2025

Spring 2025 Newsletter

Pastor’s Corner

The Rev. Terry K. Wimmer, Pastor

By the time you receive this Spring newsletter we will have entered the Season of Pentecost, which follows the 50 days of Easter.

Pentecost is a major festival in the Lutheran and Christian Church. It marks the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Jesus’ apostles and other followers of the risen and ascended Jesus Christ as recorded in the Book of Acts, chapter 2 verses 1-21.

This season of Pentecost, the longest of our church year, focuses on the growth of the Christian church and typically lasts until Advent, with the liturgical color often being green to symbolize growth.

In many ways Pentecost is often referred to as the “Birthday of the Church” because it marks the beginning of the apostles’ public ministry and the growth of the Christian community, a day of growth here at Saint Peter as we receive and celebrate the gift of new sisters and brothers into our community of believers! Thanks be to God!

For we the People of St. Peter, Pentecost is a day and a season in which we are called to open our hearts and minds to the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Empowered by the gift of the Spirit, we are called to go into our region and proclaim the Good News of the Gospel, and the gift of His Son, the risen and ascended Christ, and invite them to join us as we celebrate the gifts of God in Word and Sacrament. As people of faith, we are all called to do nothing less!

Thanks be to God! Pastor Terry Wimmer

History Corner - By Dave Hause

Isaac Reitz

Isaac H. Reitz, son of Jacob, was born Sept. 10, 1818, on the old Reitz homestead near Mahanoy Church, now owned by Andrew L. Bucher. He learned the trade of house carpenter, which he followed, but he was better known in his capacity of undertaker, having been the only one in that business for miles around his home, which was near the Mahanoy Church. The Mahanoy cemetery was once part of his land. He conducted many funerals in his time. He was also known as an extensive dealer in cattle and horses, having been thus engaged for fifty-three years, buying cattle west of the Alleghenies and bringing them overland to Northumberland county, where he found a market for them. He sold herds in Berks county at private sales. A prosperous man in his enterprises, he owned the farm which is now the property of his son Galen and also his own homestead, another tract comprising seventy-three acres, and several acres of woodland. He was active in public affairs of his day, serving as overseer of the poor, school director, constable and assessor, was a Democrat in politics, and a member of St. Peter's Church at Mahanoy, which he served officially. He was also superintendent of the Sunday school for many years. Mr. Reitz died in the neighborhood where he had passed all his life on Nov. 14, 1894, aged seventy-six years, two months, four days, and is buried at Krebs (St. Peter's) Church. "Krebs" is the local name for this church, and "St. Peter's" is the corporate name.

Home Visits

Pastor Terry has been busy visiting members of our community to introduce himself. Pastor Terry has been visiting and giving Holy Communion to those who cannot come to worship, visiting those who are ill in hospitals and giving solace to all who need him. Pastor Terry wants to make clear that he will visit anyone who needs him, day or night. He is a strong advocate for pastoral care. Just call his cell at 610-618-0304 and he will be wherever you need him.

Spring Roundup

Congregational Meeting – Our annual meeting on Sunday, January 5, at 8:30 am was well attended. The congregation was informed that the Church is in the process of renewing our tax-exempt certification and that additional language was needed in our By-Laws to meet the requirements of the PA Department of Revenue. The additional language was voted on, accepted and our Tax Exempt Certificate is now renewed.

Family & Friends Meal – On January 19th, our annual holiday meal was held. We shared great food, fellowship and had a lot of fun. A special shout-out to Dan Ferster and all those who made this possible.

Installation of Pastor Terry – On February 2, the installation of The Rev. Terry K. Wimmer was held followed by a light supper. The event, while solemn, was joyful to all who attended. Pastor Terry was unanimously elected to a full-time call on November 3, 2024. The congregation of St. Peter Lutheran Church of Red Cross welcomes Pastor Terry and looks forward to a bright and promising future moving forward.

Soup and Bake Sale – Our annual Soup & Bake Sale was held on Saturday, March 29th. The Soup Group decided to make more soup this year because they ran out last year. The decision was a good one! What little remained was shared and delivered by Outreach in the monthly meal delivery. Thanks to all who gave their time to the success of this annual event.

Blankets, Mugs and Cookbooks are still available. Contact any member of Council.

Weekly Communion – St. Peter’s is now offering Holy sommunion weekly every Sunday at 9 am. We are also now offering sparkling cider in addition to wine for those who prefer no alcohol. As you approach the communion table, we ask that you cross your hands over your chest to signal that you prefer sparkling cider.

