LCR Logo
Lutheran Church of the Resurrection
Gathered by Christ - Growing in Faith - Sent to Serve

  1700 MAKEFIELD ROAD | YARDLEY, PA 19067 
T: 215.493.2018 | E: Office@lcr-yardley.org 
 
 
Council President's Message

Sharing Thanks

November is a changeable month; many family happenings, travel, planning for the Christmas season, year-end activities at work. And every year we manage to cram it all in...forced busyness so that we have no regrets...and then we can report with certitude that we are grateful and blessed with what we have and who we are.

Thanks-giving is a wonderful concept and many families share what they grateful for over a family meal on the fourth Thursday in November.   Our theological interpretation of the gospels is to extend this gratefulness to others as we are in community in sharing the Good News. And as Martin Luther interpreted the gospels...through grace and faith alone. God expects us to share this gratitude with others; expressing joy and pleasure with and for our family and friends.

This year I am going to try and practice Thank-sharing: not just recounting my thanks but to being in the moment grateful, loving and giving to those special people in my life all year long.
  
In Peace,
Liz  
Elizabeth M. Young 
Council President
All Saints Sunday-Prayer Service
 
An All Saints Prayer Service will be held this Sunday, November 5th , at each worship service in the sanctuary.  We will join with all the saints - those who live on earth and those who live in the presence of God.  If you have a loved one who has died and you would like to have them included in the prayers of remembrance, please place his/her name on the sign-up sheet on the activity board.  If you have any questions, please contact the church office at (215) 493-2018 or     office@lcr-yardley.org .

Welcome Church Service
 
Please join us when we visit The Welcome Church, an ELCA congregation without walls which worships outdoors with those experiencing homelessness.  We will meet on Sunday, November 5th at 1:15pm to travel to Philadelphia - worship takes place on the Parkway at 3:00pm. We will bring individually wrapped baked goods, fruit, coffee, and hot chocolate as we are hosting the hospitality time following worship.  All are welcome!

Sunday Breakfast Rescue Mission
 
Clothing Drive this Sunday!  
  On Sunday, November 5th, a truck provided by the Sunday Breakfast Rescue Mission will be in the LCR parking lot. We are asked to donate clothing for any age, gender or season, linens that are clean and in good condition, and small household goods. Clothing should be in bags or boxes (no hangers, please). Furniture is also accepted, but please contact Lois Lohse or Eileen Heitman to verify that space is available. Donations may be deposited directly into the truck from 9:00 to 11:00am. Please do not bring any donations to church prior to this time. Furniture is also accepted, but please contact Lois Lohse at (215) 736-2364 or loislohse@hotmail.com or Eileen Heitman at (215) 295-4284 or eyelean00@comcast.net to verify that space is available. Tax receipts will be available. If you have any further questions, please contact Lois Lohse, Missions Team.
 
Volunteer Opportunity!  - Help Load Truck 
 
During this Sunday's clothing drive, we are seeking volunteers to assist with loading bags and/or boxes into the Sunday Breakfast Rescue Mission's truck. If you're strong, hale and hearty or just enthusiastic we encourage you to volunteer for an hour or two between 9:00am and 11:00am. Your help will be much appreciated!! Contact Lois Lohse, Missions Team, at (215) 736-2364 or loislohse@hotmail.com .
 
      
 
LCR Stewardship Outreach
 
The 2017 LCR Stewardship Outreach is well underway. This year, Church Council has decided upon home calls and visits to all members as a way to increase fellowship, financial awareness and readiness for our new pastor. Six 2-person teams are currently conducting this positive outreach to make all members aware of the vibrant ministries and current needs at LCR. Temple Talks are being made at Sunday services with the emphasis on our time, talents and treasures. Commitment Sunday is set for December 3rd. Please welcome our Call Teams and support this Stewardship Outreach.   If you have any questions, please contact Bob Heitman at robheitman@comcast.net or (215) 431-1991 .
 
