July Schwenkey Connections
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The SchwenKEY Connections July 2021 Monthly Edition First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” I Timothy 2:1-2 Love God. Serve Others. Grow Disciples. JULY, 2021 Dear Church Family, I trust that you are enjoying your summer and hopefully planning a vacation or a fun activity. In September, I will celebrate 19 years on the pastoral staff of this great church. According to the Employee Handbook, a member of the pastoral staff is allowed a six-month sabbatical every seven years. I have had the pleasure of taking a three-month sabbatical in 2010 and another three months in 2014. I would like to step away for the purpose of rest and study beginning on July 6 and returning on October 6. During this time, I anticipate worshipping at Central, but the day- to-day operations, as well as the teaching and preaching will be covered by my able colleagues, Rev. Julian and Rev. Dr. Drake. Throughout the summer, we will welcome guest preachers such as Rev. Roger Wambold, Rev. Bob Krauss, Jr. and Rev. Alfred Duncan. Our Director of Youth Ministries, James Stevenson will preach one Sunday as well as conduct the mission-themed worship services in August. I would appreciate your prayers for me during this time. May the Lord bless your summer. I look forward to seeing you around. Yours in Christ, Pastor David “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:28-31 Church Family News and Notes Those needing prayer: *Mae McClure – Fox Chase (* indicates discharged from medical facility) Congratulations to: Sproule, Albert and Susann, who will celebrate their 57th wedding anniversary on Monday, June 28th. Flemming, Allan, who will celebrate his 91st birthday on Tuesday, June 29th. Potter, Jerome and Beverly, who will celebrate their 64th wedding anniversary on Tuesday, June 29th. Bright, Chet and Elaine, who will celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary on Wednesday, June 30th. Kocher, Miriam, who will celebrate her 90th birthday on Saturday, July 3rd. Please note that Lori Schmitz’s memorial service will be held on Sunday, July 11th at 3:00 p.m. (LAST MONTH) Births, Birthdays, Weddings & Anniversaries Celebrated, Congratulations to: Werley, Wilma and Llew, who celebrated their 68th anniversary on Sunday, May 30th. Simons, Bill and Gail, who celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary on Monday, June 7th. McClure, Glenn and Mae, who celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary on Friday, June 11th. Potts, Bill and Portia, who celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary on Saturday, June 12th. Focht, Richard and Sandra, who celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary on Friday, June 18th. Martin, John and Mary, who celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary on Saturday, June 19th. Shaw, James and Faye, who celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary on Sunday, June 20th. Baltozer, Gary and Ruth, who celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary on Tuesday, June 22nd. Emery, David and Marene, who celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary on Wednesday, June 23rd. Kratz, Jack and Jane, who celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary on Friday, June 25th. Derstine, Larry and Lucy, who celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary on Saturday, June 26th. Our sympathy goes to: The family of Jeanne Ferrier, who passed away on Tuesday, June 15th. PRAYERS FOR THE CHURCH – JULY Please pray for our youth. Ask the Lord to be developing hearts that are firmly committed to Him for their whole lives. Ask God to guide them through the difficult challenges they face. Pray that He would build them up so that they might minister to others. Please pray for our country and the divisions therein. Ask the Lord to turn the hearts of many to Himself. Pray that Christians would be Christlike in their interactions and that Christ would shine through them. Please pray for the churches of our General Conference. Ask the Holy Spirit to work in the hearts of their pastors, as well as in their congregations, that a love for God’s word may develop. Ask for God’s blessing and wisdom to be upon our Moderator, Vernon Seipt & Vice-Moderator, Andy Ramsey, as they work tirelessly for our congregation and oversee its programs. Please pray for our senior minister, David McKinley as he is on sabbatical. Ask our Father to recharge and refresh him during this time. PRAYERS FOR MISSIONS – JULY Pray for