The Circle November 2014 November Worship at St. John's Note: Bishop Claire Burkat will not be with us on Reformation Sunday, October 26th, but will visit us on Christ the King Sunday, November 23rd. All Saints’ Weekend Saturday, November 1st, Evening Light at 5 PM Sunday, November 2nd Holy Communion, 8 AM Sunday School, 9:25 AM Holy Communion, 10:45 AM On Sunday morning, worship will begin with remembering our Baptisms in the Columbarium – and then led by a bag-piper we will go into the sanctuary to hear God’s Word and to eat at God’s Table with ALL THE SAINTS! Stewardship Weekend Our Window into God’s World Saturday, November 8th, Evening Light at 5 PM Sunday November 9th Service of the Word, 8 AM Sunday School, 9:25 AM Holy Communion, 10:45 AM Our Stewardship Committee Chairperson, Dick Kunsch, will be serving as our preacher this weekend. We will be invited to make commitments to the mission and ministry of our congregation and God’s church for the coming year. Please bring your commitment card to worship with you. Look for it in the mail in early November. 23rd Weekend after Pentecost Saturday, November 15th - Evening Light, 5 PM Sunday, November 16th Holy Communion, 8 AM Sunday School – 9:25 AM Service of the Word, 10:45 AM Christ the King Weekend Saturday, November 23rd – Evening Light, 5 PM THANKSGIVING FEAST, 6 pm Sunday, November 24th Bishop Claire Burkat Visits Holy Communion – 8 AM Sunday School – 9:25 AM Holy Communion – 10:45 AM Our Bishop Claire Burkat will join us on Sunday as we celebrate Christ as our King. whose dominion shall never pass away. As part of our joyous celebration, our Fifth graders will receive their First Holy Communion – joining us at the table of grace. Thanksgiving Eve Community Worship Wednesday, November 26th – 7:30 PM Everyone is invited to participate in a wonderful Phoenixville tradition – the Community Inter-faith Thanksgiving Eve Worship. St. Ann’s Roman Catholic Church, 502 Main Street will serve as our host. The service will take place at St. Ann’s Chapel between Fourth and Fifth Avenues. The Rev. Mark Young of First Methodist will serve as our preacher. Please bring canned goods to share with our neighbors in need. First Weekend in Advent Saturday, November 29th - Evening Light, 5 PM Sunday, November 30th Holy Communion, 8 AM Sunday School, 9:25 AM Holy Communion, 10:45 AM On the first Sunday of Advent, Christ is "advancing" towards us. In the past, God came to us in the life of Jesus. In the present, God comes especially in word So the world is going to end….that’s been a worry and sacrament. In the future, even if there is disaster, since the beginning of time. What matters is how we God will come to gather us into life. We will light the use our time and talents between now and then. Our first candle on our Advent wreath, and begin a yearGospel this Sunday strengthens us to become more long reading from the Gospel of Mark. creative and faithful servants in God’s kingdom in the meantime – which when you think about it is the only time we ever have. The Pastor’s Message: The Church I grew up in, St. Paul’s Lutheran in Allentown, has beautiful stained glass windows that span the life of Christ. Whenever the sermon got dull or the distribution of communion dragged on, I stared at the windows watching the play of the colors through the glass, observing the reflections upon the people of the congregation and learning more about Jesus than I ever realized. Through these windows I saw God’s world. Now there was a time in the early 70’s during the Vietnam War when the youth of St. Paul’s marched for peace and joined in protests for justice when I felt the Church was completely out of sync with real life. I remember boldly and now think, naively and way too crassly, saying, “We need to throw stones through the stained glass to open the Church to the light of day.” How wrong I was! The people of St. Paul’s clearly saw the light of day — the poor who lived in the slums, the homeless in the back alleys, the wounded veterans, the parents grieving the death of their sons and daughters. They knew that seeing the world through the light of Christ was the way of hope and salvation. I confess that the first time I worshipped at St. John’s I found our stained glass windows a tad dull. Yes, they fit with the stone and wood architecture in a way that the St. Paul’s windows would not have. That first day, I did not venture up the hall to see the stained glass from the old St. John’s, including the stunning one of John the Apostle which looks down on me even now as I write. Overtime, I’ve grown to love the large, purple, blue and pink windows in our sanctuary. In them is the shape of the cross — which is always our window into God’s world. When we look through the cross we behold the amazing love of God who, as St. John so brilliantly wrote: “gave his only Son, Inside this issue: that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” This 1 promise is more than life in heaven, it is life now in this age of consumption, November Worship ebola, ISIS and whatever threatens. Our window into God’s world is the 2 Pastor’s Message cross and through the cross we experience hope and salvation for Jesus 3 Church Council News / All Saints / Thanksgiving Service meets us at our point of deepest need and restores us by his resurrection. Through the cross that we respond in faith and ministry. 