The Messenger of Arndt’s Church - February, 2016

Arndt's Lutheran Church1851 Arndt Road, Easton, PA 18040

610-253-3732Email: arndts.lutheranchurch@rcn.com

Website: www.arndtslutheran.org

Regular Worship Services (9/13/15 thru 5/22/16): Saturday, 6:00 p.m. - Sunday, 8:15 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

Activities During February

Boy Scout Breakfast - Sunday, February 7th

As a thank you to the congregation of Arndt's, a free breakfast prepared and served by Troop 29 scouts and leaders will beheld on Sunday, February 7th. This year there will be two sittings, 8:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. Please use the sign-up sheet in the narthex to indicate what time you will be joining us for breakfast.

Workshop "Preparing for Long-Term Care" - Sunday, February 7th

Thrivent Financial representative Jim Siegfried will host a free, one-hour presentation about Long-Term Care on Sunday,February 7th, beginning at 12:00 noon, at the church. Learn how to prepare emotionally, physically and financially by developing a long-term care strategy now. Light lunch will be provided. Please RSVP at 610-258-8865.

Fastnacht Sale for Shrove Tuesday - Tuesday, February 9th

Preordered fastnachts may be picked up from 8:00 a.m. thru 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 9th.

Shrove Tuesday Service - Tuesday, February 9th

We will have a brief Shrove Tuesday service on Tuesday, February 9th, beginning at 7:00 pm. This service includes readings, prayers and burning of the palms.

Ash Wednesday Service - Wednesday, February 10th

We will begin the season of Lent with an Ash Wednesday Service on Wednesday, February 10th. This year there will be aservice at 11:00 a.m. (new time) and also a service at 7:00 p.m. Holy Communion will be celebrated at both services.

Midweek Lenten Service - Wednesday, February 17th

Arndt's will host the first Midweek Lenten Service on Wednesday, February 17th. A soup supper begins at 6:00 p.m., followed by worship at 7:00 p.m. A sign-up sheet is in the narthex for donations of soup, bread and desserts.

One-Day Women's Retreat - Saturday, February 27, 2016

A one-day Women's Retreat, "Embracing Our Stories" will be held on Saturday, February 27th, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at Arndt's. Pastor Lori Kochanski will lead us as we look at the book of Esther. Registration is $10 and includes a continental breakfast and light lunch. A free-will offering will be received for a local women's mission. Thereis a registration form included in this newsletter.

Annual Congregational Meeting - Sunday, February 28th

The second part of the Annual Congregational Meeting of Arndt's Lutheran Church will be held on Sunday, February 28, 2016, following the 10:30 a.m.worship service. At this meeting we will review the annual reports of the various groups and committees of the church. Please plan to attend this important meeting in the life of our congregation.

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The Pastor's Page

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,As Lent approaches we often think about fasting. We see Lent as a kind of invitation to

"fast". The "fast" that I think God wants us to observe is not nearly an abstention from excess,but more of a deliberate, dedicated campaign aimed at achieving justice for all God's children--young and old alike.

The children of Sunday School are currently doing their part for justice of others as theysave their extra dimes to donate to those less fortunate through a Lenten Calendar. The childrenwill be asked to tape a dime on each of the forty scales of the fish, which represents the fortydays of Lent. Through this project, money collected will be donated to the Backpack Palsproject, which offers nutritious meals and snacks to students over long holiday weekends fromschool. I'm sure many of the children who receive these backpacks go to school with thechildren from our Sunday School.

This is also an opportunity for God's "older children" to be part of, and to make adonation to, this project. Beginning on February 14th, the First Sunday in Lent, the "Fish"Lenten Calendars will be distributed to our Sunday School children and will also be availablefor congregation members to use as part of their Lenten devotional materials. Each time youtape a dime on your calendar, please remember the cross and the promise of justice for all.

