THE MESSENGER

VOLUME 90--NO. 5 MAY 2019

A WORD FROM THE PASTOR:

They’re Always Listening Do you ever get the feeling that they’re always listening? That our cellular

phones are portals for people to monitor our conversations? Who are they, anyway? I’m not sure. Advertising agencies. Big corporations. But one encounters enough anecdotal evidence to stoke the fires of paranoia: Their ears are open to our conversations! At a youth event a few weeks ago, I happened to mention the movie “The Land Before Time,” which was popular when my son was a child. A few hours later, an announcement popped up on my Facebook newsfeed: “‘The Land Before Time’ is coming to Netflix!” When Christina, our secretary, was just starting out at St. Paul’s, about a year ago, she found some of the old-fashioned terminology from our hymnal confusing. We say “collect” instead of “prayer of the day;” We say “introit” instead of “entrance psalm.” So I told her: “Just imagine that you’re Margaret Mead in Samoa exploring a primitive culture.” A few days later, my phone rang…with a call from Samoa! I didn’t answer. It freaked me out just a bit.

ST. PAUL’S LUTHERAN CHURCH 147 Park Avenue, Amityville, New York 11701

Church Phone: 631-264-0763; e-mail: amityluther@verizon.net Parsonage: 631-598-0257; Fax: 631-264-0372

Reverend David W. Anglin, Pastor Reverend Herbert M. Kern, Assisting Minister

Mr. David Thomas, DELTO Vicar Mr. Phil Johnson & Mr. Steve McDonald, Deacons

Mr. Russell Brand, Director of Music St. Paul’s Website: stpaulsamityville.com

Sunday Services: 9:30 and 11:00; Contemporary Communion Services: Wednesday at 7:30 and Saturday at 6:30

One of our members told me an even more interesting story. He was on his phone…and he coughed. A few moments later, an advertisement for a cold remedy popped up, asking: “Still have that cough?” It is perfectly possible that this is all coincidence…after all, with six billion people in the world, at least one person is bound to have a conversation about Samoa and then, totally coincidentally, receive a call from Samoa. But the frequency of such events does make you wonder: are they listening? God, of course, is always listening. God’s ear is always open; God’s eye is always upon us. David says in the Psalms: “O LORD, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar…Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.” (Psalm 139:1-2, 5). The fancy word for this is omniscience—“all knowing.” God knows our every word, every thought, every action. This does not always make us comfortable (any more than the idea that they are listening makes us comfortable.) David in the Psalm is a little uneasy about it: “Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?” (Psalm 139:7). After all, if God knows everything, it means that God knows our negative thoughts, our hurtful words. I love the story about two little boys who were fighting in a bedroom. The mother came to the door and said: “Boys! Boys! Stop fighting! Remember, God is in this room with you!” The boys fell silent for a few moments. And then one of them said: “What do you say we move to another room?” The idea that God could hear and see their misbehavior made that lad very uneasy! But the idea of God knowing our words and thoughts and actions comes with a very positive aspect—God is always watching over us! “His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He cares for me.” His knowledge of us is so complete that “the very hairs of your head are numbered” (Matthew 10:30). But if God is going to watch over me 24/7, then he inevitably is going to know my sins, my failings, my faults. Think of a Secret Service agent…who knows a lot of dirt about the politician he or she is guarding. The agent sees the politico’s failings and faults. But that’s a by-product of the agent’s mission: guard-ing the politician. It’s similar with God. If we want Him to always be there for us, if we want Him to watch over us, then He’s ultimately going to see and hear us at our worst.

Does seeing our sins make Him hate us? Does it fill Him with contempt for us? On the contrary…because of all the corruption He sees in our words and our thoughts and our actions, He sent Jesus to take away our sin and our guilt. Instead of making Him hate us, His knowledge of our sin led Him to send His beloved Son as a sacrifice for that sin! So God’s knowledge of all that we do or say should not make us feel oppressed. When The Police sing “Every breath you take, every move you make I’ll be watching you,” they’re talking about an obsessive stalker. “Big Brother is watching you” in 1984 is an expression of political repression. But God is engaged neither in stalking nor political repression. Rather, His watching us is a sign of His love. He watches and listens to us always because He loves us always. God’s watching us can act as a good deterrent to bad behavior, of course. When we’re about to say or do something questionable, it’s good to remember: God is watching. Perhaps that will keep us from destructive words or deeds. It’s not oppression—it’s a way of helping us live responsible and conscientious lives. We may fear that they--nameless forces of advertising and commerce-- are listening to our lives. But we rejoice that “They”—the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit!—are constantly listening to us and watching over us. Their surveillance makes us feel secure and loved.

God loves you and so do I!

Pastor David W. Anglin

HAPPY MAY BIRTHDAY!

