Activities - News - Events

Updated 09/13/19    

Flowers for Sunday, September 15, 2019
The flowers are given to the Glory of God
.
The bulletins are given to the glory of God in memory of Miriam McGonigle by Carolyn McGonigle.
The 2019 bulletin and flowers sign-up calendars are posted in the narthex. Please consider donating flowers and/or bulletins in honor of loved ones or special family events.

Lessons for Sunday, September 15, 2019
 Exodus 32:7-14 pg 110
Psalm 51:1-10 W&P#35 “Create In Me A Clean Heart”
1 Timothy 1:12-17 pg 281
Luke 15:1-10 pg 106

Music for Sunday,  September 15, 2019
 Prelude: “Amazing Grace, My Chains Are Gone” (instrumental) by Chris Tomlin, John Newton, Louie Giglio
Entrance Hymn: ELW#842- “Oh, Worship the King”
Hymn of Day: ELW#779- “Amazing Grace”
Offering: “Shepherd” by Nathan Singh, Michael Farren, Jonny Robinson, and Rich Thompson
Communion: ELW#484- “You Satisfy the Hungry Heart”, WOV#783- “Seek Ye First”
Recessional Hymn: ELW#807- “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing”

Worship Assistants Serving this Sunday
Full monthly schedule: For Assisting Minister, Crucifer, Acolyte, Communion Basket, Lector, Greeters, Ushers, Communion Assistant, and Communion Preparation Click here

Special Envelopes

 The September Special Giving envelopes are designated for Lutheran Disaster Relief. Lutheran Disaster Response brings God’s hope, healing and renewal to people whose lives have been disrupted by disasters in the United States and around the world. When the dust settles and the headlines change, we stay to provide ongoing assistance to those in need.

The Worship & Music Ministry
 The Worship & Music Ministry will meet on Monday, September 23rd at 7.00pm to plan our festival worship services during the fall and winter of 2019.

Pastor's Thursday Noontime Discussions
 September’s noontime discussion will be a close examination the Church’s central act of worship, the sacrament of Holy Communion. We will discuss Holy Communion. What are the roots of the sacrament of Holy Communion?
What does it mean to say that God is present in eating and drinking? What makes this meal special? Who can partake of this feast? Why do Lutherans do what they do on Sundays?
    September 19th – Word & Sacrament: The Ordinary Made Extraordinary
    September 26th – Worship: Does the Church Have A Specific Form of Worship?

 -- See the full 2019 schedule here

New Freedom Fest
Saturday, September 21, 2019 Volunteers are needed from 1pm to 5pm to assist at the New Freedom Fest to assist with Trash collection. A sign-up sheet is located in the Narthex.


 We are looking for teams of people to volunteer to host coffee hour once a year. There is a sign up sheet in the Narthex with the dates for 2019. If you have any questions, please contact Barb Spink.
The Lord's Lunch
Check "This Week's Calendar - Saturday" on the Home Page for the next scheduled Lord's Lunch. All are welcome to join us for a free hearty meal.
In September, we are looking for donations canned vegetables and soup.
We are currently looking for volunteers to assist on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month. We are in particular need of assistance from 11:30am to approximately 1:30pm to help with running the dishwasher and cleanup duties.
We also need volunteers for the Good Food Box every other Tuesday at 4:45pm. Dates are listed in the upcoming activities. For more information, please contact the church office (235-2315).

Good Food Box
The next distribution dates for the Good Food Box is September 17th
If anyone has excess produce from their gardens this summer, please consider donating them to the Lord’s Lunch for our Good Food Boxes.

 Swanson Family in Tanzania - Newsletter
 We have received a new Newsletter from our Missionary Family in Tanzania dated May 2018. Click here to read.

 Southern York County Food Pantry
 The pantry is looking for donations of laundry detergent, dishwashing detergent, toilet paper, bars of soap, and shampoo .
Gift cards to local  grocery stores and monetary donations are always welcome also. Donations can be made payable to “SYC Pantry” and mailed to PO Box 8, Shrewsbury, PA 17361. The Pantry benefits the communities of Southern York County. Thank you for all your past help. Please place all donations in the donation bin located in the Narthex.
Please remember that the 2nd Sunday of the month for the Pantry. The Pantry benefits the communities of Southern York County. Thank you for all your past help.

York County Pantry is a volunteer driven organization. Whether you are a student, retiree, or looking for a volunteer commitment, volunteers of any age (volunteers 10 and under will need adult supervision) can help in a number of ways, including: Assist in stocking the pantry, Assist in packing groceries, Assist in off-loading deliveries, Pick up food donations from local businesses, Help in harvesting produce from local farms, Deliver to those clients who cannot pick up food, Answer the Pantry phone, and schedule deliveries or pick ups. If you would like to know how you can help, Contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Janice Elsen at feedthehungrysycfp@gmail.com ..... Click here to go to their website.

Volunteer Opportunities
 We all know about the continued work of the Lord's Lunch ministry, but did you know about The Good Food Box, our other hunger ministry? The Good Food Box unloads, packages and distributes 1,500 pounds of fresh food and meat from the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank every other Tuesday. Check with the church office regarding when the delivery truck will arrive on a perticular Tuesday, since its schedlue changes from delivery to delivery (717-235-2315). At that time we help unload bulk packaged fresh food and repack orders into individual boxes. Then at 5.30pm we distribute them to individuals and families. We generally feed 38 families per week. During 2014 we distributed 792 food boxes to local families. If you would like to be a part of this vibrant and growing hunger ministry, please call the church office (717-235-2315).
Solicitations Reminder
 ALL solicitations presented on church property, ranging from group requests presented to the congregation in church to individual requests, must be presented to and approved by the Stewardship/Finance Committee

 Choice Dollars
 Thrivent members may soon be receiving notifications that they have Choice Dollars that they can designate toward charities of their choice. Please consider directing those Choice Dollars to St. John Lutheran Church. If you do not know how to direct those funds, please contact the parish office, and we will walk you through the process.
Church Office Hours
Summer Schedule: Monday through Friday 9am to Noon.

