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St. Paul’s Lutheran Church 215 N. Warren St. Orwigsburg, PA 17961 570-366-2316 Fax 570-366-7357 www.stpauls-orwigsburg.org
AD▪VENT {ad-vent} noun; from Latin: “to come, arrive”
-the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event.
-the coming of Christ at the incarnation.
Advent begins!
Join us for worship on the weekend of December 2nd
and 3rd as we begin a new liturgical church year with
the first Sunday of Advent. We will begin lighting
the candles on the Advent Wreath as we await the
coming of the promised Messiah.
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Weekend of December 23 and 24
No 5:30 PM or 8:00 AM Worship
One morning service on Sunday Dec. 24 at
10:30 AM
Christmas Eve at St. Paul’s
5:00 PM - Family Service
Traditional Candlelight Service
Blessing of the Crèche
The Sacrament of Holy Communion
9:00 PM
Traditional Candlelight Service
Carols and the Sacrament of Holy Communion
11:00 PM
Traditional Candlelight Service
The Choir’s proclamation and the Bells of Christmas
The Sacrament of Holy Communion
Rev. Kathy Ash-Flashner 570-977-4189
Emergency Contact Pastor
St. Paul’s, Summer Hill, PA
Justin McClure, Organist/Choir Director 570-573-4076
Office Support Staff 570-366-2316 [email protected]
Karen Travor, Treasurer 570-366-8757 [email protected]
Wayne Lutsey, Financial Secretary 570-366-8766
Tracey Barnes, Sexton 570-366-2316
Jessica Swick, Social Media Manager 936-648-6809 [email protected]
WORSHIP
Saturday - 5:30 PM
Sunday – 8:00 & 10:30 AM
St. Paul’s News December 2017
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SUNDAY SCHOOL – Sundays at 9:15 AM
Substitute Sunday school teachers are needed.
Please see the sign-up sheet in the narthex. Class
lessons and other materials are provided.
There will be NO Sunday School classes on Dec.
24th and Dec. 31st.
Classes will resume on Jan. 7th, 2018.
The Christian Education committee has some
exciting things in the works for 2018—stay tuned!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL
Sundays at 9:15 AM in the parlor.
We invite you to continue the Reformation 500
Journey and join in the lively discussions each
Sunday morning at 9:15 in the parlor. Our discussions
will include use of the book, By Heart, Conversations
with Martin Luther’s Small Catechism.
Join us!
ANGEL TREE
The Angel Tree arrived on Sunday, Nov. 26th and
displayed the names of local youth in need of a little
Christmas cheer. Each child will get two gifts and
one stocking. If you're helping, kindly return the
UNWRAPPED gift and tag by 9:00 AM on Dec.
10th. Please fill the stocking (name attached) with
age-appropriate candies, toys, toiletries, etc. Our
Sunday school kids will wrap the gifts that day—it's
one of our favorite days of the year!
YOUTH GATHERING NEWS
The Youth Gathering Houston 2018 trip is only
seven months away, and we are excited to be pre-
registered and looking at flights, hotels, and sight-
seeing opportunities.
Recently our annual bingo made $4,100! We also
held two dine-out nights at local restaurants and
earned $500 for the trip. We appreciate our St.
Paul's family supporting us in our fundraising
efforts! THANK YOU!
Our next fundraiser is February lottery calendar that
uses the daily number drawn at 7:00 PM. Each card
has two numbers printed on it; if one of your
numbers is the Pick 3 number for the day, you win!
Tickets are $10 and can be bought from any Youth
Gathering member. We think these will make great
stocking stuffers! 😊
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
WOMEN OF THE ELCA
Women of the ELCA will have a Christmas
Luncheon at the Oak Hill Inn on Tuesday,
December 12, 2017 at 12 noon. All women of St.
Paul’s are welcome and encouraged to attend and
enjoy the fellowship. The program will be “The
Golden Glow of Christmas Past,” presented by
Kathy Dewald. A sign-up sheet has been placed
in the gathering room with menu choices and
cost. The deadline to sign up is December 6. An
“In-gathering” offering will be accepted that day.
By vote at the November meeting, the
Orwigsburg Food Pantry will receive this money
so that they may set up a Secret Santa Shop for
the children who visit them. If transportation to
the luncheon is needed, the coordinators will be
glad to provide a ride.
ALTAR GUILD
Altar Guild is looking for a new member! If you
are interested, please speak to any Altar Guild
member. Rest assured that we’ll help you!!!
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Click. Like. Share. Social Media Ministry Monthly News
Jessica Swick
936-648-6809 (cell)
In November we continued to be active
online with the Facebook Page and are up
to 169 likes. I’m excited to see that “200
likes” is on the horizon. Keep spreading the
Come and See message by inviting people
to our events by sharing the information with
your friends. Soon there will be FB events
created for our Christmas Concert and
Christmas Eve Services. Thank you for
continuing to share all of the exciting things
that are happening at St. Paul’s!
