DINKEY MEMORIAL

EVANGELICAL

LUTHERAN CHURCH

Phone: 610.377.4242

Fax: 610.377.3758

E-mail: cdinklc@ptd.net

PO Box 250

1742 Dinkey Road

Ashfield, PA 18212-0250

First Communion It’s hard to believe we

are already a month into the New Year! That means Lent is quickly approaching, especially this year as Ash Wednesday arrives two weeks earlier than last year. Each Lent I provide First Communion classes for youth in our congregation not yet receiving communion and they then receive the body and blood of our Lord for the first time at the Maundy Thursday worship. It’s happening again this year, but with a little twist. First Communion classes will now be open to anyone in 1st Grade or higher rather than 5th Grade or higher. Let me share with you some of the reason-ing for this change.

When I preside at communion, one of the hard-est things for me to do is not give bread, the body of Christ, to children who come forth and extend their hands to share in this meal. They may not have a full understanding of what is taking place, but they are aware they are being excluded from something im-portant.

In 1997, the Evangeli-cal Lutheran Church in America published Use of the Means of Grace: A Statement on the Practice of Word and Sacra-

FROM THE DESK OF PASTOR TONY

Mission Statement:

God’s purpose for our congregation is to faithfully

witness God’s Word in our community and throughout

the world.

Dinkey Memoria l

THE DINKEY EXPRESS FEB. -MARCH 2018

VOLUME 9 ISSUE 1

UPCOMING EVENTS

2018

Giant Gift card sales: Year round call the office or Margie at 610-377-4740 to place your order.

Church Office Hours Tuesday 2:00pm-4:00pm

Wednesday 9:00am-4:00pm

Thursday 9:00am-3:00pm

the body of Christ. They and some other children within the congregation may be a little disappointed to not receive grapes at commun-ion, but they can all they want after worship!

I realize this is a big change, as many of you probably did not receive communion for the first time until you were con-firmed. I am numbered among you in that regard. But I see this as an opportu-nity to more fully live out our faith in our worship life and include even these “little ones” that Jesus in-vited to sit upon his lap when his disciples tried to keep them away. If you do have any questions or con-cerns, please contact me at 610-377-4242 or prdinklc@ptd.net.

Your servant in Christ, Pr. Tony

Office: 610-377-4242 Home: 610-377-7505 Email: Pr. Tony prdinklc@ptd.net

Inside this issue

From the desk of Pr. Tony pg. 1 Ann. & Birthdays pg. 2 Council Highlights pg. 10 Those In Need of Prayers pg. 2

Congregational News pg.2

Ways I Can Help My Church pg. 3-4

Committee News pg. 5

Announcements pg. 11 Calendars pg. 8-9 Memorials pg. 11 Flyers Contacts

Synod News

ment. This statement shares the principles of the ELCA in preach-ing, baptism, and communion. Within this document Principle 37 states: “Admission to the Sacrament [of Holy Commun-ion] is by invitation of the Lord, presented through the Church to those who are baptized.” (If you would like to read more, this document is available on the church website.)

This means that when I withhold the body and blood of Christ from anyone who is bap-tized, I am keeping them from receiving a gift from God. A gift that is not mine to withhold.

After much discussion at the December 2017 meeting, council decided to lower the age of First Communion from 5th to 1st Grade to include more of the baptized at communion. How-ever, this is also at the parents’ discretion. If you do not wish to have your child receive com-munion, you do not need to bring them.

Erica and I have dis-cussed this possibility and have decided to have both of our children (Elijah is in 4th Grade and Claudia in is 2nd) receive First Communion Instruction and share in the eucharist. Our desire is to have our children receive God’s grace through this means and know they are in-cluded among the members of

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mailto:prdinklc@ptd.net

THE DINKEY EXPRESS

THOSE IN NEED OF PRAYERS

HOMEBOUND Barbara Eckhart,Mabel Kistler, Debbie Meckel, Eva Jane Rehrig, Mildred Rehrig, Debbie Strohl,

