Merry Christmas!

St. John’s Messenger

Volume 95, Issue 12 December 16, 2015

Dear St. John’s Church family and friends,

It is a gift to wish you all the joy and wonder of the Christmas season!

Jesus Christ has come – and is coming into our lives every single day. Whether you are gathering with family, friends, traveling, or staying home this Christmas or New Year’s ….whether you’re alone and content, whether you’re worried and lonely, whether you’re surrounded by happiness or sorrow…this is the season we celebrate our Lord with us, “Emmanuel.” The baby Jesus smiles this season into your face of joy OR tears – and is with you through all of the moments of all your days.

Thank you so much for your warm and loving welcome to St. John’s this year – and the love you show to Keith and me every day. Our family sends you Merry Christmas wishes and the blessings of a new and wondrous year in 2016.

We are so grateful and happy that the Lord sent us your way to do the work of Jesus together. God bless your part of the journey through this adventure we share.

See you in church!

Pastor Pat

“Glory to God in the highest!…”Luke 2:14a

What is God’s Mission at St. John’s?

We are called to serve Jesus Christ our Lord: By responding with love and compassion to human needs

Faithfully sharing the Gospel Working for peace

And growing in unity with all Christians

JOIN USThursday, December 24

Family Service with Communion6:30 p.m.

Candlelight Service with Communion10:00 p.m.

Festive holiday music will begin ½ hour prior to services

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS

The Church Office will be closed December 24, 25, 31 and January 1.

2015 FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS

As we approach the end of the year, please be reminded that if you want your financial contributions to be recorded on your “Contribution Statement” for calendar year 2015 they must be received by noon, December 31st. Any contributions received after December 31st will be credited in 2016.

ELVES HEAD BACK TO NORTH POLE

Once again our Christmas Bazaar is history. If you missed it, you will have to wait a whole year for that wonderful coconut cream pie and the great broccoli cheese soup!

Many thanks to everyone who donated baking and cooking ingredients and a special thank you to the kitchen staff who gave up a week of their time to bake cookies and pies for our sale.

Thank you to all who donated the great craft items, the wreath and arrangement makers and those who came to buy them.

And, a thank you to all who spent time as cashiers, wrappers, Santa helpers, the setter uppers and cleaner uppers. Last, but not least, a thanks to “Santa” who came to visit with the children.

Through our combined efforts we had a profit of more than $3600. This money will be divided between St. John’s, the Preschool; and the ELCA Refugee Initiative.

Birthright Tree donations may be dropped off at the church office on or before Dec. 20 or you may bring them to the Family Christmas Eve Service, Dec. 24th @6:30 p.m. to place at the altar. Please wrap donations in white tissue paper.

IT’S THAT TIME OF THE YEAR!

To All Committee Chairpersons

After the hustle and bustle of the holiday season winds down and as you sit back and relax a little, please remember that year end reports for our Annual Report are soon due. Please have a copy of your report to the Church Office by January 15th.

Your Mission Words Requested….What slogans for products do YOU recognize?

“It’s the real thing” “Built tough” “Mmm mmm good” “You’re in good hands”

If you’re like me, Coca-Cola, Ford, Campbell’s soup, and Allstate came right to mind.

We’re journeying to discover the mission God has given St. John’s by resurrecting our current mission statement and seeing if anything has changed over the years.So….we want YOUR help. What words come to your mind as you think about your congregation? What do you – and what might others in our community – think when you hear our name? We’d love for you to send a one-word description that says just that!

One day, we hope that St. John’s has its own slogan to define our mission for Jesus Christ….one where folks will immediately think “St. John’s” when they hear it.

So…. send in your word to the church (by email, by regular mail, or phone it in) and wait to see how things develop in our discussion and planning in 2016….and be sure to join us, too, in that process, when we begin!

INSTALLATION OFCOUNCIL MEMBERS

Council members will be installed on Sunday, January 10th, at both services.

Our annual congregation meeting will be held on January 31st during the 10:15 a.m. service.

Purpose of the meeting will be to briefly review our 2015 year and committee reports. Please plan to attend.

In case of inclement weather or not having a quorum, the meeting will be postponed by one week until a meeting will be able to be held.

Highlights

The following motions were made and passed at the December meeting, along with information regarding our heating:

that the name of the Memorial Funds be changed to Restricted Funds.

that at the end of the year all but $500 of the Funeral Luncheon Committee money be transferred to the General Fund.

that the pink envelope donations remain the same for next year.

that online banking and transfers with a maximum amount at one time of $5,000 be initiated in January.

