St. Paul’s Lutheran Church,

417 Howertown Rd, Catasauqua, PA 18032

610-264-3221 Fax: 610-264-5732Email:stpaulschurch@rcn.com

Web:www.stpaulscatasauqua.comChild Care: 610-264-0190

Summer Worship Services in Chapel

8:00 am Holy Communion9:15am Worship

1st & 3rd Sunday Holy Communion~~~

(resumes September 8, 2013)10:30 am Worship

1st & 3rd Sunday Holy Communion_______________________

Church Office Hours Monday-Friday 9:00am-3:00pm

Sunday School September-May 9:00am

Child Care Center Monday-Friday 7:30am-5:30pm

_______________________

Church Staff:Pastor: Rev. Gary Walbert, Pastor Emeritus: Rev. Dr. Hartland H. Gifford Dir. Music: Michael FisterOffice Admin: Charleen BurikTreasurer: Paul Peters Financial Sec: Debbie StewartDir. Child Care: Margaret BossonsSexton: Norbert Huber

Congregation CouncilRena AckermanRobert Bastian Tom DannerTammie Englert - SecretaryKerry Lewis – Vice PresidentKay MuehlbergerDoug Newhard- PresidentLaurie PernaAlbert Renn (3) Open

Brothers and Sisters in Jesus,Do you remember when schools provided

pencils? It was always great to get rid of that old pencil with the worn down eraser for a brand new one. You felt you could write and draw a lot better with that new pencil. My question is this: “Do you see yourself as a pencil?” Mother Teresa once said, “I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world.” Each and every day we write down over life with our actions and words. We do not have to do big actions, but simple little actions. You can not help the world by trying to save everyone but one person at a time. Everyday people watch your actions and words to see if you really are the kind of person you say you are. Sure you will make mistakes, but that does not mean you need to stop trying. You are in the midst of creating a master-piece by God using you as a pencil to write a beautiful love story – His love story. Each and every day a new chapter will begin, the last chapter is over and a new start is ahead of you. Let God use you for His glory each day. Here is a pencil prayer for you:

“Dear Writer God, please give me the humility to recognize that I am only a pencil, not an expensive pen, and yet you can use me to express Your love to the world. Just as Jesus testified to Your light, may I, small pencil that I am, testify to Your great love. May all that I do this day be an expression of that love. Amen.”

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The Epistle

Hymn of the Month Be Thou My Vision

Occasionally hymns we sing during the service become popular in the contemporary Christian music scene. “Be Thou My Vision” is one that has been sung by many contemporary groups. This beautiful hymn dates back to the eighth century from Ireland. It expresses the ageless need of man to have a heavenly vision and to experience God’s care and personal presence throughout our earthly journey.This hymn was translated in 1905. Through the years, this hymn has become a favorite for many. Truly our visionary attitude throughout life is often the difference between success and mediocrity. One is reminded of the classic story of two shoe salesman who were sent to a primitive island to determine business potential. The first salesman wired back, “Coming home immediately. No one wears shoes.” The second responded, “Send a boat load of shoes immediately. The possibilities here are unlimited”. May we as believers be characterized as people of vision – “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith….”

Hebrews 12:2.

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Be Thou My VisionBe thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;naught be all else to me, save that thou art:thou my best thought by day and by night,waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.

Be thou my wisdom, and thou my true word;I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord.Thou my soul’s shelter, thou my high tower,raise thou me heav’nward, O Pow’r of my pow’r.

Riches I heed not, nor vain, empty praise,thou mine inheritance, now and always:thou, and thou only, first in my heart,great God of heaven, my treasure thou art.

Light of my soul, after victory won,may I reach heaven’s joys, O heaven’s Sun!Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,still be my vision, O Ruler of all.

Celebrating Full Communion

On Sunday, July 14, nearly one thousand Lutherans, Episcopalians and Moravians gathered in Central Moravian Church, Bethlehem, for a service of celebration of the full communion relationship between the three denominations. It featured an ecumenical choir of about 100 singers from about 20 churches. Representing St. Paul’s was Amanda Dungan and Linda Walbert. It was truly an inspiring service.

