Calendar of Events for the Week of August 31, 2025: Monday - Labor Day Tuesday -        Wednesday - 11:00am - Bible Study; 6:30pm - AA Meeting; 7:00pm - Bible Study Thursday - 5:30pm - Karate Friday -       Saturday -    Â
A TIME TO SAY THANK YOU - Join us for a light breakfast gathering as we show our appreciation for Pastor Rachael Dietz and her years of service with the synod. These events offer a chance to express appreciation, reflect on her ministry, and connect with others from across the synod. The event will be held here at Christ Lutheran Church on Saturday, September 20th. Deadline for registration is one week prior the event. Register at the Synod website: godslove.org or Synod Phone: 610-266-5101.
WILLING WORKERS - The Willing Workers will meet on Tuesday, September 9 at 1:00pm. Â All women of the church are invited to attend. For more information, contact Deb Jones at 570-233-7675 or msjonesncc@gmail.com.
TRASH TO TEASURE FLEA MARKET/ANTIQUE TREASURE ITEMS NEEDED - Items to be donated for the Apple Feast Flea Market and Antique Treasures may be brought to the church beginning weekdays September 2rd from 9am â Noon. Items should be taken to the Youth Room. This is located next to the elevator on the lower level. Carts are available by the back door on the kitchen side and in the hallway by the elevator on the lower level. If you have larger items, please contact Deb Jones at 570-233-7675 to make arrangements for drop off. REMEMBER: NO books, CDs, DVDs, cassette tapes, clothing or electronics.
CANCER AWARENESS TRICKY TRAY - Once again at our Apple Festival we will have a special Tricky Tray for cancer awareness. âPinkâ items are needed for this. Please have donated items here at the church by Sunda y September 21st.
APPLE FEST VOLUNTEERS - Saturday October 18th from 8am-3pm. Volunteers are needed for our annual event. Dates are the days prior to the Fest at 9am on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday October 15th, 16th and 17th. Also, the day of the Apple Fest the 18th. Please see the sign-up sheets on the table in the back of the church and indicate day(s) and times you can help!!! Please sign-up to bake for the bake sale and to bake and apple pies, too.
INTERFAITH COUNCIL COMMUNITY DINNER - Mark your calendars for Friday September 12th. The Interfaith Council will host a community dinner here at Christ Lutheran. Everyone is invited to attend. Watch for more information as it is made available.
SUNDAY SCHOOL BACK IN SESSION SEPTEMBER 7th - Enjoy the rest of your summer, but be sure to mark your calendar for the beginning of our Sunday School on September 7th with RALLY DAY! We will continue with our Vacation Bible School theme. Registration for students will be held. Also, a sign-up sheet for substitute teachers will be available. Please consider being a part of this important ministry. Our Christian Education Coordinators are Russ Blade Nyblade and Bethany Urichich.
GODâS WORK. OUR HANDS - is planned for September 13th and or 14th work project on closet doors, 14th prepare a meal and 15th prepare/serve the meal, deliver donations and set-up and serve ice cream. We will be working with the Heartwood Center for activities. Sign-up sheets for the areas of help needed are on the table in the parlor.
SECOND SATURDAY SUPPERS - Do you ever wish you had something to do on a Saturday evening? If you do, plan on coming to a Second Saturday Supper! The first supper will be held on September 13th at 5:45pm downstairs in Roth Hall right after the Saturday worship service. It is hoped these suppers will be monthly events.
THROUGH THE WOODS - A 5K Trail Run & Walk at Bear Creek Camp on Saturday September 27th. Registration is at 9am and race start is 10am. Fee is $35 before September 1st and $45 after September 1st. Fee includes timing, bib and swag. Post-race lunch will be available for purchase-cash only. Register at www. Bearcreekcamp.org/5K or call 570-472-3741.
BREAKFAST IS SERVED - The Valley Vets Auxiliary will host a breakfast on Sunday September 21st from 7am-11am. Everyone is invited.
OUR 4TH QUARTER GIVING - Be extra generous during the month of August by contributing to our 4th quarter collection of personal care items. These items, which cannot be purchased by using food stamps, will be donated to either the Valley or Black Creek Food Pantries. Items that are needed include: toothpaste and toothbrushes for both adults and kids; bath soaps; shower gel; razors; shaving cream; skin cream; hand lotion; hand sanitizer; deodorant; shampoo; conditioner; feminine hygiene products; laundry detergent; mouth wash and what ever you use in your daily routine. Our congregationâs generosity has been OVER THE TOP in response tot these collections! Thank you!!
APPLE FEST PLANNING MEETING - On Thursday September 11th at 9am we will have a meeting to discuss plans for our annual Apple Fest and finish up any craft projects. Mark your calendars now to join us as we make important decisions regarding this event. If you canât make the meeting, but want to be involved, contact Cindy Derr or Mary Lou Keck.
BRANDONâS FOREVER HOME REQUEST - Brandonâs Forever Home is in need of diapers sizes 4, 5, & 6 and pull-ups. Please place your donation in the parlor. Thank you for helping with this need!
