The Chimes May 2015

Saint Paul’s Worship Schedule

Sunday

9:00 am: Holy Communion First Sunday of month: Family Worship (service designed with children in mind);

Remaining Sundays: service concurrent with Sunday School

10:30 am: Holy Communion Traditional liturgy

Saint Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church 415 E. Athens Ave., Ardmore, PA 19003

The Rev. Dr. Harry W. McDowell II, Senior Pastor The Rev. Laura Tancredi, Associate Pastor

610-642-3211 610-658-3262 (fax) www.stpaulsardmore.com

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Memorial Day Celebration at St. Paul’s Cemetery

Monday, May 25 11:00 am

Please come out to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms and rights that we all enjoy.

The ceremony at the cemetery follows Lower Merion’s Memorial Day parade, which ends at the Veteran’s Memorial, near the Argyle Road entrance to Saint Paul’s

Cemetery (parade start: 10:30 am). Please join us for the dedication of ceremonial wreaths by a Commander of the United

States Navy; the Township Commissioners will participate in the laying of wreaths. You will also want to:

Visit the graves of the veterans.

Stop by the Old Dutch School House on the cemetery grounds and take some time to explore this fascinating historic structure.

Sample the treats at the refreshment table.

Even if you can’t get to the parade, please participate in the ceremony at the cemetery, tour the grounds, visit the Old School House and enjoy refreshments with all who have gathered to remember and honor the men and women who gave their lives for our country.

The Chimes, the newsletter of Saint Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, is published for the inspiration, education and entertainment of its members and friends. Comments and suggestions are welcome. Just mail, e-mail or deliver them to the church office.

The next issue of The Chimes will be published on Tuesday, May 26. Your articles are due in the office no later than noon on Tuesday, May 19. Thank you! C

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Pastor’s

Letter

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ:

I am sure that many of you, like myself, have found yourselves startled and deeply grieved by the

devastation in Nepal. A 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the capital city of Kathmandu on April

25, and—as recovery efforts continue—so far more than 4,000 are numbered among the dead.

In the face of such utter destruction, despair and hopelessness can follow quickly.

As Christians, perhaps the most common response to such an event is to ask, “Where is God?”

Why did such a thing happen? In our search for seeking answers, I am reminded of the Prophet

Elijah’s experience searching for God. He is told:

“’Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.’ Now there

was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before

the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was

not in the earthquake, and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after

the fire a sound of sheer silence….Then there came a voice to him that said, ‘What are you doing

here, Elijah?’” (1 Kings 19:11-13)

The Lord was not in the earthquake; the Lord was not in any of the destructive forces. But the

Lord was in what followed. The response that follows is where we find God in such a tragedy. In

the face of such suffering and loss of life, we find the God who entered our lives and suffered as

a human standing alongside those facing unimaginable pain and loss. We find the God who

brought life out of death and light out of darkness standing alongside those who move forward in

painful grief, one day at a time. And we find the God who gave us an Advocate and a

commandment to love calling us to stand up and help Nepal.

How can you help? Pray: for those affected, and those who have lost love ones. For the Lutheran

World Federation and Lutheran World Relief emergency teams on the ground, who are standing

with the people and communities affected. Give: Your gifts to Lutheran Disaster Response,

designated for “Nepal Area Earthquake,” are used in full (100%) to assist those directly impacted.

Both the Lutheran World Federation and Lutheran World Relief already had offices and a

presence in Nepal, and are poised to work with those actually there to meet the most pressing

needs.

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St. Paul’s has designated envelopes, with Lutheran Disaster Response stickers that can be used

for any contributions. Checks can be made out to St. Paul’s Church” with either “Nepal

Earthquake” or “Where needed most” in the memo line.

Recovery will take time, and our prayers and resources will be needed in Nepal long after they

are gone from our television screens. As a people of the resurrection, we proclaim that life is

stronger than death, and we will walk with Nepal in prayer and through our partner agencies as

they rise from the ashes of the grave into the morning of hope.

