 – Karen Mulhern
13 -- Merryn Buck
17 – Joyce Neill
17 – Joanne Truman
19 – Jeffrey Presock
20 – James Armitage
20 – Kevin Hilgendorf
20 – Victoria Mayer
20 – Sarah Witalec
21 – Debbie Whetstone
23 - Michael Hazel
24 – Guenter Buntru
24 -- Riley Schoenfeldt
24 – Carole Wurst
25 – Rose Costa
26 – Barbara Furey
28 – Marsha Dougherty
30 – Ronald Braun
CORRECTION - Peg Fisher's birthday was
accidently omitted from the Birthday List in
October 2014 STAR. Her special day was
October 11th.
UPCOMING MARRIAGES
Saturday, 11/29/14 - Dana Wojciechowski
and Chris Fortunato
Saturday, 12/13/14 - Nicole Haigh and Ed
Williams, Jr.
STEWARDSHIP
Regifting  God's Way
Each of you must give as you have made
up your mind, not reluctantly or under
compulsion, for God loves a cheerful
giver...2 Corinthians 9:7
As the holiday season approaches, regifting becomes a topic of discussion in the
media. News pundits debate the pros and
cons. Etiquette experts are called upon to
provide guidelines. Should one re-gift? Is it
acceptable? Under what circumstances?
Opinions and advice are offered by all.
Christians know the answer to the question
of re-gifting. As recipients of God's
abundant generosity, it is essential that we
establish a pattern of first giving back to
God. We are also expected to share our
time, talents, and treasures with others.
Should we re-gift? Absolutely, without a
doubt...it's the right thing to do. It is God's
way.
Stewardship Sunday is November 9th.
Come share in the celebration and enjoy
Chef Bill's Breakfast Blast.
SPIRITUAL RETREAT – 2014
Nineteen Christians, including two
newcomers, gathered at the Luther Inn in
Wildwood, New Jersey for one
unforgettable retreat weekend. The theme
was “A Stewardship Journey.” They studied
in depth the true meaning of Christian
stewardship.
Aside from Bible studies and prayer, they
sang, danced, played games, walked the
boardwalk, waded in the ocean, and sat
around evening campfires - complete with
s’mores. Worship and Holy Communion
were celebrated at “church on the
beach” on Sunday morning.
The Star 7
Much laughter abounded throughout the
weekend.
Most returned home with a few extra
pounds. Similar to the TV show, the group
was randomly divided into three teams to
play The Luther Inn Bible Challenge. Team
“Warriors” (Merryn Buck, Matt Cantz,
Yvonne Cantz, Pam Johnson, Milly Rivera)
won the group offering collection of
$135.00 for its favorite charity: Wounded
Warriors Project.
All participants were renewed, refreshed,
and rejuvenated by the presence of the
Holy Spirit in Christian fellowship. They were:
Bill Borkowicz
Grace Fenner
Edwin Rivera
Judie Borkowicz
Pastor Kevin
Milly Rivera
Merryn Buck
Irene Hudson
Linda Smeltzer
Jim Cantz
Pam Johnson
John Tholey
Yvonne Cantz
Dawn Kozakowski
Joanne Truman
Matt Cantz
Gail McClay
John Truman
Carole Wurst
--------------------------------------------------------------Council Corner
 Stewardship Sunday with Breakfast
Blast 11/9/14 9AM-1PM
 Pastor Kevin to attend the Bishop's
Convocation 11/12-11/14, 2014
 The next Council Meeting is Tuesday,
November 18, 2014 at 7PM.
 Annual Congregational Meeting on
January 25, 2015 after 11am Rejoice
service
--------------------------------------------------------------Good Shepherd's Pancake Breakfast: Sat.
Nov. 22nd9- 11am. (new date)
Still only $7.00. Includes Buttermilk or
Blueberry pancakes, sausage, juice and
coffee and tea. Take-out is also available.
THANK YOU
Dear Reverend Kevin,
My long-time friend Robert Cressman, told
me about your visit to see his mother-inlaw, Mrs. Kay Lindenmuth, when she was
near the end of her life. Robert said that
your visit brought Kay a great sense of
peace and joy, something which brought
happiness to him and his wife, Diane. It
was truly a visit worthwhile, and the drive
from Philly to a rural township outside of
Boyertown, was not an easy task
(hopefully, you paid a visit to others, which
would've made the journey more fulfilling
for you).
Robert and Diane asked for a contribution
to St. David's Church rather than flowers, so
I'm doing just that. We might not be of the
same denomination, but, hopefully, we
are, in our own way, doing Christ's work.
You, by your visit, proved that you are truly
a Christian. Me? Only God knows.
Robert said that St. David's congregation
had dwindled over the years, and that
your church could use a bank account
infusion, so here, I am, willing to oblige.
