Good Friday/Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday April 5th we will gather in the Community Center as we have done in the past, and after each of us being given a palm to wave, we will process into the sanctuary.
Maundy Thursday, April 9th, we will have a very intimate service at 7:30p.m.to remember our Lord administering the bread and wine to his disciples, what we now celebrate as Holy Communion.
April 10th, at 7:30p.m. we will have a solemn service, commemorating the crucifixion of our Lord. There will also be an Ecumenical Service at Sidney Methodist Church from 12 noon until 3p.m. Pastor Lauren will take part in this service.
Ah, but Easter Sunday, April 12th, we shout CHRIST IS RISEN! The Solemnity of Lent is over. We rejoice in our new life through Christ our Lord. The Easter flower chart has been posted on the bulletin board in the community center. You can order mums, lilies, tulips, or hyacinths plants. Each will cost $16.00 again this year.
Please sign up before Palm Sunday, April 5th.
If you have any questions please talk to Doris Konnerth.

Brooks BBQ April 25th at Saint Lukes

Look for Sign up sheet to help us with this annual fund raising event. This year we will have ribs and chicken. We need your help. Can you bake, serve, or come and purchase and spread the word. We will tithe to the Tri town boys and girls club from this event. It always a lot of work while having a great deal of fun. Thrivent will be donating towards this event.

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Share the Bounty Dinner

May Work and Fun Day

Sunday School/Conformation Class

Our Sunday School is for ages 3 years and up.
Confirmation class begins in grade 7. What does this mean?
If you were ever a confirmation class student, you probably remember that question! If you were a confirmation class student 25 or more years ago, you probably memorized the answers to it for numerous parts of Martin Luther�s Small Catechism.

Today, confirmation class students spend a full year studying the Bible and begin to understand it better as a whole rather than as just a collection of strange stories. They use the Small Catechism to learn the basics about Holy Baptism, Holy Communion, the Ten Commandments, the Apostles� Creed and the Lord�s Prayer. We still find ourselves asking Brother Martin�s famous question, �What does this mean?� as we ponder how all of this �stuff� could possibly be related to our daily lives.

In the process of learning we also get to know each other better, find ways to have fun and build friendships while we�re building up our faith. Our class usually meets on Sunday mornings from 9 - 10 am (the same time as regular Sunday School classes) in the library/resource room, but when/if there is sufficient interest we could meet at other times and in different places (like on a backpacking trip?).

If you are in the 7th, 8th or 9th grade and have not been confirmed in the Lutheran church, you are invited to attend. Please join us for class on Sunday, September 8th. Bring your Bible, if you have one (if you don�t have a Bible, one will be provided), and an item for �show and tell� that is important to you or tells something about you or your family history.
Questions?
Call Chris Camann at 369-2130
or e-mail her at [email protected]

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Church Photo Directory

Please see Marie Whittaker or Eve Haskin and have your picture taken for the new church directory. We would like to list your e-mail address also! We are trying to finish the directory this month!!!

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St. Luke�s Womens Group

The Ladies of St. Luke�s meet one Saturday each month to sew, crochet, bake or have a time of fellowship and learning how to accomplish different challenges. We currently make shawls for the sick and for the armed services. We make quilts for those in need such as a women�s shelter, victims of the flood and of fire, victims of illness. We are looking for some women who have special talents and would like to share them with us. Please speak to Eve or Adrienne if you would like to share a talent.
Look in the bulletin to see when the next meeting is. We hope to see you there!

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Do You Need A Ride:

If you need a ride to the store, doctors appointment, etc., you can call Sam at 563-2642. He is more than willing to help out.

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Veterans Day

Veterans Day has its roots in what was called Armistice Day, the day when a peace agreement was signed with Germany ending World War I. Armistice Day was established with a proclamation by President Woodrow Wilson which reads in part: �Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in heroism of those who died in the country�s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations.� On June 1, 1954, Armistice Day was renamed Veterans Day to honor all U.S. veterans.
On Veterans Day this year, let us remember and honor those men and women who gave of themselves, and let us continue to pray for our men and women currently serving in the military.Veterans Day, which is November 11 each year, is a holiday to honor America�s veterans for their patriotism and willingness to serve and sacrifice for our nation�s common good.
Christians follow the Prince of Peace, so war is a dilemma that often challenges people of faith. Some Christians are pacifists, while others believe in a �just war.� Many believe that the goals of freedom, justice, equality and democracy are worth the cost required.
Whatever individual Christians decide about any given conflict, most Christians believe that men and women who strive to make this world free of tyrants are to be respected. As Winston Churchill said, �Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.�
Thank you to all the men and women who served or are now serving our country.

