Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,Wisdom was the theme of our Bible readings on August 19 (Proverbs 9:1-6, Ephesians 5:15-20, John 6:51-58).

This is fitting for the end of summer as young adults return to college and children and youth return to school.St. Paul advises people of all ages: “Be careful how you live—not as unwise people, but as wise” (v.15).

In Proverbs 9, Wisdom is referred to as a woman (Sophia in the Hebrew) who calls the simple to come to her home and eat the bread and drink the wine she has prepared (vv. 4 & 5). It’s no wonder that the gospel chosen from John 6 has Jesus saying, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live…Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life” (vv. 51, 54).

As Christians, our wise choices may seem foolish to others, such as:1. Choosing to live with less so we have more to share;2. Forgiving those who have hurt us instead of planning revenge; 3. Making time for worship, Bible Study and prayer.

When our friends, co-workers or relatives question our actions, we have an opportunity to witness to our faith (without being judgmental).

Living as wise followers of Jesus is hard work, but well worth the effort as we reap the benefits of peace and joy.

Some words of wisdom are found outside of the Bible. A favorite of mine is a Native American/Hopi proverb: “Wisdom comes when you stop looking for it, and start living the life the Creator intended for you.” I recently saw wisdom quotes in a sandwich shop in New Jersey. One by Jimi Hendrix is one I need to remember: “Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens.” We sometimes get wise advice from our children and grandchildren. Five-year-old Madison interrupted my busy-ness with, “Grammy, please color with me.” (“Out of the mouth of babes…”)

Wisdom is one of the gifts of the Spirit at our baptism. We grow in wisdom and understanding when we gather for worship, study the Bible, listen to God in prayer, and listen to others who encourage us to slow down or wake up so we can do God’s will and share God’s love.

Remember the Hopi proverb: “Wisdom comes when you stop looking for it, and start living the life the Creator intended for you.” Amen to that! Peace and hope, Pastor Scheffey

September 3 Ruth and Roger Riso 1966 52 years 8 Mark and Tami Berkes 1990 28 years

Joseph and Sheena Krock 2001 17 years12 Candy and Russell Burger, Jr. 1987 31 years15 Laurie and Pete Brost 2012 6 years

21 Debi and Tim Serfass 2013 5 years

SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS

September 1 Robert Johnson (91 years old) 2 Trinity Coman

3 Katie Yarashas Kevin Kershner

Daniel Hayes 4 Kimberly Perry 5 Alex Obeid

Greg Rex 7 Cody Coman 10 Riley Shaw

Tyler Serfass 11 Abigail Seminario (Gilpin)

Andie Rex 12 Russell Burger, Jr. 17 Paige Bizousky

Andrew Detweiler22 Michael Allen

Deanna DetweilerPaige McKinseyRebecca MartiniPeter Desmedt

24 Alison Scheffey HardingChristian Scheffey Harding

28 Tara Coman 29 Latasha Anthony

THOSE SERVING IN SEPTEMBER

ACOLYTES CRUCIFERSSeptember 2 Elijah Dunlap September 2 (None) 9 Ben Reynolds 9 Jack Reynolds 16 Landyn Hinton 16 Crystal Awe 23 Tori VanderSchank 23 (None) 30 Jillian Balbuena 30 Cody Coman

LAY READERS USHERSSeptember 2 Ray Borger September 2 Janice Finnochio & Barb Yarashas 9 Al Grams 9 Debbie Smith & Kathleen Rovinski 16 Ellen McMasters 16 Sandy & John Martini 23 Nick Hawkey 23 Chuck & Gretchen Laviolette 30 Ruby Dunlap 30 Kim & Joe Hughart

GREETERS BELL RINGERSSeptember 2 Denise Schneck September 2 Clint Johnson 9 Helen & Sam Alpaugh 9 Ben Reynolds 16 Linda & Ed Harpel 16 Kellen Hinton 23 Dana Ropchock & Girls 23 Maci Ropchock 30 Ruby Dunlap 30 Jillian Balbuena

NURSERY CLOSERSeptember 2 September 2 Joe Hughart 9 (Sunday School) 9 Joe Hughart 16 16 Joe Hughart 23 (Sunday School) 23 Joe Hughart 30 30 Joe Hughart

COMMUNION ASSISTANT: - Sept. 2 Joann Sienkiewicz, Sept. 16 Joan McKinsey

ALTAR GUILD: Janice Finnochio & Barb Yarashas COUNTERS: Joe Hughart & Sarah Cressley

**Those who are serving as worship assistant, please note that names are put down at random. If you see your name and can’t make it, please make arrangement to switch with someone and contact office by Wednesday to let us know who you are switching with. Your help is appreciated! Thank you. Norma Correale

LOOK WHAT’S HAPPENING IN SEPTEMBER!

