Saint Mark’s Lutheran Church 508 Harry Street | Conshohocken, PA 19428

stmarksconshy.org

Third Sunday in Lent March 4th, 2018

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Assisting with Worship Today:

Presiding Minister The Rev. Bryan Penman Director of Music Ministries Emily Ballentine Erb Pastoral Intern Vicar Lenny Duncan

Assisting Minister Sheldon Erb Communion Assistant Lara Hoffman Reader Charlotte Pakan Nursery Acolyte

Ruggiero Family Gavin Kriebel

Altar Guild Jen Ramsden Ushers Erin Orekar& Joanne Copestick Counters Rhea Moore & Matt Fiore Offering Recorder Nate Ramsden Fellowship Hour Altar Flowers

Ballentine-Erb Family Given by Ann Beatty in loving memory of her brother William Charles Holdsworth, Jr.

The Rev. Bryan Penman, Pastor

pastor@stmarksconshy.org | 540.287.3663

Kathy Pokalo, Council President

kpokalo@gmail.com | 610.420.2157

Saint Mark’s Lutheran Church 508 Harry St, Conshohocken, PA 19428

Church Office 610-828-0581, Fax 610-828-6659

Email: info@stmarksconshy.org

www.stmarksconshy.org

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Welcome to St. Mark’s,

we are so glad you are with us today!

No matter where you are on your spiritual journey, you have a place here. This is Christ’s Church. There is a place for you here. We are a church that shares a living and daring confidence in God’s grace. Liberated by our faith, we embrace you as a whole person - questions, complexities and all. Join us as we do God’s work in Christ’s name for the life of the world.

Children are always welcome to participate in worship. We invite all children to try to be in worship through the children’s sermon (about 20 minutes) and then invite the children, if they want, to head to the nursery, but we love to have the children with us through the whole worship service! To help our youngest worshipers, “Little Lutheran Activity Bags” are located in the rear of the sanctuary which have crayons and worship appropriate coloring pages. We offer a children’s bulletin that has puzzles and activities for little worshipers to work on during the service, and we offer a “Soft Space” for infants and toddlers to spread out a bit in during worship. Worshiping with children is important to us, and so we hope you find these things helpful so that you may worship together as a family.

Restrooms are located through the back left – exit the sanctuary, go up the stairs, through the first room to the end of the hallway. If you need assistance, please see the attendants (ushers) at the back of the sanctuary.

Cell phones and other electronic devices are welcome to be used to Post, Tweet and Instagram the Good News you hear today, but we kindly ask you to turn the sound off on them so that they do not cause a distraction to other worshipers.

Our team of ushers is available throughout the service to be of any assistance you might need. Assistive Listening devices are available. Please see an usher.

Are you new or visiting St. Mark’s? If you would like to receive more information about St. Mark’s, we have several methods where you can leave your information with us. At the entry ways to the sanctuary, you will find our guest books in which you can leave your name and contact information, or in the pews we have blue cards that you can fill and place in the offering plate, or if you like, you can sign our electronic guest book. We’d be delighted to keep you informed about the many events and opportunities here at St. Mark’s and hope you will join us again. For the electronic book, open your mobile device to the bar code scanner and take a picture of this square QR code; it will take you to our electronic guest book.

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Instructions Leader says We all say together

+ Gathering + The Holy Spirit gathers us together for worship

Introduction The third covenant in this year’s Lenten readings is the central one of Israel’s history: the gift of the law to those God freed from slavery. The ten commandments are one of the chief parts of Luther’s catechism, a core piece of baptismal instruction. They begin with the statement that because God alone has freed us from the powers that oppressed us, we are to let nothing else claim first place in our lives. When Jesus throws the merchants out of the temple, he is defending the worship of God alone and rejecting the ways commerce and profit-making can become our gods

Prelude Caithness; O Lamm Gottes setting by Mark Sedio

Invocation All may make the sign of the cross, the sign marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins. In the name of the Father,

and of the ☩ Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Confession

and

Forgiveness

During the season of Lent we are called to return to the Lord with all our heart. Let us confess our sin and seek reconciliation with God and neighbor.

Silence for reflection and self-examination. Merciful God, you sent Jesus Christ to save the lost. We confess that we have strayed from you and turned aside from your way. We fail in love, neglect justice, and ignore your truth. Have mercy on us and wash away our sin. Create in us clean hearts for the sake of Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen. Behold, now is the acceptable time; now is the day of salvation. Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

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Opening

Hymn ELW 727

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Apostolic

Greeting

The presiding minister and the assembly greet each other as we begin a time of prayer The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you.

Hymn of

Praise

During the season of Lent we will be practicing the peace during our hymn of praise. You will be invited to participate by our Music Director.

