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