Friendly Messenger May 2004
Friendly Messenger May 2004
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FRIENDLY MESSENGER

May 2004


This Month's Contents:

  • Pastor's Points
  • Congregational Council Highlights
  • Parish Happenings

    PASTOR'S POINTS

    "In this season of resurrection, as children of the Reformation, we are focusing on TRANSFORMATION!" Here I quote my own words, but they are similar to Paul's as he writes to the Romans:

    ...be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God..."

    During the Easter Season I am basing my sermons on the thoughts of kelly Fryer, Lutheran pastor, author, and recent Keynote Speaker at the Conference on Congregational Ministries. She states: "It's an interesting time to be the church; because, the truth is, we are not very good at it! 70%," she says, "of all our ELCA congregations have plateaued or are declining." Pastor Fryer even goes so far as to write: "Sundays are dead!"

    But how can they be? It is Easter! Christ is Risen! Jesus is alive! Sin is forgiven! Love is new! Hearts are not troubled! Voices rejoice! Spirits fill!

    "God's transformation of the congregation I am part of," writes Kelly Fryer, "will begin with ME...and my heart and my mind and my life. And God's transformation of the congregations you are a part of will begin with YOU." "'Changed people change churches!'" she emphasizes.

    "Are we free to love, to serve, to share. to sing, to laugh, to lead, to give ourselves away? Are we willing to let ourselves be turned upside-down and inside-out by a God who wants for us, for our congregations, and for the whole world more than anything we could ever even ask or imagine?"

    ...be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God...

    O, the "TRANSFORMATION" of our hearts begins at Easter evening, joining the disciple Thomas, poking our fingers into our Savior's wounded palms, touching the place where the spear pierced his side, exclaiming: "'My Lord and my God!'"

    "Love changes people," writes Kelly Fryer. "Changed people change churches!'"


    CONGREGATIONAL COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

    The April meeting was opened with devotions called "Having Vision."

    In Pastor's Report many thanks were extended to all who helped make Holy Week and Easter a wonderful experience.

    The Annual Assembly of the N.J. Synod will be held on May 6-8 in East Brunswick. Pat Johnston will be the Voting Member from St. Peter's.

    Evangelism Chairperson, Judy Jacobs, said that several advertisements had been placed in the Courier-News, both for the month of April and, specifically, for Holy Week. She was also grateful for everyone's invitational efforts on Friendship Sunday (Palm Sunday).

    Social Ministry has set the Spring Fling for May 1st. Seniors are our special guests, but all are invited to come and see and hear a wonderful folk singer, Linda Russell.

    The Property Committee will replace a faulty emergency light, and is looking into other electrical repairs.

    Under New Business, the Council voted to make a donation to North Plainfield High School's "Project Graduation."

    Having heard all committee reports, and with no further business, the meeting was adjourned with the Lord's Prayer.

    In Christ's Service,
    Orvie Hoffman
    Council Vice President


    PARISH HAPPENINGS

    Friendship Sunday Thanks

    Thank you for the success of Friendship Sunday on Palm Sunday. Many members invited friends and family members. We even had 2 drop-in visitors.

    Although St. Peter's will host several official Friendship Sundays, please remember that every Sunday is a Friendship Sunday at St. Peter's - "The Welcome Place."

    Please invite family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers. "Ignite to Invite." Lets' keep it going!

    Judy Jacobs,
    Chairperson
    Evangelism Committee

    "New Songs" Service

    Each Sunday at 8:30 a.m. we offer an alternative worship experience. This style is informal, the length is only half an hour. The Lord's Supper is celebrated every week. Attendance is growing. Join us if you are looking for something different, or if you are unable to worship at the later hour or, as some do, if you would just like to spend the whole morning here at church. "Come and see."

    Adult Forum

    Christian Education is available for all adults! Every Sunday morning at 9:15 a.m. in the Nursery Room, Pat Johnston leads a study and discussion on the scripture lessons to be read in church that day. Join the class! Join your friends! If you are here for the early "New Songs" Service, or if you are bringing your children to Sunday School, stay; Christian Education is for you, too! Folks, be part of the experience!

