March 2023 Cross Connection
A Letter from Pastor Frye
Dear Friends and Family of St. Luke,
By now you are aware that our congregation is developing an initiative called Stephen Ministry. This is a ministry model that has been around for some time and was most recently coordinated by SpiriTrust Lutheran here in Chambersburg.
I am thrilled to share that there are eight members of our congregation who will begin their formation and training to become a Stephen Minister this month. It occurred to me that there may still be some questions about this. So, I include here some commonly asked questions (and responses) that you may find helpful.
Why the name Stephen? In Acts 6, Stephen was chosen to provide caring ministry to those in need. Since the time of the Apostles, caring ministry has been considered a hallmark of the Christian faith community.
What are Stephen Ministers? Stephen Ministers are laypeople trained to provide one-to-one, Christ-centered care. They have a compassionate heart for those who are hurting, and they’re equipped with caring ministry skills by their congregation’s Stephen Leaders. A Stephen Minister typically has one care receiver at a time and meets with that person once a week to listen, care, pray, encourage, and offer emotional and spiritual support.
In what types of situations do Stephen Ministers provide care? Stephen Ministers provide care to individuals facing difficult times in life—grief, cancer, divorce, financial difficulties, hospitalization, chronic illness, job loss, disability, loneliness, a spiritual crisis, or other life struggles.
How many congregations have Stephen Ministry? More than 13,000 congregations have Stephen Ministry—representing over 180 denominations, all 50 states, all 10 Canadian provinces, and 30 other countries. Many of these congregations have had Stephen Ministry going for more than 30 years.
As we make this new beginning together, I am grateful that Cheryl Vorhauer and Carol Angstadt have already participated in the Stephen Minister Leader Training with me. I ask you to please keep us and our new group of candidates in your prayers as Stephen Ministry Training is held over these next months. Please stay tuned for further updates in the weeks and months ahead.
Meanwhile, may this Lenten season provide us all the opportunity to grow deeper in our relationship with Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.
In Christ’s love for you,
Pastor Frye
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Worship
Sundays and Special Days
March 5: Second Sunday in Lent
During Lent we journey with all those around the world who will be baptized at the Easter Vigil.
March 12: Third Sunday in Lent
As we journey to the resurrection feast, Christ comes among us in word, bath, and meal—offering us the life-giving water of God’s mercy and forgiveness.
2nd Sunday Outreach & Fellowship
It’s almost spring and our 2nd Sunday fellowship time will take place on March 12. You are encouraged to invite someone new to worship that day. Following worship, please join us in the Fellowship Hall for snacks and a time to talk and meet someone new!
March 19 Fourth Sunday in Lent
In baptism God opens our eyes to see the truth of who we are: God’s beloved children.
March 26: Fifth Sunday in Lent
In baptism we die with Christ that we might also be raised with him to new life.
Sunday Worship Services
10 a.m. every Sunday, In-person and online
Wednesday Healing Services
We have a weekly service of Prayer, Healing, and Holy Communion every Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. This
simple service is a great way to connect with a smaller group of people in a supportive environment.
Wednesday Prayer Service
Prayer & Share via Zoom is on pause through Lent.
Lenten Midweek Worship Service
The Conococheague Mission Cooperative will offer Lenten services as a group at these locations. Services begin at 7:00 p.m..
2023 Lenten Services
Perseverance & Endurance
Wednesday, March 8 @ 7:00 p.m.
St. Luke Lutheran, Chambersburg
Pastor Robin Baer
Offering to benefit: Sweet Grace Ministries
Faithful in Prayer
Wednesday, March 15 @ 7:00 p.m.
Quincy United Methodist, Quincy
Pastor Bill Smith
Offering to benefit: Heart & Soles
Striving for Justice
Wednesday, March 22 @ 7:00 p.m.
Otterbein United Methodist, Fayetteville
Pastor Susan Snyder
Offering to benefit: Women in Need
Dying & Rising with Christ
Wednesday, March 29 @ 7:00 p.m.
St. Paul Lutheran, Fayetteville
Pastor Christopher Frye
Offering to benefit: Little Daisy’s Closet
Palm Sunday
Sunday, April 2 @ 10:00 a.m.
St. Luke Lutheran, Chambersburg
Pastor Christopher Frye
Maundy Thursday
Thursday, April 6 @ 7:00 p.m.
St. Luke Lutheran, Chambersburg
Pastor Christopher Frye
Good Friday
Friday, April 7 @ 7:00 p.m.
St. Luke Lutheran, Chambersburg
Pastor Christopher Frye
Easter Sunday
Sunday, April 9 @ 10:00 a.m.
St. Luke Lutheran, Chambersburg
Pastor Christopher Frye
2023 Lenten Worship & Resources | St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church (stlukechambersburg.org)
Overview
Lent is a time of renewal. We focus on the death and resurrection of Jesus—and in turn focus on our own death and resurrection found in baptism. We who have been baptized into Christ have died to sin and are righteous saints of God. At the same time, we know that we struggle daily with sin as we seek to follow Jesus. This is the wonderful Lutheran understanding of sinner and saint.
