March 2015 newsletter.pub - Trinity Lutheran Church – Mount Joy, PA

March 2015
Trinity Lutheran Church
Pastor Mike's Message: “Lent Again?”
My seminary professor, Gerry Christianson, always complains, “Lent! Can’t we change it? It’s two
weeks too long!”
He has a point—our other “penitential” season, Advent, is only four weeks. Why do we need 6 weeks for
Lent?
Upcoming Events:
Lenten Soup Suppers–
Every Wednesday during Lent
Jr. High Retreat—March 6th-8th
Retirement Reception—March 8th
Water Street Mission Outreach—
March 12th
Tween & Jr. High Seder Meal—
March 18th
Donegal Power Packs Project
Distribution Kick-off—March 19th
PRAY Together, PLAY Together—
March 21st
Open House at Camps Kirchenwald
and Nawakwa—March 22nd
Stop Hunger Now Meal Packing—
March 25th
Palm Sunday Cantata—March 29th
Easter Egg Hunt—April 1st
Maundy Thursday—April 2nd
Good Friday—April 3rd
Now, of course, we look to the link of Jesus and the temptation in the wilderness—where he fasts for
“40 days.” Given our call to emulate his suffering, we are told by the church scholars, “Lent is “40 days
long.”
Except…it isn’t. Ash Wednesday to Easter is 46 days—45 if you don’t count Easter.
BUT…the church scholars again remind us, that’s because the SUNDAYs in Lent don’t count! So, you
subtract those 6 days (eat your chocolate with minimal guilt) and get back to “40.” (Sorta.)
Ugh. Am I the only one who finds all of this confusing?
Oh—and the “fish” thing? Totally non-biblical. But actually, it was not an action of the pope. If you want
that story, look here: http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2012/04/05/150061991/lust-lies-and-empire
-the-fishy-tale-behind-eating-fish-on-friday
So…it’s long; it’s confusing; it’s more than 40 days (unless you get technical), and, well…
It’s kinda necessary.
We need to repent. We need to remember. We need to take ourselves, pound ourselves (a little bit)
and say, “Come on, God gave EVERYTHING for you—even God’s own son. Can’t you do a little more?”
So…I’ll “iveGay upyay ugarsay,” start writing the extra sermons, making soup for Wednesdays, try to
refrain from saying “Alleluia,” prepare for holy week and…
…remember how lucky we are to have a God that loves us so much.
Inside this issue:
Join us. We will complete the journey together. And, at the end, there will be joy.
Pastor Mike’s Message
1
Lenten Soup Suppers
1
Palm Sunday Cantata
2
Retirement Reception
2
Stop Hunger Now Meal Packing
2
Our tradition here at Trinity is to observe Lent by gathering together on Wednesday nights for food, fellowship, and worship. Everyone is invited!
Easter Egg Hunt
3
Youth Seder Meal
3
The evenings begin at 5:45 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall with a shared meal of soup, salad and bread.
Please sign up to provide a soup or salad during one or more of the Wednesdays.
Mission Trips
4
Donegal Power Packs
4
Water Street Mission Outreach
5
Summer Camp
5
PRAY Together, PLAY Together
6
Trinity Travelers
6
Easter Lily Order Form
6
Calendar
7
Please Join Us for Soup Suppers Wednesdays During Lent
The meal is followed by worship in the Sanctuary at 6:45 p.m. and
then desserts and coffee/tea in the Library.
Make Wednesday nights part of your Lenten discipline this year and
join us for great soup, wonderful fellowship, and the chance to prepare our hearts for our remembrance of Christ’s death and resurrection!
Page 2
Trinity Lutheran Church
“Behold The Lamb” Cantata on Palm Sunday
Please join us on Palm Sunday, March 29th for our Lenten cantata “Behold the
Lamb” to be performed during
the 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
services.
Please consider lending your voice
to this year’s Festival Choir
This year’s Lenten cantata
takes us on a musical journey
through Israel’s release from
Egyptian bondage with the
Passover Lamb to Christ’s
crucifixion, eventually giving
way to joy in a triumphant
celebration of His resurrection.
