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Summer Meditations - Trinity Lutheran Church of Quakertown, PA

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<strong>Trinity</strong> <strong>Lutheran</strong> <strong>Church</strong><br />

102 N. Hellertown Avenue<br />

<strong>Quakertown</strong>, <strong>PA</strong> 18951-1317<br />

Phone: 215-536-4345<br />

Fax: 215-536-4889<br />

Rev. Lynette R. Chapman, Pastor<br />

www.trinityquakertown.org<br />

email: trinity@trinityquakertown.org<br />

Office Hours - 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.<br />

<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>Meditations</strong><br />

It seems like summer came early this year. Already my<br />

yard is over-grown with weeds. I usually like to work outside,<br />

but this year, I feel like I’m behind before I even start and the<br />

work looks overwhelming. But the work must be done. So, I<br />

imagine I’ll find myself putting in some long days pulling<br />

weeds, watering the garden, and generally getting my yard in<br />

order.<br />

I’m not sure what you think about when you garden or<br />

do housework. I <strong>of</strong>ten use the time to meditate. I meditate on<br />

issues that I’ve been trying to figure out. I meditate on plans<br />

for the rest <strong>of</strong> the day, week, or summer. I might even meditate on what I’m going to fix for<br />

dinner. It becomes a nice time for reflection and thoughtful planning.<br />

I also find myself meditating on God’s word and promises. As I pull out weeds, I<br />

think about the “weediness” <strong>of</strong> my own life – those personal desires and bad habits that<br />

keep springing up and will run rampant through my life if I let them. I confess my sins to<br />

God and think <strong>of</strong> how God is constantly doing the dirty work <strong>of</strong> weeding my life. As I water<br />

the garden, I reflect on how necessary water is to life and how important Living Water is to<br />

my spiritual life. I thank God for the blessing <strong>of</strong> baptism and the identity He gave me as His<br />

own child.<br />

As I do different projects, making sure that I’ve got all the tools I need and that I do<br />

the steps in the right order (you have to dig the hole before you mix the concrete or the<br />

concrete will harden while you’re digging….), I sometimes find a moment to reflect on<br />

priorities in my life and on how things seem to fall together in good order when an<br />

endeavor is begun and ended in God.<br />

And when all the work is done (for the moment, anyway), I sit down in one <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Adirondack chairs in the backyard with a big glass <strong>of</strong> homemade iced tea and look around.<br />

And, yes, I think, “look at all the work I accomplished.” But I also pray, “Thank you, God, for<br />

all the blessings you pour into my life.” I look at the flowers and the grass (and the weeds),<br />

the trees and the garden, the people with me and the people in the next yard, and know<br />

that I am blessed – and that this garden is only a glimpse <strong>of</strong> the Heavenly Garden that is to<br />

come.<br />

"All <strong>of</strong> earth is crammed with<br />

May you find time this season for some summer<br />

meditations <strong>of</strong> your own. And may you, too,<br />

glimpse the glory <strong>of</strong> God all around.<br />

heaven, and every bush aflame with<br />

God, but only those who see take<br />

<strong>of</strong>f their shoes."


Issue Issue 6 6 June June 2012 2012 Page Page 2<br />

2<br />

<strong>Summer</strong> Youth Activities<br />

Dorney Park! Celebrate the first day <strong>of</strong> <strong>Summer</strong> with<br />

us on Wednesday, June 20, for a trip to Dorney Park. Cost for<br />

tickets is $38.00. This includes Wildwater Kingdom. If we can<br />

get discounted tickets, you’ll get the extra back to use for food,<br />

etc. at the park. Kids 12 or under must be accompanied by a<br />

parent/guardian. Sign up in the lobby/narthex. We’ll meet at the<br />

church at 9:00 a.m. to drive up to the park. Parents – if you’re<br />

willing to drive, let me know on the sheet!<br />

Mini-Golf! July 18 at 6:30 p.m. Bring your family and friends<br />

for golf at Putt U – Rt. 309, north <strong>of</strong> Coopersburg. Children under 12<br />

must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. Sign up in the lobby.<br />

Discounts may apply if we have a big enough group.<br />

Peach Festival Games!<br />

Junior and Senior High School Youth will be leading games at this year’s Peach<br />

