Issue 10 October 2013

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I am very excited to share with you that we are ready to take a long and in-depth look at how we are doing “church”. For the past year we have been gearing up for an new way of thinking. As much as we do not like change, we are at a crossroads. Although our member-ship remains the same, our attendance has dropped way down. Throughout the summer, our attendance has been between 65 to 75 members each week. If we continue in the same way without doing something different we will not be able to sustain a vibrant worship. It is time to move and I will be leading the way for us. We will be empowered by the Holy Spirit using St. Luke’s scriptures of Acts and the book titled,

Living Lutheran:

Renewing your Congregation, by Dave Daubert

Please pick up a book and read through it. You will find them on the top of the office mailboxes.

It’s starts with the history of the ELCA back in 1960 through 1999. “In 2000, as that strategy was being evaluated, we discovered that in spite of all the good work we had done, the church had continued to shrink.”( pg 15) This is not just our church but it all of our Lutheran Churches as a whole. The advise that we hear is that the world has changed yet the church has not kept up. We (most all the ELCA churches) will struggle with the declining membership and worship attendance. We may even feel some sadness and grief.

However there is HOPE!! We need to continue the work of our Vision and Mission Statements and get you on board. As I initiated a plea for reforming our Vision and Mission Statement, our council and leaders are ready for the next huge step. A step that will take time; a few months in Prayer, Scripture, and in-depth conversations. I need you to trust and commit to St. John’s. The Holy Spirit works in and through each of us. Please be a part of reviving our family.

I am asking you to attend our workshops

on the 2nd and 4th Mondays

For 5 Sessions

For 1 hour at 7 to 8 pm

From September 12th thru November 8th.

Dates include 9/12, 9/26, 10/10, 10 /24, 11/8

If you are unable to attend please pick up a book and talk with others. Our goal is to read 2 chapters every 2 weeks.

We will gather in the council room @ 7-7:30 then you will break into small groups and have discussion in the sanctuary from 7:30 to 8:00. Council members at 7:30 pm we will continue with our council meeting.

All are welcome to join us as we begin the journey of transforming St. John’s Lutheran Church.

Get Excited as we explore what God’s plan is for us.

Pastor Amy

THE EVANGELIST

A monthly publi cation of St . John' s Evangel ical Lutheran Church - Ridge Vall ey St. John’s Evangel i cal Lutheran Church, Ridge Vall ey, 910 Allentown Road, Sel l ersvi l l e, PA 18960

Office Hours: Monday through Friday 9:00 am to 2pm Pastor—Rev. Amy Hotter Administrative Assi stant —Jennifer Nyce

Phone: 215 -257-9643 E -Mail : s t johnsridgeval l ey@verizon.net Websi te : www.s t johns - r idgeval l ey.com Facebook: https//facebook.com/st johnsridgeval l ey

Sunday Worship Schedule : 8:30 am–Traditional ; Sunday School -9 :30 am (no summer) ; 10:15 am–Praise

Issue 9 A Word from the Pastor... September 2016

September Scripture Schedule

Read the Bible in a year! Go to: http://www.ewordtoday.com/year/msg/cjan01.htm and fol-low along with their suggested readings for each day or see below. You’ll be on your way to reading the Bible as it’s events occurred in real time!