4 Christian Education News / Knitting On the weekend of November 1st and 2nd, we will celebrate All Saints’ Day. Once a child was visiting a church which had lots of stained glass windows. “Who are those people?” he asked his mom. She explained they were saints, which led him to conclude, “Saints let the light shine through.” We have been blessed with such saints and during worship the first week of November we will remember them and give thanks to God for them. The next weekend, November 8th and 9th, we will reflect upon what it means to be generous with all that God’ has given us. As part of our Stewardship weekend, we will make commitments to the ministry and mission of St. John’s for the coming year. This promises to be a year of growth for our congregation as we move forward in calling a Youth and Family Pastor. Please keep this process in your prayers. On November 22nd we will have our Annual Evening Light Thanksgiving Worship with a wonderful Dinner following. The next day — Christ the King Sunday, Bishop Claire Burkat will visit us and our fifth graders will receive their First Communions. There’s so many ways the light of Christ is shining through St. John’s. Thanks be to God! Pastor Cynthia Krommes 2 Group Stewardship / Can and Shoe Collection 5 Music News 6 Spaghetti Dinner / Stephen Ministry / PACS / Car Magnets 7 Young at Heart / Senior High Mission / Thanksgiving Dinner / Global Adventure 8 November Schedule / Columbarium / WELCA / Commitment Cards 9 Thank you / Staying Connected / Simply Giving 10 Calendar / Birthdays / Anniversaries 11-12 Staff / Pastoral Acts Back cover Church Council News There’s been some changes in Church Council leadership during the past few months. Pat Tindell retired and moved to New Hampshire. Laura Geiger asked for a leave to attend to evening parenting responsibilities. So there were two seats to fill. Our Executive Committee recommended that we wait to fill Pat’s seat until our February Annual meeting, as there was only a few months left in her three year term. Laura’s seat has 16 months left so Executive nominated Karen Singer to fill that term. At their September meeting, Council approved Karen’s nomination and she began serving in October. Karen provided a brief bio: “I have been fortunate to have served for 20+ years in various healthcare and financial leadership roles supporting with developing and implementing global management systems, driving operational excellence in complex global healthcare, quality, risk management, sales support and financial matrixed organizations. I have a wonderful husband, Jeff, and 2 lovely children, Mary and Benjamin, who make this journey of life a fun-loving adventure. We love spending time together outdoors, hiking, playing tennis, traveling and visiting family and friends on the US east coast and in Norway.” Karen has been a member of St. John’s for about 10 years and is excited about serving on Council. At their October meeting Council also heard a report from the Call Committee for our Youth and Family Pastor. The Committee has received a candidate to interview. Pastor Krommes and Laura Geiger did the first interview. When an Associate Pastor is being called this first interview is always done by the Senior or Lead Pastor. Laura Geiger was asked to be part of the interview too as she has wonderful interviewing skills and was extremely helpful in the hiring process for our Parish Administrator, Sonya Sowards. The Call Committee hopes to interview the candidate the week of October 19th. Please keep this important process in your prayers. All Saints’ Sunday – November 2nd On All Saints’ Sunday we give thanks for the saints of every time and every place and especially remember those saints who have died in the past year. It is a “mini-Easter” in which we rejoice in the gift of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and in the promise of life everlasting. Just as we did last year, we will begin our Worship around the “font” in the St. John’s Columbarium. There we will affirm our baptisms wherein we died and rose again with Christ. From there we will move into the sanctuary (we’re working on getting a bagpipe player to lead us) and together sing the glorious “For All the Saints.” Our texts for the day take us to