This year’s cantata provides a
compelling worship experience
and a dramatic reminder of
God’s relentless love and grace.
Anyone interested in participating in the Festival Choir’s cantata performance is welcome to
join! The Festival Choir practices Sunday mornings from 9:009:30 a.m. and Thursday evenings from 8:00-9:00 p.m.
Sign up on the Music bulletin
board or contact our Adult
Choral Director, Tara Beitzel.
While ROC programming will
follow it’s normal schedule,
adults are invited to join in
fellowship beginning at 9:45
a.m. Refreshments are being
provided by the Fellowship
committee.
Saying “Good-Bye” - Retirement Reception on March 8th
Two members of Trinity’s staff
are retiring. Kate Thome, our
office manager, retired in January and Pastor Dick is retiring in
March. His last Sunday with us
will be March 8th.
On that Sunday, the Fellowship
Committee is hosting a reception in honor of their retirements.
Please join us in the Fellowship
Hall between the three services
to recognize both of these wonderful individuals and thank
them for their service to Trinity.
If you wish to make a contribution to the collective retirement gifts, please place your
donation in an envelope
marked “Retirement Gifts”.
Remember to indicate whether
the gift is for Pastor Dick, Kate
or both. Envelopes can be
placed in the offering plate or
submitted to the church office.
Individual gifts can also be
given at the reception.
Thank you for your
service and your
friendship, Dick
and Kate!
We wish you all the
best in your
retirement!
It’s Meal Packing Time—Wednesday, March 25th
Packing 10,000 meals to fight
world hunger
Our friends from Stop Hunger
Now will be joining us to lead
our annual meal-packing event
to help hungry people all
around the world! Donations
are still needed to reach our
goal, and 80 volunteers will be
needed to package the meals.
Please be a part of this wonderful outreach project. Everything
will take place in the fellowship
hall.
Here is the schedule for the
evening:
• 5:15: load-in (need at least
6 youth and/or adults to help
carry in the heavy materials)
• 5:45: soup supper begins
• 6:45: youth groups gather
• 7:00: Instruction and training, then meal-packing and
truck-loading
• 8:00: End of evening
We can’t wait to see you
there!
Page 3
March 2015
The Egg Hunt is Coming!
Trinity’s annual Easter Egg Hunt
will be held at Chiques/SICO Park
on Wednesday, April 1. We’ll
begin with a hot dog dinner at
6:00 pm (please bring along a
side-dish or dessert to share with
others). After a sharing of the
Easter story, age groups will be
dismissed to find their eggs!
great night. Please consider
bringing in plastic eggs and
wrapped candy for this fun event.
We’ll be preparing the eggs on
Palm Sunday March 29, between
the Cantata services and during
ROC.
We need over 1500 eggs for this
Jr. High Retreat at Camp Mount Luther—March 6, 7, 8
It’s a weekend of fun in God’s
beautiful world! All sixth, seventh, and eighth grade youth
are invited to join us for this
retreat at Camp Mount Luther.
We’ll depart Friday, March 6th
at 4:30 pm from Trinity - bring
along a packed dinner to eat
on the way. Our planned return
time is Sunday, March 8th
around 12:30 pm.
Our theme this year is
“challenges.” Life sure is full
of them, isn’t it! We’ll discover ways to navigate these
tough times in our lives by
using the example of Jesus
and how he faced the tough
times in his life.
Registration forms and the
$60 fee were due to Michelle
on Sunday, February 22; if you
missed registration, please
see Michelle. Each youth
should bring along a snack to
share and $15 for breakfast
on the way home. Friends are
welcome to join us – invite
someone to come along!
Preschool BOLD Parent Planning Meeting—April 8th
Wednesday Night
Schedule During
Lent:
5:45pm
• Soup Supper
5:45pm - 7:15pm
• Sr. High Supper Club
Fellowship Hall
6:15 pm - 6:45 pm
• Children’s Choir
6:35 pm - 7:45pm
• Preschool BOLD
6:45 pm
• Worship /BOLD for
remaining groups/
preschool choir
It’s time to evaluate our preschool BOLD program, and we’d
love to have the input of all parents with preschoolers. Please
plan to join us on Wednesday,
April 8th at 7:15 pm in the preschool room. We look forward
to seeing you!
