1

2016

St. Luke’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

310 Main St.

P O Box 187

Saxonburg, PA 16056

www.stlks.com

St. Luke’s

Vision Statement

Guided by the Holy Spirit

to share God’s loving

grace through disciple-

ship; strengthening faith

through the Word, family,

fellowship and

giving.

2007 Council Retreat

Worship Times

8:15, 9:30 & 10:45

Communion on 1st, 3rd

and 5th Sundays at 8:15

and 10:45.

Communion on 2nd and

4th Sundays at 9:30.

Christmas Eve Services

4:00 * 8:00 * 10:00

Christmas Day

10:30 Service only

Meeting

November 14

December 12

7:00

Nov

emb

er 6

, 201

6

Kimberly Ekas 3/8/1957 – 11/21/2015

Lois Shindledecker 9/3/1925 – 2/2/2016

Erich Kaltenhauser 9/27/1957 – 2/18/2016

Helen Slaninka 11/9/1924 – 3/22/2016

Carol Louise Blank 1/27/1944 – 3/19/2016

Ruth M. Franke 10/23/1917 – 4/13/2016

Lois Govan 7/12/1944 – 5/8/2016

Donald Edward Amadee 10/27/1965 - 7/26/2016

Lisa Kay Hanna 9/12/1965 – 9/23/2016

2

Stewardship Nominations for Benevolence 2017

Current Benevolence 2016

St. Luke’s budgets $19,800 each year for benevolence which is divided by the 12 groups

above each receiving $1,650.

To submit your nomination for benevolence, email the

church office at stlukechurch@consolidated.net.

January Southeast Asia Prayer Center, Oakmont, PA

February Lutheran Lay Renewal

March NALC Seminary Center

April Domestic Disaster Relief Fund

May Young Life, Wayne County, WV

June Samaritan Counseling Center, Cabot, PA

July NALC District Organization

August NALC National Organization

September Fellowship of Christian Athletes

October Shepherd’s Canyon Retreat, Phoenix, AZ

November Katie’s Kitchen at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Butler, PA (community

meals)

December Sarver-Saxonburg Christian Leader’s Network

God’s Love at Work

Highlights for St. Luke’s: September 2016

This month in ministry we held services at Elmcroft and Saxony, Community Quiet Time. Baby Care Kits were delivered to Lutheran World Relief to be sent overseas and a new children’s ministry was begun by Kristen Begeman. The Quilt Show was held in Centennial Hall with a presentation on Christian Quilting

and the Kiski Valley Band shared their music with us to remember 9/11. Our monthly benevolent support for September was the Fellowship of Christian Athletes that support young athletes who share their faith.

Income Needed 19,500 YTD Income Needed 175,495

Income Rec’d 16,854 YTD Income Received 163,505

We still need 2,646 We still need 11.990

3

Fall is the time for Harvest: the culmination of seasons of sowing, feeding, weeding, and waiting. It’s a labor-intensive time spent gathering, preserving and storing for the coming winter months. It’s also a time for reflection, thanksgiving, and resting once the harvesting is done. Sabbath rest was the topic of Pastor’s devotions for Octo-ber. After sharing examples of how to observe Sabbath rest, we completed a survey on Emotionally Healthy Leaders and discussed the results. Pastor led us in prayer for the gifts of Sabbath and fellowship with the Lord.

Pastor invited all to attend the NALC Mid-Northeast Mission District annual fall meeting to be held 9:30 am

-3 pm November 19, at St. John’s, Kittanning. NALC national Bishop will be the featured speaker. If you have never been to one of these uplifting gatherings, please consider going. You will be blessed.

Marc Pivni had the lowest bid to repair the steps and walkway at the State Street entry. He will patch it now with a bonding agent to hold it until the work can be completed and sealed, probably in November.

Noah Steiner presented his proposed Eagle Scout ser-vice project to repair the stonework at the Main St. en-trance. Noah included drawings and photos of erosion occurring from the ground settling after the recent drain-age work. This project will reinforce the base, so it shouldn’t settle again. Council was happy to approve the project as presented, including walkway leveling, patch-ing the concrete threshold under the front door jam, sand-ing and painting the iron railing, and replenishing mulch.

