The Herald
Fill us always with your Light, Love and Grace
Trinity Lutheran Church 1141 West Chester Pike Havertown, PA
January 2020
Dear Trinity
Greetings!
Happy New Year!
2020 – I know all year when I see the date I will be thinking of eye health.
I googled 2020 and this is what I got: 20/20 vision is a term used to express normal visual acuity (the clarity or sharpness of vision) measured at a distance of 20 feet. If you have 20/20 vision, you can see clearly at 20 feet what should normally be seen at that distance. If you have 20/100 vision, it means that you must be as close as 20 feet to see what a person with normal vision can see at 100 feet.
Having 20/20 vision does not necessarily mean you have perfect vision. 20/20 vision only indicates the sharpness or clarity of vision at a distance. Other important vision skills, including peripheral awareness or side vision, eye coordination, depth perception, focusing ability and color vision, contribute to your overall visual ability.
This is an important idea as we look ahead to what might be in store for us in 2020 and as we look back and reflect on 2019.
I think in many ways 2019 was a difficult but good year. For me personally everything changed in 2019 as I have attempted to navigate what it means to live without my life partner. I think I have done okay – making sense of my new reality. But I will admit that it has been a learning curve. Solo, I have had to take up being responsible for myself in every area imaginable. In the past, I looked to Joseph for many things – and it was great having someone to rely on as a helpmate for all the things I was doing. At times I think we had a symbiotic relationship where we both knew what the other needed and were able to step up and be there for each other – sometimes without ever speaking a word. While that was great and was able to work in a loving marriage – it does not necessarily carry over to other relationships. In fact, it does not always work in a marriage either because it is always dangerous to assume that another person knows what you need. One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is not mind reading. Couples, and indeed all people, will get themselves in trouble with the belief that “if he/she really loves me and cares for me then he/she would know what I need.” Absolutely not true! Again, that is because one of the gifts of the Spirit is not mind reading. Sometimes, I wish it was – but it is not.
So in 2020 my vision for the year is that I, along with all of us, will take responsibility for what it is that we need. Take time to understand and get a clear 20/20 vision for what you want and need. This is simply about honoring yourself and honoring all the relationships that you are in.
If you assume that if the person really cared – that they would know what you need – then you are just setting yourself up for pain and disappointment – because, once again, most of us can’t mind-read. So, trust the relationship and ask for what you need. Once you have asked, realize that there are a variety of answers – it does not mean that the other will jump to fulfill your request – but hopefully there will be some sort of dialogue based on the relationship. If you are ignored then that speaks volumes about the relationship – but before your write the relationship off, check and make sure the other person actually heard you.
Interesting, this is the way of Matthew 18:15-19. Matthew 18 really teaches us how to be responsible for our part and to take the lead in addressing the matter that is before us. If we wait for the other person to bring up the issue – they may never do so as they did not know that you even had a concern.
So direct communication with folks is the way God wants us to honor and respect one another. It is the way God relates to us. God comes to us and establishes the relationship with His Love, Kindness, Mercy and Grace and asks us to respond to Hs good gifts.
In the climate of today’s politics it is so easy to blame or assume that you understand and see things exactly as the other does or just the opposite – that everything is a disagreement. But is that really the case? Christ calls us to love enough to give our siblings in Christ the benefit of the doubt and to take the time to connect and to understand.
To be understood is an extremely important value that almost everyone I know wants. Everyone wants to be respected and valued for whom and what he or she is – an individual with their own unique needs and desires.
So in 2020 give yourself to the task of honoring yourself and all the people you are in relationship with by practicing good will and seeking to understand.
May God bless all of us with His grace and mercy and may we all live into patience, kindness and mercy for one another. Praying for 20/20 that God would give us clarity of vision for all of our relationships.
In Christ,
Pastor Littleton
Congregational Meeting
January 19 at 11:00
Council requested that we have one service on Jan 19 at 10:00 for our Annual Congregational Meeting.
The snow date for the meeting will be Sunday January 26.
If it snows on January 19 we will still have one service at 10:00 because of weather.
At this Congregational Meeting we will:
Approve the 2020 Budget and Financial health of Cong.
Talk about Roof Update
Receive information about plans to update our Constitution
January 30, 2019
Dear Trinity
Grace and Peace to you from our Lord Jesus Christ!
I write to thank you for your generous Christmas purse given to me on the 6th day of Christmas. I truly appreciate your generosity, your kindness and your prayers given to me and for me.
I am glad to say good-bye to 2019 as it has been a tough year of transition for me. I still miss Joseph very much. At the same time, I feel emboldened by his love and his presence in my life. I just wish he was still with me in the flesh. I believe with his passing that I truly have a better understanding of Hebrews 12:1:
12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,
When life becomes hard and challenging, I sense the presence of a cloud of witnesses – Joseph, other family and many of the dear departed members of Trinity cheering me on and helping me to continue to run with perseverance.
