1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity
3. catholicism

Saint John’s Lutheran Church and Childhood Center
EPISTLE
Millheim, Pennsylvania
Happenings:
JULY
3 - Office & Childhood
Center closed for July 4th
holiday
5 - Holy Communion
12 - 10:30AM Worship &
Picnic @ Soldiers & Sailors
Park, Millheim
19 - Worship Service
21 - Church Council mtg
26 – Worship Service
AUGUST
2 - Holy Communion
9 - Worship Service
13 - Caring for Our
Gifts Committee mtg
16 - Companion Synod
Sunday
July/August 2015
From the Pastor
In the beginning when God created
the heavens and the earth…
God said, “Let there be light”; and
there was light.
that word can be the source of all we
speak. It can be the filter through which
we read and hear so many other words
that shape the reality of our daily lives.
With the power of a few words, God
created our world and all things in it.
Such is the strength of the word.
And while none of us have the power
to form a world out of nothing, the
way we use language shapes our
reality and the realities of others.
What we say, what we don’t say,
what we write, read, and hear have
immense power. Our words can heal
or hurt; tear down or build up; bring
joy or cause pain. Which says to me,
we should be very careful about how
we use our words and how we frame
our speech because what we say
creates a ‘world’, and forms an
impression that can last a long, long
time.
For we all know we can hear and read
a lot of things that are damning and
damaging. We can even pass them
along to others and be gossips. But
what I find quite intriguing is that the
word ‘gossip’ is a word that originally
meant ‘god relative’ from the Middle
English word ‘god-sib’. In its original
form a gossip was a companion, a
godparent, a religious sponsor. And
what that says to me is that when we
are being gossips, god-siblings, the
words we pass along ought to be Godly
words. Words that are intended to build
up, that point to greater truths, and that
are based upon the faith God has given
to us.
18 - Church Council mtg
21-29 Grange Fair
23 - 9:30 AM Worship at
Salem.
30 - 9:30 AM Worship at
Salem.
So how do we use our words? And
what is behind the language we use
on a regular basis? If it’s scripture,
we’re inspired by phrases like, “Be
not afraid!” or perhaps “Come to
me, all you who are weary and
burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Of course scripture is also full of
words of woe, warning, and
judgment. But as followers of
Christ, we believe in God’s Word
made flesh; an ever- living Word of
redemption, forgiveness, and
salvation. And as repentant sinners,
God spoke and created a world for
humanity; a world where we can live in
hope, peace, and love. Let us do our
best to cultivate those things with our
words and deeds as we shape our life
and the lives of others each and every
day. Let us be great at gossiping, in its
original sense, as we walk with our
sisters and brothers, our God-siblings in
Christ.
Your partner in mission and ministry,
Pastor Julia
PAGE 2
E P I S T LE
J U LY /A U G U S T 2 0 1 5
No Worship at Saint John’s Lutheran
on August 23rd & 30th
Instead, we’ll gather at Salem Lutheran in Aaronsburg at 9:30am. With so
many individuals and families camping at the Grange Fair, the councils of
both congregations have determined that combined services at Salem are
not only practical, but a welcome opportunity to gather in Christ’s name
with our sister congregation. Mark your calendars for worship at Salem,
Sunday August 23rd and 30th at 9:30am.
Where is Flat Jesus?
Check out the bulletin board in the narthex and see all the places we’ve
taken Jesus during these weeks of summer. As the body of Christ on earth
we carry Jesus with us everywhere. Our photos are a reminder of our
Lord’s presence in our daily lives.
Upcoming Worship
July 12th – Worship at 10:00 am at Soldiers and Sailors Park followed
by our annual picnic.
August 16th – Companion Synod Sunday featuring prayers and liturgy
from Kenya.
August 23rd – The First Sunday of Grange Fair will find us gathering
at Salem Lutheran – 9:30am.
August 30th – The Second Sunday of Grange Fair, again at Salem
Lutheran, 9:30am.
Where is Pastor Julia?
Unless she’s at a meeting or addressing a pastoral concern, you can usually find her in her
church office on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. During the week of July 12 – 17th
she’ll be serving as a chaplain at Camp Sequanota. And between July 29 th and August 10th
she’ll be on vacation. If you need to meet with your pastor and want to be sure she’s
available, schedule an appointment and, as always, feel free to call her home office.
