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From our Interim Pastor. . . Happy January!
‘Tis the season for New Year’s resolutions, planning, breathing deep, and
looking ahead into this brand new year. There’s something about finishing up
Christmas and New Year’s that leads us into the season of personal improvement.
Maybe it’s the fact that we ate too many cookies and we’re ready to start
walking them off. Maybe we know we spent too much in December and it’s time to
start paying off those bills. Or maybe there are some cardboard boxes that are
motivating you to finally organize that room in your house that you think might
be starting to look like an episode of “Hoarders.”
Every time I think about making changes in my life, I find myself trying simply
to rely on my own willpower. Maybe you’ve tried some of the following in your
own life:
- If I can just work on this project for 15 minutes a day....I’ll have it
done in just a few weeks!
- If I can just stop eating desserts....forever....I could be back to my
college weight in six months!
- If I only buy bologna and cereal for groceries, I could retire by the
time I’m 50!
Clearly, part of my problem is in the outrageous goal-setting....and let me
be clear....I’m only using these as outrageous examples. I wasn’t actually
planning on buying only bologna and cereal. My point is that when we try to make
changes with only willpower and a list of previous failures on our side, we’re
doomed from the beginning.
My challenge to you dear reader, as you begin a fresh new year, is to invite God
into your resolutions. St. Paul writes to the church at Philippi, “I am
confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to
completion by the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6) (I highly recommend
the entire book of Philippians to you. There’s lots of good stuff in there...in
case your resolution was to read more of the Bible in 2012.)
Now there are lots of ways to enhance your success rate with your
resolutions....specific goal-setting, accountability partners, etc, but asking
God to help you is the best first step. It’s also the step on which all of the
others depend. So whatever your resolution is this year, ask God to weave your
plan for self-improvement into your spirit. Ask for wisdom. Ask for guidance.
But most of all, invite God in to the every-day-ness of 2012. Invite God into
more than just the improvements, but the imperfections as well. Let God show you
the completion of the good work that’s been begun in you. Let God teach you how
His glory will be revealed through you.
Peace be with you in 2012!
--Pastor Sarah |
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ST. LUKE NEWS
NEW YEAR’S DAY SERVICE
Our morning worship service for New Year’s Day will be held at 10:30 a.m.—note
one service only. We will be using our “Service of Lessons and Carols”. Holy
Communion will be offered.
CARE PACKAGES
The Ministry for Outreach will gather CARE package goodies for our college
students or members of our military (St. Luke members) during the whole month of
January. Mailing will be the first week in February. A collection box will be
place inside the west entrance. Parents. . . Please make sure the office has
updated address for any of our youth involved in this mailing. Thank you.
SNOW CANCELLATIONS
In case of the pastor not being able to make it in, our organist agreed to
have a hymn sing—if he is able to make it in. If it is the case that neither can
make it, and a service is cancelled, a message will be put on the answering
machine and people can call the office number to check.
WOMEN’S BOOK CLUB meets January 9 to discuss the book “Only One
Child” by Brian Bohun Barlow. February 13’s book is “Love and Summer” by William
Trevor. Meet at noon at Julie’s Coffee Shop. (Descriptions of the books can be
found on the women’s bulletin board by Bell Hall entrance.)
THE ST. LUKE WOMEN gather on Saturday, January 14 at 2 p.m. in the
carpet area of Bell Hall for Bible study. Refreshments and wonderful
fellowship—bring a friend!
THE KNITTERS/PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY gather on Tuesday, January 24 at 11
a.m. in the parlor to knit and crochet shawls for those in need of comfort.
Bring a lunch and stay between knitting and quilting.
THE SEW-FINE QUILTERS meet on January 24 at 1 p.m. in Bell Hall to
work on quilts that will be donated to Lutheran World Relief and local
charities. Join us even if you have no prior quilting experience but wish to
learn. Your donations of cotton fabric, thread, gently used sheets, and
embroidery floss are gratefully accepted and may be dropped off at the church
office at any time.
WE HAVE FLOWER SUBSCRIPTION OPENINGS for June 3, July 22, September
9. If you would like to place flowers in the chancel one of these Sundays,
please contact the office.
THE SECOND SESSION OF THE CONGREGATIONAL MEETING (date TBD) will bring a
Council recommendation to entertain motions to:
- To accept recommendation to amend the ByLaws:
Section C4.04.10, first paragraph, after “The Director, Associate Director
and members shall serve for one year, with the option of continuing for
successive years as the criteria above may allow.” ADD: “A Ministry or
Committee member shall have a least one year of service, within the previous
three (3) years, on said Ministry/Committee before being appointed as
Director.”
- To accept recommendation to amend the Constitution:
Section C11.03a, after “The President of the Congregation Council shall be
elected from its members and shall have voting privileges. ADD: “A Council
member shall be eligible for nomination for Council President after one year
of service, within the previous three (3) years.”
- To accept recommendation to add to the Constitution, Chapter 13:
A Personnel Committee of six voting members (in the absence of
a personnel committee, the duties shall be fulfilled by the mutual ministry
committee or the executive committee) shall be appointed jointly by the
president [vice president ] and the pastor. Term of office shall be two
years, with three members to be appointed each successive year.
- To accept recommendation to amend the Constitution, Chapter 13:
A Mutual Ministry Committee (in the absence of a mutual
ministry committee, the duties shall be fulfilled by the executive
committee) shall be appointed jointly by the president [vice president ] and
the pastor. Term of office shall be two years, with three members to be
appointed each successive year.
ADD: A Mutual Ministry Committee “of six voting members”.
THOSE HOLDING MEETINGS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES
Please clear those dates and times with the office as to avoid conflicts,
and for security reasons! Thank you.
