RAMBLINGS

COINCIDENCE OR PROVIDENCE?

It seems that my vacation took me away from Somerset County just when a very exciting drama was unfolding. By now, many people in our communities, as well as, across the country and even the world know about the 18 miners, and the 9 who became trapped. As I learn of this event, I am once again amazed by the providence of God.

Was it just coincidence that the engineers were able to get the air to the trapped miners at the right time? Was it coincidence that the drill bit broke and gave those who were pumping more time to lower the water level? Was it coincidence that the 9 were able to encourage each other to hold on for three days? Was it coincidence that a sealed lunch pale floated by that gave them nourishment? So much happened at just the right time to make this rescue possible, perhaps some would say this is coincidence, but I believe this was God s providence. God watches over us and cares for us, His timing is not always the way we think it should be, however, it is always for the best. That is what St. Paul reminds us in Romans 8:28, when he writes And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.

Martin Luther also writes in his catechism concerning God s care for us. Look at what he writes as the explanation to the first article of the creed:

I believe that God has created me and all that exists; that he has given me and still sustains my body and soul, all my limbs and senses, my reason and all the faculties of my mind, together with food and clothing, house and home, family and property; that he provides me daily and abundantly with all the necessities of life, protects me from all danger, and preserves me from all evil. All this he does out of his pure, fatherly, and divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness on my part. For all of this I am bound to thank, praise, serve, and obey him. This is most certainly true.

Our God has, once again, shown us in this drama, that He is at work always on our behalf. So then we can be like the little boy who remained calm on a ship that was being tossed back and forth by the waves. When asked by the other adults around him why he wasn t afraid, he simply said My Dad is the Captain.

While we don t know what the future will hold for us, we do know WHO holds the future, it is the God who sent Jesus to save us from sin and death! So let us trust Him in all things!

Shalom,

Pastor Mel

On that day we will Kick off our Sunday School Program for the year. With a little home grown talent and some promotional activities, which will then be crowned by a time of fellowship with punch and cookies. So join us for this special day and bring a friend to come be a part of our Sunday School for that day and even perhaps for the rest of the year. For there is Joy in the heart of God when Brethren fellowship and learn together. We ll be looking for you.

Below are the highlights of discussions and actions taken at our August13, 2002 meeting:

COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

Following a discussion with those wishing to affirm their Baptism, we approved Krista Long, Laura Beachley, Stephanie Landis and Allison Kimmel for the Affirmation of Baptism on October 27.

We were pleased to see that we were still in the black ink, financially, as of the end of July. We re hopeful that this will continue.

In light of the increasing concern for children s safety, the council has appointed a small group to look at the Child Safety Program resources that we have gathered, and bring back a recommendation to a future council meeting.

We approved putting $500 of the Endowment Fund check into the Discressionary Fund and $2,367 into the Memorial Fund.

We approved the Expectations for Pastor Foster s Time (If you would like to see a copy, please contact the church office. We would be very glad to share it with you).

We accepted the Property Use recommendation not to plant a tree by the ramp door.

We approved the Property Use recommendation to put up a flag pole by the ramp door.

We approved the request from Meals on Wheels to provide desserts on the week of 10/7 to 10/11.

We discussed our options for dealing with the parking problem. We have decided to monitor the situation, for the time being, and take no further action at this time.

We approved receiving our 9^th grade youth into membership on Sunday, September 8. We also approved offering a Saturday in October for instruction to those youth who wish to Affirm their Baptism. Then, this group would meet with the Council in November and Affirm their Baptism in either November or December.

We approved a 2.5% increase of Pastor Glenn s salary. We will now notify Mt. Carmel and Mt. Tabor of this decision.

We approved the request from the Board of Managers to change the Endowment Fund payments to June 30 and December 30, instead of June 1 and December 1.

We approved taking a quarter page ad in the paper s Flight 93 Commemorative Edition.

If you have questions or concerns about any of these council activities, please contact your council representatives (below). Thank you.

