ST. PAUL LUTHERAN CHURCH, LITITZ, PA
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Announcements for June 12

6/9/2016

 
                                WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS - June 12, 2016
50TH ORDINATION ANNIVERSARY - We will be celebrating this milestone for Pr. Straw following the 9:30 service TODAY. Please join us for a light reception in the social hall!

TRAVELING THESES - October 31, 2017 marks the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, which began when Martin Luther nailed the 95 theses to the Castle Church door in Germany.  To launch this celebration, the Lower Susquehanna Synod has made banners of the 95 theses.  They will begin the tour of the synod at St. Paul church; we will take a photograph after worship at our front doors!

THE WORSHIP FLOWERS are placed by Mark & Hazel Nestleroth to the glory of God and in celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary.

                                                                    WORSHIP LIFE
TODAY a pick-up choir will gather to provide worship leadership and sing the anthem "With a Voice of Singing" by Martin Shaw in honor of Pastor Straw's 50th anniversary of ordination. All are welcome! We will meet at 9am in the choir room for a rehearsal before the service.

INTERESTED IN HELPING IN WORSHIP – There is a red sign up book in the lobby (narthex).  This includes sheets for Communion Assistants, Assisting Ministers, Ushers, Lights & Sound.  There are also spots for donating Flowers and Communion Bread in this book. 

MUSICIANS! There is a signup sheet in the narthex to play or sing during services this summer. All are welcome to share their gifts at any traditional service, during prelude, offering, communion, postlude, etc.  If you are offering music at the 9:30 AM service, we invite you to also share this gift at 8 AM.  During July, Valerie will be unavailable to accompany, so if you sign up for one of those dates you will need to recruit an accompanist if needed. There is a signup sheet in the choir room for those would like to lead the psalm during summer months. 

PASTOR’S BIBLE STUDY takes place every Thursday at 10 am and 7 pm in the choir room.

                                                          Summer Worship Schedule
8 AM worship service:  This service will be a primarily spoken service with minimal music.  This service will include a Sermon and Holy Communion.
9:30 worship service:  Most Sundays this service will follow our traditional worship liturgy (with singing!).  The first Sunday of June, July & August, Devotion will lead a contemporary, outdoor worship service in the pavilion, weather permitting.
6:30 Wednesday service –Camp-style:  We will offer an intergenerational and child friendly worship services on Wednesday nights (Outside, weather permitting).   We will begin with a worship service that will last between 35-40 minutes.  This will be followed by a faith-formation activity, likely a craft.  After this we will have a snack and folks are free to play on the church’s playground.
 
                                                                       OUTREACH
CHRISTIAN SERVICE BOX for JUNE will be to support the Warwick Ministerium’s Community Summer Lunch Program. The Ministerium is beginning this summer to reach out to the children in our community who receive free lunches during the school year but may not have anything to eat when school is not in session for the summer.  These children as well as anyone in our community are invited to come and enjoy this meal together.  Lunches will be served on Tuesdays and Thursdays from June 14 – September 6 from 11:30-12:30 at Lititz Springs Park and Warwick Township Lions Park in Rothsville.  The Christian Service Box for April raised $155 to benefit The Youth Mission Trip.  Thank you for your contributions to these ministries and please continue to keep these missions in your prayers.

SUMMER COMMUNITY LUNCHES - This Warwick Ministerium will be preparing and serving lunches for our community on Tuesdays & Thursdays from June 14 - September 6.  The lunches will be prepared at St. James Catholic on Tuesdays and at St. Paul on Thursdays.  The meals will then be transported to Lititz Springs Park and Warwick Township Lions Park to be served.  In order to make this program a success, we are looking for volunteers to help in the following areas: Food Preparers: 9:30am – 11:30am; Food/Supply Transporters: 11am – 11:30am & 12:30-1:00pm; Food Distributors: 11:15am – 12:45pm; Clean-Up Crew: 12:30-1:00. Volunteer signup sheets are on the Mission & Outreach kiosk. Clearances are needed for all volunteers and instructions on how to complete these are attached to the sign up forms. If you'd like help completing these clearances, please contact Barb Paynter and she can assist you.   Completed forms can be returned to Barb or mailed to Missy Deibler. After your forms are received, you will be sent a link to a "Signup Genus" where you can select the dates that you are available to serve. If you have any questions, please contact Barb.

