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HEIDELBERG-SLATEDALE LUTHERAN

PARISH NEWSLETTER

SCHEDULED SUPPLY PASTORS while Pastor Ginny is on Sabbatical: Dec. 3 – Holy Trinity- The Rev. Peggy Wuertele Dec. 10 –Both – The Rev. Rashion Santiago Dec. 17 – Holy Trinity – The Rev. Norman Dresher Dec. 24 am – Both – The Rev. Thomas Keener Dec. 24 – Holy Trinity – 7:00 pm Christmas Eve – The Rev. David Werley Dec. 31 – Both – The Rev. George Harpel

CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE AT HEIDELBERG - The Union Christmas Eve Service will be held

on Saturday, December 24. A musical prelude will begin at 7:30 p.m., followed by the service of worship at

8:00 p.m. Special inspirational music will be provided, traditional scripture lessons will be read, and the service

will culminate with the candle lighting. In addition, there will also be a Union Christmas Eve 11:00 p.m. service

with communion. All are welcome!

CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT COMMUNION SERVICE AT HOLY TRINITY - The traditional Christmas Eve

Candlelight service will start at 6:45 p.m. with a musical prelude; followed by a worship service

commencing at 7:00 p.m. with Supply Pastor, the Rev. David Werley, special music by the choir, continuous-flow communion and a candle lighting service.

HEIDELBERG UNION FAITH FORMATION CHRISTMAS PROGRAM - Sunday, Dec. 17, at 11:00 a.m. in the Church Sanctuary. Come one and all to see our youth perform in the Christmas program.

CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS RECITATION PROGRAM - At the Lehigh Furnace Sunday School, the children will present their songs and recitations on December 17th at 9:30 a.m. Everyone is welcome.

LENTEN SCHEDULE AT HEIDELBERG UNION CHURCH - All are invited to join us at Heidelberg Union Church as we travel together through insights gained in our personal spiritual journeys. - February 14: 6:15 p.m. Soup & Salad, 7:30 p.m. Ash Wednesday Service, Sanctuary of Heidelberg

Church. A time of repentance, Ashes and Communion. - Wednesdays: February 21 thru March 21, 6:15 p.m. Soup & Salad, 7:30 p.m. Service, Fellowship Hall

of Heidelberg Church. A sign-up sheet will be located in the church narthex for weekly contributions of soup, salad, bread and desserts.

PARISH WORSHIP SERVICES SCHEDULED - In order to foster better relationships between the two parish congregations, the councils of Heidelberg and Holy Trinity are continuing the joint worship services in 2018 as follows:

January 21 at Holy Trinity 10:45 am

March 18 at Heidelberg 8:30 am

July 8 at Heidelberg 8:30 am

October 21 at Holy Trinity 8:30 am

Let’s all worship together in the spirit of Christian fellowship.

NEED HELP WITH YOUR HEATING BILLS? Contact LIHEAP at 610-821-6509 for more information.

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CONGRATULATIONS

BIRTHDAYS: Gary R. Dise FEB 3

Carol Polkowski 5 Chad Gross JAN 10 Nancy Maurer 6 David Lear 11 Matthew Thompson 8 Darlene Altrichter 12 Jan Krawchuk 8 Ruth Kehm 13 Sophia Lear 10 Sean Polkowski 13 Jessica Lear 10 Clarissa Gross 15 Laura Danner 11 Elizabeth Gardner 15 Beth Sell 11 Michael Schaffer 17 Nicholas Roth 16 Ashley Bartholomew 18 Mariah Fegely 18 Brenda Fetterolf 19 Kelly Sue Wanamaker 23 Madilyn Riegel 19 Janet Arner 25 Christina Meitzler 21 James Graver 26 Aaron Dise 23 Bryan Kehm 27 Diane Krause 25 Lucas Dise 27 Michelle Dise 26 Elinore Dorshimer 28 Wayne Roth 27 Doris Frey 29 Bruce Altrichter 27 Delores Cunfer 31

BAPTISM: 12/6 HT Daniel Oliver Rex, son of Jonathan & Denise Rex by Pastor David Hess

Deadline for all information & reports for the

2017 congregational reports is

January 23, 2018.

