The Circle - St. John`s Lutheran Church

The Circle
Advent and Christmas
Worship at St. John's
First Week of Advent
Saturday, November 28th -- Evening Light – 5 pm
Sunday, November 29
Holy Communion – 8 am
Sunday School –9:25 am
Holy Communion – 10:45 am
four candles are lit on the Advent wreath, as we anticipate
the love of God revealed in the baby Jesus. At noon everyone is invited to help decorate the church for Christmas.
This is always lots of fun with tasks for children, youth and
On this first weekend of Advent, God is “advancing” to- adults. A pizza lunch will be provided.
wards us: in the past in the life of Jesus; in the present in
word and sacrament; in the future, even if there is disaster, in everlasting. We light the first candle on our Advent
wreath and hope flickers in the world.
Second Week of Advent
Saturday, December 5th
Evening Light – 5 pm
Sunday, December 6th
Holy Communion – 8 am
Sunday School – 9:25 am
Service of the Word –10:45 am
This weekend we hear John the Baptist preaching, baptizing and urging us to prepare for the coming Christ. Come
to worship to see “the salvation of our God” as the second
candle on the Advent wreath joins the light of the first while
we long for peace in the world.
Third Week of Advent
Saturday, December 12th
Evening Light – 5 pm
Confirmation Retreat Worship at Innabah – 7pm
Children’s Christmas Worship — 4 pm
♥
Christmas Music begins at 6:30 pm
Family Candlelight Worship with Holy Communion — 7 pm
♥
Christmas Music — 9:30 pm
Christmas Candlelight Worship
with Holy Communion — 10:00 pm
Tonight God moves into our neighborhood and nothing is
ever the same again. Jesus is born! We see the light and
darkness will never overcome it. Invite friends, family,
neighbors to come and sing with the angels, “Glory to the
Newborn King!
Sunday, December 13th
First Weekend of Christmas
Service of the Word – 8 am
Saturday, December 26th -- Evening Light -- 5 pm
Sunday School – 9:25 am
Sunday, December 27th
Holy Communion – 10:45 am
Holy
Communion – 8 am
While our society goes crazy with Christmas preparations,
Holy
Communion
– 10:45 am
we gather to hear John the Baptist urging us to accept the
incredible present God gives us. Now a third candle on the Our Christmas celebration lasts 12 days. On this third day
of Christmas we meet 12 year-old Jesus in the temple
wreath joins the first two and joy grows.
which he calls his “Father’s house.” Note that Sunday
school is on “Christmas break” and will return to our reguFourth Week of Advent
lar schedule next Sunday, January 3rd.
Saturday, December 19th
Evening Light – 5 pm
Sunday, December 20th
Holy Communion – 8 am
Sunday School – 9:25 am
Service of the Word --10:45 am
Hanging of the Greens—noon
This weekend we hear the story from Luke about Mary visiting her cousin Elizabeth as well as Mary’s song about
being filled with the Holy Spirit. We too are filled with the
Spirit in baptism so that Christ also dwells in us. Now all
The Pastor’s Message:
Sisters and brothers in Christ –
The journey through Advent begins on
the first Sunday of Advent, Sunday,
November 29.
Advent in Latin
means, “to come to.” It is a season
of waiting. We humans are not very
good at waiting. We often fill every
inch of our time so we don’t have to
wait. We are always busy—maybe too
busy.
We often hear this passage from Isaiah in Advent. In the wildnerness…
when we are surrounded by nothing
or by things that are entirely foreign
to us, perhaps the cold of winter freezing in our bones, a voice cries out to tell us to prepare
the way of the Lord.
Preparing the way of the Lord looks nothing like Macy’s and Walmart’s way of preparing for
Christmas. Preparing our hearts and minds for the way of the Lord means being countercultural. At a time when everyone you know is rushing around, God calls us into waiting. Instead of waiting in long lines for Christmas gifts and rushing to get our Christmas lists complete, Isaiah suggests that our preparation needs to make a straight path to God.
