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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 :

Vacation Bible School

Yard Sale

Summer Worship

GAIN Warehouse Event

Calendar

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

Upcoming Events

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Upcoming Events

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News and Notes 4

Birthdays 5

Worship Helpers 6

Miscellaneous 7

Calendar 8

M ay 2 0 1 7

The God of Surprises

The ancient Greek philosopher Hera-clitus said, “Change is the only constant in life”. Indeed, we understand that change is a fundamental characteristic of all of God’s creation. Winter turns into Spring, Spring turns into Summer. Seeds sprout and flowers bloom, and then give way to leaves or different flowers. Rains fall, and then other days are full of sunshine. As humans, we under-stand this to be true in the way that we experience life. The same Heraclitus also said, “No one ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and you are never the same person.” People and relationships change. There is birth and death, loss and welcome. Although change is sometimes diffi-cult, there is a sacred aspect to change for which we can all be thankful. And that aspect is how life can often sur-prise us in good ways.

From the Pastors

If the resurrection of Jesus teaches us one thing, it is it that God dwells in surprise. Mark Nepo, a poet and author, once wrote, “For God is sel-dom in our plans, but always in the unexpected”. Resurrection is a way of saying that new life is always possible, that redemption is ever at hand, that reconciliation, transfor-

mation, rehabilitation, learning, growth, and op-portunities for positive change are constantly of-fered by God. For God seems to have woven it into creation as a funda-mental characteristic. And it is the surprise of this, the invitation to be open to the life-giving changes

ever presented to us, that is one of the most delightful gifts of God in these lives of ours. May the God of surprises contin-ue to surprise you in life-affirming ways!

You are invited…..

Confirmation Sunday

May 21, 2017

8:00 a.m. and 10:15 a.m.

Dominik Meyer, Brandon Walzl, Sada Aungst and Clay Hartman

will be confirmed and share their statements of faith as the mes-sage at both services.

Lilly Garrison will be confirmed at the 8:00 a.m. service on May 28.

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Upcoming Events Summer Sundays

At Muddy Creek

Beginning Sunday, May 28 we will uti-lize our summer schedule. We will have the 8:00 and 9:00 a.m. service times in the hopes that this will give options for worship this summer. The summer schedule will continue through September 10. Children’s messages will be offered at both services. Out-door worship will be held on the third Sunday in August when we have the church picnic.

Muddy Creek

Community

Yard Sale

In the Grove

Saturday June 10

7:00 a.m.—12:30 p.m.

(Set up at 6 a.m.)

(Rain Date June 17)

You won’t want to miss this opportunity for some great bargains in the Muddy Creek Grove! This is also a great chance to have a stand of your own at no cost. All that is asked is that you bring a donation of non-perishable foods (no dented cans or expired items please) to give to our local food bank, Peter’s Porch. If you have questions or would like to reserve a spot, contact Pat Brendle at 717-799-2591 Registration deadline is June 3, 2017. People from the church and the community are invited to have a stand and attend the event. Muddy Creek Choir will also have a food stand. The Evangelism Team is sponsoring the event.

Ascension Day Worship Thursday May 25, 2017

Swamp Lutheran, Reinholds

You are invited to this Cluster Service featuring a joint choir from all 7 area Lutheran churches.

Worship Each Summer Sunday:

8:00 a.m.—8:35 a.m. Spoken Worship

9:00 a.m.—10:00 a.m. Worship with children’s church during the sermon

Sunday, August 20:

8:00 a.m.—8:35 a.m. Indoor Spoken Worship

10:30 a.m.—Outdoor Worship in the grove followed by the church picnic

Last Day of Sunday School The last day of Sunday School is May 21st. As the school year ends, the Christian Education Committee wishes to extend its thanks on behalf of the entire congregation to the faithful teachers who have served this year: Michelle Dimitris, Peggy Leid, Michelle Walzl, Jenn Youndt, Audrey Noll, Nancy Beck, Russell Beck, Terri Meckley, Diane Leed, John Schutter, Pastor Peter, Pastor Nancy, and Greg Gehman with music.

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Upcoming Events

G.A.I.N. Packing Event

Saturday, June 25

Sign up to pack clothing for refugees at the G.A.I.N. Warehouse in Mt. Joy on Saturday, June 24, 9 a.m.- noon. Meet at the church at 8:00 a.m. to carpool. All friends, neighbors and family members are welcome!

The Development Team is sponsoring the event.

Be sure to wear your green Muddy Creek T-shirt or if you need one, we’ll give you a free one!

