1

Additional research has shown that having a plant in your home, or even looking out a window at the trees or the sky can also have a positive impact on the length of hospital recu-perations, stress levels, and other health is-

sues. The sky, the water, the forests, the flowers, and all of our natural world is God’s gift to us. And through them comes God’s gifts of healing and rest for our bodies and souls.

During this summer season, I pray that we will all bask in these

gifts of God. Look up, look around you, feel the grass beneath your feet, smell

the sweet aroma of the flowers and trees, and gaze in awe and wonder at the beauty with which God has blanketed your world. And

give thanks for the goodness of God which surrounds us each day!

From the Pastors

“The world is charged with the grandeur of God…” Gerard Manley Hopkins

God provides for us in so many ways. One of the ways God feeds our spirits, calms our souls, and energizes our lives is through the gifts of our natural world. Scientists have been doing research into the healing effects of water, blue sky, and green vegetation. And they have found what our hearts have known for centuries. Tak-ing a walk in the woods, sitting by a babbling brook, or standing by the ocean’s edge bring peace and refreshment to our souls. Researchers in Japan found that those strolling in a forest for 40 minutes had lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, than those who walked 40 minutes indoors.

MUDDY CREEK LUTHERAN w w w . m c l c h u r c h . o r g 3 3 6 - 2 7 7 0

S pe c i a l po i n t s o f

i n t e r e s t :

Summer Food Needs

Church Picnic

Women’s Retreat

Lutheran World Relief

Ingathering

Worship Helper

Schedule

Travelling 95 Theses

I ns i de t h i s i s s ue :

Upcoming Events 2

Upcoming Events 3

News and Notes 4

Birthdays 5

Worship Helpers 6

Miscellaneous 7

Calendar 8

A ug us t 2 0 1 6

Highlights of 2016 ELCA

Lower Susquehanna Synod Assembly

The yearly assembly was held at Messiah College June 3—5, 2016 with the theme “Hungry for Justice and Mercy”. This theme was explored through Bible study, worship, and the opportunity to participate in Hunger J.A.M.

Over 1,000 people, including a team from Muddy Creek, packaged 415,876 meals during the Hunger J.A.M. service project. Meals will be distributed to those in need in central Pennsylvania.

The Lower Susquehanna Synod is part of the ELCA which has 3.7 million people and 9,300 worshipping communities across this country. We were reminded that in all we do, we are a church for the sake of the world.

Three resolutions were passed by the assembly:

1. The synod affirms the work of the two Lutheran seminaries in Pennsylva-nia as they explore unification: two campuses but one seminary. This unifica-tion effort is happening across the ELCA and is expected to save a total of 3 million annually in total across all synods. Enrollment in seminaries across ELCA has declined 40% in last 10 years. Currently 600 congregations can afford a pastor, but can not find one.

2. The synod encourages the ELCA to foster leaders and worship resources geared to serve those in poverty.

3. Whereas the Synod Council adopted this statement: “We welcome all who are seeking God’s love and grace. We welcome all because God welcomes all, regardless of race or culture, sexual orientation, gender identity, or rela-tionship status. We welcome all without regard to addictions, physical or mental health, imprisonment, socio-economic circumstances or anything that too often divides us…” , the assembly resolved that our synod become a Rec-onciling in Christ Synod. This resolution passed overwhelmingly. Learn more at ReconcilingWorks.org/RIC

2

Upcoming Events

Hunger continues to be a problem for our children even when school closes for the summer.

August is designated for dry pastas.

The food collection boxes will be located at all the exit doors of the building for your dona-tions.

Thank you to everyone who gave donations of food for Peter’s Porch in June and July. Your continued support is greatly appreciated!

Make a Splash at the Adamstown Pool

Sunday August 7

All children, youth, and families are in-vited to come swim and eat and the Ad-amstown Pool on Sunday August 7, from noon—2 p.m. We have re-served the small pavilion where we can share lunch together.

Bring sandwiches for your-selves, as well as a desert or snack to share. There is also a snack stand to pur-chase food. Cost is $2—$4 dollars de-pending on how many attend. Friends are invited too!

Sunday Morning

Volunteers

Please consider being a part of the many won-derful and dedicated people who assist on Sun-day morning at Muddy Creek. Currently, we particularly need help in the following areas:

Nursery weekly volunteers

Coffee ministry volunteers (sign up on clipboard on snack table)

Ushers and acolytes

Please contact the office or the pastors if you are interested or would like to find out more.

Peter’s Porch Gifts

Lutheran World Relief

Ingathering

Donations Needed

Every year our synod makes an appeal in Octo-ber to collect quilts, school kits, baby care kits, and soap to be sent all over the world to those in need. Last year, Muddy Creek assembled school kits that were utilized by refugees in need.

