THE EAGLE

St. John's

United Church or Christ

VOLUME XXXVII             SEPTEMBER, 2008    _           NUMBER 9 

7 – SUNDAY SCHOOL BEGINS

14 – RALLY DAY

28 – LISA AND STEVE SMITH –

        MISSIONARIES

OCTOBER 18 – TURKEY WAFFLE

                                    DINNER

September 7 Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Communion

            Sunday School: 9:00 a.m.

            The Service: 10:00 am

            Scripture: Exodus 12:1-14 Romans 13:8-14

            Sermon: Never Too Old

September 14 Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

            Sunday School: 9:00 am

            The Service: 10:30 am

            Rally Day – Service outside followed by picnic

September 21 Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

            Sunday School: 9:00 am

            The Service: 10:30 am

            Scripture: Exodus 16:3-15 Matthew 20:1-16

            Sermon: What’s The Problem?

September 28 Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

            Sunday School: 9:00 am

            The Service: 10:30 am

            Scripture:  Exodus 17:1-7 John 13:34

From the Pastor:

It is always a remarkable experience to spend time in worship outside of the church sanctuary.  The Easter sunrise service is always a hit no matter what church I have been in.  Here at St. John’s , there are usually 30-40 people who rise early and enjoy watching the sun rise on Easter, celebrating the rising of the Son as well.  Sometimes we see it and sometimes we just trust in faith that the sun has risen, being assured that the Son of God is with us.

  St. John’s has a tradition of having a picnic for the end of the program year, which we celebrate as Choir Sunday, and the beginning of the year when we have Rally Day.  It was my suggestion that we also share in an outdoor worship event this year.

  Unless the weather is really oppressive (or wet), we will be outdoors for Rally Day.  We will worship at 10:30 a.m.(as we have all summer and continue at the same time) and encourage people to bring lawn chairs if you have them or folding chairs will be provided.  You won’t need hymnals as we will mostly be singing old camp songs and will have the words for you.  If you want to bring your morning coffee or tea with you, that’s fine.

  We will find this an opportunity to connect in a different way than usual to God our Creator.  I suspect we will either be in the shelter or near it on September 14.  We will have the picnic following worship. I am hoping that the weather will be cooperative for us and we may even make this an annual event (not always on Rally Day) and I hope you plan on attending.          

OUR CHURCH’S WIDER MISSION

It’s who we are.

How do your gifts to Our Church’s Wider Mission help us as a Conference work together on issues of worship and Christian Education? One way is a source called Worship Ways that is sent to every church from our Worship and Education Ministry Team in Cleveland about four times a year. If you’d like to take a look at some of the resources that come on these CDs, you will also find them at www.ucc.org/worship/worship-ways/. There you will find such things as “Election Season Prayers” and a liturgy for communion on World-Wide Communion Sunday in October, along with a wonderful collection of “Offering Invitations” — one for every Sunday

in Pentecost this year.

 In Penn Central Conference, your gifts help us to support a Worship Ministry Team that you see in action every year at Conference Annual Meeting. But did you know that the Worship Ministry Team also plans Music Day every spring? This is

an annual Saturday event that brings together pastors, musicians and lay leaders for a wonderful, inspiring look at worship and music in our congregations.

This year, your gifts are helping to support a program that we are working cooperatively on with Lancaster Theological Seminary. It’s called “Enlivening Worship for the Small Congregation.”

Call our office if you would like more details.

The list could go on and on. These resources are all created for and with our congregations in the United Church of Christ. Let us lift up our voices to God!

From Penn Central News August/September 2008

MISSIONARY COUPLE TO VISIT

            Steve and Lisa Smith will be speaking here on Sunday, September 28, 2008. They have served with Global Ministries for 15 years. They serve with the Union of Evangelical Churches in the Berlin-Brandenburg region of Germany . They have both served in Germany since 1993.

            Steve serves in the Ecumenical Council of Berlin-Brandenburg as well as being active in the regional UCC-UEK working group. Lisa serves as assistant to the Commissioner for Migration and Integration, as manger of the committee of the World Council’s “Decade to Overcome Violence” and as pastoral counselor for higher education students from developing countries.

They are here to learn about Penn Central Conference. Lisa is from Indiana and Steve from Kentucky so they are not familiar with our area or our church activities and projects.

