CHRISTMAS TIME, 2014
“In the beginning was the Word, and the
Word was with God, and the Word was
God. John 1:1
Lloyd C. Douglas, noted author of The
Robe, tells of visiting an elderly friend.
Douglas greeted his life-long music teacher
with this question: “Well professor what’s the
good news for today?” Instead of answering
immediately, the man walked toward a tuning
fork suspended from the ceiling by a silk
cord. He struck the fork with a mallet,
producing a pure and beautiful tone.
That my friend, is “A”. It was “A” all
day yesterday. It will be “A” all day
tomorrow. It will be “A” next week and for a
thousand years. Indeed it will be “A” forever.
The soprano upstairs warbles off key, the
tenor next door flats his high notes, and the
piano across the hall is out of tune. But that
“A” he exclaims, as he strikes the fork again,
is an “A” forever. And that is the good news
for today.
It is the good news for John as well, as
he boldly asserts the eternality of Jesus
Christ. God is with His people forever in the
Incarnation of his Son into our world.
Christmas seasons will come and go but the
essence of Christmas will remain forever.
The latest “hot” gifts will recede into our
memories – remember the Cabbage Patch
Doll - and perhaps be brought out to laugh
about in later years, but the birth of Jesus is
always centered in our minds.
God has given us the gift of a direct and
intimate relationship with Himself, available
at any moment along the continuum of time.
Worship with us this Christmas and share in
that moment that lasts forever, the birth that
is for all times and all seasons. This is the
“A” position.
Merry Christmas,
Pastor Burl Latshaw
Annual reports are due no later then January
5th to the church office. Thank you.
Articles for the Messenger, for February, are
due no later then January 12th. Thank you.
Saturday Night Worship Service will be
held on Saturday, December 6, 2014 at 5:30
PM.
Greetings from the Youth Director!
Our youth chats the last two months have
revolved around sharing our God given
gifts. In lieu of a youth chat in December
the Sunday School children will be sharing
their talents with a poetic play entitled,
“From the Manger”. Please join us on
Sunday, December 21 at 10:15 a.m. as these
children share with us the gift of the
Christmas story.
Lord, help us not to lose sight of the
blessings that you have bestowed upon us.
Guide and encourage us to use the gifts we
have been given to serve you by sharing
them with others. And may we never lose
sight of our greatest, your son, Jesus Christ,
our Lord, in whose name we pray.
Amen.
Lydia Beck [email protected]
St. John’s T-Shirts - Youth Fundraiser
Shirts have arrived. If you
have not received your t-shirt
order, contact Lydia Beck.
9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Age 2 - Grade 6 for Sunday School
Grades 7+ for Catechetical Classes
OUR CHILDREN NEED YOU!
The Sunday School program has been
growing which means we are in need of
teachers! Prayerfully consider
sharing one week or more
each month to teach a Sunday
School class. Each lesson
and supplies are prepared for
you. The lessons give you a
script to follow. Prep time is
minimal. Prior to teaching
you would be scheduled to
observe a class and have an orientation. An
hour or more a month can impact so many
children’s lives. As part of our safety policy,
all teachers will have child abuse and
criminal check screenings. See Lydia Beck or
Judy Levermore today.
Advent Sunday School Project
The children will be collecting items to
supply care packages to children and youth
being placed in foster care through Diakon
Adoption and Foster Care. Starting at the end
of November items can be placed in
collection bins in the auditorium and Primary
Sunday School classroom. Jaime Wert is
coordinating this event.
