2021 Newsletters
Newsletter
Winter 2021
St Peter Lutheran Church
Of
Red Cross
Dornsife, PA
Council Members:
President: Jodi Lenker
V President: Dan Ferster
Secretary: Doyle Ferster
Treasurer: Celeste Ferster
Financial Sec.: Diane Kahler
Bldg. Cmte.: Kolby Smith
Staff contacts:
Church Phone: 570-920-6083
Pastor Karis Hagen: (c) 651-246-2319
Church email: stpeterlcmc@outlook.com
Find us on Facebook: @stpeterredcross
Sermon videos and Livestreams of Services available on YouTube channel: Ziranphel
Pastor’s Corner
Long ago in the garden sin was introduced into the world, breaking the relationship between God and people, when people chose to listen to the deceiver instead of their creator. This broken relationship was an ongoing rift, the consequences of which are experienced as a curse on the world and on the lives of people since that beginning. God provided a promise at that time that one day the curse would be lifted, and relationship fully restored, through a descendant of Eve. This descendant was spoken about many times throughout history as a star and a light in the darkness, a symbol of hope.
Hope is about something yet to be fully realized. We look forward to the fulfillment of the promise. When Jesus came as a baby, heralded by angels and a brilliant star in the sky that brought shepherds and wise men alike over many miles to worship and be witnesses, it was the announcement of the breaking of the curse. When he went to the cross, died, and rose again, he achieved victory over death and gives us the benefits so that we also may live and our souls not die.
Yet we do not yet see the completion of the effects of the battle that was won by Jesus. The enemy of our souls does not realize that he has been defeated and his rule will be over when Jesus returns. The conclusion is already decided, as our God who is outside time says it is won, but we haven’t yet finished the “mopping-up” operations. We can hope with certainty because God has fulfilled all his promises thus far, and we can look forward to the day when the world and all people will be healed of brokenness and restored to right relationship with God and with one another. When we will no longer hurt each other by what we have done or not done, said, or not said. This is why I have always loved Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany. God is declaring what he has done and will do.
Advent is a time of both looking forward to the celebration of when Jesus first came to earth as a child and looking forward to when he will come again in power at the end of time and show himself as King of all creation. This is the only time of the year when we specifically focus on the hope of the Gospel that the curse has been broken and that we shall one day see the restoration completed.
This same Jesus, the Word of God, who created everything that is and everything that shall be, gives us the privilege of calling on him and asking for healing, peace, and restoration in his name. Therefore we celebrate! We have hope. Hope for Spring and the return of life. Hope that we will see peace and restoration in our lives as well. God has given us the ultimate gift of grace and the myriad of other gifts of life, and we can give thanks with Joy.
We know the ending, even if we don’t know all of the story in between. We celebrate by giving each other small gifts as a reminder of the great gift we have been given by God, and share the good news that Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us.
Peace be with you. ~ Pastor Karis
From Head to Heart: Experiencing God’s Faithfulness
Timothy Hagen
What is faith to you? Is it a matter of the head, the heart, or both?
For many years my faith was based largely on logic and reason, supported by my observations of God’s amazing work in the lives of others and experiences of the joy of loving and following him.
This last year has been a time of testing, when my faith has deepened through trial and miracles. I would like to share some of that experience in order to be of encouragement to others.
I grew up in a Christian household and naturally wondered if I was a Christian simply because of family tradition or because Jesus revealed in the Bible is really the person he claims to be. After years of research and observation—reasons that will likely need to be explored in a separate article, I repeatedly came to the conclusion that Jesus is worth the leap of faith: he is unique in his character, claims, power, and love, and the vast testimony of those who bear witness to his nature are so compelling that I could do naught but believe.
That reason-based faith, which I know ultimately to be the work of the Holy Spirit, was accompanied and supported by my own experience of God’s love and the thrill of his beauty.
However, in this last year, I have faced a particularly difficult trial that has deepened that faith because I have seen God’s amazing power in saving my life through miracle after miracle.
