The Epistle

Issue: December 2016

MUSIC, GETTYSBURG! ON TOUR

PRESENTS

On the Way to Christmas:

A Journey Through the Church Year
with the Hymns of Herman G. Stuempfle, Jr.
4:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 11, 2016
St. Pauls Lutheran Church
53 West King Street
Littlestown PA 17340
On the Way to Christmas is a musical program that challenges the oft-uttered complaint that they dont sing em like they used to. It is a journey through the Church
Year with hymns and songs for written in the last fifty years. Many are by Gettysburgs
own Herman Stuempfle, including To Bethlehem Two Strangers Came and Mary,
Mary, My Beloved; plus some old favorites such as Im Going on a Journey, God
Sent His Son, and Precious Lord, Take My Hand.
They are performed by Music, Gettysburg! On Tour, an unusual trio featuring Wayne
Hill, one of Central Pennsylvanias most popular baritones, and eminent pianist Michael Matsinko, together with Dr. Gerald Christianson, emeritus professor of Church
History at Gettysburg Lutheran Seminary, as host and narrator. The congregation frequently joins in the singing.
Music, Gettysburg! is a cooperative effort between Gettysburg Lutheran Seminary
and the community which has become a premier concert series featuring international, regional and local musical artists for the greater South-Central Pennsylvania region.
Concerts are free and open to the public, and normally take place in the chapel of the
seminary on Seminary Ridge, site of the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg and the
new Seminary Ridge Museum, also a cooperative effort between the seminary and the
community.

Music, Gettysburg!
Concert Info.

From the Pastors Desk

December Readings

Music Notes

Angel Tree Info.

Craft Day

Christmas Caroling

Call Committee News

150th Anniversary
Information

Congregational
Meeting

Information Updates

Office Info.

Offering Info.

Financial Corner

10

Ruths Harvest

11

Healthy Tips from

Parish Nursing Team

12

Crop Walk Update

12

Birthdays &
Anniversaries

13

Event Calendar

14

Advent Activities

15

We are delighted to share this opportunity as part of our Advent. Please join us.
Issue: December 2016

Page 1

A Note from the Pastors Desk...

The Church Year

With the First Sunday in Advent, our new Church year begins. This is most certainly
not news or new to anyone, but it is good to stop for a moment as a new year
approaches and consider whats ahead. While in our lives, we can only guess what
the future holds, in our calendar of the Church, we dont have to guess. Beginning,
November 27, Advent 1, our lives become part of a rhythm of expectation, birth, life,
death and the resurrection of our Lord, Jesus the Christ.
We know whats coming. We know who is coming. As to when? Ah well, in the
meantime

With each day, each Sunday, we hear the story and feel the power of the promises Jesus life, death
and resurrection hold for us. With each day we are called to remember that we are a people who live
between the old creation and the new kingdom that emerged from that tomb on the first day of the
week. Our lives are called to reflect that new kingdom in all we do and say. To this end, we need to
keep the Jesus story ever before us. We need to hear of Gods faithfulness to his people in Old Testament, Gospel and Epistle. Sunday-by-Sunday we seek to make this story our story in this time between
the kingdoms. We come to hear the promises again and again and again. They are the source of our
faith. And not just hear, but touch and taste Gods love at Jesus Table. This is my body. This is my
blood.
We Lutherans along with other denominations share a common lectionary for this Church Year, readings for each Sunday. They are designated simply Year A, B, and C. Having just finished Year C with its
focus on the Gospel of Luke; we move to Year A with its emphasis on the Gospel of Matthew. Which,
you guessed it, leaves Year B with its focus on Mark. John gets the bulk of our attention during the
Great 50 Days of Easter.
This Calendar begins with Advent, Christmas and Epiphany, or The Christmas Cycle. While Christmas
for us colors all this time between Advents first Sunday, (the Sunday closest to the commemoration of
St. Andrew) and Epiphany, it was not always that way. Before there was Christmas or The Nativity of
Our Lord, there were festivals focusing on the Epiphany and the Baptism of Jesus. The history of Advent is a bit obscure, but it certainly did not occur before Christmas.
It is believed as Christmas emerged on the calendar in the late 4th Century, 336 A.D., it not only absorbed the pagan celebrations surrounding Winter Solstice, but also a time that was set for candidates
to prepare for Baptism on a much older Christian festival, Epiphany. (Easter and Epiphany were the two
big Christian celebrations of the Churchs early centuries. Epiphany marked the baptism of Jesus, the
arrival of the Magi, and Jesus first miracle at Cana.) Birthdays were not much of a thing in the early
Church. It was not the birth of a saint, but the death that was important. However as the Church and
empire merged, this changed and December 25, became the date for Jesus birth. Advent became a
season of anticipation of Jesus return, filled with the prophesies of the Old Testament, and much later
its traditional symbol of the Advent Wreath, with the Light of Christ coming, the Latin word is adventus, to scatter the darkness of this the Old Creation and make straight the path to the New.
The Church Year is a rich legacy to be cared for and cherished. I look forward to sharing its story and its
rhythm with St. Pauls, and with that bid you an Advent filled with expectation; a Christmas filled with
the promise of new life, and an Epiphany filled with Jesus the Christ, the Light of the World.

