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Come Celebrate The Hanging of the Greens

Sunday, December 1st, 2013

In what has become an annual tradition, our worship on Sunday, December 1 will

be the special Hanging of the Greens service. Each worshipper will get a

chance to participate in the decorating of our beautiful worship space. We begin in

near darkness, with the barest of decoration. By the time our worship

ends, the sanctuary will be light, bright, and wondrously bedecked. By all means,

join in this dramatic transformation!

Go to St. John’s Facebook To join the event and to

receive updates.  

       

ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH OF MELROSE PARK, PA DECEMBER 2013

End of Year Challenge Let’s get to our goal of $3,000 for the

New Generation Fund!

I have made at least one monetary gift to the New Generation Fund this year, but I

am willing to do more – if you do!

For the first 10 givers who contribute at

least $50, I will contribute $10 each.

For the next 20 givers who contribute at least $25, I will contribute $5 each.

Make me contribute $200 to the New

Generation Fund!

To benefit the ELCA [anti-]Malaria Fund and the Tabor Lutheran Church

Child Development Center.

God bless, Pr. Donna Wright

Christmas Eve worship at 7PM.

Pre-service music begins at 6:40

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Gifts A couple of weeks ago I finished up the

last of “The Greatest Chapters of the Bible.” My second to last greatest

chapter was from Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, chapter 12. (That’s right;

chapter 12, not chapter 13, the great “love” chapter.) Chapter 13, “Love is

patient and kind; love is not angry…” is a great chapter; but only a continuation of

Paul’s discussion of spiritual gifts, that he goes into most detail about in chapter 12

of 1 Corinthians.

Variety of Spiritual Gifts Paul lists a variety of spiritual gifts:

utterance of wisdom, utterance of knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, etc. He

also lists different kinds of serving: teaching, leading, and assisting. I would

add a lot of other gifts to Paul’s list of spiritual gifts: the gift of speaking truth

to power; the gift of offering a kind word; the gift of a smile; the gift of showing appreciation; the gift of noticing when

something is wrong (and its neighbor gift, the gift of doing something about it when

you notice something is wrong). You may have the gift of photography, or

encouraging others on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest. Perhaps your gift is knitting

or cooking; organizing; fixing little things; or telling stories or making music? Maybe you have a passion for justice – or

organ donation?

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Which gift(s) do you have? As you prepare your Christmas gifts this year, think about what spiritual gifts you have to offer. What specific spiritual gifts do you have, that could be useful at St. John’s? What gifts would be wonderful to use at home? What spiritual gifts do you have that will help the world? Write down on a piece of paper your spiritual gifts and how you plan to use them in the coming year. Starting Dec. 8, there will be a large basket in the sanctuary at St. John’s, for you to place these papers with your spiritual gifts on them. You may sign your name, but you don’t have to. I will publish some of these spiritual gifts (without names) in the Chimer in the months to come, so all of us can ponder what God is doing among us these days – with all the gifts God has given. Blessed Advent, Blessed Christmas! Pastor Donna Wright

Pastor’s Page

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The Larger Church and Council News

Zones of Peace

On November 21, 2013, Zones of Peace, of Greater Philadelphia,

held a reception for members and supporters in center city

Philadelphia at City Hall. Mayor Nutter addressed the

gathering and voiced his support for Zones of Peace’s mission. He

affirmed the need for refuges from violence in Philadelphia. St. John’s was represented at the

reception by Pr. Donna along with Norajean Flanagan and Bert Glenn.

Zones of Peace, is an outreach of the Religious Leaders Council of Philadelphia, a multi-faith organization of more than 30 member communities of many faiths. Zones of Peace, is dedicated to the

elimination of violence, broadly defined, in the greater Philadelphia area St. John’s is a founding member of Zones of Peace.

 

Congratulations to the 2014 Council We will have three new Council members in 2014. The congregation elected Johnny Bruno, Roberta Coyle and Janet Leech as new Council members and re-elected Peter Rasmussen and Chris Suloff for second terms at the fall congregation meeting on November 10th. These five will join Bob Baetke and Josh Pinnel who will remain on Council for the second year of their terms. The Council will meet on Sunday, December 8th after worship and, among other business, will elect the officers for 2014. The financial secretary and treasurer will also join these members on the Council if they are not among these Council members when elected. The pastor is also always a member of Council.

Christmas Eve worship at 7:00 PM Pre-service music

begins at 6:40

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   Three-Congregation Thanksgiving Feast

On Sunday, November 17th, members of St. John’s shared a Thanksgiving

feast with members of the two congregations who also worship at our

church. Korean members of On Nu Re and Congolese members of the African congregation joined with St. John’s in the fellowship hall after St. John’s worship. We began by learning a four-word blessing in English (Give Thanks to God), French and Korean. Then we shared a fabulous meal with contributions from many members of the three congregations. Good food, good fellowship, good dessert. God is good. Many thanks to Janet

Leech, Barbara Lawson,

Johnny Bruno and Rosemary Hanes for

coordinating the food (and contributing some of the fine

dishes and desserts), and thanks to all those who contributed a food item or helped with the set up or clean up.

Congregational Life

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A N N O U N C E M E N T S: Ruth Circle of Women of the ELCA

invites all women to our Holiday Luncheon and Program Tuesday Dec 10, 2013 12 Noon

in the Hagan Room

“Come enjoy the Holiday Spirit”

Share the Joy and Taste of Christmas

NEEDED- COOKIE BAKERS

St. John’s has 10 members who are homebound and it is nice to remember them with Cookies along with the poinsettias. If you can help provide the cookies

we would be most grateful. Please deliver to the Church by December 5th.

Thank You,

Ruth Circle

 

Congregational Life

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Christmas Eve worship at 7:00 p.m. Pre-service music begins at 6:40 p.m.

