THE MESSENGER
ALSACE LUTHERAN CHURCH
E-mail: alsacelutheran@verizon.net
Web: www.alsacelutheranchurch.org
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/alsacelutheran
2201 Kutztown Road, Reading, PA 19605
Phone: 610-929-8727
Fax: 610-929-5397
Morning Worship: 8:15 & 10:45 a.m.
8:15 Service Broadcast live over 1340AM
Streamed on the Internet at www.iheart.com
Sunday School for all ages – 9:30 a.m.
“Church on the Hill, Standing on the Word”
June/July 2019
A FATHER’S PRAYER
-Author Unknown
Give me, O God, the wisdom that I need
To mold the tender lives within my care:
Give me the power that I may subtly lead
Them to righteousness – true joy is there.
I ask for them no rainbowed path of ease;
I ask for them no store of wealth and fame;
I only ask that by their lives they please
Thee and the world with an untarnished name,
I know that man is weak, and life is strong,
And sometimes honest roads look very drear;
That winning laurels often takes too long
And luring vistas from all sides appear.
But while my young are still beneath my wing,
God, help me guide them right in everything.
CHURCH STAFF
Rev. Richard A. Nelson, Pastor
Rev. Mark E. Brophy, Pastor Emeritus
Mr. David Rutt, Music Director
Mrs. Nina Rowley, Organist
Miss Cynthia Speicher, Secretary
Mr. William Reber, Jr., Sexton
CHURCH OFFICERS
Mrs. Sherri Mengel, Sunday School Superintendent
Mrs. Barbara Coller, Council Secretary
Ms. Carol Kunsman, Envelope Secretary
COUNCIL MEMBERS/TERM EXPIRES
John Funk End of 2020
Kimberly Grinage – President End of 2019
Samantha Grinage End of 2020
Peggy Harter End of 2020
Jeffrey Klinger End of 2019
Payton Mentzer End of 2020
Donald Moll End of 2021
Mary Pachuilo End of 2019
Evelyn Sheetz End of 2021
Gerald Speicher – Vice President End of 2021
Janet Weidner End of 2019
June 21, 2019 is one of my favorite days of the year – it’s the first day of Summer. I love summer!
I can’t help but to think of that song by George Gershwin: “Summertime, and the livin’ is easy.” Although things remain busy here in the summer at Alsace Church with the Peach Festival, Vacation Bible School, and Church Camp, summertime just seems more relaxed.
Summertime is also the time for vacations, the time when we are supposed to “get away from it all” for a while. However, a recent study showed that 40 percent of Americans do not take all their paid time off, even though their employers encourage them to take their vacation time. Studies also show that Europeans, who work less hours and vacation more than twice the time Americans do, are more productive in the workplace overall. So, what’s wrong with us?
Did you know that the Bible encourages us to take vacations? Cindi McMenamin, a national speaker and best-selling author, says there are five reasons that taking a vacation is biblical. First, Jesus was all for a “getaway.” In Mark 6:31-32, we read: “Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest awhile.’ For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves.” Jesus knew that His followers needed time to refocus and revitalize their souls, and also to rest. Jesus knows we need time to rest and recoup, and He goes with us to pour rest back into our soul.
Second, vacations make us better stewards. Studies have shown that workers are far more productive after returning from a vacation, because of the fact that increased hours of sleep and decreased levels of stress led to more productivity. The Bible commands us to be good stewards and by giving our best at what we do. In Colossians 3:23, we are told, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.”
Third, vacations reduce stress. Stress kills the body, and the Bible tells us to care for our bodies as the dwelling place of God: “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God?” (1 Corinthians 6:19). So, treat your temple carefully by giving it the rest and change of pace that it occasionally needs.
Fourth, vacations spur our creativity and worship. Vacations give us the opportunity to be outdoors and experience the wonder of what God has made by enjoying His blessings. We all need these times to rejuvenate our creativity for our work. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” We can enjoy our time off, and enjoy this time with God.
Fifth, vacations prevent burnout. Symptoms of burnout include: irritability; outbursts of anger and cynicism; badly treating your friends, family members, co-workers, and even strangers. Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-39). You can better love your neighbors by doing what it takes to re-energize your soul and avoid burnout.
So, go ahead and take that vacation. Those you love will thank you for it. And, you may find yourself experiencing more of God as well!
