THE ST. LUKE LETTER February 2020

February 2020

Siblings in Christ,

I have been pondering over the vision of St. Luke’s for quite some time now. Periodically I look at the St. Luke Mission image. I wonder how we are currently living into this call to mission. Are we inviting all into relationship with Christ? Are we inviting all into relationship with Church? Are we inviting all into relationship with this Community? Inviting others can be really hard. How do we even start a conversation where we ask, “Want to come?” or how do we say, “You should come to my church; I think you would really like it.”? It seems to be a dance when we try to talk about our faith, to invite others to come and see, and the fear of offending others with our speaking about God or faith. And yet, we are called by God to do just that. Perhaps not offend people – or rather not be offensive, but I wonder if we are called to offend others in a way. Never-ending, unconditional love can be offending to some. It may cause incredulousness in us – especially if we have judged others not to be deserving of God’s amazing gift of love. When Jesus commands us to love God and to love others as we love ourselves, Jesus is telling us to love ALL people. Jesus has commanded us not to judge the beliefs, actions and words of others as unworthy of God’s love and forgiveness. Jesus has commanded us to love people – to care for and offer God’s mercy, grace and forgiveness. Of course, there are consequences for the words and actions we use, but we also are still loved, all people are loved. Those who are in prison are loved by God. Those who have fallen to addiction are loved. Those who are sick are loved. Those who hate are loved. Those who believe differently are loved. Those who identify differently are loved. ALL PEOPLE ARE LOVED!

Since all are loved by God, how do we share this great news with others? How do we invite people who feel that they are undeserving of love and acceptance? We begin with conversation. We start a relationship and friendship. We listen to where people are, and we love who they are. And we ask…we ask, “Do you want to come with me to church?” And we tell them, “You are loved. God loves you.” And perhaps we challenge, “Come and see. Come and see that God loves you, that no one is perfect, and God loves all of us regardless.” Let us together live into God’s call and a mission of St. Luke. Let us together invite all into a relationship with Christ, Church and Community.

Yours In Christ, Pr. Becky Horn

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: [email protected])

Pr. Becky will be off January 30th and February 3rd. Should you February 5 & 26 have any pastoral emergencies during that time, you may still 10:00 AM in Pastor’s office. contact her on her cell phone: 215-208-5535. We begin by reading and discussing Pr. Becky will be attending Synod Continuing Education Events the upcoming lectionary texts for Sunday and conclude with a short on February 18-20. You man still reach her on her cell phone prayer service where we pray for all through text, calls or emails. people on our prayer list.

-Hope to see you there!

GOD SIGHTING Where have you seen God? I’ve seen God in the work of the people – especially on Youth Sunday on January 19th when the youth of St. Luke led worship services. It was truly inspiring to have so many young folks, who are the church, actively being the church through leading worship – prayer, reading, preaching, giving, sharing, Communing – being the church and doing the work of God in this place. Worship means ‘work of the people’ and it is always wonderful to have full participation. It is amazing to have folks who are willing to get up to read, sing and pray. And as we who gathered to support the youth, to worship with the youth, we too were active in the worship of God, fulfilling the work of the people as we were renewed and enlivened by God’s love and the faith of these spectacular young people. Thank you for being you and for sharing your faith. Thank you for enacting God’s love and showing us that we are all called by God to share the Good News and our faith. Thank you to: Jordan & Jillian Anderson, Josh Lieb, Jackson Roth, Jameson & Sydney Shawver, Colten Shunk, and Faith, Hope and Will Wolfe. ______QUESTIONS TO PONDER We are blessed by God to think, interpret, question and discuss where God is calling us in this world – as people of God, as neighbor and friend, as caring and loving folks. This column will raise questions for us to think about, discuss and pray about. You are welcome to contact Pr. Becky with thoughts or new questions for us to ponder as people of God. ELCA World Hunger More than 820 million people - that's about 11 percent of people in our world today - are hungry. As members of the ELCA, we are called to respond. We are a church that rolls up our sleeves and gets to work. Working with and through our congregations, in the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands Lutheran churches overseas and other partners, ELCA World Hunger is uniquely positioned to reach communities in need. From health clinics to microloans, water wells to animal husbandry, community meals to advocacy, your gifts to ELCA World Hunger make it possible for the ELCA to respond, supporting sustainable solutions that get at the root causes of hunger and poverty. Learn More. Hunger facts  821 million people around the world - that's more than 1 in 10 - can't access the food they need to live active, healthy lives. [1]  According to the most recent estimates, 736 million people live in extreme poverty on less than $1.90 per day. That's 10% of the world's population. [2]  At some point in 2017 (the most recent year available), more than 40 million people in the United States were unsure where their next meal might come from. [3]  39.7 million Americans were living in poverty in 2017. For a family of four, this means their annual household income was below $25,094. [4] ------[1] Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2018 [2] The World Bank, 2018 [3] USDA, 2018 [4] US Census Bureau, 2018 For more information go to: https://www.elca.org/Our-Work/Relief-and-Development/ELCA-World-Hunger St. Luke will be assembling a Lenten Devotional written by St. Luke and our friends. This year we will be reading through the Book of Romans and inspired by the words and faith shared through reflections and prayers. Please sign up in the Narthex and take the slip that corresponds to the reading you chose. (Readings are organized by week indicated by colors.) Devotions are due to Pastor Becky either via email or handed to her by Monday, February 17th. Devotionals will be available to be picked up on Sunday, February 23rd (the Sunday before Ash Wednesday). If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Becky. Thank you so very much for sharing your faith through reflections and prayers.