heaven, in sermon we will specifically remember the saints of our congregation who have died in the past year, our feast around the table of Lord is a foretaste of the feast to come in God’s kingdom. Then if there are remains to be committed we will move back outside to the Columbarium. Mark your calendar now to be part of this great Feast and wonderful day of celebration. While we have the names of members of the congregation who have died since All Saints 2013, if you would like a name of someone who has died since November 2013 included in the prayers of intercession that day, please call or email the Church Office or place their name on our yellow communication card. We ask that you remember those who have died before November 2013 in your silent prayer that day. A Wonderful Phoenixville Thanksgiving Tradition! Phoenixville Interfaith Thanksgiving Worship will be held at St. Ann’s Roman Catholic Church in the Chapel between Fourth and Fifth Streets, on Wednesday, November 26 th beginning at 7:30 pm. Pastor Mark Young of First Methodist serves as our preacher. The offering is directed to the Phoenixville Area Clergy Association Emergency fund to support families in need in our community. 3 Christian Education News Sunday School Happenings! We were blessed with songs by our Sunday School Children at our 10:45 am worship on October 12th and 19th. It’s our plan for our First through Sixth graders to sing the second Sunday of the month and our 3, 4 & 5 years olds to sing on the third Sunday of the month. Our Music Director, Tom Snyder and our Sunday School Pianist Eleanor Lundy practice with the children as part of their Sunday School classes. Then they share the songs with the whole congregation. What a delight! First Holy Communion – Fifth Graders Our Fifth Graders will receive their First Holy Communion on Christ the King Sunday – November 23rd at our 8 am or 10:45 am worship services. Bishop Claire Burkat will be joining us for the celebration. To prepare our Fifth Graders will meet for four weeks – November 2, 9, 16, 23 during the Sunday School hour for First Communion Instruction with Kate DeMutis. On Saturday, November 22nd the students have a morning retreat from 9 am to 12 noon at the Church during which they’ll make Communion Bread, complete their study and receive acolyte training. Meanwhile, their parents meet with Family Counselor, Jim Rude, for a presentation and discussion titled On the Cusp of Adolescence from 9 to 10:30 am. If your son/daughter is older that Fifth grade and has not yet received their First Communion, they are also invited to be part of the preparation. Confirmation Our 7th and 8th graders are studying the New Testament and the Life of Jesus this year. Our 9th graders are focusing upon the Ten Commandments and the Lord’s Prayer. On November 23rd and 30th, the Confirmation students will prepare for their Fall Retreat on Martin Luther which take place December 5th and 6th at Tel Hai Retreat Center in Honeybrook. Senior High Youth Group On Sunday mornings, a group of Senior Highs meet to create wonderful videos that focus upon upcoming Gospel lessons. The videos are shown during the Sunday School Group Opening for the 1st through 6th graders and then are posted on our own You-Tube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-CWizTF3Jazv4T6u50Hqvg. Other Senior Highs serve as Sunday School Assistant Teachers. Adult Education – Sundays at 9:30 am There are four different learning opportunities for Adults on Sunday Morning. Happy Hour/Dwelling in God’s Word focuses upon the Gospel for the Day and connects it to real life, especially to the joys and challenges of parenting. Sunday Morning Book Club gathers to discuss a book, reading from a variety of fiction, non-fiction and biography. Faith Life is for those who want to think deeply about what’s happening in the world in relationship to their faith. They are presently using a video course developed by Old Testament Scholar Walter Brueggeman entitled Countering Pharaoh's Production/Consumption Society which explores the ways our society seeks to define us by what we own or buy instead of who we are as God's people. Women of the New Testament is getting know the women who followed Jesus and help shape the early Church. On November 16th, our eight week Fall Newcomers’ Class begins and is for all those who are new to St. John’s or who have been here awhile and want to grow in faith. For more information about any of the classes and to register you or your family for Sunday School, please call the Church Office, 610-933-3947 or email [email protected]. Message from St. John's Knitting Club: For the past few months our Knitting Club has been knitting hats, scarves, and mittens for the Clinic in Phoenixville. We had been told that during our horrible winter last year, there were many patients (adults and children) coming in for treatment that didn't have these items to help keep them warm. First, we would love to have more people join us, Thursday mornings starting at 10:00 am. If that's not possible but you would still like to help, you can bring in your knitted items and put them on the table in the Christian Ed. Room, Dana's old office. 