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NEWSLETTER -- May
2013 From the Pastor During the Easter Season we are reminded that we are
baptized into the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. This baptismal
relationship embraces us into a new and abundant life with Jesus Christ and
the community of faith. As we move
into the Pentecost Season on May 19, we also are reminded that in baptism we
are given the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit ignites faith in us
and help us to grow in faith and love for God. Our family has been making plans for the baptism of
our grandson Noah on April 28. This
planning has caused me to reflect upon the gift of Baptism and the role the
family, sponsors and congregation share in the process of his faith formation. It is important to remember that faith formation
begins in the home. Nothing can
replace the sharing of faith with a child by parents, grandparents, and
family members. As parents and family
members pass faith on to their children, children will comprehend and embrace
the importance of God in their lives as well.
Likewise, as families worship and learn about God
together at home and in church, children will comprehend and embrace the
importance of Jesus in their lives. Children’s brains are like sponges. They soak up and
learn more in the first seven years of their life than they will the rest of
their life. The importance of bringing
a child to church from infancy cannot be emphasized enough. They will soak up the gifts of the Holy
Spirit and the love of Jesus through the community of faith especially as it is offered through
parents and fellow members of the body of Christ. Can you remember worshiping
as a child with your family? Can you also remember some of your first SCS
teachers? In recent months, we bought Spark Story Bibles for
Noah and for our great niece. But we
also bought one for our home and for my sister’s home in anticipation of
their visits in our homes. During Easter and Pentecost, we are filled with the
promises of new and eternal life through our risen Lord Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is given to us to help us
grow in faith and in love of God. We
are called to share this faith and the best time to begin this is now and the
best place to begin this sharing is in the home. In thanksgiving for Baptism, Pastor Steve Ridenhour Intern’s
Page One
of my final tasks as your intern—quite literally—will be helping plan and
lead our community-wide Vacation Bible School. Our planning team is gathered
from Holy Trinity, Wytheville Presbyterian, St. John’s Episcopal and the
Walker Mountain Lutheran parish, and we’re hard at work developing this year’s
theme: “Jesus Loves You! …the Bible tells us so.” This
annual effort is one of the strongest signs of ecumenical cooperation among
area churches, along with the many local social ministries Holy Trinity has
helped launch, and the work of the Ministerial Association in aiding stranded
travelers, transients and others who have fallen on hard times. VBS
will be the last week of June this year, Monday through Thursday, 9am to noon
and ending with lunch and a short closing. The people helping plan this VBS
are going to make sure that this is a great experience for the kids who join
us. So we need to make sure we have kids who join us! We
have some great ideas for promoting this year’s VBS—fliers, a banner, a
newspaper notice and maybe even a radio interview! We’ll promote it through
the community’s social ministries and at Chautauqua the week before it
starts. But nothing can replace word of mouth and personal invitations. So if
you know some young people between the ages of 4 through those entering 6th
grade please invite them! -
Vicar Jon Myers Council
Highlights April
21, 2013 Those in attendance
were: Bill Aussiker, council president; Helen Keck, Bob Ballard, George
Zuurbier, Bucky Sharitz, Pat Larson, Anita Aymer, Pastor Steve Ridenhour,
Vicar Jon Myers; Paul Dellinger, secretary. Absent: Carol Sue Repass. The council discussed
avenues for encouraging young adults
to be a part of worship. The
discussion lifted up the need to do well what we do and to not try to be all
things to all people. But it is
important to make worship user friendly to all people and to invite people of
all ages to be actively involved in the worship opportunities which are
offered. Minutes of March 17
council meeting and March 21 Semi-Annual Congregational meeting were
approved. Ministry Team Reports: Holy Trinity
Scholarship Ministry Team: Two applicants are being reviewed, and a selection will be
made this week. Adult Ministry: (1) The Adult Sunday
School is going well, and will recess for the summer. (2) The Mission Trip to
Joplin, Mo., was a good trip and participants appreciated the support and
prayers from the congregation. Children’s Ministry: Vacation Bible School will be June
24-27 with four parishes participating.
