Dear church family,Most of us are upset with the violence in our country and world. We are

called by God to work for justice and peace in all the earth. Our new members (Michael Ferguson, Linda St. Hilaire, Nic Frega and Patricia Lastovickova) and confirmands (Cody Coman, Jack Reynolds) recently promised to do this as they affirmed their baptism. But we are all called to strive for peace and justice. It’s a daunting task, but we’re not alone in our work. We have our faith family (local, regional and worldwide) and we have God’s help.

A small group of us recently finished our 5-week Bible Study, “Living Faithfully in a Violent World: Walking Jesus’ Path of Peace.” Ponder the following definitions: * Peace is not the absence of violence or conflict but the presence of compassionate, all-inclusive love that engages the world and relationships; * Violence is emotional, verbal or physical behavior that dominates, diminishes, or destroys ourselves

or others. Violence crosses boundaries without permission, disrupts authentic relationships, and separates us from others;

* Non-Violence is a kind of persistent, disciplined, assertive, and often courageous goodwill; is active confrontation with evil that respects the personhood of an enemy, and seeks both to end the apprehension or threat of violence and to reconcile the adversary. “For Christians, nonviolence is rooted in our understanding of a God who is peace, who gives us peace, who calls us to make peace and justice and to live out Jesus’ teachings and bear witness to the promise of God.” (page 11 of study book)

As Christians, we are a living prayer. Our church family practices non-violence by helping with Family Promise, The Welcoming Place and other ministries. We also work for justice and peace when we pray for boldness and are given the courage to share the good news of God’s love and forgiveness, just like the first apostles (Acts 4:23-31).

At the end of each session, we prayed the United Nations pledge for peace. Please put this pledge on you dresser or refrigerator or wherever you will see it every morning. May it remind you to daily “strive for justice and peace in all the earth.”

In faith, peace and hope Pastor Scheffey

Peace is in Our Hands

I pledgeIn my daily life,In my family,

my work,my community,my country and my region, to:

listen to understand share with others preserve the planet rediscover solidarity reject violence respect all life

ANNIVERSARIES IN JUNEJune 2 Debra and Neil Obeid 28 years 4 Robert and Stacy Coleman 24 years 9 Ronald and Shirley Haydt 56 years 14 Ruby and Mitch Dunlap 27 years 17 Jeannette and Joe Cicalese 23 years 20 Dwight and Sharon Redline 54 years 21 Dana and Jonah Ropchock 15 years 26 Michael and Kelli Costenbader 14 years

June 4 Paul MischeshinJonathan Dudak

6 Andre Williams 13 Barb Yarashas 14 Dorothy Lauchnor

Darrin Burger Cindy Burger

15 Maison Allen Brittney Gonzales Pitroda16 John Martini

Elaine Dorsch17 Annette (Serfass) Mandeville

20 Alyssa Irving Hailey Hughart

23 Laurie BrostBradley Serfass

24 John McMastersJoe Cicalese

25 Jeffrey ChristmanSeth Smith

26 Kenneth Green Robert Christman 27 Gertrude Besemer (90) Jack Reynolds Gabriel Mourra (Christina Rivera’s son)

29 Ruth RisoLogan Krock

Michael Hughart

Council News

At our annual meeting on May 6th, we voted and approved Jessica Balbuena as a new church council member for a 3-year term. We also approved the second 3-year terms for Deb Obeid and Tim Hinton. Joan McKinsey has come off of council as she has finished serving two 3-year terms. We thank all of them for being willing to serve our church congregation in this capacity.

Also at the annual meeting we reviewed and approved the annual reports prepared and submitted by the various church committees. Council thanks all of those individuals who serve on these committees and a special thank you to the chairpersons of these committees who work very hard all year to keep our church running smoothly. The fair committee is looking for someone to help co-chair this year with Linda Hinton. Linda has been head of this committee for over 21 years and definitely would like someone to assist in this function and learn the ropes.

The last action we took at the annual meeting was to approve a new roof for the church sanctuary for the cost $24,875. This work will be performed by Mike Shisslak Roofing Company sometime in July. This is a huge project due to the steepness of the roof and will require extra safety measures. It was also pointed out by the various contractors that came out to give us a quote for this job that the roof was in bad shape and needed to be repaired as soon as possible or we would have major issues. In light of this information, the property committee recommended to council to get this project done this summer. Unfortunately the various contractors also indicated to us the educational wing roof will also need to be replaced soon as well. In light of these major improvements coming up, council approved doing a special appeal to the congregation to help defray some of these costs. Please keep your eye out for this special appeal and pray about how you can help us maintain our physical church.

