March Newsletter

Dear Partners in Ministry,

If I had one person offer me condolences on the approach of Lent, I have had a half dozen. Those sympathetic well wishers leave me wondering exactly what Lent means to us?

Obviously, to a lot of our people, Lent means extra work. I’m sure that’s what was behind the expressions of sympathy that were sent my way. I could see it in their eyes: “You poor pastors, as if you don’t have enough work to do!…”

And the expressions of sympathy don’t just apply to the pastors. I know in a couple of our congregations, Lent means fish fries and all the extra effort that goes into them. Then there are the extra worship services, soup suppers and Bible Studies. Add to all that the traditional practices of Lent: prayer, fasting, and acts of charity and the season of Lent can turn into a real load…unless, that is, we keep our focus on what it’s really all about.

The word “Lent” means “spring”. I don’t know about you but, as I sit here waiting for the last weeks of winter to come to an end, the notion of “spring” literally puts a spring in my step.

That’s what Lent is designed to do. It’s not about gloom and doom as we walk with our Lord to Jerusalem, although it is a time that is meant to be more sober and reflective. It’s about taking time, in anticipation of the celebration of Easter, to clean house spiritually so that we’re not bogged down when the warm weather (read that “good news”) hits. It’s about taking time to throw ourselves open to the living Word of God in a way that lets in the fresh air of God’s amazing love and mercy, won for us by Jesus and made available to us by the Spirit. We’ve all experienced it before, just as we’ve lived through many springs. But just as each new spring lifts our spirits with the promise of new life and warmer weather so, too, does revisiting the basics of our faith during Lent.

When we practice Lent by holding Jesus Christ at its center, Lent becomes a time of refreshment and renewal. It’s a time when we take conscious spiritual steps that remind us of our need for what Jesus has done for us and then delivers a new, spiritual, lease on life that brings joy and hope for our future.

So what steps are you going to take to open yourself to the spiritual fresh air of the Gospel this Lent? Here are some suggestions.

1) If you haven’t been worshipping regularly, make a special commitment to worship on Sundays.

2) If you are already regular in your worship attendance, add a Lenten mid-week service to your schedule.

3) Attend one of the Bible Studies or Sunday School classes being offered this Lent in our PLUM congregations.

4) If it’s not already a daily practice, set aside time each day for conversation with God (otherwise known as prayer). Need help getting started? Just talk with the pastors. There are a lot of devotional resources available, many especially designed for Lent.

5) If you’re planning on fasting this year, give the money you save to a charity of your choice.

6) Try practicing “Faith Fluency”! Share your faith story with someone. Speak well of your faith community with your friends so they come to know how important a church home is to your well-being (instead of listing your worries or concerns about the future of the church!). Invite a neighbor or co-worker to worship with you. Give your time to a charity and when asked why you do it?...take the opportunity to share your love for Jesus.

May the next six weeks of Lent put a spring in your step!

Pastor Beth

Speaking of Faith Fluency….as a pastor I am privileged to hear testimonials from parishioners. Just last Sunday a parishioner took time to share with me a wonderful spiritual awakening he had at a funeral service. The service began with a passage from the 8th chapter of Paul’s letter to the Romans which ends with Paul saying that nothing “will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” He said that he had never heard that passage before and, in the face of losing his loved one, it made all the difference. He could experience joy and peace in the presence of death instead of being overwhelmed by sorrow. He went on to say that if it hadn’t been for time spent at the church with his pastors and fellow believers he didn’t think he would have been open to that new understanding of the faith. He absolutely glowed!

It’s important to share these moments that I like to call “faith impact moments” or moments when the Holy Spirit leads us to grow spiritually in a significant way. Here’s another example of such a moment offered to us by Michael Long from Trinity Lutheran Church in Sheraden.

A PRIVILEGED CONFIRMATION

By Michael Long

A Testimonial for My Savior Jesus Christ

Postscript: After writing my original testimony, I realized the story was not complete, so I offer this important addition. One weekend, while home alone, my wife away on an overnight work trip, I had been scanning the TV for something to watch. I came across a local telecast of a Pittsburgh woman preacher giving a sermon. For some reason instead of continuing to channel surf, I felt the need to watch the show. She was very intriguing. Her message was that we must constantly and diligently wear the armor of GOD and Christ in our daily lives especially, our helmet and breastplate, to keep our mind clear and protect our heart to keep it pure and void of Satan and the evil that is constantly being thrust upon us! That message became very clear to me. Later the next day I realized I had heard this before and thought it peculiar that I remembered scanning a show some time ago where a man was preaching the same subject matter on a national religious program…little did I know the impact that would have on me!

I feel it necessary to write this for all to read. I was inspired to tell it to my church congregation after it occurred as I am now, compelled to share it with the world. I was made witness to something that forever stays with me and offers me concrete strength anytime I feel weak. May it touch others in the same way.

Has anyone ever seen Bill Engvall’s Blue Comedy Tour or heard of his “here’s your sign” routine? Well, if so…it will surely add to this testimony.

I want to preface this by saying my faith had been somewhat slacking. Years of constant bombardment of things going wrong, to the point I just couldn’t believe anyone could have that much bad luck. [It was pathetic, the things that would happen to me all the time!] I started to think it was just pure evil that surrounded me; the devil and his demons just messing with my life to keep me from GOD…[from truth]. Probably not unlike what I would think many other people encounter in life’s cold hard realities. Maintaining faith in the midst of it all can be challenging to say the least.

