St. John’s Messenger
Volume 94, Issue 23
November 12, 2014
Excerpt taken from God Pause relating to Sunday, November 9 th Scripture reading:
Wouldn't you like to know the mind and thoughts of God? What wouldn't we give to know what God
knows and to see as God sees! I think about this whenever I hear Jesus' teaching about the kingdom
of heaven. In essence, Jesus shows his followers God's concept for how life might look like here on
earth.
In Matthew 25, we learn some things about God's kingdom as it takes shape in our time of waiting for
Jesus' return. The first glimpse we catch is that God's timing remains a mystery to us. Nobody knows
the exact time when the bridegroom will appear to gather his followers in celebration. The second is
more troubling, when we note that some are let in to the wedding banquet while others are rejected
because they are unprepared. We're left to wonder what kind of God is this who seems to exclude
some from the festivities.
Still we may find comfort in Jesus' teaching that anyone can be ready by doing the obvious, by being
prepared and ready, with "oil in our lamps" when the bridegroom comes.
Gracious Father, help us do that which we already know how to do in preparing for your Son's return.
Amen.
Keith Anderson
Pastor, First Lutheran Church Ketchikan, Ala.
Master of Divinity, 1989
Matthew 25:1-13
1 "Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet
the bridegroom.
2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.
3 When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them;
4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps.
5 As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept.
6 But at midnight there was a shout, "Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.'
7 Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps.
8 The foolish said to the wise, "Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.'
9 But the wise replied, "No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the
dealers and buy some for yourselves.'
10 And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into
the wedding banquet; and the door was shut.
11 Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, "Lord, lord, open to us.'
12 But he replied, "Truly I tell you, I do not know you.'
13 Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
FUNDRAISING UPDATES
Fishing Tournament – Profit of $797.80; to be split
between Kathryn’s Kloset and Danielle Erdley.
The youngest fisher was Ryder Feaster, and
Brayden Varney caught the tagged fish.
Rummage, Soup, & Bake Sale –
Profit of over $4000 to be given for the Fuel Oil Fund.
Thank you to everyone who supports all of our
events.
Congratulations to Our
2014 Confirmands
Pictures left to right: Derek Young,
Brandon Deans, Rachel Anderson,
Pastor Bruce Amme
CONGREGATION MEETING RESULTS
At the Congregation Meeting held on
November 9th, the following people were
elected to serve on Council beginning in
January 2015:
Jennifer Berry
Linda Bingaman
Peggy Campbell
Loye Hallden
Tina Pontius
Eric Shearer
By a vote of 48 to 2 the 2015 budget was
approved.
HARVEST HOME
Sunday, November 16th
Once again we need to be thankful for our
many blessings and share our bounty with
others. We will be celebrating Harvest Home
by decorating our Chancel area with canned
and non-perishable food and this year we
are also including cleaning supplies and
personal care items. Our collection will be
divided among our Mitten Tree Families.
Please bring your gift to the Adult Sunday
School room on or before November 14th.
Christmas Tree Craft Day
Saturday, November 15th
9:30-11:30 a.m.
Fellowship Hall
This year St. John’s will be decorating a
Christmas Tree in the Northumberland
Park . Join us on Saturday, November
15th, when we will be making simple tree
decorations.
Congratulations
on the birth
of
Millie Lennon Morgan Blythe
Born October 30, 2014
to
Lindsay and Jess Blythe
The proud grandparents are Crystal and
Steve Reed.
Social Ministry will have the
Birthright Tree, located in
the sanctuary,
decorated on Sunday,
November 23rd. Items
need to be returned to the church by Sunday,
December 21st along with the gift tag. As
always, on Christmas Eve during the Family
Worship Service children may bring gifts for
Birthright wrapped in white tissue to the altar.
The Mitten Tree will be up
and ready to be
undecorated on November
23rd We ask that all
mittens be returned to the
church office on or before
December 14th.
Please have the mitten attached to the
unwrapped gifts. We would also like to have all
clothing items boxed please. This is a really big
help when it comes to wrapping the gifts.
CHRISTMAS
BAZAAR
Friday, December 5
9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday, December 6
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Elves have been busy making crafts
and putting together gift baskets. We also
have a selection of Longaberger Baskets
and Boyds. Check out Santa’s Sweet
Treats Shoppe for homemade cookies
and candies. Santa’s Secret Shop will
be open for children to pick out that
special gift for loved ones. The North
Pole Diner will also be serving a tasty
light lunch and dinner. Diner will close at
6:00 p.m. on Friday evening; 1:00 p.m.
on Saturday.
Cookies with Santa
Saturday, December 6
9:00 or 10:00 a.m.
