March 2020 Page 1

The Good News A Publication of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church – Sayville, NY

March 2020

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. 14 For the body does not consist of one member but of many. ~ 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 When it comes to the beauty of the Church, one might easily think first of the architecture, design, and appointments that are found there. When visiting churches in the city, or in Europe, one is sometimes overwhelmed by their size and structure that we can’t help but be impressed by their beauty and to feel as though we are in the presence of God. This, of course, is part of the reason churches and cathedrals were built in this way: they were intended to be awe-inspiring and a means by which we might be connected to God. All of this is well and good, and I would say even a necessary part of the Church’s life. However, one of the things that I find beautiful has nothing at all to do with a building. It has to do with the people who assemble there. I was once asked what I love about Sunday morning, and my answer has long been the way in which the parking lot starts to fill up before service starts, the way people start to funnel into the sanctuary, eager to have their sins forgiven and to receive Christ in Word and Sacrament. I find the very manner in which we move around the sanctuary and the rhythms of standing and sitting and receiving the Supper and returning to our seats to be a beautifully flowing thing. And I find the way in which the people leave the sanctuary, with smiles on their faces, ready to face the day or the week, even as I pray for that nothing would befall them as they face down temptation, death, and hell itself during the week. There is a beauty in all of this that I have never really gotten over. In addition to the Sunday morning activities, there is the weekly and yearly flow to the Church’s life as well. From the weekly administrative and spiritual tasks set before us, and the annual rhythm of the Church Year flowing from Advent and Christmas all the way through Easter, All Saints’ Day, and the Last Sunday of the Church Year, the Church is a body that is constantly in motion, and it is beautiful to watch. You all have a part to play in this, and it is such blessing to me and to the people of this congregation as we work together in service to one another and to the community in which we dwell. As Paul says, you and I make up a body that works together for the good of all. You and I, in all our own little ways, are the beauty of the Church. None of this is done, however, simply for the sake of beauty. A lot of secular organizations work in a similar manner. The difference for us is that we are moved by the Spirit of Christ to be part of this Church, and the purpose for all of our activity is for the sake of Christ and His kingdom. So we are not just a body, but we are a specific body: the body of Christ. We are made members of Him by baptism, and we are nourished by Him in Word and Meal, and we are equipped and sent by Him and His Spirit to bear witness to the joy of being members one of another, and the beauty that is found in our shared life. We are a people who also live in hope, for we know that while beautiful, this body is not perfect. However, it is a picture, a glimpse, of the perfect, resurrected body that shall be raised with Christ on the Last Day and brought into His eternal kingdom. It is there that Jesus promises we will be beautiful forever, dwelling with Him and one another for all eternity.

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Elect from ev’ry nation, Yet one o’er all the earth;

Her charter of salvation: One Lord, one faith, one birth.

One holy name she blesses, Partakes one holy food,

And to one hope she presses With ev’ry grace endued (LSB #644, st. 2).

~ Pastor Noack Lenten Midweek Services – Beginning Wednesday, March 4, we will hold weekly Lenten services at noon and 7:30pm. The service is approximately 30 minutes as a great way to keep our eyes fixed upon Jesus in this penitential and reflective season. Please join us on March 4, 11, 18, 25, and April 1 under the theme Facing Life with Gospel Confidence. A blessed Lententide to you!

Help Needed – We are in need of assistance for all of our Holy Week and Easter services. A sign up sheet has been posted on the bulletin board on the way out of church, or you can sign up through the Church Office. Please consider helping to make our services run smoothly through this Holy Season. Youth & Family Lunch and Movie – Youth and families are invited to join us for lunch and movie on Sunday, March 29 after the late service. We will grab lunch and then head out to see the newest live-action Disney movie Mulan. A signup sheet is posted in the narthex or the gym foyer. Please join us!

