The Chimes November 2015

Saint Paul’s Worship Schedule

Sunday

9:00 am: Holy Communion First Sunday of month: Family Worship (service designed with children in mind);

Remaining Sundays: service concurrent with Sunday School

10:30 am: Holy Communion Traditional liturgy

Saint Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

415 E. Athens Ave., Ardmore, PA 19003 The Rev. Dr. Harry W. McDowell II, Senior Pastor

The Rev. Laura Tancredi, Associate Pastor 610-642-3211 610-658-3262 (fax)

www.stpaulsardmore.com

Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/stpaulsardmore Pastor Laura’s blog: pastortancredi.wordpress.com

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Mark your calendars —

Sunday, February 7, 2016

Following worship at 9:30 am (One service only; no Sunday School)

The meeting will be held in the Sanctuary; a luncheon will follow in Fellowship Hall.

All members are encouraged

to attend this important meeting & the luncheon that follows.

The Chimes, the newsletter of Saint Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, is published for the inspiration, education and entertainment of its members and friends. Comments and suggestions are welcome. Just mail, e-mail or deliver them to the church office.

The next issue of The Chimes will be published on Tuesday, November 24. Your articles are due in the office no later than noon on Tuesday, November 17. Thank you! C

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Pastor’s

Letter

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, It seems each year that Christmas comes a little bit earlier. This past September, as soon as

back to school items were cleared from store shelves, Halloween took precedence. But hidden

there behind the pumpkins and candy at Target, there were Christmas trees on display. In

September!

We don’t know what to do with ourselves during those few months of downtime between Labor

Day and Halloween. And between Halloween and Thanksgiving and Christmas. If we aren’t

constantly moving on to the next big event, it feels like wasted time somehow.

Except as a church. The church continues to celebrate the season of Advent—a time of

purposeful waiting and expectation. Advent is a time of knowing what is to come, but not rushing

ahead just yet. This year Advent begins on November 29. That day and the next three Sundays,

all the way until the December 24, we will be patient. Even as schools and workplaces have

Christmas parties and gift exchanges, as a church we will proclaim that there is value in waiting,

in hoping, and in exploring the mysteries of how Christ comes to us.

This year, St. Paul’s will hold three mid-week Advent services: December 2, December 9,

and December 16. These will take the form of dinner church. Many times in the Gospels, we see

Jesus sharing a meal with his disciples and other followers. Gathering around a table brings

people together in ways that few other things do.

We will gather together from 6:00 to 7:00 (Come late if you need to!) and prepare a simple dinner

together. Everyone will be able to help either cooking or setting the table. Then, gathered around

a meal, we will consider scripture and sacred story together. All ages will be welcome to share in

the conversation. Then, as Jesus did with his disciples, we will share bread and wine (or grape

juice), in a foretaste of the feast to come. Then, everyone helps to clean up, and we will be

finished by 8:00.

So this Advent season, consider taking a few hours a week to pause and wait with us!

In Christ,

Pastor Laura

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Prayers

Please pray for our men and women in the armed services, especially Mark Allen (son of Carol Henry); Michael Burns (son of Linda and Bob Burns); Justin Kolb (son of Melanie Kolb) and Brandon Mader (grandson of Wendy Black). Prayers are also requested for: Prayers are also requested for: Janice and Fred Acrin (sister and brother-in-law of Pamela McDowell); Tim Bradford (friend of Hazel Pelletreau); Amy Carafa (daughter of Judi DellaBadia); Nathaniel Theodore Chletsos (friend of Amanda & Andrew Vickrey); Kristen Coffey; Charlotte Conybear; Steve Engh (father of Anita Engh); Jeff Hayden (friend of Hazel Pelletreau); Bill Hoffman (Father of Diane Pringle); Sara Jacobs (friend of Hazel Pelletreau); Barbara Johnson (wife of Jack Johnson); Johanna Karén (granddaughter of Richard & Dorothy Linderman); Frank Lexa (father of Lisa Lexa); Gregg Martin (brother of Linda Martin); Tobie Monella (friend of Judi DellaBadia); Marion O’Kane (grandmother of Paul Trombello); Kim O’Rourke (friend of Missy Perry); Leah Peart (mother of Waneta Peart); Walter Proschinger (brother of Christa Scheidly); Delores Stevenson (mother of Debbie Moran); Peggy Willie (friend of Barbara Orwig); Maya (friend of Debbie Keyser) and Marilyn (friend of Eleanore Flom).

