Volume 92, Issue 4 February 22, 2012
From The Pastor
PART ONE
Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on February 22nd. Lent is a time of preparation for our celebration of Easter, but we can’t properly celebrate the Resurrection without undergoing the disciplines of Lent because we need God’s forgiveness.
Ephesians 1:7 tells us: “In Him we have … the forgiveness of sins …”.
The “Him” is Christ Jesus, but this forgiveness is not blindly poured out on everyone by God. Yes God is kind and loving and wants to forgive us and that is why He sent His son to die, but no where in the Bible are we taught that God’s kindness is the source of His forgiveness. God forgives us solely because of the tragic consequences of the cross. It is heresy to believe anything else. Our forgiveness and salvation cost God enormously, and because of that He deserves and requires our faithful devotion and trust.
God is pure and Holy. If He were to allow what is sinful and unholy to come into His presence it would destroy His Holiness. That was the reason Adam and Eve were driven from His presence in the Garden of Eden. And only through Christ can we even hope to ever come into God’s presence. That is why He expects our worship, our regular participation in Holy Communion, because through these things and prayer and scripture study we form a lasting relationship with Him. Through that relationship, begun by God at our baptism, we receive His forgiveness found in the cross. This is nothing less than a divine miracle of grace and Lent is our opportunity to change our ways, repent, and be restored into this relationship so that when Easter arrives we are found among those who have experienced sanctification. Sanctification is simply the breathtaking experience of God’s forgiveness of our sins that awakens in us a gratitude so great that it changes the very way we think and act. Its source is an understanding of how much our forgiveness cost God and the lengths God was willing to go to restore this wonderful relationship we have with Him because of the love of God found on a cross.
PART TWO
The 2012 Annual Family Camping Trip is scheduled for July 23-27. Those who participated last year will be getting a letter where you can vote to go to either Buttonwood in Mexico, PA or Appalachian Campsites in Chartlesville. We have been to both in the past. If you would like to join us, and even participate in the vote, see me or Peggy. You can catch both of us right here in church on Sunday mornings, or you can call us. Both campgrounds have nice cabins for those who don’t have camping equipment.
Rev. Dale F. Biesecker, Jr.
History and Heritage
Gettysburg Seminary
The Lutheran Theological Seminary is America's oldest Lutheran Seminary. As early as 1818, the Pennsylvania Ministerium named a committee of Rev. John George Schmucker, D.D., Conrad Jaeger and H. A. Muhlenberg to plan a seminary for the reformed branch of Protestantism. The progressive creativity that marked the 1826 founding of the oldest continuing Lutheran seminary in the Americas became the red thread that runs through theGettysburg tradition of preparing leaders for the church’s mission. In 1832, the Seminary moved from modest quarters in the center of town to its present location on a ridge overlooking the borough from the west. Samuel Simon Schmucker, a leading churchman in American Lutheran circles for three mid-19th century decades, founded the seminary and neighboring GettysburgCollege to fill the specific need for American-trained clergy. An articulate Lutheran anti-slavery activist, he supported the Underground Railroad by harboring fugitive slaves in his barn and home. He encouraged Daniel Alexander Payne, who was the first African-American to receive his theological education in a Lutheran seminary (1837).
In 1838 Schmucker pioneered a call for greater Christian unity in his "Fraternal Appeal to the American Churches." But waves of new Lutheran immigrants intent on building their own church bodies, together with a growing concern among Lutherans in America for confessional purity, contributed to a climate of suspicion on confessional matters, even within Gettysburg's own constituency of pastors and churches. Strong resistance to Schmucker's confessional proposals eventually resulted in the split of the faculty and the creation in 1864 of a new seminary in Philadelphia.These two constituencies, the General Synod and the General Council, together with the United Synod of the South (and its seminary) came together again in 1918 in the formation of the UnitedLutheranChurch in America, making the three seminaries partners in the same ecclesial organization and prefiguring today's Eastern Cluster.
On July 1, 1863, the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg, the campus became a battleground and then the center of the Confederate line for two days. The cupola of the Old Dorm served as an observation tower first for Union and then for the Confederate officers. From that day and for two additional months, the rest of the building served as a hospital for the wounded from both sides. Occupying soldiers made a special effort to scatter and destroy the papers and books of the anti-slavery Schmucker. Today a newly formed Seminary Ridge Historic Preservation Foundation, closely connected to the Seminary, seeks to preserve three historic campus buildings and provide historic interpretation for the public.
In 1967, the Seminary joined seven other Washington area seminaries and became a founding member of the Washington Theological Consortium, expanding the scope of educational and ecumenical opportunities for its students. The Seminary's further reach into the ecumenical and public life of the nation took the form in 1971 of the Lutheran House of Studies, in Washington, D.C. This program lives on in what is now named the Lutheran Center for Theology and Public Life, Washington, D.C. Always balanced in its focus, the Seminary's Town and Country Church Institute provides a curricular concentration for students preparing for small town and rural ministry settings. In the last decade, Gettysburg strengthened its intra-Lutheran linkage as a partner in the Eastern Cluster of Lutheran Seminaries of the ELCA, joining with the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia and the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary.