Arlene Wilk, Doris Zipp

Patty Ahner, David Arndt, Bonnie Bauchspies, Christine Bowman, Erin Coombe, Vince Crostley, Deanna Cunfer, Diane Cunningham, Mackenzie DeLuca, Sean Dugan, Bernie Dunlap, Edna Dunlap, Bob Fehr, Regina Fisher, Denny Freeby, Emily Gorman, Joan Gorman, Sean Gor-man, Pinky Green, Bonnie Hoffman, Becky Cunfer-Hunter, Dale Kern, Sheldon Mann, Helen Masonheimer, Jennifer Newland, Jean O’Brien, Arnold Rex, Hannah Ringheisen, Barry Ruth, Jessica Sabatiini, Kay Ann Scherer, Denise Schleicher, Bonnie Snyder, Jude Sol-derich, Patti Walck, Carol Weintraut, Earl & Pat Wetzel, Dot Wohlgemuth

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS

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March Anniversaries 3/10 George & Eleanor Szacska (62) 3/13 Harold & Joan Reinheimer (64) 3/24 Gary & Ann Schleicher (29) 3/24 Theodore Jr, & Mary David(21) 3/29 Terry & Gail Christman (43)

March BIRTHDAYS (70 & OLDER)

3/8 Phyllis Balliet 3/8 Charles Kuehn 3/8 Kay Scherer 3/11 Gene Schleicher 3/12 Carol German 3/23 Eleanor Berger February Anniversaries 2/1 Thomas & Debra Steigerwalt (27) 2/14 Terry & Diane Urbon (31) 2/16 Dennis & Deanna Cunfer (39)

February BIRTHDAYS ( 70 & OLDER)

2/9 Clara Schleicher

2/10 Vince Crostley

2/11 Edgar Steigerwalt

2/14 Tom Beck

2/27 Margie Balliet

Ways I Can Help My Church And Church Family

COMMUNITY CARE

FOOD PROGRAM

(Formerly Elder Care) More and more individuals and families, each day, have to make the decision of taking their much needed medications, heating their homes or putting food on their tables. Our mission is to ensure the people of Dinkey Memorial Evangelical Lu-theran Church or residents of East Penn Township. Low-income house-hold, have access to resources for food security and basic nutritional needs. Our food program, each month, provides approximately 2-3 days of groceries for these families to make nutritious meals. The food pantry is funded by your generous donations, as well as, we receive a percentage from various fundraisers to purchase items needed for our monthly distribution. Dona-tions of food, Giant gift cards and monetary donations are greatly needed throughout the year, not just at the holidays. Some suggestions are: canned fruit and vegetables, tuna or any canned meat, spaghetti sauce, noodles or pasta, macaroni & cheese, instant potatoes, rice, applesauce, beans, peanut butter, non-sugared cereals, Jell-o, pudding, or any non-perishable items. Please contact Linda or Charles Bierman if you have any questions or know of someone who needs help, call 610-377-5471 or 610-377-4242 or email Pastor Tony at www.prdinkle@ptd.net. All distribu-tions will remain confidential.

SPONSOR OUR NEEDS (* donates monthly)

Cemetery Pole* $21.00

Flowers: $25.00

Bulletins: $13.00

Strength For The Day* $20.00

Devotions Booklets:* $20.00

Please contact Sherry in the

office at 610.377.4242

February Flower and Bulletin

Sponsors February 4

Flowers: Open Bulletins: Open

February 11

Flowers: Open Bulletins: Irene Wenner

February 18

Flowers: Open Bulletins: Open

February 25

Flowers: Open Bulletins: Open

March Flower and

Bulletin Sponsors March 4 Flowers: Open Bulletins: Open March 11 Flowers: Open Bulletins: Open March 18 Flowers: Open Bulletins: Open March 25 Flowers: Open Bulletins: Open

There are openings for all the Sundays for the Memorial Bowl. Please call Sherry in the church office at 610-377-4242 to place your order for flowers and bulletins. Please remember to let her know the reason for sponsoring. Also a reminder that when you sponsor flowers they are for you to take home. Please return the empty cans to the altar guild. Deaths: * Indicates non member Elaine Rehrg* Dean Kercsmar William Ahner Jr. * Ronald Steber*

God’s work. Our hands. February and March.– Cemetery Flag Pole: Open

Dates open: Devotions: All months– Strength for the Day: All months Strength for the Day sponsored in March by Irene Wenner

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Food for the Poor

The first Sunday of every month there

will be a silent offering to benefit Food

for the Poor. You may place your offer-

ing in the blue envelope under “other”. If

you already use that category, just mark it

on the back of that envelope.

