ST. JOHN’S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH

Maytown, Pennsylvania

The Rev. Robert M. Lescallette, Pastor

Keith D. Smith, Organist and Choirmaster

Lisa Moss, Parish Secretary

(717-201-0437 or email lmoss218@gmail.com)

Charlie Johns and JoNan Shirk, Youth Leaders

Jennifer King, Parish Sexton

www.stjohnsmaytown.com

Church (717) 426-3431    Parsonage (717) 426-1643

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Pentecost 16                                                         October 2, 2011

                                                                                        10:30 A.M.

(Today’s service employs the GREEN hymnal.)

THE ORGAN PRELUDE “O Brother Man”                                L. Smith

THE PROCESSIONAL HYMN # 527 “All Creatures of Our God”

          (Sing only verses 1, 3, 5, and 7 today.)  (Sung standing.)

(This hymn was chosen in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, who wrote it’s words and who was known as one who walked the Christian walk and taught others to do likewise. His feast day is observed by the church on October 4^th of every year.)

THE CONFESSION OF SINS p. 56

THE GREETING p. 57

THE KYRIE pp. 57-58

THE HYMN OF PRAISE “This is the Feast” pp. 81-82

(Be careful! We know this setting of the familiar text, but have not sung it for awhile. It comes from the second setting

of our LBW service.)

THE PRAYER OF THE DAY           (All sit, following the prayer.)

THE FIRST READING - Isaiah 5:1-7

THE ANTHEM “Laudamus Te”                                       N. Sleeth

THE SECOND READING - Philippians 3:4b-14

THE ALLELUIA p. 62                                          (Sung standing.)

THE HOLY GOSPEL - Matthew 21:33-46

                                         (All sit, following the Gospel reading.)

THE WELCOME/ANNOUNCEMENTS

THE HYMN OF THE DAY

         “Lord Christ, When First You Came to Earth”

                                             (Sung to the familiar tune: “Melita”)

(The text by W. Russell Bowie, has been slightly abbreviated to fit the meter, and a new verse 5 has been added by your Pastor to underline the message of today’s sermon.)

1

LORD CHRIST, WHEN FIRST YOU CAME TO EARTH,

UPON A CROSS THEY BOUND YOU,

AND MOCKED YOUR SAVING KINGSHIP’S WORTH

BY THORNS WITH WHICH THEY CROWNED YOU.

AND STILL OUR WRONGS MAY FASHION NOW

NEW THORNS TO PIERCE THAT STEADY BROW.

2

O AWESOME LOVE, WHICH FINDS NO ROOM

IN LIFE WHERE SIN DENIES YOU,

AND DOOMED TO DEATH, SHALL BRING TO DOOM

THE POW’R WHICH CRUCIFIES YOU,

TILL NOT A STONE WAS LEFT ON STONE,

AND THEN THE NATIONS’ PRIDE, O’ERTHROWN.

3

NEW ADVENT OF THE LOVE OF CHRIST,

WILL WE AGAIN REFUSE YOU,

TILL IN THE NIGHT OF HATE AND WAR

WE PERISH AS WE LOSE YOU?

FROM ANCIENT DOUBTS OUR MINDS RELEASE

TO SEEK THE KINGDOM OF YOUR PEACE!

4

O WOUNDED HANDS OF JESUS BUILD

IN US YOUR NEW CREATION;

OUR PRIDE IS DUST, OUR VAUNT IS STILLED;

WE WAIT YOUR REVELATION.

O LOVE THAT TRIUMPHS OVER LOSS,

WE BRING OUR HEARTS BEFORE YOUR CROSS.

5

IN VINEYARDS OLD; IN VINEYARDS NEW,

LORD JESUS CHRIST HELP US TO DO

YOUR FATHER’S WILL AND NOT OUR OWN

MAY FRUIT BE BORNE AND GOOD SEED SEWN!

AND SHOULD WE FAIL, GOD LEAVE US NOT,

REMEMB’RING HIM WHOSE LOVE, US BOUGHT!

THE SERMON

THE APOSTLES’ CREED p. 65                 (Confessed standing.)

THE PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

THE PEACE

THE ORGAN OFFERTORY “Serenity”                        D. Laskey

THE OFFERINGS (Regular and World Hunger)

THE OFFERTORY p. 66 “Let the Vineyards be Fruitful, Lord”

                                                                             (Sung standing.)

THE PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS p. 67

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING/COMMUNION LITURGY

        THE PREFACE p. 68

        THE SANCTUS (“Holy, Holy, Holy”) p. 69

        THE PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING (pink) pp. 69-71

        THE LORD’S PRAYER

        THE AGNUS DEI (“Lamb of God”) p. 72

        THE DISTRIBUTION (Standing, continuous, intinction)

 (Come forward as directed by an usher, via the center aisle, return to your pew via the side aisle on your side of the Church.)

