the Messenger · 4/4/2019 · April 7: Guest speaker Lisa Kulan from Family Promise will be...
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the Messenger Lent / Easter April 2019 On March 23, the Congregation Council met in retreat at Ascension Lutheran Church in Newtown for the purposes of visioning and planning for 2019 and beyond. One of the things discussed was the desire to provide the congregation with more information about Council meetings and decisions. Please watch these monthly messengers as well as the Council Corner bulletin board in the commons for meeting highlights and financial status information throughout the year. Highlights of the March retreat and meeting include: Council reviewed our 3-year plan and assessed where we stand on various goals. We agreed that our mission focus for 2019 would be Welcome and Witness. Council authorized the executive committee to award a contract to replace the leaky sanctuary roof for an amount not to exceed $40,000 (from our major maintenance fund). Bids from contractors have been requested. The year is off to a good start financially, with expenses below budget and strong giving for the first two months. The next Council meeting will be Monday, April 15 at 7:00pm. Note the unusual date, not the 3 rd Thursday). Members of the congregation are welcome to attend. Council Members Kathy Bauer Amy Carr John Connors Gayle Gunnerson (Secretary) Blaik Halling Patti Levenberg (Financial Secretary) Ed Pazicky (President) Donna Picciano Barb Roth Lisa Sassaman Norm Sundstrom (Treasurer) Will Toppin (Vice President) Ken Weisensale Pr. Dan Whitener Carol Zetterberg Postcards listing our Holy Week and Easter worship schedule are available in the commons. Please help yourself and share them with friends and neighbors. Palm Sunday, April 14: Worship at 8:45am and 11am, beginning with palm processional in the prayer garden Maundy Thursday, April 18: Worship at 7:30pm (Holy Communion and healing prayers, music led by Rejoice!) Good Friday, April 19: Worship at 12noon (spoken service) and 7:30pm (music led by choir and organ) Easter Sunday, April 21: Worship at 8:45am and 11:00am (no education classes) Host Week • April 21 – 28 In partnership with Family Promise of Lower Bucks, we will be serving as a host congregation for homeless families during the week of April 21 – 28, providing overnight lodging and meals for the week. Your help is greatly needed. There is a volunteer signup board in the commons. Opportunities to help include prepare meals, visit with guests, be an overnight host, donate food, setup and cleanup. See the yellow information sheet for complete details. Volunteers visiting with guests or spending the night will need 2 background checks (free) as described on the yellow information sheet in the commons. Robin Pecuch or Karen Hoch will be available in the church office Sunday 3/31, 4/7 and 4/14 from 10:00am- 10:45am to help you apply for these documents. Midweek Lenten “Dinner Church” through April 10 6:00pm – 6:45pm Brief worship, prayer and light meal in Fellowship Hall. Pizza and salad are on the menu this week. A free-will offering will be collected. Sign up in the commons. Thursday Mornings through April 4 8:30am in the Lounge Gather for a 5-week study of the Lenten themes in the New Testament book of 1 John. Coffee and goodies will be available.
Transcript of the Messenger · 4/4/2019 · April 7: Guest speaker Lisa Kulan from Family Promise will be...
the Messenger
Lent / Easter April 2019
On March 23, the Congregation Council met in retreat at Ascension Lutheran Church in Newtown for the purposes of visioning and planning for 2019 and beyond. One of the things discussed was the desire to provide the congregation with more information about Council meetings and decisions. Please watch these monthly messengers as well as the Council Corner bulletin board in the commons for meeting highlights and financial status
information throughout the year.
Highlights of the March retreat and meeting include:
Council reviewed our 3-year plan and assessed where we stand on various goals. We agreed that our mission focus for 2019 would be Welcome and Witness.
Council authorized the executive committee to award a contract to replace the leaky sanctuary roof for an amount not to exceed $40,000 (from our major maintenance fund). Bids from contractors have been requested.
The year is off to a good start financially, with expenses below budget and strong giving for the first two months.
The next Council meeting will be Monday, April 15 at 7:00pm. Note the unusual date, not the 3rd Thursday). Members of the congregation are welcome to attend.
Council Members Kathy Bauer
Amy Carr
John Connors
Gayle Gunnerson (Secretary)
Blaik Halling
Patti Levenberg (Financial Secretary)
Ed Pazicky (President)
Donna Picciano
Barb Roth
Lisa Sassaman
Norm Sundstrom (Treasurer)
Will Toppin (Vice President)
Ken Weisensale
Pr. Dan Whitener
Carol Zetterberg
Postcards listing our Holy Week and Easter worship schedule are available in the commons. Please help yourself and share them with friends and neighbors.
Palm Sunday, April 14: Worship at 8:45am and 11am, beginning with palm processional in the prayer garden
Maundy Thursday, April 18: Worship at 7:30pm (Holy Communion and healing prayers, music led by Rejoice!)
