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”
May 2019
Mother’s Love
-Unknown
Mother’s love is like an island
In life’s ocean, vast and wide,
A peaceful, quiet shelter
From the wind, the rain, the tide.
It is bound on the north by hope,
By patience on the west,
By tender counsel on the south
And on the east by rest.
Above it like a beacon light
Shine faith, and truth, and prayer;
And through the changing scenes of life
I find a haven there.
“The Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to his disciples,
was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.”
(Mark 16:19)
“Jesus led his disciples out as far as Bethany,
and, lifting up his hand, he blessed them.
While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them
and was carried up into heaven.”
(Luke 24:50-51)
Ascension Day is always observed 40 days after Easter, and it always falls on a Thursday. Ascension Day commemorates the ascension of Jesus into heaven after His resurrection on Easter Sunday. The biblical account of the ascension of Jesus is found in four places: Matthew 28:16-20;
Mark 16:19-20; Luke 24:50-53; and Acts 1:6-11.
During the 40-day period before Jesus ascended into heaven, Jesus preached and intermingled with His disciples and many of His followers. We call these the “post-resurrection” appearances. After 40 days, Jesus called together His 11 disciples (Judas Iscariot had died) and gave them their final blessing and commission.
According to church tradition, Ascension Day was first celebrated in the year 68 AD. Some of the rituals of Ascension Day include putting out the Easter (Paschal) candle; processions with torches and banners; and the blessing of fruits and vegetables. In Germany, Father’s Day is celebrated on Ascension Day. This tradition dates back to the 18th century when prizes were awarded to fathers after Ascension Day parades. An old tradition in England is that if it is sunny on Ascension Day, it will be a warm summer; but if it rains, there will be a poor harvest, and livestock will suffer from disease. In Sweden, people go into the woods very early in the morning of Ascension Day to hear the birds at sunrise. It is said to be good luck if a cuckoo bird is heard from the east or west.
This year, Ascension Day falls on May 30. The Alsace Senior Club has sponsored an Ascension Day service for many years. Everyone is welcome to attend the worship at 10:00 a.m. in the Chapel. During our Ascension Day observance, we remember all those individuals who have ascended to heaven since the previous Ascension Day.
Ten days after Ascension Day is the Day of Pentecost which commemorates the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples Pentecost ends the church cycle of Easter that begins the long season of Pentecost.
The final words of Jesus as He ascended into heaven are these: “Be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” May we always remember this promise and be assured that wherever we go and whatever we do, our Risen and Ascended Lord is with us!
With Confident Hope,
Pastor Richard A. Nelson
Funeral
John C. Beil
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
WORSHIP SCHEDULE
Every Sunday at 8:15 & 10:45 a.m.
(The liturgical color for each Sunday is listed in parenthesis)
May 5 (white) – The 3rd Sunday of Easter, Sacrament of Holy Communion
2:00 p.m. Abbreviated Worship with Holy Communion
May 12 (white) – 4th Sunday of Easter; Mother’s Day
May 19 (white) – 5th Sunday of Easter
May 26 (white) – 6th Sunday of Easter; Memorial Day Observance
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
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.
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!
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.
Reading Fightin’ Phils
The Youth Group is selling tickets for the Faith & Family Night baseball game on Thursday, June 13 at 7:10 p.m. The cost is $7 per person for a seat in the green section of the grandstand. Deadline to sign up and pay for the tickets is Sunday, May 12. Checks should be made payable to Alsace Youth Group.
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):
May 5 (8:15 a.m., 10:45 a.m., 2:00 p.m.); June 9 (Day of Pentecost & Confirmation); August 4;
2019 Sacrament of Holy Communion Schedule, cont.
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 Services will be held on May 5 and October 6 in the chapel.
Senior Club
Payment ($100 per person) for the trip to Fulton Theater on Wednesday, July 10, is due to Pat Coller no later than May 15.
Tuesday, May 28 – Green Grove Gardens
Farmhouse family style dinner and concert, “God Bless America.”
Ascension Day Service – Thursday, May 30, 10:00 a.m.
Service in the Kissinger Chapel – will memorialize all our Senior Club members who passed away since Ascension Day, 2018. Coffee hour will follow.
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, June 5 – Country Fare, Myerstown
Deadline to sign up is Sunday, May 26
Wednesday, July 3 – Blind Hartman’s
Wednesday, July 31 – Mimmo’s
(Church Camp on Wednesday, August 7)
Wednesday, September 4 – Schmeck’s Villa
Wednesday, October 2 – Fiore’s
Wednesday, November 6 – Applebee’s, 5th Street Highway
Wednesday, December 4 – Crossroads
Wednesday Bible Study
Every Wednesday in May at 1:30 p.m.
Join us as we continue the study, “Getting to the Heart of God’s Story.”
COMMUNITY
Reading High School
The following items are for the Reading High School and the Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program (ECYEH). Their goal is to provide a resource room that will be available to students. This room will offer provisions to fulfill their basic needs such as food, hygiene products and school supplies. If you are able to donate any of the following items, please place them in the Chapel foyer. Thank you!
Hygiene Products: shampoo/conditioner; deodorant; toothbrush and toothpaste; liquid bath soap;
feminine hygiene products; hairbrushes; make-up
School Supplies: binders and folders; pens and pencils; spiral ring notebooks; backpacks
Baby Supplies: baby food; formula; diapers; wipes; baby clothes
Food: granola bars; Nutra grain bars; non-perishables; bottled water; ready to eat food; holiday meals
Miscellaneous: towels; clothing detergent; camping mats; pillows; Gift Cards for grocery stores, clothing stores and fast food; BARTA bus passes; barber shop; Goodwill gift cards for interview clothing; monetary donations made payable to RHS Knight Closet.