Email Addresses for Contact-We would like to start keeping in contact with all of you via email. This would allow us to send you updated info, reminders or new events that are planned. The quarterly Newsletter would still be mailed to you. Please send your email address to our church email at stpeterlcmc@outlook.com

FUTURE HAPPENINGS

June 1st and June 8th – Class for New Member

June 22nd – Father’s Day Celebration Meal following worship at 9am – spaghetti & meatballs, garlic bread, salad and dessert.

August 2nd – Blessing of the Bookbags – sending our kids off to school with God’s blessing.

August 16th – Chicken Barbeque and Bake Sale – eat in or take out

September 6th & 7th – St. Peter’s Festival Days

September 21st - Home Harvest

October 4th – Blessing of the Animals

December 24th – Christmas Eve Service 7 pm

Deceased Red Cross Veterans

(Contributed by Donald Deppen)

Last Name First Name War Time

Billman I.O. GAR

Bordner Charles A World War II

Culp John GAR

Diner J.G. GAR

Erdman Daniel World War I

Erdman Walter World War II

Erdman Mason E WW II

Ferster David L World War I

Herb Edwin L World War I

Herb John M Korea

Herold Henery A World War II

Herter Elias GAR

Hilbush Elias GAR

Hoerner George GAR

Kahler Carl Vietnam

Kemble John F World War I

Klock Johannes GAR

Kohl Dallas World War II

Kohl Sr Royal L World War II

Lahr Claude World War II

Lahr Lawrence M.D World War II

Latsha Adam W GAR

Latsha Mark D Korea

Leader John GAR

Leader Elias GAR

Otto John C GAR

Rebuck George Marlin World War II

Rebuck Michael Mexican

Reitz George V World War II

Reitz Earl D World War II

Schreffler Sterling L Korea

Shappell David GAR

Smeltz Richard M

Smith Harry S World War II

Smith Samuel R GAR

Smith Jr Harry S Vietnam

Snyder Perry H GAR

Spade Malvin J World War II

Thomas Peter GAR

Tressler Elias B GAR

Underkoffler Merle E World War II

Wilkinson Jacob Korea

Wolf Samuel GAR

Zerbe Charles GAR

Prayer List

Please read over the prayer list to see if there is anyone on the list that you are aware can be removed or you wish to have added.

Sandy Bobb

Steve Bobb

Ed Boyer

Maureen and Dan Coleman

Carl Criley

Tom, Inez and Collin Deppen

Nancy Diffenderfer

Angie Edminson

Angie French

Darlene French

Scott Hauser

Kimberly Hayes

Family of Tony Julio

Sandra Kieffer

Shane Kieffer

Reggie “Frenchie” LaChance

Diana LaChance

Karen Locke

Glenn Masser

Angie Meadows

Fran Morrison & Family

Terry Pascolini

Harry Rebuck

Jim Reiner

Sandy Reiner

Anna Reitz

Sandy Snyder

Shelby Troutman

Colyton Wagner

Nancy Williard

Baby Owen Wirt

Diane Wolfe

Gary Wolfe

Baby Rosemary

Summer 2025 Newsletter

Pastor Terry will be undergoing reconstructive left knee surgery on September 2. Barring complications, he hopes to return to worship on September 21. Please remember him in your prayers.

Pastor’s Corner

When too much is not enough

We are a people who treasure “stuff” and we can’t get enough of the “stuff” we treasure. I’m guilty as well. As soon as my big screen 55 inch TV is on the fritz, I’ll execute my game plan: do I go to Walmart or do I order a new one on Amazon. Heaven forbid I should have to wait a day two, especially when my beloved Philadelphia Phillies are on TV.

We are warned in the 12th Chapter of Luke’s Gospel that if we are defined by what you have, or by what you do, or by where you are, what happens when you don't have anything, and you are nobody, and you don't do anything anymore? Who are you?

Some try to take it with them; you may have heard the story of the woman who wished to be buried in her Cadillac because she had worked so hard to get it and was not prepared to go on without it?

The one who is rich toward God, Jesus says, is the one who recognizes here and now that treasure is not in what one has, or even in what one leaves or gives away, or even in what one does. Those are not riches.

Treasure is knowing that one belongs not to self, or to work, or to vocation, or ambition,

but that one belongs to God. You don’t belong to your talent or to your skill or identity in the world.

Treasure is knowing that you belong to God; treasure is knowing that you are not alone. You are not isolated; you are not on your own.

Treasure is knowing that you are loved and that you love because you are loved, and that knowledge of self and relationship and purpose is what treasure is all about.