Good Friday, April 19: Worship at 12noon (spoken service) and 7:30pm (music led by choir and organ)
Easter Sunday, April 21: Worship at 8:45am and 11:00am (no education classes)
Host Week • April 21 – 28
In partnership with Family Promise of Lower Bucks, we will be serving as a host congregation for homeless families during the week of April 21 – 28, providing overnight lodging and meals for the week. Your help is greatly needed. There is a volunteer signup board in the commons. Opportunities to help include prepare meals, visit with guests, be an overnight host, donate food, setup and cleanup. See the yellow information sheet for complete details.
Volunteers visiting with guests or spending the night will need 2 background checks (free) as described on the yellow information sheet in the commons. Robin Pecuch or Karen Hoch will be available in the church office Sunday 3/31, 4/7 and 4/14 from 10:00am-10:45am to help you apply for these documents.
Midweek Lenten “Dinner Church” through April 10 6:00pm – 6:45pm Brief worship, prayer and light meal in Fellowship Hall.
Pizza and salad are on the menu this week. A free-will offering will be collected. Sign up in the commons.
Thursday Mornings through April 4 8:30am in the Lounge
Gather for a 5-week study of the Lenten themes in the New Testament book of 1 John. Coffee and goodies will be available.
The resource table in the Commons has been updated for the season of Lent. Free devotional booklets titled Lasting Hope are available for each household in the congregation.
These daily devotions focus on the psalms for Lent. The on-loan resources for Lent fall into the category of basic summaries of the Christian faith and life (both classical and modern). They represent perspectives from a variety of authors. Welcome!
Easter Flower Garden
Help us adorn our sanctuary on Easter Sunday with a beautiful display of spring plants, including gerbera daisies, tulips, daffodils, azaleas and hydrangeas. Order forms area in your church mailbox and are due back by Monday, April 15. You may take your plants home after the 11am service on Easter Sunday or leave them to be planted on the church grounds.
Just a reminder as you fill out your yearly tax forms, if you have misplaced your annual statement and need another copy, email me at [email protected].
Thank you to everyone who has kept their pledges current, and especially to those members who have already fully gifted their annual pledge. That, combined with below-budget expenses, means we are currently comfortably ahead of where we need to be to achieve a balanced budget at year end. Thank you all for your faithful and generous giving. Patti Levenberg
April’s non-perishable food collection will benefit the food pantry of the Emergency Relief Association in Levittown. Suggested donations include peanut butter and jelly, soup, canned fruits and vegetables, pasta and sauce, tuna, macaroni and cheese, pancake mix and syrup, healthy cereals. Place your donated items in the collection box in the Commons.
Visit erafoodpantry.org/donations for more information.
DIAPER COLLECTION: “Because Everyone Deserves to be Clean and Dry”
In April we will be collecting diapers for The Greater Philadelphia Diaper Bank, a non-profit organization, started by a Richboro resident, that distributes donated diapers to homeless shelters, food pantries and family service agencies. Diapers are expensive, and parents in need often have to make a difficult choice between purchasing diapers, paying bills or buying groceries. Let’s help put an end to this problem!
The collection includes any type or size of diapers or pull-ups, sizes newborn to adult (including open packages). Place them in the bin in the commons. A collection bin will be outside the building by the sanctuary entrance so the larger community can participate and drop off diaper donations any time. Please spread the word and invite friends, family, neighbors and coworkers to participate. More information is available on the Service Ministry table in the Commons (beginning April 7), or by visiting philadelphiadiaperbank.org.
Questions? Contact Sandy Anthony [email protected] or 215-350-3379
Sundays at 10am in the Lounge March 31 and April 14: “Let Us Pray” is a scripture-based study on the paradoxes, the practices
and the products of prayer—a great topic for these final weeks of Lent.
April 7: Guest speaker Lisa Kulan from Family Promise will be present in the café for conversation.
April 28, May 5 and May 12: “Caring for Elderly Parents.” Conversation, resources and support from the perspective of the caregiver AND the aging parent.
$88,932
$65,830
$0 $20,000 $40,000 $60,000 $80,000 $100,000
2019 ActualCurrent Giving
2019 TargetMonthly Giving
Envelope Giving through February 2019
154 150 160
186
Mar 3 Mar 10 Mar 17 Mar 24
Worship Attendance 2019
God‘s Caring Stitchers
“Knitting or crocheting a little something for yourself is wonderful, but giving your handcrafts to others can be even more rewarding. Whether it is a chemo hat or baby blanket, donating your knit or crocheted project is a great way to give back to the community and share your talents with someone who will always cherish your gift” as quoted by Lion Brand Yarn Co. We meet Fridays April 5, 12, and 26 at 1pm in Room A1. No meeting on April 19. Have a blessed Easter!
Questions? Contact Cindy Sundstrom at [email protected] or 215-493-2484.
Saturday, April 6 9:00am – Noon
Spring is here! Come out and help the God’s
Love “Lawn & Garden” team do a Spring Cleanup of the grounds. Questions? Contact Don Ginelli 267-566-4349.
On Eagle’s Wings: Thanks to friends such as you whose faithful giving make our northern ministry possible, we are able to respond to requests for Bible Camps, pastoral presence and children’s ministry. Thank you for your gift (of $305) which helps us renew our relationship with longtime friends in this community.
