From the Pastor’s Desk: Give Up or Take...

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Inside this Issue

The

Shines with Grace Lutheran Church News

Give a smile, Get one back,

Give a hugAnd see the smile...

It’s Happening at Grace Lutheran! February, 2015

Council News.................................................................21st Communion Class Offering...................................2�� Strangers in Kenya........................................................3Food Pantry News.........................................................4Book Club for This Month..........................................4Marriage Encounter Weekend.....................................4Thank You Note.........................................................4Healthy Living...............................................................5Mug Club........................................................................5What’s in the Showcase?...............................................5Jesus on Film Study....................................................5 �� !� �"��#��#��$��%��Girl Scout Cookie Donation..........................................7��&�"��'��(Lenten Schedule Announced.......................................8)��*+�,��#��-��/��-��0��6Birthdays, Anniversaries & Flowers............................8Calendar.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Though it may seem hard to believe, Lent is right around the corner. In just a few short weeks we will begin our journey together, a journey that will take us through the promises of Maundy Thursday and the hope of Holy Communion, the darkness and despair of Good Friday, all culminating in the joy and alleluia of Easter morning. There are many traditions that come with Lent. Everyone seems to have something that they do in order to make the journey meaningful, to help them focus on their faith, to guide them through these forty days in the hopes of coming out of the journey a bit stronger, a bit more faithful, a bit more thoughtful. It will not be long before we are hearing conversations of what people are “giving up” for Lent. This is a common practice, and has always been a part of the �� on Good Friday, Lent has become a time for restriction, �� deeper appreciate of the blessings that we have. Often �� in too frequently. For some it’s things like chocolate (I admit this is a yearly practice during Lent for me), �� !��Facebook or other social networking sites, and for ��from God.

Giving up things for Lent has always been a part of my life since I was old enough to have an appreciation of the action, it’s something that I have done, and because of this it’s caused me a bit of distress that in the last few years there has been a lot of blowback about the practice of giving things up. There are always conversations circulating about proper motivations, reasonings, etc., �� !�� "��!�why I give things up for Lent, and it can twinge a bit when that is criticized; however, there is one part of this conversation that is really worth thinking about. It’s become a frequent refrain that instead of giving things up, why not take things up? Now what does that mean? Well, if Lent is truly meant to be a time of ��#�� do need to be things that bring us closer to God. What if in conjunction with what you’re giving up, you took

up something, too? What if you took the money you usually spent on whatever you gave up, your daily Starbucks runs possibly, and gave that money to �� throughout Lent? What if you used the time you usually spent on Facebook, and instead of just “giving that time

up” you used it intentionally as time to spend with your family? What if you took up practices that were ��!��$��to think about your faith? What if you took up reading through a book of the Bible you’ve never read before? Maybe picking up a commentary to go with it, so you could learn more about what you’re reading? What if you went on Amazon and picked out a book that talks about modern faith or modern Christian issues and decided you would read that instead of all the random articles people post online all the time? What if you and your family took up prayer more intentionally? What �� "�� !�� focusing on stewarding your body, which is a blessing from God? There is no end to the possibilities.

(Continued on page 2)

From the Pastor’s Desk: Give Up or Take Up

2

News

give or take up(Continued from page 1)

Sometimes one of the hardest parts of Lent is keeping up with whatever practices we take up or give up, so this year we will seek to uplift each other. Throughout Lent, there will be poster boards

around the church where you can write down prayer requests while you work through taking or giving up whatever you choose. This way we can hold each other in prayer and support as we journey through Lent together. So the question remains, do we give up or do we take up? At the end of the day, the answer ��%�� &��that whatever you choose, may it truly be something that draws you closer to God, may it be something that �� #�� that when Easter Sunday dawns you might look back on and realize that you are grateful for the journey. I pray that whatever path you take, it might be a �� #��$��'�� *��know that you do not walk it alone, but with your community in Christ.

Peace it Together,Pastor Tina

Outgoing president Beth Kollosch welcomed the four new members – Charles Murphy, Sharon Hont, Wendy +�� &�� -�� and thanked the departing members – B o b Miller, Cindy Strobeck and Richard Jacobs – for their dedication and service.