Anyway, a few days ago my wife went out of town on a 24 hour junket. Even so, I missed her dearly and anxiously awaited her return. I had a real worry of her flying but I kept a positive outlook. On the evening of her return I decided to have a little party for her so I went out and bought a few fancy snack items and a balloon.

I returned home and went to get the balloon out of the car. Before I could grab it, it shot out of the trunk and high into the air. I screamed “NO!” and gave chase but to no avail. It had disappeared high out of sight into the dark and rainy night! Once again victim to my ridiculous luck. Then suddenly it entered into my mind in a disturbing symbolic gesture that the balloon was gone but more importantly that Satan would put that disgusting thought in my mind! I screamed out loud ---“Devil, you can’t beat me! Christ’s blood was shed for me and I accept that sacrifice! There is nothing that you can do! You will not ruin my night and you are definitely not taking my wife!” I cleared my mind and focused on a mission to get a replacement. For the next hour I tried everywhere but could not find one like I had before. I finally settled for a different balloon and got home just in time for her arrival. My wife did make it home and we had our little meal and I told her the story and we had a good laugh.

Then next day we had both worked very hard. We returned home and decided to take a little nap. It was not very long into my sleep and I was awakened from choking on something. What?…I did not know. At the same time, my dog, Murphy, wanted out. He was sitting at the bed with his typical whine when the call of nature came. I said, “Alright, Buddy, let’s go.” and went to the front door. When I opened the door, directly in my line of sight, in the neighbor’s yard about 75 feet away was a bobbing balloon! There was my balloon almost 24 hours later, pulling and tugging in the wind. When I got up close, I was in disbelief. The balloon string was being held by a very tiny thorn about half the size of my little fingernail. The string was not wrapped up in the grass or entangled but just lying there across the grass. The approximate half way point of its length was at exactly at my view point from the door. I just could not believe it, but there it was! What are the statistical odds of this occurring?

Then I knew the answer. The answer was it couldn’t have happened without purpose. It was impossible! It was a MIRACLE from GOD. It then came to me that it had occurred because it was tied into my last 24 hours of my thoughts and actions. It was clearly a confirmation of GOD’S presence. Absolute divine intervention! To have all the things required to have happened and be lined up in just the right order to have the outcome that was produced could simply not have happened any other way!

It gave me new hope and new Spirit! Finally, something wonderfully good and incredible! A proof of his existence, his love, his everlasting control over all things. This did not just randomly happen. God made it happen. He does exist and he reminded me in a very unique and special way. With God and Christ all things are possible! And to us, his greatest gift, Eternal Life through Christ.

This is my testament in my reaffirmed faith. I ask GOD to give all people boosts in their lives as needed and be able to find Christ and that Christians stay the course.

Written on my balloon was……. WELCOME HOME

In true Bill Engvall fashion……. “HERE’S YOUR SIGN!”

[I tied that balloon to my kitchen chair and it floated there for 1 month!]

 ABUNDANT LOVE AND GRACE IS EVER PRESENT AND IN CONTROL OF ALL THINGS; A GIFT FOR LIFE FROM GOD AND FAITH RENEWED THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT.

Thank you, Michael! Now, does anyone else have a “Faith Impact Moment” to share? Let me know.

Pastor Beth

Lent - a forty-day period of penance for all Christians!

“Lent is a season of individual and ecclesial reformation. Lent can be understood as a time to focus more intently on the elements that are always most foundational at all times of the year and throughout the Christian life.” (ELCA Worship Guide for Lent and the Three Days)  Gregory the Great, a bishop of the late sixth and early seventh century, understood Lent as such a focused part of the year, calling the season (at forty days, roughly a tenth of the year) a “tithe of the year”. John Cassian, writing in the fifth century, could call Lent a “tithe of our lives.”

Forty days? For forty days it rained on the ark; Moses fasted on Mount Sinai; the spies scouted out Canaan Israel’s armies were taunted by Goliath; Elijah walked on the strength of the angel’s food to the mountain of God; Ezekiel lay on his right side; the inhabitants of Nineveh repented; Jesus wandered in the wilderness; and Jesus appeared after the resurrection. Forty is always the space between, the journey to God, the time it takes for us to see that God is already with us. So Lent is forty days - more or less, it depends on how you count - as together we enter into the biblical metaphor of a sacred span of time.

Gregory I, sixth-century pope said, “Multiply the ten commandments by the four gospels and you get forty; we perfectly fulfill the precepts of the ten commandments when we faithfully observe the four books of the holy gospels.”

Lent is such an important season in our church and in personal piety and devotional life of families. There are three classic Lenten disciplines: giving of alms to the poor, praying, and fasting.

Giving of alms to the poor:

We try to figure out what we will “give up” for Lent. You know, coffee, desserts, no meat - just fish on Fridays, and so on. While it is always a good practice to monitor ourselves, giving up coffee (or other things) is just not what sacrifice means. Although, I would admit giving up my coffee would seem like a huge sacrifice.

Let me suggest a couple of ideas for this Lenten season. Maybe this year you give money to the food pantry, or for the malaria campaign through the ELCA. Or perhaps you volunteer at the food bank, or the prison ministries. Maybe you could read to a class at the nearest public school or library.