VFW POST 8161 AUXILIARY-CONYNGHAM - The Auxiliary are filling 50 backpacks (already donated) for homeless Veterans in our surrounding area. If you care to help, here are items they are looking for:
*Winter hats *Gloves *Thermal socks *Thermal underwear sizes XL, XXL, & 3XL *Hand and foot warmers *Fruit and pudding cups *Individual packages of crackers and cookies
Items are needed by September 21st so the backpacks can be assembled and given out before the cold weather comes. A box will be in the parlor for the donations. Any questions see Sue Oliver. Thank you for helping in this important mission.
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY ROAD TO RECOVERY - Greater Hazleton Cancer patients are reminded that transportation is provided to and from treatments for those who do not have a ride or are unable to drive can get assistance by registering at cancer.org or calling 570-459-1212. It can take several business days to coordinate a ride so please call well in advance of your appointment. Driving hours are flexible and are typically Monday through Friday between 7am-6pm.
HEARTWOOD CENTER SUMMER WISH LIST - As the seasons shift and the temperatures rise, our homeless community members face new and serious challenges. Exposure to the sun, heat and unpredictable weather can take a toll on their health and well-being. We are asking for your help to gather essential items that will provide comfort, protection, and dignity to those experiencing homelessness. Items especially needed during the summer months include:
*Sunscreen *Aloe Vera gel *Reusable water bottles and bottled water *Tarps and tents *Lightweight clothing and hats *Bug spray *First-aid supplies *Hygiene products *NEW ITEM-Backpacks
Please place your donations in the bin in the parlor. Thanks!
EAT MORE ICE CREAM! And bring your clean, empty containers to church. We need them for our flower deliveries.
ACOLYTES NEEDED! - If you are in 3rd grade (or entering this Fall) or older and would like to serve as an acolyte during the 10:45am worship service, please see Cindy Derr. She will explain how the scheduling works and what the duties are. We need your help in this important ministry. Even grown-ups can serve as acolytes!
BOUNTIFUL GARDENS - The table to share your Bountiful Gardens produce is in the parlor. Â Individuals with extra produce from their gardens can leave it on the table before the Saturday or Sunday church services. Â 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. Â When leaving your produce, please put it on the table in the parlor and NOT in the shopping cart.
BIBLE STUDIES - Wednesday nights Bible Study is 7-8 pm. We will be reading 2 Chronicles. Weather permitting, we will be outside. If not, then 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 will start on September 3rd at 11:00am. We will continue with âThe Workbook on the Christian Walkâ. Everyone is welcome to join. Sessions last about an hour.
WATCH âTHE CHOSENâ - We are hoping to watch âThe Chosenâ towards the end of September. We will be watching an episode, then discussion afterwards. There is a sign-up sheet in the parlor to see if Monday or Thursday nights work for most people who are interested. Please sign up, so we can gauge when it would work best. Our aim is to start around 6:30pm. Most episodes are in the 45-to-75-minute time frame. You can bring food. After the showing, we will do our best to review and answer any questions that come up from the episode.
MINISTRY OF CARDS NEWS - The Ministry of Cards group is thankful for all of your donations of birthday cards. We now have plenty! We could use stamps if you are willing to make a donation (leave them with the church office, please). We are attempting to send a birthday card to all members of the congregation this year. If your birthday has already passed and you didn't receive a birthday card, please make sure your address is up to date with the church office so we have an accurate directory.
LUTHERAN DISASTER RESPONSE - LDR is asking for gifts to help with the recent disasters. Checks may be out to the church and marked "LDR". Â 100% of all money donated goes directly to help those in need!!
STEPHEN MINISTRY - Stephen Ministers: The After People
People often ask, âWhat exactly is a Stephen Minister?â One way to put it is that Stephen Ministers are the After People. Â Stephen Ministers are there:
* after the phone call you hoped youâd never get. * after the funeral, when everyone has left and the emotions youâve held at bay come crashing in on you. * after the relationship falls apart and the bottom falls out of your life. * after the doctor says, âIâm sorry, but thereâs nothing more we can do.â * after the nursing home director shakes your hand and says, âWelcome to your new home.â * after the last child honks the horn, waves, and drives awayâand the house suddenly seems empty. * after the gavel comes down, the handcuffs go on, and your loved one is led away. * after the baby arrives, demanding more of you than you ever dreamed possible. * after you find a pink slip with your final paycheck. * after your family and friends have heard your story one too many times, but you still need to talk it out.Â
Stephen Ministers are the After People. They are ready to come alongside you to provide comfort and support for as long after as needed. Â
James tells us that the prayers of righteous people are powerful and effective (James 5:16). During the coming month, we invite you to pray for our congregationâs Stephen Ministry, especially for God to touch the hearts of those called to serve as Stephen Ministers. Â For more information please contact Deb Jones at 570-233-7675 or msjonesncc@gmail.com
COMMUNITY EVENTS:
* CVHS CONCERT AT THE GAZEBO - September 7 at 3PM (note time change) Freelandâs St. Annâs Band performing a wide variety of music. Bring a lawn chair or blanket for seating.