August Highlights

* Approved fees for Weddings were added to

Continuing Resolutions eff. 1/1/14

* Congregational Meeting was approved for September 22, 2013. (Rescheduled from April 28, 2013 due to lack of quorum)

* A motion was made and carried to purchase replacement curtains for Fellowship Hall. Funds to come from Memorial Committee and donation made by Bob Bastian.

*A motion was made and carried to allow choir to have a Dinner Theater on October 5, 2013 with the “Quartet of 5”.

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Child Care Center

September is here and we begin a new school year

here at St. Paul’s Child Care Center. We look forward to a busy but fun school year for the children. All of the classes will begin with a topic on “All About Me,” and making new friends. They will also expand and talk about their families. Most of the classes will talk about apples and the different colors and tastes. Kindergarten will also have to learn new school rules and bus rules. With everything the children will be learning, they will still have time to be creative and make crafts to go along with their themes. We will also spend time outside every day to observe the changes in the season to come.

Happy September,

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Margaret Bossons, Child Care Director

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On September 8, at 9 am, Sunday School will begin another exciting year. We will begin in Fellowship Hall. Come join us in learning about Jesus and how to follow him every day.

~ ~ ~Confirmation classes begin on September 8th. Any student who is in seventh, eighth or ninth grade who has not been confirmed, is asked to attend that with at least one parent. Please notify the church office as soon as possible if your child will be part of the confirmation program. Confirmation will happen on Pentecost, June 8, 2014.

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Choir begins on Wednesday, September 4, at 6:30pm in the choir room. Rehearsal is only about an hour and we even have air conditioning.

St Paul‘s Committees &

Volunteer DirectoryAcolytes: Pastor Gary WalbertAltar Guild: Jackie YoungerChild Care: Rena AckermanChristian Ed: Shelly LaudenslagerCommunion Assist: -Epistle: Charleen BurikEvangelism: -Finance: Betty MacHoseFundraising: Tammie EnglertLectors: Judy DonchezMemorials: Betty MacHosePrayer Chain: Bette MacHoseProperty: Bob BastianScouts: Al Renn/Mark WeaverSocial Activities: Laurie PernaSocial Ministry: June HahnStewardship: Tammie EnglertWorship: -Youth: Stephanie Shook

6NOTE: Starting September 8th, worship

services will be held in the Sanctuary

St Paul‘s Committees &

Volunteer DirectoryAcolytes: Pastor Gary WalbertAltar Guild: Jackie YoungerChild Care: Rena AckermanChristian Ed: Shelly LaudenslagerCommunion Assist: -Epistle: Charleen BurikEvangelism: -Finance: Betty MacHoseFundraising: Tammie EnglertLectors: Judy DonchezMemorials: Betty MacHosePrayer Chain: Bette MacHoseProperty: Bob BastianScouts: Al Renn/Mark WeaverSocial Activities: Laurie PernaSocial Ministry: June HahnStewardship: Tammie EnglertWorship: -Youth: Stephanie Shook

Upcoming Events Celebrate the beginning of Sunday School on Sept. 8th at 9:00am with breakfast in Fellowship Hall  

Saturday, September 14th is Applefest - a celebration of the apple in its many delicious incarnations. There will be a little something

for everyone at this festival: games, contests, music, entertainment, crafters, food, and did we mention apples?

September 22, 2013. There will be only one service beginning at 9a.m. NOTE: there will be Sunday School classes. (Meeting rescheduled from April

28 due to lack of quorum).

Sept. 25 New Member Class in LibrarySept. 29 New Member Installation

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October 5, 2013 St. Paul’s Dinner TheaterChicken Dinner: 4:30-6:00pmQuartet of 5: 6:30pmTickets available for purchase by contacting church office or choir members

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Greeters are needed!Greeting people as they enter the facility is more

than a handshake and a smile - it is an opportunity to express God’s love through Christ and help set

the tone of the upcoming worship service. Please check the sign-up charts and see what Sunday you can help express Gods love

Altar Flowers/Bulletin Honor a loved one, give thanks for an anniversary or accomplishment, or commemorate a loved one’s

birthday or death by sponsoring flowers for our altar or by sponsoring our church bulletins.

If you would like to celebrate in this way, please fill out an Altar Flower and/or Bulletin Dedication form along with payment of $40/$15 & submit to church office. Dedication forms are in the Narthex.

