Epistle from

St. Timothy Evangelical Lutheran Church

December 2015Volume 21, Issue 4

Sharing our faith by sharing God’s love!

St. Timothy Mission StatementNurtured and sustained by God’s love,

we are called and inspired to share His love with our neighbor,to make God’s story known, and to help our neighbors near and far

…so that all may experience God’s love.

“AndtheWordbecamefleshanddweltamongus,fullofgraceandtruth.”The“50-cent”wordforSt.John’steachinginthisverseis“incarnation.”JesusofNazareth,borninBethlehemonthatfirstChristmasDay,isGodincarnate—Godmadeflesh. Thesearewordsthatwe’veheardmanytimes;butIwonderifwereflectonhowimportantthisdoctrineistoourfaith.Johndoesn’tsaythatGodbecame“human-like,”sortofhuman.Johnusesawordthatisrelatedto“carnivore”(flesh-eater),andto“carnal”(oftheflesh)—wordsthatwecan’tevensaywithoutstirringupcertainfeelingsstirringwithinus. ThemiracleofChristmasisfoundnotinthesupernaturalpageantryofthatnight—thestarleadingwisemenfromtheEast,ortheangelchorusresoundingovershepherdsinthefields.ThemiracleofChristmasisthatGodbecameoneofus.Notjustone“like”us,butoneofus—fleshandblood,hopesandfears,dreamsandforebodings. “AndtheWordbecamefleshanddweltamongus.”ThesearethelastwordswehearbeforewesingthefinalhymnandleavethesanctuaryonChristmasEve.Theyremindusthatwereturntotheministryofourdailylifenottobaskinthenostalgiaofthoseeventslongago.WegoinpeacetoservetheLord—tofollowJesusofNazarethintothefutureofGod. Andwedosowithrenewedenergyandconviction,knowingthatGodhaswalkedthepathaheadofus,andwaitspatientlyforustoarrivehomeandsharewithallthesaintstheeternalChristmasfeast. ABlessedChristmasandahappyNewYeartoallofyou. Pastor Paul & Paula

Date Day Special Events ReadingsDec.6 Sunday 2nd Sunday in Advent Malachi3:1-4;Psalm;Luke1:68-79; 10:30a.m. Bell Choir Philippians1:3-11;Luke3:1-6Dec.13 Sunday 3rd Sunday in Advent Zephaniah3:14-20;Psalm;Isaiah12:2-6; 10:30a.m. Advent Lessons & Hymns Philippians4:4-7;Luke3:7-18 Children Sing Rite for WholenessDec.20 Sunday 4th Sunday in Advent Micah5:2-5a;Luke1:46b-55; 10:30a.m. Praise Worship Hebrews10:5-10;Luke1:39-55 Decorate Sanctuary after worshipDec. 24 Thursday Christmas Eve Children’s Christmas Pageant 4:30 p.m. Family Worship Service andLuke2:1-20Dec. 24 Thursday Christmas Eve Isaiah9:2-7;Psalm96; 8 p.m. Candlelight Service Titus2:11-14;Luke2:1-2Dec.27 Sunday 1st Sunday of Christmas 1Samuel2:18-20,26;Psalm148; 10:30a.m. Colossians3:12-17;Luke2:41-52

December Worship CalendarSunday Morning Services – 10:30 a.m. • Adult Forum – 9 a.m. • Sunday School – 9:30 a.m.

Moving? New Email?Change Your Phone No.?

We constantly struggle in this mobile society welive in to keep upwith everyone’s currentmailingand contact information. We are asking everyonetomakesuretheinformationwehaveisup-to-datebycompletingtheformbelowandeithermailittothechurchsecretaryordropitintheofferingplate.Name

Address

CityStateZipCode

HomePhoneMincludeinDirectoryHomePhone MomitfromDirectoryCellPhone(optional) MincludeinDirectoryHomePhone MomitfromDirectoryWorkPhone(optional)MincludeinDirectoryHomePhone MomitfromDirectoryEmail MincludeinDirectoryHomePhone MomitfromDirectory

Please send my copy MMail(PostOffice)of the newsletter to me via: MEmail

PLEASEPLACECOMPLETEDFORMINOFFERINGPLATEORDROPINTHEMAIL.