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Sunday School 2019-20
 On Sunday, September 15th we will begin another year of Sunday School!
This year we will have classes for the following ages:
 - Pre-Kindergarten / Kindergarten
 - 1st - 6th Grade
 - 7th Grade Confirmation
 - 8th - 12th Grade Youth Group, and Adults

Confirmation
 On Sunday, September 15th the incoming confirmation students will meet with Pastor Schneider at 9.15am and then be enrolled for their studies at the 10.30am Eucharist. Confirmation will consist of a two year discussion of faith and life. Year A will be devoted to examining and discussing life through the lens of Luther’s Small Catechism. Year B will be devoted to examining and discussing the church’s scriptures. Year A will be a pilgrimage from death to new life in Christ. Confirmands will be encouraged to watch a short online presentation and to consider some questions prior to meeting for discussion. The confirmation discussion will begin with brief overview of the material and will conclude with an opportunity for questions, comments and hearty discussion. Participants are encouraged to use their Bibles and Small Catechisms for reference.

Roof Update
 In August the congregational council designated a $5,000 gift to our restricted funds to cover the cost of engineering and architectural work required to seek a bid on replacing the roof of the sanctuary. This is the first necessary step to replacing the roof. At our annual meeting we will discuss the details of the roofing project and explain the constitutional process involved in proceeding with this project.
Feeding America Volunteer(s) Needed
 We are looking for a volunteer to pickup donations from Walmart on Monday mornings and bring them back to the church. This could also be done by two volunteers on an alternating basis.
Requirements include:
 -  Available to pick-up at Walmart Monday mornings between 9am and 10am.
 -  Must have an SUV, minivan, or pickup truck to accommodate the boxes being picked up.
 -  Must be able to lift 30-40 pound boxes.
For more information, contact Maria in the church office (717) 235-2315.
150th Anniversary Dinner
 On Saturday, October 19th we will gather at 6.00pm for a gala dinner to celebrate our 150th Anniversary! The event will be catered by Tasteful Occasions and will include music and entertainment. On September 1st tickets will be available to purchase at the cost of $10 per meal.

The Adult Sunday School
 The Adult Sunday School class that meets in room 3 will be studying John Ortberg’s, “I’d Like You More if You Were More Like Me; Getting Real about Getting Close.
” All are welcome! Come join us!

Kids Feeding Kids
The Kids Feeding Kids Ministry would like to express our sincerest gratitude and appreciation to everyone who helped make this summer a success! Thank you for all the food donations throughout the summer. We went through large amounts of food each week so your contributions really made a difference! And thank you to all the youth and adults volunteers who gave up part of their Sunday evenings to help the children of our community. You made set-up and clean-up go so smoothly each week. Kids Feeding Kids could not have happened without you!!!  See you again next summer..

 Christian Education - Sunday School
 See the Sunday School Page here

 St. John Lutheran Quilting Ministry
 Our quilting ministry at St. John Lutheran Church meets the first Thursday of each month at 9.30am. Every year Lutheran World relief distributes many quilts worldwide. In 2014 a total of 408,245 quilts were distributed to people in 21 different countries. The Women of the ELCA actively support this ministry through the giving of their time, talents and prayers. Our quilting ministry is currently in need of material and batting, as well as people who are willing to assemble quilts for LWR. If you have any questions, or would like to par-ticipate in this ministry, please contact Gardenia Wallace (717.235.2274) or Barbara Spink (717.235.5785). Our quilting ministry is a great opportunity to fellowship and serve with others!

Lunch Bunch
 On Wednesday, October 9th, the Lunch Bunch will meet at Ruby Tuesday in Shrewsbury, at 11:45am. Contact Loretta Mellinger, 717-235-7797 to make your reservation.
Life’s Thread Quilters
 The Life’s Thread Quilters will be meeting on October 3rd at 9:30am in the Hoshall Family Life Center.

 Daytime Knitting and Crocheting Group
 The next meeting of the Daytime Knitting and Crocheting Group is scheduled for October 8th at 11am in the Youth Lounge. If you have any questions, contact Barb Spink (717-235-5785).

Adult Zumba®

Adult Zumba® classes are held on Monday evenings in the Hoshall Family Life Center from 6:30pm to 7:30pm.
Classes are strictly pay-as-you-go. The cost per class is $5.


 Men over 35 Basketball Group
 Our men over 35 basketball group has started up again. This year they meet in the Family Life Center, 8:00-10pm ever Monday.and Wednesday There is no pre-registration for this, it is strictly pay-as-you-go. The cost per week is $2. Come one week or come when it fits your schedule!  If you have any questions, please contact John Simpson.
The Simply Giving Program
By participating in the Simply Giving Program (preauthorized automatic electronic donations), members insure that St John Lutheran Church is able to meet its financial obligations even during times of the year when members are typically on vacation.  This authorization carries no risk to the donor.**  If you wish to cancel, change, or even reverse a transaction, this can be accomplished with a phone call to the church or the Financial Secretary.  In this circumstance, please contact the church at least 3 days before the scheduled withdrawal. Members who wish to participate in the offering collection during the worship service can write “Simply Giving” on their envelope and put it (empty) into the collection plate.   Please click here to print the Authorization Form
If you have increased your pledge in 2014, please remember to submit an amended Simply Giving Authorization form to the parish office. You may find a copy of the Simply Giving Authorization Form here. Authorization Form

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