You Are Cordially
Invited
The first Sunday of Advent, November 30th will be the traditional
decorating of the sanctuary for Christmas. Again, this year the
Hanging of the Greens will be incorporated into the worship at the
8:00 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. services. Through special readings and
presentations we will begin our Advent journey. Naturally, the
highlight of the decorating is the placement of the Chrismons on the
tree. It is truly an honor to place a Chrismon on the tree. It is a
visible means of making an offering of our talents to God. Obviously
the entire decorating can not take place during worship, so please
join us following the 10:15 a.m. service to complete the decorating.
MEMBERS: Andrew
Nathan Kerchoff; Hannah
Hafer; Tom Hendricks;
Judy Hoffman; Esther
Bartholomew; Holly
Bedisky, Jane Galow
November 12
November 13
November 14
November 15
November 16
November 17
November 18
November 19
November 20
November 21
November 22
November 23
November 24
November 25
November 26
November 27
November 28
November 29
November 30
Mark 1:9-11
1 Corinthians 1:18-25
John 15:1-8
Genesis 9:1-17
Colossians 2:1-10
Deuteronomy 4:32-40
Joshua 24:14-15
Micah 7:18-20
Malachi 3:6-12
Isaiah 55:1-5
1 Thessalonians 5:12-28
Philippians 4:4-7
Luke 17:11-19
Matthew 15:1-13
Matthew 25:14-30
Revelation 3:14-22
Luke 12:35-40
Matthew 14:36-44
John 1:35-42
PRAYER REQUEST: Carrie Jones; Wally
Kerstetter; Ben Metzger; Don Propst; Troy Gallo;
Jen Daddario; Romayne Bartholomew; Betsy
Smeltz; Jimmy Gordon; Jeff Fasold; Gary and Rita
Lenig; Misi Lucas; William Wagner; Karen Gerst;
Joan Rebuck; Tina Reichenbach; Daniel Lyons;
Beverly Windus; Betty Leitzel; Marlyn Deihl; Steve
and Rose Brungard; Darvin Straub.
HOMEBOUND AND SPECIAL PRAYERS: Eddy
Newfield Wertz; Arlet Hummel; Lorraine Weaver;
Phyllis Gordon; Ruth Ramer; Nancy Hendricks;
Fietta Osman; Sally Mayer; Helen Snyder; Mike
Payne; Kate Billman; Shirley Wolfe; Frances
Rohrbach; Carol Diehl; Polly Hetrick; Betty Yerg;
Elaine Kohl; Robyn Snyder; Dave Roush; Franklin
Hoffman; Catherine Broome; Harold Billman; Sally
Diehl; Julia Tiedman; Tina Pontius; Jan Albertson;
June Seebold; John Kistner; Margaret Rantz;
Joshua Gordon; Harold Reid; Joyce Shearer;
Connie Lahr; Steve Lahr; Zachery Baker; Carol
Wilks; Pauline Spigelmeyer; Jodi Graybill; Brittany
Graybill.
Pray for our military
Logan Brouse; Colton Brouse; Kale Gallo; Jeremy
Hoffman; Wyatt Kohl.
MAKING A LIST
In Daniel Defoe’s classic Robinson Crusoe, the shipwrecked protagonist begins keeping a
tally of his life. He lists his problems as well as a corresponding inventory of things for
which to give thanks.
Crusoe’s pros and cons surprise him. For every evil, a good is present to even it out. For
example, the castaway doesn’t have any clothes — but the weather’s so warm he doesn’t
need any. He lost all his provisions at sea — but has access to water and fresh fruit.
Under the “evil” category, Crusoe writes: “I am singled out and separated, as it were, from
all the world to be miserable.” Yet the corresponding “good” puts things into perspective:
“But I am singled out too from all the ship’s crew to be spared from death; and he that
miraculously saved me from death can deliver me from this condition.”
When you’re tempted to hold a pity party, step back and thank God, your Rescuer, for all
the blessings he provides.
Thursday, November 13
Friday, November 14
Saturday, November 15
Sunday, November 16
Monday, November 17
Wednesday, November 19
Thursday, November 20
Wednesday, November 26
Thursday, November 27
Friday, November 28
Saturday, November 29
Sunday, November 30
Thursday, November 20
Social Ministry Committee, 5:30 p.m.
Deadline to drop off items for Harvest Home
Kathryn’s Kloset, 9-11:00 a.m.
Christmas Tree Craft Day, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
HARVEST HOME
WELCA, 7:00 p.m.
Lighthouse Café, 4:30-6:00 p.m. Thanksgiving meal
Messenger deadline, 3:00 p.m.
Messenger folding, 9:30 a.m.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING – Office Closed
Office Closed
Fellowship Hall reserved, 2-8:00 p.m.
