Sjsp news j f m 15

St.

John/St. Paul Lutheran Church

January, February & March

20L5

Messenger

Rev. Rlchard R. Gordon, Pastor Ann Stteha6ky, Office Secretary

FROM THE PASTOR

My Dear Friends in Christ, My prayer is that we ALL have a happy and blessed new year. My further prayer is that zo1.swill bring to us not only the surprise of god's grace, but also the surprise of God revealing a new call on our lives together as St. John/St. Paul Lutheran Church. For this to happen we need to open ourselves to surprise and newness. This is exactly what St. Paul means when he writes, "So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!" (ll Cor. 5ta7) My prayer is also that the NewYear will bring our "new creation in Christ.

Advent and Christmas zot4was both joyful and bittersweet. lthank all who helped with "The Prince of Peace Pantry" food give away on the Saturdays of December. Ann Streharsky did a remarkable job organizing these events and many of you volunteered. lt was a great effort and I am very thankful. Christmas Eve Worship was a wonderful experience (again)! The music, sights, candlelight and crowd were all blessings. Yes, there were tears, but the truth is we sang 'Joy to the World" and meant every verse' May we continue to grasp and share the Christmas "peace on eafth, goodwill to all."

In the midst of the Advent-Christmas Season your SJSP Council passed a resolution from the SJSP Futures

Committee to enter into an exploration of a possible

Mission Staternent St. John/St. Paul Lutheran Church is a community of Christians bound together in joy and thanksgiving by God's saving grace in Jesus Christ.

Our mission is to grotv in faith, love, anil obedience to God as we ate emporvered through the Word and Sacraments by the HoIy Spirit.

To carry out

.

this mission,

rve:

NurtuLe one another in the Faith,

.

Evangelize all people,

.

Worship God, and

.

Serve those in need.

lnside this issue:

Pastor's Report

1-3

Pastor Hansen

4

Lent lnformation

5-6

GETTING TO KNOW EACH OTHER

News to the Pews Prince of Peace

Pantry Pledge Form Easter Flowers

Order Form

5-6 7

8 o

10

Birthdays

LI

Anniversaries

lI

Calendars

t2-14

Schedules

15

I

Page2

merger with Faith Lutheran Church in Fairlawn. At this point the key words are "exploration" and "possible." This should NOT be perceived as something already decided or as the proverbial "done deal." The pastors involved are referring to this immediate process as "dating."

We are entering into this "exploration" with Faith as a result of very hard, prayerful and faithful discussion involving Council and the Futures Committee. The members of these committees are the very folks you sit next to in worship, the ones you pray with on Sunday morning, the brothers and sisters with whom you share the very body and blood of Jesus Christ. They are serving you and trying their very best to do the right things for you and by you. Their commitment and dedication in this task should not be doubted. They both need and deserve your prayers, support and encouragement. A little "thank you" is also in order.

this because it seems that difficult decisions by leaders often give rise to miss-conceptions. The Church is not immune. When we hear or have to deaf with situations and strategies that we wish we did not have to hear or deal with, we often are tempted to try and find fault and someone to blame. But yout present leaders are doing a tremendous job and service for SJSP. I know that and I see that. They (and we) are not perfect. In the midst of the kind of issues we are dealing with there will be mistakes, oversights, misunderstandings and miss-communication. But, we are a Christian congregation and that means we are lead with forgiveness and to think the best of others as our first step. This is good advice for all of zor5.

