The
Epistle
January, 2014
Brothers and Sisters in Jesus,
The turn of another year signals the passage of time and
reminds us that we live within the time/space limitations
set by God. Three thousand years ago, King David understood the
boundaries of life on this earth when he said in Psalm 139:16 “All
the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of
them came to be.” Nobody has an unlimited account in the bank of
time. Since everyone has a finite amount of time to spend, on what
should it be spent?
Allow me to give you a spiritual check list of what you could do to
make 2014 the best year to date. Many look forward to the New
Year for a new start on changing old habits. Here’s how you can
break out of the norm and take a new step forward. Before you stop
reading, think about your life so far – can you do better?
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Maintain a daily prayer life
Spend time reading the bible daily
Make practical plans to show love to your neighbor.
Release someone who hurt you from their wrongdoing and
tell them so.
Forgive yourself and don’t turn back for another look.
Choose to be thankful in every circumstance.
Trust God for what you can not see.
Know that suffering and trials will come, but keep going
through the problems, because you are not alone.
It has been said that an optimist stays up until midnight to see the
New Year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.
Join the ranks of forward thinkers who are filled with hope because
they know the secret of Romans 8:28 “In all things God works for
the good of those who love him, who have been called according to
his purpose.”
St. Paul’s Lutheran
Church,
417 Howertown Rd,
Catasauqua, PA 18032
610-264-3221 Fax: 610-264-5732
Email:stpaulschurch@rcn.com
Web:www.stpaulscatasauqua.com
Child Care: 610-264-0190
Sunday Worship
8:00 am Holy Communion
9:00 am Sunday School
10:30 am Worship
1st & 3rd Sunday Holy Communion
_______________________
Church Office Hours
Monday-Friday 9:00am-3:00pm
Sunday School
September-May 9:00am
Child Care Center
Monday-Friday 7:30am-5:30pm
_______________________
Church Staff:
Pastor: Rev. Gary Walbert,
Pastor Emeritus:
Rev. Dr. Hartland H. Gifford
Dir. Music: Michael Fister
Office Admin: Charleen Burik
Treasurer: Paul Peters
Financial Sec: Debbie Stewart
Dir. Child Care: Margaret Bossons
Sexton: Norbert Huber
Congregation Council
Rena Ackerman
Robert Bastian
Tom Danner
Tammie Englert - Secretary
Kerry Lewis – Vice President
Kay Muehlberger
Doug Newhard- President
Laurie Perna
Albert Renn
Helene Sterner
(2) Open
Making 2014 the best year is in your hands, God will certainly
not fail.
Yours, In Jesus,
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November Highlights
* A motion was made and
carried to approve the Fundraising list of events from December 14,
2013 through May 4, 2014 with the
exception of Movie Night, which will now be
under Stewardship Committee.
*A motion was made and carried to have
Brynn Layton be a member of the Finance
Committee.
* A motion was made and carried to replace
Rena Ackerman as Council Liaison for
Finance Committee and Child Care
Committee with Tammie Englert.
*A motion was made and carried to accept
Amanda Dungan as Christian Education
Director effective January 1, 2014.
*Currently there are still open positions on
Council. Please contact Council President,
Doug Newhard if you are interested in
serving.
Treasury Report
Each one must give as he has decided in his
heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for
God loves a cheerful giver - 2 Corinthians 9:7
Jan. – Nov. YTD Financial Update
Weekly Envelopes
Budgeted:
$108,210
Received:
$ 93,168
Actual Inc. YTD: $530,698
Actual Exp. YTD: $582,018
Loan
$49,000
Balance: $42,156
(Oct 2013)
Annual Financial Meeting
Our
annual
congregational
financial meeting will be on
February 16th following the
morning worship service. There
will be only one service that morning
beginning at 9:00 a.m. We will be approving
the financial report for the year 2013, and
approving the budget for the year 2014.
A quorum of 50 members is required to
hold this annual meeting. Your presence and
input is greatly needed.
Child Care Center
January 2014 is here and the staff
of St. Paul’s CCC we would like to
wish everyone a Happy New Year.
This month, the children will be having
fun learning new songs and finger plays
about the snowy, cold weather of January.
They will be busy making different wintry
crafts to hang in our classrooms and hallways
that might have you feel as though you are
walking into a winter wonderland.