In Christ,

Pastor Laura

Prayers

Please pray for our men and women in the armed services, especially Mark Allen (son of Carol Henry); Michael Burns (son of Linda and Bob Burns) and Brandon Mader (grandson of Wendy Black). Prayers are also requested for: Elizabeth Andrews (friend of Bill Henderson); Nhan Chaw (husband of Hazel Pelletreau’s friend); Charlotte Conybear; Donna Curry (wife of Dave Curry); Jennifer DeHardt (friend of Debbie Keyser); Steve Engh (father of Anita Engh); Kara Granger (friend of Liz Cassidy); Jeff Hayden (friend of Hazel Pelletreau); Barbara Johnson (wife of Jack Johnson); William Johnson (friend of Pattie Johnson); Johanna Karén (granddaughter of Richard & Dorothy Linderman); Frank Lexa (father of Lisa Lexa); Gregg Martin (brother of Linda Martin); Marion O’Kane (grandmother of Paul Trombello); Hailey Parker (granddaughter of Millie Parker); Walter Proschinger (brother of Christa Scheidly); Claire Robinson, Delores Stevenson (mother of Debbie Moran); Catherine (friend of Liz Cassidy); Anne (friend of Mary Lynn Kennedy); Maya (friend of Debbie Keyser); and Baby Chletsos (friend of Amanda & Andrew Vickrey).

Death

We received notice that Ruth Miller died on March 31, 2015. We pray for her family and thank God for her life and the promise of the Resurrection.

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SPRING FLING-

YOU’RE INVITED!

Saturday, May 9, 2015

7:00 pm to 10:00 pm

At the home of Kevin Maurer and Jim

Schneider

6344 City Avenue, Philadelphia

$50 per person

$60 at the door

Groups of four or more: $45 each

To benefit the St. Paul’s Youth Group

Detroit Trip

The evening will include hot hors d’oeuvres,

wine and beer selections, Door Prizes, Raffle

Items, Live Auction and Silent Auction

RSVP by Friday May 1st

610.642.3211

carisa@stpaulsardmore.org

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We All Have Questions Group

The Saturday morning group will next meet on May 2nd and 16th. We will be continuing our discussion of the church's role (we have decided that we do have one) in "saving the earth." There are a variety of ways we can do that and we are looking at a number of them. We are using some specific books as references but members of the group always feel free to bring in whatever sources seem related and we will be referencing Bible verses. Two books we are using are Omnivores Dilemma by Michael Pollan and Eco-Mind by Frances Moore Lapp.

St. Paul’s Book Club

The Book Club will meet on Tuesday, May 12th at 7:30 pm to discuss H is for Hawk by Helen MacDonald. A book about "a journey through crippling grief to something resembling grace." It is beautiful but contains some very difficult sections because the hawk, after all, does kill for its food. Doesn't sound like what you usually read? You may be surprised. Some critics have said it provides "escape and salvation."

Summer Worship Schedule

Beginning Sunday, May 24 (Memorial Day Weekend), Saint Paul’s shifts to one service beginning at 9:30 am. The summer worship schedule will be in effect through Rally Day (September 13th). We return to two services (9:00 and 10:30 am) on Sunday, September 20th.

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A Heritage to Keep: St. Paul’s Celebrating 250th

Anniversary

Upcoming Guest Preachers & Special Events Sunday, May 3 The Rev. Dr. Elise Brown, guest preacher Sunday, June 7 The Rev. Claire Burkat, guest preacher

Social Ministry Service Projects

Overbrook School for the Blind Orchard Planting Saturday, May 9 at 10:00 am 6333 Malvern Ave, West Philly Lend a hand in expanding the orchard at the Overbrook School for the Blind with a new berry garden & pollinator garden. RSVP by May 7 to Denette Stetler, djstetler@verizon.net

Cradles to Crayons Volunteer Day

Saturday, May 16 at 10:00 am Giving Factory, 30 Clipper Road, Conshohocken We will be organizing, cleaning and packaging toys, clothes & other donated items for needy children in the Delaware Valley. RSVP by May 12 to Laura Bickert Ciarlello, labickert@yahoo.com. **If you are bringing children, please send their first & last name, your first & last name & contact phone number to Laura to serve as consent that they may participate.

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Families with Young Children Breakfast with the Easter Bunny

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Christ is risen! We have much to give thanks for in this joyful

Easter season! As we continue to see the work of resurrection in

our lives and in the abounding spring around us, we also look

for the ways we can be part of God’s new work in our

community. Our Building on Blessings campaign has had a

fantastic start (we have received pledges for $322,000 of our

$500,000 goal)! Thank you to all those who have pledged and

contributed. We look to continue this work for the remainder of

our anniversary year, hoping to reach our goal and to look

forward to the continuing mission of St. Paul’s. Through this

campaign, and through all of your gifts, St. Paul’s is able to do

ministry in the community and to support the work of Lutheran

organizations throughout the world! Donations to the Building

on Blessings campaign can be made through weekly envelopes

or through the church website. Thank you for your participation

in this campaign to further the work of our congregation.