I say

also want to ask all of us at SJSP to sincerely enter into the "exploration" and "possibility" phase of our relationship with Faith. Your leaders have heard the suggestion that we just survey our members now concerning their (your) willingness to merge or unite with Faith. But, how can any of us make an informed decision without getting to know the folks at Faith and learn about what could be our possibilities for mission with them. ljust cannot help but think of and lift up St. Paul's most insightful words, "lFOlR NOW \\|E SIEE lN A N4NRROR DNN4LY" ts[JT TNtrN WE WM,L SEE FACE ]IC ]FACE" NOW n KNCW ONLY lN PAIRT: THEN n Wm,L KNOW FULLY" I

EVEN AS ]i HAV]E ]EEEN ]FIJtLY KNOWN""

(r cor. :.3:r:) The point is that we can only "see dimly" at this point and we need to allow God to bring us together "face to face" so that we can make the right decisions. In this newsletter we share several upcoming events bringing SJSP and Faith together "face to face." We really need and request your sincere involvement with us and for us. Let us too remember the next words that St. Paul writes, "L]ET FAITH, ]HOP]E, AN]D LOVE A]END]E, T]FMSE TF]IREE;AND TFlm GREAIUEST OF TFlIESE lts LOVIE." (r cor. r3:r3) Now, selling our building is not the end of SJSP. We are not closing the book on our family of faith. Our goal is to turn another page to begin a new chapter of OUR story together. The end of SJSP will happen only if all of us disperse and go in our separate ways.You know that this is the truth, We all still have the opportunity to make our personal and communal decisions to be THE CHURCH TOGETHER. Do we write "the end" or the next chapter?

I

conclude with my favorite passdgâ‚Ź,

"So, if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth ., for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in g|ory." (col. 3:1-4) May God Bless and Keep Us Together, Pr. Rick

Page

4

Pastor Jean M. Hansen Faith Lutheran Church-Fairlawn fiS tor's

nd erffi*S

rr

2or4 was an exciting year, whi-ch it

was, then 20L5 may well give it some nnmnaJ-ifinn ! Just as we are getting the renovated organ, the accustomed to our new ministrY tool-s fug\-rrrrvf narz in the Fellowship Hal1 and the building u_yY vy J rrncrrecles ^^h^^l on qa rrneW venture. ^*1^--kincr vrr We cr-LC EltLL.,clr-r;JrrY addition ur

vvllryv

urvrr

The discussion with St. ,lohn/St. Pauf Lutheran Church in Akron concerning a possibl-e merger i-s in process. Pl-ans are being mad"e for our congregations' leadership and members t.o meel one another and begin considering the ministry opportunities that r-^nr^rreei:f i onS could marcri ncr rlr'lr vvtr:r!vYsvfv vu!

IttErvJIrY

create.

are I befieve t.hose opportunities, although yet to be tu.r..t"l, astounding. As a merged congregation we will be able to touch lives wit.h the love of Jesus in ways that would have been impossible on our own-

As we begin to "date"

is a humorous, but descriPtive it will be absolutelY essential

which

way to define the Process wifh ]-he u' vv! urr po. I LIIEJ-Dlrf,y that we view this oPPortunit.Y d> d- h-r+-na-shin oj-ve-and-take thaL' s necessary to make a partnershiP work.

And, it will be vital that the people of Faith Lutheran church understand. what our sisters and brothers 1n Christ at St. John/ St. Paul are giving uP, and offer compassionate support and anlrrer:i af i on f or their desire t.o continue in mini-stry in a new svv!

way

-

yes, 2OI4 was a year f or the books be written !

but j-n 2075 a new one

may

Page 5

GETTING TO KNOW EACH OTHER EVENTS WITH FAITH LUTHERAN

Ash Wednesday - February 18 Worship at FLC (Faith Lutheran Church) ; 12:15pm and 7: OOpm Pastor Rick Gordon will be the nr^anhar y!

9uvrrv!

.

Lenten Series at FLC and St. Hilary Cathol- j-c Church, ..HOW TO BE A NEIGHBOR. " 2015 Lenten Series Program

Faith Lutheran and St. Hilary Catholic Churches Theme: "Who Is Mv Neighbor?"

1

00-6 Aq 45-1 00 00-7 30

1

30-B

6 o

Come

pm pm pm 30 pm

Meal CIean-Up F-,rren i no Prarzer Speaker

for a portion or all of the evening

!