Shirley Adams 267-5719 Julie Bittner 634-5303

Pat Kelley 634-0367 Tom Fisher 267-4578

Darrin Gaudlip 267-4158 Keith Leydig 267-5208

Susan Long 267-4367 Barb Pyle 267-6030

Chuck Robb 267-3947 Scott Shaw 267-6541

Larry Shober 267-4042

Pastor Mel 267-5014 (O) or 267-4226(H)

 

Last year, on September 11, tragedy occurred for our nation and all people have been profoundly affected by those events. It will now be a year since those tragic events occurred. Communities across our country are being called together to remember and to ask God for his comfort and strength to meet the challenges we continue to face. In Berlin, we will gather at Trinity U.C.C. on Sunday evening, September 8 at 7 p.m. for a special community service. This service will be a blending of our community: Rev. Tom Sprowls will proclaim God s word for us and the worship band from Holy Trinity Lutheran will lead our worship. In this way, we hope to model that, by all of us working together under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, we can become stronger. So I hope you will join us, as we come together and remember.

 

 

Anyone who is not a member, but wishes to become a member is invited to join us for two orientation sessions. These will be held on October 6 and October 13, following our 10:40 a.m. worship. On those Sundays , our Evangelism Team will prepare a light lunch for those who wish to join us and following that lunch we will share with you about our church.

So that we can adequately prepare for this orientation, we need to know how many will be attending our sessions. So if you or someone you know are planning to come, please call the church office by September 30 and let us know who, and how many, will be joining us. Your cooperation is much appreciated.

We are excited that God has sent us new people, who will help us fulfill our ministry in this place. We look forward to welcoming and orientating you to our ministry and will see you on Sunday, October 6 & 13. Until then, may God continue to watch over and shepherd you.

On September 29, we will again gather as a community to celebrate our colonial heritage. Using a service from those colonial days, we will remember the importance of the faith of our ancestors. So come join us as we step back in time to remember and give thanks to our Lord for his amazing love.

Just so you are aware, we have held to the tradition that for community services, such as the Whiskey Rebellion Service, we return any envelopes used to the respective church from which they came, and use all the loose offering for ministry in our Berlin community.

A special service will be held at the Reformed Cemetery at 3 PM on Sunday, September 29, to honor veterans of the Revolutionary War. granite identification plaques provided by the Sons of the American Revolution have been placed in the ground in front of the original tombstones.

A special offering and/or blankets will be received on Sunday, October 6, to be taken to LWR to help those in need. If you would like to participate, please use your special envelopes and mark it for Blanket Sunday.

Each $5 received buys a sturdy blanket, which provides shelter, warmth, and security to someone in the world facing disaster. So, prayerfully consider what you can give to help.

 

Communion, Why I come

to the Altar of God

I come, not because I am worthy, but because I have sinned and fallen short of what, by God s help, I might have been.

I come, not that there is any magic in partaking of Christ s body and blood, but because of the Lord s command, Do this for the remembrance.

I come, because Christ bids me come. It is His table and he invites me.

I come, because here is portrayed the sacrifice of my Lord who gave Himself for me.

I come, because I find myself drawn closer to God, the Christ of Calvary, and to those who kneel with me at Holy communion. Yes, I am made to feel my kinship to all those everywhere who proclaim Christ as Savior.

I come, because I rise from the Lord s Table with a new strength, courage, and power to live for Him who died for me.

You are invited to come to communion on September 1, at 10:40 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., September 15 at 8:00 a.m. Please take the time to strengthen your spirit through God s gift of grace.

 

In 1777 our ancestors founded our church and we have been doing ministry in this place ever since. Now we are going to celebrate those years of ministry. To do so we are having three special events, which are as follows:

1. A picnic with our brothers and sisters of Trinity U.C.C. on September 7 at the Berlin Community Grove. Tickets are now on sale be sure to get yours by August 28.

2. A Home Coming Sunday on September 8, during our regular worship. On that Sunday, we will have only one worship service, following our Sunday School, at 10:40 a.m.