Pastor announced he is forming a Stewardship team to help plan, prepare, and decorate for Stewardship Sunday, November 13. Please contact him if you would like to help with this meaningful event.

Kelly Weston (Outreach/Evangelism) said the League of Incredible Potatoes will return November 6th and 13th for the annual potato drive. So, get ready! Kelly and Jean-nine Sanford are working on the Christmas float and will be making candy bags to distribute at the parade.

Dave McRandal has a new hot water tank to install in Centennial Hall. He will plumb so each tank can work independently or together, if needed. Pastor reported Ronna Drennen is working on the Hattie Cooper Room renovation plans with the grant

money from the Cooper Family Foundation. He also not-ed the anti-skid nodules in Centennial’s main entry are almost worn off. Because it’s new, we will contact the manufacturer.

For Worship, Pastor noted the 9:30 service is growing, and they would like to have some singers to help with the Praise Team. He also said Christmas Eve services will be the same as last year at 4 pm, 8 pm and 10 pm. Christ-mas Day (Sunday) service will be a 10:30 am commun-ion worship. We expressed our gratitude to Donna Shipe for her decades of dedicated service caring for the altar linens and noted the Last Supper sculpture presented to her in appreciation. Jenny Hartzell also relayed her mother’s appreciation for the gift. Jackie Bice will lead Altar Guild in her place. We were excited to learn Cathy Boyd is our newest assisting minister for the 8:15 service.

Marge reported for Christian Growth informing us that our Sunday School attendance is up, and Kristen Begeman’s new children’s ministry is growing. Her Tuesday Parents’ Morning Out is full, but there are a few openings for Thursday mornings. Kristen also has a monthly Parents’ Night Out Saturday evening program, and she teaches a similar preschool Sunday program 9:30 and 10:45am in the Nursery.

Pastor said he has begun teaching a Christian Life class with Jim Drennen for graduate students at Duquesne every other Wednesday. Thank you, Jim, for your Chris-tian outreach, inviting students to worship with us. It’s so inspiring to witness their joy - even after an hour’s drive to get here!

Fellowship Care included a report on the trip to Sight & Sound Theatre to see a production of Samson Novem-ber 3-4 and noted there is room for more to join in this adventure.

Jesus tells us the harvest is ready and laborers are few. We need to be rested and ready to labor for the Lord. During this season of Harvest, why not seek your rest by fellowshipping with Him and your brothers and sisters here at St. Luke’s this Sunday. We are family!

Judy Moser

Secretary

Council Communique

4

Choir Notes Come join the St. Luke’s

choirs for the Christmas season!

The Praise team rehearses every Thursday at 6:30 and

leads worship at 9:30 every Sunday morning. We are

always looking for singers and instrumentalists.

The Generations Choir accepts members from 15 to

99. We rehearse every Thursday at 7:30 and lead

worship at 10:45 every Sunday and the 10:00 service

on Christmas eve.

For more information, call Chris Savannah at 724-352-

2333.

Website:

www.stlks.com

At St. Luke’s

Office hours:

Monday 9-3

Tuesday 9-3

Wednesday 9-3

Thursday 9-3

Pearl Parnell 11/3

Judy Franke 11/5

Beth Martin 11/9

Theresa Bicker 11/10

Lil Bachman 11/11

Noah Kollinger 11/11

Bob Waltenbaugh 11/11

Andy Olczak 11/13

Donna Shipe 11/14

Dana Haas 11/15

Cora Christoforetti 11/16

George Reuning IV 11/16

Barbara Edinger 11/17

Dylan Lunn 11/18

Thomas Sweesy 11/18

Jay Rinebolt 11/19

Chellie Amadee 11/21

Amy Amadee 11/22

Jenny Hartzell 11/22

Bob Shipe 11/24

Carl Bracken 11/28

Joe Neubert 11/29

Emily Wible 11/30

Steve & Lynn Pickard 11/10

Mike & Beth Zellhart 11/24

Brian & Shannon Miller 11/30

St. Luke’s Connect Card

Let’s Stay Connected! Salmon-colored cards can be found in the hymn rack on the back of the pews. We would love to see these cards used by all. Each Sun-day that you attend, fill out a card, and request a prayer that you were only thinking about. Then toss it in the offering plate during the offertory. This is valu-able information to the office to know who is attending and offers you a tool to communicate with the church office. Thanks for staying connected to our church family!

