Upload
others
View
1
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
1
The
Link
St. Paul‟s Evangelical Lutheran Church May 2016
From the Pastor:
May is a favorite month for a variety of
good reasons. The April showers have
passed, the May flowers are in bloom (think
Lilac Festival), and we celebrate. We
celebrate Mothers, we celebrate those who
have died in military service to our country,
and I celebrate with my family several
birthdays, including my own.
All these are passages of life, memories
made against the challenges of daily joys and
concerns. We live in the anticipation that
each day will be a day to share the best of life
- hope, joy, peace, enthusiasm for living, and
enough prosperity to assure no one goes
hungry. Faith allows us this hope.
In May we can join the pledge to “Stand
Against Racism.” We can support Car City as
Rochester Area Interfaith Hospitality
Network (RAIHN) seeks funds to help local
homeless families find a better life. We
anticipate a Flower City Habitat for Humanity
build to provide a new home to a working
family. We can provide food and clothing,
personal health items, and support for
children in the many ways St. Paul‟s
challenges us to be doers of the Word and not
just hearers only. It means putting your
money where your mouth is, and many have
done that and more.
In John‟s Gospel we hear parting words of
Jesus as he shares a Last Supper in the Upper
Room with his closest disciples. John 14:27
reads, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I
give to you. I do not give to you as the world
gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and
do not let them be afraid.” Jesus ascends to
the Father (May 5th
). The Holy Spirit is
coming at Pentecost (May 15th
) to remind you
of all that Jesus has taught, and will be your
Advocate throughout your life.
Too often we take life for granted. We
take each other for granted. We take the Lord
Jesus for granted. We do so until something
in your life breaks- a relationship, a promise,
a dream, a hope, a haven. We need what the
Holy Spirit offers; a peace that assures us that
we do not have to be afraid of the future
because we are never entering this unknown
alone. God promises to be present with us.
God did not spare Jesus from suffering and
death, and Jesus doesn‟t spare us from them.
Yet as we face them, we know in faith that
God is with us.
Come share this Spirit that offers life, even
in the face of death. Come worship the God
who holds you in the palm of his hand.
Come.
Soli Deo Gloria,Pastor Jeff Hedin
2
MISSION STATEMENT
St. Paul’s is a welcoming Christian family. We are created by God, saved by Jesus Christ, God’s Son, and inspired by the
Holy Spirit. Through joyous worship and Mission Commitment, St. Paul’s furthers
the word of God’s Saving Grace.
News from the
Church Council
Church Council reports the financial summary
through March 2016 is on target and
healthy. Members of the Finance Committee
were unanimously approved.
The Eastern Service Workers Association's
clothing drive has inspired the donation of 60
bags thus far.
Work on the Vocalion organ is complete and
paid for.
Our Mission Statement is open to your ideas
for reshaping. A forum will be scheduled.
God's Work, Our Hands is coming! Plans for
better organizing food donation are already in
the works.
Dorothy Borglum, Recording Secretary
Happy Mothers’ Day May 8th
ATTENDANCE
“WE COUNT BECAUSE YOU COUNT”
Early Late Total Nursery
Mar. 20th
94 104 198 9
Maundy Thu. 10 39 49 -
Good Fri. - 91 91 -
Easter Vigil - 16 16 -
March 27th
145 148 1293 8
April 3rd
58 39 97 8
10th
75 40 115 10
17th
78 37 115 6
Average Sunday attendance through
March 2016 – 145
Average Sunday attendance through
March 2015 - 117
Average Sunday attendance through
March 2014 – 127
2016 Upstate NY Synod Assembly
The 2016 Upstate NY Synod Assembly is in Rochester from June 5th – 7th. Our delegates are Reid Cunningham, Pastor Hedin and Robin Lancaster. The theme of Synod Assembly this year is racial justice. Synod Assembly is open to all who want to attend, not just rostered leaders and congregational voting members. Child care will be offered. To get the latest information about this year's Synod Assembly, please visit
www.upstatenysynod.org
3
News from the Church Office
Thanks very much to all who
donated to our April clothing drive. We will not be collecting clothes again until October. If you have clothes to donate before then please consider taking them to the Salvation Army collection bin behind Barnes & Noble in Pittsford Plaza, or Saints Place, at 46 S. Main Street in Pittsford, next to St. Louis. Saint’s Place will also collect furniture and household items. Their phone number is 385-6860. They use the items to furnish apartments for refugees newly arrived in our area. At the back of their building is a covered porch where donations can be left.