Praying

There are devotional materials to use during this season for use in the home or for your personal use. I want to extend an invitation to all of you to participate in individual confession. I am posting the times that I will be in the office during the week for you to stop by or to schedule an appointment. (or evenings by appointment) This is for you to meet with me for individual confession and forgiveness. Individual confession and forgiveness is a ministry of this church through which a person is in conversation with the pastor and may confess sin and receive the assurance of God’s forgiveness. As always, these confessions are confidential. Don’t fret, it is short and simple and you don’t need to feel embarrassed. After you participate in individual confession once you will return to do it again. I promise! Individual confession and forgiveness is such a burden lifting experience! Yes, we confess every Sunday in corporate confession. But individual confession is an extension of the spirituality we began in our last retreat. You will be amazed by the feeling of closeness to God you get in this experience.

Fasting

Fasting, if it is done correctly, is a healthy thing to do for all of us (if your doctor says it is okay).  However you decide to fast is up to you. Sometimes we give up certain foods or restrict the amount of food we eat. Some curtail the amount and expense of personal entertainment. Such attention to our pattern of self-indulgence can have several different intents: to bond us with those who suffer; to allow for more money for alms; or to prepare our bodies and our minds for the fullness of the Easter celebration by practicing its contrast. It is not necessary to fast for gaining God’s approval. These are behaviors that we choose to adopt to remind ourselves of the renewal of life that baptism calls forth. Whatever you choose to do for a fast, if you choose, is just for you. Make it personal. Make it spiritual for YOU!

Remember

The idea is for you to do something this Lenten season that you have not done before or have not done for years. Make Lent a special time for you. Take time to read the Bible, attend Bible studies, get to the different P.L.U.M. churches and take part in the activities each one has for Lent, and most of all - PRAY! Cozy up with God and read his words of redemption and salvation.

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Melba

(I love the sound of that!)

Ordination Day Jan. 28, 2012

Thank you just doesn’t reach to the core of what I want to tell each and every one of you.  My Ordination was perfect. That day could not have been a success if it hadn’t been for each of the members of P.L.U.M. There were so many volunteers that worked very hard to make the service absolutely beautiful and meaningful.

Maybe you were unable to “do” anything for the service - but you being there was such a gift to me. Your support and forgiveness along the way has been a blessing to me. I ignored God’s calling for many years. When I finally opened my heart (and ears) to Him, I traveled this journey in faith and with a whole lot of trepidation. Each of you have gone out of your way to make sure I had everything I needed - prayers, information, guidance, support - to be successful. For you - I thank God.

It is amazing how seven congregations can be so individual and yet such a family. Bishop Kusserow was so impressed with the support you showed for each other. You really are unique and faithful. God has blessed our congregations and continues to bless us in ways we have yet to discover.

May God bless us with many more years to celebrate in His name!

Pastor Melba : - )

February Newsletter

January Newsletter

I am a member of _______ Lutheran Church!

We are in a new church year and it is also a new calendar year, 2012!  Happy New Year, in both senses.  As a new year begins, it’s a good time to take time to re-examine ourselves.  Who are we?  All of us go by many titles and have various responsibilities: parent, grandparent, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, Mr., Mrs., Ms., student, employee, friend, and so on.  Each title has its own particular identity and definition.  The same goes for our identity as members of our faith family.  What does it mean to be a member of a faith community?

The congregational constitution and bylaws of our church spell out what it means to be a member of a Lutheran congregation.  It’s a good place to begin when considering what participation in the church involves.

     C8.02 Members shall be classified as follows:

1)  Baptized members are those persons who have been received by the Sacrament of Holy Baptism in this congregation, or, having been previously baptized in the name of the Triune God, have been received by certificate of transfer from other Lutheran congregations or by affirmation of faith.

2)  Confirmed members are baptized persons who have been confirmed in this congregation, those who have been received by adult baptism or by transfer as confirmed members from other Lutheran congregations, or baptized persons received by affirmation of faith.

3)   Voting members are confirmed members. Such confirmed members, during the current or preceding calendar year, shall have communed in this congregation and shall have made a contribution of record to this congregation.

What are the responsibilities of a member?

     C8.04 It shall be the privilege and duty of members of this congregation to:

a.  make regular use of the means of grace, both Word and sacraments;   

b.  live a Christian life in accordance with the Word of God and the teachings of the Lutheran church; and

c.  support the work of this congregation, the synod, and the church-wide organization of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America through contributions of their time, abilities, and financial support as biblical stewards.

Notice the bold words from C8.02?  As we know, baptized means being adopted into the family of God as a child of God.  To be in the family of saints. Notice the word “family.” 

Next – being a confirmed member means you have a basic knowledge of what we Lutherans believe as we confess our faith in the three ecumenical creeds: the Apostles’, Nicene and Athanasian.  It means accepting Baptism and Holy Communion as the sacraments of the church, namely, as the means by which we receive God’s gifts of forgiveness, life and salvation.  As confirmed members, we believe in the Triune God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit - and we believe we are saved by grace through Jesus Christ and not by our works.  

A Voting member means having a say in the workings of the church.  Voting members have the responsibility to keep informed about what is going on in the congregation. Voting, whether it is in the church or the political arena involves taking time to be informed before making a decision.  How about the “responsibility” of a member?  Notice the italicized words: make, live and support.  Now we are getting into the nuts and bolts of being a member of a congregation.  

