Family Promise returns June 16-22nd!

Help is needed in all areas!!

* Drivers, am & pm * Meals * Evening Fellowship * Overnighters

Please sign up to help with this important

ministry!

Children’s Day & Family Picnic, June 9th

On June 9 our Sunday School department and congregation will celebrate Children’s Day during worship service starting at 9:30 a.m. Each class will give presentations showcasing what they have learned during their time in Sunday School. We will also give attendance awards and honor our high school and college graduates. If you know of someone who is graduating, please give the name to Elaine Luoma.

Be sure to join us after worship service for our annual Family Picnic on the church grounds. The Sunday School will provide pizza and sign-ups will be taken for additional dishes/drinks. Please see Elaine Luoma or Mary Ann Jones if you can bring a side dish. Recreational activities are planned for the children during our picnic.

Elaine Luoma

Children’s Day & All-Church Family Picnic Sunday, June 9

Program: 9:30 a.m. (Sanctuary)

Picnic: 10:45 a.m.

Parents and families are invited. Special Presentations and Music!

Sunday School

Choir Appreciation & Mother’s Day Sunday, May 12

9:30 a.m.

We will honor the ladies of St. Paul’s and enjoy a concert of

our choir’s best songs.

Don’t miss it!

Happy Mother’s Day!

St. Paul’s United Methodist Church West Deptford, NJ

May-June 2019

30– Ashley Seaton 31– Matthew DuBois 31– Tami Kyser

JUNE BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES

2– Makai Montgomery 2– Jennie Troxell 3– Heather Gibson 5– Bethany Golle 5– Michael Jones 6– Renee Conway 6– Rich Grossman 6– Jay Hamel 6– Cindy Miller 6– Carol Withers 7– Paula Carter 7– Garry Purnell 8– Collin Dechen 9– Steven Spellman 10– Stephe Miller 12– Kelsey Rinear 12– Kali Dugan 13– Judy Brown 13– Kim Dechen 14– Eddie Yurick 15– Claudia Ruggeri 16– Dave & Denise Hosier 16– Barbara Jones 17– Matt Moore 17– Amy White 17– Jillian Platt 18– Angel & Nina Cosme 18– Kathy Reitz 18– Jean Speakman 19– Joe Jones Sr. 19– Cheryl Platt 19– Wayne Strockbine 20– Sharon Eichel 20– Madison White 21– David Keegan Jr. 24– Jordan Weems 25– Kelly Haase 25– Justin Stone 25– Diane Wonsetler 27– Ryan DuBois 27– Ed Yurick 29– Skylar Cooper

Prayers: The town of Benten hit by a tornado on Monday (Sandi/Mike); The family of Tweet Mabe on her passing on Good Friday (Nancy); Family & friends of David Harrington / Family & friends of Jewell Cooper (PD); Patty Fish (anon); Angela (online); Families of: Alice McEwen & Lois Ballinger (Sandi); Bob & Ruth Schultz—for strength (anon)

Health Concerns: Son-in-law Ron Rachuba, surgery tomorrow (Joyce); Martha, serious health problems (Denise); Ken Urban, pain relief/Diane Kane, healing from surgery (Sandi/Mike); Mary Berault, serious health issues (Trista); Addison Meeker in recovery (PD); Please pray for Uncle Jim having bypass surgery tomorrow (Jen); Bonnie D with many health issues (Denise); Andrew healing from blood disease (Judy); Nick Supren, father of Jeanette Branson, still having health issues (Barbara); Craig disabled after severe stroke and wife Sissy (Denise).