Today, the Seminary carries on its rich tradition of theological education. Here students prepare to serve as pastors, diaconal ministers, deaconesses, associates in ministry, and informed lay people in service to the church’s mission. If you are ever in the Gettysburg area sightseeing, don’t forget to check out the Seminary.
March 1
Patricia Billman
Cheri Drake
Samantha Reedy
March 2
Kale Gallo
Mallory Gallo
Patty Gautsch
Jonathan Gresh
March 3
Trish Long
Justin McAllister
March 4
Joseph Gebhardt
Heather Tobias
Anne Zeigler
March 5
Kaitlyn Billman
Ruth Ramer
March 6
Betty Hetrick
March 8
Brenda Buch
Sharon Pittiglio
Nathan Shipe
March 9
Cole Fitzgerald-Fisher
Holly Zeigler
March 10
Brian Lauffer
David Shipe
March 11
George Bickel, Jr.
Desiree Cromley
Danny Ramer, Jr.
David Roush
March 12
Nicholas Chiarkas
Adrienne Petrovich
Blaine Shaffer
March 13
Tory Bright
Michelle Reitz
March 14
Graham Feaster
Danielle Klock
March 15
H. Gene Kistner
Kathy Kohler
Joshua Snyder
March 16
Dakota Brennen
William Reitz
Nancy Walker
March 17
Patricia Ferguson
Patricia Klock
March 18
Frances Brouse
Misty Volinski
March 19
Kenneth Heim
March 20
Todd Billman
Nancy Hendricks
Emily Mertz
Austin Potter
MacRay VanKirk
March 21
Nevin Brungard
Thomas Fiori
Ian McAllister
Margaret Rantz
March 22
Michael Erdley
Timothy Hallden
Lori Swanger
March 24
Nancy Erdley
March 25
Margaret Bright
Richard Mayer
March 26
Brandon Deans
Shawn Dodge
Peg Feaster
Jennifer Kremer
Jennifer Smith
March 27
Judy Boyer
Loye Hallden
Melissa Klock
Cindy Manning
Betty Radel
March 28
Robin Heintzelman
Michael McWilliams, Sr.
March 29
Roger Biddinger
Elizabeth Bierly
James Fenstermacher
Caroline Hoffman
March 30
Steffany Berry
Steven Leitzel
Margaret Rinella
Terri Smith
March 31
Michael McWilliams, Jr.
Thursday, March 1Messenger deadline, 3:00 p.m.
Worship & Music Committee, 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, March 7Messenger folding, 9:30 a.m.
Lenten Soup & Sandwich, 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 8Social Ministry Committee, 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 25Men’s Prayer Breakfast, First Presbyterian Church,8:00 a.m.
Wednesday, February 29Lenten Soup and Sandwich, Christ United Methodist, 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 3New & Used Book Drive, held by Friends of the Priestley Forsyth
Memorial Library, 9 AM – 12 Noon, at Christ United Methodist
Church, Northumberland. Also accepting new and used books in
good condition.
Thursday, March 8“The Reality of Climate Change” program will be presented at
6:45 p.m. at the Union CountyPublic Library. Keynote speaker
is Elizabeth Crisfield, from the Climate Reality Project.
Easter Flowers
Easter flowers may be ordered by completing this order form.
The form, along with payment may be placed in the offering plate
(using a pink envelope marked “Easter Flowers”), dropped off at the church office,
or mailed to the church.
Please make checks payable to:St. John’sLutheranChurch.
Flowers may be picked up any time after the 10:15 AM Easter Service.
ALL ORDERS MUST BE RECEIVED BY
Sunday, March 11, 2012
______Hyacinth (1 Bloom)……. $4.00/each ______Mums (6 ½”) …..……….$9.50/each
______Hyacinth (3 Blooms)……$8.50/each Yellow _____ White _____ Purple _____
Pink _____ Blue _____ White _____
______Tulips (6 bloom) ………….$8.50/each ______Lilies (5-7 Blooms) ……….$9.00/each
(Assorted Colors Only)
Amt. Paid ______Check #______Date ______
Given By: ______
In Memory of: ______
In Honor of: ______
To the Glory of God ______
ST. JOHN’S MESSENGER (USPS-515-660) is published biweekly, annually, by
St. John’s Lutheran Church, 300 Queen Street, Northumberland, PA 17857.
Periodical postage paid at Northumberland, PA.
POSTMASTER: Send address change to St. John’s Messenger,
300 Queen Street, Northumberland, PA17857.
ST. JOHN’S MESSENGER February 22, 2012
Volume 92, Issue 4
St. John’s Evangelical
LutheranChurch
570-473-3770
This Sunday at St. John’s
February 26 2012
1st Sunday in Lent
8:00 a.m. Worship Service with Communion
9:00 a.m. Sunday School
10:15 a.m. Worship Service with Communion
Next Sunday at St. John’s
March 4, 2012
2nd Sunday in Lent
8:00 a.m. Worship Service with Communion
9:00 a.m. Sunday School
10:15 a.m. Worship Service with Communion
1:00 p.m. Quiet Communion
Church Office Hours Mon-Thurs 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Fri 8:30 a.m.-Noon
Dale F. Biesecker, Jr., Pastor
William J. Jacavage, Director of Music
March 2012Sunday / Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday / Friday / Saturday
/ 1
Messenger deadline
3:00 p.m.
