THE EVANGELIST - Amazon Web Services · The Evangelist Altar Flowers Dec 6—In Memory of Josh Wall given by Mom, Dad, and Diane Dec 20th—In Memory of Benjamin given by Racheal

Issue 10 October 2013

Greetings to you and our family,

This year I am very excited to share with you that I will be a grandmother. It is so very ex-citing to know that there is this tiny being in-side of my daughter’s body that is growing, kicking, and stretching. When a new baby is born, we become filled with hope and joy. We wonder if they will have curly hair, what type of personality, and ultimately what their pur-pose in life will be?

The gift from God the Father is that Jesus came into this world with his mission before Him. God’s will is very clear. Jesus declares that He is the way, the truth, and the life.

As we live out our life, do we see ourselves as if we are on a journey? Do we know the way that God is leading us? Do we choose to live out our baptismal promises? Jesus is the only way to connect the physical world to God’s king-dom. Jesus claims that he is the way, the truth, and the life. How do we know that He is the way? “As He had told them from the be-ginning, Jesus was again telling them (and us) “follow me.” There is no other path to heaven, no other way to the Father. Peter reiterated this same truth years later to the rulers in Je-rusalem, saying about Jesus, “Salvation is found

in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

How do we know that Jesus is the truth? In the words of St. John, (John 1:1) we hear that “Jesus, as the incarnate Word of God is the source of all truth.” Psalm 119:142 says, “Your law is the truth.” In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus reminded His listeners of several points of the Law, then said, “But I say unto you . . .” (Matthew 5:22, 28, 32, 34, 39, 44), thereby equating Himself with the Law of God as the authoritative standard of righteousness. In fact, Jesus said that He came to fulfill the Law and the prophets (Matthew 5:17).

How do we know that Jesus is “the life”? Jesus worked hard to teach his disciples that his impending death was near. However, they just could not wrap their heads around His way and truth. But God provides the proof of Jesus being the life for us. In John 10:17–18, Jesus declared that He was going to lay down His life for His sheep, and then take it back again. He spoke of His authority over life and death as being granted to Him by the Father. In John 14:19, He gave the promise that “because I live, you also will live.” CONT PAGE 7 http://www.gotquestions.org/contact.html

THE EVANGELIST

A monthly publ icat ion of St . John's Evangel ical Lutheran Church - Ridge Val ley St . John’s Evangel ical Lutheran Church, Ridge Val ley , 910 Allentown Road, Sel lersvi l le , PA 18960

Off ice Hours : Monday through Friday 9:00 am to 2pm Pastor—Rev. Amy Hotter Administ rat ive Assi s tant—Jennifer Nyce

Phone: 215-257-9643 E -Mail: s t johnsr idgeval [email protected] Websi te: www.st johns -r idgeval ley .com Facebook: https//facebook.com/stjohnsr idgeval ley

Sunday Worship Schedule: 8:30 am–Tradit ional ; Sunday School -9:30 am (no summer) ; 10:15 am–Praise

Issue 12 A Word from the Pastor... December 2015

The Evangelist

December Scripture Schedule Date Principal Festivals First Reading Psalm Second Reading Gospel

9 Inclusions due for Council Agenda

13 Christmas Caroling

14 Council Agenda

16 Articles due for Newsletter

20 Hanging of the Greens Service

27 Children's Program

OFFICE CLOSED: DEC 24, 25, 31 & JAN 1

Read the Bible in a year! Go to: http://www.ewordtoday.com/year/msg/cjan01.htm and fol-low along with their suggested readings for each day or see below. You’ll be on your way to reading the Bible as it’s events occurred in real time! Dec 1: 1Cor 9-11

