THE ST. LUKE LETTER December 2018 - St. Luke Lutheran Church in ...
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THE ST. LUKE LETTER
December 2018
December 2018
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Happy Advent and Merry Christmas! The lights of the season are shining bright and the opportunity to spend
time with one another abounds. But we are bombarded by the secular world. We are encouraged to buy, buy,
buy more things as signs of our love and appreciation for one another. I want to encourage giving, but not just
any giving – I want to encourage thoughtful, hopeful giving that doesn’t just give more ‘stuff’ but that gives out
of our abundance to those who really are in need.
This holiday season we have many opportunities to share our abundance. We have many signed up to ring bells
for the IHS Wishing Well campaign on Dec. 3rd at Meyer’s Dairy. Back by popular demand we have a Reverse
Advent Calendar where we can give a gift a day to three local charities – Christmas of Hope, the Centre
Hall/Potter Twp Food Pantry, and Centre Safe. We have a tree set up with ELCA Good Gift options, so we can
give to those in need in honor of our own loved one. Opportunities for sharing abound – thank you for your help
and ministry as you serve our neighbors near and far. May you each have a blessed Christmas and a loved New
Year.
Yours In Christ,
Pr. Becky Horn
Pastor Becky will be out of the office December 25-January 1. She will be available for emergencies throughout
the week and at worship on Sunday, December 30th.
Are you or a loved one desiring a visit from the pastor? Please contact Pastor Becky if you would like her to
come visit you at home, in the hospital, or another location. (office: 364-9154, cell: 215-208-5535, email:
stluke364pastor@verizon.net)
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December 5 & 12 at 10:00 AM in Pastor Becky’s office.
We begin by reading and discussing the upcoming lectionary texts for Sunday and conclude with a
short prayer service where we pray for all people on our prayer list. -Hope to see you there!
The Youth Group Christmas Party will take place on Sunday, December 16
following the 10:30 worship service. We will gather to share a meal, decorate gingerbread houses
and discuss where God is continuing to bless us in our lives. Come, join and bring a friend!
Youth Group Calendar 2018-2019
December 16th 11:45 am– Christmas Party
February 10th 8:00 & 10:30 am – Youth Sunday
March 17th 11:45 am – Jared Boxes
May 19th 11:45 am – Spring Clean & Pizza
We Believe
ELCA facts
As of December 31, 2016, there were 3,563,842 baptized members in the ELCA. There were 9,252
congregations organized in 65 synods in nine geographic regions.
The ELCA is a diverse church body, becoming more so every day. This church is committed to growing in
diversity and strengthening its global, ecumenical and interfaith relationships around the world.
ELCA congregations are led by gifted men and women who have been called by God to serve their community.
The ELCA calls both women and men to serve as pastors and lay rostered leaders. Here are some facts about
ELCA leaders:
As of September 15, 2017, there were 17,460 leaders on the ELCA roster including 1,228 Ministers of Word
and Service and 16,232 Ministers of Word and Sacrament. In 2017, nearly 27 percent of clergy on the ELCA
roster were women. In the ELCA’s seven seminaries, the numbers of women and men preparing for ministry
are about equal.
About 86 percent of ordained women and 83 percent of ordained men are actively serving in congregations.
The ELCA offers opportunities for Lutheran education at every level and considers education as an important
part of our calling. We offer quality education at every level through our institutions. In addition to the seven
ELCA seminaries and two seminary extension centers, there are 26 colleges and universities, 50 or more
lifelong learning programs, 14 high schools, 296 elementary schools, 1,573 early childhood programs, 145
camp and retreat centers serving 450,000 annually.
The ELCA is committed to making the world a more just and peaceful place to live. Through programs,
ministries and partnerships ELCA congregations, synods and the churchwide organization work every day to
address inequities in political, economic and social systems and to end conflict and violence all over the world.
We are a church that believes God is calling us into the world – together. This is Christ’s church. There is a
place for you here.
(https://www.elca.org/News-and-Events/ELCA-Facts)
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Advent Wednesday Worship – December 5, 12, & 19 we will gather for worship
at 7:00 pm. Come join us as we prepare to celebrate Christ’s birth and hear
where God is calling you into ministry!
Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship Services
St. Luke will hold a Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship Service at
5:30 pm to celebrate the Nativity of our Lord.
