The Messenger St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church 12095 Blades Road, P.O. Box 368, Cordova, MD 21625

Email: info@stpaulscordova.org Website: www.stpaulscordova.org

Phone: 410-364-5147 Fax: 410-364-5142

January 2020

From Pastor White

First, thanks to all who helped to make the Advent and Christmas services especially meaningful—those who decorated, the altar guild for all their work, Mike Hiner for planning the Advent Taizé service and all that he does in our shared ministry, Julie and the choir for their musical gifts, Faye for preparing bulletins, readers, communion assistants, prayer leaders and those of you who came with your praises and thanksgivings as we celebrated again the birth of Jesus.

And on a personal note, thanks to those of you who fed us during Louise’s recovery from surgery, and for the cookies, cards, and good wishes though our times of Thanksgiving and celebration.

Bible Notes for January 2020

A note on the Sundays after the Epiphany:

The Feast of the Epiphany (6 January) centers around the biblical account of the visit of the Magi (“Wise Men”) to Mary, Joseph, and the toddler Jesus living in Bethlehem (Matthew 2). (The lectionary in Evangelical Lutheran Worship states – “If celebration of the Epiphany of Our Lord is not possible on January 6, it may be observed on the second Sunday of Christ-mas [January 2 or later]. When January 6 falls on a Sunday, it is celebrated as the Epiphany of Our Lord.”)

The word “epiphany” means “an appearance or manifestation, especially of a deity; or, a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple, homely, or commonplace occurrence or experience.”

When the Magi came to visit Jesus, he appeared to the whole world as God’s new Messiah. The gospel readings that lead us through these cold winter days present to us various ways in which Jesus was made visible to his world and so give us insight into the essential meaning of the birth we celebrated on 25 December.

The narrative of these days after the Epiphany begins with the Baptism of Jesus and leads us through the calling and commissioning his first disciples and the beginnings of his ministry of preaching, teaching, and healing which forms a faithful community of disciples.

That same formation continues as we hear these stories and consider how they might continue to form as a St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.

The Epiphany of Our Lord Jesus Christ, celebrated 5 January 2020: Psalm 72.1-7,10-14; Isaiah 60.1-6; Ephesians 3.1-12; Matthew 2.1-12

Isaiah (the 3rd prophet of that name) spoke of a bright light shining into the darkness of God’s people struggling to rebuild Israel after the exile to Babylon.

The writer of Ephesians writes of God’s plan being revealed in Jesus.

The word Epiphany means “showing forth,” and it names the day that the church tells Matthew's story of the magi (it has long been assumed that there were three because of the three gifts) from foreign lands who follow the light of the star and thus “see” Jesus as Christ.

2

Their gifts are symbols: gold, because they honor Jesus as the king; frankincense, because they worship Jesus as divine; and myrrh, because they are readying for his death.

The celebration of Epiphany on January 6 was important in the Eastern Orthodox Church from the fourth century and was variously connected with the stories of Jesus' birth, the visit of the magi, and Jesus' baptism. In some places it was a primary occasion for baptisms. In some cultures, Epiphany, “Three Kings Day,” is the date of gift-giving.

According to the three-year lectionary, Epiphany concludes attention to the infancy narratives with the story of the visit of the magi to the young Jesus, who is now residing in a house. The child Jesus is lauded as a king who is already show-ing himself forth to the nations.

The last line of the account of the visit of the Magi, “And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road (Matthew 2:12), catches my attention on this day – are directions our lives are moving changed by our encounters with Jesus?

1st Sunday after the Epiphany, The Baptism of Our Lord, 9 January: Isaiah 42.1-9, Psalm 29, Acts 10.34-43, Matthew 3.13-17

Here we are, eighteen day after our celebration of Jesus’s birth, watching as Jesus, now about thirty years old, is baptized in the waters of the Jordan River. They grow up so fast!

Perhaps our first question should be like John’s: why does Jesus need to be baptized? Isn’t Baptism about for-giveness; isn’t Jesus the one without sin? We are reminded here that our baptisms are about more than forgiveness: Jesus submits himself to the law (all righteousness) as an important part of taking on flesh, he begins his faithful journey toward the cross, and this event marks the beginning of his new life as one who publically speaks and embodies the Word of God.