Connect

Alex Edder 12/1

Jamie Drennen 12/2

Katie Bubb 12/4

Al Kobert 12/4

Jeannine Strohmyer 12/4

George Reuning III 12/4

David Fugate 12/7

Bob King 12/11

Alex Olczak 12/11

Darrah Lynch 12/12

Gretchen Gallagher 12/14

Joel Kunkel 12/14

Leah Wible 12/14

Bill Gordon 12/18

Tammy Cushey 12/20

Jayson Haas 12/20

Elva Weston 12/23

Brian Miller 12/25

Noelle Steedle 12/26

Steven Boltz 12/28

Jeff Hartzell 12/29

James Zellhart 12/29

Ronna Drennen 12/31

Chris & Kim Lunn 12/1

David & Stefanie Fennell 12/23

Jim & Judy Wright 12/23

5

Welcome to a regular feature in the Angel highlighting the monthly recipients of St. Luke’s Christian Mission benevo-lence funds. In 2016, St. Luke’s has directly given $19,800 in 12 equal shares to mission and outreach ministries ($1,650 month). The 2016 list was approved at the annual congregational meeting.

Katie’s Kitchen is a church-based ministry that has served free community meals to Butler area residents for the

past 22 years. It is the November designee for St. Luke’s benevolence funds. Its mission is “We are honored to

fulfill Christ’s directive to ‘feed the sheep’ by providing wholesome, appealing meals at no cost to those in need

within the community of Butler.” The community meal is sponsored by St. Mark’s and Trinity Lutheran church-

es in Butler. Thousands of meals are served each year to families, adults and children. The meal is served every

Thursday from 5 to 6 pm. The ministry is named for Katie, the wife of Martin Luther, who became famous for

her hospitality. Volunteers come from sponsoring churches, eight other churches and the community.

The Sarver-Saxonburg Christian Leadership Network (CLN) is the December recipient of benevolence dollars.

The Christian Leaders Network, of which St. Luke’s is a member, consists of local Christian congregations and

ministries working together for the sake of Jesus Christ to offer a helping hand to all in the community. CLN

works together to help by: offering pastoral care, prayer and counseling to the community through every con-

gregation/ministry; providing a small financial grant to offer a helping hand once a year to a family in need who

lives in the Sarver-Saxonburg area; holding community worship services to inspire and strengthen people to

grow in faith and Godly character. The group comes together on a monthly basis for Bible study and business

planning. The network regularly hosts and plans the rotating Lenten mid-week services, Holy Week activities

and services, Thanksgiving Eve services, ministry seminars and youth gatherings. The Network also offers

emergency crisis support, coordinates with the area food banks and assists people in need of care.

Benevolence

The Ministry of Property Upkeep & Repair Needs You!

It is now time to repair damaged steps and sidewalk on the State Street side

of the church. The door from the South Narthex to State Street is closed until

repairs can be made. Replacement work has begun on the steps and side-

walk by Mark Pivni at a cost of $2,000. We are blessed to have $1,520 donat-

ed to date. Would you prayerfully consider making a special donation to the

building fund in the near future to help with these repairs? Your donation

will be accepted by mail or in the offering plate marked “ new sidewalk”.