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OFFICIAL ACTS January 15 – February 14 MEMBERSHIP TRANSFERRED (Out):

Joanne Buck 01/17/2020

Victoria Buck 01/17/2020

Wagner Family 01/17/2020

Gale Burley 01/28/2020

Meredith Chance 01/28/2020

Logan Chance 01/28/2020

FUNERALS:

Theresa Marie Perry 01/18/2020

March 2020 Page 4

Music Notes Cindy Holden, Director of Music

Beauty and the Church

Beauty begins with, comes from, and belongs to God - God, as Creator and Author of all that is; the one responsible for land, sea and sky; sunsets, surging waves, windblown sand, craggy, snowcapped peaks; the one who gave the birds their songs, the whale its song, the wolf its cry, and the human his or her voice. In gifting poets and authors, words and phrases would be sculpted. In bronze, iron, silver or gold, or ice or marble, sculptors are called to their work. Painters embrace the color palette of the Almighty as they put crayon or brush to paper, canvas, concrete or glass. God gave abundant directions for the architecture and building of the Hebrew temple employing wood workers, stone cutters, carvers, engravers, those skilled with linen and yarn, and more, whose designs, according to God’s instructions, helped to beautify the temple and enable the worship of God’s people in that holy place of gathering.

God tasked Adam with naming all creatures (yes, that would be an artful assignment!); God gave Adam a garden to tend and cultivate for food, he was further instructed to be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth and subdue it. Creation is an evolving work, initiated by God to bring glory to God, and how each part of that creation manifests God’s glory continues even today as the rivers clap their hands, the mountains sing together for joy (Ps 98:8), the sun daily runs its course and the heavens declare the glory of God, never in exactly the same way as the day before or the day to come. (Ps. 19: 1, 4-6).

God’s people are instructed to “shout for joy to the Lord, to burst into jubilant song with music, to make music to the Lord with the harp, with trumpets, the blast of the ram’s horn (Ps. 98:4-6). At the dedication of the temple, the Levite musicians were to play cymbals, harps and lyres, and, singing, raise their voices in praise to God, accompanied by 120 priests playing trumpets. 2 Chronicles 5:12-13.

Be it as singers or instrumentalists, pipe makers, glass etchers, stained glass craftsmen & women; floral designers, those gifted in elocution, cake decorating, needlepoint, landscape design, and more, each one brings unique gifts that enhance and beautify either the physical place we know as church - or that which we experience in this place in worship, fellowship and outreach.

The resulting beauty is part of God’s plan for his creation. He set it in motion and gives the gifts to be used to enrich our lives in sacrificial giving and bless us abundantly in receiving - far beyond mere subsistence.

Alma Deutscher, born in 2005, began playing piano at age 2 and violin at 3. Her first piano sonata was written at age 6, her first opera at 7 and a violin & orchestra concerto at age 9. Google her! Listening to any of the above pieces, one immediately can tell that she has an amazing gift from God, both as a performer and composer. She also eloquently expresses strong thoughts about music and its relationship to beauty. Alma is quoted as saying "I remember when I was three and I was listening to a lullaby by Richard Strauss, I loved it! I especially loved the harmony; I always call it the Strauss harmony now. And after it finished I asked my parents 'How could music be so beautiful?'" (7/30/2019 Financial Times).

In various interviews Alma is asked about her ten-year plan. "...The best thing would be if people stopped telling me how it is allowed or not allowed to compose in the twenty-first century. I hope they will have stopped counting my dissonances. Lots of people have been telling me that if I want to grow up, I have to compose music that will reflect the ugliness of the modern world. I don’t want to do this. I want to compose music that I find beautiful." (6/14/2019, NY Times).

How wise and encouraging! This 15 year old is already a world renowned musician, rivaling the musical genius of Mozart, who sees her desire and mission to not bend to a fallen culture, but to craft that which is beautiful and uplifting.

Ah, that we would all take the gift(s) that we have been given by God and seek to humbly and faithfully use and perfect them to make our world - and our worship - more beautiful! Aesthetics are important to our well-being, by God’s creative design. Our living into that beauty - aesthetic obedience, as Dr. Calvin Seerveld calls it in his book, Rainbows for a Fallen World (p. 9) - provides the joy of honoring and glorifying our Creator, even as we “bring an offering and come before him; (to) worship the Lord in the splendor (beauty) of his holiness. (1 Chronicles 16:29).

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A big thank you to Bob Cummings for both having a vision for and using his talents to “recreate” St. John’s Chancel Chairs (purchased last year from St. Ursula’s convent when it closed)! Removing and redesigning the former kneelers that had been attached to each chair, Bob fashioned them into “pockets” that now both ”nest” into each other, when needed, and hold hymnals, bulletins and choir folders, helping to keep the chancel neater, better organized and making it easy for singers and assistants to keep track of their music and belongings during services.