I pray that as we move into the Epiphany season that the light of God’s love would continue to lead and direct us in ways that together we can bring Glory to His name. I am so thankful that I am able to partner with you in doing God’s work in Havertown.
Blessed to be a Blessing,
Pastor Littleton
Under this Roof
We Serve, Celebrate and Proclaim Jesus to ALL
Remember ~ It’s more than a roof.
The total amount pledged to date is up to $38,690!!! This amount added to our already raised $30,000 gives us a good start and makes us hopeful for the real possibility to do this work this spring.
Thank you!!!
LUTHERAN CHARITY ENVELOPE
During the months of January and February KENCREST will be the recipient.
Your support provides much-needed services.
CONFIRMATION CLASS SCHEDULE 2020, SUNDAY EVENINGS, 5-6 PM
January 12, 19, 26
February 2, 9, 16, 23
March 8, 22
April 15, 19, 26
May 3, 17, 24
Second year students will be confirmed on May 31.
If we need to cancel a class because of weather then the following class will be a double class as long as it makes sense with other church scheduling. The double class will be from 4-6 PM. This year the youth and their parents will study together a Survey of the Old and New Testaments. Hopefully everyone will develop a love for God’s Word.
Beginning in November we will have YOUTH GROUP for 6-12th grades on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month. Youth group will begin at 6:15 – 7:30 PM.
Friends are welcome to join us!
Our Retreat for all youth will be held at the Tuscarora Inn on March 27-29th, 2020.
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Youth Group 6th – 12th Grades will normally meet on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of the Month at 6:15 – 7:30 PM
Trinity loves our Middle School and High School Youth. Our program is for youth in grades 6 through 12. We spent time building relationships and having fun. When people get to know people, God is able to work through our relationships.
FRIENDS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME!!!
The Youth normally gather the 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month, 6:15 – 7:30 PM. In January we will be meeting on the 12th and 26th.
All youth of the church and community are invited to join us.
On January 12th – the youth will enjoy some SHORTS (films) and talk together about faith and life.
On January 26 – we will have some Minute to Win It Games – lots of crazy fun for all.
Also all youth will need to get in their reservation for the Youth retreat. Registration cannot be accepted after Jan 19th.
Youth Retreat 2020!
“Do Justice, love Mercy, walk Humbly with your God.”
Micah 6:8
Friday, March 27th – Sunday, March 29th, 2020
Mark your calendars because you are invited to our annual youth retreat for 6th – 12th graders. It will be held at Tuscarora Inn & Conference Center! |
3300 River Rd, Mt Bethel, PA 18343
Winter Weather Policy
During inclement weather, we will do our best to keep services. programs and school operating as scheduled.
Generally if the Haverford Schools are closed we will cancel meetings at the Church during the week.
If we have snow, ice or other extreme weather on Sunday morning we will do our best to have our regular schedule and Pastor will do her best to contact congregants with an email, facebook or voice message on the church office phone if anything changes.
In all weather events please use discretion in your travel decisions by not placing yourself or your family at risk when travel conditions are marginal.
Here’s how the process works:
- A decision about the 8:00 a.m. Sunday worship service and Sunday school will be made by 5:30 a.m. Sunday morning.
- If the decision is made to cancel the early worship service and Sunday Funday, that information will be posted on the church web site and recorded on the church phone greeting immediately.
- Every effort will be made to have the 10:45 a.m. worship service. But if extreme circumstances make cancellation of that service necessary, it will be announced on the website and by phone early Sunday morning.
- Depending upon the severity of the weather, a decision about Sunday afternoon and evening activities may be delayed until later Sunday morning. If that’s the case, the closing information will be posted on the website, email and Facebook and recorded on the phone greeting.
MUSIC MINISTRY – ADULT CHOIR AND BELL CHOIR
A special thank you to all of the soloists for Advent and Christmas Eve this year: John Bistline, Amy Gagas, Linda Weiser, Sean Gould, Dan Romano, and Don DiSciascio. Your contributions to the holiday season are greatly appreciated! Thank you, also, to the choirs for their extra rehearsals. At the time of writing, the Joyful Noise Sunday was not finalized, so I’ll save my thank yous to those folks in February!!!!
Did you know?
Tim Storms of Missouri holds the World Record for the widest vocal range of a human, 10 octaves! In comparison, Mariah Carey–well known for her vocal range–only sings five octaves. (Pianos have seven octaves!)