Wishing You Peace and Rest for Your Soul,
Pastor Richard A. Nelson
Pastor Nelson will be on vacation from June 24 through July 8. Pastor Dave Reinwald will be providing pastoral care. Call the church office with any pastoral needs.
WORSHIP SCHEDULE
Every Sunday at 8:15 & 10:45 a.m.
(The liturgical color for each Sunday is listed in parenthesis)
May 30 (Thursday) – Ascension Day Worship, 10:00 a.m., sponsored by the Alsace Senior Club
June 2 (white) – 7th Sunday of Easter
June 9 (red) – The Day of Pentecost; Holy Communion; Confirmation
June 16 (white) – The Holy Trinity/Father’s Day
June 23 (green) – 2nd Sunday after Pentecost; Guest Preacher Gerry Arndt
June 30 (green) – 3rd Sunday after Pentecost; Guest Preacher Tim Speicher
July 7 (green) – 4th Sunday after Pentecost; Guest Preacher Don Kerns
July 14 (green) – 5th Sunday after Pentecost; Peach Festival
July 21 (green) – 6th Sunday after Pentecost; VBS begins
July 28 (green) – 7th Sunday after Pentecost
August 4 (green) – 8th Sunday after Pentecost; Holy Communion
August 11 (green) – 9th Sunday after Pentecost; Praise & Worship, featuring Church Campers
Sharing the Ministry of Alsace
Be sure to tell others about the ministry of Alsace:
It is a welcoming and friendly congregation. There is always inspiration and hope, not to mention good food! The people of Alsace have a sense of purpose and mission of serving others. Alsace centers its congregational life on the grace of God, which is for all people. Start spreading the news; that is, the “Good News” of God’s love and the ministry and mission of Alsace.
Christian Education
Join the Couples and Friends Sunday School class at 9:30 this Summer as we embark on a study of Mark Batterson’s novel, “In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day: How to Survive and Thrive when Opportunity Roars,” This easy-to-read book challenges us to dream big for God, and then by faith, take the first steps toward making those God-dreams a reality. If you are interested in joining us, please see Ryan Breisch for a copy of the book beginning June 2. You can also contact him at 610-790-7992 or ryanabreisch@gmail.com if you have any questions.
Reading Schedule (to be completed by class date)
June 9 – Chapters 1 and 2 (Locking Eyes with Your Lion/The Odd Thing About Odds)
June 23 – Chapter 3 (Unlearning Your Fears)
June 30 – Chapter 4 (The Art of Reframing)
Christian Education, cont.
July 21 – Chapter 5 (Guaranteed Uncertainty)
July 28 – Chapter 6 (Playing it Safe is Risky)
August 4 – Chapter 7 (Grab Opportunity by the Mane)
August 18 – Chapter 8 (The Importance of Looking Foolish)
August 25 – Chapters 9 and 10 (Unleash the Lion Chaser Within/The Multiplication Anointing)
Church Camp 2019
August 4 – 9, 2019
Camp Swatara, Bethel, PA
Camp is for all children/youth age 6 through 18 years old
2019 Theme: “Soar – Navigating God’s Grace”
“Those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles.”
(Isaiah 40:31)
Registration Forms are available at the church!
Deadline to register is June 30
A $35 Deposit reserves your spot!
Cost is $175 per person, which includes lodging, food, crafts, & camp shirt
(Financial assistance is available – speak to Pastor Nelson)
No one should miss out on camp because of money!
Day of Pentecost, Holy Communion & Confirmation
Sunday, June 9, 2019
Wear something RED to church this day!
Congratulations and Best Wishes are extended to the two Confirmands:
Kaylie Moll and Samuel Sharp
Join them as they affirm their baptism and affirm their faith in the Almighty God!
Hearing Devices
Wireless hearing devices are available to those who need or desire them for our worship services.
They may be obtained by seeing Lee Strause on a Sunday morning.
Hospital Admissions
Please inform the church office when a member is hospitalized or admitted to a health care facility, including room numbers. Due to the HIPPA laws, information about hospital and health
care facility admissions is limited and often restricted. Without your help, we cannot track and follow up with visits and prayers.
How to Become a Member of Alsace Lutheran Church
Speak to Pastor Nelson if you are interested in membership, or know someone who might be!
If you are already a member of a Lutheran Church –
Simply call the church office (610-929-8727), give the secretary the name of your previous church, and we will request a Letter of Transfer.