Eagle Scout Collin Brady: Thank you for generously donating the use of your parking lot and water hook-up for my fundraiser car wash last June. The proceeds went to build a memorial walk and gazebo for the Cancer Support Community of Greater Philadelphia as part of my Eagle Scout project. I cannot thank you enough.
April is almost here and the preschool children are preparing for Easter. In March the children learned about Jesus’ team—his apostles. Team members follow their leader and work together toward a goal. We want to be part of Jesus’ team by loving God and each other! This month, the teachers will focus on some of the miracles Jesus performed as well as Holy Week and Easter. The classes will have an ice cream party and egg hunt, too!
Farmer Gabe from Quiver Farm brought the chick eggs, along with a hen and rooster, Bonnie and Clyde.
Each class will be taking a trip in the coming weeks. The 3s will go to Tyler Park where they will learn about worms. The 4s’ morning class is going to Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve for a program on bees. The 4s with Enrichment Class will learn about life on a farm at Howell Farm. Preschool is excited for their Designer Bag Bingo fundraiser on Friday, April 5. Flyers are in the Commons. Tickets are $30 in advance and are available in the preschool office, or through PayPal and Venmo. Call the preschool office 215-497-0506 or email [email protected] for more information!
TODAY! Jamaican Lunch • Noon in the Café
Today is the day! Enjoy a Caribbean-inspired lunch hosted by the LIA Jamaica mission team as a wrap-up to the gift basket raffle fundraiser.
Raffle winners will be chosen, so stay for some good food, good company and perhaps good luck! A free-will offering will be collected. Proceeds from the raffle and luncheon benefit this year’s two mission trips: the youth trip to the Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota in July, and the adult trip to Life in Abundance Jamaica in May.
Lutheran Church of God’s Love 791 Newtown-Yardley Road Newtown, PA 18940 215.968.4335 www.godslovenewtown.org
Rev. B. Daniel Whitener [email protected]
Ed Pazicky, Council President [email protected]
Kay Rozolis [email protected]
Susan McDonnell [email protected]
Pet Ministry Becomes “All Creatures Great and Small”
In keeping with ECLA’s social statement, “Caring for Creation: Vision, Hope, and Justice,” and its commitment to protecting the environment, the Pet Ministry has decided to expand its mission to embrace a wider range of animals than pets. In keeping with this initiative, we are changing our name to All Creatures Great and Small (ACGS). Our first step is to focus locally on animals in the Bucks County area, specifically endangered species, abused domestic and farm animals, and wild animals harmed by human activity.
Planning is underway for education programs, volunteer resources and guest speakers, so watch for details to come. Comments and suggestions can be sent to [email protected]. And rest assured that we will continue to honor our commitment to the welfare of pets! Diana Pazicky, Coordinator
Pray for Worship Leaders March 31: Bob Loven April 7: Andy Senft April 14: John Shultz April 21: Todd & Carol Stranahan
April 1: Nancy & Joyce April 8: Fran & Kathy April 16: Ruth & Eileen April 22: Janet & Sarah April 29: Ed & Bud
August 5 –9 9am to 3pm Registration
forms available soon
Gal’s Book Club “The Resurrection of
Joan Ashby” by Cherise Wolas Thursday, April 25
7:00pm in the lounge
Senior Saints’ Luncheon
Monday April 15
Noon
April 2019 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 Counters 9:30am
2 Rejoice! 7:30pm
3 Lenten Dinner 6pm Bell Choir 7pm Adult Choir 7:45pm
4 Bible Study 8:30am
5 Knit & Crochet 1pm Preschool Bingo Fundraiser 7pm
6 Property Cleanup 9am - Noon Fellowship Dinner 6:30pm
7 Worship 8:45am Education Hr 10am Worship 11am Family Promise Training 12:15
8 Counters 9:30am Security Team 7pm
9 Rejoice! 7:30pm
10 Lenten Dinner 6pm Bell Choir 7pm Adult Choir 7:45pm
11 12 Knit & Crochet 1pm
13 1
st Communion
Workshop 9am
14 Palm Sunday Worship 8:45am Education Hr 10am Worship 11am Scout Banquet 5pm
15 Sr. Saints Noon Church Council 7pm
16 Counters 9:30am Rejoice! 7:30pm
17 Bell Choir 6:30pm Adult Choir 7:30pm
18 Maundy Thursday Worship 7:30pm
19 Good Friday Worship Noon AND Worship 7:30pm
20 Men’s Breakfast 8:30am
21 Easter Sunday Worship 8:45am No Education Hour Worship 11am Family Promise Host Week Begins
22 Office Closed Counters 9:30am
23 Investment 9:30am Rejoice! 7:30pm
24 No Choirs
25 Book Club 7pm
26 Knit & Crochet 1pm
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28 Worship 8:45am Education Hr 10am Worship 11am Worship Team 12:15
29 Counters 9:30am TLC Team 11am
30 Mutual Min 7:30pm Rejoice! 7:30pm
Scripture Readings for April 7 Isaiah 43:16-21
Philippians 3:4b-14 John 12:1-8
