St. John’s Messenger

Volume 94, Issue 1 January 8, 2014

Excerpt taken from God’s Pause:

Psalm 29

This psalm transports me, a land-locked Iowan, to the shore of an ocean or perhaps to one of the Great Lakes. A gale-force wind blows; waves pound the sand or break on the giant boulders. In the wild cacophony of nature I hear the "voice of the Lord." The Psalm proclaims God as Creator of the cosmos, able to shake the wilderness and cause the oak trees to whirl.

Why is this psalm appointed for the celebration of The Baptism of Our Lord? Perhaps because there are other waters over which God speaks, the waters of the font to which we bring people of all ages. Baptismal fonts come in all shapes and sizes, of course, from large tanks used for immersion to a small bowl on a table. But these are waters over which the voice of the Lord also thunders: You are my beloved child. Clothed in the Trinity, you are held in my love forever. The waters of baptism are mighty waters, made mighty, Luther reminds us, by God's Word and God's command. In and over them God's claim on us forever is proclaimed with thundering love.

Thank you, Mighty God, for declaring us your beloved children. May this gift of love free us to serve you with joy today and always. Amen.

Rachel Thorson MithelmanPastor, St. John's Lutheran Church, Des Moines, Iowa

Master of Divinity, 1983

Psalm 29 (NRSV)

1 Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name; worship the Lord in holy splendor.3 The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord, over mighty waters.4 The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon.6 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild ox.7 The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire.8 The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.9 The voice of the Lord causes the oaks to whirl, and strips the forest bare; and in his temple all say, "Glory!"

10 The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord sits enthroned as king forever.11 May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace!

NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS INSTALLED

On Sunday, January 5th, the following new Council members were installed.

Ruth ButrejJamie FeasterLoye Hallden

John HendricksSandy Miller

Congratulations and thank you as they join the rest of the Council members. A special thank you to those Council members whose terms have expired for their dedication and commitment to St. John’s.

ANNUAL CONGREGATIONMEETING SCHEDULED

Football fans need not worry! You will be home in time for the Super Bowl!

The Annual Congregation Meeting will be held on Sunday, February 2, 2014 at the 10:15 a.m. service. A year-end review of committee reports will be given. Please mark this date on your calendar and join us.

PIZZA, PIZZA

Enjoy Little Caesar’s Pizza and other delicious snacks while you’re watching the Super Bowl!

The Youth Group is having a Little Caesar’s fundraiser. Order forms are located in the rear of the sanctuary. Money and orders are due by January 19th. Pick up will be January 27th from 3-6:00 p.m.Proceeds benefit ELCA Good Gifts for Children, the ELCA Youth Gathering, and other youth group activities.

YOUTH MEETING TIME CHANGED

Youth Group meeting time is being changed to Noon-2:00 p.m. Our first meeting for the new year will be on Sunday, January 19th. Mark your calendar and join us!!

REPORTS DUE

A reminder to all Committees – year-end reports at due in the office by

January 26th. Thanks for your cooperation.

Epiphany's significanceThe church season of Epiphany begins on January 6 each year. The name comes from the Greek word epiphaneia, meaning “to appear, to show or to manifest.” The ending date of the Epiphany season is determined by Ash Wednesday, which is determined by the date of Easter.

Traditionally, Epiphany Day marks the arrival of the Magi, or wise men, to worship the infant Jesus. The significance of Epiphany for Christians is that it symbolizes the first recognition of Christ by Gentiles, or non-Jews.

The season of Epiphany emphasizes the divine nature of Jesus, the light of the world. Symbols for the season include light, a star and the color green, which represents life, growth, hope and eternity.

Fill a jarNeed a new tradition to beginthe new year? One way toreflect on your blessings as thedays and months pass is to filla Blessing Jar. Simply find acontainer (ideally with a lid) and place it in a prominent place in your home. Next to it, set slips of paper and writing utensils.

Encourage every family member to jot down one thing they’re grateful for every day. If you have a large family, you may need one jar for each person. You can also use different-colored paper slips for each family member.

Every week, sit down together and review the many ways that God is present in your lives.

YOUTH MEETING TIME CHANGED

Youth Group meeting time is being changed to Noon-2:00 p.m. Our first meeting for the new year will be on Sunday, January 19th. Mark your calendar and join us!!

