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”
February 2020
Love
-Nick Kenny
Just saying that “I love you”
doesn’t mean a thing at all,
for loving words fly like the birds,
when they hear winter’s call.
Love is a thing that proves itself
a thousand times a day,
in the simple little things you do,
and the little things you say.
Love is a thing called sacrifice,
a tonic, when you’re blue
love the joy of doing things
for someone dear to you.
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
Miss Cynthia Speicher, Council Secretary
Ms. Carol Kunsman, Envelope Secretary
COUNCIL MEMBERS/TERM EXPIRES
John Funk End of 2020
Samantha Grinage End of 2020
James Gruber End of 2022
Peggy Harter End of 2020
Payton Mentzer End of 2020
Donald Moll End of 2021
Patricia Rittenhouse – President End of 2022
Paul Rittenhouse End of 2022
Evelyn Sheetz End of 2021
Gerald Speicher – Vice President End of 2021
Janet Weidner End of 2022
“For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works,
which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.”
(Ephesians 2:10)
I came across this thought-provoking little story called, “The Carpenter’s Tools.” The author is unknown. I hope this story convicts you as it did me.
THE CARPENTER’S TOOLS
(Author Unknown)
Brother Hammer served as the chairman. The other members of the tool belt informed him that he must leave, because he was too noisy. But brother Hammer said, “If I have to leave this carpenter’s shop, then brother Gimlet must go too. He’s insignificant and makes a very small impression. Little brother Gimlet arose and said, “All right, but brother Screwdriver must go also. You have to turn him around and around to get anywhere with him.” Brother Screwdriver turned to the other tools in the belt and said, “If you wish, I will go, but brother Plane must leave too. All his work is on the surface; there’s no depth to what he does.” To this, brother Plane leveled his terse reply, “Well, then, brother Saw will have to depart t00. The changes he proposes always cut too deep.” Brother Saw complained, saying, “Brother Ruler will have to withdraw if I leave, for he’s always measuring other folks as though he were the only one who is right.” Brother Ruler surveyed the group and said, “Brother Sandpaper doesn’t belong here either. He’s rougher than he ought to be, and is always rubbing people the wrong way.”
In the midst of the discussion, the Carpenter of Nazareth walked in. He had come to perform his day’s work. He put on His tool belt and went to the workbench to make a pulpit. He employed the Ruler, the Saw, the Plane, the Hammer, the Gimlet, the Screwdriver, the Sandpaper, and all the other tools. When the day’s work was over, the pulpit was finished, and the carpenter went home. All the accusations against each of these tools were absolutely true, yet the carpenter used every one of them. No matter which tool He used, no other tool could have done the work better.
You and I are God’s “tools”. While we have our flaws, each of us has a purpose, ability, and a task to perform. Won’t you let God use you today?
Your Servant in Christ,
Pastor Richard Nelson
Funerals
Jeffrey Klinger, Sr.
WORSHIP SCHEDULE
Every Sunday at 8:15 & 10:45 a.m.
(The liturgical color for each Sunday is listed in parenthesis)
February 2 (green) – 4th Sunday after Epiphany; Guest Preacher, Pastor Don Kerns
February 9 (green) – 5th Sunday after Epiphany; Scout Sunday
February 16 (green) – 6th Sunday after Epiphany
February 23 (white) – Transfiguration of Our Lord
February 26 (purple) – Ash Wednesday: 12 Noon & 7:00 p.m.; Holy Communion
Imposition of Ashes
March 1 (purple) – 1st Sunday in Lent; Holy Communion
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.
Wednesday Bible Study
The Wednesday Bible Study will meet on February 5, 12 & 19 at 1:30 p.m. We continue to make our way through Paul’s Letter to the Romans.
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.
2020 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): February 26 (Ash Wednesday) at 12 Noon & 7:00 p.m.;
March 1; April 8 (Holy Wednesday) at 1:00 p.m. only; April 9 (Maundy Thursday) at 7:00 p.m.;
April 10 (Good Friday) at 1:00 p.m.; April 12 (Easter); May 3 (also at 2:00 p.m.); May 31 (Day of Pentecost); August 2; September 6; October 4 (also at 2:00 p.m.); November 1; December 6.
Notes: There will be two 2:00 p.m. services with Holy Communion in the chapel: May 3; and October 4.
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.
In the Event of Bad Weather
In the event that Sunday morning worship or other events at the church would need to be cancelled due to severe weather, you can check WFMZ-TV. Check your local TV station, or you can see the closings posted at wfmz.com. If you are ever in doubt, you can call Pastor Nelson (610-944-6131) or Patti Rittenhouse (610-777-7004).
Lent
Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on February 26. There are two worship services for Ash Wednesday:
12 Noon and 7:00 p.m.; both will offer the Sacrament of Holy Communion and the Imposition of Ashes.
The Mid-Week Lenten studies will be held on March 4, 11, 18, 25 & April 1, at 1:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
in the Bertha Weber room. Join us for informal study and fellowship. Check out the March issue of
“The Messenger,” for more information about this year’s Lenten study.
Muhlenberg Churches Food Pantry
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; plastic grocery bags. Bring any donations to church and place in the box marked “Muhlenberg Churches Food Pantry.” Thank you for your continued support of the MCFP!
Senior Club
Tuesday, February 18 – Luncheon
Meeting begins at 11:30, Lunch is served at Noon and Karl Hausman will be entertaining everyone on the piano. Please remember to bring an item(s) for the Alsace Social Ministry Food Pantry. Items needed are listed in the Brochure.
Payment ($88 per person) for the trip to Silver Birches on Thursday, April 2, is due to Lydia Smith no later than February 6.
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 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.
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.
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February
-Lois Anne Williams
February is the bridge February is promise
That crossed into spring; To those who patient be
A hint of springtime magic That flowers soon will appear
Is the gift that he would bring, And leaves will clothe each tree.
And smiling through each snowstorm The white will be transformed
That winter sends our way To fresh green everywhere
He knows the snow will vanish As February ushers in
In a not too distant day. A warmer bit of air.
YOUTH PAGE
Birthdays
Mark Joy – February 1
Kylie Gunter – February 5
Ava Ortiz – February 10
Jaxon Geddio – February 21
Jadon Ortiz – February 22
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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.
Friday, January 31 – Sunday, February 2 – Winter Retreat at Camp Swatara
The Theme this year is “More Than Conquerors”.
Get excited!!!!
Sunday, February 16 – Easter Egg Hunt Preparation & Reading Royals Hockey Game
Join us at 12 Noon to stuff eggs for the Egg Hunt, then lunch.
If you purchased a ticket, the Royals Hockey Game begins at 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 29 – Leap Year Day at “The Works”
We will be meeting at the church at 11:00 a.m. to go to Extreme Air at “The Works.”
See signup sheet for more information and cost.
March 6-8 – Senior High “Breakaway” Event in Ocean City, MD! Get excited!
Upcoming Dates & Events – Mark Your Calendars
Sunday, March 15 – Laser Quest
Saturday, April 4 – Egg Hunt and Lunch at Berkshire Mall food court.
Friday, April 17 – Service Project (TBA), Food, Games, Movie, & Sleepover
Saturday, May 2 – Amish Farm and Cicis Pizza
Sunday, May 17 – Heisler’s Dairy Bar and Golf
Saturday, June 6 – Breakfast at Shady Maple & Shopping for Quilt
Thursday, June 18- Sunday, June 21 – Shore Trip to Ocean City, NJ
July 17, 18 & 19 – Peach Festival Preparation and Event
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