Zion’s (Spies) Evangelical Reformed Church
OCTOBER 2024
Parson’s points
HOW DO I SHARE THE GOOD NEWS?
How do I talk with my non-believing neighbor about faith? How do I share the gospel? This is a very intimidating thing - who wants it to become uncomfortable. Things are good - maybe I should just let it be? After all, I know how horrible it can be to be at war with the neighbor. Yet, how can I believe what I believe and then not share it with my neighbor? I love the man - I don’t want him to miss out on salvation. As I have thought this dilemma through, a few ideas come to mind:
First and foremost, I need to pray. Pray for insight, pray to get to know the man better, pray that I might be attuned to his needs, pray for relationship and pray for opportunity. Trust God all the way. Neither you nor I will convert anyone - that is the work of the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 2:1 says that we were dead in sin - that is the condition we are trying to reverse. We can no more bring our neighbor to new life than we could go to a cemetery and raise the dead there. They will not understand until God moves.
Then build a relationship with the man. Take time to get to know him personally. Relationships take time - it takes time to get to know them, to hear their story - their life experiences. If they were Christians, what turned them away from the church? Ask questions and build relationships - as the relationship grows, you’ll learn to track with them and know when the time is right to chat. Be hospitable - offer a burger before the gospel.
Be comfortable with the conversation you want to have. Know the gospel and how to walk someone through the plan of salvation. Be ready to share your own testimony. Always be prepared to explain your hope in faith. Cultivate an interest in the discussion so that it is less likely to become a debate. For example, I heard a sermon this weekend that was tough and has challenged me… You do not need to be an expert, it is always okay to say, “I never thought about that, I’ll need to think about that and get back to you.
Be prepared to overcome common objections. Common objections might include questions like why is Christ the only way? Or, why does God allow pain and suffering? Overcoming objections should not become a debate - present in a gentle and respectful way. If you find that the other person is trying to corner you into debate, politely disengage.
Lastly, be brave. At the same time Jesus sends us on the great commission, he promises he will be with you when you share your faith. In His service,
Pastor Vaughn & Lisa Starr
BREAKFAST CLUB
October 9th, @ 8 A.M. @ Temple Family
October 22nd, @ 8 A.M. @ Breakfast Hut
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SPIES DART BASEBALL
October 2nd – @ Christ Luth. Spangsville
October 9th – @ Spies Lutheran
October 16th – @ Spies Lutheran (Grace)
October 23rd – @ Zion’s Spies E.R.
October 30th – @ BYE
WORLD WIDE COMMUNION SUNDAY
“This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
“This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.”
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2024 @ 10:30 A.M.
BE WITH US AS WE SHARE THE BREAD AND WINE WITH CHRISTIANS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD REMEMBERING CHRIST’S
SACRIFICE ON THE CROSS, GIVEN FOR OUR SINS.
Pastor Marisseau will offer the message while Pastor Vaughn is in Pakistan
OLEY FAIR HELP
A “BIG THANK YOU” to everyone who helped at the Oley Fair. It was greatly appreciated.
OCTOBER 13th- TEEN CHALLENGE
At the 10:30 A.M. service we are pleased to have a group from Teen Challenge joining us in worship. Luncheon afterwards, you may bring a covered dish.
MEN’S MINISTRIES
Next meeting October 12th at 8 A.M.
LAYMAN’S SUNDAY
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20th – 10:30 A.M.
Members of the church family will participate in the morning service. Max Muller will share the message.
OCTOBER 13th
PASTOR APPRECIATION DAY
We would like to shower Pastor Starr with cards to show our appreciation. There will be a basket on October 6h & 13th to collect all your cards and or small tokens of appreciation. He will be back from Pakistan on October 20th
ELDERS/CONSISTORY MEETING
Our next meeting will be MONDAY,
October 21st Stewardship @ 6:30 P.M.
Elders @ 7:00 P.M. Consistory @ 7:30 P.M.