Flyers will be placed in Agape Food Pantry packages. Youth Ministry: A lock-in is planned
for Memorial Day weekend. Property: The stained glass
windows in the office area are in serious disrepair. The property committee
is looking into various options for repair and energy efficiency. The
remaining $1,305 owed on the parlor
furniture will be covered from the general fund. Holy Trinity will
sponsor an event at the Chautauqua Festival.
The specifics are being nailed down. New Business: The Wytheville
Planning Commission will hold a hearing May 9 at 6:00 pm on a permit request
to operate an auto sales and service business at the former Citgo station
across 6th Street from the church. Pastor, Mary Walters and Bucky
Sharitz will attend to express our concern related to the use of 6th
Street for business purposes especially in the event of funerals and worship times. Council held a
discussion in executive session. The May/June council
meeting date will be May 19. All newly
elected members are invited to attend. New officers will be elected. The
meeting adjourned with prayer by Vicar Jon. Semi-Annual
Congregational Meeting April 21, 2013 The Semi-Annual
Congregational meeting was held April 21.
Joe Bean, Janice Shriver, Kathy Rowe, and Betsy Neal were elected to
council for the term July 1, 2013 - June 30, 2016. The congregation voted to add $4000.00 to
the 2013 budget for internship. The
congregation was informed that the plans are being made to “incorporate”
under the laws provided by the Commonwealth of Virginia. We do not anticipate
any operational changes. Rachel Jones
is working on this for our congregation. FINANCIAL
REPORT GENERAL FUND March 2013 Year to Date Income Needed $ 16,080.00 $
49,335.66 Income Received $ 20,674.79 $
50,742.43 Disbursements $ 15,968.92 $
53,315.63 Attendance General
Fund Mar. 3 100 $ 5,274.30 10 86 $ 4,044.22 17 87 $ 3,010.10 24 61 $ 3,131.00 31 63 131 $
5,211.62 $20,671.24 Annual
Ascension Day Crabcake
Dinner and Worship Service will be held at Grace
Lutheran Church, Rural Retreat, on Thursday, May 9. Dinner begins at 6:00 pm
with worship to follow at 7:00 pm. The preacher is Pastor Scott Homesley from
St. John, Abingdon. Cost for dinner is
$15.00 for adults and $7.50 for children 12 and under. Please call 686-4281 for dinner
reservations. Vacation
and Wedding Pastor Ridenhour will
be presiding at the wedding for his niece
in Pennsylvania on May 25. He
will be on vacation from May 24 - June 1.
Vicar Jon Myers will be on call.
He may be reached at the Church (228-2171) or at home (227-0188). Office
Closed The Church Office will
be closed on Monday, May 27, in observance of Memorial Day. Graduates Congratulations to
Nathan Repass who graduates from Roanoke College, Kelly Naber who graduates
from Middle Tennessee State University, and Will Johnson who graduates from
George Wythe High School. If you know of others graduating this year, please
let us know so that we may share this news with the congregation. Wytheville
Community Vacation
Bible School 2013 We have a theme, dates
and time of day! This year’s theme will be “Jesus Loves You! …the Bible tells
us so” and our daily theme stories will include Zacchaeus, Jesus blessing the
children, Jesus healing a man with faithful friends, and the Good Samaritan.
We’ll meet Monday, June 24, to Thursday, June 27, from 9:00 am to 12 noon. We’ll share each story
in a variety of ways, including music, crafts, games and science projects.
Our leaders for these rotations are mostly in place, but we do still need
some game leaders and people for a variety of others tasks. Since we’re
experimenting with a morning VBS, we’ll lose some volunteers with day jobs.
If you’re available during those hours, even for only one day, we’ll find a
way to use you, so please plan to join us! Youth
Lock-In, Friday, May 24 Vicar Jon will be
leading a youth lock-in the night of Friday, May 24, from 8:00 pm to 8:00 am
(this is the Friday of Memorial Day weekend). We’re inviting youth from
several other churches including the Rural Retreat Lutheran parish, and all
youth in middle or high school are welcome to join us. We’ll have games,
snacks, small groups and late night worship, and anything else we can think
of between now and then. Please let Jon know if you plan to come by email or
a phone call to the church office. Meet Me at “The
Well!” “The Well” & Sunday school join
together on May 5, 2013 from 9:30-10:40 AM. Come meet your friends in the
Parlor upstairs for fellowship and learning at “The Well”. We’ll be
experiencing the Bible story The Good Samaritan. For this one Sunday,
all of Sunday school participants—children, adults & youth-- will combine
together for sharing stories through music, crafts, conversations about
faith, and even some opportunities to act the story out! I have also heard
that we can expect a surprise storyteller from Biblical days. You’ll have to
come and be surprised who it is. Even if you don’t usually come to
Sunday school I invite you to come this once and try it out. I guarantee you
will have fun hearing stories, sharing your own, and getting your hands dirty
with different ways of experiencing The Good Samaritan, all with your good
friends at church. If you are a Sunday school regular, invite someone…bring a
friend!