Page2 Epistle from St. Timothy December2015

NE PA SYNOD WEB SITEwww.godslove.org or www.nepsynod.org

for information about our synod

ELCA WEB SITEwww.elca.org

for information about our national church

EPISTLE FROM ST. TIMOTHY EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCHis a publication of St. Timothy Evangelical Lutheran Church (ELCA).EPISTLEFROMST.TIMOTHYEVANGELICALLUTHERANCHURCH.Publishedmonthly except August by St. Timothy Evangelical Lutheran Church, 140SouthOtt Street,Allentown, PA 18104-6197.Questions or commentsmaybedirected to theEditor,Epistle fromSt.Timothy,St.TimothyEvangelicalLutheranChurch,140SouthOttStreet,Allentown,Pennsylvania18104-6197.

FindusonFacebookatfacebook.com/sttimothyallentownpa

FollowusonTwitterattwitter.com/StTimAPa

ST.TIMOTHY’sEMAILoffice@sttimothylc.org

ADDITIONALEMAILADDRESSESAVAILABLEONOURWEBSITEAT:

www.sttimothylc.org

DEADLINEfor the

JANUARY NEWSLETTER…DECEMBER 15!

December2015 Page3

All You Wanted to Know About Vitamin D

IthasbeenknownforalongthatvitaminDcanhelpkeepbonesstrong.Recently,researchhasfoundthattoolittlevitaminDcanputoneatriskforcolon-rectalcancer.ThebestsourceofvitaminDcomesfromexposuretothesun.LivinginnortheastPennsylvaniainthewinterlimitsthesunexposureonegets.Therefore,othersourcesofvitaminDarenecessary. FoodsthatnaturallycontainvitaminDaresalmon,eggyolks,mushroomsandfishoil.Fishoilisoneofthebestsources.FoodsthatarefortifiedwithvitaminDaremilk,orangejuice,andcereal.Ahealthyadultneeds600IUofvitaminDdaily.BecausethevitaminDisnotutilizedbyanolderperson’sbodyasefficientlyasitisinyoungerindividuals,therecommendeddailyamountforadults70andoveris800IUperday.Itisimportanttoreadfoodlabelstodeterminetheamountofvitamindayinaparticularfooditem.Remember,theamountlistedisperserving. TalktoyourphysicianaboutvitaminD.AbloodtestcanbedonetodetermineifonehasanadequatevitaminDlevel.

Adapted from LVHN Healthy You

Keeping Yourself Energized During the Holidays

Decemberisoneofthebusiestmonthsformostpeople—shopping,baking,parties,inadditiontoournormalactivities,allinducestressandsapourenergy. Afewtipstohelpyouconserveyourenergyare: • Maintain a good level of hydration—Eightcupsofwaterdailyarepromotedbyhealthofficials.Dehydrationslowsoxygenflowwhichdecreasesyourenergy. • Get enough sleep—Expertsrecommendeighthoursofsleeppernight.Doingslowstretches,meditationoralowkeyactivitybeforebedwillhelpyoutoslowdown.GetawayfromthecomputerandtheTVpriortobedtime. • Get exercise—Allthehustlebustleoftheholidaybusinessisnotexercise.Atleast30minutesofexerciseperdaywillstimulatetheflowofadequateoxygentoyourbody.Italsoreducesstressandimprovessleep.Whenshoppingatthemall,buildtimeintoyourshoppingforafewlapsaroundthemall. Nowisthetimetobegintoprepareforanenjoyableholidayseason.Followthesefeweasytipsandhaveasafeandhealthyholiday.

Adapted from LVHN Healthy You

Page4 Epistle from St. Timothy December2015

Christmas – a time for joyChristmas – a time for sadness

Blue Christmas is a time of Comfort and Remembrance.Come together – Remember

Come together – Find Comfort.Sunday, December 20,2015

4 p.m. in the afternoonSt. Timothy Lutheran Church

140 S. Ott St.Allentown, Pa.610-435-6512

1 Million Medicine Bottles for Malawi MalawiProject,Inc.hasannouncedthattheyexpecttoreachtheirgoalof1,000,000medicinebottlesbytheendofthisyearandhaveannouncedtheconclusionoftheproject.TheprojectstartedinApril2015andtheresponsehasbeenoverwhelming. St.TimothywillceasecollectingbottlesonSunday,November29.AlthoughIdidnotcountthebottlesdonatedbymembersofourcongregation,IcanreportthatSt.TimothyLutheranChurchmadeasignificantcontributiontothat1millionbottles.IhavemailedtwolargeshippingcontainerstothecollectionsiteinIndianapolis,Indianaalreadyandhaveanotherreadytoship. Thankyoutoeveryonewhoparticipatedinthisproject.YouhavehelpedthepeopleofMalawiandhavekeptatremendousnumberofpillbottlesoutofthelandfills.

