May 2010 Newsletter
Dear Friends in Christ,
What a glorious Easter celebration we shared this past month. The church looked beautiful, but even more beautiful were the 200 plus people filling the pews. As I looked over the congregation, it occurred to me that while some of those attending were visitors, the vast majority were members of our church family. Wouldn’t it be wonderful, if each Sunday we experienced Easter? Well, as a matter of fact, we do. Every Sunday is a celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Every Sunday is a remembrance that Jesus Christ died and rose for you and me. Every Sunday is an affirmation that because God so loved the world, through Jesus Christ we have life in his Holy Name.
While there won’t be lilies or palms and decorated crossed in church the Sunday, none the less, I invite each of you to come and join us as we celebrated the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and his gift of life for you and me.
Peace
Pastor Steve
APRIL COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS
General Fund: 3/30/10 balance was $19,363.97
Building Fund: 3/30/10 balance was $11,540.08
Memorial Fund: 3/30/10 balance was $1,571.30
Ministry Area Reports
Christian Education: The last day of Sunday School before the summer break will be May 30.
Youth: The proceeds of the Youth-sponsored Spaghetti Dinner and Boscov’s Friends Helping Friends will be donated to three children’s charities chosen by members of the Youth Group.
Tutoring: The last day for tutoring will be May 4. A swim party will be held April 22.
New Business:
Kitchen Door: Council gave Pastor Steve approval to continue to pursue the purchase and installation of a steel door for the kitchen entrance. The door will have to be custom made. It will be a panic door (no outside handle) with two windows. Bids are expected to be between $1,500 and $2,000.
Next Council meeting will be May 6, 2010 at 7 p.m
SATURDAY, MAY 15, 2010
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 or Bonnie. 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 6, 2010 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”.
The FOOD ITEMS on the opposite page 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 15th.
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”.
The Youth will be sponsoring a fresh squeezed lemonade stand
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!
New Members
On Sunday, April 18th, we welcomed new members into Grace. When you see or meet them, please welcome them. They are:
- Christine Collins
- James Collins
- Jennifer Collins
- Judy Collins
- Michael Collins
- Thomas Collins
- Amie Cussaigh
- Barry Freethy
- Helen Freethy
- Karen Gottshall
- Donald (Dick) Gottshall
- Darrin Henry
- Amanda Holquist
- Gary Miller
- Rebecca Miller
- Tammy Wilson
Van Drivers for May
2—Gary & Kim Klemmer
9 -
16—Deb Landrigan
23—Cecelia Motacki
30—Jim Maurer
If you can not drive your assigned week, please try to switch with someone. Please let Bonnie know who will be driving on your Sunday. ALSO, REMEMBER TO CHECK THE VAN LIST, SOMEONE NEW MAY BE ON THERE! Thank you!
IF YOU NEED A RIDE TO CHURCH OR SUNDAY SCHOOL ON SUNDAYS, PLEASE CALL THE OFFICE AND BONNIE WILL PUT YOU ON THE LIST TO BE PICKED UP. DON’T FORGET TO CANCEL YOUR STOP IF YOU ARE NOT COMING TO SUNDAY SCHOOL OR CHURCH!
A VAN DRIVER IS NEEDED FOR THE SECOND SUNDAY OF THE MONTH! IF YOU CAN HELP, PLEASE CALL THE OFFICE OR SEE PASTOR STEVE
Worship Helper’s Schedule
May 2
Greeters: Della & Ken Heck
Lector: John Stott
Communion Aids: Lori Maurer & Lois Miller
May 9:
Greeters: Jessica Ringler & Mae Quire
Lector: Lisa Ricci
May 16:
Greeters: Sandy Bocian & Gloria Seifrit
Lector: Lisa Ricci
May 23:
Greeters:
Jon & Melissa Belinski
Lector: Donald McWilliams
May 30:
Greeters: Barbara Tazik & Cheryl Santoro
Lector: Donald McWilliams
May’s Birthdays
- 1 Debra Heck
- 3 Janah Jennings
- 4 Harry G. Eisenbise
- 5 Angel Gring-Vazquez, Alyssa Newmoyer, Robin Dornes
- 7 Donald Gottshall, Latasha Bohn
- 8 Daphne Cleary
- 10 Joseph Foreman
- 11 Florence Hull, Wayne Dauber
- 12 Helen Thren
- 13 Mariano Ortiz, Jr
- 16 Brian Klee, Amanda Holquist
- 17 Renee Wolf
- 18 Linda Reed
- 22 Thelma Adams
- 23 Joe Ricci, Sean Landrigan
- 24 Maricelys Ortiz
- 25 Kelly Schappell
- 27 Josephine Battaglieri, Donna Sherry, Diane Ohlinger,
Lynne Denunzio
- 28 Robert Schwenker, Neftali Mateo
Volunteer for Family VBS (Vacation Bible School) Everyone Welcome!
