I guess I've written close to 300 "Pastor's Points" articles over the last 30 plus years. How odd, it seems, to be writing my last one!
Retirement soon approaches for me on September 1st. But with vacation time coming, that means my final Sunday at St. Peter's will be July 25. "What's gonna happen after that?" people have been asking me. Well, most likely, the Bishop's Office will contact our congregational leadership to begin the process of self-study and evaluation that St. Peter's will undergo during the pastoral vacancy. I hope you will sincerely participate in this valuable effort. Then, come September, the Bishop will appoint an interim pastor. I have served as such four different times over the years. So, I know that your interim pastor will provide proper pastoral care. Others, known as supply pastors, will be with you every Sunday to lead worship. It is also possible that what is called an "intentional" interim pastor might be proposed, one who would serve part to full time during the vacancy. In this instance, the interim would also be responsible for worship. So, congregational life will go on. Be assured!
The summer ahead of us will be just as it always has been. I will be going on vacation, and faithful Worship Leaders will conduct services each sunday morning of August at 9:30 AM:
August 1
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Linda Nietman
August 8
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Patrick Salaman
August 15
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Evelyn Troy
August 22
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Pat Klatt
August 29
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Irene Plitz
We remain ever so fortunate to have these willing and able volunteers! I thank them very much.
May I remind you all, this one last time, to make use of your offering envelopes over the summer. If you are going away, please consider contributing before you leave on your vacation!
So what can I say? Still not "good-bye." There are the weeks and the Sundays of July for us yet to be together. I look forward to it! Thanks for all the office visits, calls, notes and letters expressing your support for me and offering your prayers. I know it's a difficult time for many of you. It is for me as well! Please know my prayers will be with you, along with my sincere gratitude for the privilege of serving as the pastor of such a "terrific" church for all these 30 years!
The June meeting of St. Peter's Congregation Council was opened with devotions from Exodus 16:8, seeing abundance when others see scarcity is an act of faithfulness!
In Pastor's Report he thanked the dedicated Sunday School teachers and Choir Members for another year of very fine service to St. Peter's.
Vacation Church School will start June 21st and run through July 2nd. The theme is "Davey and Goliath's CAMP CREATION." Some students have already signed up.
The summer schedule will start June 27th with our Hymn Sing. We will have Worship Leaders starting August 1st, and continuing through August 29th.
The Church Picnic will be July 10th at Erik and Paul Henriksen's home. Be sure to sign the sheet in the hallway entering Fellowship Hall to attend.
On Memorial Day Pastor gave the Invocation and the Benediction at the 11 AM service held at Washington Park in North Plainfield.
Only two nights remain of 95ERS softball. The last night will be a celebration with Soda and Subs!
McCutchen Home residents will be entertained by Pastor in July. Come and share this half hour with people in the home.
The Property Committee gave an estimate for the replacement of the main roof over the sanctuary. The part that needs to be fixed is over 50 years old. Another estimate will be obtained before we make a final decision, but the cost should be similar to the roof work we had done last year. This will be pursued before the Fall. A brief Congregational Meeting to approve this immediate and necessary project will be held directly after the church service on Sunday, July 11th. Then we will set up for our Guests Without Homes who arrive that day.
It is with a very heavy heart, and I'm sure we will all wonder what's going to happen now? Pastor Anderson will retire as of September 1st. Let us all pray for St. Peter's and for our wonderful leader of 30 years. We wish him God Speed and much happiness in the future. If we pray together and stay together we can keep St. Peter's the "Welcome Place" that it is!
Our school will run this year from Monday, June 21st, through Friday, July 2nd, under the exciting theme, "Davey and Goliath's CAMP CREATION."
As always, we will mix in songs and crafts, recreation and snacks. The entire experience makes for great Christian Education. We will meet here at St. Peter's from 9:30 a.m. - noon. Children from preschool (the year before kindergarten) through 6th grade are welcome. Registration forms are available at the church office, or children may be registered at the door on any day our Vacation Church School is in session. Please take advantage of this wonderful Christian Education opportunity which is also a whole lot of fun!
Summer Schedule
Beginning Sunday, June 27th, and continuing through Sunday, September 5th, we will gather for worship each week at 9:30 AM. Our "New Songs" Alternative Worship Service goes on hiatus for the Summer. From Monday, June 28th, until Friday, September 3rd (not including vacation), the church office will be open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:30 - to 11:00 a.m. Rally Day will be Sunday, September 12th.
Our Graduates
Juliana Grant from Somerset County VoTech High School on June 17th. Juliana is planning to go to Raritan Valley Community College next year majoring in Art and Design.
Ivan Grant from Dartmouth University on June 13th. Having majored in drama, Ivan will be home this Summer looking to join the ranks of the employed.
Jim Plitz from Lehigh University with a Masters in Business Administration.
Joe Plitz from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh with a Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Fatima Plitz from Neuman College in Philadelphia with a Masters Degree in Physical Therapy.
Congratulations and Best Wishes to All!