Prayer of

the Day

Holy God, through your Son you have called us to live faithfully and act courageously. Keep us steadfast in your covenant of grace, and teach us the wisdom that comes only through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. Assembly may be seated

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+ Word + God speaks to us in scripture, preaching, song and prayer

First Lesson Exodus 20:1-17

After escaping from slavery, the Israelites come to Mount Sinai, where God teaches them how to live in community. The ten commandments proclaim that God alone is worthy of worship. Flowing from God, the life of the community flourishes when based on honesty, trust, fidelity, and respect for life, family, and property. A reading from the book of Exodus,

1God spoke all these words: 2I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; 3you shall have no other gods before me. 4You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 5You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, punishing children for the iniquity of parents, to the third and the fourth generation of those who reject me, 6but showing steadfast love to the thousandth generation of those who love me and keep my commandments. 7You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not acquit anyone who misuses his name. 8Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy. 9Six days you shall labor and do all your work. 10But the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God; you shall not do any work—you, your son or your daughter, your male or female slave, your livestock, or the alien resident in your towns. 11For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but rested the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day and consecrated it. 12Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. 13You shall not murder. 14You shall not commit adultery. 15You shall not steal. 16You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. 17You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or male or female slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

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Psalmody Psalm 19

1The heavens declare the glo- | ry of God, and the sky proclaims its | maker’s handiwork. 2One day tells its tale | to another, and one night imparts knowledge | to another. 3Although they have no | words or language, and their voices | are not heard, 4their sound has gone out into all lands, and their message to the ends | of the world, where God has pitched a tent | for the sun. 5It comes forth like a bridegroom out | of his chamber; it rejoices like a champion to | run its course. 6It goes forth from the uttermost edge of the heavens and runs about to the end of | it again; nothing is hidden from its | burning heat. R 7The teaching of the Lord is perfect and re- | vives the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure and gives wisdom to | the simple. 8The statutes of the Lord are just and re- | joice the heart; the commandment of the Lord is clear and gives light | to the eyes. 9The fear of the Lord is clean and en- | dures forever; the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous | altogether. 10More to be desired are they than gold, more than | much fine gold, sweeter far than honey, than honey | in the comb. R 11By them also is your ser- | vant enlightened, and in keeping them there is | great reward. 12Who can detect one’s | own offenses? Cleanse me from my | secret faults.

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13Above all, keep your servant from presumptuous sins; let them not get dominion | over me; then shall I be whole and sound, and innocent of a | great offense. 14Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable | in your sight, O Lord, my strength and | my redeemer. R

Second

Lesson 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

The word of the cross is pure foolishness and nonsense to the world because it claims that God is mostly revealed in weakness, humiliation, and death. But through such divine foolishness and weakness, God is working to save us. The center of Paul’s preaching is Christ crucified. A reading from the 1st book of Corinthians, 18The message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” 20Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe. 22For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, 23but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength. The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Gospel

Acclamation

The assembly stands to welcome the Gospel

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Gospel

Reading John 2:13-22

Jesus attacks the commercialization of religion by driving merchants out of the temple. When challenged, he responds mysteriously, with the first prediction of his own death and resurrection. In the midst of a seemingly stable religious center, Jesus suggests that the center itself has changed. The Holy Gospel according to St. John Glory to you O Lord. 13The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. 15Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16He told those who were selling the doves, “Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!” 17His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” 18The Jews then said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?” 19Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 20The Jews then said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?” 21But he was speaking of the temple of his body. 22After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken. The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. The assembly may be seated.

Children’s

Sermon

Children are invited forward for a short lesson before the sermon. After the children’s sermon, the children are invited to return to their seats with their parents or leave to spend time in the nursery.

Sermon Rev. Bryan Penman

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Hymn of

the Day ELW 711

Apostles

Creed

Together let us confess our faith with the words of the Apostles Creed. I believe in God, the Father almighty,

creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.

He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell.* On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy catholic Church,

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the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body,

and the life everlasting. Amen

Prayers of

the People Prayers reflect the wideness of God’s mercy for the whole world.

The Assisting Minister invites us into prayer Renewed in the promises of baptism, let us pray for the church, the world, and all who are in need. Each portion of the prayers ends with:

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

The presiding minister concludes the prayers with these words: Trusting in your covenant of mercy, O God, we lift our prayers to you, through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.

For our friends and family: Jenny, Donnie, Nancy, Joan, Luella, Joanne, Don Dunn, Katie Gresh, Dottie Woodring, Jean Bradley, Ann Beatty, Linda, Jara, Cathy B., Edith, Bill Holdsworth, John Holdsworth, Jim, Chaney K, Jen, Carol, Michael McKendry, Dawn W. We give thanks for: Ann Beatty and the Accaviatti Family We remember and pray for those grieving this day: Schwartz Family, Sara P, Phil and Family.