6

PARISH PRAYER NOTES:

THOSE MEMBERS UNABLE TO REGULARLY WORSHIP WITH US :

Lucille Blakeley, Room 38, 223 Pittsburgh Street, Saxonburg, PA 16056

Fred Crux, Room 17, 223 Pittsburgh Street, Saxonburg, PA 16056 (friend)

Ruth Cypher, 411 Riverside Drive, #607, Freeport, PA 16229

Eleanor Hanna, 615 North Pike Road, Cabot, PA 16023

Jean and Allen Knappenberger, 134 Marwood Road, Cabot, PA 16023

Peg Mann, 160 Marwood Road, #3108, Cabot, PA 16023

Grace Markovich, Room 38, 223 Pittsburgh Street, Saxonburg, PA 16056

John Nuti, 121 Deer Creek Road, Saxonburg, PA 16056

Jane Osborn, 931 Route 910, Cheswick, PA 15024

Delores Renfrew, 315 Knoch Road, Saxonburg, PA 16056

Herb Richards, 130 Edgewood Drive, Sarver, PA 16055

Jay Rinebolt, 427 Aderhold Road, Saxonburg, PA 16056

Fran Setzenfand, 223 Pittsburgh Street, Saxonburg, PA 16056

Barbara Schneidmiller, 134 Marwood Road, Cabot, PA 16023

Edna Weckerly, 112 Marwood Road, Apt 4111, Cabot, PA 16023

MEMBERS AND FRIENDS WE HAVE LIFTED IN PRAYER DURING OCTOBER:

Thanksgiving/Joys/Celebrations: Kim and Chris Lunn (expecting a baby), Mrs. Yeager’s baby, completion of Koi-

nonia Café, new signs, Lutheran Baby Care Kits, baptism of Ellie Kathleen Wible (daughter of Dale and Emily Wible)

Cares/Concerns: Bill Sutton (bowel obstruction), Tom Brown (stroke), Helen & Bill Heyl (car accident), Eleanor

Hanna, Georgetta Burk (fell), Krystle Ekas, Gayle Schmidt (cancer), Larry Schmidt, Joe Boggs (leukemia),

negotiations of teacher’s contract, the war on terror (most recent bombings in NY), our political process to shed light

on truth with love and respect, Elizabeth Bartley (cancer), Bill Scott, Tom Patterson (radiation), Sam (soccer injury),

Mr. Limbach, Mrs. Steiner, Emmett (Peggy Crawford’s son), Bill Oschlaeger (running tests),

family with domestic situation, Ken Votiniece (colon surgery), Kathy C (surgery), Chuck Weston (elevated PSA),

Michael Gordon (stroke healing, Bill Gordon’s brother), Joan Schiebel (health issues), Elva Weston (fall and tesing),

Kerrin Hay, Joanne Schiebel, Chris, Rachel, Sonia Markwell's uncle, Raj Boehm (no diagnosis yet for health issues),

Lynn Pickard, Sandy Eddy (intestinal issues, tests), NJ train wreck, Justin Hoff (large brain tumor on pituitary, affect-

ing optical nerve), Bill Gerner (heart stents, COPD, congestive heart failure, arterial bleeding), Jerry Shipe (surgery),

Gordon Muntz (surgery), Jim Bearrow, Amy Montag-Smith (safe travel), Jay Rinebolt,

Judith Sololowski (Buzz Wagner’s daughter), Fred (Audrey Gerlach’s cousin), Betsy Markovich (heart procedure,

Grace Markovich’s daughter-in-law), Hunter Neyman (broken leg- Jewell Yohe’s fiancé), Jean Devic (broken hip)

Lou Devic (stroke, John & Gayle’s neighbor), Marlene Folk (cancer), George Diamond

Hospitalizations/Recovery: Pat Cremer (Rose Martin’s sister), Bob Shipe (shoulder surgery), Betty Learn,

Jay Rinebolt, Bill Sutton (bowel obstruction), Tom Brown (stroke), Helen & Bill Heyl (car accident), Sandy Eddy

Bereaved: Friends and family of Lisa Hanna, Edward Ayers (Beth Zellhart’s father), Angie Dannelly, Glenn Raub,

Randi Jones, Elsie Riemer (Jeff Hartzell’s grandmother), Nick McConnell and Justin Broeren (1 year anniversaries of

their deaths), Charles Sobot (Ross’s grandfather- neighbor of Dave and Judy Gundlach)

If you are aware of someone in the hospital or in need of pastoral care, please call the church office and let us know.

