JUNE 2015 - First Lutheran Church

First Lutheran Church
109 West Third Avenue
Warren, PA 16365
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Warren, PA 16365
Permit No. 17
JUNE/JULY 2015
TheJune/July2015Lantern
“ReachingUpwardandReachingOutward”
FirstLutheranChurch
109WestThirdAvenue
814-723-6450
www.firstlutheranwarren.com
firstlutheran@westpa.net
It’s been a busy, chaotic, crazy, wonderful, uneasy Spring. It seems
that since the beginning of Lent, life has been non-stop nuts. And
that’s OK…for a while. But you can’t go full-blast for an overly
extended period of time and expect to remain yourself. We are not
wired like that. God, in God’s infinite wisdom, set aside time for us to
recover, recoup, and recharge…“On the 7th day God rested”. It’s when
we don’t give (yes, give) ourselves the opportunity to step back and relax that all sorts of stress
and anxiety can affect our lives in significant ways. We become out of balance. We get shorttempered because there’s always “one more thing” that needs to be done. We love our sense of
joy and wonder because we don’t let ourselves “chill”. We miss God’s blessings.
A friend of mine, John Coleman, has been teaching me a lot through his thoughts in “A Napper’s
Companion” on line. He’s a great writer, able to put to words that which many of us cannot. In
one of his posts he talks about hearing God through others, but also hearing God with our own
voice. Listen to God speak through him…
“…during morning prayer, I heard God use my voice. It was a mind-whisper: Enjoy. It seems
I’ve been turning nearly everything in my life into a program, something to be worked at, a goal
to be pursued with one eye on the clock. I haven’t been enjoying my present embarrassment of
blessings in my blood and in the cavern of my chest where anxiety has been an intractable
squatter.
“Enjoy,” my spirit says. I’ve come to believe in a peculiar miracle: I don’t think God speaks to
me directly, though that would be something. Rather, God helps me to hear myself—but only if I
sit still. And what I heard in merciful silence was a cardinal calling out to his mate. “Listen,” I
said. “Receive this song, this beauty.” In an instant I understood what God longed for me to hear.
The people I love and the gorgeous world exist for their own sake, but they also exist for me.
“Enjoy,” God said in my throat. “All of this is for you.” And so, sitting propped up in bed before
sunrise, my spirit flew open like a door caught by the wind. As if on cue, I began enjoying.”
Take a lesson from your pastor: step back, relax, hear God say “Enjoy” to you. And give (yes,
again, give) yourself permission and time to enjoy the many, many blessings around us – from
singing birds, to sunsets, to family and friends. I plan to. Enjoy!
Shalom, PJ
EMPTY PRESCRIPTION BOTTLES NEEDED: A mission trip to Brazil is coming
up and they are in need of prescription bottles to distribute medicine. Please bring in
your empty prescription bottles with the labels removed. A container for them is on
the table in the narthex.
Married on May 9th - Amy Corbran and Chris Peters.
Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Peters!
CONFIRMATION CAMP SET FOR JUNE 14-20
Once again this year we will be heading to Lutherlyn for a week of learning
and fun! We will be leaving at 1:00 p.m. from the parking lot on Sunday and
returning around 11:30 on Saturday (thanks to LMM for the wonderful “Hot
Dog Welcome Home”).
Synod Assembly
This year’s NWPA/SWPA Synod assembly at Thiel College takes place from June 11-13. First Lutheran’s
representatives are John Hyde and Sally Hawkinson. This year’s theme is “Belonging to each other in
Christ Jesus” and is our first endeavor combining assemblies with Southwest PA.
All Lutheran Picnic – Sunday, June 28!
Bring a dish and a smile to share at this awesome get together! We’ll
gather at 4:00 p.m. at St. John’s for a bunch of great food and good times!
We hope you can come and enjoy the food, fun and friends!
CALLING ALL WATERCRAFT! CALLING ALL WATERCRAFT!
Our annual canoe/kayak regatta will begin at the tailwaters at Kinzua at 1:00
p.m. We’ll take out at Allegheny Outfitters (right before the bridge near the
refinery) and make our way over to St. John’s for some good old picnicking!
There’s a sign-up sheet in the narthex and remember the sun screen!