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Sunday School Advent Crafts—The St. Luke Sunday School Classes will have a Craft Day
on Sunday, December 2nd during the Sunday School Hour 9:15-10:15am. They will make
crafts and decorate the Sunday School Christmas Tree.
ALLEGHENY SYNOD YEAR OF PRAYER 2018
DECEMBER
PEACE IN OUR WORLD
“Now may the God of peace, who brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the
sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, make you complete in everything good so that you may do his
will, working among us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory for
ever and ever. Amen” –Hebrews 13:20-21
Pray for peace in our world—especially this month for peace in the Holy Land, the place of Jesus’ birth.
Pray for our leaders that they may make sound decisions based on a desire for peace and goodwill for all
people.
How is the Holy Spirit calling you to be a peacemaker?
ALLEGHENY SYNOD NEWS
Ecumenical Service – The Allegheny Synod will host an Ecumenical Worship Service at St. James Lutheran
Church in Huntingdon, PA on January 20, 2019 at 3:00 pm.
Holy Land Trip - Bishop Michael Rhyne, along with Good Shepherd Travel, will be leading a trip to the Holy
Land for January 13-22, 2020. The cost of the 10-day trip which includes airfare, transportation in Israel,
hotels, and entrance to sites we will visit is $3,290 per person. Information about the travel arrangements and
the itinerary are available in an information packet located in the narthex. If after reviewing the packet,
please contact the Synod Office at 814-942-1042 to let them know you are interested in the trip and for
further instructions.
MANY OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES FOR MISSION & SERVICE
The Community Relations Committee invites the St. Luke Congregation to participate
in a Mission Project during October, November and December to benefit
Soles4Souls.
Soles4Souls is a non-profit organization based in Tennessee that started in 2006 after
Hurricane Katrina. They distribute new and used shoes within the United States
through homeless shelters and low income schools, after natural disasters and to
women's transition homes.
Soles4Souls has also distributed shoes to over 127 different countries around the world. 140 million people
live on less than $1.77 and have unbelievable poor health care, education and lack of fresh water.
In many areas, children are not permitted to attend school unless they have shoes because the spread of
diseases like hook worm and jiggers happens quickly through bare feet. Children have made shoes from soda
bottles, old tires and anything they could, just to go to school. Poverty keeps these children in poverty.
Soles4Souls also has a micro enterprise program they sponsor in which they train women to start their own
shoe business at the local markets. Soles4Souls then provides a steady stream of YOUR used shoes to keep
them in business. Through micro enterprise the women are able to send their children to school, provide for
their family and help the local economy.
Soles4Souls accepts all types of shoes except roller skates and ice skates and if they are no longer wearable,
they have a way to recycle them, keeping the shoes out of landfills. They even accept single shoes, due to the
poor health care in many other countries, there is a higher percentage of leg/foot amputations.
There is a box for your shoe donations located in the Narthex if you would like to participate in this project.
We ask that you please tie shoe pairs together. Shoes will be collected from October through December 2018.
Thank you for your donations!
The Centre Hall/Potter Food & Fuel Pantry will have their next monthly food
distribution on Tuesday, December 18, at Grace United Methodist Church.
Volunteers start by packing boxes from 8:00-10:00 am and Food Distribution will be
from 12:30-4:00 pm.
Paper products (paper towels and toilet paper) as well as toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap
and cake mixes are always needed and cannot be purchased with State or Federal funds.
We are unable to accept baby food at this time. If you have a donation of baby food to
make, please contact Pr. Becky.
Monthly Donation Ideas
January – Kleenex
February – Canned Milk
March – Toothpaste
April – Caked Mixes
May – Mustard
June – Paper Towels
July – Soap
August – Toothbrushes
September – Shampoo
October – Toilet Paper & Laundry Detergent
November – Ketchup & Laundry Detergent
December – Dish Detergent
If you would like to make a donation, please place non-perishable items in the designated Food Pantry Box at
St. Luke Lutheran Church on or before Sunday, December 16. The donation box is located in the Narthex. If
you would like to make a monetary donation, you may speak with Bonnie Brown at 364-1541.