If you are a member of another Christian Church –
Simply contact the Pastor, and you will be invited to a New Member class, after which you will join Alsace by Affirmation of Faith.
Muhlenberg Churches Food Pantry
In addition to the items listed below, the Pantry is also looking for plastic grocery bags for the distribution. Bags can be put in the same box with the other items.
Donations of the following items are most needed, as these items are not readily available from the Food Bank: toilet paper; paper towels; bath soap; laundry detergent; fabric softener; Kleenex; shampoo; toothpaste. Bring any donations to church and place them in the box marked “Muhlenberg Churches Food Pantry.”
Thank you for your continued support of the MCFP!
The MCFP is looking for some new volunteers who can help with the distribution, which is the third Thursday of every month. Help is especially needed from 3:30 – 6:00 p.m. to help the clients bring their food to their cars. For more information or to volunteer, please speak to Pastor Nelson.
2019 Sacrament of Holy Communion Schedule
The Sacrament of Holy Communion will be offered on the following Sundays and Holidays (all times are 8:15 and 10:45, unless otherwise noted):
August 4; September 1; October 6 (8:15 a.m., 10:45 a.m. & 2:00 p.m.); November 3;
December 1
Notes: There will be no Communion service in July; 2:00 p.m. Communion Service will be held on October 6 in the chapel.
Senior Club
Tuesday, June 11, 1:00 p.m. – Annual Picnic & Meeting
Meeting in the Fellowship Hall (lower level) at Alsace. Cost is $5 per person and can be purchased from Bob Boyer or Lydia Smith.
Tuesday, June 18, 9:15 a.m.
Spirit of America Luncheon Cruise and bus tour of the “Murals of
Philadelphia.
Senior Club, cont.
Payment ($75.00 per person) for the trip to Lancaster County on Tuesday, August 20, is due to Pat Coller no later than June 25.
Wednesday, July 10, 9:45 a.m.
Buffet Lunch at Eden Resort then off to Fulton Theater for the Broadway Show, “Mama Mia.”
Payment ($80.00 per person) for the Mystery Trip on Wednesday, September 11, is due to Pat Coller no later than July 17.
If you have any questions about membership, please contact Gerald Speicher at 610-929-9623.
If you want to sign up for any trips or have questions about any trips, please contact Pat Coller at 610-929-8275 or Michelle Shunk at 424-333-5311.
Gift certificates can be purchased throughout the year from Irene Stoudt. You may call her at 610-929-8275.
Supper Club
Same rules as before: One check, no coupons and please do not fill out your check until you arrive at the restaurant.
Wednesday, July 3 – Blind Hartman’s
Deadline to sign up is Sunday, June 23
Wednesday, July 31 – Mimmo’s
(Church Camp on Wednesday, August 7)
Deadline to sign up is Sunday, July 1
Wednesday, September 4 – Schmeck’s Villa
Wednesday, October 2 – Fiore’s
Wednesday, November 6 – Applebee’s, 5th Street Highway
Wednesday, December 4 – Crossroads
Texas Roadhouse
Alsace Lutheran Church has signed up to participate in Texas Roadhouse’s “Church Bulletin Program.” All you have to do is take your church bulletin to Texas Roadhouse after the service on any Sunday and you can receive 10% off your total bill. This is only for Texas Roadhouse in Wyomissing.
Vacation Bible School
Sunday, July 21 through Thursday, July 25
6:15 to 8:30 p.m.
Classes are offered for all those 3-years old through the 5th grade
(Older Youth and Adults can be Helpers!)
Theme: “Miraculous Mission – Jesus Saves the World”
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son,
that whoever believes in Him should not perish
but have eternal life.” John 3:16
Closing Program: Thursday, July 25, 6:30 p.m.
Volunteers Needed – Thursday, July 18 – MCFP
July 18 is Alsace Church’s turn to sponsor the food distribution at the Muhlenberg Churches Food Pantry. Set up begins at 10:30 a.m. If you can lift boxes and help unload food, please show up by 2:30 p.m. If you can just help with the distribution, come around 2:45. Remember to wear closed-toe shoes, no flip flops or sandals.
Wednesday Bible Study
Wednesdays 1:30 p.m.
