News and Announcements:
Calendar of Events for the Week of November 8, 2026:
Monday - 5:30pm - Karate; 7:00 - Congregation Council
Tuesday - 12:00 - Willing Workers
Wednesday - 6:30pm - AA Meeting; 7:00pm - Bible Study
Thursday - 5:30pm - Karate; 6:30pm - Celebration Singers
Friday -
Saturday -
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING - Mark your calendars to attend the Congregational Meeting on Sunday November 15th following the 10:45am worship service. Important items will be election of members to the congregation council, memorial fund and nominating committee along with the approval of the 2027 budget.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY WISHES - Pastor Richard Hinkle, who served our congregation after Pastor Chip’s retirement and has supplied for us before his retirement, is celebrating his 90th birthday on November 15th. Please send a birthday card with your greetings to him! 4709 Quakake Road; Weatherly, PA 18255
CASTING OUR NETS - Will meet Tuesday November 17th at 7PM
SECOND SATURDAY SUPPERS - The next supper will be held Saturday November 14th at 5:30pm downstairs in Roth Hall right after the Saturday worship service. You will need to bring your own beverages. Place settings will be provided. The simple entrée (soup or a casserole) will be provided, and it is sure to be yummy! See the sign-up sheet on the table in the parlor.
NOISY OFFERING - On the weekend of November 21st & 22nd we will have a ‘NOISY OFFERING’! Bring your coins to the worship services to be collected by making joyful noise to the Lord. Proceeds will benefit the Meal Packaging Event.
INFORMATION FROM CONGREGATION COUNCIL - Copies from the prior month’s meeting are on the able in the parlor for you to take.
VALLEY FOOD PANTRY THANKSGIVING BASKETS - Our congregation has been asked to provide GRAVY (100 cans or jars). Please place you donation on the table in the parlor (not in grocery cart) by November 8th.
“A TIME TO SHARE OUR BOUNTIES!” - During all of November, the month of giving thanks, personal care items will again be collected to donate to our local food pantries. Pet food will be included in this month’s donations, too. Food stamps cannot be used to purchase personal items or pet supplies. Items that would be greatly appreciated include: toothpaste and toothbrushes for both adults and kids; bath soaps; shower gel; razors; shaving cream; skin cream; hand lotion; hand sanitizer; deodorant (especially for men); shampoo; conditioner; feminine hygiene products; laundry detergent; mouth wash, baby wipes and what ever you use in your daily routine, as well dog and cat food and treats. Thanks again for your generosity as we show love to our neighbors!
WILLING WORKERS - The Willing Workers will meet on Tuesday, November 10th 12:00.pm We will hold elections for the upcoming year and discuss events for 2027. After our meeting, Charlene Craver will talk about her LVAD and how it keeps her heart functioning. All women of the church are invited. Money is due for those planning on attending our Christmas Party on December 8th at 12:00pm at The Lookout House. For more information, contact Deb Jones at 570-233-7675.
MEAL PACKAGING EVENT APRIL 17th, 2027 - It may seem far away, but fundraising has started! Our goal of 38,000 meals needs $17,000. So far, we have $7,958.00 from grants and offerings, but we have a long way to go.
A large glass jug is in the parlor next to the poster about the event. Drop in your gifts each week to help us reach our goal.
RAFFLE FUND RAISER TO SUPPORT OUR MEAL PACKAGING EVENT - Tickets for a chance of winning a unique and very beautiful bowl crafted by Russ Nyblade will be available for $5 each. All proceeds will go toward our Meal Packaging Event. Russ crafted the bowl from the Crabapple tree that stood behind the church bell. Tickets may be purchased in the parlor before and after Saturday or Sunday worship during November. Raffle sales will end after the Living Nativity Weekend. The bowl with raffle tickets may also show up at some of the scheduled gatherings, group meetings during the month of November or purchased at the church office weekday mornings.
