IN THIS ISSUE

Prayer Page Pg 2

Pastor’s Note Pg 3

Outreach Pg 4

Bible Study Pg 5

Blood Drive Pg 6

Current Events Pg 7

Children’s Ministry Pg 8

Calendar Pg 9-10

New Music Director Hired We are very happy to report that the Staff-Parish Relations Committee has hired Glenda Steffee as our new music director and organist. Glenda has extensive experience as a music teacher and church music director. She is a graduate of West Chester University with a degree in Music Education, and she taught at the Runnemede School District. For the past forty-plus years she has served piano students from her home in Washington Township, operating a full studio schedule. She shares her talent at weddings,

funerals, school programs, and other events in South Jersey. Glenda has served as organist and music director at several local churches, including St. Matthews in National Park and Holy Angels Parish in Woodbury. Most recently she played organ and directed the choir at Wenonah United Methodist for 25 years. St. Paul’s is very lucky to have found such a talented musician, so be sure to greet her when you’re in church!

SPRC Committee

We Have a Youth Group!

In November we held our first “Cluster Youth Group” with leaders and youth from five local United Methodist Churches. There were more than 30 people present (adults and kids) and we can call it a success! There were

four teens repre-senting St. Paul’s! We can now officially state that St. Paul’s has a youth group for teens in junior high and senior high. It meets on the first Sunday of each month. The youth group meet-ing time is going to continue to be 5 p.m. Meetings

will last 1-1/2 hours, including food, fun, and devotions, and we are agreed that Zion UMC on Kings Highway in Clarksboro is a good central location. It is only 5 miles from St. Paul’s.

Pastor Dave is confident that the numbers from St. Paul’s will increase and that the youth group will not only enhance the lives of those who attend, but also on our community.

If your teen is interested, see Pastor Dave.

NEW MUSIC DIRECTOR Glenda Steffee.

St. Paul’s United Methodist Church West Deptford, NJ

January-February 2020

FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES

3– Edward Ruple 3– Michelle Souder 3– Melissa Strock 3– Diane Weems 5– Charlotte Galka 8– Bridgette Archut 9– Nicole Daws 10– Joanne Keegan 10– Don & Carol Strock 1 1– Ginny Gibson 1 1– Ronnie Mancuso 13– Courtney Knudsen 16– Vince Lee 17– Shane Moore 17– Kim Sturgis 19– Emily Bailey 19– John Spellman Jr. 20– Donna Sierocinski 21– Rosalyn Platt 22– Shannon McLaughlin 22– Kenneth Norris III 23– Evelyn Dallas 23– Joe Hoffman 24– Bert Turner 24– Matt White 25– PyperLin Gittinger 26– Jennifer Spinella 27– Wendy Gittinger 27– Lynne Hoffman 28– Mark Heffernan

Prayers: Anita needs prayers (Joyce); Barb (anon); Angela, prayers for herself & family (web); Prayers for those saddened by loved ones who are gone (The Ski’s); Sharon & Gary prayers (Gerry); Prayers for Terry, Cliff, DixieLee (Lillian); Megan (Sandi/Mike)

Health Concerns: My friend Jacque (Jacki) breast cancer surgery on Friday @ Duke Med. Ctr. (Patty); Wife, Megan has cancer, I work in Woodbury & travel while she gets treatment in Houston (Andrew); Mike, young man had stroke on Xmas morning (Taylor); Prayers for Connie, very ill w/ cancer (Kathie); Jeanette, sinus infection (Barb J); Barbara in Our Lady of Lourdes (Sandi); Barry had a stroke & required brain surgery (Margaret); Michele starting chemo this week (Bev); Please pray for Bill who is suffering extreme anemia (Pat D.); Tom waiting for diagnosis (Molly); For Rose, she had a heart attack (Jackie); Prayers for my daughter Tracy in Inspira (Susan); For Sue & Mike - recurrence of cancer, Pray for Strength! (Taylor); Dave having a procedure Monday (Barb)

Every week: All those in need, unspoken requests, all servicemen/women, our nation and leaders.

Ongoing Prayer Concerns: Joyce N., Felicia A., Vanessa M., Garry & Peg P., Diane W., Samm S., Hope T., Gerry M., Barbara B., Chris S., Janet B., Terry D., Helen R., Corey T.

Serving in the Military: Daniel Domeraski, Rachel Rachuba, Gabby Townsley, Ed Schwebel, Joseph Bangle, Taylor Passero, Kailey Roller, Jaime Dan Solano, Brandon Howell, Chris Yard, Shaina Serrano, James T. Adams, Jr.

Shut-Ins & Nursing Home Residents Jean K., Jackie Z., Bertie C., Harriet H., Ron & Eve C., Betty C.