Pastor Skyle Rea
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Advent and Christmas Worship
1
The Pastor’s Message
Coventry Singers / Altar Guild / Bake Sale
Advent Party / The Way / Grief Support / Hanging of the Greens
2
3
4
Advent Offering / Angel Tree
WELCA / Holiday Tour / Thank You
Adult Education / ELCA Young Adults
December Schedule / Simply Giving / Financial Report
Calendars
Staffing / Change in Contact Info / Pastoral Acts / Reformation 500
5
6
7
8
9-10
Inside back cover
Attention Acolytes
We need you! Please visit http://
www.signupgenius.com/
go/10c0f44a4ad2aabfd0-acolyte to sign up
for upcoming worship services. Thanks!
2
Coventry Singers at St. John’s
December 6, 3:00 p.m.
The Coventry Singers is a community choral organization of
auditioned singers who perform diverse and challenging choral music. Over its forty-plus year history, the group has performed major choral works, including those of Handel, Bach,
Mozart, Haydn, Fauré, Rutter, and Finzi. The Coventry Singers
concert programs also include lighter works, both sacred and
secular, with a frequent dose of humor. The number of performers ranges from 40 to 50, and includes people of all
walks of life. Some have professional musical experience,
some are or have been teachers of music, but many are people who just like to sing and welcome musical challenges. The
Coventry Singers have performed with the Pottstown Symphony, the Lehigh Valley Chamber Orchestra, and at
Longwood Gardens Christmas Concert Series. More recently they have performed the National Anthem at the
Reading Royals hockey games and participated in the Pottstown Relay for Life luminaria lighting ceremony.
The Coventry Singers was founded in 1972 by Joe Hoover, who directed the group until his retirement in 1994.
After a six-year hiatus, the group of both original and new members eagerly reassembled under the leadership of
Cheryl Markofski. Cheryl retired in 2009 and passed the baton to Julie Eurillo who led the group until 2013. The
current director is Hannah Knauss who continues the tradition of providing high-quality musical performances for
full-house audiences. Hannah holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education degree from West Chester University. Throughout her tenure at West Chester, she studied conducting with Dr. David DeVenney, sang with the prestigious WCU Concert Choir, and kept active within the professional associations, ACDA and PMEA. Also, Hannah
received the Arthur C. Jones Choral Conducting Scholarship and the WCU Music Education Scholarship. When not
working with Coventry Signers, Hannah is the choral director and music teacher at Interboro High School.
This year’s Christmas concert “The Coventry Singers Sing Gloria” features Vivaldi’s Gloria with orchestra accompaniment. The concert also includes Franz Biebl’s “Ave Maria,” John Rutter’s “Angel’s Carol,” Moses Hogan’s “Glory,
Glory, Glory to the Newborn King,” as well as arrangements of familiar Christmas carols.
The concert takes place Sunday December 6th at 3:00 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 355 St. John’s Circle,
Phoenixville. The concert is free and open to the public. A freewill offering will be accepted. For more information
about the Coventry Singers, visit their website www.coventrysingers.org or find them on Facebook at Coventry
Singers-Pottstown, Pa.
Wanted:
Altar Guild Members
Do you have an attitude
of gratitude? One way
to show your attitude of
thanksgiving to God is
to serve on the Altar Guild. Preparing the
Sanctuary for worship and setting up for communion are two of the duties. Training will be
given and service can be scheduled for
monthly, bi-monthly, or occasionally. Please
contact Jean Herbranson if you are interested
in learning more.
Bake Sale December 6th
On Sunday, December 6th, our entire Sunday school will
participate in a bake sale. We ask each student and their
parents to provide home-baked items that can be sold.
We’d love for the students to participate at the bake sale
table at 8 a.m. or 10:45 a.m. The proceeds will benefit the
St. John’s General Fund, which helps us buy curriculum for
Sunday school and so much more.
Please plan to stop
by to pick up some
goodies on the 6th
and benefit St. John
while indulging your
sweet tooth!