Make: one way to make use of Word and sacraments is to be in church regularly (on Sundays) and take part in Word and Sacrament worship whenever else it is offered.  Going to church is about worshiping our God.  There are few good excuses for our absence.  Besides, you are missed when you are not sitting in your pew and taking part in the service.  Parents, do your children really have to do that sport during church on Sunday?  What would happen if parents united and said “No” to sports on Sunday mornings?  Or, how about boldly stating that going to church as a family is a value that isn’t negotiable.  Imagine that!

Live: You are a shining star in the Lutheran congregation where you belong and an important part of the life of the whole Lutheran church.  You show your faith and love of God by the things you do and the way you act.  Don’t hide your light under a bushel - let it shine!  Begin each day remembering your baptism and what it means for Christ to die for you and rise again.

Support: A common lament in most congregations goes like this: “The same people do all the work all the time.  There are no new volunteers to take over what we have been doing for years!”  While all congregations are blessed with a core of members who lead their ministries, no small group can do it alone. We all need to support our congregation with our time, abilities and financial support.  In 2012, could you offer to do one thing in the church you have never done?  Can you find one additional hour out of your week to volunteer at your church?  How about giving up that fast food lunch and donating that money to the church-wide mission or add it to your weekly offering?  Those fast food meals now run about 6 and 7 dollars!  Adding the price of that one meal to your weekly offering would increase your offerings by $364 per year!  Just think what that would mean to your congregation’s ministry.

I just had a discussion with my daughter about how families help each other get through whatever is going on in their lives.  That’s true with the church. We are a family in Christ - one family.  We are called to do and give all we can to build up each other and those less fortunate than us.  There are many people outside the doors of our congregations that need our help.  Are you willing to invite those into the church who are different from you?  Those not as fortunate as you?  Are you willing to go the extra mile to get those people through our doors?  Of course you are!  This church is made up of wonderful, caring, and hard working members.

As a “member” of a congregation it is your responsibility as a member of the family of God to help and to encourage and to promote the good things about your church and the love of God to all that cross your path.  As a member of the family, you have a responsibility to share in the duties of running the church.  As a member of that family, it is your responsibility to love and care for one another through the good times and the bad.  Love one another as God loves you.  Boy, if we could do that even 50% as well as God does, what a wonderful world it would be.

I’m asking you to do and give more of yourself and your time, talents, and resources. You are doing a great job now and I truly believe there is more in you to give and do. Just strive for one more hour a week and maybe donating one fast food meal a week. You will be surprised how much you can do and how much you can offer.  God will support you and help you in your endeavor. Above all - PRAY!  Pray for your congregational family and for everyone in need.

Even though I am trying to push you to go the extra mile; I want to thank each of you for what you do and who you are.  P.L.U.M. is full of wonderful Christians that try hard and care a lot about each other.  Keep it up and rethink your “membership” responsibilities and see if there is more you can offer.  We thank God for you and all you give.  Happy New Year!

- Vicar Melba

December Newsletter

Dear Partners in Ministry,

What is our response to those who wish us a “Merry Christmas?” “Bah Humbug,” or “Praise the Lord” and “Hosanna in the Highest!” Especially now, as we begin our Advent journey in preparation for the celebration of the coming of our Lord, what is our response?

Christmas, for most of us, is a chaotic time of “wanta do’s,” “gotta do’s,” “should do’s,” and “ahh, do I hafta do, do’s.” The expectations that we place on ourselves, and those that are placed on us by others, can, and frequently do, become overwhelming. One of the things that Mary did not treasure in her heart, as the shepherds told their story of the angels announcing our Savior’s birth, was waiting in line at Walmart for 45 minutes to check out a cart of non-essential “essentials.” (For instance, “If we knew Jesus was coming tomorrow, what would we have in our cart today?”)

In an article by author Joy Hakim entitled “Fantastic Journey” in the American Educator magazine she states,

“Science is not about certainty; it’s about uncertainty. Science is about trying ideas, discarding those that do not work, and building on those that do. It never stops.”

How does this tie into Christianity and our faith and the Christmas season? Maybe we want to try something new. I am not saying add to the overload or shuck all the old expectations and responsibilities. But, what happens if we replace some that overwhelm us with new ideas or options that more appropriately bring the meaning of Christmas home? In our culture, all too often we give hand outs. We donate some money or clothes or food, etc. and allow others to see it gets to where it is best suited. What happens if you/we as individuals or families “adopted” a shut-in or child in your neighborhood and made sure they had a special Christmas? I am talking about the “invisible” people we look past each day. What difference “might” that make for us as well as for the individuals to whom we reach out? (Remember, some may find it offensive, but is it ever wrong to care?) We all know how we feel when we are remembered. Just watch the “Hallmark” advertisements on TV. The difference that a card or tray of cookies or even an invite to dinner might make could be life changing for all involved. You already know from experience what does not work. Why not try something “uncertain” and new and see how the Lord works through you? Remember that it is:

God’s Work - Our Hands.

Within the lives of our churches we will touch on some of these items to “prime the pump.” Look at the list of “UP-COMING EVENTS” in your church bulletin and/or newsletter, and join in. Believe it or not, Christmas is not about the race, rather the investment.