MarySueSchnell

Weprayweeklyforourmembersathome.Everymonthwehighlightaportionourlistofhomeboundmemberssothatyoucansendcards,andperhapsvisit! Hereisthismonth’slist(birthday in italics): Dorothy Brunone,TBA (October 10) Sharon Clark, GoodShepherdHome,Raker#216,543St.JohnSt.,Allentown,PA18103(February 5) Maryanne Dedekind and Steven Hader,LehighCommons,1680SpringCreedRd.,Macungie,PA18062 (Maryanne–November 14) Pat & Al Nork, 1231St.BasilSt.,Allentown,PA18104 NoneofourmembersathomecelebratebirthdaysinDecember.

AllentownAARPChapter#5415willmeetatnoonDecember3,atSt.TimothyLutheranChurch.Amembershiprecognitionholidaylunchfor2015paidupmemberswillbeheldfrom12to1p.m. ThepublicisinvitedtoattendaprogramfeaturingtheLehighValleyPopsOrchestrathatwillbeginat1p.m.Bringanon-perishablefooditemfortheAllentownFoodBank.

I’ll have a blue Christmas without youI’ll be so blue just thinking about youDecorations of red on a green Christmas treeWon’t be the same, dear, if you’re not here with me.

WeallknowthesewordsfromElvisPresley’sfamousrecording:BlueChristmas.ItisagentlereminderthatwhileChristmasisoftenseenasatimeofjoyandcelebration,itcanalsobeatimeofsadnessandrememberedgrief. WewillbeholdingourBlueChristmasServiceofRemembranceandComfortonSunday,Dec.13,at4:00pm.Thiswillbeaquiettimeofmeditationand

December2015 Page5

BlueChristmasService

singingsomequietChristmascarolsaswespendafewmomentsrememberingthoselovedonesandfriendswhooncesoenrichedourChristmasesandnowareabsentfromaroundourChristmastree.EveryonewillreceiveablueChristmasornamenttohangonyourtreeasalovingreminderofthoseweloveandmisssomuch. Inourjoys,letusalsoownourgrief.Thosemissingfromourlives—evenforlongyears—needtoberememberedandthankedfortheirpresenceandmeaninginourlives.EverytimeIsing“Awayinamanger,’IthinkofBea—amemberofaformerchurch.ShediedfollowingastrokejustbeforeChristmas.Icouldn’tthinkofwhathymntosingforthisgreatwomanoffaith.Wesangthisinhonorofherfaithandservice.ThelinethataffectsmeeverytimeIsingitis,“andfitusforheaventolivewiththeethere.”ThisisourfaithaswecelebratethebirthofChristourSavior. JoinusforourBlueChristmasService.

St. Timothy Women of ELCATuesday, December 15, 2:30 p.m.

at Luther Crest in Crest HallProgram: “Growing Closer to God Though Music”

Presented by Reverend Dianne Kareha, Luther Crest Chaplin Guests welcome!

PLEASE SIGN UP on the poster in the narthex. If you wish to car pool meet in front of St. Timothy by 1:30 p.m.

If driving on own, park at main entrance lots, 800 Hausman Road, AllentownEnter building at main entrance portico. Program is in Crest Hall.

Ladies: Please sign up if you can provide2 dozen cookies (of your choice) for the refreshment table!

For more details, visit WELCA bulletin board in hallway left of water coolerand see sign up poster in narthex!)