Volunteers are always needed…to pack on distribution days or to sign up to unload food when it arrives at
Grace Church. If you can help unload food, you will be called the day before the truck arrives. Please call
Bonnie Brown 364-1541, Eileen Booz 364-1675 or Erskine Cash 364-9184 if you can help or if you have any
questions.
The Allegheny Synod
40,000 Can Challenge
Advent to Super Bowl Sunday
December 2–February 3
40,000 Can Challenge Returns—Beginning on December 2 through
February 3, Bishop Rhyne has again challenged the churches of the
Allegheny Synod to donate 40,000 non-perishable items to the local food
pantries. Over the last 4 years of the Can Challenge we have collected
185,444 food items for our local food banks and relief agencies. That has
only been possible because of your generous work of caring for God’s
people here in the heart of Pennsylvania.
CHRISTMAS OF HOPE
The Community Relations Committee is seeking monetary
donations to purchase food for 39 Christmas Meals to be
distributed by the Christmas of HOPE project once again this year.
Special Envelopes will be available in your bulletins December 2 and
December 9. Please make checks payable to St. Luke with Christmas
of HOPE marked on the memo line.
St Luke’s day to ring the bell to support Interfaith Human Services (IHS) will be Monday,
December 3rd at Meyer Dairy from 9am to 9pm. There is a sign up sheet in the
narthex. There are still a few 1 hour time slots available. Please consider signing up by
December 2nd for this ministry if you are able.
Reverse Advent Calendars begin December 1 and are available in the narthex.
Reverse Advent is a way to give instead of ‘getting’ as we countdown to the
celebration of Jesus’ birth. Join us as we gather items each day to benefit
different local charities: Hope Fund’s Christmas of HOPE, The Centre
Hall/Potter Twp. Food Pantry and Centre Safe: Empowering Survivors,
Eliminating Violence. Please collect items and bring them to St. Luke on
Dec. 9, 16 & 23. Thank you for sharing of your abundance during this time
of year. If you have any questions, please contact Pr. Becky.
ELCA Good Gifts—The St. Luke Youth Group is sponsoring an
alternative Christmas gift giving option. Most of us seem to have too
much stuff. Rather than add to our over abundance, consider a gift
from the ELCA Good Gifts catalogue. See the display in the narthex.
Christmas Gifts for The Oaks—Allegheny Lutheran Social Ministries is appealing to
local congregations to share gifts to gift bags for the residents of The Oaks in Pleasant
Gap. If you would like to donate gift items for these stockings, there is a Wish List
available in the narthex of items that are needed. You can either bring in and place your
items in the designated bin in the St. Luke narthex by Sunday, December 9th or deliver
your items directly to the lobby of The Oaks in Pleasant Gap by Friday, December 14th if
you prefer.
Prayer Concerns
Pray for the recovery and the Lord’s healing and peace on our brothers and sisters.
Alma Martz...health concerns
Steve Brown...hospital Ellen Delaney...tests/kidney problems
Krystal Josephson...family concerns Daryl Schafer & Family...recov. from surgery
Sam Grove...healing from surgery Lynn Homan...recov. heart valve surgery
Beverly Haines...complications of knee surgery Kyle Lehman…strength & peace in transition
Barb Judy...recov. from surgery Donna Cogan...recov. surgery
On-going Prayer Concerns:
Paul Dietrich...cancer Jim and Tanya Evans…health concerns
Marvin Lehman, Jr....MS and kidney disease Vicki Garvin...kidney disease
Robert Sauerwein...heart and health concerns Al Spotts...health concerns
Megan McLoughlin...cancer TJ Coursen...cancer
Katie...brain tumor Jane...health concerns
Jen Parsons...recov. from brain tumor Lori Smith...colorectal cancer
Sylvia Way - chemo and test results Bob Chambers...health concerns
Jean Strouse...health concerns
Donna Fetterolf...strength & multiple health concerns
Please pray also for the health of our Shut-ins:
Larry Breon (PO Box 27, Rebersburg, PA 16872...349-8846)
Dorothy Chambers (Foxdale Village, 500 E. Marylyn Ave. State College, PA 16801—Rm 317)
Betty Dutrow (Wynwood House, Room 3, 122 Wynwood Drive, Centre Hall, PA ...531-4875)
Donna Fetterolf (Wynwood House, Room 19, 122 Wynwood Drive, Centre Hall, PA)
Adam Garman (238 Sinking Creek Rd, Spring Mills, PA 16875...364-9555)
Fred Lohr, Jr. (244 S. Pennsylvania Ave, Centre Hall, PA 16828…364-9368)
Alma Martz (202 W. Church St, Centre Hall, PA 16828...814-364-1244)
Evelyn McClenahan (The Oaks, 200 Rachel Drive-Rm 201, Pleasant Gap, PA 16823 814-424-7013)
Emma Zimmerman (Colonial Courtyard-Room 113, 5546 E. Pleasant Valley Blvd., Tyrone, PA 16686)
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD OR REMOVE A PRAYER CONCERN: You may fill out a prayer concern card
located in the Narthex and place in the offering plate. You may also notify the church office of your prayer
concerns by calling 364-9154 or emailing the church office at StLuke364@verizon.net . Please remember that
a prayer request will remain on the prayer list for three weeks unless otherwise noted as an ongoing concern.