Issue: December 2016

Page 2

THE READINGS FOR DECEMBER

CYCLE A OF THE THREE YEAR LECTIONARY
FOR OUR WORSHIP PREPARATION
PRAYER OF THE DAY

WORD & SACRAMENT

SERVICE OF THE
WORD

December 4
ADVENT II.
Readings:
Isaiah 11:1-10
Romans 15:4-13
Matthew 3:1-12

Stir up our hearts, Lord God, to prepare the way of your only Son. By
his coming nurture our growth as people of repentance and peace;
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.

December 11
Advent III.
Isaiah 35:1-10
James 5:7-10
Matthew 11:2-11

Stir up the wills of all who look to you, Lord God, and strengthen our
faith in your coming, that, transformed by grace, we may walk in your
way; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.

December 18
Advent IV.
Isaiah 7:10-16
Romans 1:1-7
Matthew 1:18-25

Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. With your abundant grace
and might, free us from the sin that hinders our faith, that eagerly we
may receive your promises, for you live and reign with the Father and
the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.

December 24
Christmas Eve

Almighty God, you made this holy night shine with the brightness of
the true Light. Grant that here on earth we may walk in the light of
Jesus presence and in the last day wake to the brightness of his glory; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.

Isaiah 9:2-7
Psalm 96
Titus 2:11-14
Luke 2:1-20

December 25
Christmas Day

Isaiah 52:7-10
Psalm 98
Hebrews 1:1-12
John 1:1-14

January 1, 2017
The Name of Jesus

Numbers 6:22-27
Psalm 8
Galatians 4:4-7
Luke 2:15-21

8:00 &
10:15

10:15

8:00

10:15
Cantata

Family Candlelight &

Carols 6:00 p.m.
Holy Communion with
Candlelight 10:00 p.m.

Almighty God, you gave us your only Son to take on our human nature and to illumine the world with your light. By your grace adopt us
as your children and enlighten us with your Spirit, through Jesus
Christ, our Redeemer and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and
the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.

One Liturgy

Eternal Father, you gave your incarnate Son the holy name of Jesus
to be a sign of our salvation. Plant in every heart the love of the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.

One Liturgy

Issue: December 2016

8:00

9:00 a.m.