Hanging of the Greens Service, 8:00 & 10:15 a.m.
Finish decorating sanctuary following late service
Chicken & Waffle Dinner, Grace Lutheran Church, Sunbury,
4-6:30 p.m.; $8 adult, $4 (6-12), under 5 eat free
November 2, 2014
8:00 a.m. Service – 28 10:15 a.m. Service – 59
Offering needed weekly to meet budget: $3462.00
Offering received: $2728.00
November 9, 2014
8:00 a.m. Service – 37 10:15 a.m. Service – 60
Offering needed weekly to meet budget: $3462.00
Offering received: $2620.00
Periodicals
Postage Paid
Sunbury, PA
St. John’s Lutheran Church, 300 Queen Street, Northumberland, PA 17857
Periodical postage paid at Northumberland, PA.
POSTMASTER: Send address change to St. John’s Messenger,
300 Queen Street, Northumberland, PA 17857.
ST. JOHN’S MESSENGER
November 12, 2014
Volume 94, Issue 23
St. John’s Evangelical
Lutheran Church
570-473-3770
sjelc300@ptd.net
Address Label
This Sunday at St. John’s
November 16, 2014
Mindelle Bartholomew, Authorized Lay Worship Leader
8:00 a.m. Worship Service with Communion
8:45 a.m. Sunday School for Preschool-6th Grade
9:00 a.m. Sunday School
10:15 a.m. Worship Service with Communion
Next Sunday at St. John’s
November 23, 2014
Vincent Meisinger, Authorized Lay Worship Leader
8:00 a.m. Worship Service with Communion
8:45 a.m. Sunday School for Preschool-6th Grade
9:00 a.m. Sunday School
10:15 a.m. Worship Service with Communion
Church Office Hours
Mon-Thurs 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Fri 8:30 a.m.-Noon
Rev. Andrew Fitch, Pastor
William J. Jacavage, Director of Music
DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS
D
December 1
Shelly Hite
Ed Snyder
Jeffrey Steele
Eileen White
December 2
Brian Crebs
Teresa Miller
Tracey Streck
Jeffrey Zerbe
December 3
Adam Crebs
Nathan Savidge
December 4
Jamie Roseman
Polly Hetrick
Eleanor Hollenbach
December 5
Glenn Kreitzer
December 6
Matthew Miller
December 7
Renee Albertson
Sally Lewis
Cody Moser
December 8
Christina Bowman
Krista Feaster
Franklin Hoffman
December 9
Averie Bingaman
Kristina Brouse
Lily Fox
Elizabeth Henry
Tammy Matrey
Sally Mayer
Dawson Sees
Drake Sees
December 10
Brendon Herrold
David Menges
December 11
Susan Billman
Fietta Osman
Jada Seal
December 12
William Brennen, Jr.
Phyllis Gordon
Helen Naginey
December 13
Joshua Pahl
Tobias Shirk
Teresa Stutzman
December 14
Corey Buch
Cynthia Moser
December 15
Debra Kuttruff
December 17
Joel Dreese
Virginia Rosancrans
December 18
David Bartholomew
Casey Ferentz
Mason Herrera
Jeanne Zerbe
December 19
Michael Berry
Anthony Bonaventura
Andrew Litchard
Walter Lyter
Shannon Ulp
December 20
Rodney Eichner
Betty Schreffler
December 21
Deborah Bright
December 22
Heather Heckert
J. Donald Steele, Jr.
December 23
Elda Bowen
Joshua Krebs
December 24
Paige Billman
Morgan Doyle
Chad Smith
Hollie VanKirk
Amy Whitecavage
December 25
Jesus
Brandon Auman
Donna Bickel
Nathan Campbell
JoAnne Frehafer
Sheila Mills
Christa Roush
December 26
Harold Billman
Scott Neidig
December 27
Dalton Brennen
Elisha Clark
Sherry Russell
Alyssa Zerbe
December 28
Bonnie Leitzel
December 29
LuAnn Kerstetter
Kevin Shilo
James Williams
Angela Zerbe
December 30
Richard Berry, Jr.
