A place for Everyone

St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church
“A Place for Everyone”
God’s Work. Our Hands.
715 Lincoln Highway

North Versailles, PA 15137-2027

A Reconciling in Christ congregation

of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod (www.swpasynod.org)

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (www.elca.org)
www.stjohnsnorthversailles.com

www.facebook.com/stjohnnorthversailles

Youth of St. John’s: [e-mail] and facebook.com/sjnvyouth
Office Phone: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

Pastor’s Home Phone: [phone]

[e-mail]

Office Hours:

Monday thru Thursday 8:00 AM - 2:30 PM

SERVICES
Saturday Contemporary Service - 5:00 p.m. Note new time!

Sunday School - 9:30 a.m.

Sunday Traditional Worship - 10:45 a.m.
HIGHLIGHTS of January/February 2017

When the song of the angels is stilled,

when the star in the sky is gone,
when the kings and princes are home,
when the shepherds are back with their flocks,
the work of Christmas begins:
to find the lost,
to heal the broken,
to feed the hungry,
to release the prisoner,
to rebuild the nations,
to bring peace among the people,
to make music in the heart.

Dear Family-in-the-Faith:

These words of Howard Thurman recall the first sermon of Jesus (Luke 4:16-21). These words send us into the new year to do the work of Christmas, the work of Jesus. In describing our holy work Thurman sums it up: to make music in the heart. God’s music. Music to find, to heal, to feed, to release, to rebuild, to bring peace. Music for our own heart. Music for the hearts of others.

Now more than ever we must keep receiving and practicing and sharing this holy music. In these days we hear the ugliness of increasing hate crimes, the cries of a record number of refugees, the promotion of prejudice, too often in the name of religion, and the destructive lack of respect in speech and action. Such is not holy music for holy hearts.

Making holy music takes practice. It takes being grounded in the life and teaching of Jesus. It takes working together as an ensemble. It takes being nurtured in Christian community as the Body of Christ, workers in the Kingdom of God.

How is the music in your own heart? Can you hear God’s notes and melody in the din and distractions of daily life? Are you an instrument of God’s music for the hearts of others? Can they hear the power of Jesus and the harmony of the Spirit in the song of your life? Is your life song offering discovery, healing, feeding, releasing, rebuilding, and peace in Christ?

In our ensemble practice (aka worship) in these winter weeks of Epiphany, the song of Jesus is revealed in the calling of the disciples (can you hear your name?) and the melody of his teaching in the Sermon on the Mount (do you know the tune?).

Here at St. John’s we are doing the work of Christmas, practicing the music of Jesus for the heart. It’s why we exist. It’s what the world needs. It’s our calling as Christians. When your heart is ready, there’s a place for you here.

Working and making holy music with you,

Pastor Richard
St. John’s Lutheran Church exists

to nurture people of all ages on the journey of faith

in Jesus Christ,

to support those in need

and to reach out into the community

with God’s healing and love.

2017 Congregation Council
The members of St. John’s Congregation Council for 2017 are: Clark Buskey, Sherie Cannin, Theresa Drye, Melissa Hess, Judy Jamison, Pastor Richard Krug, Sarah Lundie, Jennifer Jones, Brenda Neundorf, Judi Rogers, Julie Sacriponte, and Herb Willson. The final council member will be elected at our annual congregation meeting on January 29.
We give thanks to Jim Peterson and Robert Gastel who have concluded their Council terms. We appreciate their dedication and ministry to our St. John’s family.

Congregation Council to Elect Officers &

Appoint Committee Chairs for 2017
At the Annual Planning Workshop on January 7, the Congregation Council officers will be elected and committee chairpersons/liaisons will be appointed. Installation of 2017 Council and officers will take place in worship January 7/8.

St. John’s voting members to the 2017 Southwestern PA Synod Assembly will be appointed, and the final nominee for Council will be presented at the January 29 annual congregation meeting.

We give thanks to these people for their commitment to serve their church. Please continue to give support to your elected leaders with prayers, as well as your own willing eagerness to serve.


ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

SUNDAY, JANUARY 29
About 12:30 p.m. in Miller Hall
Soup & sandwich luncheon in Miller Hall

following the 10:45 a.m. worship service.

Plans are for Reports to be available

in the narthex the weekend of January 14-15

Please take one Bulletin of Reports per family.

We are the Body of Christ, his Church together.

Please plan to be present as we review and give thanks for

the ministry accomplished in 2016 and seek the guidance of

the Spirit in our dialog and decisions together as we nurture faith, support need and reach out with God’s healing and love.