Concluding the study, “Getting to the Heart of God’s Story”
June 5 & June 12
YOUTH PAGE
Birthdays
6/10 – Brooke Wisniewski 7/1 – Taylor Swartley
6/10 – Mason Yerger 7/1 – Kaden Swavely
6/11 – Casine’ LaBorde 7/5 – Hanna Kline
6/12 – Samantha Grinage 7/8 – William Hower, Jr.
6/17 – Dylan Slusser 7/9 – Jack Sahaida
6/19 – Taylor Oxenreider 7/16 – Teresa Reed
6/22 – Gabrielle Werley 7/17 – Cameron Urenko
6/28 – Karleigh Mueller 7/21 – Dakota Yeager
6/29 – Olivia Gehris 7/28 – Peyton Stricker
7/16 – Leanne Nelson
7/22 – Kim Grinage
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Remember to sign up for all events on the sheets posted on the bulletin board outside the church office, or by responding to the Facebook Page.
Saturday, June 1 – Breakfast at Shady Maple & Shopping for Quilt
We will be leaving the church at 7:30 a.m. (SHARP!) Don’t be late!
After breakfast, we will travel to the “Kitchen Kettle” to select the Quilt for the Peach
Festival Raffle.
Cost is $13 for breakfast.
Thursday, June 20 – Sunday, June 23 – Ocean City, NJ – Here We Come!!!
Balance is due to either Pastor Nelson or Cindy Speicher by Sunday, June 2.
Peach Festival: We NEED EVERYONE TO HELP!!!!
Friday, July 12 – 6:30 p.m., Preparation in kitchen
Saturday, July 13 – 8:00 a.m., Peeling Peaches and other preparations
Sunday, July 14 – Peach Festival Day; Help is needed from 8:00 a.m. till evening
The Peach Festival is our biggest fund raiser, and the money we profit is used to keep costs down for youth events all year long. We can’t do this festival without YOU! If you haven’t already volunteered, see Cindy. AND, SHOW UP READY TO WORK!!!
Continued on next page…
Upcoming Dates & Events – Mark your calendars and plan to attend
- Sun.-Fri., August 4-9 – Church Camp
- Saturday, August 24 – Pool Party & Picnic at Woodcrest Retreat
- Sunday, September 22 – Youth Re-Organizational Meeting
Something NEW is coming in September just for Youth!!!
Look for a mailing coming to your home by the end of August!
Led by Rachel Nelson, this will be a time for Teens to get together and talk, learn and grow in faith. Are you intrigued? Plan to attend the introductory meeting for this NEW thing on Sunday, September 8 at 9:30 a.m.
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ONE NATION WITHOUT GOD
-Unknown
America, the beautiful.
Home of the brave and free,
is threatened by evil
that we don’t see.
We are “One nation, under God.”
Guided by His loving light,
but we’ll be a nation “without” God
if we don’t stand and fight.
We, the vast majority,
must join hand in hand
before the small minority
takes God’s name from our land.
No matter our religion,
we have a job to do;
We must band together
to defeat the ungodly few.
God gave us freedom in this land
to worship and to pray.
How can we idly just sit by
watching it be taken away?
There is a God in Heaven.
Let’s not let His light go dim.
How can He bless us from above
if we won’t acknowledge Him?
JUNE BIRTHDAYS
June 1 – Gabriella Artim
June 2 – Pearl Schaeffer
June 5 – Craig Mengel, Jill Wineberg
June 8 – Sherri Elswick, Peyton Mengel
June 9 – Kris Gantert, Carlos Ortiz, Ariella Palmer, Victoria Rothenberger, Keith Scheirer,
Evelyn Shuker, Jayden Velazquez
June 10 – Timothy Brickel
June 11 – Diane Becker, Richard Lentz, Kayden Stewart
June 12 – Jillian Breisch, Samantha Grinage, Grace Youndt
June 18 – Luther Kauffman, Barbara Tillman
June 19 – Alexander Gehret, Chris Luppold
June 22 – Evelyn Irons, Mae McNear, Stacy Yerger
June 23 – Stephen Seyfert, Rodney Yeager
June 24 – Irvin Henry, Norah Klinger, Gerald Speicher
June 25 – Beverly Gaiewski, Robert Mack, Ruth Seyler
June 26 – Gladys Moyer, Kolby West
June 27 – Elijah Persad
June 28 – Richard Gerhart, Lindlee Terenchin
June 29 – Avery Etzel
June 30 – Preston Smith
JUNE ACTIVITIES
Saturday, June 1 7:30 a.m. – Youth Group to Shady Maple & Quilt Shopping
Sunday, June 2 8:15 & 10:45 a.m. – Worship
9:30 a.m. – Sunday School
Tuesday, June 4 9:00 a.m. – Senior Club Board Meeting
Wednesday, June 5 6:00 p.m. – Supper Club at Country Fare in Myerstown
Sunday, June 9 8:15 & 10:45 a.m. – Holy Communion
9:30 – Sunday School
10:45 – Confirmation
JUNE ACTIVITIES, cont.
