THE ST. LUKE LETTER January 2021 - St. Luke Lutheran Church in ...
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THE ST. LUKE LETTER
January 2021
Dear Siblings in Christ,
Happy New Year! We survived 2020! Alleluia! 2021 is beginning with more vaccinations. This month will
have the transition of the US administration. The economy, employment, and other areas of what help
keep our nation running are struggling. And amid a global pandemic, uncertainty and the unknown we
have hope found through the birth of Christ, our Savior who came, comes and will come to redeem the
whole of the world.
There is hope for us in this new year, in this season of Christmas and as we approach Epiphany. The
tradition of the Church Year allows for us to remember the story of Christ’s life, ministry and the giving of
his life for the world’s eternal salvation. We also have the joy of an opportunity before us to help God’s
love become a reality for all people. We have the potential to help for Jesus’ ministry of love and justice
for the least and most vulnerable to be actualized. We, you and I, together have a chance to participate in
creating a better today and tomorrow for the people around us to be accepted and loved for who they are
as beloved children of God. May we embrace the world before us with peace and hope as God walks
among us as a people of God uniting our hearts into love for all.
Yours In Christ,
Pr. Becky Horn
Holiday Office Closing - The St. Luke Church Office will be closed for the holidays through January 4th.
Pastor Becky can be reached by phone 215-208-5535 or email StLuke364Pastor@verizon.net in an emergency.
Office hours will resume on Tuesday, January 5th.
Are you or a loved one desiring a visit from the pastor? Please contact
Pastor Becky if you would like her to call or visit you at home, in the hospital, or
another location. (office: 364-9154, cell: 215-208-5535, email:
stluke364pastor@verizon.net) *If you desire Communion at home, please
contact Pr. Becky so that arrangements can be made.
Patty will be updating the Church Directory for 2021. If there are any changes to addresses,
phone numbers or emails, please contact Patty at StLuke364@verizon.net or call 814-364-
9154 so we can include the most up-to-date information. Directory copies will be available
to be picked up in the narthex along with the Annual Reports by Sunday, January 17, 2021.
QUESTIONS TO PONDER
Goal 4
A visible church deeply committed to working ecumenically and with other people of faith for
justice, peace and reconciliation in communities and around the world.
Priority areas for action
Poverty and hunger – Encourage and harness resources for local, national and global ministries to alleviate
poverty and hunger and improve the way this church tells these stories of God’s work in the world – internally
and externally.
Response to disasters and humanitarian crises – Support and take action in local and international response
to natural disasters, violence and conflict and assist the growing number of people affected by displacement and
forced migration.
Lift up the work of ELCA-related social ministries – Build awareness across this church of the important
work of ELCA-related social ministry organizations and understanding their work as central to the life of this
church.
Advocacy and action on economic justice, racial justice, gender justice and climate justice – Be a visible
witness and agent of change for justice and creation care.
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:14‐ 21, John 13:12‐ 15, Isaiah 58:1‐ 11
https://elca.org/Resources/Future-Directions
St. Luke will hold the Annual Congregational Meeting on Sunday, January 24,
2021, immediately following the 10:30am worship service. Confirmed
members who have communed and made a contribution of record since January
1, 2019 shall be eligible to vote. The Annual Meeting will also be available via
Zoom at the following link at 11:30am:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83107553634?pwd=S2hUZ2dscVI3cU40Wk1TanlQ
MEt3UT09
Meeting ID: 831 0755 3634 Passcode: 694530
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,83107553634#,,,,*694530# US (Washington D.C)
+13126266799,,83107553634#,,,,*694530# US (Chicago)
Dial by your location
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington D.C)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcsE2u8CEJ
2021 Annual Meeting Reports - Annual report information from Council and Committee chairs is due to Patty
by Tuesday, January 12th. Annual Reports will be available to the congregation by Sunday, January 17, 2021
and may be picked up in the narthex.
New Offering Envelopes for 2021 are available on the table in the narthex in
alphabetical order. You may pick up at your convenience. If you are not receiving
Offering Envelopes and would like to begin receiving them for 2021, please contact
the Church Office at 814-364-9154 or StLuke364@verizon.net
Plan For In Person Worship at St. Luke:
Worship Plan:
Worship in person is suspended for Jan 3rd and 10th. We hope to resume in person on January 17th at 10:30 am.
8:00 am has been temporarily suspended while we continue to navigate the pandemic. There are several
required procedures that we are instituting in order to provide the least risk for gathering as a group. We ask that
those who plan to attend any gatherings, including worship, at the church agree to abide by the
recommendations for the health of all. Currently, Gov. Wolf has recommended 10% capacity for indoor
events and gatherings and Council has agreed to follow the recommendations from the governor’s office.