3. An Anniversary Service with the Bishop on Sunday, October 20 and a dinner at the Borough Building following. On this Sunday we will rearrange our time so that we will have no 8 a.m. worship, Sunday School will be at 9 a.m. and Worship, which will include communion, will be at 10:15 a.m.

4. A dinner at the Borough building will follow our worship.

The Anniversary Task force has further developed all these events so that they will include some great memories.

In addition, there will be some special mementos, like a Cat s Meow piece of the church, and ornaments that can be purchased from our youth ministry.

So mark these dates on your calendars, get out and buy those picnic and dinner tickets, and plan to join us for September 7, 8 & October 20; for you are not going to want to miss all the special things, as well as, the special people this celebration will bring!

 

Beginning on September 1 until May 25, our worship will be at 8 a.m. & 10:40 a.m. Our Sunday School will be at 9:30 a.m.

We hope everyone will note the changes and come at the right time. For we don't want anyone to get confused by the time changes. Thanks for your cooperation.

 

The Endowment Fund of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church has now been in existence more than 10 years. The total investments are a little more than $100,000.00. This generosity from our people is great, but only the income from these funds may be used. As we all know, the interest rates are down and therefore the income has been reduced.

We would like to encourage you to add to this fund as you are able. It may be in the form of memorials to loved ones, or it may be an outright gift, or it may be an amount set aside in your will. Remember any gift to this fund is Tax Deductible. If the gift would be a Stock Certificate, the contribution is tax deductible at the fair market value at the date of the gift. An added benefit to a gift of stock is that any capital gains from the increase in value over the time you ve held it would tax free if the stock is transferred to the church. (This information is a generalization only always see your tax professional for tax consequences specific to your situation.) And remember also any amount is acceptable and appreciated.

Please consider helping to build this fund so that the income will be increased which in turn helps current operating expenses and allows Holy Trinity to better serve our mission in Christ.--The Board of Managers

 

Endowment Fund

Donation by Doug & Kathy Bell

Memorial Fund

In memory of Marion Hittie by Kaye Ann Shuck.

Scout Project

In honor of my grandsons, the Woida boys by Leanora Virtue

 

In honor of our four sons and 2 grandsons, who are Eagle Scouts by Richard & Rheta Hillegas.

 

In memory of David M. Bell by Doug & Kathy Bell

 

Donation by the Tim Sprowls Family.

Anniversary Choir

Part of our church anniversary celebration will be an Anniversary Celebration Sunday on October 20. If you or anyone you know would be interested in joining in on the anthem, please let Martie Sprowls know as soon as possible, so I can send you music and plan a full rehearsal with all participants. Call 267-5263 or mailto:micah68@wpia.net

 

 

Everyone is invited to join us at the annual Campfire Service and hot dog roast at White Oak Grove on Sun., Sept. 15th at 7PM. The Worship Band will play. Refreshments will be provided. Bring your roasting stick and a lawn chair!

Many thanks to Pastor Mel & Pastor Foster for their visits an prayers while I was in the hospital; and for all the visits prayers and get well cards from my church family. They were all very much appreciated. -- Fern Schrock

 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the family of Holy Trinity for their prayers, visits, phone calls and cards. I want to also thank Pastor Glenn for bringing me home communion, Joyce Dunn and Dot Landis for bringing me the beautiful altar flowers. Your thoughtfulness and kindness is very much appreciated. God bless and be with you all and keep you well and safe. -- Most sincerely, John Ream

 

Thank you for the wonderful meal that was prepared by the ladies of the church following the funeral. -- The Elwood Weyant Family

 

Thanks for all the get well cards, thoughts and prayers. A special thank you for visits by Pastor Mel and Mary Jo. Thank you for your kindnesses. -- Sincerely, Pat Stone

 

Whiskey Rebellion Booth

We ll need youth volunteers (adults are welcome too) for the booth at the Whiskey Rebellion both Saturday and Sunday. We ll be doing the same as last year, but adding face painting and any other ideas that people may want to help with. We ll need help setting up and tearing down. Deadline for sign up will be Thursday, September 26th. Sign up on the sign up sheet in the Sunday School room or by calling Becky Philip at (814) 634-8296.

