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Summer Celebrations Abound Across our Synod
This Labor Day weekend marks for many of us the "official" transition from summer to fall. College students and school children are back in the classroom, and congregations are gearing up  for Rally Day and fall programming. Here's one last look at some of the events and celebrations that marked the summer season across our synod.
Anniversaries and Graduations
St. Mark Lutheran Church in Mechanicsburg honored Pastor Randall Marburger with a surprise party and brunch in honor of the 30th anniversary of his ordination. They also honored St. Mark member Martha Boyd on the occasion of her graduation from Gettysburg Seminary. Pastor Boyd was called to serve St. John Lutheran Church in Hoernerstown and was ordained at this year's Synod Assembly. (Photo: Crystal TItmus)
 Celebrating 250 Years... Another anniversary in Mechanicsburg this year was marked by the congregation of Trindle Spring Lutheran Church, as they celebrated 250 years of ministry with a year-long calendar of special events, including a congregational dinner and special festival worship at which ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton preached and Lower Susquehanna Synod Bishop Jim Dunlop presided. In honor of this milestone in ministry, the congregation pledged to raise $25,000 in five years to fund a scholarship at Gettysburg Lutheran Seminary to benefit an area student. After their first year, more than 33% of the goal has been raised. Pictured at left are Presiding Bishop Eaton and Bishop Dunlop with commemorative stained glass crosses crafted from wood from the 1823 pews in the original brick church, and spare pieces of stained glass from windows installed in the early 1900s. (Photo: Joe Ricci)  Just up the road in Carlisle, First Lutheran Church is also celebrating its 250th anniversary. The congregation issued a challenge to raise at least $250 or 250 items each month for various organizations both locally and globally. So far they've collected cans of food for Carlisle CARES, $10 gift cards for Pennsylvania Wounded Warriors, canned hams for Project SHARE, mosquito nets for the ELCA Malaria Campaign, items for the local domestic violence shelter, dollars for the local YMCA camp, supplies for Lutheran World Relief school kits, and back-to-school items for the local Head Start program. (Photo: First Lutheran Church)  A grateful congregation, Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ephrata, honored their church organist, Theresa Lee, for 20 years of faithful service with a plaque, a letter of commendation from Bishop Dunlop, special music provided by Dr. Karl Moyer, and a reception following worship. Dr. Moyer, Professor Emeritus of music at Millersville University and former organist at Grace Lutheran Church, Lancaster, was Mrs. Lee's organ instructor at Millersville, a fact that added even more joy to the day. Pastor Jeffrey Goodman reports that Mrs. Lee " hopes to play at Salem Church for many years to come, and judging by the response, the cards, hugs and outpouring of love, Salem Church hopes she will stay a long time too." (Photo: Salem Lutheran Church)Note: Next week we'll share one last look at some photos and thoughts from the ELCA National Youth Gathering in Detroit. Have a photo or comment you still haven't submitted? It's not too late. Send them to sblezard@lss-elca.org by Tuesday, September 8.
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 You are Cordially Invited . . .
Sunday, September 20, 2015
9:00 a.m. breakfast, followed by joint 10:30 a.m. worship
Installation of the Rev. Dr. Robert Wallace as pastor of Friedens Lutheran Church, 301 W. Washington Ave., Myerstown.
Sunday, September 27, 2015 4:00 p.m. Installation of the Rev. Martha Sue Boyd as pastor of St. John Lutheran Church, 158 S. Hoernerstown Rd., Hummelstown. The color of the day is green. Sunday, October 25, 2015 3:00 p.m. Installation of Associate in Ministry Micki Kautz, who has been called to serve on the staff of Faith United Parish, primarily working with St. John's and St. Michael (Rossville). St. John's Lutheran Church, 151 Clearview Rd., Dillsburg. The color of the day is red.
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Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church Packs Five Millionth Lutheran Meal!
The original goal set by Zion Lutheran Church, Marietta, and Pastor Traci Glover was to pack 20,000 nutritionally complete macaroni and cheese meals in four hours on Sunday, August 30, following worship. It was an ambitious goal for the small congregation, especially considering this would be their first time hosting a meal-packing event, but they trusted they could do it with the help and experience of EndHungerNE and Pastor Matthew Martin (whom you may remember from our synod's Loaves and Fishes event). Plus, they felt called to serve the hungry in their community, and what better way to end five weeks of gospel lessons on Jesus as the Bread of Life?
