Calendar of Events for the Week of January 4, 2026: Monday - 5:30pm - Karate Tuesday - Wednesday - 11:00am - Bible Study; 6:30pm - AA Meeting; 7:00pm - Bible Study Thursday - 9:00am - Quilting Group; 2:00pm to 8:30pm - Church Directory Photos; 5:30pm - Karate; 6:30pm - "The Chosen" Viewing Friday - 2:00pm to 8:30pm - Church Directory Photos Saturday- 10:00am to 4:00pm - Church Directory Photos; 5:30pm - Second Saturday Supper
SMILE FOR THE CAMERA!! We are pleased to announce that we will be compiling a 2026 church family pictorial directory with Universal. It will include all member’s family portraits & roster info so we can stay connected.
There are two ways to schedule a session: 1. NOW ONLINE at www.ucdir.com (click scheduling login) (code is pa1240) (password is photos) 2. AT CHURCH before & after services
There is no cost to be photographed & every family will receive a complimentary 8x10 portrait. Take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to make a treasured family keepsake. Only participating households will receive a free directory! Photography will take place Thursday- Saturday January 8th - 10th, 2026
Please join us-it won’t be the same without you!
WATCH "THE CHOSEN" - “The Chosen” viewing is on Thursdays at 6:30pm. There will be a quick synopsis of the episode before we start it. After viewing, there will be a Q & A.
* Thursday, Jan. 8th - Season 1, Episode 7 - "Invitations" * Thursday, Jan. 22nd - Season 1, Episode 8 - "I Am He" * Thursday, Feb. 5th - Season 2, Episode 1 - "Thunder" * Thursday, Feb. 19th - Season 2, Episode 2 - "I Saw You"
BIBLE STUDIES - Wednesday nights Bible Study is 7-8 pm. We will be reading Psalms. We will meet in the parlor. Our group focuses on reading the Bible from start to finish and discussing it. Join us and hear God's Word.
The Wednesday morning Bible Study meets the first & third Wednesdays of the month at 11:00am. We will continue with “The Workbook on the Christian Walk”. Everyone is welcome to join. Sessions last about an hour.
SECOND SATURDAY SUPPERS - The next supper will be held on January 10th at 5:45pm 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!
EPIPHANY NATIVITY DISPLAY - Casting Our Nets will again host the display of Nativity sets in the church parlor and sanctuary for Epiphany. The display can be seen after the 4:30 worship service on Saturday January 10th and again on Sunday morning from 9 until 10:30 a.m. and after worship service until 1 p.m. Coffee and light refreshments will be served on Sunday.
If you would be willing to allow us to display one or more of your nativity sets, please use the sign-up sheet in the parlor to let us know your intent so we can plan for setup. All nativities should be brought to the church parlor on Saturday, January 10th between 10 and noon. Anyone who displays a Nativity will be responsible for pick-up after the event on Sunday by 2 p.m. or can make arrangements to get it during the following week when the office is open.
FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER - Please note the deadline for all articles, information, etc. for the February newsletter is January 18th!
SOUP SALE - Our annual soup sale is taking place Saturday January 24th with pick-up from Noon-2pm. Call the church office mornings at 570-788-1572, Joyce Bradbury at 570-788-5372 or use the order form on the table in the back of the church. Order deadline will be Saturday January 17th or until sellout (some restaurants donate a certain number of quarts). Soup is $10.00 per quart. A list of the kinds of soup will be available very soon. There will be Apple Dumplings for sale at $5.00 each.
THE ANNUAL PORK AND SAUERKRAUT DINNER - will be held Saturday February 7th from 4:00pm-7:00pm. The dinner will be served both in-house and take-out. Cost is $12 for adults and $4 for children 12 and younger. You may call Mary Lou Keck at 453-5969 or the church office at 788-1572 weekdays between 9am-Noon to make reservations. Sales at the door are limited as to prior sales. You may also purchase tickets at the church office. Cakes are needed for desserts. Please see the sign-up sheet.
CASTING OUR NETS - The next gathering of the Casting Our Nets ministry group is Tuesday January 20th at 7pm.
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING SET FOR SUNDAY FEBRUARY 22nd FOLLOWING THE 10:45AM WORHSIP SERVICE - Please mark your calendars and plan to attend this important meeting. All year-end reports from committees will be presented. Note to Committee Chairpersons – all reports MUST be in the church office by Sunday January 25th to be included in the report.
HEARTWOOD CENTER NEEDS - The Heartwood Center is in need of hats, gloves and coats. Any other clothing donated will be taken to the clothing bank at Christ Lutheran in Hazleton.
BREAKFAST IS SERVED - The Valley Vets Auxiliary will host a breakfast on Sunday January 18th from 7am-11am. Everyone is invited.
GREY DOG CASH AND VEHICLE RAFFLE - St. John Bosco Parish, Conyngham. $25,000 in prizes - $100 per ticket. Drawing is February 8, 2026. Call (570) 788-1997, ext. 3 or 4 for tickets or more information.
LUTHERAN DISASTER RESPONSE - LDR is asking for gifts to help with the recent disasters. Checks may be out to the church and marked "LDR". 100% of all money donated goes directly to help those in need!!
STEPHEN MINISTRY:
Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2, NRSV)
Stephen Ministry offers an effective way to organize, equip, and supervise a team of congregation members called Stephen Ministers—to provide high-quality, one-to-one, Christ-centered care to people in the congregation and the community experiencing life difficulties. These can include, but are not limited to, death, divorce/separation, job loss, relocation, life threatening illness, loss of property, etc.
Stephen Ministers are matched with people in need of care. The Stephen Minister meets with his or her Care Receiver for about an hour a week to provide one-to-one Christ-centered care. This relationship can last from a few months to as long as needed. It is important to remember that this ministry IS NOT counseling. It is a ministry of listening and caring.
If you know of someone who may benefit from Stephen Ministry or are interested in becoming a Stephen Minister, contact Deb Jones at 570-233-7675.