MEAL SERVING OPPORTUNITY - Our congregation has partnered with Zion Leola to serve community dinners in Lancaster.  We will be serving at Grace Lutheran Church on Wednesday, June 29. Volunteers (ages 15+) are needed for the following responsibilities: Set Up (1 person) 3:00-5:00pm and Serving/Clean up (5 people) 5:15-7:00pm. If you are interested in volunteering, sign up on the “Mission & Outreach” kiosk in the Narthex or contact Joyce Groff.

GOD’S PRECIOUS CHILDREN - Liberian Student Tuition Sponsorship Program:  The 2016-17 student profiles have arrived and are available in the narthex. As you know, the ebola virus has been devastating for much of the country over the past 2 years, but members of the charity organization were able to travel to Liberia this year and we do have updated profile pictures.  We learned that while the majority of our students were spared, some had been ill and were unable to attend the shortened school year last year.  Sadly, we also have several students who did not report for registration, so we don't have information on their current status.  Please continue to pray for the Liberian people and all those suffering from the ongoing effects of the ebola crisis; the country will be struggling for years to come.  As in the past, for those who indicated an interest in continuing to sponsor a student, that profile has been put into an envelope labeled with your name.  We also have a few new students available for sponsorship. Information and instructions are included with each profile, and payments can be mailed directly to the charity or returned to the display in the narthex until August 7th. Questions? Contact Cindy Wingenroth at 627-2111 or coachw@dejazzd.com. Thank you for your faithful support of this project over the years - your generosity has enabled hundreds of students to receive the gift of an education!    
  
SENIOR SHEPHERDS will NOT meet on the first Monday afternoon through the summer.  We will still meet on the 4th Thursday of each month.
                                                                       FELLOWSHIP
NEW MEMBERS - Interested in becoming a member or associate member at St. Paul? We will be having a new member’s class in the fall.  See Pr. Rob or Barb Paynter to sign up. 

LADIES LUNCH BUNCH will gather at 11:30 on June 15 at General Sutter, 14 E Main St.  All ladies are welcome to join us and enjoy some fresh, delicious food and conversation!  Hopefully, we can sit outside and enjoy the warm weather.  Please sign up in the book located at the kiosk in the Narthex.  Any questions can be directed to Nancy Miller at 405-0000.
COTTAGE MEETINGS: provide an opportunity for Pr. Rob and our congregation to get to know each other better through a small group discussion time.  Please sign up for a time to be part of one of these sessions on the kiosk in the narthex.

THE BREW CREW will be going to Mad Chef Brewing in East Petersburg on Monday, June 13th at 6:30. You can check out the menu and beer list at www.madchefcraftbrewing.com.  There is a sign-up sheet in the small groups book in the narthex.

SACRED MUSIC CONCERT:  TODAY at Luther Acres at 1:30 p.m.  Renowned baritone Charles Johnson accompanied by Dale Niehaus on piano.

ST. PAUL SOFTBALL: Interested in playing softball? First game is June 20th. If you'd like to play or be the head coach, please contact Steve Fink at ssfink00@gmail.com or 940-3738.

4TH OF JULY PARADE FLOAT: This year St. Paul will be entering a float into Lititz's Parade on Friday, July 1.  We are looking for people interested in designing and decorating the float as well as participants to walk in the parade.  If you are interested, please see Barb Paynter or Emily Myallis.  Creative and crafty people are needed!
***
SIMPLY GIVING:   There are countless benefits to being a member of the St. Paul family and these benefits continue whether or not we are here to make a financial contribution.  Go to the church website and register for SIMPLY GIVING through Access My St. Paul so that St. Paul always receives the amount you have committed to give. If you have difficulty registering, Call John Bell at 669-9560.