Blessing of the Animals One of the highlights of the church year has become “the Blessing of the Animals” service. This year it will be on October 6 at 9am in the Fellowship Hall. We do this service on the day closest to the day we remember St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals. Over the past few years, the blessing service has grown in numbers, but more importantly in spirit. We have had animals brought in very sick and a short time later has gone to heaven peacefully. All types of animals have been blessed: dogs, cats, birds, gerbils, hamsters, hermit crabs, turtles, frogs, snakes, lizards and even a tarantula. .

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There will be a membership class on Wednesday, September 25, at 7:00 p.m. in the church library. If you are interested, please contact Pastor Gary or the church office (610-264-3221), or fill out the information sheet and hand it to Pastor Gary and on September 29, during the 10:30 a.m. service, St. Paul’s will receive new members into the church family.

Name: _________________________________________

Address: _________________________________________

_________________________________________

Phone #: _________________________________

Church Membership:______________________________

Children: _________________________________________

_________________________________________

_________________________________________

I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God,I’ve been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His

blood,Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod,I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God!

Cradle Roll.

"Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it" (Proverbs

22:6).

The Splash Cradle Roll is a ministry for families of little ones from birth to three years of age. This program was designed by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and is published by Augsburg Fortress Press. It offers valuable resources for families with infants and toddlers and plays a special part during the celebration of Holy Baptism. At St. Paul’s, when a young child is baptized, he/she will be automatically enrolled in the Cradle Roll. At this time parents will receive a welcome letter into the program along with a Splash! Parent Page and a Sleepy Time Tunes CD. Each month the family will receive age appropriate mailings, called Parent Pages. Upon the child’s third birthday, Cradle Roll “graduates” will be invited to join our Three Year Old Sunday School class. Our mission is to help new families fulfill their baptismal promise and support them as they begin their journey of faith together. For more information regarding this program, please contact church office

Calling all departing College students! Are you heading off to college this fall and will

be living away from home? Please let us know your college mailing address and e-mail address by

calling the church office at 610-264-3221 or e-mail us at stpaulschurch@rcn.com. We want to send you the Epistle and also other surprises from your church

family to brighten your school year

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Cradle Roll.

"Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it" (Proverbs

22:6).

The Splash Cradle Roll is a ministry for families of little ones from birth to three years of age. This program was designed by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and is published by Augsburg Fortress Press. It offers valuable resources for families with infants and toddlers and plays a special part during the celebration of Holy Baptism. At St. Paul’s, when a young child is baptized, he/she will be automatically enrolled in the Cradle Roll. At this time parents will receive a welcome letter into the program along with a Splash! Parent Page and a Sleepy Time Tunes CD. Each month the family will receive age appropriate mailings, called Parent Pages. Upon the child’s third birthday, Cradle Roll “graduates” will be invited to join our Three Year Old Sunday School class. Our mission is to help new families fulfill their baptismal promise and support them as they begin their journey of faith together. For more information regarding this program, please contact church office

Catasauqua Food Bank Needs: Products: Paper towels, napkins, tissues, toilet paper, Personal Hygiene Product s : Shampoo, bar soap, body wash, toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash, dental floss, deodorant, razor blades, plastic combs, packages of Band-aids, disposable diapers & diaper wipes. Household items: laundry detergent, dish washing soap, floor cleaning liquid, and furniture polish. Items can be placed in our Narthex.

GoodSearch.com St. Paul’s can earn a donation every time you search the Internet and shop online! Search the web with Yahoo-powered GoodSearch.com and they’ll donate a penny to our church each time you search! Shop at more than 600 GoodShop.com merchants including Amazon, Best Buy, Toys R Us, and others, and a percentage of each purchase will go to our church! For searching go to:

Ways to help St. Paul’s & Our Community Drop in at Redner’s in Whitehall or

Northampton and get a free Save-a-Tape card. Present it at the register when you pay for your purchases, then bring your receipts to the church. Every $5,000 in Redner’s receipts earns St. Paul’s Church $50!

Volunteer Coordinator: Julie Stauffer

Soda Tabs: For the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House. The PRMH provides housing to the families of patients in the local children's hospitals, and the soda tabs are a huge boost to the charity's finances. Bring your tabs to worship on Sundays, or to the church office any day of the week, and help with this important program!

