Dear Friends,

I have been moved, over and over again, to see our beautiful grocery cart being wheeled down the aisle at the offering, filled to overflowing, . . . → Click Here]]>  

Dear Friends,

I have been moved, over and over again, to see our beautiful grocery cart being wheeled down the aisle at the offering, filled to overflowing, on the second Sunday of each month. We can rightly be proud that we are a congregation that cares about feeding the hungry in our community with our active participation in the ministry of the Whitehall Food Pantry. I thank God for your generosity . . . and I urge you to keep it up!

But you know me . . . I’m always looking for ways to encourage growth. I’m writing to you this month to encourage growth in our perspective of what it means to feed the hungry – not just in our neighborhood, but also around the world. We have a great . . . and fun . . . opportunity to do just that this month with the resurrection of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod’s Bike for World Hunger on Saturday, May 19^th. You may remember the days when the Bike for World Hunger was held annually at the Nazareth Speedway; but since the sale of the speedway until now, the synod has not been able to find a good alter-native location. This year will be the first (and hopefully not the last) time the event will be held at the Bob Rodale Cycling and Fitness Park in Trexlertown.

I will be riding – and I hope you’ll consider supporting me either by riding with me, by being a part of our support team at the event, and/or by sponsoring me or one of our other participants. (Sign up in Fritze Hall.) FYI – the last time I did this event, which was about 10 years ago, I rode 50 miles. Even though I don’t even think I’ve even sat on my bike in the last two years, my goal will be the same this year, just so I can prove to myself that age isn’t slowing me down! Denial is a powerful motivator!

There’s no denying, however, that the World Hunger Appeal, to which all of the proceeds of the Bike for World Hunger are given, is such a great ministry of the ELCA. On our behalf, the World Hunger Appeal responds to hunger and poverty in the United States and around the world, not just by offering relief, but also by addressing the root causes of hunger through develop-ment, education, and advocacy. Between 70-75 percent of ELCA World Hunger funds are spent internationally, and 20-25 percent are spent domestically. If you’d like more information on World Hunger, visit their website at

http://www.elca.org/Our-Faith-In-Action/Responding-to-the-World/ELCA-World-Hunger.aspx .

May 2012

St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church
835 Third St.
Whitehall, PA 18052

Making Sense of the Cross by David Lose

The heart of the cross is an element of mystery that can’t be resolved either easily or entirely. Making Sense of the Cross gives you the opportunity to “listen in” on a conversation . . . → Click Here]]> Lenten Bible Study 2012
Thursdays in March
7:00 – 8:30 p.m.

Making Sense of the Cross
by David Lose

The heart of the cross is an element of mystery that can’t be resolved either easily or entirely. Making Sense of the Cross gives you the opportunity to “listen in” on a conversation with two people having an open and candid conversation and discussion about the cross. One of the voices knows a little more and assumes the role of teacher or coach, someone who has had the time and opportunity to study the faith in some depth. The second voice assumes the role of someone who is curious and knows a little bit about the faith but brings a lot of questions. This 6-chapter book includes:

• Chapter 1: Why does the Cross Matter?
which participants are invited to read on their own

• Chapter 2: Portraits and Perspectives (3/1)
• Chapter 3: Ransom and Victory (3/8)
• Chapter 4: Substitution, Satisfaction, and Sacrifice (3/15)
• Chapter 5: Example and Encouragement (3/22)
• Chapter 6: Event and Experience (3/29)

The cost of the book will be $13.00. Checks should be made payable to St. John’s.

If you’d like for us to order a book, please
- sign up in Fritze Hall
OR
- e-mail Pr. Martha at pastor@stjohn-whitehall.org
no later than February 12th so that the order may be placed and you can (hopefully) pick up your book at church on the 19th. (There’s a fair amount of reading for the first week, so I want you to have plenty of time.)

WORSHIP LEADERS May 2012

(8:00 am / 10:30 am)

May 06

Whitehall Food Pantry needs list for the month of May:

Much of the featured photography is courtesy of our own Stacey Evans.  It is . . . → Click Here]]> This web site offers several improvements over the older one that was designed in 2003 and maintained with basically the same format until the inception of our new presence.  Please take the time to check each page out.

Much of the featured photography is courtesy of our own Stacey Evans.  It is her work that graces the header on each page.  We will be able to showcase much more in the future.

The calendar is not quite where I would like it to be, so bear with me as I make adjustments.  The events for the coming week are featured on most pages; the entire calendar is available via the “Upcoming Events” page.

Convenient forms are provided for those  who need to contact the church office or the pastor.  Simply fill in the blanks and an E-Mail will be sent to the appropriate person.

Undoubtedly, some changes will be required as our experience with the site matures.  Feel free to share your views about your experience at our site.

Thank you,

John McLaine, webmaster.