Prior to the start of Lent, the Congregational Relations Committee will host a Pancake Supper on Tuesday, March 25, from 5:30-7pm.

Ash Wednesday Services - Wednesday, February 26 - 7pm at St. Luke

Midweek Lenten Wednesday Worship Services: March 4, 11, 18, 25 & April 1 - 7pm at St. Luke

Holy Week Services: (Tentative Schedule - subject to change) Palm and Passion Sunday - April 5 - Worship at 8am and 10:30am with the Annual Sunday School Egg Hunt being held at 9:15am Thursday - April 9 - Meal and Worship at 6pm at St. Luke Good Friday - April 10 - Worship 7pm at St. Luke Easter Vigil - April 11 - Worship 7pm at St. Luke Easter Sunday - April 12 - Easter Sunrise Service at 7am and worship at 10:30am

The annual Sunday School Easter Egg Hunt will take place on Palm Sunday, April 5, 2020 during the Sunday School hour which begins at 9:15am.

Easter Breakfast - There will be an Easter Breakfast immediately following the Easter Sunrise Service on April 12. Additional details and sign-up sheets will be available March 1st.

The St. Luke Sewing Group will meet on Tuesday, February 11, 9am to 2:30pm.

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The Centre Hall/Potter Food & Fuel Pantry will have their next monthly food distribution on Tuesday, February 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 & Soup April – Caked Mixes July – Soap October – Toilet Paper February – Canned Milk May – Mustard/Ketchup August – Toothbrushes November –Laundry Detergent March – Toothpaste June – Paper Towels September – Shampoo 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, February 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 boxes at 8am 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 the Food Pantry at 814-531-6151 or speak with Bonnie Brown if you can help or if you have any questions.

SOUP”-ER BOWL SUNDAY— Bring in cans of soup on or before Sunday, February 2nd, to benefit the Centre Hall/Potter Food Pantry. Let’s come together and help meet the needs of our community. Soup donation totals will count towards Bishop Michael’s 40,000 Can Challenge. As of Jan. 20, St. Luke has collected 183 cans of soup.

Bishop's 40,000 Can Challenge - As of Wednesday, January 22, the Allegheny Synod as a whole has collected a total of 15,744 non-perishable food items to benefit local food pantries. As of January 20th, St. Luke has donated $1153 to Christmas of HOPE, 196 items to Pets Come 1st, 77 items to Centre Safe and 549 items for the Food Pantry (183 Soup, 207 Reverse Advent, 159 misc items).Final Totals will be reported in March newsletter.

Looking For A Place To Volunteer? - Centre Volunteers in Medicine are looking for RNs, LPNs and MAs to volunteer at a free medical clinic for the uninsured who live or work in Centre County. A minimum of 4 hours per month is required. They will provide liability insurance. For more information, please visit their website at www.cvim.net or call (814) 231-4042 and ask to speak with Elizabeth. ______

The next book is: The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein. We will meet to discuss the book on Wed. March 4 at 8:30 in Pr. Becky’s office. Please join the conversation and bring book suggestions for next time!

