The Spectrum

July 2010

We Have a New Mutual Ministry Committee

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

At the end of 2009, the congregation council of St. Luke decided to split the old Mutual Ministry Committee and divide its mission between two new ministries. We now have a Personnel Committee; this ministry will revise job descriptions for all staff, perform job performance evaluations, suggest salaries, and deal with all issues related to managing staff.

The other new group is a Mutual Ministry Committee with a strong focus on the mutuality of ministry here at St. Luke.

All the baptized people of God have been entrusted with the Church's ministry -- to proclaim the Gospel through word and deed -- and are rightly called "ministers of the Gospel". Hence, the Church's ministry has a universal character. The Church's priesthood is comprised of all believers. The term 'mutual ministry' recognized that the Church's mission is the mutual concern of both the clergy and the laity; all participate in it according to the gifts given to them and the specific ministries entrusted to them.

What Will It Do?

It is the call of the Mutual Ministry Committee to facilitate this mutuality of ministry at St. Luke, bridging the communications gap and serving as an independent, confidential liaison among the congregation, the pastors, the staff, the congregation council, and the ministries of St. Luke.

The Mutual Ministry Committee will foster the healthy mutuality of the ministry of all members by:

ST. LUKE NEWS

WE ARE NOW ON OUR SUMMER SCHEDULE with the 8 a.m. chapel worship remaining the same, and the 10:30 a.m. worship service moved to 9:30 a.m. Sunday School and Children's Praise Time are not offered during the summer, but Children's Sermons are part of the 9:30 a.m. worship.

A SPECIAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING is being called on Sunday, July 11 following the 9:30 a.m. service. There is a collapse in a section of the old cast iron pipe going down the hallway along side the choir room where the coat racks are. At this time, buds are being requested to replace piping; the Congregation Council will meet June 27 after the 9:30 service to review the bids, and present their recommendation for a congregational vote.

LOOKING FOR A GOOD HOME
The organ in the chapel is looking for someone to take it home. It's yours if you can move it out. Contact the church office.

OLD FASHION CHURCH FAMILY PICNIC in the beautiful woods of Ravensburg State Park (Mifflinburg) ... Saturday, July 24 (meal served at 5 p.m.). God's beauty surrounds you as you relax in the pines, splash in the stream, play horseshoes and baseball, build pin needle houses and eat the de-lish food prepared for you. The Ministry for Fellowship will provide the hot dogs, hamburgers, baked beans, relish tray, drink, starch salad, chips and pretzels ... plastic ware too ... all you need to bring is the dessert! (And your lawn chairs.)

This beautiful state park is so often forgotten, and just a short distance from home. We assure you it will be a wonderful afternoon ... come anytime to play and then enjoy the dinner at 5 p.m. We have reserved pavilion #4.

Sign up on the bulletin board across from the parlor ... and to get directions.

Need a ride ... let us know.

SPIRITUAL GIRT INVENTORY/TIME AND TALENT SURVEY
Please prayerfully consider which ministries you might want to participate in through the coming church season and return your forms to the box at the back of the church, or in the offering plate, or to the church office. Extra forms are on the table in the back of the church. We thank you, and may God bless us all as together we grow in faith and service.

LOST ITEMS
In cleaning up the kitchen and clearing out our coat racks, preparing for the yard sale and VBS, we have found items have been left behind by our members. Please check the table in the west hall in front of the parlor to see if any of the dishes or coats, sweaters and blazers might by yours.

WOMEN'S BOOK CLUB
Join us on Monday, July 12 at noon for lunch at the Bullfrog Brewery. The book is "The Faith Club" by Ranya Idliby, Suzanne Oliver, Priscilla Warner. No book club in August. September 13's book is "Gaudy Night" by Dorothy L. Sayers.

THE KNITTERS/PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY gather on Tuesday, July 27 at 11 a.m. in the (air-conditioned) parlor to knit and crochet shawls for those in need of comfort. (The knitters do not meet in August.)

THE SEW-FINE QUILTERS are on hiatus until September 28.

WANTED
Person(s) willing to shadow our office manager/church secretary to learn her various tasks. These duties would be non-financial. This situation could then lead to temporary periods of functioning as church secretary during her absence (vacations, etc.). This is a paid position. Interested parties should contact the church office or Personnel Committee (Jere Eshleman, director).

FOR OUR FLOWERS
We are looking for smaller flower vases and baskets (with or without liners) that can be used to arrange our alter flowers for delivery. You can leave any time at the office. If you have any questions, contact our new flower delivery coordinator, Shirley Getgen.

COUNCIL CONCISELY
The Congregation Council met on June 14. Highlights:

YOUTH & PRE-SCHOOL NEWS

VBS NEWS...

VBS IS A BAOBAB BLAST!
Join us on Sunday, July 18-Thursday, July 22 from 6-8:30 p.m. for a fun-filled adventure. All children ages 4 through 4th grade are invited. Pick up a registration form in the west entranceway in front of the parlor. (Walk-ins as always accepted.)

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL donations are appreciated: pretzel sticks, "O" cereals, cans of vanilla frosting, juice or kid-friendly drinks, wheat crackers, individual ice cream cups and sundae toppings. Please place all donations in box in kitchen or freezer with a label.