Hungry
Mother Camp July
7 - 12, 2013 Camps are available
for Juniors–Grades 3-5; Junior High–Grades 6-8; and Senior High–Grades
9-12. Cost is $200. Scholarships are available through Holy
Trinity. For registration forms or for
more information, contact the church office. Birth Congratulations to
Casey and Elizabeth Ballard and Alexander on the birth of Catherine Rebecca
on April 23. Proud grandparents are
Bob and Martha Ballard and great-grandmother is Mary Ann Corvin. Holy
Trinity Scholarship will be announced at
the high school awards ceremony. Internship The announcement of
our new intern will be made on May
19. Soft
Ball Holy Trinity and
Wytheville Presbyterian will join together for summer
softball. This is a co-ed league for youth and
adults 16 and older. Please contact Mark Zammit
for more information. Wednesday
Sunshiners The Senior Group will
meet on Wednesday, May 8. Bingo begins
at 10:30 am, program at 11:15 am and the meal at 11:45 am. All senior citizens are invited to attend. United Lutheran
Appeal This Virginia Synod Appeal supports
the agencies and institutions of our Synod including the Hungry Mother
Lutheran Retreat Center, Roanoke College, Virginia Lutheran Homes, Caroline
Furnace Lutheran Camp and Retreat Center, Chaplain Service Prison Ministry of
Virginia, Lutheran Family Services of Virginia, Lutheran Theological Southern
Seminary, and National Lutheran Communities and Services. Envelopes are available on the tables in
the back of the church. You may give
by mailing your gift in the envelope provided, placing the envelope in the
offering plate, or online through vasynod.org. Hospitalized? Or
Medical Emergency? There is no employee at the Wythe
County Community Hospital or any other hospital for that matter who will
contact the church or the Pastor if you are hospitalized or have a medical
emergency. While the hospital registration
process may ask for religious preference, this does not mean they will
contact the church or the pastor. If you are hospitalized or have a medical
emergency, please ask a relative to contact the church office or to call the
pastor at home. We are eager to offer
Pastoral care and visits, but we must be notified. Please understand that the hospital
will not make this notification. Agape Food Pantry Please bring peanut butter
during the months of May and June.
Monetary contributions are always welcomed, and since the pantry can
buy food tax free and at bulk prices, your dollars will go further. Just place your donation in the offering
plate and designate for Agape Food Pantry. Power
in the Spirit July
11- 13, 2013 Power in the Spirit is
held at Roanoke College in Salem, Virginia.
It is an inspirational conference for everyone who wishes to explore
God’s call to service through joyous worship, Bible study, keynote addresses,
workshops, and fellowship. This year’s
keynote speaker is The Rev. Rolf A. Jacobson who is an assistant professor of
Old Testament at Luther Seminary. The
Bible Leader is Bishop Richard Graham who currently serves as bishop of the
Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Synod of the ELCA. Registration information is available in
the church office. Hospitalized or Ill Those who have been hospitalized,
ill, and/or recovering during the past month include Frances Miller, Joyce
Langendorfer, Wanda Patrick, Martha Patrick, Samantha Cornish, Joe and
Shirley Cavender, Tony Fowler, Bob Dirks, Sharon Brumley, Don Musser, Mark
Strickland, Carol Edmiston, Eva Florez, Lenna McCall, Rhonda Grubb, Ethan
Challgren, and William Greiner. We also remember in our prayers
Kendra Dee Eastwood, Lou Elliott, Richard Greiner, Joan Puccia, Maybelle
Felton, Robert Bernie, and Johnny Huddle. Please keep this list available to
include in your prayers. In the Sunday
bulletin we will be listing names for two weeks and then move them to our
monthly list in the newsletter if needed. Sympathy The sympathy of the
Congregation is extended to ✞ Bill and Mary Lou Dean and family at the
death of Bill’s uncle, Wiley S. James, Sr. ✞ Family and friends of Peggy Cline ✞ Family and friends of Bonnie Dillon ✞ Mary Ann Corvin and family at the death of
Mary Ann’s sister-in-law, Janet Gordon May God grant them
peace and assurance in the promises of the Resurrection. Military
Service We remember those who
are currently serving in the military, especially those who are deployed to
regions of conflict and war: Josh Hall, Nathan Baker, Bo Hutchison, Rafael
Guitierrez, Chris White, and John Morris.