Rylee Campbell
Megan Hoffman
James Kiger
December 31
Courtlynn Boyle
December 2014 Service Assistants
Date
Lector
Greeters
Dec 7
8:00 AM
Dec 7
10:15 AM
Don Steele
Joanne & Don
Steele
Dec 14
8:00 AM
Dec 14
10:15 AM
Mike Erdley
Franklin Hoffman
Frank Hoffman
Dec 21
8:00 AM
Dec 21
10:15 AM
Caitlin
Cunningham
Dec 24
Family Service
6:30 PM
Dec 24
Candlelight
Service w/
Communion
10:30 PM
Dec 28
8:00 AM
Dec 28
10:15 AM
Dean Siemsen
Communion
Assistants
Bread
Pat Propst
Tom Propst
Judy Reigle
Blaine Shaffer
Dean Siemsen
Judy Reigle
Judy Dunkelberger
Jamie Feaster
Jacki
Cunningham
Nancy Erdley
Mike Erdley
Jacki
Cunningham
Brenda Herbert
David Herbert
Karen Smeltz
Mary & Greg
Morton
Caitlin Cunningham
Trey Cunningham
Karen Smeltz
Mike and Nancy
Erdley
TBD
Cindy Manning
Barb Moyer
Lou VanGilder
Linda Bingaman
Judy Reigle
Teresa Miller
Sue Billman
Bill Troutman
Ginny Butler
Carolyn Smith
Jane Ressler
Trish Long
Ginny Butler
Ushers
Barb Moyer
Teresa Miller
Lori Bogovich
Trish Long
Bob Berry
Bonnie Berry
Maryann Berry
Mike McWilliams
Doug Manning
Lou VanGilder
Franklin Hoffman
Frank Hoffman
Trey Cunningham
Caitlin Cunningham
Rebekah Amerman
Derek Amerman
Brian Cunningham
Lee Miller
Ken Reigle
David Menges
Derek Menges
Crucifer
Acolyte/
Torchbearer
Sound
System
Hanna Long
Rebekah Amerman
Rachel
Anderson
Eryn Swanger
William Duncan
Bob Berry
Kanen
Bucher
Ryan Latsha
Mike Erdley
Kobe
Swanger
Owen Long
Eryn Swanger
Hanna Long
Mike Erdley
Brandon Deans
William Duncan
Rachel Anderson
Bob Berry
Jane Ressler
Jane Ressler
Blaine Shaffer
Greg Morton
Tom Propst
Pat Propst
Rebekah
Amerman
Kanen Bucher
Lou Van
Gilder
December 2014
Sunday
Monday
1
TOPS
Cub Scouts
7
Carol Black presiding
TOPS
Finance
Cub Scouts
14
15
Rev Shellhamer
presiding
Worship w/Comm.
8:00 a.m.
Sunday School PreK-6 8:45 a.m.
Sunday School
9:00 a.m.
Worship w/Comm.
10:15 a.m.
TOPS
Cub Scouts
21 Carol Black presiding
22
Worship w/Comm.
Sunday School PreK-6
Sunday School
Worship w/Comm.
TOPS
Cub Scouts
28
8:00 a.m.
8:45 a.m.
9:00 a.m.
10:15 a.m.
George Groff presiding
Worship w/Comm.
8:00 a.m.
Sunday School PreK-6 8:45 a.m.
Sunday School
9:00 a.m.
Worship w/Comm.
10:15 a.m.
2
6:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
8
Worship w/Comm.
8:00 a.m.
Sunday School PreK-6 8:45 a.m.
Sunday School
9:00 a.m.
Worship w/Comm.
10:15 a.m.
Boy Scouts
Bible Study
AA
6:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
Boy Scouts
Bible Study
AA
6:30 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
Boy Scouts
Bible Study
AA
23
6:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
Messenger folding
Boy Scouts
AA
Boy Scouts
Bible Study
AA
9 a.m.-?
6:15-7:15 p.m.
Messenger folding
Girl Scouts
Council Meeting
9:30 a.m.
6:15-7:15 p.m
7:00 p.m.
9:30 a.m.
6:30 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
Messenger deadline
AA
Al anon
3:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
Social Ministry
AA
Al anon
4:30-6:00 p.m.
6:15-7:15 p.m
Messenger deadline
Scout Roundtable
AA
Al anon
25
6
CHRISTMAS BAZAAR
Friday 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
Saturday, 9 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Cookies with Santa, Saturday, 9 and 10 a.m.
12
13
19
20
Kathryn’s Kloset
3:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
OFFICE CLOSED
Mark Geisen presiding
26
OFFICE CLOSED
Christmas Eve Family
Service w/ communion 6:30 p.m.
Candlight Service w/communion
10:30 p.m.
AA
Al anon
31
January 1 2015 2
Messenger deadline
3:00 p.m.
Office closed
Saturday
6:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
18
Lighthouse Café
Girl Scouts
Friday
5
11
24
30
6:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
Set up for Bazaar
Girl Scouts
17
6:30 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
Thursday
4
10
16
6:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
Wednesday
3
9
29
TOPS
Cub Scouts
Tuesday
7:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
Office closed
27
9-11:00 a.m.
JUST FOR KIDS