THE EAGLE St.John's United Church of Christ, Lewisburg PA

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Please mark your calendars for Sunday, June 2nd, 2013. The choirs

of St. John’s UCC will once again observe CHOIR SUNDAY. All of

the choirs of St. John’s participate in this musical worship experience

and offer their favorite and some new pieces of music.

The worship service will be followed by a church picnic in the

pavilion. Hot dogs and beverages are provided, just bring a dish to

share and tableware.

When the schools let out for the summer break, we might remember how we felt when we were young: There would be summer jobs for some and softball, baseball and swimming for others. You might have had a special vacation trip or remember sleeping out in the tent with some friends. I always looked forward to Vacation Bible School and as an older youth remember helping with that for several years. It was a great place to learn some lessons about God’s love. Volunteers would help with snacks and teaching and singing and

playing games. It was always fun. Vacation Bible School at St. John’s is scheduled around our active children and their holiday plans. It will run from July 15-19 this year. We have found that inviting the parents to stay and have a meal with their children has been very well received and I anticipate that will be the case again this year. You might remember how it was when you were a child and enjoyed that time and choose to volunteer for Bible school here. If you are willing to help in

whatever way, let Linda Williams or Sue Baish know.

As adults we need to find a way to get closer to God in the summer, as well. Attending church, helping with pro-jects, fund raisers and volunteering to care for the church may be a way you can connect with God. Although people take vacation from work, taking a vacation from church when you are in town may not help your relationship with God. I hope

to see you in church throughout the summer.

I want to give thanks for a couple of events we had here in St. John’s recently. The first was the Mother-Daughter banquet. We are blessed with some incredible cooks and bakers; the food was incredible, as well. The different tasks were broken down for the meal, the favors and clean up. There were people who had never before met working on favors and cake pops. Community is built around opportunities where you do get to know someone better by working with them and

fellowshipping with them.

The second event was the Yard Sale. It brought in $1,122.00 and, here again, there were folks who used this as an opportu-

nity to get to know some people with whom they had never spent time. Community was built.

The Chicken Bar-B-Que is coming up on July 13, and this year will have a different slant to it. So, be sure to watch

for information about this event. Community will be built with that, also. I invite you to celebrate God’s love and presence

as we enter into the summer months. God bless you!

Pastor Paula

JUNE, 2013

VOLUME XLII,

Issue No. 6

Page 2 THE EAGLE VOLUME XLII , I ssue No. 6

APRIL TREASURER’S REPORT

Current Account Receipts $ 17,618.53

Current Account Expenses $ 14,699.51

Total Current Account Balance $ - 7,301.75

June Worship Opportunities Sunday School: 09:00 a.m. -- Worship: 10:30 a.m.

Beginning June 9th, 2013 - NO SUNDAY SCHOOL, WORSHIP: 10:00 a.m.

June 2, 2013 Choir Sunday and Picnic, Installation of New Consistory members

June 9, 2013 1 Kings 17:8-16, Luke 7:11-17 A Compassionate Hand WORSHIP @ 10:00 A.M.

June 16, 2013 Galatians 2:15-21, Luke 7:36-8:3 Measuring Our Faith

June 23, 2013 1 Kings 19:1-4, 8-15a, Galatians 3:23-29 Being In God’s Presence Now

June 30, 2013 2 Kings 2:1-2,6-14, Galatians 5:1, 13-25 Guest Speaker

On Sunday, June 9th, 2013, the worship schedule will

change. There will not be any Sunday School classes and the

Worship time will change to 10:00 a.m.

The schedule will revert back to normal times,

(09:00 a.m. - Sunday School, 10:30 a.m. - Worship),

on Sunday, September 8th, 2013.

Soup and Scripture-June 18 at 6p.m.

Everyone is welcome for the next session of soup and scripture.