There is only one reason for us gathering as the body of believers, the Church. The service, ministry, love, forgiveness, etc. are all buzz words that should give us pause. But the reason we gather is summed up in the Gospel of John:

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14

As we approach this season of Advent, preparing us for Christ’s birth, may this be the message that dominates all we do both in our personal lives and in our corporate “church” lives. Let us work together, for together we can make a difference, bringing our unique skills and abilities to the service of God and our Savior Jesus, raising the world’s indifference of “Bah Humbug,” to song of the angels, “Glory to God in the Highest and Peace to His People on Earth.”

By allowing God’s grace to touch us everything changes.

If I might borrow the words of “Tiny Tim” in Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol:

“May God Bless Us, One and All.”

Be a blessing to someone this Christmas Season.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor John J. Gropp

November Newsletter

Dear Partners in Ministry,

It’s difficult to list all of the advantages that have come from our venture in cooperative ministry. There have been so many. One unexpected benefit is now producing a special kind of fruit and it calls for a celebration.

Who would have thought that, by pulling together in ministry, we would be able to provide a rich and varied training ground for someone preparing for the ordained ministry?  None of our congregations individually would have been able to host an intern but together we could and we did. What a privilege it has been to participate in nurturing a future pastor for the church!!

It’s hard to believe that just a little over two years ago we welcomed Vicar Melba Dibble to our Pastoral Team. She came to us full of enthusiasm for this adventure in cooperative ministry our six congregations were undertaking.  That enthusiasm was a good thing since she had to step right into the role of worship leader for two services each Sunday.  Vicar Melba spent a year getting to know us and the TEEM (Theological Education for Emerging Ministries) path to ordination. She worked with all of our congregations while taking courses at the Lutheran Seminary at Gettysburg and doing her Clinical Pastoral Education, all required for ordination as a pastor. Her second year was her official year of internship when she worked with a Lay Internship Committee made up of members from each of what were now seven congregations along with two supervising pastors. She took as a home base, Trinity Lutheran Church in Mt. Oliver, so that she would have an in depth experience with the administrative end of congregational ministry.  She planned and executed two retreats for the members of our PLUM congregations. All this she did while finishing her theological studies at Gettysburg and completing the paper work (read that written exams) for the members of the Candidacy Committee of the Church whose approval she would need for ordination.

At the October meeting of the PLUM Board our members, in anticipation of Vicar Melba’s approval by the Candidacy Committee, voted on a 2012 budget that would include meeting minimum salary requirements for a first year pastor. The stage was being set to move ahead on plans to extend to Melba her first call as pastor.

As of the successful completion of her meeting with the Candidacy Committee on October 10, our Vicar is now a Candidate for Ordination in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. She will be assigned on November 2 to the Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod for call. The Bishop’s office has directed that each of the PLUM congregations vote to call her as pastor at special congregational meetings to be held between November 3 and Christmas. (Watch for the announcement of the date for our congregation’s Special Congregational Meeting!!) Once those votes are taken and the desire to call is affirmed, the PLUM Board will extend a call to Melba to join our Pastoral Team as a full-fledged, full-time pastor. Should all this go as planned, (and we are praying it will!) Melba’s ordination service will take place on Saturday, January 29, 2012. She has chosen to hold that special event at one of the PLUM congregations, Trinity Lutheran, Mt. Oliver, instead of her home congregation.  Not only is this an honor for us but it is an indication of her commitment to PLUM.  What a day of celebration that will be!!

As Pastor John and I have walked with Vicar Melba through these past two years we have been impressed, not only by her personal growth and dedication, but by the support, encouragement and assistance provided to her by the members of our congregations. If PLUM was a great educational experience for Melba, Melba was a great experience for PLUM. It is no exaggeration to say that being a part of the process of training up and preparing a person for the pastoral ministry has been beneficial for all concerned.

One of the final requirements during an internship is for both the supervisors and the intern to evaluate the experience.  Our Vicar not only wrote on her evaluation but told the Candidacy Committee that she could not have hoped for a better experience than PLUM for her internship.  The richness and diversity experienced in the congregations was priceless (and the pastoral supervision wasn’t too shabby either!).  She highly recommends PLUM as a training ground for future interns!

Congratulations, Melba, and congratulations to the members of Bethany, Bethlehem, Christ, East Liberty, St. Andrew, Trinity, Mt. Oliver and Trinity, Sheraden for a job well done! Last but not least, thank you Lord for the opportunity to experience and then benefit from raising up a new pastor for your church.

Once again we learn that when we engage together in the work of the Lord, blessings abound!!

Grace and peace,

Pastor Beth

October Newsletter

Dear Partners in Ministry, 

 “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.”

You have no idea how often we as your pastoral team “brag on you,” giving thanks and praise for each of you and for all the great things you are doing and helping others to do in the different ministries within our congregations.

Here are some brief glimpses of the exciting things that we see happening and encourage us because of you and your willingness to support our collective ministry:

Ø  Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church in Sheraden provided a week long Vacation Bible School experience for over 50 youth this summer and is now having a “Kids Club” one Sunday afternoon each month.

Ø  Trinity Ev. Lutheran in Mt. Oliver hosted a daily  Community Lunch Program for the month of August with around 25 youth involved which turned into a month long Vacation Bible School

Ø  St. Andrew Lutheran Church touches many through the food distributed through their Mothers’ Hubbard Cupboard and their Summer Community Lunch Program. 