#1 - February 25 (at St. HilarY) "Living in Covenant"

r

Speakers: Pastor Robert Springer, ELCA, NE Ohio Synod;

Ecumenical and Tnterfaith Representative

Sauline, D. Min., Administrator of Child Protection; Consultant for Religious Ed, Catholic Diocese of Youngstown.

ExpToring how Lutherans and Catholics, incLuding Eaith Lutheran and St. HiTaryts, are neighbors in faith.

Tom

#2 - March 4 (at Faith Lutheran) rrOne in Fourfr Speakers: Leslie Powlette Stoyer and Ron Rett of NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), Summit County Being neighbor to the 258 of our population who are diagnosed with mental iJ'J.ness.

#3 - March 11 (at St. Hilary) " Immigrant Neighbors in Our Community" Speaker: Sr. Rita Mary Harwood, S.N.D., Secretariat for Parish Life and Development, Diocese of CleveIand.

Being neighbor to the undoc.urnented, especiaTTy the unacconE)anied chiTdren and young mothers who have crossed our borders and are Tiving in our conlnunities.

Page 6

#4 - March LB (at Faith Lutheran) t'Getting to Know Our Muslim Neighbors in Challenging Times' speaker: Dr. fhsan ul-Haque, M.D., past president and member of Board of Trustees, rslamic Society of Akron and Kent, cardiofogist at Summa Barberton Hospital.

Being neighbor to our Muslim brother.s and. sister;s through an increased understanding and. ac,ceptanee of the J,sJ,am',c faith.

SUNDAY, l"lARCH 22 , 3pm COMBINED CHOTR AND MUSTC CONCERT

AT

SJSP

This will be a sunday afternoon event. of music with q an.a r: a and combined, The Acid cats, the FLC praise Band and solos etc Fellowship and Refreshments to fol_1ow v vl/u!

Friday - Apri1 7:00pm at SJSP

Good

u Juv

3

Good Friday

Easter Sunday

9:3o

AM - Tradi{iona[ ragt'e, norghip and

Ho[y Counununion wi{h gJgp Choir 1o:3o AM - Eagfer Break{a9{

Let us all prepare to proclaim our Lord.'s resurrection I We want to encouraqe afl- to invite family, friend.s, colleagues an4 nairrhhnrq +-1 join wlth us in the celebrati-on of Easter. We are u\ not to be church members; we are call-ed by Christ to be disciples ! so, please invite and encourage folks to ioin us on Easter for breakfast and worship.

SUNDAY

2:OOpm

B-^F'--H

- Apri]. 19 at FLC, *SPEED

DATfNG-

Page 7

Day of Service 8:30-12:30 pm, April 25 Meet at Faith Lutheran for breakfast and sending prayers. During Lent individuals choose a serving focation. Options are being developed, but probably will

incfude:

Habitat for Humanity (adult and youth options) Akron-Canton Eoodbank Haven of Rest E-Waste Coll-ection at St. Hilarv Ozanam Center Hospitality at Faith (breakfast) Habitat for Humanity Hospitality (making and del-ivering lunches) Letter Writing and Card Making OPEN M OASIS

Institute

International

Keen Akron Rearrtifuf r!vvv

r

NEWS

Funds

that are colfected thru the

TO THE

afforind ulrurf

11u u! ^r

PEU'IS

hr' uy

l lrrarr -r'i

/fhrtr \ Llr!u

+-].'o urr!

affina\ v!!rvv/

uli ,,+a+ll

l-ra uv

r-h:ritics-

such recorded on vorrr oi vino sf atement . Firnds crirzen direr:tIv fo ofher as Lhe WELCA Th:nkoffori ncr- OASIS or Pastor's Discretionary Fund wil-l- not be rrnrrr ci rri na oql_Ld:+^m^h+ LclllUll L si-nce those funds are not counted and t included on yvur Vr v rrry 'i rlanaqi J- orl n our Generaf Fund. If you have questions, please call Carol Whidden, (3?n) 923-5338 Thank you for all your contributions over the past vlve,

L v L L LLY

Tv^^^:1e^r a!eaJu!e!