Worship September 2 (Sun.) 9:30am Holy Communion 8 (Sat.) 9:30am Worship Walk at Columcille (near Bangor) (Rain date Sept. 22nd)

9 (Sun.) RALLY DAY (Regular Schedule resumes) 8:15am Worship 9:00am Confirmation Class 10:00am Worship with Sunday School (second and fourth Sundays) 30 (Sun.) 8:15 am and 10:30am Healing Service Caring September 25th & 28th (Tues. & Fri.) 5:20pm Family Promise Supper and Sleepover with homeless families at Zion Church, Brodheadsville. (Contact office if you can help) 30 (Sun.) 2:00pm Communion Service at Getz Home in Jonas (Residents love visitors!)

Learning September 9th & 23rd (Sundays) 10:30am Sunday School during worship for ages 4 and older Sundays 9:00am Confirmation Class for grade 8 and up (This is a two-year program.) Mondays 1:00pm Bible Study

Fun September 9th (Sun.) 11:30am Caring for Creation games with Sunday School

Council News

I hope everyone had a wonderful summer despite all of the rainy days we had. Hopefully that is not an indication of how much snow we will get this winter. In spite of the rain and humid days, there has been a lot of activity around the church in the last two months.

In mid-July, some of our youth spent a week at our church doing mission work by fixing up and repairing our playground area. The congregation was invited to participate in a pot luck supper and a praise service led by the youth and their leaders, Deb Obeid. Tim Hinton and Pastor Scheffey. Approximately 40 people attended and enjoyed the evening. Thank you to all who organized and participated in this event.

Also in July the church sanctuary roof replacement was started and completed on August 1st after a week rain delay. The council would like to thank all who responded to our appeal to raise funds to help pay for the new roof. As of the writing of the article, we have received over $7,000. That is great response and our new roof looks beautiful!

The church council would also like to thank everyone who helped in any way with the Fair Stand and all of the food preparation required to make this a successful event. We definitely want to thank Linda Hinton and Linda Serfass and all other members of the fair committee for their countless hours in organizing this huge event.

In God’s love, Janice Finnochio, Council President

Stewardship of our work lifeAnd whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. --Colossians 3:17

The priesthood of all believers has been characterized as Martin Luther’s most underappreciated theological insight. Simply put, Luther observed that God calls all Christians -- not just pastors – to lives of holiness. Every one of us, not just priests, accomplishes God’s holy work, regardless of what we do for work, whether employed or working at home.

It’s a simple idea, and one that certainly elevates our “job” to a new status, but it can be hard to live out.

Here are some tips:

Think disciple: You may know to be a disciple in church, but prayerfully imagine how you can be a follower of Jesus at work, too!

Think excellence: There’s satisfaction in doing your best. Knowing that your work is holy can provide not only incentive but also a satisfaction boost.

Think relationship: They’re not just your coworkers, they’re also the neighbors whom Christ commands us to serve and to love as ourselves.

Think service: Every workplace holds challenges for your employer, coworkers and customers. How can your experience and gifts help?

Think priest: You are called to be a holy person 24/7. How does this awareness invite you to change your behavior and attitude toward your work?

We spend so much of our lives in our jobs, we can’t park our faith at the door. Instead, we bring the light of Christ to the workplace as holy people of God’s reign!

--Rob BlezardCopyright © 2018, Rev. Robert Blezard. Reprinted by permission. Pastor Blezard serves as an assistant to the bishop of the Lower Susquehanna Synod and works as content editor for www.stewardshipoflife.org.