4 A Reflection on Living a Life of Generosity By Dodi Strunk From the first moment that I walked into St. John’s I could feel the generosity of its members. It was 1999 and I was pregnant with my son Bobby. I immediately felt the warmth of the building, its members and of course Pastor Cindy. At that time it was only a feeling but after 15 years of being a member I have witnessed again and again the spirit of St. John’s members and their generosity. Over the years amazing memorial gifts have changed the landscape of St. John’s (literally). As you drive in, you pass the St. John’s entrance sign and a beautiful memorial garden and stain glass panels of Jesus and his sheep. All generous gifts of a loved one lost. Gifts are abundant at St. John’s and they are often not financial. Each year I am completely amazed by St. John’s Bible School and the amount of work that goes into making that week special and an affordable camp option for families. I was amazed this summer when I found out that Jody and Justin O’Neill take vacation time to help with VBS. Vacation time is so precious and they choose to take that time and spend it with 100+ screaming, singing, high energy kids. Wow is that generous! On a more personal note our family depends on the generosity of the wonderful people who put together coffee hour! It’s a new group every Sunday but it’s what gets my kids out of bed, dressed and into the car with no arguments. That is a gift. Who knew the power of a donut? Our Confirmation guides are generous. My son has been blessed with Kurt Seidel. It isn’t easy managing energetic high spirited teenage boys. They commit three years of Sundays to guiding and listening to our children at one of the most difficult and awkward times of their lives. I can only say thank you for such a generous gift. The most important thing I can say about living a Live of Generosity is that no gift is too small and never under estimate the value of your gift to someone. Why did St. John’s feel so warm to me? Was it a smile or a handshake? Both gestures are easy enough to give but to a nervous newcomer it means everything. One of my favorite stories in the Bible is the widow who gave a mite. The mite in itself was not valuable by Roman standards. The generosity of her gift was in the sacrifice in giving what she had. Living a Life of Generosity is personal and only you know what you can give. Collecting Aluminum Cans and Used Shoes We’re collecting Aluminum Cans to help send our young people to the ELCA Youth Gathering in Detroit this summer. Please donate your cans in the large box in Kley Hall. We continue to collect used shoes to support the St. John’s Building Fund. Shoe can be deposited in the boxes in the Narthex and the Glass Entry Way into the Christian Education wing. THANK YOU! 5 Our newest ensemble, St. John’s Singers, is MUSIC 3,4,5 YEAR OLD CLASS As part of their weekly class the children will be learning a song which will be sung as part of worship on the third Sunday of each month at the 10:45 worship service. Parents are encouraged to worship with their children following Sunday School. They will sing their song, up front, in place of the Psalm near the beginning of the service. It’s a great time to invite proud grandparents to church. open to youth grades six and above. This year we are running our rehearsals from 9:00 AM to 9:20 AM in the Eisenhower Room across from the kitchen. Singers are encouraged to grab breakfast at coffee hour and bring it to rehearsal. This choir sings varied repertoire and helps lead worship every four to six weeks. Rehearsals have started up again and we’re looking for new singers as well as returning familiar faces. Any questions, please contact Tom Snyder, Director of Music, [email protected] or call 610.287.8004. Junior Choir, kids in grades 2-5 continues rehearsals on Wednesdays in the balcony from 7 – 7:45 PM. Come join us and find out what choir is all about. We sing in church about once a month, learn about hymns, play instruments, and help lead worship. Hope to see you soon. GRADES ONE THROUGH SIX The first through sixth grade children gather together each Sunday to listen to a Bible story and learn a song which relates to an upcoming lesson. The song will be sung as part of worship on the second Sunday of each month at the 10:45 worship service. Again, parents are encouraged to worship with their children following Sunday School. They will sing their song, in the balcony, in place of the Psalm near the beginning of the service. Mr. Tom [email protected] The opportunity to worship together as a family is one which comes from your Baptismal promises to bring your children to the word of God and the holy supper, to nurture them in faith and prayer, and to grow in the Christian faith. 