In our baptisms, we too have been joined into a community that lives by the word of God; we too are invited to take up a cross, we too begin a new life as those called to be God’s living presence in this world.

Isaiah defines the task: to be a light to the nations, to open blind eyes, to release those in the darkness of all that imprisons them.

In Acts, Peter removes the boundaries and teaches us that this good news is for all people.

2nd Sunday after the Epiphany, 16 January: Isaiah 49.1-7, Psalm 40.1-11 (BCP 1-12), 1 Corinthians 1.1-9,

John 1.29-42

This week and next, we hear differing accounts of the calls of those we call the first disciples.

Next week we will hear the familiar story of an encounter between Jesus and four fishermen; this week John (the baptizer) briefly enters the story: John saw Jesus in the streets and John told two of his disciples who Jesus is. They began to follow Jesus; he invited them to come and see where he was staying; they came, stayed, and the next day one of them (Simon Peter) went and told his brother (Andrew) who also came and followed Jesus.

It seems to me that this is a more useful model of how we might do “evangelism” – we tell others who Jesus is and invite them to come and see Jesus in the life of our parish.

Paul teaches us of the importance of a community of faith in which we are enriched and strengthened for the tasks of discipleship (“you” is plural throughout this passage); Isaiah reminds us that the Good News is for all nations.

3rd Sunday after the Epiphany, 21 January: Isaiah 9.1-4, Psalm 27.1,4-9 (BCP 1,5-13). 1 Corinthians 1.10-18, Matthew 4.12-23

The gospel reading for this Sunday tells a remarkably different story from what we heard last week: here in Matthew, Jesus does not appear publicly until after John is in prison, and here Jesus takes the initiative in calling four men who do not know him to be the beginnings of his 12 disciples.

3

While the two accounts of John’s place at the beginning of Jesus’s ministry are different, the intent is the same, for these two gospel writers, in different ways, answer the question, “Who is the Messiah, John or Jesus?”

To us, the answer seems obvious, but the question seems to have been a live one at the time that the gospels were written. The “call stories” of the first disciples is also different. Here in Matthew, Jesus walked up to four men who did not know him, commanded them to follow, and they left their nets and boats and became disciples.

The question this passages often raises for its hearers is “would I do the same?” Before you answer consider: Peter and Andrew, James and John left behind family and the fishing business, these were not poor men with nothing to lose; they had, as yet, no complete “job description” telling them what this strange fellow wanted. In faith, they followed, and the rest, as they say, is history.

As I hinted in writing about last week’s gospel reading, this from Matthew isn’t how evangelism happens: Je-sus does not walk up to people on the streets of our towns and invite them to come into a relationship with Jesus; that’s our job.

The reading from 1 Corinthians reminds us that conflict has always been part of the life of this peculiar intui-tion we call church.

ST. PAUL’S ANNUAL CONGREGATION MEETING

Will be held on Sunday, January 26, 2020

following the morning worship service.

After the meeting there will be a covered dish lunch.

Please bring a side dish or dessert to share,

meat and drinks will be provided by the church.

A sign up sheet is posted on the bulletin board by the office.

Please sign up so we know how many to prepare for.

Reminder to Councilmen, your reports are due in to the

office by January 15th to prepare for the meeting.

4

Church Calendar Scheduling

If you would like to schedule a church event (either an event to be held at church or a church-sponsored event). Please contact the church office to confirm the availability and to ensure that your event is on the Master Calendar. The Third Sunday Social Hours . . . The 3rd Sunday Social hours will not be held during December or January, but will resume in February. Watch your bulletins and News- Letters for more information!!

Do you have a little extra time?

We are in need of volunteers for the Shelter in Easton. Can you help us in a morning or evening, a sign up sheet is on the bulletin board by the office. If you can help, please see Mike Hiner for more information.

The 2020 Offering Envelopes are in the Sunday School room ready to be picked up. Envelopes are in alphabetical order. Any questions, please see Donna Stevens. St. Paul’s Email Prayer ministry is led by Betty Jean Mumford. If you would like to add your name to the email prayer list to receive prayer requests and include these in your prayers, email: Betty Jean Mumford at bettyjmumford@hotmail.com

It’s that time of year . . The Flower Chart for 2020 is up on the bulletin board. Now is a good time to stop by and pick whatever Sundays you would like to have flowers dedicated In honor of someone or in memory of someone Or just because….you would like to have flowers. So stop by before it gets filled up!!!