Festival. We’ll be running some old-fashioned relay and<br />

tossing games like a water-balloon toss, a peach toss, a sack<br />

race, a three-legged race, and an egg/wooden spoon race.<br />

Come out at 4:00 p.m. on August 8 to help us get organized<br />

and set up. All Youth who participate will get a free hot dog<br />

and drink at the Peach Festival!<br />

Tubing on the Delaware! August 22 Beat<br />

the heat with a lazy, refreshing float down the Delaware!<br />

We’ll leave the church at 6:30 a.m. to be at Bucks County<br />

River Country, Point Pleasant, <strong>PA</strong>, by 7:00 a.m. We’ll ride<br />

tubes down the Delaware for 3 hours. Cost is $20/person and<br />

includes the tube and some extra for food. This trip is limited<br />

to swimmers; kids under 12 must be accompanied by a parent<br />

or guardian.


Issue Issue 6 6 June June 2012 2012 Page Page 3<br />

3<br />

Worship Survey Presentation and<br />

Discussion – June 19<br />

Back in March, the Worship Taskforce asked you to fill<br />

out three different surveys during worship. We’ve<br />

entered the data, crunched the numbers, and we’re<br />

ready to present the information to you. Come out on<br />

Tuesday, June 19, at 10:00 a.m. OR 7:00 p.m. for a<br />

presentation and discussion. Help us move towards a<br />

new worship schedule that will fit our needs now and<br />

into the future! If you have questions, talk to Pastor<br />

Chapman or Peggy Diefenderfer.<br />

<strong>Summer</strong> Worship Highlights<br />

Worship continues throughout the summer here at<br />

<strong>Trinity</strong>, and we’re planning some special events to<br />

keep our worship life vibrant even through the “dog<br />

days” <strong>of</strong> the summer Pentecost season. Here are some<br />

<strong>of</strong> the highlights:<br />

June 3 – <strong>Trinity</strong> Sunday Celebration! One<br />

“blended” service at 9:00 a.m. We’ll worship<br />

together as one people <strong>of</strong> God at <strong>Trinity</strong> and<br />

celebrate our past ministries, our present mission, and our future<br />

plans. A mini-mission fair is planned as well as goodies <strong>of</strong> all<br />

sorts.<br />

June 10 – Our <strong>Summer</strong> Schedule begins – 9:00 a.m. traditional<br />

service and 10:30 a.m. contemporary service. The 10:30 a.m. service<br />

will always include something special for children. 9:00 a.m. will<br />

have a children’s service on non-communion Sundays.<br />

Fellowship Every Sunday – all summer after the 9:00 a.m.<br />

traditional services, we’ll <strong>of</strong>fer refreshments, fellowship, and<br />

conversation on the front lawn or in the lobby/narthex. We’re<br />

inviting you to sign up for a Sunday and bring drinks and goodies to<br />

share. Of course, there will also be c<strong>of</strong>fee and goodies laid out in<br />

the fellowship hall for all those who come to the contemporary<br />

service.<br />

June 17 – Father’s Day We’ll celebrate all the faithful men <strong>of</strong><br />

our congregation and in our lives with a special blessing during<br />

worship.


Issue Issue 6 6 June June 2012 2012 Page Page 4<br />

4<br />

June 24 – Kidspiration Service returns – at the 10:30 a.m.<br />

contemporary worship time.<br />

July 15 – VBS Celebration! One “blended” service at 9:00 a.m.<br />

will involve all our kids and themes from Vacation Bible School.<br />

July 29 – Dedication/Naming <strong>of</strong> the old “Little Caboose” building<br />

after the 9:00 a.m. service. The building will be open for tours and<br />

refreshments will be served there. Folks who normally attend the 10:30<br />

a.m. service are invited to come a little early to take part.<br />

August 26 – Outdoor Worship! One service out on the front lawn at<br />

9:00 a.m. led by our own praise band. There’ll be activities for the<br />

kids and lots <strong>of</strong> water (not near the electronics!) as we celebrate the<br />

Water <strong>of</strong> Life. Join us for lots <strong>of</strong> fun as we worship God outside.<br />

