March and April Issue of Tidings
WHAT’S HAPPENING AT ST. TIM’s
Masks Now Optional at Sunday Services
Based on guidance from the Philadelphia Department of Health, the Centers for Disease Control, and the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod of Lutheran Churches, the Return to Worship Committee has loosened some precautions:
--Masks are now optional—up to you and your own judgement. We do ask that if you are feeling unwell, please wear a mask for the safety of yourself and others.
--We will return to singing the last hymn—found in the “cranberry” Evangelical Lutheran Worship hymnals in the pews.
Let’s all pray that we can continue to worship safely together as our country makes progress in managing Covid-19.
Roof Campaign Off to a Promising Start
St. Tim’s has begun a fund-raising campaign to pay back the $30,000 loan from our endowment to replace the roof on our education building. As of 2/26, we have received $7,000 from generous current and past members.
Food Ministry Continues
Our neighbors are still in need, so we continue to support Caring for Friends and Feast of Justice.
Next Dates for our Food Ministry: THURSDAY, MARCH 17, AND THURSDAY, APRIL 21, FROM 11 AM TO 1 PM.
Please bring your meal donations – a protein, starch, and vegetable—to the Fillmore Street entrance. Volunteers will package your contributions into the special tins Caring for Friends provides.
You can also bring your donations of canned goods, diapers, and hygiene products for Feast of Justice on those Thursdays.
Another option is to bring your non-perishable Feast of Justice donations when the church office is ordinarily open-- Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 9 am to 12 noon. Please call first to let our church secretary, Katie McAlorum, know you are coming.
To date in 2022, the generous people of St. Tim’s have donated 91 meals and soups to Caring for Friends, and a car-full of items for Feast of Justice.
Preschool News
Linda Yesenosky, director of St. Timothy Christian Preschool, reports that both the three-year-old and Pre-Kindergarten classes are fully enrolled for the upcoming 2022-2023 school year. Every student in the “threes” class has re-registered for next year’s Pre-K class—a true compliment to our hardworking Preschool staff.
In March, our little scholars will visit Storybook Musical Theater to see The Frog Prince. At the end of April, the children and their parents will meet their teachers at Briar Bush Nature Center in Abington. Everyone enjoyed this “outside learning” experience so much last year, the teachers decided to return for another educational and fun day.
Believe it or not, the Preschool staff is already planning “end of year” programs. This year, if all goes well, graduation may be held once again in our sanctuary, with celebrations outside in our newly expanded play area.
North East/North West Conference of Lutheran Churches Begins Joint Lenten Services
The NE/NW Conference has chosen the theme “Psalms for the Journey” for its worship series, to be held Wednesday evenings throughout Lent. Each service will begin at 7:30 pm (no Lenten meals beforehand this year).
Here is the schedule:
MARCH 9
UP: Psalms of Praise and Presence
Tabor Lutheran Church (4843 N. Mascher Street)
MARCH 16
FROM: Psalms of Deliverance
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church (5900 N. Fifth Street)
MARCH 23
UPON: Psalms of Confidence and Trust
Faith Lutheran Church (4150 Woodhaven Road)
MARCH 30
THROUGH: Psalms of Struggle, Growth, and Lament
St. John’s Lutheran Church (3101 Tyson Avenue)
APRIL 6
DURING: Psalms of Waiting
Redemption Lutheran Church (8001 Bustleton Avenue)
PRAYER MINISTRY
The Prayer Team is ready to lift you or your concern in prayer. No concern is too small or insignificant. If you need prayer, talk with one of our team members: Barbara Huber, Tina Snyder, Isabel Hyczko, Carolyn Denzel, Rich Soltan, Vanessa Fineberg, Verna Clohecy, and Pastor Deborah Wolfe.
Email Pastor Wolfe at pastorwolfe@comcast.net, or Verna Clohecy at vclohecy1@aol.co.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
Please help us to provide good pastoral care. Call Pastor Deborah Wolfe (at 610-506-6097) if:
You are in need of prayer
You are ill or hospitalized
A baby is born into your family
You are planning to marry
You want to receive the sacraments of Baptism or Holy Communion
You are moving
Your phone number or email address has changed
Please be sure your next of kin has the pastor’s phone number in case of emergency. Business cards are available with phone numbers listed that you can put with your insurance cards so you and your family have easy access to them. Ask Pastor Wolfe if you would like one.
LECTIONARY READINGS
March 6
March 13
March 20
March 27
April 3
April 10 (Palm Sunday)
Procession with Palms
Readings and Psalm
April 14 (Maundy Thursday)
April 15 (Good Friday)
Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9 (alternate)