Lenten Blessings,

Pastor Jean

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Arndt's Administrative Items

Interesting Items from Council

From the January Council Meeting:

+ Council elected new officers for the upcoming year. President: Bruce Sandt, Vice-President: Chris Johnsen, Secretary: Mike Haffner

+ Council discussed and approved helping with a meal at the Trinithy Soup Kitchen in August. + Council approved the use of rummage sale funds to pay for the upgraded electrical fixtures being

installed by Steve Bueker.+ Sunday School format will be changed to a "one-room schoolhouse" curriculum with a lead teacher

and an assistant teacher each week.+ Arndt's will celebrate their 190th anniversary with a dinner in September, 2016.

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December, 2015

Total Operating Income $16,433.61Total Operating Expenses $ 8,950.53

$ 7,483.08

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Second Sunday, Second Offering

The next Second Sunday, Second Offering collection will be received on Sunday, February 14, 2016, and willbenefit Suburban Emergency Medical Services, Inc. This non-profit community ambulance service providesemergency care and transportation services to the residents of Forks and Palmer Townships. We are happy to beable to support this life-saving service to our communities.

Altar Flowers or Food Box

Altar Flowers or Food Box. You choose! You may sponsor our weekly, traditional altar flower vases or afood box for $35. You may purchase your own food and bring it in to place on the altar or you may write acheck to the church and our volunteers will make the $35 purchase of food for you. Both sponsorships wouldinclude your personal dedication message. A new order form has been prepared for you to use--pleaseremember to indicate your choice (flowers or food) on the form.

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February Prayer Calendar

You are asked to pray for the member listed on each day of the month. All of the members of our churchfamily will be lifted in prayer many times throughout the year. Members are listed alphabetically. Ifsomeone is missed, please contact the secretary in the church office.

February 01 - Bill,Ann and Alyson BogariFebruary 02 - Adrian BachmanFebruary 03 - Rick and Elizabeth Booser, Eric, Kate, Kyle, EthanFebruary 04 - Marie BortzFebruary 05 - Mitchell BortzFebruary 06 - Jeff and Lisa Bowman, Ryan and BrendanFebruary 07 - Joanne BoyerFebruary 08 - Kevin, Emily and Lily BrettellFebruary 09 - Carole Brown and Daniel LehrFebruary 10 - James and TerriLynn BrownFebruary 11 - Marshall and Janie Brown, Emma, William and GracieFebruary 12 - Steve BuekerFebruary 13 - Jon and Kerry Castro, Mia and MeganFebruary 14 - Chuck and Karen Chapman, Kelsey and ConnorFebruary 15 - Michael and Jennifer Cleffi, Caitlin, Mackenzie and MadisonFebruary 16 - Alecia CoatesFebruary 17 - Benjamin and Kristie Smestad Courtright and ElinFebruary 18 - Angela Coxe and Steven BerkowitzFebruary 19 - Lou and Carol Ann CoxeFebruary 21 - Nancy Deutsch, Joe and AllisonFebruary 22 - Tim and Debbie DonbarFebruary 23 - William DonbarFebruary 24 - Janet and Sherry ExleyFebruary 25 - Heather and Joe Faust and OliviaFebruary 26 - Amanda and Jonas Feliciano, Jack and NolanFebruary 27 - Kurt and Bernice Flad, Katie and JackFebruary 28 - Kyle FladFebruary 29 - Randy and Kathy Fogel, Brandi and Krysta

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Church Activities

Children's Sunday School

Sunday School is held on Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m. for children 3 years of age through sixth grade.

Confirmation Class

The next confirmation class will be on Sunday, March 13th, from 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. A light supper is provided.

Open Arms Senior Connection

Open Arms meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. and welcomes all people from thecommunity to participate. Please bring a bag lunch if you will be staying over the lunch hour. For moreinformation on this program, please contact Karen Beverly at 610-252-2338.

Arndt's Stretch & Praise and Arndt's Bible Study

"Stretch and Praise", a gentle movement activity to help relax and de-stress, meets at 6:00 p.m on Tuesdays,prior to Bible Study time.

Bible Study meets at the church every Tuesday at 7:00 p.m., at the church.

