Be Still, and Know That I Am God

St.St. John’sJohn’s MessengerMessenger Volume 91, Issue 05 www.stjohnslutherannorthumberland.com March 9, 2011 From The Pastor The Transfiguration is complete. We have seen the brilliant light that was Christ and heard the voice of God say once again that Jesus was His son, with whom he was well pleased, and telling us to “Listen to him!” And now we enter into Lent, the season that takes us through to the Holy Week Passion, the crucifixion, and finally to the Resurrection on Easter Sunday. Throughout Lent we need a discipline of spiritual perseverance. For Lent does not bring the excited expectation Advent, or the joyous celebration of Christmas. It does not contain the unexpected discoveries of Epiphany. It is about making us see how sinful we are, the condition we have which only Christ can overcome. It is about forcing us to acknowledge our flaws when it comes to listening to Christ, and obeying God’s commandments. And no one likes to be reminded of such things. We want to be happy and celebrative all the time. But into our busy, active, and hectic lives comes the quiet voice of God that speaks to us in Psalm 46:10 saying:

“Be still, and know that I am God …”

It is why we worship, we say our prayers, we make our offering to God. God does not need these things from us, we need to bestow them upon Him for He is God. And so we need to persevere in the face of any and all circumstances that would drive us to do something other than worship regularly, pray often, and give our offering wisely. Now most people assume that perseverance is simply nothing more than endurance. Endurance is certainly the ability to bear prolonged testing, exertion, pain or hardship, but perseverance is more than that. It includes endurance, but along with it there must be the absolute certainty that what God promises and Christ speaks is going to happen. We are not to just hang around, waiting to see if it happens, as if we don’t really believe it, but just in case, here I am. This perseverance expected of us throughout this Lenten season includes a firm conviction that nothing can stop Jesus, or the Spirit he sent to be a part of us at our baptism. The Fruit of the Spirit will grow despite the communal atmosphere or the social climate. There will be love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. For the Spirit plants and the light of Christ that his followers receive by staying close to him enables it to grow.

Have you seen that poster picturing a kitten hanging on to a tree limb by his front paws and reading “Hang In There”? Well, that is not our Lenten discipline, just hanging on doing nothing. We are called to work diligently for the Lord with a trust that God will never be defeated. Because faith assures us and God promises the He protect all His faithful from the devastation that will befall the world:

“…because you have kept My command to persevere …” (Revelation 3:10).

Rev. Dale F. Biesecker, Jr.

THANK YOU—

Bud and June Diehl would like to thank everyone for their prayers and cards during their hospital stays and recuperation. A special thank you to Pastor Dale for all his visits and prayers.

A VERY BIG THANK YOU to all of the volunteers who assumed the duties of the church office while the church was without a secretary. Due to your dedication, not a beat was missed.

SPRING RUMMAGE SALE April 7, 8, 9

We need your good, saleable rummage! You may put it on the stage in Fellowship Hall, moving your items to the back, please.

A message for all St. John’s Bakers-----A Bake Sale will be held in conjunction with the Rummage Sale. We need you to get your recipes ready and ovens going! Please bring your tasty, baked goods by Thursday, April 7th.

We are also taking orders for soup— Ham and Bean, Vegetable Beef and Chicken Corn. The deadline for ordering soup is March 27 th. Please use the order form that is found at the end of this Messenger.

A BONUS WITH THE RUMMAGE

While shopping for your treasures at the rummage sale, take time to care for the treasure of your health by visiting the Cancer Prevention Fair sponsored by Bloomsburg University’s nursing program. The screenings will be held on April 8th from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the “Sunshine Room”.

HOAGIE TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE

Social Ministry is holding their annual Hoagie Sale with tickets from Marlin’s Sub Shop. Price is $3.50 per ticket or 3 tickets for $10.00. You can’t beat the quality of these great hoagies that are fresh, made-to-order and topped with Greg’s own mayonnaise! Makes your mouth water just thinking about them. You can purchase tickets from any Social Ministry member. Proceeds for this event will be published at a future date. Thanks for helping us. Social Ministry

Did You Forget To Order DAFFODILS?

We have 10 mini-pots available at $12.00, each. Please see Esther Bartholomew to place your order.

COLLECTION CONTINUES

Collection for Health Kits continues until May 1st. When assembled the kits will be received as an ‘in-kind’ offering at Synod Assembly. Collection bins are located outside of the Church office for the following items:  One hand towel, dark color recommended.  One washcloth, dark color recommended.  One bath-size bar (4-5 oz.) of soap, and brand, in its original wrapping.  One adult-size toothbrush in its original packaging. ( NO Toothpaste)  One sturdy comb.  One metal nail file or nail clippers with file attached. ( NO Emery Boards)  Six Band-Aids (or similar brand), preferably 1/2” to 3/4”, secured with a rubber band.