Praise: Wedding joys for niece, Katherine & Shaun (Sandi/Mike);

Every week: All those in need, unspoken requests, all servicemen/women, our nation and leaders

Ongoing Prayer Concerns: Joyce N., Mendez Family: Christina, Asante, Julian & Arianna; Felicia A, Vanessa M, Garry & Peg P, Diane W, Samm S, Hope T, Gerry M, Barbara B, Chris S, Janet B, Betty C, Terry D, Harriet H, Annisia M, Rachel & Regina, Helen R, Corey T

Serving in the Military: Daniel Domeraski, Rachel Rachuba, Gabby Townsley, Ed Schwebel, Joseph Bangle, Taylor Passero, James Thomas Adams, Jr., Kailey Roller, Jaime Dan Solano, Brandon Howell, Chris Yard

Shut-Ins & Nursing Home Residents Jean K, Jackie Z, Bertie C, Harriet H, Ron & Eve C, Betty C

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MAY BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES

1– Danielle & Frank Ferrara 1– Lauren Jones 2– Gary Rutter 3– Bob & Rosalyn Platt 3– Blaine Zirbser 4– Cheryl DiVento 5– George Tait 6– Elaine Blair 6– Mike Hauck 6– Erin & Emil Vatsev 6– Jeanette Whipp 6– Jackson White 7– Ron & Eve Cervantes 7– Ann Hamel 7– Dan Taylor 9 - David Delaney 10– Fred & Judy Cochran 10– Sandy & Dick Wagner 10– Bryan White 11– Billy Blair 11– Jason Miller 12– Connor Huesser 12– Ed & Linda Ruple 16– Jennifer Blair 17– Don Davis 17– Leigh Klinger 18– Majorie Rowand 18– Rob Rowand 19– Nancy Campbell 20– Rita Thomas 20– Abigail Furey 20– Nicole Lisa 21– Christopher Bailey 22– Sandi & Mike DiLeo 23– Makenzie Previtali 24– Jim Doerrmann 24– Ed Donisi 24– Linda Ruple 25– Mike DiLeo 26– Landyn Blair 26– Kyle Mancuso 27– Mary Budd 27– Jeff Stone 28– Charlie & Deanna Kyser 29– Ruth & Bob Schultz 30– Izabella Reichert

Staff Editor: Trista C Jones

Assistant Editor: Denise Hosier

Regular Contributors: Pastor Dave, Gary Rutter, Ruth Schultz,

Carol Strock, Sunday School

Production: Trista C Jones

The Lamplighter is published bimonthly, in Jan., March, May, July, Sept. & Nov. Deadline is the 15th of the month preceding publication. For more info

contact Trista C Jones or email admin@stpaulsthorofare.com.

THELAMPLIGHTER Bimonthly Newsletter of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church PO Box 125, West Deptford, NJ 08086 Pastor: Rev. Dave Delaney Phone (856) 845-6638 E-mail pastor@stpaulsthorofare.com Sunday Morning Worship .............. 9:30 a.m. Sunday School .................................. 10:45 a.m.

As a member or friend of St. Paul’s we are blessed to be part of a special Sunday gathering place where God’s love, Jesus’ sacrifice, and our faith is showcased! Every Sunday we worship together with joy! We welcome with true love and a spirit of connecting any person or family who comes to our doors on Sunday mornings or during the week. We have an incredibly delicious Chicken Barbecue coming up this month, which is an easy opportunity to invite people we know to our church. On Tuesdays either early in the morning at 8am or in the evening at 9:30pm you and your friends can join online in our TUNE UP Bible Study. Awesome life experiences to share with family and friends: Sunday evenings along the Delaware River, a Phillies’ game coming up in July, and our Vacation Bible School that closes out the month of July. Wow … so much! But do you know that most people in the neighborhoods we all live in don’t know about St. Paul’s? If you are working I have a feeling that most of your co-workers don’t know about St. Paul’s. If you shop at Shop-Rite or eat breakfast at The Piston I have a feeling those around you have never been to our church; have never visited