Bible QuizThe book of Revelation is addressed to seven churches. Which city in the United States shares the name of one of those churches?

A. St. Paul B. Philadelphia C. St. PetersburgD. ConcordAnswer on next page

HIS LIGHTHOUSE CAFÉServing a free warm meal and providing fellowship every 4th Thursday of the month from 4:30-6:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Come join us!

Thursday, January 23rd

Meatpie (with biscuit topping) and gravyColeslaw

Drink and dessert

(menu items subject to change)

WE NEED YOU ! ! !

More than 95% of our ministries, programs and projects here at St. John’s are done by volunteers. Each of us has a talent or gift given to us by God in which we can share. All of us have time, whether it is an hour or two or more.

At the end of this issue is a Time and Talent Sheet. Please look over this survey, there are a lot of different opportunities in which to help. Please fill out a form for each member of your house and return it to the office by January 26th. Even if you already volunteer, please fill out a form - this allows us to update our lists and is a great way for us to keep up with current contact information for you. Additional forms will be available in the rear of the sanctuary and outside the Church Office.

Sign at a local car dealership – offering New Souls starting at $15979. I’d rather go to the God Dealership – his prices can’t be beat and the warranty lasts forever.

HIS LIGHTHOUSE CAFÉServing a free warm meal and providing fellowship every 4th Thursday of the month from 4:30-6:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Come join us!

Thursday, January 23rd

Meatpie (with biscuit topping) and gravyColeslaw

Drink and dessert

(menu items subject to change)

SYNOD SNIPITSJanuary 19, 2014: LARC VespersEveryone is invited to the Annual Lutheran Anglican Roman Catholic (LARC) Vespers for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. It will be held on Sunday, January 19, 2014, at 5:00 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, Shamokin, PA. The preacher will be Bishop Robert L. Driesen and the theme will be “Has Christ Been Divided?” A light reception will follow the service.

January 26, 2014: Annual Camperson Event at Mount LutherThis event gives participants the chance to find out what’s going on at camp and tell the story to others! It will be held on Sunday, January 26, 2014, at 3:00 p.m. at the Evergreen Center at Mount Luther. Each congregation who sends a camperson to this meeting will receive $15 off each of their church’s camper registrations and will get Camel Bucks for the camp store. For more information on being a camperson, please visit www.campmountluther.org.

January 26, 2014: Camp Mount Luther Turkey Benefit Dinner This event will celebrate Benjamin Franklin’s Birthday. Franklin wanted the turkey to be the national bird of our country. Camp Mount Luther thought it would be fitting to have a turkey dinner to honor his January birthday! You are invited to come to his birthday party and support camp at the same time! The dinner will be held on Sunday, January 26, 2014, from 4:00-6:30 p.m. at the Evergreen Center at Mount Luther. The menu will consist of turkey and all the trimmings. A freewill offering will be collected to help defray the cost of the dinner. Reservations are required and can be made by contacting the camp office at (570) 922-1587 or cml@campmountluther.org. Deadline for ordering is Monday, January 20, 2014.

March 23, 2014: Bishop’s Day for ConfirmandsBishop Driesen invites all of this synod’s confirmands and their families to a special event on Sunday, March 23, 2014, from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at Trinity, Milton. The afternoon will include worship and learning together.

Food Packing Events: March 22, 2014 at Faith, Lewisburg; April 5, 2014 at Zion, PillowTwo food-packing events for the hungry are being scheduled in early 2014. More details are forthcoming, but please mark your calendars for these two dates if you are interested. Both events will be sponsored through Outreach, Inc. (http://www.outreachprogram.org/projects/food-program/).  Assembly lines of 10-12 volunteers each will assemble, seal, label, and pack 6-serving packages of a nutritionally-fortified macaroni and cheese dish for the low cost of 25 cents per serving.  Most work is done standing, but some jobs may accommodate sitters. Volunteers are asked to contribute $10 (if able) toward the cost of this event. Boxes packed with this product will be given to local food pantries and shelters. All materials are provided. Here are the dates and places:

March 22, 2014, at Faith Lutheran Church, Lewisburg

April 5, 2014, from 9:00 a.m.—5 p.m. at the Hickory Corners Fire Company Hall, 1124 Hickory Corners Road, Dalmatia, PA. This event is being sponsored by the Stone Valley Parish (Salem Zion, Pillow and Zion Stone Valley Churches). Additional donations are gratefully accepted for this event. Please send donations to: Zion Stone Valley Church, 1899 Mountain Road, Dalmatia, Pa, 17017.