MAY WORSHIP
SCHEDULE Sunday, May 5 6
Easter (Communion) THEME: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to
you.” READINGS: Acts 16:9-15 Revelation 21:10,22 - 22:5 Psalm 67 John
14:23-29 HYMNS: #369 Christ
the Lord Is Risen Today; Alleluia! #381
Peace, to Soothe Our Bitter Woes #763
My Life Flows On in Endless Song Sunday, May 12 7 Easter
(Communion) THEME: Jesus prays for the Church. READINGS: Acts 16:16-34 Rev. 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21 Psalm 97 John 17:20-26 HYMNS: #380 Hallelujah! Jesus Lives! #391
This Joyful Eastertide
#855 Crown Him with Many Crowns Sunday, May 19 Pentecost
(Communion) THEME: “The Father will give you another
Counselor.” READINGS: Acts 2:1-21 Romans
8:14-17 Psalm 104:24-34, 35b John 14:8-17 [25-27] HYMNS: #627 O
Day Full of Grace #396
Spirit of Gentleness #400
God of Tempest, God of Whirlwind Sunday, May 26 The
Holy Trinity THEME: “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will
guide you.” READINGS:
Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31 Romans
5:1-5 Psalm 8 John
16:12-15 HYMNS: #408 Come,
Thou Almighty King #412 Come, Join the Dance of Trinity #413
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty! THOSE
IN SERVICE CRUCIFER ACOLYTES May 5 Will Johnson Senah and Zach Stephens 12 Katherine Johnson Rose and
Christopher Langendorfer 19 Walker
Stephens Lauren Miller,
Catherine Butler 26 TBD Christopher and Rose Langendorfer LAY
READER May 5 George Keck 12 Margaret Ferrell 19 Dan
Ferrell 26 Adelaide
Smith COMMUNION
ASSISTANT May 5 Vicar Jon Myers 12 Vicar Jon Myers Bill Aussiker 19 Vicar
Jon Myers 26 No
Communion ALTAR
GUILD Martha
Ballard Bob
Ballard NURSERY May 5 Stacie Umberger 12 Pat Larson 19 Julia
Stephens 26 Betsy Neal CHILDREN’S
MESSAGE May 5 Ann Laing 12 Debbie Clark 19 George
Keck 26 Vicar Jon Myers May
Birthdays 6 Casey Ballard 7 Eleanor Brown Cara Umberger
Epes 8 Elizabeth Ballard Rachel Jones David Sharitz 9 C.M. Walters 10 Janice Shriver 15 Virginia Sorenson 18 Sara Kluttz 21 Bob Ballard Steve Ridenhour 22 Virginia Sharitz 31 Marilyn Saarinen May Anniversaries 4 Art & Cindy Hedrick 7 Jimmy & Eleanor Brown 8 Ted & Janet Johnson 19 Neil & Millie
Rothrock 20 Casey & Elizabeth
Ballard 21 Evan & Kelli
Hedrick 25
Jeff & Carol Sue Repass 26 Bud & Margaret Spraker 28 Jim & Gayle Williams May
Baptisms 8 Gabriel Cornish 9 Thomas Fowler Courtland Jones 11 Amy Butler 12 Janice Umberger 14 Melody Anderson 16 Amy Aussiker 21 Beth Cochran 22 Rachel Jones Kelley Haga 25 Michael Jones 26 Joan Dunn 31 Robbie Suthers If
your name has not been included or if this information is incorrect, please
contact the Church Office so that our records can be corrected. |
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