95ERS Softball
In Canada the fans cheer at softball games by crying out, "Down and Dirty!" This is their way of rooting, "Play hard!" Perhaps the cheer that echoes over our 95ERS Softball Team this year should be, "Down and Dirty for Thirty!" It has been our historic 30th Anniversary Season! It's been a long, storied history since we began in the Spring of 1975. So many players have come and gone over this long span. This current edition of the 95ERS features veteran shortstop Tom Johnston playing right along side 95ERS rookie and, also, by the way, his son, Stephen Johnston; David Jacobs', also a rookie, incredible over the shoulder catch in center field (say hey, David); and Judy Jacobs coming out of long retirement until injury cut short her return. What a good sport!
Many thanks to our St. Peter's 95ERS of 2004: Pat Johnston, Judy Jacobs, Tom Johnston, David Jacobs, Stephen Johnston, Kelly Whitney, Nick Whitney, Mark (a friend of Nick's), Pastor Anderson, Professor Mark Kraai of New Brunswick Seminary, and Pastor Steve Miller of Pottersville Reformed Church.
We are grateful to our fans: Kim Whitney and Dorothea Sundvall, who also served as Scorekeeper.
Ministry to Persons Without Homes
Our guests arrive on Sunday, July 11th. In the Summer, due to vacations, volunteers are always harder to come by, so if you've been thinking of joining this valuable ministry this would be a great opportunity. We will need early evening and overnight hosts, kitchen crew, food donors, drivers, as well as help with setting up and cleaning up. Watch for the sign-up sheets on the bulletin board near the kitchen and thank you very much!
Special Thanks
We have come through another church year together and we must say thanks!
To: Mary Ann Schwarz and our Choir Members for all their anthems and all their special music which has provided so much meaning and beauty to our worship.
To: Gary Grant and our Bell Choir for their Christmas devotion.
To: The entire staff of our Sunday Church School whose weekly efforts have carried on our program of Christian Education: Dorothea Sundvall, Elizabeth Ennis, Pat Johnston, Patrick Salaman (for half the year),and our substitute, Diane Pasquarello.
To: Juliana Grant, who has faithfully assisted the worship life of our congregation as Acolyte for almost seven full years, from July 13, 1997 - June 20th, 2004, and is now retiring from this significant service.
Women of the ELCA
The Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (WELCA) invite all women to participate in their many activities. Meetings with a specific theme or activity are usually held at the church on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:30 PM. Our Katie's Quilters usually meet twice a month on a Wednesday morning at 10:00 and a Friday evening at 7:30. In June, 2004, our women delivered 110 quilts, plus health kits and used clothing to Lutheran World Relief center in Maryland. Food items for FISH, the local food bank, are continually collected and delivered. They assisted our Lutheran Men in Mission at our Annual Dinner Theater. Thankoffering Sunday was held in November. Many other opportunities for fellowship and service are coming along. As you can see, our women are very active. To find out how you can join in, and to find out what's happening when, please talk to an active member, watch for announcements in the Sunday bulletin, or call the church office (908-754-0530)for further information and/or the name and phone number of the proper contact person. Our Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America look forward to welcoming you!
Lutheran Men in Mission
Our Lutheran Men in Mission (LMM) meet the first Tuesday of each month at 7;30 PM at the Church. All men of the church, young and senior alike, are welcome and encouraged to attend. We need you! If you need a ride, please see or call Ken Troy. LMM sponsored our Annual Picnic, a Philadelphia theater trip to see a son of the congregation perform, and Mother's Day refreshments and carnations. They organized and cooked for our Annual Dinner Theater which took place in November. Work days at the church are also scheduled when a need arises. Many other opportunities for fellowship and service are coming along. As with the Women's Group, to find out how you can join in, and to find out what's happening when, please talk to an active member, watch for announcements in the Sunday bulletin, or call the church office (908-754-0530)for further information and/or the name and phone number of the proper contact person. Our Lutheran Men in Mission look forward to welcoming you!
Katie's Quilters say THANK YOU!
Thank you so much for your generous contribution to Katie's Quilters. Now we will have money to buy fillers for our quilts, and hopefully by next year be finishing our 800th quilt!
Lutheran World Relief Brochure tells us:
"Since 1945, U.S. Lutherans have provided material resources by the ton for people in need around the world. The quilts, kits, soap and clothing travel through a well-coordinated intercontinental pipeline to get from your parish to the women, children and men who so deeply appreciate your gifts of comfort.
Please keep in mind that the ultimate purpose of a quilt is to provide warmth. Even in warmer climates. the temperatures can drop dramatically at night, requiring a quilt with sufficient filler."
Dorothea Sundvall's name was omitted in error from my last article. She is a valued worker. Christine Zehrfuhs can now be added to our list of workers, and we welcome her most heartily.
Again Katie's Quilters says THANK YOU!
Barbara Henriksen
ELCA World Hunger Appeal
"In 2004, our church's World Hunger Appeal celebrates its 30th anniversary - 30 years of bringing help and hope to people in need." These are the words addressed to us in a letter from Mark S. Hanson, presiding Bishop of the ELCA. He goes on to say, "In this anniversary year, our church will be celebrating the work of the Appeal...Through your giving, you have been part of this mosaic of hope that comes through merging relief, sustainable development, advocacy, and education. Your gifts are part of a picture - of a church that is responding faithfully and effectively to its Lord's command to feed those who are hungry and to seek justice for those who are oppressed.
Please continue to be a part of this picture by giving generously to our church's World Hunger Appeal."