Critical Financial Update from Council
At their May meeting, the Church Council initiated a process to re-establish the congregation's financial health. 
Current Financial Status:
- Over the past few years, the church has needed to borrow significantly to make payroll and for building maintenance.  As of May 29th, the church has over $120,000 in debt.
- We anticipate a significant shortfall this summer; furthermore, we anticipate that we will not be able to meet our fall financial obligations.
Proposed Framework:
While Council is hopeful about increasing stewardship in the long-term, Council believes that in the short-term we will need to reduce staff hours to reduce spending for wages and close the gap between revenue and expenses.  
- Council will separately develop a plan for the summer and the fall.
- Council is committed to communicating to the congregation about this process and decisions that will be made.
Proposed Timeline:
- Church Council President Al Rothermel will again address the congregation on June 19th with our financial progress.  Council will also include updates in the bulletin and newsletter.
- The Stewardship Committee has issued summaries of giving to all members from January 1st though May 31st so each person can evaluate the status of their financial gifts to the church.
- The Finance Committee met on June 7 to discuss proposed reductions in summer staffing.
- In addition to their regular monthly donation to the church, the CELC has generously contributed $5000 to help us with summer expenses.
- At the June 14 Council meeting, Council will finalize a summer plan based on the recommendations of the Stewardship and Finance Committee.  During this meeting, the process for a fall budget and staffing plan will also begin.  In addition, Council will evaluate effective means of communicating this important information to the congregation.
The Church Council and Pastor remain confident of the ability of this congregation to fund the ministry to which we have been called.  We thank you for your generosity to the ministry over the years.  We recognize that the proposed budget changes will not be without challenge.  Please continue to keep the congregation, staff and council in your prayers.  As always please contact any council member with concerns, questions, or input you feel is relevant.    ~In Christ,   St. Paul Church Council

                                    ST PAUL CHICKENS for the KITCHEN PROJECT
Sponsored by
Airy Hill Farm Bed and Breakfast
Mark & Hazel Nestleroth
1741 Airy Hill Road, Pa. 17545
Mark and Hazel are sponsoring a fundraiser to benefit the St. Paul Capital Campaign to raise money for our kitchen.  They will raise free range chickens on their farm that will then be processed by Stoltzfus Mobile Processing and vacuum packed & delivered to St Paul kitchen for pick-up in mid-October.
Each processed chicken will weigh between 5 1/2 to 6 1/2 pounds
In addition to the fundraiser, Mark and Hazel will host an ALL CHURCH PICNIC at Airy Hill on Saturday, July 30, 2016 from 3-9 PM.
UP TO 100 CHICKENS AVAILABLE
COST/ BIRD - $40.00 OR MORE (Checks made payable to “St. Paul”)
PROCEEDS GO TO THE KITCHEN
GOAL - $5,000.00 or More
 Name________________________________ 
Phone Number____________________
Email Address_____________________
 
