October 2022 Cross Connection
A Letter from Pastor Frye
Dear Family and Friends of St. Luke,
Many of you are aware that the local Stephen Ministry community outreach was discontinued about a year ago due to cutbacks in program funding. The good news is that because of the generosity of a recent memorial gift to our congregation, we will be able to reinstitute this valuable ministry.
Stephen Ministry offers a proven and effective way to organize, equip, and supervise a team of congregation members—called Stephen Ministers—to provide high-quality, one-to-one, Christ-centered care to people in the congregation and the community experiencing life difficulties. Both Cheryl Vorhauer and Carol Angstadt have experience with this ministry and a desire to explore ways it may be implemented in our context. At this point our congregation is registered with Stephen Ministry and Cheryl, Carol, and I have enrolled in training that begins on October 18.
People often ask, “What exactly is a Stephen Minister?” One way to put it is that Stephen Ministers are the After People.
Stephen Ministers are there: . . . after the phone call you hoped you’d never get. . . . after the funeral, when everyone has left and the emotions you’ve held at bay come crashing in on you. . . . after the relationship falls apart and the bottom falls out of your life. . . . after the doctor says, “I’m sorry, but there’s nothing more we can do.” . . . after the nursing home director shakes your hand and says, “Welcome to your new home.” . . . after the last child honks the horn, waves, and drives away—and the house suddenly seems empty. . . . after the gavel comes down, the handcuffs go on, and your loved one is led away. . . . after the baby arrives, demanding more of you than you ever dreamed possible. . . . after you find a pink slip with your final paycheck. . . . after your family and friends have heard your story one too many times, but you still need to talk it out.
Stephen Ministers are the After People. They are ready to come alongside you—or your friends, neighbors, coworkers, or relatives—and provide comfort and support for as long after as needed.
Please keep this initiative in your prayers. It won’t materialize overnight. We will share more as we continue in the process.
In Christ’s love for you,
Pastor Frye
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Worship
Sundays and Special Days
Oct. 2, 17th Sunday after Pentecost – A little faith goes a long way is Jesus’ point in the gospel.
Oct. 9, 18th Sunday after Pentecost – The waters of holy baptism have healed us. The body and blood of Jesus in holy communion have made us clean.
Oct. 16, 19th Sunday after Pentecost – Pray always. Do not lose heart.
Oct. 23, 20th Sunday after Pentecost – All creation stands in need of God’s forgiveness.
Oct. 30, Reformation Sunday – In Christ Jesus God seeks us out to save us.
2nd Sunday Fellowship ICE CREAM in October
Join us October 9 for our 2nd Sunday Fellowship following worship. Ice cream will be provided thanks to The Inside Scoop and Michael Peters!
Coming in November
Conococheague Mission Cooperative Community Thanksgiving Service
Wednesday, November 23, 2022 @ 7:00 PM at Calvary United Methodist Church in Fayetteville
Please bring a non-perishable item for offering
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 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 meets Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m.
Choir
“St. Luke’s Singing Circle” Voice Class, Sundays after service
Choir Rehearsal , Wednesdays at 6:30 pm
Hearing Assist Now Available During Worship
- Do you have hearing aids that are Bluetooth enabled?
- Do you not have hearing aids but would like to wear a headphone system to help boost your hearing during worship?
- Do you not have hearing aids but need a little boost with sound anyway?
All three options are now available! Please catch Shelly Davies before or after service for more information.
Support
Wedding
Brenda Hefner & Gregg Bloomquist on September 24
Funeral
Donna Hilbinger on August 16
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!
If interested in sending cards to new members, I have their address labels already clipped in packs for on the table outside of Nave. You can add them to your Church directory.
If you need an address for other occasions, births, baptisms, special birthdays, or anniversaries or just to let someone know you’re thinking of them please call or email Christine at Church office.
Prayer
Confidential prayer requests can be made online: StLukeChambersburg.org/connect
Education
YOUth
ALIVE – Middle School Retreat
Shelly, along with Christina from St. Luke and Seth from St. Paul, attended the Alive retreat at Camp Nawakwa on September 23-25. It was a great weekend focusing in on what we’ve been ‘Created for…’ and the verses from Colossians 1:15-20.
Family Hike, Pizza and Campfire
Join us for a hike around the creek and farms of Wilson College followed by a pizza dinner around the campfire, and of course s’mores!
Sunday afternoon, November 20 at 3:00pm. More details to come! All are welcome.