Please support the Sunday School Advent
project by contributing items from the
following list. Items are for age ranges Infant
through School Age (up to age 12). All items
donated must be new. Used items cannot be
accepted. Donation Deadline is December
21. Pacifiers
Bottle set
Diapers: NB, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Wipes
Baby Body Wash (no tears)
Baby Shampoo (no tears)
Socks
Sleep and Play outfits
Onesies
Swaddle blankets
Burp cloths
Pack of bibs
Baby hairbrush
Baby tooth brush
Baby nail clippers
Baby Lotion
Diaper Rash Cream
Sleepers
Receiving blankets
Nasal aspirator
Hair brush/comb set
Youth Toothbrush/Toothpaste
Toddler silverware set
No tears Body Wash
No Tears shampoo
Outfits (Ages 1 – 5)
Pajamas (Ages 1 – 12)
Sippy cups
Blanket
Large Bibs
Pull-ups
Underwear (Ages 3-12)
Socks (Ages 3-12)
De-tangler spray
Hair bands/accessories
Backpack
Brush
Collapsible hamper
Overnight duffle bag
Thermometer
No Classes There are no Sunday School or Catechism
Classes on December 28, 2014. Classes
resume on Sunday, January 4, 2015.
Sunday, December 21 @ 10:15 a.m.
during the Family Worship Service
The Sunday School children have been busy
rehearsing for this poetic play. Rehearsals
continue each Sunday in December during
the Sunday School Hour. Children should
arrive no later than 8:45 a.m. on Sunday,
December 21 to be costumed for a dress
rehearsal.
Join us after church for milk and cookies at
the Welcome Table sponsored by the
Sunday School students and parents.
Thank you to the teachers, volunteer
helpers, children, praise choir, and Kate
Kauffman for their time and dedication to
the Christmas program! Special thanks to
Judy Levermore for directing the play and
creating the scenery! Committee Meetings Parish Education Committee Meeting
Sunday, January 18
8:30 a.m.
Primary Sunday School Room
Youth Ministry Committee Thursday, December 4 &
Thursday, January 8
7:00 p.m.
Auditorium
Youth Group: For 6th
-12th
Grade
Laurel Center: Christmas Caroling
Sunday, December 7
6:45 p.m. meet at the Laurel Center
Anyone is welcome to
join the youth group as
we sing Christmas carols
together.
Sunday, December 21
After worship
Junior Sunday School Room
Come for an afternoon of Christmas
celebrations. We will be making plans for
our 2015 activities.
Laurel Center: January Activity TBD
Sunday, January 4
6:45 meet at the Laurel Center
The first Sunday of each month is Laurel
Night. This activity will be determined in
December.
Board, not Bored, Game Day
Sunday, January 18
After worship
in the Junior Sunday School Room.
Bring your favorite board games for an
afternoon of not being bored. Plans will be
made for a winter lock-in/retreat.
Bear Creek Camp
Connect Winter 2015
Grades 7-12: January 16-18
Grades 4-8: February 6-8
A super fun winter weekend event at Bear
Creek Camp including cool music, wonderful
friends, great food, games, activities, free
time, small groups, carpetball, foosball,
awesome counselors, and fabulous skits. Fee:
$110 (a $25 non-refundable deposit is
required to register.)
Family Faith Challenge
December: God in Incarnation
We challenge you to look for God in and
among us.
November 30-
December 6: Read together
Isaiah 7:13. Here
God makes a
promise to come
and live with us.
Immanuel means “God with us.” Use a baby
book or Google your name and find the
meaning of your name. What are other names
for Jesus besides Immanuel and Jesus?
December 7-13: Read together Isaiah 11:1-
10. Here Isaiah tells us that peace will come.
What does peace on earth look like? Draw a
picture of what your idea of peace looks like
and post it on Facebook.
December 14-20: Read together Luke 2:1-20.
Yea! Jesus is born! God keeps God’s
promises! Who was there to celebrate Jesus’
birth? Who was there to celebrate your birth?
Jesus was there too! Jesus is with you now!
Watch the video together at
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=231
484820308656.
December 21-27: Read together Luke 2:22-
40. Many people were glad to hear and see
that Jesus was born. God kept God’s promise
to Simeon and Anna. When you thank God
for Jesus what do you say? Sing your favorite
Christmas song together.