~Kirsten Halker-Kratz
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Trinity Lutheran Nursery School & Mother’s Morning Out News
We at school would like to thank Joe Favazza, Joe Henrich, Jack Burns,
Ed Hand, Matt Fullmer, Matt Thompson, Kevin Convery,and John Tallarida for bringing the Christmas spirit to our children. These 8 wonderful men dressed as Santa for our luncheon. The children came prepared with Christmas lists and had some serious discussions with our jolly men! The Santas listened attentively, posed for photos and sang a few songs with the children. What patience they had! The families of these fine men are lucky to have them as their dads, husbands, pop-pop s and brothers.
The kindergarten enrichment classes learned a new song to sing. Thank you to Miss Naomi, who rewrote words to “Shallow” to create a Christmas lyric We taped and posted our annual Christmas presentation for all to enjoy.
Christmas tunes filled our church during our Nursery School shows. Grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles enjoyed the Christmas performances and the receptions that followed in the classrooms.
The greatest place to be at this time of year is right here at Trinity. You can feel the love and joy of the holiday season through these young children. God Bless their families for giving them such a gift.
Happy New Year!
~~Miss Marian
If you have are experiencing medical issues or are hospitalized please let Pastor Littleton know – she wants to pray with you and/or visit with you. You can reach pastor at DrDee3@gmail.com, her home 610-353-1103, or office 610-446-6398.
If you have moved, changed your email address or phone number, please let the office know by contacting Darlene at office@trinityhavertown.org or by calling 610-446-6398
PRAYING THROUGH MEMBERSHIP
Vicar Kat Flowers, Eva and Scott Fina, The Gagas Family,
Robin and RJ Garahan, The Gdovin Family, Doris Gerish, and the Gerstenkorn Family
Please Pray for… Bill Bast, Connie and Jere Young, Dorothy Plantholt, Don and Nancy Cornman, Susan Haines, Carol Lyons, Lee Zampetti,
Dave Huntington, Louise Wallace, Maria DeFeo, Claire Gray,
Connie Langzette and Milton.
MOVIE MINISTRY
The Lion King. Tuesday. Jan 28 at 6:00 PM
5:45 Pizza Dinner for $6.00
Faith discussion following the movie
Primary Audience:• Preteens • Teens • Young-Adults • Adults
Genre: Adventure Music Drama
Length: 1 hr. 58 min.
Year of Release:2019
Rating: PG for sequences of violence and peril, and some thematic elements.
| Donald Glover … Simba (voice) Seth Rogen … Pumbaa (voice) James Earl Jones … Mufasa, father of Simba and the King of the Pride Lands (voice) Chiwetel Ejiofor … Scar, brother of Mufasa (voice) Alfre Woodard … Sarabi, the Queen of the Pride Lands, Mufasa’s mate, and Simba’s mother (voice) John Kani … Rafiki, a mandrill (voice) Keegan-Michael Key … Kamari, a spotted hyena (voice) Beyoncé … Nala, Simba’s childhood best friend (voice) John Oliver … Zazu, a red-billed hornbill (voice) Billy Eichner … Timon, a meerkat (voice) Amy Sedaris … Elephant shrew (voice) |
I loved the original version 25 years ago – and I love this new version even more. What an amazing story – so many things to think about in terms of our faith.
The storyline remains essentially the same in this year’s remake. The detail is merely fleshed out a little more with photorealistic computer animation. One feels as though they are viewing an old home movie and our childhood memories of Simba’s story; what we had remembered now seems basic compared to the vivid details we take in when we can view the same event through adult eyes.
As in the original, the storyline begins with the celebrated birth of young Simba (Donald Glover), the lion prince of the Pridelands. His noble father Mufasa (still voiced by James Earl Jones) and mother Sarabi provide a stable loving home to their only son, but proud Simba ‘just can’t wait to be king.’
Unfortunately, his uncle Scar (Chiwetel Ejiofor) has grown bitter and only pretends to offer caring advice for the cub who stole his chance at being king. When Simba in his youthful enthusiasm explores the boundaries of his father’s territory, Scar seizes his opportunity to orchestrate such a devastating tragedy that it will leave Simba riddled with guilt and grief, to “Run away, Simba, and never return.” How will Simba recover from this severance from all his loved ones? Can he put his past behind him and build a new life as a worry-free adult? Will the Pridelands be okay without him?
Autumn is soon upon us and the need to feed the homeless increases by the day. Donations of the following items for our meal program at the Life Center are always needed and very much appreciated:
Cans of tuna; Creamed soups – any kind; mayonnaise; applesauce; pasta – no spaghetti.
Thank you all for supporting our Homeless Ministry. If you have any questions or concerns about our meal program, please contact Linda Weiser (for cooking) and Ann Shiffer (for serving) or Brigitte Gdovin for general information.