There are two opportunities in February to pray with our siblings in Christ. Feb. 9 at 3:00 at Grace Lutheran, State College and Feb. 16 at 3:00 at St. John Gualbert Cathedral, Johnstown. Join us for one or both worship services as we gather ecumenically, across denominational lines, to worship God and pray for one another in our ever changing world.

Allegegheny Synod Assembly is June 5-6, 2020. This year we will be having the election of a new Bishop for the Synod. With this transition process, the Synod Transition Task Force has asked to have voting members identified by the end of February. St. Luke's is asked to send one male and one female voting member from our congregation. If you are interested in attending, please contact Pr. Becky for more information. Thank you for your consideration and supporting the work of the Allegheny Synod of the ELCA.

The 32nd Annual Convention of the Allegheny Synodical Women’s Organization will take place on Saturday, April 18, 2020 at the Duncansville Evangelical Lutheran Church. The theme will be “Keeping the Gift Alive." More information will be coming soon.

Centre Region Ecumenical Choir and Concert—Grace Lutheran Church will present an ecumenical choir concert entitled Behold, How Good: Sounds of Unity on Wednesday, March 25 at 7pm. A meal will also be held at 5:15pm. A freewill offering will be collected to help defray costs. There is a poster in the Narthex if you would like additional information. If you love to sing and would like to participate in the choir, please notify Laurel Sanders at [email protected]. There is a rehearsal schedule in the narthex.

Have a Heart for Children Fundraising and Awareness Event - this is an event sponsored by the Centre County Orphan Care Alliance to gather folks together to hear about the need for foster and adoptive families. The event is set for Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 6:00 at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center. Tables for 8 can be reserved for $350. If you are interested in more information, or sponsoring a table, please contact Pr. Becky for more information. Thank you for your support of children and youth in need.

Interfaith Human Services Leap Year Dance! - On Saturday, February 29th, from 7-9:30pm, there will be a Leap Year Dance at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 780 Waupelani Drive Extension, State College to benefit Interfaith Human Services. The cost will be $5 per adult, $3 student, and under age 5 will be free. Drinks and Snacks will be included. UUFCC Jazz Band will provide music with 16 piece Big Band—swing, rock, latin, funk, standards—very danceable and all ages are welcome.

Prayer Concerns Pray for the recovery and the Lord’s healing and peace on our brothers and sisters.

Dave Ferree...recovery from surgery Beverly Haines...surgery

On-going Prayer Concerns: Paul Dietrich...cancer Tanya Evans…health concerns Marvin Lehman, Jr....MS and kidney disease Vicki Garvin...kidney disease Robert Sauerwein...heart and health concerns Megan McLoughlin...cancer TJ Coursen...cancer Jen Parsons...recov. from brain tumor Bob Chambers...health concerns John Turnbull...healing and hope Jim Evans...Cancer Brynn Cashell...leukemia Mae Judy...health concerns Robert Wendt...health concerns Marvin Lehman, Sr.…health concerns Audrey Oakes...cancer Chuck Murphy...health concerns Greg Bohn...kidney issues Pat Krisch...cancer Gordon Yearich...cancer Kyle Lehman…military Don Anderson...rehab. from surgery Charlotte Miller...cancer Will Wise...cancer Rycen Musser...leukemia Ronnie Ticknor...leukemia Bob Stevenson...multiple health concerns Ginger...stage 4 colon cancer Susie Wicker...breast cancer Cindy (Rolston) Marshall...cancer Don Brown...health concerns Dave Kern...health concerns Sandy Kern...support and strength Belize Children..Susie Westby, Myrtle Tracy, Ashanti Obrien, Orlando Jackson, Stephanie Logan

