St.

Johns Weekly News

www.stjohnsmelrose.org

Worship, Meetings, and Events

December 15th, Sunday
Second Sunday of Advent 10 AM Worship Pastor Donna Wright Preaching and Leading Worship 11:15 AM Coffee Hour Coffee Hour December 15th, 2013: Evelyn Reutemann

December 17th, Tuesday December 18th, Wednesday December 22nd, Sunday

7: 00PM

Choir Rehearsal Chimer Deadline

First Reading Psalm

4th , Sunday of Advent Worship Preparing For Next Week : Isaiah 11:110 : Psalm 72: 1-7, 1819 10: 00 PM

May the righteous flourish; let there be an abundance of peace. (Ps. 72: 7) Second Reading The Gospel : : Romans 15: 4-13 Matthew 3:112

When you have experienced a recent loss, it is hard to imagine celebrating Christmas. You are not alone. If you would like to talk about it, contact me.

Did you know that Pastor Donna says NEED to talk to the Pastor???
This is how to contact Pastor Donna Office: 215 635 3465 Extension: 12 Home: 215 277 5744

We are invited to pray

For Healing, Health and a Connection with St. John's, family and friends
for those not able to join us for Worship including: Dolly Brehouse, Ed Breuninger, Doris Berlinger, Betty Ferrara, Barbara Nurney, Frieda McErlain, Betty Opp, Patricia Quinn, Dave Uhlmann, and Eleanor Bybel (recovering).

For Holistic Healing for Judith Hershey (Joan Seaders cousin); Brian Quinn
(Patricias son), Pete Kershner (son of Sue Kershner), Evelyn Reutemans son-inlaw, Carol Wheeler, Amy McDevitt, and Jerry Ranieri (friends of Louis Ley), Jayne Carie (Janet Leechs sister).

For those who suffer from addictions and emotional illnesses .

For those grieving, Stephen and Janet Leech on the death of his daughter Sarah

For Effectiveness in service for all the missions supported by St. Johns :
Global Missions: El Salvador, Tanzania (SEKOMU University training professionals to work with persons with special needs; Companion Congregation: Makarora Parish), and the ELCA Anti-Malaria Campaign. Local Missions: Childrens Programs at Tabor Lutheran Church; Zones of Peace; donations in kind for several food banks, shelters for the homeless, and Thrift stores.

For David Lembo, as he continues his goal to become an ordained pastor through
serving 2 internship congregations.

For St. John's as we go through the transition process toward calling a settled
pastor; for the pastors who will consider serving God and God's people in this place.

Financial Giving Summary for Sunday, December 8th , 2013

From the Financial Team 2014 Offering Envelops may be picked up. They are in the Hagan room.

Good Causes
New Generation Fund for 2013 - to date we have collected $1990 in donations to the New Generation Fund. Please continue to remember and support the needs of our 2013 recipients: the ELCA's anti-malaria campaign and the children's programs at Tabor Lutheran Church. The children from Tabor Lutheran are our guests each year during our Thrivent sponsored summer picnic. The total amount of money raised by the end of the year will be divided equally between our local and global recipients. Thank you for your continued support! Norajean

End of Year Challenge

Lets get to our goal of $3,000 for the New Generation Fund! I have made at least one monetary gift to the New Generation Fund this year, but I am willing to do more if you do! For the first 10 givers who contribute at least $50, I will contribute $10 each. For the next 20 givers who contribute at least $25, I will contribute $5 each. Make me contribute $200 to the New Generation Fund! To benefit the ELCA [anti-] Malaria Fund and the Tabor Lutheran Church Child Development Center. God bless, Pr. Donna Wright

New dates for Transition events:

Jan. 26 -- leadership event for whole congregation Feb. 23 -- follow up on leadership event March 23 -- community needs panel discussion [April -- follow up on community needs and congregational surveys] May 18 -- mission voting
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Please take a Hymnal

Hymnals that St. John's no longer uses are available for you to take home. The ones in the Hagan Room are the ones dedicated to various individuals; feel free to take one or more that has a name of one of your family members. The ones in the lobby/narthex have no dedication and may be taken by anyone. May you use the hymnal for singing and for praying and for inspiration.

Extra Announcements
Congregation 2014 Officers:
Congratulations to the congregation officers for 2014, elected by Council on December 8th: Bob Baetke, President; Johnny Bruno, Vice-President; Chris Suloff, Secretary; Josh Pinnel, Financial Secretary; Tim Terry, Treasurer.

Parsonage Committee: The Council on December 8 , in response to discussion at the Fall annual meeting, established a Parsonage Committee. The chair of the committee will be Dick Raff (thank you Dick for serving in this position). The Council asked the committee to:
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(1) manage the parsonage after the current tenant leaves on February 28th (including locating and managing possible new short-term tenants during our transition between pastors); and (2) identify and collect relevant facts and figures and examine the question of whether St. Johns should keep or sell the parsonage (and, if appropriate, provide a recommendation to the Council and the congregation). Anyone wishing to serve on this committee should contact Dick Raff or Bert Glenn or Bob Baetke. All meetings will be announced and open to any church member who wishes to attend.

Christmas Eve Worship at St. Johns Lutheran Church, Melrose Park Good News of Great Joy! Worship at 8:00 p.m. Childrens and Adult Choirs Holy Communion Pre-service Music at 7:30 p.m.
Refreshments following worship 1224 Melrose Ave., corner of Old York Road and Melrose Ave. www.stjohnsmelrose.org ALL ARE WELCOME

BOOK CLUB MEETS: JANUARY 12TH

11: 30 ADULT FORUM

Altar Flowers for December 15th, 2013

In memory of the Mrs. Theodore Jensen Jr. By Mr. Jensen Jr.

LEADERSHIP FOR SUNDAY DECEMBER 15th , 2013

DIRECTOR OF MUSIC : CHUCK GRIFFIN JR. CHANCEL CHOIR

ACCOLYTE
WORSHIP ASSISTANT AND LECTOR COMMUNION ASSISTANTS :

:
----Cristina Glenn : Jordann Alice Carole Bruno Catherine Nold Eric Asta, Peter Rasmussen Sabine Costa,

USHERS

SOUND SYSTEM

JOSH PINNEL

Order Poinsettias to Adorn the Sanctuary for Christmas

Pl ase consider ordering a poinsettia to honor or remember someone special in

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your life, while beautifying the Sanctuary for Advent season at the same time. $8 for small and $15 for double. I am including an amount of $_______ for ________ plants. To order, complete the information below and put it in the offering plate, or return the form to the church office: St. Johns Lutheran Church, 1224 Melrose Avenue, Melrose Park PA 19027
Name of Donor: ______________________________ __________________________________________

Donors Phone: _______________________________

In memory of_________________________________

__________________________________________