Georgia Ryan Brenner who was born August 21, 2019 was baptized on

December 29, 2019. Georgia is the daughter of Lauren Saathoff Brenner and

Joe Brenner, granddaughter of Bobby and Donna Saathoff and great-

granddaughter of Robert and Barbara Saathoff.

5

HEY kids

SEE IF YOU CAN FIBURE THIS PUZZLE OUT!!!

This week we pray for: Members of St. Paul’s: Frances Blades, Doug Edsall, Lisa

Fisher, Ursula Kadolph, Pastor Donald McClean, Dale Mumford, Edith Roe, and Else

Ross.

Friends of St. Paul’s: Erin Bartz, Lisa Callahan, Hunter Clough, Michael Eaton

(brother of Rosemary Spies), Eugenia and the Lewis family. Lyn Fuller, Katelyn How-

ard, Darren Leonard, Jim and Diane Lewis, (mother and father of Jamie and Jeff Lewis

and mother and father in-law of Michelle Lewis and Meredith Lewis), Ursula Mosley,

Michael Mumford (son of Dale & Betty Jean Mumford), J D Patrick, John Rickwood, Pat Saathoff, Jan Smith,

Mike Smithmeyer, Louise White, Cade Wineke and Diane Wojcik.

We pray for those serving in the military: Bill and Tessa Heller, Hunter Priest and Victoria Spies.

01/04 Barry Reusing

01/07 Betty Jean Mumford

01/09 Crue Cannon

01/12 Ava Behrens

01/12 Peggy Boyce

01/14 Colleen Davis

01/15 Delaney Bissett

01/16 William Behrens Jr

01/19 Henry Spies III

01/19 Austin Spies

1/20 Lee Ann Sard

01/21 Amanda Ward

01/22 Olivia Brown

01/24 Ryan Saathoff

01/29 Lauren Stevens

1/14 Robert and Barbara Saathoff

1/14 Terri and Mike Hiner

1/22 Lee and Cathy Heinsohn

7

ALTAR FLOWERS

January 5 Meredith Lewis January 12 January 19 January 26

January 5 Addison Rice Maddy Sauca January 12 Morgan Sauca Mallory Short January 19 Gavin Corley Colby Rickwood January 26 Preston Rickwood None

LECTORS

USHERS

January 5 Lee Heinsohn and Carl Sauca January 12 Donnie Davis and Keith Davis January 19 Lewis Smith and Henry Spies III January 26 Darian Sump and Sam Sauca

Acolytes & Crucifers::

Please arrive at church 15 minutes before worship which begins at 9am.

If you cannot serve on your Sunday it is up to you to find someone to cover for you, to

have someone in church that day.

ACOLYTES CRUCIFES

January 5 Ellen Mulder January 12 Debbie Dudrow January 19 Donna Stevens January 26 Robert Saathoff

January 5 Diana Hurd and Carl Sauca January 12 Debbie Dudrow and Donna Stevens January 19 Marian Davis and Carol Meers January 26 Darian Sump and Terri Hiner

January—Marian Davis

8

The 2019 Church Council:

Pastor Robert White 330-883-9940 prrmwhite@gmail.com

Deacon Mike Hiner 443 496-1383 mike@willowconstruction.com

President Sam Sauca 410 829-3336 sam@asg-cpas.com

Vice President Tom Roesel 703 785-8922 thomasroesel@gmail.com

Treasurer Sam Sauca 410 829-3336 sam@asg-cpas.com

Secretary Lyn Hollingsworth 410 820-8853 laph@goeaston.net

Financial Secretary Donna Stevens 410 820-7243 dstevens62@icloud.com

Christian Ed Kathy Barletta 410 829-8860 barlettarkc@gmail.com

Evangelism Kevin Webster 410 200-3385 webster.kevin@ccpsstaff.org

Property Donna Saathoff 410 310-1331 donnasaathoff529@gmail.com

Social Ministry Diana Hurd 302 670-9720 dianahurd@icloud.com

Stewardship Carol Meers 410 507-6833 fcmeers@comcast.net

Worship Marian Davis 410 253-5751 mariandavis.39@gmail.com

Bible Study meets the second and fourth Tuesday of each month

On The 2nd Tuesday they meet at the church at 9am

The 4th Tuesday they meet at the Elks Club in Easton at 11am

January 14

Isaiah 49:1-7

Psalm 40:1-11

1 Corinthians 1:1-9

John 1:29-42

January 28

Malachi 3:1-4

Psalm 84

Hebrews 2:14-18

Luke 2:22-40

9

The Power of Listening

Jesus repeatedly urged his followers to not simply hear but listen to his teachings. Others also have championed sincere listening to show compassion and respect. “Part of doing something is listening.” ―Madeleine L'Engle, A Swiftly Tilting Planet “One of the most sincere forms of respect is actually listening to what another has to say.” —Bryant H. McGill “And so he listened. And in his listening, his heart opened wide and then wider still.” —Kate DiCamillo, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane “Too often we underestimate the power of … a listening ear … to turn a life around.” ―Leo Buscaglia

Winter is here! In case of Snow and Cancellation of Church Services

or other Activities, please

call the church office at 410-364-5147 for a message.

10

Dear Members of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cordova,

The Blessing Box is complete! This project started on September 8th just after Rally Day at the Ag Center.

Shortly after returning from Puerto Rico, the Youth Group decided that they needed to work on a project to

help people in our area. The ELCA had set September 8th as the Gods Work. Our Hands Sunday asking all Lu-

theran Churches to participate in a day of community service. Ms. Angela Webster introduced the team to the

idea of building a Blessing Box. She sent us pictures of similar boxes and that’s all that Lee Heinsohn needed

to steer us into building one for Cordova. With his help, the youth cut lumber and used an air nailer to assem-

ble the box. Then after numerous attempts to get four teens in one place at the same time, we were able to

schedule another work session used to paint the box. Then after some plexiglass, hardware and some letter-

ing the box was ready to install.

On a cold afternoon in early December, even though Colby and Preston are in shorts, the box was installed

near the firehouse in Cordova. Betty Jean Mumford and Meredith Lewis brought donations of food and per-

sonal products to church and Austin Spies delivered them

to the box after service a few weeks ago. We hope that

many people will benefit from having this box in the com-

munity where they can go and take something if they

need it. Anyone can use the box. As it reads “Take what

you need, bring what you can”. If you need a box of Pop

tarts, take it and the next time you’re in the store, buy

something extra for the box in return. For those that

can’t afford to replenish, well that’s okay too. It’s there

for everyone. Now that the box is up and full, we need

your help in spreading the word that it’s there for the

whole community to use and to support.

If you've ridden past the Cordova Firehouse lately you may have noticed that The Blessing Box has been installed and is stocked. The story of the box is attached. Many thanks to Angela Webster and Lee Heinsohn for spearheading the project. Kudos to the Youth Group for supply-ing the labor and the love for their community to build the box. Its shows us all how to be missional! See pictures next page

11

12

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church 12095 Blades Road, P.O. Box 368 Cordova MD 21625 Return Service Requested

Worship Service Begins at 9am

Sunday School at 10am

[September-May]

Office Phone 410-364-5147 Office Fax: 410-364-5142

Office Hours, Tuesday - Thursday

10:00am-3:00pm

Please inform the church office of any

changes in your personal information:

Address, phone number, marriage or

divorce, or new births so that we

can keep our records up-to-date.

Rev. Robert White—Pastor

Phone: 330-883-9940

Email: prrmwhite@gmail.com

Deacon Michael Hiner

Minister of Word and Service

Phone: 443-496-1383

Email: mhiner24@gmail.com

Choir Director and Organist: Julie Hawley

Phone: 412-600-6326

Email: juliehawley1487@gmail.com

Secretary: Fay Sauca—Cell: 443-786-4185

Office: 410-364-5147

Office Hours: Tue. Wed. & Thurs. 10:00-3:00pm

Office Email: info@stpaulscordova.org