June/July 2023 – Pentecost 1 Cross Connection
A Letter from Pastor Frye
Dear Family and Friends of St. Luke,
“Just wait, someday you’ll understand.” This piece of advice – this suggestion – was shared with me on many and various occasions when I was growing up. As I recall, most often these words came when I was perplexed by the comments of my elders when they tried to describe what it felt like to get up off the floor, or get out of bed in the morning, or to reach down to tie their shoelaces. Loss of flexibility and the accompanying discomfort and pain seemed to me an exaggeration or even fabrication.
Today, when we feel discombobulated, it is usually the result of things not going as anticipated. We have grown to expect certain patterns of behavior, and specific outcomes from tasks and processes to which we have become accustomed. In other words, we like the predictability and comfort of routine. We are satisfied with sameness.
But then, something beyond our control happens. Things change.
It is interesting to note that even while we resist change, we (as a society) frequently lament various ills and ailments: low voter turnout, increased damage caused by a growing carbon footprint, the conditions of the roads, the scarcity of affordable housing, the decline of mainline churches, etc. And yet, we resist change, we push back, we pine for the way things used to be.
And yet, if nothing changes, nothing changes. We cannot always do what we have always done and experience the transformation and flexibility necessary for mobility and a faithful capacity for letting our light so shine before others that they may see our good works and glorify Almighty God in heaven.
During these weeks after Pentecost, may we all grow in our willingness to participate. Let us do the basic things well: pray, read the scriptures, gather for worship, serve those in need. It is good stewardship. Let us reaffirm the implications of our faith and stretch our experience, even when we feel discombobulated. It is what we are called to do in response to all that God has done for us in Christ.
In Christ’s love for you,
Pastor Frye
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2023 Graduates
Luke Davies graduates from the Chambersburg Career Magnet School on June 1. He completed his senior year entirely at Shippensburg University as part of the dual enrollment program he has been a part of for the last two years. During his time at Shippensburg University, Luke was able to get involved in the art department, work as the Ceramics studio assistant over the past year, and most recently had two of his art pieces chosen for the 45th Annual SU Juried Student Art Exhibition which is available online at Web Gallery | Shippensburg University 2023 Annual Juried Student Art Exhibition (artcall.org). Luke will attend Ontario College of Art & Design University in Toronto in the fall, majoring in Experimental Animation.
Congratulations Luke!
Rowan Frye graduates from the Chambersburg Career Magnet School on June 1. Rowan will be attending Muhlenberg College majoring in computer science and art. He received the Muhlenberg Presidential Scholarship alongside similar top scholarships at the other schools to which he was accepted. He was a member of the Esports Team and Video Game Clubs at CMS. He has also held several jobs locally.
Congratulations Rowan!
Gabriel Frye graduates from Chambersburg Area Senior High School on June 2. Gabriel will be looking for a job after graduation. He has been working at various jobs through school, including in the dish room at the CASHS cafeteria.
Congratulations Gabriel!
Worship
Sundays and Special Days
June. 4, The Holy Trinity, We celebrate the mystery of the Holy Trinity in word and sacrament, as we profess the creed, and as we are sent into the world to bear witness to our faith.
June 11, 2nd Sunday after Pentecost, As we gather each Lord’s day we receive the healing that makes us well and sends us forth to be signs of God’s mercy for the world..
June 18, 3rd Sunday after Pentecost, From the Lord’s table we go forth to proclaim the good news, to heal the sick, and to share our bread with the hungry.
June 25, 4th Sunday after Pentecost, Though we may experience rejection, frustration, division, and death, God’s grace and love make us a new creation each day.
July 2, 5th Sunday after Pentecost, From worship we are sent on our baptismal mission: to serve the little ones of this world and to be a sign of God’s merciful welcome.
July 9, 6th Sunday after Pentecost, The mystery of God’s ways is sometimes hidden from the wise and intelligent. Jesus associates with those often excluded from the religious community.
July 16, 7th Sunday after Pentecost, At the Lord’s table we are fed with the bread of life, that we may bear fruit in the world. The Vacation Bible School students will present the Worship service this morning.
July 23, 8th Sunday after Pentecost, It is an age-old question: why is there evil in the world? In the parable of the wheat and the weeds Jesus suggests that both grow together until the harvest. Pastor Christian Aguilar from Fruitbelt Farmworkers Christian Ministry will join us to share the message during Worship.
July 30, 9th Sunday after Pentecost, Even as we seek the riches of God’s reign, the great surprise is that God’s grace finds us first!
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.
Wednesday Prayer Service
Prayer & Share via Zoom meets Wednesday evenings at 5:00 p.m. Please check weekly announcements for
connection information.
Vespers in the Park
June 17 – 6:00 p.m. @ Pavilion #2 in Greene Township Park, followed by our 3rd Annual Dips for Dads – ice cream sundaes. Bring all the dads in your life!
July 15 – 6:00 p.m. @ Pavilion #3 in Greene Township Park, preceded by our Church Picnic at 4:30 p.m.