We eat at 6p.m., enjoy some discussion and bible reading and are

done by 7p.m. If you haven’t been with us in the past, you are

surely welcome to join the group. If you are coming for the first

time, please call the office and let Todd know, so we have enough

food prepared.

PRAYERS F�R THE PE�P�E

Page 3 THE EAGLE VOLUME XLII , I ssue No. 6

Prayer List – Loren Adams, Lucille Barchet, Ann Beasom, Sid & Jean Bowersox, Al-

verda Brouse, Carrie Brouse, Ruth & Fred Brouse, David Campbell, Marilyn Correll,

Elaine Derr, Leona Fertig, Pearl Fisher, Ethel Foor, Bill & Lola Fuller, John Geyer,

Bob Goff, Betty and Gary Hackenberg, Elaine Klingler, Ethel Moser, Donald & Mary

Lee Murray, Lauren & Rick Rautzhan, Esther Rein, Dorothy Reish, Christine Sartwell,

Ciara Sausser, Nancy Sechler, Steve Shaffer, Mary Stover, Carl Troutman, Merdyth Up-

degraff, Shirley Ulrich, Ken & Chris Whitebread, Logan Williams, Ella Wise. Contact

the church office with updates regarding the prayer list.

Please notify the church office or Pastor Gustafson when you are ADMITTED TO or DISCHARGED FROM the hospi-

tal or a nursing care facility. Due to current privacy laws, health facilities are not permitted to share information on your

location unless you have given permission to do so. This law also pertains to health care workers, that they may not no-

tify the church that you are a patient without your permission. Visitations by the Pastor or the Lay Ministry Team mem-

bers are difficult if we don’t know where you are! Please designate someone, either a family member or a friend to let us

know when your location changes. Your Church family wants to be of assistance in your time of need. THANK YOU!

Join us to learn about building

our church and to enjoy crafts,

games, songs, fellowship, and

light suppers on July 15-19,

2013 from 6-8 pm.

People of all ages are welcome.

Page 4 THE EAGLE VOLUME XLII , I ssue No. 6

�U�E V��U�TEERS Ushers: Barry Catherman, Rick Mabus, Terri Groover, Amy Harris, Mark Harris

Lock-up Person: Russ Richard

Lay-Reader: Linda Williams

Preparation of Communion Elements: Dianna Spickler

June Children's Church Nursery Sound Video

2 Jim & Sue Baish Holly Barbella Linda Sartwell

9 Kelly Snayberger Anna Brouse Peg Brouse

16 Brenda & Don Adams Linda Williams Russ Richard

23 Mike Catherman/Randy Tanner Sue Baish Jim Baish

June Flower Sponsors Acolyte Drivers Route 1* Drivers Route 2*

2 Linda Sartwell Ashley Griffith Baish Moser

9 Carol & Don Erdley Alex Catherman Seaman Brouse

16 John & Jeanne Letteer Bryanna Harris Bowersox Williams

23 Jon & Carol Hahn Sydney Hoffman Spickler Brouse

If you need a ride to church, please contact Ron Zug (523-3987) who schedules the drivers

June Greeters

2 Fred & Tessi

9 Jean Rantz

16 Jean Rantz

23 John & Jeanne

Letteer

31 Amy Harris Liz & Chris DeSantis Linda Sartwell

31 Maddy Barbella Baish Moser

31 John & Jeanne

Letteer

Page 6 Newslet ter T i t le Page 6

THE EAGLE VOLUME XLII ,

I ssue No. 6

My sincere Thanks to all the volunteers who

graciously gave of their talents and time, and to all

who contributed to the wonderful accomplishment

of the recent Yard/Bake Sale!

It was a huge success! We grossed $1122.00

from total sales.

Randy Tanner

St. John’s UCC,

Thank you for your sup-

port, money and prayers, it is

greatly appreciated!

Bob & Kim Rauch

Thank you for the beautiful flowers. The various flowers in different

shades of purple were a joy to see!

A special thank you to Linda, who delivered them.

