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The Spirit November 2009
St. Stephen’s Evangelical
Lutheran Church
65 E. Street Road
Feasterville, Pa. 19053
Church Office—215-357-8138
FAX # 215-357-8142
Pastor-The Rev. John P. Dougherty
Assistant Pastor-The Rev. Peggy Frischmann
Patricia R. Conover, Director of Music
Holly Donato, Organist
Dear Friends in Christ,
The days grow shorter, the winds blow colder, the harvest is completed, the church year ends — amid these signs of change and accountability, we stop to give thanks for the mercies of God that have accompanied us along the way.
This past year we may not have received all we wanted, but we have received all we need.. as we meet during the month of our national thanksgiving. We remind each other once again to be thankful for God’s bountiful goodness. But let us remember to give thanks NOT only for what God gives us, but HOW He gives. Let us be happy and rejoice that we have such a God. A God who gives more to the worst of us than even the best of us deserve - a God who wants nothing from us except that we love Him.
When we study the scriptures, it is obvious that there are times in history when God did not like the people He had created. There were times when it was difficult to love even His chosen people. Nevertheless, the glorious good news of Revelation is that God never stopped giving to His people, and He certainly has never stopped giving to us.
Now the question that begs to be asked is how do we respond to these gifts that God has given us? The answer to that question is by the giving of our time, our talents and our treasure.
As St. Stephen’s we stand on the threshold of changing times. Where are we headed as a people, as a church?
If the past is any indication, we will not be standing still. Our mission, as it has always been, is to serve God, our people and our community. It is a never-ending mission and we will continue with the help of people like you.
Never has the messages of Jesus Christ been as essential to our society as it is today. But to get this message across, we need our church, and our church needs your financial help.
As I write this letter a budget of about $265,000. is being prepared for your approval. Yes it is ambitious, especially as we continue to pay down the mortgage. But it is necessary if we are to continue growing, in a changing community.
We are facing several new horizons at St. Stephen’s, the challenges are all around us.. The road ahead is paved with opportunities. Your church is not afraid to dream great dreams and look for the miracles that God willing will come our way.
Please join us in our commitment. St. Stephen’s needs our support. From one St. Stephen’s member to another, thank you.
God Bless you! Pastor John
The Annual Congregational Meeting of St. Stephens Lutheran Church will take place immediately following the service on Sunday, November 8, 2009. On that Sunday there will be only one service at 9:30 a.m. Please make time to stay after that service and participate in the meeting. It is our responsibility as members of St. Stephen’s to take part in the planning for the future of our congregation.
PLEASE NOTE: THERE WILL BE NO SUNDAY SCHOOL ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2009 DUE TO THE MEETING. Thank you, St. Stephen’s Church Council
Bible Study Group
The Bible Study is Continuing. We invite anyone who desires to learn more from the scriptures to join us in the parlor each Tuesday at 9:30 a.m.
St. Stephen’s News Column
Baptisms
Through the Sacrament of Baptism, we welcome Shane StPierre & Shawn Patrick Gavaghan, Jr. into the kingdom of God and into our fellowship.
Weddings
Marion Schaefer & Benjamin Dylinski - November 14, 2009
Chevon Beeco & Shaun Helms - November 21, 2009
Funerals
The congregation would like to express its sympathy to the family of William Reim on his death and entrance into Eternal Life.
St. Stephen’s Flower Gardens
We are very fortunate to have won First Place in the Fall Judging of “Bucks Beautiful” competition for Community Gardens. Our awards will be hung in the Narthex next to our other first Place awards. Thanks and God Bless all of you who faithfully helped this year.
Many thanks from the members of St. Stephen’s Church to Lucy Keiper for the beautiful award winning gardens we have been enjoying all spring, summer and fall. Lucy has spent endless hours planting, weeding and watering. Also thanks to her “watering crew”: Dick McMahon, Charlie Baun and Nicole Duckworth, as well as her general helpers Bud and Timmy Keiper. St. Stephen’s has certainly benefited from their hard work.
WANTED: Christmas Carolers, cookies and cookie tins. We would like to invite you to join the Youth Group on the afternoon/evening of December 20th. Continuing our tradition, we will meet at church and carpool to various locations. After caroling, we wish the person Merry Christmas and present them with a small tin of cookies. If you have extra, small cookie tins you’d like to donate, and/or if you’d like to share some of your home-baked (freezable) goodies, please bring them to church in December and give them to a Youth Group member. Thank you.