Please pray also for the health of our Home-bound: Dorothy Chambers (Foxdale Village, 500 E. Marylyn Ave. State College, PA 16801—Rm 317) Joan Confer (Wynwood House, Room 10, 122 Wynwood Drive, Centre Hall, PA) Donna Fetterolf (Wynwood House, Room 19, 122 Wynwood Drive, Centre Hall, PA) Adam Garman (238 Sinking Creek Rd, Spring Mills, PA 16875...364-9555) Phyllis Kerlin (The Inn at Juniper Village, 1930 Cliffside Drive—Rm 136, State College, PA 16801) Fred Lohr, Jr. (244 S. Pennsylvania Ave, Centre Hall, PA 16828…364-9368) Alma Martz (202 W. Church St, PO Box 171, Centre Hall, PA 16828...814-364-1244) Alice McClenahan (432 S Pennsylvania Ave, Centre Hall, PA 16828) 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 [email protected] . 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 1/30/20

Feb. 9 Daniel and Polly Brooks 10 Ronald and Dawn Holsopple 12 Sam and Martha Grove St. Luke Congregation, Thank you for all the birthday cards for my 80th birthday. Thank you, Fox Dietrich

Dear St. Luke's, Feb. 3 Beth Araujo Thank you very much for your 5 Aaron Witherite generous donation to the Centre Hall - Anna Korman Potter Township Food Pantry. We 6 Catherine Bierlein appreciate your support. Donald Fetterolf, Jr. Tammy Harter Your donation will help the Food

8 Jack Sharer Pantry to continue to serve the local 9 Marshall Brooks community. David Ferree Thank you, Sandra Ferree Centre Hall-Potter Twp Robert Ishler Food Pantry 11 Hannah Denger

Barb Judy 12 Doug Homan 13 Nick Bair Dear Congregation of St. Luke's, 15 George Murphy Thank you from the bottom of our Julia Delaney hearts for donating food for a Christmas 16 Lisa Woehrer meal for the families with limited means 17 Ken Long participating in our 2019 Christmas of 19 Casey Grandy HOPE program. We appreciate your Kira Reeder amazing help each year and we know that 21 Jody Lair 22 Adam Herrold the families had huge smiles on their faces Baylor Shunk and full stomachs on Christmas day 23 Robin McClenahan because of your kindness and generosity! 25 Liam McClenahan The families of those you helped had many Olivia Nicosia hardships within the last year and were so 27 Justin Herrold appreciative of the Christmas that was

provided for their children! Your food donations helped make their holiday

season one of HOPE.

Sincerely,

Connie Gensimore

Treasurer, Christmas of HOPE

St. Luke officially welcomes Sue and Lee (Please note, this is a small part of a thank Chappell and Tom and Sue McCool as new you letter from The HOPE Fund of Penns members of the St. Luke Family. Welcome! Valley. Please be sure to read the full letter that is posted on the narthex bulletin board.)

Notes of Thanks from Interfaith Human Services Clients… These notes of thanks represent many folks who are served by IHS.

Letter from Rep Payee Client: I wanted to say how lucky I am to have the services of Interfaith Human Services be a part of my life. Whether my goals are short term or long term…You guys get it…I also know if it weren't for you I would always be broke. Let's face it I am very impulsive…it does get annoying to know I cannot have access to my funds at times…That's when I realize over a few hours or days that is the whole reason why I have IHS in the first place as my rep payee…I know that you always have my back and I am grateful for you and IHS…To be a part of my life. So thank you and all of the people that make this service possible for the community.

Letter from Furniture Client: Dear Harry & Staff, I am thanking you again for the beautiful and comfortable furniture. My other furniture was old and embarrassing so in need of a cleaning, which I could not afford to have done. I also could not afford to purchase used furniture. I have a nice apartment, which I can affort to live in because it's government housing. It is so nice, now, to have nice furniture to fill it. I sit here on the "new" couch and feel, for the moment, like I am living in someone ele's apartment. Such a blessing! Thank you for your desire to help people. Thank you, Harry, for that extra effort you put into the Furniture Program. I'm glad you are all there to keep the programs going.

2020 Lutheran Marriage Encounter Weekends Announced Your marriage relationship is something that provides the greatest potential for happiness. Is yours living up to this potential? Please make 2020 the year you resolve to attend a Lutheran Marriage Encounter Weekend to learn how to maximize the joy and intimacy that God intends for your marriage!

