CONGREGATIONAL TRANSITION EVENT
As part of our pastoral transition process, St. Tim’s must submit a Mission Site Summary (MSS) to the Lutheran Synod of Southeastern Pennsylvania. At the suggestion of our transition consultant, Rev. Sandra J. Brown, our Transition Team invited members to a lunch and information-gathering session held after our October 8 Sunday service.
Those who attended answered a range of questions, such as—
* What is your favorite memory of St. Tim’s?
* What are some successful past programs that we could bring back and/or re-work?
* What do you love about worship?
* Are there any groups that you would like to see formed at St. Tim’s (e.g., seniors, grief group, single parents, etc.)?
* What are some neighborhood needs that we could address as a congregation?
The Transition Team, Pastor Brown, and the Church Council hope to finish the MSS and send it to the Synod for review in early November.
Many thanks to Pastor Brown, the Transition Team (Elisa Davis, Carolyn Denzel, Barbara Huber, Tim Madden, and Jackie Schmid) --and to Vanessa Fineberg, Barbara Huber, Tina Snyder, and Liz Soltan for arranging the “food for thought” lunch.
HOLIDAY SALE
Come to St. Tim’s on November 11, from 10 am to 2 pm, for takeaway treats—soup, potato salad, baked goodies, and perogies-- to see you through the holiday rush. Check out the Crafts Room, too, for unique Christmas gifts.
To donate baked goods or to help on the day of the sale, contact Tina Snyder at 267-879-4637 or jimntina87@comcast.net.
HOW TO MAKE SOMEONE’S CHRISTMAS (and maybe your own)
Give a Child a Toy: From Sunday, November 12, to Sunday, December 3, we will collect gifts for the children served by Gemma Services (formerly known as Martin Luther-Silver Spring School). Bring your unwrapped gifts to church on Sundays, or on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. The list of items requested is included after the Lectionary Readings.
Make a Meal: Food Ministry Day, Saturday, December 16, From 11 Am to 1 Pm.
We hope to fill many Caring for Friends meal tins with contributions of mac’n’cheese, ham, cooked turkey, pineapple stuffing, or green beans.
If you are getting, but can’t use, a free turkey or ham from the grocery store, Caring for Friends or Feast of Justice will welcome it. Just bring it on a Sunday, or Tuesday or Thursday morning (call first—215-745-4453), and we’ll find it a home.
Decorate Our Church: Please plan to stay after our service on Sunday, December 17. After a quick pizza lunch, we’ll decorate the sanctuary in its Christmas finery.
Sing in Our Choir: Watch for announcements about rehearsals in our bulletins and on Facebook.
CONGRATULATIONS AND BEST WISHES
TO
DAWN WEBER AND JOHN CREEDON
AS THEY JOIN IN MARRIAGE
AT ST. TIMOTHY LUTHERAN CHURCH
ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 25, AT 2 PM
THE REVEREND SANDRA J. BROWN WILL OFFICIATE, AND THE CONGREGATION IS WELCOME TO ATTEND THE CEREMONY.
CHRISTMAS WORSHIP SCHEDULE
* DECEMBER 3—Advent begins
* DECEMBER 24 (MORNING): 4th Sunday of Advent
* DECEMBER 24 (AFTERNOON): Christmas Eve Service, 4:00 pm
* DECEMBER 31: Lessons and Carols, 10:15 am
HERE’S AN IDEA
Looking for a good use for your Thanksgiving/Christmas dinner leftovers? Consider picking up Caring for Friends meal tins to fill at home. For more information, call Liz Soltan at 215-828-1619.
PRESCHOOL NEWS
Linda Yesenosky, director of St. Tim’s Preschool, reports that the first of planned weekly visits with Pastor Brown was a success. The children loved both hearing about Noah’s Ark and singing about Noah with Pastor Brown.
The children will learn the joy of giving by shopping for presents for their families at Santa Secret’s Shop in early December.
All are invited to attend the preschool’s Christmas pageant on December 20. Come hear the “Tidings of Great Joy” as only children can tell it.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
Please help us to provide good pastoral care. Please call Pastor Sandra Brown at 215-680-3972 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, or your phone number or email address has changed
WHO’S WHO ON COUNCIL
Church Council usually holds meetings after worship on the third Sunday of the month, although summer vacations may necessitate a break in that schedule.
Anyone is welcome to attend a Council meeting, but we do request notice beforehand. Similarly, feel free to bring up your suggestions, concerns, or questions to any Council member.
Here is the contact information for Council members.
