THE MESSENGER

VOLUME 90--NO. 3 MARCH 2019

A WORD FROM THE PASTOR:

Making a Fool of Yourself

In a recent sermon, I paraphrased what St. Paul says in I Corinthians 14:23 as: “Don’t do anything in church that will cause a visitor to think: ‘These people are crazy.’ And I do try to live by those words. I try to present a worship service that is dignified and tasteful. But I have another principle that I also live by when it comes to worship—and life! It’s a principle that, as far as I know, I invented myself. And the principle is: ‘You can never accomplish anything if you’re afraid to look foolish.’ So while trying to present dignified worship, I am not above doing things that are a tiny bit over the edge. When I stand in the pulpit and put on my Cat-in-the-Hat headgear with the Luther Seal on it…I am living out my principle “You can never accomplish anything if you’re afraid to look foolish.” When I do puppet shows with Menard Beausoleil of Erath, Louisiana, and his Cajun accent, I am living out my principle “You can never accomplish anything if you’re afraid to look foolish.” When I don what I think of as a “Dallas Homicide Bureau 1963” Stetson and preach a sermon about the Kennedy assassination, I am living out my principle about looking foolish. When I set the lyrics of “Good King Wenceslas” to the tune of The Beatles’ “Things We Said Today,” I am once again acting on the principle that one must be willing to look foolish. When I was a kid in 1968, presidential candidate Richard Nixon appeared on Rowan and Martin’s “Laugh-In.” He spoke four words—one of the show’s tag lines: “Sock it to me.” He looked foolish. But he also won the presidential election!

ST. PAUL’S LUTHERAN CHURCH 147 Park Avenue, Amityville, New York 11701

Church Phone: 631-264-0763; e-mail: amityluther@verizon.net Parsonage: 631-598-0257; Fax: 631-264-0372

Reverend David W. Anglin, Pastor Reverend Herbert M. Kern, Assisting Minister

Mr. David Thomas, DELTO Vicar Mr. Phil Johnson & Mr. Steve McDonald, Deacons

Mr. Russell Brand, Director of Music St. Paul’s Website: stpaulsamityville.com

Sunday Services: 9:30 and 11:00; Lenten Services: Wednesdays 4:00 and 7:30; Contemporary Communion Service: Sat. 6:30

People who are choking on food often rush away from the dinner table to the bathroom to try to clear the food from their windpipes. They are afraid to look foolish in front of the other people at the table. So they hurry out of sight. And very often that fear of looking stupid is fatal. They die in the bathroom alone. All because they had a terror of looking foolish in front of their friends. It’s said that the most common fear is the fear of public speaking. But the fear of public speaking is just one manifestation of a greater fear—the fear of looking foolish. That is a crippling fear that often prevents people from contributing valuable things to society. “They all laughed when I sat down at the piano…but when I began to play…!” said an old advertisement. If the musician in question had allowed the possible laughter to deter him…then the music never would have happened! The day I’m writing this saw a new product rollout from Samsung…a folding cell phone that opens up to become a tablet. I think the reaction to the new phone has been positive. But presenting a new invention is always a roll of the dice. Remember the Segway? The reaction to its rollout was: “Huh?” Introducing a new invention is always a risk. People may laugh. The inventors may look foolish. But if inventors are going to have any success at all, they have to be willing to take the risk. In the Bible, we read of a Syrian general named Naaman. He was a leper, and he heard that the Prophet Elisha in Israel might be able to cure him. He went to Elisha—and Elisha told him to bathe seven times in the Jordan River. Naaman thought that was the stupidest thing he’d ever heard. He would feel like an idiot, bathing seven times in the Jordan River. But finally, he put aside his fear of looking foolish. And what happened when he took the sevenfold plunge? He was healed! (2 Kings 5:1-27) Think of God. He is Lord of heaven and earth; He is the glorious King; He is the all-powerful all-knowing all-wise Master of the Universe. And what does He do? He becomes a little baby! A cooing, gurgling little baby! Obviously, He’s not worried about looking cool. He’s not worried about being thought foolish! It gets even more radical. Not only does He become a little baby…He ultimately allows Himself to be crucified. Hung up for all to ridicule and poke fun at. He became “The Fool on the Hill,” to borrow something else from The Beatles. This notion of God on the cross was so ridiculous that an ancient Roman drew some graffiti that showed a man with a donkey’s head nailed to a cross. Only a donkey-headed God would allow Himself to be hung up on the cross to the ridicule of the crowds. And yet…this “Fool on the Hill” saved the world. The God who was willing to be ridiculed took away our sins and brought us into His Kingdom. So the crucified Christ is the ultimate example of my little principle: “You can’t accomplish anything if you’re afraid of looking foolish.” He placed Himself in a position of ridicule and won the greatest victory of all time—victory over sin, death and the Devil! In All the King’s Men, the narrator, Jack Burden, says something like this: “You can’t do something you really love without looking foolish to other people.” And that’s very true. People who don’t share my passion for opera or hillbilly music probably think I’m a little odd to enthuse over those things. Someone who doesn’t share your passion for toy trains or knitting or “The