If you have other unwanted items
you wish to donate I recommend you visit www.communitywishbook.com. It lists many local agencies and their needs. You can search by agency or by items. It also includes volunteers needed.
Thanks to those who have brought
in juice cartons for altar flower deliveries. We now have plenty for several months. No more are needed at this time.
Reminders for May
Articles for the June edition of the “Link” must be received by 9:00 a.m. Monday 16th May. It will be mailed on Tuesday 24th May beginning at 9:30 a.m. Please sign up to help mail it in the volunteer work area.
Please give me names of the Graduates in your family this summer so
that a congratulatory list can be printed. If you know their plans for college or work please include this too. I will need the information by Monday 16th May so that a list can be in June’s “Link”.
The Church Directory will be updated this summer. A draft copy will be in the Dorcas Room beginning May 8th. Please check your entry and make any changes with the red pens provided. E-mail addresses are only included with your specific permission. The phone number that is listed for you will be the ones used for Phone Tree updates.
Now the Tax deadline has passed the Statements of Giving for 2015 have been moved into my office. If you need to get your copy let me know.
The Church Office will be closed on Memorial Day, Monday 30th May.
A New Arrival
In February 1995 St. Paul’s purchased a risograph machine. (For those who don’t know this is the bulk printer that I use to produce the bulletins, inserts and Link pages plus anything else that we need over 50 copies of.) It served us very well for many years. In 2010 we were informed that spare parts were no longer available for it but it carried on serving us very well. In 2015 we were informed that supplies were no longer available for it and so finally and sadly it was not able to keep on serving us well. Thanks to the Church Council for approving the use of Memorial Money funds to purchase a new one.
Janet Harris, Church Secretary
4
Summer Worship
Beginning on Sunday May 29th and
running through Sunday September 4th.
One service of Holy Communion at 9:30 a.m.
We will also have a devotional service at 8:30 a.m. beginning June 5th.
During the summer when the parking lot gets full quickly our greeters are asked to be ready to advise guests of extra parking
availability on the street or at the Recreation Center. On nice summer days
please feel free to greet outside if you would like.
The summer schedule is a great opportunity to meet members who
normally attend at a different time. Please wear your name tags; it will especially
help our newer members and guests. If you don’t have a name tag, just write your
name on the pad in the Foyer and one will be made.
When we begin our Summer service schedule we will follow the 9:30 a.m. service with an Enhanced Fellowship
hour. St. Paul’s Committees and Groups are asked to each sponsor a Sunday by providing the set up, food, and all clean
up, including the coffee urns. Coffee, tea, lemonade and paper goods are provided
by the church. Please sign up in the Foyer if you would like to sponsor a
Sunday.
Remember -if you are involved with more than one committee there is no need for you to help with both Sundays. Just pick
one.
Pictorial Directory
Don‟t miss your opportunity to be in the St
Paul‟s Evangelical Lutheran Church
Directory. We are celebrating our 150th
year
in 2017 with the Kick-off or the Pictorial
Directory.
• Pictures will be taken at the CLIX!
location on Jefferson Road in
Henrietta, just three miles from the
church, at YOUR CONVENIENCE
throughout the spring and summer
months. Look for details on how to
sign up for booking appointments in
the church foyer and via email over
the next few weeks.
• There is NO OBLIGATION for
congregation members to purchase
any photo packages. All St. Paul‟s
families will receive a complimentary
8x10 photo calendar just for
participating in the directory process,
as well as a CLIX! Membership for
20% off of any products for two
years.
• Those that choose to purchase photos can
arrange for whichever pictures they‟d
like taken, with as many family
members as they wish, at their own
private booking appointment, all at
very competitive, varied price points.