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People of St. Paul’s: Stephenie Yeung

As noted when we kicked off our People of St. Paul’s series, one way of defining stewardship is our response to God for the gifts that God has given to us. You’ve not heard your last appeal from Congregation Council or the Stewardship Committee in respect of financial contributions in support of the congregation’s activities, but contributions of time and talents help make St. Paul’s a special place. That potential for personal and communal enrichment underlies the Worship + Two initiative. Everyone is encouraged to worship regularly and to contribute in at least two other roles at St. Paul’s.

Those “plus two’s” can take a wide variety of shapes and help make St. Paul’s a special place. Nothing brings people together more certainly than talking over a dinner table. This month’s spotlighted member – Stephenie Yeung – not only shares with Pastor Laura Tancredi in the distinction of being the newest members of St. Paul’s but may have set a new record by accepting responsibility for planning and executing a congregational dinner within two months of joining.

What first attracted you to St. Paul’s? I was raised Catholic in Hong Kong, but had grown away from Catholicism in my adulthood. In the Fall of 2013 I read Pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber’s Pastrix and was very moved by it. I began to look for a Lutheran church and luckily St. Paul’s was the closest congregation. I may have first come to St. Paul’s for the location, but what attracted me and had me returning was definitely the people.

When did you join St. Paul’s? I started attending St. Paul’s in Fall of 2013 but it wasn’t until last October that I officially joined the congregation.

Which volunteer activities have you been involved with? I have helped with the Rally Day service activities and picnic, decorating the church for Christmas and serving the homeless. I am helping with the Parish Activities Subcommittee as well and helped plan and organize the annual Congregation Lunch.

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What volunteer activities have meant the most to you? Most of the volunteer activities have had to do with food, which is one of my passions. But the one that meant the most to me was actually decorating the church for Christmas. It was one of the first activities I participated in after joining as a new member, and I was really moved by the sense of community of the congregation working together.

Which activity has been the most fun? Definitely planning, organizing and cooking for the Congregation Lunch. Working with the other volunteers was great fun, and it’s always good to see people enjoying the fruits of our labors.

How did you find yourself heading up an event like the congregational lunch just weeks after you officially joined St. Paul’s? When I joined, I mentioned to Josephine Norquist that I had some experience in a professional kitchen and that cooking was something I really enjoyed doing. When Josephine asked if I would be interested in helping, I jumped at the chance.

What advice do you have for someone trying to decide whether to get further involved at St. Paul’s? One of the things I have learned since coming to St. Paul’s is that faith and community are not spectator sports. The more you participate, the more rewarding it will be. So my advice to those who feel the pull to become involved would be to jump in and do it.

Any other thoughts or ideas to share? I just want to thank everyone who has been so welcoming to a new member. Our thanks to Stephenie for sharing her ready smile, cheerful disposition and willingness to pitch in to make St. Paul’s a warm, welcoming and fun community.

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Join us for our final event of the season!

Spring Picnic & Moonbounce Free face painting too!

Families with Young Children will gather on the

lawn behind the church

On Sunday, May 17, 2015

5:00 – 7:00 pm

Hot dogs & pasta will be provided

Families, please bring a picnic blanket and the

following items:

A – M Side Dishes

N – Z Desserts

Please register with the church office by Friday, May 15

(call 610-642-3211 or send an e-mail to

carisa@stpaulsardmore.org).

Family and friends are welcome.

A free-will offering will be collected.

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MAY Birthdays

1 Tessa Kraut, Melissa Krissinger 2 Madeline Venezia 3 Ingrid Gustaffson, J. Steen Hoyer 4 Kim Boston, Jean Krohn, Robin Mazzanobile 5 Charles Bode, Todd DiGuiseppe, Maxwell Frey 6 Chris Bozman, Carrie Kelly, Juliette Rui, Asher Stanley, Nicole Venizia 7 Wendy McColgan 9 Shane Foust, Zachary Kraut 10 Thomas Copeland, Ruth Miller 11 Dan Gale, Carolyn Hoffman, Elizabeth McElwee 12 Craig Pringle, Claudia Rui 13 Joseph Ellmer, Liam Stanley 14 Blake Ertner, Alisa Scota 15 Sarah June, Zachary Zimmer 17 Amanda Vickrey, Stephen Pierce 18 Erle Krauss 22 Amy Badovick, Wendy Black, Peter Mazzanobile, Barbara Parman 23 Kent Cprek, William Frey, Jr., John Hunt 24 Lucia Ciarlello, Nancy Trimbur 25 Caleb Kilbride, Kelly Lauersen, Kristine Peterson, Claire Robinson, Nicholas Wagner 26 Brady Stallkamp 27 Rosemarie Gormley, Jamie Koerner 28 Michael Moran, Jr 29 William Horn, Paul Schimpff 30 Melissa Pizzi 31 James McCoy

Gifts of Flowers for the Altar Consider becoming a weekly or monthly sponsor of altar flowers for Sunday

morning worship. The cost of the flowers is $25 per week, $100 or $125 per month. A sign-up chart for sponsoring altar flowers is available in Fellowship Hall, or you may call Dottie Buchanan at 484-420-4969. The dedication(s) for your flowers will be published in the appropriate Sunday bulletin(s).