Inkjet Cartridges: Help St. Paul's itself by bringing in your used printer & fax machine cartridges! We trade them in & receive store credit-$2.00 for every qualifying print cartridge. Not only will it contribute to fundraising at St. Paul's, but it keeps these things out of landfills & helps protect the environment! Everyone wins! Volunteer Coordinator: Susan Vrablic

Miller Keystone Blood Center We want to thank all who helped donate blood this summer. Remember, we have an annual donation goal of 33 pints, so please mention that you are giving for St. Paul’s whenever you donate blood!

Thank You’s * For the HYFAD Scholarship for my graduation. I will put this towards my college expenses –

Cole Derhammer

* For your generous donation of two hams – Board, Staff & Clients of Victory House

* Many thanks to everyone who gave so much of their time and talents this week at VBS. Special thanks to all parents and congregation members that donated food and supplies including Sue Hodge for her donation of 30 lbs. of chicken & 5 lbs. of bacon, Darryl & Janice Dawkins for their $300 donation (used for food), and Jennifer Cline for her $40 donation to assist in our good will projects.  I would like to especially thank all the volunteers. Without their dedication, VBS would not be as successful as it has been. —

Shelly Laudensalger11

If you would like to put an article or announcement in our newletter, please contact Charleen Burik. Request: If you are able, please E-mail your articles to Charleen Burik, Office Admin at stpaulschurch@rcn.com

Another Way To Get Your Epistle: Would you like to receive your monthly newsletter by e-mail and help us cut down on postage? Just send your request via an email to church office at stpaulschurch@rcn.com

For all you Smartphone users: We can easily email your smartphone (PDF format) so you can enjoy it anytime, anywhere. Just email us at stpaulschurch@rcn.com or call church office and let us know where you want us to send it.

Deadline: September 13Epistle Volunteers:

September 20, 9:00am

*St. Paul’s would also like to thank Kathy Reyher & Lutheran Congregational Services for their extremely generous donation of 13 cases of 48/8oz. bottles of water for our V.B.S. program.

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Hospital VisitsIf you or someone you know is admitted into the hospital, it is very important to notify the church as soon as possible. You can do this by either calling the church office directly or informing the hospital upon admittance that you are a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and they will list you under our Pastoral Code 312. If you are admitted into a Rehabilitation facility, please inform the church office as well. Without either of these notifications, Pastor will not know to visit you and you will not be added on to our prayer chain

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

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9/1 Jason Kesack9/1 Katelyn Lawlor9/1 Barbara Roth9/2 Jason Mengel9/3 Paula Kesack9/4 Ryan Kish9/5 Corey Hersh9/6 Lisa Bauer9/6 Laura Klotz9/6 Megan Henry9/6 Maggie Phillips9/6 Shirley Teets9/7 Sandra Osiecki9/8 Norma Bauer9/8 Katherine Buss9/10 Boyd Chamberlain Jr.9/10 Crystale Ungiran9/12 Richard Ackerman

9/12 Joseph Bauer9/12 Jacob Sutter9/13 Al Renn9/15 Julia Sparacello9/16 Adriane Strohl9/18 Brittany Steidel9/19 Belle Chambers9/19 Erin Dolan9/19 Ethan Schweitzer9/20 Raymond Laubach9/21 Tammy Bastidas9/21 Cory Daddona9/21 William Hrusovsky9/22 Robert Buss II9/22 David Eck9/22 Paul Peters Jr.9/22 Wade Reinhard9/22 Sara Santos

9/23 Philip Ginder9/23 Tyger James9/23 Alicia Roth9/23 Thomas Sierzega9/24 Jacob DeAngeles9/25 Deborah Price9/25 Donna Sheckler 9/25 Alan Shook9/26 Lori Heffner9/26 Louis Kuhns9/27 Debra Hoffman9/27 Alyssa Rushatz9/28 Mason Forstoffer9/28 Kathleen Witt9/30 Carole Cardona9/30 Tammie Englert9/30 Kaitlyn Kulp9/30 Emily Reiner

Special Birthdays A few of our seniors will be celebrating birthdays this month. Please take the time to remember them with a card or note

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September CelebrationsJesus said, “I am the Light of the World”.