To proceed with the outside lighting project.

Annual Congregation Meeting with Annual Reports will be January 31, 2016.

Information was reported that since the repairs last year to the heating system, the church has saved about $11,000.

CONTRIBUTION ANALYSIS FOR NOVEMBER 2015

Assigned Envelopes Weekly Range

240 No contributions0 .01-1.009 1.01-3.0012 3.01-5.0024 5.01-10.0015 10.01-15.007 15.01-20.0015 20.01-25.007 25.01-30.002 30.01-35.003 35.01-40.001 40.01-45.003 45.01-50.002 50.01-60.002 60.01-70.002 70.01-80.002 80.01-90.000 90.01-100.009 100.01-200.000 200.01-300.000 300.01-400.002 400.01-500.00

WEEKLY ENVELOPE OFFERINGNeeded to meet weekly budget of $3026

11/22/15 $2751.0011/29/15 $3228.0012/6/15 $2710.0012/13/15 $3493.00

THE MEANING OF EPIPHANYEpiphany, which comes from the Greek word epiphaneia, means “an appearance” or “a revealing.” Centuries ago, the church set aside January 6, the 12th day after Christmas, to mark the revealing of Jesus as Christ to the wise men, who were Gentiles. Jesus’ first followers were Jewish, so the revelation of the divine Christ to the non-Jewish magi reminds us that Jesus came to earth to save the whole world.

Symbols of Epiphany include light, a star, a crown (or three crowns) and a globe or stylized portrayal of the world. The color of Epiphany is green to symbolize life, growth, hope and eternity.

On the church calendar, the Epiphany season lasts until Ash Wednesday, which is determined by the date of Easter.

Cup of coffee, hot cocoa or sweet treat fundraiser

Social Ministry will be holding a fundraiser every Sunday in January. For a donation, you will be able to enjoy a cup of coffee or hot cocoa, or a chocolate sweet treat, prior to and following both church services. Proceeds will go towards the purchase of coffee seedlings and cocoa seedlings through Lutheran World Relief Gifts.

A healthy coffee farm is a constant state of motion. That’s because most coffee trees only produce good amounts of beans for seven to eight years. A farmer must plant new seedlings each year and remove old trees to create a successful crop. Help us buy coffee seedlings for farmers in Latin America, Asia, and Africa and support your favorite morning routine.

What’s not to love about chocolate? Especially when the sweet treats help farmers rise out of poverty. Enjoy one of our sweet treats and give farmers around the world access to valuable crops that change lives.

The cost of seedlings - Coffee seedlings - $75; Cocoa seedlings - $100. Help us provide a trade and an income to support their families.

Angels Among Us“When God wants to speak and deal with us,” said Martin Luther, “he does not avail himself of an angel but of parents, or the pastor, or of our neighbor.” Never underestimate how powerfully God can use you in the life of a child, a church member, a friend or a stranger.

The Hebrew word for angel also means “messenger.” You may be specially chosen to deliver to someone the message of God’s love or guidance. Listen intently for what God would have you share with others, then do so faithfully and caringly.

Pastor Pat Bill SueFrom the Staff and their families --Wishing

everyone a very blessed Christmas and happy New Year !!

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS

December 16 Psalm 119:105-112December 17 Matthew 26:36-45December 18 Romans 5:1-5December 19 Luke 12:22-34December 20 Romans 8:31-39December 21 John 20:24-29December 22 Luke 2:8-20December 23 Hebrews 2:1-11December 24 Luke 2:1-20December 25 1 John 4:7-12December 26 Acts 7:54-60December 27 John 3:1-21December 28 Matthew 2:13-18December 29 John 14:1-6December 30 Ephesians 2:1-10December 31 Psalm 145January 1 Luke 2:21-24January 2 John 1:1-18January 3 1 Peter 2:4-10

January 4 1 Corinthians 5:12-23January 5 John 6:32-39January 6 Matthew 2:1-12January 7 Esther 6:1-11 January 8 Revelation 1:4-8January 9 Colossians 4:12-13January 10 Nehemiah 8:1-6January 11 Hebrews 12:4-13January 12 Exodus 13:17-18January 13 Exodus 33:17-23January 14 1 Corinthians 2:6-10January 15 Genesis 2:1-7January 16 Revelation 2:8-11January 17 Matthew 8:23-27January 18 Matthew 16:13-18January 19 2 Peter 1:3-9January 20 Romans 12:9-13January 21 Hebrews 10-:19-25January 22 Galatians 5:16-23

Please keep in your prayers the family of Rev. Adrian J. Shearer who passed away December 1st.