Tweens and Jr. High to Experience a True Seder
Our Junior High Youth will have
a very special evening at BOLD
on March 18th. Special guest
Lynne Harlacher, a synagogue
instructor and friend of Trinity,
will be teaching our youth
about the Jewish tradition of
the Seder. This Passover tradition is what Jesus did with his
family and the disciples!
We will meet in the Old Fellowship Hall at 6:45 pm that
evening. Please plan to join
us for this very unique experience!
Our youth learn how these symbols
retell the Exodus story
Page 4
Trinity Lutheran Church
Flamingo Season is in Full Swing!
Will you be “Pinked”?
Are you protected against the
flock? It’s time to purchase
your insurance! Flamingos
arrived in Lancaster County in
mid-February and are on the
move! This rare occurrence
happens just months before the
ELCA National Gathering.
What great timing for our
youth, as extermination fees
support their trip to Detroit! ;-)
Want to avoid the fees to remove these pesky pink friends
from your yard? Extermination
fees are $25 per yard. Purchase your insurance today –
a mere $15 protects you from
the flock and all of their droppings. Insurance policies are
for sale at the Bagel Café or
by contacting Michelle Shirk.
Shore Trip 2015—Time for Rejuvenation
Annual Youth Shore Trip
New format this year!
The beach is calling – and we
can’t wait for this year’s 3-day
retreat of rest and rejuvenation!
This year’s all-new Shore Trip
will be held Tuesday, June 16
to Thursday, June 18th. We will
leave early in the morning on
Tuesday, and come home after
dinner on Thursday.
This new model focuses on
Sabbath, and how to build rest
and relaxation into your everyday life. We’ll enjoy three
days at the beach, an evening
at the Boardwalk, the alwaysfavorite henna tattoos, morning yoga, large group sessions,
and small group experiences
with art, meditation, and
more.
Details are at the youth bulletin board. The $130 fee and
forms are due to Michelle by
Sunday, May 10. Friends are
invited to come along too!
Habitat for Humanity Mission Team Formed
There has been an overwhelming response on the Habitat for
Humanity trip to Sea Island, SC
from October 4-10, 2015. This
is wonderful news, but not so if
you delayed in registering and
were interested.
Habitat for Humanity Mission Trip
October 2015
If you would like to participate
contact Elayne Olson or Matt
Conn directly at (717) 5865119 or mconn1@comcast.net
to be placed on a waiting list.
Trinity members Peg & Ben May
and Tracey & Elayne Olson will
be preparing to work hard and
also fellowship other participants.
They look forward to meeting
the native residents of this area
and ask that you keep the Habitat Team in your prayers.
Interested in Global
Mission Opportunities?
Save the Date!
Future global missions are
being planned. Informational
meeting is scheduled for:
May 2nd
9:45am and 11:00am
Trinity’s Fellowship Hall
Donegal Power Packs Project Begins Distribution March 19th–
Volunteers Needed!
This Outreach is about to kick-off in
the Donegal School District.
The time is NOW! The first distribution date of food bags to
eligible families will be March
19, 2015 and every Thursday
following until June 11, 2015.
Volunteers are needed to make
this “pilot program” successful.
Plan to attend a meeting scheduled for Thursday, March 12th
at 12:30PM for all interested in
helping with this program. The
meeting will be held at Marietta
Community Chapel, 1125 River
Road, Marietta, PA.
Trinity will be one of the distribution sites for the food bags;
therefore, it would be helpful to
have a group form from Trinity
to help with this need. If you
are unable to attend the volunteer meeting, simply contact
Elayne Olson (717)669-3897 or
elayne@trinitymountjoy.org.