May the birthday candles that represent the years of your life be a reflection to others of your love for Christ.

9/5 Raymond Kunkle 812021 Westgate Dr,Bethlehem, PA 18017

9/8 Dorothea Walck 821519 Walnut St. #217,Allentown, Pa 18102

9/10 Lorraine Reitz 80255 Main St.,Catasauqua, PA 18032

9/12 R. William Younger 8031 6 St. John St,

Catasauqua, PA 18032

9/14 Hilda Tameler 93245 Main St, Rear,Catasauqua, PA 18032

9/15 John Bechtold 851450 Deer Path Dr.,Walnutport, PA 18088

9/17 Wilmer Burrows 91232 Church St,Catasauqua, PA 18032

9/18 Margaret Corcoran 87337 Bridge Street,

Catasauqua, PA 18032

9/18 Nancy Steitz 82

313 Wood St,Catasauqua, PA 18032

9/20 Violet Butler 84

Cedar Brook Annex, 724 Delaware Ave

Bethlehem, PA 18015

9/22 Sally Chromiak81

823 Breinigs Ln,Catasauqua, PA 18032

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Membership files If you move, changed phone or cell numbers, email addresses, or add members to your household, it is

very important that you let the church office know so we can update all our information!

Please take a moment to fill out the Member Information Sheet below and return to church office

or place in offering plate on Sundays

Name______________________________________

Address_____________________________________

___________________________________________

Home #___________________________________

Cell #: ____________________________________

Email_____________________________________

Marital Status: ___ Single ___Married ___ Divorced ___Widow/er

Spouse’s Name_____________________________

Date of Birth_______________________________

Date of Marriage____________________________

Children (Living with parents)

Name______________________________________Date of Birth_________________________

Name______________________________________Date of Birth_________________________

Name______________________________________

Date of Birth_________________________

Wedding Anniversaries

9/3 John & Phyllis Bechtold 599/4 Alan & Stephanie Shook 209/5 Lewis & Kathy Heller 269/9 Anthony & Amy Wright 79/13 Christopher & Stephanie Winkler Sr. 59/14 Vane & Suzanne Smale Jr. 399/19 Wendy & Barry Panasik 16

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Congratulations &

God’s Blessings!

BaptismA special prayer for God’s loving

guidance; blessings & happiness as the following were recently baptized:

Nathan Lee Csanadi Gabriel Sparacello

Condolences We remember the families of

Elizabeth Peck, July 1Donald Muehlberger, July 6

Janet Gales July 17 (Tina Dixon’s mother),who recently went home to be with our Lord. We pray that the family will find comfort

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September, 20131

8:00 Holy Communion9:15 Holy Communion

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Church Office Closed

37:00 Property Meeting

46:30 Choir

5 6 7

8 Services in Sanctuary8:00 Holy Communion

97:00pm Worship Meeting

10 116:30 Choir

127:00pm Finance Meeting

136:30 Fundraising Meeting

Deadline for Epistle articles

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158:00 Holy Communion9:00 Sunday School

16 177:00 CCC Meeting

186:30 Choir

18 209:00am Epistle Volunteers

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22 One service9:00 Sunday School9:00 Worship/CONGREGATIONAL MEETING to

237:00pm Council Meeting

24 256:30 Choir7:00 New Member

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298:00 Holy Communion9:00 Sunday School10:30 Worship

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____________________________________________________________DEDICATIONS FOR September

FLOWERS ($40) BULLETINS ($15) 9/1 n/a open9/8 n/a n/a9/15 open open9/22 open open

9/29 open openIf you would like to be a sponsor for any of these opens dates, request forms are in the Narthex or contact the

church office. Payment must be submitted with request.