For more information, contact co-leaders: Gloria Hinrichs (610-398-8472) or Marilyn Mazsa (610-820-9361)

Page6 Epistle from St. Timothy December2015

Fountain Park Winter Warming Shelter

Friends, First the bad news: TheFountainParkwarmingshelterhashadconstructiondelaysandwillnotopenthisweekend.Anadditionaldropceilinghadtobeinstalled,andhotwaterheatershadtobere-installedfivefeetabovethegroundlevel,afteraBuildingStandardsBureauinspection.Windowsalsostillneedtobeinstalled,thefloorrefinished,etc.WeshouldknowonMonday,November23therevisedopeningdate. Now the good news: ExecutiveDirectorOwenO’NeilagreedtohaveLANTAprovidebustransportationtoandfromtheshelter,withtworunsinthemorningfromthesheltertotheTransportationCenterat6th&Linden(possiblyat7:15and8:00a.m.);andtworunsintheeveningfromtheTransportationCentertotheshelter,attimestobedecided.Peoplewillhaveto“pay”fortheride,butOwenwillsellusdeeplydiscountedall-daypasses. Inthemeantime,St.Paul’sChurchCrossroadsdaytimedrop-incenteralreadyhasopenedMonday-Thursday,9-4.UnionBaptistChurchalreadyhasbegunservingbreakfasttothehomelessonMondays,TuesdaysandWednesdays.Zion’sChurchwillbeginservingbreakfastThursdays,FridaysandSaturdaysstartingNovember19,andSt.Paul’swillcontinuetheirSundaybreakfast. Westillneedalotofhelpfinancially,especiallytosupportthebreakfastprogramwhichwillbe7daysaweekbetween3locations.Ifanyofyourgroupswouldliketosignupforashiftandprovideabreakfastorcontributenon-perishablefoodstuffs,granolabars,etc.orwouldliketohaveafundraiserfortheshelterorbreakfast,pleaseletusknow.

LeslieTalago,ParishAdministratorSt.Luke’sChurch

610-434-3943oremailstluke@enter.net

December2015 Epistle from St. Timothy Page7

TotheT.O.L.I.P.group, Duringatimelikethiswerealizehowmuchourfriendsandrelativesreallymeantous…Yourexpressionofsympathywillalwaysberemembered. Can’tthankyouenoughforyourprayersforRichard(brotherofCarolKeller). HehadapeacefulpassingandIbe-lieveitwasbecauseseveralprayergroupswereprayingforhimforsometime. Can’ttellyouenoughwhatyourcon-cernhasmeanttoourfamily. Thankyousomuch. NancyRabenold& thefamilyofRichardRabenold

DearFriends, OnbehalfoftheAllentownAreaEcu-menicalFoodBank,wewouldliketothankyouforyourdonationof11bagsoffood. Becauseofyourcaringandsharing,weareabletofeedthoselessfortunateinourcommunity.Wearecurrentlyservingbetween200and250familyperweek. Again,thankyouforyourdonation. Sincerely, MargaretRosenberg CorrespondingSecretary AAEFB

Key: [F] = Fellowship Hall [L] = Lounge [P] = Pastor’s Office [NV] = Nave[N] = Nursery [LB] = Library [YR] = Youth Room [LP] = Land of Promise

19am–Quilters[L]11am-3pm–OfficeOpen6:30pm–CubScouts[F]

211am-3pm–OfficeOpen6:45pm–BellChoirRehearsal[NV]7:30pm–VentureCrew[F]7:30pm–SeniorChoirRehearsal[NV]

310:30am-3:30pm–AARPChristmasMeeting[F]11am-3pm–OfficeOpen4pm–WorshipCommittee[L]7pm–3D[L]OperationSunshineinParkingLot

411am-3pm–OfficeOpen6:30-11pm–ChessClub[L]

5

6 ADVENT 2HANUKKAH BEGINS9am–AdultForum[L]9:30am–SundaySchool[F]10:30am–WorshipBell Choir~11:30am–ReceptionafterWorship

7OFFICE CLOSED7pm–BoyScouts[F]

8 11am-3pm–OfficeOpen6:30pm–CubScouts[F]7:30pm–CouncilMeeting[L]

911am-3pm–OfficeOpen7:30pm–SeniorChoirRehearsal[NV]AARPinParkingLot

1011am-3pm–OfficeOpen2pm–DaybreakMissionTeam6pm–ScoutLeadersMeeting[F]

1111am-3pm–OfficeOpen6:30-11pm–ChessClub[L]

12

13 ADVENT 39am–AdultForum[L]9:30am–SundaySchool[F]10:30am–Worship Lessons&Hymns ChildrenSing Wholeness

14OFFICE CLOSED7pm–BoyScouts[F]7pm–MentalHealthSupportGroup[L]

159am–Quilters[L]11am-3pm–OfficeOpen6:30pm–CubScouts[F]6:30pm–WELCA[L]

