Author: Church Office

Thank you!

We collected 201 pounds of food for the Hempfield Food Pantry during the Nov. Drive-Up FOOD Drop-Off

 Let’s do it again on Saturday, December 12, from 10 a.m. until noon. Just drive up to the front door of the church and place your donation onto the cart that will be located on the sidewalk. Simple!               

Requested items:

· Spam

· Prune juice

· Chicken and beef broth

· Large peanut butter

· Large jelly

· 2 pound packages of rice

· Canned pears

· Instant oatmeal

· Boxed pasta

· Cream of celery soup

· Cream of chicken soup

         No glass items, please!

Thank you for your continued witness to assist the hungry of this community.

                                 There is this old saying that has been passed                  

                                 down from generation to generation of                             

                                 pastors. It goes something like this:

                                 “Well, they didn’t teach us that in seminary!”

That old saying has been on my mind during 2020. The first time was March 12th, when the order to close and quarantine was     announced.  Dealing with a pandemic (the mere word expresses its global reach) was something new to everyone, except for those   centenarians who lived through the 1918 pandemic.

And it looks like we will be dealing with it well into next year. I get frustrated about it too. Which reminded me why we need each other very much right now. To hold us up in time of despair. To remain ever vigilant by sticking with the proven means of prevention and precaution, and not succumbing to what has been called “COVID fatigue”

The second time I thought of that old phrase was on September 9th, when I arrived at church to see about ten fire trucks in the parking lot. Not just in my ministry, but never in my life and careers had I been so close and so involved with a situation like this one.

And we’ll be dealing with this, but for a shorter period of time than the pandemic. Which reminded me of why we need each other right now. To hold us up in times of despair. And to remain helpful and patient as the work to repair is done.

No, they never taught us that in seminary. But they did teach us about the one on whom to rely. The one who is the source of our strength, compassion, love, mercy, peace, patience, and help. Through our baptism into Christ, we are united with him, and with each other for all time, through all circumstances. The peace that only Christ can give, remains. 

“Sustain us with the gift of the Holy Spirit: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord, the spirit of joy in your presence, both now and forever” (ELW p.231).

Clifton D. Eshbach,

Pastor

We collected 261 pounds of food for the Hempfield Food Pantry during the Oct.

Drive-Up FOOD Drop-Off

 Let’s do it again on Saturday, November  14, from 10 a.m. until noon. Just drive up to the front door of the church and place your donation onto the cart that will be located on the sidewalk. Simple!  

Requested items:

Spam

Prune juice

Chicken and beef broth

Large peanut butter

Large jelly

2 lb. packs of rice

Canned pears

Instant and regular oatmeal

Cream of celery soup

Cream of chicken soup

Boxed pastas (ziti, rotini etc.)

Canned tomatoes

Pancake syrup 

Caned fruit cocktail

No glass items, please!

Congratulations to Erin Himes and Aleshia Brixius who have agreed to chair the Christian Education Committee.  They will be looking for other to help them on the committee as they implement their plan of work.

Thank you!!!

It wasn’t noticeable until I got into my truck and started for home on the evenings of Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, September 9, 10 and 11.  While I was in the building I could not detect it. But when I went into my vehicle, oh my was it obvious! What was obvious was the smell of smoke on my clothes, and on my hair. Thank goodness that facemasks are now part of our everyday wardrobe. I know mine helped.

You have heard it said that it could have been worse. This is most certainly true. As the first two weeks went by I could also see the many areas that were not burned. Some areas had both water and smoke residue. But the smoke went everywhere. Even into some organ pipes. While some possessions were lost, so much remains.

The path to recovery, restoration, rebuilding and, yes reformation is getting clearer. It will take more weeks to do this. We’ll be moving things back and forth to make way for the cleaning and rebuilding crews. We must adjust to this for the time being. But like during this year of coronavirus, your congregation remains open. The daily work of parish ministry continues.

The first Sunday of October is an important one for us. It is our annual Pledge Sunday, when those of us coming to worship present our 2021 pledges. Thank you to those who have sent a pledge in the mail. In this time of restoration, it is an appropriate time to renew your pledge to Holy Spirit.

Clifton D. Eshbach,

Pastor