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St. Paul’s Lutheran Church 215 N. Warren St. Orwigsburg, PA 17961 570-366-2316 Fax 570-366-7357

Christmas Eve at St. Paul’s

5:00 PM - Family Service

Carols for Children and Youth

Blessing of the Crèche

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

9:00 PM

Carols and the Sacrament of Holy Communion

Traditional Candlelight Service

11:00 PM

Traditional Candlelight Service

The Choir’s proclamation and the Bells of Christmas

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

Christmas Day Sunday, December 25, 2016

10:00 AM

HOLLY TRAIL

St Paul's will be open for the Annual Holly Trail in Orwigsburg on

Saturday December 3 from Noon until 4:00 PM.

(Tickets are required from Noon until 4 PM.)

"Come and See" our newly decorated sanctuary.

Join us for "Holden Evening Prayer"

Saturday, December 3 4:00 - 4:30 PM.

Going to the Tree Lighting? Start your evening at St. Paul’s.

Rev. Lee A. Diefenderfer, Pastor 610-858-4136

1295 Red Dale Road

Orwigsburg, Pa 17961

Justin McClure, Organist/Choir Director 570-573-4076

Office Support Staff 570-366-2316 justin@stpauls-orwigsburg.org

Karen Travor, Treasurer 570-366-8757 stpaulstreasurer@comcast.net

Cody Wertman, Sexton 570-366-1520

Samantha Clarke, Financial Secretary 215-617-2024

WORSHIP

Saturday - 5:30 PM

Sunday – 8 & 10:30 AM

St. Paul’s News December 2016

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Second Annual Congregational Meeting

-Election of Church Council Members

-Adoption of the Budget

-Adoption of an investment program for restricted

and unrestricted endowment funds

December 4, 2016

Following 10:30 AM Worship

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A Candlelight Christmas Concert

Featuring St. Paul’s Chancel and Bell Choirs

Join us as we journey from earthly darkness to the

radiant light of the Christ Child. The evening will

lead us from the darkness of creation when God

said, “Let there be light!” to the brilliant mystery of

the Incarnation found in the gospel of John, “The

light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not

overcome it.”

Sunday, December 11

6:00PM

Join us for refreshments and fellowship following

the concert.

There is a sign-up sheet for refreshments in the

gathering room.

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Christmas Caroling

Please join us as we go Christmas caroling on

Friday, December 16th at 7:00 PM.

We will meet in the gathering room at 6:30 for a

quick warm up and go out to the local

community.

Bring a snack to share and a friend to join in the

singing! Hot chocolate will be provided.

Look for a sign-up sheet in the gathering room.

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New Year’s Day

The First Sunday after Christmas

One service at 10:00 AM

WOMEN OF THE ELCA

St. Paul’s Women of the ELCA will hold its

annual Christmas Luncheon at the Inn of

Orwigsburg on Tuesday, December 13 at

12:00 Noon. Please see the sign-up sheet in the

gathering room. The deadline to sign up is

12/4/16. Cost of meal is at your own expense.

An in-gathering offering will be received and

given to St. Paul’s Youth Gathering Team:

Houston 2018.

We are still seeking a person/persons interested

in representing St. Paul’s at the 10th Triennial

Gathering of the WELCA in St. Paul, MN from

July 13 - 16, 2017. An informational booklet for

this is available in the gathering room or at the

website: welcat.org.

5th Annual Cookie Exchange Sunday, December 4

2:00 – 4:00 PM

Reidler Hall

Sign-up sheet in the gathering room.

Deadline to sign up: 11/27/16.

Questions? See Gwen Wehr, Danielle Richards, or

Robin Zimmerman.

*** Two Mystery Bakers are available to bake

for any woman who would like to attend but

can’t find time, energy, or opportunity during

this holy and hectic time. Sign up for a mystery

baker. We’d love to help you “do it all.”

Join WELCA as we sponsor a Christmas Card

Blizzard for Schuylkill county service members

serving stateside or overseas. Go to the gathering

table and take a list of men and women who

would love to receive a Christmas card from

you! Please mention St. Paul’s in your Holiday

Message. Let’s make it snow cards!

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We are so excited to see the Angel Tree

arrive during the Thanksgiving weekend!

This year, the Orwigsburg Food Pantry gave

us the names of 11 local youth who might

need a little extra help during the Christmas

season. The food pantry asks that we spend

approximately $30 per child. We like to

break that into 2 gifts per child; one a

needed item and one a fun item/toy. We

also decided to add a filled Christmas

stocking for each child. The Sunday school

classes will wrap the presents on Dec. 11th

Angel Tree Guidelines • Each gift should cost around $15

• Return the UNWRAPPED gift by 9:00AM on

Sunday, Dec. 11th, a drop-off bin will be

located near the tree.

