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Beaver Lutheran Church

COMMENTARY

Vol. 30, No. 9 The Season After Pentecost September 2016

Sunday School — 9:00 a.m. www.beaverlutheranchurch.org Holy Communion — 10:15 a.m.

P.O. Box 167, Beaver Springs, PA 17812

Take Me Out to the Ball Game! On Saturday, August 13, more than

30 members of the Beaver Lutheran

family got together to enjoy an evening

of baseball, courtesy of the Youth Ac-

tivities Committee.

Folks met at the church at 4 p.m.

and then traveled to the Penn State Creamery where they en-

joyed an ice cream treat before going to Medlar Field to watch

the State College Spikes play the Staten Island Yankees.

The weather made

things touch and go for a

while, raining before the

game. However, after a 30

minute rain delay, the

game began without any

further rain and just an

occasional glimpse of

lightning in the distance.

The Spikes started off

with a 1-0 lead in the sec-

ond inning, and everyone

cheered as Nooky came

out to entertain. Unfortu-

nately, the Yankees tied the game in the top of the third inning and then went on to

score three in the fifth and one more time in the ninth. The Spikes tried to make a

comeback, scoring two times in the bottom of the ninth, but suffered a loss, 3-5.

Thank you to the Youth Activities Committee and its president, Bryon Beaver,

for making the arrangements for the outing.

More pictures of the Spikes game appear on Pages 2 and 3.

A LOOK INSIDE

Spikes Pictures ................ 2 & 3 Meals for Mustangs Day of Service Faith on First .......................... 4 Bishop Installation Council News Labor Day ............................... 5 Holy Baptism Altar Flowers Blanket Sunday Life After Loss ........................ 6 Dandelion Run Choir Opportunities ............... 7 Faith on First Who Says Heaven is Up Living Lutheran ...................... 8 Birthdays/Anniversaries Wedding Bells ........................ 9 Presiding Bishops Column ... 10 USS ARK .......................... 11-14 Calendar ............................... 15 Lay Assistants ....................... 16

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Meals for Mustangs begin again In partnership with West Snyder Elementary School and the Snyder County Coalition for Kids,

Meals for Mustangs begins its third school year of providing weekend take-home meals for stu-

dents in need. Since the program began, volunteers of Beaver Lutheran have gathered weekly on

Thursday mornings in our Food Pantry to help pack bags for the children. We will pack our first

bags on September 18at 9 a.m.

Meals for Mustangs is also proud to partner with West Snyder Rotary. Members of that organi-

zation gather on the third Tuesday at 6 p.m. to empty boxes, re-stock shelves, and pack bags for the

children. Our own All Saints (Endowment) Committee helps underwrite the cost of the food.

Candace Benner, West Snyder School Nurse, is the program’s director. If you know someone

who you feel would benefit from the program, encourage them to contact Mrs. Benner for an en-

rollment form. Over 30 families benefited from this program last year. A big thank you to everyone

who has helped this program, and remember, if you have extra plastic grocery bags, they would be

greatly appreciated!

Beaver Lutheran is proud to host its annual Day of Ser-

vice by partnering with Outreach, Inc. on Saturday, Octo-

ber 1 from 9 a.m. to noon. The goal of the event is to

package 20,000 meals to send to Meals for Mustangs and

other local food pantries. Older children and adults of all

ages will enjoy assembling meals of macaroni and cheese.

The meals are packaged, sealed, and distributed in order to

feed the hungry of our community.

Founded in 2004, Outreach was created when the found-

ers, Floyd Hammer and Kathy Hamilton, returned from a

trip to Tanzania where they experienced the death of many

children from hunger and related diseases. Partnering with

Iowa State University, they formulated nutritionally com-

plete pre-packaged meals at the low cost of 25 cents per

serving. These meals are widely accepted and well liked by

food banks and after school programs around the country.

Several Lutheran congregations of our synod have partici-

pated in meal packaging events. More information is avail-

able at www.outreachprogram.org.

Council President, Bobbi Leister, is looking for volun-

teers to help put together packages of macaroni and cheese.

Sixty people are needed to make the packaging a success.

We are looking for about 15 people from this church to

volunteer. Please let us know if you can help by signing up

on the sign-up sheet located on the bulletin board.

On Sunday, September 11 and September 18 we will be

taking a Love Offering to

help with the cost of the

meal packaging. The to-

tal cost will be $5,000.

Our goal is to raise $500

toward the effort. Other

organizations will be do-

nating money as well.

Day of Service

Beaver Lutheran T-Shirts!

