Calendar of Events for the Week of August 30, 2026: Monday - 5:30pm - Karate Tuesday - Wednesday - 11:00am - Bible Study; 6:30pm - AA Meeting; 7:00pm - Bible Study Thursday - 9:00am - Quilting Group; 5:30pm - Karate; 6:00pm - Book Study Friday - Saturday -
SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS - Rally Day Sunday September 13th at 9:30am. We will prepare the Baby Care Kits and have a craft. Registration for classes will take place.
APPLE FEST 2026 - The annual Apple Fest will be held Saturday October 17th from 8am-3pm.There will be Tricky Trays, Crafts, Indoor-Outdoor Fles Market, Better Items & Lottery Tree Raffle. There will also be a bake sale, apple pies, apple dumplings, apple cale, apple bread pudding & apple sauce for sale. The kitchen will have breakfast sandwiches, pastries, Sloppy Joe BBQ, soups, haluski, pulled beef, chicken tenders, chicken salad croissant, hots dogs, French fries, sausage & peppers.
*Apple Sauce is being made Wednesday September 23rd at 9am. Come out to help! *Items for the “PINK” Breast Cancer Tricky Tray must be donated by September 20th. *Tricky Tray donations must be here by Wednesday October 14th!!!! *PLEASE NOTE – NO QUILTING on Thursday October 15th. *WILLING WORKERS will meet Tuesday October 6th (one week early). *The Tricky Tray drawing will be held at 2:30pm the day of the fest. Winning tricky trays may be picked up Sundays October 18th & 25th from 12:30pm-1:30pm and on weekday mornings from 9am-Noon
HELP IS NEEDED FOR APPLE FEST PREP AND AT THE FEST – Wednesday October 14th, Thursday October 15th & Friday October 16th at 9am-? Also, the day of the Fest, including help with clean-up. There will be sign-up sheets on the table in the parlor.
WILLING WORKERS - The Willing Workers will meet on Tuesday, September 8th at 12:00pm. Please note new time change. We are now meeting at 12:00pm. All women of the church are invited to attend. For more information, contact Deb Jones at 570-233-7675.
QUILTING GROUP - Quilting will begin on the first and third Thursdays of the month; September 3rd & 17th and October 1st. No quilting the week of Apple Fest. October 15th.
WATCH “THE CHOSEN” AT 6:30PM:
* Thursday, September 10th - Season 4, Episode 1 - "Promises" (57 minutes) * Thursday, September 24th - Season 4, Episode 2 - "Confessions" (80 minutes) * Thursday, October 8th - Season 4, Episode 3 - "Moon to Blood" (57 minutes) * Thursday, October 22nd - Season 4, Episode 4 - "Calm Before" (65 minutes)
BOOK STUDY - Each Thursday at 6PM Pastor Cindy will lead a study on the book “Night” by Ellie Weisel. A chapter per session will be discussed until the book is finished.
HAZLETON AREA LUTHERAN BARN PARTY - Please know that the Hazleton Area Lutheran Churches are planning a Barn Party on September 13, 2026 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.
* Location: The barn of Thomas and Geraldine (Gerri) Herron, 36 East Cherry Lane, Nescopeck, just off Route 93 (the Berwick-Hazleton Highway). * There will be a pot-luck dinner with several churches providing the barbecue, hot dogs, and hamburgers. Attendees are asked to bring a side dish (if your last name begins with an A through M) or a dessert (names beginning N through Z). Beverages, plates, utensils, and paper products will also be provided. * Please sign up by August 30 so that the planners of the event know how many folks to expect. We would like to know if children will be coming and what their ages will be so that we can plan age-appropriate activities, such as a hayride. * A sign-up sheet is on the table in the parlor
LOOKING AHEAD TO . . . GOD’S WORK. OUR HANDS ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 13TH - Would you like to help provide essential items for some of our littlest fellow human beings? Well, here is your chance! You can donate a needed item(s) or make a monetary donation to help complete a Baby Care Kit. Items for the kits are listed on a page in the newsletter and there will be a sheet in the parlor where you can volunteer what you would like to donate. The goal is to assemble 10 kits to be put together during Sunday School time on September 13th. The Baby Care Kits will be sent to Lutheran World Relief for distribution. Collections will begin on July 4th and end September 6th. Thanks in advance for supporting this project. We still need 9 light weight cotton t-shirts and 13 gowns/sleepers (no feet).
A SPECIAL WEEKEND - To recognize Holy Cross Day on Monday, September 14 the Casting Our Nets ministry group is planning to decorate the Nave for the weekend of September 12th & 13th. Everyone is invited to bring crosses for the display! Drop off is Saturday September 12th from 10 AM until noon. Pick up will be following worship on the 13th until 1:00pm PM. Please sign up in the Parlor to indicate your interest in participating. Questions can be directed to Jo Cvammen.
SECOND SATURDAY SUPPERS - The next supper will be held Saturday September 12th 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.
BOUNTIFUL GARDENS - The table to share your Bountiful Gardens produce will be in the parlor. Individuals with extra produce from their gardens can leave it on the table before the Saturday or Sunday church services. If you would like any of the produce, we are asking for a free will donation which will be given to the Valley Food Pantry, along with any extra produce. When leaving your produce, please put it on the table in the parlor and NOT in the shopping cart.
BIBLE STUDIES - The Wednesday night Bible Study starts at 7pm. We are currently reading the book of Ecclesiastes. Wednesday morning Bible Study will begin September 2nd at 11:00am.
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.
SAINT JOHN BOSCO BEREAVEMENT MINISTRY - The Bereavement Ministry of Saint John Bosco church, Conyngham, Pa., will provide a fall support group. Anyone who is grieving the loss of a loved one or who is struggling with grief is welcome. We will provide comfort, consolation, and compassion through practical, emotional, and spiritual support in a caring Christian environment.
The session will be held at Saint John Bosco church in the multipurpose room. The five-week sessions are on Monday evenings from 6:00 to 8:00pm. Our first session is scheduled for Monday, September 12, 2026. Please consider joining us by preregistering by contacting Helen Mary Fellin at 570-956-2293.
VALLEY INTERFAITH COUNCIL - Please follow the Valley Interfaith Council on Facebook if you haven't yet. It is an ecumenical group of member congregations in the Conyngham/Sugarloaf/Drums area that promotes unity. Posts include events happening with each congregation to help grow faith community involvement, along with providing support to the Valley Food Pantry. If you are already a follower of the Facebook page, invite your friends to follow too.
COMMUNITY EVENTS:
STEPHEN MINISTRY:
Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2, NRSV)
Stephen Ministry supports our congregation’s mission by:
* Equipping people to use their gifts in ministry * Helping people grow in their faith * Providing care and support for hurting people * Building up the congregation as a caring community * Reaching unchurched people with the love of Jesus * Christ caring for people through people
To find out more about Stephen Ministry, contact Deb Jones at 570-233-7675