Thursday Bible Study
Pour out your Holy Spirit…the Spirit of wisdom and understanding…

These words prayed over the newly baptized and quoting Isaiah 11:2, teach us that the Spirit calls us to grow in wisdom and understanding as people of the Word and the Way.

Join us for Thursday evening Bible Study, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Each week we will use the appointed scripture lessons for the coming Sunday as the basis of our study. You will have a chance to go deeper in wisdom & understanding of the scripture which shapes us as a worshipping community of believers. And your reflections will help inspire Pastor in his preaching!

Thursday Bible Study will meet:

January 5, 12, 19 and 26

February 2, 9, 16 and 23



A Revelation for the World
The revelation of Jesus to the nations is celebrated on the Festival of the Epiphany of Our Lord (January 6^th) as we remember the arrival of the Wise Men to visit the Child Jesus.

Epiphany is one of the oldest festivals in the church. It predates Christmas. The earliest Epiphany observances included the birth of Jesus. Now it concludes the twelve days of Christmas and begins the Epiphany season which emphasizes the discovery of Jesus as God and Savior.

Coffee and Conversation

500 and Counting
October 31, 2016 began a year of commemorations and observances marking the 500^th anniversary year of the Protestant Reformation. On October 31, 1517, Professor Dr. Martin Luther posted 95 theses or ideas inviting his fellow faculty at the University of Wittenberg and the university’s students to a debate to discuss Luther’s views on the state of affairs in the Roman Catholic Church at the time. Luther, of course, was a Roman Catholic priest.

The magnificent opening event of this year of commemorations was the journey of Pope Francis to the headquarters of the Lutheran World Federation in Lund, Sweden on October 1, 2016 for a service of prayer and the signing of a joint agreement. The service was led by Pope Francis and the President of the Lutheran World Federation, Munib Younan, bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran church of Jordan and the Holy Land. It was at once an historic, solemn and joyous occasion (which you can view in its entirety on YouTube).

At St. John's, we are also eager to take advantage of this moment to share in the excitement and reflection. As the Pope himself said, the Reformation and Luther brought about important reforms. Nonetheless, divisions in the church, the Body of Christ, are not to be celebrated. What do we know? What can we learn? Where are we now? What are the chances for Roman Catholics and Lutherans sharing communion?

Beginning on January 15, the Coffee and Conversation group will be taking a look at our Lutheran history, theology and future. One of Luther’s most important contributions was that every lay person should have access to the Bible and to participate in learning about what the Bible teaches at their own level. That is exactly what you will find at Coffee and Conversation – conversation among friends at the everyday level for everyone. Many St. John's members are not “cradle Lutherans”. Here is an opportunity of special interest for you to deepen your Lutheran roots. This study will take about 7 weeks and may be followed by others in the Reformation/Lutheran theme later in the year.

Don’t miss this chance to brush up, hear some things you may have forgotten, hear some things you may not have heard before and generally feel good about being Lutheran. Every Sunday morning at 9:30 in Miller Hall.

Christian Education
On December 11, we gathered together for ‘Breakfast at the Manger’. After a breakfast of cereal and muffins, we enjoyed a program based on the hymn written by Martin Luther 500 years ago ”From Heaven Above”. We discovered the gifts wrapped in swaddling clothes along with Jesus. The gifts of Light, Joy, Peace, Forgiveness, and Life. The kids, and few adults, had a good time dressing up to create our manger scene.  

On Saturday, December 31 we caroled to shut-ins. What a blessing to be a blessing!

We look forward with anticipation for what will be in store for us in the New Year. Please join us for Sunday School – 9:30 a.m. every Sunday!

St. Afterschool at St. John’s
The Fall 2016 program of St. Afterschool concluded on December 14^th for the Christmas holiday. This semester we had a great group of 18 children! In addition to weekly crafts, games and playing Bingo with prizes, we had visits from the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium and the Carnegie Science Center. Funding for these programs came from the Shop ‘N Save S.E.E.D. program.

We are looking forward to beginning the Spring session on Wednesday, January 18^th. This session of St. Afterschool will run for 17 weeks through Wednesday, May 10, 2017 (excluding April 12 because of Holy Week) and the fee for this session is $20.00. St. Afterschool offers homework assistance, snacks, great games and delicious dinners for children in grades K through 3. If you are interested in enrolling a child in the St. Afterschool program, contact the church office, or Debi Freeman, Program Coordinator.