Lamplighter May/June 2019 3

Spring has arrived … Easter has been experienced by TWO HUNDRED and FIFTY individuals at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in West Deptford, and our little church has had just under 20 new members in the last half year. What a time to celebrate! What a time to get energized and shine for Jesus Christ!! What a time to make a deci-sion to be a difference maker for God in these difficult times that we live in, knowing how blessed we all are! Are you having “breakfast with Jesus?” It doesn’t seem like it was all that many years ago when Bob Dylan first sang, “The Times They Are A-Changin’.” ‘Come gather round people wherever you roam …’. There are some amongst our church family too young to even recognize the name Bob Dylan but the message of that song that the times are changing and that the ‘present now will later be past’ is a reality that has never changed from the beginning of time. Friends, our journey in life is always changing and we all face the challenge of adapting to new days knowing our old ones are mere history. Spring’s sunshine and warmer weather means many things to many people but for some reason Spring melds into Summer and suddenly church is secondary. Now, if I recall, Paul, for whom our church is named, once wrote to the people of Philippi, “It’s not that I have already reached the goal …” that Jesus calls us to. All of us who believe have a journey to complete in this world that keeps on spinning; our journey is not complete until we are home to God.

our website nor even heard about our worship services, our Bible studies, our children’s programs … and frankly, they are missing out on something special. So, as the flowers bloom I am asking each of us to consider how we can be blooming for God and Christ! How we can share the Son-Shine we experience because of church, and with whom? Bring friends to the chicken barbecue! Post information about our TUNE UP Bible Study on your social media (And consider joining yourself!)! Tell friends with kids about our Vacation Bible School program. And, plan Sunday evenings AT THE RIVER with us in July and August! Our Savior is Risen! Our God is loving us all! We have work to do! PS: My next sermon series will be fo-cused on the Book of James. Why not read this short New Testament book this week so you are ready for the sermons that will be coming? Blessings!

Pastor Dave

“Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of the doves is heard in our land.” Song of Songs 2:12

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Outreach

Here’s hoping everyone had a blessed Easter. Resurrection Day! May we enjoy Springtime before the hot weather comes along. Summer will be here before we blink our eyes, so let’s make the best of this season of renewal with our upcoming Mission Projects -

Upcoming Mission Projects & Offerings

• May Our first Sunday offering

(May 5) will benefit United Methodist Homes.

On the third Sunday (May 19) the offering will

benefit the Neighborhood Center of Camden, Camp Kumbaya 2019

• June Our first Sunday offering

(June 2) is for Native American Awareness

Our third Sunday (June 16) will be our St. Paul’s Vacation Bible School offering.

Looking forward, we have a commitment to the New Beginnings Church in North Camden in October to serve a meal. Tentative date is October 3rd.

Happy Mother’s Day to all Moms! Thank you for all of your continued support.

Ruth Schultz

Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her…Proverbs 31:28

What are the qualities of a mother? Hard work, patience, humility, kindness, simplicity, perseverance, tolerance, forgiveness, understanding, farsighted-ness. Mother loves her children and it can’t be described in words.

What is the love of a mother? The moment a child is born, the moth-er is also born. She never existed be-fore. A mother is something absolutely new. God could not be everywhere, so therefore he made mothers.

What is the role of a mother? A mother’s role is to love her children with all her heart. It is also the role of

every mom to understand her children, help them, and love them. Mother is a nurturer.

What is the definition of a good mother? A mother is a selfless, loving human who must sacrifice many of her wants and needs for the wants and needs of her children.

Six Important Qualities of a Mother ♦ Patience ♦ Listening ♦ Understanding ♦ Consistency ♦ Empathy ♦ Ability to Express Love

Happy Mother’s Day to all our Moms!

ANCHOR CLASS is a faithful group of ladies who meet every Sunday for study and fellowship. They support several mission projects as a group,

and want to thank everyone who attended their Wendy’s night.

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LEADERSHIP TEAM met with our District Superintendent, the Rev. Myrna Bethke, in March. Our church has been chosen as a Vital Congregation because we are growing. So keep coming

to church, and bring your friends!!

