Altar Flowers & Bulletins

It is always nice to see fresh flowers on our altar on a Sunday morning.

So, please sign up now for your date for altar flowers or bulletins.

The sign up list is located in the church narthex.

Altar Flowers are $43.00 a week.

Bulletins are $12.00 a week

Questions or dedications, call the office at 717-273-3912 or email ststephcfc@comcast.net

Our flowers are supplied by ‘Crazy for Daisies’

June 2020 Steeple

IN THIS ISSUE OF THE STEEPLE: --A Note from Pastor Ron

--An article by the Church Council

President, Brian Weidman

-- A note regarding contributions

FEATURED ANNOUNCEMENTS:

--Updates regarding Church Service June

14th

--Jubilee is accepting donations

--LCCM golf outing

Any articles or information for

the next monthly Steeple should

be submitted to the church

secretary’s office via email or

mailbox a week in advance of the

last day of the month.

St. Stephen’s Christian Fellowship Church 1100 Hunters Chase Lane

Lebanon, PA 17046

WORDS FOR REFLECTION:

No matter how dark

and hopeless a

situation might

seem, never stop

praying.

A Note from Pastor Ron

“We need another Pentecost at St. Stephen’s!” I think it’s fitting that we just talked about the Holy Spirit and how to be filled with “Him”, not “it”, but believe it or not we’re there. Normally Pentecost is in June but this year on May 31st. Now, don't forget that the reason everyone was in Jerusalem was to observe Shavu'ot - as established in Leviticus 21:15 and that is pretty straightforward. So the disciples are gathered together when the Holy Spirit comes upon them in ways they can see and hear (wind and tongues of fire) and then in ways that ultimately lead them to speak (Acts 2:1-21). For today's celebrations of Pentecost, worshipers are encouraged to wear red, and it isn't uncommon to see streamers or balloons or kites or other objects that can catch a breeze as part of a processional. We’ve never done that, but maybe we should? It is a celebratory day. The part of the story usually mishandled is the fire. Candles may be lit, but the ability to capture actual tongues of fire on the head of each worshiper is a logistical challenge unless your church is CGI-equipped. Can you imagine someone saying to you, “excuse me, but do you know your head’s on fire?” So those tongues of fire become streamers or ribbons, or the Church paraments. But what if you think a strip of red on the altar doesn't tell the whole story of the Holy Spirit as fire? That's a problem. For sure, it has a lot to do with some Galilean fishermen witnessing to the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. So, how do you think of the Holy Spirit as fire? It is a fire that burns to ash? Is that what will happen to the disciples and their Pentecost fervor? The day is a flashover that will eventually burn itself (and them) out? Perhaps you perceive the Holy Spirit as a carefully portioned tongue of fire, given in reasonable measure to each disciple, and us. Maybe it helps to borrow the characteristics of another scriptural fire. What if Pentecost's tongues of fire are like the flames of the bush where Moses received his own commission from God? What if the fire of Pentecost is fire that burns but does not consume? Seeing the Pentecost fire in that way might help us prepare for a season of Pentecost rather than a day of Pentecost. The fire does not go out but neither does it consume us until there is nothing left of us. And yet the fires of the bush and Pentecost are not exactly the same. Or perhaps the fire is the same but the relationship between God and humans is not. Moses stood at a distance, warned from coming closer, watching this miracle of fire as he heard the voice of God. In the Pentecost story, this fire rests on each disciple individually. They are no longer spectators, they are partakers, sharers of the fire. The fire is not a spectacle to be observed but a part of who they now are. In both events, the fire has a lot to do with God's promise to "be with". To be with Moses as he goes back to Egypt to free God's people. To be with the disciples as they dream dreams and see visions and make disciples of all nations. Fire that burns but does not consume ensures that disciples will not, on their first Spirit-filled day, go out in a blaze of glory. Rather it sparks a witness that against all odds will grow Christ's Church, IF WE ARE WILLING TO PAY THE PRICE TO MAKE IT HAPPEN! Come, Holy Spirit. And here's your connection for flame and wind on Pentecost… if you’ve ever tried to get a campfire going, it’s best to light the upwind side so the wind blows the flame into the "fuel". Let’s BE the fuel! pastorron Rev. Ronald Lee Salem

Church Council President’s Comments

From the President’s Computer

Reopening the Church

Here I am, another Steeple Article including the term COVID-19. Not only including it but it is basically the main reason for this

article.