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Coffee Hour After Worship

      Would you like to host a coffee hour this year? Please contact Roz Wilson. It's always nice to see new faces at the serving table during fellowship hour.
Please look on the bulletin board for the sign-up sheet.

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Altar Flowers

      Would you like to place flowers on the altar? See the chart in the community center for available dates and sign up. There are Sundays that have no flowers listed. See Doris Konnerth if you have any questions. The cost is $20.

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Altar Guild

     It takes the whole family working together to be able to ensure a service of worship and praise each Sunday morning. If you are able to help there are sign-up sheets on the bulletin board in the community room. If you would like to help with the altar set-up, serve as a communion assistant, serve as an usher or greeter, please talk to Eve in the office and you will be directed in the right direction.

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Join the Choir

     There isn�t much news about the Choir because they have been on a well-deserved vacation for the summer. The Choir and the congregation should offer thanks to all those who provided solos and ensembles each Sunday; Linda Bickos, Keren Seiler, the Women�s Ensemble, the Men�s Quartet, Jack Doyle and Robert Loitsch. There was only one Sunday without special music, August 17th.
The Men�s Quartet was scheduled to appear for that Sunday, but because of Norman Hayner�s unfortunate accident, they couldn�t appear.. However, they were 100% ready and when Norman, sometime this fall, the Men�s Quartet will present their prepared piece.
Of course, the Choir will be �back in harness� in September, providing music for the fall-winter-spring seasons.

The first Choir rehearsal will be Wednesday, September 3rd at 7:00p.m. Anyone interested in joining the Choir should speak with Barbara Loitsch. We look forward to another exciting year of bringing the music heritage of the church to St. Luke�s
Christmas season this year. We didn�t present a drama, and we didn�t sing at the Farmer�s Museum or in Unadilla. Nothing seemed to work out, schedule-wise, to do any of these. While it is always rewarding to prepare and bring seasonal music to the worship services on Sundays and Christmas Eve, it did seem strange not to be �out and about� as we have been in years past.
But no it�s onward into the spring with Lent and Easter before us - - and -- there will be a musical drama on April 3rd and 4th. �Michael�s Tree� is a story of resurrection with a contemporary twist. As always we invite recruits to help with staging, props, and we�ll need a few �extras� for group scenes. Everything will be in modern day dress, so costuming won�t be an issue.
There are a couple of outdoor scenes, one in the woods, one in the backyard of the main character�s home, so we will need some artificial trees (an undecorated Christmas tree would work) and silk trees or flowers. If you have something like this that we could borrow, please let us know.
As always, we look forward with anticipation, to the upcoming years of exploring and presenting the rich heritage of sacred music from the centuries through the present.
The Choir meets for rehearsal every Wednesday evening at 7p.m. here at St. Luke�s. Barbara L. Loitsch Music director/Organist

The Choir had a rather different fall, Advent and Christmas season this year. We didn�t present a drama, and we didn�t sing at the Farmer�s Museum or in Unadilla. Nothing seemed to work out, schedule-wise, to do any of these. While it is always rewarding to prepare and bring seasonal music to the worship services on Sundays and Christmas Eve, it did seem strange not to be �out and about� as we have been in years past.
But no it�s onward into the spring with Lent and Easter before us - - and -- there will be a musical drama on April 3rd and 4th. �Michael�s Tree� is a story of resurrection with a contemporary twist. As always we invite recruits to help with staging, props, and we�ll need a few �extras� for group scenes. Everything will be in modern day dress, so costuming won�t be an issue.
There are a couple of outdoor scenes, one in the woods, one in the backyard of the main character�s home, so we will need some artificial trees (an undecorated Christmas tree would work) and silk trees or flowers. If you have something like this that we could borrow, please let us know. As always, we look forward with anticipation, to the upcoming years of exploring and presenting the rich heritage of sacred music from the centuries through the present.
Barbara L. Loitsch
Music director/Organist

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The Boys & Girls Club Board members meet here monthly for two months and at NBT the third month on a rotation basis. SAYAP also is meeting here when needed.