Sid & Jean Bowersox

Dear Members of St. John’s UCC,

Once again I would like to thank you for al-

lowing Evangelical Hospice the use of the

Church for our annual Memorial Service. The facili-

ties are beautiful, the support we receive is amazing.

Thank you to Russ Richard for unlocking the doors

for our practice and managing the sound! Thank you

to Todd for all of the coordination! Everyone is gra-

cious, kind & welcoming.

Thank You,

Sincerely, Kay Holdren

Dear Pastor Paula and members of St. John’s UCC,

My students and I want to thank you and your con-

gregation for allowing us to have our piano recital at St.

John’s.

The students did a terrific job. They loved playing

on the grand piano. Also, the grandparents commented that

they liked the comfortable pews!

Thanks Again. God bless all of you!

Sincerely,

Barbara Bressler

Dear Church Members,

Thank you so very much for the lovely flowers brought to me by Russ. It’s a great pleasure for me to be

remembered by all. I will enjoy them for many days - 2 weeks! You’re most kind to all of us in nursing homes.

Soon a new one in July!

Thanks again,

Lucille Barchet

Page 7 THE EAGLE VOLUME XLII , I ssue No. 6

Highlights from April 18, 2013 Consistory Meeting

1. Approvals given for yard sale storage and use of the grill for hotdogs for the yard sale on May 15.

2. Linda Sartwell will be leading the project to organize all consistory minutes in one location and we approved the purchase of a file cabinet, if needed.

3. Approved placement of information regarding tax free donations to SJUCC in the Eagle and the Sunday bulletin.

4. Hospitality Committee is working on preparations for the Annual Chicken BBQ to be held on July 13, 2013.

5. Approved Susquehanna Valley Organists Guild to use the narthex, chapel and kitchen for a meeting on October 18, 2013.

Spring cleaning? Getting ready for a yard sale?

The Donald Heiter Community Center can use any of the items listed to support

their mission. Please consider donating new or used items needed.

DONALD HEITER CENTER

WISH LIST

Board Games – Connect 4, Clue, Monopoly, playing cards, Uno, Yatzee.

Canned Goods – Applesauce, fruits, peanut butter, jelly, salad dressings, soups, spa-

ghetti sauce.

Cleaning Supplies – All purpose cleaning liquid, liquid dish detergent (Dawn etc.),

Dish-washer detergent, hand soap

Craft Supplies – Coloring books, crayons, colored paper, colored pencils, shape scis-

sors, plastic laces

Food – Cake mix, brownie mix, cookie mix, cereal, pasta – all shapes

DVD’s – kid’s movies

First Aid Supplies – BandAids, antibacterial wipes, antibacterial ointment

Gym Supplies – Basketballs, footballs, beach balls, Frisbees, badminton game

Office Supplies – Copy paper, binders, pencils, paper clips

Kitchen Supplies – Silverware, cutting boards, hand mixer, mixing bowls,

paper plates (large and small)

Miscellaneous – Batteries (AA and AAA) arm chairs, couches, office chairs, file cabinet

COLLIN NOLL, son of Kirk and Tammie Noll, and grandson of Mary Stover,

will be graduating from Lewisburg high School. Collin has been involved in vol-

unteering at Evangelical Hospital, and works with catering services at Bucknell

University. He also has been on the Honor Roll and the Lewisburg Football Team.

Collin’s senior year has been at Sun Area Vo-Tech school in New Berlin.

At Sun Tech he is enrolled in the criminology program.

The past four years, Collin has been involved in Tae Kwon Do at the

American Academy of Martial Arts School. He has earned a 1st Degree Black Belt

and will be working towards his 2nd Degree in the spring of 2014. He also enjoys

teaching the Little Kickers Program at the school and helping out with other pro-

jects like breaking classes, and teaching with the other black belts in the summer

camp program.

After graduation, Collin will be attending Harrisburg Area Community Col-

lege, to major in Criminal Justice.