Walking Dead” may look a little askance at you when you indulge that passion. But don’t let it stop you! The fear of looking foolish takes the joy out of life! Often I hear church members say: “When I leave for church on Sunday, I seem to be the only person in my neighborhood who is going out of the house!” And how often do we hear on Sunday morning radio: “Traffic is all tied up with people going to church.” Those who attend church may sometimes feel a little lonely…and maybe even a little foolish. “My neighbors are doing the crossword puzzle and having a third cup of coffee and I’m leaving my warm comfortable house to sit on a wooden bench and sing a bunch of hymns.” But exult in such foolishness! We can’t accomplish anything in this life if we’re afraid to feel foolish! And when we come to church we are worshiping the God who embraced the foolishness of the cross to show His love to us and to save us!

God loves you and so do I!

Pastor imagine me with my Cat-in-the-Hat headgear or my Dallas Homicide 1963 hat on Anglin

HAPPY MARCH BIRTHDAY! 2nd: Donna Tweedy 3rd: Christian Sanabra 5th: Linda Waegerle 6th: Evan Thole 7th: Susanne Maone 8th: Zachary Koop and Denise Waterhouse 10th: Gina Griffin 12th: Kermit Nixon and Frances Rizzo 13th: Martha Jaklitsch 14th: John Tsistinas 17th: Holly Cregan, Patty Heffron, Kenneth Meyerhoff 18th: Sierra Bergen, Lynn Mandaro, and Julianna Milonas 19th: Samantha Cusano 21st: Karen Drutjons 23rd: Kayla Dixon 27th: Lore Waegerle 28th: Susan Kornahrens and Matthew Wolfert 29th: Monica Olsen

Oberammergau Opportunity...The Atlantic District of the LCMS is sponsoring a junket to see the world-famous Passion Play, to be presented in Oberammergau, Germany in July of 2020. Early planning is necessary given the popularity of this event. The trip will also include a tour of Italy. Those interested should email Ben and Jeanette Herbrich at herbrich3@gmail.com.

Lenten coin folders in three different styles,as well as devotionals,are available in the narthex.

PASTOR RUDOLF RETURNS TO ST. PAUL’S

Please plan to attend church on either March 23 or 24 to hear the Rev. Bruce E. Rudolf speak about a ministry providing direct relief to the poor throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Pastor Rudolf will share personal witness about Food for the Poor’s mission to care for the destitute as a means of living out the Gospel mandate to love one another. Despite its name, Food for the Poor is also involved with education, housing, job training, medical care, orphanages, and other aspects of the lives of some of the poorest people in the world. For instance, Food for the Poor is building 7,000 homes this year in 17 countries.

