SEPTEMBER 2021

St. Andrew United Methodist Church

“Making Disciples of Jesus Christ, for the Transformation of the World.”

611 Swamp Creek Road • Bechtelsville, PA 19505 •

610.367.7043

www.SaintAndrewUMC.org •

Facebook.com/newberlinvilleUMC

Church Staff

Pastor………….........................................Pastor Barb Seekford

PastorBarb@saintandrewumc.org

Pastor Barb’s Cell# 610-310-8349

Director of Children & Youth…………………...Dave Stauffer

Dstauffer@saintandrewUMC.org

Administrative Assistant ………….....…..........Jeanine Deckert

Office@saintandrewUMC.org

Adult Choir Director....…....….............................Nancy Webb

Youth Choir Directors.............................Bob & Faith Schlegel

Organist ...........................................................Marian Meitzler

Pianist....…....…........................................................Kay Behle

Treasurer ………….....…............................Donna Werkheiser

To view previous Cross Roads newsletters, go to the link below

http://saintandrewumc.org/newsletter.aspx

All In This Together

We are finishing up our Gospel Discipleship series and the results are in (mostly!) I received assessment

results from 62 folks. Of those 62, 52% are Lukans (32), 29% are Markans (17), 24% are Mattheans (15)

and 10% are Johanines (6). I know the percentage total is over 100% that is because we had a few folks

who had 2 or 3 – way ties. In other words, they might have been equally Matthean and Lukan therefore

their answers counted for both the Mattheans and the Lukans.

So, what does this mean for us here at St. Andrew? We learned on Sunday (8/29) that Lukans are

relational folks. Followers of Jesus, who fit the Lukan discipleship type focus their journey around the

relationships they build and maintain. They are defined by the Greatest Commandment: love God and

love people. They love God by loving their neighbor. Lukans are all about relationships. According to

Morris, when a Lukan makes a decision, the primary concern is not how much money it will cost or how

much time it will take, but how people will feel about it. (Rev. Michelle Morris, Gospel Discipleship: 4

Pathways for Christian Disciples, pg. 67, © 2020).

As we imagine St. Andrew’s future, as we think about the legacy we want to leave, as we consider the

needs of our community, and knowing that over half of our folks resonate with the Lukan discipleship

style, how can we use that information to maximize our potential?

I think it means we become more intentional in building and developing meaningful relationships. Let’s

begin to spend some time thinking intentionally about welcome and hospitality. How can we make our

on-line campus more welcoming and inviting? What does it look like to create an inclusive space here at

St. Andrew that is welcoming of all ages and all backgrounds? Who in our community needs some

hospitality? What does it mean to offer God’s abundant and extravagant love to our neighbors? Life

transformation happens through relationships- so Lukans we need you to lead the way!

Let me clarify – discovering the discipleship style of the church is not saying that only these particular

disciples are welcomed here. 1st Corinthians 12 reminds us that we are all needed. We are all important.

To all our Markans, Mattheans and Johanines, you all have critical roles to play. A church that is filled

with only one discipleship type will become stagnant, wither and die. Everyone is needed to build up the

body of Christ. All four discipleship types are needed in a congregation in order to keep it growing.

If we are primarily a Lukan congregation than our discipleship is strongest when we are building

relationships. But we know that just sitting around and talking with folks isn’t enough. Markans, we need

your ideas, your creativity, we need you to help us develop ways for folks to experience Christ and not

just learn about him. Mattheans, we need your organization skills, we need you to help develop plans and

call us to action. Johanines, our life-long learners, be our teachers, help folks develop a deeper

understanding of the Bible, help us develop strong mentoring relationships.

We all are responsible for helping our faith community live into its mission. My hope is that you now

have some idea of how you might best be able to do that. If you’d like to know more about the four

Gospel discipleship styles, I encourage you to purchase the book, Gospel Discipleship: 4 Pathways for

Christian Discipleship: Participants Guide, by Rev. Michelle Morris. It’s also not to late to take the

assessment. It can be found at https://www.ministrymatters.com/gospeldiscipleship we also have hard

copies in the church office. When you do take the assessment, please let me know your results.