Ø  East Liberty Lutheran Church weekly serves 20 to 45 people a hot meal every Wednesday evening. ELLC has also displayed an amazing willingness to tough out the struggle of exploring new styles of worship to address the needs of their congregation’s diversity.

Ø  Christ Lutheran Church is reaching out to the youth in their community providing crafts and activities at the Duquesne Appreciation Day Celebration.

Ø  Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Allentown had the largest Vacation Bible School they have had in years and their Sunday School is off to a roaring start.

Ø  Bethany Ev. Lutheran in Dormont continues with its “Random Acts of Kindness” activities (cleaning, fixing, serving and giving) to residents in their community and are gearing up for their Thanksgiving dinner event where last year they provided over 600 full turkey dinners to people in their community free of charge.

And these are just the tips of the faith in action iceberg in each of our congregations. The number of times our congregations are used for community service programs, i.e. AA, NA, GA, and other community functions is amazing, not to mention the outreach to all the “least of one of these” to whom we are constantly ministering and it is easy to see how each of our partner congregations are serving vital roles in their immediate mission field.. 

And this does not even begin to address what we do beyond our immediate area.  Our Lutheran churches’ witness is constantly among the first on the scene when there is a major disaster, i.e. Katrina, in New Orleans, or a Tsunami in Japan, the recent floods in the northeast or elsewhere around our world.  And we are frequently the last, if ever, to leave because we are congregationally based and connected.   

So, you might ask yourself, “What does all this have to do with me?”  And I would say, “Everything!”

You would then ask, “How can you say that Pastor John?”

And I would say that from my personal experience and from all that I have heard from other people who are faithfully using their time, talents, and finances serving and trusting the Lord, I have not met one who was financially broke or spiritually broken because they gave too much.  After all, “Who does it all belong to anyhow?”

Rev. Billy Graham once said, “Give me five minutes with a person's checkbook, and I will tell you where their heart is.”

I am sure that we are all familiar with the opening of the Gospel of John:

 “1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning...”

But then let’s jump ahead and look at verse 16:

“16 From the fullness of his (Jesus’) grace we have all received one blessing after another. “(Gospel of John 1:1, 2 & 16 NIV)

And it is our recognition of God’s grace and the many blessings that He gives to each of us from which we are able to be real blessings to others.

A New Revelation In Stewardship

Recently a group of 19 representatives from our PLUM congregations attended the second in a series of “Stewardship for Stewards” seminars hosted by our Western PA Synod and Pastor Blair Morgan our deployed Staff Person for the ELCA.  Having heard from many of those in attendance, it became clear that a more Biblical approach of looking at stewardship is evolving.  We all know that everything was created by and ultimately belongs to God.  Even our children are just on loan to us. (Remember the story of Abraham and Isaac?)  But for far too long we have allowed our world view to infiltrate our faith walk into believing that what God has given us to use, whether it is our time, our talents, and/or our finances, are “ours to keep”.  Our world wants us to believe or at least act like God transfers ownership with his blessings, similar to the way one gets a title from the state when we purchase a car.  What is curious and although we might want to believe this to be biblical, there are no models in scripture to support that worldly attitude.  Matter of fact, the exact opposite is at the heart of most of Jesus teachings.  The rich fool, or the man building bigger barns, Luke 12:13-21;  Zacchaeus the tax collector in the tree, Luke 19:1-10; the widow’s mite, Mark 12:41-44; etc. 

So, what changes when we acknowledge the fact that everything we have is really God’s and it is our gift to be allowed to use it?  In all reality, we can become more generous willing to share which makes us more content with life in general.  After all it’s our human nature that makes it easier to share someone else’s stuff than to share our own. Question: “Are you more or less likely to give someone your bottle of water that you just got out of the family cooler at the picnic or the one you just bought at the local dairy mart?”  Both have endless supplies but isn’t the real issue ownership, “Whose is it anyhow?”

Over the next several months we will be exploring stewardship with some new twists.  We are doing this not as a way to manipulate you into giving more out of duty or guilt.  Rather, as we know from our personal lives and stories, as an avenue to better understand the many blessings of grace giving.  It is in the recognition of these blessings that we have been given that allow us the freedom and joy to give of our time, our talents and our resources.  And, it is this joy that we want you to know.  Therefore, join us as together we continue discussing and learning what it is to celebrate the true blessings of life as God’s chosen people.

In Christ’s Service, 

September Newsletter

Summer Forever...

Dear Partners in Ministry,

I’m loving the wonderful way summer is coming to an end. The weather has been glorious…seasonably warm with cool nights!  It’s a terrible tease as we are inextricably drawn into preparing to climb back into the saddle for another season of fall / winter activities.  Why can’t we stay here a while longer?

Wouldn’t that be a trick though?  Being able to hang on to a favorite time of year!  It used to be that if I really wanted to savor this kind of weather for an indefinite period of time, I would be advised to move to California. Now all I have to do is go on my computer and create my own VE.  That’s Virtual Environment.  It’s another name for entering the world of Virtual Reality (or VR) – a world where you can control everything.  VR or VE is when computer technology is used to create a simulated, three dimensional world that a user can manipulate and explore while feeling as if he or she were in that world.  In other words, we can re-create ourselves using our computers.  For example, we can give ourselves the appearance that we’ve always wanted.  Do you wish you were a buxom blonde with the intelligence of a genius?  No problem.  Have you fantasized about being a great quarterback like Big Ben?  Well, in the land of VR, you can be.  You can spend your time wherever you want, whenever you want.  You can even create the ideal family and the perfect workplace.  You can give yourself that beautiful home you always wanted and create the perfect vacation home for the perfect vacation.  In the world of VR, you can even eradicate all pain, all hunger, all poverty, all hatred, all prejudice and all violence.  You can create your own Garden of Eden. 