UN-WRAPPING THE MESSIAH
There will be an Adult Learning Class on
the subject of the Messiah as part of our
Christmas preparation. We will use the
Biblical texts surrounding the Christmas
story and look back at the prophetic
announcements regarding the birth of Jesus.
SUNDAY – Dec. 7 & 21. These sessions
will be held during the Sunday School hour
and begin at 9 AM in the Junior Dept.
Room.
WEDNESDAY – Dec. 3, 10, & 17. These
sessions will begin at 7 PM in the Junior
Dept. Room.
Please plan to join us for this
UNWRAPPING” celebration of the birth of
our Lord.
Pastor Burl Latshaw
The Annual Congregational Meeting
of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church
will be held on Sunday, January 25, 2015
following the 10:15 AM Worship Service.
The 2015 Budget and Eelction of Council
Members will be on the agenda.
A delicious meal will be served by our
Boy Scouts.
Sunday Family Worship Sunday, December 21 at 10:15 a.m.
The Sunday Family Worship Service is
Sunday, December 21 at 10:15 a.m. During
the family service, special music is done by
the Youth Choir. St. John’s will continue to
“Make a Joyful Noise” for ELCA World
Hunger Appeal. Please remember to bring
your coins, and help the children “make a
joyful noise.” The Sunday Family Worship
service is the third Sunday of each month at
10:15 a.m.
Luke Vincent Karle, born March 5, 2014 in
the Reading Hosptial, will be baptized on
December 7, 2014 son of Kimberly Robin
Karle.
Megan Elizabeth Ann Karle, born December
6, 2006 in the Abington Hospital, will be
baptized on December 7, 2014 daughter of
Kimberly Robin Karle.
Patrick Tyler Gillett, born on January 27,
2014 in the Allentown Hospital, will be
baptized on December 21, 2004 son of Mary
Catherine (Weyandt) Gillett and Edward
Thomas Gillett.
Laci Joline Stetzler, born on January 16, 2014
in St. Joseph’s Hospital was baptized on
November 30, 2014 daughter of Kailyn
Nicole (Rohrbach) Stetzler and Steven Mark
Stetzler.
On Volunteer Day, Oct. 22, 2014, there were
28 people who worked from 8:30 AM to app.
2:30 PM to put together a 8,611 piece Tree of
Remembrance mailing for Berks County
Visiting Nurses Association Hospice.
Twelve of the volunteers were members of
the Thrivent Chapter, so Thrivent Financial
Services will give $1,000 to Berks Visiting
Nurses from the chapter of which St. John’s
is part of with additional moneys from other
county Thrivent Chapters.
There was also a 500 piece mailing for the
Salvation Army.
Chef Dee Kistler, Merribeth Levan, and Mary
Ann Lengel, with the help from various Prep
Chef’s, made 20 gal. of our special St. John’s
Chili and delivered it to new Journey Soup
Kitchen in Reading.
Coffee, drinks, pastries and Bar-B-Q for
lunch was supplied by the Social Minstrey
Committee and volunteers.
A BIG THANK YOU goes out to all who
gave of their time for this project. What
would we do without volunteers?????