Dec 2: 1Cor 12-14

Dec 3: 1Cor 15-16

Dec 4: 2Cor 1-4

Dec 5: 2Cor 5-9

Dec 6: 2Cor 10-13

Dec 7: Acts 20:1-3; Rom 1-3

Dec 8: Rom 4-7

Dec 9: Rom 8-10

Dec 10: Rom 11-13

Dec 11: Rom 14-16

Dec 12: Acts 20:4-23:35

Dec 13: Acts 24-26

Dec 14: Acts 27-28

Dec 15: Colossians; Philemon

Dec 16: Ephesians

Dec 17: Philippians 1-4

Dec 18: 1 Timothy

Dec 19: Titus

Dec 20: 1 Peter

Dec 21: Heb 1-6

Dec 22: Heb 7-10

Dec 23: Heb 11-13

Dec 24: 2 Timothy

Dec 25: 2 Peter; Jude

Dec 26: 1 John

Dec 27: 2/3 John

Dec 28: Rev 1-5

Dec 29: Rev 6-11

Dec 30: Rev 12-18

Dec 31: Rev 19-22

LOOKAHEAD:ING

JAN 6—Inclusions due for Council Agenda

Jan 13—Council Meeting 7pm

The Evangelist

Altar Flowers Dec 6—In Memory of Josh Wall given by Mom,

Dad, and Diane

Dec 20th—In Memory of Benjamin given by Racheal and Mommy

Dec 24th—In honor of Luke Dixon’s Bday given by Grandmom and Grandpop

Bulletin Sponsors Dec 6—In Memory of Josh Wall given by The

Rogers

Candle Memorial In Memory of Josh Wall given by The Rogers

In Memory of Heather Rogers given by The Markley Family

Memorials for

December A memorial was received in loving memory of Dick & Bobbie

Warmkessel from the Warrington Rotary Club.

A memorial was received in loving memory of Donald Quinn

from Lucille Caruso.

A memorial was received in loving memory of Elmer & Ellen Huber from Harvey P. Huber.

Memorials were received in loving memory of Roy Haf-ler from Richard & Phyllis Snyder, Dale & Beverly Benner, Dan & Pat Traynor, Carl Knerr, William & Doris Clayton, Chris & Brenda Wall, Mark Bolton's Car-pentry Service, Edward & Barbara Wojciechowski, Robert & Linda Kober, William & Eileen Woehr, Myrna Reppert, Louise Bock, Jeff & Penny Markley, Nancy Esposito, Richard & Linda Nase, Asher & Nancy Nace

Our Members:

Shirley Schirk

Gene Davidheiser

Linda Marcinko

Steve Shutt

Neala Hopkins

Lynn Damm Wim-mer

Our Grieving Family:

The Warmkessel/Kehoe Family

The Fallows Family

The Clark Family

The Hafler Family

The Nase Family

Elizabeth Schmitt

Chuck Sannipoli

Darline Dotter

Dorothy Troxel

Sandy Driscoll

Laird Bourdon

Mary King

Our Homebound:

Francis Allem

Doris Barndt

Claude & Dorothy Barndt

Edna Barndt

Pauline Berndt

Helen Brensinger

Lucille Caruso

Ed Geiger

James Gotthardt

Willis & Lorraine

Heacock

Bob Kulp

Ruth & Charles Marx

Tom & Blanche Matczak

Elaine Turner

Paul & Pauline Brensinger

Harold & Gert Benner

Romaine Croissette

William Turner

Our Friends:

The Evangelist

Unemployment Support Group

Every Tuesday night at 7pm

St John’s Lutheran Church

Ridge Valley

215.257.9643

FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS We recognize that many of the members of our congregation as well as friends of St. John's own, operate or are affiliated with a fam-ily business venture, and this can include baby sitting, dog walking, sitting, mowing of grass, etc.. Please feel free to post your busi-ness card, or a little memo with regard to what might be of interest to our congregation. "We are Family...Our Congregation and Me."

Yogini's Kid's Yoga Coming soon to St.John’s church & preschool!!

My name is Liz Page. I've been practicing yoga for eleven years- and teaching kid's yoga for the last two. I have three children: Emmy (4) Addie (6) and Ellie (16). Emmy is currently a preschool student here at the church, and Addie came here for preschool also. In the past I have worked as a substitute school teacher, and also as a one-on-one special education assistant. I am certified as a Child Light Yoga instructor and I also currently teach kid's yoga at Yoga Tree in Perkasie. I'm excited to announce that starting in December I will be teach-ing here too. A class will be offered for children ages three to five to introduce the basic poses and principles of yoga along with breathing techniques, songs and games. Class will start at 12 pm immediately following preschool on Wednesdays, and will go until 1 pm in the basement of the church. The cost is $10/child and each child will need a yoga mat and a water bot-tle. Studies show that introducing young children to yoga is an excellent way to help with stress management, exercise, bal-ance and so much more- putting them on a path to a healthy and peaceful lifestyle.

