volume xlii issue xxxxvii december 2019 a ......use after the christmas eve service, please fill out...

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The View December 2019 Page 1 A NEWSLETTER FROM ST. MATTHIAS LUTHERAN CHURCH Visit us on the web at www.stmatthiasgreensburg.org Volume XLII Issue XXXXVII December 2019 Christmas Eve Worship Please note that Christmas Eve falls on a Tuesday this year, and our Christmas Eve candlelight worship will be at 7pm. We look forward to seeing you there as we celebrate the coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! Save the Date Our Annual Congregational Meeting, Part 2 will be January 19, 2020. immediately following the worship service. Please make arrangements to stay. Poinsettias For Christmas Eve Once again this year we are offering 6” pots of Poinsettias to decorate our church for Christmas. There will be a choice of red or white. They will be $9.00 each. If you would like to assist with the decorations and have a plant for your own use after the Christmas Eve service, please fill out the form included in the newsletter. Forms will also be available on the table in the narthex. Please have all order forms completed and returned to the office by Sunday, December 1st. 2019 Annual Reports Please note that a brief Annual Report will need to be submitted to the office for each of our committees, so that it can be included in our 2019 Annual Report, which will be reviewed at our Annual Meeting, Part 2, on January 19 th , 2020. The deadline for submitting Annual Reports for each committee is December 15 th . What is it that brings you comfort this time of year? A warm cup of coffee or hot cocoa? A child sitting on your lap wanting you to read him or her a book? A warm pair of socks and a favorite blanket? Watching a model train circling around the Christmas tree? Getting a hug from a loved one? Listening to Christmas carols or watching a favorite movie? Spending time with loved ones whom we haven’t seen all year? Whatever it is that brings you comfort, please remember that all of them are gifts from God. And God’s greatest gift to us comes lying in a manger, vulnerable, needful, and innocent. And lives not for His own sake, but for our sake. And dies in order to save us. And rises again in order to give us the gift of life eternal. And He does it all out of love for us. Whatever it is that brings you comfort, please remember that all of them… our very lives, our every breath, and everything we have… are gifts from God. And before we open a single present this Christmas, we’ve already been blessed by God with more gifts than we can possibly imagine. Thanks be to God for His wonderful love and abundant blessings to us! In Christ, Pastor Paul

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Page 1: Volume XLII Issue XXXXVII December 2019 A ......use after the Christmas Eve service, please fill out the form included in the newsletter. Forms will also be available on the table

The View December 2019 Page 1

A NEWSLETTER FROM ST. MATTHIAS LUTHERAN CHURCH

Visit us on the web at www.stmatthiasgreensburg.org

Volume XLII Issue XXXXVII December 2019

Christmas Eve Worship Please note that Christmas Eve falls on a Tuesday this year, and our Christmas Eve candlelight worship will be at 7pm. We look forward to seeing you there as we celebrate the coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

Save the Date Our Annual Congregational Meeting, Part 2 will be January 19, 2020.

immediately following the worship service. Please make arrangements to stay.

Poinsettias For Christmas Eve

Once again this year we are offering 6” pots of Poinsettias to

decorate our church for Christmas. There will be a

choice of red or white. They will be $9.00 each. If you would like to assist with the decorations and have a plant for your own use after the Christmas Eve service, please fill out the form included in the newsletter. Forms

will also be available on the table in the narthex. Please have all order forms completed and returned to the office by Sunday, December 1st.

2019 Annual Reports Please note that a brief Annual Report will need to be submitted

to the office for each of our committees, so that it can be included in our 2019 Annual Report, which will be reviewed at our Annual Meeting, Part 2, on January 19

th, 2020. The deadline for

submitting Annual Reports for each committee is December 15

th.

What is it that brings you

comfort this time of year?

A warm cup of coffee or hot

cocoa? A child sitting on

your lap wanting you to

read him or her a book? A warm pair of socks and a

favorite blanket? Watching a model train circling

around the Christmas tree? Getting a hug from a

loved one? Listening to Christmas carols or

watching a favorite movie? Spending time with

loved ones whom we haven’t seen all year?

Whatever it is that brings you comfort, please

remember that all of them are gifts from God. And

God’s greatest gift to us comes lying in a manger,

vulnerable, needful, and innocent. And lives not for

His own sake, but for our sake. And dies in order to

save us. And rises again in order to give us the gift

of life eternal. And He does it all out of love for us.