WELCA Thanks You
WELCA would like to “Thank You” for a grocery cart overflowing with
donations to the Penns Valley Family Service Center. Your generous
contributions will be much appreciated by neighbors in need of our help.
PAGE 3
E P I S T LE
J U LY /A U G U S T 2 0 1 5
All Because of You….
All because of… Jack and Janet Smith, the stairway inside the Penn Street entrance to the
building has had a major ‘face-lift’. Thank you for your generous gift and for sponsoring
the upgrades!
All because of…the painting crew, especially Larry Koehler, the classrooms, front doors
and hallway have received a coat of fresh color.
All because of you… over fifty children learned and laughed their way through
the week of Vacation Bible School. Special thanks to Sherry Koehler who
developed the program and directed the volunteers and Childhood Center Staff.
All because of you…and your special financial offerings, over $750 was
donated so that families can better afford a week of church camp for their
children. (St. John’s - $426, Salem - $336).
All because of you…people are invited and welcomed to worship and enjoy
fellowship with our community of faith.
The good news happens and spreads all because of you. Thank you!
Graduation Announcements
Penns Valley High School:
Coleton Lee Harter, son of Colleen Swetland, grandson of Lee & Donna
Wingard
Zane Spahr, son of Terri Spahr, grandson of Debra Immel. Zane will be attending South
Hills Business School in the fall.
Courtney Spicer, granddaughter of Rosalie & Dennis Fetterolf. Courtney will be attending South Hills Business School for Administrative Medical Assistant in the fall.
Bellefonte High School:
Kaylee Crissinger, daughter of Jaime Ross and Terry Crissinger, granddaughter of
Debra Immel. Kaylee will be attending Penn State University Park in the fall.
PAGE 4
E P I S T LE
J U LY /A U G U S T 2 0 1 5
Shut Ins
Please remember those who are homebound or
living apart from us,
with your cards, phone calls, prayers and visits.
Shirley Gross
3201 River Rd.
Wing E Room#407A
Lewisburg, PA 17837
Betty Neff
Westminster Woods
360 Westminster Dr.
Huntingdon, PA 16652
Shirley Bechtol
152 W. Main St.
PO Box 12
Millheim, PA 16854
Isabel Confer
Centre Crest
502 E. Howard St.
Bellefonte, PA 16823
Iva Hosterman
Valley View Haven
4702 E. Main St. A126
Belleville, PA 17004
John Hosterman
c/o Elmcroft
150 Farmstead Lane
State College, PA 16801
Martha Stover
1 Bogar Lane
Mifflinburg, PA 17844
Hazel Betack
106 Coburn Rd.
Millheim, PA 16854
Doug Bower
PO Box 121
Aaronsburg, PA 16820
Russell & Violet Stover
Valley View Haven
4702 E. Main St. 412B
Belleville, PA 17004
Betty Harter
100 Timber Ridge Way NW#2203
Issaquah, WA 98027
Kathy Rodriquez
PO Box 388
Millheim, PA 16854
OUR MISSION
Saint John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Millheim,
empowered by the Holy Spirit, is a witness to the Gospel
of Jesus Christ. This body of baptized believers in
fellowship with Jesus Christ invites all to worship, learn,
and serve people everywhere, beginning with our community.