The next newsletter information deadline is

February 15, 2018.

NEWSLETTER FOR THE MONTHS OF

AND

FEBRUARY

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HEIDELBERG’S NEWS

SPECIAL SERVICES: Faith Formation Christmas Program December 17 at 11:00 a.m.

Holy Communion December 24 at 8:30 a.m.

Union Christmas Eve Service December 24 at 8:00 p.m.

(Musical Prelude) at 7:30 p.m.

Union Christmas Eve Service December 24 at 11:00 p.m.

Holy Communion January 07 at 8:30 a.m.

Joint Parish Service (at Holy Trinity) January 21 at 10:45 a.m.

Holy Communion February 4 at 8:30 a.m.

Union Ash Wednesday Worship Service February 14 at 7:30 p.m.

Lenten Services (Wednesdays) Beginning February 21 at 7:30 p.m.

Holy Communion March 4 at 8:30 a.m.

MEETINGS: Festival Choir Rehearsals Sundays at 9:45 a.m. (S)

Concert Handbell Rehearsals Thursdays at 7:00 p.m.*(FH-B)

Christmas Caroling Dec. 16 1:00 p.m. (E)

Soup Kitchen Drop Off 12/11, 1/8, 2/12 6:00 p.m. (FH-A)

Church Council 12/12, 1/9, 2/13 7:00 p.m. (FH-A)

Lutheran Parish - at Holy Trinity Jan. 18 7:00 p.m. (HT)

Women of Faith Jan. 22 1:00 p.m. (FH-A)

Prayer Chain Jan. 22 6:00 p.m. (L)

Joint Council/Consistory Jan. 22 7:00 p.m. (FH-A)

Congregational Dinner Meeting Feb. 11 12:30 p.m. (FH-AB)

*Through Dec. 7, then resuming Dec. 28

E=Elsewhere, FH-A=Fellowship Hall (Kitchen Side), FH-B=Fellowship Hall (Bathroom side), FH-

AB=Entire Fellowship Hall, HT=Holy Trinity, L=Library, S=Sanctuary, SD=Schnecksville Diner,

OD=Outdoors

CHURCH COUNCIL UPDATES

At our annual congregational meeting the budgets for 2018 were approved as presented. We

need four council persons. We thank Betty Krause & Linda Heil for their service.

GREETERS AND LAY READERS ARE NEEDED. Sign-up sheets are located in the narthex. Copies of Celebrates are available for the readers. Everyone is encouraged to volunteer.

ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL DINNER The Annual Congregational Dinner Meeting at Heidelberg will be held on February 11, 2018 at 12:30 p.m.

Absolute deadline to submit information is January 23, 2018. Check upcoming bulletins for the agenda.

The Annual Meeting of Heidelberg Union Church will take place on Monday, January 22 at 7 p.m. One purpose of this meeting is an invitation to all Church organizations to inform the Council/Consistory members of the events of the past year, the goals and plans for the new year and to identify areas where the organization needs support and assistance from Council/Consistory. It’s a time to share the highlights of your efforts so all can appreciate what you do in the name of Jesus for the Congregation and the Community. We request the opportunity to hear from individuals who don’t regularly attend the joint meetings, specifically representatives from Choirs, Organist, Faith Formation, Youth Group, Soup Kitchen, Cemetery, Sexton, WOW, Women of Faith, Altar Guild, Secretary/Treasurer of Bequests and Kitchen Committee. Heidelberg depends upon folks like you to make the Church a foundation of our lives. We thank you. Heidelberg Union Church Council/Consistory

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If inclement weather results in the need to cancel worship services and/or Sunday School, tune in to

Radio Station WAEB 790AM or WFMZ TV Channel 69 or call any Council member.

YEAR-END CONTRIBUTIONS - With just a couple weeks left in 2017, if you haven’t been able to attend a Sunday service, please consider sending your year-end offering, made payable to Heidelberg Lutheran Church, to Barbara Weaver, 6087 Buckery Road, Germansville, PA 18053. In order to be included in 2017, your contribution must be received no later than December 31st.