9:00 a.m.
Lessons & Carols

Page 3

DECEMBER MUSIC NOTES:

During the month of December we will celebrate the seasons
of Advent and Christmas. The Chancel Choir will be enhancing
the 10:15 service on the 18th by presenting a cantata. Our
Family Christmas Eve service will begin at 6 PM and Candlelight service begins at 10 PM. (preludes begin at 9:30). On
Christmas Day there will be one service at 9 AM. St. Pauls
Ringers will be playing a prelude on Christmas Day.
Friday, December 16th we will be Christmas Caroling to our shut-ins. Please see more
details in the newsletter or bulletins. Please
bring a covered dish to share after the caroling
is finished at the home of Gary and Sue Strevig.
(160 Newark St. 359-4289)
Anyone wishing to provide prelude music for the Christmas Eve Candlelight service should sign up on the sheet outside the choir room door or contact Ben Messinger at 3594556 or benmessinger@comcast.net

ANGEL TREE - GIFT DRIVE

Our annual Angel Tree gift drive wraps up on December 4. With the help of our friends at New Hope Ministries, gifts collected will stay in the greater Hanover/
Littlestown area, bringing a little Christmas joy to some
who might otherwise face a bleak holiday. Please consider contributing to this worthwhile cause.
Issue: December 2016

Page 4

*************************************************

We all need a little Christmas!

On Friday, December 16, all of St. Pauls members
are invited to meet in the church parking lot at 6:00
p.m. to visit our homebound members. We will
carpool to the Gettysburg Lutheran Home to serenade Betty Geisler and then drive to the homes of Harry & Bonnie
Strine, Mararget Wallen, Mary Ebaugh & Harry & Irene Wildasin.
Whether you can sing or just make a joyful noise, we need all of you
to share the holiday spirit with those looking forward to our yearly
visit. Please bring the children, because the residents appreciate talking to, seeing and hearing them express there Christmas joy. After
caroling, we will meet at the home of Gary & Sue Strevig (160 Newark
St.) in Littlestown. Please bring a covered dish, snack, etc to share.
A sign-up sheet will be placed in the rear of the Kammerer Room.
Please contact Gary or Sue Strevig with any questions (359-4289).
Issue: December 2016

Page 5

Call Committee News

James 5: 7-8 Says "Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits
for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late
rains. You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near."

How James is speaking to us here can easily be applied to the call process. A farmer needs
to make sure the ground is plowed, raked and well fertilized. Then he plants the seeds and
the rest is pretty much up to God. It takes weeks, even months until the plentiful fruits
can be harvest. Much like a farmer needs to prepare his ground, the call committee needs
to do the same. We need to look at who we are as a church, where we want to go as a
church and what qualities we want in our shepherd. Once that process is complete then it
becomes a time that we truly rely on patience as we look to God to guide us. It requires
faith that God will provide us with the perfect person to lead forth as we work to become
closer to our Lord. Just as James spoke of the coming of the Lord being near, our time to
receive our shepherd is coming as well. We need to remain hopeful, and steadfast in our
faith as we exercise patience to ensure we can follow God's lead in this process.
Take a look at the chart you can see
what the steps are in the call process.
As we are working on steps we will
keep you updated. Check your weekly
bulletin & church website for the current update of where we are at in the
process!
The Call Committee thanks you for
your continued support and prayers!
We ask you to continue to pray for us
in whichever ways you feel called to. If
you'd like here is a prayer you can use.

"Almighty God, giver of every good

gift: look graciously on your Church,
and so guide the minds of those who
shall choose a shepherd for this congregation, that we may receive a
faithful pastor, who will care for your
people and equip us for our ministries;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen"
Issue: December 2016