December can be such a hectic time of
year, but it can also be a wonderful time for
reflection, remembrance, and even
renewal, as we prepare for the birth of our
Savior, Jesus Christ. For the penitential
season of Advent, I will be posting a weekly
prayer on our Facebook Page to help us in
our time of preparation. Look for that every
Sunday evening and give it a like and
share.
Have a great month and remember to
CLICK, LIKE, and SHARE.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Blood Pressure Screening
The Service Ministry Committee is sponsoring free
blood pressure screening on the first
Saturday/Sunday of each month.
Screenings for December are Saturday, 2
December, after 5:30 PM worship and Sunday, 3
December, following 8 & 10:30 AM worship.
Annual Christmas Concert
Featuring St. Paul’s Chancel and Bell Choirs and
Instrumentalists.
Sunday, December 17
4:00PM
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Flowers and Bulletins Reminder
Since several checks for flower and bulletins have
gone astray in the past, we ask you to remember to
put these payments in an envelope marked with
your name and the date of the dedication and put it
the plate under the charts. If you’re mailing your
check, please mark it to Sue Schenck’s
attention. This will save her having to ask our
treasurer Karen if you’ve paid. Thanks for your
help.
For 2018, we’re changing the procedure for flower
and bulletin dedications. Justin has found that this
method works well, so we’re preparing a notebook
with three pages, Altar Flowers, Bulletins, and
Chancel flowers, for each month. There will be
plenty of space for dedications, and the notebook
will be bright green! Even if you pay at the time of
your dedication, please don’t mark yourself
paid. When Sue receives your check through the
plate as mentioned above, she records it on her
computer and will then mark you paid in the book
and initial it. That way, if you ever find that you
don’t see her initials the next time you look in the
book, and you have paid, you can let us
know. We’ll track down your payment and this will
be a double check for us. Thanks in advance for
your cooperation as we try this new method!
*Reminder
Justin would also like to ask everyone to remember
that Altar Flowers take priority. Please don’t order
a Chancel Basket until someone has ordered Altar
Flowers. Again, our thanks for your help.
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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. 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. 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
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 3
In memory of husband, George, by Marion Foose.
December 10
In memory of our grandparents, George and Frieda
Sommers, by James and John Lengel and families.
In memory of Margaret and Frances Piacine by
daughter, Danielle Richards.
December 17
In honor of Jordan Post’s 19th birthday by his family.
In memory of Robert Faust’s birthday by the Elser
family.
December 24
OPEN
December 31
OPEN
In memory of husband, Gary, by Gloria Dierwechter.
DECEMBER BULLETIN SPONSORS
December 3
OPEN
December 10
In memory of Clark “Duke” Schenck by Sue, Kurt,
& Juli.
December 17
In memory of Harry Lafko by his family.
December 24
In honor of Deborah, William and Cindy, Sandra and
Scott, Fern and Rodney and family by Fern Moyer.
December 31
In memory of Kirsten Vidzicki by Robin
Zimmerman.
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DAVE RAMSEY’S FINANCIAL PEACE UNIVERSITY CLASS
Do you dread going to the mailbox? Are you living from paycheck to paycheck? Do you have credit card
debt, student loan debt, a car loan, a home equity loan or a mortgage? Do you feel like “Murphy’s Law” is
always showing up at your door? Do you want to find financial PEACE and change the way your family
lives for future generations? If so, then this class is for you!
Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University Class is being offered at St. Paul’s beginning on January 11,
2018, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. The class consists of 9 weekly sessions, in which the group will watch a
videotaped class led by Dave Ramsey, followed by small group discussion. The written materials include a
book and workbook.
If you listen to the radio, AM 1360, from 3 PM to 6 PM on weekdays, you have heard Dave speak with
hundreds of people, helping them get out of debt. This class is designed for families who want to be free of
debt and live debt-free the rest of their lives!
Dave’s teachings focus on 7 “Baby Steps”
Baby Step 1 – Save $1,000 in an emergency fund and get on a written budget.
Baby Step 2 – Pay off all debts other than your mortgage, smallest to largest, using the “Debt Snowball”
method, while living modestly with “Gazelle Intensity.”
Baby Step 3 – Save up a 3-6 month emergency fund.
Baby Step 4 – Start saving 15% for retirement.
Baby Step 5 – If you have children, start saving for college.
Baby Step 6 – Pay off your mortgage.
Baby Step 7 – Live, and Give, like no one else.
Dave developed this simple plan as a young man after getting into debt, investing in real estate, and leading
his family to financial ruin and bankruptcy. Dave’s teachings are based on the biblical verses regarding
money and how we should handle God’s gifts to us. He has been teaching people how to get out of debt for
25 years, and he has the third largest radio listening audience in the US. More facts about Dave can be found
at www.daveramsey.com/pr/fact-sheet.