Whatever it is that brings you comfort, please

remember that all of them… our very lives, our

every breath, and everything we have… are gifts

from God. And before we open a single present this

Christmas, we’ve already been blessed by God with

more gifts than we can possibly imagine. Thanks be

to God for His wonderful love and abundant

blessings to us!

In Christ,

Pastor Paul

Page 2: Volume XLII Issue XXXXVII December 2019 A ......use after the Christmas Eve service, please fill out the form included in the newsletter. Forms will also be available on the table

The View December 2019 Page 2

CPR Classes at St. Matthias CPR classes at St. Matthias are planned for :

Dec 7th 8:30am-11:00am

Dec 14th & 21

st 7:30am-6:00pm

Jan 4 8:30am-11:00am Jan 10 8:30am-12:30PM Jan 11 7:30am-6:00pm Jan 18 7:30am-6:00pm Jan 23 5:30pm-8:00pm Feb1 8:30am-3:15pm

Feb 11 6:00pm-8:30pm March 3 6:00pm-8:30pm

March 14 8:30am-3:15pm March 28 8:30am-11:00am

Altar Guild Sign ups to volunteer to be a part of

the altar guild are in the narthex. Places are still available to help out,

and training is available!

Cleaning Committee In an effort to conserve our financial resources, our congregation has started cleaning the church with the

help of our own members. So far, we have enough members to cover nine weeks. We certainly would appreciate more volunteers. It actually isn’t very hard work. We have a list of what needs done and all the supplies to do the cleaning are in the janitor’s room. Anyone willing to help out, please contact Pastor Paul or the church office! Thank you!

Cleaning Dates: December—week of: 1-6-Valetta, Dana, Bernice & Lindsay Gruesu 8-13-Valetta, Sharon & Bob Marks, & Doris McDonnell 15-20-Valetta, Andrew & Shawn Harrold 22-27-Valetta, Alycefaye Stewart, Joe Welling & Arleen Hawk 29-Jan 3-Valetta, Jeff, Jennifer & Madison Sano

Youth Sunday School Our Youth Sunday School meets every other week on Sunday morning at 9am. All youth from toddlers through High School are welcome to attend. The Newsletter calendar will highlight those Sundays when Youth Sunday School is in session. Feel free to contact Pastor Paul with any questions. We look forward to seeing you there!

Stamp Camp

On the 3rd

and 4th Monday of each

month, Kim Peles is leading a fellowship group at St. Matthias called “Stamp Camp”. All are

welcome for fellowship and to make personalized greeting cards together, which you can use to share God’s love with others. There’s

a nominal fee to cover the cost of supplies. Because of the holidays there will be one day on December 4th from 10am-8pm. Please feel free to contact Kim at (724) 875-0049 for more

information.

John & Tina Weimer have a Free Lending Library on the

corner of their house (3 Franconia Drive), It is the mission of the Little Free

Libraries to inspire a love of reading, build community, and spark creativity by fostering

neighborhood book exchanges around the world.

Page 3: Volume XLII Issue XXXXVII December 2019 A ......use after the Christmas Eve service, please fill out the form included in the newsletter. Forms will also be available on the table

The View December 2019 Page 3

The Season of Caring We are now entering the “Season of Caring” here at St. Matthias. We have supported these programs for several years and are pleased to help them once again. Note: The dates for all three programs are the same: start November 24 and end December 15

th. These programs are:

Maxwell & Nicely Elementary Schools

Every year we request the names of 10 children from each

school so we can shop for Christmas gifts from their wish list. They are identified by the schools because their families are having financial difficulties. In the past we have suggested gifts be valued at least $20. If a list is lengthy, it may be a good idea for several members to pull their resources. Tags will be on the Jesse tree in the narthex on November 24

th. The gifts need

to be at the church no later than December 15

th. (Note: we are depending on the school

for the lists, so the date the tags appear may be later.) There is a sign-up sheet in the Narthex. Sign your name next to the tag identifier when you take a tag. Add your phone number in case we need to do a follow-up. When you bring the gift to the church, please attach the tag provided. Place the gift in an open gift bag. If the gift is in more than one bag, copy the identify information on to another tag. Be sure the tags are firmly attached. If you have any questions, please contact

Bobbie Oestreicher.