· Liz Soltan (President) – 215-828-1619 or (soltan320@comcast.net)
· Rich Soltan (Vice President)—215-828-1617 or (soltanesq@comcast.net)
· Carolyn Denzel (Secretary)—215-205-4187 or (cdenzel03.gmail.com)
· Susan Feola (Christian Education)—215-718-9600 or (suefeola07@msn.com)
· Vanessa Fineberg (Parish Life)—215-605-2653 or (vfineberg@comcast.net)
· Tom Lyden (Property)—215-340-981 or thomas.lyden513@icloud.com
· Tina Snyder (Service)—267-879-4637 or (jimntina87@comcast.net)
· Kathy Swift (Worship)—215-813-0824 or (kswift6267@comcast.net)
NEXT COUNCIL MEETINGS: November 19 and December 10
LECTIONARY READINGS
November 5
November 12
November 19
November 26
December 3
December 10
Isaiah 40:1-11
December 17
December 24
Luke 1:46b-55 (alternate)
Romans 16:25-27
Luke 1:26-38
December 24 (Christmas Eve)
Isaiah 9:2-7
Psalm 96
Titus 2:11-14
Luke 2:1-14 [15-20]
December 31
Isaiah 61:10—62:3
Psalm 148
Galatians 4:4-7
Luke 2:22-40
Dear friend,
The holidays are a magical time at Gemma. “Wow! It looks like a fairy tale!”
exclaimed a child in residence as they entered the gym last year, which
had been transformed into a winter wonderland for the annual holiday
party. “This is the best night of my life!” shared another child as they
received their gifts. Whether by creating a magical experience or handing
the children a stack of presents generously donated by caring friends, we
do everything we can to show kids and families that they matter, during
the holiday season and throughout the year. Thank you for helping us to
create this magic!
With friends like you, Gemma was able to create a special holiday season last year for hundreds of
youth and families. Will you help Gemma once again create a memorable holiday season?
2023 Gift Wish List
Donate a gift card to help Gemma’s children and families. The most useful are $25 gift cards to
Amazon, Giant, ShopRite, Target, Visa, & Walmart.
We ask that all gifts be new and unwrapped, please.
TOYS
• Large and medium-sized stuffed animals
• Small and medium-sized Squishmallow stuffed animals
• Games - Checkers, Chess, Jenga, Connect 4,
UNO, Monopoly, Scrabble, Trouble, and Sorry
are favorites
• LEGO sets
• Pokémon cards and toys
• Minecraft toys
• Superhero action figures
• LOL dolls and Rainbow High dolls
• Barbie dolls
• Remote controlled vehicles
• Beyblades and Beyblades arenas
• Playing cards and card games
• Rubik’s cubes
• Fidget toys - spinners, tangles, cubes, stress balls
• Dream Lites or other soft night lights
• Books for children and teens
• Wireless headphones/earbuds
• Small Bluetooth speakers
• Matchbox or Hot Wheels cars & racetracks
• Puzzles
• Play-Doh
Clothing & Personal Care
• Pajama sets for boys and girls - youth sizes M-XL
and adult sizes S-L
• Hooded sweatshirts for girls and boys – youth
sizes 12-18 and adult sizes S-L. Nike, Adidas,
Champion, and Fila are favorite brands
• Adidas or Nike slide style sandals – youth and
adult sizes
• Crocs and Crocs-style sandals – youth and
adult sizes
• Jibbitz or charms for Crocs-style sandals
• Adjustable baseball hats – Nike and Philly sports
teams are favorites
• Athletic socks – Nike, Adidas, Champion, and
Fila are favorites
• Athletic tights – youth sizes L-XL and adult sizes S-L
• Hairbrushes and combs
• Nail polish, lip gloss, lip balm, and makeup
• Toiletry gift sets with body wash, shampoo,
conditioner, & deodorant. Dove, Axe, and Bath and
Body Works are favorites. Plastic bottles only, please!
• Plastic water bottles - Contigo and Camelback
brands are favorites
• Winter coats – youth & adult sizes
• Children’s weighted blankets
Arts & Crafts
• Craft kits
• Crayola art kits
• Gel pen sets
• Crayons, markers, and colored pencils
• Velvet posters to color
• Coloring books and large coloring pages
• Sketch books and drawing paper - non-spiral
bound, please!
• Journals- no locks, non-spiral bound, please!
• Origami kits and origami paper
Sports
• Footballs and basketballs
• Over-the-door basketball hoops
• Football gloves - youth and adult sizes
• Basketball shooting sleeves - youth and adult sizes
• Fitness watches
For more information about Gemma Services or to make a gift online
to support our mission, please visit www.gemmaservices.org.