TRANSPORTATION MINISTRY
If you are in need of transportation to church events, doctor appointments,
etc., please contact Barbara Coates from the Ministry for Service, who has
agreed to connect volunteer drivers with those who need their service. (If you
could be a driver, please let Barbara know as well.)
SERVICE MINISTRY NOTES
WHO: Navajo Lutheran Mission School in Rock Point, AZ
WHAT: 1. Labels (bar codes only) from Campbells, Prego, and Swanson products.
2. Box Top for Education on General Mills, Nature Valley, Pepperidge Farm,
Bisquick, and Kleenex
products.
WHERE: Collection boxes are above the coat racks at west entrance. Labels and
box tops have been used to purchase vans, computers and cameras, and other
school equipment.
THE TASK FORCE GREEN Committee asks your help in saving the cancelled
stamps from your mail. It must be attached to a ¾ inch piece of paper for
rehabilitation purposes at a rehab program for veterans. We will have a box
placed on top of the coat rack in the west hallway. Please place your cancelled
stamps in the box. Placing them in a little baggie is a good way to collect them
at home. Thank you.
MISTAKEN JACKET
At the 10:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Service someone accidentally returned home
with the wrong black leather “motorcycle” jacket. If the jacket you have is not
yours please notify the office, or the owner of the jacket, Howard Cowles. Thank
you. |
YOUTH NEWS
COAT COLLECTION
Senior Youth and Ministry for Service are teaming up to collect coats and
children’s clothing for Daniel’s Closet. This is a charity at Redeemer Lutheran
Church, Williamsport. They collect coats of all sizes and distribute them for
free, to needy area residents. Please bring in your gently used coats and
children’s clothing and place them in the box in the parlor area. We will
collect coats between now and January 31. Thank you!
SUNDAY SCHOOL classes are offered for Pre-Schoolers through Adults,
beginning at 9:15 a.m. Join us! NOTE: No Sunday School New Year’s Day.
CHILDREN’S PRAISE TIME welcomes children age 3 through grade 3 for a time
of Bible stories that corresponds with the church seasons. (The children are
excused to the parlor during the gospel at the 10:30 service and return after
the sermon.)
PRE-SCHOOL NEWS
FROM THE PRE-SCHOOL AT ST. LUKE
Luckily, the weather in December wasn't "frightful" enough to keep our pre-schoolers
indoors. They had a great trip to the Milton model train museum on a school bus.
The teachers said that the bus ride was almost as much of an adventure for the
kids as the display itself.
The annual Christmas program was well-attended and enthusiastically received.
An added surprise this year was provided by 4 former students and current
student Jacob Edmunds, who accompanied the other students on “Twinkle, Twinkle
Christmas Star” with their violins. Such talent! Of course, Santa made an early
visit to the pre-school. Although no one saw him, there were gifts left for all
of the students.
January brings a return to the normal activities, as well as a dose of winter
fun. North Central Sight Services will also visit in mid-January to talk to the
students about their eyes and to check each child's.
Best wishes to all for a very Happy New Year from the Pre-School at St. Luke
and the staff!
LEARNING & GROWING IN CHRIST
THE LAY MINISTRY INSTITUTE is ON THE ROAD in 2012 visiting Conferences
throughout the Upper Susquehanna Synod. They will be in our conference (West
Branch) Sundays, January 15, 29 and February 12, from 2:30-4:30 p.m. at St.
Michael’s in Quiggleville. The topic will be “The First 1000 Years of the
Church”. Topics covered will include heroes and heretics; the development of the
creeds and liturgy; how civilization was saved by a solar eclipse; strange and
unusual historical events. This will be a highly interactive class.
The cost of each class session is $5. Please register by contacting The Rev.
Melody Sell at prmsell@verizon.net or 437-2652.
ST. LUKE SCOUTING PROGRAM
If any boy would like to join our growing 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.
LIVINGLUTHERAN.COM
is a new electronic resource for ELCA members to communicate with each
other. A variety of ideas and topics are covered by the bloggers and other
contributors to the site. See what Living Lutheran is all about by clicking:
www.livinglutheran.com.
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.
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.
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MONTHLY REMINDERS
KEEP IN MIND
Hospital Stays – Please notify the church office
Prayer Chain – Shirley
Collins or Leah Lewis
Sarah’s Pantry – Ann Lamade
ARTICLE DEADLINESS
Spectrum Newsletter – 20th of the month
Weekly
Bulletins – Thursday, 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
WORSHIP RECORDINGS
are available in the office foyer if you missed a week and would like to
hear the service.
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.
RECYCLE YOUR compact florescence bulbs here. Place them in the green
collection box located under a chair in the office foyer, and we will recycle
them for you.
ST. LUKE IS NOW ON FACEBOOK
 If
you already have a Facebook account, simply log on and then enter the words “St
Luke Williamsport” in the search bar at the top of the page or click on the
badge, at left. We will use the page to share information about upcoming events
and to offer reflections on faith and what it means to live faithfully in the
world. If you don’t yet have a Facebook account, it’s a great way to stay
connected with others and to share information quickly.
IN THE HOSPITAL? OR KNOW SOMEONE WHO IS?
PLEASE let us know! If a member is brought in through the ER, they do not
get listed on St. Luke’s member list in the chaplain’s office and we do not get
a call that they have been admitted. And we don’t always get a call when they go
through admissions too. We’d rather get a dozen calls about someone in the
hospital, than not know at all.
TRANSPORTATION MINISTRY
If you are in need of transportation to church events, doctor appointments,
etc., please contact Barbara Coates from the Ministry for Service, who has
agreed to connect volunteer drivers with those who need their service. (If you
could be a driver, please let Barbara know as well.)
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 .64 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. Pick up a sheet on the shelf in the back of the church (opposite the
literature rack), fill out, and return to the church office for processing.
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