-+ dL

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A CHILI

LUNCHEON

will

be held followino worshin nn SII\TnAY 9vL\ULll

JANUARY

25.

We ask

@k"'"tomakeapotofyourVerybestandbringittoshare.We yvu ultJra rl want to have monthlv qatherings for us to be together and share information. '

qrf

Minisf rv wi lI nrorzidcs t'rerrer:nes- hra:d end Turns. BE BOLD AND JOIN US FOR CHILI AND FELLOWSHIP. There will be no GPS service on this dav.

'l ha

tsaIlal^7qntn

eYve

f

The 2015 Congregational Budgret Meetingr wilf be held Sunday, February 15th fn'l 'l nt.r.i nn f l.ra Q. ?flrm r"rarqh.i ^ ServiCe. There will be nO GPS that day. We af

SO

woufd l-ike to hold our monthly gathering that day so pfease bring a breakfast casserol-e to share. Drinks will be provided.

A Property Disposition Committee is being formed and are need of some male nrrt i ci nant. . p.l-ease contact Sue Harman (330-882-9352) or Pastor Rick if you woui-d be willing to serve.

Yes! the Ranger said camping! Can you believe we've reached out 40th year? Goodness, Richard Nixon was president! Well, we did have to change the date because when we checked, the date we 1st wanted was taken. So, the new dates in June are the l.gth -21th at West Branch. More in the cominq weeks/months but set those dates aside.

CAI4PING:

Flninrz oaf f ao :nri n:q]- ri oq af OUf COntinental BreakfaSt eaCh SUnday lvlOrning at 10:30am in the Firestone Park Lounge. Thanks to all- who help serve and cleanup

This event is funded by donations of generous vol-unteers and the Endowment Fund. We look forward to seeing you next Sunday! If you woul-d like to host a Sunday, p.Iease use the signup sheet on the bu-Lletin board in the narthex by the front entrance.

Page 8

Prince otPeace Pqntry r wEnted to thanK each and every perton who came out to help this Advent for our Prince ot Peace Pantry. To everyone who brought Food, and, those oFyou that helped Fill bags, r was 5o worried thEt after our First weeK when only a hEndFuJ of community PeoPie showed up that iess and less oF youwould,show up the Foliowing Saturdays. But r was 50 wrong. You not only came out each Saturday but tooK bags to those who could not get here. We were also able to help PCS Feed some of the;r Families We were able to do so much wtth our "Five Joaves and two tjrh". rn totEl we were able to give Loo bags of Food away. Below are a Few highlights.

THANK YOU Ann StreharsKy

Page 9

Some

qP#

sP ri

(9

PLEDOE FoRttA NAME

ADDREss

CTTY

ZTP

STATE

PHONE

#

AMOUNT

WEEKLY

$

MONTHLY

YEARLY

Page 10

grder a 1i1y, tulip, hyacinth or daffodils to help decorate the sanctuary and alter this Easter. Fill out this form and place it in the offering plate, br-ing it to the church office, or mail it to the church offiie. Checks should be made out to St. lohnlSt' Paul Lutheran Church and mark "EASTER" on the memo line. All orders must be placed by Monday. March 30th. You will be able to pick up your

after servi ce on Apri I 5 , 201-5 .

Li I i es @ 9.00 each. woul d l'ike to order Tulips @ $8.00 each. would like to order Hyacinths @ $8.00 each' would like to order Daffodils @ $8.00 each would like to order Please check one of the following and print c1ear1y.

fl

owers

(PleasekeeptexttoaminimumaSSpaceislimited i n memory of i

n honor of

tot he Glory of

God

Env.