The class will be led by Mary Timpany. To sign up, contact Justin at 570-366-2316 x. 10 or Maryann
Cunningham at 570-366-6458. The cost of the program for St. Paul’s members is $90 per family, payable in
cash or check to St. Paul’s. The deadline to sign up is January 1, 2018. You can also go onto Dave’s
website at www.daveramsey.com to learn more about the class. Our class link is found at
www.fpu.com/1051253. The cost is $109 to sign up online, and includes free shipping.
In addition to the written materials, you will also receive:
One full year of EveryDollar Plus online budgeting tool with bank downloads for free ($99 value).
Immediate access to online videos, tools and resources for one full year after purchase; and
Brand new digital debt snowball tool for FPU members.
Dave Ramsey does not sell financial investments. This class is not about you buying anything from him, other
than his class materials. This is about learning how to manage your money wisely.
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Hello, Fellow Members of St. Paul’s,
This update is a combination of the last two Temple Talks we’d given at all the Services the weekends of 19
and 25 November. Since we know not everyone attends every week and that some members are unable to
get out to church at all, we are putting this article in the December Newsletter.
At our Council meeting on 13 October, Church Council decided that we want to keep everyone as informed
as possible during the transition between Pastor Diefenderfer’s ministry with us and a new pastor’s
arrival. To that end, here are events so far.
On the evening of 6 November, we had the exit interview with Pastor Diefenderfer and the Dean, Pastor
Kathy Ash-Flasher. After that hour-long meeting, we met with Pastor Carl Shankweiler, during which time
we asked if he could seek an interim pastor for us and we’d begin the call process at the same time. He
assured us that we may certainly do that. In the meantime, the Synod is sending us a supply pastor for all
three Services, if possible, or, as had happened the weekend of 18 November, a supply pastor for Saturday
and another for Sunday. Council Secretary Sue Schenck, our contact person with the Synod, reports that this
is arranged very efficiently.
Our last Service with Pastor Diefenderfer was a very emotional one on 12 November. President Scott Butler
thanked him for all he has done for us, and the Council officers presented him with a check. The next
evening, Monday, 13 November, we held our regular Council meeting, during which we reviewed the draft
budget, nominated people whom we then asked to serve on the Call Committee, discussed an additional gift
for Pastor Diefenderfer, and heard the report from the Nominating Committee. Chris Long reported for that
Committee, stating that she, Scott Butler, and Ron Rozansky are all eligible to serve another term and have
agreed to do so. Crystal Brensinger was asked to fill a seat declared vacant, and Robert Schuld II was asked
to succeed a member who has already served two terms; both accepted.
Then, the very next day, an amazing thing happened: our Dean, Pastor Kathy Ash-Flashner offered to be
our emergency contact. The following information is also on the website and our Facebook page:
Cell Phone - 570-977-4189 Church Phone - 570-754-7350 Email - [email protected]
Pastor Kathy may be contacted through her office phone, cell phone, text to her cell phone, or email. St.
Paul's, Summer Hill's office is open Monday through Friday, 9 am - 3 pm, except when closed for lunch
noon - 12:30 pm. Please call her cell phone first. Calling her office is also an option; leave a message if the
office is closed. From Pastor Kathy: “I look forward to working with the members of St. Paul's while Pastor
Shankweiler searches for an interim. My prayers are with you in this time of transition.”
On to Advent! Supply pastors have been arranged for December and we will continue to have all three
Services each weekend except for the weekends of 23 and 30 December. There will be no Saturday
Services then.
2 and 3 December - The Rev. Susan Fox
9 and 10 December - The Rev. Richard Bardo
16 December - Mr. William Dimmich, SALM (Synodically Approved Lay Minister)
17 December - The Rev. Susan Fox
24 December 24, a single Service at 10:30 A.M. - The Rev. Kim Lengert
Christmas Eve Services at 5, 9, and 11 P.M. - The Rev. David Kistler
31 December - The Rev. Ned Dresher
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In regard to our progress in calling a new pastor, we were able to determine who will serve on the Call
Committee on 21 November. It is a balanced group of seven, four men and three women and includes two
young members who have belonged to St. Paul's all their lives, two members who have returned to us after
absences, one newer member who joined us 2½ years ago, and two members who have belonged to St. Paul's
for over 25 years. Kay Weidensaul will serve as the Council Liaison to the Call Committee, so there will be
four women and four men working to find our Church's new pastor. The members are: Doug Travor, Julianne
Schenck, Ruth Ann Withers, Mary Timpany, Steve Couch, Steve Zimmerman, and Bob Schuld II. We have
contacted the Synod to obtain the survey to use with our congregation; distributing that and compiling the data
will be one of their first tasks.