Somewhere along the way, however, the Holy Spirit decided to up the ante, and by the end of the event the congregation and friends had packed 30,400 meals in four hours. Generous gifts poured in from the community, and extra helpers arrived to don caps and gloves and assemble meals. FOX 43 even showed up to cover the event. Even better was news from EndHungerNE that Zion's event had packed the FIVE MILLIONTH Lutheran meal. Not bad for a synod whose 2014 Loaves and Fishes project broke EndHungerNE's record for the most meals packed in a single event. The best news of all, of course, is that hungry neighbors will be fed as we have been fed by Christ. As Pastor Traci is fond of reminding others, "God is good all the time!" Yes, all the time...God is good! Congratulations, Zion!
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Registration Deadline Approaching for ALiVE!
 Time is running out to register for ALiVE, our annual middle-school youth event at Camp Nawakwa. Grades 6-8 and their advisors from all synod congregations are invited to attend for a weekend of fun, faithful conversation and worship, fellowship, and "Community," this year's theme. Scheduled for September 25-27, registrations should be postmarked by no later than September 14. We adjusted our deadline to allow congregations that have later Rally Days to still get registered. To learn more about the event, see the 2015 Promo Video, filmed by one of last year's registrants, and get registration packets as well as handy bulletin inserts to promote the event, please visit our synod website at: http://www.lss-elca.org/youth-family/events/alive/.
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 Our synod grows stronger because its dedicated leaders continue to learn new ways of approaching ministry and serving God's people. Check here each week for a link to a video, article, podcast, powerpoint presentation or other media that will help our leaders embrace new ideas and learn new insights into ministry. (Photo: Chris Carter, Creative Commons)
10 Ways to Cast a Generosity Vision in your Church
Fall is the time when congregational stewardship committees get busy, but everybody knows it takes more than a four-week program to cultivate a church culture of deep generosity - one where the community sees opportunity and responsibility and fulfillment in sharing their gifts for good. Here, from echurchgiving.com, are 10 tips on creating a vision for generosity in your church. Which can you implement in your congregation?
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Our synod prayer list is updated frequently and posted on the website. To be redirected to the complete prayer list click here.
...prayers for the family of Benny Cooper, father of the Rev. Michael Cooper-White, president of Gettyburg Seminary, who died August 31, at age 100. Click here to be redirected to the obituary.
...prayers for the family of Barry R. Herr, former synod treasurer, who died August 25, at age 69. A Celebration of Life Memorial service is scheduled for September 10, 2:00 p.m., at the Andrew T. Scheid Funeral Home in Millersville. Click here to be redirected to the obituary.
...prayers for peace, healing, and hope for Pastor David Bringman, brother-in-law of Synod Vice-President Lucinda Bringman and brother of her husband, Daniel. Pastor Richard Starr (retired, serving Starview), Hertha Langford, spouse of Pastor Roland Evans Langford (retired), and Pastor Charles Aurand (retired, WV-WMd Synod).
Check out ELCA Prayer Ventures by clicking here and download daily prayer petitions each month.
Have a prayer request to share with others in our synod? Please contact Pr. Sharron Blezard at sblezard@lss-elca.org.
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Give + Receive + Share = News to Use from our Synod Office
CLICK TO GIVE: It's Easier Than Ever to Make a Difference with your Mission Support!
It's easier than ever to make a gift to support the mission of our Lower Susquehanna Synod. All you have to do is visit our website ( www.lss-elca.org) and click the "Donate Now" button on the bottom right side. It will take you to our secure donation site (the same one that hosts Thrivent's Simply Giving) so that you can easily support our work together. Make a one-time gift or set up a regular giving schedule.
 Synodical Women of the ELCA News
The September October News & Views, the newsletter of the Women of the ELCA, Lower Susquehanna Synodical Women's Organization, is now on the synod website. Click here to access it. You can also find the minutes from the 28th Annual Convention posted here.
Included in this issue of News & Views is a brief overview of the 10th Triennial Gathering, being held July 13-16, 2017 in Minneapolis, MN. It's not too soon to start thinking about going to this event...start saving NOW! You'll also find a letter from our President, Joyce Ray, highlighting the convention in August, and an article about the prayer shawl ministry at Trinity, Camp Hill - 1,000 shawls and counting - great job ladies! Norma Good provides information about Lutheran World Relief, and the upcoming LWR Ingathering Sunday, October 3 & 4, 2015. The "Racial Justice Resolution" that was passed at our synodical convention is also part of this edition of News & Views.
You can keep informed about what is happening with the Lutheran Women in the Lower Susquehanna Synod by reading the News & Views. See page 10 for a subscription form and how you can receive this free bi-monthly newsletter sent to your inbox or mailed to your home.
