THE MESSENGER APRIL 2017 GILEAD LUTHERAN CHURCH PO BOX 26 CROPSEYVILLE, NY 12052

CHURCH PHONE: 279-9270 gileadlutheranchurch.org gilead2@verizon.net service time 11:00 AM

If you are around my age, you may remember the Shirelles, the original “girl group” from the early 60’s. How many aging baby boomers could forget “Soldier Boy,” “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” or “Mama Said (There’d Be Days Like This.)” You know I generally only think of the Shirelles when there are “days’ like this.” On days like this, “Mama Said” becomes an ear-worm, playing over and over in my head.

So I set aside time to write this yesterday but then all kinds of unrelated stuff came up, pushing me to today. Today my computer is acting up, going to sleep for no reason and taking effort to wake up and resume. That’s OK, I reasoned, I have a nice little keyboard for my iPad, and the manufacturer said its battery lasts six months. Battery dead!! Try six hours! You get the idea: mama said there’s be days like this.

Then I got a strange thought. How did the disciples feel at this time, traveling to Jerusalem just weeks before Passover? At every stop Jesus tells them that when they get there, he’ll be killed. As they used to say in my day, what a bummer! And when they got to Jerusalem? Worst. Passover. Ever. Mama never said there’d be days like this!

And yet, how little did they know. How could they imagined? Easter, Pentecost, their world totally reshuffled and reimagined. And that, my friends, is my meditation for days like this. How little did we know! Keep the faith. God is with us.

God Bless,Pastor Dan Hahn

GILEAD’S VISION STATEMENT

We ring out a joyous message of welcome and togetherness to neighbors near and far through the Spirit of Christ!

VALUES FOR GILEAD LUTHERAN CHURCH

PRAISING GOD through Traditional and Contemporary music and Lutheran liturgy.GROWING IN FAITH through Fellowship, Study, Prayer and Service.STAYING CONNECTED with each other and reaching out to others in the community.LISTENING for the Spirit’s guidance in all we do.AFFIRMING each person as worthy of love and respect.

Please keep our homebound and those that can’t be with us in your prayers: June Boomhower, Clarence Newton, Ken and Mary Button, Flip Coonradt, Fran Fiet, Ryan Anderson, Suzanne Alderman, JulieAnn Anthony, Cindy Bode, John Grassmann, Sharon Gully, Christine Harris, Bob Kapps, Bob Guerin, Marion Gardner, Nancy Knickerbocker, Joyce Raymond, Jim Taylor, Gail Catognio, Connie Hoffman, Linda Shanahan, Allan Kreiger and Michael Boomhower. Special prayers of thanks for all service people serving our country here and abroad."Caring Connections has provided "Stars for our Troops" on the table in the rear of the sanctuary.  If you know or meet a veteran, please feel free to present them with a "Star."  Thank you."

APRIL BIRTHDAYS

Madeline Price 1 Emil Kreiger 19Julieann Anthony 8 Kirt Coonradt 21Glenn Coonradt 12 Joan Wocher 26Gail Wetsel 17 MaryBeth Jerry 28

APRIL ANNIVERSARIES

Craig and Kathleen Newton 21 Ray and Jenny Faluszczak 26

APRIL CALENDAR

4/8 Defensive Driving Course 9a-3p 4/10 Council Meeting 7pm 4/13 Maundy Thursday Service 7pm 4/14 Good Friday Service 7pm 4/27 Body and Soul Pantry Dinner 3-6pm

APRIL CHURCH CALENDAR

5th Sunday in Lent, April 2nd Easter Sunday, April 16th

Holy Communion Holy Communion1st Reading: Ezekiel 37:1-14 1st Reading: Acts 10:34-43Psalm: 130 Psalm: 118:1-2, 14-242nd Reading: Romans 8:6-11 2nd Reading: Colossians 3:1-4Gospel: John 11:1-45 Gospel: Matthew 28:1-10

Palm Sunday, April 9th 2nd Sunday of Easter, April 23rd Holy Communion Holy Communion1st Reading: Isaiah 50:4-9a 1st Reading: Acts 2:14a, 22-32Psalm: 31:9-16 Psalm: 162nd Reading: Philippians 2:5-11 2nd Reading: 1 Peter 1:3-9Gospel: Matthew 26:14, 27:66 Gospel: John 20:19-31

3rd Sunday of Easter, April 30th Holy Communion 1st Reading: Acts 2:14a, 36-41 Psalm: 116:1-4, 12-19 2nd Reading: 1 Peter 1:17-23 Gospel: Luke 24:13-35