They have an 11 year old son, David. While in the Lewisburg area, they will be residing with Kay and Gary Nottis. Hopefully they will help us to better understand our mission work in the world

          WHAT’S DIFFERENT?

NO LONGER JUST SHAWLS!

            Ladies,(and gentlemen)  there will be a meeting Tuesday, September 2^nd at 1:00 p.m. to discuss what type of needlework you would like to do and for what purpose. Do you want to continue with prayer shawls? Would you like to sew, knit, crochet, or quilt lap robes or blankets? Perhaps you have another idea; we would like to have you come and tells us about it.

            Please let Ruth Richard or the office know if you are interested or have suggestions for this group. See you on the 2^nd!

DID YOU KNOW?

            Before you go out and purchase a set of crutches for that sprained ankle, you can check St. John’s supply of medical aids. We have

      wheelchairs

      walkers – all types

      crutches

      canes

      potty chairs

      velcro braces

      bath chair

and other miscellaneous aids that can be borrowed for free.

All you need to do is call the church office and see what is available.

Chancel Choir is looking for a few good men and women to join the choir. No auditions, no experience required! Just a love for music needed. Rehearsals begin Wednesday, September 3^rd at 7:00 p.m. in the music room.  Practice lasts approximately one hour.

 This is a great opportunity for the older youth and adult members to work together in sharing their musical talents.

THINKING ABOUT RINGING THE BELLS?

            Now is the time to fulfill that wish. The Exaltation Ringers here at St. Johns ’ are in need of people to join their group. We hope that you will come and participate in the joy of ringing.

 The group meets Wednesday evenings at 6:00 p.m. beginning September 3^rd for an hour of rehearsal. There are no auditions. If you have never played the bells (as was the case with most of the present members), Rita Griffith will gladly teach you. The bell choir plays once a month during church service. Please consider joining us. We need you.

CONFIRMATION CLASS

There will be a meeting of the Confirmation class on September 21 to schedule when the class will be meeting.  We will meet for just a few minutes following worship.  Please bring the students’ schedules with you.          

 Confirmation is a time when students learn about the church, God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit and the place where we see our faith. You need to be either entering seventh grade or have your birthday fall between September of 1995 and December of 1996. In addition, the parents need to think the student is mature enough to spend time with other students and the pastor in a learning environment.

  Please notify the church office if you are able to participate.  We will find a time that works for all students and for the Pastor.

CHURCH VITALITY WORKSHOP

St. John’s had applied to participate in the Penn Central Vitality Initiative.  This means that there are five lay people (Linda Sartwell, Todd Hummel, Joanne Brenner, Sue Gemberling, Gary Nottis and your Pastor) who will be working to revitalize and take seriously our call to evangelize in our community.

  We will participate in several workshops over the course of the next three years.  The first one is on September 12-13 at Hartman Center .  Please keep our team in prayer while we work diligently to bring growth to our congregation.

INSTALLATION OF SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS AND DISTRIBUTION OF BIBLES

                Sunday school will begin on Sunday, September 7, 2008 at 9:00 am.  We have classes for infants to adults: the Preschool Class (infants to pre-schoolers) meets in the nursery, the Primary Class (kindergarteners to 3^rd graders) meets in the 1^st – 3^rd grade room, the Middle School Class (4^th- 7^th graders) meets in the Community Room, the High School Class (8^th – 12^th graders) meets in the Youth Room, and the Life Traditions Class (high-schoolers and adults) meets in the library.

2008-2009 SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS

The teachers for this year’s classes are:

Preschool – Angie Donlin with Jean Rantz

Angie is married to Ed Donlin and the mother of James, Sarah and Justin. Angie works part-time at the William Cameron Engine Co. as an EMT and is a full-time student at the Penn College of Technology in the nursing program. She enjoys her children, music, animals, art and the outdoors. Angie has served on the Consistory, sings with the choir and has helped teach Sunday School and Vacation Bible School .

Jean is the mother of Kelly Snayberger and grandmother of Abigail and Adam Snayberger. Jean is employed as a secretary for H. L. Klose in Mifflinburg. She enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, walking and serving dinners at church. Jean sings in the choir and is a member of the Pastoral Relations Committee.