A Letter from Glade Run…
December 16, 2016
Dear friends in God’s service:
The year is coming to an end, and with it our opportunity to visit congregations and educate and ask for support for our Bridging Community Campaign. With so much of the focus of our correspondence on our changing program delivery line, we want to take this opportunity to reach out and update our friends and supporters on the campaign’s status and make a last invitation to participate.

The Bridging Community Campaign is alive and well! If you’ve had the opportunity to visit Glade Run Lutheran Services’ campus in the past year, you know that the campus transformation portion, an important piece of the campaign to create additional safety features and beautification is complete. The removal of old, unused buildings, new roadways, parking lots, and buildings (including a new maintenance building and complete renovations on what is now Isaiah House) is complete. Likewise, the Sensory Park and Playground, another important element of the campaign, is finished – and amazing! We look forward to hosting an open house when the weather warms so you can see firsthand the accomplishments you’ve helped us make thus far.

The Jeremiah Village project is also alive and well! We have discovered, through our presentations to congregations and to the public, that a large percentage of the individuals who can most benefit from living in an inclusive, welcoming and accepting environment like Jeremiah Village will not be able to afford even market rate rents. Therefore, in early 2017 when the cycle opens, we will be applying for tax credits that will enable us to create a portion of affordable housing apartments. Though we’d hoped to have Jeremiah Village already under construction, this delay will enable us to better serve the very population of individuals with autism and other disabilities that shaped the project. Construction is set to begin in spring/summer 2017, and the first phase of the project should be completed within 12-18 months.

The final project of the campaign continues to be the last item to be completed. While we still plan eventual upgrades to our campus school to make it more autism friendly, we have discovered that a larger need exists in our communities for physical school sites in rural areas, enabling more youth to be served. Responding to that need, we have focused our resources on opening two new school buildings in Utica in Sharon, PA.

Your donations contribute to our efforts, complete and upcoming. A number of congregations have successfully completed campaigns and have combined pledged to raise over $250,000. (St. John's has participated successfully in that appeal.)

Again, the projects associated with the campaign continue on schedule, and have not been affected by the closure of the residential program (see newsletter insert), which accounts for only 4-5% of all the individuals we serve each year. Glade Run continues to grow. We are so blessed to have the support of our congregations as we do God’s work. We thank you for that support over the years, and wish you all the most blessed of Christmas seasons.

In His Name,

Rev. Charles T. Lockwood, M. Div.

President/CEO, Glade Run Lutheran Services

Saturday Service moves to 5:00 PM!
Beginning on January 7 and continuing permanently, the Saturday Contemporary Worship Service will begin at 5:00 p.m. This change was suggested by the ‘regulars’ of the Saturday night worship family, and was approved by Council at the December 13 meeting.

Note the time change and spread the word!

Old Ink & Toner Cartridges Needed
St. John's saves hundreds of dollars in office supplies each year by recycling old ink cartridges! We need your donations of empty cartridges – the ‘cupboard’ is bare as we begin the new year.

Souper Bowl of Caring 2017

“We can do no great things, only small things with great love.”

-Mother Theresa
Our church will again be participating in the Souper Bowl of Caring this year. To show that we love and care for our brothers and sisters who are needy, we ask everyone to please remember to bring an extra dollar or two with you to worship on February 4/5 (Super Bowl weekend). Our young people will collect your donations. Every dollar received here at St. John’s will go directly to MA’s Pantry.

The Souper Bowl, which began as the fruit of prayer, has seen tens of thousands of congregations together generate millions of dollars for hurting and hungry people over the years.

Our donations will be called in and reported right after we total our collection on February 5 along with other congregations across the nation.

A Note About That Initial Offering Envelope
You are encouraged to fill the Initial envelope found in the front of the 2017 box of envelopes. This offering is used to cover the cost of purchasing our envelopes. If we all do a little to defray the cost, our regular offerings can be used to fund the many ministries we do.


Using Your New Envelopes
Regular offering envelopes for the year 2017 have been available in the narthex since December. They have Current, Mission Support (Benevolence) and Property Upkeep sections on the right side of them. Current Expenses is an undesignated category for any need: from the electric bill to salaries to supplies. Mission Support (Benevolence) offerings are designated for our partnership ministry with the Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod and entire Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Property Upkeep is a fund for maintenance and upkeep of our property. Property Upkeep is not the Building Fund for paying off our mortgage. Use your numbered envelopes for all “regular” contributions. Write your envelope number on special contribution envelopes such as Flowers, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, World Hunger, etc. Giving records are posted by envelope number, not name. If you place a check in the collection plate without showing your envelope number, you may not be credited with that contribution. If amounts are not marked for the 3 specified categories it will automatically go into Current Expenses. The counters do not have access to your “Estimate of Giving” or “Pledge” amounts.