August 19 – 6:00 p.m. @ Pavilion #3 in Greene Township Park, followed by watermelon fellowship.
Support
Parish Records
Baptism
Laura Johnson July 9, 2023
Support Group Update
Luther Ridge AA Meetings are held on Mondays at noon in Fellowship Hall.
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)
Continuing Education
Pastor Frye is registered for three-session workshop on the theme of Stewardship, Spirituality, and Art (entitled Nature|Spirit|Art) on June 8, June 10, and June 15 at the Phillips Collection in Washington DC.
Prayers & Joys
Requests for prayers and sharing your joys are available three ways:
· Online through our website StLukeChambersburg.org
· Call office and let Christine or Pastor Frye know.
· Put the request in the Prayer box in Nave.
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!
Education
Upcoming Adult Faith Formation Classes
Biblical Stewardship: A Radical Concept for Congregational Renewal in the 21st Century
Continuing on June 4 & 11
Esther
June 18, 25, July 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30
Sit back and relax – after all it’s summer! In this class we will watch the motion picture One Night with the King. The movie is true to the Biblical account of Esther, a Jewish woman who, at the risk of her own life, stands up to the King and a man named Haman, who was almost successful in convincing the king to wipe out all of the Jews in the land. Using the movie, a book by Eugene H. Peterson (author of The Message), and the biblical text, we will learn from each other and God about how to stand up for our beliefs in a humble and courageous way. Taught by Shelly Davies.
StoryTellers Creative Arts Camp
Join us July 10-16 for VBS! Who are you? What’s your story? This year you will have an opportunity to share your story, and God’s, through dance, acting, singing, stage managing, visual art, puppetry, sign language, etc. Ages 5-13 are welcome. Registration forms are available online or in the Gathering Area at church. Ages 14 – adult are needed and welcome to join us as helpers! (Helpers contact Shelly at [email protected])
Outreach
Three Pentecost Projects for 2023
#1 St. Seraphim Center provides lunch to anyone needing a meal on Thursdays and Saturdays— the days the Salvation Army does not serve a meal. This ministry was begun by St. Mary’s Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church. St. Luke provides the meal one Saturday per month. During Pentecost we are asking for dry food donations, items for preparing and storing the lunch, and monetary donations for paper supplies and rent. Flyers with specific items needed are in the Gathering Area.
#2 Fruitbelt Farmworkers Christian Ministry supports the workers who come to our area to work in orchards and agricultural fields. The ministry provides pastoral care, recreation, advocacy, and comfort items such as personal care kits, blankets, hoodies or sweatshirts, & hats. Support of this ministry is both a Pentecost project and our “God’s Work. Our Hands.” project. Flyers with specific items needed are in the Gathering Area.
#3 Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) has been active in areas affected by earthquakes, tornados, flooding, and other natural disasters, as well as areas suffering from civil conflict and war. LDR continues to work with their partners in response to current disasters across the globe. More information is in the gathering area.
Keep these ministries in your prayers.
3rd Annual Dips for Dads
June 17 – Join us for Vespers at 6:00 p.m. @ Pavilion #2 in Greene Township Park and enjoy ice cream sundaes following. Bring all the dads in your life!
Church Picnic
Join us Saturday, July 15 @ 4:30 pm for our church picnic at Pavilion #3 in Greene Township Park! Bring a drink and a place setting for yourself and a side dish to share. Hotdogs, buns, and condiments will be provided. The picnic will be followed by Evening Vespers @ 6:00 p.m.
God’s Garden
Interested in gardening and willing to help out at the church? God’s Garden is looking for a few people to help plant, weed, water, and harvest throughout the summer. Contact Shelly if you are interested.
Garden Overflow
Has God blessed you abundantly and you are harvesting too much for you and your family to eat from your garden? We’d love to help you by donating it to a local food bank. Drop off at the church every Friday from now through September at 10 a.m.
Congregation, Council, Committees
COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS May 2023
• The Audit committee of Toby Forrester, Joy Shinn, and Norma Huss presented the audit of all financial records which was received and unanimously accepted by the church council. The audit was very thorough and well documented.
• Advertising for the position of Financial Secretary and Assistant Financial Secretary will continue for another month.
• Our Fire and Security systems have been inspected and updated.
• “Mail Gun”, a computer system that allows us to utilize web emailing has increased their cost to $37.00/month.
• The choir microphone is now in place. It was purchased as a wireless mic but due to computer chip shortages, it is presently wired. It is
expected to be wireless in August.
• The Walk-Fahnestock Scholarships awards will be announced at the June council meeting and made known to the congregation at that time.
• The dates for this year’s Bible School are July 10 through 16.
• The St. Luke family has three high school graduates – Gabriel Frye, Rowan Frye and Luke Davies. Congratulations to these graduates and their families and may they find success in their next adventure in life.
• Our giving for the month of April was up 1.63% over the same period last year. Thanks for your continued support in the financial facet of stewardship.