CLC GERTRUDE HAWK CANDY BAR FUNDRAISER - Each box contains 48 candy bars and must be sold for $2.00 each. When a full box is sold, please give money to Cindy Derr at the church office or Jessica Thorne. Envelopes should be marked with your name, number of boxes sold, and dollar amount. Please do not turn in money for partially sold boxes. Deadline to turn in money is Sunday, January 31, 2027. Additional boxes can be picked up after church services or from the church office. Questions? Text or call Jessica Thorne 570-926-7176. Thank you for helping us reach our meal packaging event fundraising goal!
LESSONS AND CAROLS FOR ADVENT - Wednesday December 2nd at 7PM. Prepare the way! Advent is a time to reflect on prophesies and events that foreshadow the coming of Christ. The Good News Translation of the Bible is the source for our readings. We begin with the Lord’s Prayer and continue with the prophesies of Isaiah. We will move to Luke and the angel Gabriel’s message to Mary, then to Matthew for the announcement of the birth of Jesus. Advent would not be complete without the story, from Mark, of John the Baptist. We will close with words of assurance, from Romans, of the love of God through Christ. Take some time away from the busyness and business of this season to be calm and refreshed with the words and music of Advent. Jesus is coming and soon will be here!
POINSETTIAS AND HUNGER APPEAL DONATIONS SOUGHT FOR CHRISTMAS - Orders for poinsettias are now being taken. There will NOT be a sign-up sheet. Please use the envelopes from the basket on the table in the narthex. And make sure the information on the envelope is complete and clear. Place it in the offering plate or return to the church office. Fifty poinsettias will be purchased and the balance of money received will go to the Hunger Appeal. All gifts will be listed in the bulletin on Christmas Eve. The cost of a poinsettia is $12.00. All donations must be in the church office by Sunday December 13th.
LIVING NATIVITY - It is time to prepare for our Living Nativity to be held Saturday & Sunday December 5th & 6th.
* Poster boards are on the bulletin board in the hallway for all the areas of the scenes.
* Sign-up for the scene where you want to participate.
* You do two ½ hour shifts: 5pm-5:30pm and 6pm-6:30 pm or 5:30pm-6pm and 6:30pm -7pm
* Come inside between time to have refreshments/beverages and get warm.
* Costumes are provided. Dress according to the weather (especially your hands and feet).
OTHER WORK/PREP TIMES:
* Hut Set Up – Saturday, Nov. 28th at 9am (Back up date Sunday the 29th after church)
* Cut Pine Trees (Kashubski’s Tree Farm) – TBD week of event
* Costumes/Other Tasks/Prep – Thursday December 3rd at 9am
* Day of Living Nativity - Set Up – Saturday, Dec. 5th at 9am
* Day of Living Nativity – Re-Set Sunday, Dec. 6th at 3pm
* Clean Up – Sunday, Dec. 6th at 7pm
* Hut Tear Down – Saturday, Dec. 12th at 9am (Back up date Sunday the 13th after church)
We need 10-15 people who can lift and assist with huts so please spread the word to anyone you think can help.
We will be sorting/organizing costumes the week of November 15th - days and times TBD. Please let Jo Cvammen know if you would be interested in helping with that.
Sign-up sheets with be posted at church services on the table in the parlor starting this weekend so please check them out to see where you can help!
WATCH “THE CHOSEN” AT 6:30PM:
* Thursday, November 19th - Season 4, Episode 5 - "Sitting, Serving, Scheming" (67 minutes)
* Thursday, December 3rd - Season 4, Episode 6 - "Dedication" (64 minutes)
* Thursday, December 17th - Season 4, Episode 7 - "The Last Sign" (73 minutes)
HELP OTHERS KEEP WARM - New warm socks are highly desired to be distributed to the homeless and others in need. A bin for socks will be placed in the parlor. If you have questions about donations speak to Brother Fred.
SAMARITANS PURSE CHRISTMAS SHOE BOXES - You can fill your shoebox by picking items for the girl/boy and age ONLINE or have them fill the shoebox for you @ Operation Christmas Child under “Build A Shoebox Online”. The cost for that is $30.00. We will have shoeboxes and labels available for you to use if you still wish to fill your own. Pick up a brochure as the items allowed and the cost per box for shipping is $10. Boxes are due back by Sunday November 8th.