Once again we are accepting orders for the popular

“God’s Work. Our Hands” yellow T-shirts with the

name of our church on the back. You are encour-

aged to wear these shirts (or another Beaver Luther-

an or Thrivent T-shirt) for our Day of Service on

Saturday, October 1. Cost for the T-shirts are $15

for adults and $10 for children (add $1 for each X

size above XL — sizes go up to XXXL). Order

deadline is Sunday, September 11. Order through

the church office.

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Your prayers and presence are requested on the eve of

Reformation Sunday, Saturday, October 29, 2016, at 1:30

p.m. for the service of installation for The Rev. Barbara

Jeanne Collins as Bishop of the Upper Susquehanna Syn-

od of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

The installation will take place at Zion Evangelical

Lutheran Church, 5th and Market Streets, Sunbury. A

time of fellowship and light refreshments will follow the

service downstairs in the social hall. Rostered leaders are

invited to vest and process. The color of the day is red.

Please RSVP no later than October 15 by calling the

Upper Susquehanna Synod Office at 570-524-9778 or by

emailing directly to: Brenda@uss-elca.org. Additional

parking is available in the city lot between 4th and 5tth

Streets and one block north on 5th Street.

You are Cordially Invited ...

Labor Day Office Hours The Church Office will be closed on Monday, September 5 in celebration of Labor

Day. The office will resume regular hours on Tuesday, September 6 at 9 a.m.

Wishing you a safe and happy holiday!

August Council Highlights The church council met on August 17 at 7 p.m. Highlights of that meeting include:

Plans continue for the “God’s Work. Our Hands” Day of Service to be held on Saturday, October 1 (see separate

newsletter announcement).

Pastor Nathan presented four focus areas of strategic planning to be discussed at a future council retreat.

The Treasurer’s Report as of August 17 indicated at current budget deficit of -$7,130.93, a nearly $3,000 increase

since the June 14 report, necessitating the use of borrowing against other funds within the general operating fund.

The Capital Equipment and Repair Fund had a positive balance of $4,533.94.

Full minutes of the meeting will be approved at the next meeting on Wednesday, September 14 at 7:30 p.m. Ap-

proved Minutes of all the meetings are available in the church office.

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Holy Baptism Next on All Saints Sunday Baptism is God’s free gift of eternal salvation for all and a gift we nurture in relation-

ship with the church. Because this gift is so rich and meaningful, all the baptisms we cel-

ebrate are preceded and followed by learning, conversation, and support from a sponsor.

The next opportunity for baptisms will be All Saints Sunday, November 6. Contact Pas-

tor Nathan if you would like to receive the sacrament of baptism for yourself or your

children. Baptisms are celebrated four times a year on Baptism of our Lord (early Janu-

ary), the annual Easter Vigil (late March-early April), Pentecost Sunday (mid May-early

June) and All Saints Sunday (early November).

Pantry Collection for September Each month, The Pantry operates under a budget. To help out, we are asking our congregation

to donate items to supplement the budget. For the month of September we will be collecting bak-

ing mixes such as cake and brownies plus icing.

Sundays available for Altar Flowers The altar flower chart still has a some empty spots that will need filled soon. Available are: Sep-

tember 4 and 25; October 16; November 13; and December 11.

We would like to thank WELCA for purchasing the altar flowers on open weeks.

Blanket Sunday will soon be here! Blanket Sunday will be here before we know it! Blanket Sunday is scheduled for Sunday,

October 2, so start collecting now!

WELCA and the Social Ministries Committee will be accepting donations of new or gently

used blankets for Lutheran World Relief that day.

Life After Loss Bereavement Group Coping with the loss of a loved one is never easy. That’s why Hospice of Evangelical and Commu-

nity Health and Wellness are offering a six-week bereavement group called “Life After Loss” Wednes-

days from 1-3 p.m., Sept. 14 through Oct. 19 at Hospice of Evangelical Office, 235 Hospital Drive,

Lewisburg. There is a $20 non-refundable fee (scholarships are available).

Learn coping techniques to deal with grief and loss. Anyone age 18 or older who has experienced the loss of a loved

one is invited to attend. It is recommended that your loss be longer than six months.

Pre-registration is requested by Sept. 9. Call 570-522-2157.

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Camp Mount Luther will hold its 15th annual Dande-

lion Run Labor Day Weekend, Saturday, September 3.

The 5 and 10K trail run event is an entry-level trail race

on Mount Luther grounds with proceeds going to the

camp.

Start time is 9 a.m. Age group awards will be pre-

sented . Registration opens at 7:30 a.m. on race day. A

kid’s Fun Run and 1-mile fun walk will also be held.