Chair pockets Two chairs “nested”- top view

Dates to reserve: Sunday, April 26 St. John’s hosts a Handbell Festival: Bells & Carillons, with our own Eagle Eye Ringers, the Bell Choir from Garden City Community Church and organists Frank Crosio & Cindy Holden at 4:00 pm. The music includes Louis Vierne's famous Carillon de Westminster (think Westminster Abbey and the bells that ring the hour) arranged for organ and bells; also Finlandia (Be Still, My Soul), O God Beyond All Praising and more. Plan now to attend and invite a friend!

Sunday, June 7 the Suffolk Chapter of the American Guild of Organists joins St. John’s in presenting Dan Ficarri, organist, as the featured artist for the annual AGO Scholarship Awards Recital. A native of Pittsburgh, Daniel Ficarri is a rising organist and composer based in New York City. He is currently pursuing a Master of Music degree at The Juilliard School, studying with organist Paul Jacobs. Ficarri has performed in Carnegie Hall and Alice Tully Hall with the Juilliard Orchestra, and he has given solo performances at New York City’s Cathedral of St. John the Divine and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Other engagements have taken him from concerts with The Florida Orchestra to appearances in the Oregon Bach Festival. Last year, he was named one of the top “20 under 30” organists by The Diapason Magazine. Plan now to attend what promises to be an outstanding program!

Help wanted: I would like to build a team of people willing to help organize, publicize, support and run a music concert series here at St. John’s. Persons interested in knowing more or getting involved are invited to speak with me in the music office. You may also call 631 589 3202 x 105 or contact me via email raholden@aol.com. Thanks in advance! Cindy

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SOLES4SOULS

Soles4Souls has a simple mission – to collect new and gently worn shoes or sneakers

to donate to victims of natural disasters and those living in extreme poverty.

Founded in 2006, Soles4Souls has distributed over 30 million pairs of shoes and

sneakers to people in over 127 countries. St. John’s Lutheran Church and others in

the community have the opportunity to help in this special way. Many of us have

shoes or sneakers in our closets that we don’t wear much. Even if you have one

sneaker or shoe, those can be donated as well. Please look in your closets and

spread the word that we will be collecting shoes and sneakers for this cause. Can

be for adults and children. Shoes can be brought to St. John’s starting March 1st in

bags labeled SOLES4SOULS. Our collection will end on March 21st at 2pm.

For more information contact Honey at 631-589-8353 or online at arthon@aol.com.

We will be delivering what we have collected to Christopher Reimels, of Allstate in Kings Park, who is acting as a depot.

The Lord reminds us in 1Peter 4:10, “Each one should use whatever gift you have received to serve others as faithful stewards

of God’s grace in various forms”.

Reminder to set your clocks ahead 1 hour

before bed on Saturday, March 7th.