The same white envelopes will still be used for the Building Fund. Building Fund monies are counted and deposited separately and should not be included in your “regular” numbered envelopes. White Building Fund envelopes will also be distributed for the coming

year, and are always available in the narthex or church office.

And last but not least, let’s make life easier for the counters. Please do not use scotch tape or staples on your envelopes. Also the

use of one envelope is sufficient for contributions of more than one Sunday. The contribution is posted to your giving record on the date received, not by the dates on the envelopes.

Theresa Drye, Financial Secretary, is responsible for the 2017 “regular” envelopes and special giving. Our Building Fund

Treasurer is Steve Grbach. Please don’t hesitate to talk to Steve

or Theresa with any questions or concerns you may have.

Seminary Support Envelope in 2017
Your box of envelopes contains a monthly Seminary Support envelope (gold border) which was formerly named Ministry Support. Your offerings using the Seminary Support envelope will support United Lutheran Seminary (formerly Gettysburg and Philadelphia seminaries merging July 1, 2017 into one seminary with 2 campuses) as we train pastors and deacons for future leadership in the ELCA.

Hilltop Community Event

Lunch, Movie, Discussion
The Hilltop Ministerium is again sponsoring a community event for an ongoing discussion about human justice issues.

We gather at Linway Presbyterian Church on Sunday, February 19^th at 12:30 pm for a delicious lunch of soup provided by our pastors and congregations. At 1:00 pm we will watch the movie “I Am Slave” which is about human trafficking and then have an opportunity to discuss what we have seen and our life together as church and community. Melissa Hess will serve as a resource to highlight local trafficking activity. We plan to finish around 3:30 pm. Please join us for another timely opportunity to address a human justice issue.

Women of the ELCA
Happy New Year! We hope you have had a most blessed Christmas season. The Women of the ELCA afternoon group is next scheduled to meet on Tuesday, January 17, 2016 at noon. As usual, we will have lunch (so please bring your sandwich or something to munch on) followed by a brief study and business meeting. At this time the day group has not specified any hostesses or Bible Study leaders – what a dilemma! If you are interested in helping out – particularly in January or February, please contact Judy Sabolic. The evening group will next meet on Wednesday, January 18 at 7:00 p.m. Bertie Palmieri will be the evening’s hostess and leader.
In February, the day group meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 21 at noon. Again, there is no scheduled hostess or leader for this meeting. The evening group will meet on Wednesday, February 15 at 7:00 p.m. Sarah Lundie will be the evening’s hostess and leader.

At this point, there is no specific information regarding the 2017 Synodical Designated Outreach, but the details will be shared when they are available.

If you would like to recycle your Christmas (or any!) cards in our Mission Central bins in Miller Hall PLEASE follow these guidelines: only the FRONT of the cards are needed; the cards should be free of any writing or drawing; cards from Hallmark and American Greetings CANNOT be used, and a card size of 5 x 7 is preferred.

If you have any questions, ideas or suggestions about Women of the ELCA, please contact Judy Sabolic at 412-877-5460.

2017 Flower Chart
Reservations for the 2017 altar & chancel flowers are now being taken. Flowers are placed weekly on the altar (and chancel if a

weekend has two sponsors) to remember, honor, or show appreciation of loved ones or to observe a special occasion. They add to the beauty of our worship service. The cost is $25.00 for two vases. If you would like to provide flowers for a particular weekend or weekends during the year, please fill out a flower chart form. Forms are located on the table in the narthex and also in the office next to the chart. Please DO NOT fill out the office chart yourself, just leave the form on the secretary’s desk and she will fill in the wall chart. Plenty of dates are still available. Please plan on reimbursing the church (clearly noting Altar Flowers) by the weekend you reserved.

Progress on Strategic Planning at St. John's
We are again meeting with Michelle Snyder as we review what we have accomplished and continue to move forward with our strategic plan. You are welcome to join the Council, the Long Range Planning Committee and the Strategic Visionary Task Force as we continue work to move St. John's forward. The meeting is scheduled for Saturday, February 25, from 8:00 a.m. to noon; with a snow date scheduled for March 11.