Christmas Tree - We would like to thank Becks’ Christmas Tree Farm for donating the beautiful Christmas tree in the sanctuary. Also, thanks to all of those who helped decorate our church for this Advent season. As quickly as the season is coming, it will go by quickly, so note on your January calendar that we will take the decorations down on January 7th, immediately following the 11:00 a.m. service.

THE CHRISTMAS BASKETS will be packed on Friday, December 22nd, at 6:00 p.m. Boxes will be placed in the narthex and hallway for non-perishable food items for the baskets. There will be an exit offering on December 10th to purchase items for needy families for the Christmas holiday. We need volunteers to help pack the baskets and also do the food shopping. Please contact Joan Hein if you can help in any way or know of someone in need.

ALTAR FLOWER & BULLETIN SPONSOR CHARTS - The Lutheran & UCC altar flower & bulletin sponsor charts for 2018 have been placed in the narthex. If you would like to sponsor flowers and/or bulletins for a specific Sunday, please sign the chart or charts, or you may contact an altar guild member. You will be contacted before your sponsor date. The cost to sponsor the altar flowers is $25, and the cost to sponsor the bulletins is $10.

CHRISTMAS CAROLING - We will be going Christmas Caroling to our homebound members on Saturday, December 16th. We will meet at the church at 1:00 p.m. We will return to the church around 5:30-6:00 p.m. A sign-up sheet is in the narthex. If you have any questions, contact Sheri Hausman.

The Heidelberg Concert Handbell Choir will present "Christmas Bells" on Saturday, December 9 at 2:00 p.m. at Neffs Union Lutheran Church. No tickets needed. Come and get in the spirit of Christmas as they bring you the beautiful music of the holiday!! A free-will offering will be received.

PRAYER TREE - God welcomes our prayers. We will have special handmade crosses by Dale Zellner and Matthew Loch hanging on our tree. If you have a need for a cross, please take one. You are encouraged to write a prayer and hang it on the tree. So many prayers are needed at this time - for our church and leaders, armed forces, shut ins, jobs, government and country, prayer for peace and no violence, those afflicted by flood, hurricane or fire, prayer for those having physical, mental or spiritual problems. Pastor Karen will include your prayers during a service at the end of Advent. God`s Blessings during this Advent season. Linda Hausamann

GIFT CARDS - Thank you to all who ordered gift cards throughout 2017. Because of your purchases, we’re on track to add over $2,000 to Heidelberg Union’s joint account. This program will continue the second Sunday in 2018 and, with your ongoing support, we’ll be able to increase the number of dollars contributed to Heidelberg’s joint account. So, start planning now for purchases to cover all your needs – birthdays, anniversaries, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, etc. etc.! If you have any questions, call either Sheri Hausman or Barb Weaver.

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Welcoming 2018! Bible Study/The Bible and Decision Making - Wednesdays in January -- 10:00-11:30 a.m. January 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th (not January 31st) -- February 7th (snow make-up day). Call the church office OR sign up in the narthex to be part of this study! Every day we make thousands of decisions. Most cause us no anxiety and challenge us hardly at all. And then, just when we are comfortable, we are forced to make difficult decisions. The decisions could change the direction of our lives or have consequences for the ones we love. What do we do? We can rely on Scripture to direct us through the trials of daily life. The Bible and Decision Making shows how, through careful and regular study of Scripture, we can develop a base from which to make the hard choices in life. Come join Pastor Karen as we turn to scripture to direct us through the trials of daily life.

SOUP KITCHEN

November 14th We served 165 men, women and children. Meal included various portions of meat including beef, chicken and sausage, garden salad, apples, peaches and dessert. Faithful volunteers included Shirley Boger, Robin Koch, Ron and Eleanor Klevenhagen, Barbara Matthias and Linda Hausamann. We donated 4 large turkeys for their Thanksgiving meal on November 23rd. Next soup kitchen is December 12th. We are asking for Christmas cookies to be delivered to fellowship Hall on December 11th between 6-7 p.m. God Bless, Linda

Wednesdays in Lent 2018 - All are invited to join us at Heidelberg Union Church as we travel together through insights gained in our personal spiritual journeys. - February 14th, 6:15 p.m. Soup & Salad, 7:30 p.m. Ash Wednesday Service, Sanctuary of Heidelberg

Church. A time of repentance, Ashes and Communion. - Wednesdays, February 21 thru March 21, 6:15 p.m. Soup & Salad, 7:30 p.m. Service, Fellowship Hall

of Heidelberg Church. A sign-up sheet will be located in the church narthex for weekly contributions of soup, salad, bread and desserts.