We have a rich calendar of saints in the Lutheran tradition—Christians from every age who have pointed to Christ in their living and dying. In remembering these Christians who have gone before, we find inspiration for our Christian journey. This Lenten midweek series honors the commemorations that occur during the weeks in Lent in 2023. Commemorating these individuals is a starting point for a deeper engagement with our Christian faith.
Support
Parish Records
New Members – Raymond Mielke and Rev. Richard & Carolyn Ruff
Pastoral visits
If you or a loved one desire a pastoral visit for any reason, please contact Pastor Frye (717-253-0322). Also, please notify the Church office if you are hospitalized or are anticipating surgery (717-261-1213).
SpiriTrust
A Spring Craft Fair will be held on the campus of SpiriTrust Lutheran, The Village at Luther Ridge on Saturday, March 25 from 9am to 2pm at The Fleck Community Center. The Fair will feature local vendors presenting seasonal décor, lotions & soaps, pottery, jewelry, Easter candy, floral arrangements and much more! Lunch items will also be available. This event is sponsored by the SpiriTrust Lutheran Chambersburg Auxiliary. All proceeds support SpiriTrust Lutheran, The Village at Luther Ridge.
Prayer Requests
Confidential prayer requests can be made online: StLukeChambersburg.org/connect
Card Showers
If you’d like to request a special card shower for a special someone, please reach out to the office at St. Luke!
Easter Flowers/Women in Need Sponsorship
Daffodils and tulips will be available for $12.99 each. Donations will be made to Women in Need. Flowers can be donated in honor of or in memory of a loved one. Please contact the church office or fill out a form on Sunday morning.
Education
Adult Faith Formation Classes
Now through Lent – 40 Days of Lent Study
April 2 – Lectionary study
April 9 – Easter Breakfast @8:45 am – All are invited!!
April 16 – Lectionary study
April 23, 30 & May 7 – Introduction to Revelation with Rev. Mike Brendle
Easter Breakfast
There will not be Faith Formation on Easter morning, instead, everyone is invited to join us for an Easter breakfast of casseroles, fruit salad, pastries, etc. at 8:45am in the Fellowship Hall. Bring yourself, your friends and an appetite! All are welcome!
Outreach
1st Lutheran Spring Fling
We are collecting spring and summer clothing to be given away to our local community on May 6. Drop off clean, gently used clothing for all ages as well as sheets and blankets, to the marked container by the Keypad door between now and April 23. If you are interested in volunteering at the give-a-way, please contact Shelly Davies for more information.
Easter Celebration
April 8 at 10am, St. Luke, in partnership with St. Paul, will be hosting a kid’s event for all ages. The festivities will include a craft, snacks, fellowship, games and a giant egg hunt. All are invited! In preparation, we need help! Join us March 9 at 10am to help make salt dough ornaments or join us March 26 at 2pm to help stuff Easter eggs with candy. You can also help by donating bags of individually wrapped candy in the marked box in the Gathering Area. Thank you!
St. Seraphim Soup Kitchen
St. Luke runs the St. Seraphim soup kitchen in downtown Chambersburg once a month, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. The kitchen is open on the days that the Salvation Army is not, Thursdays and Saturdays.
We serve people soup, sandwiches, chips, and cookies. People love when they can eat fresh, homemade soup and cookies! We are starting a sign-up sheet that will be located on the Outreach bulletin board near the Fellowship Hall, where you can sign up to provide soup (approximately 1 gallon) or 2-3 dozen cookies. Well-loved soups include chicken noodle and chili!
And as always before, we also need hotdogs, buns, deli meats and cheeses, bread, and chips. Drop off any items on the Friday before the service date at 10:00 am or make arrangements with Shelly Davies.
Congregation, Council, Committees
COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS February 2023
• The officers and council will be installed at the Sunday service on March 12.
• The Shrove Tuesday Pancake & Sausage dinner was attended by 50 people. • There will be an Easter breakfast in the Fellowship Hall on Easter morning at 8:45 am.
• The library lights were all converted to LED.
• The Property committee presented a proposal to replace all the fluorescent lights in the fellowship hall. Doing this will reduce our electrical consumption.
• Approval was given to repair the ceiling crack in the library and hall.
• The laptop computer used to operate the AV system is in need of replacement. This computer is also used by the Director of Education & Outreach.
• Regular giving for the month of January was down by 14.83% as compared to January of 2022.
• The Task Force that was working on Policies and Procedures for Memorial and Bequest Gifts presented their work which was unanimously accepted by the council.
• A joint task force consisting of three members each from St Luke and St. Paul’s is being assembled to work together and in concert with the synod to determine if there are models for some form of collaboration between the two churches.