��/��!��!��!��results:

��0�3��4��Joe Turek, Vice President

Wendy Mummert, SecretaryGeorge McCallum, Treasurer

��0�3��"��"��-��*��'�� He stated, “There is no way I could ever expect to stay in her footsteps!”

Items discussed included: Ash Wednesday combined service, Upcoming Lenten services, ELCA’s new campaign and the need for Task Force volunteers, moving forward with the Community Laundry Service, and postal delivery issues.

Council Officer Profile:

Lin Rotz, President

Please join us in welcoming our new Council 4��0�3 ��6��-��!��!��/��next few issues.

Lin and his wife, Peggy, have just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on January 23. Lin and Peggy both retired in April of 2011.

They have two grown daughters: Traci, married to Lee Calaman, and Darci, married to Greg Wolf. They have ��<�=��'�>@��Q��'�@X��Y��'� @Z�� +�� '� Z[%� �� !�� '��%�+�"��'�Z@��\��'�Z��

Lin and his wife are fast approaching 47 years here at Grace, and were part of the original members of the Good News Class. Lin has served as Sunday School Superintendent and a past church council member.

“I think everyone should have a chance to serve on council; it's our church,” said Lin. “A chance to serve on some level should be everyone's goal, to help grow in your personal journey and also help in the church's journey here in Red Lion. I enjoy interacting within a group to work for the church.”

Outside of the church, Lin has many hobbies. He has been riding motorcycles since he was 13, and also enjoys reading, handyman projects, and hiking.

`��*��#��"��{��Lin. “I have put many, many miles on tandem bicycles !��4��*��up and down the river in a kayak.”

First Communion Class

Saturday, March 28, 10 a.m. – noon If you or your child

is interested in First Communion class, please feel free to join us for this session. It is open to any and all who would like �� Y�� already taking communion,

but would like a deeper explanation of the sacrament, you are welcome to join us. We will examine the early origins of communion, learn more about Jesus and the Last Supper that he shared with the disciples, and what it means for Lutherans to celebrate communion. We will then celebrate with all of those who are taking ��4��|��}+��29). If you have any questions, please see Pastor Tina.

We received the following sympathy card regarding the tragic car accident that claimed the lives of two Red Lion area teenagers on January 10. Our hearts go out to the family and friends of the victims. May God grant you peace.

Dear Members of Grace,You are in our prayers as you journey alongside your

youth during this time of pain and grief. May you feel surrounded by God's loving arms.

Shalom,Pastor Katie and members of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Hametown

3

Strangers in Kenya

4

Book Club

February’s book is "The Mermaid Chair," by Sue Monk Kidd. Anyone interested in participating can get a copy of the book

from Jennifer Rudolf or Geri Jacobs. The next meeting ��\��Z��X<>�� }��6��month).

The following synopsis is from amazon.com:“Inside the church of a Benedictine monastery on

Y��*��|��a beautiful and mysterious chair ornately carved with mermaids and dedicated to a saint who, legend claims, was a mermaid before her conversion.

When Jessie Sullivan is summoned home to the island to cope with her eccentric mother’s seemingly inexplicable behavior, she is living a conventional life with her husband, Hugh, a life “molded to the smallest space possible.” Jessie loves Hugh, but once �� !�� -��6�� "� �� "�� ! ��!��the exotic beauty of marshlands, tidal creeks, and majestic egrets, Jessie grapples with the tension of desire and the struggle to deny it, with a freedom that feels overwhelmingly right and the immutable force of home and marriage.

Is the power of the mermaid chair only a myth? Or will it alter the course of Jessie’s life? What happens will unlock the roots of her mother’s tormented past, but most of all, it will allow Jessie to comes discover ��thin line between the spiritual and the erotic.”

It seems impossible that our Christmas distribution is already a month past and Jack is already ordering food for the Easter distribution, which is scheduled for March 23. Supplies from the Pennsylvania Food Bank arrive every other week and food from the York County Food Bank is picked up as it becomes available. The number of calls between the scheduled distributions ��!��!��" ��&��make sure that there is always meat available even for the emergency food calls and thanks to your continued generosity, that is still possible. We received clothing and shoes from the Red Lion Junior High School following their clothing drive at school. Those items are stored at the church and will be used for the Easter distribution. Thankfully, the students labeled every ��!��!��easier than usual. Below is a complete list of all the ��"��'��for the year. Please mark your calendars and come volunteer for one of our most rewarding outreach ministries here at Grace!