Given by Telephone #

Amount

enclosed-

Page 11

Birthdays I/8

Redington,Jennifer 1,/11- Trunko, Emily 1,/12 Mowen, Benjamin t/14 Futrell, Elaine

Huffman, Kaylee Moore, Derrick Kaufman, Cheri Clark, Brandi

1,/17 L/2O

Szentes, Olivia

Kaufman, Sarah

Herchenroeder, Ann

t/26 L/27 t/3O

Reyes, John

1,/31.

Lewis, Timothy Leon, Cameron

1/31

Wagoner, lrene

Benya, Spasia Coy, Donald

McAdory, Cameron Redington, Dale Huffman, Alex Streharsky, Ann

Cooper, Allison

2/10

Szentes, Milton

2/12 2/12

Wright, James Callahan, Dorothy Lewis, Linda Fitt lll, Robert

2/1I 2/t2 2/I2

Leon, Raymond

2/15 Lewis, Krista

2h7

Magnus, Brittany

Dawson, Ryan Kaufman, Arthur

2/23

Coy, Ryan

Butts, Martin Cooper, Jordan Lehman, Michael

Plumlee, Ruth

2/23

Coy, Pamela

2/24

Keeler, Timothy

2/24 2/24

Nagy, Gary Lehman, David Lehman, Jennifer ic-

Skalsky, Kris

2/L8 Gutekunst, Alma 2/19 Reyes, Sarah 2/22 Dascoli, Adrienne 2/22 Trunko, Michael 2/22 Anderson, Lorie 2/23 Lyle, Mary

Herchenroeder, Darla

* .&' +fft \tl}''

2/9 2/9

Smith, Denise

2/2s 2/26 2/26

ffiAW MARCH

JANUARY

Tim & Linda

Lewis t/8/1r972

Rev Tim & Martha

Keeler 3/19/197t

.-fZr*-r7$ @a*;itfrtW

3/s 3/18

3/Is 3/re 3/20 3/20 3/22 3/22 3/22 3/22 3/23 3/2s 3/26 3/26 3/31.

3/31.

Page 15

WORSHIP SCHEDULE

9:30 AM.....Traditional Worship 10:00 AM.....Bible Study 10:30 AM....Continental Breakfast 1.1: 0O AM....G.P.S. Worship

lFrruc,rrn

scHeoure

l- DArE-T-- Mingter Jeanne Gardner | 01118/15 |

ll-l

READER SCHEDULE DATE 01118115

02t01t15

Sue Harman Martha Keeler

02t08t15

David Lehman

02t15t15

Tom Lehman

02t22t15 03t01t15

Tim Lewis Carole Lintner

03t08t15 au15t15

Heather Parr

03t22t15

David Six

03129115

Charmaine Streharsky

Communion

Communion

Gommunion

Server

Server

Set-Up

01t18t15

Art Kaufman

Beth Haas

Art Kaufman

02t01t15

Beth Haas

Geoff Whidden

Beth Haas

02115115

Judy Harrison

Linda Reyes

Judy Harrison

03t01t15

Geoff Whidden

Tim Lewis

Geoff Whidden

03t1il15

Linda Reyes

Beth Haas

Linda Reyes

03t29t15

Tim Lewis

Judy Harrison

Tim Lewis

0112511s

|

Reader Sonia Bay

02108115

I oztzzns

|

I

Beth

Haas

I

Audie Dascoli

I oztl\l1s I 03122115

I

Jeanne

|

Audie

| 03/29115

|

Gary

Gardner Dascoli

Nagy

I

I

-,nda Reyes

I

SACRAM ENTAL SERVER SCHEDU LE DATE

HAUGEN SCHEDULE DATE 02t01t15 03t01t15

Hauoen Karl Demuth Joe Gardner

3-"\a<F.&

St. John/ St. Paul Lutheran Church

282W. Bowery St. Akron On 44307 Phone: 330-253-6835

Fax: 330-253-1316 E-mail: karux4O@aol.com (Pastor Rick) an n@stjohnstpau l.org

www.stjohnstPaul.org

'How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the

gate of heaven.'

Genesis 28:17

January, February & March

20L5