Bethesda Lutheran Services Also on the Jesse Tree you will find tags for Bethesda Children Services. We have been supplying $20 Wal-mart gift cards for the children in the group homes. Our

goal is 15 gift cards. These cards entitle the group home residents to purchase items they want under supervision of the agency’s staff. Bethesda, located in Meadville, PA, is one of

our synod’s missions. They provide care to troubled youth in a loving, supportive environment. The tags will be put on the Jesse Tree for November 24 and the target collection date is December 15

th.

Direct any questions to Pastor Paul.

Welcome Home homeless shelter

On November 24th

you will be able to collect an Advent Blessing bag. Over the next few weeks you are

to fill the bag with “blessings” which will be given to the folks served by the Welcome Home homeless shelter in Greensburg. By blessings, they are asking for can goods, paper products, cleaning supplies. Please have the blessings delivered to the church by December 15

th. If you

have any questions, please contact Pastor Paul. PS: A request: We know the BAGS HAVE TORN in the past due to the weight of cans, etc. They are provided as a helpful reminder for you. Please replace the paper bag with either a more substantial bag or box to make caring them easier. Thank you.

Lutherlyn Picnic Benches Lutherlyn needs your help! We need to replace fifty picnic tables

and purchase twenty-five benches before next summer. We are asking you, the congregations of the NWPA and SWPA Synods, to each consider purchasing a table or a bench of Lutherlyn. Please consider making a gift as a congregation to help replace these basic, but important, fixtures at Lutherlyn. These tables and benches will serve as a place to gather, reflect, and rest for thousands of campers for decades to come. Each table is approximately $500 and each bench is approximately $300. Though we are requesting a gift of $500 or $300 we are grateful for your gift at any level toward this worthy project. Every gift makes an impact and brings us one step closer to replacing our well-worn tables. We will be collecting for the benches through January 2020. Make your checks out to St. Matthias with “Lutherlyn Picnic Tables” in the memo section.

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The View December 2019 Page 4

Below is the sermon Andrew Harrold delivered on October 20th. Author’s Note: This idea was first conceived in June 2019 after the SWPA Synod Assembly. I started writing it while I was out at

sea in July. Ironically, this sermon talks about time. Although my original intent was to deliver this sermon in the summer, there

must have been a reason for delivering it in October. It is helpful to have a good friend as Pastor Paul when he reminded me in Sep-

tember about my progress. The sermon was finished early October and delivered on Saturday October 19, and Sunday October 20

2019. It is being printed for those who were interested or unable to attend those dates. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The Liturgy:

First Reading – Jonah 1

Second Reading – Romans 7:14-25

Gospel—Matthew 25: 14-30 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Grace to you and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen. I return to the podium again, maybe Pas-

tor Paul really is lazy this week. Do you ever find yourself saying “I don’t have time for this.” or “If only I had more time, then I

could do x or y activity.”? Well, you are not alone. According to a Gallup Study, Americans generally spend 47 hours a week to-

wards work. It can be as simple as commuting to work, packing your lunch, going to lunch or many other of things that you may do

for work. What then turns out to be an 8 hour day at the office, actually turns out to be 12. After work you come home only to do

more work like washing dishes, mowing the lawn, or even raising children. You find yourself then having to cut corners in life try-

ing to save time or make time to do more things because we only have 24 hours in a day. So sadly sleep generally gets reduced,

which then makes us tired. This only leads us to be heavily caffeinated the next morning. We then think can handle this problem on

our own so we then find even more ways to save time. I read a book called Momo by Michael Ende that talks about time. The main

antagonists are Grey Men in suits that convince people who complain about not having enough time. The Grey Men find ways in

their life that is inefficient in order to save time for a certain goal of theirs but at the cost of their relationships. The Grey Men’s real

motive is that they need other people’s time to survive. In the book it’s quoted: “But time is life, and life exists in our hearts, and

the more of it that the people saved, the less they actually had.” The saved time became more work. Me being also in this cynical

endless loop have possibly found hope. God gives us enough time that you can do so much with so little.

