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THE EAGLE 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 – 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:
The Service:
Rally Day – Service outside followed by picnic
September
21 Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday School:
The Service:
Scripture: Exodus 16:3-15 Matthew 20:1-16
Sermon: What’s The Problem? September
28 Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday School:
The Service:
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
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 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 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 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 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 2nd 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 2nd!
DID YOU KNOW? Before
you go out and purchase a set of crutches for that sprained ankle, you
can check
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 3rd
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 The
group meets Wednesday evenings at 6:00 p.m. beginning September 3rd
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
We will participate in several workshops over the course of the
next three years. The first
one is on September 12-13 at 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 3rd graders) meets in the 1st
– 3rd grade room, the Middle School Class (4th-
7th graders) meets in the Community Room, the High School
Class (8th – 12th 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 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 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 High
School – Sue Baish with Jim Baish Sue
and Jim are married to each
other and the parents of Andy, a tenth-grader at Life
Traditions – Gary Nottis “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 28th. THANK YOU NOTES Dear Thank
you for sponsoring Sarah and me to go to 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 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 20th 10:00 a.m.
– 5:00 p.m. in the Commons building,
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
For
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 5th,
November 2nd, and December 7th, 2008, as well as
January 4th and February 1st, 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
INGATHERING
FOR EMERGENCY FOOD BANK
September
is 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 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, 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.
Please reserve Saturday, October 18, 2008.
We will be serving dinner from We also need help Thursday the 16th and
Friday the 17th. 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 14th 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
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, 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.
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 |
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Rev. James E. Johnson, Pastor Emeritus |
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1050 Buffalo Road, Lewisburg, Pa |
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Phone: (570) 523 - 0162 Fax: (570) 524 - 0468 |
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| © 2000 St. John's UCC Lewisburg, PA |
Visit us online at http://stjohnslewisburg.org |