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!
To the staff of our awesome Sunday’s Cool program – THANK YOU SO MUCH
for your commitment to our kids! Your faithfulness is a witness to our young
people and we thank you for your dedication! You all rock!!
INTERESTED IN BECOMING A MEMBER OF OUR CHURCH
FAMILY? We hope so! And if so, we would like to invite you to our
new member classes which will take place on Tuesday, June 23, 30 and
July 7 at 6:30 p.m. If you are interested in a little refresher course
regarding our Lutheran tradition, please feel free to attend. The classes
will take place in the parlor each week. To sign up or for more information, please contact Pastor Jeff at
the church.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!! SAVE THE DATE!!
Get ready for the most AWESOME Vacation Bible School EVER!!
June 22 – 26th 9:00 am – 12:00 pm daily
Family picnic during the closing on June 26th.
Join us as we begin our daily journey in BASE CAMP, go on BIBLE
EXPEDITIONS, visit the KIDVID Cinema, get creative in the IMAGINATION
STATION, hang out with friends at the MOUNTAIN TREATS café, and play
some “cool” GLACIER GAMES.
Children ages 4 years – 5th grade are invited to attend.
Watch the bulletin & newsletter for registration info.
Rummage Sale June 5 & 6
Those attending the National Youth Gathering trip to Detroit this
coming July and choir members saving for new choir robes are planning to
hold a rummage sale on June 5 and 6 in our church parking lot. Now is the
time to clean out your attics and garages! Please consider donating any items
that you no longer want. They will sell them for donations that will go
towards the cost of the trip to Detroit and for choir robes. You can start bringing your items to
the church garage beginning May 22nd. Thank you!
NATIONAL YOUTH GATHERING MEETS IN DETROIT!!
The ELCA’s National Youth Gathering is meeting in Detroit this July 15-19. Each day,
our youth will have the opportunity to reach out in faith and walk in love as we “Rise Up”
with over 30,000 other teenage Lutherans! The gathering is divided up into three
sections: Proclaim Story – where we frame our individual and congregational stories into
the wider arc of God’s story, Proclaim Community – which is an interactive learning Day
and Proclaim Justice – when we go out into the Detroit area for a day of service projects
and mission opportunities. And morning and evening worship, a bunch of music and Hotel life
and you’ve got the makings of one memorable trip! And this trip wouldn’t be possible without
the love, prayers and financial support of our church family. So, from Connor, Elyse, Nathan,
Jared, Zack, Jackson, Anna-Marie and Pastor Jeff – Thank you (and please continue to keep us in
your prayers!)
FIRST LUTHERAN COUNCIL HIGHTLIGHTS
Church Council met on Monday, May 18. Reports were received from many active
committees. Christian Education is looking for people interested in teaching Sunday
School next year. The Witness committee will be collecting bottles of water for this
year’s 4th of July parade. They are also looking for people who would like to help pass out
water at the parade. Property committee has replaced some of the lighting in the sanctuary with
LED lights. They provide more light and last longer. Council approved a motion for the
Witness committee to put a collection box for used pill bottles in the narthex. These bottles will
be used for the distribution of medicine in third world countries. The congregational meeting to
call Pastor Jeff Ewing from the role of Associate Pastor to the role of Pastor will be held after
Bishop Jones meets with the personnel committee, hopefully by September. Don Reed called to
the attention of council our short fall of about $5,000 in current and benevolence giving year to
date and a need to have our organ updated and repaired in the near future.
Mighty to save
Dr. Kent Brantly, a U.S. medical missionary who contracted the Ebola virus last summer in Liberia,
credits a “mighty God” — and lots of prayers — for his survival. After recovering from the disease,
Brantly returned to the North Carolina headquarters of Samaritan’s Purse, the group he’d been
working with in Africa.
He spoke about Deuteronomy 6, saying it’s important to remind others of God’s acts. “I will never
grow tired of talking of this,” Brantly said. “I’m going to keep telling my story so I can remember
what God has done in my life.”
Then Brantly offered this challenge: “Never think you’re just a normal person. If you’re pursuing
God’s calling in your life, he will use you. Even if it’s a challenging calling, even if you find
yourself in difficult circumstances, he will give you what you need to be faithful to him, even if
it’s a whole army of people praying for you. Share your story over and over and over so you can
remember we serve a mighty God.”