Elementary – Deb Gutelius with Carol Fisher

Deb is married to Joe Gutelius and is the mother of Danielle, Courtney, and Matt. Deb is on the Christian Education Committee.  She loves to attend sporting events at Bucknell University .

Carol is married to Charles Fisher and the mother of Nicholas. Carol has worked at the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit for 29 years. Carol enjoys going to Little League baseball games, especially when Nicholas is playing. She has helped with the Sunday School class for three years.

Middle School – Linda Williams with Deborah Hettinger

Linda is a member of the Chancel Choir, Hospitality Committee, Christian Education Committee and Lay Ministry.

Deb is married to Randy Hettinger and is the mother of Diana and Krysta. Deb works at Kuhn’s Brothers and has helped with Vacation Bible School and youth events at church. Deb enjoys watching Krysta do cheerleading and Diana perform on stage.

High School – Sue Baish with Jim Baish

Sue and Jim are married to each other and the parents of Andy, a tenth-grader at Lewisburg High School and Erik, a first-year student at Colby College in Waterville , Maine . Sue and Jim enjoy teaching engineering at Bucknell University , watching Andy play in the band and sports, and visiting Erik in Maine .

Life Traditions – Gary Nottis

Gary is a graduate of Bucknell University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree with Honors in Geology. Gary serves as President of Consistory, Vice President of the Board of Directors of the Donald Heiter Community Center of Lewisburg, and Treasurer of the Union/Snyder Adult Recreation program. Gary is also on the Visioning and Personnel Committee.  Gary is married to Katharyn Nottis and has three step-children: Colleen, Timothy, and David. He started the Life Tradition Study group in September, 2004 and is working toward becoming a Licensed Lay Minister in the United Church of Christ.

“THE LAST LECTURE”

            The Life Tradition Study Group will begin a study, relevant to all, of Randy Pausch’s book, The Last Lecture.  To enhance the discussions, the book will be examined within the context of the story of Moses as suggested by the writings of Rabbi Harold Kushner.  Activities, music, and time for creative reflection will also be a part of this thought-provoking study.  All adults and interested high school age youths are invited to participate.

  The Life Tradition Study Group offers a safe and respectful environment for exploration of personal issues in Christianity and spirituality.  Discussions will generally be held at 9:00 a.m. each Sunday in the Library of St. John’s, starting September 28^th.

THANK YOU NOTES

Dear St. John’s

            Thank you for sponsoring Sarah and me to go to Hartman Center for Grandparents’ camp.

            We went swimming, did crafts, had a wagon ride around the camp, had a picnic, campfire, went on the cooperation trail, did the labyrinth, and many other fun things. Sarah even got to dance in the all-camp talent show!

            We met some new friends as well as seeing some from last year. One of our SSTs (summer service team) was from Dreisbach UCC so we were right at home.

            Thanks again for a wonderful experience.

                                                Linda and Sarah Sartwell

            Thank you for your gift to the home-building ministry of Union-Snyder Habitat for Humanity. Your generosity – along with volunteer labor and donated materials – will help provide simple, basic houses for God’s people in need. The houses are sold to these families at no profit and financed with affordable, no-interest loans.

Dear Members of St. John’s ,

            Thank you, Linda, for bringing the beautiful flowers and members for the cards, visits, and phone calls. I thank God for having you in my life.

                                                Blessings to all,

                                                Faylene Groover

BUDGET TIME FOR COMMITTEES

“SHOW AND TELL” CRAFT FAIR

 The Independent Living Residents of Buffalo Valley Lutheran Village are having a craft fair on Saturday, September 20^th 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. in the Commons building, Reitz Boulevard .

           This is a “show and tell” exhibit. There are some outstanding talents such as old-fashion rug hooking, artwork, quilting, knitted, and crocheted items, etc.

           The public is invited.

For Sale :  Dining Room Set - Dark walnut finish.  Includes trestle-style table w/two inserts, six chairs (two captains), dry sink & hutch.  Good condition.  $500.00 570-713-4398.

For Sale :  Day Bed – Metal frame, mattress and box set, like new. $100.00. 570-412-5171

The care of our youth is very important and although we have hired someone to spend ten hours a week with them, there is a vision for what we might provide them down the road as well.  