3
Family Advent Party
You are invited to an Advent party on Wednesday, December 2nd
beginning at 5:30 p.m. in St. John’s Kley Hall. A wonderful spaghetti dinner will be served at 6 p.m., followed by some Advent
activities. Then we head to the church at about 7:15 p.m. for a
special Advent puppet show. The evening ends by 7:45 p.m. The
families of the Phoenixville Area Children’s Learning Center are
invited to join us for the evening. Please extend invitations to
your friends and neighbors. To help us please RSVP by November 29th through our Yellow Communication Card or by calling
Sonya Sowards at (610) 933-3947 or emailing stjohnsphoenixville@verizon.net. If you would like to help prepare supper, set up, clean up or serve as a host family please indicate that when you make your RSVP.
The WAY during Advent
For many the holiday season is a time of asking questions about God,
faith, and the Church. It can be a time of going beyond the superficial
trappings of the secular celebration that fusses about how to greet
others and the design of coffee cups. The WAY, our “new” newcomers
process will experience the hope of Advent as part of our Advent party
with St. John’s families and the families of the Phoenixville Area Children’s Learning Center on December 2nd. Then on December 16th
they will prepare to receive the gift of the Christ Child at Christmas.
The WAY meets on Wednesday evening beginning with dinner at 6
p.m. After sharing a meal together, the children head to the Creation Room to play (at 7 p.m. the Children’s Choir
begins rehearsal) and the adults gather in small groups to explore the presence of God in the world and in daily
life. If you are interested in learning more about The Way, please speak with Pastor Krommes.
Struggling in this Season
Does this time of year leave you feeling blue? Is this your first Thanksgiving or Christmas without your beloved one? Are you struggling with past grief and loss? It’s all
hard, and you don’t have to go through it alone. On Wednesday, December 2, 9 and
16 and January 6, 13, 20 we will be having a special grief support group from 6:15 to
7:45 p.m. in Pastor Krommes’ office. Members of St. John’s are especially invited,
and the group is open to anyone in our community. Perhaps you have a neighbor, coworker or family member who might benefit from this kind of caring support. Susan
Schumacher will be the convener of the group. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Narrative Therapist, currently PhD (ABD-all but dissertation) in Marriage and Family Therapy at Eastern University. She has walked the way of grief herself and experienced many blessings in the gift of our faith community at St. John’s.
While it is not necessary, an RSVP would help us with planning and making sure we
have adequate space. Please sign up on our Yellow Communication Card in the
weekly bulletin or by email to stjohnsphoenixville@verizon.net.
Our annual Hanging of the Greens will be Sunday, December 20,
beginning at noon. Volunteers are needed to put up the Christmas trees, set up the Nativity set, assemble candles/holders,
set up the iron candle sticks, change banners, and hang the garland. This is a great family activity for one and all. A pizza lunch
will be provided along with gluten-free alternatives. Help decorate the Sanctuary and prepare for the birth of the Christ child!
(The un-hanging will take place on Sunday, January 3, 2015).
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Each year St. John’s dedicates our special Advent offering to
non-profit agencies in our community who serve our neighbors
in need. This year the offering will be divided between three
different groups. They are:
For many years St. John’s has been a steadfast supporter of
Phoenixville Area Community Services (PACS). For 40+ years
PACS has been there to provide emergency assistance of food,
utilities and rent/mortgage assistance to those struggling. PACS is an advocate helping to connect people
with resources, community information and referral support. PACS offers information and referral aid without regard to income or residency. The food, fuel and rental assistance PACS facilitates is prioritized by
need for people who live within our service area and are low income. The goal for PACS is to be the first
point of contact in empowering people in the Phoenixville area to achieve self-sufficiency. Web address:
www.pacsphx.org.