FELLOWSHIP HALL NEWS ATTENTION ALL CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS: Before scheduling any event in the Fellowship Hall, please contact Cindy Miller (610-767-4740) to confirm availability. Thank you for your cooperation.

Chicken Pot Pie Dinner Saturday, February 10, 2018, (Snow Date February 17) Limited Seating at 4:00pm & 6:00pm

Call for $11.00 tickets, Children under 10 – free.

Heidelberg Area Retired People will meet January 2nd at 11:00 a.m. We will be playing games (and what a fun time we had last year). Bring your favorite game; we had some old-time favorites last January. As always, bring a covered dish for lunch. If inclement weather is in question, call Eleanor Klevenhagen or Katherine Blose.

HARP will meet February 7th at 11 a.m. We all love BINGO and our caller is Diane Schlauch and she makes the game lots of fun. We always have a covered pot lunch with some very appetizing foods from our great cooks. Bring two one-dollar gifts wrapped or a white elephant item you may have laying around the house. They make some of the best gifts to play BINGO. Call Katherine or Eleanor if the weather is in question.

Heidelberg Church’s Trunk or Treat - We had a very successful Trunk (Table) or Treat on October 29, 2017 held in the Fellowship Hall. Despite the rainy weather, we had a great turnout. There were 13 participants with trunks (tables) and we had over a hundred kids and adults attend. The food was great and no one went away hungry. Thank you to all who helped make this outreach event a success!

WOMEN OF FAITH (W.O.F.) - No meeting in December. The January meeting will be Monday the 22nd at 1:00 p.m. It will be Game Day. Bring your favorite game for others to enjoy playing; guaranteed a fun time.

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Attention: We NEED your help! We have holiday door hangers that need to “Get the News Out” to our community about Heidelberg Union Church. It’s a fun thing to do. Take your family and/or a buddy and put them on door knobs or hang on mailbox flags (they cannot be placed inside the mailbox). They need to be distributed by Friday, Dec. 17th. The door hangers will be in the narthex. Please notify Robin Koch with how many you have taken and location of distribution. If you have any questions, please see Robin Koch.

We will be collecting pocket size packets of tissues to distribute to the folks at the soup kitchen on Tuesday, Dec. 12. There will be a box in the narthex for the tissues. We need them by Sunday, Dec. 10th. Thank you so much. If you have any questions, please see Robin Koch.

Core Meeting - DEC 19 7p.m. – 9p.m.

Heidelberg Union Church -

5187 Irvin Rd, Slatington, PA 18080 Come help in the planning process of bringing this valuable resource for homeless children and their families to our

area. Volunteers and board members are needed! Bring a friend. Visit our website for more information. www.familypromiselehighcounty.org

FAITH FORMATION/SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS

Our Faith Formation Christmas Program will be held on Sunday, December 17th at 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary. Come enjoy our youth as they present their program. THANK YOU for supporting our annual Christmas Bake Sale & Hot Dog Lunch.

Sunday School Mission Project Update - We are happy to inform you that our Sunday School students have donated enough funds to reach our goal of purchasing a water buffalo for others in need through Heifer International! Great job to our students for working hard at this goal and having the desire to be the hands and feet of Christ!! For more information concerning Faith Formation and/or youth events, check upcoming bulletins or contact your leaders.

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HOLY TRINITY’S NEWS

THE CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE WITH HOLY COMMUNION ON

DECEMBER 24, 2017 IS SCHEDULED AT 7:00 p.m. WITH SUPPLY PASTOR,

THE REV. DAVID WERLEY. ALL ARE INVITED TO CELEBRATE THE BIRTH OF JESUS

CHRIST. (PLEASE NOTE THE TIME HAS BEEN CHANGED TO 7:00 PM, WITH MUSICAL

PRELUDE AT 6:45 p.m.)