Page 6

15 0 Anniversary
th

St. Paul's 150 Anniversary Committee

is seeking church-related memorabilia ) - any and all exciting finds that relate to our congregational history as a
vital part of the Littlestown community.
Members and friends of St. Paul's
may loan or donate memorabilia for
our year of programs, services, displays and 150 Anniversary book. We
would like to have all items (donated
or loaned) placed in Sunday school
room #3 on the first floor (150th anniversary sign above door) and ready to share by December 15, 2016. All items will
be catalogued as either donations to St. Paul's archival collection or as loans to be
returned to those who have generously shared their families' treasurers. We will
be celebrating 150 years of Baptisms on Sunday, January 8, 2017! We are excited to begin our celebrations of 150 years of growing in faith, living in hope, and
serving in love.
PLEASE NOTE: Deadline for BAPTISM photos is January 1. (If youd rather,
just put photos in an envelope and drop them off in the church office. We
will scan them get them back to you.)
We Want Your Photos! As part of the celebration of St. Pauls 150th anniversary in
2017, we are collecting photos of BAPTISMS, CONFIRMATIONS, and WEDDINGS that took place at St. Pauls over the years. St. Pauls Anniversary Committee has a Dropbox where you can upload digital pictures, including scans of
older photos. Here are the links to the Dropbox folders:
For BAPTISMS, go to:
goo.gl/JTrf9m
For CONFIRMATIONS, go to: goo.gl/8O2GZG
For WEDDINGS, go to: goo.gl/4oOsJD
Just follow the prompts to upload as many or as few photos as youd like. If you
have questions, please email Betsy Bein (beinb@earthlink.net).

*************************************************
Annual Congregational Business Meeting
Please plan to attend the annual congregational business meeting immediately following 10:15 service on Sunday, December 11, to discuss
and adopt the budget for 2017 and to elect new council members. A
formal letter with proposed budget to be sent, either by way of email
if you are on the email distribution list or by US Mail, if not.
Issue: December 2016

Page 7

Our brother in Christ, Robert L. Snyder, claimed the

promise of his baptism on November, 10, 2016.
**************************************************
Information Updates:
Janet Cutsail (email)
jcmcc04@embarqmail.com
Larry & Ann Hartman (address)
137 Pleasant Street
Hanover, PA 17331
**************************************************
Ushers are

greatly

needed for both services.

If
you would like to serve your church in this capacity, please contact the church office (359-4822). There is minimal training required.
Thank you for your consideration.

**************************************************
Bible Study meets on the 1st, 4th, (and sometimes 5th) Tuesdays
of the month, bible study will meet at 1:30pm. On the 2 nd & 3rd
Mondays of the month bible study will meet at 6pm (just before
council & committees meet). Note the variation in days & times.
Please join us whenever you can!

**************************************************
Hooks and Needles meets on the 1st & 3rd Tuesdays of the
month from 6:30-8:00 PM in the Library. This will continue
throughout the school year. Anyone who enjoys fiber crafts is invited.
Issue: December 2016

Page 8

Please take a moment to notify the church office:

When you (or a family member) would like a visit from the pastor
When there is a death or serious illness in your family
When you wish to add or remove someone from the prayer list
When you move to a new address or your phone number has changed
If you wish to be added to the Epistle emailing list
When you wish to borrow tables/chairs from the church
When you wish to fill out a form of use for the Social Hall (policy is
at least 30 days in advance)
When you need information about scheduling a baptism or wedding
When you wish to submit an article for the newsletter and/or bulletin
announcements
When you wish to update with graduation information

Church Office Telephone 717-359-4822

Email Address: office@stpaulslittlestown.org
Please note: Phone & email messages are checked only office hours on weekdays
For a Pastoral Emergency, please contact Pastor Richard Michael 717-314-7898
or Richardmichael1@mac.com.
WEBSITE: www.stpaulslittlestown.org

The secretary will be out on vacation December 27, 28, 29

& 30. If anyone is able to volunteer to cover the office for a
short period of time during any of the listed dates please sign
up on the sheet provided in the Kammerer Room. I will contact you to confirm. Very light duty of work is necessary, such
as checking messages and mail. Thank you!
Information for JANUARY Epistle is due by Wednesday, December 21. All
contributions of articles/information from all corners of St. Pauls
are
encouraged!
Please
submit
material
via
email
office@stpaulslittlestown.org or by placing it in the secretarys mailbox in the church office.
Please note: Items submitted after the
deadline may be held until the subsequent newsletter, so information
can be dispersed promptly. Thank you!

***************************************************
***Please note*** If you would like your offering to be included on your
2016 Giving Statement, please have it in the church office or in the collection plate by December 25th. Any offering received after December 25th
will be included on your 2017 statement. This is the case even if your check
is dated December. Thank you!
Issue: December 2016

Page 9

FINANCIAL CORNER

Issue: December 2016

Page 10

PRINT THIS SHEET OUT FOR YOUR REFERENCE, IF YOU WISH.