7

Thank you!

Dear Pastor Keller and fellow members

of St. Luke’s Church,

I want to humbly express my

sincere thanks for the beautiful DeVinci

statue of the Lord’s Supper. It’s diffi-

cult to express how special this honor is

for my 30 some years of service to the

Altar Guild and at least 25 years doing

the communion linens; and how much

this recognition meant to me.

I was so surprised! The gift

means so much, and I will truly treasure

it for the rest of my life. As I mentioned

before, it’s a beautiful reminder, and it

warms my heart everytime I look at it in

the special place in our dining room

where I chose to display it.

Most importantly I thank the

Lord for leading me to do His work in

this special ministry.

In Christian Love,

Donna Shipe

Christmas Parade Float

“To Kids from 1 to 92” is the theme of this year’s parade float for St. Luke’s at the Saxon-burg Christmas parade on November 25. All are invited to participate! A work day is sched-uled for November 6

th after late service. Come

for pizza, bring your ideas and help stuff 1,000 bags of candy and worship information that will be handed out on parade day. We also are looking for help-ers on the night of the parade. See Kelly Wes-ton or Jeannine Sanford or e-mail the church office to get in-volved!

Memorials

Memorial money was given to St. Luke’s

In Memory of Don Amadee (July 26, 2016)

Joe and Collen Vorbach

Pat and Jay Rinebolt

Mike and Beth Zellhart

8

Coming Events

Glade Run Christmas Tree

Gift tags for children at Glade Run Lutheran Services will be available starting

November 20. As St. Luke’s tradition, 40 tags will adorn a gift tree in the North

Narthex or Koinonia Kafe. Please take a tag from the tree to help put Christmas

smiles on the faces of the youth. Please sign your name and contact infor-

mation by the corresponding number matching the gift tag on the sheet beside

the tree. Contact information is very important. Gifts should be delivered un-

wrapped (or in a gift bag) to the church office by December 4. For the children’s

safety, please make sure that you follow the directions posted at the table. Please let Jeannine Sanford

know if you would be interested in delivering the gifts to Glade Run.

Cabot Food Bank Holiday Drive

Super Spud heroes of all types will be visiting St. Luke’s worship services on November 6 and 13 to help make Thanksgiving dinner brighter for 120 area families served by Cabot Food Bank. The Super Heroes are making a return for the 8

th straight year. Our

goal is to raise money for potatoes and additional contributions will be used for Christ-mas fruit baskets. Altogether, the League hopes to raise about $1,000. So come on Ta-ter Tots, Small Fries and Big Spuds! The Super heroes will be visiting a pew near you!

On January 9, 2017 the Saxonburg Women’s Club will be collecting new or gently used purses or tote bags along with the small hotel or travel size personal hygiene items. These will be given to VOiCe of Butler. This is part of the Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Project. If you would like to donate any of the items mentioned, please see or call Judy Gundlach at 724-352-3543 before January.

Sunday School We are so blessed to have Sunday School attendance of around 45 each week of this new

year. We are blessed to have a wonderful group of teachers for preschool through adults.

Are you willing to help as a substitute teacher? Please sign up in the Koinonia Café this

Sunday. We are working on a current substitute list. We will need a long term substitute in

February and March for grades 3 and 4. Please prayerfully consider helping with this need

in our Sunday School program.

Help Needed: Youth or adult help on November 12th from 5-8 pm and December

3rd from 11 to 2 pm with Parents Night Out program. Kitchen help and/or pro-

gram help. You will not be alone with any children. The program is preplanned.

9

Outreach/Evangelism Open For Prayer: 6:00 pm—8:00 pm,

November 28th in the Sanctuary of St.

Luke’s. Please come in and enjoy the qui-

etness of our sanctuary to reflect and pray.

Saxony Health Center Worship Service November 13th at 2:00 pm All are welcome to come!