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Serving at St. Paul's in September, 2013

DATE LECTOR COMM. ASSTS. ACOLYTES CRUCIFERS

ALTAR GUILD

1-Sep 8:00 AM 8:00 AM 8:00 AM 8:00 AM- Len Witt - P. Gerber/D. Stewart

9:15 AM 9:15 AM 9:15 AM 9:15 AMBob Teets Doug Newhard Carol Williams B. Rabenold/D. Williams

8-Sep 8:00 AM 8:00 AM 8:00 AM 8:00 AM- Pat Gerber/P. Kesack Hannah Matchette/Bree Sheldon -

10:30 AM 10:30 AM 10:30 AM 10:30 AMMark Weaver - Brian Panasik/Nick Dawkins -

Brittain Shander15-Sep 8:00 AM 8:00 AM 8:00 AM 8:00 AM

- A. Renn/Bob Bastian Hope Eisenhard/Alyssa Cantrel J. Mooney/L Reitz10:30 AM 10:30 AM 10:30 AM 10:30 AMDavid Eck Judy Buss/Doug Newhard Linda Houck/Calla Shander L. Anglestine/H. Ackerman

Madison MacHose22-Sep 9:00 AM 9:00 AM 9:00 AM 9:00 AM

Jessica Kirkpatrick Mark Weaver/Kay Muehlberger -29-Sep 8:00 AM 8:00 AM 8:00 AM 8:00 AM

- Bob Bastian/Al Renn Hannah Matchette/Bree Sheldon10:30 AM 10:30 AM 10:30 AM 10:30 AM

Christopher Bastidas - Carol Williams/Andrew KalynychEddie Forstoffer

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He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.

Ephesians 4:28

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Sunday School Registration*Sunday School begins September 8 at 9:00 a.m.

Child’s Name: ________________________________________________________________

Child’s Address: ______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Phone Number: __________________________ Date of Birth: _________________

Has the child been baptized? (Circle one) Yes No If yes, date of baptism? _________

Grade in School: _________________ Sunday School Grade: _______________

Known Allergies: ______________________________________________________________

E-mail Address: _______________________________________________________________

EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

Mother’s Name: ______________________________________________________________

Phone Number: __________________________________

Address: _____________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Father’s Name: _______________________________________________________________

Phone Number: __________________________________

Address: _____________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Whom shall we contact in case of emergency? Name and phone number, please:

1. _____________________________________________________________________2. _____________________________________________________________________3. _____________________________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian’s Signature: ___________________________________________________

September Worship Services

Sept 1st 15th Sunday after Pentecost 8:00 a.m. – Spoken Holy Communion 9:15 a.m. – Holy Communion

Sept 8th 16th Sunday after PentecostServices resume in Sanctuary

8:00 a.m. – Spoken Holy Communion 9:00 a.m. – Sunday School Breakfast 10:30 p.m. – Worship

Sept 15th 17th Sunday after Pentecost 8:00 a.m. – Spoken Holy Communion 9:00 a.m. – Sunday School10:30 a.m. – Holy Communion

Sept 22nd 18th Sunday after Pentecost 9:00 a.m. – Sunday School 9:00 a.m. –Worship/Congregational Meeting

Sept 29th 19th Sunday after Pentecost 8:00 a.m. – Spoken Holy Communion 9:00 a.m. – Sunday School10:30 a.m. – Worship/New Members Installed

Radical Love TriumphsFor most of human history wisdom was largely part of an oral tradition. From one generation to the next, wisdom was passed down. These days it sometimes seems that technology has replaced that tradition of shared wisdom. Rather than ask a trusted elder the temptation is to pull out a smartphone and do a quick Internet search. Next thing you know, there it is, wisdom at your fingertips—maybe. Could it be that something is lost in the process? We can find facts online, but virtues like humility, respect of elders, hospitality, servant hood, and peacemaking do not seem to translate as easily in the electronic age. In the gospel of Luke 14:7-14, Jesus takes the time to pass on some ancient-yet-prudent wisdom from the proverbs of Solomon to a crowd of social climbers who obviously were not familiar with such prudence or wisdom.

More significantly Jesus lifts up the mysteriously gracious and life-transforming values of the kingdom of God. Jesus lifts up the humility required to take the lowest seat at the table, never hoping to be invited to a place of greater honor or status. Jesus invites his followers to practice the hospitality that offers a banquet of the finest of foods for people who cannot repay. Jesus invites his followers to embody the kind of radical-yet-relational love of Jesus himself. This radical love is taught by both individuals and congregations. Communities of faith by their practices of generosity and compassion embody the love of Jesus in their communities

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