You may give your donation any time

during the month by putting it in a plain

envelope with your name and amount on

it.

Collections That Help Our Church

Aluminum Tab Collection

Ink Jet and Toner Cartridges For Recycling

Redner’s Receipts MUST HAVE SAVE-

A-TAPE card and we need the whole re-

ceipt.

GIANT GIFT CARD Place your order anytime during the month. Available in $25, $50 or $100 denominations. If you have any questions or wish to place your orders, please contact Margie at 610-377-4740.

Please consider donating $15-$20 to help defray

the cost of mailing the newsletters.

More Ways to Help My Church and Church Family

February ACOLYTE, LECTOR, USHER AND COMMUNION ASST. SCHEDULE

February 4 A: A Frey/H Miller L: B Kuehn U: Schleicher CA D Arndt/R DeLuca February 11 A: J Oswald/M Bowman L: J Koch U: Wetzel CA T Hudson/L Kercsmar February 18 A: A Hand/K Markell L: K Steigerwalt U: Markell February 25 A: T Manogue/K Schleicher L: E Pagotto U: Everett

March ACOLYTE, LECTOR, USHER AND COMMUNION ASST. SCHEDULE March 4 A: K Markell/A Frey L: R DeLuca U: Bierman CA: S Wetzel/E Williams March 11 A: A Hand/T Manogue L: P Walck U: Frey March 18 A: M Bowman/H Miller L: K Wetzel U: Schleicher March 25 A: J Oswald/K Schleicher L: J Davis U: Wetzel CA: E Solt/C Steber COMMUNITY CARE-is low on canned goods and paper products if anyone would like to make a donation they can be dropped off in the foyer of the Christian Ed building at any time

If you are interested in placing a Lily in church on Easter. Please contact the office and let Sherry know who it is in honor/memory of. The cost of the Lily’s will once again be $8.75 this year. Orders must be received by March 21, 2018.

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COMMITTEE NEWS

Simply Giving The Simply Giving® Program endorsed by Thrivent Financial Bank enables every household or individ-ual to give church offerings through electronic funds transfer (EFT). You may already be using EFT to pay your mortgage, car payments, or insurance premium automatically from your checking or sav-ings account, and now your financial gift to your congregation’s ministries can be handled in the same fashion. It not only simplifies your giving, but it enables the congregation’s budget to better re-flect the expected giving throughout the coming year. Participants can give through a checking account or savings account. Just request an authorization form through the church office or download the form from the church website (http://www.dmlcashfield.com/). On the form, you can decide whether you would like to give weekly, twice a month, or once a month. Options are also available as to how to designate your giv-ing to certain funds. Completed forms should be turned in to either Margie Balliet, our financial secretary, or Pastor Tony. We suggest that you use an effective date of three weeks from the time you complete the form to allow time for paperwork to be processed. Just use your regular offering envelope until that time. Although placing an offering envelope in the offer-ing plate each week is not necessary through Sim-ply Giving®, you may still wish to do so to feel as though you are participating in the collection. Just write “Simply Giving” on your envelope to indi-cate your participation in the program. If you have any questions, please contact either Margie or Pastor Tony.

Ladies Aid: The next Ladies Aid meetings: February 27, 2018 will be announced. & March 27, 2018 at 7 pm.

Please call Faith Beck at 610.377.4167 if you wish to purchase knives.

Please join us for refreshments after worship.