8 PM, Wednesday, October 1, Senior Choir began rehearsing music for Christmas Eve. Additional singers, especially older youth, are invited to join in preparation of this joyful music. Christmas selections will begin rehearsals. Come, join the angels’ singing. For additional information contact Tom Snyder, Director of Music, [email protected], 610-287-8004. 6 BENEFIT SPAGHETTI DINNER On Saturday, November 1st, from 4 to 7 pm St. John’s is sponsoring a Spaghetti Dinner to benefit the Phoenixville Area Children’s Learning Centers scholarship fund. Monies will be used to help families in need to afford quality child-care as parents are moving into full employment. The Centers are non-profit and two of the best child care centers in our area. Besides a wonderful meal of salad, spaghetti (including gluten free spaghetti), meatballs, sausage, bread, beverages and desserts, there will also be Raffle Baskets. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children and will be available beginning October 1, 2014. Take out will be available too. To learn more about the Learning Centers, please visit www.paclc.com Stephen Ministry Training will begin in late January. If you are interested please contact Linda Landis at 610-935-0726 Get Your Car Magnet! Share the joy of St. John’s wherever you go by placing this on your bumper – car bumper that is! (Remember to take it off before going through an automatic car wash.) St. John’s Magnets are available after worship in the narthex or at the new directory picture taking sessions. Costs are $3.00 each. They make a perfect stocking stuffer and fit nicely on refrigerators too. Thanks to our Evangelism Committee for all the ways they help us get the word out about St. John’s! 7 Senior High Mission Day Young at Heart Our 10th through 12th graders are invited to participate in a Senior High Mission day on Tuesday, November 4th. We will leave St. John’s at 1 pm to head to University Lutheran Church on Chestnut Street in Philadelphia where we will prepare and serve Feast Incarnate, a weekly food ministry for persons who are living with HIV or who are in need. Aaron Westermann is organizing this mission day for his Senior Project. We return to St. John’s at approximately 7:30 pm. We are also in need of adult drivers for the afternoon. If you can help, please fill out the Yellow Communication Card or call the Church Office. Fall 2014 Our fall programs continue! Mark your calendars now and be sure to sign up on the Yellow Communications Cards, email me at [email protected] or call me at 484-919-5208 if you are attending so we can plan the food accordingly. Wayne Ledger Wednesday, November 19, 2014 Program: Jack Ertell with Phoenixville Trivia Food: Steelworker’s lunch Vegetable Soup (Wayne) Lunch Meats, Cheeses and Bread (need four volunteers to provide) Dessert—fruits such as apples, grapes (need three volunteers to provide) Wednesday, December 17, 2014 Program: West Chester Singers & Ringers (concert & sing-a-long) Food: Roast Beef (Wayne) Mashed Potatoes (need four volunteers to provide) Mixed Vegetables (need three volunteers to provide) A Global Adventure! On Saturday, November 22nd, Evening Light Thanksgiving Worship begins at 5 pm in the Eisenhower Room . Our St. John’s Thanksgiving Dinner follows at 6 pm. The Fellowship Committee provides the Feast, and welcomes gifts of sides and desserts. You are welcome to come either to Worship at 5 pm or Dinner at 6 or BOTH! Sign up on the Yellow Communication Card or on the Sign Up Boards in the Narthex and outside Kley Hall. 8 The ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program invites young adults ages 19-29 to step out of their comfort zone and challenge themselves in a one year international mission service and learning opportunity. They will be given the opportunity to gain new perspectives on life and work and to build relationships across culture, race, language and faith. Programs take place in Argentina and Uruguay, Jerusalem/West Bank, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mexico, Central and Eastern Europe, South Africa and the United Kingdom. To learn more visit the YAGM website at http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/ Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/ Global-Mission/Engage-in-Global-Mission/GlobalService/Basics-of-Global-Service/Young-Adults.aspx. (You can also Google: ELCA, Young Adults in Global Mission and be directed to the site.) The St. John’s Church Council has pledged their support to any of our young