Happy New Year,
Margaret Bossons
Fundraising
Thanksgiving Basket Raffle drawing
was held in the fellowship hall
following the Community Thankgiving Service on November 25. The
winning ticket pulled anonymously requested
the basket and turkey be donated to a needy
family. The final profit for this raffle was
$266.00. On behalf of St. Paul’s, we want to
thank everyone who contributed in any way
to making this raffle a great success. Your
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continued commitment to our church is
sincerely appreciated
Upcoming Events
January 1: New Year’s Day
Church office closed
January 11 & 18: Marriage Preparedness
Series at Ziegels Lutheran Church,
Breinigsville 9:00-Noon. Sponsored
by Lutheran Congregational Services
610-770-9205. You can register and
pay on line at
www.lutherancongregationalservices.org
February 16: Congregational Meeting
following 9:00am service.
February 23: New Members Installation
There will be a membership class on
Wednesday, February 19th at 7:00 p.m. in
the church library. If you are interested,
please contact Pastor Gary or the church
office (610-264-3221), or fill out the
information sheet and hand it to Pastor Gary.
On February 23rd, during the 10:30 a.m.
service, St. Paul’s will receive new members
into the church family.
Name: ______________________________
Address: ____________________________
Cradle Roll.
"Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he
will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6).
The Splash Cradle Roll is a ministry for
families of little ones from birth to three
years of age. This program was designed
by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America and is published by Augsburg
Fortress Press. It offers valuable resources
for families with infants and toddlers and
plays a special part during the celebration
of Holy Baptism.
At St. Paul’s, when a young child is
baptized, he/she will be automatically
enrolled in the Cradle Roll. At this time
parents will receive a welcome letter into
the program along with a Splash! Parent
Page and a Sleepy Time Tunes CD. Each
month the family will receive age
appropriate mailings, called Parent Pages.
Upon the child’s third birthday, Cradle
Roll “graduates” will be invited to join our
Three Year Old Sunday School class.
Our mission is to help new families
fulfill their baptismal promise and support
them as they begin their journey of faith
together.
For more information regarding this
program, please contact church office
November’s Inductees:
Zoey Jennifer Kalman
Ethan Lloyd Pawlowski
____________________________________
Phone #: ____________________________
Church membership: ___________________
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Children: ____________________________
St Paul‘s Committees &
Volunteer Directory
Acolytes: Pastor Gary Walbert
Altar Guild: Jackie Younger
Child Care: Tammie Englert
Christian Ed: Amanda Dungan
Communion Assist: Pastor Gary Walbert
Epistle: Charleen Burik
Finance: Betty MacHose
Fundraising: Bob Bastian
Greeters: Kay Muehlberger
Lectors: Judy Donchez
Memorials: Betty MacHose
Prayer Chain: Bette MacHose
Property: Bob Bastian
Scouts: Al Renn/Mark Weaver
Social Ministry/Evangelism: June Hahn
Stewardship: Tammie Englert
Worship: Kerry Lewis
Needed
G
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W
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Hospital Visits
If you or someone you know is admitted
into the hospital, it is very important to
notify the church as soon as possible.
You can do this by either calling the
church office directly or informing the
hospital upon admittance that you are a
member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and
they will list you under our Pastoral Code
312. If you are admitted into a
Rehabilitation facility, please inform the
church office as well. Without either of
these notifications, Pastor will not know to
visit you and you will not be added on to our
prayer chain
H
A
N
D
S
Ni Hao (Chinese)
Guten Morgan
(German) Good Morning! This is one
of the duties for being a Greeter for the
8am or 10:30am services. Smiling and
handing out bulletins are the other 2
duties. It's easy but important. We are
always looking for Greeters. They can
be couples, family, friends or
confirmands.
If you would like to
start the service with a smile just sign
up on the Greeter board in the Narthex.
If you have any questions please call
Kay Muehlberger at 610-264-8742.
Audit Volunteers are needed!
It does not take long; it is checking one
page against another – it is not
difficult, so please help us to complete
our audit on time. Call either the
church at 610-264-3221 or Bette
MacHose at 610-264-0871
Troop 94: Do you like being outside,
hiking, camping or fishing; being with
youth? If so, great! Troop 94 is in
search of this person to be the Scout
Master. Please contact Al Renn the
Charter Rep @ 484-264-3007 or the
church office for more information.