Orion Communities is a community-based organization that provides interim case management, outreach
and supportive services to residents who are experiencing poverty, illness or disability. Orion Communities
generally works with people who “fall between the cracks” of other services. Orion connects residents in the
greater Phoenixville area to services that engender hope, dignity, and self-reliance. Both PACS and Orion
Communities truly provide assistance to the “working poor” of the area. These individuals may work but
their income just isn’t sufficient enough to provide for all their basic needs of food, housing and utilities.
Web address: www.orioncommunities.org.

During the week, the Phoenixville Area Senior Center serves a hot lunch to individuals 60 years or older. The
organization also assists with daily transportation, health screenings, providing support groups and exercise
programs, painting classes, chorus programs and many more educational and recreational activities for senior citizens. The Center serves seniors in Phoenixville, Spring City, East and West Pikeland, East and West
Vincent, Charlestown and Schuylkill Townships. The Center exists to serve, support and enhance the lives of
all senior citizens 60 years and older by providing opportunities in the way of programs and activities designed to promote active, independent, and healthy lifestyles.
Web address:
www.phoenixvilleseniorcenter.org.
A special Advent offering envelope will be in the mail for you to use to make your gift. Advent offering envelops
are also available in the Narthex. Thank you for your generous sharing!
The Angel Tree Project
Once again this December you will find an Angel Tree in
the Narthex. 100% of the proceeds of the donations
you make towards the ornaments on the tree or knitted
goods beneath it will go to the payment of tuition for
five girls at the Lutheran Secondary School for MaaSae
Girls in Monduli, Tanzania. The United Nations has reported that raising the standard of education for women helps to substantially improve the life of the whole
village. Tuition is $1,000 per student so our goal is
$5,000 for our five St. John’s girls. Please pick out an
ornament, a scarf, hat or mittens, make a donation and
know that you are giving a future to girls in Tanzania and their villages. To learn more about this amazing
school here’s a website to explore: http://www.bootstrapafrica.org/#!mglss/cllz. We thank Barbara Sell and
her team of talented “crafters” who made the beautiful handmade ornaments which decorate the tree this year.
We also thank our Knitting Group for their warm and beautiful gifts. We especially thank Joan Benne for all the
hand-made cotton wash-cloths that are on the table. They make great stocking stuffers! If you would like to
become more involved in the Angel Tree Project please call Sonya Sowards at (610) 933-3947 or email
stjohnphoenixville.org. Thanks!
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WELCA met on October 27th and shared a program led by Pastor Krommes
about funeral planning. It was a wonderful sharing experience for all attending. Discussion involved scripture readings, liturgy selection and, of course,
hymn selection. Those attending went home with assignments to complete.
Since we will not meet in November we determined that the following would
receive our monetary support: St. John’s Angel Tree, The Jacobsons, Silver
Springs, Phoenixville Children’s Library, The House, Mom’s House, The Clinic,
and Dawn’s House.
Soups are still available, but not for long.
Funds raised by afghan chances will be donated to St. John’s Youth Mission Trip.
We will meet on December 1st to pack cookies and gift bags for shut-ins. Thank you for your continued support!
Dear Friends at St. John’s:
Thank you for your generous gift of Quilts and Kits for
LWR’s distribution overseas. These gifts of your hearts
and hands are beautiful expressions of God’s grace and
love to people all around the world. Your gifts equip LWR
to respond to some of the greatest and most urgent
needs in the world today. In April and May, the people of
Nepal were shaken by two earthquakes. Nearly 9,000
people died, more than 20,000 people were injured, and
505,745 homes were destroyed. Your work allowed LWR
to respond with assistance to the people of Nepal—
including distributing over 9,000 Quilts and 1,000 Personal Care Kits. In the wake of the Syrian refugee crisis,
your gifts have enabled LWR to send Quilts, Baby Care
Kits and Personal Care Kits to distribute to refugees and
migrants in mid-September. Since October 2012, LWR
has provided $7.05 million in assistance to Syrian refugees, reaching more than 235,912 people—an impossible task without your support for this ministry! So, on
behalf of our neighbors in Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Iraq
and countless others in villages, schools, hospitals and
refugee camps around the world, I extend deepest
thanks for your contribution, and pray God’s richest
blessings on your life and work as a community.