Planning Ahead
For more than 35 years St. John's has been richly blessed by the faithful stewardship of a member whose offering has continued long after her death. Rebecca Lynn Crawford included in her will the creation of a Trust with St. John's as the beneficiary. Annual income from that Rebecca Lynn Crawford Trust has enabled St. John's to bless and support ministries beyond our walls such as MA’s Pantry, Meals-on-Wheels and other community and church organizations, as well provide for special needs here at St. John's. On two occasions (the Building Project 18 years ago, and the pressing needs in this past year) disbursements from the principal have made mission possible. Rebecca was not “rich and wealthy.” But she was rich toward God through her congregation and in death gave a gift that keeps on giving.

Make a New Year’s resolution to be a good steward of all that God has entrusted to you. If you do not yet have a will, make an appointment with an attorney and take care of this important part of your life-long stewardship. If you have an estate plan, consult your lawyer to determine whether any changes are in order. And remember – through your will, you can make a gift for the congregation or other ministries of the church.

The ELCA Foundation can assist you as you plan to leave a legacy for ministry. Visit the ELCA Foundation website at www.elca.org/foundation or contact the ELCA Foundation at 800-638-3522 ext. 2970.


Shrove Tuesday Dinner
Save the Date! Tuesday, February 28!
A traditional meal of pancakes, sausages & potatoes will be served at 6:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome! Join us in “burning the fat” before we enter the solemn season of Lent.

Looking Ahead: Ash Wednesday March 1

We enter the Lenten season each year by

gathering in worship for Corporate

Confession, the Imposition of Ashes, and the

Celebration of Holy Communion on Ash

Wednesday. This special service is the first

act of our Lenten Discipline of repentance,

prayer, and spiritual growth.

Ash Wednesday begins the forty days (excluding Sundays, which are always celebrations of the Resurrection) of the Lenten season of reflection and repentance. This period symbolizes the forty day fasts of Jesus, Elijah, and Moses. As followers of Christ, we enter this season that leads to the cross with an act of humility and repentance trusting in the grace of God given to each of us through that cross of Christ.

The use of ashes as a sign of repentance has a long scriptural history (see Jonah 3:5-9; Job 42:6; Jeremiah 6:26; and Matthew 11:21). The early Christian church continued the use of ashes from Jewish practice as an external mark of penitence. Ashes wonderfully symbolize both God’s condemnation of sin and of renewal when we remember that fields are burned in the spring to prepare them for new growth. Please join us at the Lord’s Table on Ash Wednesday, March 1 for services at 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. as we begin our Lenten journey of faith.

The schedule of Wednesday evening 7:00 p.m. Lenten services will be in the March/April newsletter. To commemorate the 500^th anniversary of the Reformation, St. John's has invited the Hilltop Ministerium to share in a Lenten series based on Luther’s Small Catechism.
Drive-Thru Ashes and Prayer
As an outreach to the community, St. John's, in partnership with All Souls’ Episcopal Church will again offer ‘Drive-Thru’ ashes and prayer – in the St. John's parking lot on Ash Wednesday, March 1, 2017, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Blessed Bundles
The Lutheran Church of Our Saviour in North Huntingdon has created a ministry called Blessed Bundles to provide help to those families in and around the community in need of baby supplies such as diapers, wipes, formula, baby toiletries, equipment (such as highchairs, mattresses and bottles), toys and clothing. The age range of the children served by this ministry is from birth to around age 5. The Church of Our Saviour is reaching out to our congregation for help and support:

1. Spread the word about this ministry!

2. Donate any gently used baby/children’s item such as

clothing from preemie to size 8/10

high chairs, playpens, bassinettes

blankets, crib bedding

books and toys

3. Donate new items such as:

diapers and wipes

bottles and sippy cups

baby wash, baby shampoo, lotion, diaper creams

formula, baby food

4. Volunteer! Distribution is the third Saturday of the month

from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

5. Make a monetary donation that will be used to purchase

the needed supplies.

Contact Pamela Feltes-McCurdy for more information or to volunteer!
Blanket the World with Love
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit.” Psalm 51: 10-12

February 11 & 12 has been designated as our Annual Blanket Weekend. Hearts and envelopes will be distributed in the bulletins at both the Saturday and Sunday services. Please fill out the heart with your name and the name of the person you wish to honor or

remember with your contribution. Suggested amount is $5.00 which provides a warm, wool blanket to someone in need anywhere in the world.

Social Ministry Committee members will be waiting in the narthex to collect your hearts and donations as you leave worship. The hearts will then be pinned on our display blanket (which is a sample of the blankets distributed). Please make checks payable to St. John’s. The blanket program is administered through Church World Service.