Saint Paul in Romans tells us plainly that “for I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do

the very thing I hate.” And “For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.” We know we are not sup-

posed to have that extra cookie but we go out of our way just to eat it anyway. You know have to take the dog outside when he

barks at 3 am or else he will go in the house. You know have a big presentation or test tomorrow morning and need rest but you

decide to watch the latest episode of your favorite show, thus forfeiting some of your sleep. When you go out with friends one

evening and you wanted to read a book instead. The examples go on and on. There are so many distractions in life pulling or push-

ing you one way or another to the point that you have no idea what to do. I think the concept of sharing time with others that bene-

fits both you and others is vital. This concept of taking time to “unbusy” yourself for people right in front of you, even though you

are the middle of something “important.” I noticed over the past months that there are these little quantum packets of opportunities

in life that we can use to our advantage. Generally these packets only last 2-5 minutes until another interruption like an important

phone call or meeting to attend. If we hesitate, the opportunity is missed and cannot be obtained again. We are fortunate though to

have technology that we can use to contact people anywhere and anytime. But the overall lesson is that this time is not ours, but

God’s. Jonah did not want to go to Nineveh and he fled to Joppa. However, a storm came and the sailors tossed him in the sea; but

God provided a whale that swallowed him for 3 days and nights. Jonah then prayed to the Lord and the Lord had the whale spit out

Jonah. Jonah then went to Nineveh afterwards. Most of the time, we are like Jonah and don’t have the ability to do what we need to

do so we run from our problems. The things that we need to do we then procrastinate or maybe don’t even do them at all. At the

end of the day, there’s this feeling of regret that we didn’t do everything we wanted to do.

The gospel lesson is a parable that talks about talents. A talent is a full year’s worth of work wages. I see this parable dif-

ferently. A talent is a gift from God. And a gift could be anything, such as time. So God gives each person the gift of time, each a

different amount according to their ability. The first two double their talents. The last one, however, was afraid and buried his tal-

ent. And this same one then gave it back when the master returned. Time is a gift from God, use it. We typically don’t give back

Christmas or birthday presents, so we can see why the master is angry. His servant did not enjoy the gift and use it. The first two

use their gift of time and their master notices and appreciates their faith. The master then says to the first two I will make you ruler

of many things: enter into the joy of your lord.

A talent is something that God gives you. You don’t save time for another day; for that would be burying your talent. You

use time, and when you do, you find out you have more time! That talent isn’t yours to begin with, so why save it? It is meant to

used, to be shared with others. In the Gospel of Matthew Jesus states at the end of the parable “For to the one who has, more will be

given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.” If you save your time,

you will lose it anyway at the end of day.

Continued on the other page...

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The View December 2019 Page 5

At the end of Momo when the Grey Men are defeated “People suddenly found that they had plenty of time to spare, and

they were all extremely happy… workers of every kind could do their jobs calmly and lovingly again, now that the point was no

longer to do as much as possible as quickly as they could. They were able to take as much time as they needed because from then on

there was more than enough.” They had time to stop and take a look at flowers on their way to work. Or if we can relate to this we

can stop for a brief genuine conversation with somebody passing by on the street. And the point is God gives you enough time. You

just have the free will to decide to use it or not. God tells us to go to Nineveh, whatever our Nineveh is. Generally we struggle like

Paul with the inner conflict and flee from our Nineveh due to our inequities. But it is our inequities, like the one talent we

receive from God, that we must accept and use as a strength to go to our Nineveh. And out of our little faith using that 1 tal-

ent we are rewarded by the master when he returns. You can do so much with so little. God gives us each talents, or enough time each according to our own ability. Then every-

one is created equal; you only think that having 1 talent gives you a handicap. You can be surprised with what you can do with one

talent. Take even 10 minutes! You think when you have 1 talent, 10 minutes, or any amount of time you can’t do anything. Why

can’t we do anything? We make excuses such as “I do not have enough time because of my job” or “I don’t know how do it.” Or we

could just be flat out afraid, reluctant, lazy, or depressed to go do something different and new, something you always wanted or

needed to do. So we freely and willingly give our time away. Understanding what is important to you and to God can work wonders.

Then you start using time appropriately for God and you receive joy from it. I took the time to use about 10 minutes to share with

you all a sermon. Is that surprising with what we can do with just 10 minutes?

So the question I will ask you: “How will you spend your gift of time?”

Amen.

Ferris Bueller "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."