Thanks,

Pastor Barb

Fall Sermon Series

Heroes Assemble: The Call to Heroic Christian Living

What do the Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, The Incredible Hulk, The X-Men, Thor and Captain America have in common? They are all superheroes in the Marvel Comics universe. Somewhere along the way you’ve probably read about them in comic books, seen them on the big-screen, watched TV shows, and/or played video games about them. While they are entertaining, they also provide us with some great insights on what faithful heroic living looks like in our everyday lives.

While it seems as if their solution to solving to the world’s problems is to dress up in spandex and beat up the villains when we look beneath the surface, we soon learn that there is much more to these superheroes. Many of them, like us, have had to overcome adversity, deal with family issues, anger management issues and/or suffered loss in their lives. They, like us, have a continual struggle figuring out who they are, where they belong, and identifying their purpose. Despite those struggles (or maybe because of them) they find ways to live heroic lives. Their stories provide us with the opportunity to reflect on our own lives and our efforts to do the same

“With great power comes great responsibility. This is my gift, my curse. Who am I?” says Peter Parker at the end of the film Spider-Man (2002). This is almost a direct quote from Jesus to his followers. “From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded” (Luke 12: 48). We’ve too have been empowered with gifts and talents to enable us to live heroic lives in the real world. How are we using the abilities we’ve been given? Do we acknowledge the responsibilities that come with this power? Do we believe we have the power and influence to make a difference in the world, in our communities, and within in our own families?

Join us each week as we explore the issues and obstacles each superhero or team faces in their efforts to live out their calling and purpose. Together we’ll learn the best practices to help us live our own heroic Christian lives.

September 12 “Relationships: Relating to Friends, Relatives, Enemies” - The Fantastic Four Week 1: “Heroes Assemble: The Call to Heroic Christian Living”

Colossians 3: 12-17

September 19 “Influencer: Power and Responsibility” - The Amazing Spider-Man Week 2: “Heroes Assemble: The Call to Heroic Christian Living” Luke 12: 41-48

September 26 “Anger Management” – The Incredible Hulk Week 3: “Heroes Assemble: The Call to Heroic Christian Living” Proverbs 14: 29; Psalm 86: 15; Ephesians 4: 31; Matthew 21: 12-13

October 3 (Communion): “Alienation and Acceptance” – The X-Men Week 4: “Heroes Assemble: The Call to Heroic Christian Living” Galatians 3: 23-29

October 10 “Created in the Image of God” - Thor Week 5: “Heroes Assemble: The Call to Heroic Christian Living”

Genesis: 1: 26; Matthew 20: 20-28

October 17 (Children’s Sabbath Sunday): Conclusion - “Heroes Assemble: The Call to Heroic Christian Living”

Captain America 1 Samuel 16: 1-13

NEWS ALERT FROM THE

Don’t reply to fake texts from conference clergy

If anyone receives texts asking for a favor and requesting the purchase of gift cards to address some need, they are most certainly part of a periodic, widespread scam that is occurring once again. Such texts have been reported by persons identifying the senders as Eastern PA Conference clergy, including district superintendents. Do not respond to these fake texts. Delete them immediately. If you wish to report receiving fake texts, read this information from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and follow the instructions given: How To Recognize and Report Spam Text Messages (https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-and-report-spam-text-messages). By the way, Smishing is when scammers send text messages pretending to be from trusted sources. The goal is to get targets to respond with personal information like passwords and credit card details or to click on links that install malware. It is just like phishing that uses emails; but smishing instead uses texts.

Mark your calendars now!

Beginning Sunday, September 12th we will return to two Sunday worship services.

The first service will be at 9:00 am. The Praise Band

will be providing the music for this service.