“If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus…” Philippians 2: 1-5a

Recipients have used their blankets as tents, first-aid stretchers, draperies, doors, and sleeping pads. Blankets are a “tool of hope” to disaster victims and refugees; all those left homeless and in need of a safe, dry place to spend the night. Help bring hope of better things to come. If you are unable to attend worship the weekend of February 11/12, your donation may be mailed directly to the church, and we will see that your heart gets pinned on the blanket.
Desserts for Meals-On-Wheels
St. John’s is responsible for providing desserts for Meals-On-Wheels Monday, February 27 through March 10 (2 weeks). Watch for the sign-up sheet for the day/s you can contribute which will be on the stand in the narthex. Besides cookies (3 or 4 doz.), you can donate fruit - fresh or canned (institution size cans), cake (plain or angel food), Jell-O or pudding - two 6 oz. boxes (please deliver these unmixed the day before you are scheduled). Deliver to Linway Church - back door by 9:00 a.m. preferred, or leave at the church office. Thank you!

Notes of Thanks…
Congregation of St. John's Lutheran Church,

Thank you for your ongoing support to Abiding Ministries. …The blessings of your gift allow us to continue our mission work in the Hilltop Community of Pittsburgh. …We are grateful to be with you in mission.

Rev. Christine Rotella
Dear Pastor Krug and members of St. John's Lutheran Church,

Just wanted to send a note of “Thanks” to let you know how much we really appreciated the monetary donation to our Blessed Bundles Mission. Thanks to your kindness we were able to purchase many boxes of diapers to pass out to those families in need in our community!

Pam McCurdy and the Blessed Bundles

Committee of the Lutheran Church of Our Saviour

Dear Pastor Krug and Friends,

On behalf of those we serve, I thank St. John's Lutheran Church for your October Noisy offering gift of $61.50. Your gift has been gratefully and wonderfully received. …I am deeply grateful for your commitment to displaced families as we continue to stand together with our hands outstretched in welcome.

In faith,

Sara Kenney, Lutheran Immigration & Refugee Service

Dear Friends,

Thank you for your gifts to ELCA World Hunger and Lutheran Disaster Response this year. ….In Christ’s birth and in your faithful response to this holiest gift, there is a “thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.” Thank you for joining with ELCA World Hunger and Lutheran Disaster Response to help to create this “thrill of hope” and joyful celebration around the world, throughout the year.

With gratitude,

The Rev. Dan Rift, Director,

ELCA World Hunger and Disaster Appeal.


People Serving at SJ
JANUARY

Saturday Worship Assistant 7 – Sherie Cannin 14 – Melissa Hess 21 – Brenda Neundorf 28 – Nancy Cutler Saturday Host 7 – Doug & Josh Cannin 14 – Joe Yurechko and Recruit 21 – Jerry & Sherry Baur 29 – Brenda Neundorf and Recruit Sunday Greeters 1 – Ruth Boyd; Debi Maurizi 8 – Nancy Cutler; Norma Hutton 15 – Julie & Jack Sacriponte 22 – Marge Horner; Dee Simon 29 – Judy Jamison; Debi Maurizi Sunday Worship Assistant 1 – Ed Sites 8 – Brenda Neundorf 15 – Patty Buskey 22 – Herb Willson 29 – Judy Sabolic

Acolyte 1 – Mandy Ruffing 8 – Jack Sacriponte 15 – Mandy Ruffing 22 – Jack Sacriponte 29 – Rachel Motichak and Brenda Neundorf Head Usher 1 – Clark Buskey 8 – Tim Hess 15 – John Cehlar 22 – Ed Ward 29 – Clark Buskey Ushers 1 – Ruth Boyd; Recruits 8 – Nancy Cutler; Karan & John Cehlar and Recruit 15 – Joe & Sarah Lundie; Herb & Debbie Willson 22 – Rick & Cindy Luke and Recruits 29 – Judy Jamison, Debi Maurizi and Recruits Communion Bread 15 – Dutchie Wojtowicz Counters Norma Hutton; Jack Sutter; Cindy Haag