MEMBERS: Dixie Wagner; Jane Ressler; Lee Bettleyon

PRAYER REQUEST: Dorothea Rauch; Mary Jane and Nelson Hoover; Ron Cameron; John Brown; Gearran James Graybill; Donald Zearfoss; Glovene Youngkin; Marti Row; Esther Persing; Don Propst; Gary and Rita Lenig; Karen Gerst; Joan Rebuck; Daniel Lyons; Beverly Windus; Betty Leitzel; Marlyn Deihl; Steve and Rose Brungard; Darvin Straub.

HOMEBOUND AND SPECIAL PRAYERS : Missy Williams; Carl Dunkelberger; William Wagner; Doug Manning; Millie Lennon Blyth; Nicholas Chiarkas; Else Mae Meehan; Catherine Broome; Peg Feaster; Sally Diehl; Sally Lewis; Kate Billman; Arlet Hummel; Diane Hoffman; Margaret Smith; Joanne Lynch; Lorraine Weaver; Judy Hoffman; Phyllis Gordon; Ruth Ramer; Nancy Hendricks; Fietta Osman; Helen Snyder; Mike Payne; Shirley Wolfe; Carol Diehl; Betty Yerg; Elaine Kohl; Robyn Snyder; Franklin Hoffman; Harold Billman; Tina Pontius; Jan Albertson; June Seebold; John Kistner; Margaret Rantz; Joshua Gordon; Harold Reid; Joyce Shearer; Connie Lahr; Steve Lahr; Zachery Baker; Carol Wilks; Jodi Graybill; Brittany Graybill.

Pray for our military

Logan Brouse; Colton Brouse; Kale Gallo; Wyatt Kohl, Joe Hampton

In memory ofmy parents and grandparents

ByBarbara Moyer

In memory ofCharles Richard Mertz

ByLisa, Olivia and Thomas

Tucker

In memory ofRev. Adrian J. Shearer

BySt. John’s Church CouncilSusquehannock Class of

1965Thomas and Rita AveryMerle and Lorrain SenftPhil and Nancy WineholtLarry and Beverly MillerJames and Carol Black

Larry, Lana and Mike MillerRichard and Dorothy

WolfordGeorge and Jean GroffMichael and Melanie

RennerRev. John and Susan Fenton

Richard H. SmeltzDavid and Brenda Herbert

Shearer and Fenton

Message from the Upper Susquehanna Synod

In Memoriam:  Rev. Adrian J. ShearerDecember 3, 2015 In sure and certain hope of the resurrection, we announce the death of The Rev. Adrian J. Shearer, retired pastor of the Upper Susquehanna Synod who most recently served as interim pastor of St.John, Leck Kill, and Zion, Herndon. Pastor Shearer was born on August 28, 1947, a son of the late Sterling C. and Velma M. (Albright) Shearer, Hanover, Pennsylvania.  He was a 1965 graduate of Susquehannock High School, Glen Rock, Pennsylvania; a 1967 graduate of York Junior College, York, Pennsylvania; a serviceman in the United States Navy where he served as a corpsman with the Marines during the Vietnam War 1966-1970; a 1974 graduate of York College, York, Pennsylvania; and a 1978 graduate of the Lutheran Theological Seminary, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. He was ordained by the Central Pennsylvania Synod, Lutheran Church in America, on June 11, 1978, at Susquehanna University.   He served the following parishes:  Holy Trinity, York Springs, PA, 1978-1984 Trinity, Sunbury, PA, 1984-2007 Interim Pastor of numerous local churches, 2007- present. In addition, Pastor Shearer served on the Synod Council; a member of the constitution committee when the Upper Susquehanna Synod formed in 1988; chairperson of the Constitution Committee for many years; and Evangelism Committee and Continuing Education Committee of the synod.   He also served on the Commission on Congregational Life; was treasurer of the Sunbury Hospital Chaplain program; a member of the Board of American Red Cross, Sunbury Chapter; Foreign Language Advisory Board of Shikellamy School District; United States Jaycees, Regular Division State Champion Speak Up; member of the Sunbury Ministerium; and the Central Susquehanna Valley Interfaith Council.    Pastor Shearer worked on the family farm, Brodbecks, Pennsylvania    from 1965-1966.  He retired on October 1, 2007. Pastor Shearer loved camping, latch hook, photography, cooking, canning, gardening (reflections of his life on the farm) and being the judge of elections.  His interest and love of music lead him toplay in a local band all of his adult life and with the Sunbury City Band for thirty-one years. He was married to the former Joyce Rohrbaugh Shearer, whom he married on August 31, 1968. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children: son, Eric M. & Julie A. Shearer, Northumberland,Pennsylvania; his daughter, Deborah J. Schultz, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania; grandchildren: George F., William F., and Laura F. Shearer; sisters, Vivian F. and Eric Roberts of Neudorf,Saskatchewan; Camillia K. and Steven Gantz of Glenville, Pennsylvania; and Pamela Shearer and Gus of Gerrardstown, West Virginia; two nieces, three nephews, and five great nieces andnephews.  Pastor Shearer was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Tanya Michelle Shearer, and his parents. The Rev. Adrian J. Shearer died on December 1, 2015.  Friends and family may call at St. John Lutheran Church, Third and Queen Streets, Northumberland, Pennsylvania, from 5:00 to 7:55 p.m.  A funeral service will follow at 8:00 p.m. with Bishop Robert Driesen, the Rev. Patricia Pittsnogle, the Rev. Richard Fangmann and the Rev. John Fenton (retired) officiating.  Clergy are invited to vest.  The color of the day is blue.  A graveside interment will be at the St. Jacob's Stone Church Cemetery, Glenn Rock, Pennsylvania on December 7, 2015. Expressions of sympathy can be sent to Mrs. Joyce Shearer and family, 415 Susquehanna Road, Northumberland, PA  17857.

