May 2008 Newsletter

From Pastor Steve Belinski

Dear Friends in Christ,

By now many of you know that Melissa & Jonathan, my daughter-in-law and son lost a baby last week. Melissa was 20 weeks pregnant at the time. They named their son Nicolas, after the Patron Saint of Children. While this has been a traumatic time for both families involved, especially for Jonathan & Melissa, all of us give thanks to you for your kind words, cards, prayers and other expressions of your love over these past few days. Being part of such a loving & caring community of faith means so much to each of us. We know that Nicolas is with God and with us as well to comfort each of us in the days ahead. Again on behalf of our entire families, I thank you for your love and support.

If you would like to drop Jonathan and Melissa a note, their address is:
Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan Belinski
103 N. State Street,
Shillington, PA 19607.

Have a Blessed May.
Peace to you,
Pastor Steve

SPRING FLING & CHICKEN BAR-B-QUE

SATURDAY, MAY 17, 2008
8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

SPRING FLING activities start at 8 a.m. with CHICKEN BAR-B-QUE running from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Chicken Bar-b-que tickets can be purchased from any Church Council Member, Ray Drain or Kathy. Price is $7.00/whole chicken.

Once again, we will have used CLOTHING (No Shoes!), BOOKS (no magazines!) and WHITE ELEPHANT ITEMS (small appliances must be in working condition!). These items will be accepted starting April 15, 2008 and can be brought to the church any weekday morning or on Sunday mornings.

HOMEMADE CRAFTS are NEEDED! We need to replenish our Craft Table with new items this year. When crafts are donated, please mark box or bag “Crafts”.

We will again have a PLANT stand. If you have any houseplants you don’t want anymore, we’ll take them off your hands. We ask that Plant donations be brought to the church the week just prior to May 17th.

The FOOD ITEMS on the reverse side of this form will be accepted the day of the Spring Fling. We ask that all food donations be to the church by 9:30 a.m. on May 17th.

HOMEMADE BAKED GOODS are always popular….we never have enough of those great goodies! Again, all food donations should be at the church by 9:30 a.m.

There will be Hot Dogs, Hamburgers & Beverages for those who need a lunch “pick-me-up”.

PLAN NOW TO JOIN US FOR A DAY OF FUN & FELLOWSHIP!
*If you can work all or even part of the day, please let Bonnie know as soon as possible…lots of volunteers are needed to ensure a successful SPRING FLING!

COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

General Fund: 3/1/08 $1,584.68 + Inc. of $18,661.77 – Exp. of $16,168.82 = $4,077.63 on 3/31/08

Building Fund: 3/1/08 $3,882.46 + Inc. of $675.00 – Exp. of $1,637.25 = $2,920.21 on 3/31/08

Memorial Fund: 3/1/08 $3,000.04 + Inc. of $1.17 = $3,001.21 on 3/31/08

Ministry Area Reports

• Property: A new sexton is still being sought. It is possible the position could be split between two people – one to open the church on Sunday and one to clean during the week.
• Christian Education: Vacation Bible School will be held June 23 to 27 in the afternoon.
• Youth: The congregation’s youth have several events/special projects planned and will have a lemonade stand at Spring Fling.

Old Business

• Trees: A revised quote was obtained from last month’s low bidder to reflect larger trees. Council approved an increase in the expense for Cleveland Flowering Pear Trees.
• Roof: Discussion of what to do about the leaking roof was tabled until the May meeting.

New Business

• Council approved donations to Reading High School’s Knights of Glory club and to a seminary student from Christ Lutheran Church.

Next Council meeting will be May 1, 2008 at 7 p.m.

Worship Helper’s Schedule

May 4:
Greeters: Jack & Jeanette Wright
Lector: Don McWilliams
Communion Aids: Lori Maurer & Sandy Bocian

May 11:
Greeters: Pat Tranovich & Rosemary Coldren
Lector: Diane Ohlinger

May 18:
Greeters: Mae Quire & Gloria Seifrit
Lector: Diane Ohlinger

May 25:
Greeters: Phyllis Stacherski & Sandy Bocian
Lector: Dottie Belinski

Van Drivers

• May 4—Gary & Kim Klemmer
• May 11—Dennis Spolski
• May 18—Deb Landrigan
• May 25—Cecelia Motacki

May Birthdays

3– Janah Jennings
5—Alyssa Newmoyer, Robin Dornes & Angel Gring-Vazquez
7—Latasha Bohn
10– Joseph Foreman
11—Florence Hull, Wayne Dauber
12—Helen Thren
13– Mariano Ortiz, Jr.
17—Renee Wolf
23—Joe Ricci
25—Kelly Schappell
27—Josephine Battaglieri, Donna Sherry & Diane Ohlinger
30—Donald Glass

Happy Birdthday Everyone!

** If you are missing from our birthday list, please see Bonnie and give her your birthday. **

YOUTH

The Youth of Grace are getting re-organized. They have many new and exciting events planned. If you are in Grades 6-12 and are interesting in joining the Youth Group, you may see Diane Ohlinger, or Joe Gring.

New and exciting things are being planned for 2008. Watch the Youth Bulletin Board and your Youth mail-outs for details. Also be sure to check the Youth page here on the website

The next youth meeting is scheduled for May 25th immediately following the worship service.

Some of the upcoming events are:

Sunday, April 27th Last DVD/Discussion session.
Sunday, May 4, 2008—Mother/Child Luncheon.
Saturday, May 10, 2008 @ 9:00 AM—Breakfast, paint shelves and practice for SS program on May 18th.
Saturday, May 17, 2008– Spring Fling. The youth will have a lemonade stand
Sunday, May 18, 2008—Breakfast & Conversation and SS Closing Program
June 23-27, 2008—VBS - You can help!
Sunday, June 29, 2008 RPL Youth Pool Party.
July 14—18-Day Camp– We need counselors.

COME OUT AND JOIN THE FUN!
The Youth Room will be open EVERY Sunday 9:00/9:15. There will be youth materials and games will be provided for your use

LUTHERAN PANTRY FOOD DRIVE

Our Fall Food drive for the Lutheran Pantry will take place on the first two Sundays in May (May 4th & May 11th). The following items are needed…

• Cereal (Cold & Hot)
• Canned Fruit
• Peanut Butter
• Rice
• Tomatoes
• Green Beans
• Kidney Beans
• Mixed Vegetable
• Beef Stew or Canned Meat
• Pasta or Macaroni & Cheese
• Corn
• Spaghetti
• Spaghetti Sauce
• Tuna
• Baked Beans
• Crackers
• Soup
• Jell-O/Pudding
• Canned Carrots
• Peas

Donations can be placed in the box on the counter in downstairs hallway. Monetary donations are also accepted.
(See Frank or Vivian Casper)