adults who are interested in applying (and are accepted) to the program. Preferred application deadline is February 1 for service beginning in the same year. Final application deadline is February 15. Applications received after February 15 cannot be considered. If you are interested, please speak with Pastor Krommes so that St. John’s can plan to provide support for your year of service. People of God Involved in God’s Work November Schedule Early Service Acolytes 2 Gabrielle Perrotto 9 Jantzen Hawkins 16 Rosa Gerner 23 Will Blackledge 30 Olesya Sitkowski Assisting Ministers 2 George Mansur 9 Ron Stevens 16 Dale Herbranson 23 Brittney Walters 30 Brittney Walters Communion Assistants/Lectors 2 Aimee Hillegas (L) TBD 9 Adam Supplee 16 23 30 Altar Guild 2 9 16 23 30 Ushers 2 9 16 23 30 Allen Kramer (L) Dave Granacher Don Titus (L) Lynn Titus Erica Lucas (L) P.J. Gadzicki Late Service Nathan Romano Jack Kramer Dylan New Anna Gerner Travis Brown Sam or Deb Ahola Sam Ahola Sandra Stotler Sarah Bethune Donna Thompson Consider our Columbarium Garden Shelley Saeger (L) Brian Greenwald Beth Williams (L) Heather Yonosh Joe Beregi The Columbarium Committee encourages us all to consider our final wishes and whether they would include a niche in our beautiful Garden. We welcome people of all faiths to the Columbarium Garden. The pre-need cost of a niche, which can accommodate 1 or 2 urns, is $2,750, while the time-of-need cost is $3,000. Cost for members of St. John’s is discounted to $2,500. Jack Ertell (L) Bill Starling Dennis Duerr (L) Jan Duerr Janet Ertell & Leilani Ash Jean Herbranson & Donna Thompson Carole Lauer & Toni Hadfield Pat Kautz & Kim Fetters Jean Herbranson & Donna Thompson Don Titus Barry Church Cathy Garrett Sam Fryer John Rawlins Nathan Yurick Richard Latella Richard Skoniczin Mark Wilkinson George Wilkinson Debbe Welsh George Wilkinson Greg Krueger Bob Gorman Dave Frees Carol Cully Luanne Bindschusz Chuck Liedlike Visit www.phoenixvillecolumbariumgarden.weebly.com for more information. Mildred Wilson Dennis Duerr Barbara Rambo Sandra Stotler Paul Miller George Kurtz Brian Becker Glenn Murphy Alicia Dewey Jeanette Dewey WELCA will meet Tuesday morning November 25th at 10:30am, to pack cookies and assemble gift bags for our shut-ins and staff. Donna Anderson Nancy Cressman James Niness Cathy Garrett Kate Endres Nils Aho Mary Wenner Margaret Walker Cookie donations from the congregation would be appreciated. All cookie donations may be placed in the kitchen beginning Sunday the 23rd. Please mark them clearly. Let Linda Landis know that you will donate cookies. Counters 2 Jeanne Oglesby, Jeff & Jeanne Schanzenbach, Sarah Bethune 9 Ulrich Rimrott, Peg Yerger, Bob & Bill Kunsch 16 Jack Ertell, George & Ellie Kurtz, Sandra Bradbury 23 George Mansur, Lily & Imtiaz Khan, Donna Anderson 30 Mary Heiser, Chuck & April Liedike, Kevin Gallagher Lock-Up 2 Dale Herbranson Laura Caughlan 9 Dick Wolstenholme Brian Becker 16 Chris Huselton Karen Singer 23 Bobbi Riley Paul Miller 30 Brian Becker Mitch Reading Coffee Hour 2 Stephen Ministry 9 Ninth Grade Confirmation Class 16 Happy Hour/Dwelling in the Word 23 3rd and 4th Grade Students & Parents 30 WELCA Creation Room 2 Dawn Clark Jen Drewes 9 Sarah Blattner Sandi Stotler 16 Erica Lucas Britta Petrofsky 23 Kelly Gallagher Pam Westerman 30 Teresa Olsen Erica Reading Our Window into God’s World On Saturday and Sunday, November 8th and 9th we will make commitments to our mission and ministry in 2015 during our three worship services. 2015 Commitment Cards will be mailed to our households and will also be available in the narthex. Everyone is asked to do the best they can in supporting the important work of St. John’s Please return your card via the offering plate on the 8th or 9th or by mailing it to the Church Office. Sincerely, Your Stewardship Team. 9 Dear People of St. John’s Lutheran: Pastor Lanny Westphal asked me to thank you for your past support of ministry in Tanzania. There is a new ministry initiative in that country called Tanzania: Effective Outreach in the 21st century. This initiative is part of the Campaign for the ELCA. Please contact Pastor Westphal at [email protected] with any questions. Pamela Miller, volunteer Thank you to all my brothers and sisters in Christ at Saint Johns for the wonderful coffee hour celebration and the generous gift. I feel so blessed to have been a part of such a loving congregation. Our years together have given me such joy! Blessings to you all, Love, Dana Deichmann Staying Connected On behalf of the staff, board, and volunteers of Phoenixville Area Community Services, thank you for your generous contribution of groceries/food items for the emergency pantry. Every day some of our neighbors are faced with crises that result in their going without their essential needs met. The