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Good Causes

Confirmation Corner

The confirmation class has been studying early

stories in the Old Testament. On Sunday, November 17th, four members of the Confirmation Class took leadership

roles in the worship service. We expect that the Confirmation Class will do this about once a month. Watch

for it.

Photos taken by Norajean Flanagan  

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Hymnals Available for Home Use

As many of you know, St. John’s purchased the new Lutheran hymnal, “Evangelical Lutheran Worship” (ELW) a few years ago. There are a lot of LBWs

(“Lutheran Book of Worship”) and WOVs (“With One Voice”) stacked around the church.

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We will be keeping 25 of each, for choir and other use; but

the rest should have a home!

We hope you will make room in your home for one of these hymnals. If there is a hymnal with a dedication for or from

a member of your family, we encourage you to take that one.

If you don’t have a family member with a hymnal

dedication, take any undedicated hymnal. The hymnals will be available in the Hagan Room and in the lobby between the sanctuary and Hagan

Room during December and January. God bless your home singing and praying!

On Sunday November 24th, the Sunday School and Confirmation students made this quilt to be

given to a child who will be in the hospital this Christmas.

Thanks to Joan Seader for organizing and supervising this project.

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Member’s Spotlight

CHIMER Deadlines

for the next year

December 18th

for January 2014 January 22nd for February 2014 February 19th

for March 2014 March 19th

for April 2014 April 16th for

May 2014 May 21st

for June 2014 June 18th for July/August

2014 August 20th for September 2014 September 17th

for October 2014 October 22nd for November 2014 November 19th for December

2014 December 17th

for January 2015

Your voice is welcome in the

CHIMER. Material

submitted beyond the deadline may

or may not be included.

 

Thank you Bert Glenn for sharing your beautiful photograph with us.

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From the Council: The Congregation held its Fall annual meeting on November 10th (Martin Luther’s birthday, by the way). The official minutes will be approved at the Spring meeting, but here are some of the things that happened at the meeting:

• Approved the minutes of the Spring 2013 Congregational meeting.

• Approved the mandatory changes to the Congregation constitution to bring it up to date (these updated our March 15, 2007 constitution)

• Approved the budget for 2014 (with one amendment to increase the funds for paid musicians for the choir).

• Elected Johnny Bruno, Roberta Coyle, Janet Leech, Peter Rasmussen, and Chris Suloff to Council for 2-year terms beginning on 1/1/14. Peter and Chris were elected to their second terms.

• Approved the recipients for St. John’s New Generation Fund for 2014: international: Lutheran World Relief; local: Laurel House.

In addition to the above actions, there was discussion about flowers for worship, about the rental of the parsonage, and about receiving the proposed budget in advance of the meeting. (Note – this is not a bylaw requirement, but it is a good idea).

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A member of the Congregation suggested that Council appoint a committee or task force to study the factors that would be important in deciding whether we should keep or sell the parsonage. This committee should interact with the transition team, as the offering of a parsonage may be important to a prospective permanent pastor. I would like to especially thank John Kopyar for all the work he invests in keeping the congregations financial numbers accurate and up to date and in preparing the budget, and to John and Tim Terry and the Finance Committee who worked with John to finalize the proposal.. This is not an easy job, even though John makes it look easy. As we approach the beginning of a new church year with the coming of Advent, please reflect on how we can continue to be a supportive community in Worship, Witness and Service. God has given us the gift of community to provide strength as we each walk our path of faith. As we do so, take opportunities to offer St. John’s as a place for others who may be seeking a church home or seeking to learn about this religion thing for the first time. Remember that the evangelism committee is the entire congregation (note: evangelism = good news). It is part of our calling. The next Council meeting will be on Sunday, December 8, 2013, after worship. New Council members should plan to attend as the 2014 Council will elect the 2014 Congregation officers at that meeting. All members are welcome to attend. You may raise any issue with any Council member at any time.

- Bert Glenn, - Congregation President

From the Council

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Welcome from the staff of St. John’s

Donna Wright, Interim Pastor

prdonnawright@gmail.com David Lembo, Parish Administrator

atchair@gmail.com Sibyl Weidner, Design Specialist

Volunteer Staff Sunday School Coordinator: Norajean Flanagan

Office: Roberta Coyle Parish Activities: Steve Brown

Congregational Leaders Personnel Committee: Bert Glenn, Allison

Nguyen, Joyce Rasmussen, Marcia Boraas, Bob Baetke

Financial Resources: Tim Terry Property Resources: Tim Terry

Social Ministry: Norajean Flanagan

Fellowship Coffee Hour: Sue Kershner & Steve Brown St. Johnsmen: Steve Brown & John Kopyar

Ruth Circle: Joan Seader

Worship & Arts Worship: Joyce Rasmussen & Bob Baetke

Arts: Cindy Raff Altar Care: Fran & Roger Pinnel

Sacristan: Roger Pinnel Flowers: TBA

Officers of the 2013 Church Council President: Bert Glenn

Vice President: Bob Baetke Secretary: Josh Pinnel

Financial Secretary: John Kopyar Other Council Members:

Peter Rasmussen, Chris Suloff

The CHIMER Editor & Design: Sibyl Weidner

Photographer: Bert Glenn

CHIMER Copyright 2013 St. John’s Lutheran Church of Melrose Park, PA

Book Club & Who’s Who at St. John’s

“CHILLING, NASTY, SMART, SHOCKING AND UNPUTDOWNABLE”

BOOK CLUB January 12th

11:30 Adult Forum

NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER

Christmas Eve worship at 7:00 PM Pre-service music

begins at 6:40

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From all of us on staff at St. John’s,

We want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas!

Blessings & Joy in the New Year 2014