Ongoing prayer concerns will remain on the prayer list for three months. Also, please remember to notify the
church office when someone is able to be removed from the prayer list. You may renew a prayer request as
often as you wish. Updated 11/29/18
On Wednesday, December 19th, Pastor Becky will hold a Service of Healing
at 11am in the St. Luke sanctuary.
CENTRE HALL COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS
CELEBRATION
-The Centre Hall Council of Churches is sponsoring a
Centre Hall Community Christmas on December 7, 8 & 9
Friday, December 7
6:30pm Tree Lighting and Caroling at St. Luke Lutheran Church
Hot Chocolate and Cookies to follow
Saturday, December 8
10am-3pm Vendor Craft Fair at Grace UMC, kids crafts sponsored
by Cub Scout Pack 20 and Girl Scout Senior Troop
40226. Commemorative 2018 Ornaments for sale at
Vendor Fair
2pm-5pm Live Nativity at Grace UMC, the Grace UMC Youth
Group will reenact the Nativity at 4:30pm & 5:30pm
3pm Penn's Valley Men's Choir Concert at Trinity UCC
6:30-8pm Story time at Centre Hall Library - wear your
pajamas!
Sunday, December 9
8am & 10:30am Normal Sunday Worship Services at St. Luke
3pm Combined Choir Christmas Cantata held at St. Luke
A light soup and sandwich dinner will be provided following
the concert.
All are welcome and invited to attend each event of the
Community Christmas Celebration.
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The Choirs of St. Luke, Grace UMC, and Trinity UCC will be practicing for
the Christmas Cantata at St. Luke on Thursday, December 6th at 7:00pm.
The Christmas Cantata will be performed on Sunday, December 9th at
3:00pm at St. Luke with a light meal following.
If you would like to order a Christmas poinsettia in honor or memory of a loved one, please fill out a Poinsettia
Order Form located in the Narthex. Poinsettias cost $10 each. You may place your form in the special
poinsettia envelope, along with your payment, and place it in the offering plate on or before the deadline of
December 16th. Checks can be made payable to St. Luke with “Poinsettia” in the memo line. If you have any
questions, or need help ordering, please speak with Nancy Shunk at 364-2693. Poinsettias will be decorating
the sanctuary beginning on Sunday morning of December 23, and may be taken home following the
Christmas Eve Candlelight service.
Advent & Christmas Decorating—The Sanctuary and Christmas Tree will be
decorated on Monday, December 3. Help is needed! Please arrive at 9am if you
are able to help set up and decorate.
St. Luke will hold a combined worship service December 30 at 9:30am to
celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, with a service of Christmas
lessons and Christmas Carols.
We next meet on January 16th at 8:30 in the kitchen to discuss The Great Alone
by Kristin Hannah. Please join us to discuss this fascinating and engaging book.
Also please bring book suggestions for our next selection!
Book Fair – Did you miss the book fair fundraiser before Christmas? Not to worry, we are still
able to order books through April at the discounted rates. And we can still raise money for the
Steeple – if we purchase at least $200 in books, we raise 20% to go towards the Steeple
project. If you are interested in placing an order, please contact Pr. Becky.
December Birthdays Continued:
19 Gerry Ilgen
Vincent Nicosia, Jr.