The second service will be at 10:30. Music will be

provided by our organist and pianist. The choir will

also provide music at the later service.

Nursery care is provided during both services.

Sunday school for elementary students

will be offered at 10:30.

Youth will meet during the 10:30 service.

Adult education classes will be held during both

services.

Help Raise Money for Our Youth Ministries and Missions Programs!

Cash for Causes Fall News! For those of you who continued to participate throughout the months we were not able to be together, I want to thank you for helping me figure it out and keeping this program going, bringing in funds for missions and youth ministries at St. Andrew. Our orders have slowed down a bit over the past 7 or 8 months and that means the amount of funds we’re raising is lower, but you all are still making a difference, just by doing your normal grocery shopping and making your regular gas purchases.

Since St. Andrew is planning on going back to our normal 2 service schedule in September, I plan to bring the Cash for Causes program back to pre-lock down status, starting in October. You know what that means…I will be standing by the door each week between services and tracking you all down. I’ll even be tapping on the shoulders of those folks who used to participate, but currently are not. Of course, anyone is still able to mail your order to me, if you need to; just make sure you get it to me before the end of the second week of the month. Fall is here and everyone is hopeful that we will be able to resume a more normal approach to school and the holidays this year. That means packed lunches for the kids and family gatherings at Thanksgiving and Christmas. It’s time to stock the fridge with food, fill the car with gas and load up those Cash for Causes cards!! Please see Phyllis Conroy for details on this program or with any questions about it. Thanks for your support!

This group is in keeping with

Saint Andrew Women’s objective

to serve others.

They meet on Mondays from about

9 AM to 12 PM. Except for the last Monday of the

month when they go out to breakfast first.

If you’d like to join them, they’d love to have you be

a part of the group.

Please contact Edie Scherer at 610.754.7793,

if you have any questions.

NEXT BREAKFAST: Monday, September 27th at The Saville Diner.

Free Drive-Thru Community Meal

The 3rd

Saturday every month at 12pm.

WE NEED

Groups of Volunteers! Please see the sign-up sheet in the Welcome Center to

choose a month for your small group to sponsor.

Next Meal: Saturday, September 18th

Cathy Webb offers a Bible Study in

our Fellowship Hall once a month.

Everyone is welcome to join them.

Next Meeting: Tuesday,

September 28th at 12:45pm

Rev. Christie Lynn Orr along with

Kay Behle is offering a Bible Study

at the Boyertown Senior Center on the

3rd Monday of every month at 10am.

Next Meeting: Monday, September 20th

Christian Companions Women’s Bible Study - Walking through life with God

and each other.

The Christian Companion Women's Bible Study group will meet on

September 3rd & 17th this month at 7 pm in the Library.

Contact Linda Clancy or Donna Werkheiser with any questions.

Christian Companions

The United Methodist Men meet the

1st Sunday of every month.

Next Meeting: September 5th at 8am

in the Fellowship Hall.

All the men of the church are

welcome to join them!

Contact: Greg Simmons.

St. Andrew Women

will begin the season on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at

1:00 PM in Fellowship Hall. We have a lot of things to discuss and vote on so please try to attend. Help us plan for the new year as we keep our mission projects

going.

We are still saving your Redner’s tapes. Please put them in the box in the Welcome Center.

All women of the church are invited to attend. Come for fellowship & fun

YARN SPINNERS Fall is gradually approaching and the time for our hats, scarves, lap

robes and baby blankets to be blessed. We also like to share what

we have been doing during the year. We will then distribute the

hats and scarves as it gets closer to winter.

Pastor Barb will lead us in the Blessing

on Sunday Sept. 26th.

If you have any items please get them

to Marilyn by Sept. 23rd. You may also

bring items you have made for personal

giving on the 26th. We will resume

meeting on Sept 23rd at 12 noon

instead of 1PM until 2PM. This is a time

change. Hope to see you there!