Registration is $25 for the 5 and 10K trail run, $1 for

the kid’s Fun Run; and the same registration and amen-

ities apply for the fun walk which will take place on a

dirt road. Awards will be given and the awards ceremo-

ny will take place following the race.

Contact Joel Heasley at 570-765-0267 for more in-

formation or to register.

Dandelion Run

Choir Opportunities This Fall at Beaver Lutheran This fall, children and adults have the opportunity to add their voice to one of Beaver’s choirs. Singing in the choir is

not only good for the body; it is good for the soul. Consider it a weekly opportunity to sing and be nourished in your

faith for the week.

September 14:

Regular Parish Choir Rehearsals Resume

Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.

All are welcome, high school students through adult! We sing a variety of musical styles and lead the congregation

in weekly worship. If you have ever considered singing in a choir, it’s never too late to jump in and give it a try. See Jen-

nifer Baker-Trinity for more information.

September 18:

St. Nicholas Choir Rehearsals Resume

Sundays following worship St. Nicholas Choir is open to children beginning Kindergarten through middle school. These rehearsals are 30

minutes and will be centered this year on the theme, “All God’s Children Sing!” The children lead worship approximate-

ly once a month. They also regularly sing for our homebound members. See Jennifer Baker-Trinity or Renee Beaver for

more information.

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Faith on First begins

September 11 Our monthly education ministry with pre-school and elementary-aged children

returns this month on Sunday, September 11 following worship. Called “Faith on

First,” it usually meets on the first Sunday of each month (or the second if the first

weekend is a holiday or special event). Children and their families will gather for a

meal followed by various learning, craft, and music stations. We will conclude our

time together by 2 p.m. Please contact Pastor Nathan if you would like to partici-

pate.

Who Says Heaven Is Up? Many Christians struggle to reconcile scientific knowledge of the universe and the words

and stories of the Bible. Rather than lead to inevitable conflict, however, today’s science has

much to affirm about faith in a modern world. Written by contemporary Presbyterian pastor

Daniel Wolpert, The Collapse of the Three Story Universe: Christianity in an Age of Science is

a short book that both challenges and ultimately affirms our Biblical faith.

Pastor Nathan is leading a discussion and study of this book during the education hour in

September. The book costs $10 and is available through Amazon. All are invited to partici-

pate in the conversation whether or not they read the book.

Latest Issue of ‘Living Lutheran’ is Available

The August issue of Living Lutheran is available. You may pick up a free copy from

the devotional table in the narthex. This month’s cover story features Joshua Jerome in

the “I’m a Lutheran” monthly column.

Joshua is a Special Olympian from Grand Forks, N.D. who competed in the 2015

World Games in track where he won the gold medal in the 4x400 relay, the 2010 and

2014 National Games in soccer receiving the bronze medal both times; and was gold

medalist in alpine skiing in the 2015 World Games.

Please feel free to take a copy for yourself and share it with others!

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September Birthdays & Anniversaries Those celebrating Septembers birthdays are:

Jason Klose, Sept. 1

Adrienne Hetrick, Sept. 3

Matthew Keefer, Sept. 5

Wayne McCardle, Sept. 6

Jack Kaufman, Sept. 9

Dale Haines, Sept. 10

Beverly Frye and James Kuhns, Sept. 12

Gregory Norman, Sept. 13

Linda Fisher, Sept. 15

Jill Hawkins, Sept. 16

Colin Erb and Penelope Plummer, Sept. 20

Jodi Norman, Sept. 22

Linda Cole and Kathy Haines, Sept. 24

Jeremy Wray, Sept. 26

Derek Bishop, Sept. 29

Those celebrating wedding anniversaries

are:

Andrew & Stephanie Plummer, Sept. 7

Christine & Ryan Bruner, Sept. 27

Wedding Bells Ring Twice in the Wagner Household!

Dave and Lisa Wagner had a very hectic summer. Both of their children were married

within three weeks of each other!

Daughter Emilee married Barrett Shaffer of Mt. Pleasant Mills on Saturday, July 23

at Sweet Water Farm in Millerstown. Barrett is the

son of Ron and Denise Shaffer of Mt. Pleasant

Mills.

Son Jerry was married Saturday, August 13 at St.

John’s Lutheran Church in Lewistown to Stephanie

Yetter. Stephanie is the daughter of Jeff and Kris

Yetter of Thompsontown.

We wish the

newlyweds

God’s blessings

for a long and

happy marriage.

Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Wagner

Mr. & Mrs. Barrett Shaffer