People Serving at SJ
FEBRUARY

Saturday Worship Assistant 4 – Debbie Sharp 11 – Nancy Cutler 18 – Brenda Neundorf 25 – Sherie Cannin Saturday Host 4 – Joe Yurechko and Recruit 11 – Brenda Neundorf and Recruit 18 – Jerry & Sherry Baur 25 – Doug & Josh Cannin Sunday Greeters 5 – Debbie & Herb Willson 12 – Julie & Jack Sacriponte 19 – Bob & Susan Reimer 26 – Karan & John Cehlar Sunday Worship Assistant 5 – Bob Reimer 12 – Herb Willson 19 – Brenda Neundorf 26 – Ed Sites

Acolyte 5 – Mandy Ruffing 12 – Rachel Motichak and Brenda Neundorf 19 – Jack Sacriponte 26 – Mandy Ruffing Head Usher 5 – Tim Hess 12 – John Cehlar 19 – Ed Ward 26 – Clark Buskey Ushers 5 – Debbie & Herb Willson and Recruits 12 – Rick & Cindy Luke and Recruits 19 – Bob & Susan Reimer and Recruits 26 – Karan & John Cehlar and Recruits Communion Bread 5 – Debbie Willson Counters Karan Cehlar; John Cehlar; Toni Marconi

Lutheran Marriage Encounter
ATTENTION MARRIED COUPLES: When is the last time the two of you did something to enrich and revitalize your marriage? Make 2017 the year you resolve to take time to spend a weekend learning how to make your marriage a more intimate, loving Christian union. Lutheran Marriage Encounter Weekends run from Friday night at 8:00 p.m. to Sunday at 3:00 p.m., and have been enriching marriages for over 40 years! There is a $100 per couple registration fee; plus toward the end of the weekend, you will be given an opportunity to make a confidential contribution toward the continuation of the program. Two nights lodging, 5 meals for each of you, and all supplies are included.

• 
  March 24-26, 2017 at Toftrees Golf Resort Conference Center – a peaceful resort nestled in 1500 wooden acres in State College, PA.
  
• 
  April 28-30, 2017 in Lancaster, PA, at the all newly renovated Heritage Hotel Lancaster, home of the unique tree-house inspired restaurant, “Loxley’s”.
  
• 
  September 15-17, 2017 at Spruce Lake Retreat Center, a new hotel-style facility on Spruce Lake in the heart of the Pocono Mountains in Canadensis, PA – an hour north of Allentown.
  
• 
  October 6-8, 2017 at the Black Swan Inn in Lee, Massachusetts. Nestled in the foothills of the Berkshire Mountains, a hidden gem overlooking Laurel Lake – an hour north of Hartford, CT.
  

To sign up on line, go to www.GodLovesMarriage.org and pay the $100 registration fee using your credit card, or take the option to mail in a check. For questions, or if you would like a brochure mailed to you, contact Fred & Julie Schamber at 724-325-3166 or email at [e-mail]. Registrations are limited, so act quickly to ensure that you can attend the weekend of your choice.


Luther Longears Has Heard…

…that the installation of 2017 Congregation Council & Officers will take place on Saturday & Sunday, January 7 & 8 during the worship services. Please pray for God’s love & guidance to these members who graciously made this commitment.

…that we thank Judy Sabolic, the Women of the ELCA, and everyone else that helped for the meaningful Thankoffering Services celebrated on November 12 & 13.

…that thanks go to Shirley Dickson and Cyndee Degelman for coordinating the Christmas card exchange this past December. This ministry is appreciated and so are your efforts.

…that the Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Services were a joy…the children arranged the Nativity scene at the altar after the birth story was told; the special music by the choir and Handbell Choir (magnificent), filled the church with melodic sounds; the poinsettias, candles, window decorations and luminaries that lined the sidewalk added such beauty…Joy…unto us!
...that we send thanks and our appreciation to Herb Willson and his committee for organizing the beautiful Hanging of the Greens service on Sunday, December 4. The service was beautiful, informative and inspiring. It was wonderful to continue this St. John’s tradition.
… that we should mark our calendars for the Shrove Tuesday dinner annually held at St. John’s. This year the dinner will be on Tuesday, February 28. Plans have not yet been finalized, so watch the bulletins for updates!
…that LLE (Luther Long Ears) thanks the Reimers for putting up the beautiful window and door decorations adorning our church for Christmas, to Ed Ward for putting up our lovely Christmas tree, and to Clark Buskey for hanging the wreath above the front door.

…that thanks go to everyone who ordered a Poinsettia to help decorate our church for the Christmas holiday. The Sanctuary looked beautiful! Thanks to our Altar Guild and others for their faithful time setting everything up and making our church look so lovely.

…that our thanks go to the Lundie Family for providing the luminaries on Christmas Eve. That glowing touch helped make the evening even more special!