21 Ian Brown
Emily Eddinger
22 Sumner Kessinger
Dec. 1 Steve and Tammy Harter Jessica McClenahan
2 Paul and Betty Deitrich 23 Judy Bowles
3 Shawn and Patty Lehman 25 JESUS
Robert and Betty Ishler 26 Charlotte Delaney
12 Denny and Cindy Grove 27 Danette Strouse
17 Gary and Connie Zellers Lizzy Horn
26 Terry and Sherri Corl 28 Barb Bierlein
Brandilyn Heckman
Todd Fetterolf
29 Charles Musser
Ashton Taylor
Jackson Roth
30 Brian Auman
31 Cali Stover
Dec. 1 Kathy Mothersbaugh
Pat Strouse
2 George Garman
Peter Theodorous
4 Nancy Shunk
6 Jillian Anderson A BIG "Thank You!" to Corby and Nicki Shunk
Marilyn Kubalak and their family for hosting St. Luke's annual Fall
7 Evelyn Reeder Festival in October at their farm. It was a
Jodi Denger particularly frigid day and we thank all who were
8 Janelle Bobb able to attend for coming out. Also a thank you to
Jessica Roth Jim Shunk for providing his famous French fries!
9 Virginia Homan
Raymond Luse St. Luke Lutheran Church,
Maggie Delaney We wanted to thank you for the desserts donated for
Shawn Kurtz our gun raffle. They were much appreciated!
Brad Noll
10 Tyler McClenahan -Centre Hall Fire Co.
Cheryl Reid
12 Lisa Bierlein St. Luke Congregation,
Eryn Dutrow On behalf of Penns Valley EMS, we wish to thank
13 Brandie O'Hara you for your generous donation. We are trying to
14 Ken Strouse provide excellent service to our Valley. Your
15 Agnes Homan support greatly helps. Thank You!
16 Linda Dutrow -Penns Valley EMS
Amy Homan
17 Shirley Sharer Please remember our sick and shut
Kane Parsons in during the holidays, and share
18 Nora Reeder your joy with cards and visits.
Pastor Becky Horn
Worship Volunteer Schedule - Thank you for your service to St. Luke!
First Sunday of Advent - December 2, 2018
Greeters: Diane O’Hara and Kim Praskovich (8:00am)
Open and Peg Leedy (10:30 am)
Acolyte: Maggie Delaney (8:00am)
Linzy Fetterolf (10:30 am)
Lay Reader: Angela Anderson (8am) and Carol Sharpe (10:30 am)
Worship Assistant: Norma Crater (10:30 am)
Communion Assistant: Scott McAllister (10:30 am)
Communion Usher & Table: Gerald Korman (10:30am)
Offering Ushers: Dean Crater, Michele Brown, Don Rudy, Diane O’Hara (8am)
Don and Bonnie Brown, Gerald and Marjorie Korman (10:30am)
Bell Ringer: Colten Shunk(8am) and Nick Bair (10:30am)
Worship Counter: Russ Judy (8am) and Betty Ishler (10:30am)
Altar Flowers: Dave and Sandy Ferree
Communion Bread: Open
Offering Counters: Barb McAllister and Sue Royer
Snow Shoveling (12/2-12/8): Scott McAllister
Altar Care (December): Connie Zellers and Betty Ishler
Council Ushers (December): Scott McAllister (Head), Larry Frazier, Don Anderson and Shawn Lehman
Second Sunday of Advent - December 9, 2018
Greeters: Danette and Kenny Strouse (8:00am)
Lois Albright and Eileen Barnes (10:30 am)
Acolyte: Cameron Kubalak (8:00am)
Open (10:30 am)
Lay Reader: Baylor Shunk (8am) and Susan Stover (10:30 am)
Worship Assistant: Pat Strouse (10:30 am)
Communion Assistant: Cindy Kessinger (10:30 am)
Communion Usher & Table: Betty Ishler (10:30am)
Offering Ushers: Charolette and Cliff Waltz, Cindy and Denny Grove (8am)
Dave and Sandy Ferree, Shawn and Patty Lehman (10:30am)
Bell Ringer: Gary Zellers (8am) and Ryan Lehman (10:30am)
Worship Counter: Open (8am) and Barb McAllister (10:30am)
Altar Flowers: Jack Sharer
Communion Bread: Gary and Connie Zellers
Offering Counters: Cindy Grove and Jim Shunk
Snow Shoveling (12/9-12/15): Open
Altar Care (December): Connie Zellers and Betty Ishler
Council Ushers (December): Scott McAllister (Head), Larry Frazier, Don Anderson and Shawn Lehman