In memory ofDerl Kauffman

By June Diehl

In memory ofFrances Hoffman

Romayne HoffmanLois Dodge

Pastor Arnold and Greta Bensen

ByDiane Hoffman

MEMBERS; Doug Manning; Barb Kiger; Elaine Kohl; Frances Rohrbach; Sally Mayer; Jack Snyder; Helen Snyder; Joe Epler; Mike Payne; Shirley Wolfe; Carol Diehl; Nancy Miller; Ruth Ramer.

PRAYER REQUEST: Suzanne Hall; Scott Engle; Barb; David Siemsen; Ronald Carl and family; Janice Stump; Sue Krex; The Finn Family; Sharon

Troutman and family; Robin Bolig; Ron Hall; Karen Gerst; Dean and Joan Rebuck; Terry Moll; Dave Burns; Don Propst; Tina Reichenbach; Daniel Lyons; Beverly Windus; Betty Leitzel; Marlyn Deihl; Irene Olley; Janel Gallo Berdell; Steve and Rose Brungard; Ed and Jane DeGand; Darvin Straub.

HOMEBOUND AND SPECIAL PRAYERS: Diane Hoffman; Carolyn Smith; Carol Hoffman; Polly Hetrick; Betty Yerg; Nancy Hendricks; Jane Galow; Robyn Snyder; Dave Roush; Dave Eisely; Franklin Hoffman; Catherine Broome; Harold Billman; Phyllis Gordon; Sally Diehl; Bill Brungard; Julia Tiedman; Tina Pontius; Jan Albertson; June Seebold; John Kistner; Margaret Rantz; Margaret Bright; Joshua Gordon; Harold Reid; Joyce Shearer; Connie Lahr; Steve Lahr; Zachery Baker; Carol Wilks; Pauline Spigelmeyer; Jodi Graybill; Brittany Graybill.

Pray for our militaryLogan Brouse; Colton Brouse; Kale Gallo; Jeremy Hoffman; Wyatt Kohl.

HONORARIUM RECEIVED

In Honor ofJune and Bud Diehl

ByBrenda and David

Herbert

Bible Quiz Answer: B(See Revelation 3:7-13.)

A thank you card received Dec. 20, 2013

To The congregation of at St. John’s Lutheran Church:

As we watch and wait for the coming of our Lord, we have many faithful companions with us on the road of life. We are thankful to count you among those traveling with us on the way.

Thank you for your gifts of support to our ministry, both your prayers and the box of kid’s clothes and items for our layette program.

Merry Christmas! Pastor Linda

Rocky Boy Indian Mission, Montana

Sunday, January 12 Burning of the Greens, 4:00 p.m. atUnited Lutheran Church (Wolfe’s Crossroads)

Route 890, Sunbury (was postponed from 1/5/13)Monday, January 13 HLC, 4:30-6:30 p.m.Wednesday, January 15 Bible Study, 7:00 p.m.Thursday, January 16 Deadline for Messenger, 3:00 p.m. Christian Education/Evangelism Committee, 7:00 p.m.

Scout Roundtable, 7:00 p.m.Saturday, January 18 Kathryn’s Kloset, 9-11:00 a.m.Sunday, January 19 Little Caesar’s Pizza Kits orders and money due Youth Group, 12 noon-2:00 p.m.

Girl Scouts, 1-4:00 p.m.Monday, January 20 HLC, 4:30-6:30 p.m.

WELCA, 7:00 p.m.Wednesday, January 22 Messenger folding, 9:30 a.m.

Bible Study, 7:00 p.m.Thursday, January 23 His Lighthouse Café, 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Attendance for December 15, 2013 8:00 a.m. Service –17 10:15 a.m. Service – 68

Offering needed weekly to meet budget: $3741.00Offering received: $3452.00

Attendance for December 22, 2013 8:00 a.m. Service – 29 10:15 a.m. Service –87

Offering needed weekly to meet budget: $3741.00Offering received: $6708.00

Attendance for December 24, 20136:30 P.M.