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Ways to help St. Paul’s & Our Community
Catasauqua Food Bank Needs:
Flour, sugar, baking powder, extracts, other
baking items, Pancake mix & syrup, Muffin
and/or corn bread mixes, Cookie, brownie or cake
mixes, rice, Hot or cold cereal, Pasta & sauce
mixes; macaroni and cheese, Stuffing, Soups,
Coffee/tea,
Toiletries Items: toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap,
shampoo, tissue, etc.
Household products: soap, detergents, paper
goods, etc.
Items can be placed in basket in Church Narthex
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Deadline: Monday: January 17
Epistle Volunteers: January 24
9:00am
Membership files
If you move, changed phone or cell numbers, email
addresses, or add members to your household, it is
very important that you let the church office know so
we can update all our information!
Please take a moment to fill out the Member
Information Sheet below and return to church office
or place in offering plate on Sundays
Name______________________________________
Address_____________________________________
___________________________________________
If you would like to put an article or announcement
in our newletter, please contact Charleen.
Request: If you are able, please E-mail your
articles to Charleen, Office Admin at
stpaulschurch@rcn.com
E-Mail me the Epistle!
Help us cut down the cost of postage by getting
your Epistle newsletter by e-mail Just send your
request via an email to church office at
stpaulschurch@rcn.com
Home #___________________________________
Cell #: ____________________________________
Email_____________________________________
Marital Status: ___ Single
___ Divorced
___Married
___Widow/er
Spouse’s Name_____________________________
Date of Birth_______________________________
For all you Smartphone users: We can
easily email your Epistle directly to your
smartphone (PDF format) so you can enjoy it
anytime,
anywhere.
Just
email
us
at
stpaulschurch@rcn.com or call church office and
let us know where you want us to send it.
Don’t forget you can also get our EPISTLE
newsletter and up-to-date church information on
our website too www.stpaulscatasauqua.com
……and…….
Date of Marriage____________________________
check out St. Paul’s Facebook page too!
Children (Living with parents)
Name______________________________________
Date of Birth_________________________
Name______________________________________
Date of Birth_________________________
Name______________________________________
Date of Birth_________________________
Philippians 3:13-14
No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I
am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the
past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach
the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through
Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven.
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Do you have any good news
in your family? Any news, exciting
happenings? What do I mean - births,
engagements, a new job, a great
accomplishment for one of your family
members. Tell us so we can celebrate with
you. Good News is not for offering Thank
you’s, rather it is an opportunity for you
to let us know about the joyful things in
your lives.
Sharing the Good News
* Russ Hillegrass is now Flight
Paramedic at Penn Medicine University
of Pennsylvania Health System
* Sara Burik (daughter of Charleen)
recently was inducted into the Psi Chi
International Honor Society for academic
excellence in Psychology.
* Bishop Sam and Linda Zeiser on the
birth of their first grandchild, James
Samuel on December 3
*Emily Price who recently graduated
from Lock Haven University with dual
degrees in Special and Elementary
Education.
* For very generous contribution of winter
coats, hats and gloves to the Sixth Street
Shelter – Jessica R. Dreistadt, Dir. Sixth
Street Shelter
* For generous donation to the Catasauqua
Community Food Bank – Shirley Edwards,
Treasurer
*To all the volunteers who faithfully come
into the church office weekly and monthly
to help with bulletins, newsletters or special
tasks and to those kind individuals who
donate items to the church office throughout
the year. Their generosity certainly helps
ease the budgetary burdens of running the
church office and everyone’s willingness to
use their gifts and abilities has strengthened
the mission and ministry of this church God’s Blessings, Charleen Burik
Just One Request
Dear Master for this coming year just one request I bring:
I do not pray for happiness, or any earthly thing—
I do not ask to understand the way Thou leadest me,
But this I ask: Teach me to do the thing that pleaseth Thee.
I want to know Thy guiding voice, to walk with Thee each day.
Dear Master make me swift to hear and ready to obey.
And thus the year I now begin a happy year will be—
If I am seeking just to do the thing that pleaseth Thee.
--Unknown Author
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January Celebrations
Jesus said, “I am the Light of the World”.
May the birthday candles that represent the years of your life be a reflection to others of your love for Christ.