1611am-3pm–OfficeOpen6:45pm–BellChoirRehearsal[NV]7:30pm–SeniorChoirRehearsal[NV]7:30pm–VentureCrew[F]AARPinParkingLot

1711am-3pm–OfficeOpen

1811am-3pm–OfficeOpen1-2:30pm–MakingSenseofScripture[L]6pm–VentureCrewOvernighterBegins[F]6:30-11pm–ChessClub[L]

1910am–VentureCrewOvernighterEnds[F]ScoutPopcornDistri-bution[F]

20 ADVENT 46:30am–St.Paul’sMissionTeam9am–AdultForum[L]9:30am–SundaySchool[F]10:30am–Praise Worship~11:45am–Decoratesanctuary3pm–BlueChristmasService[NV]7pm–EnsembleRehearsal[NV]

21OFFICE CLOSED7pm–MentalHealthSupportGroup[L]7pm–BoyScouts[F]

2211am-3pm–OfficeOpen6:30pm–CubScouts[F]

2311am-3pm–OfficeOpen6:45pm–BellChoirRehearsal[NV]7:30pm–SeniorChoirRehearsal[NV]

24 CHRISTMAS EVE11am-3pm–OfficeOpen4:30pm–Family Wor-ship Service CHILDREN SING [NV]8pm–Candlelight Worship Service [NV]

25 CHRISTMASNOWorshipServiceOFFICE CLOSED6:30-11pm–ChessClubl[L]???–OpenWordFellowship[F]

26

27 CHRISTMAS 1NO–AdultForumNO–SundaySchool10:30am–Worship Carols & Lessons3:30pm–SupportGroup[L]

2811am-3pm–OfficeOpen7pm–BoyScouts[F]

2911am-3pm–OfficeOpen6:30pm–CubScouts[F]

3011am-3pm–OfficeOpenNOSeniorChoirRehearsal

31NEW YEAR’S EVEOFFICE CLOSED6:30pm-6:30am–LehighValleyChessClubSAFENewYear’sEveChessEvent[F]

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

God’s Work. Our Hands.

On Sunday, September 13 many congregations of the ELCA served their community in ways that share the love of God with all of God’s people. Here are some

stories from our synod.

Prince of Peace , Johnsonville hosted a Living Well Festival. Over 60  people from the community attended, and 50 members of Prince of Peace volunteered to promote “Living Well” in our mind, body and spirit.

St. Andrew, Easton celebrated with Miller Keystone Bloodmobile, Alex’s Lemonade stand, and a “sock project.”  320 pairs of socks with the message “God’s work, our hands to your feet”  were collected and distributed to needy organizations in the community. 

Reformation, Reiffton held a block party. Members and friends were engaged in an afternoon of activities featuring over 35 ministry and community organizational tents, first responders, health screenings, children’s activities, live music, food and service projects.

Read more about these projects and view some of their pictures at http://nepsynod.org/events/stories-gwoh-sunday.

Volume 23, Issue 11 December 2015

SYNOD NEWS Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod, ELCA

Vacation Bible School Mealsat St. John Windish

St. John Windish Lutheran Church in Bethlehem is home for Iglesia Esperanza, a ministry run by two Moravian Pastors, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Tracy. They help the children on the south side of Bethlehem get off the streets, and provide a safe place for them to hang out. They feed the children Sunday through Thursday; and for some it’s is the only food they will receive until the next day at school.

For several years St. John’s Social Ministries team has served the children dinner once a week. The volunteers also prepare and serve meals for the Vacation Bible School, purchasing the supplies with their own funds.

This year a grant from Thrivent provided seed money to help cover some of the cost, and grant funds from the synod Witness and Service Team helped tremendously. The team was able to provide a healthy snack of fruit and vegetables when the children arrived, serve a nutritional meal around 5:30pm, and send a healthy snack home as well.

There is something so special that happens when children are surrounded with God’s words and God’s love. The goal is to show these children that even though their circumstances may be difficult at home, this program is here for them. There are people who will pray for them. There are people who will listen. The team feels so blessed to be a small part of this ministry. The prayers from the children at dinner time, the smiles on their faces, and the hugs warm each heart.