    Stewardship

    Quoting from a devotional booklet, "Our Daily Bread," published by Radio Bible Class Ministries, I would share with you these thoughts:

    "During a trip to London. I visited the Bank of England Museum. At some point, it struck me that both money and time have been very important commodities as far back as anyone can remember. Yet they present one of the greta dilemmas of life. We trade our valuable time working for money, and then we spend our money to make the most of our time off. We seldom possess the two with any degree of balance.

    In contrast, our Lord never seemed perplexed by money or time. When asked if it was lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, Jesus answered: 'Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's.' (Mark 12:17) With great demands on His time, Jesus spent early mornings and late nights in prayer, seeking to know and do His Father's will. We can properly balance time and money when we offer ourselves without reservation to God." David McCasland

    Spend time and money wisely; they both belong to God!

    Dorothea Sundvall,
    Chairperson
    Stewardship Committee

    Ministry to Persons Without Homes

    Our guests arrive on Sunday, May 9th, which is also Mother's . AS we think so gratefully about family, we will once again have the treasured opportunity to provide home, hospitality and compassion for folks in real need, Please volunteer to participate in this significant ministry as early evening or overnight hosts, kitchen crew or food donors. Sign up on the bulletin board near the kitchen. And thank you for all your help!

    95ERS Softball

    The Yankees began the Major League Baseball season in Japan this year, and the way they've played in many of their games since, it seems they may still be sleeping from their jet lag! Somehow that sounds like our St. Peter's 95ERS Softball Team. Still, we are about to begin our historic 30th Season. We still need players to fill out our squad. Men, women and teenagers are welcome and encouraged to play. Skill is not required, only the desire to have some fun. Sign up to play on the Display Area in the narthex.

    Our season begins on Thursday, April 29th, and will continue on each Thursday through the end of June. We will play on West End School fields, Greenbrook Road and West End Avenue. Game time will be 6:45 p.m., with warm ups at 6:30 p.m. As always, the season should be filled with enjoyment and camaraderie.

    Spring Fling

    It has been called the "SPRING FLING Wing Ding Thing!" And it is coming soon to our own stage in our own Fellowship Hall! And for the 30th year! The date is Saturday, May 1st, from 1-3 p.m. Playing guitar, mountain hammered dulcimer, penny whistle and limberjack (What's that? Come and find out!), Linda Russell will sing ballads of the 18th Century, sentimental melodies of the Victorian age, mountain gospels and her own original songs. A well known entertainer, a balladeer for the National Park Service - we are lucky to have her! Don't miss this wonderful performance.

    And of course, there will also be singing, games, jokes and prizes. Senior citizens are our special guests, but all are invited. So some, and bring a friend or a neighbor.

    Our refreshment table is always one of the Spring Fling's main attractions. Donations of homemade finger food goodies would be appreciated. These may be brought that day or the day before. If you can help out in any way, please talk to Barbara Shebey. Thanks!

    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. last summer our women delivered 170 quilts and 13 health kits 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 on November 22nd. Thankoffering Sunday was held on November 9th. 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!

    WELCA is planning a Dinner Theater Trip on Sunday, June 13th to see "Everybody Loves Opal" at 2 p.m., at Hunterdon Hills Playhouse. The cost is $48.50 per ticket, and there are four meal selections. Make checks payable to Pat Shebey by Sunday, May 2nd. Sign up on the WELCA bulletin board entering Fellowship Hall to attend and make your meal selection. We will carpool from the church at approximately 1 p.m. on June 13th.

    Dates to Remember:

    May 1 - Spring Fling - 1-3 p.m. in Fellowship Hall.

    May 7 - Church Women United May Friendship Day - Pot Luck Luncheon at our church.

    May 15 - The FISH organization is having a Yard Sale. Check with Art Klatt if you have items to donate.

    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 spring fishing trip, a spring bus trip to the homes of Mark Twain and Harriet Beecher Stowe, and Mother's Day refreshments and carnations. They organized and cooked for our Annual Dinner Theater which took place on November 22nd. 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!


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