* CLIX! will be donating 10% of proceeds
back to the church for our 150th Anniversary
Celebration.
To learn more about CLIX! You can visit
their website at http://www.clixrochester.com
If you have any questions about the Church
Photo Directory process feel free to contact
Mara Berndt or Jori Cincotta
5
Dorcas Rachel Circle “High Tea” Celebration
Date: Thursday, May 12, 2016
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Place: 45 Wenham Lane
(off Fisher‟s Road)
Pittsford, NY
Devotions: Nancy Graser
Hostess: Eileen Whitaker
Bring paper goods for the Pittsford Food
Cupboard. Place your donation in Shari‟s
white car upon arrival at Eileen Whitaker‟s
home.
Upcoming Luncheon Date: Date: Thursday, June 9, 2016
Time: 11:30 a.m.
Place: Phillip‟s European Restaurant
on Crittenden Road
Cost: Order from the menu
RAIHN (Rochester Area Interfaith
Hospitality Network)
Our next rotation is June 12–19 at First Presbyterian Church. We are responsible for food and spending time with our guests from Friday June 17th at 5:00 p.m. until Saturday morning June 18th at 10:00 a.m. For additional information please contact Jen Canning or Roberta Fitzsimmons.
Vacation Bible School
will be held from Monday August 15th to
Friday August 19th. Please see Holley
Haynes with any questions
Stand Against Racism
On Sunday May 1st as a congregation we Stand Against Racism along with many other organizations. The Stand Against Racism is an annual community-wide event dedicated to building awareness about racism. Be part of the Stand at StandAgainstRacism.org. A collection of items needed: Personal Care Items and/or Diapers, Diaper Bags and Infant Formula. Personal Care Items consist of:- new and unopened hand/body lotion, shampoo, conditioner, soap, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, hairbrushes, combs, women’s razors, wash cloths (Please, no mouthwashes or medicines like Tylenol, etc.) A collection box is in the Foyer.
Confirmation Camp
Confirmation Camp at Lake Chautauqua
Lutheran Center is Sunday July 10th
to Friday
July 15th
. Registration is online at
www.lclcenter.org. When you have registered
your child please confirm his/her attendance
with Pastor Hedin.
6
Volunteer Ministry of the
Month Each month we will take a little LINK space
to highlight a ministry in need of help. This
month‟s ministry is WRANGLER.
What is this ministry?
This ministry was created to ensure that all
scheduled volunteers are present on Sundays
and to „wrangle‟ up extra volunteers, when
needed. A wrangler uses the Sunday bulletin
as a checklist and verbally confirms with each
acolyte, usher, communion assistant, lector,
prayer assistant, and nursery assistant of their
commitments that respective morning. We
need a wrangler for the 8:30 service and a
wrangler for the 11:00 service each Sunday.
How long does it take?
Altogether, wrangling should take between 5-
15 minutes: 5 minutes if everyone is present
OR 15 minutes to find substitutes if
volunteers are not present. Some wranglers
make phone calls the night before and some
wranglers touch base with volunteers on
Sunday mornings at church.
Why do we need more volunteers?
We have very few volunteer wranglers. You
may feel uncomfortable if you don‟t know
many people at church, but this is a great way
to meet more people! And, as always, you
will always be surrounded by members
willing to help you out at St. Paul‟s.
Call or email Eileen Whitaker to
discuss how you can help!
Volunteering News/Updates
We now have a mailbox located in the
stacked trays outside Janet‟s office. Please
feel free to drop us a note anytime. We will
check them regularly.
We now have emails associated with St.
Paul‟s. Please begin using these addresses to
communicate with us about volunteering.
We‟d love to hear from you at:
Phone Tree Help Still Needed
We are still in need of 4/6 more individuals to help make calls for our May calls that are coming up.
It’s easy and calls are done on your time. You only make 4-6 calls during the year to let our congregation know of important dates that are coming up. It’s only 4-5 names to call. Please consider trying this month’s phone tree calls for May. Contact Mara Berndt at or e-mail her at [email protected].