The following Northeast US Weekends have been scheduled:

* April 24-26, 2020 at Country Inn & Suites, Ithaca, NY. A hotel with lots of country charm in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of New York. * May 1-3, 2020 at Heritage Hotel in Lancaster, PA. A recently-renovated hotel, home of the unique, treehouse-inspired restaurant, "Loxley's." * October 2-4, 2020 at Comfort Inn Latham-Albany North--just 10 miles north of Interstate 90 near Albany, the vibrant capital of NY. * October 16-18, 2020 at Olmsted Retreat. A stunning, hotel-style retreat Center in the Allegheny National Forest, 2 hours north of Pittsburgh.

Please go to the national website: www.GodLovesMarriage.org to see the very reasonable group rate for each Weekend. You may make your payment for the cost for your lodging and 5 meals for each of you plus the registration fee with your credit card, or you may mark the option to send a check. Scholarships are available for those in need who request them at the website. Registrations are limited by the size of the conference rooms, so to be sure to get the Weekend of your choice, sign up at your earliest convenience at www.GodLovesMarriage.org . For questions please contact Northeast US Directors of Lutheran Marriage Encounter, Fred & Julie Schamber, at [email protected] or 724-325-3166. Worship Volunteer Schedule - Thank you for your service to St. Luke!

Fourth Sunday after Epiphany– February 2, 2020 Greeters: Allen and Amy Homan (8:00am) Peg Leedy and Betty Ishler (10:30 am) Acolyte: Grace Wolfe (8:00am) Nick Bair (10:30 am) Lay Reader: Kathy Long (8am) and Barb McAllister (10:30 am) Worship Assistant: Shawn Lehman (10:30am) Communion Assistant: Evelyn Reeder (10:30am) Communion Usher & Table: Monty Strouse (10:30am) Offering Ushers: Cliff & Charolette Waltz, Gary & Connie Zellers(8am) Krystal & Kira Josephson, Patty & Ryan Lehman (10:30am) Bell Ringer: Colten Shunk (8am) and Gerald Korman (10:30am) Worship Counter: Freda Schluter (10:30am) Communion Bread & Wine: Open Altar Flowers: Lois Albright Offering Counters: Cindy Grove and Barb McAllister Snow Shoveling (2/2-2/8): Monty Strouse Altar Care (February): Michele and Dayna Brown Council Ushers (February): Pat Strouse (Head), Carla Cipro, Jazmyne Shaffer, and Krystal Josephson

Fifth Sunday after Epiphany– February 9, 2020 Greeters: Joe Hammaker and Kelly Moran (8:00am) Larry Frazier and Adre Fetterolf (10:30 am) Acolyte: Josh Lieb (8:00am) Open (10:30 am) Lay Reader: Kelly Moran (8am) and Peg Leedy (10:30 am) Worship Assistant: Earl Leedy (10:30am) Communion Assistant: Shari Welch (10:30am) Communion Usher & Table: Scott McAllister (10:30am) Offering Ushers: Paul and Betty Dietrich, Dean Crater and Michele Brown (8am) Scott McAllister, Mike Morrison, Gene and Judy Bair (10:30am) Bell Ringer: Gary Zellers (8am) and Kira Josephson (10:30am) Worship Counter: Deb Frazier (10:30am) Communion Bread & Wine: Open Altar Flowers: Open Offering Counters: Deb Frazier and Cindy Grove Snow Shoveling (2/9-2/15): Earl Leedy

Fifth Sunday after Epiphany– February 16, 2020 Greeters: Don and Angela Anderson (8:00am) Earl Leedy and Bonnie Brown (10:30 am) Acolyte: Jillian Anderson (8:00am) Linzy Fetterolf (10:30 am) Lay Reader: Diane O'Hara (8am) and Deb Frazier (10:30 am) Worship Assistant: Susan Stover (10:30am) Communion Assistant: Sue Royer (10:30am) Communion Usher & Table: Marjorie Korman (10:30am) Offering Ushers: Diane O'Hara, Don Rudy, Joe Hammaker and Open (8am) Gerald and Marjorie Korman, Earl and Peg Leedy (10:30am) Fifth Sunday after Epiphany– February 16, 2020 continued… Bell Ringer: Don Rudy (8am) and Scott McAllister (10:30am) Worship Counter: Betty Ishler (10:30am) Communion Bread & Wine: Open Altar Flowers: Carol Sharpe Offering Counters: Lois Albright and Sue Royer Snow Shoveling (2/16-2/22): Larry Frazier