generosity of donors like you gives PACS the needed financial support to respond to urgent needs when people reach out to help. Thank you for supporting our mission and sharing our commitment to make a difference in our community, providing hope and building a brighter future for those in need. Sincerely, Carol A Berger Executive Director Dear Friends: I wanted to send a note to say “thank you” for making a clothing donation to the residents. As I am sure you are aware, this program would not be possible without people like you. We are extremely fortunate to have your support and do appreciate your dedication to “serve those who have served.” April Harley Volunteer Coordinator Southeastern Veterans’ Center Dear St. John’s: We are grateful for your support of the Good Samaritan Shelter. Together we are helping people rebuild their lives with a renewed sense of hope and promise. Thanks to your generosity we successfully provided shelter, food and case management to 108 men in the Phoenixville area, and to 68 women and children in the Ephrata area. We have helped them connect with vital services, we have helped many of them to find employment, and we have helped them start on their path back to self-sufficiency and independence. We couldn’t do it without you! Nate Hoffer Executive Director Good Samaritan Shelter 10 Besides our monthly Circle newsletter and our weekly Life Together bulletin insert, we stay connected with each other through: our Facebook Page “St. Johns Lutheran Church of Phoenixville” (http://www.facebook.com/ groups/271909366183251) our Web Site at www.stjohnphoenixville.org weekly email updates and our Getting More Out of Worship emails If you would like to receive The Circle newsletter electronically only, please email Sonya Sowards, our Parish Administrator, at [email protected]. To be added to or removed from our email or mailing list, just let us know! Our church offers electronic giving, which allows you to make donations on a scheduled, automatic basis. If you are writing checks and preparing envelopes every week, you will especially appreciate electronic giving. It is convenient for you and provides much-needed donation consistency for our church. This is another way to eliminate the cost of envelopes. To set up electronic donations, simply complete the authorization form available in the church office. Donations can be debited automatically from either a checking or savings account. Call or email Sonya Sowards at [email protected] to request an authorization form. November 2014 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 All Saints 9:45a Firebird Theater 4:00p Spaghetti Dinner 5:00p Evening Light 2 All Saints 3 4 Election Day 5 8:00a HC 9:00a SJ Singers 9:25a Christian Ed 10:45a SOW 1:00p WELCA lunch @ St. Matthews 2:00p PCO Rehearsal 6:00p dance practice 7:30p Property Committee 7:30p Stephen Ministry 12:30p PACA 1:00p Sr. High Mission 3:30p Social Min. 7:00p Diakonia 7:00p Christian Ed 7:30p Worship & Music 9 Stewardship/ Veterans Circle Deadline 10 11 Veteran’s Day 12 7:30p Church Council 4:30p PACS Board 7:00p Diakonia 7:00p BS #119 7:30p Columbarium Committee 10:00a Bible study @ Episcopal House 7:00p Alanon 7:00p Junior Choir 7:30p Nicotine Anon. 8:00p Senior Choir 10:00a Knitting 5:30p Women’s AA/ Alanon 5:45p GS #42009 7:00p Naranon 7:15p Handbells 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Christ the King 8:00a HC 9:00a SJ Singers 9:25a Christian Ed 9:30a Electronics 10:45a SOW 2:00p PCO Rehearsal 6:00p dance practice 6:00p GS #4083 6:30p GS #4863 7:00p Evangelism 7:30p Stephen Ministry 7:00p Diakonia 7:00p Fellowship 9:00a Circle collating 10:00a Bible study & Episcopal House 12:00n Young at Heart 4:45p GS #4308 6:30p GS #4069 7:00p Alanon 7:00p Junior Choir 7:30p Nicotine Anon. 8:00p Senior Choir 10:00a Knitting 5:30p Women’s AA/ Alanon 5:45p GS #42009 7:00p Naranon 7:15p Handbells 8:15p Naranon Support 10:00a Mother/ Baby Breastfeeding Connections 9:00a 1st Communion Workshop 9:45a Firebird Theater 5:00p Evening Light 6:00p T-giving feast 23 Christ the King 24 25 26 27 Thanksgiving 28 29 Bishop’s Visit 10:30 Covered Bridge Garden Club 6:30p Kiwanis Board 7:30p Executive 7:30p Finance 10:30a WELCA 7:00p Diakonia 7:00p Stewardship 10:00a Bible study & Episcopal House 7:00p Alanon 7:00p Junior Choir 7:30p Nicotine Anon. 7:30p Thanksgiving Eve @ St. Ann’s 8:00p Senior Choir 5:30p Women’s AA/ Alanon 7:00p Naranon 9:00a baby shower 9:45a Firebird Theater 5:00p Evening Light 8:00a SOW 9:00a SJ Singers 9:25a Christian Ed 10:45a HC 6:00p dance practice 8:00a SOW 9:00a SJ Singers 9:25a Christian Ed 10:45a HC 2:00p GS #4013 4:00p PCO Program 6:00p dance practice 10:00a Bible study @ Episcopal House 1:00p staff meeting 4:45p GS #4308 6:30p GS #4069 7:00p Alanon 7:00p Junior Choir 7:30p Nicotine Anon. 8:00p Senior Choir 