Anniversary Church Ornaments

Our Youth Ministry is selling gold-finished ornaments of our church for a youth fund-raiser (see the sample & sign up sheet located on the bulletin board in the Sunday School room). Cost for the beautiful ornaments is $5. Contact Mary Jo Kirk (267-4226), Lorrie Shaw (267-6541), or stop in the church office and buy one there.

Birthdays - September

1 Shirley Adams, Suzanne Walker

2 David Berkey

3 Elma Felten, Jamie Richards,

Jane Scurfield, Barbara Walker

4 Michael Brant

5 Ferne Brant, Sue Clites, Betty Smith

6 Scott Coughenour, Keegan Walker

7 Allexsi Engleka, Jay Engleka, Harold Knupp, Madeline Marker, Lois Smith, Robert Stern

8 Beth Bittner, Lori Klimchak

10 Faye Glessner, Tracey Kiesnowski

11 Ken Baker

12 Burton Baker, Brad Maust

13 Deborah Berkey, Jana Glotfelty, Devin Stern

14 Joyce Meese, Ron Yoder

15 Leilani Holland, Ian Hummel

16 Patrick Broderick, Joseph Pribelsky,

Nancy Schrock

17 Bill Cober, Carolyn Landis

18 Joyce Beachley, Aaron Blubaugh, Mike

Bowman, April Carpenter, Robin Walker

19 Tina Gindlesperger, Matthew Kirk

20 John Beachley II, Luke Bonus,

Mary Kreinbrook, Edna Walker

21 Blake Engleka, Joseph King, Christal Marker

22 Virginia May, Raeann Weyant

23 Dave Antram, V.J. Chalk, Aliya Lipinski,

Rose Saylor, Braden Shober, Roy Vena

24 Lucille Maust

25 Juliana Bonus, John Ferguson, Shane Hummel, Katlin Musser

26 Ray Carver

27 Dale Coslic, Sarah Gardner, Jody Leverknight

28 Ryan Ferre, Denail Fisher, Madalyn Walker

29 Beth Walker

30 Kay Ann Cober, Alex Coleman

Our apologies if we have missed or made a mistake with birthdays, or anniversaries.

If we have, please notify the church office, so we can correct our records. Thank you.

 

Anniversaries - September

4 Bob & Elizabeth Kuhlman

6 Mike & Carol Countryman, Ray & Dianne Engleka

11 Bruce & Sue Landis

12 Greg & Sue Walker

13 Mike & Kim Beam

14 Scott & Michelle Etris

15 Dave & Joyce Meese

16 Wayne & Nancy Schrock

17 Jim & Patty LaBute

19 Harmon & Debbie Custer

24 Jim & Stacey Broderick

26 Keith & Denise Leydig, Ray & Linda Coleman

30 Barry & Carole Holland, David & Susan Long, Mike & Greta Haer

 

We ll be making Apple Dumplings for the Whiskey Rebellion weekend on Thursday, September 26 in the late afternoon and early evening, setting up on Friday the 27th and serving the ham and green bean fundraiser dinner on the 28th.

We ll need LOTS OF HELP! So be sure to set aside some time on your calendar to help now, and plan to have a delicious dinner on Saturday the 28th.

Sign up sheets will be posted on the bulletin board soon. Please take a minute to prayerfully consider how you might help with a donation of food or time.

Faith Lutheran Church, Somerset, beginning Sunday Evening, September 29 from 7-8:30 PM, Pastor Ken Diable will offer a six week course called Ways To Read The Bible. The intention of this course is to help members to grow in their reading of the Bible devotionally, regularly and carefully. Please make an effort to come, and plan to bring friends. Please bring a Bible.

Dates are September 29, October 6, October 27, November 3, November 10 and November 17 from 7-8:30 PM.