As you all know, we have not had any church activity at the church building since mid-March. Well that is coming to an end. At

a Special Council Meeting held Tuesday May 26th, the Council has decided to hold an outside Worship Service on June 14th

starting at 9:30am. This will be an abbreviated worship service held on the grassy area and parking lot on the West side of the

building outside of the Social Hall. We do not plan on setting any church chairs outside. Please bring along your own lawn chair

or blanket if you want sit outside your vehicle. All attendees will be asked to maintain the COVID-19 Social Distance of at least

6.0 feet excluding family members. Wearing a face covering is recommended but not required. We will have an offering plate

set out for you to individually place your financial contribution. We also plan on having a single piece of paper with items such

as hymn lyrics, prayers and responsive reading available for those who feel comfortable using it. The contents of this piece of

paper will also be emailed to all those that receive the Steeple Article via email so you can choose to print your own copy or

possibly even just refer to it on your mobile electronic device. We also ask that all children in attendance stay with their families

and do not play on the playground. We do plan on providing this service virtually via Live Facetime for those who do not feel

comfortable joining a live service and still prefer to experience worship virtually.

We are moving forward in this fashion in order to provide the opportunity for those who want to participate in a live worship

service while we strive to do so in a safe way and in accordance with the Governor of PA and CDC COVID-19 Guidance and

Recommendations.

The Church Council has held several Special Council Meetings in order to stay informed of the most current COVID-19 guidelines

and make decisions based on these guidelines. These decisions have not been very easy, but we feel they were necessary in

order to keep our St Stephen’s family safe and healthy.

We ask that you please make the decision you feel most comfortable with regarding how you participate in this Worship Service.

Our plan is to decide how we will move forward beyond June 14 at our regularly scheduled Council Meeting on June 9th.

Please feel free to contact me or any other Council Member if you have any questions. May God continue to Bless you and St. Stephen’s! Brian Weidman, Church Council President. 717-269-3144 (C) 717-949-2651 (H)

ANNUAL LCCM GOLF OUTING

LCCM’s 26th annual Golf Outing has been

rescheduled for Friday July 10th @ Lebanon

Valley Gold Course, 240 Golf Road, Myerstown

$75 per golfer, $300 per foursome

Deadline Friday, June 26

Questions, call Andrea Gillhooley @ 717-272-4400 ext. 211

JUBILEE MINISTRIES

URGENT NEED!

Gently Used Clothing &

Especially shoes

The majority of the life-changing ministry that occurs

through Jubilee is funded by the sales in our thrift stores.

We have a big need for gently used clothing.

Donations accepted Monday – Saturday 9-5 @ each store.

Lebanon County Children & Youth

Lebanon County Children & Youth is

recruiting new foster parents for

upcoming foster parent training!

Please call 717-228-4430 with any

questions.

Jubilee Ministries is in need of the following items

(Items can be dropped off at the main office on Lafayette

Street)

Masks- homemade or purchased

Disinfectant, disinfecting wipes, kitchen/bathroom/general cleaner, Lysol, any germ/bacterial killing cleaners

Gloves-latex, non-latex, PVC, nitrite, and plastic disposable gloves

Food for men in our expanding Aftercare Program Please call ahead @ 717-274-7528 to inquire about food

and donations and to schedule a drop off time for any of

the items above.

Lectors: Ushers: Greeters:

June 2020

Our Worship Team List

June 14

Joy Weidman

June 21

Amy Cannistraci

June 28

Janet Light

June 14

Paul Weidman & Joy Weidman

June 21

Brian Weidman & Kim Weidman

June 28

Stephanie Bossler & Joanne Krall

June 14

Bruce Barry & June Barr

June 21

Steve Gipe & Melody Gipe

June 28

Ken Shank

Counting Teams: June 14 Team #3 Janet Light

June 21 Team #4 Cindy Klinger

June 28 Team #5 Johan Berger

Communion Usher Schedule: DATE: USHER 1: USHER 2:

July 5 Devin Gill Johan Berger

August 2 Larry Barr Jill Barr

September 6 Richard Rights Tyler Frantz

October 4 Melody Gipe Ken Shank

November 1 Bruce Barry June Barry

December 6 Janet Light Dan Light

January 3 Stephanie Bossler Devin Gill

June 2020

Outside Worship Service on June 14th starting at 9:30am.