• Return the Angel Tree tag with the gift

• Return the filled Christmas stockings (with

the name tag) by Dec. 11th, using the

same bin.

All stockings have a tag stating the child’s

age and gender. Please fill the stocking

with age-appropriate toiletries like

deodorant, perfume/cologne, toothpaste &

brush, candy, chap stick, makeup,

brushes/combs, hair accessories, candy,

etc.

*** Our supply of stockings is running low, so

please consider picking up a few when they

go on clearance after Christmas. The Dollar

stores have very cool designs and that’s

usually where we get them. Thank you all

for your continued generosity and support

of our Sunday School classes!

Confirmation Classes

December 4

5:30 – 7:00 PM

Article II

Jesus the Lord

December 18

5:30 – 7:00 PM

The Birth of Christ

ALL Sunday School students are invited to

this Confirmation Class.

Study the Birth of Christ,

have some fun playing a game or two,

work on a project, and

have supper together. (High Schoolers and Elementary Students as well.)

SUNDAY SCHOOL

Sundays at 9:15 AM in the Gathering Room.

Justin is getting the children ready for Christmas

Eve. If your child would like to ring Handbells for

the 5:00 PM family service, please see that he/she

gets to Sunday school at 9:15 AM for the next few

weeks.

Adult Sunday School

“Honoring Our Neighbors’ Faith”

A study of Christian Denominations and

Non-Christian Traditions.

9:15 AM in the Parlor.

Drop in the Adult Sunday School Class and enjoy a

lively discussion on our Neighbors’ Faiths and

Traditions. On December 18, members will share a

fond Christmas, childhood memory. Bring a photo,

memento, or be prepared to share a family Christmas

tradition.

December 4: Islam

December 11: Salvation Army

December 18: Christmas Memories

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A Very Special Day Arrives

for Three Young People

Nora Mae Goessel

Emily June Heydt

Hunter Russell Teter

These three young people will receive the

Sacrament of Holy Communion for the first time,

on

Sunday, December 4 at 10:30 AM.

Nora, Emily, and Hunter have experienced the very

special meaning of “remember.” They have

discovered the comparison of the action words in

four different biblical passages that institute and

command the Sacrament. They have tasted the

foods and heard the story of the Passover Meal

which Christ ultimately used to establish the

Sacrament the night he was betrayed. They have

learned that Communion is as simple as trusting in

God as they trust their parents to receive what God

promises. We congratulate them on this special day!

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Church Council Notes

1. Three first Communion candidates were

approved to receive the Sacrament of Holy

Communion.

2. Worship for Christmas Day and New Year’s Day

was proposed and approved: one service each day

at 10:00 AM,

3. Property Committee reported on their homework

with sidewalks and the parking lot.

4. After a special Church Council meeting when

four financial advisors presented as candidates for

St. Paul’s restricted and unrestricted endowment

funds, a recommendation was received and

approved for the December 4, 2016

congregational meeting.

5. The tenants of our parsonage gave notice that

they are moving. We have found a new tenant.

On All Saints’ Sunday we remembered all people

who died over the course of the past year. We lost

people who were dearly loved and who contributed

heartily in many different ways over the course of

extended time. We mourn their loss and we

commend them to Almighty God’s keeping. We

read their names, rang a toll for their lives, and lit a

candle in their memory. We share their names with

you.

CORRINNE S. SHOENER – December 15, 2015

RICHARD S. FREY – February 16, 2016

JANE EISENHUTH – March 8, 2016

ARTHUR O. BENSINGER – May 15, 2016

GEORGE W. EISENHUTH – May 25, 2016

ELVA W. SNYDER – July 20, 2016

JOSEPHINE N. ROHRER – July 23, 2016

JEAN LETCHER – July 26, 2016

JULIA MEISNER – August 5, 2016

Rest eternal grant them, O Lord, and let

perpetual light shine upon them. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

2017 OFFERING ENVELOPES

You will receive your offering envelopes in the

mail.

Every other month two months’ worth of

envelopes for the upcoming period will arrive.

By the end of the year you will have received six

packets.

If you misplace your envelope box you won’t be

without envelopes for a whole year. The program

encourages the regular consideration of faithful

stewardship. People who give electronically will

still receive them in case there might be an

additional opportunity or an additional seasonal gift

that you may wish to share. Once again, giving is all

about thankfulness and how we respond as people

who are grateful for what God provides for us.

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Check out our New Website

www.Stpauls-orwigsburg.org

Our new website is still under construction and

there are many more things still to come!