NICOLE BROUSE

Jessica (McHale) Paulhamus graduated from Loch

Haven University in December, 2012, with a B.S. in

Social Work. Jessica, a 2008 graduate of Warrior

Run High School, is the daughter of Lisa Bertoni and

granddaughter of Linda and Wayne Williams. During

her college years, she worked at Weis Markets and

served as the president of Sigma Sigma Sigma soror-

ity. Currently, Jessica is the group supervisor for the

three-year olds at Pitter Patter Day School. Jessica

and her husband Jeff just bought a house in Watson-

town. Congratulations, Jessica!

St. John’s annual CHICKEN BBQ will be held on Saturday, July 13th, 2013. Chicken halves will be sold along

with our FAMOUS BAKED BEANS in small, medium and large containers.

This year’s event will be pick-up only; there will be no pre-sold tickets or dine-in seating. The majority of our sales

in the recent past have been “drop-ins” and hopefully we can duplicate that success again this year.

Orders will be taken and served “drive-thru” style, using the portico at the front of the church as a drive-thru lane. As always, this is a major fund-raiser for St. John’s, and help will be needed at the BBQ pits, as well as at the church to

take orders, serve, cook beans, and all other tasks that come up!

Please see the July issue of the Eagle for more detailed information. Sign-up sheets for various tasks will be in the

narthex soon.

THE EAGLE VOLUME XLII , I ssue No. 6

Page 8

Page 9 VOLUME XLII , I ssue No. 6

THE EAGLE

Ashley Griffith

The following is my statement of Faith. It expresses my beliefs about God, Jesus, and

the Holy Spirit. Also it shows my connection with the church.

I believe God is creator, father, and our reason for everything. God moves in our world

today by pushing people to help the needy. I relate to God differently today than when I was

young because when I was young I thought he was the little man in your heart. Now I see him as

a big part of everyone. In the Bible God is portrayed as both a father and a mother figure. Me,

myself, I can’t come to think of God as anything other than a masculine figure.

I believe Jesus is a man who tried to teach people about God and died to save us from our sins. Today I understand Jesus to be both

divine and human. Most important to me about Jesus’ life, death and resurrection story was that he sacrificed himself to save us from our

sins.

I believe the Holy Spirit is something that moves through you so that you know that you are in the presence of God. I notice the

Holy Spirit working in my life today when I need to make important decisions it pushes me to make the right decision. The images I have of

the Holy Spirit are a dove and a conscience. The Holy Spirit lives with us all the time but we just need to take the time to slow down and no-

tice it.

The most important reason why we have a church today is that it helps to lift people’s spirits and to get away from all the bad stuff in

the world. A difference in the church from 50-100 years ago to today is that every was male oriented. I come to church to praise God by

singing and to interact with my church family. Some key times in the history if St. John’s is that it was moved from place to place and is a

symbol of long lasting faith. The way I am involved in the church right now is that I am an usher, youth, and in the bell choir. In the future I

look forward to joining the choir. Also I will be able to take communion.

Two new concepts that I learned in confirmation this year were about the trinity and a whole lot about the Holy Spirit. I am looking

forward to being a member of the church. I am especially looking forward to growing in the church.

Abigail Snayberger

I have really enjoyed my time in confirmation. I would like to thank my mentor, Anna Brouse, for helping me with my understand-ing of the church. I would also like to thank Pastor Paula for taking time to teach me wonderful things about this church and about Christian-

ity. Through my time in confirmation I have learned who God and Jesus really are and about encountering the Holy Spirit.

I believe that God is the Creator who helps me and my family and friends through our troubles and guides me in the right direction. When I was younger I never really understood the meaning of God. I thought we had many gods and that each person had one inside them. A couple of weeks ago, I was asked the question, “Does God have a gender?” I thought about that question for a very long time, and I real-

ized that in my mind I have never seen God’s face. Therefore, I do not know if God has a gender.

