Announcements for September 15

LOWER SUSQUEHANNA Synodical Women’s Organization 24th Annual Camp Hebron Fall Retreat.  Friday thru Sunday, November 1-3, 2013.  The leader for this year’s annual fall retreat is Rev. Lisa M. Leber, who is currently serving as the part-time interim of St. Michael’s Lutheran, Rossville.  The weekend should be filled with singing, remembering, and rejoicing as we celebrate being part of the communion of saints!  Registration must be in by TODAY.  Registration forms are in the narthex on the WELCA kiosk.  Call Phyllis Frankhouser, 626-4200, for more information. 

ALL WOMEN OF THE CHURCH and their guest are invited to attend the first event of Women of the ELCA this fall.  It will be held on September 21st in the social hall at 10 a.m.  The speaker is Andy Agaba from Hiinga.  Following the program, the annual Service of Remembrance, honoring the women of St. Paul who entered the Church Triumphant this past year, will be held.  A delicious lunch follows.  Please bring a food item for the Warwick Community Chest.  A sign-up sheet is in the events notebook in the narthex, but sign-up is not required.

 PERSONAL CARE KITS will be collected during September. During the October 6th church services, these kits will be blessed, then packed and sent to Lutheran World Relief. A list of items to include in a kit is posted on the Women of the ELCA bulletin board in the narthex. Please take a list, follow the steps to make a kit and put the finished kit in the container in the narthex marked "Personal Care Kits."  Thank you for your generous help with this project.

QUILT & KIT SHIPPING FUND - During September, we will be collecting funds for the Quilt & Kit Shipping Fund to help pay for shipping costs of quilts & kits to be distributed to people in need by Lutheran World Relief. Envelopes can be found in the narthex. Please make checks payable to St. Paul Women of the ELCA. Thank you for supporting this project.

CRAFT SHOW ENTRY FORMS are available on the kiosk in the narthex and in the office. Please remit $25 fee with the form to reserve your spot.  First come, first served.   Please note that the date of this year’s craft show/bazaar is a week earlier.  It will be held on Friday evening, November 8th and Saturday, November 9th. 

THE LADIES LUNCH BUNCH will gather on September 18th at 11:30 at The Olde Lincoln House, 1398 W. Main St, Ephrata.  This historical themed restaurant has been pleasing diners for over 150 years with delicious food from sandwiches on up to the upscale international menu of today!  Please sign up in the book located at the kiosk in the Narthex.  All ladies are welcome to join us.  Any questions can be directed to Nancy Miller at 405-0000.

FOOD DRIVE: Did you know that St. Paul houses the Warwick Community Chest Food Bank?  Have you ever been in the food bank?  Do you know how many people benefit from the food bank each week?  Well now is your chance!  We will be having a food drive to benefit the Warwick Community Chest from Sept. 22 - 29.  On Sunday, Sept. 22 Beth Trachte will share a presentation about the food bank with us in the Nave from 9:30-10am and then provide tours of the food bank from 10-10:30am.  Bags will be given out at both services that will include a list of needed items that can be filled and returned the following Sunday, Sept. 29.  Any questions, please contact Barb Paynter at bpaynter@stpaullititz.net.  Thank you in advance for your support of this wonderful outreach program! 

 THE ENDOWMENT COMMITTEE will be accepting requests from the congregation, committee chairs and church council for funds from the annual distribution from the Endowment Fund.  There is a form available on the church website, www.stpaullititz.net.  It is under “member information-endowment”.  Forms are also available at the church office.  All requests must be in the church office by October 15th.  For additional information, contact Troy Wingenroth, Endowment Chairperson, 627-2111.

AS SOME OF YOU MAY KNOW Lynn Bitzer had battled Multiple Myeloma (blood cancer) for several years.  Back in May of 2011, I raised money, in honor of Lynn, for The Leukemia Lymphoma Society while training for an endurance event, a marathon.  Back in the Spring of this year, I had discussed raising funds again with Lynn, knowing that he had relapsed.  Little did I know then, that I’d be raising funds and running my next marathon in memory of Lynn.  Lynn lost his fight on June 22nd.  Recently I contacted Jenny, Lynn’s wife, to see how she felt about my running another marathon and raising funds in memory of Lynn.  She warmly embraced the idea and encouraged me forward.   So, in memory of Lynn and his hard-fought battle with Leukemia, I am training for and participating in the Chicago Marathon, a 26.2 mile run, on October 13th.  So while I train and bang out the miles, I’m hopeful that you, Lynn’s St. Paul family, will donate in memory of Lynn!  Can you provide some financial support in Lynn’s memory to help find a cure for this dreaded disease that strikes about 20,000 people per year?  Please make your checks payable to “The Leukemia Lymphoma Society” and look for me in the Narthex after church.  Jenny and I thank you for your generous contribution!

HELP IS NEEDED: Sorting clothes at Peter’s Porch Wednesday, September 18th at Zion Lutheran Church (435 Main Street, Akron). Please consider giving an hour this week to help them organize the huge amount of clothing donations they received in the last few weeks. Volunteers will gather from 6-8:00pm in the fellowship hall of the church. Questions may be directed to Tracy Lagaza at 859-2100. Thank you! 

THE FIRST MEN’S BIBLE BREAKFAST, for the season, will be held on Sat. 5 Oct. at Brickerville United Lutheran at 7am.  Come out for some fellowship, a good breakfast and to hear and study God's word.  Any questions please contact Jim Millhouse at 626-6296 or e44a@ptd.net.

BLANKET MAKING: There are three opportunities to help with blanket making in September. Please feel free to join us on Thursday evening, September 19 and 26 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and/or Wednesday morning, September 25, from 9 a.m. to noon in the social hall. The next blanket sewn will be the 100th!!!

BREW CREW will be at the Federal Taphouse in Lancaster on Thursday Sept. 26th. We will meet in the church parking lot at 6:00 for those who want to car pool.  Please sign up in the Small Groups sign-up book.

A THANK YOU!  Helen Lauderman would like to say THANK YOU to all the bus
drivers who provide Transportation to and from Luther Acres every Sunday.  It is very
much appreciated!

A SPECIAL THANK YOU to everyone who volunteered for God's Work Our Hands last Sunday.  There were many work groups who shared God's love with our community through doing yardwork at people's homes, cleaning a Lititz park, housecleaning, making blankets, donating lunches for 2 children in need, and sharing a friendly visit.  Our mission as Christians is to share God's love with each other...thank you to everyone for doing this each day! 

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Please consider signing up to be an Assisting Minister or Communion Assistant.  You may talk to Pastor Jim or any of the current assistants if you have questions about what duties are involved.  Please consider adding your name occasionally so that those who always serve may rotate a little less frequently.  Thank you.