On November 13, 2020, while living in Albania, I was diagnosed with a tumor on my pancreas. Follow-up tests confirmed a tumor and I was advised to return to the US as soon as possible to pursue full diagnosis and treatment.
Our family was in a situation in which it seemed impossible to go to the US on short notice. I felt like I was with the Israelites at the Red Sea with the Egyptian army breathing down my neck and no evident way to get to the other side. God did a miracle and parted the Red Sea; within three days of the recommendation to return to the US we found ourselves here in Pennsylvania.
I was amazed at God’s timing—within fifteen days of arriving, my digestive system was blocked by the tumor and I needed interventions that would not have been available in Albania to save my life. That miracle showed me that God was taking care of me, arranging details and providing my needs in the face of horrific prospects.
God arranged many other miracles. I had several moments when I came close to death, including severe sepsis in January, further blockage of the digestive system in March when my weight decreased to life-threatening levels, and a ruptured duodenum in July that needed emergency surgery.
But each time, God intervened and did miracles. He halted the growth of the tumor—it did not grow since the beginning of January 2021.
After being able to eat only a few spoons of pureed sweet potatoes for Thanksgiving 2020 and being on a pureed and severely restricted diet for much of 2021, I was, after the emergency surgery in July and a long time of healing, finally able to savor a wide variety of dishes for Thanksgiving 2021. This is truly a miracle.
Many times in the emergency room or hospital bed, I have cried out to God and claimed his promises in Scripture.
God gives amazing promises in the Bible that we can claim, just as Abraham appealed to God’s justice in interceding for his nephew Lot in Sodom (Genesis 18:25) or the Syrophoenician woman appealed to Jesus’ own arguments in asking for his help in healing her daughter (Luke 7:24-30). I have found a number of promises especially encouraging:
I will not die but live,
and will proclaim what the Lord has done. Psalm 118:17
With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.
Psalm 119:16
He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction. Psalm 107:20
If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. Romans 8:11
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5
I have found that God keeps his promises. I bear witness in my own body of his faithfulness in answering prayer.
My prayer is that each of you will be encouraged by this testimony of God’s miraculous work today. While I do not want any of you to suffer what I went through, I pray that you will also find God faithful in the challenges you face and that you will find that following Jesus is not just a matter of logic or reason, but also of deep love and overwhelming joy.
Peace be with you.
Announcements:
Prior to services on Sunday mornings, Pastor Karis will be available to talk to parishioners starting at 8:30 am, with a brief prayer time preceding the service at 8:50 am.
Christmas Eve Service
Our traditional service of Carols and hearing reflections on the Christmas story will be the evening of December 24 at 6pm. All are welcome!
Catechism Class
Catechism class has begun with scriptural overview this year and is meeting Sunday evenings at 6:00pm at Red Cross. It is open to any interested children and younger teens. There is also a class after morning worship for older teens and young adults to complete an intensive study of the catechism. If interested in joining please contact Pastor Karis. Enjoy the break! We will be starting again January 9th.
Sunday Bible School - 10:30 am
We are studying the book of Revelations with open discussion time. All are welcome and encouraged to attend, from teenagers to adults.
Weekly Prayer—Wednesdays 9am and Sunday 8:50am
Line Mountain Food Bank
The food bank is looking for ingredients for holiday meals. If you would like to donate something: applesauce, turkey gravy – large or small can/jar, stuffing mix, sweet potatoes – large or small can, cranberry sauce, sauerkraut, paper towels, and always cereal.
Please leave donated items in the vestibule. Thank you for your help. For more information, please contact Diane Kahler, 570-758-4805.
Home Visits
For those who are unable to attend church, if you would like to be visited by Pastor Karis and/or receive communion, please call Pastor Karis to schedule a time. For emergencies of any sort please contact Pastor Karis directly. Calls, texts, messages, emails, or just stopping by to chat are all welcome forms of communication.