NOVEMBER 2017
VOL 7, ISSUE 11

In This Issue
Council President's Message
All Saints Sunday
Welcome Church Service
Sunday Breakfast Rescue Mission
Worship Schedule
Pastoral Call Accepted
Fall Cleanup Day
Daylight Savings Reminder
DWSN November Event
E-Newsletter Submissions
Merciful Mondays
AHTN Volunteer Opportunities
Creativity Workshop
Sonshiners November Update
Shared Meal
Interfaith Food Alliance News
A Mother's Mutterings
Worship Schedule

Sunday, November 5th
ALL SAINTS SUNDAY     
8:00 AM Service of Holy Communion
9:30 AM Contemporary Worship Service
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM FAITH ALIVE! - Children of All Ages - Starting in Church & Ending in Fellowship Hall Classrooms
11:00 AM Service of Holy Communion

Sunday, November 12th
8:00 AM Service of Holy Communion
9:30 AM Contemporary Worship Service
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM FAITH ALIVE! - Children of All Ages - Starting in Church & Ending in Fellowship Hall Classrooms
11:00 AM Service of Holy Communion
 
Sunday, November 19th
8:00 AM
Service of Holy Communion
9:30 AM Contemporary Worship Service with Children's Leadership
11:00 AM Service of Holy Communion

Sunday, November 26th
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT   
8:00 AM Service of Holy Communion
9:30 AM Contemporary Worship Service
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM FAITH ALIVE! - Children of All Ages - Starting in Church & Ending in Fellowship Hall Classrooms
11:00 AM Service of Holy Communion

Please CLICK HERE  to view LCR's November Event Calendar.

Pastoral Call Accepted
 
The Lutheran Church of the Resurrection Council is excited to announce that Kristina V. Ahlman has accepted the call offered by our recent congregational vote and she will be joining LCR as Pastor.   Look for further updates in the weeks to come!
 
Fall Clean Up Day at LCR
 
Help spruce up the LCR property TOMORROW MORNING beginning at 8:00am!  We have jobs for all skill levels - Raking leaves, trimming bushes, gutter cleaning, kitchen clean up, window cleaning, etc. Bag els and coffee will be provided.  Stop by for an hour or two and help to take care of our church home. If y ou have any questions, contact Diane Casey at (215) 595-5623 or dcasey1 6@ comcast.net.
 
Daylight Savings Reminder
 
Please be reminded that Daylight Savings Time ends this Sunday, November 5th.  Be sure to to turn your clocks back one hour on Saturday evening, November 4th!

DWSN November Event
 
Plan to join the Disciples with Special Needs on Friday, November 17th in Fellowship Hall, from 7:00pm - 8:30pm, in making Thanksgiving cards for our First Responders, also family and friends. The cost is $5.00. Please remember to call (215) 493-2018 or email   lcrdwsn@verizon.net right away if you will be joining us.
      
E-Newsletter Submissions 
Please email all articles to the Church office at  office@lcr-yardley.org  for review . Once approved, they will then be forwarded to our editor, Jenni Panaia for publication.

 

Like us on Facebook

 

  

Merciful Mondays     
 
Join us for an Open Forum on Monday, November 6th at 7:00pm.  We welcome any topic of discussion during this session - no holds barred!
 
Future topics include: 
  November 13th - Health Talk 
November 20th - Let's talk "Comfort Food" - Bring your recipes! 
November 27th - Family Talk
 
Should you have any questions or if you have suggestions for future topics, please contact Barbara Merritt at woodwardba@yahoo.com or via email at(215) 519-7499.
 
AHTN Volunteer Opportunities   

Would you like to learn more about Advocates for Homeless & Those in Need, the issues of homelessness and how you can make a difference in Bucks County?  
 
Volunteers are the backbone of our organization, and without their help, someone in your community might not have a warm meal, or a ride to a doctor or work, or sleep without fear of hypothermia, and hope that someone cares enough to give them a helping hand. Take the next step to becoming a valued AHTN team member - attend a Volunteer Orientation.
 
Monday, November 6, 2017 - 7:00pm 
Bensalem Presbyterian Church
2826 Bristol Road
Bensalem, PA
 
Sunday, December 3, 2017 - 2:00pm
Crossing Community Church
80 Lower Silver Lake Road
Newtown, PA 18940
 
Thursday, January 4, 2018 - 7:00pm 
HOPE 101
101 Lower Morrisville Road
Levittown, PA 19054 (in Fallsington)
 
Wednesday, January 24, 2018 - 7:00pm
Langhorne United Methodist Church
301 E. Maple Avenue
Langhorne, PA 19047
 

There are many volunteer opportunities in our missions, including Code Blue, Those in Need and Wheels to Meals. AHTN is looking for bus drivers - NO CDL is required. We also need drivers to drive our van to transport "those in need" clients to their doctors, hospitals, mental health appointments and laundromat.
 