A core group of volunteers have
been working diligently on getting this important community
program off the ground to aid
the school children of Donegal
and their families. If you want to
know more about this program,
Trinity members Jennifer Kelly,
Roger and Audrey Hess would
be happy to share their excitement and involvement.
Page 5
March 2015
Volunteers Needed to Serve at Water Street Mission—March 12th
Back by popular demand, the
opportunity to volunteer and
serve meals periodically during the 2015 calendar year at
Water Street Mission will
begin March 12th at 4:30pm.
Service opportunities will
consist of possibly serving on
the food line, working in the
dish room, or wiping tables
and chairs.
Trinity is looking to establish
teams of six (6) people. See
the Outreach bulletin board for
the sign-up sheet. Youth under
age 18 should be accompanied
by a guardian.
Our schedule will try to alternate
between Thursdays and Saturdays to accommodate availability of those who would like to
volunteer. This is a great opportunity for any of our “small
groups” or “adult classes”.
Please share your interests or
questions with Elayne Olson
Holy Week
Services
•
Sunday, March 29thPalm Sunday Cantata
8:30am & 11:00am
•
Thursday, April 2ndMaundy Thursday 7:00pm
•
Friday, April 3rdGood Friday 7:00pm
•
Sunday, April 5thEaster Sunday
Contemporary Worship
8:30am & 11:00am
Traditional Worship
9:45am
Back by popular demand!
“Thank You” to Our Clothing Giveaway Volunteers
The staff of Trinity would like
to say “Thank You” to everyone who helped with this
year’s clothing giveaway and
community meal.
In one morning, we served
over 350 people in our community by providing free clothing and a warm meal.
“Thank you” to everyone who
donated clothing and desserts.
“Thank you” to the many volunteers who helped sort and fold
all of the clothing. “Thank you”
to the members of the Outreach
committee for all of your efforts
in organizing this event. “Thank
you” to our Fellowship Committee for preparing and serving
another delicious and most
appreciated meal.
And a very special “Thank you”
to our Outreach Coordinator,
Elayne Olson, whose tireless
efforts made this mission so
successful!
Don’t Miss Summer Camp!
“All kids need a chance to
‘unplug’ and love it!” says
Beth Parker, Trinity’s Camper
Person. Our young people
need the great outdoors –
and our congregation is not
only blessed with three wonderful camps in our area, but
also a healthy scholarship
that makes these experiences
possible for families.
theme, each camp has its own
“flavor” to meet the interests of
all kinds of children, youth, and
adults. From classic arts &
crafts and Equestrian, to Wild
Things and Super Adventure,
there is a camp that you will
absolutely love. See the full
listings of camps in the brochure or online at
www.lutherancamping.org.
This year’s camp theme is “a
love that never ends” and is
based on Deuteronomy 6:5.
Campers will learn about their
calling to love God and others
from people of the Old Testament who struggled to do the
same. In addition to the
Summer camp is for people of
all ages! Children age six
through 12 can schedule group
time at The Wittel Farm for a
day experience. Camp experiences are available to Explorer’s
(K-2), Juniors (Grades 3-6), Intermediates (Grades 6-9), and
Sr. High (grades 9-12) at
both Nawakwa and Kirchenwald. These locations also
offer camping for families,
adults, and elders.
First-time camper? Be sure
to attend a summer camp
open house to calm those
jitters. You’ll meet the staff,
see the facilities, and begin
to explore your “home away
from home!” Summer
Camp open houses are held
at both Camps Nawakwa
and Kirchenwald on March
22 and April 12. Both
events run from 2:00 to
4:30 pm.
Register on-line at
www.lutherancamping.org
Page 6
Trinity Lutheran Church
We PRAY Together, Now Let’s PLAY Together—Women’s Day
The Trinity mom’s group is
hosting a day for ALL of the
women of our church.
Intergeneration fellowship for Trinity
women—March 21st
2:00pm, we will have time to
mingle and get to know more
ladies in the church, have a
painting lesson that results in
a canvas art piece for you to
take home, enjoy a light lunch,
and for those who want to stay
and end the day with some
healthy fun-an exercise class
with our very own Erica!