Summer Worship

Musicians Needed I am looking for numerous singers and players to “make a joyful for unto the Lord” for our summer services, June through August. It would be great if you could do two pieces, but if not, one would be fine. Please let me know in person or via email (ggehman58@gmail.com). Thanks in advance for your musical offerings! – Greg Gehman

Vacation Bible School

Mon. June 19– Thurs. June 22

9 a.m.-noon

Mark your calendars now for this exciting VBS coming to Muddy Creek this summer!

Online Registration is now open!

Registration Deadline is May 14!

Sign up online at the church website in order to be a volunteer or participant. VBS is for

children 3 years—completed 5th grade. Vol-unteers are those who have completed 6th

grade in June and older.

Invite your friends or neighbors to go to the church website and register for all fun and learning at Maker Fun Factory! There is no

fee.

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News and Notes

Church Council

The council thanked Gail Bare for her efforts in preparing the chapel for the upcoming sale, which may take place in June.

Gail Bare reported that the Chapel has been cleaned out with the efforts of many members. Walter Buohl or-ganized the help for two Saturdays to move all remaining items outside for the community to pick up the free items and to move the remaining tables to the Church for future use. Other members helped with the removal of scrap and donated items.

We received an address for the Chapel from East Cocalico Township. The new address is 112 Muddy Creek

Church Road. An address of 2375 North Reading Rd. was also assigned to the Grove. Now that we received an address for the Chapel we can proceed with the sale.

Muddy Creek welcomed five new members on March 19th.

The Spring Fling on April 8th was well attended and was a success. As well, the Easter Egg Hunt on April 9th was also a success, with many families from the community attending. The Family Ministry “Make and Take” Event on April 1 was able to send food to 13 older members and shut-ins.

Council and Committee Highlights

Thank you to the children, youth and families of Muddy Creek and to Anne Brubaker for remember-ing me in the Make and Take event. The soup and sweet treats were tasty. It warms my heart that the children and youth at Muddy Creek are being taught to honor and remember older members. Sincerely, Barbara Youndt

Thank you to the Muddy Creek youth and families for the good treats and vegetable soup. - Paul Shober

My family and I would like to express our apprecia-tion to Muddy Creek and Pastor Peter for the thoughtfulness expressed at John’s funeral. Thank you as well to the youth for the soup, sandwich, muffin and cookies that you prepared for me and other shut-ins for the Make and Take event. I am happy that the church has such fine youth and fami-lies and teachers. You are all the future generation of the church. God be with you all always. Sincerely, Mary Zerbe

Thanks to everyone who supported the Spring Fling. We had a great turnout and great support. We were able to turn over to the church $1,003.00 to be used to repair our large refrigerator and install the correct electric needed to operate it. Thank you also to Thrivent for their financial support. - Parish Life Committee

Funeral: Our sympathy to the family of Jay Brossman who died on March 22. Service was on March 27.

Thank you to all the kind people of Muddy Creek who sent sympathy cards and prayers during my father’s illness and death. We were touched and ap-preciated all the kindness. - Brenda Shreiner.

Thanks to everyone who donated food for our Easter

breakfast - we had many delicious dishes provided by our members and had a great turn out . Thanks to all the members who also gave their time to help set up tables and chairs, as well as those who helped with the serving on Sunday morning. -Parish Life Committee

Thank you to everyone who generously donated

candy, plastic eggs, and goodies for the Easter Egg Hunt that Muddy Creek sponsored for the communi-ty on April 9th. The hunt was a wonderful success!

Thank you to everyone who donated food and

snacks for the Goodie Boxes which were sent out to college students and those serving in the military. - Social Ministry Committee

The East Cocalico Lions would like to thank the

congregation of Muddy Creek Lutheran Church for welcoming us to your church service on Feb. 12. The congregation was very friendly and made us feel welcomed and the message that was given was inspiring. - East Cocalico Lions Club

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May Birthdays

Brenda & Friends Tours

May 20, 2017 - Baltimore, MD - Star Spangled Banner House, Fort McHenry May 27, 2017 - Bronx Zoo June 3, 2017 - One-Day Mystery Trip June 13, 2017 - Tour of the PA Governor’s Mansion, Tour of PA State Capitol and Hershey Gardens June 24-26, 2017 - Virginia - Waltons Mountain Museum, Ash-lawn-Highland Mansion, Michie’s Tavern, Monticello, Frontier Cultural Museum and Sunspots Glass-blowing Studio

July 8, 2017 - Philadelphia - The Museum of the American Revo-lution & the Prohibition Exhibit at the National Constitution Center July 26, 2017 - “Mennonite Girls Can Cook” on the Bird-in-Hand stage and buffet meal July 30 - August 3, 2017 - Kentucky & Ohio - The Creation Muse-um, The Ark Encounter, US Air Force Museum, Riverboat Cruise plus more For more info contact Brenda at 336-6886, bergerb@dejazzd.com. More info also on hallway table outside church office.