Gobble, Gobble, Gobble
If you are a frozen turkey and have nowhere to go for the holidays, the food bank has a “hot spot” for you. Please place your turkey donation in the upright freezer located just outside the kitchen in fellowship hall, and mark it “Food Bank”. The turkeys will be distributed to our neighbors in need on November 21st for Thanksgiving. We will continue accepting donations of turkeys for the December 13th Christmas party. Thanks so much for your support!
Virginia & Conrad Adami
Food Bank
Christmas Bells are Ringing!!
It is time again for our annual children’s Christmas gift tag program. This year we will be sponsoring the children we serve at our church Food Bank. The wish tree will be in the parlor, as in the past, beginning November 22nd. Please wrap all gifts and bring them to the parlor with gift tags attached no later than December 6th. Thus ensuring a “wish gift” for every child invited to the food Bank Christmas party on December 13th. Won’t you please pull a child’s gift tag from the wish tree in the church parlor and make a child’s wish come true? Thank you very much for your support and generosity.
Virginia & Conrad Adami
Food Bank Coordinators
St. Stephen’s Traveler’s
December 2, 2009 trip to Staten Island, NY for our Christmas dinner and show cost $69.00. Also on December 9th we have a Mystery trip cost is $69.00.
For more information please call Sharon Buchholz, 215-598-0370.
Teach Others about Sharing God’s Love
Is God’s will in your will? Including the church in your will teaches others about sharing God’s love. Without your wishes expressed in a will, the ministries of the church for which you care deeply will not be blessed through your estate.
The Endowment Committee
St. Stephen’s Lunch Bunch
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Our meeting will be held at 11:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. Entertainment to be Sue Snyder “History of Swimwear”. Our Lunch will be at Casa Di Lucia on Bustleton Avenue, just below County Line road in Philadelphia.
Our menu is as follows:
1. Broiled Flounder/Spaghetti
2. Stuffed Shells
3. Chicken Parm/Spaghetti
Soup, Salad, Bread, Coffee, Tea and Dessert are included for the price of $15.00 per person.
Make check to St. Stephen’s Lunch Bunch and send to: Ann Stellwagen, 432 Walnut Ave., Trevose, PA 19053 by November 13, 2009. Please write your lunch choice on your check.
Christmas Concert
“Messiah” Sing
December 13th at 7:30 pm
Anyone who would like to sing is WELCOME!
Youth Choir (Combined Junior and Youth Choir )
Meets every Thursday 6:30 –7:15 pm.
This choir will sing every 2nd & 4th Sunday, both services.
I WANT YOU……..
to join the choir. All voices are welcome.
Adult Choir –Thursdays 7:30—9 pm
Any questions, call me at 267-980-5906 or trishmusic25@hotmail.com
Thanks, Trish Conover
SEPTEMBER, 2009 FINANCIAL SITUATION
YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS WERE:
$151,977.82
For which we thank you
OUR EXPENSES WERE:
$181,174.81
OUR RESERVES WERE DECREASED BY:
$29,196.99
BUILDING FUND
YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS WERE:
$13,278.00
MORTGAGE PAYMENT
$13,347.45
Please keep current with your offerings.
I. H. O. P. REFUND PROGRAM
Eat at I. H. O. P., Pay your check. Ask for refund receipt.
Deposit in box in narthex. St. Stephen’s will receive a 10% refund on all receipts.
Yum Yum!!
Got Delicious Recipes? Please drop off in the
Red Recipe Box located in the narthex.
Thank you, Susan Gordon, Fellowship
The Feasterville Ministerium will again sponsor the Thanksgiving Eve Service at Assumption BVM church on Wednesday, November 25, at 7:30 p.m. This service combines all people from the churches in our area. The pastors of each of the churches will participate in the service. Come out and give thanks for all your blessings.
Serving God and the Community since 1953
Church Staff
Jean M. Burkins Church Secretary
Marie Skaziak Church Secretary
John Schneider Sexton
Steve & Patty Nickel Sextons
Carol Merchiore Wedding Coordinator
Church Council Officers
Charles Baun President
Chuck Townsend Treasurer
Al Giandomenico Financial Secretary
Joan Bowman Church Council Secretary
Church Council Members
Carol Merchiore Lynn Rhodes
Dawn Boger Paul Boger
James Barrett Steve Nickel
Sue Gordon Ryan Thiboldeaux
Helen Gallagher
Just a reminder!
Copy deadline for the December issue of “The Spirit” newsletter is November 9th .
Our Church Website
www.ststephenslutheranchurch.org
If you are an individual or group that would like events/announcements/pictures on the church website please contact Paul Boger by email or 215-651-1947.
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