In Christ,
Melanie W. Gibbons
Quilt and Ministry Manager, Lutheran World Relief
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On Sunday mornings during
December there are four
learning opportunities for
adults at St. John’s. Class locations are listed outside of
Kley Hall near the church office. All the classes begin at
9:25 a.m. New folks are always welcomed.
Happy Hour
Originally designed for parents whose children were in Sunday school, last spring this class welcomed those who
are new to faith and/or St. John’s. By exploring the weekly Gospel text and how it relates to our lives faith grows
and, so do friendships. Many of those who participate in this group are engaged in the ministry of parenting so
there are always connections being made and mutual support given.
Sunday Morning Book Club
In its 14th year, the Book Club is going strong and always welcomes new participants. Together the club decides
what they are going to read. Discussion is always lively with much laughter. Beyond Sunday morning the club
gathers for evenings at the movies, particularly enjoying films on books they have read together. Coordinator
Jean Herbranson lets everyone know what’s happening through “Life Together” and our weekly email update.
Faith Life
Faith Life is for those who want to think deeply about what’s happening in the world in relationship to their faith.
This weekly discussion is coordinated by our Dean of Education, Jack Ertell, and is led by people from a variety of
specialties including science, politics, education, and health care.
Animate: Practices
This class explores what it means to be a Christian in our day lives. It talks about worship, prayer, sacrament,
money, service, community and food. It is led by Sandra Zimmermann and through videos by leading thinkers in
the Christian Church.
Newcomers
We are exploring a new way of welcoming newcomers to St. John’s call The WAY. Please speak with Pastor
Krommes to learn more, especially if you are interested in becoming a member of St. John’s.
An Adventure of a Lifetime!
The ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission program
invites ELCA young adults ages 21-29 into a transformative, year-long journey in international service. As they offer themselves in service, ELCA
young adults are shaped by the witness of our
global neighbors. They share in the journeys of
companion churches and organizations in one of
nine countries around the world, becoming the
hands and feet of Jesus in the world, providing critical support to ministries and projects in communities of need. It also invites volunteers into a journey of self-reflection, providing space to consider their sense of identity, God’s work in the world, and their place
within it all. Areas of service include, but are not limited to, health and development, congregational ministry,
human rights, education, homelessness, addiction recovery, women’s issues and children and youth. All site
placements provide opportunities for young adults to confront issues of wealth and poverty, racial privilege, economic disparity and globalization, all through the lens of faith. Applications for the program open on December
1, and are due Feb. 15 each year, for service beginning that same August. For further information contact YAGM
at 1-800-638-3522, ext. 2446 or visit the website at http://www.elca.org/Our-Work/Global-Church/GlobalMission/Young-Adults-in-Global-Mission.