LWR Ingathering 2015
It's time once again for the annual Lutheran World Relief Ingathering. You can access a congregational packet by clicking here. You can also visit the Lower Susquehanna Synod Website Ingathering page by clicking here. Have any questions? Contact Norma R. Good, Lower Susquehanna Synod Volunteer Coordinator for Relief Projects at nrgood@comcast.net or 717-399-7697.
NOTE: Our office will be closed Monday, September 7, in observance of Labor Day. Regular office hours resume Tuesday, September 8.
Check the Synod Calendar on our website for a complete listing of meetings and gatherings. Inclement weather closings of our office are announced on the answering machine (ext. 100) and our Facebook page.
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Opportunities for Education...
Visit our synod website for specific details and registration information about each event!
to be redirected to our website for detailed information about upcoming events.
September 10
Bishop's Convocation: Participatory Proclamation & Faith Formation with David Lose
St. Matthew Lutheran Church, York
September 17-19 (Cancelled)
ELCA Networks for Mission Event: We are Church Together
Capital Retreat Center, Waynesboro, PA
September 23
A Day with Tim Wright (presented by Lutheran Men in Mission), Trinity Lutheran Church, 2000 Chestnut St., Camp Hill
September 25-27
The Weekend
Gettysburg Lutheran Seminary. Click here for more information. September 26
Seminary for a Day
Union Theological Seminary, Richmond, VA
October 5-7
Celebration of Biblical Preaching: The Courage to Preach
Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN
October 13-14
Parish Secretaries' Seminar: "Checks & Balances"
Bird-in-Hand Family Inn, Bird-in-Hand, PA
October 23-26
"Lord, Let Our Eyes Be Opened: Breaking the Chains of Mass Incarceration," sponsored by the Pennsylvania Council of Churches, Red Lion Hotel, Harrisburg. Visit http://pachurches.org/ for more information.
October 24
Congregational Treasurer Seminar, LSS Resource Center, 900 S. Arlington Ave., Harrisburg
November 1
Luther Rose Lectures "Martin Luther: Then & Now" with the Rev. Dr. Richard Carlson
Palm Lutheran Church, 11 W. Cherry St., Palmyra
January 11-15
Executive Skills for Pastors, Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center, Carefree, AZ Visit http://spiritinthedesert.org for more information.
January 31 - February 2
LSS Rostered Leaders' Wellness Retreat
Hotel Hershey, 100 Hotel Rd., Hershey, PA (Save the date!)
April 14-17
"White Privilege Conference: Understanding, Respecting, & Connecting"
Philadelphia, PA (Hold the date and click here for information)
April 15-17
The Weekend
Gettysburg Lutheran Seminary. Click here for more information.
"Psalms: A Journey of Prayer"
Join Pastor Rob Myallis, the congregation of Zion's Lutheran Church, Jonestown, and others across the digital world in a six month reading, sharing, and study of the Psalms. Click here to join the Facebook group, and click here to visit the congregation's website where you'll find a host of useful resources to help you with this study, including an introductory video. (Note: The program began July 1, but feel free to join in at any time.)
"Mark-ing" Scripture Together at the Wittel Farm in Elizabethtown, PA
This fall, Bishop Dunlop and Pastor Rob Myallis invite rostered leaders, worship planners, and faith formation leaders to gain insights, share ideas as we explore Mark's gospel together. All three sessions will be offered at the Wittel Farm from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
September 15 -"Mark-ing the end of Pentecost" Led by Bishop Dunlop
October 19 - "Mark-ing the Festivals" Led by Pastor Rob Myallis
November 16 - "Mark-ing Advent" Led by Pastor Rob Myallis.
Click here to register.
Be sure to check the Center for Faith Formation webpage for information about upcoming events and links for registration. Click here to be redirected.
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Visit the Congregation Connections page on our synod's website to keep up with the specific details (including event times, contact information, publications, and registration information) of the many good things happening in the worshiping communities of our synod. (Click the blue hotlink at the beginning of this paragraph to be redirected.)
Please keep us posted about what's happening in your congregation and community. We are able to post photos, pdf documents and flyers, and contact information on our Congregation Connections page. E-mail event information to sblezard@lss-elca.org.
