FALL NEWSLETTER
2012
Association of Lutheran Friends Annual Luther Day Dinner To be held at the Melting Pot on Sunday, November 11, 2012 at 2 pm The call is out for all those who share in the great Lutheran Heritage, to come and celebrate together the birthday of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther and all that the Lord did through him. We are looking forward to a wonderful and unique program this year! We are asking for Lutheran artists to show and share about their art and how their faith influences them in their work. (Please pass the word on to any artist you know who might like to share their work with the assembly! Call 343-9828 for more information.)
This year we will be awarding the William T. Schmidt Award for Service to the Church and Community to Roger and Jane Borchin of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Scranton (first time to a couple!) As well this year A.L.F. is instituting a Young Person’s William T. Schmidt Award (for Lutheran youth between 12 and 18 years old.) The first of these awards will be given to Sarah Walker (pictured le#), from St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Wilkes Barre. We are very excited for these recipients! Please call Audrey Russell at 947-7132 for tickets.
UPCOMING CORPORATE DINNER MEETING Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012 6pm dinner 7pm meeting The meeting will be held at Friendly’s Restaurant on the O’Neil Highway, Dunmore. All members of A.L.F. are urged to attend!
A.L.F. SPONSORED MISSION EXPERIENCE WITH LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF It was a wonderful time of sharing and learning as a team of six took two days in July to participate in the A.L.F. sponsored “LWR Mission Experience” trip to Baltimore, MD. This annual trip has been running for close to 10 years now in a variety of ways and it has the aim of contributing to and learning about the work of Lutheran World Relief. LWR is one of the organizations that A.L.F. likes to support because it is pan-Lutheran and is highly regarded for its relief work around the world. On July 5th the participants left by van in the early morning and arrived at the LWR intake, processing, and shipping warehouse in a small town about 45 minutes away from Baltimore. At this warehouse they volunteered the day by helping sort and package Health Kits to be shipped around the world. After spending the night at the lovely conference center there they drove to Baltimore Inner Harbor where they experienced a wonderful tour of the LWR headquarters and heard a detailed explanation of all that they do. They spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying the city sights on their own before returning to Scranton. A beautiful time indeed! Please join us next year!
Above are pictured members of the team as they worked hard to process and pack the health kits that are sent in by churches across the nation.
Check out our web page: www.associationoflutheranfriends.org
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FALL NEWSLETTER Richard Hames (1933-2012)
Richard (“Dick”) Hames, instrumental in the formation of A.L.F., and its President for many years, passed away April 1st. A memorial service was held at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church April 10th. He is fondly remembered and will be missed by all who knew him. Reformation Service to be held at Peace Lutheran Church, Scranton, October 28th
LCMS congregations are working together to celebrate the Reformation on this special day at 7pm. Rev. Anthony Mandile will serve as liturgist and Rev. Bode will preach the Word of God. As well, a substantial musical presentation will be directed by Mrs. Jill Trapane, music director at Peace Lutheran Church. There will be a string ensemble, brass and a fabulous choir presentation. New President for A.L.F.
Last year Mr. George Price was eager to take on the presidency of The Association of Lutheran Friends. Unfortunately he and his wife moved to Delaware! So at the last board meeting early October, it was moved and seconded that Mr. Charles Mercer become our new President. Mr. Mercer has been an active member of A.L.F. for many years. Luther and the Jews Presentation held October 14th at 3pm
Dr. Manfred Bahmann made a presentation on Luther and his relations and writings concerning the Jewish nation. It was held at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Scranton, and there was a small donation for the dinner that followed. Look for more information on his next lecture on Bonhoeffer’s views on the Jews! Summer Activities at Ransom Valley Lutheran Church
The annual Memorial Service was held in June. The usual very happy
2012 luncheon at Colarusso’s Restaurant in Clarks Summit was well received. The service was led by Rev. Wagaman. The August gathering at Ransom was highlighted by a service of praise with a focus on creation, led by Rev. Bjornstad. The picnic was fabulous as usual, hosted by Audrey Russell! We are looking forward to the activities next year! Records of Ransom Lutheran Church and Cemetery obtained
George Price, in his short term as President of A.L.F., was fortunate to be given a photocopy of the cemetery records of the Ransom church. The following is an interesting excerpt: “In the history of Luzerne, Lackawanna and Wyoming Counties published in 1880 mention is made of the first burial [in the cemetery] being Conrad Shafer a soldier of the Revolution who died in 1846; also that the church was built in 1845 and dedicated in 1847 during the pastorate of Rev. John Lescher, denomination Lutheran. The pulpit was supplied at times by ministers from other places, among them Rev. N.G. Parke of Pittston (Presbyterian) From 1847 to 1909 services were conducted by the pastors of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, Wood St., Pittston. They came during the months of warm weather every three weeks or so. It was looked upon as a mission of the Lutheran Conference and every six months at the conference meeting the minister reported on the membership, numbers of services held, etc., until the report was no longer called for, presumably as catechism classes were no longer conducted or new members admitted. A Union Sunday or church school was also held in the church among the superintendents being Levi Dorshimer, D.M. Huthmaker and P.K. Richards. It appears that the church was never chartered, or at least the charter was never recorded.”
Check out our web page: www.associationoflutheranfriends.org
MARTIN LUTHER QUOTE:
“I cannot choose but adhere to the word of God, which has possession of my conscience; nor can I possibly, nor wi' I even make any recantation, since it is neither safe nor honest to act contrary to conscience! Here I stand; I cannot do otherwise, so help me God! Amen.” ― Martin Luther THE STATED MISSION OF THE ASSOCIATION OF LUTHERAN FRIENDS The Association of Lutheran Friends, a not-for-profit Pennsylvania corporation, provides a forum for cooperation in social ministry, education, and social fellowship involving Lutherans living in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Further, the Association of Lutheran Friends shall strive to stimulate community awareness among its members; and shall foster service to the Church and community at large. Further, the Association of Lutheran Friends shall strive to improve the quality of life for all persons; regardless of race, color, creed, sex, or national origin.
THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE ASSOCIATION OF LUTHERAN FRIENDS... The corporate membership of the Association of Lutheran Friends, is comprised of Lutheran individuals who, by their adherence to the Christian faith and their Lutheran heritage, strongly believe in extending their personal and collective ministry to the community at large. The annual contribution for voting membership is ten dollars.
PLEASE SEND IN YOUR NAME, ADDRESS AND 2011 ($10) MEMBERSHIP DUES TO: Audrey Russell 518 Florin St. Scranton PA 18509-1010
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