WELCA CONVENTION MAY 8 AND 9TH 2015
“Nurturing Ourselves and Faith Journals.
We enjoyed Friday night’s opening with Pastor Jake Jacobson’s sharing his own spiritual
journey followed by Diane Scarella leading all in a drum circle.
Our business meeting started Saturday morning. Mary Ann Paterson was reelected President and
two new board members were elected.
Pastor Deborah Jacobson was our inspiring weekend chaplain and our closing worship leader.
There were three workshops to pick from before and after lunch plus a chair massage therapist.
First Lutheran’s delegate was Jo Loree. Ladies on planning commitee from First Lutheran were
Joyce Kelley, Diane Stenstrom, Lori Nowacki, Sandy Wachter, and Sandy Britton.
Church wide delegate was Rev. Dinah Dutta, Ph.D. who shared her very inspiring faith journey
with us.
All First Lutheran ladies are encouraged to attend the weekend of September 18-20 at Camp
Lutherlyn to explore the healing power of God’s love and learn how each of us can find ways to
serve the needs of others. There will be a healing service on Saturday evening and we will
celebrate the Eucharist on Chapel Hill on Sunday Morning with Pastor Sandra Jones.
Registration forms will be available on the table in the church lobby. Please feel free to make
copies.
Mark your calendar and ask a friend from church or your other circles to join you.
The entire cost of the weekend will be $115.00 which includes all workshops and speakers.
If you have questions please do not hesitate to contact Joyce Kelley at 230-9345.
Beth and I want to thank the senior fellowship kitchen crew and Pastor Jeff for all the
wonderful memories we shared during our 20 plus years of cooking for the senior
fellowship program. We would also like to thank all of those who hopefully enjoyed our
cooking and for the positive comments and gift card we received at the picnic. We had a
great time cooking and look forward to being on the eating side in September.
Ramsey Llewellyn
SENIOR FELLOWSHIP – Thank you Ramsey and Beth for all your service. You will
be missed. Senior Fellowship had a successful year and we look forward to seeing
everyone in September.
Produce Express Scheduled for June 18th and July 16th!
Thanks to all the volunteers who help bag veggies, register folks, bring food
to the cars, load the cars, direct traffic, and more!! Word about the Produce
Express is getting out, too! You can volunteer anytime between 12:30-4:30,
though! We need about 20 folks to make this a smooth operation and an
effective ministry and outreach. Want to help? Simply call pastor Jeff or sign up in the narthex!
LUTHERAN MEN IN MISSION JUNE/JULY SCHEDULE..
Tuesday, June 16: Visitation night. Join us as we visit some of our
homebound buds from the church.
Saturday, June 20: Wienie Roast for returning confircampers and families! Join us at 11:30
a.m. for some delicious food as we welcome back the Confirmation camp students!
July – Pirates Game? More details to follow…
JUNE SERVING SCHEDULE
Ushers: (8AM) Tim Bleech, Don Reed and Gayle Neidig (10AM) Tom Schultz, Gary Candreia, Cheri
Kellogg, Jim Pearson, Ralph Farone, Earl Ross Altar Guild: (8AM) Marilyn Dahlgren, Tana Fegley
(11AM) Lori Howard, Sue Candreia, Robin D’Alessandro
Greeters
8:00 a.m.
10:00 a.m.