(All who are baptized and who believe that Christ is present in this communion, offering the forgiveness of sins and strength for living the Christian life, are welcome to share in this supper. Very young children, the un-baptized, and those who do not wish to commune may remain in their pews or come forward for a blessing. Indicate your intention to NOT receive communion by bowing your head before the pastor.)

THE HYMNS SUNG DURING THE SUPPER:

                # 477 “O God of Jacob”

                # 481 “Savior, Like A Shepherd Lead Us”

                # 383 “Rise Up, O Saints of God”

         THE TABLE BLESSING (All rise.)

         THE CANTICLE - “Thank the Lord” pp. 72-73

         THE PRAYER p. 74

THE BENEDICTION p. 74

THE DISMISSAL p. 74

THE RECESSIONAL HYMN # 259 “Lord Dismiss Us”

THE SILENT PRAYER

THE ORGAN POSTLUDE “The Lord God Ineffable”   D. Paxton

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THE ALTAR FLOWERS…

…are given the Glory of God and for the joy of our granddaughters, Jayde and Ellie…by Pat and Gene Kirchner

THE BULLETINS…

…are given to the Glory of God…by Rose Leas

SERVING GOD’S PEOPLE TODAY

LECTOR – PAT VOGEL

            ACOLYTE – ERIC SIPLING

            CRUCIFER – CONNOR NESS

            HEAD USHER – PAUL PURNELL

            ALTAR CARE – PAULINE JOHNS

            GREETERS – JOE AND PAULINE HICKS

            NURSERY –

            ALTAR FLOWERS – PAT AND GENE KIRCHNER

            BULLETINS – ROSE LEAS

            OFFERING COUNTERS – ANDY MOSS, CONNIE

                                                        LONGENECKER, AND GINNY

                                                        ZIMMERMAN

THIS WEEK AT ST. JOHN’S:

TODAY:                       9:00 AM - Sunday School

                                    10:00 AM - Store Card Sale

                                    10:30 AM - Traditional Service

                                    11:30 AM - Store Card Sale

                                    NOON - ACFLB

                                    5:00 PM - Youth Group

                                    7:00 PM - Alpha and Omega Bible Study

MONDAY:                   7:00 PM - Council Meeting

TUESDAY:                  6:30 PM - Praise Band

WEDNESDAY:            NO BIBLE STUDY TODAY

                                    7:30 PM - Choir Practice

FRIDAY:                      6:00 PM - Knight-Curran Wedding   

                                                    Rehearsal (Harrisburg)

SATURDAY:                3:30 PM - Knight-Curran Wedding  

                                                     (Harrisburg)

NEXT SUNDAY:         9:00 AM - Sunday School

                                    10:00 AM - Store Card Sale

                                    10:30 AM - Contemporary Service with

                                                      Pastor Peirson preaching

                                    11:30 AM - Store Card Sale

SERVING GOD’S PEOPLE NEXT WEEK – October 9^th:

            LECTOR – MARK HARNISH

            HEAD USHER – PAUL PURNELL

            ALTAR CARE – PAULINE JOHNS

            GREETERS – KAYCEE SHIRK

            NURSERY –

            ALTAR FLOWERS – PASTOR LESCALLETTE

            BULLETINS – AL AND MARY ANN GETZ

            OFFERING COUNTERS – ANDY MOSS, CONNIE

                                                        LONGENECKER, AND GINNY

                                                        ZIMMERMAN

BLANKET SUNDAY REPORT:

Attendance at worship: 78                        Offering: $2,425.50

Blankets donated: 24                     Knitted goods donated:  Many!

Blanket offering in cash: about $160    Store Card Sales: $950

THANKS TO ALL THOSE….

….who supported our Philadelphia Phellowship Day Trip with their attendance.  Twenty-one people shared in the experience; we visited 3 houses, 2 churches, a cemetery, and a seminary; and we enjoyed 2 meals together.

THE ALPHA AND OMEGA BIBLE STUDY…..

…..begins a new study tonight at 7:00 PM in the parlor. Please join us as we explore a less-well-known part of our scriptural heritage, the “apocryphal” book of “Tobit”.

THE LONGWOOD BIBLE STUDY….

…will NOT meet this week, owing to Pastor’s having a medical appointment in preparation for his surgery later this month.

PASTOR’S NIECE…

…Amy Knight, will marry Patrick Curran on Saturday of this week, at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Paxtang (Harrisburg). Her uncle will officiate and Keith Smith will serve as organist and pianist, while Nick Smith and his new wife, Stacia Longenecker, will be soloists.  God’s blessing upon the couple!

CONGRATULATIONS, ALSO…..

….to Dick Houseal and Elva Hess, who were wed at our altar on Wednesday, by Pastor. The couple lives in Wrightsville. Blessings upon them and theirs.