December Servers: Barbara Carrano, Ann Shiffer and friends of Ann
December Cooks: Marilyn Lindelow, Amy Gagas, Linda, Karah Weiser and Tom Shiffer cut the vegetables for the casserole
We need servers for the meals we serve at the Life Center on the first Tuesday of each month.
Currently there are only a few Trinity members who have offered to serve our monthly meal. None of them can serve every month so I find friends to serve. We really need more Trinity members to sign up as servers.
This is a wonderful way to follow Christ’s admonition to serve those who have less than us.
You can contact Ann Shiffer (610 853 1484 or t.shiffer@comcast.net)
or Darlene at the church office (610 446 6398).
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Volunteers are needed to empty the donations box and take the items to local food banks, such as Hope Methodist or Temple Lutheran, both in Havertown. This is usually done when the pantry box gets nearly full. Darlene will keep an eye on this and let the volunteer(s) know when the donations need to be distributed. This responsibility can be shared among the volunteers.
Thank you, Brigitte, for getting our generous donations to Hope Methodist Church.
SUCCESSFUL BINGO FUNDRAISER FOR DELCO HOMELESS
On Saturday, November 16th, the Save Our Shelters Fundraising Committee of Community Action Agency of Delaware County held their first annual Fall Into Bingo fundraiser at St Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Upper Darby. We raised almost $20,000, including more than $8000 just in donations, and $3100 in raffle basket sales. This is the most successful fundraiser we have held to date, and hope to hold our 2nd Annual Bingo Game next fall. Hope we can get a good turnout from Trinity Lutheran next year.
If you are interested in serving on this committee, please contact Ann Shiffer at 610-853-1484 or t.shiffer@comcast.net.
All money raised will be used to keep the agency’s 3 DelCo homeless shelters open, despite drastic budget cuts and sharply rising needs.
Submitted by Ann Shiffer, SOS Chair
On your first visit to AmazonSmile, you are prompted to select a charitable organization from the list of eligible organizations.
We are listed as:
Trinity Lutheran Church of Havertown
When you shop make sure you are in Smile.Amazon.com
Those using Chrome as your browser will be able to download an App that will take you automatically to AmazonSmile.
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TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH
COMMUNITY BLOOD DRIVE!
All Donors to Receive a Red Cross Long Sleeve T-shirt
Saturday, January 4, 2020
10am – 3pm
Trinity Lutheran Church-Social Hall
(1141 West Chester Pike, Havertown, PA)
Or Sign up at www. Redcrossblood.org and search by Sponsor Code: TLCHavertown,
or call 1-800-RedCross
Save Time and Pre-Register at www.redcrossblood.org/rapidpass
CONFIRMATION CLASS
January 12, 19 and 26 – 5 PM in the Fritsch Room
YOUTH GROUP
JANUARY 12 AND 26 – 6:15 – 7:30
BRING YOUR FRIENDS!
JANUARY 12 – 12:00
MUSIC AND WORSHIP MEETING IN THE LIBRARY
JANUARY 19 – 11 AM – CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
(ONE SERVICE AT 10)
RAIN DATE – JANUARY 26
(ONE SERVICE AT 10)
JANUARY 21 – CHURCH COUNCIL – 7 PM
ALL ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND!
MOVIE MINISTRY
THE LION KING
5:45 PIZZA DINNER – $6
6 PM MOVIE
FAITH DISCUSSION FOLLOWING THE MOVIE
JANUARY VOLUNTEERS
Please let the church office know if you are not able to serve on your designated date so that coverage may be arranged.
Bulletin Folders Church Openers Altar Flowers
5 Marilyn Lindelow 5 Tom Shiffer 5 The DiSciascios
12 Marilyn Lindelow 12 Brigitte Gdovin 12 Leslie Carden
19 Marilyn Lindelow 19 Leslie Carden 19 Darlene Leech
26 Marilyn Lindelow 26 Tom Shiffer 26 Volunteer
Acolytes 8:00 Lectors 8:00
5 Nicole Coffey 5 Crystal Mangir
12 Nicolas Robinson 12 Matt Carden
19 Olivia Carson 19 Emily Moser
26 Devin Blackwell 26 Crystal Mangir
Acolytes 10:45 Lectors 10:45
5 Dylan Johnson 5 Caitlin Maguire
12 James Simpkins 12 Freddy Quarshie
19 Iris Simpkins 19 Dave Koch
26 Nellie Simpkins 26 Debbie Maguire
| Ushers and Greeters 8:00 5 Jim Hasselman 12 Matt Carden 19 Jim Hasselman 26 Matt Carden |
Altar Guild 8:00
5 Nicole Stokes Robinson
12 Bernice Coffey
19 Vicar Kat
26 Darlene Leech
Altar Guild 10:45
5 Heather Seifert
12 Alice Huntington
19 Debbie and Caitlin Maguire
26 Darlene Leech