REFORMATION SUNDAY
October 27, 2024
NEWSLETTER ARTICLES
ARE DUE THE SECOND TO LAST SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH
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Pastor Vaughn in Pakistan – October 4–18
Please keep me in prayer during my trip to visit the missions Lisa and I have been supporting in Pakistan. Pray for safety and for the success of the mission to reach and support Christians in need.
Youth Corn Maze and Pumpkin Carving – Saturday October 26, 2024 at 2:00 PM
The Youth will be meeting in the parking area of the church to go to a local corn-maze and then return to our grove to carve pumpkins. Adults welcome, too!
Friends and Family night
First Saturday evening of each month at 6:00 P.M.
We kicked off the new season with a Friends and Family picnic in the church grove on September 7.
In spite of the chilly and rainy weather we had a great time playing games and enjoying food and good times. These events will now move inside as the cooler weather approaches and are scheduled for the first Saturday evening each month at 6:00.
If attending, please bring a game, if you’d like and
help with food items – coordinate with Lisa Starr (717) 286-3120. Hope to see you October 5th from
Pakistan.
The Chosen – Tuesday evenings at 7:00 at the Starr’s home in Temple. Are you free on Tuesday evenings and looking for something to do? Join us at our home in Temple at 7 PM to watch The Chosen – Season 4.
Youth Sunday School Class
The Youth Sunday School class has just begun to meet on Sunday mornings at 9:00 in the upstairs youth room. Young folks – are you wondering why Jesus? Why church? Come discover God and rediscover yourself in the process.
Beth Moore – Living Beyond Yourself
Sunday School Class
The adult Sunday School meets in the Fellowship Hall at 9:00 Sunday mornings and has just begun a new course for the fall – Beth Moore’s Living Beyond Yourself. For those who do not know, Beth Moore is an extraordinary teacher of life-changing Bible studies. Guaranteed to be an excellent class.
Altar Flower Sponsors Needed
Nov. 3rd, 10th, & 24th.
Please think about sponsoring flowers.
Breakfast to benefit the mission in Pakistan – Saturday October 26, 2024 at 8:00 AM
Please join us in the Fellowship Hall for a breakfast to help support the various missions Pastor Starr will have visited in Pakistan, Saturday morning October 26 at 8:00 AM. Looking forward to seeing everyone and sharing pictures from my travels.
STEWARDSHIP
We have begun the process of developing a budget for 2025. Your input on next year’s budget is important. Please come and join us in developing the 2025 budget. Our next meeting is October 21st @ 6:30 P.M.
Choir Members Needed
If you can carry a tune and can spare an hour a week, we would love for you to join the choir. Practice is every Thursday at 7pm.
Come Join Us!
WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY
“The Truth Project” @ 6:30- 8:00 P.M.
Any questions contact Bob Hallman
FUTURE PLAN./EVANGELISM OUTREACH
Upcoming meeting on October 14th @7:00 P.M.
Please join us.
HELP OUR HOMELESS VETERANS
LUNCHES ITEMS DUE NOVEMBER 17th
ALONG WITH 30 CARE PACKAGES
We will be looking for small bags of chips, pretzels, Tastykake’s, fresh fruit, small plastic containers of fruit or applesauce, or puddings (ones that don’t need a can opener). Signups on the table in the Narthex if you wish to contribute personal care items or lunch items or call the church office during the week. It can be dropped off on Sundays in the Narthex or given to Sue during the week when Sue is in the office. Mon. –Thurs. 9am-2pm
They are no longer taking clothes, blankets or sleeping bags. Donations they do need are hand soap, wipes, toilet paper, and paper towels. Envelopes available on top of the mailboxes if you would like to make a monetary donation. Our thanks to all that support this mission. Because God gives us all we need, we should give to those in need.
WOMEN’S MINISTRIES
It’s a new season and Women’s Ministries is making plans already for things to come for the remainder of this year. This month, due to Pastor Vaughn’s absence while on his mission trip to Pakistan, on Sunday, October 13th, a group from Teen Challenge will be participating during our service. Afterwards there will be a luncheon in the social hall hosted by the Women’s Ministries. We will provide beef BBQ and beverages: however, we would appreciate any donations of covered dishes and desserts. Please see the sign-up sheet on the table in the Narthex.