+ Meal + God feeds us with the presence of Jesus Christ.

Offering An offering is gathered to support the mission of the church. Funds gathered today will help sustain our ministry efforts at St. Mark’s, support the wider national church and help those in need. You can also contribute electronically via our “Give+” giving app on your phone, available in the Apple Store and Google Play. This month we also take up a special collection to support the work of the Lutheran Settlement House of Philadelphia. In 1902, Lutheran Settlement House (LSH) was founded as part of the “Lutheran Social Mission Society of Philadelphia,” an urban ministry of the Lutheran Church in southeastern Pennsylvania. Lutheran Settlement House has, since its inception, served vulnerable children, adults, and families living in inner city Philadelphia, regardless of race or creed.

Offertory I Will Give My Heart to the Lord Faith Formation

by Mark Patterson

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Offertory

Canticle The assembly stands as the gifts and offerings are brought forward

Offertory

Prayer

Merciful God, receive the sacrifice of our praise and thanksgiving and the offering of our lives, that following in the way of the cross, we may know the joy of the resurrection; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Great

Thanksgiving

Dialogue

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Proper Preface

Sanctus

Words of Institution

The Presiding Minister continues: It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places offer thanks . . . We praise your name and join their unending hymn:

Holy God, mighty Lord, gracious Father: Endless is your mercy and eternal your reign. You have filled all creation with light and life; heaven and earth are full of your glory. We praise you for the grace shown to your people in every age: the promise to Israel, the rescue from Egypt, the gift of the promised land, the words of the prophets; and, at this end of all the ages, the gift of your Son, who proclaimed the good news in word and deed and was obedient to your will, even to giving his life. In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me. Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood,

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shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me. For as often as we eat of this bread and drink from this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. Therefore, O God, with this bread and cup we remember the life our Lord offered for us. And, believing the witness of his resurrection, we await his coming in power to share with us the great and promised feast. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. Send now, we pray, your Holy Spirit, that we who share in Christ’s body and blood may live to the praise of your glory and receive our inheritance with all your saints in light. Amen. Come, Holy Spirit. Join our prayers with those of your servants of every time and every place, and unite them with the ceaseless petitions of our great high priest until he comes as victorious Lord of all. Through him, with him, in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, almighty Father, now and forever. Amen.

Lord’s Prayer

Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit we are bold to pray in the words our Savior taught us, Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses,

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as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

The Assembly may be seated.

Invitation to

Communion

Here at St. Mark’s we invite all people to the Lord’s Table no matter where you are on your faith journey. This is Christ present for you – freely offered in bread and wine – all are welcome to commune. Return to God with all your heart. Receive bread for the journey, drink for the desert. The bread may be broken for the communion

Lamb of God

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Distribution of

Communion

Today we will receive communion around the altar rail. At the direction of the usher you are invited forward to receive communion. We invite our young ones and families heading off to faith formation to the Altar Rail first, followed by the rest of the assembly.

When giving the bread and cup, the communion ministers say: The body of Christ, given for you. The blood of Christ, shed for you. and each person may respond -- Amen.

When you have finished communing you are invited to return to your seat by the side aisle and join in singing the communion hymns printed in the bulletin.

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Communion

Hymn ELW 793

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Communion

Hymn ELW637

Post

Communion

Blessing

The assembly stands May the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace. Amen.

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Post Communion

Canticle

Post

Communion

Prayer

Compassionate God, you have fed us with the bread of heaven. Sustain us in our Lenten pilgrimage: may our fasting be hunger for justice, our alms, a making of peace, and our prayer, the song of grateful hearts; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ Sending + The Spirit sends us into the world to serve

Blessing May God who has called us forth from the dust of the earth, and named us beloved, strengthen you on your journey into life renewed. The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord’s face shine upon you with grace and mercy. The Lord look upon you with favor

and give you ☩ peace. Amen.

Announcements Ways for you to be sent to do God’s work this week with your hands. Announcements are made behalf of the community.

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Closing

Hymn ELW 772

Dismissal Marked with the cross of Christ, go forth to love and serve the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Postlude Erhalt uns, Herr setting by Edwin Childs

From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2018 Augsburg Fortress.

All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #46440.

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989,

Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.

Used by permission. All rights reserved

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Faith Formation Ministry Announcements: Ways you can develop your faith life, learn about God and develop as disciples

Adult Faith Formation and Lenten Study Jesus said, “I am bread, light, door, good shepherd, resurrection and life and true vine.” But how could he be all those things at once?! Join us as we explore the “I AM…” statements of the gospel stories as we get to know Jesus a little better, and build some more great Christian community with your St. Mark’s family. This Lent we will be exploring together the devotional, “You Are the Way” (about Jesus’s I Am teachings). Each Sunday, starting Feb 18, we will share a week in review (the devotionals start on Ash Wed) and a look ahead. Each of the Sunday Sessions will be led by David Penman (the pastor’s dad, a retired pastor himself and future member of St. Mark’s) plans to sit in and is very excited about this opportunity to grow in faith and love toward one another. SEE YOU THERE! (Printed materials will be provided, individuals may purchase their own eBook editions if desired.)