Please remember---

Danielle Erdley has been accepted by Coalition for Christian Outreach to take part in Experience Peru, a three-week service and adventure opportunity. This is not only a learning experience, but also a service project, teaching and working with local organizations. Danielle is required to raise $2,900, which pays for everything, including food, service initiatives, travel and instruction. You may support Danielle, by sending a contribution to: Coalition for Christian Outreach 5912 Penn Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15206 Make checks payable to CCO, and write on the memo line, “Danielle Erdley-Experience Peru”. Contributions must be received by April 29th.

Daylight Savings Time: March 13th (turn your clocks AHEAD before you go to bed)

LUTHERAN YOUTH DAY April 9, 2011 10 am. – 5:30 pm. “Gather at the Shore of the Living Water” With a concluding concert by Rachel Kurtz

For youth, Grades 6 -12 Event includes singing, small group exploration, worship and concert. Lunch is provided. Pre-register by calling the church office, 473-3770, by March 25th.

EASTER FLOWERS—

Worship and Music is preparing for our Easter services, by offering Easter flowers to adorn our Sanctuary. Several options are available to choose from at various prices. If you would like to remember or honor someone special to you, please use the order form that you will find at the end of this Messenger. Payment must accompany the order form.

Deadline for orders will be March 27th.

EVENTS AT ST. JOHN’S

Thursday, March 10 - Bread of Life, 5:00 p.m. Social Ministry, 6:00 p.m.

Sunday, March 13 - Girl Scout Sunday

Wednesday, March 16 - Soup/Sandwich Lenten Supper at St. John’s, 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. Church Council, 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, March 17 - Messenger Deadline Christian Education/Evangelism, 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, March 20 - Daffodil Sunday (pick up flowers after the 10:15 service)

Monday, March 21 - WELCA, 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, March 27 - DEADLINE - Soup orders DEADLINE - Easter Flower orders

IN OUR AREA

Thursday, March 10 Bloodmobile, C.W. Rice School, 1-6 p.m. Wednesday, March 16 Chicken & Waffles Dinner, 4-6 p.m., Trinity Lutheran Church 900 Susquehanna Avenue, Sunbury Thursday, March 17 Pork & Sauerkraut Dinner, 4-6:30 p.m., Grace Lutheran Church Spruce St., Sunbury Wednesday, March 23 Soup & Sandwich Lenten Supper, 5:30-7:00 p.m. Grace Lutheran, Northumberland Saturday, March 26 Men’s Prayer Breakfast, 8:00 a.m. St. Mark’s, Northumberland Sunday, March 27 Buffalo Valley Singers, “Music Speaks to the Soul”, 3 p.m. St. John’s UCC, Buffalo Road, Lewisburg

Our Scriptures

March 16 1 Peter 3:1-6 March 17 1 Peter 3:9-12 March 18 1 Peter 3:13-14 March 19 1 Peter 3:7 Bathroom Fund: March 20 1 Peter 3:15-17 In memory of Ray Hoover, Dorothy March 21 1 Peter 3:18-22 Keihl, Erna Snyder, Roger Miller, and March 22 1 Peter 4:1-6 Marie Hoffman whose birthday is th March 23 1 Peter 4:7 remembered on February 19 by Diane Hoffman March 24 1 Peter 4:8-9

March 25 Luke 1:26-38 Door Fund: March 26 1 Peter 4:9-11 March 27 1 Peter 4:12-13 In memory of Chuck Leitzel and Roger March 28 1 Peter 4:14-19 Miller by March 29 1 Peter 5:1-5 Dave & Bessie Hetzendorf The next newsletter deadline is Thursday, March 17th

MEMBERS: Deb Doebler; Tyler Williams; June and Bud Diehl, Margaret Rantz; Catherine Broome; John Kistner; Terry Walker; Katie Billman; Paige Billman; Mary Treon; Betty Hetrick; Jack Hetrick; Romayne Hoffman; Phyllis Gordon.

PRAYER REQUEST: John Snyder; Jenny Wolfe; Patsy and Van Milbrand; Robert Wineholt; Mary Erdley; Sonja Savidge; Jimmy Hoot; Irene Olley; Charles Hudock; Carol Moyer; Janel Gallo Berdell; Steve and Rose Brungard; Ed and Jane DeGand; Lauren Reitz; Betty Leitzel; The D’Arco Family; Colleen Boardman; Linda Schrawder; Cassandra Reichenbach; Randy Shaffer; Kay Drake; Janet Jablonski; Gerald Whitman; Robert Straub; Matt Gerst; Darvin Straub; Jim Kline.