Winter Bible Series
12-5-2021 Ezekiel 37:1-14
John 11:25-26
12-12-2021 Isaiah 55:1-13
John 4:13-14
12-19-2021 John 1:1-18
Psalm 130:5-8
12-24-2021 Luke 2:1-14 [15-20]
Psalm 96:7-10
Luke 2:8-20
Psalm 123:1-2
12-26-2021 John 1:19-34
Psalm 32:1-2
1-2-2021 John 1:35-51
Psalm 66:1-5
1-9-2021 John 2:1-11
Psalm 104:14-16
1-16-2021 John 2:13-25
Psalm 127:1-2
1-23-2021 John 3:1-21
Psalm 139:13-18
1-30-2021 John 4:1-42
Psalm 42:1-3
Autumn Newsletter
St Peter Lutheran Church
Of
Red Cross
Dornsife, PA
Pastor’s Corner
We have just begun Catechism classes with some of the youth with the intent of working towards Confirmation. We have a broad age range attending from both elementary through high school, and it is a joy to see their interest in learning about scripture and about this faith that we share. Starting with an overview of Scripture, we will then be looking at various elements of our common Christian faith with the Apostle’s Creed, Lord’s Prayer, Baptism, the Lord’s Supper, Confession, and the Ten Commandments.
Why do Catechism? Is it just because we always “inflict” it on our pre-teens? Is Confirmation graduation from Sunday School and Church? No.
Catechism began in the ancient church to instruct new believers before baptism. Catechism instruction has continued as a means of sharing the basics of Christian faith with both children and adults to ensure that they have a grasp of it for themselves. Thus, Confirmation is intended to be when individuals take the time to publicly declare their intent to continue in the faith into which they have been baptized and join the Church as full members. While it has often been treated as a rite of passage that indicates freedom from further instruction, Confirmation should instead be only undertaken by those who do intend to continue in the life of faith and fellowship with other believers. Adult believers who are baptized make that affirmation of faith at baptism and do not need a separate confirmation ceremony, and yet should still take the time to learn and understand the elements of the catechism because they are a part of our faith that all believers should know. Luther, along with other Reformation pastors, intended the catechism as a means of home instruction in the faith. It was intended for all believers, but particular emphasis is placed on instructing the youth.
I encourage everyone to set aside time to hold family devotions together, taking the time to read scripture or a part of the catechism, have brief discussion about the text and application to life, and pray for one another.
The Apostle Paul gave Timothy this exhortation which is also useful for us: “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the messenger of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:14-17 ESV
Thus, just as we commit as sponsors or parents of baptized infants to place the scriptures in their hands and teach them as they grow, all Christians are encouraged to continue to read scripture for themselves throughout their lives of faith. Part of growing up in faith is actively seeking to be more informed about the history of God’s people and knowledge of God’s Word as it is contained in the Bible and as we profess it in our lives. If this is already a habit for you, great! If it isn’t, I encourage you to start, even if it is only once or twice a week. The more we immerse ourselves in scripture the more it permeates our lives.
I am thankful for all of you, and the privilege of sharing in your lives.
Peace be with you. ~ Pastor Karis
Another Year
As the season changes here in good ole PA, turning into autumn and ultimately winter, it is a visual reminder that we are closing in on the end of another year. Oh, how the time flies! Since this is almost the last newsletter of 2021, I'd like to give thanks for St Peter Church of Red Cross and to those who have gone an extra mile for us and for others. We all know that St Pete's, like many other area churches, is quite small; but I have noticed this year and during the tumultuous year of 2020 that God has blessed this small brick church with people who are very Big Hearted!