The Ambassadors-

Seekers adult Sunday

School class will resume

meeting on September

12th at 9:00a.m.

We will resume reading

and discussing

The Acts of The Apostles.

Pat Miller, Henry Ziegler

and the whole class invite you to attend and participate whenever you

can.

Dear St. Andrew Church Family, Thank you all for the many prayers

during my long term illness. I appreciate you all very much!

Love, Connie Redfern

The cucumbers, tomatoes, zucchini, etc. are starting to come in and there's a good chance you have an abundance of your produce that you are unable to

use! Bring it to church with you; place

your excess bounty on the table in the narthex to share.

Folks will be encouraged to take what they need or like.

October Events at St. Andrew

St. Andrew will be holding a fall gathering and pumpkin carving contest at the

pavilion on Saturday, October 9th at 6pm, hosted by St. Andrew Youth.

Pumpkins can be purchased for $10 each by signing up on the table in the welcome

center or contacting the church office. Awards for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place pumpkins

will be decided by our surprise "Celebrity" judges. Hot dogs, drinks, and baked goods will be available to purchase.

All proceeds will benefit the youth's 2022 mission trip.

Trunk or Treat is Sunday, October 24th from 5-6:30pm. Sign up to decorate your car's trunk and hand out candy to children that attend from the church and

community.

A sign-up sheet will be in the welcome center.

YOUTH GROUP PAGE

Sunday School Plans:

New schedule beginning Sunday, September 12th: Worship services at 9am

and 10:30am. Nursery care provided at both services. Sunday School for

children and youth at 10:30am.

Youth Plans:

The St. Andrew Youth meet in-person on Thursday nights from 7-8:30pm.

St. Andrew Young Adults:

The St. Andrew Young Adults (college age-20’s) will now be meeting on

Monday nights from 8-9pm on Zoom only. (Use the same Zoom call numbers

as the worship services.

Upcoming Youth Events:

Thursday, Sep 9th: Launch Party and

Bonfire, 7-8:30pm. Youth will have an

outdoor party as the new St. Andrew

Youth logo and theme verse is

revealed. All students in attendance

will receive a free t-shirt. There will

be hot dogs and marshmallows

to roast, and other snacks and drinks.

Invite your friends!

Sunday, Sep 26th: Wilcox Corn Maze, 11:30am-

3pm. We will have pizza at the church and an

outing to Wilcox Corn Maze after Sunday

school.

The cost is $10 per person (covers pizza and

the maze).

For more info, email Dave Stauffer (dstauffer@saintandrewumc.org).

Please keep the following members who are unable to attend services in your prayers:

Donna Baith Richard Rhoads Pat Cavanaugh 1600 Black Rock Rd. 2307 Ming Dr. 32 Juniper Street Room# 711 Pottstown PA 19464 Palmyra PA 17078 Royersford PA 19468 June Stoudt Jeanette Kline Joan Maute 17 Stacy Dr. 2849 Big Rd. 1666 County Line Rd. Barto PA 19504 Apt# 1227 Bechtelsville PA 19505 Zieglerville PA 19492 Ginny Slody Laverne Maute Manatawny Manor Virginia McKinstry Lutheran Community at Telford 30 Old Schuylkill Rd. PO Box 113 12 Lutheran Home Dr. Pottstown PA 19465 New Berlinville PA 19545 Telford, PA 18969 Linda Schrieber Mary Ann Reigel 120 E. Philadelphia Ave. Manatawny Manor Boyertown PA 19512 30 Old Schuylkill Rd. Pottstown PA 19465

Our Current Prayer List: Shauny Caruso, Terry & Pam Hewitt, Edith Moyer, Marion Bartman, Natasha Ewing,

Angel McLaughlin, All Kids & Adults Returning to School, Robin Kellerman, Mary Ann Reigel, Isabelle Fisher, Bob & Faith Schlegel, Phyl Minner, Christine Gresh’s Dad Mick, Mom Ruth and her Aunt Gladys, Laverne & Joan Maute, The Residents & Staff

at Frederick Living, Stanley, Michelle & Christie Weller, Alex Schollenberger and their son Levi, Faith Schlegel’s sister Julie & her family and Julia Welsh.