Pastor Rudolf was ordained in 1966 for the Atlantic District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Please join us in welcoming Pastor Rudolf back to St. Paul’s! He will be at the Saturday service on March 23 and both services on Sunday, March 24.

mailto:herbich3@gmail.com.

Lectors and Communion Assistants Saturdays– Mar. 2 and Mar. 16: Louis Lafayette; Mar. 9 and Mar. 30: John Mix; Mar. 23: Steve McDonald Sundays– Mar. 3: 9:30: Bill Carmen 11:00: April Nixon (Lector) and Phil Johnson

Mar. 10: 9:30: Jessica Bernius (Lector) 11:00: Bob Mowad Mar. 17: 9:30: Bill Carmen 11:00: Bob Mowad Mar. 24: 9:30: Randy Osofsky (Lector) 11:00: Phil Johnson Mar. 31: 9:30: Leon Goodman (Lector) and Bill Carmen 11:00: Bob Mowad

Ash Wednesday, March 6— 7:00 a.m.: Steve McDonald 4:00 p.m.: Dave Thomas 7:30 p.m.: John Vercelletto

Ushers All Wednesdays– Barbara Ridings All Saturdays– Ginger Lee and Craig Thomas Sundays– Mar. 3: 9:30: Kyle Allocca and Craig Smestad 11:00: Bill Albert Mar. 10: 9:30: Bill Carmen and Justin Holzwarth 11:00: Phil Johnson, Barbara Holzwarth, and Walter Holzwarth Mar. 17: 9:30: Alex Serina and Bob Serina

11:00: Danielle Wynn and Ed Wynn Mar. 24: 9:30: Kyle Allocca and Craig Smestad

11:00: Bill Albert Mar. 31: 9:30: Bill Carmen and Justin Holzwarth 11:00: Phil Johnson, Barbara Holzwarth, and Walter Holzwarth Counters Mar. 3: Marie McDonald; Steve McDonald; Dave Thomas; and Marlene Thomas Mar. 10: Herb Jaklitsch; Willard Prostka; and Barbara Ridings Mar. 17: Gileen Allocca and Patty Heffron Mar. 24: Kathy Koop and Eileen Smestad Mar. 31: TBD

Altar Guild Mar. 3: Bonnie Anglin and Joan Serina Mar. 10: Carol Gwaltney and Cathy Wynn Mar. 17: Patty Heffron and Kathy Marren Mar. 24: Gileen Allocca and Linda Kolbe Mar. 31: Mary Hyland and Marie McDonald Flower Delivery to Shut-Ins Mar. 3: Mike Bayon Mar. 10: Alicia Johnston Mar. 17: Kathy Marren Mar. 24: Bob Mowad Mar. 31: Mike Bayon Acolytes Mar. 3: Brooke Mollica Mar. 6, Ash Wednesday: Evan Thole (Acolyte) and Erin Holzwarth (Crossbearer) Mar. 10: Julianna Milonas Mar. 17: Gerard Enoksen Mar. 24: Christian Mollica Mar. 31: TBD ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

A FRIENDLY REMINDER: Any announcements to be inserted in The Messenger for April need to be emailed to amityluther@verizon.net, or dropped off in the church office, by March 21. Thank you!

DID YOU KNOW that by law, New York drivers are allowed to save 10 percent on all vehicle insurance for three years and reduce four points on their driver’s license? The NYS DMV-approved online safe driver classes are now available at EmpireSafetyCouncil.com. Enter code DSNY to obtain a $15 discount. Plus, for every use of that code, St. Paul’s receives $5. Please call

800-246-3603, or see Karla Petriccione, for more information.

mailto:amityluther@verizon.net

✜St. Paul's Prayer List✜ Please keep these members and friends of our congregation in your prayers.