In God’s love, Janice Finnochio, Council President

LOOK WHAT’S HAPPENING THE MONTH Of JUNE!

WORSHIP June 3 (Sun) 10:30am Holy Communion with Honoring Grads 17 (Sun.) SUMMER SCHEDULE BEGINS (one service) 9:30am Holy Communion with Honoring Dads

LEARNING June 10 (Sun.) 10:30am Last Sunday School during worship until September 9th. 11 (Mon.) 12:30pm Lunch and Bible Study at Krystyna’s home in Jonas 24 (Sun.) 10:30am Vacation Bible School and lunch at church

CARING Weekdays help at Garden of Giving at Neola (Tues.-Sat. 9:30am-12:30pm starting June 19th.)

Anyday—Visit or send a card to a shut-in (see names and addresses on back of newsletter.)

FUN/RELAXING Mondays 6:30pm Easy Yoga at Sally Jablonski’s home. June 3 (Sun) 11:30am Reception to honor grads June 14 (Thurs.) 6:00pm PVEN Volunteer Picnic at St. Matthew’s UCC picnic Grove, Kunkletown

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL meets monthly after Sunday Worship. Our theme is “WHO IS MY NEIGHBOR?” June 24th: Our 4-Legged Friends With the help of a local animal shelter, we will talk about the importance of pets and other animals.

To register children age 4-grade 6 email Joan McKinsey at joanmckinsey@yahoo.com or call the church office (610) 681-5191. (Older youth can be helpers.)

2018 GraduatesWe will be honoring our 2018 graduates on June 3 during the 10:30am service, Followed by a special social hour. This year’s graduates are Ashley Coleman (College), Brianna Cicalesse, Alanda Meckes, and Avery Neipert (all from high school).

Linda Hinton

THOSE SERVING IN JUNE

ACOLYTES CRUCIFERSJune 3- Ben Reynolds June 3- Cody Coman 10- Christal Awe 10- Elijah Dunlap 17- Landyn Hinton 17- None 24- Jillian Balbuena 24- None

LAY READERS USHERSJune 3- Ray Borger June 3- Barb Yarashas & Janice Finnochio 10- Gretchen Laviolette 10- Chuck Laviolette & Helen Alpaugh 17- Nick Hawkey 17- Debbie Smith & Kathleen Rovinski 24- Debbie Obeid 24- Denise Schneck & Winnie Serfass GREETERS BELL RINGERSJune 3- Helen & Sam Alpaugh June 3- Jillian Balbuena 10- Emmy & John Reynolds 10- Clint Johnson 17- Linda & Ed Harpel 17- Kellen Hinton 24- Dana Ropchock and Girls 24- Jenna Ropchock

NURSERY CLOSERJune 3- Karinsue Miller June 3- Ray Borger 10- Sunday School 10- Norma Correale 17- Karinsue Miller 17- Kim Hughart 24- 24- Ray Borger

COMMUNION ASSISTANT: - June 3rd Al Grams, June 17th Debbie Smith

ALTAR GUILD: Debbie Smith COUNTERS: Tami Berkes, Stacey Coleman and Rich Irving

**Those who are serving as worship assistant, please note that names are put down at random. If you see your name and can’t make it, please make arrangement to switch with someone and contact office by Wednesday to let us know who you are switching with. Your help is appreciated! Thank you. Norma Correale

YOU CAN HELP! WATER FOR THE FAIR We are asking for donations of cases of water for the Fair. The bottles of water should be 16.9oz each. Please let Linda Hinton know if you are able to donate and how much. Thank you.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED to help with church take out dinner and to bake cakes. Sign-up sheet on board by office. FAIR STAND WORK SCHEDULE for August 19-25, is now posted on the bulletin board by the flower chart. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for preparing the filling on Aug. 1st at 7:00am at Polk firehouse. Then on Aug. 15th, we will be making the remaining filling and pickled cabbage. Same time and place as before. Sign-up sheet posted by church office.

PVEN needs new or good used towels, sneakers, sheets & blanket/comforters (all sizes) and medical scrubs. All items must be in good condition. Hope also needs Summer Lunch Site supervisors. Teachers off in summer would be great assets! TURKEY TAKE-OUT DINNER is Saturday, June 9. It includes Turkey, Filling and Gravy, Green Beans, Applesauce, a Roll and Dessert for $10.00. Please contact Linda Serfass at 570-688-5381 by June 3rd. Order forms are on the table in lobby.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED throughout the summer at the Garden of Giving in Neola. Join director Tammy Graeber Tuesday- Saturday 9:30am-12:30pm, starting June 15th. Come when you can to help provide fresh produce for the needy in our community.