+��Z��'�4�"��<>�� +��@@�'�|��|��'��+��@>�'�\��

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mark your

calendars

for

giving!

Thank You CardDear Jack, Ellen, and members of Grace Lutheran,

You continue to amaze me! On behalf of the many children that you sponsored and the family that you helped, I want to extend deep appreciation for your thoughtful generosity and kindness. With your help, �� >�� sponsorship. It was extremely heartwarming to know that support was given to the families.

Thank you for being a major part of brightening the lives of many children. You are a true asset to the Red Lion community.

God bless you all!Tammy Grove

Attention Married Couples: Have you signed up for your

spring Lutheran Marriage Encounter Weekend? Now is the time to register for this opportunity to rekindle the romance and realize the full potential of your marriage with all the joy and beauty God intended. Weekends run from Friday evening at �<�� |��<��

The 2015 Pennsylvania Spring Weekends are:�� +�� Z>'Z[�� @�Z[� �� |��4��4��4�

�� Z�'Z@�� @�Z[� �� 6�� $�� 0�� Conference Center, State College, PA.

For questions, or if you would like a brochure mailed to you, contact Pennsylvania Directors of Lutheran Marriage Encounter, Fred and Julie Schamber, at �@�'>@['>ZXX��<��

Lutheran Marriage

Encounter Weekend

5

What’s In the Display case?

Our Cabinet for Lent will be "Chrismons Up Close" with only cross chrismons. Chrismons are a type of Christmas tree decoration used in many churches. Why are they called Chrismons? Signifying CHRISt MONogram, the tree ornaments declare our Lord Jesus Christ.

The image to the right depict some examples of Chrismons.

Mug Club!

We will meet for conversation, fellowship, and relaxation on 6�� \�� @X � � &��!��X<>�� -��"�Cap Brewing Company in Red Lion. Topic: TBD. Any and all over 21 are welcome!

Jesus on Film: Bible Study

is Coming!

Jesus and the Bible have always been included in the wide pantheon of pop culture, but as of late there ��and present a new angle on who Jesus was in his life. |��"��!��others have no problem deviating from the information we have within our reach. This spring, we will seek to explore this fascination and the implications it can have for people of faith.

Bible study will resume on Monday, March 2 at X<>�� \��!��!��an examination of Jesus in the gospels, with emphasis ��+��!��+��"��"� ��!��!��"��!�'!��"��!��!��"�� !�� !�� !��"� ��#��!��#�� &��!��!��!�� 6��Passion of the Christ to Godspell.

Grief

Education

classes

offeredHospice & Community Care’s Pathways Center

\��$��!��February and March 2015 in York:��6��0�4'�=�$0��4|

Are you grieving the death of someone you care about? Would you like to talk with others who have experienced a loss? These free meetings include a presentation and an informal time to talk with others. No registration is needed. For more information on any of these programs, call the Pathways Center at }�Z��>�Z'@�Z>��}��@�'�XZ� �

February Topic: Physical Effects of GriefCoping with the Loss of a Companion or Spouse+��\��@��X<>�'�<�� &��|��

Surgery and Rehabilitation Hospital, 55 Monument Drive, York, PA (Apple Hill Health Campus)

6��\��>��@<��'><>�� &��|��Surgery and Rehabilitation Hospital

March Topic: Depression vs. GriefCoping with the Loss of a Companion or Spouse+�� +�� @� �� X<>�'�<�� &��|��

Surgery and Rehabilitation

6�� +�� >� �� @<��'><>�� &��|��Surgery and Rehabilitation Hospital

SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE|��+��@<�� Y��4��

Church, 311 Haines Road, York

�� !�� |�� Remembrance in memory of loved ones who died in @�Z� �6��0�� +��'|��!��!�� #�� 4��!�� directions or more information.

Christian Classifieds

X

DO YOU HAVE A CLASSIFIED AD YOU WOULD LIKE TO RUN? IT IS FREE TO ALL. IF YOU NEED SOMETHING OR A SERVICE OR YOU WOULD LIKE TO GIVE SOMETHING OR VOLUNTEER YOUR TALENTS, ADVERTISE!