 

A concert of traditional hymns, inspirational and patriotic songs featuring: Seasoned Grace (a new musical ensemble), Johnstown Symphony Orchestra, and Laurel Highlands Chorale, will be held September 11, 2002 at the Somerset Alliance Church. Pre-concert, featuring the Somerset County Community Band, begins at 6:20 p.m., with the Concert (live on WJAC-TV) beginning at 7-8:30 PM.

The concert is sponsored by 9-11/Flight 93 Memorial Concert Committee, and endorsed by Somerset Area Ministries, Shanksville-Stonycreek Ministerium.

Admission is free, but tickets are required. They are limited and will be available at any Somerset Trust Company office.

 

Everyone is invited on this family adventure featuring: *5 acre corn maze *hay bale maze for children *pumpkin launch *hay rides *petting zoo (on selected dates) *face painting, *refreshments.

The festivities are sponsored and located at Heritage Baptist Church, 651 Blackburn Road, 281 North across from Friedens Airport, Friedens, PA (443-1417). Dates and times are: Sept. 6&7, Sept. 13&14, Sept. 20&21; Fridays 6-10 PM and Saturdays 1-10 PM. Other dates and times available by appointment only.

Cost: Ages 4-10 (must be accompanied by an adult) $3 and Ages 11 & up $5. There will be no admission one hour prior to closing. Bring your own flashlight.

Trip to Kenya by Don Wildenman

Recently five people traveled to Kenya from the Allegheny Synod for a two week trip. They were: Don Wildenmann, Rev. Jean Horman, Rev. Elizabeth Hess, Kerrie Broderick and Becky Maser.

They visited various churches, communities and church related offices of the Kenya Evangelical Lutheran Church. The group saw a country dealing with much uncertainty and poverty. A large gap exists between rich and poor. There are a lot of children and adults who live on the streets and in places we couldn t imagine. Often the people are fortunate to have one meal a day. The village people invited the group to eat with them. Sometimes conditions weren t the cleanest, but the people were very happy.

The unemployment rate is 35% in urban areas. People walk for miles from the country into the cities for water and to sell items to make money for their families. Some days they make just a few pennies.

They are a people with very little hope for things to get better in the future. But they have a great love for the Gospel and Jesus. HIV and chronic malaria are killing many people.

Education is only available to a few because the cost is so high. The group took school supplies with them to give to the schools. They also handed out bracelets (WWJD) to the children.

Prayer Petition: Heavenly Father, help the Kenyan people deal with the shortage of water and food, poverty, the spreading of diseases, and the social problems they face every day. Give them guidance and strength to face each new day. Give them hope for a brighter future. We ask all this in your holy name, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

Sequanota Benefit Dinner

The Annual Sequanota Benefit Dinner will be held Thursday, 9/5/02 at Oakhurst Tea Room. H ors D oeuvres will be served at 6:30 PM with dinner at 7 PM. Ticket donation is $50 of which $40 is tax deductible and can be obtained from any Sequanota board member.

 

Synod Assembly is History

The 2002 synod assembly was held 6/13-15. At the opening service, two persons were ordained to Word and Sacrament ministry and Conference Deans were installed. Bishop Pile was the preacher.

Elected to Synod Council were: Karen Bennett, Dave Mankamyer, Pastor Ed DeVore, & Pastor Greg VanDyke. Pastor Jean Horman was elected to the Consultation Committee. Pastor Ken Diable, Pastor Lynn Sanner, Pat Myak and Mike Walker were elected to Discipline Committee. Voting members to the 2003 Churchwide Assembly were: Bob Bastian, Dick Steuernagle, Alicia Anderson, Jeanne Fleegle, Pastor Katherine Douglass, Pastor Lynn Sanner, Pastor Robert Hoover, Pastor Earl Janssen, and Dana Schmidt.

The Assembly shared with the ELCA rep. what we saw as the 3 things the church should be working at in the future: 1. Youth and children ministries, 2. outreach, including evangelism and witness, 3. defining the Lutheran identity.