If you are unable to attend the service you are scheduled
for, please try to find a replacement and make Patty in
the church office (814-364-9154) or the Head Usher
aware of the change. Thank you!Third Sunday of Advent - December 16, 2018
Greeters: JD and Holli Kubalak (8:00am)
Scott McAllister and Krystal Josephson (10:30 am)
Acolyte: Breanna Praskovich (8:00am)
Nick Bair (10:30 am)
Lay Reader: Sabrina Wert (8am) and Barb McAllister (10:30 am)
Worship Assistant: Earl Leedy (10:30 am)
Communion Assistant: Dave Ferree (10:30 am)
Communion Usher & Table: Ken Cromwell (10:30am)
Offering Ushers: Paul and Betty Dietrich, Gary and Connie Zellers (8am)
Jerry and Judy Homan, Kira Josephson, Marjorie Korman (10:30am)
Bell Ringer: Don Rudy (8am) and Gerald Korman (10:30am)
Worship Counter: Russ Judy (8am) and Freda Schluter (10:30am)
Altar Flowers: Open
Communion Bread: Betty Ishler
Offering Counters: Deb Frazier and Carol Sharpe
Snow Shoveling (12/16-12/22): Scott McAllister
Altar Care (December): Connie Zellers and Betty Ishler
Council Ushers (December): Scott McAllister (Head), Larry Frazier, Don Anderson and Shawn Lehman
Fourth Sunday of Advent - December 23, 2018
Greeters: Bob Long and Tracy Noll (8:00am)
Don and Bonnie Brown (10:30 am)
Acolyte: Charlotte Delaney (8:00am)
Linzy Fetterolf (10:30 am)
Lay Reader: Kathy Long (8am) and Jack Sharer (10:30 am)
Worship Assistant: Carol Sharpe (10:30 am)
Communion Assistant: Barb Judy (8am) and Lois Albright (10:30 am)
Communion Usher & Table: Larry Frazier (10:30am)
Offering Ushers: Russ and Barb Judy, Joe Hammaker, Michele Brown (8am)
Earl and Peg Leedy, Harold and Jane Rudy (10:30am)
Bell Ringer: Colten Shunk (8am) and (10:30am)
Worship Counter: Open (8am) and Deb Frazier (10:30am)
Altar Flowers: Poinsettias
Communion Bread: Open
Offering Counters: Pat Strouse and Russ Judy
Snow Shoveling (12/23-12/29): Scott McAllister
Altar Care (December): Connie Zellers and Betty Ishler
Council Ushers (December): Scott McAllister (Head), Larry Frazier, Don Anderson and Shawn Lehman
If you are unable to attend the service you are scheduled
for, please try to find a replacement and make Patty in
the church office (814-364-9154) or the Head Usher
aware of the change. Thank you!Christmas Eve Worship Services at 5:30pm
Greeters: Dorothy Rudy and Eleanor Korkus
Acolyte: Jordan Anderson and Faith Wolfe
Lay Reader: Linda Decker-Reitz
Worship Assistant: Evelyn Reeder
Communion Assistant: Norma Crater
Communion Usher & Table: Gerald Korman
Offering Ushers: Jim and Nancy Shunk, Diane O'Hara and Dean Crater
Bell Ringer: Gary Zellers
Worship Counter: Barb McAllister
Altar Flowers: Poinsettias
Communion Bread: Open
Offering Counters: Barb McAllister and Lois Albright
Altar Care (December): Connie Zellers and Betty Ishler
Council Ushers (December): Scott McAllister (Head), Larry Frazier, Don Anderson and Shawn Lehman
First Sunday of Christmas - December 30, 2018 at 9:30am
Greeters: Alice Cromwell and Cindy Kessinger
Acolyte: Open
Lay Reader: Peg Leedy
Worship Assistant: Jack Sharer
Communion Assistant: Marjorie Korman
Communion Usher & Table: Monty Strouse
Offering Ushers: Gene and Judy Bair, Shawn and Patty Lehman
Bell Ringer: Don Rudy
Worship Counter: Betty Ishler
Altar Flowers: Poinsettias
Communion Bread: Open
Offering Counters: Cindy Grove and Sue Royer
Snow Shoveling (12/30-1/5): Gary and Connie Zellers
Altar Care (December): Connie Zellers and Betty Ishler
Council Ushers (December): Scott McAllister (Head), Larry Frazier, Don Anderson and Shawn Lehman
Second Sunday of Christmas - January 6, 2019