Procedure for In House Worship:
A. Entry to the building will be limited to the main front doors. Doors will open approximately 15 minutes
before the start of the service. Requirements will include: temperature check via an infrared
thermometer, answering a few questions about any symptoms or exposure to Covid-19, a mask
covering the nose and mouth, and having their name recorded for the potential of contact tracing. If a
person has a fever over 100.4F, we will ask them to not join us inside for worship. If a person answers
'Yes' to any of the following questions, they will be asked to not join us inside for worship. They may be
given a copy of the bulletin and reminded that virtual worship is available on St. Luke's YouTube
channel.
a. Do you have any new or worsening onset of any of the following symptoms: fever, cough,
shortness of breath, runny nose, sore throat, chills, body aches, fatigue, headache, loss of
taste/smell, eye drainage, congestion?
b. In the last 14 days have you traveled outside your normal, daily routine?
c. Have you or someone in your household been exposed to someone being tested for COVID-19
or who has symptoms compatible with COVID-19?
B. If a person meets the temperature and question requirements, but does not have a mask, one will be
provided.
C. Once in the sanctuary, households will be asked to fill from the front of the church to the back in
designated, space out areas. Once seated, people may choose to remove their masks; however it is
recommended that they remain on throughout the service. Bulletins will be placed in the approved pews
prior to the worship service; households may need to share. If a person has reason to get up during the
service and when they go to leave, it is requested that masks be put back on.
D. The worship service will be modified to limit time, congregational responses, and singing. We will have
some music. People are welcome to hum along, or if so called, to sing 'lightly', but they are requested
to wear their mask over their nose and mouth. Communion will be offered as the final part of the
service. Elements will be pre-packaged, individual servings of wafer and grape juice. As people are
leaving the sanctuary via the front door, they may pick up their Communion elements and partake in
their car.
E. Pastor Becky will wear a mask and use a face shield throughout the entirety of the worship service. She
will lead all of her parts of the service from the pulpit. If we have lectors or worship assistants, we will
only have one per service. He or She will be asked to sit near the lectern, either in the transept or the
choir loft for the entirety of the service and they will only use the lectern for their speaking parts. When
speaking at the lectern they will be asked to wear a mask. If they would like a face shield, one will be
available.
F. During the worship service, Air Conditioning will remain off. Prior to the worship service we can pre-cool
the sanctuary. Sanctuary and external doors will be propped open to increase airflow and dissipation of
potential covid-19 particles.
G. Exiting the building: if people would like to share in Communion, they can pick up the elements on their
way out of the main entry doors. Otherwise, people may leave by the West or South doorways.
H. In the parking lot, gathering is discouraged. However, should people want to converse, we ask that they
continue to wear their masks. We cannot require them to do so outside of the building.
Worship At Home— For those who do not feel comfortable with In House Worship at this time, the
Worship At Home service will continue to be posted on the St. Luke Centre Hall YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCndvYdWpi7qSKld6Y8cnHMg for the foreseeable future. If
you desire Communion at home, please contact Pr. Becky so that arrangements can be made.
IMPORTANT - Please Note—If you do not have email or online access and would like to receive
the printed Worship At Home Mailing, please speak with Pastor Becky or Patty or leave a message at
the Church Office at 814-364-9154.
Groups in St. Luke - The St. Luke Council voted to allow groups to use the building for activities and events.
Groups that wish to resume using the building must schedule through the Church office and follow the
protocols established for worship including wearing masks, remaining physically distant, answering health
questions, and taking attendance for contact tracing. Groups must also designate a person to be the 'Cleaning
Person.' Prior to the group's use of the building, the Cleaning Person must contact Pastor Becky, Derek Shaffer
or Larry Frazier to set up a time to meet and discuss where the cleaning supplies are and learn the cleaning
protocols. Once this meeting has occurred, the group may proceed with in person meetings that abide by current
St. Luke policy. Currently the limit is up to 10% capacity for indoor events and gatherings.
No Sunday School Classes will be held on Sunday, January 3 or
Sunday, January 10, 2021.
Sunday School classes are anticipated to resume on Sunday, January 17,
2021 at 9:15am. Ages Pre-K through 6th Grade will meet in the Sunday
School Classroom across from the kitchen with Nicki Shunk. The Teen Class will meet in the
back of the Sanctuary with Shari Welch. The Adult Class will meet in the Social Hall with
Shawn Lehman. Please plan to wear a mask and continue social distancing.