Is it any wonder that people are becoming addicted to the world of VR?  Yep, VR is the latest entry into the world of addictions: spending hours and hours (eventually to the exclusion of all else) in a world you create yourself and over which you have absolute control.

Playing god is addictive.  In the church we call it sin: that natural inclination in humans to want to be in control of our lives instead of acknowledging God as our creator - the one in ultimate control.

As much fun as VR might be…as entertaining as that technology can be when it comes to movies and computer games…as helpful as the technology may be as it is applied to our cars and cell phones…VR provides us with yet another means of deluding ourselves that we are able to have more control over our lives than we actually can.

It’s like thinking we can actually drive safely while texting!

The problem with addictions is that ultimately they take control over you while giving you the illusion of being in control.

St. Paul had it right when he reflected that one of the rewards of knowing and trusting in the sovereignty of God and the saving grace of Jesus Christ is finding satisfaction with the life God gave him.  He writes in his joy-filled letter to the Philippians 3:11 ff:  “for I have learned to be content with whatever I have.  I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty.  In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry; of having plenty and of being in need.  I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” 

Yes, it would be nice to hang on to these last weeks of summer, but living in a world that I can control would mean missing out on the adventure of relying on our Lord who provides me with real help with this very real world.  So, autumn, here I come, praying that God will bless us and the work that we will undertake in his name.

Grace and peace,

Pastor Beth

August Newsletter

Why Evangelism?

As a church, we at times see evangelism as the “dirty dish” or “dirty laundry” or, for those who are adolescents, a “pimple” part of our faith.  We have become so sensitized about the word Evangelism that we almost see it as a curse and yet it is the very heart of our task as Christians.  It is like Pizza Hut being afraid to talk about, promote or sell pizza; or McDonalds – hamburgers; or Kentucky Fried Chicken - chicken.  When, in fact, it is the nucleus of what we are to be about as believers in Christ.  Evangelism is the new beginning or “WOW” fulfillment component of our life in Christ.

The other day I was talking to a grandmother who just happened to have new pictures of her grand-children.  You could sense the significance and meaning their very existence added to her life.  As she told the story of a recent experience with them, you could feel the pride and joy that came not just from the event being retold but also from the remembering and retelling – and I am sure I was not the first to hear her story.

I have had similar conversations with people as they talk about their vacations, gardens, hobbies or a special event.  As human beings, we have the capability to relive past events in our lives finding, in their retelling, a joy that compliments, and at times surpasses, the real event.  Ever talk to a fisherman about the one that got away?  In my experience, it is this ability to relive the “mighty acts of God” in our lives that takes a back seat as we share and talk about our walk in faith.  We like to sing the hymns, “I Love to Tell the Story”, “Amazing Grace”, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”, “Lift High the Cross” and being good Lutherans, “A Mighty Fortress”, etc., that reaffirm for us God’s movement in our world.  The glitch comes in sharing that joy of Christmas and Easter on our daily journeys throughout the year.  Faith in Christ is more than just living happy contented lives.  Evangelism is the retelling of the story of how God is moving amidst our lives of joys and struggles and the fulfillment of the life to come.  Think about it.  The grandparent that is telling the joyous story of her grandkids does not tell it as an historical event but rather with the intent that “the best is yet to come.”  (See the following story in this newsletter entitled, “Keep Your Fork”.)

When it comes to Christ, we are supposed to be like proud grandparents, vacationers or hobbyists that can’t say enough about those special events in our lives.  But what happens to us spiritually when we allow our walk of faith to be moved to the “dirty dish” or “dirty laundry” or “pimple” part of our lives?   Isn’t it at those times that we find ourselves both individually and at times as the body of Christ, the church, becoming negative and overwhelmed?  Our faith then becomes something of a burden we have to do or endure rather than the celebration of our lives.  But isn’t it really a matter of our perspective?  God’s love for us does not change.  He does not want us spiritually, mentally or physically down as a result of the struggles and realities of life.  Rather, he wants us looking ahead to the promise of the life to come.  How many of us parents remember the number of dirty diapers we had to change when our child smiles at us from the stage during their first grade play?

People in our world today need to see and hear that it is Christ in our life that makes the difference.  They need to experience, through us, the “joy of Jesus.”  All too often we forget that, as God’s people, this is our only task.  Along with our individual personal ministries, within the several months, each of us (there is really something for everyone to do) will have numerous opportunities to collectively do “dishes” and “laundry” (Vacation Bible School, Confirmation, Church Picnic, Sunday School Start-ups, Community Days and Thanksgiving) and ultimately share Christ’s story.  This is Evangelism, the foundation of our existence together.  May we allow the light of Christ to shine through our busy-ness that all those present might experience Jesus as their Savior.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor John J. Gropp

Keep Your Fork

There was a woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and was given 3 months to live.  As she began getting her things "in order" she called her pastor and asked him to come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes.  She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she wanted read and what dress she wanted to be buried in.  She also requested to be buried with her favorite Bible in her left hand.

