Crumbs from the Table

Good morning everyone. 

MEETINGS AND EVENTS THIS WEEK

Monday               20    CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED-President’s Day
                                                7:30 p.m.      Book Club in the Noel Lounge
Tuesday               21     9 a.m.             Staff Meeting in church office
Shrove Tuesday           9:30 a.m.      Leviathan Group Meeting 
                                                Noon              NA
                                                7 p.m.             Tutoring
Wednesday         22    11:30 a.m.    Ash Wednesday Service
Ash Wednesday         Noon             NA
                                                7 p.m.            Ash Wednesday Service
Thursday             23   Noon           NA
                                                7 p.m.            Kiltie Band
                                                7:30 p.m.     Choir Rehearsal
Friday                   24   Noon            The Way of the Cross
                                       Noon           NA
Saturday              25    1-4 p.m.      Spaghetti Dinner for the Hungry

  The Lutheran Men's club Lenten Breakfasts will be held at 7 a.m. at the Lyndon Diner Wednesdays in Lent, beginning Ash Wednesday, Feb. 22. Please note the change in location from past years. Here is the schedule of speakers:

        Feb. 22    Pastor Keith Fair, St. Matthew Lutheran, York
        Feb. 29    Pastor Dave Ritterpusch, Advent Lutheran, York
        March 7   Pastor Kathy Swords, Shiloh Lutheran
        March 14 Pastor Brenda Ferree, St. James Lutheran, West York
        March 21 Pastor Stan Reep, St. Paul’s Lutheran, York
        March 28 Pastor Beth Schlegel, St. Peter’s Lutheran, North York
        April 4     Pastor Tom McKee, Secretary, Lower Susquehanna Synod. Holy Communion.

Thank You!  Thanks be to God for His healing & thank you to Pastor Judy and members for their prayers and cards during my recent surgery.  It is with deep appreciation, Judy Krout.

 Call for Tutors – York Conference of Lutherans Tutoring Program
Our program is off to an incredible start.  We’re working with 18 children from York City, Central York, and York’s private and charter schools.  But the reason for this bulletin blurb is that we’re reaching out to the schools for more students and therefore, need to reach out to you for more tutors.  If you’re interested in volunteering, please contact me either at 717-873-0928 or amanda.donley@gmail.com.   Thanks so much!

 Prayer Tree:   Did you know that there is a dedicated group of persons from Union who pray daily for the needs and concerns of others?  If you have a concern for which you would like them to pray, please contact Pastor McKee (jmckee408@unionlutheran.org; 848-3419; 843-7897) or, Marian Mellon (marimell7@aol.com; 848-1469), or the church office (unionlutheran@verizon.net; 843-7897).  If you would like to become a member of the prayer tree, contact Pastor McKee.  Those who are able meet regularly, usually the first Tuesday of the month at 10 am to review the prayer concerns and to pray together, but it is not necessary to attend in order to participate as a “pray-er”.

Moo Milk Caps from Turkey Hill milk products will continue to be collected.  We have earned $50 for the first batch of 500—it’s a no work project and will only take the effort of you bringing in the caps,  if  you use Turkey Hill milk.  You will recognize the Moo Milk Sticker on the bottle caps.

Giant and Weis Gift Cards are now available to purchase.  See Phyllis Comery or Deb Sallade during coffee hour.  $20 and $50 cards are being sold.  The proceeds will go toward expenses for Vacation Bible School.  Cards may also be purchased in the church office during the week, 9 a.m.—1:30 p.m.

Sunday school:  Bob Stetler is teaching an adult class entitled:  “Jesus – Divine and Human”.  They are meeting in the Noel Lounge.  Seminarians Traci and David Bowman are teaching the youth class downstairs.  (next to the nursery)    Plan now to attend!

 Bulletin Sponsorship for 2012:  The red notebook is back.  If you would like to sponsor the placement of the bulletins during the 2012 calendar year please sign up in the red notebook located on the stage.  Please print your name and the wording exactly how you want the bulletin sponsorship to read.

 Church Cancellations:  Here is a new phone number to call for church cancelations due to inclement weather.   717-654-7723 This is to listen to a message only, no messages may be left.