OTHER SPECIAL SERVICES: Holy Communion 1/7, 2/4, 3/4 10:45 a.m.

Joint Parish Worship-at Holy Trinity January 21 10:45 a.m.

MEETINGS:

Church Council Jan. 23 & Feb. 27 at 7:00 p.m.

LCW Dec. 12 at 6:00 p.m.

LCW Jan. 16 & Feb. 22 at 7:00 p.m.

Parish - at Holy Trinity Jan. 18 at 7:00 p.m.

ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING- At the recent Annual Congregational Meeting held on Sunday, December 3rd, the 2018 budgets were approved as presented. The amended Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Constitution was accepted, pending Synod approval. Newly elected to Church Council for a 3-year term is Annette Diehl and Dianne Frantz renewed her term. We thank Ronald Diehl for his service. We still need one more council person.

ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL REPORTS - The deadline to submit information to your parish secretary is January 23, 2018.

STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY - The 2018 contribution envelopes and church calendars were distributed on Stewardship Sunday. Please remember to pick up your materials if you haven’t done so already! If you have friends or family nearby and would be willing to deliver them, it would be greatly appreciated to help save on postage. Thank you!

CHURCH CONTRIBUTIONS - To receive credit for 2017, checks payable to “Holy Trinity Lutheran Church” can be mailed to the church at PO Box 129, Slatedale PA 18079, or to the treasurer, Dianne Frantz, at 4519 Mountain Road, Slatington, PA 18080 to arrive no later than December 30, 2017.

SPECIAL THANKS:

• To all those who decorated the church for the Advent/Christmas season.

• To everyone who donated peas for the Food Bank’s Thanksgiving & Christmas baskets.

• To everyone who contributed items for the Northern Lehigh Valley Mission District’s Annual Ingathering.

• To Mark, Bob, Rick, Bill, Ron, Steve, and others for their work at keeping the grounds in good shape and fixing the things that needed repair.

Weather Closings - Service cancellations will be posted on our website (www.holytrinityslatedale.org) as well as on WFMZ-TV and Blue Ridge (BRC-TV 13) in the event of winter weather!

New Hymnals - Since September we are worshipping with the Evangelical Lutheran Worship

Pew Edition, copyright 2006. If you have not attended recently, why not give it a try? You might also wish to sponsor a book for $25 by completing a sponsor form available in the narthex, and returning it to Dianne Frantz or any council member. Labels will be placed on the inside front cover with your name and dedication.

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SCRIPT CARD PROGRAM Our sincere "Thank You" to everyone who participated in the LCW Scrip Card Program in 2017. Your support helped us raise over $2,000! The program will continue in 2018 and updated order forms will be available in the narthex soon. You can also find a complete list of retailers at www.shopwithscrip.com<http://www.shopwithscrip.com>. Orders are due on the 1st Sunday of each month and delivery is the 3rd Sunday (or earlier for holidays). If you have any questions about the program, please see Traci Kaercher.

Daniel Oliver Rex, son of Jonathan & Denise Rex, was baptized on December 6th at Holy Trinity by Rev. David Hess upon request by Slatedale Council and special dispensation of Bishop Samuel Zeiser.

Light for Today is available in the narthex.

May you and your family

have a blessed and joyous Christmas

and a happy and health-filled New Year!

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NEPA SYNOD NEWSLETTERS: December 2017 & January 2018- download at www.godslove.org (4 pages)

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HEIDELBERG SLATEDALE NON-PROFIT ORG.

LUTHERAN PARISH US POSTAGE PAID

PO Box 129 LEHIGHTON PA

Slatedale PA 18079 PERMIT #7

Return Service Requested

HEIDELBERG LUTHERAN CHURCH HOLY TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH

5187 Irvin Road 4118 Main Street, Box 129

Slatington PA 18080 Slatedale PA 18079

Newsletter for the months of

JANUARY and FEBRUARY