ACCESSIBILITY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER
2, 2014
Thirteen 'seniors' (age 80 and above) who
attended the Accessibility luncheon after
The Service on All Saints Sunday,
November 2nd, collectively logged 1209
years !!!!....the prize going to Mrs. Ruth
Wessner, 102. Some 30 other folks with
'challenges', family members, friends, and
Social Ministry volunteer servers were
present, too. Pastor Kistler led a brief sing-
along,..which included the Senior version of
"Jesus Loves Me". Youth Director, Lydia
Beck, and family were introducted. Then
Interim Pastor Latshaw and Mrs. Latshaw
were introduced to the group, and Pastor
Kistler asked Pastor to explain his first
name, "Burlington",..and why he prefers just
"Pr. Burl". (His mother called him
"Burlington" when he was in trouble!!). He
and Mrs. Latshaw described their interest
and participation in ballroom dancing and
sacred dance; ( Mrs. Latshaw interpreted the
October 26 Prelude with sacred dance). The
group was introduced to the Latshaws BY
AGE...with Ruth Wessner topping the list at
102. Pastor Latshaw commended the
seniors and 'challenged' persons for being
the 'pioneers' in supporting St. John's, and
offered a prayer of thanks for the faithful
'saints' and blessing on the food....which
was a delicious lunch of chicken noodle
soup, turkey barbecue, chips, jello, ice
cream, cookies, tea and coffee. At the
dessert 'break', the group thanked Doug and
Joan Adams, in charge of this year's
program, and the Social Ministry
Committee servers. Mrs. Uhler gave an
update on Pr. Uhler's health progress, soon
to come home from the hospital, and then
more therapy at home. Social Ministry
Committee wishes to thank all family
members and friends who assisted our
seniors and 'challenged' members to attend.
Church Council has called a Special
Congregational Meeting for December 7,
2014 immediately following the 10:15 AM
worship service. The sole purpose of this
meeting will be to review the report of The
Renovation Committee concerning the
Sanctuary Beautification Project Proposal.
Please make every effort to attend this very
important meeting to vote on the
project.
December 28 Altar Flowers, Bulletins
& Order of Service
January 4 Altar Flowers, Bulletins
& Order of Service
January 11 Altar Flowers &
Bulletins
January 18 Altar Flowers, bulletins
& Order of Service
January 25 Bulletins & Order of
Service
6:30 PM Pre-Service Music
7:00 PM Family Service/Youth Choir
Sings
8:30 PM Festivel of Lights w/Holy
Communion
10:30 PM Pre-Christmas Service Music
11:00 PM Christmas Eve Candelight
Service
We did a massive Newsletter mailing for the
December/January issue. The newsletter will
also be on our new website
www.stjohnshamburg.org.
We will not be doing a massive mailing
starting February.
Please notify the office by January 5th if you
need a hard copy. Copies of the Newsletter
will be available in the rear of the Church.
WORSHIP HOURS
Sunday Worship: 10:15 AM
Sunday School: 9:00 AM
Communion:
1st Sun. of month @10:15 AM & the
1st Sat. of each month at 5:30 PM
Office Hours:
Mon. – Fri., 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Rev. Burlington B. Latshaw III, Interim Pastor
Rev. Willard J. Uhler, Pastor Emeritus
Director of Youth
Lydia Beck
Church Secretary:
Donna Riegel
Choir Dir. /Organist:
Betsy Zimmerman-Morgans
Assistant Organist, and
Junior & S.S. Choir Director: Kate Kauffman
Officers of the Congregation
President: Dean Schreffler
Vice Pres.: Dale Heckman
Secretary: Joyce Thren
Treasurer: Tara Simpson
Financial Secretary: Lynne Bagenstose
Residing in retirement homes are:
LAUREL LIVING CENTER Mary Nolan, Kathy Nolan, Bertha Dietrich, Ruth Wessner,
Clifford Henne
ORWIGSBURG MANOR Anna Groff Esther Rolland
TOPTON Grace Bowers
LUTHERCARE - Lititz Dorothy Fisher
STONE RIDGE
VILLAGE - Myerstown Charles and Ruth Reed
HEARTHSTONE Margaret Moyer
Irene Schappell
PHOEBE BERKS Ann Heinly
Clifford Wagner
Doris Wagner
COUNTRY MEADOWS Betty Krick Mary Ann Leisey
Donald & Betty Seidel- Allentown
REST HAVEN – Schuylkill Haven Annabelle McIntyre
LUTHER RIDGE – Pottsville Dorothy Geschwindt
MEMBERS HOSPITALIZED SINCE LAST
PRINTING
Lorrean Kramer
Michael Koch