Lutheran Social Services offers FREE Tax Preparation service:
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program of York County offers free tax preparation services to low and moderate income (below $50,000) taxpayers.  All of our volunteer tax preparers are IRS certified.  We have several locations available in York County.  To have your federal, state and local taxes prepared for free, call 717-854-2244 to schedule an appointment beginning January 10.

Bible Study:  Pastor McKee, along with Phyllis Comery and Deb Sallade, are leading a class “God and Me” for children in grades 1-3.  The class will be during Sunday school January 29, February 5, February 19, and February 26.  The class is open to all children.  It is especially good for those in Scouting who would like to earn their ‘God and Me’ badge.  If you know anyone who would like to attend, please call the church office so we can have enough books for everyone and just come!

Catechism resumes:  The Spring Semester for Catechism classes begins Sunday, February 12, at 6:00 pm at St. Paul Lutheran Church, corner of S. George Street and Springettsbury Avenue.  The program is a combined catechetical program for youth from Union, St. Paul, Grace, Trinity, St. Peter, Christ, and St. Paul, Hallam Lutheran churches.  The spring semester runs for seven Sundays.  March 25 is the final class in this semester. Confirmation for those completing the program will be on Sunday, May20, in their perspective congregations.  A banquet for the students and their families will be held on May 19 at Union Lutheran Church.  Union has four youth completing the program this year.  They are Kaci Dennis, Kyle Dennis, Kristi Stambaugh, and Ashlyn Stambaugh.  Please keep these young persons in your prayers as they prepare for confirmation and adult membership in the life of this congregation.

Ash Wednesday:  Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 22.  We will have two opportunities for worship that day.  We will have an abbreviated service in the Sunday School Auditorium at 11:30 am, which will include the imposition of ashes and Holy Communion.  We will have a sung liturgy of Holy Communion with imposition of ashes at 7:00 pm in the nave.

Lenten opportunities for worship and prayer:
            Fridays in Lent beginning February 24 at noon – Stations of the Cross
                        (prayers and brief scripture readings centering on the passion of Christ)
            Wednesdays in Lent:  6:15 pm Covered dish supper
                        7:00 Lenten study in the Auditorium
                        7:45 Prayers and hymn at the cross in the Auditorium

            Wednesday evenings we will focus our study on a brief overview of our identity as Lutheran Christians.  We will begin on February 29 with a brief introduction to the history of the Christian Church up to the time of the Reformation (1517).   March 7 and 14 we will focus on Martin Luther and the Reformation – who was he; what/why was the Reformation.  March 21 will be ‘What is the Catechism?’  March 28 will be ‘Why do we do what we do on Sunday mornings? – What is the liturgy?’  Come with your questions, your curiosity.  Come and explore together these topics.  Invite others to come too!

            Also, there are devotional booklets available for your use during Lent.  “Renewed for Life” by Henri J. M. Nouwen can be picked up at the church.  It includes a brief reading from Scripture, a brief meditation, and a prayer for each day in Lent.

An Introduction to the Old Testament:  Seminarians David and Traci Bowman will lead a class during Sunday school beginning Sunday, February 19, for those who would like to begin to explore the content and background of the Bible, beginning with the Old Testament.  No prior knowledge is required or expected.  Come!  Bring a friend!

Updated directory:  The church office has a new computer program to help us keep accurate records of members, addresses, phone numbers, birth dates, anniversaries, as well as other records such as financial reports including budget, receipts, and expenditures.  George has been busy entering data into this program.  If you have a new address or phone number or other updated information, please call or email the church office so that we have up-to-date information.  A new printed directory will be available for members in the not too distant future.

LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES AUXILIARY SANDWICH SALE:   March 29, 2012
Pretzel Sandwich and Sub sale.  Proceeds from this sale support the Auxiliary. Orders must be received  by  March 21st to Lee Wagner (764 4605). See Pastor McKee to order.

The next Agape is February, 25 at the Salvos, 6 p.m. Theme is: Love is in the Air, foods you share with your significant other.

Judy Eisenhart would like to thank Union friends and members for their prayers and cards during her recent surgeries.  Your thoughtfulness was very much appreciated.

The Fellowship Committee is hosting a Movie Day on Sunday, March 11 beginning at 12:45 p.m.  The movie to be shown is called “Courageous”.  A light lunch will be available for those who plan to stay for the movie.  A sign-up sheet for this event can be found on the stage in the S.S. room. 

   Have a blessed week, Pastor McKee