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1. Due to the flood and its effects we have had the following groups using our building: The United Methodist Church, A, A,, Al-A-Non, Landers Funeral Home.

2. Weight Watchers meets here each Saturday, 9am till noon.

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Help us save money on copy paper costs! Bring in your empty printer cartridges for recycling. See Robert Hendricks for details

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Counters

      St. Luke's is in need of a few good counters, so if you can open envelopes and record the amount of money taken from that envelope, you are qualified! Tim Camann or Dave Leidy will be eager to help for this fun task! Talk to them and put a smile on their face's, and one on yours too, and also see Tim after church services to pick up your quarterly record of contribution. Verify your record, and if there are any changes or corrections to be made, let Tim know as soon as possible.

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We are in need of ushers, greeters, lectors, and communion assistants!! Please see the bulletin board to sign up. If you have any questions please talk to Doris Konnerth or Eve Haskin.

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Communion at the Lords Table

     Communion is every first, third and fifth Sunday. In order that the same people don't have to set-up communion each time. We need volunteers to set-up and take down and clean the communion ware, straighten out Hymn books and communion cards, be an usher, lector, greeter, counter or communion assistant. If you can do any of these labors of love about once a month please see Doris Konnerth or Eve Haskin.

There is New News regarding Communion from the Synod Council.

     In accordance with established ELCA policies, the Synodical Bishop must give permission to a lay person to preside at the Sacrament of Holy Communion on any given date. This decision is based on "emergency" and/or for the sake of the mission of the church in the absence of a pastor.
     I, therefore, give the following deacons permission to preside on Sundays at the Sacrament of Holy Communion at St. Luke's Church, Sidney, on an as needed basis during the time of the pastoral vacancy, beginning October 2, 2005:
Norman Hayner, Christine Camann, Timothy Camann and Ronnie Haag.
Communion is celebrated here at St. Luke's the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Sunday of each month. All are welcomeat the table of the Lord.

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Communion Cards Needed for 2009

Once a year, as a minimum, you are asked to fill out a communion record card (found in pew racks) when you first commune in calendar 2008. This provides a record for the church to meet the requirements for being an active member. Please try to fill out a card when you next commune

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Pastors Blog

Would you like to tune in to what it�s like for Reverend Gough to be our Pastor? Here the address�www.foraseason.blogspot.com

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Canned Goods Collection

      As you enter the church you can see a large basket that is kept to the left of the doors to collect foods for the Sidney Food Bank. As you come to church each week please take the opportunity to contribute canned foods . Your gift is greatly appreciated. The Sidney Food Bank is up and running again after being completely wiped out because of the June floods.       We are temporarily located at the Methodist Church Parsonage until the Church basement can be properly cleaned. Shelves were build just for our use, we bought a new freezer and we are using the refrigerator that was in the parsonage. The donations of canned goods from area churches and organizations was wonderful. Six of us "gals" spent an afternoon checking expiration codes on each canned item and setting up the shelves and were back in business in less than 2 weeks after the flood. [ the canned goods that were outdated were set aside for a farmer who has pigs --- so those items were used also.
     November and December were busy months at the Sidney Area Food Bank as we prepared 90 boxes for Thanksgiving and 107 boxes for Christmas. July through August we invited the families to visit twice during those months, if needed.We are going to resume this practice again in January as we realize that higher fuel bills are coming right on top of the costs of the fllod water damage. In November one of our food bank friends collected Christmas decorations for us to offer the families who lost their decorations in the June flood. As a result of this we saw many smiles of happiness. We now are also offering toiletries such as soap and toothpaste when we have them available. Thanks for your support. Respectfully submitted by Louise Craig
     Our donations have come from all around N.Y.S. as well as Connecticut, New Jersey, Texas, and Florida. When asked volunteers from other areas have told us "It could be us sometime", This has been a busy time and so many of you took the time to support the Food Bank and so to "The Small Church with the BIG Heart" I can only say THANK YOU

Sincerely
Louise Craig

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Every Month is World Hunger Month

      This year we are once again asking that you remember the 854 million hungry people in the world by making a donation. Please use the special pew envelopes for your offeings. During Sundays in November, we will have bulletin inserts reminding you of hunger month and telling stories of how people benefit from your offerings.