Baptism Madison Ann Ruehr, daughter of Michael and Megan Ruehr, was baptized on October 4, 2015.

Birth

Congratulations to Kate and Paul Trombello on the birth of their son, Jack Anthony on October 7. Jack joins a brother Adam and sister Molly. We rejoice with Kate and Paul and pray for God’s blessings on their family.

Death Helen Somma, long-time member of St. Paul’s died in September. We pray for the family of Helen and thank God for her life and the promise of the Resurrection.

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Because of God’s Great Mercy is the title of our stewardship emphasis this year. The scriptural basis of this focus on our stewardship of all that God has entrusted into our care is 1 Peter 2:9, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness and into his marvelous light.” We begin by proclaiming all that God has done for us, hence the title Because of God’s Great Mercy. God has made us God’s own people. We will also consider how generous giving is an important part of every Christian’s life, and how our combined generosity can make even greater things possible through our congregation. We will think together about how our giving to St. Paul’s is an important part of our Christian faith, and how St. Paul’s uses our offerings to do God’s work within the congregation’s walls, in our community, and around the world. Because of God’s Great Mercy will ask you to do two things. First, you will be asked to increase your giving to St. Paul’s by at least ½ of 1% of your household income. Second, you will be asked to consider using an automatic funds transfer program that St. Paul’s already has in place for your giving. Because of God’s Great Mercy will use mail, e-mail, and time in worship to share information with you. Please make a special effort to watch for material during this important time in our congregation’s life.

In Christ, The Reverend Dr. Harry McDowell II, Senior Pastor The Reverend Laura Tancredi, Associate Pastor William A. Henderson Jr., Council President & Stewardship Chair

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We All Have Questions Group The next Saturday Morning group will meet on October 31st. We will finish our discussion of the talking points of the World Meeting of Families and look at the Reformation and women's involvement in the Lutheran Church. Join us at 9:30 am in the Kugler Room.

Set your clocks back one hour before bed on Saturday, Oct. 31. Sunday School will be held on Sunday, November 1st. Family worship will resume on the first Sunday of the month, December 6.

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A letter from Pastor Treichel

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St. Paul’s Commemorates 250 Years

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St. Paul’s Hosts:

The American Guild of Organists

“Tuesday Noon Recitals”

The American Guild of Organists Philadelphia Chapter will be

bringing the Tuesday Noon Recitals to St. Paul’s in November.

The recitals will be ½ hour in length, starting at noon on every

Tuesday in November. The recitalists will include Gary Garletts

from Ardmore Presbyterian Church, Rudy Lucente, associate

organist at the Wanamaker organ at Macy’s among others.

The recitals are a gift to the public from the members of

the Philadelphia Chapter of the American Guild of Organists and are

open to the public. Please join us for all the Tuesdays in

November for some entertaining organ music.

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The Sacred Bridge

Sunday, November 8, 4:00 pm

Jessica Lennick, soprano with the Adult Choir of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church

Solo music from the Jewish and Christian traditions

Music by Helfman, Janowski, Steinberg,

Brahms, Mozart, Rossini and more

All are welcome, offering received Reception to follow

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New Members Class & Luncheon

Sunday, November 15 11:45 am in Fellowship Hall

If you would like to attend, please register with the church office (610-642-3211 or carisa@stpaulsardmore.org).

New members will be received: Sunday, November 22.

Save the Date

Sunday, November 22

Consecration Sunday

2015 Contributions Reminder All contributions for 2015 must be in the office or

postmarked by December 31, 2015 in order to be

counted for this year’s donation. No exceptions.