Synod News is published monthly by the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod, ELCA 2354 Grove Road, Allentown PA 18109; 610-266-5101.

nepsinfo1988@gmail.com; www.godslove.org

God Pause

This month’s suggestion is God Pause, daily devotions brought to you by the alumni of Luther Seminary. You can read a devotion or sign up to have one sent to you each day by visiting their website at https://www.luthersem.edu/godpause.

Social Media Sunday

Social Media Sunday attempts to:

• encourage the use of social media by churches unfamiliar with it;

• boost participation within churches already using social media networking platforms;

• and demonstrate the power of social media to be the church, within and beyond the building, as well as in between times of gathering for formal worship.

Some congregations tried it on Reformation Sunday, October 25 (the national date). If your congregation would like to try using social media in a new, creative way, you can download more information and resources at http://nepsynod.org/documents/social-media-sunday.pdf or visit the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/SMS15.

A Celebration of Local Advocacy On Saturday, October 17, the work of 7 local advocates was celebrated during an intimate meal fellowship at Zion's Lutheran Church, Perry Township.  Pastor Amy Reumann, Director of the Lutheran Advocacy Ministry of Pennsylvania, was present to award certificates to:

• Paul Lilienthal of Trinity, Kutztown for his supportive work with The Potato Project;

• Ruth Stein of Salem, Bethel for her outreach through the Bethel-Tulpehocken Food Pantry;

• Cheryl Feeser, Jerusalem, Schuylkill Haven, for her work in expanding the Schuylkill Haven Food Pantry;

• Kyle Lord, Shoemakersville Community volunteer, for her work through the Keystone Military Families;

• Paula Beltran Franco for her peer mentoring work through the Greater Reading Immigration Project;

• Teresa Eisenstat thanked Julie Osterhout for her support in caring for Teresa after her car accident; and

• Ray Teel, in memoriam, for his enthusiastic participation in mission trips of Ziegel's Union Church, Breinigsville.

Funds were raised for the work of the Lutheran Advocacy Ministry of Pennsylvania (http://www.lutheranadvocacypa.org). Any congregation and cluster is invited to consider hosting local advocacy celebrations like this one.  For more information, you may contact pastor Bruce Osterhout (pastorbruce@zionslutheran.org).

December 2015                                                                              LMD website: www.lehighlutherans.com                                                                      Volume 20, No. 11

The Rev. Jerel W. Gade, Dean 610-966-3030 Mr. Joshua Fink, Mission District Chair 484-358-5720 The Rev. Kurt E. Garbe, Assoc. of the Bishop 610-266-5101 Mrs. Linda Smith, Newsletter Editor 610-437-9927

       ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________   January 2016 LMD NL news will be due December 15th. E-Mail any information to me at lmd.newslettereditor@gmail.com. Presentations at Luther Crest: The public is cordially invited to attend the following free presentations in Crest Hall of Luther Crest, 800 Hausman Road, Allentown, PA 18104: Rev. Dr. Manfred Bahmann "On Being a Blessing": Tues., Nov. 17th, 2:30 p.m. Rev. Dianne Kareha on “Growing Closer with God through Music”. Tues., Dec. 15th, 2:30 p.m. For more information, please contact Luther Crest’s Chaplain Dianne Kareha 610-391-8210. The Lehigh Mission District Christmas Ingathering will take place on Dec. 2nd at St. John’s, Emmaus starting at 10:30 a.m. There will be a brief worship service following the event with lunch. The “Pulpiteers” from St. Paul’s, Bethlehem, will be performing their live Christmas Show at St. Luke’s Lutheran, Allentown on Sat., Dec. 5th, at 6:30 pm. Admission is free, no tickets needed. Zion Lehigh Lutheran Church is having a "31 Bags" Bingo at Trexlertown Fire Company on Dec. 6th. Advance tickets are $20.00 and $25.00 at door. Doors open at noon; Bingo starts at 1:00. There will be a Basket Raffle and the kitchen will be open. Any questions, contact the church at 610-395-1215 The Emmaus Chorale Presents: "Sing We Now of Christmas!" Directed by Laura Rabenold, the Chorale and instrumentalists will present a variety of holiday selections. Sun. Dec. 6th, 3:00 p.m. at Faith Presbyterian Church, N. 2nd and Cherokee Streets, Emmaus. Free-Will Offering. LCS will hold a Marriage Preparedness Series on Jan. 9, 2016 at Ziegels Lutheran Church, Breinigsville from 9-3:30. The cost is $80 which includes lunch. Couples can register on line at www.lutherancongregationalservices.org or call the office at 610-770-9205. Can you provide an hour or two per week to help someone who wants to change their life? St. Luke’s at 417 N 7th St, Allentown still has an ongoing need for volunteers to assist as tutors or substitutes for our growing multi-level ELL Program for individuals who desperately want to learn English. No foreign language needed. Contact Leslie Talago or Pastor Lamb at 610-434-3943 or stluke@enter.net for class times and orientation sessions. Refugee Resettlement accepts apartment sized furniture such as chests of drawers/dressers, kitchen tables and chairs, living room small sofas/loveseats/chairs, end tables, etc. (NO BEDS). Please call Ammar at 484-542-9849 to arrange for pickup of items.