2019 will be a “Gingerbread Christmas” at St. Matthias. Plan on seeing a tree decorated as in the 1800’s with “Putz” and gingerbread cookies. Just a little information about why gingerbread was selected as our decoration choice for Christmas at St. Matthias. Gingerbread can take on many forms. Around Christmas, if you’re not building with it, you might be making gingerbread men or gingersnaps. It definitely tastes like nothing you’ve ever had before, which is why it’s so special. Gingerbread is said to have originated from Medieval England, according to Smithsonian Mag, and its name pretty much means “preserved ginger”- which is intriguing, as by now we’ve all figured that it’s not necessarily something we think of when we’re pondering bread choices.

People used ginger then like they do now– medicinally. Ever wonder why you were told to drink ginger ale when you were nauseous? It’s because the ginger has calming qualities. Maybe the fact that it calms the stomach is a reason as to why it’s tied to the holiday– after all, nothing says overeating like Christmas. As for gingerbread houses, they became popular in Germany many years ago– and some, according to Fox News, believe that you can thank Hansel and Gretel for their surge in popularity. After the folk story, which originated back in 1812, claimed that the two stumbles across a candy house, people started wondering how they could create their own. According to Epicure& Culture, gingerbread was sacred, and the only time it was allowed to be made by the general public was during Christmas and Easter. So, that’s probably why it’s seen as a Christmas delicacy. This Christmas, when you eat your gingerbread, or gingerbread flavored items, just think about how this delicious food became such a popular winter favorite.

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The View December 2019 Page 6

C h u r c h C o u n c i I H i g h l i g h t s

St. Matthias Lutheran Church Council Minutes – 11/11/2019

Voting Council members Sharon Marks, Andrew Harrold, Wayne Himler, Sally Brier, and Pastor Paul were in attendance.

Norb Georges and our Financial Secretary, Eliot Moore were absent. Also in attendance was Treasurer Eldora Crist. Devotions were

read by Sharon Marks at 7:01pm. The meeting was called to order at 7:05pm. The agenda was reviewed. Sally Brier made a motion

to approve the agenda, as presented. Motion seconded by Andrew Harrold. Motion carried. The minutes from the October 7 Council

meeting were reviewed. Wayne Himler made a motion to approve the minutes, as presented. Motion seconded by Andrew Harrold.

Motion carried. Treasurer Eldora Crist presented the Treasurer’s report. Sally Brier made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s

report. Motion seconded by Andrew Harrold. Motion carried. Pastor Paul presented his report for October. His verbal report

included home visits with Bill Trisoline and Nursing Home visits with Lillian Reno and Virginia Turner. He also presided at the

funeral of Pete Winslow on October 9, attended the Bishop’s Convocation on October 14-16, two Synod Consultation Committee

meetings, and a Synod Assembly Planning Committee meeting.

Communications: We received a thank you letter from the Westmoreland County Food Bank for our monetary donation from our

Harvest Table fund, and a letter from Thrivent Financial regarding some of their future programs to help those in need.

Concerns: None

** Committee Reports were given **

Ad Hoc Committees: Women of the ELCA: Will meet on November 14. Cleaning Ad Hoc Committee: No new information.

Community Garden: Garden officially closed on October 6.

** Old Business **

1. Annual Meeting, Part 1, Nov. 17th – Agenda & Council Elections

(see agenda handout) Annual Meeting, Part 1 has been scheduled for November 17th. The agenda, including nominations for

Council, was reviewed and finalized by the Council. Andrew Harrold made a motion to nominate and unanimously approve Fred

Oestreicher and Bob Wolff to serve on Church Council beginning in 2020. Motion seconded by Wayne Himler. Motion carried. This

will be presented to the congregation for approval at the Annual Meeting, Part 1.

2. 2019 Annual Reports

Annual Reports need completed for each of our committees for the Annual meeting, Part 2 on January 19, 2020. With the exception

of a few reports which are time sensitive (Finance report), we’d like to have the reports completed in electronic form and submitted

to Amy by December 15th. Each Council liaison person has been asked to identify who wrote the report for their committee, and to

speak with them to see if they are willing and able to write the report again for 2019.

** New Business **

1. Requested CPR class dates

(see email handout) An email from Nation’s Best CPR was reviewed regarding requested CPR class dates. Sally Brier made a

motion to approve the requested dates, as presented. Motion seconded by Andrew Harrold. Motion carried.