Greeters: Adre Fetterolf and Kathy Mothersbaugh (8:00am)
Ethel Frazier and Glady Sampsel (10:30 am)
Acolyte: Jillian Anderson (8:00am)
Nick Bair (10:30 am)
Lay Reader: Kelly Moran (8am) and Mike Morrison (10:30 am)
Worship Assistant: Jim Shunk (10:30 am)
Communion Assistant: Susan Stover (10:30 am)
Communion Usher & Table: Ken Cromwell (10:30am)
Offering Ushers: Cindy and Denny Grove, Cliff and Charolette Waltz (8am)
Krystal and Kira Josephson, Don and Bonnie Brown (10:30am)
Bell Ringer: Colten Shunk (8am) and (10:30am)
Worship Counter: Russ Judy (8am) and Freda Schluter (10:30am)
Altar Flowers: Poinsettias
Communion Bread: Open
Offering Counters: Deb Frazier and Jim Shunk
Snow Shoveling (1/6-1/12): Larry Frazier
Altar Care (January): Sue Royer
Council Ushers (January): Earl Leedy (Head), Kerry O'Hara, Susan StoverOn Monday, December 10, our St. Luke Committees will meet beginning
at 6:45pm in the sanctuary with Pr. Becky prior to splitting into individual
Committee discussions from 7-8pm. St. Luke currently has three
Committees—Congregational Relations, Community Relations and
Spiritual Relations. If you are not already on a Committee, please
prayerfully consider joining one and contributing to the fellowship,
outreach and worship practices of your St. Luke family.
The St. Luke Church Council will also meet on December 10 beginning at 8pm in the Fellowship Hall.
Council Meetings are open to those who wish to attend.
Council Members: Susan Stover (18), President; Kerry O'Hara (20), Vice- President; Scott
McAllister(18), Secretary; and Jack Sharer, Treasurer. Your additional 2018 Council Members are:
Don Anderson (18), Larry Frazier (18), Cindy Grove (19), Barb Judy (19), Tom Sharer (19) and Pat
Strouse (19), Earl Leedy (20), Shawn Lehman (20), and Open (20).
Cemetary Association Board Representatives: Bob Long (18), Joe Hammaker (19), and
Al Spotts (20).
*The numbers in parenthesis indicates the year their term is complete.
Ministry Planning Meetings take place on the first Thursday of each month at
6:15pm in Pr. Becky's office for Council Officers and Committee Chairperson.
Our next meeting will be Thursday, December 6th.
ST LUKE TREASURER’S REPORT
St. Luke's approved 2018 Budget: $172,637.00
Income as of 11/25/18: $136,343.37 (.79% of budget)
Expenses as of 11/25/18: $149,887.40 (.87% of budget)
ST. LUKE CONTACT INFORMATION
St. Luke Church Office 364-9154 or email at StLuke364@verizon.net
Pastor—Rev. Becky Horn 215-208-5535 or email StLuke364Pastor@verizon.net
Church Secretary, Patty Lehman 364-9154, 814-933-6296 or email: StLuke364@verizon.net
Organist, Bette Bender 349-4408
St. Luke Mailing Address: 301 N. Pennsylvania Avenue, PO Box 331, Centre Hall, PA 16828
St. Luke Website: http://StLukeCentreHall.org
Looking ahead…Please note that if you have news or articles for the
January 2019 issue of the St. Luke Newsletter, please submit them to
the church office no later than Thursday, December 20.
Mutual Ministry Committee meeting will be in January, time to be determined.Council Representatives – Is God calling you to service at St. Luke? Have you wanted to
see the work of St. Luke beyond Sunday morning? Do you have ideas to try, ways to
spread God’s good news of love, grace, and hope for all of creation? Consider joining
St. Luke Congregation Council. We meet on the second Monday of each month to discuss
the work of our congregation, and the ministry of Christ, of which we are a part. If you
are interested, please contact any member of council or Pr. Becky. Thank you for your
prayerful discernment of where God is calling you to participate and serve.