Special Birthdays
1/1
1/1
1/1
1/3
1/4
1/6
1/7
1/7
1/7
1/8
1/9
1/9
1/10
1/10
1/10
1/10
1/11
1/11
1/12
1/12
1/13
1/13
Nicholas Borda
Kierin Cole
Valerie Davidheiser
Mason Bowlin
Jane Laudenslager
Robin Ruch
Madison Harth
Sherry Miller
Christine Voorhees
Mica Smith
Christopher Bastidas
Kiara Voorhees
Tracy DeLong
Carolyn Huggan
Heather Jones
Dwight Steidel
LeeAnn Miller
Margaret Weinhofer
Suzanne Chamberlain
Matthew Strohl
Robert Bastian
Christopher Winkler Jr.
1/15
1/16
1/17
1/17
1/20
1/21
1/21
1/21
1/22
1/23
1/23
1/25
1/25
1/26
1/29
1/31
Joan Yost
Brandi Kulp
Robert Searfass
Stewart Sheckler
Jennifer Scholl
Taylor Edwards
Linda Sheriff
Amber Shook
Laurie Perna
Haileigh Romig
Emma Weber
Marilyn Boandl
Ryan Sparacello
Peyton Taniser
Judith Donchez
Tessa James
A few of our seniors will be celebrating
birthdays this month. Please take the time to
remember them with a card or note
1/1
Lawrence Rush
87
7264 Snowberry Court, Macungie, PA 18062
1/19 LaRue Anglestein
2215 Fuller Street, Whitehall, PA 18052
80
1/28 Lamar Cramsey
86
123 N. 5th St., STE 1, Allentown, PA 18102
1/29 RuthEllen Klinesmith
83
204 Delaware Ave, Catasauqua, PA 18032
1/29 Irene Schubert
85
1426 Howertown Rd, Catasauqua, PA 18032
1/30 Phyllis Bechtold
84
1450 Deer Path Dr., Walnutport, PA 18088
1/30 Joanne Kleintop
83
534 Third St, Apt 101, Catasauqua, PA 18032
1/31 Ralston Anglestein
83
2215 Fuller Street, Whitehall, PA 18052
1/31 Stephen Chromiak
93
823 Breinigs Lane, Catasauqua, PA 18032
Wedding Anniversaries
1/3
1/5
1/8
1/9
1/10
1/24
1/24
1/29
Cynthia & Russel Bass
5
Larry & Cynthia Wassum
23
William & Paula Kesack
42
Forrest & Linda Heckman 43
Michael & Rachael Matchette17
Judith & Thomas Donchez
7
Lee & Carolyn Schleicher
60
Thomas & Margaret Lawlor 20
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January 2014
Sunday
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Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
1
CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED
2
3
4
6
7:00pm Worship
7:00pm Troup 94
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6:30pm Girl
Scouts
7:00pm Property
8
6:30pm Choir
6:30pm Daisy
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7:00pm Finance
7:00 Cub Pack
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6:30
Fundraising
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12 Baptism of
Our Lord
8:00 Spoken Comm
9:00 Sunday School
10:30 Worship
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7:00 Troup 94
14
6:30pm Girl
Scouts
15
6:30pm Choir
6:30pm Daisy
16
7:00 Cub Pack
17
Epistle
Deadline
18
19
8:00 Spoken Comm
9:00 Sunday School
10:30 Communion
20
7:00 Troup 94
7:00 Council
7:00 CYSA
21
6:30pm Girl
Scouts
7:00pm CCC
Meeting
22
6:30pm Choir
6:30pm Daisy
23
7:00 Cub Pack
26
8:00 Spoken Comm
9:00 Sunday School
10:30 Worship
27
7:00 Troup 94
28
6:30pm Girl
Scouts
29
6:30pm Choir
6:30pm Daisy
30
7:00 Cub Pack
8:00 Spoken Comm
9:00 SS Breakfast
10:30 Holy Comm
Cub Pack
Family Fun
Night
24
9:00am Epistle
Volunteers
25
Don’t forget you can view our calendar on-line by visiting our website
www.stpaulscatasauqua.com and click on Calendar link
Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
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Serving at St. Paul's in January, 2014
DATE
1/5
1/12
1/19
1/26
LECTOR
COMM. ASSTS.