Many thanks to all <strong>of</strong> our Sunday School<br />

teachers! Without the hard work and dedication <strong>of</strong> all <strong>of</strong><br />

our volunteers our Sunday School program would not be<br />

possible. The Christian Education Committee is always<br />

looking for more volunteers to help out on Sunday<br />

mornings. You do not have to be available every Sunday!<br />

If you are interested in helping or would like more<br />

information, please call the church <strong>of</strong>fice.<br />

Troop 55 traveled north to Lily Pond<br />

for the annual Pike County Fishing Rodeo on<br />

the weekend <strong>of</strong> April 13-15. Fourteen scouts<br />

and seven adults participated in camping<br />

and fishing. Scouts earned requirements on<br />

their Fishing Merit Badge. Warm weather<br />

made the catch light. Two scouts caught a<br />

total <strong>of</strong> six fish. One scout, Mike Kimak, won<br />

a fishing vest as a 14-15 year old participant. Great spring outdoor<br />

event for everyone that attended!<br />

On Sunday, April 29, our troop went to the YMCA for swimming. Four scouts<br />

completed their swim test that is required for upcoming summer events. The troop also<br />

enjoyed free swimming time. Troop 55’s Court <strong>of</strong> Honor was held on Monday, April 30.<br />

Scouts and families enjoyed delicious desserts and presentation <strong>of</strong> awards. Assistant<br />

scoutmaster, William Spaeth, was emcee and presented rank <strong>of</strong> EAGLE to Austin Kohler.<br />

Austin is the son <strong>of</strong> Doug and Elizabeth Kohler and is a senior at Pennridge High School.<br />

Austin organized and lead a park project <strong>of</strong> trail maintenance and development. Charles<br />

Witman was presented his Tenderfoot rank, also. “CONGRATULATIONS” scouts!


Issue Issue 6 6 June June 2012 2012 Page Page 5<br />

5<br />

VBS 2012 starts next month!!<br />

For months the Christian Education Committee has been<br />

planning this year’s Vacation Bible School—Sky—Everything is<br />

possible with God! The dates have been set (Sunday, July 8—<br />

Thursday, July 12), children are already signing up, we have<br />

volunteers (but more are always needed!) and once again we<br />

joined forces with Emmanuel Episcopal <strong>Church</strong> to design the<br />

decorations. For the past few years the newsletter envelope for<br />

June has been designated for the costs associated with VBS.<br />

This year will be no exception. At VBS we provide each child<br />

with a t-shirt, cd with the VBS music and materials for experiments,<br />

as well as snacks each evening. It costs approximately<br />

$10 per child and each year we welcome at least 60 to our VBS.<br />

Thank you in advance for your support <strong>of</strong> this important outreach<br />

<strong>of</strong> our church. Remember….everything IS possible with God!<br />

We have several members <strong>of</strong> our congregation who are<br />

graduating this summer. They are:<br />

<strong>Quakertown</strong> Community High School<br />

Brandon Kulp Jordan Kulp<br />

Matt Reimer Collin Reinhart<br />

Brandon Sell Courtney Stettler<br />

Southern Lehigh High School<br />

Emily Fischer<br />

Kutztown University<br />

Adam Hippeli<br />

Congratulations to all <strong>of</strong> the graduates and we wish you<br />

all the best for the future!<br />

It’s time to put in your request for your favorite hymns<br />

to be sung throughout the summer. Please write the<br />

name <strong>of</strong> the hymn and tear <strong>of</strong>f this portion <strong>of</strong> paper<br />

and put it in the <strong>of</strong>fering plate or return it to either <strong>of</strong><br />

our Ministers <strong>of</strong> Music. Thank you!<br />

Hymn name :<br />

________________________________________________<br />

________________________________________________<br />

________________________________________________


Name __________________________________ Grade Entering _________<br />

Address ______________________________________________________<br />

Phone _______________________________________ Age __________<br />

Emergency Phone _____________________ e-mail ___________________<br />

Parent Name ______________________________________<br />

Emergency Contact ___________________________________<br />

Alternate Pick-up _______________________________________________<br />

Allergies _________________________ Food Allergies ________________<br />

Doctor’s Name and Phone _______________________________________<br />

Circle Shirt Size: Child S M L<br />

Adult S M L XL<br />

In case <strong>of</strong> emergency, I authorize <strong>Trinity</strong> <strong>Lutheran</strong> <strong>Church</strong> to take the<br />

appropriate measures to treat my child.<br />

Signature _______________________________________ Date_________


Issue Issue 6 6 June June 2012 2012 Page Page 7<br />

7<br />

…that in everything God may be<br />

glorified…I Peter 4:11<br />

You see the signs everywhere this time <strong>of</strong> year. Garage sale this<br />