Ruths Harvest Packing Dates for December.:

Thur Dec 15 at 2:00 - Redeemer's
Thur Dec 1 at 2:00 - St. Paul's and friends
Wed Dec 21 at 2:00 - St. Paul's and friends
Wed Dec 7 at 6:30 - Littlestown Chapel
Issue: December 2016

Page 11

Jill Baird, Sue Bowmaster and Janet Cutsail, Registered Nurses and members of this congregation desire to support our church by providing a volunteer parish nursing program for our members. More information will be
forthcoming in January about the services we feel would benefit the members of St. Pauls Church; however we
wanted to begin by sharing the article below.
Tips for a Healthy Holiday Season
The holidays are upon us and for many people this can mean increased pressure on time management for holiday preparations that includes entertaining and attending parties and family celebrations. Our diets regress to
foods filled with salt, sugar and increased calories, increasing our potential for weight gain and non-adherence
to prescribed special diets, such as cardiac and diabetes. Our holiday activities can also result in increased travel, less sleep, exceeding our budget, lack of physical exercise, increased alcohol consumption, and all -around
higher stress in order to meet the demands of work, friends, and family. All of these things can place one at an
increased risk for a cardiovascular event such as a heart attack or stroke.
Below are some helpful reminders to manage your holidays more safely and healthier:
a. If you are the hostess planning a party, choose healthier recipes to reduce salt sugar and calories.
Your friends and family will probably thank you. You can get heart healthy recipes on the American
Heart website: www.heart.org
b. If you are attending a party, eat a healthy snack before going to reduce your hunger and the potential for consuming higher calories and dietary restrictions.
c. If you are traveling, be sure to pack your prescribed medications in your carry- on bag and upon arrival, plan a safe place for medication storage out of the reach of children or pets.
d. Always carry a list of your prescribed medications with you-perhaps in your wallet.
e. Plan time to get some physical exercise; the recommended time by the American Heart Association
is 30 minutes a day.
f. Try to get adequate amount of sleep.
g. Dont exceed your budget. Financial strain is a high cause for stress. Plan accordingly.
h. Avoid gatherings with persons known to have contagious illnesses. (Also, consider a flu injection for
protection.)
i. Try to limit your alcohol consumption for both health and safety reasons..
Dont forget the holiday season can also be a time of painful loneliness and grief for many people. Consider a
visit to a person in your life in need of companionship to ease this type of holiday stress.
Have a happy and safe holiday filled with Gods blessing.
The Parish Nursing Team

**************************************************
CROP WALK news. It was a "blustery" day on October 9 for the annual
community CROP WALK. That did not seem to hamper the enthusiasm for
the 64 walkers that took part in the event. The total receipts collected so
far is $3002.00. One church still has their packet to return, however; that
church did not have any walkers. The total receipt is UNOFFICIAL until I receive validation from Church World Services at Elkhart, IN, only because I
do not know how much is received for on-line giving to the event. Following the walk, many walkers enjoyed the food and fellowship in the basement of St. Paul's. Thank you to all who supported the walkers and also
the donations received, and thank you everyone for all your prayers. This
family of brothers and sisters here at St. Paul's is the very best. Peace be
with
Sincerely, Ernie Spamer, event coordinator
Issue: December 2016

Page 12

St. Pauls - DECEMBER

Birthdays & Anniversaries
Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

If you wish to add, remove or notice a

mistake, please contact the church office.
359-4822 / office@stpaulslittlestown.org