CONGREGATIONAL COUNCIL
COMMITTEES
President: Al Ilgen
Caring for Our Gifts
Vice President: Arlan Kauffman
Caring for Our World
Secretary: Mimi Owen
Caring for Ourselves
Pastor Julia Sprenkle
Lynnette Breon
STAFF
Russ Selner
Pastor Julia Sprenkle - [email protected]
Susie Smith
Amy Niewinski, Parish Secretary - [email protected]
Bob Thompson
Robin Foltz, Childhood Center Director - [email protected]
Donna Wingard
Daniel Warntz, Minister of Music - [email protected]
Erin Wingert
Tracy Lubinski, Sexton
J U LY /A U G U S T 2 0 1 5
E P I S T LE
PAGE 5
Prayers
For Those in Grief:
The Family and friends of:
Nick Castellano
Ethel Knauss
Marlene Corl
Penny Greenland
Erma Barno
Bernice Stiner
Amanda Dallard
Bob Guisewite
Linda Homan
Fred Royer
Lori Dillman
Virginia Boob
Dan Wise
Carolyn Bower
Rev. Greg Shannon
Melody Morgan
Winnie Jones
Bill Wance
Al Jones
Janice Stover
Howard Wise
Don Greenland
Jeff Cook
Freda Tate
In Our Prayers:
*Gay Lynne Shuey
*Rich Blaschak
*Debra Anderson
*Abbie Hollobaugh
*Alma Jean Port
*Lane Snedden
*Tiarra Rachau
*Deb Sinkus
*Amy Bremer
*TJ Coursen
*Jake Brindle
*Ed Kerstetter
*Barry Yearick
Joyce Rossman
Colton Stauffer
Mary & Tisana Breon
Doug Bower
Mitch Stover
Harold Benfer
Candy Wasson
Jerry Stover
Hope Perry
*Bob Martin
Mark Jones
Financial Stewardship
Date - Attendance
Offering
May 3rd– 47
May 10th - 82
May 17th - 56
May 24th - @ Salem
May 31st - 57
June 7th - 52
June 14th - 36
June 21st - 55
June 28th - 51
$1,885.50
$1,884.00
$2,242.75
$1,090.00
$1,350.00
$2,682.00
$1,659.00
$1,787.10
$3,064.00
Sponsors Wanted
We are seeking weekly sponsors
for the worship bulletin. The
cost is $10 per week. These
sponsorships are tax-deductible
contributions to the church and
will help defray the cost of
printing and postage.
Interested in serving as a
sponsor? Contact Amy
Niewinski in the church office.
PAGE 6
EPISTLE
JULY/AUGUST 2015
JULY BIRTHDAYS
AUGUST BIRTHDAYS
3 - Betty Harter
3 - Mona Stover
10 - Nathan Spahr
13 - Frances Fetterolf
13 - John Luse
15 - Kurt Breon
16 - Roger Guisewite
17 - Shirley Gross
20 - Jerry Hosterman
30 - Claire Guisewite
1 - Sylvia Orndorf
Happy Anniversary!
August 17th - Sylvia & Arlington Orndorf
August 21st - Ruth & Ed Besecker
7 - Lynnette Breon
8 - John Hosterman
11 - Joan Smalley
12 - Beth Selner
15 - Tyler Fry
20 - Hugh Besecker
21 - Martha Stover
22 - Iva Hosterman
25 - Michael Heckman
28 - William Warriner
July Baptisms:
Dorothy Fleming
Mitzie Krape
Bill Krape
Jim Smith
Phyllis Bressler
August Baptisms:
Joshua Spahr
Thank you for the sympathy cards we received from you.
We truly appreciate your kindness and support. May the Lord
bless you.
Doug and Connie Boob
Looking for a way to honor or remember your loved ones?
Our new Play Space will be complete with a brick walking/tricycle path.
Each personalized brick will be placed in the path. So, your loved one will be
recognized as a benefactor of St. John’s Community Play Space.
For more details or to order your personalized brick please
see the brochure or contact Robin Foltz.
The deadline to order bricks is August 31st!
PAGE 7
EPISTLE
JULY/AUGUST 2015
COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS
April 2015
Childhood Center Report: Robin sent a report for council. Amy reported that enrollment continues to
be good with only a few openings in various classrooms. There has been staff changes and we are looking
for a full-time or a couple of part-time teachers. We advertised in on Career Builder and the CDT. Summer
camp is June 11-August 27th. We are managing hours to stay in budget and personnel policies are in place.
Treasurer’s Report: Amy reported that the Childhood Center budget (Income & Expense) is unrealistically high based on year end data from 2014. Amy and Robin are aware of this and running the Center on bare
minimum to avoid any problems. Al Ilgen explained the various listings of accounts.
Old Business: “One Call Tell All” is up and ready to use. Pastor Julia can now put out messages to subgroups for Church Membership, Council, Childhood Center board, and Childhood Center clients. It will be
announced in the bulletin and Epistle to notify the congregation.
New Business: There was parking lot issue at a recent function that resulted in blocking the alley that
goes through our property.