This year we also plan on assem-bling school kits. You can help by donating the following new items (please pay attention to the specifics of each item, as it is a requirement that each LWR kit be identical; no religious or patri-otic symbols please):

70 sheet spiral notebooks, wide or college-ruled, aprox. 8 x10 1/2

Small pencil sharpener

Small blunt scissors (or safety scissors)

Unsharpened #2 pencils with erasers

Black or blue ballpoint pens

Crayons, 16 or 24 per box

2 1/2” eraser

You can also help by donating new bars of soap in original wrappers (4—5 oz. size).

Please place donations in the box under the mail-boxes by Sunday August 28. Questions: contact Pastor Nancy

God’s Work Our Hands

September 18

Children, youth and families are invited to use your hands for God’s work by assembling the Lutheran World Relief School Kits on Sunday September 18. We will gather for pizza, learn a little about the impact

the school kits have for children around the world, and assemble the items for shipping.

3

Upcoming Events

Church Picnic

Sunday Aug. 21

Everyone is invited to the annual church picnic at Muddy Creek Grove. The fun will begin imme-diately after 10:30 out-door worship.

There will be games for children and adults, including guessing games, a piñata, quoits, “Now You Have it, Now You Don’t”, Muddy Creek Trivia, and more.

Hot dogs, hamburgers, corn on the cob, bottled water, and paper goods will be pro-vided. Please bring a covered dish to share, and an inexpensive item for the “Now You Have It’ game if you wish to play.

Hope to see you there! Friends invited too!

Questions: Michelle Dimitri 951-4617 or Audrey Noll 336-3592

Sunday School

for

Children, Youth, and Adults

Resumes September 11, 9 a.m.

Muddy Creek is blessed with some amazing teachers who are dedicated to helping us learn and grow in our faith. Mark your calendars now for another new year of learning, fellowship, and fun!

We will begin the year with a special opening for all ages at 9 a.m. and then we will head to the classrooms and meet your teachers. New friends are always welcome and encouraged.

Some things that are in the works for the Fall are a trip to the corn maze, Ingathering and Piz-za, Reformation Bingo, and a special offering project.

All women are invited to spend a beautiful weekend at the Son and Sand Retreat Center in Ocean City, Maryland. This annual re-treat is a great time for discus-sions, walks on the sand and boardwalk, and good friendship.

Please contact the church office or Nancy Beck, 717-475-3234, nbeck@ptd.net, if you would like to be part of this special weekend. Participants will carpool from the church.

Women’s Ocean Retreat

September 8—11

Traveling 95 Theses

at

Muddy Creek

Sunday September 18 2017 marks the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation. As part of the year-long celebration the Synod has large display of Luther’s 95 theses traveling to each congregation. Muddy Creek will have the theses on September 18. We will take a group picture with the display and have a special adult education event that day to learn more about our Lutheran heritage.

4

News and Notes

Thank you for the box of snacks and card during finals week. I greatly appreciated it and loved hearing from the Muddy Creek family!

-Natalie Sukanick I just wanted to thank you for the care pack-

age! I appreciated the goodies and being in your thoughts and prayers during a tough week. It means very much to me.

-God Bless, Rebecca Grube

I wanted to say thank you to all who provid-ed and compiled the goodie box that couldn't have arrived at a better time. Finals create long and stressful days so having the extra snacks were great! -Thank you again! Joey Becker

The Prayer Shawl is a comfort and I know I’ll need that in the weeks and months ahead. Thanks for your Christian love.

-Janet Rettew

Thank you to everyone who sent get well wishes and phone calls during my unex-pected second surgery. Thanks so much to Nedra for her kindness in bringing Walt and I a really good meal I especially want to thank Pastor Nancy for her phone calls and her special words of comfort.

-Sincerely, Susan Siegel Thank you for the beautiful prayer shawls.

It was very thoughtful to think of us. -Pastor and Ruthie Martin Thank you to all those who have faithfully

contributed to the parking lot paving fund. This was an important safety repair and resurfacing that was sorely needed. To date, we have received $9,001 toward to the cost of the project. Our goal is $10,000 and the remaining money will come from undesignated memorial funds, toward a total cost of nearly $20,000.

Our sympathy to the families of

Sharlene Dippner who passed away on June 5, 2016

Sarah Evans who passed away on June 6, 2016

Clarissa Gebhard who passed away on June 7, 2016

Christian Education Committee

Sunday School will resume September 11.

We had a wonderful VBS this year at Muddy Creek with about 50 students, youth and adults participating or helping. Our offering went to aid refugees in Lancaster County. We collected toilet paper, rice, paper towels, and other toiletries. We also donated $178.76 to help those resettling to the United States.

Plans are underway for the 2016-2017 school year. Most of our wonderful teachers will be returning.

There is a pool party planned for families and youth in August.