Please visit http://ahtn.volunteerhub.com to register and sign up for a Volunteer Orientation or visit our website at www.ahtn.org to learn more.  Thank you!
 
"Even if it's a little thing, do something for those who have need of a man's help, something for which you get no pay but the privilege of doing it. For, remember, you don't live in a world all your own. Your brothers are here too." ~Albert Schweitzer
 
  
Creativity Workshop
 
Engage * Explore * Express * Expand
 
Creativity is a divine spark of life we carry within us, a reflection of God's image in our lives.  As we come to know our creative selves more fully, we come to know God more deeply.  Set aside a couple of hours every month to step away from what is normal for you and engage, explore, express and expand into what is not yet known. Plan to join us a week earlier this month on Thursday, November 9th at 7:00pm in the library an conference/education room. If you have any questions, please contact Pr. Katherine Cartwright-Knodel at (267) 833-3994 or spiritdancer61@aol.com.
 
Sonshiners November Update
On October 12th the Sonshiners enjoyed a fascinating trip to the Byers' Choice Christmas Museum in Chalfont, Pennsylvania.   After viewing a video about the origins of the Byers' figures, we toured the many rooms in the museum displaying the hundreds of carolers and Christmas figures crafted at Byers' Choice. There were displays of holiday figures and scenes from around the world along with a collection of over 200 nativity scenes in the Creche Room.   So many of the displays were reminiscent of the Dickensian era.   From an observation deck we were able to take a peek behind the scenes at the skilled artisans bringing the figures to life.   We also enjoyed the Gift Emporium with a wonderful array of items for purchase.
 
After the Tour we went on to the Joseph Ambler Inn where we had a delicious lunch in a private room set up for us in a beautiful old farmhouse surrounded by lovely grounds. Our deep appreciation to Susan Fiscarelli for coordinating this fabulous trip!
 
The October worship service at Pickering Manor Nursing Home was well attended. As always, Clyde Beury led the service and was assisted by Hank and Barb Merritt, Ted Ebersole, Donna DiCesare, Julie Scott, Kay McCorkle, and Pianist Betty Berner. The next service will be on Wednesday, November 15th at 10:30am. Please join us for this wonderful ministry!   Pickering is located at 228 North Lincoln Avenue in Newtown.
 
We look forward to our next event which will be a trip to the Bristol Riverside Theater to see the comedy "Quartet". Twenty people have signed up (which means all tickets are now sold!) to see the show and to join us for lunch at the King George Inn.
 
 
Care Card Ministry 
 
In addition to our monthly ministry to Pickering Manor Nursing Home, the Sonshiners are responsible for providing the weekly Care Cards found in the narthex each Sunday that are sent to members, friends or relatives of our church in need of some cheer. These include get well, sympathy, birth and marriage congratulations or whatever is requested.   The cost of the cards is covered by the free-will offerings that are given at our Pot Luck Lunches.   Many cards and letters of thanks have been sent to us by people who have appreciated receiving these messages of cheer.  
 
One very inspiring letter received in response to one of our cards was from Woody Woodward who has been incarcerated for the past four years. We share his words with you here:
 
"To the People at LCR,
 
 I just want to thank you all for the wonderful card that you sent me. It's so nice to know people still care.   I've been gone four years on October 31. Wow, it's hard to believe that it's been that long. In four years I have had to experience things nobody should experience. I have nobody to blame but myself. I want to apologize to everyone for being such a menace to the community. I know that if I didn't come to prison I would not be alive today. I was so far gone in my addiction there were only two ways out - death or jail. Thank God it was jail.   On October 30th I will be drug free for four years. I never would have been able to get sober on the streets. It's kinda ironic that when I was free I was a slave to drugs and now I'm free from drugs and a slave to the DOC. I thank God every day that I don't need drugs anymore. Today I don't think of drugs every second of every day. Today I am a Certified Peer Support Specialist. I have been trained and certified by the State of PA to help people with mental problems whether it be depression, drugs, alcohol, PTSD, etc..... I want to be a counselor at a hospital or drug rehab.   If I can help anybody and stop them from doing what I did, then I can help make our community a safer place for everyone. This opioid epidemic is a scary thing. I'm praying that I can be an example that no matter how far you fall God can save you. All you have to do is believe. I truly believe God has big plans for me. I thank you all for not giving up on me, especially my Mom and Hank. I pray I will be home October 31, 2018.  
 