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DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS

1. Mel Letcher, Mary Ellen Hering

2. Kimberly Haney

4. Timothy Seigfried, Melissa Seigfried, Landon

Stover

5. Josh Clarke

6. Michael Murphy

7. George Smith

8. Nevin Zehner, Mallorie Dukmen

9. Hope Clarke

10. Travis Moyer

11. Gloria Stine, Crawford Leibold

12. Sandy Ludwig, Jared Sterner, Marcus Shin

13. Kendra Wertman

15. Shane Kokitus, Jordan Post

18. Karen Travor

19. Sandra Mertz, Lewis Sims

22. Danielle Richards, Amber Eisenacher, Haley

Rymarkiewicz

24. Betty Deibert, Brandon Miller

26. Fern Moyer

27. Krysta Seigfried, Diane Brobst

28. Sharon Thomas, Lauren Sterner

30. Cody Wertman, Marisa Auteri,

Liz Lamm, Samantha Schuld

31. Wendy Schuld, Sean & Ryan Brueninghaus

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DECEMBER ANNIVERSARIES

4. Steven & Sharon Thomas

6. Dave & Gail Wolfe

12. Leroy & Debra Maurer

18. Richard & Rose Rarick, Paul & Heidi Glenn

21. Earl & Sue Fuller

23. Mr. & Mrs. Garry Young

DECEMBER FLOWER SPONSORS

December 4

In honor of Hope Clarke by Joshua and Samantha

Clarke.

In honor and memory of loved ones by Skip Taylor.

December 11

In memory of our great-grandparents, Guy and

Frances Lengel, by Brett and Lexius Lengel

December 18

In memory of Harry Lafko by his family.

In honor and memory of loved ones by Skip Taylor.

December 24

In honor of my father, Stanley Puwalski, and in

memory of my mother, Dolores Puwalski, by

Maryann Cunningham.

In honor of the people of St. Paul’s by Maryann

Cunningham.

December 25

In memory of John S. Riegel, Jr. by his family

In memory of Florence and Richard Teets’

Anniversary (Dec. 30th)

DECEMBER BULLETIN SPONSORS

December 4

In memory of my sister, Kirsten Vidzicki, by Robin

Zimmerman.

December 11

In memory of Duke Schenck by Sue, Kurt, and Juli

Schenck.

December 18

In memory of Dick Teets by Cindy and Jeff Ritschel.

December 24

In honor of Kristen and Rusty Cunningham by

Maryann Cunningham.

December 25

In honor of Deborah, Bill, Sandra, Fern, and their

families by Fern Moyer.

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The Service Ministry Committee would like to thank everyone who supported our Annual Church Bazaar

on October 3, 2016. It starts by your commitment to donate in so many different capacities. We truly

appreciate your time spent planning, buying, preparing, and cooking. Without your donations of food, candy,

desserts, and baskets for the Chinese Auction our committee simply wouldn’t be able to provide the Annual

Church Bazaar as our main fundraiser. Thank you again for being a vendor, cook, baker, or customer, and we

hope you’ll continue to volunteer in the future. Don’t forget to save the date, October 7, 2017, because we

always look forward to seeing you at St. Paul’s Annual Bazaar!

WHAT ARE CHRISMONS?

Chrismons are Christian monograms used as signs of our Christian faith. The word

Chrismon is a contraction for “Christ monograms”. Chrismons were first developed by

Frances Kipps Spencer at Ascension Lutheran Church in Danville, Virginia in 1957. She was

looking for appropriate ornaments for a worship setting.

Here at St. Paul’s, our first Chrismons were made from Styrofoam with gold trim like the

ones made by Frances K. Spencer. In June of 1998, it was suggested that new Chrismons

be made to replace the well-used Styrofoam ones. Many congregation members

volunteered to make the “counted thread” ornaments that we use today. Over 300

Chrismons were hand stitched using 24 different symbols in two sizes and framed in gold.

The Christian monograms used here at St. Paul’s are: fish, manger, Alpha and

Omega, grapes, butterfly, lyre, anchor cross, Calvary cross, Latin cross, Jerusalem cross,

Chi Rho, cross and crown, circle and triangle, scroll, triangle, Celtic cross, shell, HIS,

descending dove, ark and rainbow, crown of thorns, Creator’s star, lamp, and cross

crossiet.

Look around St. Paul’s sanctuary during the Christmas Season and find these wonderful

symbols of our faith.

Article by Barbara Lafko.

MERRY CHISTMAS

and

A HAPPY AND BLESSED NEW YEAR

from St. Paul’s!

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2017 BULLETIN AND FLOWER CHARTS

The 2017 bulletin and flower sponsorship charts will be appearing in December. Check the bulletin board in the

gathering room to sign up. Please remember to place your check or money in an envelope (we have some

available for you to use) with your name, date of sponsorship, type of sponsorship, and how you would like the

sponsorship to read. Please place all envelopes in the plate that is provided.

Altar Flowers - $25

Chancel Flowers - $23

Bulletins - $15

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POINSETTIA ORDERS

The Worship and Music Committee reports that poinsettias for Christmas Eve will again be

ordered from Blue Mountain Farms, New Ringgold.