MILITARY: Will Astacio; Allison Barz; Glen Bednarz; Leonard Blythe; Cameron Clark; Andrew Cobo; Stephen Cooke; Joe Diliberto; Christopher Harper; Michael Hickey; Frederick Ketcham; Kaitlyn Kessler; Matthew Mazzella; Eamonn McDonough; Cody and Kayla McGee; Richard Moffat; Nelson Montalvo; Nadine Navarro; Marcus Phelps; S/Sgt Porras; Peter Roach; Taylor Roach; Joseph Schonberg; Matt Spencer; Eric Stolz; and Danny Vanbenthuysen

HEALING: Barbara Aguanno; Frances Allocca; Fred Anderson; Phyllis Bello; Brock Benjamin; Eileen Capozzi; Jeannie and Ray Cardillo; Jean Deignan; David Dentici; Frederika Ellis; Robert Engler; Marie Fassuloh; Bill Hoehn; Ed Holloman; Barbara Holzwarth; Pastor Michael Hughes; Todd Hunter; Peter Ippolito; Earline Jefferson; Robert Johnston; Ginger Lee; Susan Maglione; Ruth Mahnken; Kathy Marshak; Jim Meehan; Kenneth Meyerhoff; Patsy O’Hare; Harold Olsen; Wendy Pebler; Amanda Prag; Samantha Prince; Ruth Prostka; Peggy Prucha; Ryan Raff; Michael Reilly; Don Ridings; Fran Rizzo; Annamarie Sonnick; Inge Stone; Ransford Taylor; Virginia Thomas; June Torns; Kathy Vrooman; Margaret Weber; Chris Weiss; Jeanette Werner; Roger and the Wilmot family

∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

Ladies Aid Meeting…The flower buds are looking for a sign to awaken. Let’s see if we can find a few at our “Spring Awakening” meeting on Tuesday, March 5 at noon. Please bring a brown bag lunch. Coffee, tea, and dessert will be provided by the committee. We hope to see you then!

IN THE MAILBAG A letter from Susanne Ruiz, all

the way from Panama

Hello, St. Paul’s! Warmest

greetings from Panama, where I am finishing my two years of

Peace Corps service. I see on my phone that it’s currently

34o in Amityville; that’s 1o

Celsius, which makes it sound far worse! Here, it’s another

95+ day, not bad for February!

Peace Corps has been a real adventure. I have had opportunities to work on projects

dealing with literacy, teaching English, career-building, and even health care. One recent project was traveling with six of my colleagues to Tortí to assist a group of American doctors (Panama Missions) who come to Panama every year to offer free eye surgery to correct cataracts and pterygium in some of Panama’s poorest areas.

People travel hours by boat, bus and on foot to wait many more hours in hopes of being treated. The surgery would otherwise be unavailable (due to the lack of

medical facilities) or far beyond their economic means. Each morning, those who received cataract surgery return for the “reveal,” when the doctors remove the

bandages. Can you imagine what it is like for a grandparent to actually see his/her grandchild for the first time? Believe me, there are lots of tears, along with smiles and hugs…and thanks and praises to God from everyone: from the patients for the

gift of sight and from the medical staff for being blessed to do the Lord’s work. Just for the record, I did not perform any surgery! But knowing that I could serve as a translator to help the doctors and the people of Panama made this one of the

most memorable and inspirational parts of my service. I thank you for keeping me in your prayers. I look forward to seeing you all very soon and promise to try not to

bore you with all my stories! May God bless us all.

– Sue

Happy 54th Anniversary to Nahmen and Frieda Redlefsen

on March 28th! LADIES AID HELPING HANDS

Driving to doctor appointments, helping out at home, going to the market: these are a few ways that Ladies Aid helps members of our congregation. If you’re interested in helping those who need assistance in parts of their life, then Ladies Aid needs you! If you’d like to help—or are in need of help—please call Dorothy McMillin at 516-581-6193. With helping hands, we can all work together.

CHURCH DIRECTORY UPDATE: Please see a member of the Directory Committee (David Thomas, Phil Johnson, and Linda Mather) to have your picture taken (If you prefer, you may email your own photo to stpdirectory@yahoo.com) and confirm your contact information. If you haven’t filled out an information sheet, you can get a blank one in the narthex. Thank you!