THE WELCOMING PLACE Hi, unfortunately, due to the planning of the youth mission week in July, I needed to push up the next event to Friday, August 3rd. I hope this is good for everyone. I hope to have a mini carnival. I noticed there are outdoor games up in the SS closet that I may be able to use. I will also have the clothing area, there is a boat load left over thanks to our generous congregation. There will be music and crafts. Please let me know if you can attend. I do need a few more hands on deck this time. If you have any other ideas, please let me know. Thanks for your help, Deb Obeid

Stewardship of our physical health The Apostle Paul writes, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own?” 2 Corinthians 6:19 To be a steward/disciple is to be aware of all the gifts God has entrusted to you, and then to care for them and use them wisely for God’s purposes. This month we focus on our bodies. God has given each of us a physical body that, like an automobile, is a complex vehicle that carries us along our road of life. To live the fullest life possible, we need to take good care of our bodies, like we do our cars. Evidence suggests that we in the United States have significant room for improvement. The World Health Organization ranks the United States 31st for life expectancy on a ranking of 188 nations. And we are higher in our rates of cancer, obesity, diabetes, heart disease and other chronic medical conditions than many other developed nations. Of course, everybody gets sick sometimes, and many of us suffer from health problems that have nothing to do with how well we are taking care of ourselves. Genetics plays an important role in our health, as do the environment and other factors. With so many variables over which we have no control, it’s important that we do our best with the variables we can control. For June, dedicate yourselves to being a better steward of your body. Even if you are in generally good health now, you can always improve. Here are some ideas:

Get a physical. Once your doctor has checked your cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure, body-mass index and other important markers of health, she can help set priorities and make a plan. Move it! Studies show that even small amounts of exercise improve health and wellbeing. Ask your doctor how much exercise is safe for you to start – or how fast you can ramp up. Go on a diet. The dreaded “D” word. Fact is, our eating habits comprise our diet; the only question is whether it’s leading us to better or worse health. Learn about the nutritional value of the foods you now eat, and explore choices that are more healthful. Ask your doctor for recommendations. Stop smoking. It’s the number one preventable health risk. Smoking is linked to cancers, high blood pressure, heart disease and other problems. Sleep. Doctors say getting eight hours of shuteye does wonders for body and mind. Pray and meditate. Spiritual disciplines lower your stress, which improves physical health, too.

God gave us wonderful bodies to carry us through our life’s journey of discipleship. The better we care for it, the more fruitful our journey will be.

--Rob BlezardCopyright © 2018, Rev. Robert Blezard. Reprinted by permission. Pastor Blezard serves as an assistant to the bishop of the Lower Susquehanna Synod and also works as content editor for www.stewardshipoflife.org.

MAIL A CARD OR A LETTER TO OUR: SHUT-INS,MILITARY and PEACE CORP VOLUNTEER

Margery Getz c/o Orphelia Murphy James Murphy (Rm 7W) Brookmont Health Care Center c/o Slate Belt Health c/o Bush’s Personal Care Home P.O. Box 50 and Rehab Center 302 Kunkletown Road Room 54 701 Slate Belt Blvd. Kunkletown, Pa 18058 Effort, PA 18330 Bangor, PA 18013 Lulu Moyer Joyce Kratz Josephine Gadecki 360 Delaware Ave. 647 Steckle Road c/o Irene Golinski Apt. 306 Kunkletown, PA 18058 3917 DeSota Road Palmerton, PA 18071 570-629-1237 Sarasota, FL 34235 Peg Fehnel Richard Serfass Sterling Scheller c/o Gracedale c/o Manor Care P.O. Box 827 Two Gracedale Avenue 2029 Westgate Dr. Effort PA 18330 Nazareth, PA 18064 Bethlehem, PA 18017 (570) 620-8891 Cell number: 484-629-2198 Peter Desmedt Carl Johnson Route 54, Hometown c/o Pleasant Valley Manor 149 Lafayette Avenue 4227 Manor Drive Tamaqua, PA 18252 East Stroudsburg Pa 18360 Military Keanu Heath 1440 Cromwell Cir. MMFA Heath, Keanu JBPHH, HI 96860

SALEM-ST. PAUL’S MISSION STATEMENTSalem-St. Paul’s Church calls people to grow in God’s love, through thanking, caring,

serving and sharing, following the example of Jesus.SALEM-ST. PAUL EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH

138 TRACH ROAD, P.O. BOX 168, KRESGEVILLE, PA 18333Church office: 610-681-5191; E-mail: ssplc@ptd.net

Website: ssplckresgeville.org

SALEM-ST PAUL’S

“GOOD NEWS”

JUNE 2018