Birthday & Anniversary Lists
Some have asked for birthday and anniversary lists to be back in the “Link”. I am looking for help to do the updating. This would involve making known changes, adding new members who wish to be included, putting a draft out for checking and producing a monthly list for each Link. If you are interested please let me know. Janet Harris
7
Upstate NY Synod World Hunger Appeal
Your Upstate NY Synod World Hunger Team invites you to participate in the 17th annual appeal June 5-7, 2016, at the Synod Assembly in Rochester. The theme of this year's campaign is GOD'S PEACE, YOUR PIECE. We long for world peace, yet daily we hear news of escalating conflict and violence. What can we do? Some say a world without hunger would be a world at peace. True or not, a world without hunger is a goal worth pursuing. ELCA World Hunger provides help and hope for millions of people in the U.S. and worldwide. You are a vital part of that effort. Still, many of our neighbors around the world and in our local communities lack the basic necessities of life - nutritious food, clean water, adequate shelter, access to health care, and opportunities for quality education and employment. In order to accomplish the goal, each congregation is challenged to bring at least $450.
If you would like to contribute please make checks payable to St. Paul’s and put in the collection plate marked for World Hunger by Sunday May 29th.
Gardening Season Is here
Would you like to make a financial
donation to our gardens this summer?
If so, please use a pew envelope and
mark it “St. Paul’s in Bloom”.
St. John’s Home Assistance
St. Paul‟s is assigned to help move elders to
their Sunday afternoon chapel service at St.
John‟s Home on Highland Avenue on Sunday
May 8th
.
About 80 attend when there is help. Only
about 30 can attend when there is no one to
assist.
Volunteers need to arrive at St. John‟s by 1:15
p.m.
Our next scheduled date is Sunday November
6th
.
Women of St. Paul‟s
Seafarer’s International House
“Harbor of Hospitality”
Women of the ELCA has taken on a special
ingathering to help the sailors by knitting
caps. This ingathering is directed to women
who enjoy knitting. We have a collection box
for the Seafarers Knit Caps in the Foyer.
Please locate the knitting pattern from the
foyer display, or call the Church Office to
have one mailed to you.
Annual Church Picnic
At North Lodge, Kings Bend Park,
Jefferson Road, Pittsford on Sunday
September 11th. 8:30 a.m. service at the
church building. 11 am service and
picnic to be held in the park. Look for
list of volunteer needs in the summer.
8
Lutheran Youth
Organization
As always, the St. Paul's LYO has been busy.
We dyed Easter eggs for the Easter brunch -
10 1/2 dozen! And as of this writing we are
looking forward to participating in RAIHN's
Car City event. We want to sincerely that the
congregation for your support with this event.
We'll give you an update on how much our
team raised in the next Link. For more
information about Car City and RAIHN, you
can visit their website at www.raihn.org.
Looking forward, the LYO will be hosting
our annual Mother's Day Breakfast in
between the services on May 8. Come enjoy
some strawberry shortcake and fellowship as
we celebrate the mothers in our lives.
Thanks again for supporting your LYO! We
couldn't do all we do without your prayers
and love.
Tiffany Laird
SUCESSFUL CAR CITY
Thanks to those who supported the St. Paul’s LYO in raising funds for RAIHN’s Car City! A fun night was had by all.
You can still make a donation to RAIHN and Car City until June 1st by visiting www.raihn.org and clicking on the Car City shield to be taken to the fundraising web site.
Jen Canning
Thanks to you in March
Members donated to Loop Ministries by
buying Hoops Mania cards for $10,
A carful of craft items was donated to
Sunshine Crafts for use in programs at
Monroe Community Hospital and
elsewhere,
Peanut butter was collected for Loop
Ministries,
$441.50 was donated to the Lent loose
change collection for Saint’s Place.
Children’s Interfaith Weekend Has a LARGE Impact
Thanks in part to the thousands of people in faith communities throughout Monroe County who signed letters supporting paid family leave, New York now has the strongest paid family leave policy in the nation.
Congratulations to everyone who participated! Unfortunately we were not successful in our efforts to urge state leaders to increase funding for child care assistance for low income working families in New York. Funding for this important program will continue at the same level as last year.