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JANUARY BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES

2 – Aleyna Rutter 4– David Bailey 4– Norm Branyan 4– Michelle Wright 7 – Jessica Loveland 7 – Trista Jones 10– Carly Dyal 10– Jacob Spellman 10– Kurt Toppin 1 1– Lillie Marie Gogolin 12– Kenny Domeraski 12– Madison Whipp 13– Dorothy & Roger Stockman 13– Joyce Nuneviller 14– Daniel Domeraski 15– Tara Kyser 16– Laurie Schwebel 17– Kim Gibson 17– Brandon Rutter 17– Diane & Joe Wonsetler 18– Elise Narcisi 19– Meghan Beidle 20– Matt Dechen 20– Nina Englett 21– Carl Whipp 24– Roger Stockman 24– Ashley Cuthbert 25– Dottie Davenport 25– Patty Fish 25– Jackson Merckx 26– Nadia Domeraski 27– Sean Thomas 28– Harriet Lawson 30– Kathleen Spellman 31– Logan Dugan 31– Judy Hulmes-Cochran 31– Brett Matlack

Staff Editor: Trista C Jones

Assistant Editor: Denise Hosier

Regular Contributors: Pastor Dave, Gary Rutter, Ruth Schultz,

Carol Strock, Sunday School

Production: Trista C Jones

The Lamplighter is published bimonthly, in Jan., March, May, July, Sept. & Nov. Deadline is the 15th of the month preceding publication. For more info

contact Trista C Jones or email admin@stpaulsthorofare.com.

THELAMPLIGHTER Bimonthly Newsletter of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church PO Box 125, West Deptford, NJ 08086 Pastor: Rev. Dave Delaney Phone (856) 845-6638 E-mail pastor@stpaulsthorofare.com Sunday Morning Worship .............. 9:30 a.m. Sunday School ................................... 10:45 a.m.

As people of faith, we really get ourselves all twisted up when we try to live for Jesus and the world. We often find ourselves positioned as I am in this photo … turned in many directions perhaps with our heads just buried to escape the pressure and challenge. So as we leave 2019 behind celebrating the growth in missions and growth in children’s ministry and growth in membership at St. Paul’s I want each of us to consider revival of our faith. I know that I am putting a plan in place to bring me back to where I need to be; I have opened up some of Pastor Lewis’ books in my office to read what the pastor of my youth read as part of his ministry. We are temporarily canceling the evening online Bible Study, frankly because most weeks no one from St. Paul’s participated in it. I am going to ask you to provide input into what type of online study fits with your lifestyle and then we will try to choose a time and day that works for the largest number of people. Our Tuesday morning study is being renamed REVIVAL and it will continue every Tuesday morning at 8 a.m. for

Lamplighter January/February 2020 3

The Lord Most High is the one who gives life to every heart, who gives life to the spirit!” —Isaiah 38:16 For the life of me, I do not know how I managed to get into the twisted position of being partially on my couch and partially off it while soundly asleep one afternoon. Of course the camera had to come out. Apparently I started in one position, moved to this one where I slept for more than a half hour and then while still asleep moved myself back up onto the couch. It should come as no surprise to anyone why I find it easy to sleep in a cardboard box each year for homeless young adults whom Covenant House serves. But as this new decade begins and 2019 fades into the distance I have been thinking about sleep and perhaps being out of position. It seems that in the world we live in frequently it is easier to put our faith requirements aside or to sleep rather than having to confront the world whose priorities more often than not are diametrically opposite of Jesus’ teachings. Most of us have friends or family members whose very mantra of life goes against even the basic tenets of the Gospels, and it’s so much easier to go along with them rather than suggesting that our choice for life’s walk is based on what God expects and through what Jesus taught. I have had people tell me … pastor, shh quiet down because you don’t want to offend those who cele-brate points of view that counter Scripture, and frankly, over the past months I have been too quiet and have cowered under the barrage of loud shouting anger.

30 minutes of Scripture, prayer and conversation using ZOOM. I hope that more of you will join in that time of coffee and faith. I am going to launch a sermon series indirectly related to Adam Hamilton’s book CREED. I think the Apostle’s Creed is a great starting place for a revival for our individual faith walk. I encourage you to purchase Adam’s book and St. Paul’s will be

purchasing copies. When you state “I believe” what exactly does that mean to you, how does that impact your life each day, and do you personally relate to the statement “I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth?” I am sure that 2020 is going to bring change in your life, in my life, and in the life of the church. I pray that we each listen to how God’s Holy Spirit is directing us towards a better relationship with the Holy that also makes us the people God intended us to be. 2019 has been a good year for St. Paul’s. We are literally reaching the world for Jesus Christ and as witnessed by the baptism in December, we are making new disci-ples for Christ through the ministries of our church! Happy New Year Church … welcome REVIVAL and let’s get to work living for God and Christ each day!

Blessings!

