January 2009
Behold the Star
Epiphany
Bell Choir Concert
Refreshments to follow
January 10, 2009
2:00 PM
JerusalemLutheranChurch
1372 Bachman Valley Road
410-848-4290
Join in a celebration concertwith your friends and neighborsof the Shared Ministry Group
Epiphany Concert and Celebration
featuresSt. John (Leisters) ChurchBell Choir
Driving Directions
- From Manchester go north on MD Rte 30, turn right at Bachman Valley Road, 3 mi to the church on right
- From Westminster, go north on MD Rte 97 to Bachman Valley Road, turn right going miles, church on left
Mt.Joy and St. Paul’s elected new church council members on December 14.
1
New Council members will be installed on January 11, along with 2nd year councilmembers:
St. Paul's: Amy Beall, Sandy Kump, Barry Rhoades;
Mt.Joy: Frankie Fields, Lee Ramsburg, John Reyburn, Becky Tims.
Thank you to council members beginning their second year of service:
St. Paul's: Walt Dayett, Glenn Fream, Michael Hohenstein, Shirley Staley;
Mt.Joy: Travis Dutterer, Judy Miller, Kathryn Weikert, Rodney Wolf, Jr.,
along with Sunday School officers.
Our gratitude for a job well done to departing council members:
St. Paul’s:Guy Kump, Bonnie Little, Evelyn Parrish, Kristina Rodgers.
Mt.Joy:Bonnie Brown, Pat Johnson, Fred Kehne, Michele Weikert.
1
Mt.Joy will reorganize at a retreat on Saturday, January 17, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
St. Paul’s retreat will be on January 24, 12 noon - 3 p.m.
Parish Council will meet on January 29 at 7 p.m. at St. Paul’s.
Mt.Joy Annual Congregational MeetingJanuary 25, 2009.
St. Paul’s Annual Congregational Meeting - February 1, 2009.
Pray for God’s wisdom and guidance as our
councils re-organize this month.
Written Annual Reports are due from those to whom requests were made, to Pastor Faye by January 4.
1
Cont’d from Dec. Mason-Dixon Line
The GA family is a blended intergenerational mix with a healthy spread of ages. We worship at one service on Sunday mornings, celebrate Holy Communion every week, have fellowship and YOGA (Youth of G. A.) at 10:30 and Sunday School at 10:45. Visitations can be all over the two county area with assisted living facilities/nursing homes/ hospitals anywhere from 26-80 miles one way. The synod office is located in Fargo (Yes, THEFargo, of movie fame).
The international company, Bobcat, is located here with a variety of ag-related businesses. The farm machinery is simply huge. It's quite a production to see a variety of equipment out in the fields at one time. The local people are extremely welcoming and warm.
We've been gifted with fresh produce which we've eaten, or canned, or froze in preparation for winter. We feel truly blessed to be assigned in Region 3, called to Eastern North Dakota Synod, and serving the GA congregation.
Our parsonage is absolutely huge. We've spent time painting, caulking, doing landscaping, and tending the crabapple and pine trees. Our garden plot has already been tilled for next spring. Can't wait for the seed catalogs to arrive this winter so we can plan what to sow.
My best wishes to everyone at Mt. Joy/St. Paul's Churches. I have manymemories of my semester spent with all of you.
Peace+
Pastor Anda Wilhelm
1
Roland E. Powell Convention Center, Ocean City, Md.
General theme: The Book of Faith Initiative"
Keynote speaker: Michael Card, award-winning author and composer of such songs as "El Shaddai"
In the event of hazardous weather, please tune to WHVR or WGET radio or WGAL TV for parish cancellations. If you would like to be notified of cancellations by email, please let Pastor Faye know the email address where you would like to receive the cancellation notice. OR- You may call your council president, Guy Kump (717) 334-8384 or Bonnie Brown (717) 334-8998 or Pastor Faye’s cell# (717) 451-0851. Decisions to cancel Sunday morning services will be made by 7a.m.