30 8:00a HC 9:00a SJ Singers 9:25a Christian Ed. 10:45a HC 6:00p dance practice 11 6 7 8 Stewardship/ 10:00a Knitting 10:00a Mom’s Club 5:30p Women’s AA/ Alanon 5:45p GS #42009 7:00p Naranon 7:15p Handbells 10:00a Mother/ Baby Breastfeeding Connections Veterans 9:45a Firebird Theater 5:00p Evening Light 13 14 15 9:45a Firebird Theater 5:00p Evening Light November 2014 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Matt Endres James Miller Lisa Wimble 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Audree Bonavita Lisa Schanzenbach Lisa McIntyre Will Stotler James Keddie Jim Steiner Christopher Scavello Nils Aho Katie Henderson Cecilia Knaub 16 17 18 23 24 25 Shayne Tobin Chris Cully Sophia Ehrhart Karen Romano Jacob Wolf Madison Gadzicki Teddi Herzfeld Amy Borowy Tammy Plumley Benjamin Ash Diane Sitkowski Mark Yanchek Jr. Rachel Possinger -Seidel Kenneth Wickstrom Patrick DesMarais Laurie Griggs-Williams Jim Ulinski Mildred Wilson Katherine Yonosh Sarah Yonosh Eric Koup Carole Lauer 14 Jean Donohue 15 Ryan Blacker Ella Koup Rachel Zimmerman 19 20 21 22 26 27 28 29 Jay Renninger Jill Desmarais Azaria Ford Olivia Schumacher Corey Deputy Brett Gallagher Bradley LaBoon Jennifer Soley 30 Gary Carl Gabriella Geiger Mary Miller Nancy Renninger 12 1 Charles & Donna Soult 2 Iain & Bridget Riley 4 Tom & Lindsey Snyder IV 6 Richard & Leilani Ash 8 Ed & Pam Naylor 10 Ryan & Melissa Blacker 12 Andrew & Katie Henderson 13 Pat & Erica Lucas 14 Chris & Shelley Saeger 24 Rick & Leslie Kern 25 Nancy & John Perchalski Wanda Valenteen Brandon Jones St. John’s Lutheran Church 355 St. John’s Circle Phoenixville, PA 19460 610-933-3947 www.stjohnphoenixville.org E-mail: [email protected] CHURCH STAFF Pastor: The Rev. Dr. Cynthia L. Krommes Associate Pastor: Thomas Kochenderfer, Jr. Director of Music: F. Thomas Snyder, III Organist: Joseph J. Lewis Evening Light Pianist: Sondra L. Andrews Parish Administrator: Sonya K. Sowards Custodian: Pat Fatale Nursery Coordinator: Arlene Hudak Stephen Ministry Leaders: Linda Landis — 610-935-9726 Diane Davidson — 610-933-7987 Lee Dalasio — 610-454-9884 CHURCH COUNCIL President: Mitch Reading Vice President: Dale Herbranson Secretary: Laura Caughlan Treasurer: Shirley Platzer Assistant Treasurer: Rose Gatlos Financial Recording Secretary: Mary Heiser Assistant Financial Recording Secretary: Shirley Platzer Fund 3 Secretary Kevin Gallagher Council Representative: Jay Stearly Other Members of Church Council: Brian Becker Christine Huselton Paul Miller Bill Starling Bobbi Riley Dick Wolstenholme Karen Singer COMMITTEES Christian Education: Kathy Atkinson, Chairperson Bill Starling, Council Rep. Columbarium: George Mansur, Chairperson Bill Starling, Council Rep. Electronics: William Schoellkopf, Chairperson Paul Miller & Dale Herbranson, Council Reps. Updated Contact Information Pat Tindell 36 Walden Pond Drive Nashua, NH 03064-2877 Dolly Bucher French Creek Manor 501 Mason Street, Apr. 208 Phoenixville, PA 19460 Pastoral Acts Evangelism: Kate Endres, Chairperson Bobbi Riley, Council Rep. Baptism Corrina Yvonne Geiger September 13, 2014 Executive: Dale Herbranson, Chairperson Funeral Dorothy M. Peronteau October 1, 2014 Fellowship: Sandy Zimmermann, Chairperson Finance: Jack Ertell, Chairperson Brian Becker, Council Rep. Property: Keith Kenyon Bill Schoellkopf Co-Chairpersons Paul Miller & Dick Wolstenholme, Council Reps. Social Ministry: Debbe Welsh, Chairperson Laura Geiger & Laura Caughlan, Council Reps. Stewardship: Richard Kunsch, Chairperson Christine Huselton, Council Rep. Worship and Music: Jean Herbranson, Chairperson Jay Stearly, Council Rep. Office Assistants: Wayne Ledger Debbe Welsh June Henzie Peg Yerger Kathy Atkinson Dottie Doepping Beverly Ott Collators for The Circle: Joan Carl, June Henzie, Pete Henzie, Pat Renninger, Debbe Welsh, Kay Mann, Peg Yerger, Daisy Custer Postal Delivery: Debbe Welsh The Circle Staff: Sonya K. Sowards St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church 355 St. John’s Circle Phoenixville, PA 19460-2582 NON. PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID SEPA 19399 PERMIT # 6117 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED 2014 ST. JOHN’S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH 355 St. John’s Circle Phoenixville, PA 19460-2582 610-933-3947 www.stjohnphoenixville.org E-mail: [email protected] A Caring, Sharing, Growing Congregation Participating in Stephen Ministry Fall Worship Schedule Saturday 5 p.m. (Evening Light) Holy Communion every Saturday Sunday 8 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. Holy Communion @ Early Service 1st and 3rd Sundays Holy Communion @ Late Service 2nd and 4th Sundays Holy Communion @ Both Services Festival Days and 5th Sundays Handicapped Accessible THE CIRCLE
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