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Have you thought about becoming a Stephen Minister?

We are excited to announce, we will be starting our

3rd training class in January 2016.

No doubt about it … this ministry requires a major commitment. There are

50 hours of training, and then you’ll be matched with a care receiver. You

will meet with your care receiver once a week for about 1 hour. There is

also Peer Group Supervision and Continuing Education twice a month.

But as with most things that require a lot, the rewards are great too.

You will:

Discover, cultivate, and use the spiritual gifts you have been

blessed with

See yourself as active partners in the mission and ministry of the

church

Find all aspects of your life enriched by the distinctively

Christian caregiving skills they learn and practice

Experience great joy seeing God work through you as you bring

hope and healing to a hurting person

Grow spiritually as you experience the Lord's loving presence in

community with other Christian caregivers

There will be Information Sessions on Sunday, Nov. 8 after both

services in the Kugler Room (there will be food). If you have the

slightest interest in this Ministry, please come and learn more about it

and ask questions of Stephen Ministers. If possible, please RSVP to the

church office or Beth McElvenney (bethmcelvenney@gmail.com) or

610-853-2444)

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If you can’t make either of these session, but would like more

information, please talk to Pastor Skip, Pastor Laura or any of our

Stephen Leaders here at St. Paul’s

Beth McElvenney 610-853-2444

Hazel Pelletreau 610-284-6835

Here’s what one of our of Stephen Minister’s said about the training:

The Stephen Ministry training was an amazing journey with a truly special

group. The educational materials and classes helped me to grow as a

daughter, sister, friend, congregant and Christian. My faith grew stronger

each week through the witness and friendship of the participants. This

experience and the people in the program stay with me and continue to inspire

me every day.

Here’s a link to more info from Stephen Ministry:

http://www.stephenministries.org/stephenministry/default.cfm/917

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Sunday School & Social Ministry

Fall Service Project:

Collections for the Ardmore Food Pantry: Of the almost 13,000 people in Ardmore, 10.23% are living in

poverty. The Ardmore Food Pantry currently serves 7%-10%

of the more than 1,300 people noted in the US Census who

need assistance with feed their families and providing basic

toiletry and hygiene needs.

What we're collecting: Cereal (Raisin Bran, Cheerios, Corn

Flakes, Rice Krispies, or store equivalents are preferred),

breakfast bars, instant oatmeal, coffee, tea, hot chocolate.

When we're collecting: October 18 - November 22, there will be a box outside

the church office for donations.

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Save the December Dates

Advent Dinner Church –

Wednesday, Dec. 2, 9 & 16 – 6-8pm. See Pastor’s Letter

for details

Families w/ Young Children – Breakfast with Santa

Saturday, December 5, 9:30 – 11:30 am in Fellowship Hall

Decorating for Christmas

Saturday, December 12, 9:30 am

St. Paul’s Youth – Baking Cookies & making ornaments for

the homebound.

Sunday, December 13, following the 9:00 am service,

Basement kitchen. All youth are welcome.

Items will be delivered to the homebound

December 20th during Christmas Caroling.

Lessons & Carols

Sunday, December 13, 4:00 pm

Children’s Christmas Pageant

Sunday, December 20

Christmas Caroling to the homebound

Sunday, December 20, 2:00 pm

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NOVEMBER Birthdays

1 Melissa Erickson, Molli McDonald 2 Joanne Mullin 3 Helen McCloskey, Rhonda Wagner-Moyer, Wyatt Schmeiss 4 Richard Linderman, Reed Lukasiewicz, Logan Taranto 5 Kathryn Kerr, Matthew Wendelken 6 Sarah Carstens, Paul DeLomba, Sr., Madison Tintera 8 Carolyn Ashburn, Susan Mazzanobile, Nancy McCoy 9 Conrad Sides, Marianne Weldon 14 Carol Anderson, Bridget Mullin 15 Margaret Gibb 16 Ellen Conybear 17 Amanda Janasik, Boofie Younkin 18 Alexander McColgan 20 Lynda Kozarski, Meghan McFillin, Robert Weldon 21 Stark Lash, Patricia Neidich 22 Larry DeWarf, Christine Mazzanobile 23 Connie Cutler, Carol Hammarberg, Daniel Penne 24 Paige Henderson, Glenn Riggs, Jr. 26 Laura Dormans, Patrick Freestone 29 Angela Freestone, Margaret Lucas