Centre Hall/Potter Township Food Pantry - Food Pantry Distribution will be held on
Tuesday, January 19, 2021 from 12:30-4pm at Grace United Methodist Church. If you,
or someone you know, has lost their job due to COVID-19, you are welcome to attend
the Food Pantry Distribution. If you have any questions, you may call the Food Pantry
at 814-531-6151.
Donations of Toilet Paper and Paper Towels are currently needed. You may place
donations in the bin in the narthex by Sunday, January 17.
COVID-19 has required changes to the way the Food Pantry has traditionally worked. The orders will be
prepared by a limited number of individuals to fulfill the social distancing requirement. This will remain
in effect for future months until COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. We look forward to the day when we can
gather as a family of community volunteers to serve those in need. God bless and stay healthy. - Erskine
Cash
Dear St. Luke Lutheran Church,
Thank you very much for your love, prayers, support and large donation in
our time of need. Your kindness has been a blessing to us and we are so grateful.
We welcome prayer anytime as God has been getting us through this difficult time.
Love,
Tom and Megan Dutrow
Dear Church Members,
We at the Centre Hall/Potter Township Food Pantry want to thank you for your financial
contribution. Our staff and clients appreciate your generosity and want you to know it makes the entire
community a better place to live.
Sincerely,
Nancy Hawn, Secretary
Worship Volunteer Schedule - Thank you for your service to St. Luke!
Snow Shoveling 12/27-1/2: Open
Snow Shoveling 1/3-1/9: Open
Snow Shoveling 1/10-1/16: Open
Second Sunday after Epiphany - January 17, 2021 at 10:30am
Worship Assistant and Lector: Scott McAllister
Offering Counters: Barb McAllister and Sue Royer
Snow Shoveling 1/17-1/23: Open
Head Usher (January): Earl Leedy
Third Sunday after Epiphany - January 24, 2021 at 10:30am
Worship Assistant and Lector: Peg Leedy
Offering Counters: Deb Frazier and Jim Shunk
Snow Shoveling 1/24-1/30: Open
Head Usher (January): Earl Leedy
Fourth Sunday after Epiphany - January 31, 2021 at 10:30am
Worship Assistant and Lector: Susan Stover
Offering Counters: TBA
Snow Shoveling 1/31-2/6: Open
Head Usher (January): Earl Leedy
Fifth Sunday after Epiphany - February 6, 2021 at 10:30am
Worship Assistant and Lector: Jim Shunk
Offering Counters: TBA
Snow Shoveling 2/7-2/13: Open
Head Usher (February): Earl Leedy
If you are unable to attend the worship service you are scheduled for, please try to find a replacement
and make the church office (814-364-9154) or the Head Usher aware of the change. Thank you!
Snow Shoveling—We continue to be in need of people to sign up to shovel the St. Luke
sidewalks after a snow storm. If you are able to help with shoveling the church sidewalks
when it snows, please sign up in the narthex on the sign-up sheet or contact the church
office at 814-364-9154 or email StLuke364@verizon.net . Sign-ups are for a week at a
time; from Sunday through Saturday. Any questions, please speak with Larry Frazier or
Pastor Becky.
St. Luke Lutheran Church will cancel all scheduled activities, including office hours,
whenever the Penns Valley School District shuts down due to weather-related concerns.
In addition to accessing weather-related closures on local television, the Penns Valley School
District also posts closure information on its website which can be visited at pennsvalley.org.
Should inclement weather affect Sunday worship, please check your email and Facebook
page.
Prayer Concerns
Pray for the recovery and the Lord’s healing and peace on our brothers and sisters.