2. Children’s Backpack program

(see email and 4 page handout)

Pastor Paul was contacted by Pastor John Smaligo from Harrold Zion Lutheran Church in Greensburg about an opportunity to

participate in a weekly backpack program to help provide food to needy children over the weekend. Although this program is being

provided at many local elementary schools, St. Matthias would be helping children attending Maxwell Elementary School.

Following Pastor Paul’s recommendation to Council, Andrew Harrold made a motion to have St. Matthias participate in this weekend

backpack program for needy children beginning in 2020 in the following ways: by participating approximately once every 2 months,

as coordinated by Pastor Smaligo, by providing people to pack the bags, by providing $100 from our 2020 Social Ministry budget to

help fund the program, by seeking to raise additional donations for this program through local businesses and our synod, by creating

a “backpack fund” at St. Matthias to provide parishioners an opportunity to provide donations for our participation in this program.

Motion seconded by Sally Brier. Motion carried.

3. Evangelism Project

(see 2 handouts) The Evangelism Committee presented a proposal from their November 6 meeting to approve a “Giving Thanks to

God” Ministry program, which they outlined in detail to the Council. Because the committee would like this program to be presented

to the congregation in person, more details will be supplied to the congregation during the weekend of November 17. Wayne Himler

made a motion to approve the program, as presented. Motion seconded by Sally Brier. Motion carried.

** End of New Business ** The December calendar and Worship Assistants were reviewed, and no updates were necessary. The

next Council meeting will be on Monday, December 9, at 7pm. The deadline for the December newsletter is November 11.

Andrew Harrold volunteered to lead devotions at the December Council meeting. Andrew Harrold made the motion to adjourn the

meeting. Motion seconded by Sally Brier. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:07pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Pastor Paul Gruesu

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Prayer List John Frank— Barb Winslow’s brother Cal Frye— Jim & Terri Frye’s Grandson Dolores Wooly— Derek Ferrier’s wife’s grandma Branden Vita— Friend of Arlene Wohlin Carol Garlow— Linda & Ray Wasilowski’s Sister in Law Bruce Dalena— member Bobbie Oestreicher— member Ruth Ginter— Nancy Ferrier’s Mom Lynn Vita— Chuck Vita’s Wife Alycefaye Stewart— Member Julie Santavy— Barry & Dave’s Mom Terri Santavy— Member Norb Georges— Member Doris McDonnell— Member Nancy Quist- Jean Kauffman Diane Doyle Charles Beist– Friend of Arlene Wohlin Joanne Stillwell— Friend of Dana Gruesu Bill Trisoline— Member Phil Nowakowski— Friend of Nancy Ferrier Karen Biest — Arlene Wohlin’s Friend’s Daughter Ed Ferrier— Bob Ferrier’s Brother Ron Bowman—Keith Bowman Brother Jeanie Bowman—Keith Bowman Niece Evelyn Malinish— Member Judy Himler—Wayne Himler’s Sister in Law Rita Miller— Doris McDonnell’s Sister in Law Ray Bowman— Keith Bowman’s Brother Jim Bartolomucci— Member Dave Santavy & Family— Member Pastor Fred Heitzenroder– Member Kate & Baby Annabelle— friend of Norb & Vicki Georges Helen Holleran— Vicki Georges’ In Law Don Ohr — Member Virginia Turner —Member

Bob Marks — Member

Barry Santavy — Member Ted Wohlin —Arlene Wohlin’s Husband To contact the prayer chain, please call: Joan Wilson at (724) 836-3055

George Hodge December 2 Gayle Kunko December 6 Dana McEliece December 11 Jennifer Sano December 11 Michael Marnell December 20 Adam Santavy December 21 Jeffrey Sano December 22 Lorianne Ferrier December 23 Nancy Ferrier December 24 Ashley Palmer December 26 Amber Organiscak December 27 Deborah Moff December 30 Leonard Bowman December 30

Robert & Arleen Hawk December 28 Lowell & Debra Cisowski December 29

Faith Works Envelopes Faith Works envelopes are on the back pew in the sanctuary. Please use these envelopes to support any of the following ministries:

Bethesda Children’s Home Camp Agape Camp Lutherlyn Gettysburg Seminary Glade Run Lutheran Services Lutheran Campus Ministry in Oakland Lutheran Senior Life Lutheran Service Society Synod Mission Support Thiel College Check off which agency you wish to contribute to and place the envelope with your donation in the offering plate. Please remember to indicate your envelope number.