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MARCH 2020

Sun 1 Gen. 24:1-31, Mark 7:24-37

2 Gen. 24:32-52,61-67, Mark 8:1-21

3 Gen. 27:1-29, Mark 8:22-38

4 Gen. 27:30-45; 28:10-22, Mark 9:1-13

5 Gen. 29:1-30, Mark 9:14-32

6 Gen. 35:1-29, Mark 9:33-50

7 Gen. 37:1-36, Mark 10:1-12

Sun 8 Gen. 39:1-23, Mark 10:13-31

9 Gen. 40:1-23, Mark 10:32-52

10 Gen. 41:1-27, Mark 11:1-19

11 Gen. 41:28-57, Mark 11:20-33

12 Gen. 42:1-34,38, Mark 12:1-12

13 Gen. 43:1-28, Mark 12:13-27

14 Gen. 44:1-18,32-34, Mark 12:28-44

Sun 15 Gen. 45:1-20,24-28, Mark 13:1-23

16 Gen. 47:1-31, Mark 13:24-37

17 Gen. 49:29-50:7,14-26, Mark 14:1-11

18 Ex. 1:1-22, Mark 14:12-31

19 Ex. 2:1-22, Mark 14:32-52

20 Ex. 2:23-3:22, Mark 14:53-72

21 Ex. 4:1-18, Mark 15:1-15

Sun 22 Ex. 4:19-31, Mark 15:16-32

23 Ex. 5:1-6:1, Mark 15:33-47

24 Ex. 7:1-25, Mark 16:1-20

25 Ex. 8:1-32, Heb. 1:1-14

26 Ex. 9:1-28, Heb. 2:1-18

27 Ex. 9:29-10:20, Heb. 3:1-19

28 Ex. 10:21-11:10, Heb. 4:1-16

Sun 29 Ex. 12:1-28, Heb. 5:1-14

30 Ex. 12-29-32; 13:1-16, Heb. 6:1-20

31 Ex. 13:17-14:9, Heb. 7:1-22

SOUPER BOWL OF CARING – The weekend of

February 2 at all services, the Mary Martha Guild

collected money for our local soup kitchen in

Sayville – Sharing a Meal. Our collection will help

with their expenses and enable them to continue to

do what they can to benefit those in our

community. On February 11, 2020 Pam Kennard,

President of Mary Martha Guild, presented Sharing

a Meal with a check in the amount of $623. God

bless you and thank you for your generosity.

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EASTER LILIES

$14.00 each

I wish to place a plant at the altar for Easter.

☐ To the Glory of God

☐ In Memory of_______________________________________________________

☐ In Honor of_________________________________________________________

Check one:

☐ I will pick up my lily after the 11:15am service.

☐ I will leave my lily on the altar.

Name______________________________________________________________________

Phone # or Email _____________________________________________________________

Please make checks payable to “Saint John’s Lutheran Church” and return your request to the church office.

No Later Than Sunday, March 29TH

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From the Lutheran Counseling Center: Finding Resiliency In A Broken World By Janet Siry, LCSW, LCC Psychotherapist

The world in which we live can sometimes seem chaotic and hopeless. In our daily life, there are

so many stressors that invade our sense of peace and serenity. At times, it seems that life is too overwhelming to achieve our dreams. The efforts we make to change our circumstances seem

futile. We feel alone and abandoned by the attitudes and values of those we are close to and by those of society at large.

It is tempting to believe that no one else can understand the desolation we feel. These thoughts, left unchecked, may lead to feelings of depression, anxiety and may result in suicide. Suicide is

often an impulsive decision that provides temporary relief in that moment but leaves behind a wake of destruction and trauma for those left behind. If only there was a way to prevent individuals from going down a path of self-destruction.

Dr. Bessel van der Kolk (van der Kolk, B.A., 2014; The body keeps the score: Brain, mind, and

body in the healing of trauma; Viking) is a world renowned expert on the long term impact of traumatic experiences upon the individual, family and communities we interface with. In his book, The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind and Body in the Healing of Trauma, Dr. van der Kolk

provides evidence that if we experience traumatic stressors at any time during our lifespan, the psychological and physical damage imprints to our primitive brain. If a person denies or ignores

the depth of the damage done to our psyche, we impede progress in our healing. Unless these circumstances are revealed through the therapeutic process, our healing may be limited or not be able to occur at all.

Currently, there is a belief among clinicians (Southwick, S.M., Bonanno, G.A., Masten, A. S.,

Panter-Brick, C., & Yehuda, R., 2014; Resilience definitions, theory, and challenges: interdisciplinary perspectives. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 5, 10.3402/ ejpt.v5.25338) that developing appropriate skills to encourage resiliency among individuals and

groups may provide a means to rebuild hope in the aftermath of potentially life-threatening traumatic experiences. Our churches have a unique potential to engage in healing through the

power of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Through individual and church wide ministries, we plant seeds of hope to nourish body, mind and spirt. These seeds may grow to provide healthy connections to support diversity in our world. When we share our vulnerabilities, our shared experiences may

provide a source of connection and strength to prevent and heal traumas before tragedy occurs. There are natural strengths inherent in our cultures when we share selflessly with one another.

“I have cared for you since you were born. Yes, I carried you before you were born. I will be your God throughout your lifetime-until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you.

I will carry you along and save you” Isaiah 46:4 NLT Janet Siry, LCSW, has a MSW from Fordham University and a BS in Elementary Education from Valparaiso

University. She has had extensive experience working with children, teens, couples and families. She was

awarded the Woman of the Year in Religion in 2005. Janet counsels at LCC’s Patchogue site.

Visit our website at www.LCCNY.org or call us at 1-800-317-1173 for more information or to set an

appointment at any of our nine sites over the metropolitan New York area.