Rev. Alfred and Phyllis Duncan and the Schwenkfelder Missionary Church as they minister to and help to meet the needs of their congregation and the people who depend on them. Pray for Happy Hollow outreach and our congregation's ongoing efforts to collect necessary items for this ministry. Pray also for the answer for a much needed location for the Missionary Church to call home. Pray for Kentucky Mountain Missions as they look for staff and counselors for the Youth Haven Bible Camp. This camp reaches young people of eastern Kentucky with the Gospel message as it trains young adults for future Christian service. Pray for Sarah Van Kai and the country of Myanmar to find a solution to the crisis and find justice and freedom soon. Pray for unbelievers to know Jesus and for God’s protection for the Church. Pray for Lindsey John as she ministers to those who need the Holy Spirit to open their hearts and for the Lord’s guidance in future plans. Pray for the Shishaks and the Patkai schools as the work through new leadership. Pray also for spiritual awakening in the schools and for higher student enrollment. Pray also for Christ’s involvement in the political stalemates in Indo-Naga. WORSHIP GATHERINGS THIS MONTH! TIMES & LOCATIONS 8:00 a.m. Outdoor Worship (Anders Barn Pavilion) ** 9:00 a.m. Traditional Service (SANCTUARY) **10:45 a.m. Contemporary Service (FELLOWSHIP HALL) **Service is livestreamed and can be accessed through our website, Facebook page and YouTube channel. Livestream is also available later as a recording. Reflections Thanks to all who helped with the All Church Picnic on June 6th! We’re also grateful for all those who helped to make the Salford Pilgrimage on June 13th so special! What’s Happening? Mission Week – Sign up NOW! REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS JULY 5TH!!! Monday, August 2 – Friday, August 6 Calling everyone 14 years old and up! This year we’re breaking ground! Instead of traveling like usual, Central will be hosting a week long Mission Week that runs all day each of the five days. You’ll sleep at your own home but we will have local service projects throughout the week just like a Missions Weeks in past years. For more info, see the Youth Ministries Page or contact James Stevenson at [email protected]. Thank you so much to those who donated life saving blood at our Red Cross blood drive in June and to our church staff who always works behind the scenes to make sure the day runs smoothly. Everyone’s participation is greatly appreciated. Our next blood drive will be Tuesday, September 7, 2021 in Fellowship Hall but please note the time change (this drive only) as it will be from 2:00-7:00 pm. More information will follow as we get closer to the date. Fresh Altar Memorial Flowers starting September 12 Beginning “Rally Day”, we will again enjoy fresh memorial flower arrangements on the altar during the Traditional Service. Memorial flowers are a lovely way to honor special family celebrations and events such as: the birth of a baby or grandchild, a wedding or anniversary, a birthday celebration, honoring departed loved ones, a graduation, or any special occasions. Altar flowers are a double gift because, following the service, the flowers are distributed, to four or more shut-ins, persons hospitalized or persons suffering a loss. The process to arrange for altar flower memorials is simple. Call Joyce Rosenberry (215- 361-6858), to arrange a date. The names of the honorees will be listed in our weekly publications on the Sunday you select. Donations Needed: Suggested food items: Suggested In an effort to support Rev. Duncan and Peanut Butter household/personal supplies: his wife, Phyllis' outreach to those in Jelly Paper towels need at and around the Happy Hollow Tuna Fish Toilet paper Rec Center, Germantown, there will be Pasta Dish detergent an on-going church wide collection Spaghetti Sauce Laundry detergent (box) beginning in Fellowship Hall. Canned fruit Bleach And vegetables Liquid soap Thank you helping those in need! Coffee Bar soap Jennifer Ritter Tea Bags Deodorant, for women & men 610-613-4918 Hot Chocolate packets Body lotion [email protected] Juice Suntan lotion Formula Fem Hygiene products Baby food Diapers Cookies Wipes Crackers Have you heard of Central’s Prayer Chain? Are you or someone you love in need of prayer? With the permission of the person concerned you can place requests on our prayer chain! (Please note that updates are always appreciated!) Or you can join the team of faithful prayer warriors who lift up these requests to the throne of grace.