Page 8: Volume XLII Issue XXXXVII December 2019 A ......use after the Christmas Eve service, please fill out the form included in the newsletter. Forms will also be available on the table

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Page 9: Volume XLII Issue XXXXVII December 2019 A ......use after the Christmas Eve service, please fill out the form included in the newsletter. Forms will also be available on the table

Sun M

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Page 10: Volume XLII Issue XXXXVII December 2019 A ......use after the Christmas Eve service, please fill out the form included in the newsletter. Forms will also be available on the table

On

ce ag

ain

this

year

we

are offerin

g

6”

po

ts of

red

or

white.

Po

insettias to

deco

rate our ch

urch

for C

hristm

as. If you w

ould

like

to assist w

ith th

e deco

ration

s and

hav

e a plan

t for y

ou

r ow

n u

se after th

e Christm

as Eve serv

ice, please co

mp

lete the fo

llow

ing

:

Nu

mb

er of _

__

___

__

__

Red

Po

insettias at ($

9.0

0 each

)

Nu

mb

er of _

__

___

__

__

Wh

ite Poin

settias at ($9

.00 each

)

Total A

mo

un

t enclo

sed $

___

__

__

__

___

__

_ E

nvelo

pe #

_______

In M

em

ory

of _

__

__

__

____

__

__

__

___

__

__

__

__

__

_____________

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

___

__

__

__

___

__

__

__

__

__

_____________

In H

on

or o

f __

__

__

__

__

___

__

__

__

___

__

__

__

__

__

_____________

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

___

__

__

__

___

__

__

__

__

__

_____________

Yo

ur n

ame _

__

__

___

__

___

__

__

__

___

__

__

__

__

__

_____________

Please

return

th

is fo

rm to

th

e ch

urch

o

ffice w

ith th

e co

st of

the

po

insettias b

y D

ecemb

er 1, 2

01

9. T

han

k y

ou

.

Will p

ick u

p after C

hristm

as Eve S

ervice _

__

__

___

Giv

e to a sh

ut-in

__

__

___

__

Once

again

th

is year

we

are offerin

g

6”

po

ts of

red

or

wh

ite. P

oin

settias to d

ecorate o

ur ch

urch

for C

hristm

as. If you

wou

ld lik

e to

assist with

the d

ecoratio

ns an

d h

ave a p

lant fo

r you

r ow

n u

se after th

e Christm

as Eve serv

ice, please co

mp

lete the fo

llow

ing

:

Num

ber o

f __

____

__

__ R

ed P

oin

settias at ($9

.00

each)

Num

ber o

f __

____

__

__ W

hite P

oin

settias at ($9.0

0 each

)

Total A

mount en

closed

$_

__

__

___

__

__

__

_ E

nvelo

pe #

__

___

__

In M

em

ory

of _

__

__

___

___

__

__

___

__

__

__

__

__

_____

__

___

____

_

____________

____

__

_____

___

__

____

___

___

__

_____

___

__

____

_

In H

onor o

f ___

___

__

__

___

___

__

____

___

___

__

_____

___

__

____

_

____________

____

__

_____

___

__

____

___

___

__

_____

___

__

____

_

Your n

ame _

__

_____

__

___

___

__

____

___

___

___

____

___

__

__

___

Please

return

th

is fo

rm to

th

e ch

urch

office

with

th

e co

st of

the

poin

settias by D

ecemb

er 1, 2

019

. Than

k y

ou

.

Will p

ick u

p after C

hristm

as Eve S

ervice _

__

___

__

Giv

e to a sh

ut-in

___

____

__

Page 11: Volume XLII Issue XXXXVII December 2019 A ......use after the Christmas Eve service, please fill out the form included in the newsletter. Forms will also be available on the table

St. Matthias Evangelical

Lutheran Church 100 Chapel View Drive

Greensburg, PA 15601-1002

Address Service Requested

DATED MATERIAL

THE VIEW ST. MATTHIAS EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH December 2019

Visit us on the web at www.stmatthiasgreensburg.org

SERVICES OF HOLY COMMUNION: Saturday 7:00 pm Sunday 10:15 am

Sunday School 9:00AM (every other week)

CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP:

7:00pm

Paul M. Gruesu, Pastor Secretary: Amy Repak

Organist/Choir Director: Chuck Vita