January 1Elaine KohlJoAnn LynchJeffrey Mertz

January 2Julie BollingerJacki CunninghamDonald Ferguson, Jr.

January 3Brian AttingerKelly Seebold

January 4Gloria AumanNancy Miller

January 5Jane Ressler

January 6Lee MillerBrett MortonAndrew SealJeffrey Specht

January 7Janet BiddingerNathaniel Snyder

January 8Cassie Boyer

January 9Seth Shaffer

January 11Blair BahnerCarly BoyleJ. Thomas DodgeOwen Long

January 12Tara Wolfe-McCoach

January 13Rebecca Wagner

January 14Nickolas AumanSara (Lahr) Snyder

January 16Robert CrebsBrandon Paul

January 18Tyson BlyRobert LamparterCharles MertzGregory SealJudy Spector

January 19Patrick Guyer, IIJazmine London

January 20Edward CampbellTyler Williams

January 21Laurie Robinson

January 23Hunter BowersoxBrad CrebsTanner FeasterKathryn LyterMaryellen Paulhamus

January 24Bonnie AletaAmanda MullPatricia Rich

January 25Kanen Bucher

January 26Melissa WilliamsJohn SealMargaret Smith

January 27Robert Snyder, III

January 28Ruth ButrejHallie Wombacher

January 29Jeremy HoffmanRebecca Steiner

January 30Russell Haddon, Jr.