HOMEBOUND AND SPECIAL PRAYERS: Elaine Kohl; Barb Eisely; Dave Eisely; Tim Mace; Linda Ramsey; Cheryl Yeager; Ron Rabuck; Cindy Stroh; Margaret Bright; Jodi Graybill; Brittany Graybill; Joshua Gordon; Edwin Miller, Jr.; Frances Hoffman; Harold Reid; Doug Manning; Ruth Ramer; Joyce Shearer; Tina Pontius; Michael Payne; Bob Wallace; Nancy Hendricks; Steve Lahr; Zachery Baker; Carol Hoffman; Carol Wilks; Pauline Spigelmeyer; Shirley Wolfe

Pray for our Military

Jonathan Swank; Kale Gallo; Tom Stover

SUNDAY PRESENTATIONS:

March 13th Candles, Communion Wine April 3rd Bulletins, Candles, Celebrate, Communion Wine April 10th Altar Flowers, Candles April 21st Bulletins, Communion Wine April 22nd Bulletins April 24th Sunrise Service Altar Flowers, Bulletins, Celebrate, Communion Wine 10:15 Service Bulletins, Candles, Celebrate, Communion Wine

Congratulations to Holly Heather Zeigler and Heath Allen Hile who were united in Holy Matrimony on Saturday, March 5, 2011.

Our Deepest Sympathy is extended to Peggy Campbell and her family on the death of George Campbell who joined the Saints Triumphant on Monday, March 7, 2011

Attendance for February 27, 2011 8:00 a.m. Service – 51 10:15 a.m. Service – 67 Offering needed weekly to meet budget: $4000.00 Offering received: $2404.25 Attendance for March 6, 2011 8:00 a.m. Service – 53 10:15 a.m. Service – 61 Offering needed weekly to meet budget: $4000.00 Offering received: $3346.50

HAVE YOU MISSED THEM?? DON’T FORGET TO USE THEM Have you noticed that World Hunger Envelopes are not included in your offering envelope boxes? The ELCA is not providing them to our envelope vendor but will provide them to St. John’s free of charge. These envelopes will be placed in the bulletins once per month and will be put in the offering envelope boxes when they are issued next year. ST. JOHN’S MESSENGER (USPS-515-660) is published biweekly, annually, by St. John’s Lutheran Church, 300 Queen Street, Northumberland, PA 17857. Periodicals Periodical postage paid at Northumberland, PA. Postage Paid POSTMASTER: Send address change to St. John’s Messenger, Northumberland, PA 300 Queen Street, Northumberland, PA 17857.

ST. JOHN’S MESSENGER March 9, 2011 Volume 91, Issue 05

Address Label

St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church 570-473-3770 [email protected]

This Sunday at St. John’s March 13 - First Sunday in Lent 8:00 a.m. Worship Service with Communion 9:00 a.m. Sunday School 10:15 a.m. Worship Service with Communion Girl Scout Sunday George Groff Preaching Next Sunday at St. John’s March 20 – Second Sunday in Lent 8:00 a.m. Worship Service With Communion 9:00 a.m. Sunday School 10:15 a.m. Worship Service With Communion Daffodil Sunday

Church Office Hours Mon-Fri. 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Dale F. Biesecker, Jr., Pastor William J. Jacavage, Director of Music

Easter Flowers In Honor of: ______

Easter flowers may be ordered by completing this order form. The form, along with payment may be placed in the offering plate (using a pink envelope marked “Easter Flowers”), dropped off at the church office, or mailed to the church. Please make checks payable to: St. John’s Lutheran Church. Soup Sale Flowers may be picked up any time after the 10:15 AM Easter Service. The “Soupsters” are doing their soup thing again. ALL ORDERS MUST BE RECEIVED BY We will be selling: Sunday, March 27, 2011 ●Chicken Corn ●Vegetable Beef ●Ham & Bean The sale benefits Door Repair/Replacement Fund ______Hyacinth(1Bloom)……………………. $3.00/each Please place your order by March 27th ______Hyacinth(3Blooms)………………….. $8.00/each Soup can be picked up April 7, 8, & 9 Pink _____ Blue _____ White ______NAME ______Mums(6½”)..………………………….. $9.00/each

Yellow _____ White ______Purple ______Number of quarts at $4.50 per quart.

______Tulips(6bloom) ……………………….$8.00/each (Assorted Colors Only)  Chicken Corn ______@ $4.50______

______Lilies(5-7Blooms) …………………….$9.00/each  Vegetable Beef ______@ $4.50 ______

Amt Paid:_____Check #______Date______ Ham and Bean ______@ $4.50 ______

Given By: ______Total amount $ ______

In Memory of: ______Date Paid ______check #______cash ______

To the Glory of God ______