2019 Offering Envelopes are available in the Narthex. If you have not
been using envelopes and would like to start receiving them, please notify
Cindy Grove or the church office.
STEEPLE PROJECT
The steeple work is complete and it looks fantastic! Please continue to contribute to the cost of this project as
you are able. The congregation did take a private loan of $30,000 to cover the costs of the necessary
renovation. As of November 18, 2018 we have raised a total of $65,720.00 toward the final cost of
$110,804.32, this number does not include interest we will accrue on the loan. Thank you for your help!
IT IS THAT TIME OF YEAR TO THINK ABOUT OUR
INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY AT ST. LUKE - St. Luke
Lutheran Church will cancel all scheduled activities, including office hours,
whenever the Penns Valley School District shuts down due to weather-related
concerns. In addition to accessing weather-related closures on local
television, the Penns Valley School District also posts closure information on
its website which can be visited at pennsvalley.org. Should inclement
weather affect Sunday worship, please check your email and Facebook page.
If you do not have email or Facebook, we are currently working on getting
cancellations on TV updates for Sundays as well. We will keep you informed
on that aspect.
Snow Shoveling—There is now a sign up sheet in the narthex for Sidewalk
Snow Shoveling beginning in December. You may sign up for a week at a
time as you are able. Any questions, please speak with Larry Frazier.December 2018
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
Sunday Worship Services: 1
Every Sunday at 8am and 10:30am, unless otherwise indicated
Sunday School:
Every Sunday at 9:15am, unless otherwise indicated
AA Meeting
7 pm in Fellowship
Hall
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Communion at Decorating St. Church Office Lectionary Study Church Office Centre Hall
10:30 am service Luke Sanctuary & Hours & Prayer Group Hours Community
Christmas Tree 9am to 2pm 10am in Pr. Office 9am to 2pm Christmas at
Sunday School 9am Grace UMC Craft
Craft Day - Council of Fair & Kids
Decorate Tree Churches Meeting Activities
St. Luke 10am-3pm
Volunteers at Grace UMC
11am Live Nativity
Bell Ringing at 4-6pm
Meyer Dairy Concert 3pm at
Ministry Planning Centre Hall
9am to 9pm Meeting 6:15pm Trinity UCC
Community
Story time at the
Christmas Tree
Library 6:30-8pm
Cantata Lighting at St.
Scout Meetings Advent Worship Rehearsal Luke 6:30pm with
Service 7pm AA Meeting
5-8pm in 7pm Caroling, Cookies
7 pm in Fellowship
Fellowship Hall & Hot Chocolate
Hall
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Communion at Committee Church Office Lectionary Study Church Office
10:30 am service Meetings 6:45pm Hours & Prayer Group Hours
Council Meeting 9am to 2pm 10am in Pr. Office 9am to 2pm
Centre Hall 8pm
Community
Christmas Cantata AA Meeting
at St. Luke 3pm 7 pm in Fellowship
followed by light Advent Worship Choir Rehearsal Hall
dinner Service 7pm 7pm
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
Communion at Church Office Healing Service Church Office
10:30 am service Hours 11am Hours
9am to 2pm 9am to 2pm
Youth Group *January
Christmas Party Food Pantry at Newsletter
11:45am - 2pm Grace UMC Deadline
8am to 4pm
Scout Meetings AA Meeting
Advent Worship Choir Rehearsal 7 pm in Fellowship
5-8pm in 7pm Cub Scout Pack Hall
Fellowship Hall Service 7pm
Meeting 6-8pm
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
Communion at Merry Christmas! No Office Hours
8am & 10:30 am
service
Scout Meetings AA Meeting
Candlelight
5-8pm in Worship Service 7 pm in Fellowship
Fellowship Hall 5:30pm Hall
30 31
Joint Service of New Year's Eve
Lessons &
Carols at 9:30am.
No Sunday
School.St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church
301 North Pennsylvania Ave.
P. O. Box 331
Centre Hall, PA 16828
Return Service Requested
The
St. Luke
Letter
Mission Statement: Inviting all into relationship with Christ, Church and Community
St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church Centre Hall, PennsylvaniaYou can also read