We are still selling $7.00 tickets for a small cold sandwich from M&M Sandwich Shop and also 25% off Boscov’s passes for the Friends Helping Friends sale on October 22nd for $5.00 each.
This year our Annual Bazaar will be held on November 2nd. It will begin with an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet from 7:00-11:00 A.M. prepared by the Men’s Ministries-$10/person. Women’s Ministries will have a baked goods stand, selling Christmas cookies again this year for $10/lb. Also we would be thankful for any baked goods donations from the women of our church. Craft vendors are always welcome to participate and once again the charge to rent a table is $10
Once again we will be taking orders for potato filling using the same recipe that is used for the ham supper; it will be in aluminum pans ready for your Thanksgiving ovens! We are also making pepper cabbage! Items will be ready for pick up at the church, on the Monday before Thanksgiving (11/25/24), between the hours of 1:00PM and 5:00PM. Order forms are included in this newsletter and may be given to Sue Barnett. We hope that you will keep these things in mind and let us make your Thanksgiving dinner easier for you.
Remember that we are always looking for any ladies who would like to be a part of Women’s Ministries. We meet the second Tuesday of every month at 11:00 A.M.
Next meeting will be October 8th.
BOSCOV’S FRIENDS HELPING FRIENDS
Would you like to donate $5 to support Women’s Ministries? In return, you get a 25% Off Shopping Pass for Boscov’s to be used on October 22nd instore or online. See Sue Barnett for a 25% off pass.
REDNER’S SAVE A TAPE PROGRAM
This year we have received $401.00 so far.
Our church gets 1% of the total of your register receipts. You must have a SAVE A TAPE card which you can get at your store’s courtesy desk. Thank you for your continued support.
Customers must use their Pump Perks/1% Save-A-Tape card for purchase. This will be noted on the bottom of the receipt. Please submit the whole receipt (cannot be cut off) in the wooden box on top of the food cupboard in the church narthex. Please do not use a highlighter marker on your receipts, it can erase the totals. All receipts must be dated within three years prior to the date of submission. Fuel purchases are not considered. Thank you.
BIRTHDAY CARD SHOWER SHEETS
for September thru December available on the Narthex table for anyone willing to participate in sending cards to church family members
80 yrs. & over. Also available on our website.
JUST A REMINDER! Please remember to notify the church office regarding anyone in the hospital or of any transfers from hospitals to home or to any other facility. It becomes difficult sometimes to keep up with everyone’s moves which results in extra traveling.
Thanks so much.
PRAYER MUG EXCHANGE
When we move back indoors on Sunday September 29th, remember to bring back your prayer partner’s mug. Mugs will be collected on September 29 and October 6 and will be available for the taking again on Sunday October 13. The idea behind the mug exchange is to form pairs in which each person has the other’s mug. Partners should have each others’ mugs and pray for one another and possibly meet together with one another getting to know each other better.
Christmas Cantata Choir Members Needed
The choir will start working on the Christmas Cantata soon, and we could use extra voices.
We work extra hard on the cantata especially in November, but you are welcome to join us sooner! See Jeff Griffin if you are interested!
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WOMEN’S MINISTRIES is selling tickets for a small cold sandwich from M&M’s Sandwich Shop in Oley. Please see Sue Barnett for tickets.
Cost $7.00
CHURCH TREASURER’S REPORT
JULY 2024
Congregational Offering Receipts $12,014.43
Total Operating Expenses $13,530.51
AUGUST 2024
Congregational Offering Receipts $ 9,071.00
Total Operating Expenses $ 9,104.44
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Barnett, Treasurer
STATISTICS
ATTENDANCE
JULY AUGUST
7 75 4 71
14 56 11 57
21 69 18 57
28 55 25 84
MEMBERSHIP
September 26, 2024 - 261
GAINS (0)
DEATHS (0)
LOSSES / TRANSFERRED (0)
Respectfully submitted, Susan Barnett, Secretary
EVANGELISM & OUTREACH
Thank you to all who contributed food for Harvest Home. All food was taken to The Hope Rescue Mission Pantry. Remember we accept non-perishable food items all year; they can be placed in the cabinet in the Narthex.