Speakers Available: Luther Crest has a variety of speakers available to speak to congregations, adult Sunday school classes, organizations such as women’s and men’s groups, Bible studies, seniors groups, and youth groups. Topics include: Alzheimer's Disease/Dementia, Depression, Elder Care, Caring for the Caregiver, Senior Housing Options, Continuum of Care, Living with Loss/Grief Support, Communicating during Times of Conflict, Prayer, Scripture Studies. For more information or to schedule a speaker, please contact Rev. Dianne Kareha, Diakon Chaplain for Luther Crest (610-391-8210). Church Council Retreat or Meeting at Luther Crest: We invite your congregation's Church Council to hold a retreat or one of its meetings at Luther Crest. To learn more or to schedule your Church Council retreat or meeting at Luther Crest (with meals optional), please contact Rev. Dianne Kareha, Diakon Chaplain for Luther Crest (610-391-8210). THE NEW WINTER SHELTER REMINDER: Please consider designating the offering from the 1st Sunday of Advent (November 29th) or to have a special offering(s) collected for the Winter Shelter. Send checks to: St Luke’s Lutheran Church at 417 North 7th St, Allentown, PA 18102 earmarked “Winter Shelter”. Unfortunately there is construction delays at the Fountain Park warming shelter. Because of these delays it will not be able to open this weekend. Please see attached flyer for information on financial and volunteer opportunities. A website will be up and running shortly. That will allow both congregations and individuals to sign up for a shift to volunteer at one of the breakfast sites run by: St. Paul’s Lutheran, Union Baptist and Zion UCC. Watch for more updates. Any questions contact, Leslie Talago, St. Luke’s Lutheran at 610-434-3943 or email stluke@enter.net. The LMD Council met recently and agreed that there were three items which it should call to the attention of our congregations. First, a reminder that Benevolence Contributions for 2015 should be forwarded to the synod office before the end of December! Second, that members of our congregations are encouraged to join Jerusalem Church, Western Salisbury, in its Epiphany evening worship celebration on January 6 at 7:30PM as they begin their 275th anniversary celebration. Dean Jerel Gade will be the preacher. And, finally, that St. Peter’s, Hanover Avenue, is looking forward to supporting missionaries Steve and Debbie Buckner in their ministry in Honduras. The Council is wondering if there are other congregations which would like to join or if you are involved in such unique ministries. Please contact council secretary, Pastor Dick Stough, with questions or information you would like to share rhseah1@ptd.net or cell phone 610-349-5488.

         