Transfiguration of Our Lord – February 23, 2020 Greeters: Eleanor Korkus and Dorothy Rudy (8:00am) Jerry and Judy Homan (10:30 am) Acolyte: Breanna Praskovich (8:00am) Open (10:30 am) Lay Reader: Charolette Waltz (8am) and Susan Stover (10:30 am) Worship Assistant: Jim Shunk (10:30am) Communion Assistant: Stephanie Delaney (8am) and Shawn Lehman (10:30am) Communion Usher & Table: Michele Brown (8am) and Shari Welch (10:30am) Offering Ushers: Cliff and Charolette Waltz, Gary and Connie Zellers (8am) Shawn and Patty Lehman, Monty Strouse, Martha Grove (10:30am) Bell Ringer: Colten Shunk (8am) and Larry Frazier (10:30am) Worship Counter: Barb McAllister (10:30am) Communion Bread & Wine: Open Altar Flowers: Jack Sharer Offering Counters: Barb McAllister and Sue Royer Snow Shoveling (2/23-2/29): Larry Frazier

Ash Wednesday– February 26, 2020 at 7:00 pm Greeters: Gerald and Marjorie Korman Offering Ushers: Ken Cromwell, Bonnie Brown, Nancy Shunk, Larry Frazier Bell Ringer: Ryan Lehman Worship Counter: Freda Schluter Communion Bread & Wine: Open

First Sunday of Lent– March 1, 2020 Greeters: Tracy Noll and Susan Wolfe (8:00am) Freda Schluter and Gladys Sampsel (10:30 am) Acolyte: Maggie Delaney (8:00am) Nick Bair (10:30 am) Lay Reader: Angela Anderson (8am) and Shawn Lehman (10:30 am) Worship Assistant: Scott McAllister (10:30am) Communion Assistant: Lois Albright (10:30am) Communion Usher & Table: Shawn Lehman (10:30am) Offering Ushers: Paul and Betty Dietrich, Dean Crater, Michele Brown (8am) Shari Welch, Lois Albright, Jerry and Judy Homan (10:30am) Bell Ringer: Gary Zellers (8am) and Nick Bair (10:30am) Worship Counter: Deb Frazier (10:30am) Communion Bread & Wine: Norma Crater and Pat Strouse Offering Counters: Deb Frazier and Jim Shunk Snow Shoveling (3/1-3/7): Open Altar Care (March): Norma Crater and Pat Strouse Council Ushers (March): Evelyn Reeder (Head), Don Anderson, Shawn Lehman, Larry Frazier We Are In Need of Additional Volunteers…

New 2020 Sign-Up Sheets are located in the narthex for those who would like to donate bread, wine, and altar flowers. There is also a sign-up sheet for sidewalk snow shoveling on a weekly basis from November through March. Lawn Mowing sign-up sheets are up from April to October.

**Also, please consider being added to our lists of Worship Service Volunteers at both services. We are in particular need of volunteers at the 8am worship service. We are in need of additional Acolytes, Greeters, Lay Readers, Offering Ushers, Bell Ringers, Communion Assistants, Worship Assistants, Worship Counters, etc. If you are able to help with any of these volunteer opportunities, or you have questions regarding these opportunities, please contact Patty Lehman in the Church Office as soon as possible. Thank you!

Looking ahead…Please note that if you have news or articles for the March issue of the St. Luke Newsletter, please submit them to the church office no later than Thursday, February 20, 2020.

ST. LUKE CONTACT INFORMATION St. Luke Church Office 364-9154 or email at [email protected] Pastor—Rev. Becky Horn 215-208-5535 or email [email protected] Church Secretary, Patty Lehman 364-9154, 814-933-6296 or email: [email protected], 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

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.

Vacation Bible School—Planning for this summer’s Vacation Bible School has begun! The theme will be Knights of North Castle and will tentatively take place from Sunday, July 26th to Thursday, July 30th, with dinner at 5:30pm and pick up at 8:15pm. If you would like to help with the planning process, we invite you to attend the next planning meeting on April 21st at 7pm at Grace United Methodist Church, Centre Hall. Please speak with Pr. Becky if you have questions.