The monthly service will be held in the Alzheimer's Unit of Elmcroft and St. Luke’s ministry groups are being asked to help with the service. The group for November 6 is Sunday School and De-

cember 4th group is the Music Ministry. The ser-vice starts at 2 p.m. and will be 30-45 minutes in length.

Fellowship Life

November 9, 2016—Thanksgiving Lunch in Fellowship Hall. Catered by Vin & Joe’s, the menu includes braised steak, turkey, mashed potatoes, car-

rots, coleslaw, and rolls. December 14, 2016—Christmas Celebration Lunch

St. Luke’s Sewing Ministry will work on the fleece blankets and LWR quilts. Bring your own project and

join us for fun and conversation. All ages are wel-come. We meet at 10:00 on November 10 and De-cember 8 and 22.

Come Join in Prayer

Every Tuesday at 12:30

Fellowship Hall (church basement)

Come early for lunch at 12:00 (bring your own or order out)

Grief and Beyond Dealing with a significant loss can be one of the most difficult times in a person’s life. Grief can be experienced through the death of a loved one or pet, job layoff, divorce, an empty nest, ill health, a move or other significant life changes. Join us to share your grief and gather support for this holiday season.

From 7:00 to 8:30 pm – 11/7, 11/14, 11/21, 11/28, 12/5, 12/12

We will meet in the Fellow-ship Hall (church basement) of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, 310 W. Main St., Saxonburg.

Our “Church Mouse” section is for you, about you! Please send updates of people we are praying for, good news about you and/or your family, change of address and phone number, and student achievements. You can also use this space to find some help around the house or sell something you no longer need. Please e-mail the church office: stlukechurch@consolidated.net for the February Angel by Monday, January 25.

Francine Messmer is looking for a pack and play to use while she is babysitting her great-niece. If you have one she can use, please call her at 724-355-1589.

10

God, what do I do with my life?

“Vocation as God’s Calling” A Module in the Fellowship for Christian Stewardship Series

12:00- 2:30 * November 20* Centennial Hall

Youth will interact with a panel of St. Luke’s members who will share their faith journey and tell how faith has influenced their career choice and work place. A light lunch will be available. More details to come. All junior and senior high students are encouraged to come and everyone is welcome!

Fellowship of Christian Stewardship

FCS Annual Board Meeting Update At the October 23rd annual meeting it was a joy to see the goals of FCS met, that Christian youth are learn-ing with the help of FCS to make wise decisions about what God has first given them, their time, tal-ent and money! Saving for their future and learning about the power of interest through investing is a key part of FCS! Below is the report of the amount 7 stu-dents saved and the report of the 2:1 matching funds. These students are Addis Crouch, Katie Drennen, Alex Edder, Adam Hartzell, Katie Hartzell, Eli Keller and Micah Keller

Total Matching Deposits: $5324

The remaining balance will applied to 2016-17 ex-penses. Please be sure to affirm our FCS members when you see them and engage them in the discus-sion of what it means for them to put their hard earned money into savings!

Spread the word about FCS! There are still many students who haven’t joined the program.

Earned Income Deposited to ESA

St. Luke’s Stewardship Educational Fund Match

Total Added to Student’s ESA

$300 $300 $600

$500 $500 $1000

$675 $675 $1350

$860 $860 $1720

$989 $989 $1978

$1000 $1000 $2000

$1000 $1000 $2000

November 20, 2016 at 12:15

The Altar Guild is hosting a Social Hour in Fellowship Hall before the FCS module on November 20

th. The menu in-

cludes sloppy joes, mac and cheese, veggie tray, fruit tray, chips and cookies.

11

Insert Youth Group page here

12

Non-Profit Org

U.S. Postage

PAID

Butler, PA

Permit No. 80

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

ST. LUKE’S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH 310 MAIN ST. P O BOX 187 SAXONBURG, PA 16056

Phone:724-352-2333

Fax:724-352-2366

email:stlukechurch@consolidated.net

Www.stlks.com

https://www.facebook.com/pages/St-Lukes-Evangelical-Lutheran-

Church/168298003367257

Or go to our website at stlks.com

And click on the link