Worship Ministry Announcements: Learn about worship opportunities here at St. Mark’s

Join us for Holy Week Make plans to join us as we tell the story central to our faith of Christ’s passage from death to resurrection. Palm Sunday Worship @ 9:30am

Maundy Thursday Dinner @ 6pm Worship @7pm

Good Friday Worship @7pm

Easter Sunday Worship @ 9:30am

Service Ministry Announcements: Learn about ways you can do God’s work with our hands

Special Collection Envelope: Lutheran Settlement House In 1902, Lutheran Settlement House (LSH) was founded as part of the “Lutheran Social Mission Society of Philadelphia,” an urban ministry of the Lutheran Church in southeastern Pennsylvania. Lutheran Settlement House has, since its inception, served vulnerable children, adults, and families living in inner city Philadelphia, regardless of race or creed. As part of the evolution of the settlement movement in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Lutheran Settlement House has remained in its lower Kensington neighborhood since the turn of the century.

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Volunteer or donate to support the Conshohocken Library

Homework Stars! tutoring program. The tutoring program is continuing to grow- we had 11 kids this week! Weds from 5:45-7pm. Thanks to those who have volunteered or donated prizes. We need more volunteers to tutor or play educational games with kids who finish early! If you’ve been on the fence, now is the time to come out and join us.

Kids supporting Habitat For Humanity Build During Lent our kids are collecting funds to support the Habitat For Humanity build house in Bridgeport this summer. Our goal is to collect $1,000 by Easter. There will be more ways that our congregation will be participating in this build in the coming months, so look for more ways you can help build the kin-dom by supporting our neighbors!

Evangelism / Fellowship Ministry Announcements: Learn about ways that you can help spread the “Good News”

Easter Egg Industry - 100th Year Reminder this is the week to get your orders in!! A reminder that pick up times are the same times as production and are listed below: Ways you can help: Monday Evenings 6pm – 8pm: Volunteers are needed to help roll / cut fondant centers. We are in special need of folks who can volunteer from 5pm – 7pm in the kitchen to assist with making the candy batches. Wednesday Evenings 6pm – 8pm: Volunteers are needed to help coat the candies in dark chocolate, each candy is hand coated so we need lots of hands to help coat the candies! Friday Mornings 9am – 11am: Packers are needed to help pack and weight the candies in boxes.

Pre-School Feasibility Congregational Meeting Following worship today we will hold a congregational meeting to update the congregation on the status of our Nursery School task force. At this meeting we will be outlining several scenarios for funding this project going forward as well as why we have discerned this is a worthwhile project for the congregation. Your attendance and input moving forward is warmly welcomed as we continue to grow this expanding community of faith. We will be holding a follow up congregational meeting on March 18th to vote on how and if we should move forward with this project.

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This Week @ St. Mark’s: Monday

Office Hours 2pm – 8pm 6pm – Easter Egg Industry – Fondant

6am - Meals on Wheels

7pm – Boy Scouts

Tuesday

Office Hours 10am-2pm 7pm – Worship and Music Mtg

6am – Meals on Wheels

7pm – Cub Scouts

Wednesday

Office Closed

5:45pm – Homework Stars

6pm Easter Egg Industry – Chocolate

6am – Meals on Wheels

Thursday

Office Hours 2pm-8pm

6pm – Dinner Church

7pm – Choir

7:45pm – Bell Choir

6am – Meals on Wheels

Friday

Office Hours 10am-2pm 9am – Easter Egg Industry – Packing

6am – Meals on Wheels

6:30pm – AA / Al-Anon

Saturday 10:30am – Grey Sheeters Group

7pm – AA Group Anniversary

Sunday

9:30am – Worship Service

10:15am – Faith Formation

10:30am – Fellowship Hour

7pm – Venture Crew

Assisting with Worship Next Sunday:

Assisting Minister Ava Ruggerio Numbers 21:4-9

The lifting up of the serpent Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22 You deliver your people from their distress. (Ps. 107:19) Ephesians 2:1-10 Saved by grace through faith for good works John 3:14-21 The lifting up of the Son of Man

Communion Assistant

Lauren Parkin

Reader Joe Dryburgh

Nursery Ramsden Family

Acolyte Theodora Morley

Altar Guild Erin Orekar

Ushers Joe Dryburgh & Bill Portzer

Counters Susan Dryburgh & Susan Jacovino

Offering Recorder Pam Keebler

Fellowship Hour Hoffman Family