Tuesday, June 11 1:00 p.m. – Senior Club Luncheon & Meeting
Wednesday, June 12 7:00 p.m. – Church Council Meeting
Thursday, June 13 7:10 p.m. – Alsace Night at the R Phils
Sunday, June 16 8:15 & 10:45 a.m. – Worship
9:30 a.m. – Sunday School
Tuesday, June 18 9:15 a.m. – Senior Club Trip to Philadelphia
Wednesday, June 19 4:40 p.m. – Soup Kitchen
Thursday, June 20 9:00 a.m. – Youth Group leaves for Ocean City, NJ
Sunday, June 23 8:15 & 10:45 a.m. – Worship
9:30 – Sunday School
Sunday, June 30 8:15 & 10:45 a.m. – Worship
9:30 a.m. – Sunday School
JULY BIRTHDAYS
July 1 – Marion Royer, John Smith, Kaden Swavely
July 3 – Julia Carbaugh, Ashley Selig, Henrietta Ziegler
July 4 – Aubree Baer, Raydel Verret
July 5 – Michael Ray
July 7 – Dorothy DeLong
July 8 – Lewis Blimline, Luther Bollinger, Thomas Moore, Jr.
July 9 – Herbert Mertz
July 10 – Alexander Long
July 12 – Robert L. Hill, Ryan Moll, Stephanie Waits
July 13 – Linda Woomer
July 14 – Jane Cote, Betty Creary, Adam Livingood, Betty Ruth
July 15 – Craig Hartman
July 16 – Kathleen Dautrich, Leanne Nelson, Analiyse Pacheco, Parker Smith
July 17 – Brenda Benham, Lynne Brightbill
July 18 – Barbara Anderson, Benjamin Breisch
July 19 – Robert D. Hill, Trevor Sustala
July 20 – Beth Hartman
July 22 – Kimberly Grinage, Janice Hole
July 24 – Greta Wagner
July 25 -Jean Ferro, Brian Redcay
July 27 – Brenda O’Connell, Forrest Wanner
July 28 – Bob Boyer, Matthew Pachuilo
July 29 – Gerald Kunkel, Myles Lopez
July 30 – Shawna Cramner, Patricia Rittenhouse
JULY ACTIVITIES
Wednesday, July 3 6:00 p.m. – Supper Club at Blind Hartman’s
Thursday, July 4 Independence Day, Office Closed
Sunday, July 7 8:15 & 10:45 a.m. – Worship
9:30 a.m. – Sunday School
Wednesday, July 10 9:45 a.m. – Senior Club to Fulton Theater
7:00 p.m. – Church Council Meeting
JULY ACTIVITIES, cont.
Friday, July 12 6:30 p.m. – Peach Festival Preparation
Saturday, July 13 8:00 a.m. – Peach Festival Preparation
Sunday, July 14 8:00 a.m. – Peach Festival Preparation
8:15 & 10:45 a.m. – Worship
9:30 a.m. – Sunday School
4:00 to 8:00 p.m. – Peach Festival/Uptown Band & Jeff Krick, Jr.
Friday, July 19 Messenger Article Deadline
Sunday, July 21 8:15 & 10:45 a.m. – Worship
9:30 a.m. – Sunday School
6:15 to 8:30 p.m. – Vacation Bible School
Monday, July 22 6:15 to 8:30 p.m. – Vacation Bible School
Tuesday, July 23 6:15 to 8:30 p.m. – Vacation Bible School
Wednesday, July 24 6:15 to 8:30 p.m. – Vacation Bible School
Thursday, July 25 6:15 to 8:30 p.m. – Vacation Bible School
Sunday, July 28 8:15 a.m. & 10:45 a.m. – Worship
9:30 a.m. – Sunday School
Tuesday, July 30 8:00 a.m. – Messenger Mailers
Wednesday, July 31 6:00 p.m. – Supper Club at Mimmo’s
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