St.

Johns Weekly News

www.stjohnsmelrose.org

Worship, Meetings, and Events

December 1st, Sunday
First Sunday of Advent 10 AM Worship Pastor Donna Wright Preaching and Leading Worship 11:15 AM Coffee Hour Coffee Hour December 1st, 2013: BYOS

December 1st, December 3rd, Tuesday

5: 00 PM

Ornament Exchange

2: 00 PM - 3:30 PM Bible Study 7: 30 PM Choir Rehearsal th December 4 , Wednesday 7: 00 PM Transition Team Leadership/Subcommittee th December 8 , Sunday 11: 30 PM Council Meeting Preparing For Next Week First Reading : Isaiah 11:110 Psalm : Psalm 72:17, 1819 May the righteous flourish; let there be an abundance of peace. (Ps. 72:7) Second Reading : Romans 15:413 The Gospel : Matthew 3:112

Before you go into the hospital for surgery, let me know so I can pray with you.

Did you know that Pastor Donna says

NEED to talk to the Pastor???

This is how to contact Pastor Donna Office: 215 635 3465, 215 635 2838 Home: 215 277 5744

We are invited to pray

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

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

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

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

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

Financial Giving Summary for Sunday, November 17th, & 24th 2013 Envelopes for Operating Funds Income from Rentals Special Appeals Total Receipts 2, 616. 10 975. 00 205. 00 3, 796. 10 930. 00 000. 00 316. 00 1,246.00

This amount does not include earnings from St. Johns endowment or monies taken from the principal of the endowment to meet expenses.

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

End of Year Challenge

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

Social Ministry 2013 Christmas Ingathering

Santa has been checking his lists and feels he could once again use some help from St. Johns to provide a more joyous Christmas to many of our neighbors. Lutheran Children and Family Services has provided us with the names and gift suggestions for 15 youngsters under their care. The gifts have a $25 value.

Silver Springs-Martin Luther School also has need of gifts for children and families served by them. These gifts range from stocking stuffers to Wish Gifts of toys, clothing, and toiletries. Food donations to stock the food cupboards at Lutheran churches in Philadelphia and Montgomery County will also be collected and distributed. These will be distributed today.

Joan Seader New dates for Transition events:

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

Upcoming Events
Sun., Dec. 1 Hanging of the Greens worship 10:00 a.m.

Please reserve these dates on your calendar! Please take a Hymnal

Hymnals that St. John's no longer uses are available for you to take home. The ones in the Hagan Room are the ones dedicated to various individuals; feel free to take one or more that has a name of one of your family members. The ones in the lobby/narthex have no dedication and may be taken by anyone. May you use the hymnal for singing and for praying and for inspiration. Ornament Exchange Today at 5 p.m. at Bruce and Rosemary Hanes' home. Bring a snack and a wrapped ornament for the fun exchange!

BOOK CLUB MEETS: JANUARY 12TH 11: 30 ADULT FORUM

BOOK CLUB MEETS: JANUARY 12TH 11: 30 ADULT FORUM An Announcement from the Director of Music.

The Chancel Choir will be rehearsing on Tuesday evenings beginning this week. If Thursday rehearsals have kept you from singing in the choir, come lift your voice to God with us on Tuesday at 7: 30 PM. The ability to read music is helpful, but not required.

More Announcements
Ruth Circle of Women of the ELCA invites all women to our Holiday Luncheon and Program on Tuesday Dec 10, 2013 12 Noon in the Hagan Room Come enjoy the Holiday Spirit

Share the Joy and Taste of Christmas

NEEDED- COOKIE BAKERS

St. Johns has 10 members who are homebound and it is nice to remember them with Cookies along with the poinsettias. If you can help provide the cookies we would be most grateful. Please deliver to the Church by December 5th.

Thank You --Ruth Circle

Altar Flowers for December 1st, 2013

In memory of the birthday anniversaries of my loving uncles Nelson R. Nickel and James C. Hershey
by

their niece Joan E. Seader

LEADERSHIP FOR SUNDAY DECEMBER 1ST, 2013
DIRECTOR OF MUSIC : CHUCK GRIFFIN JR. CHANCEL CHOIR Jordann Antoan Steve Brown

ACCOLYTE

WORSHIP ASSISTANT AND LECTOR COMMUNION ASSISTANTS

Steve Brown Sue Kershner Marcia Boraas Pauline Kretschmer

USHERS

Bruce & Rosemary Hanes Keith & Jean Barker

SOUND SYSTEM

JOSH PINNEL

Order Poinsettias to Adorn the Sanctuary for Christmas

Pl ase consider ordering a poinsettia to honor or remember someone

e

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

Donors Phone: _______________________________

In memory of_________________________________