LUTHERAN DISASTER RESPONSE

HURRICANE LANE

August 2018 ELCA.org/disaster

The first major hurricane of the 2018 season, Hurricane Lane is threatening the Hawaiian Islands with potentially devastating flooding and winds. As a church, we’re ready to stand by our neighbors in Hawaii as they recover from the hurricane. Lutheran Disaster Response is assessing the situation and coordinating with the ELCA Pacifica Synod and Lutheran Social Services of Southern California, which also serves Hawaii. While the extent of the

damage is not yet known, we stand ready to accompany recovering communities. Your gifts ensure that our church will be able to provide help and hope for those whose homes have been devastated or who have been otherwise affected by Hurricane Lane for years to come. Your gifts designated for Hurricane response will be used entirely (100 percent) for direct response until it is complete. Give now to support disaster survivors.

LUTHERAN DISASTER RESPONSE 2017 HURRICANES: ONE YEAR LATER

In the second half of 2017, a rapid succession of hurricanes – especially Harvey, Irma and Maria – interrupted the lives of millions of our neighbors. More than 4.9 million households in the United States registered for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Lutheran Disaster Response’s supporters responded with incredible generosity to these disasters. Combined, you gave more than $15 million to hurricane response efforts, showing your dedication to helping our neighbors. Thanks to you, survivors of hurricanes in Texas, Georgia, Florida, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Haiti and Cuba have been connected

with life-changing support – from emergency relief supplies including batteries and bottled water, to emotional and spiritual care, to repairing and rebuilding damaged homes. The damage caused by the 2017 hurricanes was so catastrophic and extensive that the recovery will take five to seven years or more. Lutheran Disaster Response is known for staying until long after the headlines change. Thanks to your support, Lutheran Disaster Response can accompany survivors of disasters until this response is complete. Please give today to support this ongoing response and others like it.

YES, I WANT TO HELP!

q Lutheran Disaster Response: Hurricane Response, U.S. $_______DDG0087 q Lutheran Disaster Response: Where Needed Most, U.S.$_______DDG0060 Name___________________________ Email Address______________________ Address________________________________ City _______________________________ State_________ Zip Code___________

Give through your congregation or make your check out to Lutheran Disaster Response and send to:

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, ELCA Gift Processing Center P.O. Box 1809,Merrifield, VA 22116-8009 Write "Where needed most" or “Hurricane Response, United States”

MAIL A CARD OR A LETTER TO OUR: SHUT-INS,MILITARY and PEACE CORP VOLUNTEER

Orphelia Murphy James Murphy (Rm 7W) Peter & Margaret Desmedt c/o Slate Belt Health c/o Bush’s Personal Care Home Route 54, Hometown and Rehab Center 302 Kunkletown Road 149 Lafayette Avenue 701 Slate Belt Blvd. Kunkletown, Pa 18058 Tamaqua, PA 18252 Bangor, PA 18013 570-413-4381 Margaret cell Lulu Moyer Joyce Kratz Josephine Gadecki 360 Delaware Ave. 647 Steckle Road c/o Irene Golinski Apt. 306 Kunkletown, PA 18058 3917 DeSota Road Palmerton, PA 18071 570-629-1237 Sarasota, FL 34235 Peg Fehnel Richard Serfass Sterling Scheller c/o Gracedale c/o Manor Care P.O. Box 827 Two Gracedale Avenue 2029 Westgate Dr. Effort PA 18330 Nazareth, PA 18064 Bethlehem, PA 18017 (570) 620-8891

Cell number: 484-629-2198 Carl Johnson c/o Pleasant Valley Manor 4227 Manor Drive East Stroudsburg Pa 18360 Military Keanu Heath 1440 Cromwell Cir. MMFA Heath, Keanu JBPHH, HI 96860

SALEM-ST. PAUL’S MISSION STATEMENTSalem-St. Paul’s Church calls people to grow in God’s love, through thanking, caring,

serving and sharing, following the example of Jesus.SALEM-ST. PAUL EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH

138 TRACH ROAD, P.O. BOX 168, KRESGEVILLE, PA 18333Church office: 610-681-5191; E-mail: ssplc@ptd.net

Website: ssplckresgeville.org

SALEM-ST PAUL’S“GOOD NEWS”

SEPTEMBER 2018