VBS HELP SOUGHT
If you can give of your time and talents for any of the many jobs related to VBS, please contact Kim Fremberg of Jessie Young.

Thank you for helping make this year's VBS great!

YOUTH CAR WASH
Saturday, July 17. Watch for details.

PRE-SCHOOL YARD SALE COLLECTIONS
The second classroom in the education wing will be available for yard sale items. Look for a sign on the door, and drop off during normal church office hours, If you have any questions on the yard sale, contact Marilyn Eshleman.

ANNUAL PRE-SCHOOL YARD SALE takes place on Friday, July 9 and Saturday, July 10 from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Come for lunch! ... take-outs available ... and visit the bake sale table.

LEARNING & GROWING IN CHRIST

BECOME A FAN OF THE USS ON FACEBOOK!
The Upper Susquehanna Synod now has a "fan site" on Facebook. If you are part of the Facebook community, you can join at www.facebook.com/usselca. Become a fan of the USS and keep updated on the latest news and information from our synod.

MOUNT LUTHER PRAYER SERVICE on Air this summer! This summer, Mount Luther is partnering with WQSU radio and broadcasting our Mount Luther Prayer Service each week. This weekly worship reflects the singing and praying community of the camp. It also gives the listeners who listen to Susquehanna's Weekly Chapel Service during the academic year, the opportunity to worship at this time. The service will broadcast on Sunday mornings at 11 a.m. on FM 88.9 and stream online at www.wqsu.com. WQSU is the radio station of Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove.

NURSES NEEDED
St. Anthony’s Free Medical Clinic is in need of volunteer RNs and Secretaries for: Mondays from 6:30-9:30 p.m., Wednesdays from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., and First Thursdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Workers are scheduled on a rotation basis and usually serve only once per month. If you are interested, please call Karen Kirk at 337-7580 or Deb Steinbacher at 433-3757.

ST. LUKE SCOUTING PROGRAM
If any boy would like to join the Boy Scout Troop 12 (90 years of being an active troop at St. Luke) or Cub Scouts, or any adults who would like to donate their time and talent to the Boy Scout or Cub Pack, please contact William Piotrowski, Scoutmaster of B.S.A. Troop 12, at 321-6600; or Steve Schlesing, Cubmaster of Cub Pack 12, at 322-0749. The Boy Scouts meet in the parish house behind the church on Mondays from 7-8:30 p.m. The Cubs Scouts times and days TBA.

FAMILY PROMISE is a cooperative of churches taking turns to provide housing to homeless families. At night, these families (up to 14 people) sleep in the host church’s Sunday school rooms; in the daytime, they go to school/work or spend time at the day center, the former parsonage of Redeemer Lutheran Church on Washington Blvd. Volunteers are needed to staff this day center seven days a week. If you could help with receptionist duties, please let the pastors know or e-mail Donna Maxwell at dipm3@hotmail.com. Training will be provided.

DIAL-A-DEVOTION at 322-5762, available 24 hours a day. These devotions are three minutes or less, changed weekdays and once on the weekend, and are designed to lift your spirits and help you to have “A Closer Walk with God”.

DAILY DISCIPLESHIP is a ELCA online Lectionary Bible Study for group or individual discussion, preparation and prayer. Go to www.elca.org/evangelism/dailydiscipleship.

KEEP IN MIND
Hospital Stays – Please notify the church office
Prayer Chain – Shirley Collins
Sarah’s Pantry – Ann Lamade

ARTICLE DEADLINESS
Spectrum Newsletter – 20th of the month
Weekly Bulletins – Friday, 9 a.m.
Council Packets – Friday before Council, 9 a.m.

OFFICE HOURS
Monday & Tuesday: 9 a.m.-noon; 1-3 p.m.
Wednesday, Thursday & Friday: 9 a.m.-noon

THE OFFICE IS LOOKING FOR EMAILS
If you have an e-mail address, please let the office know. The office’s e-mail is stlukeluth@verizon.net

FOOD PANTRY DONATIONS are welcomed on the last Sunday of each month. Your collections of non-perishable items can be dropped off in the food crate by the west entranceway.

EXPECTING TO BE HOSPITALIZED?
Federal regulations require hospitals to keep your admission completely private. If you choose not to have your name, location in the hospital or medical condition released, the only way we will know you are in the hospital is if you inform us. If you or a family member is hospitalized, please call the office or the pastors. If you want to be visited, do not rely on the hospital to let us know.

CONFUSION OVER APPLAUSE
There has been confusion over the appropriateness of applauding our soloists after anthems. Our musicians offer their musical gifts to the glory of God as part of our worship. They do not expect applause; on the contrary, they are embarrassed by it. Instead of applauding during worship, speak to the soloist following worship to express your appreciation in a more meaningful way.

ON THE MOVE? If you are moving, or will be away for a time, PLEASE notify the office of your new address, your “winter” address, or your request to hold your newsletter. Newsletters are not forwarded, and every time a newsletter is undeliverable, it is sent back to us with a service fee of .61 cents. Thank you.

SIMPLY GIVING is an easier, simpler way to make your regular contributions to our congregation through automated giving. By participating in the program you can use electronic funds transfer to give your weekly, semi-monthly or monthly offering. To learn how you can participate, see the office, or pick up a form in the back of the church.