3rd: Andrew Johnston and Wendy Pebler 4th: Ellen Holliday; Frederick Ketcham; Kelly Smestad 6th: Hilmer Johnson III and John Vercelletto 9th: Robin Lazzarino; Darin Pope; David Thomas 10th: Renee Smestad 12th: Susan Mazzella 14th: Kate Lloyd Rodis 16th: Bob Serina 17th: Jason Griffin 19th: Barbara Aguanno and Paul Mandaro 21st: Steven Mandaro 24th: Phil Johnson 25th: Christina Dexter 26th: Carol Gray; Karen Pope; Thomas Scherer 28th: John Mix 29th: Katherine Tolkach 31st: James Murphy and Tamara Pope

Did you ever wish you could spend a day with God? You can! St. Paul’s “Day with God” is this coming Saturday, May 4th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Please join us for a spiritual day, replete with songs, small-group soul searching, Holy Communion, fellowship--and a hot lunch! A sign-up sheet is in the narthex. See Dottie McMillin for more information.

Friday, May 10th at 7:00 PM SHARP at Key to My Art 10 W. Oak St., Amityville

PLEASE ARRIVE AT 6:45, SO YOU CAN CHECK IN AND GET SETTLED BEFORE THE SESSION BEGINS AT 7:00.

YOU MUST SIGN UP IN THE NARTHEX OR CONTACT JOHN VERCELLETTO:

CHURCH@JOHNHV.ME 631-357-2911

Parents and siblings are welcome to paint. (If siblings younger than 12 would like to paint, though, a parent will need to stay for the session.)

Cost will be $15 per person. If cost is an issue, please contact John or Pastor confidentially. No teen will be turned away.

NEED A RIDE? Just let John know.

Please keep these members and dear friends of our congregation in your

prayers this month. MILITARY: Will Astacio; Allison Barz; Glen Bednarz; Leonard Blythe; Cameron Clark; Andrew Cobo; Stephen Cooke; Joe Diliberto; Christopher Harper; Michael Hickey; Frederick Ketcham; Kaitlyn Kessler; Matthew Mazzella; Eamonn McDonough; Cody and Kayla McGee; Richard Moffat; Nelson Montalvo; Nadine Navarro; Marcus Phelps; S/Sgt Porras; Peter Roach; Taylor Roach; Joseph Schonberg; Matt Spencer; Eric Stolz; and Danny Vanbenthuysen

HEALING: Barbara Aguanno; Fred Anderson; Phyllis Bello; Brock Benjamin; Eileen Capozzi; Jeannie and Ray Cardillo; Pastor Carney; Steve Cush; David Dentici; Gail Dupre; Frederika Ellis; Robert Engler; Marie Fassuloh; Anthony G.; Bill Hoehn; Barbara Holzwarth; Pastor Michael Hughes; Peter Ippolito; Earline Jefferson; Robert Johnston; Beverly Jones; Louis Lafayette; Ginger Lee; Susan Maglione; Ruth Mahnken; Jim Meehan; Kenneth Meyerhoff; Madison Faith Milio; Harold Olsen; Wendy Pebler; Amanda Prag; Samantha Prince; Ruth Prostka; Peggy Prucha; Ryan Raff; Michael Reilly; Don Ridings; Fran Rizzo; Art Schmidt; Annamarie Sonnick; Inge Stone; Ransford Taylor; Virginia Thomas; June Torns; Kathy Vrooman; Chris Weiss; Jeanette Werner; Roger and the Wilmot family

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A FRIENDLY REMINDER: Any announcements to be inserted in The Messenger for June need to be emailed to amityluther@verizon.net, or dropped off in the church office, by Friday, May 24. Thank you!

Happy Anniversary! May 14: Douglas & Dawn Lloyd, 31 years May 18: Michael & Brenna Wright, 5 years

May 27: Michael & Gileen Allocca, 19 years

Kenneth & Corrine Meyerhoff, 30 years May 29: Michael & Nancy Wolfert, 48 years

Ladies Aid News

Spring has Sprung! Come fill your shopping carts with goodies at our “Supermarket Bingo” meeting on Tuesday, May 7 at noon. Please bring a brown bag lunch. Coffee, tea, and dessert will be provided by the committee. Executive Board: The next meeting will be held on Thursday, May 23 at 10:30 a.m. A Word of Thanks: A sincere thank you to all those of you who donated non-perishable foods for our Easter Holiday Baskets. We are so grateful for the outpouring of generosity this year.

SERVING IN THE LORD’S HOUSE THIS MONTH

Communion Assistants: Saturdays– May 4: John Mix May 11: John Mix May 18: Steve McDonald May 25: Steve McDonald Sundays– May 5: 9:30—Bill Carmen 11:00—Bob Mowad May 12: 11:00—Phil Johnson May 19: 9:30—Bill Carmen 11:00—Phil Johnson May 26: 11:00—Bob Mowad Lectors: Saturdays– May 4: John Mix May 11: John Mix May 18: Steve McDonald May 25: Steve McDonald Sundays– May 5: 9:30—Bill Carmen 11:00—Bob Mowad May 12: 9:30—Pastor Alan Steinke 11:00—Phil Johnson May 19: 9:30—Bill Carmen 11:00—April Nixon May 26: 9:30—Jessica Bernius 11:00—Bob Mowad Ushers: All Wednesdays–Barbara Ridings All Saturdays–Ginger Lee and Craig Thomas Sundays– May 5: 9:30—Bill Carmen and J. Holzwarth 11:00—P. Johnson, B. Holzwarth, W. Holzwarth May 12: 9:30—Alex and Bob Serina 11:00—Danielle and Ed Wynn May 19: 9:30—Kyle Allocca and Craig Smestad 11:00—Bill Albert May 26: 9:30—Bill Carmen and J. Holzwarth 11:00—P. Johnson, B. Holzwarth, W. Holzwarth