 Pastors and lay leaders of five churches within the Lewisburg area have met to find ways to have our youth share together.  Many of the youth know each other from school and this would be another way to keep them connected to church.  There may be discussion in the future about employing someone jointly by all churches

CHURCH TRANSFORMATION WORKSHOPS SCHEDULED!

          In response to the results of “The Spirit is Speaking Survey” and St. John’s participation in the Penn Central Conference’s Church Vitality Initiative, the Visioning Committee will offer a series of 5 workshops to take place on the first Sunday of each month, starting in October 2008 and finishing in February 2009.  Specific dates for these Sunday morning sessions are: October 5^th, November 2^nd, and December 7^th, 2008, as well as January 4^th and February 1^st, 2009. 

The goal of these workshops will be to lead the congregation through a discernment process to deal with five key questions for the revitalization of our church.  (1) What is our mission?  (2) Who is our mission to?  (3) What do the people we are trying to reach value?  (4) How will we know if we are succeeding?  (5) What is our plan for success?  Each approximately hour-long workshop will address one specific question, and consist of presentations, small group work, and larger group discussions.  Summaries of results from each workshop will be made available to the congregation.  The sessions will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 10:10 a.m., with a light breakfast served at 8:30 a.m.

These workshops will take the place of the Sunday school classes on the particular dates noted above and will be open to all members of St. John’s, including our older children and youth.  Programs will be available for younger children, as well as nursery care so that parents can participate in the sessions.  All members are invited to be involved.  It is not necessary for individuals to attend all five meetings.  Please come as often as you are able.  Church committee members, as well as the Consistory, are urged to attend.

This is an opportunity for the congregation to honor its past, recognize its core values, shape its future, and to continue the work begun with the recent congregational survey.  More information about these workshops will be forthcoming in the weeks ahead.

Sincerely,

Gary Nottis

Consistory President

 ST. JOHN'S MISSIONS

INGATHERING FOR EMERGENCY FOOD BANK

September is St. John’s time to provide the majority of the food at our Local Emergency Food Bank that is located at Christ Lutheran Church in Lewisburg.  This food bank is for emergency need.  People are referred to the food bank through other agencies or clergy.  The food bank always needs restocking.  No dented cans or home preserves are accepted. 

Items that are especially needed at the food bank are:

            Applesauce, small jars  Cereal, regular boxes

Fruit, canned                            Hamburger Helper

Jell-O                                       Jelly

Juice, small bottles       

Lipton Sauces with Rice & Noodles

Macaroni & Cheese Mixes       Mashed Potato Mixes

Money for perishables (mark offering envelop “Food Bank”)

Pasta, canned                           Pasta, dried

Peanut Butter                            Saltine Crackers

Soup, canned                           Spaghetti Sauce

Tea bags                                  Tuna

          In April 1990, a group of Christian teenagers in Burleson , Texas , decided to pray around the flagpoles at three schools. Thanks to word-of-mouth publicity and announcements at youth rallies, that September about 45,000 students prayed around flagpoles at 1,200 schools in four states.
          See You at the Pole (SYATP) is now an annual, international event. Students of all ages organize prayer gatherings outside of regular school hours, usually at 7 a.m. local time. Many parents, teachers and youth pastors join in. This year’s event occurs on September 24.
          Student-led prayer, even at public schools, is free speech protected by the U.S. Constitution. By gathering around their flagpoles, young people take a stand for Christ as they call on his name in prayer.

HARTMAN CENTER FALL FESTIVAL

Saturday, October 4

9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

            The Hartman Center Fall Festival is only one of two fund raisers for your church camp, Hartman Center . Please help support it with your donations and your presence.

            They will have games and activities for children of all ages – hayrides, food, and live entertainment. In addition there is a silent auction which includes such items as theme baskets, craft items, antiques and almost anything you can imagine.

TURKEY WAFFLE DINNER SCHEDULED

            Please reserve Saturday, October 18, 2008.  We will be serving dinner from 3:30 to 7:00 pm .    If you are freezing corn, perhaps you could do a little extra for the dinner. 

We also need help Thursday the 16^th and Friday the 17^th. 