We are blessed with THREE talented pianists! Becci Mausser, Kylie Figard and Sharon Boyer. I think I can speak for all that we appreciate your time and talent and thank you for sharing with us! We, and others, are blessed to have Audrey Eisenhour who is heading up our Christian Outreach. Audrey has rallied so many members to help with the outreach that I cannot name them individually, so I refer to them as "they". They have been sending cards and once a month preparing and delivering meals to people for various reasons. This outreach has been well received by those who help and by those who benefit. Thank you all! Pastor Karis has been diligently working on her sermons and other teachings for our benefit and helping with outreach. Also, her family has become vested in the church and the community, always helping in whatever way they can. It has been a joy getting to know them all better. My fellow council members who have gathered for extra meetings to learn together how to work more cohesively for the betterment of the church members. I am grateful for every member, thank you for serving with me! Please trust that we all are doing our best with the time and talent God has given each of us.
So again, as we close in on the end of another year, a word has been laid upon my heart ... tolerance. I feel that this word has come to me so often lately because we are living in a world that definitely pushes our tolerance of others on a daily basis. I admit that many days I fail to be tolerant of others. So my hope is that by speaking of this, if only a mention, it helps to bring to mind to be consciously tolerant of others, if only because we appreciate it when others are tolerant of us. Because Romans 3:10 says, "there is no one righteous, not even one". If you too need some help in this area, I suggest reading Romans 12:9. It's about loving others. I think it's a good place to start.
May we all continue to grow in our knowledge and love for the Lord and in turn graciously pass it on to others so that they may also enjoy resting in the saving grace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
In Christs love,
~Jodi~
Announcements:
Prior to services on Sunday mornings, Pastor Karis will be available to talk to parishioners starting at 8:30 am, with a brief prayer time preceding the service at 8:50 am.
*Catechism class has begun with scriptural overview this year and is meeting Sunday evenings at 6:00pm on an alternating schedule between Red Cross and Urban. It is open to any interested children and young adults. If interested in joining please contact Pastor Karis.
*The 21st LCMC Annual Gathering will be held at Upper Arlington Lutheran Church Hilliard, OH Sunday October 3 through Wednesday October 6. Five will be attending from our church and will be reporting back afterward. If you would like to view the Gathering online, information can be found at: lcmc.net/annual-gathering#live.
*Harvest Home Sunday will be celebrated October 10 with a blessing over all food donations.
*Samaritan’s Purse Shoebox program: A representative will be visiting our church Oct. 24th to share. Christmas Shoeboxes will be due at Church by Sunday Nov.14.
*Koinonia Community Thanksgiving Service is 7pm November 21st at Himmel’s Church.
*Thanksgiving Pie Fellowship at Red Cross
Wednesday, November 24th at 7pm – bring a pie or other dessert and share your reasons for being Thankful this year.
*Hanging of the Greens: Help decorate for Advent and Christmas December 5 &6. This is scheduled after the first Sunday of Advent but will give individuals more time with family over the Thanksgiving weekend.
Home Visits
For those who are unable to attend church, if you would like to be visited by Pastor Karis and/or receive communion, please call the church secretary Lorie Campbell or Pastor Karis to schedule a time. For emergencies of any sort please contact Pastor Karis directly.
Autumn Bible Series
9-12-2021 Genesis 1:1-2:4a
John 1:1-5
9-19-2021 Genesis 21:1-3; 22:1-14
John 1:29
9-26-2021 Genesis 27:1-4, 15-23; 28:10-17
John 1:50-51
10-3-2021 Exodus 2:23-25; 3:1-15; 4:10-17
John 8:58
10-10-2021 Exodus 16:1-18
John 6:51
10-17-2021 1 Samuel 3:1-21
John 20:21-23
10-24-2021 1 Samuel 16:1-13
John 7:24
10-31-2021 1 Kings 5:1-5; 8:1-13
John 2:19-21
11-7-2021 1 Kings 19:1-18
John 12:27-28
11-14-2021 Amos 1:1-2; 5:14- 15, 21-24
John 7:37-38
11- 21-2021 Isaiah 9:1-7
John 8:12
11- 28-2021 Jeremiah 29:1, 4-14
John 14:27