USHERS APRIL COUNTERS APRILNeeded Needed

WORSHIP LEADERS APRIL LAY READER APRILApril 2nd – Pastor Dan Hahn April 2nd – Betty BrittApril 9th -Deacon Jim Netzer April 9th – Al CoonradtApril 13th - Deacon Jim Netzer April 16th – Glenn HaynerApril 14th – Pastor Dan Hahn April 23rd – Eleanor BodeApril 16th – Pastor Dan Hahn April 30th – Leonard FlathApril 23rd – Pastor Dan HahnApril 30th – Deacon Jim Netzer

Why Go to Church???

As Gilead struggles to remain open, I ask myself why people go to church. Guilt? Habit? Commitment? Need?I myself am committed to the choir which draws me each Sunday. As most of you know, I am involved in several outreach programs which I do through Gilead. I consider the congregation part of my family. Worship brings those people together thanking God for each new day and drawing strength to get through another week. Gilead has been in existence for 275 years. Families come and go for many reasons. They move out of the area, pass away or just stop coming. We are at a crossroads right now. The Synod attempted to close Gilead and have our congregation merge with Trinity & St. Timothy's in East Greenbush. Thirty people voted to keep Gilead open. We have lost a few people to the merger. Part of our family is now missing. It saddens me when people leave because they are not in agreement with something or someone. I remember when four or five men were on the council. They fought like barn cats over an issue and afterwards they were still "brothers". Noone left because they didn't agree with the outcome. Just like family.We are a family of believers. We believe in the salvation of Jesus Christ. We believe by the grace of God we can make a difference. I come to church each week to be reminded of the grace and hope only believing God can provide. Why do or don't you???

Lisa Kreiger, Council President

WHAT’S NEW?

Attention Moms, Grandma’s, Nannies, Mom-to-Be’s

Gilead hoping to organize a mom’s group. The idea is for us to meet once a week, study a quick bible verse and have some time to visit with others in a similar stage of life. A place for our kids to play, make new friends and for us to make new friends or get re acquainted with old ones!! Feedback is greatly appreciated email me at akeefer.gilead@gmail.com with your questions, ideas or concerns.

SUNDAY SCHOOL AT GILEAD Please help us spread the word! We meet every Sunday morning from 10am -10:45am. All are welcome, ages 3yrs to 6th grade.

DEFENSIVE DRIVING COURSE

We will be hosting a defensive driving course at Gilead on Saturday April 8th. Our instructors once again will be Michele and Don.The cost of the course will be $30. Michele will donate $15 to the church for each person taking the course. The class runs from 9am – 3pm. We will provide lunch and ask for donations to help offset the cost of the meal. If you know anyone interested in the class or if you wish to sign up please contact the Shanahan’s @279-9552 to reserve your spot. We are only able to accommodate 40 people.

COMMUNITY MINISTRY

We collecting plastic bags in order to make sleeping mats for the homeless. They are made by crocheting plastic bags together. There will be a class to teach people how to assemble them in the near future. Everyone can help. You don’t have to know how to crochet. More information in the near future!! We are also collecting cereal for the Food Pantry. Please consider bringing in a box each week during Lent.Thanks as always for your support.Lisa     

MULTI COMMITTEE Multi-Committee-What’s in a name? I have had a number of folks recently ask me just what does Multi-Committee mean and what does it do? Very valid questions. A number of years ago, I was on council, it was my 3rd year. At that time, each member of council was required to be a chair person of at least one committee. Our former Stewardship Committee leader fell ill, so I took over. Much to my chagrin...The mere word, “Stewardship”, always pushed me away. I felt it was always asking for money, and more money...tithing It was a scary mission. How can I stand before the congregation, to do a “Temple Talk”,to ask for more than folks are already giving? Especially, when I am not myself tithing? I prayed about this. I met with our then Pastor, Jim Hulihan one evening. It was just the two of us. There were 4, in the committee, 2 were sick, and one moved away. I asked a couple folks, and put an ad in the Messenger seeking folks to join. No takers. Meanwhile we had a couple dinners that went very successfully, and so many folks pitched in to help! We met again, just us two, and Pastor suggested I just ask someone to join, in person. He suggested asking Keith Kreiger. I kinda laughed at the idea, because knowing Keith as I do, I was sure he’d say no......well, I was dead wrong! I asked him, he said sure! A very good addition to the crew I might add! The 3 of us had a meeting on a Wednesday night, and Lisa came too and hung out with us before choir practice. We were rolling! The ideas were amazing, big and small............but there was still this looming Stewardship thing I was supposed to be doing....Well, Pastor had recently attended a dinner, to where a story was told and they ate supper together, he said it was really very nice, and made the suggestion the Committee try something like this! Hence where the Story Dinner’s were born at Gilead, now over 5 years ago. I then started inviting other folks to join us at the “Stewardship “ Meetings. I called it a Multi-Committee” Meeting, because each month we met, there were 5-8 people, and they all just so happened to be either on or leading a committee. It was very informative, finding out what other groups were up to. I quickly came to the conclusion that ALL the committees were striving for the same thing, “Outreach”. One very strong part of stewardship....not just money, but seeing what all these folks do on a nearly daily basis. They create a friendly, safe and happy environment, to where folks can come to Gilead and enjoy fellowship! I realized that knowing what each committee did for the church and for our community, was eye opening, and was all about Stewardship! I hope this better explains what the “Multi-Committee” is all about! Sincerely,Kat Raymond

