Activities - News - Events

Updated 10/12/19    

2020 Calendar
 We are in the process of planning our 2020 calendar. You will soon receive a draft calendar, ministry leaders and committee chairpersons are invited to plan and place their events on the calendar for next year.

Flowers and Bulletins for Sunday, October 13, 2019
The flowers are given to the glory of God by Carolyn McGonigle.

The bulletins are given to the glory of God and with sympathy to the Jacobs family on the death of Joseph O’Melia by the adult Sunday School class.
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, October 13, 2019
 2 Kings 5:1-3, 7-15c pg. 461
Psalm 111 W&P #94 - “Majesty”
2 Timothy 2:8-15 pg. 288
Luke 17:11-19 pg. 109

Music for Sunday,  October 13, 2019
 Entrance Hymn: ELW#453- “Baptized and Set Free”
Hymn of Day: ELW#646- “The Peace of the Lord”
Offering: “Thank You, Jesus” by Hannah Hobbs & Matt Crocker
Communion: ELW#617- “We Come To You For Healing, Lord”
Recessional Hymn: ELW#886- “O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing”

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 October Special Giving envelopes are designated for the Southern Regional Police.

 Pastor's Thursday Noontime Discussions
 November’s noontime discussion will explore the Church’s work. We will discuss what it means to live a daily Christian life. What is sin? What is confession? Is it important to hear a word of forgiveness? How do we serve God? How do we serve our neighbor?
   November 7th   – Confession & Forgiveness: What Does It Mean to Confess?
   November 14th – Serving God: Putting the First Tablet into Action
   November 21st – Serving Our Neighbor: Putting the Second Tablet into Action
-- See the full 2019 schedule here


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 October, we are looking for donations of canned soup and vegetables.
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 October 15th.

 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
Monday through Thursday 9am to 3pm. Friday 9am to Noon.

Go to Top of Page

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. RSVP by September 30th.

All Saints Sunday - Roll of the Faithful Departed
 On Sunday, November 3rd we will celebrate All Saints Sunday. On that Sunday we will hold all of our congregation members who have died in faith since the last celebration of All Saint's Sunday.
We are planning to remember the following people:
 - Lillian Ilgenfritz
 - Donald Frey
 - Eleanor McCarty
 - Joseph O’Melia
 - Janine Sobell
 - Charles Stein
 - Gladys Whittington
 - Doris Wolfe
If you would like to include a loved one on the Roll of the Faithful Departed that Sunday, please contact Pastor Schneider (717-235-2315).
2020 Budget Presentation
 The congregational council will present the proposed 2020 Budget/Plan for Mission on Sunday, October 27th at 9.15am and 11.45am. The presentation will be in the nave following both Eucharists.
Mark Your Calendars
 Sunday, November 17, 2019 -  Commitment Sunday 8.00am & 10.30am
Sunday, November 24, 2019 -  9:15am Christ the King Combined Eucharist
                                             10:30am Congregational Budget/Plan for Mission Meeting

Medicare Open Enrollment
 The York County Area Agency on Aging’s APPRISE Program will offer free personalized counseling during Medicare’s Annual Open Enrollment Period, which begins October 15th and ends December 7th. Medicare beneficiaries throughout the annual open enrollment period will be able to receive one-on-one counseling assistance offered by trained APPRISE counselors at different locations throughout York County. Pre-scheduled appointments are necessary and can be made by calling the APPRISE scheduling line at 717-771-9042 or 1-800-632-9073.

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.
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..

Ten Commandments Challenge
Sunday School Students have until Sunday, November 17th to take The Ten Commandments Challenge.
If you can recite the Ten Commandments to Pastor Schneider, you will win a prize!
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, November 13th, the Lunch Bunch will meet at the New Freedom Restaurant, 17308 Susquehanna Trail, 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 November 7th 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 November 12th 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

Go to Top of Page

To update or add church or community articles to this web page, email information as an attached Word Document to the Webmaster: JohnW@StJohnLutheranNewFreedom.com