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March Divine Service Assistant Schedule 1st Weekend 2/29 & 3/1

Feb 29 Sat. 6:30pm

Mar 1 Sun. 7:45am

Mar 1 Sun. 9:30am

Communion Stewards

Leo Rigaud Bill Audia Robert Bayley

Art Pabst Marilyn Jorg

Ushers Ingrid Vessie

Jim Farrell Rebecca Farrell

John & Jane Emmel Florence Wagner

Reader Leo Rigaud Jim Farrell Dorothy Bauer

Acolyte Ella Silvestro Carly Brady Luca Berlingieri

2nd Weekend 3/7 & 3/8

Mar 7 Sat. 6:30pm

Mar 8 Sun. 7:45am

Mar 8 Sun. 9:30am

Communion Stewards

Charlie Erb Steve Malenczak Robert Bayley

Paul Erath Andrew Valenti

Ushers Ingrid Vessie Tyler Sebor

Diane Malenczak Beth Lindfors

Michael Messina

Florence Wagner Marilyn Jorg

Samantha Wagner Jaclyn Ianson

Reader Jackie Blydenburgh Steve Malenczak Paul Erath

Acolyte Alex Lillie Jessica Menze

3rd Weekend 3/14 & 3/15

Mar 14 Sat. 6:30pm

Mar 15 Sun. 7:45am

Mar 15 Sun 9:30am

Communion Stewards

Leo Rigaud Al Coppola Greg Calvano

Annie Habeeb Art Pabst

Ushers Kim Dufrenoy Natalie Ramirez

Patricia Harris Andy Harris

Honey Pabst Pam Kennard

Brayden Alemaghides

Reader Leo Rigaud Al Coppola Annie Habeeb

Acolyte Camryn Hawkins Sara Reddan Morgan Gibbons

4th Weekend 3/21 & 3/22

Mar 21 Sat. 6:30pm

Mar 22 Sun. 7:45am

Mar 22 Sun. 9:30am

Communion Stewards

Charlie Erb Steve Malenczak Robert Bayley

Al Coppola Lori Clemente

Ushers Ingrid Vessie Kristen Abzug

Heather Abzug

Dianne McPartland Steve Lindfors

Barbara Dahlgren Kevin Paul

Anthony Scarmozzino

Reader Ingrid Vessie Steve Malenczak Al Coppola

Acolyte Janna Weltner Connor Hole

5th Weekend 3/28 & 3/29

Mar 28 Sat. 6:30pm

Mar 29 Sun. 7:45am

Mar 29 Sun. 9:30am

Communion Stewards Leo Rigaud Steve Malenczak Robert Bayley

Art Pabst Rex Holden

Ushers Chuck & Judy Scott Dianne McPartland Diane Malenczak

Honey Pabst Debbie Donaldson

Kevin Phelan

Reader Leo Rigaud Steve Malenczak Elaine Whitehouse

Acolyte

Ella Silvestro

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Saint John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church 48 Greene Avenue

Sayville, NY 11782

(631) 589-3202 – office

(631) 589-1419 – fax

www.stjohnsayville.org

Facebook: Saint John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church – Sayville NY

Rev. Brian Noack, Pastor – ext. 104

Cell Phone: (631) 806-7119

E-mail: stbnoack@aol.com

Cindy Holden, Director of Music – ext. 105

E-mail: raholden@aol.com

Saint John’s Divine Service Schedule

Saturday 6:30pm

Sunday 7:45am & 9:30am

MISSION STATEMENT

The family of Saint John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church is called, gathered and empowered by the Holy Spirit

through Word and Sacrament to confess and proclaim the gospel and love of Jesus Christ

to our congregation, community and world.

A Congregation of The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod

The Good News is published by the church office of Saint John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church to keep its

members and friends informed of church news and activities. Submissions for our next newsletter on the

topic “Sanctity of Life & the Resurrection” are welcome. Newsletter deadline for the April 2020 issue will

be March 15th.

Readings

February 29 & Mar 1: Genesis 3:1-21; Romans 5:12-19

March 7 & 8: Genesis 12: 1-9; Romans 4:1-8, 13-17

March 14 & 15: Exodus 17:1-7; Romans 5:1-8

March 21& 22: Isaiah 42:14-21; Ephesians 5:8-14

March 28 & 29: Ezekiel 37:1-14; Romans 8:1-11

If you are unable to serve where assigned, please find someone you can switch with or

someone who can take your place. Let Kathy, our church secretary, know of any

changes you make. Thank you.