6/7
Jo Loree
Jack and Mary Donalson
6/14 Gayle Neidig
Denny and Vonda Hedges
6/21 Jan Peterson
Keith and Heidi Hedges
6/28 Don and Kate Reed
Phil Howard
Visitor Greeters
6/7
Andy and Jane Beardsley
Charles Merroth
6/14 Jo Loree
Jim and Alice Rapp
6/21 Doris Sadler
Jim and Velma Zock
6/28 Randy and Sandy Britton
Rita Hawk
Acolytes
6/7
Kaelah Knupp
Cole Chimenti and Nickolas Brooks
6/14 Erika Stevenson
Christie Hillard and Haley Justice
6/21 Megan Koerselman
Aidan Colosimo and Aidan Flannery
6/28 Jackson Knupp
Jack Holland and Devin Colosimo
Assisting Ministers
6/7
Barb Kersey
Heidi Colosimo
6/14 Don Reed
Linda Ross
6/21 Kris Whitaker
Joan Griesbach
6/28 Randy Britton
Denny Crandall
Cantors
6/7
Colleen Witmer
6/14
Randy Baughman
6/21
Roz Hupp
6/28
Linda Ross
Nursery (10:00)
Crucifer
6/7
Joe and Denise Whipp
Taylor Whipp
6/14
Shane and Sherrie Flannery
6/21
Diane Stenstrom and Rachel Rowland
6/28 Joyce and Stephanie Rowland
JULY SERVING SCHEDULE
Ushers: (8am) John Hude, Andy Beardsley, Bob Buerkle, Craig Whitaker (10am) Jim Rapp, Phil
Howard, Mark Simpson, Joe Whipp, Mike Wachter, Tim Huber Altar Guild: (8am)-Karen Caldwell,
Hope Green (10am) Cheryl Huber, Mary Kay Young, Meredith McIntosh
Greeters- 8:00am
10:00am
7/5
Doris Sadler
Amy Justice
7/12 Margie Stevenson
Koebley Family
7/19 Elaine Taraska
Cheri Kellogg
7/26 Craig and Kris Whitaker
Gary and Penny Lester
Visitor Greeters
7/5
Andy and Jane Beardsley
Dale and Nancy Clark
7/12 Jo Loree
Vonda Hedges
7/19 Doris Sadler
Phil Howard
7/26 Randy and Sandy Britton
Charles Merroth
Acolytes
7/5
Kaelah Knupp
Elyse Hedges and Elizabeth Koebley
7/12 Erika Stevenson
Jared Labowski and Hunter Feeney
7/19 Megan Koerselman
Emily Koebley and Stephanie Rowland
7/26 Jackson Knupp
Allison Koebley and Rachael Rowland
Continue JULY SERVING SCHEDULE
Assisting Ministers
7/5
Elizabeth Beardsley
7/12 Barb Kersey
7/19 Don Reed
7/26 Kris Whitaker
Cantors
7/5
7/12
7/19
7/26
Nursery
7/5
Kevin and Amy Downey
7/12 Joe and Denise Whipp
7/19 Shane and Sherrie Flannery
7/26 Diane Stenstrom and Rachael Rowland
Bob Engstrom
Mary Donaldson
Roz Hupp
Meredith McIntosh
Adri Hunt
Donna Trubic
Bob Engstrom
Kari Ewing
ATTENTION MARRIED COUPLES: Fall is the perfect time to fall in love with your spouse
all over again! That is what couples overwhelmingly report is the result of attending a Lutheran
Marriage Encounter Weekend. Now is the time to sign up for one of the fall Weekends to be
sure you get the one of your choice. The fall Weekends are:
• September 18-20, 2015 at Spruce Lake Retreat Center, Canadensis, PA, a new, hotel-style
facility on Spruce Lake in the heart of the Pocono Mountains – an hour north of Allentown.
• October 16-18, 2015 in Lancaster, PA, at the all newly-renovated Heritage Hotel Lancaster,
home of the unique treehouse-inspired restaurant, “Loxley’s.”