Jeff…cancer & surgery complications Michael Neff…health concerns
Bill Wheeler...cancer & eye surgery Darlene Wheeler...strength & support
Linda Dutrow…health concerns Family and Friends of Grace Burris
Family & Friends of William Lynn Mothersbaugh Family and Friends of Dorothy Anderson
Shawn Homan…mass in brain Eric Young…Covid-19 and Lymes Disease
George Luse…health concerns Family and Friends of Mary Reeder
Family and Friends of Randy Vavrick Family and Friends of Chuck Murphy
Pr. Curt Wingert and Family...death of his mother, Sharen
Linda Murphy...recovery from surgery Dan Schluter...non hodgkin’s lymphoma
Dean Crater...recov. from heart attack Melody Green…multiple health concerns
Silas Green….multiple health issues Lee Kolos...back issues
Dorothy Rudy...broken leg Dr. Post...diabetes issues
Ongoing Prayer Concerns:
Paul Dietrich…cancer Marvin Lehman, Jr….MS & kidney disease
Jen Parsons…recov. from brain tumor Robert Sauerwein…heart and health concerns
Bryn Cashell…leukemia Audrey Oakes…cancer
Greg Bohn…kidney issues Gordon Yearich…cancer
Charlotte Miller…cancer Rycen Musser…leukemia
Ginger…stager 4 colon cancer Beverly Haines…recov. surgery
Don Brown…health concerns Tanya Evens…health concerns
Vicki Garvin…kidney disease TJ Coursen…cancer
Jim Evans…health concerns Mae Judy…health concerns
Pat Krisch…cancer Will Wise…cancer
Ronnie Ticknor…leukemia Susie Wicker…breast cancer
Dave Ferree…continued healing Robert Wendt…falls/health concerns
Mike Moyer...bladder cancer Susan Hale...recov. hip replacement
Patti Bramson…health concerns Brenda Stover…cancer/stroke
Linda Beiler…stage 4 colon cancer All affected by Covid-19
Michele Peese…melanoma Heather Korman…recov. brain surgery
Eddie…homelessness Jackie Bouer...stage 4 pancreatic cancer
Staff & Residents of Care Facilities Bob Ishler...cancer
Tom Dutrow...recov. brain surgery Melvin and Jeanne Dutrow...strength and hope
Dorothy Chambers...brain tumor Rosemary Wherry...bladder cancer
Belize Children…Susie Westby, Myrtle Tracy, Ashanti Obrien, Orlando Jackson, Stephanie Logan
Please Pray for the health of our Homebound:
Dorothy Chambers (Foxdale Village, 500 E. Marylyn Ave. State College, PA 16801—Rm 317 (814)954-8317)
Donna Fetterolf (Wynwood House, Room 19, 122 Wynwood Dr, Centre Hall, PA 16828)
Phyllis Kerlin (The Inn at Juniper Village, 1930 Cliffside Dr., Room 136, State College, PA 16801)
Fred Lohr. Jr. (244 S. Pennsylvania Ave, Centre Hall, PA 16828 (814)364-9368)
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD OR REMOVE A PRAYER CONCERN: You may notify the church
office of your prayer concerns by calling 364-9154 or emailing the church office at StLuke364@verizon.net .
Please remember that a prayer request will remain on the prayer list for three weeks unless otherwise noted as
an ongoing concern. Ongoing prayer concerns will remain on the prayer list for three months. You may renew
a prayer request as often as you wish. We also ask that you notify the church office when someone is able to be
removed from the prayer list. Updated 12/30/2020
On November 29, 2020, St. Luke
welcomed Reed Allen Crater as a
new member of St. Luke through the
Sacrament of Holy Baptism. Reed is
the son of Steven and Ashley Crater.
Two members of the St. Luke
Congregation have joined the Church
Triumphant…Emma Zimmerman on
November 6 and Chuck Murphy on
November 14. We give thanks for
Jan. 4 Sue and Tom McCool their lives, and we ask that you
31 Kerry and Tina O’Hara continue to keep their families and
friends in your prayers.
Prayer Group and
Lectionary Study - We
are gathering in person in the
social hall and on Zoom on
Wednesday mornings at 10:00
am. We are always on Zoom. In person depends on
the weather and the Governor’s current order.
Please wear a mask and bring a Bible for in person
Jan. 1 Paul Dietrich so we can read through the upcoming lectionary
Fred Lohr texts before praying for those on our prayer list.
2 Marjorie Korman Join Zoom Meeting with the below link.
3 Russ Judy Meeting ID: 142 841 832
4 Maddie Rupe Passcode: 017725
6 Paige Kubalak https://us02web.zoom.us/j/142841832?pwd=WTdN
7 Virginia Struble S1RqY0hqNmpyRnRaMmFuZW1odz09
9 Scott McAllister One tap mobile
10 Cohen Rishel +13017158592,,142841832#,,,,*017725# US
11 Don Brown (Washington D.C)
12 Cindy Foust +13126266799,,142841832#,,,,*017725# US
Seth Decker (Chicago)
15 Donald Rudy Dial by your location
16 Linda Decker-Reitz +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington D.C)
Raelynd Packer +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
17 Dean Crater +1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
Lucas Homan Find your local number:
19 Colten Shunk https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kjGH0igDx
20 Ava Kresovich
22 Becky Schluter Our next selection is Ellie
24 Don Anderson and the Harpmaker by
25 Taelyn Corl Hazel Prior. We will gather
30 N. Roy Thompson at St. Luke in the social hall
Derek Shaffer to discuss this book on
Wednesday, January 13th at
8:30 am. Zoom is also available at the same link as
the Prayer Group listed above.