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

Chicken BBQ Dinner

Eat in or take out

Sunday, May 19 11 a.m.–3 p.m.

Sponsored by

St. Paul’s United Methodist Church

Advance Tickets: $10 At the door (12-2): $12

Held at St. Paul’s UMC

74 Church St., West Deptford NJ 08086

Menu: Half-Chicken, Coleslaw,

Baked Beans, Corn, Roll & Butter, Dessert

Tickets: Sharon Rutter

856-848-5021

Checks payable to: St. Paul’s UMC

“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in

one place.” Acts 2:1

Wear Red for Pentecost June 9th

TUESDAY TUNE-UP BIBLE STUDY CONTINUES! There is a value in studying God’s Word and praying with other people of faith for 30 minutes each week. Join us via ZOOM on Tuesday at 8 a.m. or 9:30 p.m. Find the link on our website, stpaulsalive.org.

It’s time to step up to the plate with St. Paul’s!! We are going to see the new exciting Phillies featuring Bryce Harper when they play the Atlanta Braves on Saturday July 27. It is photo night, with limited access to the field to take photos with your favorite players. The game starts at 7:05 but we will be enjoying a tail gate party in the lot right across the street from Citizen’s Bank Park. Hot dogs are on us … that’s a lot better than paying $6 inside the stadium!

We have tickets available for $35 each and they will go quickly. Please see Pastor Dave to reserve yours. Money will be due later.

Phillies Game, July 27th This is a perfect game … mid-summer and a Phillies team that should be great this year! The main thing is having fun and seeing if we can get some neighbors to show up too! Sponsored by the CRT, the Community Relations Team. Thank you all for being part of the essential

ministry of our church!!!

Community Relations Team

Community Relations Team

Last Sunday after church Tiffany and Mike Daly came to me. They were the bearers of good news and bad news. Happy news and sad news. I knew almost immediately without words being spoken what the message of the song was … they have found a new home, which moves them closer to Mike’s work and to Tiffany’s fami-ly. But with this move they now are beyond a reasonable drive to St. Paul’s for worship on Sunday and for choir practice on Thursday. They told me that this choir season is her last with us as music director. Now, they both paused to declare that St. Paul’s will always be their church home and that there is no place like St. Paul’s. And I paused to again remind Tiffany that she and Mike will always be considered part of our church family. This week Tiffany shared the news with our choir; Staff Parish Relations

6 May/June 2019 Lamplighter

Committee has been noti-fied; and we move forward. We will begin an earnest search for someone to take over as our Music Director. The new person cannot fill Tiffany’s shoes but will bring their own unique musical gifts to our church. If you know individuals who might be interested please share their name with me or with Dana Kovack. Scriptures teach us “Sing to the Lord a new song,” “Come let us sing for joy to the Lord,” and “Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord!” Music …. God’s gift to God’s people and those talented with musical skills like Tiffany are a bless-ing to those who experience their sharing of the gift they have from God and musicians always share! Just a few weeks ago I was given a gift by Tiffany when the offertory

changed and followed my sermon ... when the words of Jonathan Larson and Billy Aronson were part of my message. I heard the beautiful musical notes from Seasons of Love resonat-ing throughout our Sanctuary. I cried tears of joy and will never forget that moment. Thank you so much, Tiff and Mike!

Pastor Dave

Sad Songs Say So Much

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MEN’S BREAKFAST: Our men wishing a happy birthday to Pop Platt, a young ninety-something!

WE ARE GOD’S HANDS OF HOPE: Everyone wrote on a hand to express our love for Jesus and for our neighbors. All are wel-come at St. Paul’s!

HOLY THURSDAY brought our men’s re-enactment of the Last Supper.

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL NAME! The choir, led by Tiffany Daly, brought a lovely anthem on Easter Sunday, praising the name of Jesus.

PARADE OF PALMS by the Sunday School on Palm Sunday

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