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People of God Involved in God’s Work
Early Service
Ushers
6
December Schedule
Early Service
Late Service
Acolytes
6
Jantzen Hawkins
TBD
13
TBD
TBD
20
TBD
Karisa Saeger
24
Jantzen Hawkins
TBD
27
TBD
TBD
Altar Guild
6
Janet Ertell & Leilani Ash
13
Jean Herbranson & Donna Anderson
20
Sandra Zimmermann
24
Jean Herbranson
27
Elena Wallace and Jean Herbranson
Assisting Ministers
6
Brittney Walters
Margaret Walters
13
Lynn Titus
Sandra Stotler
20
Sandra Zimmerman
Deb Ahola
24
Brittney Walters
Dale Herbranson
27
George Mansur
Sam Ahola
Communion Assistants/Lectors
6
Erica Lucas (L)
Jean Herbranson
Luanne Bindschusz
13
April Liedike
Jan Duerr (L)
Dennis Duerr
20
Aimee Hillegas (L)
Joe Beregi
Pat Lucas
24
Barbara Powers (L)
Rich Latella (L)
Greg Powers
Rich Skoniczin
Margaret Walker
Jack Ertell
27
Carol Cully
Mitch Reading
Kate Endres
Coffee Hour
6
Senior Choir
13
Fellowship
20
Newcomers
Counters
6
Jeanne & Jeff Schanzenbach, Sarah Bethune, Stephen Drewes
13
Ulrich Rimrott, Peg Yanoviak, Bill Kunsch, Peg Yerger
20
Jack Ertell, Ed Naylor, George & Ellie Kurtz
27
George Mansur, Imtiaz & Lilly Khan, Donna Anderson
Creation Room
6
TBD
Laura Geiger
13
Sarah Blattner
Shannon Renner
20
Kelly Gallagher
Mary Wenner
27
Amy Fox
Sophie Seidel
Lock-Up
6
Dick Wolstenholme
Bill Starling
13
Bobbi Riley
Kate Endres
20
Shelley Saeger
Laura Caughlan
24 4p Brian Becker
7p Karen Singer
10p Allen Kramer
27
Dale Herbranson
Kurt Seidel
13
20
24
27
Richard Latella
Richard Skoniczin
John Rawlins
Seth Clark
Don Titus
Jessica Kramer
George Mansur
Bob Gorman
Greg Krueger
Chuck Liedike
TBD
Erica Lucas
Joan Carl
Late Service
Barbara Rambo
Aaron Sifford
Ron Williams
Bill Ahola
Kate Endres
Brian Becker
Dennis Duerr
Janice Duerr
Paul Miller
Donna Anderson
John Westerman
Jack Ertell
St. John’s offers electronic giving, which
allows you to make
donations on a scheduled, automatic basis.
If you are writing
checks and preparing
e n v e lo pe s
e ve r y
week, you will especially appreciate electronic giving. It is convenient for you and provides
much-needed donation consistency for our church.
This is another way to eliminate the cost of envelopes. To set up electronic donations, simply complete the authorization form available in the church
office. Donations can be debited automatically from
either a checking or savings account. Contact
Sonya Sowards (610-933-3947 or stjohnsphoenixville@verizon.net) to request an authorization
form. Thank you for your faithfulness!
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December 2015
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
10:30a WELCA
Cookie packing
12:30p PACA
7:30p Worship &
Music
10:00a Bible Study
1:00p Staff Meeting
3:30p Social Ministry
4:45p Girl Scouts #4308
5:30p The Way joins Advent
Party
6:15p Grief Group
6:30p Girl Scouts #4069
7:00p Alanon
7:00p Children’s Choir
7:30p Nicotine Anonymous
8:00p Adult Choir
10:00a Mom’s
Monthly Mingle
5:30p Women’s AA/
Alanon
6:00p Daisy Troop
#4514
7:00p Naranon
7:15p Handbells
10:00a MotherBaby Breastfeeding
Connections
5:00p Evening Light
6 Bake Sale 7
8
9
10
11
12
8:00a HC
9:25a Christian Ed
10:45a SOW w/baptism
of Mitchell James
Reading
12:00p Knitting
1:00p Old Catholic
Worship
3:00p Coventry Singers
Concert
7:00p Pack 119
Webelos
7:30p Property Committee
7:30p Stephen Ministry
7:00p Christian Ed