Longaberger Baskets and Vera Bradley Bags
This past year, Pastor Michael has experienced significant medical issues with numerous hospitalizations and continues to require treatment and surgery. Dick has been a faithful servant of his Lord and his community. In return, his congregations, community, and friends would like to offer not only moral support, but much needed financial assistance.
Please consider donating a basket, bag, or money to help make this fundraising effort a success. (checks payable to UB Fire Co. Note Michael Benefit.)
Doors open at 5 p.m. Bingo will begin at 7 p.m.
Mt. Joy Sunday School Assoc. will meet on January 12 at 6:30 p.m. to take the tree down, after which there will be a regular meeting.
MT.JOY LCW HYMN SING AT GREEN ACRES
January 7 at 1:30 p.m. All are invited to join us in this inspiring event.
WELCOME, BIRCKHEADS! Newly received at Mt. Joy, Sun., Dec. 21. The Birckheads, Roger, Kathy, and daughter, Kim are right at home at Mt.Joy. Please update your directories: 2555 Taneytown Rd.,Gettysburg, PA17325; 717 – 339-0335.
1
Many thanks to all the members of Mt. Joy and St. Paul who remembered me with prayers, calls, cards, flowers, food, and visits during the time of my surgery and since my return home. Special thanks to Pastor Faye for all her visits and prayers.
Your care and concern has been greatly appreciated.
Wishing everyone a Safe and Happy Holiday Season!
Sincerely,
Barb Six
To God’s People at Mt.Joy-St. Paul’s,
How thankful I have been for your thoughtfulness as I recuperate from
Dear Mary Jane and Mt. Joy Church,
Thank you so much for inviting me to your wonderful church. I enjoyed sharing health information and Gettysburg Hospital Women’s Services information with you.
A special thank you for you generous donation of $278.00 to the Women’s Services department. It will be used for education.
In good Health,
Laura Reyka, RN
PS. I hope to see many of you at the Women’s Conference on 3/7/09.
1
foot surgery. Your acts of compassion and
prayers have warmed my heart.
May the blessings you have bestowed
on me be returned to you.
Love in Christ,
Pastor Faye
A pastoral letter from Bishop H. Gerard Knoche
to the people of the Delaware-Maryland Synod
Not that I am referring to being in need; for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and being in need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:11-13
1
It's easy to trust God when things are going well. At least that's what some folks say. I personally can become too self-reliant in those times, believing it's all my effort that has brought about prosperity or even just a state in life that is comfortable. I have learned that a nightly recitation before God of all those things during the day for which I am thankful helps keep my perspective in the right place.
When times are difficult, there is no denying I need to trust God. We are in one of those times financially these days. Folks are losing their houses. Our retirement funds or investments for college are dropping in value. And so far, all efforts to turn things around have not been fully successful. So fear about our future security results.
Paul's words about being able to face plenty and want speak directly to my fear. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me," he says. Christ may do that by teaching us to live more simply: meat once a week; fewer meals out; games at home instead of the movies; more sweaters and lower thermostats.
Christ may do that by teaching us to live more communally; sharing lawnmowers and snow blowers; having the neighbors over for soup and bread; together pitching in to get friends or church members who have been downsized over the hump.
Christ may do that by calling us to send spiritual roots down deeper: pray and read Scripture more to find out how God has cared for God's people; reexamine our values to discover what really is important; compare our plight to that of our brothers and sisters in the southern hemisphere; place our trust where it belongs.
Make a blessing out of these times. God is ready to give one.
1
A HAPPY and BLESSED 2009!
Outside my window, bare tree branches etch thinly stenciled designs against a dull gray winter sky. Below, the reddish soil is sodden, the sky reflected in puddles. So ends, the year of our Lord, 2008…. and begins the year of our Lord, 2009!