January 31Jena BogovichLisa Budd

Date Lector Greeters Communion

Assistants

Bread Ushers Crucifer Acolyte/Torch-bearer

SoundSystem

January 38:00 AM

Sue BillmanBill Troutman

Nancy Erdley

January 310:15 AM

Mike Erdley Mary & Greg Morton Nancy ErdleyMike Erdley

Nancy ErdleyDoug ManningFrank HoffmanGreg MortonTom Propst

Ian McAllister Eryn Swanger Trey Cunninhgam

January 108:00 AM

Brenda HerbertDavid Herbert

Mary Rogers

January 1010:15 AM

Diane Hoffman Maryann BerryBonnie Berry

Ginny ButlerTrish Long

Mary RogersLee MillerKen Reigle

Larry RedingtonTodd Deans

Madalynn Sawyer

Brayden Varney Bob Berry

January 178:00 AM

Pat PropstTom Propst

Lorraine Weaver

January 1710:15 AM

Betty Duncan Teresa & Lee Miller Rebekah AmermanBarb Moyer

Lorraine WeaverBob Berry

Bonnie BerryMaryann Berry

Mike McWilliams

Daniel Lehman CeceliaShellenberger

Mike Erdley

January 248:00 AM

Jamie FeasterSue Billman

Linda Bingaman

January 2410:15 AM

Caitlin Cunningham

Sharon & Mack Fleming

Caitlin CunninghamTrey Cunningham

Linda BingamanTrish Long

Ginny ButlerNancy ErdleyBarb Moyer

Madalynn Sawyer

Ian McAllister Lou VanGilder

January 318:00 AM

Sue BillmanBill Troutman

Mary Siemsen

January 3110:15 AM Dean Siemsen Pat & Tom Propst Dean Siemsen

Blaine ShafferMary Siemsen

Mike ErdleyGlen WeaverMack Fleming

Brian Cunningham

Hanna Long Daniel Lehman Rachel Anderson

January 2016

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday

Thursday Friday Saturday1 2

3Worship w/Comm. 8:00 a.m.Sunday School (PreK-6) 8:45 a.m.Sunday School 9:00 a.m.Worship w/Comm. 10:15 a.m.

4TOPS 5:15-6:15 p.m.Daisy/Brownies 6:00 p.m.Cub Scouts 7:00 p.m.

5Tulpehocken Conf. 9:00 a.m.Blood Drive 1-6:00 p.m.Boy Scouts 6:30 p.m.AA 8:00 p.m.

6 Epiphany

Girl Scouts 6:15-7:15 p.m.Bible Study 7:00 p.m.

7Wedding Rehearsal 7:00 p.m.Worship & Music 7:00 p.m.District Scout Mtg. 7:00 p.m.Al-anon 7:00 p.m.AA 8:00 p.m.

8Mutual Ministry 7:00 p.m.

9Wedding 1:00 p.m.Roush/Wigton

10Worship w/Comm. 8:00 a.m.Sunday School (PreK-6) 8:45 a.m.Sunday School 9:00 a.m.Worship w/Comm. 10:15 a.m.Installation of Council Members

11TOPS 5:15-6:15 p.m.Daisy/Brownies 6:00 p.m.Cub Scouts 7:00 p.m.Finance 7:00 p.m.

12Boy Scouts 6:30 p.m.AA 8:00 p.m.

13Girl Scouts 6:15-7:15 p.m.Council Meeting 7:00 p.m.

14Messenger deadline 3:00 p.m.Al-anon 7:00 p.m.AA 8:00 p.m.

15Annual Reports due

16Kathryn’s Kloset 9-11:00 a.m.

17Worship w/Comm. 8:00 a.m.Sunday School (PreK-6) 8:45 a.m.Sunday School 9:00 a.m.Worship w/Comm. 10:15 a.m.

18TOPS 5:15-6:15 p.m.Daisy/Brownies 6:00 p.m.Cub Scouts 7:00 p.m.WELCA 7:00 p.m.

19Boy Scouts 6:30 p.m.AA 8:00 p.m.

20Savidge Trust Meeting NoonGirl Scouts 6:15-7:15 p.m.Messenger folding 9:30 a.m.

21Scout Roundtable 7:00 p.m.Al-anon 7:00 p.m.AA 8:00 p.m.

22 23

24 Refugee Sunday

Worship w/Comm. 8:00 a.m.Sunday School (PreK-6) 8:45 a.m.Sunday School 9:00 a.m.Worship w/Comm. 10:15 a.m.

25TOPS 5:15-6:15 p.m.Daisy/Brownies 6:00 p.m.Cub Scouts 7:00 p.m.

26Boy Scouts 6:30 p.m.AA 8:00 p.m.

27Girl Scouts 6:15-7:15 p.m.

28Lighthouse Café 4:30-6:00 p.m.Al-anon 7:00 p.m.AA 8:00 p.m.

29 30

31Worship w/Comm. 8:00 a.m.Sunday School (PreK-6) 8:45 a.m.Sunday School 9:00 a.m.Worship w/Comm. 10:15 a.m.Congregation Annual Meeting

St. John’s Lutheran Church, 300 Queen Street, Northumberland, PA 17857Periodical postage paid at Northumberland, PA.POSTMASTER: Send address change to St. John’s Messenger, 300 Queen Street, Northumberland, PA 17857.

ST. JOHN’S MESSENGER December 16, 2015 Volume 95, Issue 12

St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church 570-473-3770 sjelc300@ptd.net

8:00 a.m. Worship Service with Communion8:45 a.m. Sunday School for Preschool-6th Grade

9:00 a.m. Sunday School 10:15 a.m. Worship Service with Communion

Church Office Hours Mon-Thurs 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Fri 8:30 a.m.-NoonRev. Patricia Pittsnogle, Pastor

Address Label

William J. Jacavage, Director of Music