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.)

February 05 Crucifer               Bruce Holland / Kalasia Bradshaw Acolyte                Alexander Cooper, Ryan Hausman Acolyte Parent         Linda Hausman Assisting Minister    (1) Leona Demko (2) Bob Lalo / (1) David Boor (2) Chris Derhammer Saturday (02/04)       Carole Schlottman Cantor                 Beth Stoner / Janice Stavrou Ushers                 Mike & Kim Wanish, Brian Beck, Eric & . . . → Click Here]]>

February 2012

February 05

Crucifer               Bruce Holland / Kalasia Bradshaw
Acolyte                Alexander Cooper, Ryan Hausman
Acolyte Parent         Linda Hausman
Assisting Minister    (1) Leona Demko (2) Bob Lalo / (1) David Boor (2) Chris Derhammer
Saturday (02/04)       Carole Schlottman
Cantor                 Beth Stoner / Janice Stavrou
Ushers                 Mike & Kim Wanish, Brian Beck, Eric & Carolyn Umbenhauer
                       Larry & Connie Gower, Donna Genevese, Aaron Genevese, Lisa Strella
Altar Guild            Mary Miller / Helen Venanzi, Lisa Strella
Fellowship             Ethel Walter
Dishwasher             Kevin Walter
Bulletin Folder        Valeria Flyte

February 12

Crucifer               Mike Wanish / Beth Stoner
Acolyte                Kyle Beltz, Felipe Abraham
Acolyte Parent         Joanne Barnes
Assisting Minister    (1) Beth Stoner (2) Peggy Dougherty / (1) Renee Gombert (2) Jim Bowman
Cantor                 Dolores Fehnel / David Boor
Ushers                 Bruce & Liz Holland, Susan Lalo, Bill Derhammer, Richard Moyer, Tim Stavrou
                       Stan & Val Flyte, Pat Reed, Sylvia Seibert, Ann Klipple
Altar Guild            Mary Miller /
Fellowship             Janice Stavrou
Dishwasher             Help is needed
Bulletin Folder        Valeria Flyte

February 19 (The Transfiguration of Our Lord)

Crucifer                Kevin Walter / Jordan Janowski
Acolyte                 Darlene Bender, Mary Steinhofer / Samuel Boor, Madison Beltz
Banner Bearer           Dale Werkheiser / James Buncie
Acolyte Parent          Joanne Barnes
Cantor                  Sheila Lanshe / Janet Groh
Ushers                  Bruce & Liz Holland, Susan Lalo, Bill Derhammer, Richard Moyer, Tim Stavrou
                        Stan & Val Flyte, Pat Reed, Sylvia Seibert, Ann Klipple
Altar Guild             Peggy Dougherty, Carole Schlottman / Jean Litzenberger
Fellowship              Baptism Reception
Dishwasher              Reception Committee
Bulletin Folder         Valeria Flyte

February 22 (Ash Wednesday-7pm)

Assisting Minister    (1) Bob Lalo (2) Beth Stoner
Cantor                   Lana Snyder
Ushers                   TBA
Altar Guild              Peggy Dougherty, Carole Schlottman, Jean Litzenberger
Bulletin Folder          Valeria Flyte

February 26 (1st Sunday in Lent)

Assisting Minister    (1) Carole Schlottman (2) Leona Demko / (1) Debbie Vilas (2) Janice Stavrou
Cantor                    Lina Huett / David Boor
Ushers                    Dick Von Steuben, Mary & Barry Miller, Nancy Conway, Joanne Barnes
                          Jim & Bernie Bowman, Karen Saab, Devin Saab Ariana Saab, Helen Venanzi
Altar Guild               Peggy Dougherty, Carole Schlottman /
Fellowship                Help is needed
Dishwasher                Help is needed
Bulletin Folder           Valeria Flyte

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.

February, 2012

Dear Friends,

I’m grateful to all of you who submitted examples of God Sightings during December.  (. . . which reminds me – if you haven’t picked up a copy of the Epiphany booklet, “Let Them Shine,” which is a compilation of all those God . . . → Click Here]]>

February, 2012

Dear Friends,

I’m grateful to all of you who submitted examples of God Sightings during December.  (. . . which reminds me – if you haven’t picked up a copy of the Epiphany booklet, “Let Them Shine,” which is a compilation of all those God Sightings, please get one from the narthex.  And please feel free to share it when you’re finished with it!)  It’s project that seemed to spark the interest of many.  And looking for God at work is a good habit to have.  But as I’ve said before, all good habits take practice.

That’s why I would like to suggest that all of our committees and ministry groups begin their meetings by setting aside some time to discuss these same questions we pondered during Advent:

• Where have you seen God at work lately?
• How has God used someone to bless you lately?
• How has God used you to bless someone else lately?

And if you have any doubts about whether or not what you observe is God, remember to look for the fruits of the Spirit:  love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Looking for (and finding) God at work is a good habit for Christians because it helps us to be more aware of God’s presence.  It also helps us to get in tune with God’s plan for the world.  And it seems to me that being in tune with what God is doing in the world – and joining in to help – ought to be the primary purpose of any committee or ministry group, whether we’re meeting to plan worship, or to support our staff, or to witness to our faith in the community, or to manage our resources, or to teach our children, or to help us be good stewards – or even if we’re gathering purely for the purpose of studying the scriptures!

So please join me as we continue to grow, as individuals, as ministry groups, and as a congregation, in our ability to identify God’s work – and our willingness to pitch in!