September 6
Rejoicing Spirits Worship (a disABILITIES ministry), St. Luke Lutheran Church, 2695 Luther Dr., Chambersburg
September 12
"Queens Who Cook" Fundraiser to benefit the St. Barnabas Center, Tree of Life Lutheran Church, 1492 Linglestown Rd., Harrisburg
Annual GermanFest Event, Our Saviour Lutheran Church, 420 N. Progress Ave., Harrisburg
September 13
"God's Work. Our Hands." Sunday (and LAMPa's "God's Work. Our Hands. Our Voices" Sunday)
Rejoicing Spirits Worship (a disABILITIES ministry), St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 30 W. Main St., New Kingstown
September 18-19
WOW! Women's Oudoor Weekend at Camp Kirchenwald. Click here for information.
September 19
Annual Yard Sale, Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church, 9 N. Main St., Dover
September 24
Community Blood Drive, Luther Memorial Church 1907 Hollywood Dr., York
September 26
"To the Cross," Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church, 9 N. Main St., Dover
September 27
"Feeding the 15,000" Worship and Food-Packing Event, Mannsville Lutheran Church, 2944 Mannsville Rd., Elliottsburg
5th Annual Pet Sunday and Blessing, Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church, 1398 Moulstown Rd., N, Hanover
Gettysburg 1863, in Song and Story, First Lutheran Church, 21 S. Bedford St., Carlisle
September 29
Bus Trip to NYC and 9/11 Memorial Museum with St. Mark's Lutheran Men in Mission
October 3
October 4
Rise Up Together: The Tour (featuring Rachel Kurtz, Agape, and Joe Davis), St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 839 W. Market St., York
Lost and Found: The Farewell Tour, Trinity Lutheran Church, 108 South Robeson St., Robesonia
October 6-8
Book Study Retreat at Camp Nawakwa. Click here for more information.
October 10
64th Annual Apple Butter Boil (Rain or Shine!), Barner's Church Grove, 5 Barner Rd., Liverpool
October 14
Lifesaver Concert, Tree of Life Lutheran Church, 1492 Linglestown Rd., Harrisburg
October18
Fall Foliage Day at Camp Nawakwa and Camp Kirchenwald
November 7
Sorensen in Concert at the Grove Community Coffee House, Salem Lutheran Church, 99 York Rd., Jacobus
December 19
Star Wars Episode VII Private Showing (benefits the Hammer family's year in the Konde Diocese/tickets must be preordered), Penn Cinema, Lititz
To Share:
Need hymnals, tables, a video camera, piano, or light bulbs? Check the Congregation Connections page of our Synod's website for a list of offerings by congregations who are willing to share what they no longer need. Have something to share with others? Let us know!
New this week:
Piano - free for the taking - a Story & Clark blond wood upright piano is available for anyone interested. It is an "institutional" model from around 1960. It is free! All you have to do is haul it away! It's in ok shape, but not terrific shape, could use a little work to restore it. If interested, contact Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Hershey, 717-533-2467.
Wanted: LBW copies of "Of the Land and Seasons" liturgy, especially the Altar/Minister's Edition and Accompaniment books. Email Bendersville Lutheran Parish at 3churches@centurylink.net if you have some to share.
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Em ployment listings are provided to synod congregations and related agencies free of charge. This service is made possible by your Mission Support of Lower Susquehanna Synod and ELCA. Please provide a brief position description, contact information, and a link to a complete position description on your web site (if desired). Send information to Sharron Blezard at sblezard@lss-elca.org. Positions are posted for 60 days unless extended.
Visit the Employment Opportunities page on our website for a complete list of current job openings with more details (including jobs that have been extended).
Organization: Evangelical Lutheran Church of Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL)
Position: Communication Coordinator (Posted 8/26/15)
Congregation: Our Saviour Lutheran Church, Harrisburg
Position: Part-time Administrative Assistant (Posted 8/26/15)
Congregation: Zion Lutheran Church, Marietta
Position: Part-time Organist (Posted 8/26/15)
Organization: Cumberland County Prison (Carlisle Area Religious Council)
Position: Full-time Chaplain and Director of Pastoral Care (Posted 8/12/15)
Congregation: St. Stephen Lutheran Church, New Kingstown and St. Mark, Mechanicsburg
Position: Youth and Family Ministry Director (Posted 7/28/15)
Congregation: Trindle Spring Lutheran Church, Mechanicsburg
Position: Choir Director and/or Organist (Posted 6/24/15)
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| Carings and Sharings is the e-newsletter of the Lower Susquehanna Synod. Its purpose is the sharing of news and events which raise up the mission and ministry of the synod and ELCA in our congregations, our synod, and the broader church. It is not intended to be an endorsement of every activity. Comments about this newsletter may be sent to Sharron Blezard, editor, sblezard@lss-elca.org. |
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