A lot of help will be needed on Saturday.  We need everyone's participation.  A form is enclosed with this month’s Eagle.

RALLY DAY

 WORSHIP AND PICNIC

OUTSIDE

            On Sunday, September 14^th we will have PRAISE AND PICNIC during our regular worship service. The service will be outside. Bring lawn chairs or folding chairs and celebrate with St. John’s family.

PRAYER LIST FOR THOSE WHO ARE:

Homebound: Robert Aldrich, Lucille and Walter Barchet, Betty Noll, Robert Ritter, Alda Wagner, and Ella Wise

In Nursing/Care Facilities: Mildred Brouse, Geneva Crow, Ginny Gold, Roy Hart, Gladys Miller, Ruth Muffly, Marjorie Murray, Evelyn Snyder, Susan Stallsmith

Prayer Concerns: Gladys Falck, Faylene Groover, Bill Harer, Mary Lee Murray, Matthew Pölm, Olivia Smeltz, Derek Updegraff, Jazmyne Walters, John Walters

In Mourning: Family of Ruth Ritter, Family of Raymond Schell, Family of Pat Burnas

CHURCH RECORD

Marriage: Debby and Barry Catherman - August 2, 2008

Death: Ruth Ritter – August 12, 2008

DATES TO REMEMBER

9/7 Sunday School Begins

9/14 Rally Day

9/28 Anniversary Recognition

September Birthdays

 1. Fred Brouse

 3. Nicholas Fisher

 4. Deborah Hettinger, Gary Bair

 5. Polly Swank

 6. Don Adams, Mildred Brouse, Sheri Kauffman

 8. Faylene Groover, Shannon Prutzman

10. Todd Hummel

11. Susan Rising, Leigh Marks

13. Jean Maurer

15. Kim Oberdorf

16. Millie Satteson , Matt Gemberling, Kevin Rice, Bryan Zimmerman

17. Landon Mook

19. Dena Smeltz, Dennis Hassenplug

20. Virginia Gold, Kathy Bingaman

21. Nancy Sechler

22. Ashley Mook

23. Kelly Snayberger

24. Nora Fluent

25. Dorothy Reish, Carl Brown, Jackson Klingler, Christopher McCord

26. Clara Johnson, Shirley Olive

27. Daniel Clement, Ava Satteson

28. Jackson Sechler, Jr., Kieona Ross

30. John Murray, Joan Wagner

September Anniversaries

   1. Naomi and Donald Rager, Jr.

   2. Deborah and Randy Hettinger

  9. Laurel and Jeff Evans

20. Betty and Gary Hackenberg

23. Carol and Charles Fisher

SEPTEMBER VOLUNTEERS

USHERS

Fred & Ruth Brouse, Mike & Jan Roberts, Rita & Brian Griffith, Andy Baish, Robert Goff, Chris & Nancy Stratton

FLOWER SPONSORS          ACOLYTES

                                                  7        Kelby Shipe

Paula Gustafson                        14       Brianna Olszewski

Louise Heistand                        21       Nicholas Fisher

Kay & Garry Nottis                  28       Keith Griffith                                                                

DRIVERS Routes 1, 2, 3

Please contact Ron Zug (523-3987) for transportation,

         CHILDREN'S CHURCH           NURSERY VOLUNTEERS

Rita &Brian Griffith              7   Jean Rantz

Rally Day                         14   Rally Day

Kelly Snayberger              21   Chris & Nancy Stratton

Katie & Samantha Dock   28   Jim & Sue Baish

Lay Reader: Linda Sartwell

Lock-up Person: Mike Catherman

GREETERS

7 Sue Gemberling, LaRue Mundell

14 & 21 Duane, Kelly, Abigail, & Adam Snayberger

28 Jason, Sue, and Avery McCormick

PREPARATION OF COMMUNION ELEMENTS

Jean Hartman and Shirley Olive

VIDEO SCHEDULE

7 Joe Gutelius 14 Dave Satteson

 21 Randy Hettinger 28 Mark Satteson

Rev. James E. Johnson, Pastor Emeritus

1050 Buffalo Road, Lewisburg, Pa

Phone: (570) 523 - 0162   Fax: (570) 524 - 0468

Visit us online at http://stjohnslewisburg.org