“Let us remember that we are magic.” –Mia Birdsong

Did you know when looking at the Milky Way at night, you are seeing only about 0.0000025% of the galaxy’s hundreds of billions of stars? Trying to get a clear picture of our galaxy would be like trying to take a picture of the outside of your house from the inside. We can only see the things that immediately surround us, and judge the general shape—and our position within that shape—based on our limited viewpoint. That means that only about 5,000 stars are visible to the naked, average, human eye. Our sun is just one star in the Milky Way Galaxy. And there are about 200 billion stars in our galaxy; with 40 to 50 billion of them like our sun meaning there would be at least 11 billion planets like ours. Astronomers estimate that there are at least one hundred billion galaxies in the observable universe. The Milky Way is but one galaxy in the known universe. “From Fun Facts About Our Universe” “The Writing Adventures Summer” programing at St Stephen Outreach Center of Christ Lutheran Church officially ended on August 13th but the rippling effects of its blessings continues to reverberate in the surrounding community. On a cosmic level what happened at the Center appears miniscule in comparison to other bigger or better-funded programs in the city, the state, the country and even the world. And yet when the kids in the neighborhood came back the next day wondering why the program ended it made us stop and ponder. I believe there are more mysteries than facts and bigger truths beyond all our little truths. God is present in our tiny little part of the world transforming lives and creating new things. As we moved into the fall and winter programs we began sprucing up the Center: painting walls, cleaning, steam cleaning the rugs, making minor repairs, reorganizing storage areas and redecorating bulletin boards. In spite of the Center’s tight budget our dedicated moms, dads, children, and teens from the surrounding community along with volunteers and staff are accomplishing all of this work. Our community experiences hope and see value in the ministries living within the walls of this old church building. Poverty rates have not changed much in the last 50 years since the War on Poverty was launched. Yet the people of this poor community are working hard to make a positive  difference in their lives and in the lives of their neighbors. Being poor does not equal being helpless and powerless. So yes, it is magical to behold how creative and resourceful this community is. I give you thanks – all of you – that give of your time, your talents and of your resources. I give you thanks for your unwavering faith, trust and support of your community center. You are magic. You make possible the impossible. All glory to our Creator God who is the source of all magic and wonder! Pastor Maritza T. Dolich

OPERATION SUNSHINE

36 S. 8th St, Allentown, PA 18101 Phone: 610-435-9155

Open: Mon 11-3 Wed. 9-4

E-mail: LMDopsunshine@aol.com Web site: www.LMDopsunshine.com

Paula & Dick Skelly Co-Trip Coordinators

Day of Trip Emergency Number 610-417-3286

Operation Sunshine is a non-profit fellowship opportunity within our Mission District, run solely by volunteers. Please join us and invite your

friends as we enjoy a variety of venues together. *****************

Shake off the winter doldrums with our Operation Sunshine trip to

Hunterdon Hills! Feb. 24 (Wed.) – Hunterdon Hills Playhouse – SPREADING IT AROUND - A well-to-do widow living in Florida grows tired of handing out money to her neglectful and unappreciative children and sets up a foundation to give her money to people truly in need. When her greedy son and his shopaholic wife find out what she's up to, they attempt to have her declared financially incompetent. However, when Mom learns of their scheme, she comes up with a plan to show just how competent she really is! Hunterdon Hills Playhouse is always a good time with great food. Choose your meal from a great menu when you get there. Break the winter doldrums with our Operation Sunshine trip to Hunterdon Hills! Bus leaves St. Timothy's at 10:00 AM and will return approximately 4:30 PM. Cost $85 Payment Deadline: Thurs., Feb. 11 Mar. 17 (Thur.) Sight & Sound – SAMSON – Join Operation Sunshine as we experience one of the first performances of “SAMSON”, the newest show added to the Sight & Sound lineup, done as only Sight and Sound can. The world's first superhero ... the strongest man who ever lived.... He killed a lion with his bare hands and defeated a thousand soldiers ... but he's not a hero because of the strength of his hands, he's a hero because of the faith in his heart! One of the most captivating stories in the Bible, SAMSON is filled with colorful characters, extraordinary feats of strength, and amazing special effects that your whole family will love. When Samson stands between two colossal columns in a godless temple and starts to push - it's an immersive scene that literally brings the house down. Lunch will be at the best buffet in town, Shady Maple. Bus leaves St. Timothy's at 10:00 AM and will return approximately 7:00 PM. Cost $99 Payment Deadline: Thurs., Feb. 23 Apr. 13 (Wed..) – Bristol Riverside Theatre, Bristol, PA –RUMORS - Join us at a NEW VENUE and see how hilarity abounds as guests arrive at the New York City Deputy Mayor’s townhouse to find the host has shot himself (though it’s only a flesh wound), his wife is missing, and there isn’t any food! The party guests are desperate to hush up the scandal, if that’s what it is, that surrounds their unseen host. As the confusion and miscommunication mount, the evening soon spins out of control in this non-stop laugh-out-loud Neil Simon farce. Lunch will be at the historic King George II Inn on the waterfront, and will include soup, dessert, beverage, and your choice of one of the following, Quiche of the Day, Tavern Cheeseburger, Turkey Junior Club. Please indicate your meal choice at the time of reservation. Bus leaves St. Timothy's at 10:00 AM and will return approximately 6:00 PM. Cost $89 Payment Deadline: Thur., Mar. 17

Merry Christmas and a Happy Healthy New Year