August 29th First day of school

For Pennridge Schools

Sunday 5th: Labor Day

Wednesday 7th: Bible Study 6:30

Sat.10th: Progressive dninner 5:00

Sunday 11th: Rally Day

Monday 12th : Soup & Crafter

Monday 12th: Council Meeting 7

Wednesday 14: Bible Study 6:30

Sunday 18th: 1st Sunday School

Wednesday 21st:Bible Study 6:30

Sat.24th: Set up for Harvest Home

Sunday 25th: Harvest Home

Saturday 27th Bon Fire 8:00 pm

Wednesday 28th: Widows Group

Wednesday 28 : Bible Study 6:30

Date Principal Festivals First Reading Psalm Second Reading Gospel

Sep 16: Dan 7-9

Sep 17: Dan 10-12

Sep 18: Ezra 1-3

Sep 19: Ezra 4-6; Ps 137

Sep 20: Haggai 1-2

Sep 21: Zech 1-7

Sep 22: Zech 8-14

Sep 23: Est 1-5

Sep 24: Est 6-10

Sep 25: Ezra 7-10

Sep 26: Neh 1-5

Sep 27: Neh 6-7

Sep 28: Neh 8-10

Sep 29: Neh 11-13; Ps 126

Sep 30: Malachi 1-4

Sep 1: Ezek 18-19

Sep 2: Ezek 20-21

Sep 3: Ezek 22-23

Sep 4: Ezek 24-27

Sep 5: Ezek 28-31

Sep 6: Ezek 32-34

Sep 7: Ezek 35-37

Sep 8: Ezek 38-39

Sep 9: Ezek 40-41

Sep 10: Ezek 42-43

Sep 11: Ezek 44-45

Sep 12: Ezek 46-48

Sep 13: Joel

Sep 14: Dan 1-3

Sep 15: Dan 4-6

COFEE FELLOWSHIP: Heidi will be leaving us soon and there is an

opening for coffee fellowship early service starting in September. If you

, a friend, husband or alone would like to be part of this team let us

know. It will be once every 5 Sundays. The early person makes the

coffee and gets everything set up. It is easy and a way of becoming

involved in the church. We can help you learn. Please let us know.

Lee and Sue Felbinger 215 257-6774

The Evangelist

Altar Flowers September 18th

In memory: George Sell Jr, Sarah Souder and Lori Egner

Given by the Kober Family

Our Members:

Neala Hopkins

Margie Kulp

Marvin Belles

Harriet Woehr

Carolyn Hafler

Susie Diehl

Dorothy Troxel

Sandy Driscoll

Mary King

Andy Walling

Ruth Barnaby

Our Homebound:

Francis Allem

Doris Barndt

Claude & Dorothy Barndt

Pauline Berndt

Helen Brensinger

Lucille Caruso

Ed Geiger

James Gotthardt

Willis & Lorraine Heacock

Bob Kulp

Charles Marx

Tom & Blanche Matczak

Elaine Turner

Pauline Brensinger

Harold & Gert Benner

Romaine Croissette

Our Friends:

Vicar Heidi Link

I give thanks to God for giving us Heidi. Although she will be missed, she is moving to Easton for her internship which is needed for ordination. At St. John’s Lutheran Church in Easton Pa, she now holds the title of “Vicar.” Throughout this coming year she will continue to preach, teach, pray for and over all those who cross her path as a spiritual guide. We will miss her smiles, her warmth, and her

creativity. Go with God and care for all!

Sharing the Love and Teaching of Jesus through Witness

Witness- it’s the second action word of our mission statement, found in our bulletins every Sunday. What does witness mean to you? Many would think of a per-son testifying in a court of law. As a Christian, it means sharing our stories of what God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit has done for us. Jesus wanted it this way, when He said “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” [Matt. 28:19,20].

Recently, one of our younger members gave a moving testimony in church on how God helped to heal him from a terrible accident he suffered as a youth. How many of us have been touched by God’s healing power, either physically or emotionally? How many of us have overcome grief and pain, with God’s help? How many of us have had guilt washed away by Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for us? Sharing our faith stories is a wonderful and personal way of spreading the good news of the gospels to others. While scriptures are very powerful, adding our own faith stories helps to make Jesus’ love even more real and evident to others.

Some who read this may have been trained in theol-ogy, and serve as pastors. Some who read this may have served as missionaries. Many who read this may have taught Sunday school. Thanks be to God for people like you, who spread God’s love and teachings to oth-ers! For those who have not done any of these things, remember this line from one of our church hymns: “If you cannot preach like Peter, if you cannot pray like Paul, you can tell the love of Jesus, and say he died for all” [There is a Balm in Gilead]. Let us never be afraid to reach out to others, and tell them how God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit have made a positive impact in our lives.