Counters May 5: Kathy Koop, Dottie McMillin, and Kathy Vrooman May 12: Marie and Steve McDonald and David and Marlene Thomas May 19: Herb Jaklitsch, Willard Prostka, and Barbara Ridings May 26: Gileen Allocca and Patty Heffron Altar Guild May 5: Gileen Allocca and Linda Kolbe May 12: Mary Hyland and Marie McDonald May 19: Ginger Lee and Marlene Thomas May 26: Kathy Koop and Dorothy McMillin Flower Delivery to Shut-Ins May 5: Bob Mowad May 12: Mike Bayon May 19: Alicia Johnston May 26: Kathy Marren Acolytes May 5: Samantha Cusano May 12: Ian Pagan May 19: Erin Holzwarth May 26: Christian Mollica

Despite a few sprinkles, our Easter Dawn Service was enjoyed by the throngs that attended. Our sincere gratitude goes out to Gileen

Allocca, Kathy Marshak, Kathy Marren, and John Vercelletto for their help with preparations in the wee hours of the night. An extra

special thank you to Deven and P.K. of the 7-11 on Montauk Highway in Amityville for providing breakfast and to Mike Allocca for making the

arrangements. And let’s not forget Dave Thomas for setting up and playing the keyboard so masterfully. Without each of you, our beach service would not have been

the success that it was. —Patricia Heffron, Worship and Music Commission

Thanks, Botanical Benefactors! We are grateful to these folks, each of whom brightened our Easter season with donations of various plants: Jessica Bernius, who continued her annual tradition of donating lush potted palms to adorn the sanctuary for Palm Sunday. The palms stood in memory of Βοβ Ανδερσον, Ρυτη Ανδερσον, and Ηελεν Τηολε, all former St. Paul’s choir members now singing in God’s heavenly chorus. Nahmen and Frieda Redlefsen, who bestowed all the worshipers at the dawn beach service with striking “Crown of Thorns” cuttings, each in its own little pot. What a delightful surprise! Linda Kay, who beautified the entrance to our church by planting stately lilies and other blooms in the circular garden plot. Extra points, Linda, for tackling this task in the rain! Operation Christmas Child 2019 Church Project! Why are we talking about Christmas now? The tireless Cindy Gray has hatched a genius idea: Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes as a whole-church effort, with the needed items collected in stages. This way, we won’t be so rushed to meet the deadline at the end of the year, and we’ll be able to send more boxes. The plan is to donate 102 (Here’s looking at you, Pastor Kern!) boxes from St. Paul’s. The first category of items we’re collecting is personal care. This includes combs, brushes, toothbrushes, washcloths, and wrapped bar soap. Please drop your contributions in the green box in the narthex, and stay tuned for updates! (If you prefer to prepare your own individual shoebox in the traditional timeframe, that’s still fine.) If you have any questions, just check in with Cindy.

Everyone welcome to perform: teens, children, adults! Any church-

appropriate talent is welcome.

When: Saturday, June 1st at 7 PM (Rehearsal: Friday, May 31st)

Profits will be used for Youth and Family activities. A percentage will also

be donated directly to the church.

Sign up in the narthex.

Tickets will be sold starting May 12th in the narthex or contact John Vercelletto at (631) 357-2911 or church@johnhv.me. Tickets are only $10 per person (Children ages 5 and younger are free).

YOUR PARTICIPATION IN ST. PAUL’S MINISTRY IS APPRECIATED!

Monthly Need: $14,166.67

MARCH 2019 ATTENDANCE CHURCH ENVELOPES

March 3 188 $2,763

March 10 139 $2,372

March 17 148 $4,710

March 24 155 $2,306

March 31 142 $4,089

Total: 16,240.00

Ahead: $2,073.33

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NEWS WORTH KNOWING...

• Cindy Gray is still collecting loose change for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Suffolk County in the jar in the narthex.

• Pastor’s Official Acts in April included the funerals of Dorothy Johnston on April 1; Cathy Lacina on April 10; Margaret Weber on April 12; Jill Wood on April 14; Warren Johnson and John Ronback on April 18; and Elijah McKelvin on April 26.

• Pastor Bruce E. Rudolf, after having to cancel his visit in March due to a last-minute emergency, will be visiting St. Paul’s the weekend of May 18. At the 6:30 service on Saturday, May 17, as well as the 9:30 and 11:00 services on May 18, he will be telling us all about his work with Food for the Poor. Pastor Rudolf is an engaging and inspiring speaker, and is greatly looking forward to greeting our members. Please make every effort to attend one of that weekend’s services and welcome Pastor Rudolf to St. Paul’s.