Please visit the Children’s Agenda at http://thechildrensagenda.org/ for more info.
Jen Canning
9
Pittsford District PTSA Congratulations
On Tuesday, April 26th
Pittsford District
PTSA recognized 14 members of the Pittsford
community with New York State PTSA
Honorary Life Membership Awards at a
special ceremony.
Recipients consistently have demonstrated a
dedication to the youth of Pittsford in three
categories: volunteer efforts and/or
significant contributions above and beyond
normal job expectations over an extended
period of time, outstanding personal qualities
that serve as a role model for youth, and a
continued availability and willingness to
serve, directly or in an administrative
capacity, the needs of youth.
Among the award winners was Trish Blake-
Jones.
Congratulations Trish!
Lake Chautauqua Lutheran Center 5013 Rt. 430
Bemus Point, NY 14712 716-386-4125
80th Anniversary Celebration 1936 - 2016
Sunday, June 12, 2016 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Please join us for an enjoyable afternoon of giving thanks for what Christ has done through the years Lake Chautauqua Lutheran Center. Please RSVP [email protected] or 716-386-4125.
St. Paul‟s Women of the ELCA Upcoming Dates in 2016
Leadership and Planning Meeting
Date: Wednesday, June 8, 2016
Time: 11:30 a.m.
Bring: Bag lunch
Dessert and beverage provided
Place: St. John‟s Lutheran Church, Ridge
Road, Irondequoit, NY
Conference Fall Retreat
Upstate NY Synod Women of the ELCA will
not hold a convention is 2016. Instead,
regional “Retreats” will be hosted by
conferences. Central Crossroads and Genesee
Finger Lakes Conference are partnering for a
Fall Retreat.
Date: October 28-29
Place: Christ the King Retreat House,
500 Brookford Road,
Syracuse, NY 13224
Cost: $75 for the 28th
& 29th
or $30 for the
28th
only. Meals included.
The program will be centered around the
book “Sensible Shoes” by Sandra Garlough
Brown.
Church Women United
May Friendship Day
Friday May 6th 5:30 p.m.
Penfield United Methodist Church
1795 Baird Road, Penfield
Cost $12 Full details on the notice boards or call
342-2790
10
Dear St. Paul‟s Evangelical Lutheran Church,
We thank you, O God, that you have fed us at
your banqueting table with bread and wine
beyond compare, the very life of Christ for us.
Send your Spirit with us now, that we may set
the captive free, use your gifts to build one
another up, and in everything reflect your
glory revealed in Jesus Christ, our Savior and
Lord.
Thank you for your recent gifts given to your
synod, received by ELCA World Hunger
November 2015 through January 2016.
We have long appreciated you and your gifts:
the line item in your budget, the creative
activities and events you plan, and the
offering you collect and send to ELCA World
Hunger through your synod office. We are
now able to thank you directly for your
generosity. Thank You!
While the work of ELCA World Hunger goes
on every day all year round, nearly 50 percent
of the gifts that make our transformational
projects and programs possible are given
November through January. Thank you f or
the gifts you send every month and for these
year-end gifts. Thank you for taking a
leadership role in this vital ministry of our
church, for reflecting the glory revealed in
Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Grace and peace,
The Rev. Daniel Rift
Director, ELCAWorld Hunger and Disaster
Appeal
Church Signs
We would worry less about what others
think of us if we realized how seldom
they do.
Swallowing your pride seldom leads to
indigestion.
Thinking well is wise, planning well is
wiser but doing well is wisest.
Don’t count the days – make the days
count.
Leadership is action, not position. Pray to God but row away from the
rocks.
Last minute news
Thanks very much to Ron Uhlig, Ted
Hamm and Harlan Granger for
cleaning out the garage and for making
much needed adjustments to the
lighting in there and in the parking lot.
For those who use the garage you will
be pleased to hear that the power to the
garage is now always on.
For those who have meetings in the
evenings here at St. Paul’s, especially in
the winter, you will be pleased to know
that the parking nights will now go on
automatically at 4 pm or dusk,
whichever is later. They will now go out
automatically at 10 pm.