And last, regarding Pastor Diefenderfer’s gift, we want to buy a bench similar to those in the park downtown
and set it up at the bottom of the steps where he always placed his chair. There will be a dedicatory plaque on
it, commemorating his ministry here. We’re asking the committees to contribute and any members of the
congregation who’d like to do so, too. Please put your check in an envelope marked “Pastor’s Bench” and lay
it in the plate under the flower and bulletin charts. Steve Zimmerman tells us these benches cost around $400.
Thank you again for your patience. We are encouraged that everything is running smoothly and progressing at
a good pace.
Sincerely, Your Church Council Executive Committee:
Scott Butler, President, Chris Long, Vice President, and Sue Schenck, Secretary
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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 10. Please use the form below and return it with payment
to the plate in the gathering room.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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_________________________________________________________________________________
H/M_________________________________________________________________________________
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MERRY CHISTMAS
and
A HAPPY AND BLESSED NEW YEAR
from St. Paul’s!
10
DECEMBER 2017 SERVICE SCHEDULE
*December 24 – one Sunday morning Worship Service at 10:30 AM!
8:00 AM December 3 December 10 December 17 *December 24 December 31
LECTOR Ruth Ann Withers
Gail Rarick Kay Weidensaul
COMMUNION
ASST. Ron Rozansky Gail Rarick Kay Weidensaul *One morning
service at 10:30 AM
Ruth Ann Withers
USHERS Ruth Ann
Withers & Dale Dewald
Gail Rarick & Nevin Zehner
ALTAR GUILD
Jean Premich & Joyce O’Rourke
Jean Premich & Joyce O’Rourke
Kathy Miller & Connie Teter
Kathy Miller & Connie Teter
Gwen Wehr & Gloria
Dierwechter
GREETER Kay Weidensaul Kay Weidensaul Kay Weidensaul Kay Weidensaul
COUNTERS Tom & Gwen Wehr, Glenda
Bright
Rosalie Wingle, Marlene Eidam, &
Diane Brobst
Joyce O’Rourke, Gloria
Dierwechter, & Dana Jenkins
Connie Teter, Jean Premich, & Barb
Sterner
Tom & Gwen Wehr, Glenda
Bright
10:30 AM December 3 December 10 December 17 December 24 December 31
LECTOR Doug Travor Kathy Miller Dave Krewson Wendy Schuld Jeff Ritschel
COMMUNION
ASST. Connie Teter Doug Travor Jeff Ritschel Gwen Wehr Barbara Sterner
Acolyte/ Crucifer Trisha Teter Nora Goessel Hunter Teter Emily Heydt
USHERS Barb & Jerry Hinnershitz
Carl Heintzelman & Steve
Zimmerman
Brian Miller & Madison Travor
Glenda Bright & Carl Heintzelman
Kathy Couch & Madelyn Knecht
GREETERS Wayne Lutsey & Samantha Clarke
Wayne Lutsey & Lou Ann Taylor
Wayne Lutsey & Mary Ellen Hering
Wayne Lutsey & Jan Snyder
Wayne Lutsey & Jan Snyder
11
December 2017
SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT
1 2
Worship 5:30 PM
3
Advent I
Worship
8 & 10:30 AM
Sunday School
9:15 AM
Confirmation
5:30 PM
4
Evangelism
6:30 PM
5
6
Bell Choir
6:00 PM
Chancel Choir
7:00 PM
7
8 9
Worship 5:30 PM
10
Advent II
Worship
8 & 10:30 AM
Sunday School
9:15 AM
11
Council
7:00 PM
12
WELCA
1:00 PM
13
Bell Choir
6:00 PM
Chancel Choir
7:00 PM
14
15
16
Worship 5:30 PM
17
Advent III
Worship
8 & 10:30 AM
Sunday School
9:15 AM
Confirmation
6:00 PM
18
Worship Team
7:00 PM
19
Call Committee
20
Bell Choir
6:00 PM
Chancel Choir
7:00 PM
21
22
23
NO 5:30 PM
Worship
24
Advent IV
Worship
10:30 AM
Christmas Eve
5:00 PM
9:00 PM
11:00 PM
25 26
27
28 29 30
NO 5:30 PM
Worship
31
Worship
8 & 10:30 AM
12
DECEMBER 2017
ST. PAUL’S LUTHERAN CHURCH
PO BOX 156
ORWIGSBURG, PA 17961
Upcoming Events
December 12 – WELCA Luncheon & Program at 1:00 PM
December 17 – Christmas Concert at 4:00 PM
December 24 – Christmas Eve 5:00 PM (Family Service) 9:00 PM, 11:00 PM
Visit our website: www.stpauls-orwigsburg.org
Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/StPaulsOrwigsburg
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage Paid
Pottsville, PA
17901
PERMIT NO. 52
Pottsville, Pa
17901
PERMIT NO. 52