Best wishes,
John
_____________________________________
Rise Up Together! 2015 ELCA Youth
Gathering
The ELCA Youth Gathering for high schoolage youth takes place every three years
and is about faith formation, worship,
study, fellowship, service and play. It is an
opportunity for youth to engage with peers
from across the United States and the
world who share a common commitment
and faith in Christ. The next Gathering will
be held July 15-19, 2015, in Detroit, Mich.
The Gathering is a five-day event that
begins on a Wednesday evening and ends
The Star 8
with a service of communion the following
Sunday morning. The opening night sets
the stage for the days ahead in which
young people may have an encounter
with Jesus that energizes their faith and
helps them discover their call to serve in
the world — locally and globally.
We have had youth from our
congregations attend National Youth
Gatherings in the past, and we want to
encourage all high school-aged youth to
attend this life-changing event. The NEC
will be holding a fundraiser in October to
help defray the cost of the gathering for
any youth who wishes to attend. Look for
more information in upcoming newsletters,
and learn more about Rise Up Together at
www.elca.org/en/youthgathering
Rhawnhurst Turning Point will re-open with a
full schedule of programing and fun! There
are ‘Homework Help and Drop-In’ times
every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday
from 2:30-9 pm, The Hoffman Art Program is
holding classes in Photography, Acrylic
Painting, and Intro to Guitar, and we have
weekend events ranging from Service
Saturdays to Movie and Discussion Nights to
Bible Studies to Game Nights! All the
details are online at
www.RhawnhurstTurningPoint.com.
All our programs are free and open to all
youth in 6th - 12th grade, but youth must
register for Art Classes and some of our
Weekend Events. Please see our website
for all the details or call us at 267-601-5147.
We are located at 7812 Castor Ave, Phila.
PA 19152 and are a non-profit whose
mission is to provide a center for 6-12th
grade youth and young adults where they
can learn, grow, serve, and have fun in a
safe environment supported by caring
volunteers and Christian staff. To learn
more, to volunteer, to make a donation, or
with any questions, visit our website, or
contact Director Cheryl Lafferty at 267-6015147 or by email at
RhawnhurstTurningPoint@yahoo.com
---------------------------------------------------------Refugee Family -- Help Needed at Prince of
Peace!!!
The Welcome Home program provides
short-term transitional housing and
orientation services for the first few weeks
that a political refugee family is in this
country. After a few weeks in the
Welcome Home program the family will
move into more permanent housing and
continue to receive support from LCFS staff
and volunteers. We expect that the family
will be in a better position to successfully
live out the American Dream when they
get off to a good start.
They also need transportation to doctor
appointments, classes and job interviews. If
you are available to drive, please let them
know. They can also use cash donations to
help purchase bus passes and tokens. If
you are interested, please contact Helen
Tobin at 215-742-8106 (Home) or 215-2858337 (cell) or htobin@verizon.net. Helen is
Prince of Peace's coordinator for this
refugee project. It's a great way to live out
Matthew 25:35, "I was a stranger and you
invited me in.”
OPERATION HELPING HEROES
Redemption ministry. Operation helping
Heroes will be praying for the brave men
and women who serve our country. We will
also be sending cards for special
occasions, letters and packages.
If you have a family or friend who is serving
in the United States military and would like
them to be on our list please contact Diane
Graham at 215-745-1982 or by email at
operationhelpingheroes@ yahoo.com.
Please include their name, rank, address,
and birth dates.
The Star 9
Agencies and Outreach supported by the
congregation: Aid for Friends, Holmesburg
King’s Kitchen, Babymanna, Crop Walk,
Feast Incarnate, Clothing Drive, Greater
Philadelphia Food Bank, Lutheran Charities,
Lutheran Disaster Response, Feast of Justice
Ministries, SEKUCo, Navajo Mission
-------------------------------------------------Organizations that meet at St. David’s
Sunday – NA Keys to Freedom, 7:00pm
POC – 215-989-0641
Monday – NA to Live Again, 8:00pm
POC – 267-979-5392
----------------------------------------------------------Church Council
Dan Kolls – 2nd term/2015 - President
Mike Buck – 1st term/ 2014- Vice President
Ken Uhrik – 2nd term/ 2017 - Treasurer
Barbara Gerold – 1st term/ 2015 - Secretary
Janice Anderson - 1st term/2017
Judie Borkowicz - 1st term/2017
Brian Durnin - 1st term/2015
Dave Lendzinski - 1st term/2014
Gail McClay - 1st term/2017
Karen Mulhern - 1st term/ 2014
John Tholey – 1st term /2014
Jennifer Vincent - 1st term/2015
Pastor Kevin
-----------------------------------------------------------A Congregation of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Presiding Bishop Elisabeth Eaton
Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod
www.ministrylink.org
Bishop Claire S. Burkat
The Star 10