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First Holy Communion for Second Graders

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MAY CALENDAR

Please join us every Sunday for coffee fellowship at 10:00 am in the Fellowship Hall.

The Handbell Choir practices in the Sanctuary every Sunday following the

10:30 am service. Saturday, May 2 9:30 am We All Have Questions group/Kugler Room Sunday, May 3 9 & 10:30 am Holy Communion Guest Preacher: The Rev. Dr. Elise Brown 8:00 pm NA/Fellowship Hall Monday, May 4 12:30 pm Mahjong/Kugler Room Tuesday, May 5 9:00 am Community Bible Study leaders 7:00 pm AA/Fellowship Hall 7:15 pm NBW Planning Meeting/Kugler Room Wednesday, May 6 7:30 pm Evening Christian Fellowship/Penne Residence Thursday, May 7 9:00 am Community Bible Study / throughout church 1:00 pm Women’s Christian Fellowship/Kugler Room 6:30 pm Children’s choir rehearsal 7:30 pm Adult choir rehearsal Saturday, May 9 10:00 am Social Ministry volunteers @ Overbrook School for

the Blind 7:00 – 10:00 pm Spring Fling! To benefit St. Paul’s Youth Group

Detroit trip Sunday, May 10 8:40 am Matins Choir warm-up 9:00 am Sunday School 9:00 am Holy Communion 10:30 am Holy Communion 8:00 pm NA/Fellowship Hall Monday, May 11 12:30 pm Mahjong/Kugler Room Tuesday, May 12 9:00 am Community Bible Study leaders

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7:00 pm AA/Fellowship Hall 7:30 pm St. Paul’s Book Club/Kugler Room Thursday, May 14 9:00 am Community Bible Study / throughout church 1:00 pm Women’s Christian Fellowship/Kugler Room 6:30 pm Children’s choir rehearsal 7:15 pm Church Council Meeting 7:30 pm Adult choir rehearsal Saturday, May 16 9:30 am We All Have Questions group/Kugler Room 10:00 am Social Ministry volunteers @ Cradles to Crayons Sunday, May 17 8:40 am Matins choir warm-up 9:00 am Sunday school 9:00 am Holy Communion 10:30 am Holy Communion 5:00 pm Families w/ Young Children Event: Spring picnic & Moonbounce 6:00 pm Confirmation Class 8:00 pm NA/Fellowship Hall Monday, May 18 12:30 pm Mahjong/Kugler Room Tuesday, May 19 9:00 am Community Bible Study leaders 7:00 pm AA/Fellowship Hall 7:15 pm Worship & Music Meeting Wednesday, May 20 7:30 pm Evening Christian Fellowship/Penne Residence Thursday, May 21 9:00 am Community Bible Study/throughout church 1:00 pm Women’s Christian Fellowship/Kugler Room 4- 8:00 pm Youth fundraiser at Panera Bread Wynnewood 6:30 pm Children’s choir rehearsal 7:30 pm Adult choir rehearsal Sunday, May 24 Summer Schedule Begins (one service only) 9:30 am Holy Communion 8:00 pm NA/Fellowship Hall Monday, May 25 Memorial Day, Office Closed Tuesday, May 26 7:00 pm AA/Fellowship Hall Wednesday, May 27 7:00 pm Confirmation rehearsal for 9th graders Sunday, May 31 9:30 am Holy Communion with Confirmation

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Attention: Families of 2015 Graduates

If you or a family member will be graduating from high school, trade school, college or other post-secondary program, celebrate the accomplishment with a notice in the June issue of The Chimes. Simply provide the information indicated below and forward to the church office no later than Tuesday, May 19. Graduate’s name __________________________________________ Graduating from ___________________________________________ Degree/honors ____________________________________________ Plans for September ________________________________________

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Vacation Bible School Registration

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church

415 East Athens Avenue

Ardmore, PA

June 22 - 26, 2015

9:00 am – 12:00 noon

** ONE FORM PER CHILD **

Name of student: ________________________________________________

Name of parent/guardian _________________

Grade entering in the fall (K through 6): ____________________________

Preschooler (must be at least 4 yrs. old): _____________________________

(VBS classes are for children from 4 yrs. through those entering 6th grade)

Address:______________________________________________________

Phone #: _____________________________________

Cell phone #: _________________________________

E-mail: ______________________________________

Allergies or medical needs: _________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

In the event of an emergency, every effort will be made to contact the parent or

guardian at the above number. I give my permission to the VBS staff to

authorize proper medical care until such time as I can be contacted: ______________

(Signature of Parent or guardian)

Please return this form and payment ($20 per child, $30.00

per family) to the church office by June 12. Checks should

be made out to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.