2019 LUTHERAN MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER WEEKENDS… The registration fee has been reduced to $50 from $100, so now is a good time to book a Lutheran Marriage Encounter Weekend. It’s a chance to learn how to maximize the joy and intimacy that God intends for your marriage. The next weekend is April 5-7 at the warm and inviting Country Inn and Suites in a quiet area of State College, PA. For more information, go to GodLovesMarriage.org, or email Fred & Julie Schamber at fjschamber@comcast.net.

mailto:fjschamber@comcast.net

UPCOMING EVENTS…

MUSIC/FRIENDSHIP CELEBRATION on March 3. The Feast of the Transfiguration (the Sunday before Lent in the Lutheran calendar) will be marked with a special Music/Friendship Celebration. THERE WILL BE ONE SERVICE THAT MORNING AT 9:30 A.M., followed by a fellowship period with lots of goodies. This follows the widespread tradition in various Christian cultures of a big celebration

before Lent (Carnival, Mardi Gras, etc.).

ASH WEDNESDAY on March 6. The Holy Season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. Communion services will be held at 7 a.m., 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Optional application of ashes will be done at the end of each service. LENTEN SERVICES on Wednesdays beginning March 13. This year’s Lenten services will explore the theme “Who Are You?” and will look at various aspects of our identity in Christ (such as “I Am a Sheep in God’s Flock,” or “I Am a Soldier in God’s Army”). Services are at 4:00 and 7:30 p.m. and will be accompanied by a slide show. A brief and simple distribution of Holy Communion will conclude each service. LENTEN DINNERS on Wednesdays beginning March 13. This annual tradition has our confirmation students preparing and serving a meal at 6:30 p.m. each Wednesday evening before our Lenten service. They are open to all and free of charge.

YOUR PARTICIPATION IN ST. PAUL’S MINISTRY IS APPRECIATED! Monthly Need: $14,166.67

JANUARY 2019 ATTENDANCE CHURCH ENVELOPES

January 6 116 $2,690

January 13 118 $2,031

January 20 93 $2,354

January 27 151 $2,751

Total: $9,826

Behind: $4,340.67

SUNDAY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE: January 6: 8 children January 13: 8 children January 20: 12 children January 27: 10 children

TWO REMINDERS... Cindy Gray is still collecting loose change for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Suffolk County in the jar in the narthex. Cindy also collects used ink and toner cartridges. She is able to obtain a $2 credit towards the purchase of ink for each cartridge she turns in. Since printer ink is costly, these rebates go a long way towards helping keeping the expense of printing our many Sunday School materials down. You can drop your used cartridges in the green and red plaid box in the narthex. Thank you!

NEW YEAR’S WEIGHT-LOSS RESOLUTION KAPUT? Then get to St. Paul’s basement on Saturday mornings. Our own John Vercelletto, a certified holistic health coach, has resumed the health and weight loss program he ran last summer and fall. An optional stretch and movement session (geared to beginners; don’t worry!) begins at 8:00; Weigh-ins and serving of coffee and tea—and, occasionally, healthy treats—commence at 8:45;

We wrap up at 10:30. Meetings are free, even to your friends. You’ve nothing to lose but extra pounds and destructive habits.

Interpreting Today’s World From a Lutheran

Christian Perspective The Lutheran Witness, the official magazine of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, is mailed out eleven times a year—monthly, with a combined June/July issue. The Lutheran Witness informs and inspires with news from around the

synod, feature articles on modern-day issues, and topical Q&As.

The deadline for the June 2019- June 2020 subscription year is coming up.

A subscription to this quality publication is readily available to all

St. Paul’s members. If you would like to add your name to our subscriber list, just let the church office know by March 25. The

cost to St. Paul’s is $15.96 per subscription.

Current St. Paul’s subscribers will automatically be renewed, unless you inform the church office that you no longer wish to

receive it by March 25.

Interpreting Today’s World From a Lutheran Christian Perspective