YOUTH PAGE
Birthdays
Ava Amato – 5/11
Jackson Craft – 5/11
Faythe Phillips – 5/16
Josie Geddio – 5/26
Logan Kline – 5/30
Jaison Rivera – 5/30
Rachel Nelson – 5/16
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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, May 11 – .
Trip and Hike at Bushkill Falls
Meet at the church by 10:00 a.m.
Wear good walking shoes and dress for the weather; you may also want to bring a water
bottle for the hike.
Cost is $16.50 which includes admission to the Trails and Lunch.
Bring extra money for spending.
Saturday, May 25 – Yard Sale
Help is needed for set up, selling snacks and drinks, and clean up.
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 a Quilt for the Peach
Festival Raffle.
Cost is $13 for breakfast.
Upcoming Dates & Events – Mark your calendars and plan to attend!
- Thurs.-Sun., June 20-23 – Shore Trip to Ocean City, NJ
- Fri., Sat., Sun., Mon. – July 12-15 – Peach Festival
- Sun.-Fri., August 4-9 – Church Camp
- Saturday, August 24 – Pool Party & Picnic at Woodcrest Retreat
MAY BIRTHDAYS
May 1 – Jason Playharn, Jr.
May 3 – Leo Velazquez
May 6 – Raymond Lascomb, Kaelyn Walters
May 7 – Mariann Kauffman, Carolyn McDonough, Stanley Schaeffer, Sr.
May 8 – Catherine Angstadt, Diane Hartman, Mary Mack, Sophie Neuheimer
May 9 – Aralyn Walters
May 10 – Michael Gauby, Ronald Heffner
May 11 – Ava Amato, Jackson Craft, Judith Geissler
May 12 – Julia Bond
May 13 – Parker Endy, Richard Hoffman, Jason Moll, Sylvia Salsano
May 14 – Jamison Moore, Landon Weller
May 15 – Piper Tryon, Jean Weidenhammer
May 16 – Rachel Nelson, Faythe Phillips
May 18 – David Ritter
May 19 – Adalyn Smith
May 20 – James Seiz
May 22 – Ray Carbaugh
May 23 – Phyllis Luppold
May 24 – Piper Smith
May 26 – Josie Geddio, Charlotte Moore, Susan Thomas
May 28 – Jeffery Eshbach, Joe Fitzgerald, Ira Johnson, Philip Schlegel
May 29 – JaLancey Robertson, Jenna Terenchin
May 30 – Mary Jane Hoffman, Alexander Jamison, Logan Kline, Michele Klinger, Jaison Rivera
MAY ACTIVITIES
Wednesday, May 1 1:30 p.m. – Bible Study
6:00 p.m. – Supper Club at Ganley’s Pub, 6:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 2 National Day of Prayer
Sunday, May 5 8:15 & 10:45 a.m. – Communion Service
9:00 a.m. – Junior Choir
9:30 a.m. – Sunday School & Confirmation
1:30 p.m. – Thirty-One Fundraiser
2:00 p.m. – Brief Communion Service
6:00 p.m. – Youth Choir
Tuesday, May 7 9:00 a.m. – Senior Club Board Meeting
10:00 a.m. – Men’s Choir
10:30 a.m. – Senior Choir
7:00 a.m. – Alsace Ringers
8:15 a.m. – Reunion Choir
Wednesday, May 8 1:30 p.m. – Bible Study
7:00 p.m. – Church Council Meeting
Saturday, May 11 10:00 a.m. – Youth Group to Bushkill Falls
Sunday, May 12 Mother’s Day
8:15 & 10:45 a.m. – Worship
9:30 – Sunday School & Confirmation
Monday, May 13 6:30 p.m. – Christian Education Committee Meeting
Tuesday, May 14 10:00 a.m. – Men’s Choir
10:30 a.m. – Senior Choir
7:00 p.m. – Alsace Ringers
8:15 p.m. – Reunion Choir
Wednesday, May 15 1:30 p.m. – Bible Study
4:40 p.m. – Soup Kitchen
Friday, May 17 Messenger Article Deadline
Saturday, May 18 Armed Forces Day
MAY ACTIVITIES, cont.
Sunday, May 19 8:15 & 10:45 a.m. – Worship
9:30 a.m. – Sunday School & Confirmation
6:00 p.m. – Youth Choir
Tuesday, May 21 10:00 a.m. – Men’s Choir
10:30 a.m. – Senior Choir
7:00 p.m. – Alsace Ringers
8:15 p.m. – Reunion Choir
Wednesday, May 22 1:30 p.m. – Bible Study
Saturday, May 25 8:00 a.m. to Noon – Yard Sale
Sunday, May 26 8:15 & 10:45 a.m. – Worship
9:30 – Sunday School
Monday, May 27 Memorial Day
Office Closed
Tuesday, May 28 8:00 a.m. – Sr. Club to Green Grove Gardens
7:00 p.m. – Alsace Ringers
8:15 p.m. – Reunion Choir
Wednesday, May 29 8:00 a.m. – Messenger Mailers
1:30 p.m. – Bible Study
Thursday, May 30 10:00 a.m. – Ascension Day Service
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