Advent Season starts on December 1st.
We will only be putting in RED poinsettias this year. Order forms will be included in the November newsletter or may be found on the table in the Narthex mid-October.
Don’t forget our Homeless Veterans Mission. Lunches and Care Packages for November, items due Nov. 17th
CALENDARS & DAYPLANNERS
The various charities are starting to send out their 2025 calendars. If you do not want them please bring them to the church and give to Linda Wilson. She will pass them on to the soup kitchen
ALL SAINTS DAY – “TOTENFEST”
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3rd – 10:30 A.M.
Let us observe and pay tribute together on this day to all who have passed away during this year. Please give names/pictures of loved ones
to the church secretary, Sue Barnett, at your earliest convenience so that they may be named personally during a special time in our service.
ZION’S SPIES E.R. CHURCH WOMEN’S MINISTRIES
Potato Filling $9.00/quart
Pepper Cabbage $4.00/Pint or $6.00/Quart
Order forms are on the table in the Narthex
Get your orders in by Sunday, November 17th to Sue Barnett
THANKOFFERING SUNDAY
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2024
The women of the church will participate in our morning worship. Thank offerings received on that day will be used to assist our members or neighbors in need. Your yearly box of envelopes contains the envelope for your thank offering.
THANKSGIVING EVE SERVICE
Thanksgiving Eve Service will be held on Wednesday, November 27nd, at 7:30 P.M. at Zion Spies Lutheran Church. Please plan on attending this spirit-filled service showing our thanks to God.
ADVENT Begins December 1st
With Holy Communion
SALVATION ARMY ANGEL TREE
This year we will not do gifts for the Angel Tree but instead will again take monetary donations which we will give to the Salvation Army
in November for them to go and purchase the gifts. Please hand money in by Nov. 24th
There are specially marked envelopes on the table in the Narthex
POINSETTIA 2024
We will be doing Poinsettias this year for the Christmas season. We will only be doing one color -RED. $9.30/plant. Order forms are available on the table in the Narthex or will be in your November newsletter. See or call Sue Barnett with any questions 610-779-9787
Orders due Dec. 8th
WHEN THE AUTUMN LEAVES ARE FALLING
When the Autumn leaves are falling
With their flash of beauty rare,
And the cooling breeze is blowing
Leaving trees so bleak and bare;
Then to wander in the forest
Lay aside the cares of life
Brings the lessons of the Autumn
To allay all fears and strife.
Back to days of happy childhood
Tossing bright leaves to and fro,
Loving every gleam of sunlight
That beneath the trees would glow.
Happy Autumn days we welcome
Such a challenge do they bring.
Though the Autumn leaves are falling
Songs of victory they sing.
How the leaves are clothed with beauty
Like the flowers of every hue
Never two the same among them,
But with colors tried and true.
Like the glory God has promised
To the ones that die in Him.
While the Autumn leaves are falling
May their message ne’er grow dim.
Autumn ever comes to cheer us
With its messages sublime
Of God’s way to shed His glory
On the failing things of time.
Showing us that through life’s changes
We prepare for Heaven’s dress,
Yielded, then, we share His glory
Then we know God knoweth best.
Many, then, may seek His glory
But they shrink from any change;
Cannot take the Autumn message,
So no glory shall they gain.
Rejoice, then, when the Autumn breezes
Sway the trees with gladsome sound
See the brilliant leaves come dancing
‘Ere they settle on the ground.
MONTHLY PRAYER LIST
Monthly prayer lists are located on the side table in the Narthex. If you have requests for the list, you can fill out a prayer request form which will be on the table in the Narthex and give the information to Bob Hallman 610-779-9376.If you have any questions about this list or our prayer chain you can see Bob Hallman or Carol Christman. New lists will be available the first Sunday of each month.
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PRAYER REQUEST FORM
Please pray for___________________________
Prayer needs_____________________________
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Your name (will be used to get updates)
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