The cost of an 8+ bloom plant with a silver pot cover is $8.

You may purchase these flowers and dedicate them “in honor of” or “in memory of” a special

person in your life. If you choose not to dedicate the flowers, you will be listed as a sponsor.

The deadline to order is December 11. Please use the form below and return it, with payment,

to the plate in the gathering room.

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YOUR NAME____________________________________________

I would like to order _____white poinsettia(s)

______red poinsettia(s)

at $8.00 each. I wish to dedicate my flowers(s) in honor/memory of:

(Circle one)

H/M_________________________________________________________________________________

H/M_________________________________________________________________________________

H/M_________________________________________________________________________________

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DECEMBER 2016 SERVICE SCHEDULE Communion Assistant- Saturday, December 10: Beth Post If you are unable to serve as communion assistant, please leave a message for the Pastor (610-858-4136). Thank you.

8:00 AM December 4 December 11 December 18 December 25

LECTOR Becky Herb Ron Rozansky Courtney Dukmen

COMMUNION ASST.

Kay Weidensaul

Gail Rarick Ruth Ann Withers

One Service at 10:00 AM

USHERS Mark & Becky

Herb Nevin Zehner & Barb Lafko

Dukmen Family

ALTAR GUILD

Chris Long & Tina Butler

Cindy Ritschel & Glenda Bright

Cindy Ritschel & Glenda Bright

Jean Premich & Joyce O’Rourke

GREETER Kay Weidensaul Kay Weidensaul Kay Weidensaul

COUNTERS

Sarah Kramer, Tom & Gwen

Wehr

Rosalie Wingle, Marlene Eidam, &

Mary Ellen Hering

Joyce O’Rourke, Gloria

Dierwechter, & Dana Jenkins

Connie Teter, Jean Premich, & Barb

Sterner

10:30 AM December 4 December 11 December 18 December 25

LECTOR Julianne Schenck

Kathy Miller Samantha Clarke

Jeff Ritschel

COMMUNION

ASST.

Connie Teter Jim Spotts Doug Travor

Acolyte Danika Bolinsky

Austin Heydt Trisha Teter

Crucifer Victoria Wagner

Emily Heydt Nora Goessel

USHERS Jean Premich

& Faith Wertman

Bob & Wendy Schuld

Samantha Clarke & Becky

Wehr

GREETERS Jerry Goessel & Brian Miller

Jerry Goessel & Barb Sterner

Jerry Goessel & Mary Ellen

Hering

Jerry Goessel

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SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT

1

Bell Choir

7:00 PM

2 3 Holly Trail

12 – 4 PM

Holden Evening

Prayer – 4:00 PM

4 Worship

8 & 10:30 AM

Sunday School

9:15 AM

Congregational Meeting

11:15 AM

Cookie Exchange

2 – 4 PM

Confirmation Class

5:30 PM

5

Daycare Team

6:00 PM

6

Chancel Choir

7:00 PM

7

Chancel Choir

7:00 PM

8

Bell Choir

7:00 PM

9

10

Worship 5:30 PM

11

Worship

8 & 10:30 AM

Sunday School

9:15 AM Christmas Concert

6:00 PM

12

Council

7:00 PM

13

WELCA Luncheon

1:00 PM

14

Chancel Choir

7:00 PM

15

Bell Choir

7:00 PM

16

Christmas

Caroling

6:30 PM

17

Worship 5:30 PM

18

Worship

8 & 10:30 AM

Sunday School

9:15 AM

Confirmation Class

5:30 PM

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20

21

Chancel Choir

7:00 PM

22

Bell Choir

7:00 PM

23

24

Christmas Eve

Worship

5:00 PM

9:00 PM

11:00 PM

25

Christmas Day

Worship

10:00 AM

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27

28

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December 2016

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DECEMBER 2016

ST. PAUL’S LUTHERAN CHURCH

PO BOX 156

ORWIGSBURG, PA 17961

Upcoming Events

December 3 – Holly Trail from Noon to 4:00 PM

– Holden Evening Prayer at 4:00 PM (In place of 5:30 PM worship.)

December 4 – Congregational Meeting after 10:30 AM Worship

- Cookie Exchange from 2:00 – 4:00 PM

December 11 – Candlelight Christmas Concert at 6:00 PM

December 13 – Annual WELCA Luncheon at 12:00 Noon

December 16 – Christmas Caroling at 6:30 PM

December 18 - Christmas Class for all school aged children from 5:30 – 7:00 PM

December 24 – Christmas Eve Worship at 5 PM, 9PM, and 11PM

December 25 – Christmas Day Worship at 10:00 AM

Non-Profit Org.

U.S. Postage Paid

Pottsville, PA

17901

PERMIT NO. 52

Pottsville, Pa

17901

PERMIT NO. 52