&�� !�� !�� 6�� !�� "� �� publicize an event you are planning in the church, tell people about something you or your family is doing, thank members, celebrate a victory. The ��6��!��is to communicate between members in a clear and interesting format. If you would like to submit to the ��!��!��!��<

*If you are comfortable with computers, you may ��"�� 4��"�� you are including digital artwork, make sure it is at least 300KB in size.

��*��"��!��/�� 6��located on a table across the hall.

Please keep in mind that the deadline for submission is the @��!��!�� If you have pictures or graphics that complement your submission, include them along with directions or suggestions on their use. Please include your contact information in every submission so the editor can get in ��'��" ��monthly submission or article, we welcome that as well.

How to submit to

the Newsletter

Hospice Volunteers Needed in York AreaHospice & Community

Care has a great need for volunteers in the York/Adams counties area. No previous experience is necessary—Hospice will provide all the training required. Volunteers may choose roles that involve patient contact or those which meet other needs. Volunteers

are needed to provide breaks for family caregivers, run errands, provide transportation to doctor’s appointments, and support patients in nursing homes, “Green Thumb” volunteers to rake and mow �� `��'��'��{� �� also needed.

For those interested in becoming a Hospice volunteer, a Volunteer Training Series is being held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, March 17 through April 7 (snow make up is April 7) at Hospice & Community �� "� �/�� @@�� |� � �� &��York. Completion of an application is required before ��6��

Online applications are available at www.hospicecommunity.org (click on “How You Can Help”). Applications are due by March 3. For more information or to become a volunteer, please contact Hospice & Community Care’s Volunteer Services at }�Z��@�['>��

Help Us Reach Red Lion

Youth!The Red Lion Ministerium (now known as the

City on a Hill Alliance) is very excited to tell you of ��!��!��and support the youth of our community. We will be ��'��+�¡��$��kids who need a safe, supportive environment after �� 6��!��><>�'[<�� Tuesdays and Thursdays. We will be starting a pilot version of this program on March 3, and it will run ��+��@� ��

How can I help? 1. Donate craft items/art supplies for activities.2. Donate snack items to provide the kids with ��'�� > ��<�!��"��['Z�� on hand for each session of the program to ��!��"�� light homework help.

If you can help in any way, please contact Pastor Tina and she will put you in contact with the other ��!��

Summer Camp Registration Now Open!It might just be the best week you’ve ever had! Don’t

wait, sign up today for a summer camp program at Kirchenwald or Nawakwa! For more information, visit: www.lutherancamping.org/summer

Upcoming Events&��\��!��<�\��-��|��6��&��\��<�\��ZZ��6��&��\��<�\��@ZFor more information, visit:www.lutherancamping.org/events.

Lutheran Camping

7

Girl Scout Cookie Donation

��$��|��6��@��ZX��cookies to donate to the Grace Lutheran Church food pantry. Last year, we presented the pantry with 120 boxes of cookies. This year, our goal is 300 boxes. ��!�¢��[�'��"��"��who have already contributed!! We will be collecting ��+��%��be made. Pastor Tina will bless the cookies on March �� }$��|��|��present them to the food �� 'packing event. Please consider helping our girls reach their goal. If you have any questions or if you would like to place an order, please call Jennifer �� }�Z�� X[�'��@ ��Thank you!

Are you ready for some

Tail-Baking?!|��-�!��|��\��Z��&��!��

to prepare for the big game and get your party started the right way, than hanging out with your church family and picking up a dessert in the process? For this Sunday, we will gather for worship at 9:00 a.m. There will only be ONE worship service this Sunday, and then we will join together for a light brunch and

dessert auction at 10:30 a.m. All proceeds from the auction will go to support the TOGS and the youth who will be ��=�� Gathering in Detroit in July.

Since it is the Super Bowl, have a good time and wear �� '��£jersey/team gear to worship!

Graceful Women Annual

Report (2014)

6�� 6�� and is open to all women in the congregation.

MeetingsThe group met ten times for regularly scheduled

meetings and several times for extra meetings or events.

Programs�� -��-��"��"��-��

Drive�� 0��|��"��

� ��"��"�� camps�� &��"��

“Reducing Your Cancer Risk”

Events�� -�� 6��"�� 4�"��"��"�}��0��

students)�� $��-�� |��"��6��"�� \��

at Christmas�� "��

FundraisingThe group decided on church and community

��*��¤>�>��Gift Card Bingo.