May 4, 1937 Mary Beck

1066 Beam Rd.

Denver, PA 17517

May 11, 1924 A. Pauline Brendle

8 South Reamstown Rd.

P. O. Box 207

Reamstown, PA 17567

May 11, 1930 Ralph Bearinger

726 North Fifth St.

Denver, PA 17517

May 16, 1927 Betty Ramsey

234 Muddy Creek Church Rd.

Denver, PA 17517

May 17, 1927 Ada Mohn

Keystone Villa

100 N. State St.

Ephrata, PA 17522

A Special Happy Birthday

to our

“Over-Eighty” Members!!

Michael Brossman

Deborah Swope

Mary Beck

Lisa Strickland

Nora Busser

Marian Weinhold

Christy Miller

Kevin Seidel

Randall Leid

Kenneth Stover

Phil Weaver

Nick Duong

Walter Buohl

Pauline Brendle

Ralph Bearinger

Michelle Dimitris

Brooke Reinford

Deborah Geissel

Jarred Zimmerman

Jeff Swavely

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2

4

5

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9

10

11

12

13

14

15

Betty Ramsey

Ada Mohn

Robert Nolt

David Becker

Christopher Schnader

Mark Ebersole

Dennis Buffenmyer

Michael Leid

Judy Dengler

Alexis Muscavage

Chad Sweitzer

David Sensenig

Timothy Brower

Philip Ramsey

Kirt Weinhold

Seth Shober

Dylan Leed

Yvonne Weaver

Kayla Witmer

Brooke Brossman

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27

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Worship Helpers

Coffee Ministry

May

7 needed

14 needed

21 Confirmation Families

28 needed

Money Counters

May

7 Linda Gerhart, Hollie Kemper, Jim Weber

14 Lesia and Matthew Aungst, Kim Eshleman

21 Pat Brendle, June and Neal Leid

28 (9 a.m.) Dean Lutz, David and June Sloat

June (9 a.m.)

4 Sid and Nancy Hurst, Jane Wenger

11 Lori and Mike Martin, Josephine Martin

18 Linda and Tim Fritz, Dave Sensenig

25 Gail and Ted Bare

Bulletin Folders

May

4 Marian and Shorty Weinhold, Joyce Keith

11 Marie and Walter Buohl

18 Linda Berger, Nancy Beck

25 Brenda and John Shreiner

June

1 Mickey Jones and Judy Dengler

8 Kathleen Ebling and Charmaine Wenrich

15 Joe Dietrich

22 Becky and Bud Thunberg

29 Marian and Shorty Weinhold

Lay Readers

May

7 Brenda Berger

14 Nancy Beck

21 Mike Leid

28 (9 a.m.) John Schutter

June (9 a.m.)

4 Will Meckley

11 Haley Leed

18 Jill Youndt

25 Dean Lutz

Greeters

June 4 Phil Ramsey

Ushers

May June (9 a.m.)

7 Group #1 4 Group #2

14 Group #5 11 Group #8

21 Group #5 18 Group #8

28 (9 a.m.) Group #5 25 Group #8

Altar Guild

May

Connie Harding and Diane Leed

June

Sid and Nancy Hurst

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Acolytes

May

7 Will Meckley

14 Clayton Hartman

21 Lucas Killian

28 (9 a.m.) Brandon Walzl

Worship Helpers

Worship Sunday School

Mar. 26 126 30

Apr. 2 122 32

Apr. 9 172 26

Apr. 16 242 no classes—Easter

Attendance Report

JUNE/JULY NEWSLETTER ARTICLE SUBMISSION DEADLINE: May 14, 2017

Communion Asst.

May 7 Janine Aungst

Nursery (10:15 unless noted)

May

7 8 a.m. Don and Nora Busser

10:15 a.m. Judy Dengler, Madison Ebersole

14 Michelle and Scott Dimitris

21 Michelle Walzl, Brenda Shreiner

28 (9 a.m.) Jill Youndt, Brandon Walzl

June (9 a.m.)

4 Jeff and Anne Brubaker

11 Mike and Wendy Sheaffer

18 Judy Dengler

25 Michelle and Scott Dimitris

May Office Hours

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

Pastors: Tuesday 9:00 a.m.– 11:00 a.m

Thursday 9:00 a.m.– 11:00 a.m.

Additional hours by appointment and at

various times throughout the week

Upcoming Events

June 1-3, Thurs-Sat, Synod Assembly (not on Sun.)

June 10, Sat.—Community Yard Sale in the Grove

June 18, Sun.—Father’s Day

June 19-22, Vacation Bible School at Muddy Creek

June 24, Sat—GAIN Warehouse Packing Event

Giving Report Received Actual Expenses

March 2017 $43,085.57 $51,801.95

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