Council Members: Shari Welch (21), President; Susan Stover (21), Vice-President, Kerry O'Hara (20), Secretary; and Jack Sharer, Treasurer. Your additional 2020 Council Members are: Earl Leedy (20), Shawn Lehman (20), Evelyn Reeder (20), Don Anderson (21), Larry Frazier (21), Carla Cipro (22), Krystal Josephson (22), Jazmyne Shaffer (22) and Pat Strouse (22).

Cemetary Association Board Representatives: Michele Brown (20), Bob Long (21) and Joe Hammaker (22).

*The numbers in parenthesis indicates the year their term is complete.

Council Meetings – We have set a new time for Council Meetings. Council will meet at 7:30 pm on the 2nd Monday of the Month. Council Executive Committee will find a time to meet the week prior to Council meetings. Committees have flexibility in finding a time to meet that will benefit the schedules of those on the committee. If you have any questions, please contact Pr. Becky or Shari Welch (Council President). Thank you for joining us in the ministry of God in this place.

ST LUKE TREASURER’S REPORT St. Luke's approved 2020 Budget: $168,845.00 Income as of 1/19/2020: $11,546.00 (6% of budget) Expenses as of 1/19/2020: $5,624.71 (3% of budget)

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 January 19, 2020 we have raised a total of $103,535.00 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!

Community & Spiritual Committees - The Community and Spiritual Relations Committees will meet on Monday, February 10 at 6:45pm.

Property Committee - The Property Committee will have its initial meeting at 6:45 PM on Monday, Feb. 10, in the church sanctuary. Anyone who has expressed an interest in helping this committee is encouraged to attend. We will be meeting on an as-needed basis.

Congregational Committee - The Congregational Relations Committee will meet on Thursday, February 13th at 1pm in the kitchen.

Mutual Ministry - The next Mutual Ministry Meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 2nd at 6:30 pm in Pr. Becky’s office.

Council of Churches – The next Council of Churches Meeting will take place at St. Luke on February 5, 2020 at 11:00 am.

February 2020 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sunday Sunday School 1 Worship and Services: Confirmation Every Sunday at Classes: 8am and Every Sunday at

10:30am 9:15am AA Meeting 7pm 2 Groundhog Day 3 Pr. Becky is off 4 5 6 7 8 Communion at Church Office Lectionary Study & Church Office 10:30 am service Hours Prayer Group 10am Hours

9am to 2pm 9am to 2pm Council of Churches

Meeting 11am at St. Luke

Choir Rehearsal

Scout Meetings 7pm AA Meeting 7pm 5-6:30pm 9 10 11 12 13 14 Valentine's Day 15 Communion at Church Office Church Office 10:30 am service Hours Hours

9am to 2pm 9am to 2pm

Property Committee and Community & Sewing Group Congregational Spiritual Relations 9am-2:30pm Relations Meeting Committee Meetings 1pm 6:45pm Scout Meetings

5-8pm Church Council Choir Rehearsal Cub Scout Den AA Meeting 7pm Meeting 7:30pm 7pm Meeting 6:30-8pm 16 17 Presidents' Day 18 19 20 21 22 Communion at Church Office Church Office 10:30 am service Hours Hours

9am to 2pm 9am to 2pm

Food Pantry at

Grace UMC

8am-4pm Scout Meetings Cub Scout Pack Choir Rehearsal Meeting 6-8pm AA Meeting 7pm 5-8pm 7pm 23 24 25 26 Ash Wednesday 27 28 29 Leap Day Communion at 8am Church Office Church Office IHS Leap Year Lectionary Study & & 10:30 am service Hours Hours Dance 7-9:30pm in Prayer Group 10am State College at 9am to 2pm 9am to 2pm Unitarian

Universalist

Fellowship, 780

Waupelani Drive

Extension

Scout Meetings Choir Rehearsal Cub Scout Den Fat Tuesday 7pm 5-8pm Pancake Supper Ash Wednesday Meeting 6:30-8pm 5:30-7pm Worship 7pm AA Meeting 7pm

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, Pennsylvania