See kiosk for further information
`~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
JUNE BIRTHDAYS
6/2
Nickolas Brooks, Shelby Rhoades
6/4
Connie Buerkle, Erika Stevenson
6/5
Jerry Nelson
6/6
Nathan Labowski, Diane Smith
6/7
Haley Ferrie, Chuck Olson
6/8
Zachary Smith
6/10 Bill Kramer
6/11 Judy Blank, Mike Cronmiller
Erica Littlefield, Demeyer Pearson
6/12 Kerry Litzinger Thomason
6/14 John Kersey
6/15 Shelly Ristau
6/16 Cole Chimenti, Sue Colosimo,
Robin D’Alessandro, Jack Donaldson
6/17 Kayla Hunter, Russell Stenstrom
6/18 Jean Engle, Meredith McIntosh
6/20 Betty Berry, Sandy Wachter
6/21 Vi Ahlquist, Amy Kuppertz, Jo Loree
6/22 Olivia Hecei, Brandon Williams
6/23 Brad Smith
6/24 Kenny Anderson, Nathan Britton,
Jen Kersey
6/25 Melanie Ewing, Bob Gregerson
6/28 Charlotte Brown, Sally Hawkinson,
Irene Keller, Rodger Taraska
6/30 Suanne Beardsley
JUNE ANNIVERSARIES
6/3
Ron & Alice Rapp (15)
6/4
Ed & Bonnie Abplanalp (32)
6/5
Matt & Wendy Andersen 11)
6/6
Andy & Amy Kuppertz IV (23)
Roger & Shelle Tubbs (23)
6/9
Chris & Caroline Check (9)
6/10 Bill & Twila Kramer (43)
6/12 Brian & Melissa Marfink (16)
6/14 Ralph & Joan Loree (30)
Kelly & Beth Nelson (33)
6/15 Denny & Vonda Hedges (58)
6/17 Shawn & Shelle Ristau (10)
6/20 Jack & Madolyn Elder (62)
6/23 Frank & Lois Hodas (65)
Trevor & Katie Rodgers (14)
6/26 Kevin & Adrianne Hunt (5)
Don & Kate Reed (22)
6/27 Jim & Denny Pearson (34)
6/28 Darin & Amy Schulz (7)
Steve & Barb Hoden (3)
6/29 Jack & Mary Donaldson (58)
6/30 Dick & Connie Coon (54)
JULY
7/1
7/2
7/4
7/6
7/7
7/8
7/9
7/10
7/11
7/12
7/14
7/15
7/17
7/20
7/21
7/23
7/24
7/25
7/26
7/27
7/31
BIRTHDAYS
Ron Hillard
Eric Smith
Frances Eyler, Ruth Long
Amy Downey,Todd Koebley
Tammy Rice, Ron Stewart
Claire Abplanalp, Linda Jacobson,
Donna Kavinski, Sharyn Stone
Jerry Huber, Lynne Rich, Meghan
Stewart, Mike Taraska
Charmaine Check, Arden Tremblay
Erica Kridler, Arthur Stewart
Elizabeth Beardsley, Jack Berquist,
Randy Swanson
Bob Ewing, Scott Koerselman,
Polly Van Volkinburg
Randy Britton
Carol Johnson, Ray Kavinski
Isabella Knupp, Todd Phillips
Dane Reed
Twila Kramer, Mary Kay Young
Karen Caldwell, Blake Ristau,
Darren Williams
Christie Hillard, Stephanie Rowland
Debbie Suppa, Anthony Tridico,
Jim Young
Katie Rodgers, Allene Stahlman
Cindy Elmquist, Hanna Marfink
Kim Nelson, Cathy Southwell
Virginia Siffen
Michael Rodgers, Don Trubic,
Blaine Williams
JULY ANNIVERSARIES
7/6
Nathan & Victoria Brooks (15)
Kevin & Amy Downey (33)
Gary & Penny Lester (42)
Craig & Kris Whitaker (36)
7/7
Randy & Tammy Rice (25)
7/11 Scott & Sue Colosimo (12)
7/14 Brian & Brianna Check (12)
7/16 David & Cindy DeChano (49)
Rodger & Elaine Taraska (44)
7/17 Walt & Joan Griesbach (6)
Nathan & Gayle Neidig (16)
7/20 Ken & Joyce Rowland (19)
7/27 Rick & Lori Eaton (30)
7/29 Aaron & Lisa Feeney (15)
7/31 Kyle & Jennifer Young (5)
SALVATION ARMY FOOD PANTRY! The Social Ministry Committee continues to collect
your donations to help keep the pantry at the Salvation Army stocked so that no one in our
community will go hungry. The collection box is in the narthex at all times. However, we know
that many of us get to church without remembering to bring items for this collection. If this has
happened to you, we would like to offer you another way to become a participant in this valuable
ministry. We are now going to place a smaller box on top of the collection box that you can put
monetary donations into. Members of the Social Ministry Committee will use this money to
make purchases of grocery items to be taken to the Salvation Army along with the grocery items
that are in the collection box. Thanks so much for helping the Salvation Army Food Pantry!