NEXT SUNDAY….

….there will be 2 changes in our worship. First, Pastor Emeritus, Ron Peirson, will preach the sermon as Pastor Lescallette “recovers” from the big wedding; and second, the service will be in the contemporary style (so that the third Sunday of the month, “Harvest Home”, can be a traditional style service.)

THE SYMPATHY OF THE CONGREGATION….

….is extended to Steve Manley, at the news of his mother, Edna’s, death, last Sunday.  Steve’s Dad, Donald, died the week before.  May God’s strength and Easter’s promise embrace the Manley family.

GOOD NEWS FROM RUTH SWEITZER

Ruth Sweitzer e-mailed pastor with word that her grandson, Kurt, did well with his chemotherapy and surgery, and is on the mend. Our prayers continue on behalf of our California “kin”.

MIKE SINE HOSPITALIZED

As this bulletin was being prepared, Mike Sine was to come home on Friday from Lancaster General Hospital, where he has been for treatment of acute pancreatitis. We pray that he quickly heal from this painful condition.

CROP WALK 2011

Please walk on the CROP walk on October 16^th and/or sponsor a walker.  See Pastor for a sponsor form. 25% of the funds raised go to the local food bank, and the remainder serves the poor around the world through CWS and the Lutheran World Relief program. To date, only two people have agreed to walk. Come on, St. John’s!

AN APPEAL FOR “WINTERFEST” HELPERS/DONORS

On Saturday, December 10^th, from 11 AM until 6 PM, the Maytown Historical Society will sponsor a holiday fund-raiser in Maytown. Our church, and all of the town’s churches, have been asked to have open houses for the public.  Keith will play an organ concert and we hope to have other singers and musicians offer brief programs as well. (See Pastor if you will perform!) ALSO: We need a few more people to serve as docents/guides/hospitality table tenders for our guests AND members who would loan us their crèches/manger scenes for a display for the day. (Again, see Pastor if you will help.) Thanks!

HARVEST HOME FOOD COLLECTION

Our local food bank is in need of peanut butter, soup, and saltine crackers.  Please donate these items on October 16^th, when we celebrate Harvest Home Sunday.

HARVEST HOME WINDOW DECORATIONS

Help St. John’s continue a very long history of decorating our sanctuaries deep window sills for Harvest Home Sunday and beyond. Sign up for a window on the chart in the tower narthex and decorate using your creative instincts!  Any theme that highlights either the harvest or things for which you are grateful is appropriate. The windows should be decorated before October 16 and left in place through October 30. Thank you!!!!

AN URGENT APPEAL TO ALL YOUTH AND THEIR PARENTS!

St. John’s has some willing youth workers and an ambitious, varied program of activities.  Now, all we need are teenagers to commit to attending meetings and working on projects and outings.   Last Sunday saw only 2 youth present for the season’s kick off event, which severely limited what we could do.  Youth and parents are urged to support this ministry so that it can continue and grow. Please help!  Our next meeting is at 5:00 PM on October 2.

SUNDAY SCHOOL IS FOR EVERYONE!

So please make it part of your Sunday morning routine.  We especially appeal to our teens and adults to come out. You will be blessed if you do, and so will your teachers and fellow students. See you next Sunday at 9:00 AM!

ANYONE WISHING TO JOIN OUR CHURCH FAMILY….

….should speak with Pastor soon and plan on attending a brief course in Lutheran Christianity that starts on Sunday, October 30, at 9:00 AM, in the parlor.  (It is also a refresher course for present members and is part of the Adult SS curriculum.)  Please come! We’ve made it easy for parents with children to attend, so that all can be at church together…with the kids in Sunday School and adults in the class. We want and need you as a member.

OUR PRAYERS ATTEND…

…Connie Simmons and her family as her step-mother faces a challenging diagnosis.

YOUTH MINISTRY PARENT/STUDENT MEETING…

…Sunday, October 2nd, @ 5 pm in the Youth Room, we will be having a Parent/Student meeting for our group, Senior High Youth ministry. Please make every effort to attend and hear about the exciting things we have planned this year. Hershey in the dark, Crop Walk and the Pork & Sauerkraut Dinner in October, as well as other fundraisers, the retreat in November and many other things that are just around the corner!

ABOUT ST. JOHN’S YOUTH GROUP…

Youth in grades sixth thru twelfth gather regularly meet for activities, including service projects to our church and our community, fund raisers and entertainment. Please look for more information in the bulletin and listen for announcements in church. The schedule presented here is updated regularly. Please check back for updates. All youth are invited to join in for fun and service.

PARENTS OF MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOLERS...

…We need your help, too. We need your help encouraging your youth to participate and assisting with the planning and execution of the youth group events. Active parents play a vital role in making a successful youth group. To get involved contact Charlie Johns, JoNan Shirk or the church office.