Gifts of Flowers for the Altar Consider becoming a weekly or monthly sponsor of altar flowers for Sunday

morning worship. The cost of the flowers is $25 per week, $100 or $125 per month. A sign-up chart for sponsoring altar flowers is available in Fellowship Hall, or you may call Dottie Buchanan at 484-420-4969. The dedication(s) for your flowers will be published in the appropriate Sunday bulletin(s).

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NOVEMBER CALENDAR

Please join us every Sunday for coffee fellowship following the 9:00 am service in the Fellowship Hall.

Sunday, November 1 All Saints’ Day 8:40 am Matins Choir warm-up 9:00 am Children’s Sunday School 9:00 am Holy Communion 10:30 am Holy Communion 8:00 pm NA/Fellowship Hall Monday, November 2 12:30 pm Mahjong/Kugler Room 6:30 pm Greater Phila. Paper Pholders/Fellowship Hall 7:00 pm Stephen Ministry Supervision/Kugler room Tuesday, November 3 9:00 am Community Bible Study leaders/Meeting Room 12:00 pm Tuesday Noon Recital/Sanctuary 7:00 pm AA/Fellowship Hall Wednesday, November 4 7:30 pm Evening Christian Fellowship/Penne residence Thursday, November 5 9:00 am Community Bible Study/throughout church 1:00 pm Women’s Bible Study/Kugler Room 6:30 pm Children’s choir rehearsal/choir room 7:30 pm Adult Choir rehearsal/choir room Sunday, November 8 8:40 am Matins Choir Warm-up 9:00 am Children’s Sunday School 9:00 & 10:30 am Holy Communion 10:00 & 11:30 am Stephen Ministry Info Sessions following both

Services 4:00 pm “The Sacred Bridge” Jessica Lennick Recital w/ Adult Choir/Sanctuary 6:00 pm Confirmation class 7:00 pm Youth Choir rehearsal 8:00 pm NA/Fellowship Hall Monday, November 9 12:30 pm Mahjong/Kugler Room Tuesday, November 10 9:00 am Community Bible Study leaders/Kugler Room 12:00 pm Tuesday Noon Recital/ Sanctuary 7:00 pm AA/Fellowship Hall

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Wednesday, November 11 6:00 pm IHN at St. Mary’s Ardmore Thursday, November 12 9:00 am Community Bible Study/throughout church 1:00 pm Women’s Bible Study/Kugler Room 6:30 pm Children’s choir rehearsal/choir room 7:15 pm Church Council Meeting 7:30 pm Adult choir rehearsal/choir room Sunday, November 15 8:40 am Matins Choir warm-up 9:00 am Children’s Sunday school 9:00 & 10:30 am Holy Communion 11:45 am New Members Class & Luncheon 6:00 pm Confirmation Class 7:00 pm Youth Choir rehearsal/choir room 8:00 pm NA/Fellowship Hall Monday, November 16 12:30 pm Mahjong/Kugler Room 7:00 pm Stephen Ministry continuing Ed/Kugler Room Tuesday, November 17 9:00 am Community Bible Study leaders/Kugler room 12:00 pm Tuesday Noon Recital/Sanctuary 7:00 pm AA/Fellowship Hall Wednesday, November 18 7:30 pm Evening Christian Fellowship/Penne Residence Thursday, November 19 9:00 am Community Bible Study/throughout church 6:30 pm Children’s choir rehearsal/choir room 7:30 pm Adult choir rehearsal/choir room Sunday, November 22 Consecration Sunday 8:40 am Matins Choir warm-up 9:00 am Children’s Sunday school 9:00 10:30 am Holy Communion & New Members received 6:00 pm Confirmation class 8:00 pm NA/Fellowship Hall Monday, November 23 12:30 pm Mahjong/Kugler Room Tuesday, November 24 9:00 am Community Bible Study leaders/Kugler room 12:00 pm Tuesday Noon Recital/Sanctuary 7:00 pm AA/Fellowship Hall Thursday, November 26 Thanksgiving Day Friday, November 27 Office Closed