 

Kenya Trip

Our visitors to Kenya are back safe & sound and attended the assembly to report on their trip and lead a Discovery Session. Pastor Eli Hess, Don Wildenmann, Kerrie Broderick, Becky Maser, and Pastor Jean Horman spoke about the trip and what they learned of the church in that place. They shared insight of what the church needs from us and brought back many remembrances of our sisters and brothers of the KELC.

 

 

The Next Step is the only emergency shelter in Somerset County for county residents. We are not a government agency. We rely on gifts of time and money to provide housing, life skills training, and counseling support to families and individuals who are transitioning to more permanent, independent living arrangements.

We need volunteers to help and comfort our guests, as well as engage in light clerical or house work, meal planning, fundraising support, childcare, and local errands. Other occasional volunteers are needed for light handyman work, snow removal, lawn work, and fundraising events.

Next Step provides training on shelter policies, procedures and regulations, how to work with shelter guests, and helps you learn new skills or put old ones to good use. We screen in-house volunteers for criminal and child abuse and plan to have volunteers work in pairs.

Please prayerfully consider committing 4 hours a day on a weekly or monthly schedule to helping Next Step help your neighbors recover from a crisis. Or volunteer for on-call occasional work.

To volunteer or ask questions, please call 814-444-8588 or stop by 406 Stoystown Road (Rte 281) in Somerset.

 

Sign up for your Lutheran Marriage Encounter weekend, which will be held September 20-22 at Sequanota Retreat Center in Jennerstown. Weekends are designed for enrichment of all marriages from newly weds to 50 or more years! A registration fee of $45 plus a confidential contribution you may choose to make at the end of the weekend covers the entire weekend--all sessions, lodging, and all meals. So don t miss your opportunity to make your marriage the best it can be. If the September weekend doesn t work for your schedule, the final 2002 weekend will be held Nov. 1-3 in Erie, PA. Space is limited, so send in your registration or contact Western PA Chairmen, Fred & Julie Schamber, at 724-325-3166 or e-mail: schamber@adelphia.net TODAY!

 

THE MIRACLE

Written by: John Hilligoss

Better known as Mountain John

Casselman Motel & Restaurant

Grantsville, MD

9:30 a.m. - July 29, 2002

 

The clouds cover up the clear blue sky,

It s black as coal, down in the mine,

Life goes on, day by day,

It s hard to feed a family on a miner s pay.

 

Another day, with no daylight,

That s the way for a mines life,

Nobody knew as they left home,

Nine would stay, and nine would go.

 

Coal dust flying, dirty and black,

Out of nowhere, you hear, Get Back ,

A wall of water, 4 feet high

They all thought they would drown and die.

 

Nine men scrambled from a coal black grave,

Nine more below were left to save,

Nose deep in water, the Boss threw a rope.

Nowhere to go, and not much hope.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They finally stumbled to a shaft up high,

They all crawled in and prepared to die,

Cold and wet, scared to death,

They huddled for warmth and prayed for breath.

 

They spoke of home, Heaven, and Hell,

And many things, They d never tell.

They heard the machines from way up high,

Prayed for forgiveness, and tried not to cry.

 

Families gathered, in the old Fire Hall,

Prayer groups formed, to save them all,

Drilling crews came from far away,

They worked like dogs day after day.

 

9 knocks came on a ventilation pipe,

12 hours gone, and they were alright,

A hope, a prayer, a thread of light,

They worked for three days, and 4 nights.

 

 

The town folks came, with hot warm food,

Will they make it or not, no one knew,

The Governor cried, the families prayed,

The drills kept drilling, there were men to save.

 

70 some hours, and the drills broke through,

To a would be grave, and a mining crew,

Nine were alive, wet and cold,

A miracle for all, 250 feet below.

 

The Quecreek mine, a Pennsylvania town,

Brought together by prayer,

Lost faith was found.

The clouds blew away and left a clear blue sky.

Nine lucky miners are still alive.