We also have a 10 minutes DVD to introduce what the ELCA Hunger Appeal is all about.
St. Luke's members have already donated approximately $1,200 to hunger needs. With a little push, we can have another banner year of giving.

The hungry of the world thank you

Would you like to volunteer to help at the Sidney Food Bank? Please see Pastor Lauren. We could use your help!

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Study Group

      The Wednesday Study Group will continue to meet each Wednesday at 11a.m. We are now studying the Book of Acts. Come join us as we discuss what God is doing in this text. What do you hear God saying to you. What do you hear God saying to us as a congregation and to the larger church? We study our topic beginning at 11a.m. and at noon we eat lunch. Please bring a brown bag lunch.

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LUTHERAN MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTION

RECENTLY UNDATED
As most of you know, our church underwrites the cost to bring The Lutheran Magazine to every member or friend of St. Luke�s. By doing so, it allows each family to receive a full year�s subscription (12 issues) for about $8.00 per family, which is half the normal family subscription price. We presently send copies to 53 members/friends. This magazine is the best way to keep current on church issues and it also provides valuable articles on health, education, global issues and related topics. The relatively new editor (2 years ago) is working hear to keep this magazine an award winning one and he deserves our support. To help offset our church subscription costs, you are encouraged to make a donation of $8.00 in 2009 to cover our costs. Last year, only about $140. in donations were received to offset $400 in costs. Simply place your donation in the specially marked red/white envelopes (included in this newsletter) with your offering envelope number, or use the white pew envelopes and label them �Lutheran Magazine�. Thank you for your interest and support. If you wish to add or subtract your name to our subscription list, please contact Norman Hayner.

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Boy Scout Sunday

The Boy Scout Oath Every boy in scouting learns the Boy Scout Oath:
�On my honor I will do my best To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; To help other people at all times; To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.�
What more could parents ask of their sons (or daughters) than a pledge such as that? As Christians we should be pleased to host troops of Boy and Girl Scouts in our churches.

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VISITOR WELCOME LETTERS

For six years, St. Luke�s has had an outreach ministry of writing welcome/thank you letters to visitors at St. Luke�s worship services who sign our guest book and leave a home address. Feedback from those receiving letters has shown this to be an effective means of reaching out to our guests.
This past year, only eight letters were sent out, only about half of the previous years� total. This number could be much higher, if guest would enter a complete home mailing address in our guest book. If you are an usher or bring a friend to church, Please encourage them to enter their home address in our book.
Thanks for your help. Deacon Norman Hayner

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Souper Bowl 2009

The Souper Bowl of Caring is a national movement started by youth. They believed they could use the energy around our nation�s biggest sporting event to inspire Americans to make a difference. After 20 years, the movement has grown to include over 14,000 groups and has raised over $50 million to help fight hunger and poverty in local communities. On Sunday February 1st, 140 million Americans will tune into the Super Bowl football game. There will be food and fun for many people watching the game. At the same time, there will be people struggling to feed themselves and their families for the day. This year, our Confirmation Class will join groups across America to do our part! Please bring your cash donations and perishable food items to church on Sunday, February 1st. Confirmation Class members Gina and Christina Bochicchio will be on hand to collect cash donations in two large soup pots and to direct you to the collection basket for food items. The collection will be donated directly to the Sidney Food Bank.

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Building usage

There is a calendar in the secretary�s office marked for building usage, meetings and events. If you are planning an event or meeting here at St. Luke�s you need to put it on the calendar. If it is not a church related meeting or event you must first get the proper permission from the Facility Use Chairman (Ronnie Haag) and then make sure that the calendar is marked.

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Sidney Daily Events

Every Tuesday Pre-school Story time 9:30am - 10:15am - Sidney Library Every Thursday Pre-school Story time 9:30am - 10:15am - Sidney Library Every Thursday Pre-school Story time Begins at 10:00am - Franklin Free Library Every Friday Toddler Story time 9:30am - 10:00am - Sidney Library Every Saturday Toddler Story time 10:00am - 11:00am - Sidney Center Library

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