Thu
1

Fri
2

Louise Morelock

Nick Cibula

Dylan Smeak

Sat
3
Luke Denault

10
Mary Ellen Friedel
Bruce Stair

11

12

Bobbye Dillman

13

14

15

16

17

Hank Roschen

Linda Decker

Allyson Daron

Andy Baird

20

21

22

23

24

Colin Denault

Gary Plattenburg

29

30

31

Andy Daron

Beth Cibula

Kevin & Diane

Cavenaugh

18

19

Jonathan Williams

25

26

27
Millie Zepp

Issue: December 2016

28

Page 13

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu
1

2:00PM
Ruths Harvest
Packing
Secretary
Vacation

ADVENT II

8:00AM Wor ship

9:00AM Sunday School
10:15AM Wor ship
Craft Day in Social Hall
following late service

11

ADVENT 1II

6-8PM Gir l Scouts

6:30-8PM
H&N

12
6PM Bible Study

8:00AM Wor ship

9:00AM Sunday School
10:15AM Wor ship
Congregational Mtg.
following late service
2-4PM LAMB Rehear sal
4:00PM Music, Gettysbur g!
Concert

7:00PM Committee
Mtgs.

18

19

ADVENT IV

8:00AM Wor ship

9:00AM Sunday School
10:15AM Wor ship w/
cantata
FPU Follow Up after church
3:00PM LAMB Concer t

1:30PM
Bible Study
6-8PM Gir l
Scouts

6-8PM Gir l Scouts

6PM Bible Study

6-8PM Gir l Scouts

7:00PM
Council Mtg.

13
6-8PM Gir l
Scouts

20

6-8PM Gir l
Scouts
6:30-8PM
H&N

6:00PM
Bell Rehearsal

Fri
2

Merry Christmas

26

27

Secretary
Vacation

10

15

16

17

2:00PM
Ruths Harvest
Packing

6:00PM
Christmas
Caroling

22

23

6:30PM
Ruths Harvest
Packing
7:00PM
Chancel Choir

14

6:00PM
Bell Rehearsal
7:00PM
Chancel Choir

21

2:00PM
Ruths Harvest
Packing
6:00PM
Bell Rehearsal
7:00PM
Chancel Choir

28

24

Christmas Eve
6PM
Family Service
10:00PM
Candlelight
Service
(preludes begin
at 9:30pm)

Newsletter Info.
Due

25

Sat

29

30

31

9:00AM Wor ship

NO Sunday School

Secretary
Vacation

Issue: December 2016

Secretary
Vacation

Secretary
Vacation

Secretary
Vacation

Page 14

December 4 ~ Christian Familys Craft Day

(following late service)

A light lunch will be served, please bring a snack, dessert or beverage to share

December 11 ~ Music, Gettysburg on Tour! Concert

4:00PM in the Sanctuary
December 16~ Christmas Caroling
Meet in the church parking lot @ 6PM
Please bring a covered dish, snack or dessert to share afterwards at the Strevigs

December 18 ~ Christmas Cantata @ 10:15AM

December 24 ~Christmas Eve
Family Service 6PM
Candlelight Service 10PM
(preludes start at 9:30PM)

December 25 ~ The Nativity of Our Lord

One service @ 9:00AM
(There will be no Sunday School)

Issue: December 2016

Page 15

The Epistle - ISSUE DECEMBER 2016

Published by St. Pauls Evangelical Lutheran Church
53 W. King Street, Littlestown, PA
Phone/Fax #: 359-4822
Email: office@stpaulslittlestown.org
Website: www.stpaulslittlestown.org
Office Hours: Tuesday - Friday 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

The Church Staff

Rev. Richard MichaelInterim Pastor
717-314-7898 / richardmichael1@mac.com
Ben MessingerChoir Director
Martha LobaughOrganist
Ann HartmanAssistant Pianist
Abbi BucherParish Secretary
Michele Colvin Treasurer
Barb SchwartzFinancial Secretary
Susan HainesSexton

Congregational Council
PresidentCharlie Abruzzo

SecretaryCasey Miller

Kimberly Airing, Rich Burnette, Charlie Mauck, Candy Rule, Tracy

Schwartz, Bonnie Simon, Darbye Smeak, Don Snyder,
Javier Sandoval ( Youth Rep.)

Issue: December 2016

Page 16