OUR SERVICE PERSONS

2 LT Javan Behler USAF CS3 Timothy Behler US Bonhomme Richard Unit 100184 Box 204 FPO-AP 96617 PFC Casey Dugan 865th CSH, US Army Reserve PBT Reese Dugan Delta Cp 369 15th BDE 444 Barnes Ave. Fort Gordon, GA 30905 Tanner Eckhart Apt. 33 200 Lantrip Road Sherwood, AR 72120 Noah K. Kunkel 379 ECES/CEE Unit 61205 APO AE 09309-1205 Capt. Angela Reabold, 215 Pink Dogwood Lane, Pooler, GA, 31322

L Cpl Zachary J. Rex , MALS 29 MAG 29 PSC Box 21021 MCAS New River Jacksonville, NC 28545

Sean Spencer Legalman Accession Course 17010 Navel Justice School

360 Elliot Street Newport, RI 02841-1523

http://www.dmlcashfield.com/http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0PDoS4_MK9NSxIAO7CJzbkF;_ylu=X3oDMTBxN2RtOWJkBHBvcwMxNARzZWMDc3IEdnRpZANJMTM0Xzg0/SIG=1liqp18bj/EXP=1303355583/**http%3a/images.search.yahoo.com/images/view%3fback=http%253A%252F%252Fimages.search.yahoo.com%252Fsearch%252Fimage

December Council Highlights

At the December 20, 2017 meeting, the church council:

Approved the purchase and installation of 3 light fixtures for the Social Room entrance.

Was informed that Dinkey Memorial will be hosting the Hazleton-Lehighton Mission District Assembly on Sunday, May 6, 2018.

Approved the extension of the Purchase of Service Agreement with St. John’s Lutheran Church, Jim Thorpe through the 2018 calendar year.

Approved updates to the Social Room rental policy. (Anyone wanting to see the updated policy can check the church website or contact the office for a copy.)

Approved payment of $2200.00 to Michael Righi for work com-pleted on the organ.

Agreed to have discussions concerning same-sex marriages within the congregation in 2018.

January Council Highlights

At the January 17, 2018 meeting, the church council:

Elected Rich DeLuca as council president, Eric Solt as vice presi-dent, and Madison DeLuca as secretary. Appointed Margie Balliet as financial secretary and Penny Reinheimer as treas-urer.

Approved a change in offering envelopes for 2019 where the envelopes will be mailed directly to members homes every 2 months.

Approved the use of our buildings for Sacred Heart to host Fam-ily Promise March 4-11, 2018 since their pipes burst and will not be repaired in time.

Approved an updated version of sexton job description.

Approved Pr. Tony to serve as chaplain at Bear Creek Camp for Session 2 of Summer Camp, June 24 – 30, 2018.

The next scheduled meetings will be Wednesdays, February 21, 2018 and March 21, 2018 at 7:00PM. A reminder to everyone that council meetings are open to all members of Dinkey Memorial Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Contact Information: Pastor Tony 610-377-4242 prdinklc@ptd.net

Sherry Smith, Office Secretary 610-377-4242 cdinklc@ptd.net

Penny Reinheimer: Treasurer 610-377-6324

Marjorie Balliet, Financial Sec. 610-377-4740 fsdinklc@ptd.net Christian Ed Coordinators Trell Schleicher 610-379-9569 trellzimmerman@yahoo.com Kristen Markell 610-377-9385

David Arndt, Sexton 610-377-2306

Council Members:

Pagotto, Rev. Anthony 570-778-3491 prdinklc@ptd.net Rich DeLuca , Pres 484-629-2553 RDeluca@BBandT.com Madison DeLuca 570-386-4938 madi61201@gmail.com

Charlie Bierman 610-377-5471 cbierman@ptd.net

Christopher Biehl 484-929-4078 christopherdbiehl@gmail.com

Scott Bierman 484-464-5721 snm6306@ptd.net Lisa Kercsmar 610-377-4817 lisakercsmar@yahpp.com Margie Balliet 610-377-4740 margieballiet@ptd.net Patricia Walck 610-428-1524 nanapati@ptd.net Norman Wetzel 610-377-5034 normw@ptd.net Armel McFarland 610-577-0383 armell@ptd.net Eric Solt 610-379-4488 akita1@ptd.net