# of Chickens ordered _______________
Cost per Chicken ($40 or more)_______________
Total Enclosed _______________
  Please place in an envelope marked “Chickens for the Kitchen”
& return to the church office by July 10.
                         All Church Picnic ~ Saturday, July 30 from 3-9pm
        Hosted by Mark & Hazel Nestleroth at Airy Hill Farm Bed and Breakfast
                                          1741 Airy Hill Road, Manheim
 Schedule of Activities:
3:00 – 4:00 - B&B Tours
3:00 – 4:30 - Animal Visits in the Barn (chicks, rabbits, sheep, chickens)
3:00 – 8:00 - Sports     cornhole, horseshoes & bocce – near the house
                                        wiffleball & soccer - in open field near sports court
                                        shuffleboard – on sports court
                                        badminton, volleyball and croquet – pasture near alpacas and creek
3:30 – 5:00 - Pickle ball – On sports court
5:15 – 6:00 - Four Square – On sports court
6:00 – 8:00 - Basketball – On sports court
4:30 -  6:30 - Dinner by Mervin & Betsy King: Food will be individually priced and can be
                       purchased with cash only.
6:30- 8:00 - Walking of alpacas and mini horses
6:30 -7:30 - B&B Tours
6:30- 8:00 - Hayrides – several rides for different ages
8:00 -8:30 - Campfire Worship & Singing
8:30- 9:00 -  s’mores
All day – creek walks; relaxing and enjoying the beauty of God’s creation in the gazebo, gardens, and on the deck; & fellowship. Come enjoy the peace and beauty of the outdoors!
 
**We are in need of volunteers to help supervise the animal visits and assist with other games and activities throughout the day. If interested, please see Barb Paynter**

 
 
 
 
 
                                                 CHILDREN, YOUTH and FAMILY
"CAVE QUEST" VBS will be held on Sunday June 19-Thursday June 23 at Salem Lutheran Church Kissel Hill from 6:15-8:45 P.M. Sciency-fun gizmos, team building games, Bible songs, tasty treats and much, much more. Check our display in the narthex for information on registering your children.  Join us for a fun-filled week of "cave adventure!"
 
Join us this summer for
Wednesday Evenings
NOW through August 31
6:30pm
St. Paul Lutheran Church
200 W. Orange St., Lititz
This will be an interactive outdoor “camp style” worship for families and children.  Following the worship, there will be a faith formation activity (Legos, crafts, etc.) and the evening will end with a time of fellowship and snack.

 
BY HEART CHALLENGE:  Kids!  This summer, you’re invite to participate in Deacon Emily’s “By Heart Challenge.”  Memorize your grade’s assignment and recite it Deacon Emily by Sunday, August 14th.  You’ll then be given a ticket to the By Heart Party on Sunday, August 21 5:30 at St. Paul’s.  
Ask Deacon Emily for some memory tips. J
Pre-K, K & 1st grade:  Lord’s Prayer                           Completed 2nd grade:  10 Commandments
Completed 3rd grade:  Apostle’s Creed                   Completed 4th grade:  3 favorite Bible Verses
Complete 5th grade:  Books of the New Testament
Completed 6th grade:  Books of the Old Testament

Some special Sundays this Summer: 
July 24: Lutheran Community Outreach (LCO) Evening Vesper Service, 7:00 PM, Lititz Spring Park
August 7: Lemonade on the Lawn (outdoors) 9:30 a.m.
August 14: We will have our 8 AM service and then at 10 AM we will have Worship in the Park, the LCO Outdoor Service at the Lititz Spring Park Bandshell with picnic to follow.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
WORSHIP ASSISTANTS   June 19     8:00 a.m.                                9:30 a.m. 
Acolyte                                                                                                  Pat Lamb
A. Min.                   Jenny Bitzer                                                          Tami Ruckel
Lector                                                                                                    Mallory Weiss
Com. Asst.             Need 1                                                                   Need 3
Greeters                Needed                                                                  John & Ruth Deemer
Altar Guild             Dave & Marty Althouse, Cindy Wingenroth, Michelle Mumma
Com. Bread           Jean Steffy
Flowers                  Bill & Mary Turner and  Mel & Joan Weaver
Nursery                                                                                                  Steve & Signe Fink
Lights/Snd.            Needed                                                                  Daniel Spadaro
Ushers                    Needed                                                                  Steve Shaub’s Team 4

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  • WELCOME
  • Mission & Ministry
  • Pastor Rob's Sermons
  • Staff & Leadership
  • Online Office
    • Calendar
    • Newsletters
    • Facility Usage
    • Annual Report
    • Access "My St Paul"
    • What is "My St Paul?"
  • Giving