Worship & Music 7:00 p.m.
AA 7:00 p.m.
Al anon 8:00 p.m. / 2 / 3
4
Worship w/Comm. 8:00 a.m.
Sunday School 9:00 a.m.
Worship w/Comm. 10:15 a.m.
Quiet Communion 1:00 p.m.
George Groff preaching / 5
TOPS 6:00 p.m.
Cub Scouts 7:00 p.m.
Scout Dist. Committee
7:00 p.m. / 6
Boy Scouts 6:30 p.m.
Senior Choir 7:00 p.m.
Bell Choir 8:00 p.m. / 7
Messenger Folding
9:30 a.m.
Lent Soup & Sandwich
@ St. John’s 5:30 p.m. / 8
Social Ministry 6:00 p.m.
AA 7:00 p.m.
Al anon 8:00 p.m / 9 / 10
11Girl Scout
Sunday
Worship w/Comm. 8:00 a.m.
Sunday School 9:00 a.m.
Worship w/Comm. 10:15 a.m.
Easter Flower Orders Due / 12
TOPS 6:00 p.m.
Finance 7:00 p.m.
Cub Scouts 7:00 p.m.
Scout Commissioner
Meeting 7:00 p.m. / 13
Boy Scouts 6:30 p.m.
Senior Choir 7:00 p.m.
Bell Choir 8:00 p.m. / 14
Council Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Lent Soup & Sandwich
@ Grace Luth. 5:30 p.m. / 15
Messenger deadline
3:00 p.m.
Christian Ed/Evangelism
7:00 p.m.
Scout Roundtable 7:00 p.m.
AA 7:00 p.m.
Al anon 8:00 p.m. / 16 / 17
Kathryn’s Kloset
9-11:00 a.m.
Fellowship Hall reserved
12-6:00 p.m.
18
Worship w/Comm. 8:00 a.m.
Sunday School 9:00 a.m.
Worship w/Comm. 10:15 a.m.
Game Day following 10:15 a.m.
service
Music CD recording following
10:15 service till ? / 19
TOPS 6:00 p.m.
Cub Scouts 7:00 p.m.
WELCA 7:00 p.m. / 20
Boy Scouts 6:30 p.m.
Senior Choir 7:00 p.m.
Bell Choir 8:00 p.m. / 21
Messenger Folding
9:30 a.m.
Lent Soup & Sandwich
@ 1st. Presb. 5:30 p.m.
Scout Parent/Leader Mtg
Fellowship Hall 7:00 p.m. / 22
AA 7:00 p.m.
Al anon 8:00 p.m. / 23 / 24
25 Daffodil Sunday
Worship w/Comm. 8:00 a.m.
Sunday School 9:00 a.m.
Worship w/Comm. 10:15 a.m. / 26
TOPS 6:00 p.m.
Cub Scouts 7:00 p.m. / 27
Boy Scouts 6:30 p.m.
Senior Choir 7:00 p.m.
Bell Choir 8:00 p.m. / 28
Lent Soup & Sandwich
@ Trinity UMC 5:30 p.m. / 29
Messenger deadline
3:00 p.m.
AA 7:00 p.m.
Al anon 8:00 p.m. / 30 / 31
Men’s Prayer Breakfast @
St. Mark’s 8:00 a.m.
Service Assistants for March 2012
Date / Lector / Greeters / CommunionAssistants / Bread / Ushers / Crucifer / Acolyte/
Torch-
bearer / Sound
System
March 4
8:00 AM / Pat Propst
Tom Propst / Jamie Feaster
March 4
10:15 AM / Betty Duncan / Teresa and Lee
Miller / Mary Menges
David Menges / Jamie Feaster / Tina Pontius, Capt.
Barb Moyer
Virginia Butler
Trish Long / Dylan Kremer / Derek Amerman / Mike Erdley
Quiet Communion
1:00 PM / Diane Hoffman
March 11
8:00 AM / Bill Troutman
Sue Billman / Mary Rogers
March 11
10:15 AM / Girl Scouts / Girl Scouts / Judy Stuck
Lou VanGilder / Mary Rogers / Girl Scouts / Mariah Brouse / Brennon Hilner / Bob Berry
March 18
8:00 AM / Brenda Herbert
David Herbert / Nancy Erdley
March 18
10:15 AM / Dean Siemsen / Helen and Ed Snyder / Nick Auman
Blaine Shaffer / Nancy Erdley / Lee Miller, Capt.
Ken Reigle
David Menges
Derek Menges / Owen Long / Tyler London / David Menges
March 25
8:00 AM / Pat Propst
Tom Propst / Cynthia Paul
March 25
10:15 AM / Elaine Kohl / Lori Bogovich
Judy Bickel / Patricia Long
Virginia Butler / Cynthia Paul / Barb Moyer, Capt.
Lori Bogovich
Judy Hoffman
Teresa Miller / Amanda Hite / Kobe Swanger / Lou VanGilder