Pastor Dave

4 January/February 2020

Outreach

Happy New Year church family! I hope everyone had a blessed Christmas and will enjoy a prosperous new year ahead. Thank you for contributing to our Angel Wreath Ministry. Many local children were very happy. You are all a Blessing! Upcoming Mission Projects & Offerings

• January Our first Sunday offering

(Jan 5) will benefit Human Relations Sunday

On the third Sunday (Jan 19) the offering is for

Blanket Sunday Blanket Sunday is a mission that provides our neighbors experiencing poverty, displacement or disaster with warm blankets to comfort them in times of needs.

• February Our first Sunday offering

(Feb 2) is for St. Paul’s Food Pantry

Our third Sunday (Feb 16) will be supporting Family Promise

Family Promise is a special mission in which we provide shelter, food and a friendly place to be for homeless families a week at a time. As always, a heartfelt Thank You goes out for supporting all of our projects.

Ruth Schultz

But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into

Christ… –Ephesians 4:15 Are you a man? Do you enjoy fellowship? Do you like to eat breakfast? We have the group for you!! Our men enjoy getting together for a time of sharing food and thoughts. They meet twice a month to have breakfast and fel-lowship. All are invited to attend.

The schedule is as follows: • Third Wednesday of every month, 8:00 a.m., Country House Restaurant, 224 Delaware St., Thorofare. • First Saturday (September-June), 8:00 a.m., Piston’s Diner, 821 Crown Point Rd., Westville. Any questions, see Pastor Dave.

Pastor Dave

All Men Are Invited!

Lamplighter January/February 2020 5

Our Sunday School Bazaar in November was a huge success, earning about $4,000 to fund our Sunday School & Vacation Bible School programs. This is by far the greatest profit we’ve ever realized. Thanks especially to Bazaar Chair Mary Ann Jones, Sunday School Superin-tendent Elaine Luoma, and the dozens of St. Paul’s faithful who helped.

A new year is here and I am hoping that you are going to consider BIBLE STUDY as an essential part of your weekly faith walk. On Wednesdays we are continuing to examine EZEKIEL. You are welcome to jump right in even if you have missed the start of this book from the Prophets. We meet Wednesday’s at noon in Hickman Hall and also at 7pm in the Jay Jordan Room. (Our Wednesday evening study is also streamed live online using ZOOM so you don’t have to come to church to join the Bible study.) Tuesdays we are reducing our online studies to the morning for

now. Every Tuesday at 8am what will now be called REVIVAL BIBLE STUDY is a chance to examine a couple of Scripture passages, pray and have conversation while enjoying a cup of coffee at home. ZOOM is a free technology that works over every platform, includ-ing laptops, tablets, smartphones, and more. Sunday mornings after church we have a couple of adult Bible studies for you as well. The Anchor Class is for all ages and has been a main-stay here at ST. Paul’s for years! So join with friends and dig into God’s Word!

Pastor Dave

REVIVIAL Bible Study & YOU

Red Cross Blood Drive

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Red Cross Blood Drive will be held on Feb. 1st. The Red Cross’s supply of blood is fragile and in constant need of replacement. Donors are needed at our Blood Drive on Saturday, February 1 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Please help by making an appointment to come to St. Paul’s. Sign up online at redcrossblood.org or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS. Sponsor code is: St Pauls Thorofare. If you receive a call, please consider giving—your blood is desperately needed! Prior to the drive, eat iron-rich meals, get plenty of rest & drink extra water. You must show ID before donating blood, so be sure to have your driver’s license or other form of ID there.

CHRISTMAS CAROL SING in December filled the church! It was a lovely time of singing carols, hearing special music, and of

course doing Pastor Dave’s version of the Twelve Days of Christmas. We enjoyed ice cream sundaes afterwards.

Thanks so much to our men (ably assisted by Patty Fish) for organizing this annual event.

Worship Service of Ashes & Reflect ion

Wed., February 26

Location & Time TBD

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CHRISTMAS EVE was a beautiful time of worship

and candle lighting. Between our two services

we hosted over 200 people.

What a blessing!

OUR CHRISTMAS CAROL SING featured our own mother-daughter musical powerhouse duo, Denise & Molly Hosier. It was a complete success and a delight for the entire congregation. Both ladies showcased their musical talent and are a constant source of support for our church.

JAMMIES GALORE! We collected 8 boxes of PJs for Seeds of Hope in Camden during early December, almost 100 pairs! Jammies were

donated in all sizes/genders for ages newborn- 18 years. We also collected 6 boxes of used winter coats (children or adult) for Seeds of

Hope. Seeds of Hope served over 300 children this holiday season. Thank you to Chris and Charlie Taylor for their service to our church

and to Seeds of Hope.

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Our children have had a busy couple of months, with record numbers in

church each Sunday. They participated in our Carol

Sing and put on an awesome Christmas Pageant. Then they enjoyed a fun party with special guest Santa

Claus. All children are invit-ed to join us as Sunday

School resumes in January.