When: Tuesdays - Starting 6/29/10 thru 8/17/10
Time 5:15 PM to 7:30 PM
Please indicate your volunteer choices
*Planning Committee
Registration
Food Preparation
Food Server/clean up
VBS Leader/storyteller
Support staff/aide
Crafts/Activities
Set-up/Decorate
Interpreter (Hispanic)
*We are looking for people who would be willing to serve on a planning/organizing Committee. This committee would meet during May & June to help plan weekly Sessions as needed.
*1st planning Committee Meeting - Monday May 24, 2010 6-7 PM
You may sign up for one, some or all Tuesdays.
Check your calendar and please indicate (Tuesdays) you can volunteer. Here are the dates:
6/29, 7/6, 7/13, 7/20, 7/27, 8/3, 8/10 and 8/17/10. (Please circle or list above).
Please note we will have meetings throughout the summer for those who will be volunteering for specific/any Tuesdays. Meetings could be Sundays after worship.
Any questions please contact Diane Ohlinger (610-207-6057) or Dottie Belinski (610-375-3987)
email your response to dlo555@verizon.net OR dbelinski@verizon.net
Please consider being a part of this new adventure for Grace Lutheran Church. Thank you!
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Include the following information in your email
NAME:
ADDRESS
PHONE NO AND OR CELL
EMAIL
Volunteer choice(s)
Date(s): Circle all that you are choosing: 6/29, 7/6, 7/13, 7/20, 7/27, 8/3,
8/10, 8/17/10
Breakfast and Conversation
May 16: The Amazing Magi. Pastor Michael Reist will be bring quality and amazing entertainment with an Old Testament and Gospel presentation. This entertainment will be through illusions, slight of hand and surprises for the eyes. Pastor Mike will also recap on the story of Noah’s Ark (that is the Old Testament story we started on Rally Day in September 2009). This should be fun
Send a Card to Catherine Lerch
Ralph Lerch has requested, if you would be interested, to please send cards to Catherine Lerch at The Golden Living Center, 21 Fairlane Rd., Reading, PA 19606. She would enjoy hearing from you!
Lutheran Pantry Help Wanted.
Due to health issues, Frank and Vivian Casper can no longer do the Lutheran Pantry. This takes place about 2 times a year. If you need more information, please see Frank or Vivian an/ or call the office.
YOUTH
JOIN US - If you are in Grades 6-12, see Diane Ohlinger .
Keep an eye on the Youth Bulletin Board for upcoming events. Get on the youth mail-out list and receive a monthly updates of youth events, fundraisers, etc. Also, check out our website at www.readinggrace.com/youth.htm.
See Miss Diane for more information & details
COME OUT AND JOIN THE FUN!
The Youth Room will be open EVERY Sunday 9:00 and at 9:15 the activities will begin. . There will be youth materials and games will be provided for your use!
FURNITURE BANK
The men of Grace volunteer one Saturday a month to pick up furniture at private homes and deliver it to the Salvation Army Furniture Bank.
If you would be interested in helping (it takes approx. 1-2 hours), please call the Church office at 610-375-3961.
Next Dates are:
May 22, 2010
Volunteers Needed!
The Cub and Boy Scouts
need your help!
WHEN: Wednesday Evenings from 5:00 PM—6:00 PM
WHAT IS NEEDED: Leader, Den Leader and a Cub Master
If we can not get help, the Cub Scout/Scout program will have trouble to keep it on-going!
If you are interested, please see or call Jean Martinelli at 484-794-9284 or the Church Office at 610-375-3961
Lutheran Pantry Food Drive
Our Spring Food Drive for the Lutheran Pantry will take place on the second and third Sunday in May (May 9 & 16). The following items are needed.
- Cereal (Hot & Cold)
- Canned Fruit
- Peanut Butter
- Rice
- Tomatoes
- Green Beans
- Kidney Beans
- Mixed Vegetables
- Beet 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 the downstairs hallway.
Monetary donations are also accepted.
(See the Office)
DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF TIME IT TAKES TO PUT THE NEWSLETTERS TOGETHER, THERE WILL NOW BE A DEADLINE TO PUT
INFORMATION IN THE NEWSLETTERS.
DEADLINE FOR MARCH'S
NEWLETTER IS: MAY 23, 2010