Three youth attended summer camp this year at Camp Kirchenwald.

Property Committee

Many items have been sold from the chapel clean-up.

PP & L cut down two trees in the grove that needed to come down.

Church Council

We received a letter of thanks from the ELCA World Hunger Appeal for our donations. We also received a certif-icate from the Lower Susquehanna Synod thanking Muddy Creek for the mission support dollars we sent which exceeded our plan. (Note: these monies were the result of donations earmarked for these purposes by members of the church.)

Council and Committee Highlights

5

August Birthdays

A Special Happy Birthday to our “Over 80” Members

Brenda & Friends Tours

September 10, 2016—Newseum and Guided Tour of Washington D.C.

September 16-18, 2016—Niagara Falls and Letchworth State Park

October 1, 2016—Wellsboro and Covered Wagon Ride through PA Grand Canyon

October 8—10, 2016—3 day Mystery Trip

November 5, 2016—Hunterdon Hills Playhouse Christmas Show

November 26, 2016—Bethlehem at Christmas

December 3, 2016—Dickens of a Christmas in Wellsboro

December 10, 2016—Christmas at Mount Vernon

For more info contact Brenda at 336-6886 or ber-gerb@dejazzd.com. More info also on the hallway table outside church office.

1

2

4

6

7

8

9

Lynne Hassler

Donald Walmer

Dean Witmer

Kimberlee Blatt

Robin Engle

Zachery Aungst

Shane Geissel

Catherine Kochel

Mackenzie Eckert

Jill Youndt

Mary Zerbe

Brenda Berger

Jean Hummel

Gene Johnston

Eric Fritz

Mildred Bordner

Virginia Frankfort

John Shreiner

Dorothy Hiester

Anita Lutz

Wanda Hertzog-Grant

Jennifer Rideout

Jane Rutt

Kathleen Ebling

Harry Fetter

Sharon Frankhouser

Erik Nussbaum

William Lausch

Deborah Ramsey

Mary Jane Carvell

17

18

19

20

21

23

25

26

Lauren Brubaker

Kyle Ueberroth

Cole Aungst

Damien Branch

Kathleen Hainley

Harry Roseboro

Renee Bougher

Natalie Eshleman

James Kuhlman

Dylan Bordner

Beatrice Ebersole

Ted Bare

Leah Moneyhan

Ashley Wenger

Marylin Zimmerman

Erin Wise

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

Devan Eckert

Shelva Witmer

Lucas Bearinger

Aileen Kulp

Hannah Roth

Bruce Spangler

Sidney Hurst

Zoey Nussbaum

27

28

29

30

31

08/06/1923 Catherine Kochel

Age 93 176 Willow Street,

PO Box 425

Adamstown, PA 19501

08/07/1931 Mary Zerbe

Age 85 671 Gehman School Rd

Denver, PA 17517

08/13/1926 James Kuhlman

Age 90 85 Scenic Drive

Denver, PA 17517

08/17/1928 Virginia Frankfort

Age 88 PO Box 696, 243 Willow St

Adamstown, PA 19501

08/29/1932 Aileen Kulp

Age 84 90 Cocalico Creek Rd

Stevens, PA 17578

08/14/1925 Beatrice Ebersole

Age 91 188 Ebersole Rd.

Ephrata, PA 17522

08/12/1934 Harry Roseboro

Age 82 725 Poplar Street

Denver, PA 17517

6

Worship Helpers

Coffee Ministry

August

7 Audrey and Roger Noll

14 still needed

21 None - Church Picnic

28 Nedra Bearinger, Charles Leed

Money Counters

August

7 Pat Brendle, June and Neal Leid

14 Dean Lutz, David and June Sloat

21 Nancy and Sid Hurst, Jane Wenger

28 Lori & Mike Martin, Josephine Martin

September

4 Linda and Tim Fritz, David Sensenig

11 Gail and Ted Bare

18 Jeanette and Mike Leid

25 Connie Harding, Diane Leed

Acolytes

August

7 Will Meckley

14 Clayton Hartman

21 Service in the Grove

28 Lucas Killian

September

4 Brandon Walzl

11 Ryan Brubaker

18 Sada Aungst

25 Courtney Zwally

Bulletin Folders

(Thursday unless noted)

August

4 Carl and Joanne Schenskie

11 Marie and Walter Buohl

18 Linda Berger, Nancy Beck

25 Joyce and Ernie Litzenberger

September

1 Mickey Jones, Judy Dengler

8 Becky and Bud Thunberg

15 Kathleen Ebling, Charmaine Wenrich

22 Joe Dietrich

29 Mickey Jones

Lay Readers

August

7 Connie Becker

14 Mike Leid

21 Jeff Brubaker

28 John Shreiner

September

4 Will Meckley

11 Haley Leed

18 Anne Brubaker

25 Zinia Zwally

Communion Assistants

August 7 Courtney Zwally

September 4 Kelby Weaver

7

Ushers

August

August 7 Group #2

14,21,28 Group #7

September

September 4 Group #1

11,18,25 Group #4

Altar Guild

August Audrey Noll & Pat Brendle

Greeters

August 7 Phil Ramsey

Worship Helpers

Attendance Report

Giving Report Received Actual Expenses

Through June 2016 $93,113.23 $94,228.88

NEWSLETTER ARTICLE SUBMISSION DEADLINE: August 14, 2016.