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Sunday, November 29 8:40 am Matins Choir warm-up 9:00 am Children’s Sunday school 9:00 & 10:30 am Holy Communion 8:00 pm NA/Fellowship Hall Monday, November 30 12:30 pm Mahjong/Kugler Room

St. Paul's Women's Retreat Friday, Feb 19 - Saturday, Feb 20, 2016

Retreat Leader: Rev. Dr. Jennifer Phelps Ollikainen Topic: Lutheranism 2.0 Location: Franciscan Spiritual Center, Aston, PA Schedule: Friday 7pm through Saturday 3pm Cost: $ 80.00 RSVP: Please register by Sun, Jan 31 and submit your payment by Sun, Feb 13. Contact: Diane Pringle (dianep@design.upenn.edu) or Carisa Cantor (carisa@stpaulsardmore.org)

At the last retreat, we recalled the history of the Protestant Reformation and the basics of Lutheran Theology. Lutheranism 2.0 will look at Lutherans today. More than 72 million people call themselves "Lutheran" around the world, with approximately 8 million here in the US. We are part of one of the largest global relief organizations, Lutheran World Relief and in the US, Lutheran social service organizations touch 1 in 50 lives. We are actively living out our faith in big (but often quiet!) ways. During the retreat, we will learn more about the ways we, as Lutherans, participate in the ways God brings grace into this world through our lives globally and locally. We will explore how we live out our personal, Lutheran faith as an interconnected body of Christ. …continued next page

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The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Phelps Ollikainen served as vicar of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Ardmore (1999-2000), Associate Pastor of St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Springfield (2002-2007) and Associate for Worship Resources at the national church-wide office of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (2007-2010). She is currently called as Executive Director of Lutheran Congregational Services, an affiliate of Liberty Lutheran Services which is a social ministry organization that serves people in need throughout the southeastern Pennsylvania area. She holds a Master of Divinity, Master of Sacred Theology in New Testament, and a Doctor of Ministry in worship renewal from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. Please note that the retreat fee covers the cost of the FSC meeting room, overnight accommodations, breakfast and lunch on Saturday, the leader's accommodations and meals, and a stipend for the retreat leader. Scholarships are available; please ask. Checks should be made payable to St. Paul's, with "Women's Retreat" in the memo line and dropped off in the church office or given to Diane. Directions and confirmation details will be sent closer to the date.

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I/We would like to share in decorating St. Paul’s for Christmas by donating the following: In loving memory of __________________________________________________________ In honor of _________________________________________________________________ Name(s) of donor(s): _________________________________________________________ _____ Poinsettias @ $12.50 per plant = $__________enclosed _____ Wreaths @ $25.00 each = $__________enclosed Contribution toward pine roping = $__________enclosed Contribution toward cemetery decorations = $__________enclosed Total = $__________enclosed

I/We would like to sponsor a musician for the Christmas Eve services: In loving memory of __________________________________________________________ In honor of _________________________________________________________________ Name(s) of donor(s): _________________________________________________________ _____ Brass/string instrumentalist(s) @ $250.00 = $__________enclosed Entire string quartet @ $1000.00 = $__________enclosed Donation in any amount = $__________enclosed Total = $__________enclosed Any funds received in excess of the actual cost of the Christmas musicians will be used to support the music program at Saint Paul’s. Names of all contributors will appear in the Christmas Eve bulletin.

The church office must receive your completed form and check payable to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church no later than Friday, December 11, in order to include your information in the bulletin.

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