 If anyone knows someone struggling with drugs or alcohol and you want me to talk to them or if anyone has questions about addiction or incarceration, I would be more than happy to help anyone struggling. You can write me or you can ask my Mom (Barbara Merritt or Hank Merritt) to email me. I hope and pray that everybody is doing well. Thank you all again for the card and all the prayers. It really means more to me than you will ever know. May peace and blessings be with you all in Jesus' Name.
 
God Bless, 
Woody Woodward
 
My Address:   Rowland Woodward LQ3350
                     SCI-MERCER
                     801 Butler Pike
                     Mercer, PA 16137
 
A Poem by Woody:
 Jesus,
 Please open my eyes and let me see, there is something better in me.
No more guilt and no more shame, no more hurt and this senseless pain,
 and no more victims playing my childish games.
 I seek correction from my criminal ways, and what I seek shall start today.
 My God has given me another chance, and this time I'll take self-acceptance,
and allow my life, this positive advance.
Therefore I humble myself, to become a better person.
I've done enough wrong, it's time to help heal another person.
He has allowed the healing to start with me.
Today and beyond, I take full responsibility."
                                                 
Shared Meal With the Homeless & Those in Need
 
November Shared Meal
   
Please join fellow LCR members and the community on Sunday, November 19th  at 4:00pm when we will share a meal with our neighbors experiencing food insecurity and homelessness.
 
We will set up for the meal beginning at 2:30 pm and your help would be appreciated!  Our menu will include all types of hot sandwiches (roast beef, turkey, meatballs, sausage & peppers, etc), along with salads/sides and dessert.
 
A sign up sheet is posted on the ramp leading to fellowship hall and we hope you will sign up to help and/or provide a dish for sharing.  Come out and enjoy dinner here at LCR that afternoon while helping us provide hospitality to our neighbors! Please contact Diane Casey with any questions at (215) 595-5623 or dcasey16@comcast.net .
 
Interfaith Food Alliance News
 
Our featured donation items for the month of November are canned corn and black beans.  Please consider picking up a few cans during your next shopping trip and dropping them in the collection bin located outside of the church office.  Your support is greatly appreciated by The Interfaith Food Alliance and the families we serve!  To learn more about The IFA, visit www.interfaithfoodalliance.com or contact Diane Casey at  dcasey16@comcast.net.
A Mother's Mutterings 
by Christie Paton         
 
Mini Me...
 
So allow me to apologize (again?)... by the time you read this, it will be after Halloween, and that's what I'm writing about.   Oh well.
   
I'm not sure that Daniel ever really understood the whole spirit of Halloween... or maybe he just wasn't that interested.   A couple of years, he came up with a decent costume but mostly, it was like, when he was taking hockey lessons, he was a hockey player.   One year he was probably a soccer player.   He got a Scream costume in fifth grade and has been that 3 years in a row.   In some ways, Halloween is very easy with Daniel.   (Jim hates Halloween, so maybe some of those genes contribute to it as well.)
 
Megan is another story.   Back in September, she took it upon herself to research Halloween costumes and decided she was going to be a gumball machine.   I remember the night distinctly - she talked nonstop for three hours about how she was going to glue pom-poms to a white shirt, and make a red skirt that flared out, and a 25-cent piece, and wear a red hat with a gray pom-pom on top.   Sounds exactly like something I would do... come up with a great idea, and then figure out how it's going to work.   Not surprisingly, Jim says Megan is a smaller version of me.   I couldn't be more proud.
 
Of course, this means that, since that night, WE have been on the lookout and slowly putting this costume together.   It has been a long, fun journey, and I think we are just about ready.   It's great to have someone who shares my enthusiasm.
   
I love Mini Me!!