This will be an abbreviated worship service held on the grassy area and parking lot on

the west side of the building outside of the Social Hall.

Bring your own blanket/chair if you sit outside of your vehicle

All attendees will be asked to maintain the COVID-19 Social Distance of at least 6.0

feet excluding family members.

Wearing a face covering is recommended but not required.

We will have an offering plate set out for you to individually place your financial

contribution.

Hymn lyrics, prayers and responsive reading available for those who feel comfortable

using it

o This will also be emailed to all who receive the Steeple

We also ask that all children in attendance stay with their families and do not play on

the playground.

We do plan on providing this service virtually via “Facebook live on our St. Stephen’s

Christian Fellowship Church Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ststephenscfc/ for

those who do not feel comfortable joining a live service and still prefer to experience

worship virtually.

We ask that you please make the decision you feel most comfortable with regarding

how you participate in this Worship Service.

Our plan is to decide how we will move forward beyond June 14 at our regularly

scheduled Council Meeting on June 9th.

We are looking for your feedback regarding donations/weekly giving to the

Church. We would like to be able to provide alternative avenues of

contribution to meet the needs of everyone who attends our church. Some of

the ideas that we have been talking about: Paypal, Automatic bank withdrawal.

If this is something that you would be interested in, please let a member of

Church Council know. We would appreciate your feedback!

--Council Members

Congratulations Graduate

Congratulations to Miranda Steffy, daughter of Steve and Mary Deitz

who is graduating from Cedar Crest High School on June 3rd, 2020.

She had received the Award for Outstanding English College Prep

and Science. She has been accepted into Penn State University.

She is majoring in Architectural Engineering and Minoring in

Chemistry/Environmental Studies.

She will start in the fall and will be at the branch in Harrisburg.

We wish Miranda well on all her endeavors!

June Birthdays 6/1 Tony Krall

6/4 Elizabeth Foy

6/5 Gracie Hoke

6/5 Grant Hoke

6/6 Brayden Gipe

6/6 Hudson Weidman

6/9 Sue Reis

6/11 Heather Leonard

6/16 Conor Leonard

6/21 Judith Cleghorn

6/23 Stephanie Bossler

6/23 Monica Class

6/25 Brian Weidman

6/30 June Barry

June Anniversaries

6/5 Dan & Janet Light

CENTRAL PA FOOD BANK

Please consider supporting the food bank’s efforts by providing the most needed items:

Tuna Canned Soup

Cereal Canned Fruits

Peanut Butter Canned Vegetables

Pasta Canned or Dried Beans

Rice Pure Fruit & Vegetable Juices

Macaroni & Cheese Baby food, Cereal, & Formula

The Remainder of the Sunday morning services will be prerecording and available via email and Facebook through June 7th.

Vacation Bible School

“Knights of the North Kingdom”

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL IS

CANCELLED FOR THIS YEAR

ST. STEPHEN’S CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP CHURCH

1100 Hunters Chase Lane

Lebanon PA 17046

717-273-3912 Email: ststephcfc@comcast.net

Website: www.saintstephenscfc.org

Don’t Forget!

Our Facebook:

Haven’t liked us on

Facebook yet?

It’s not too late,

check us out at…

St. Stephen’s

Christian Fellowship

Church

Our Website:

Check us out online for

updates on news around

the church and church

information.

Check us out at:

http://saintstephenscfc.org

Also, if you have any

information for the website

or monthly Steeple see that

our secretary receives it as

early as possible!

June 2020

This month congratulations goes

out to anyone who graduated or

will graduate! All the best for a

successful and bright future.

June 2020

Sun. Mon. Tue. Wed. Thu. Fri. Sat.

1 2 3 4 5 6

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Worship

Virtual

Church Council

7:00 pm -

14

15 16 17 18 19 20

Worship

9:30 AM

Parking Lot

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

Worship

TBD

28 29 30

Worship

TBD

SH-Social Hall

CR-

Conference

Room