7:00p Phoenixville
Art Center
7:30p Columbarium
10:00a Bible Study
6:15p Grief Group
7:00p Alanon
7:00p Children’s
Choir
7:30p Nicotine
Anonymous
8:00p Adult Choir
5:30p Women’s AA/
Alanon
7:00p Naranon
7:15p Handbells
10:00a Mom’s Music Club
5:00p Evening Light
13
Confirmation Retreat
Girl Scout Cookie Bake-Off
14
15
16
17
18
19
8:00a SOW
9:25a Christian Ed
10:45a HC
12:00p Knitting
1:00p Old Catholic
Worship
2:00p Girl Scouts
Juniors #4013
11:30a Mom’s Big
Sisters/Infant Playgroup
7:30p Church Council
4:30p PACS Board
7:00p Fellowship
10:00a Bible Study
12:00n Young@Heart
4:30p Girl Scouts #4308
6:00p The Way
6:15p Grief Group
6:30p Girl Scouts #4069
7:00p Alanon
7:00p Children’s Choir
7:30p Nicotine Anonymous
8:00p Adult Choir
10:00a Mom’s Music
Club
5:30p Women’s AA/
Alanon
6:00p Daisy Troop
#4514
7:00p Naranon
7:15p Handbells
8:15p Naranon Support
10:00a MotherBaby Breastfeeding
Connections
5:00p Evening Light
20
21
22
23
24 Christmas Eve
25
26
8:00a HC
9:25a Christian Ed
9:30a Electronics
10:45a SOW
12:00p Hanging of the
Greens
12:00p Knitting
12:00p Procession
Practice
7:30p Stephen Ministry
7:00p Stewardship
9:00a Circle Collating
10:00a Bible Study
7:00p Alanon
7:00p Children’s
Choir
7:30p Nicotine
Anonymous
8:00p Adult Choir
4:00p Children’s Service
5:30p Women’s AA/
Alanon
6:30p Music
7:00p Candlelight
Service
7:00p Naranon
9:30p Music
10:00p Candlelight
Service
27
28
29
30
31
8:00a HC
10:45a HC
12:00p Knitting
1:00p Old Catholic
Worship
6:30p Kiwanis Board
7:30p Executive
Committee
10:00a Bible Study
7:00p Alanon
7:30p Nicotine
Anonymous
5:30p Women’s AA/
Alanon
7:00p Naranon
Circle deadline
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New Year’s Eve
Christmas Day
5:00p Evening Light
December 2015
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
Bill Ahola
Pat Clark
Raymond Fulmer, Jr.
LuAnne Bindschusz
Eric Carr
Beth Roesener
Lindsey Jones
Stephanie Leeper
Don Titus
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
Jill Keddie
William Borowy
Christopher Onder
Peg Yanoviak
Emmett Gruici
Madison Myers
Karen Roesener
Phyllis Fleck
Layla Lozada
James Niness
Christopher Duerr
Molly Wallace
Aaron Westerman
Morgan Frees
Amber Khan
Taylor Peronteau
Madelynn Doepping
Jennifer Drewes
Andrea Newman
George Kurtz
Claire New
Barbara Powers
Tina Deputy
Justin O’Neill
Dylan New
Dave Volpe
Dick Wolstenholme
Megan Atkinson
Walter Deichmann
Nolan Leong
Richard Martin
Tim Leong
Paula Weiss
Mike Platchek
Kathy Rentschler
Mary Roesener
Seth Clark
Ryan Cadigan
Carol Cully
Cynthia Martin
Jodi O’Neill
9
Allan & Ramona Moreland
17
Robert & Jean Donohue
27
Larry & Carole Ney
29
John & Pam Freehafer
Mark & Deborah Wallace
30
10
William & Susan Shirk Jr.
Pam Westerman
Denise Moore
Savanna Muller
Sally Quinn
RuthAnn Schell
Jodi VanDerveer
Deborah Wallace
Ava Liedike
Helen Manney
Riley McBrearty
Mary Miller
St. John’s Lutheran Church
355 St. John’s Circle
Phoenixville, PA 19460
610-933-3947
COMMITTEES
Christian Education:
Kathy Atkinson, Chairperson
Allen Kramer, Shelley Saeger, Karen Singer,
Council Reps.
www.stjohnphoenixville.org
Columbarium:
George Mansur, Chairperson
Bill Starling, Council Rep.
E-mail: stjohnsphoenixville@verizon.net
CHURCH STAFF
Lead Pastor:
The Rev. Dr. Cynthia L. Krommes
Youth & Family Pastor:
The Rev. Stacey-Kyle Rea
Pastoral Associate:
The Rev. Thomas Kochenderfer, Jr.