Nursery (9:00 unless noted)

August

7 8:00 a.m. Don and Nora Busser

9:00 a.m. Michele Walzl, Brenda Shreiner

14 Jill Youndt, Brandon Walzl

21 Jeff and Anne Brubaker

28 Mike and Wendy Sheaffer

September

4 8:00 a.m. Don and Nora Busser

9:00 a.m. Peggy Leid, Judy Dengler

11 10:15 a.m. Michele and Scott Dimitris

18 10:15 a.m. Michele Walzl, Brenda Shreiner

25 10:15 a.m. Jill Youndt, Brandon Walzl

Upcoming Events

September 8-11– Women’s Beach Retreat

September 11 - Fall Schedule Resumes

September 14—First Confirmation Gathering

September 18—God’s Work Our Hands Day Ingathering School Kits

September 18—Travelling 95 Theses at Mud-dy Creek

Worship

June 5 106

June 12 122

June 19 109

June 26 117

July 3 104

July 10 111

July 17 112

Admin. Asst.: Tues. & Thurs. 9:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Pastors: Tuesday 9:00 a.m.—11:00 am

Thursday 9:00 a.m.– 11:00 a.m.

Additional hours by appointment and at various times throughout the week

August Office Hours

8

Mudd

y C

reek

Lu

ther

an C

hu

rch, 1

1 S

ou

th M

udd

y C

reek

Road

, D

enver

, P

A 1

7517

, w

ww

.mcl

chu

rch

.org

, 7

17

-336-2

77

0 f

or

urg

ent

pas

tora

l n

eed

s ca

ll p

asto

rs a

t 7

17-4

90-2

67

6

Off

ice

emai

l: o

ffic

e@m

clch

urc

h.o

rg

Pas

tors

em

ails

: n

ancy

@m

clch

urc

h.o

rg

p

eter

@m

clch

urc

h.o

rg

P

asto

rs:

Nan

cy S

chw

abe-

Fry

Pet

er S

chw

abe-

Fry

Ad

min

istr

ativ

e A

ssis

tant:

L

inda

Mohn

Dir

ecto

r of

Mu

sic:

Gre

g G

ehm

an

Sex

ton

s: M

ark S

aylo

r, B

ren

da

and

Lin

da

Ber

ger

Pre

sid

ent:

Bra

d R

auch

Vic

e-P

resi

den

t: W

alte

r B

uoh

l

Coun

cil

Sec

reta

ry:

Gai

l B

are

Tre

asu

rer:

Sco

tt S

tric

kla

nd

Nam

es o

f ad

dit

ional

con

gre

gat

ion

al l

ead

ers

and c

hai

rpeo

ple

are

fou

nd

on

the

bu

llet

in b

oar

d o

uts

ide

the

chu

rch

off

ice.

AU

GU

ST

1

11 a

.m. L

unch

and

a

Mov

ie

2

3

4

5

6

7

8 a.

m. S

poke

n W

orsh

ip

9 a.

m. W

orsh

ip

Noo

n –

Poo

l Par

ty a

t

Ada

mst

own

8

9

6:30

p.m

. Pra

yer

Sha

wls

at Y

vonn

e’s

10

7 p.

m. C

hurc

h C

ounc

il

11

12

13

14

New

slet

ter

Dea

dlin

e

8 a.

m. S

poke

n W

orsh

ip

9 a.

m. W

orsh

ip

15

16

7 p.

m. W

orsh

ip a

nd

Mus

ic C

omm

ittee

17

18

19

20

21

8 a.

m. S

poke

n W

orsh

ip

10:3

0 a.

m. W

orsh

ip in

the

Gro

ve

11:1

5 a.

m. C

hurc

h

Pic

nic

22

23

6:30

p.m

. Pra

yer

Sha

wls

at Y

vonn

e’s

24

25

26

27

28

8 a.

m. S

poke

n W

orsh

ip

9 a.

m. W

orsh

ip

10 a

.m. T

each

er a

nd

Chr

istia

n E

duca

tion

mtg

.

29

30

7 p.

m. F

inan

ce T

eam

31

No

tes

: S

iste

rs o

f Sob

riety

mee

t eve

ry T

hurs

day

even

ing

at th

e ch

urch

.