GILEAD WEBSITE

"Check Gilead's web site at gileadlutheran.org for information on our outreach/mission activities and events listing times and dates.  Any questions, suggestions, please contact Glenn Hayner or Eleanor Bode."

CARING CONNECTIONS

"CALLED FOR DUTY:  Senior Airman Caleb Lawlor, grandson of Al and Vinnie Coonradt, has left for his third deployment to the Middle East.  Please hold Caleb and his unit in your prayers as he/they fulfills their commitment to the U.S., for our benefit.

Our deployed military members, either serving in the states or overseas, are so profoundly grateful for being remembered (cards, small needs - and prayers).  If there are any other family members of the congregation who are serving, please let Caring Connections know how we can SERVE THEM."

If you wish to send a card to Caleb, his address is:Mr. Caleb T. Lawlor180 EAMXS/HAWK AMUUnit 61103APO, AE 09853

-Eleanor Bode (Chairperson), Glenn Hayner, Betty Britt, Sue Alderman, Vinnie Coonradt

STORYTELLING DINNER

Story Dinner: Friday March 17, 2017-

We served Corned Beef, Cabbage, potatoes, carrots, stew, Irish soda bread, and the most delectable desserts! Eleanor Bode presented a very nice story about Frannie Crosby, who although was blinded by her physician as a child, went on to be one of the most popular hymn writers of all time, writing in the thousands! We were then treated to the talents of Darlene Shanahan’s fine piano playing, accompanied by the voice of none other than Leonard Flath. Our featured speaker was Lee VanApeldorn. Lee spoke to us about the charity, “The South End Children’s Café”. It is a remarkable story about how it all started and how they will be moving to a bigger and better building. Lee asked the group for information on how to get more organized with her fund raising. Many were able to lend suggestions. We raised $ 150.00 toward this charity.Next Story Dinner: Friday, May 19, 2017 at 6 p.m. Our featured speaker will be John Daus. Meal will be Salads, baked beans, sausage and peppers. Won’t you come enjoy us!

FACEBOOKPlease like our NEW Facebook page, there are 2 pages. Please find the one with our sanctuary as the cover picture and the pond in the profile picture. There is a link to the correct Facebook page on our website.

HEALING SUPPORT GROUP

The Healing Support Group continues to meet on the last Tuesday every other month with Sue Alderman. Next Meeting will be May 30th. If you have any questions please contact Sue at 279-9872.

To our Gilead Military Veterans: Gilead’s Caring Connections would like to reach out to members of the Gilead community who are veterans. If you’ve served in the U.S. or abroad, combat or non-combat, or have retired, we would like to recognize your service. We’re not asking that you be present at any service or appear before the congregation. We would just like to know who you are, your branch of service, etc. so we could correspond with you at certain times of the year and just “keep in touch,” and create a list of those who have served in any way. If you care to reach out to us, please either call or email Eleanor Bode (Chairperson) at 279-9901 or lewelbode@verizon.net. Eleanor Bode, Chairperson Glenn HaynerBetty BrittSue AldermanThank you. And thank YOU for your service to America.

HE IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED!!

GILEAD LUTHERAN CHURCHPO BOX 26

CROPSEYVILLE, NY 12052

ATTENTION: YOUR attendance IS needed!!!

Gilead Lutheran Church Brunswick, New York Founded 1742