Adult Faith Formation – Looking Ahead!
All are welcome each Sunday morning at 8:45am in the Fellowship Hall.
October – The Basics of Luther
November – TBD led by Rev. Mike Brendle
December – Book of Faith Advent Reflections: You Shall Have a Song.
You Are God’s Dream – Aging in Christ
Do you wrestle with aging and what that means for you? Join us for a morning conference to be held on Saturday, October 22 from 9:30-11:30. Sister Thelma Steiger, HSF, Ph.D. will present on the theme: God’s Dream for us Now: Aging in Christ. Sign up on the bulletin board or by calling the Church office 717-261-1213
Outreach
Last Adopt-a-Highway event for the year!
Arrive at St. Luke on October 8 at 8 a.m. sharp. Please contact Rick Lawver in advance to tell him you’d like to help so he can organize the crews.
Fall Card Crafting
October 13 @ 2pm OR 6pm (two options to fit your lifestyle) at St. Luke
Enjoy time crafting two or three different styles of fall inspired cards. You can make as many as time allows you! This event is free, no experience is necessary, and all ages are welcome! Sign up on the bulletin board.
Mini-Golf
Everyone is invited to join us for a round of mini-golf with your church friends!! Let’s see who comes out on top! (There is a prize!) Join us at Olde Scotland Golf & Learning Center on Sunday Oct. 16 at 1:00pm. You will be teamed up with a group to golf in teams of four. Cost $5 per person. Snacks and drinks are available to purchase. Address: 1065 Heritage Ave. Shippensburg PA 17257 See you there!
Fall Foliage Days @ Camp Nawakwa
October 23 from 1:00—6:00 p.m.
It’s that time of year again! Fall Foliage Day at Camp Nawakwa will take place Sunday, October 23 from 1-6pm. Join us for an apple butter boil, pumpkin painting, hayrides, hiking, dinner, and fall leaves galore! Registration is $15 per person, but don’t let cost be an issue. All ages are invited and welcome to attend. Sign up on the Bulletin Board and talk to Shelly Davies for more information.
1st Lutheran MEGA Event
Once again, we will be partnering with 1st Lutheran and a few other downtown churches to provide winter clothing for all ages. Join us by donating all items – coats, hats, gloves, scarves, pants, shirts, sweaters, new socks and new underwear. Children’s items area especially needed!! Donations accepted now through October 16. Bring your items to the box by the Keypad door at church. You can also help out at the event on Saturday, November 5 at 11:00am. For more information, please contact Shelly Davies.
Congregation, Council, Committees
COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS August 2022
• The website is being updated and should be up and running in early October. Object of the update is to make the website more user friendly.
• Giving for the past month is down 2.61%. This is typical during the summer months but is expected to recover over the remaining months.
• James Martin has been hired as the new Choir Director after a long search. James has assembled a choir and has begun practice. He has also sung several solo’s during worship and is outstanding.
• The sidewalk between the Memorial Garden and exit door of the Nave is scheduled to start August 30.
• Training for Acolytes, Altar Guild, Assisting Ministers, Lectors and Ushers is scheduled August 27.
• Pentecost projects of Personal Care Kits for Lutheran World Relief, Aid to Ukrainian Refugees through Lutheran Disaster Response and the Tanzania Kandete Parish Swing Project are still ongoing. If you haven’t already, please consider helping one or more of these worthwhile projects and thanks to those who have contributed.
Message From Our Choir Director
Dear St. Luke:
Fall is synonymous with family, so I would like to take this moment to thank you all for the warm welcome into the fold! I am extremely pleased to count myself amongst your numbers as choir director. I have been so impressed with all aspects of the church since my arrival and look forward to bringing my particular gifts and graces. The choir has already begun leading worship and will regularly be bringing special music, along with myself and our beloved Sherry Fahnestock, and perhaps a few guests, as well.
And if anyone would like to join our ranks, we would love to have you! We are always seeking new voices to add to our ranks. Being able to read music is helpful, but not required. We will meet you where you are as we join together to make a joyful noise to the heavens.
For the choir director; on the Gittith. A Psalm of Asaph.
Sing for joy to God our strength;
Shout joyfully to the God of Jacob.
Raise a song, strike the timbrel.
Calendar
Visit our online calendar for the most current updates to meetings, events, and services.
Connect
2695 Luther Drive, Chambersburg, PA 17202
717-261-1213
[email protected]