(Don’t forget to bring along a
change of clothes/sneakers if
you plan to participate)
Are you a new, tired mom who
needs a break? Do you work
40+ hours a week and just
want to unwind with friends?
Are you retired and looking for
something new to try? Join us
for a day to relax, socialize,
and have fun!
We PRAY together, now let’s
PLAY together! On Saturday,
March 21st from 10:00am to
The cost is $10.00 to cover
the cost of materials. Please
register and pay this fee no
later than 3/14/2015. We
will need to know exact numbers in order to have enough
supplies available.
We are very excited to provide
this opportunity and look
forward to seeing you there!
Questions can be directed to
Jessica Good at 341-2571 or
singlejess1@comcast.net.
Only persons 12 and older
please.
Trinity Travelers Announce 2015 Camping Season Schedule
Trinity Travelers announce
their 2015 camping schedule.
This small group gathers several times throughout the year
for a weekend of camping at
an area camp ground. Together they share fellowship, devotions and some meals while
enjoying God's creation.
Camping Small Group
All levels of campers are invited; from tent campers to motorhome drivers! Everyone is
welcome!
The schedule for this year is:
•
May 1-3: Buttonwood
Campground, Juniata Cnty
•
June 12-14: Greenwood
Furnace State Park
•
July 31-Aug 2: Codorus
State Park
•
Sept 25-27: Gifford Pinchot
State Park
If you are interested in joining
the Trinity Travelers, please
contact Tony and Molly
Johndro at (717) 538-3250 or
mjohndro@comcast.net. The
Johndros will offer site suggestions, so that everyone can be
in a close proximity in the
campground.
Page 7
March 2015
March 2015
Worship: Traditional 9:45 am Contemporary Worship: 8:30/11:00 am
Sunday Education: Children age 2 through Adult 9:45am
Pastor Foltz Bible Study –Beginning March 11th—Wednesdays at 10am
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
First Communion
Sunday
9am-Cantata Practice
9:45am-STS class
9:45am-Coffee Talk
9:45am-ROC
12pm-Youth Choir
Practice
8am-Yoga
6pm-Weight Watchers
6pm-Comfort Stitchers
11:15am-Seasoned
Men’s Group
5:45pm-Soup Supper
5:45pm-SrHi Supper
Club
6:15pm-Children’s
Choir
6:35pm-Pre-school
BOLD
6:45pm-Lent Worship
& BOLD
9am-Quilting
9:30am-Women’s
Book Study
12pm-Hungry Wm
6:30pm-Scouts
7pm-Yoga
7:30pm-Chancel
Choir
8pm-Cantata Practice
Jr. High Retreat
9:30am-Mom’s
Group
Jr. High Retreat
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Jr. High Retreat
9am-Cantata Practice
9:45am-STS class
9:45am-Coffee Talk
9:45am-ROC
8am-Yoga
6pm-Weight Watchers
6:30pm-A Bead & A
Prayer
11:15am-Seasoned
Men’s Group
6:30pm-Outreach
Meeting
5:45pm-Soup Supper
5:45pm-SrHi Supper
Club
6:15pm-Children’s
Choir
6:35pm-Pre-school
BOLD
6:45pm-Lent Worship
& BOLD
9am-Quilting
9:30am-Women’s
Book Study
12pm-Hungry Wm
4:30pm-Water Street
6:30pm-Scouts
7pm-Yoga
7:30pm-Chancel
Choir
8pm-Cantata Practice
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
11:15am-Seasoned
Men’s Group
7pm-Congregational
Council
5:45pm-Soup Supper