Arndt's Preschool - February News

February will be a month of learning about how to share and care. We will give our friends valentines. Theshape for the month is a heart, the colors are red, pink and white like snow. We will learn about GeorgeWashington and Abraham Lincoln. We will watch out for the groundhog. P is for pajama day. The seniors willmake a book “All About Me”.We are accepting registrations for the upcoming school year 2016-2017. If you know of anyone who is lookingfor a preschool please tell them about our school. Open house will be held Thursday, March 3, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

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Mid-Week Lenten Worship

This Lenten season the congregations of Arndt’s, St. Andrew’s, Good Shepherd and St. Paul’s Third will jointogether for midweek Lenten worship entitled “The Lenten Road”. Join us for a simple supper of soup andbread at 6:00 p.m., followed by worship at 7:00 p.m. The midweek Lenten service schedule is as follows:

Date Church Preaching

February 17 Arndt's Pastor Chris Druckenmiller

February 24 St. Andrew's Pastor Mike Reist

March 2 St. Paul's Third Pastor Laura Csellak

March 9 Good Shepherd Pastor Jean Huber

March 16 Arndt’s "The Pew"

The offering collected each week will be donated to the St. Paul's Food Pantry.

Worship at Arndt's

Sunday, February 7, 2016 - Transfiguration of Our Lord - Holy Communion Witnesses to the glory of God in the face of Jesus will be unable to avoid reflecting that glory in the world. It was true for Moses. Itwas doubtless true for Peter, James and John. We pray that it will be true of all of us who see the glory of the Lord in the word and inthe supper and who are being "transformed into the same image" by the Spirit of God.

Wednesday, February 10, 2016 – Ash Wednesday - Holy CommunionLent begins wih a solemn call to fasting and repentance as we begin our journey to the baptismal waters of Easter. As we hear intoday's readings, now is the acceptable time to return to the Lord. During Lent the people of God will reflect on the meaning of theirbaptism into Christ's death and resurrection. The sign of ashes suggests our human mortality and frailty. What seems like an endingis really an invitation to make each day a new beginning, in which we are washed in God's mercy and forgiveness. With the cross onour brow, we long for the spiritual renewal that flows from the springtime Easter feast to come. Sunday, February 14, 2016 – First Sunday in Lent - Holy CommunionThese forty days called Lent are likek no other. It is our opportune time to return to the God who rescues; to receive the gifts of God'sgrace; to believe with the heart and confess with the mouth the wonder of God's love in Jesus; and to resist temptation at every turn.This is no small pilgrimage on which we have just embarked. It is a struggle Jesus knew. It is a struggle Jesus shafes. The nearnessof the Lord, in bread and wine, water and word, will uphold and sustain us. Sunday, February 21, 2016 – Second Sunday in Lent - Holy CommunionThough we sometimes doubt and often resist God's desire to protect and save us, our God persists. In holy baptism, God's peoplehave been called and gathered into a God-initiated relationship that will endure. Lent provides the church with a time and a traditionin which to seek the face of the Lord again. Lent provides another occasion to behold the God of our salvation in the faceof theBlessed One who "comes in the name of the Lord."

Sunday, February 28, 2016 – Third Sunday in Lent - Holy CommunionThe warnings are plentiful and blunt on the third Sunday in Lent. Lent is a season of repentance. Cut it out or get cut down! The warnings are accompaniedby God's invitation to attentiveness: "Incline your ear, and come to me; listen, so that you may live." Thelandowner's ultimatum is forestalled by the gardener's readiness to till the ground one more year. That is good news for all of us.Thanks be to God!

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Community Service

Hunger, Interfaith Food Pantry & the Peanut Butter ProJeCt

Safe Harbor Meals Provided by Arndt's

Safe Harbor Lunch - The next date for the Safe Harbor mac and cheese lunch will be Monday, February 8th.Safe Harbor Dinner - The next date for the Safe Harbor dinner meal is Thursday, February 25th.

Thank you to everyone who participates in this community ministry.

Backpack Project

Arndt's continues to collect individual packs of applesauce for the backpack project. Our goal is to provide thebest nutrition that we can, so we ask for the no added sugar applesauce. You may bring your donations to thechurch and place them in the box marked for the "Backpack Project". Thank you for your support of thisproject.

Looking Ahead - Save the Dates

Palm Sunday Breakfast and Service

Palm Sunday will be celebrated with one service on Sunday, March 20, beginning at 10:30 a.m. (no 8:15 servicethat day) and will include Holy Communion and the distribution of palms. Preceding the service there will be apotluck breakfast.