Thank you to all members of the congregation who supported one or more of our service projects.

Worship Opportunities during Lent

Ash WednesdayWednesday, February 18 at 6:00 p.m.

We are reviving an old tradition this year for Ash Wednesday. We will be holding a joint worship service with St. John’s United Church of Christ for Ash Wednesday. The evening will begin with a ��!��X<�� !�� *��X<�� &��!��"��then worship. Worship will begin at 7:00 p.m. Pastor David will be preaching, Pastor Tina will preside over Holy Communion; and there will be the imposition of ashes. This is a great opportunity for fellowship and community as we begin our Lenten journey together. Ash Wednesday is a solemn tradition that brings us into the Lenten mentality as we journey with Christ towards the cross. All are welcome!

Lenten Conversations: Rethinking the Lord’s PrayerWednesday nights during LentSoup Supper at 6:00 p.m. ~ Conversation at 6:30 p.m.

Last year we joined together for dinner and ��"��lives. This year, our Lenten conversations will focus around the Lord’s Prayer: something that we do every Sunday, something we say more than we can probably imagine…but how often do we truly think about the words we are saying? Join us for a time of fellowship and conversation, as we uncover the vast and various ways these ancient words can speak deeply and profoundly to our current lives of faith.

The Beacon is brought to you by:

Jamie Koons, Editor/Staff WriterJennifer Rudolf, Layout/Staff Writer

Ottilie Grim, Copy ProofreaderRichard Rhine, ProofreaderGermar Rudolf, Webmaster

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Wedding Anniversaries

February Celebrations

t.o.g.s.

News

Each month, The Beacon reports who is ��#�!��|��

\��#�!��<

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F u n d r a i s e r “Greetings” Our greeting card fundraiser in December was a great success. We were able to raise $351 that will be put towards our trip to

Detroit for the National Youth Gathering. Thank you all for your support!!

Time to go TUBING�|��\��Z@<�� &��!��

for lunch and then head out for an afternoon of tubing. Location is still TBD, depending upon the weather.

Faith and Family Night Sunday, March 1 ~ Hershey Bears Game. We

will meet at the church at 3:30 p.m. to carpool to Hershey for a 5:00 p.m. game. Tickets are $13.25/person and we need at least 15 people for the group �� 4��'��&��Center and on the Spirit Cellar bulletin board to reserve your tickets.

��6��'-�"��¨�Don’t forget to come and support this event on

February 1 at 10:30 a.m. (See page 7 for details.) &��!��"�� All proceeds from the auction will go to support ��6�$|��!��!��National Youth Gathering in Detroit in July.

Special Thanks to Dee Kerr for guest proof-reading for this issue.

�Z�©��-��01 – Tyler J. Schell�>�©�+��|��04 – Stephen Germick04 – Beth Kollosch�[�©��|��07 – Vickie Grove��©��09 – Jeremy Heiss10 – Pat Gohn10 – Charles Murphy12 – Nicholas C. Ghiradella13 – Camden ManahanZ>�©�0��Q��14 – Cohen ManahanZ��©�+��|��14 – Barbara Slavinski15 – Madison WebsterZX�©��17 – Ferne Arnold17 – Olivia KicasZ��©�+��+��Z��©�Y��19 – Tina Miller19 – Connie Norman21 – Barbara Hartman@@�©�0��-��24 – Donald Anderson25 – Wesley Mummert25 – Natalie Rudolf@X�©�� 4��+��

�X�'��4��Y��15 – Wesley and Malissa SmithZ��©��|��\��25 – Thomas and Barbara Taute27 – Carolyn and Michael Noll

01 – Richard Jacobs (altar)��©�0��}��15 – Erma Grim (altar)Z��©��&��|��4��}�� Jay Keener (pedestals)22 – Dennis Walters (altar)

01 – Richard Rhine (altar)��©��|��"�}��15 – Doris Douglas (altar)22 – George McCallum (altar) Dennis Walters (pedestals)29 – Palm Sunday Richard Rhine (altar)

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From the Pastor’s Desk: Give Up or Take...

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