…that thanks and appreciation is extended to Shirley Dickson and Norma Hutton who bought the goodies for the Christmas bags that were delivered to our shut-ins, and to the Women of the ELCA who filled them. These bags offer not only special treats, but warm thoughts this time of year!

…that Thank You! is extended to Debbie Willson who will assume the responsibilities of the position of Church Treasurer. We pray that God will guide you as you begin your new duties.
…that we are still collecting old ink & toner cartridges! Remember to save them and bring them in. They can be left on the Mission Central table in Miller Hall.
...that sincere thanks and appreciation is extended to everyone who served as greeters, ushers, counters, acolytes, hosts, and worship assistants this past year. Also to the Altar Guild members for preparing the altar for worship each weekend and to those who baked bread for communion when needed. More thanks are extended to Brenda Neundorf for changing the outdoor sign regularly so that the community sees fresh and inspiring messages that offer a welcome to St. John’s and the Christian faith. Without each of you, these important ministries of St. John’s would not have been possible.

…that St. John's thanks the Blasko family for the new plant that decorates our narthex, and to Nancy Cutler who transplanted it into a larger pot! It looks great!

…that the Epiphany Season begins January 6^th with the journey of the Magi, announcing God’s offer of salvation to all people and nations.
…that our annual Congregational Meeting is scheduled for January 29 after Sunday worship (a luncheon will precede the meeting, the meeting begins about 12:30 – 12:45 p.m.). Mark your calendar now and plan to be here.
…that the year-end financial statement of contributions to the congregation’s ministries and Building Fund contribution statements for 2016 will be mailed out during January. If you have any questions see Financial Secretary Joyce Tritsch who is responsible for the “regular” 2016 envelopes or Steve Grbach for the Building Fund.
…that Choir members are reminded that Choir rehearsal will resume on Thursday, January 12 at 7:30 p.m. The Handbell choir will resume practice on Monday, January 23 at 7:30 p.m.
…that the Finance Committee thanks the counters for 2016. The new schedule for 2017 is being prepared. If you are willing to serve in this ministry please contact Theresa Drye.
…that we give thanks for those who contributed food, money and their time for the community “MA’s Pantry” during the past year. We also give thanks for your contributions toward the “Christmas Turkey Fund”. Because you cared, it was a special holiday season for those in need in our area and they are all grateful. Please continue to give your support as it is needed. Thanks!
…that thanks are extended to all the members of St. John’s who helped to make this year’s “Giving Tree” project a success! Your generosity has helped to provide 45 presents and Christmas cheer for the children & adults assigned to St. John’s among the hundreds served by “MA’s Pantry.” Your Christmas gift giving makes a difference in many people’s lives. ‘Tis good!
…that thanks go to the December 31 carolers who sang to our local shut-ins. What a blessing to sing the joy of Jesus!

…that an Epiphany celebration will be held at Hope Lutheran Church in Forest Hills on January 6. The celebration will begin at 6:00 p.m. with Star Craft followed by the Taize Prayer for Epiphany at 7:00 p.m. There will be refreshments following the service.

…that MA’s Pantry Food Bank distribution times are January 7 & 21and February 4 & 18 (Saturdays) from 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. at Broadway Alliance Church in East McKeesport. Recipients need to be residents of East McKeesport or North Versailles; first time recipients need to provide photo ID, proof of residence, and proof of income to meet guidelines.
…that everyone enjoyed the chocolates from Dorothy’s Candies that were distributed on Christmas Eve. Thanks to Marti and Robert Gastel for continuing to indulge our collective sweet tooth!
…that the staff at St. John’s, Pastor Richard, Debra, Tim & Derek, wish all of you a Happy, Healthy & Joyous New Year!

Looking for Scoops!

Luther Longear

Staff & Congregation Council
Staff
Pastor...........................................................…...….........Richard W. Krug

Director of Music..................................………….……........Derek Schofield

Church Secretary..............................................................Debra Maurizi

Custodian.............................................……………..………….....……Tim Hess

Congregation Officers
President (ex-officio)..........................…..………………......Richard W. Krug

Officers for 2017, as well as committee representatives, will be

elected and appointed at the Council Planning Workshop on January 7 and installed the weekend of January 7-8
2017 Congregation Council

Theresa Drye Judy Jamison

Melissa Hess Jennifer Jones

Sarah Lundie Judi Rogers

Brenda Neundorf Sherie Cannin

Julie Sacriponte Herb Willson

Clark Buskey