Saturday! Yard sale today! For the seller, garage sales are a good way<br />

to get rid <strong>of</strong> extra junk and make a little money as<br />

well. And because one person’s junk is another person’s treasure, buyers do<br />

well at garage sales, too. But did you know that garage/yard sales are<br />

examples <strong>of</strong> good stewardship? Think about it:<br />

financial stewardship: for the seller - making a little money, and convincing<br />

yourself not to accumulate this much stuff EVER again; for the<br />

buyer - saving money over buying new<br />

environmental stewardship: for everything that is bought “second hand”<br />

at a garage sale, one less thing is imported from China (saving fuel,<br />

transportation, manufacturing costs both financial and environmental);<br />

and for everything sold “second hand” at a garage sale, one<br />

thing is kept out <strong>of</strong> the landfill<br />

community stewardship: if unsold items are donated to a local thrift store (like Impact! Thrift<br />

in Norristown) that sells things to raise money for charity, even more things are kept out<br />

<strong>of</strong> landfills, provided at low cost to lower-income people, and benefit necessary local<br />

charities<br />

So practice your Christian stewardship this summer. Follow the signs to the yard sale instead <strong>of</strong><br />

to the mega-mart and make a difference.<br />

The Congregational Council met on Monday, May 13, 2012.<br />

C o u n c i l N o t e s<br />

Synod Assembly attendees, Pastor Chapman, Denise Fox and<br />

Peggy Diefenderfer gave highlights <strong>of</strong> their two days at the<br />

Synod Assembly on May 4 and 5, 2012. What an enriching, enlightening<br />

experience! During the business portion <strong>of</strong> the meeting, the treasurer announced that the<br />

beginning balance was $7,928.30 with purchase orders approved totaling $800.62 and no<br />

outstanding bills.<br />

Under Committee Reports, Peggy reminded members to convey to their committee<br />

members to check the schedule for monthly socials sponsored by committees which is posted in<br />

the <strong>Church</strong> <strong>of</strong>fice. A sign-up sheet is also available in the narthex for the summer socials. The<br />

Worship Task Force will be examining the results <strong>of</strong> the surveys filled out by members on three<br />

Sundays in April and preparing the results for presentation to the Congregational Council. Social<br />

Ministry members will be meeting on June 5, 2012, to plan for the Peach Festival. Parish Life is<br />

sponsoring the sale <strong>of</strong> tickets for the Iron Pigs game on June 6. Property and Work Crew members<br />

will be mulching and planting flower beds around the church and Yerger buildings and installing<br />

changing tables for infants in the bathrooms which are located <strong>of</strong>f the narthex.<br />

In other business: Council members voted not to meet during the month <strong>of</strong> August 2012.<br />

Council <strong>of</strong>ficers will be available to meet as needed during this month. Peggy announced with<br />

gratefulness the receipt <strong>of</strong> a contribution <strong>of</strong> $740 for the reduction <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Trinity</strong> loans from<br />

the Ladies Workshop. These monies were raised through the sale <strong>of</strong> the angels constructed<br />

from the used hymnals.<br />

The next Council meeting is scheduled for June 11, 2012.