Everything was in order and as the pastor was preparing to leave, the woman suddenly remembered one final request that was very important to her. "Please Pastor, just one more thing, she said excitedly.  "Sure, what is it?" came the pastor's reply. "This is very important to me,” the woman continued.  ”I want to be buried holding a fork in my right hand.” The Pastor gazed at the woman, at a loss for words.  "That surprises you, doesn't it?" the woman asked.

The Pastor replied "Well, to be quite honest, I'm puzzled by the request."  The woman explained. "You see, Pastor, in all my years of attending church socials and potluck dinners, I remember that when the dishes were being cleared after the main course, someone would inevitably lean over to me and say, “Keep Your Fork”.  It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming, like velvety chocolate cake or deep dish apple pie.  Something wonderful, and with substance, to end the great meal.”  The Pastor listened intently and a smile came upon his face. 

The woman continued, "So, I just want people to see me there in the casket with a folk in my hand and I want them to wonder...What's with the fork?  Then, I want you to tell them. “KEEP YOUR FORK…the best is yet to come.”

The Pastor eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the woman good-bye.  He knew that this would be one of the last times that he would see her before her death.  But he also knew that the woman had a better grasp of HEAVEN than he did.   She KNEW and trusted that the best was yet to come.

At the funeral, everyone that walked by the woman's casket saw her wearing a beautiful dress with her favorite Bible held in her left hand and a fork held in her right hand.  Over and over, the pastor heard people ask the question, "Why is she holding a fork?" and his smile began to get larger and brighter each time.

During his message, the Pastor told the people about the conversation that he had with the woman shortly before she died.  He explained the fork and what it symbolized to her.  The Pastor told everyone how he could not stop thinking about the fork and how he hoped that they would not be able to stop thinking about it either.  That fork, and the meaning of it to the woman, had quite the impact on everyone and they are still sharing the story with people they meet.

And now it has been shared with you.  So, the next time you reach for your fork, let it remind you, oh so gently, that the best is yet to come!

July Newsletter

Those Lazy Hazy Crazy Days of Summer

Remember this song by Nat King Cole?

"Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer,

Those days of soda and pretzels and beer.

Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer,

You’ll wish that summer could always be here."

The weather is getting warmer.  The parks are filled with people having cook outs.  School is over and the kids are riding bikes and swimming.  We have changed from football and hockey to baseball and soccer.  The days are longer and the nights shorter.  The constant rain has changed to afternoon showers that help cool the heat of the day.

It must be summer!  Summer!  That means all different activities, vacation, sleeping in, picnics, and swimming (sun burns and tan lines).  What a wonderful season of the year.

It’s summer so everything slows down and we have more time. Y ou know, the “lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer”. Right?  I can safely say that, in my adult life, summer has never slowed time for me.

It is true that summer means I do different things from what I did in winter.  But I seem to run around even more.  My time is still not my own and there are always deadlines.  The only thing difference is that it’s hot - not snowing and cold.

Does this sound like your life?  I bet it does.  There is nothing wrong with this at all.  It is really good for us to have a change of routine, weather, and recreation.  God was so wise when He created the four seasons for us to enjoy. Each one brings blessings unique to itself.  It would be wise of us to slow down and enjoy the flavor of each season.

It is so nice to be lazy on the hot, humid, hazy days of summer.  We can stay outside longer in the evenings because it stays light longer.  We take our families to the park to play and picnic.  The fresh fruit and vegetables in the super market looks wonderful and is affordable.  We look forward to going on vacation.  We can actually get outside and see our neighbors.  Maybe even have block parties to get to know the neighbors even better.

There is something else we tend to do during the summer months.  We forget that we still need to get our spiritual food.  It is easy to sleep in on Sundays and miss church. Instead of reading our Bible, we want to catch up on the books we never got to read in the winter.  The routine at church slows down and we start the long season of Pentecost.  We tend to get away form the “habit” of being in church.  All the exciting events of the church year are ahead of us.  Reformation, Christmas, Easter, Advent, Lent, Pentecost Sunday, and Holy Trinity Sunday are all ahead of us.  So Sundays can seem pretty routine.  We are able to convince ourselves we won’t miss anything if we don’t go to church today.  We won’t miss much right?  Wrong!

I can give personal testimony to the need for spiritual food.  As you know, my internship is quickly coming to the finish line.  The last of the classes at Gettysburg are in two weeks.  Then I get to do whatever projects are assigned from those classes.  After that I have an approval essay to write and turn into the synod and to Gettysburg.  At the same time, I begin the call process to ordained ministry.  Let’s not forget the obligations I have as a wife and mother and intern.  While this appears overwhelming, (sometimes it is) I have found if I take the time to pray and read scripture, in addition to what I need to read for sermons, and have “quiet time” with God, I can get everything done I need to do.  I also feel refreshed and energized after taking time for God to enter into my heart and mind. Spending time with God really does make a difference.

So if the “lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer” aren’t so lazy and are completely “crazy” for you, remember to invite God into your world.  Take your coffee and go outside early in the morning.  Sit in the shade and clear your mind. Let God hold you in the palm of His hand and let him be in relationship with you.  Do get to church on the weekend even if you are on vacation.  It is fun to see different church services and compare them to your own church.  But most of all, take the time to be in relationship with your Lord.

Those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer are just made for us to kick back and spend time with God.

 - Vicar Melba Dibble