Yours in Christ,

Don Graham

Pie Day: Tuesday October 4th

Meeting at Silver Springs

Martin Lutheran School

Meet at the church by 11:00 am

Marianne is attending and welcomes

anyone else would like

to ride along with her.

FISH

We donated 9 backpacks with

supplies in them.

They were blessed along with

our own children backpacks on

Sunday August 28th

http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwil2aiJ4fDMAhWF2yYKHVN0AgsQjRwIBw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fzion-morris.org%2F%3Fai1ec_event%3Dstewardship-bible-study&psig=AFQjCNGrJrVXbpayCT3U9lVL35M0mZFGWQ&ust=1464111969

Watch the transformation of the welcome space. Jenna is working on her Girl Scout Gold award. This mural will be painted on the wall. It will be 8 feet wide and 5 feet high. We are very thankful and excited!!!

Dear Congregation, please mark your goodies if

they contain nuts, unfortunately, this can be-

come serious for both children and adults.

Thank you for your kind consideration

Your Invited!

We want YOU to participate in a play for RALLY DAY in September! We will be holding practice on Wednesdays throughout the summer from 7-8pm. A sign up sheet will be in the Fellowship Hall! We thank you in advance for volunteering for this

exciting opportunity!

Unemployment Support Group

Every Tuesday night at 7pm

St John’s Lutheran Church

Ridge Valley

215.257.9643

September 10th: Progressive Dinner

1st Stop: Cold Appetizers Chris and Brenda Wall 215-257-5977

1600 Lower Rocky Dale Rd, Green Lane

2nd Stop: Hot Appetizer/Dinner Don and Pia Graham 215-257-0177

2145 Sterners Rd, Green Lane

3rd Stop: Dessert

Barb Klinger 215-872-4345 115 Almont Rd Sellersville

Time A

Time

To

Gather

Mural will be created HERE.

August 20,2016

Carillon Concert

Congratuations

Jennifer

James

And

Avy

On the birth of

Brooks

Joseph

Cameran

Born on August 14, 2016

Weighing in at 7 lbs 10 oz

and 18.5 inches

If you would like to send cards ;

406 Moyer Rd., Harleysville Pa 19438

Congratulations to

Megan, Matt, Ben, and Nathan

on the Birth

of

Andrew

George

Yoder

FOR ALL OUR COLLEGE STUDENTS

If you would like to receive our newsletter and a care package throughout the year while you are

at college, please give your school address to the church office or simply put it in the offering

plate. (Moms and Dads if your student has already moved to college please fill out the below

form. If you are in college, but living at home we will be happy to drop off your care package.

Email to Amyshotter@gmail.com

Text: 267-218-2378

St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

Student Name: ______________________________

School:_____________________________________

Address____________________________________

___________________________________________

Email______________________________________ Please let us hear from you!!

St. John’s Lutheran Church

910 Allentown Road

Sellersville, PA 18960

Place

Label

Here

St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 910 Allentown Road, Sellersville, PA Office Hours: Visiting Hours Monday through Friday, 9:00— 2:00

Phone: 215-257-9643 E-Mail: stjohnsridgevalley@verizon.net Website: stjohns-ridgevalley.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stjohnsridgevalley Worship Schedule: 8:30 am - Traditional Service; 9:30 am - Sunday School;

10:15 am -Praise Service

St. Johns Staff: The Rev. Amy Hotter, Pastor Mark Gottesfeld, Organist & Music Director Jennifer Nyce, Administrative Assistant Christine Nyce, Laurie Hopkins , Sextons

St. John’s Council Members: Don Graham, Council President, Christian Ed Phyllis Kogel, Council Vice President Barbara Klinger, Financial Secretary Dan Traynor, Treasurer Cornell Hopkins, Council Secretary Shirley Nase, Social Ministry Nancy Esposito, Parish Life Chris Wall, Property Doug Kemp, Property