Our next Council Meeting is Monday, January 11, 2021 at 7:00pm
-Regular council Meetings are held in person on the 2nd Monday of the month at
7:00 pm. Zoom is available for those who are unable to attend in person. The
Council Executive Committee meets the 1st Thursday of the Month (January 7) at
6:30 pm over Zoom. If you are interested in attending a Council Meeting, please
email Pr. Becky for the Zoom login information.
New Council Officers and Council Members for 2021: Susan Stover (21), President; Shari Welch (21),
Vice-President, Jazmyne Shaffer (22), Secretary; Jack Sharer, Treasurer, Don Anderson (21), Larry Frazier
(21), Carla Cipro (22), Krystal Josephson (22), Pat Strouse (22), Alice Cromwell (23), and Dawn Holsopple
(23).
Cemetary Association Board Representatives: Bob Long (21), Joe Hammaker (22) and
Michele Brown (23)
*The numbers in parenthesis indicates the year their term is complete.
St. Luke Contact Numbers:
Church Office 814-364-9154 or email at StLuke364@verizon.net
Pastor, Rev. Becky Horn 215-208-5535 or email StLuke364Pastor@verizon.net
Church Secretary, Patty Lehman 814-933-6296 or email: StLuke364@verizon.net
Council President, Susan Stover 814-349-5173 or email: smsgmnastx48@aol.com
St. Luke Mailing Address PO Box 331, Centre Hall, PA 16828
St. Luke Website http://StLukeCentreHall.org
Looking ahead…Please note that if you have news or articles for the February
2021 issue of the St. Luke Newsletter, please submit them to the church office no
later than Thursday, January 21, 2021.
ST LUKE TREASURER'S REPORT
St. Luke's approved 2020 Budget: $168,845.00
Income as of 12/20/2020: $183,810.28 (108% of budget)
Expenses as of 12/20/2020: $143,094.92 (84% of budget)
The income includes a CARES Act Paycheck Protection (forgivable) loan of $22,182.00.
Thank You - Thank you for your continued contributions to our ministry at St. Luke.
Pr. Becky continues to try to find different ways to serve the ministry needs. Council
continues to find ways to meet the needs of the people in our congregation and our
communities. Thank you for your financial support of our ministry together. You
may continue to mail in your contributions to St. Luke (PO Box 331, Centre Hall,
PA 16828) or use the Vanco website by clicking the donate button on our St. Luke website
(stlukecentrehall.org). If you prefer to donate using your cell phone, see https://www.vancopayments.com/
egiving/church-app to download the mobile app. Thank you so much for your support and sharing of your gifts.
*If mailing, it is very important to use our PO Box 331 and NOT the street address. Thank you!
January/February Upper Room and Word In Season Devotionals and the Living
Lutheran Magazine are available in the narthex.
January 2021
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 New Years Day 2
AA Meeting
7pm in
Social Hall
3 4 5 6 Epiphany 7 8 9
No In Person Prayer Group &
Worship or Lectionary Study
Sunday School Meeting 10am in
Classes the Social Hall.
Zoom Council
Cub Scout Bear Executive AA Meeting
Den Meeting Committee Meeting Cub Scout Tiger & Wolf 7pm in
6-7:30pm 6:30pm Den Meetings 6-7:30pm Social Hall
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
No In Person Annual Report Book Group
Worship or Deadline 8:30am in the
Sunday School Social Hall
Classes
Prayer Group &
Lectionary Study
Meeting 10am in AA Meeting
Council Meeting 7:00pm the Social Hall.
7pm in
Social Hall
Social Hall
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
In Person Worship Martin Luther King Jr. Day Food Pantry Prayer Group & February
Scheduled to resume Distribution Lectionary Study Newsletter
10:30am 12:30-4pm at Meeting 10am in Deadline
the Social Hall.
Sunday School Grace UMC
Scheduled to resume
9:15am
Pack 20 Cub Scout Bear AA Meeting
Committee Meeting Den Meeting 6-
6:30-8pm Social Cub Scout Tiger & Wolf 7pm in
7:30pm
Hall Den Meetings 6-7:30pm Social Hall
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
In Person Worship Prayer Group &
10:30am followed Lectionary Study
by the Annual Meeting 10am in
Congregational the Social Hall.
Meeting
AA Meeting
Sunday School
7pm in
9:15am
Social Hall
31
In Person Worship
10:30am
Sunday School
9:15am
St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church
301 North Pennsylvania Ave.
P. O. Box 331
Centre Hall, PA 16828
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The
St. Luke
Letter
Mission Statement: Inviting all into relationship with Christ, Church and Community
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