Endings become new beginnings. The month of January is named after the Roman god Janus, a fittingnew year’sembodiment. Janus had two faces so that he could look ahead toward the future and back at the past at the same time. As we rid ourselves of an old year and look forward to a new one, we all are a little like Janus. Experience tells us what we did wrong and what we did right, and we hope to do better in 2009.
As a parish, renewed hope tells us we can follow God’s plan for us in 2009 –only with God's help. Isaiah 43:19, "I am about to do a new thing: now it springs forth. Do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."
How? The answerscan be found only in God’s Word. My resolution for 2009 is to work toward bringing MJSP Parish into Biblical literacy. Let us open our hearts to the spirit's leading. In 2009we can go to places we never imagined. A new thing…Here! Rivers in the desert…Here! Do you not perceive it?
See you in Church
Pastor Faye
I am the new year. I am an unspoiled page in your book of time.
I am your next chance at the art of living. I am your opportunity to practice what you have learned about life during the last twelve months.
All that you sought and didn’t find is hidden in me, waiting for you to search it but with more determination.
All the good that you tried for and didn’t achieve is mine to grant when you have fewer conflicting desires.
All that you dreamed but didn’t dare to do, all that you hoped but did not will, all the faith that you claimed but did not have—these slumber lightly, waiting to be awakened by the touch of a strong purpose.
I am your opportunity to renew your allegiance to Him who said, "Behold, I make all things new." ~ Bible Illustrator
VALENTINE’SDINNERFEBRUARY 14
A SWEET VALENTINE’S DAY!
MJSP Youth Gathering Team is
sponsoring a Valentine’s Dinner…
Be watching for more informationon how to treat your Sweetietoa wonderful time this Valentine’s Day!
Souper Bowl at Mt. Joy-St. Paul’s
Last February, our Youth Group visited the Gettysburg Lutheran Home, accompanied by some animal friends: ranging from Heidi Benner’s goat, Midnight, to Ben Klingensmith’s hamster. We had a great time with the residents! On Sunday morning, we collected $200 for the GLRV Activities Department. Souper Bowl is coming February 1!
As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
—Nelson Mandela
Is Lutheranism the Only True Religion?
"Do Lutherans believe theirs is the only true religion?" This question was once put to the late Dr. Elson Ruff, editor of The Lutheran. His answer was, "Yes, but Lutherans don't believe they are the only ones who have it. There are true Christian believers in a vast majority of the churches, perhaps in all." The ELCA Confession of Faith says "This church confesses Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and the Gospel as the power of God for the salvation of all who believe ..."
How Do Lutherans Look upon the Bible?
To borrow a phrase from Luther, the Bible is "the manger in which the Word of God is laid." While Lutherans recognize differences in the way the Bible should be studied and interpreted, it is accepted as the primary and authoritative witness to the church's faith. Written and transcribed by many authors over a period of many centuries, the Bible bears remarkable testimony to the mighty acts of God in the lives of people and nations. In the Old Testament is found the vivid account of God's covenant relationship to Israel. In the New Testament is found the story of God's new covenant with all of creation in Jesus.
The New Testament is the first-hand proclamation of those who lived through the events of Jesus' life, death, and Resurrection. As such, it is the authority for Christian faith and practice. The Bible is thus not a definitive record of history or science. Rather, it is the record of the drama of God's saving care for creation throughout the course of history.
*****
Prayer Requests - call Janet Maring (717-334-6439) or Shirley Staley (717- 334-1737). Request may be health matter or any concern, Please have address information ready, as a prayer card is sent. Please advise us when to remove names from list.
If you or your loved one are admitted to the hospital, please call the church office (717-334-8585) to let Pastor Faye know. Please call upondischarge.
Like to sponsor Sunday Worship Bulletins or monthly newsletter?
Bulletins- $10 per week, Mason-Dixon Line - $40 per month.
Both may be given in honor or in memory of loved ones.Call church office 334-8585 to schedule.
1