ADVENT DEVOTIONAL BOOKLET - The time is here and writers are needed! Please sign-up on the sheet in the narthex to be one of our devotional writers. Readings are available for you to choose from. Make sure you mark your name next to the devotional date you choose. Then write a few thoughts about the verse, or just some feelings and ideas about the Advent/Christmas season. Then, end with a prayer. This has become an annual event that many people look forward to receiving and we can only complete the booklet if we have enough writers. The sample booklet from last year is on display for you to look at. E-mail (clccony@ptd.net) your writing to the church office by Sunday November 8th or drop it off at the office.
VETERANS DAY OBSERVANCE NOVEMBER 7th & 8th - For the Veterans observance, please bring in a picture of your military loved one(s) who have served or are currently serving our country. Those pictures will be placed in front of the altar to honor them.
BIBLE STUDIES - The Wednesday night Bible Study starts at 7pm. We are currently reading the book of Isaiah. Wednesday morning Bible Study meets the 1st & 3rd Wednesday mornings of the month at 11:00am and are discussing Isaiah for Adent.
LUTHERAN DISASTER RESPONSE - LDR is asking for gifts to help with the recent earthquakes, fires and floods. Checks may be out to the church and marked LDR. 100% of all money donated goes directly to help those in need!! See info and forms on the bulletin board.
RACIAL JUSTICE TEAM ONLINE BOOK STUDY - 9 sessions - Introduction followed by 8 chapters. Dates: Monday Evenings - November 2, November 23, Dec 7, Jan 11, Jan 25, Feb 8, Feb 22, March 8, March 22 from 7 pm to 8:30 pm via Zoom. Led by Rev. Brandon Heavner and Rev. Samantha Drennan (Synod Racial Justice Team). Participants are asked to purchase their own copy of the book, How to End Christian Nationalism, by Amanda Tyler (Author). Buy on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Bookshop.org.
The NEPA Synod Racial Justice Team invites participants to an online study of Amanda Tyler’s How to End Christian Nationalism. Beginning November 2, the nine sessions will explore the difference between Christian nationalism and the teachings of Jesus, religious freedom for all, and ways to have difficult conversations with loved ones. Sessions meet on select Mondays from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. via Zoom.
Anyone interested may watch at the church on the above dates and times. Please sign-up on the sheet in the parlor if you plan to attend.
HISTORIC BRAINERD CHURCH EVENTS:
* Wednesday November 25th-Annual Thanksgiving Eve Worship Service 7pm
COMMUNITY EVENTS:
* CONYNGHAM UNITED METHODIST CHURCH HEARTWOOD CENTER BLANKET DRIVE FOR THE HOMELESS - Donations accepted at the Methodist Church. Please see the poster on the bulletin board in the foyer for all the information!
* LEILANI CHESONIS CONCERT - St. John’s Lutheran Church, 772 St. Hohns Road, St. Johns on Sunday November 8th from 2pm-3pm. Light refreshments following the concert. A goodwill offering will be taken.
* 75th ANNUAL HOLIDAY BAZAAR - Conyngham UMC – November 7th from 9 am to 3 pm.
Take-out food (Soup, Haluski, BBQ), Bake Sale, Basket Auction, and Vendors.
* 7th ANNUAL HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA - 2 locations: Butler Community Center (Drums) & CVCO (Conyngham) – November 7th from 9 am to 2 pm. Crafters/Vendors for your holiday shopping.
Benefits the Valley Food Pantry.
* COZY CHRISTMAS MARKET -Good Shepherd Church – November 14th from 8 am to 3 pm.
Gently used items for Christmas & Winter décor, toys, games, and puzzles for children.
Bake Sale & kitchen serving breakfast & lunch.
* STATIONS OF THE MANGER - St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, St. Johns. Saturday November 28th from 1pm-3pm. Registration is required. Open to the public. If attending, please call the church office at 570-788-2685 by Sunday November 15th. Please note that there is NO TALKING during this time of devotion and reflection.
STEPHEN MINISTRY:
Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2, NRSV)