Service - 174 Offering received: $1522.50Attendance for December 24, 2013

10:30 P.M. Service – 100 Offering received: $1613.00

Attendance for December 29, 2013 8:00 a.m. Service – 10:15 a.m. Service –

Offering needed weekly to meet budget: $3741.00Offering received: $3561.00

WHAT’S HAPPENING

1 Corinthians 4-124 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord;6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit,9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit,10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses. 12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.

What type of work do you do

________________________________

What are your hobbies/interests that you would be willing to share with others

________________________________

______________________________

______________________________

______________________________

What are your passions/interests

______________________________

______________________________ ______________________________

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Service Assistants

____Communion Assistant 8:00 10:15 Either____Greeter____Lector____Usher____Bread – supply communion bread

Christian Education

____Teach a class____Team teach a study group____Help with Vacation Bible School

Choir

____Bell/Chime choir____Senior Choir____I play an instrument and could play for special occasions

Youth Ministry

____Be a Youth Group Leader____Be a Youth Group Helper____Activities assistant/Chaperone____Provide transportation

Adopt-a-highway

____Spring cleanup____Fall cleanup

Administration

____Fold the Messenger, every other Wednesday____Provide office coverage, when needed

Worship & Music

____ Lay Home Communion Minister____Altar Guild (set up/clean up communion, restock pew cards, dust altar area, change paraments)____Help decorate sanctuary

____ Easter____ Christmas____ Harvest Home

Property____Work on special building project____Painting as needed____Help with weeding/plant flowers____Help shovel snow during the week and prior to services on Sundays

Other Ministries

___ Transport a member to a doctor apt.

___ Honor Leadership Corps ___ Homeschool Co-Op

___Help with set up___Provide snack___Provide hospitality support

___Provide a meal for someone just home from the hospital

___ Provide a meal to a new mother

Social Ministry

____50 Year Membership Celebration____Set up____Clean up____Prepare and serve food

____Fishing Tournament____Set up____Clean Up____Help children fish____Work a stand

____Games____Food____Crafts____Cashier

____Kathryn’s Kloset____Help pick up products____Help with distribution

____Homebound deliveries to our homebound members

____Easter delivery____Christmas delivery

____Transportation – to provide vehicle to help pick up fundraiser items when needed

____Fellowship Meals____Help prepare food____Serve____Clean up

WELCA

____Soup Sales____Help prep meats for soup making____ Help cook various soups, and fill orders

____ Rummage Sale____Help with set up____Help with clean up____Cashier____Work during sale, restock items____Donate baked goods for bake sale

____Christmas Bazaar____Help with set up____Help with clean up____Cashiers____Wrap gifts____Help children in Santa Secret Shop____ Kitchen

____ Cashier____ Help bake cookies, pies____Help prepare food____Server and cooks, day of event

____ Donate ingredients for baking & cooking

My Spiritual GiftsOf

Time and TalentsTo

St. John’s Lutheran Church

Contact Information:

Name _____________________

Home Phone: _______________

Cell Phone: _________________

Email : ____________________

St. John’s Lutheran Church, 300 Queen Street, Northumberland, PA 17857.Periodical postage paid at Northumberland, PA.POSTMASTER: Send address change to St. John’s Messenger, 300 Queen Street, Northumberland, PA 17857.

ST. JOHN’S MESSENGER January 8, 2014 Volume 94, Issue 1

St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church 570-473-3770 sjelc300@ptd.net

This Sunday at St. John’sJanuary 12, 2014

8:00 a.m. Worship Service with Communion8:45 a.m. Sunday School for Preschool-6th Grade

9:00 a.m. Sunday School 10:15 a.m. Worship Service with Communion

Next Sunday at St. John’sJanuary 19, 2014

Mark Geisen preaching8:00 a.m. Worship Service with Communion

8:45 a.m. Sunday School for Preschool-6th Grade9:00 a.m. Sunday School

10:15 a.m. Worship Service with Communion

Church Office Hours Mon-Thurs 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Fri 8:30 a.m.-Noon

Address Label

PeriodicalsPostage PaidNorthumberland, PA

MarthaSue Moll, Pastor William J. Jacavage, Director of Music