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A note from Joy Baxter (member of St. Paul’s): Growing up in Florida I did not attend Bear Creek but

instead a different Lutheran overnight camp. It had a

big influence in shaping me as a person and

experiencing religion away from my parents, which

really made it mine rather than theirs. Our family will

be attending the Memorial Day Family Camp. Please

join us! For those who do not already know about their

programs, Memorial Day and Labor Day Family Camps, and Summer camps

are just around the corner. Families/children do not have to be Lutheran to

attend.

About Bear Creek: Bear Creek Camp is a ministry of the Southeastern and

Northeastern Pennsylvania Synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in

America (ELCA) of which St. Paul’s is a member. Located on nearly 3,000

acres in the beauty of the Pocono Mountains, Bear Creek Camp offers year-

round opportunities, including summer residential youth camp, nature day

camp, environmental education programs, weekend camp retreats and outside

group rentals.

Join us for FAMILY CAMP this

Memorial Day Weekend, an

unforgettable time at Bear Creek

Camp spent together with family

& friends in the great outdoors!

Stay in our bunkhouse cabins

which have heat and bathrooms

(you may be asked to stay with another family) or be adventurous and stay in

our platform tents, which have bunk beds and are located near the central

bathhouse. Enjoy meals in our dining hall and help yourself to snacks available

all day. We’ll also make s’mores around the campfire, of course!

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Experience God’s love this Summer at camp!

Bear Creek Camp’s

residential program, for

all children who have

completed grades 1 -12,

is a traditional camp

program centered on

spiritual growth, outdoor

living and small group

development.

Most camp sessions

begin on Sunday

afternoon and end

Saturday morning.

Campers spend their

time living and playing

together: swimming, boating, hiking, worshipping, playing games, discussing

their faith, camping, making arts and crafts, learning about the environment,

singing and much more.

SESSION 1* June 21 - 27

SESSION 2* June 28 - July 3 This session ends on Friday evening, see our Special Opportunities section for

more details.

SESSION 3* July 5 - 11

SESSION 4 July 12 - 18

SESSION 5* July 19 - 25

SESSION 6 July 26 - August 1

SESSION 7 August 2 – 8

* TRY CAMP AVAILABLE

The cost is $300 for the Try camp and $470 for the week camp. There are

multiple discounts and financial assistance is available. As a Bear Creek

ambassador, Joy Baxter has a coupon code for $20/child off camp. Contact her

at joybaxter@gmail.com for this information.

Register online @ www.bearcreekcamp.org

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Haydn’s Creation: St. Paul’s continued its collaboration with Ardmore

Presbyterian Church and Overbrook Presbyterian Church to

present Haydn’s The Creation. Accompanied by a full orchestra

the afternoon of beautiful music was a great addition to our

250th Anniversary celebration. Thank you to Andy Heller and

the St. Paul’s Choir for contributing to and hosting this lovely

event.

Eat Bread to Raise Dough

At Panera

Please join St. Paul’s Lutheran Church-Detroit Youth Group

On Thursday, May 21

4:00 – 8:00 pm

Arrive at any time within these 4 hours Panera Bread located at 278 E. Lancaster Ave will donate a percentage of its sales during

the event to Detroit Youth Group when you show this flyer.

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Vacation Bible School Volunteers

DATE: June 22 – 26, 2015

TIME: 9:00 am – 12:00 noon

I would like to help in one or more of the following areas (please circle):

Closing picnic Registration

Decorating Science

Group guide Snacks

Nursery care Youth helper

Recreation games Other ____________________

Recreation games

Name

Address

Phone (home)

Phone (cell)

E-mail

If you have any questions about Vacation Bible School or your

involvement in it, please call:

Claudia Muller – (home) 484-580-8766; (Cell) 484-686-2231 or

Melissa Gale – (home) 610-642-1198; (Cell) 484-767-0594

PLEASE RETURN THIS FLYER IN THE OFFERING PLATE

OR TO THE CHURCH OFFICE.

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