Report of Committees: Building project update: Ron Rishel will put the Plexiglas over the stained-glass
windows in June. Lynnette Breon reported that she created 3 baskets for the “The Oaks” and the Senior
Daily Living Center benefit fundraising raffle from the $110 donated by the congregation. Caring for
Ourselves is putting together a joint service for Pentecost Sunday on May 24th with Salem Lutheran.
Upcoming joint services could be Reformation Sunday and during Grange Fair. The Malaria Campaign was
raised $360, short of the $400 goal.
WELCA: Approximately 40 people attend the Pre-Easter breakfast on April 4th. Leftovers were used after
the Easter Egg hunt before the Easter service. Discussed moving the time back for the Men’s breakfast to
increase attendance.
Scouts: Russ reported there was too much inside time due to the long, cold winter. They are looking forward to outdoor activities.
May 2015
Childhood Center Report: Robin Foltz reports that Summer Camp enrollment is looking very good.
Field trips this summer include: Northland Bowl, Shaver’s Creek, OIP lunch,PSU Sports Museum,
Arboretum, Creamery;,Bald Eagle State Park, Lakemont Park, Punxatawney, Grange Fair, swimming
twice a week. Buses are very expensive. Susie Smith made a motion that the Loose Offering in June be
used to help with the cost of busing. Bob Thompson seconded the motion. Graduation will be Saturday,
May 30th. St. Jude’s trike-a-thon raised $407. The Millheim Hotel is sponsoring their Annual Bike Ride
(motorcycles) on June 20th, with proceeds being donated to our Community Play space. The Stars grant
is spent. Discussion of the Childhood Policies (time off/sick time).
Treasurer’s Report: Overestimated income/expenses in the budget, but it is now matching up pretty
well. Al Ilgen explained detailed Profit/losses. First Quarter Audit is done and filed.
New Business: Ordering of new envelopes: order same what we have in the past. Burkholder’s Family
Musicians will be invited to sing at our Annual Church Picnic on Sunday, July 12 th. Lynnette Breon
reports that the pavilion rental is $75, and will check for availability at the Millheim Pool. VBS
(Vacation Bible School) ad for the June 15-19 will be in the Grapevine with the Dinges’ paying for ½ of
the advertisement. Bishop Rhynes “One More for Mission”, one more dollar in the offering plate was
discussed.
Old Business: Construction update: painting the church steeple bid from Hillside Construction was
$1,600. Al suggests that we put $2,000 more on th principle loan, and he motions this, and Bob
Thompson seconded. Motion passes. Balance of the loan is $42,753.13 as of the end of April. The hall
runners and carpet in the Sanctuary need to be cleaned. It was last done in 1989 by Nittany Chemical
Carpet Cleaners. The bid estimate is $500-$600.
Report of Committees: Caring for our Gifts: Bob Thompson reports at the Cemetery, there are 3 dead
Ash trees which need to be removed.
WELCA: Donna Wingard reported that June is “fill the grocery cart” month and asked Erin Wingert to
check with Burkholder’s about borrowing a shopping cart to put in the Narthex. Salem Lutheran Church is
having an Ice Cream Social with kite flying (weather permitting), on Sunday, May 31 st at 6:30pm. LWR
(Lutheran World Relief)- Ethel Rote needs money for health kits (ie towels, etc.)
SA INT JOH N’ S
LU THER AN CHUR CH
(814) 349-5349
[email protected]
101 Mill Street
PO Box 439
Millheim, PA 16854-0439
St. John’s Childhood Center
(814) 349- 5611
[email protected]
Annual Worship Service & Picnic
Soldiers & Sailors Park, Millheim
Sunday, July 12th
Worship starts at 10:30am
Beef BBQ, hot dogs, rolls, condiments & drinks will be provided. Please bring your
own table service. There will be lots of games for both children and adults.
Come enjoy the fun and fellowship! Swimming will be half price ($3) and pool
memberships will be honored.
Please sign up by July 8th so the committee can have an approximate number to
prepare for. The sign up sheet is in the narthex. Please list the names, number
attending, and type of side dish you will bring for the potluck picnic.
If you have any questions, contact Lynnette Breon (St. John’s rep) at 777-4874 or
Karen Stover (Salem rep) at 349-8319.