Health Screenings

Ruthann had no symptoms but an ultra sound of the thyroid detected irregularities which were later diagnosedas thyroid cancer. She was successfully treated and continues to be an active member of our congregation. Don had no symptoms when the ultra sound test detected major blockage in his carotid artery; surgery soonafter was successful and Don continues to enjoy life. Doctors do not routinely suggest this test since it is not covered by insurance without a symptom. Do your self,and those who love you, a favor by having your carotid arteries and thyroid checked on Easter Monday, March28th from 9 am to 7 pm. Walk ins are accepted as time permits. Or call 610 588 6618 to schedule yourappointment. The non invasive test is conducted by Ken Hansen of Stroke Screen Inc and still costs $30. Payment can bemade by cash, check or Flex card. The church offers this as a public service.

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Arndt’s AnnouncementsPlease submit any special information you may want to share with the rest of the congregation to the

"Arndt's Announcements” page of The Messenger.

Baptisms

On Sunday November 22, 2015, we welcomed John Matthew Moll, son of John and Stephanie (Johnsen) Moll, through the sacrament of Holy Baptism. John was born on July 4, 2015, at St. Luke's Hospital, and is the grandson of Chris andKeith Johnsen.

On Sunday, January 3, 2016, we welcomed Olivia Zepora Faust, daughter of Joseph and Heather (Hernandez) Faust,through the sacrament of Holy Baptism. Olivia was born on July 13, 2015, at Lehigh Valley Hospital, and is the granddaughter of Holly Hernandez.

On Sunday, January 3, 2016, we welcomed Emily Grace Flannigan, daughter of Kyle and Tracy Flannigan, throughthe sacrament of Holy Baptism. Emily was born on April 18, 2015, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and is the great-granddaughter of Arlene Merwarth.

Thank you to . . . .

The congregation for supporting the January Second Sunday, Second Offering. $52 was collected to support the ELCA Lutheran World Relief.

The congregation. With warmest thanks, grateful hearts, and deep appreciation for your thoughtfulness. Thank you so much for your generous donation to Mackenzie. Your support and prayers mean so much to us. We are very grateful forthis wonderful gift. Thank you again.

The Cleffi FamilyNote: A portion of the proceeds from the Golf Tournament was donated to The Cleffi family to help with the medical expenses duringMackenzie's leukemia treatments.

Thank you from . . . .

ProJeCt of Easton, Inc.'s Board of Directors, staff and all the people who benefit from our programs. Thank youfor your donation of various food items to the Interfaith Food Pantry. It is only through the generous support of ourcommunity that we are able to offer the services we provide to the public through the Interfaith Food Pantry and theASSIST program at no cost. Your support makes a difference to those in need.

Janice D. Komisor, Executive Director

2015 Easton Youth Cluster Christmas Project. Thank you for your participation and support of the Easton YouthCluster Christmas Shopping event on December 13th. It was a GREAT day! Almost 60 youth and adults from severalarea Lutheran churches were able to shop at Walmart, selecting the perfect gifts for 55 individuals, children and elderly, inour community. We all enjoyed fellowship and snacks while wrapping the gifts and everyone had a good time. Yourkindness and generosity are a true example of His love. Thank you again, for supporting this annual youth cluster event.

Janet Ward, Project Coordinator

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Easter Plant Order Form

Name_________________________________________________________________________________

Phone_________________________________________________________________________________

White Mums ______ $7.00 _______

Yellow Mums ______ $7.00 _______

Pink Mums ______ $7.00 _______

Red Tulips ______ $7.00 _______

Yellow Tulips ______ $7.00 _______

White Tulips ______ $7.00 _______

Pink Tulips ______ $7.00 _______

Lily ______ $7.50 _______

Daffodils (Regular) ______ $9.50 _______

Daffodils (Mini) ______ $7.50 _______

Total Paid _______

Make Checks Payable to “Jeri Leiendecker”

(Payment and orders due by Sunday, March 13)

Dedication for the Easter Sunday Bulletin (optional)

_________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________

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