Issue Issue 6 6 June June 2012 2012 Page Page 8<br />

8<br />

Melinda Gluck 6/1<br />

Barry Schoenly 6/1<br />

Gladys Nicholas 6/2<br />

Hannah Kulp 6/4<br />

Cody Batcsics 6/5<br />

Eric Batcsics 6/5<br />

Jason Batcsics 6/5<br />

Carl Hartman 6/5<br />

Norma Myers 6/5<br />

Jenny Bergman 6/7<br />

Kathryn Holtmeier 6/7<br />

Marie Klotz 6/7<br />

Annette Knibbs 6/7<br />

Shirley Krauss 6/7<br />

Addison Remick 6/7<br />

Stephen Steinberger 6/7<br />

Jennifer Enders 6/8<br />

Sara Hippeli 6/11<br />

Kenneth Mumbauer 6/11<br />

Eleanora Stettler 6/12<br />

Eric Snare 6/13<br />

Sandra Hager 6/14<br />

Harry Haney 6/15<br />

Ashley Stettler 6/17<br />

Jan Juchno 6/19<br />

James Lacey 6/20<br />

Shirley Mann 6/20<br />

Iris Gluck 6/21<br />

Michelle Loux 6/21<br />

Barry Sell 6/21<br />

Taylor Batcsics 6/22<br />

Barbara Heisey 6/22<br />

Sue Deily 6/23<br />

Ruth Galli 6/23<br />

Gerald Kulp 6/23<br />

Gerald Goepfert, Jr. 6/24<br />

Riley Ruffner 6/24<br />

Althea Barndt 6/25<br />

Willard Fluck 6/26<br />

Deborah Lacey 6/26<br />

Denise Fox 6/27<br />

Michael Juszynski 6/27<br />

Barry Nicholas 6/28<br />

Crystal Crowder 6/29<br />

Charles Egner 6/30<br />

Donald Poulton 6/30<br />

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE REMEMBER<br />

REMEMBER<br />

REMEMBER<br />

REMEMBER<br />

YOUR YOUR YOUR YOUR PENNIES PENNIES PENNIES PENNIES FOR FOR FOR FOR<br />

BLANKETS BLANKETS BLANKETS BLANKETS AND AND AND AND<br />

FOOD FOOD FOOD FOOD STAPLES STAPLES STAPLES STAPLES THIS THIS THIS THIS<br />

SUNDAY. SUNDAY. SUNDAY. SUNDAY.<br />

THANK THANK THANK THANK YOU. YOU. YOU. YOU.<br />

Births: none<br />

Baptisms: Courtney Ann Edris<br />

Marriages:<br />

Erin Silver and Darren Rice<br />

Deaths: none


Issue Issue 6 6 June June 2012 2012 Page Page 9<br />

9<br />

<strong>Summer</strong> Activities for Families at <strong>Trinity</strong><br />

<strong>Lutheran</strong> <strong>Church</strong><br />

Kidspiration Services<br />

June 24 th – 10:30 a.m. (parish hall)<br />

July 15 th – 9:00 a.m. (main sanctuary)<br />

August 26 th – 9:00 a.m. (outdoors on lawn)<br />

Vacation<br />

Bible School<br />

July 8 th – July 13 th 6:00 – 8:30 p.m.<br />

Register online at www.trinityquakertown.org<br />

Peach Peach Festival Festival – August 8th (raindate August 9th )<br />

Food, carnival games, old-fashioned races, a<br />

cake-walk, The <strong>Quakertown</strong> Band, ice-cream,<br />

and <strong>of</strong> course, peaches!<br />

Outdoor Worship – August 26 th – 9:00 a.m.<br />

We’ll celebrate the water <strong>of</strong> life as we worship on the front<br />

lawn <strong>of</strong> the church!<br />

(plenty <strong>of</strong> splishing and splashing will be included!)<br />

Everyone – young and old – is always welcome at worship<br />

services any Sunday! Starting June 10 th , we’ll <strong>of</strong>fer traditional<br />

worship at 9:00 a.m. and contemporary worship at 10:30 a.m.<br />

every Sunday through the summer.


Issue Issue 6 6 June June 2012 2012 Page Page 10<br />

10<br />

Congratulations to our Confirmands!<br />

Emily Fox<br />

Emma McLaughlin<br />

Emily Weaver<br />

Let’s Celebrate!<br />

Charlie Egner will be celebrating his 80 th birthday on June<br />

30. We’d like to ‘surprise’ him with a card shower to honor this<br />

special day. Perhaps you could mail a card to him, or stop by anytime<br />

to wish him a Happy Birthday!<br />

Mailing address: Actual address:<br />

1045 N. West End Blvd. Melody Lakes Mobile Home Park<br />

Lot 18 13 Highland Drive<br />

<strong>Quakertown</strong>, <strong>PA</strong> 18951<br />

(Enter from Reservoir Road. Straight at first stop sign. Continue to<br />

third road on right, Highland Drive. House is on the corner on your<br />

right side). Happy Birthday Charlie!<br />

This month, in addition to receiving your newsletter in<br />

the mail, we will be sending it via e-mail if we have your<br />

current e-mail address. This will allow the church to save on<br />

paper and postage costs. If we do not hear from you, we will<br />

begin to send your newsletter only by e-mail beginning with the<br />

July/August issue.<br />

If you have any questions/concerns or an updated e-mail<br />

address please contact the <strong>of</strong>fice at<br />

trinity@trinityquakertown.org


<strong>Trinity</strong> <strong>Lutheran</strong> <strong>Church</strong><br />

102 N. Hellertown Avenue<br />

<strong>Quakertown</strong>, <strong>PA</strong> 18951<br />

Address correction requested<br />

USPS Postage Paid<br />

Non-Pr<strong>of</strong>it<br />

Permit 23<br />

<strong>Quakertown</strong>, <strong>PA</strong>

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