5:45pm-SrHi Supper
Club
6:15pm-Children’s
Choir
6:35pm-Pre-school
BOLD
6:45pm-Lent Worship
& BOLD
9am-Quilting
9:30am-Women’s
Book Study
12pm-Hungry Wm
6:30pm-Scouts
7pm-Yoga
7:30pm-Chancel
Choir
8pm-Cantata Practice
9:30am-Mom’s
Group
10am-Womens
PRAY together,
PLAY together Event
27
28
9am-Cantata Practice 8am-Yoga
9:45am-STS class
6pm-Weight Watch9:45am-Coffee Talk
ers
9:45am-ROC
12pm-Youth Choir
Practice
22
23
24
25
26
9am-Cantata Practice
9:45am-STS class
9:45am-Coffee Talk
9:45am-ROC
12pm-Spark Teams
8am-Yoga
6pm-Weight Watchers
6:30pm-A Bead & A
Prayer
11:15am-Seasoned
Men’s Group
5:45pm-SrHi Supper
Club
6:15pm-Children’s
Choir
6:35pm-Pre-school
BOLD
7pm-Stop Hunger
Now Meal Packing
9am-Quilting
9:30am-Women’s
Book Study
12pm-Hungry Wm
6:30pm-Scouts
7pm-Yoga
7:30pm-Chancel
Choir
8pm-Cantata Practice
29
30
31
Palm Sunday
8:30am–Cantata
9:45am-Fellowship
9:45am-ROC
9:45am-Easter Egg
Assembly
11am-Cantata
8am-Yoga
6pm-Weight Watchers
11:15am-Seasoned
Men’s Group
Egg Hunt– 6pm
Maundy Thursday–
7pm
Good Friday– 7pm
Trinity Staff
Senior Pastor
Pastor
Pastor
Parish Nurse
Outreach Coordinator
Inside Sextons
Director Youth/Family
Dir. of Children’s & Youth Choirs
Adult Choir Director
Organist
Business Manager
Michael J. Martine
Richard Niewoehner
Jan Mills
Judi Cosgriff, RN
Elayne Olson
Beth and Tom Parker
Michelle Shirk
Jess Kling
Tara Beitzel
Joy Ide
Kim Zern
pastormike@trinitymountjoy.org
pastordick@trinitymountjoy.org
pastorjan@trinitymountjoy.org
judi@trinitymountjoy.org
elayne@trinitymountjoy.org
beth@trinitymountjoy.org
michelle@trinitymountjoy.org
jess@trinitymountjoy.org
tara@trinitymountjoy.org
joy@trinitymountjoy.org
kim@trinitymountjoy.org
Congregation Council Members
Tom Schulz, President
Debbie Williams, Vice Pres.
Wayne Chappel, Treasurer
Tara Gensemer, Secretary
Tony Johndro
Jessica Johnston
John Frey
Scott Noon
Geoff Ottens
Bruce Rockel
368-2791
725-2646
816-8156
689-3332
669-3897
517-8145
426-3783
515-7177
464-4684
653-8004
Committee Leaders
tom.schulz@trinitymountjoy.org
debbie.williams@trinitymountjoy.org
wayne.chappel@trinitymountjoy.org
tara.gensemer@trinitymountjoy.org
tony.johndro@trinitymountjoy.org
jessica.johnston@trinitymountjoy.org
john.frey@trinitymountjoy.org
scott.noon@trinitymountjoy.org
geoff.ottens@trinitymountjoy.org
bruce.rockel@trinitymountjoy.org
426-1930
426-2959
393-2322
367-9798
361-9870
928-4008
426-4255
626-2627
653-9322
492-2959
Christian Education
Evangelism/Comm.
Fellowship
Finance
Outreach
Property
Staff Relations
Worship and Music
Youth
Gayle Watson
Scott Noon
Ann Divet/Gail Fridy
Wayne Chappel
Carol Rago
Tracy Olson
Marc Spiridigliozzi
Becky Noon
Scott Everhart
Volunteer Coordinators
Altar Duty
Communion Assistants, 9:45
Communion Assistants, 8:30
Communion Bread
Greeters, 9:45
Cathy Hoffmaster
Helene Wallauer
Open
Cathy Hoffmaster
Elayne Olson
Trinity Lutheran Church
Return Service Requested
47 West Main Street
Mount Joy, PA 17552
(717) 653-4168
&
Greeters, 8:30 & 11:00
Lectors, 8:30
Lectors, 9:45
Rhonda Friese
Madolin Heisey
Donald Miller