I believe that Jesus is the son of God who was sent to teach us that God will forgive our sins. I feel that Jesus was a very important man. Through his miracles he shows God’s love and power. Jesus’s death was important because even during his crucifixion he asked God

to forgive the people who torched and killed him and that shows a great Christian. I want to be able to follow Jesus’s ways.

I believe that the Holy Spirit is my faith, in which I believe. I feel the Holy Spirit through God’s creation, grass, trees, flowers, and other natural wonders. I have also felt the Holy Spirit in manmade places. For example, while traveling in Ireland about two years ago I vis-

ited many cathedrals and every time I walk into one I could feel the Holy Spirit inside of me. The Holy Spirit is always with me.

I think the main reason we have church in 2013 is because of all the tragedies and harmful events going on, people need a place to

pray and be with the church family. I am very fortunate to have a great church family that will support me in anything I do.

There are definitely some differences between today’s church and church 100 years ago. One example would be Sunday not being reserved for church and family only. Many years ago church was something everyone did on Sundays. Today, other events are scheduled

such as sports practices and games. This presents a challenge for modern families.

I come to church to pray, sing, and socialize with my church family. Currently, I am involved in youth group, youth bell choir, the youth choir, ushering, and being acolyte. After I am confirmed I will continue to be involved in my current activities in the church. I look

forward to being able to take communion.

I have several messages for next year’s confirmation class. I would tell them to make sure you understand what you read and if you

don’t you need to ask questions. I would also tell them to be prepared and always write down your assignments.

I have really enjoyed my time in confirmation. Again, I would like to thank Anna and Pastor Paula for their support. My family

and friends have been a huge help as well. Also, thank you, Ashley, for being a wonderful friend. A friend I couldn’t live without. I am very

excited to join St. John’s United Church of Christ and look forward to attending here in the future.

The Communion offering for June 2nd is dedicated to

Disaster Relief Fund for local emergencies. The goal is

$1000.00.

The Communion offering for July is designated to the

Heifer Project. The goal is $1500.00

Visit us on the Web!

www.stjohnslewisburg.org

1050 Buffalo Road

Lewisburg, PA 17837

Phone: 570-523-0162

Fax: 570-524-0468

E-mail: stjohns@dejazzd.com

No matter who you are, or where you are on life's journey, you're welcome here!

St. John’s

United Church of Christ

WORSHIP HOURS

Sunday School: 09:00 a.m.

Worship: 10:30 a.m.

Page 10

Youth and Adult Bike Ride-June 9, 2013

The youth and adult bicycle ride will be on June 9 after church. We will ride on the trail again and have time for lunch before returning back to church. This has been really enjoyable for folks, so please come out and try it. Everyone is welcome.

SAVE TAXES WITH IRA GIFT

IRATaxLaw2013(16APR2013).doc

If you are 70½ or older and have a Traditional IRA, you can gift part of the IRA to St. John’s UCC in 2013 and get a great tax benefit per the 2013 tax laws!

The gift must be made DIRECTLY from your

Traditional IRA to St. John’s UCC (or other qualified public charity you choose) and you pay no federal income tax on the withdrawal, even if you don’t itemize! Although you do not technically get to claim a charitable deduction, the tax-free distri-bution is the equivalent of a charitable deduction. And there is no adjusted gross income ceiling on deductibility. The law limits the income-tax-free gift to $100,000 maximum in 2013. This gift will help fulfill the “minimum required distribution” from your IRA. Again, you may not withdraw the IRA money and then give it to St. John’s; to get the tax benefit, you must gift it directly from the IRA to St. John’s. Contact your IRA custodian to initiate the transfer.

If you have questions, please see Marvin Border or Dan Clement for more information. Note that St. John’s, Dan, and

Marvin are not financial or tax consultants and you should confirm any tax impact with your personal consultants before you

take an IRA withdrawal.