THANK YOU

I want to thank everyone for your prayers, calls, cards, kind words and remembrances on the sudden illness and passing of Roy.

A special thank you to Pastor Amy and Heidi for their visits to the hospital and for their sup-port. Another thank you to the choir for their participation in his service and to the ladies who served the luncheon.

Roy has been healed and gone home to the Lord. I’m sure that the gathering of his family and his church family to say goodbye made him smile.— Carolyn

You can see Roy’s obituary online at www.sadlersuessfuneralhome.net

CONT FROM PAGE 1…

As we take time to reflect over the words of Jesus, “I am the way, truth, and life” may we be grateful. May we know that we have a God who provides all things. We recog-nize that God has a purpose for our lives, our children’s lives, and our grandchildren’s lives. Yet, I also recognize that without following the One who know the truth, way, and life, we will be deceived, lost, and not living to our full potential. Many people spend a great amount of time to decorate their houses and love to show off their beautiful lights yet they are in dark. In this Christmas season, please share the Word of God. Please read the stories of John’s the Baptist, Mary and Joseph, Eliza-beth, and the Child. (Luke:1) It is in the Words of God we find and follow Jesus and have our purpose.

A very merry Christmas to all of you. May the Peace of God fill your hearts.

In the love of Jesus,

Pr. Amy

Need a Gift? Try the recom-mended books and family movies below!

The Evangelist

Chrismons and Chrismon Patterns

Chrismons are Christmas decorations with Christian symbols on them. They help Christians to remem-ber that Christmas is the celebration of Jesus' birthday. They are often used on Christmas Trees in Churches and Christians homes.

They were first made by Frances Kipps Spencer at the Ascension Lutheran Church in Danville, Virginia, USA. She also thought of the word, Chrismon, which is a combination of Christ and monogram (meaning symbol). The idea quickly spread to other churches. It is traditional that Christian groups can make their own Chrismons with their favorite symbols on.

Each year a 20ft (6 meter) Christmas Tree is decorated in the Ascension Lutheran Church, as Mrs Spencer intended, and visitors come and the hear the story of Jesus explained through her original Chrismons and a few gifts from around the world.

Chrismons are traditionally colored white and gold. White is the liturgical (or Church) color for Christmas and symbolizes that Jesus was pure and perfect. Gold symbolizes His Majesty and Glory. Chrismons can be made from nearly anything, but paper and embroidered ones are the most widely used.

*Retrieved from www.whychristmas.com

Check out the beautiful Chrismons on our tree in the Sanctuary here at St. John’s!

The Evangelist The Evangelist

Fun Celebrations in Decem-ber

1 Eat a Red Apple Day

2 National Fritters Day

4 Wear Brown Shoes Day

6 St. Nicholas Day

7 International Civil Aviation Day

7 Letter Writing Day

7 Pearl Harbor Day

9 Christmas Card Day

10 Human Right’s Day

13 International Children’s Day

13 Violin Day

14 Roast Chestnuts Day

16 National Chocolate Cov-ered Anything Day

17 National Maple Syrup Day

18 Bake Cookies Day

19 Look for an Evergreen Day

20 Go Caroling Day

21 National Flashlight Day

24 National Chocolate Day

25 Jesus’ Birthday

Make Homemade Ornaments!

St. John’s Lutheran Church

910 Allentown Road

Sellersville, PA 18960

Place

Label

Here

St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 910 Allentown Road, Sellersville, PA Office Hours: Visiting Hours Monday through Friday, 9:00— 2:00 Phone:  215‐257‐9643         E‐Mail:  [email protected]       

Website:  stjohns‐ridgevalley.com       Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/stjohnsridgevalley  

Worship Schedule:  8:30 am ‐ Traditional Service; 9:30 am ‐ Sunday School;  10:15 am ‐Praise Service  

St. Johns Staff:  The Rev. Amy Hotter, Pastor Mark Gottesfeld, Organist & Music Director Jennifer Nyce, Administrative Assistant Christine  Nyce, Rick Rogers , Sextons 

St. John’s Council Members: Don Graham Roy Hafler, Congregation/Council Vice President Barbara Klinger, Financial Secretary Dan Traynor, Treasurer Brenda Wall Nancy Esposito Cornell Hopkins, Congregation/Council Secretary Marianne Yeakel, Congregation/Council President Megan Yoder