Director of Music:
F. Thomas Snyder, III
Organist:
John Quinn
Evening Light Pianist:
Sondra L. Andrews
Parish Administrator:
Sonya K. Sowards
Custodian:
Pat Fatale
Nursery Coordinator:
Arlene Hudak
Stephen Ministry Leaders:
Linda Landis — 610-935-9726
Lee Dalasio — 610-454-9884
CHURCH COUNCIL
President:
Dale Herbranson
Vice President:
Bill Starling
Secretary:
Laura Caughlan
Treasurer:
Shirley Platzer
Assistant Treasurer:
Rose Gatlos
Financial Recording Secretary:
Mary Heiser
Fund 3 Secretary
Kevin Gallagher
Council Reps., Executive Cmte.:
Brian Becker, Karen Singer
Other Members of Church Council:
Bobbi Riley
Dick Wolstenholme
Allen Kramer
Kate Endres
Kurt Seidel
Shelley Saeger
Electronics:
William Schoellkopf, Chairperson
Dale Herbranson, Council Rep.
Change in Contact Information
Dave & Mary Jane Frees
23538 Shannondell Blvd.
Audubon, PA 19403
(610) 382-9339
Pat Kautz
1117 Holley Ferry Road
Leesville, SC 29070
Pastoral Acts
Executive:
Bill Starling, Chairperson
Weddings
Fellowship:
Sandra Zimmermann, Chairperson
Allen Kramer, Council Rep.
Ronald Williams
Venus A. Hadeed
October 25, 2015
Finance:
Jack Ertell, Chairperson
Brian Becker, Council Rep.
Matthew R.P. Marsters
Bernadette Kissinger
November 1, 2015
Property:
Keith Kenyon, Bill Schoellkopf
Co-Chairpersons
Dick Wolstenholme, Bobbi Riley
Council Reps.
Social Ministry:
Debbe Welsh, Chairperson
Laura Caughlan, Council Rep.
Stewardship:
Richard Kunsch, Chairperson
Bill Starling, Council Rep.
Welcoming Team:
Aimee Hillegas, Chairperson
Kate Endres, Kurt Seidel, Council Rep.
Worship and Music:
Jean Herbranson, Chairperson
Jay Stearly, Council Rep.
Office Assistants:
Wayne Ledger Debbe Welsh
June Henzie
Peg Yerger Kathy Atkinson
Dottie Doepping Beverly Ott
Collators for The Circle:
Joan Carl, June Henzie, Pete Henzie,
Pat Renninger, Debbe Welsh,
Kay Mann, Peg Yerger, Daisy Custer
Florence Bickhart
Postal Delivery: Debbe Welsh
The Circle Editor:
Sonya K. Sowards
Reformation 500 – 2017
There will be a global celebration for
the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation in 2017. You can check out
what’s planned for Wittenberg on the
web. Closer to home, our Lutheran
Theological Seminary in Philadelphia
and the Southeastern Pennsylvania
Synod will be having special events.
Here at St. John’s our Worship and
Music Committee is thinking ahead
too. If you would like to be part of
planning our own St. John’s Reformation 500 celebration, please contact Sonya Sowards at (610) 9333947 or stjohnsphoenixville@verizon.net.
St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church
355 St. John’s Circle
Phoenixville, PA 19460-2582
NON. PROFIT ORG
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
SEPA 19399
PERMIT # 6117
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
2015
ST. JOHN’S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
355 St. John’s Circle
Phoenixville, PA 19460-2582
610-933-3947
www.stjohnphoenixville.org
E-mail: stjohnsphoenixville@verizon.net
A Caring, Sharing, Growing Congregation
Participating in Stephen Ministry
Fall/Winter Worship Schedule
Saturday 5 p.m. (Evening Light)
Holy Communion every Saturday
Sunday 8 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.
Holy Communion @ Early Service 1st and 3rd Sundays
Holy Communion @ Late Service 2nd and 4th Sundays
Holy Communion @ Both Services Festival Days and 5th Sundays
Handicapped Accessible
THE CIRCLE