ACOLYTES
8:00 AM
10:30 AM
Christopher Bastidas
8:00 AM
10:30 AM
Libby Buss
8:00 AM
10:30 AM
Doug Newhard
8:00 AM
10:30 AM
Bob Teets
8:00 AM
Len Witt/Paula Kesack
10:30 AM
Jessica Kirkpatrick/Judy Buss
8:00 AM
Bob Bastian/Pat Gerber
10:30 AM
8:00 AM
Al Renn/Len Witt
10:30 AM
Doug Newhard/Mark Weaver
8:00 AM
Bob Bastian/Paula Kesack
10:30 AM
-
CRUCIFERS
ALTAR GUILD
8:00 AM
8:00 AM
Hannah Matchette/Bree Sheldon J. Mooney/L. Reitz
10:30 AM
10:30 AM
Brittain Shander/Calla Shander
L. Anglestine
8:00 AM
8:00 AM
Alyssa Cantrel/Alison Mengel
10:30 AM
10:30 AM
Gabe DelRe/Linda Houck
8:00 AM
8:00 AM
Andrew Kalynych/Eddie Forstoffer J. Falko/R. Ruch
10:30 AM
10:30 AM
Carol Williams/Ali Dixon
T. Bastidas/L. Miller
8:00 AM
8:00 AM
Adam Reinhart/Hope Eisenhard
10:30 AM
10:30 AM
Gavyn MacHose/Brian Panasik
-
DEDICATIONS OPEN FOR JANUARY, 2014
1/5
1/12
1/19
1/26
FLOWERS ($40)
open
open
open
open
BULLETINS ($15)
open
open
open
open
If you would like to be a sponsor for any of these opens dates, request forms are in the Narthex or contact the church
office. Payment must be submitted with request.
Please note: Whenever we do not have dedications for flowers, there will be no Altar Flowers for that Sunday.
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new
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January Worship Services
Treasured by God
5th
2nd Sunday of Christmas
8:00 a.m. – Spoken Holy Communion
9:00 am. – Sunday School Breakfast
10:30 a.m. – Holy Communion
12th
The Baptism of Our lord
8:00 a.m. – Spoken Holy Communion
9:00 a.m. – Sunday School
10:30 a.m. – Worship
19th
2nd Sunday after Epiphany
8:00 a.m. – Spoken Holy Communion
9:00 a.m. – Sunday School
10:30 a.m. – Holy Communion
26th
3rd Sunday after Epiphany
8:00 a.m. – Spoken Holy Communion
9:00 a.m. – Sunday School
10:30 a.m. – Worship
A newborn baby often elicits "oohs" and "ahs" from
its admirers and yet develop-mentally, may be
doing nothing incredibly remarkable—only able to
focus on objects only about 18 inches in front of its
face and prone to stare at any shiny object.
Nevertheless, a newborn is a miracle to behold,
filled with wonder for the world around it and
desiring nothing more than to be fed, held, rocked,
nurtured, and loved.
The gifts of the magi direct us away from the cute,
cuddly, cooing baby Jesus by pointing us to who
Jesus really has come to be. The magi offer gold, a
possession of kings; frankincense, used in ritual to
indicate the presence of the deity; and myrrh, an oil
used at the time of death as well as for anointing
priests. By their gifts, the wise men reveal the
identity of this child: the king before whom nations
will bow, the anointed high priest of God, and the
suffering servant who will die for the ones he has
come to serve.
The "oohs" and "ahs" we offer as we celebrate the
Epiphany of Our Lord are not simply for a cooing
and cuddly baby Jesus but for a God who chooses to
reveal God's love and mercy by taking human form.
We celebrate that God's mercy is wider and deeper
than we imagined and includes all people and all
nations. All people—rich or poor, Gentile or Jew,
straight or gay, male or female—are God's treasure,
the precious ones for whom God is willing to die.
What do we bring to honor our Lord before whom
we bow? We bring the treasure of our lives poured
out in praise of God and in service to others.
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The Epistle
January, 2014
A monthly publication of
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church
417 Howertown Road
Catasauqua, PA 18032
610-264-3221
Church Office Hours
Monday-Friday
9:00am-3:00pm
Sunday School
September-June
9:00am
Child Care Center
Monday-Friday
7:30am-5:30pm
In the New Year, may you be blessed with all the good things
God has to give!
St. Paul’s Church Council
.
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