St Andrew United Methodist Church Treasurers Report

July 31, 2021

Y-T-D July July

2021 2021 2020

Funds Received *

128,162.16 17,001.00 15,781.00

Bills Paid

133,733.50 Open Bills

6,398.64

Total Bills

140,132.14 Net Increase(Decrease) in Funds -11,969.98

Other Collections that do not affect the budgeted expenses

Y-T-D

Jul-21 2021

Improvements 2,005.00 16,787.00 Special Offerings 46.50 1,158.75 Memorials 0.00 2,225.00 Sunday School 0.00 65.00 Building/elevator

project 250.00 5,460.00 Carpet Replacement 2,550.00 7,710.00

* The funds received include Current offerings, Church plate and other income used to pay budgeted expenses.

Harold Moyer 9/4 Sam Miller 9/25 Christine Gresh 9/5 Cheryl Neiman 9/27 Donna Baith 9/19 James Riefenstahl 9/28 Bill Evens 9/22 George Bartow 9/30

Zachary & Kimberly Cantlin ~ 9/1 Dave & Tracie Gomolka ~ 9/19 Jeffrey & Jen Ewing ~ 9/1 Jim & Linda McClure ~ 9/24 Jim & Shari Good ~ 9/25

If you don't see your birthday or anniversary information printed here

and you would like it to be, please contact the church office to update your record.

Poems by Linda Schrieber:

Labor Day

Fly the flag for our Veterans today

They served our country well

Our prayers will always be sent your way

God bless the people with stories to tell

Autumn

God created the beautiful trees

With colorful leaves so bright

They fall with a little breeze

And blow around into the night

School Supplies: A BIG thank you to all who contributed school supplies

for the Salvation Army's give out program. These supplies go to

students who need them for the coming school year. Usually there

are sixty students or more. We had a good response to their

need for supplies. Thank you again! - The Missions

Committee

Save The Date

Saturday,

November 6th For an Elevator Dedication

Pig-Roast Dinner

Open to all!

More information coming soon.

September

2021

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

2 7 PM Youth Group

3 7 PM Women’s Bible Study

4

5 Communion

8 AM Men’s Breakfast

10 AM Combined Service

11 AM Sunday School

6

The Church Office will be Closed

7 7 PM Trustees Mtg.

7 PM Band Practice

8 1 PM SAW

9 7 PM Youth Group Launch Party

7:15 PM Choir

10

11

12 9 AM Celebration Worship & Sunday School

10 AM Traditional Service & Sunday School

13 9 AM

Monday Group

7 PM Worship Comm. Mtg.

8 PM Young Adults Zoom

14 7 PM Band Practice

15 7 PM Missions Comm. Mtg.

16

7 PM Youth Group

7:15 PM Choir

17 7 PM Women’s Bible Study

18 12 PM

Community Meal to Go

19

9 AM Celebration Worship & Sunday School

10 AM Traditional Service & Sunday School

209 AM Monday Group

10 AM Bible Study @ Senior Center

8 PM Young Adults Zoom

21 7 PM Band Practice

22 7 PM Church Council Mtg.

23 12 PM Yarn Spinners

7 PM Youth Group

7:15 PM Choir

24

25

26 Blessing of the Yarn

Spinners Projects 9 AM Celebration Worship & Sunday School

10 AM Traditional Service & Sunday School

12 PM Youth Group Corn Maze

27 9 AM Monday Group Breakfast @ Saville’s Diner

8 PM Young Adults Zoom

28 1 PM Bible Study

7 PM Band Practice

29

30 7 PM Youth Group

7:15 PM Choir