Treasure means rich in relationship to God, that which the world cannot give and which therefore the world and all its challenges and all of its trials and tribulations cannot take away.

The one who would then be truly rich is the one who cultivates that treasure, that wisdom, and who does so with all of the effort that other people use to cultivate earthly but perishable goods. So that when you leave “everything,” as we all most certainly will leave everything, you can take “it” with you, for “it” is the only thing you every truly had, and that is the love of God.

See you in Church! Pastor Terry

History Corner - By Dave Hause

Jacob Romberger Hilbush

Birth 14 Mar 1835 Pennsylvania, USA

Death 26 Feb 1921 (aged 85) Red Cross, Northumberland County, PA, USA

Burial Saint Peters Lutheran Church Cemetery

Red Cross, Northumberland County, PA, USA

JACOB R. HILBUSH, son of Daniel and Nancy, was born March 14, 1835, in Lykens township, Dauphin County, and was an infant when his parents settled in what is now Washington township, Northumberland County. He was raised on a farm and, at the age of 14, learned the trade of plasterer which is what his father was. Because his education had been limited by the school he attended, he continued in this occupation until he reached the age of twenty-five. However, when he was 21 years old, he began to attend the Freeburg Academy, where he gained most of his scholastic training. He succeeded in his studies and became competent enough to teach. He then taught from 1858 to 1861 in Freeburg. His salary the first term was $18 per month and increased $2 per month each term thereafter. At the age of 28, he began the profession of surveying and was the sole surveyor in Dauphin County. In 1865, he moved into his home which adjoined his father’s old farm of 130 acres in Washington Township, Northumberland County.

Home Visits

Summer Roundup

Holy Week – The week of Easter was solemnly celebrated with Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and the celebration of Christ rising on Easter. If you missed any of these services, Pastor Terry encourages you to attend next year.

Easter Egg Hunt – On April 12th, the Church hosted an Easter egg hunt which was rain or shine. It was too wet to hide the eggs outside so the team hit the eggs in the church. It was so popular and so well attended that it will be held again next year!

Mother’s Day Meal – A shout-out to all the men for the delicious Mother’s Day meal after church. It truly was a special day and the food was, as always, top notch! Thanks guys!

Fish Pie Class – Thank you Lena Lenker! Lena shared her expertise in the church kitchen on the fine art of making fish pie. She is the ultimate expert! All went home with the pie she had taught them to make.

Bread Making Class – Another success! Lena Lenker again stepped into the church kitchen and had a class on the fine art of making bread. If there is anyone who hasn’t tasted Lena’s homemade bread, you should be the first in line at the bake sales because her bread is the first to go!

New Members – On June 8, St Peter Lutheran Church of Red Cross received new members. Please join us in welcoming Anthony Julio, Richard Yeager, Allison Yeager, Janie Snyder and Ron Snyder. We look forward to worshipping with you!

Youth & Family Night - July 19th – The first Youth & Family night! The message was “And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.” Genesis 1:3 … The food was plentiful, and the youth went home with a memento

that related to the message. The next event is August 23 at 4 pm. All are invited!

FUTURE HAPPENINGS

August 16th – Chicken Barbeque and Bake Sale – eat in or take out

August 23rd – Youth & Family Night – 4 pm to 8 pm - Back to School Splash and Blessing of the Bookbags – sending our kids off to school with God’s blessing.

September 6th & 7th – St. Peter’s Festival Days

September 21st – Harvest Home

September 27th – Youth & Family Night – Soup Night

October 4th – Blessing of the Animals

October 25th – Youth & Family Night – Trunk or Treat

December 24th – Christmas Eve Service 7 pm

THIS & THAT

Blankets, Mugs and Cookbooks are still available. Contact any member of Council.

Weekly Communion – St. Peter’s is now offering Holy communion weekly every Sunday at 9 am. We are also now offering sparkling cider in addition to wine for those who prefer no alcohol. As you approach the communion table, we ask that you cross your hands over your chest to signal that you prefer sparkling cider.

Email Addresses for Contact-We are continuing to collect email contact information in an effort to keep in contact with all of you via email. This would allow us to send you updated info, reminders or new events that are planned. The quarterly Newsletter will still be mailed to you. Please send your email address to our church email at stpeterlcmc@outlook.com

Livestreaming Services – We continue to livestream our Sunday service on Facebook. We also are transferring these service videos to our YouTube channel which can be found on our website at stpeterredcross.com

PRAYER LIST

Sherrie Bernard