Calendar of Events for the Week of October 1, 2023: Monday - 5:00pm - Karate Tuesday - 9:00am - Stephen Ministry Supervision Wednesday - 11:00am - Bible Study; 7:00pm - Bible Study; 7:00pm - Hazleton/Lehighton Mission District Council Meeting Thursday - 9:00am - Quilting Group; 5:00pm - Karate; 6:30pm - AA Meeting Friday - Saturday -
LUTHERAN DISASTER RESPONSE - LDR is asking for gifts to help with the recent disasters. The survivors need our support. Checks may be sent to:
Lutheran Disaster Response P. O. Box 1809 Merrifield, VA 22116-8009
Write “U.S. Flooding” on your check memo line. If you send a check to our church, please make sure it is marked the same way.
UPDATE ON “CASTING OUR NETS” - On October 1 the first “Casting Our Nets” gathering is to be held to do some brain-storming as and share ideas about what direction this new venture will take. There’s been an exciting response from at least 12 people who will be working on determining our mission and setting goals for the future. The challenge is still right in front of us! Please feel free to share your ideas about how we can share our faith here in our congregation, the community and the world!
WILLING WORKERS COVERED DISH - The Willing Workers will meet on Tuesday, October 10 (please note correct date from newsletter article) at 12:00pm for our covered dish luncheon. We will have our meeting and games afterwards. All women of the church are invited. For more information, contact Deb Jones at 570-233-7675 or msjonesncc@gmail.com.
TWO BIBLE STUDIES - Bible Study will be held the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month starting September 6th & 20th at 11am. Bible Study is also held every Wednesday evening at 7pm in the courtyard.
FAMILY FUN AND GAME NIGHT - All are invited to attend a Family Fun & Game Night on October 8th from 5pm-?? in Roth Hall. We have a really great time. Feel free to being your favorite game, a friend, and a snack to share. All ages are welcome-we hope to see you there! If you have any questions, please contact the Fryes (Chuck & Jean) at 570-788-5700 or Deb Jones at 570-233-7675.
CANCER AWARENESS TRICKY TRAY - Once again at our Apple Festival we will have a special Tricky Tray for cancer awareness. ‘Pink’ items are needed for this. Please have donated items here at the church by Sunday September 24th. See the sign-up sheet on the table in the back of the church. Thank you
APPLE FEST 2023 - Will be held on Saturday October 14 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 11th, 12th and 13th. Also, the day of the Apple Fest the 14th. 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 an apple pie, too.
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 5th from 9am – Noon. Call the church office (570-788-1572) when you arrive at the back double doors of the church and Cindy will meet you to unlock the door. Items can also be dropped off on Saturdays September 16th, from 11am-1pm; September 23rd from 9am-11am; September 30th from 3pm-5pm and October 7th from 110am-12pm. 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 clothes or electronics!
ITEMS NEEDED - Brandon’s Forever Home is in need of diapers size 6 and pull-ups size 2T-3T. Please consider helping with this request. Items may be brought to the church and placed in the parlor. THANKS!
CALL COMMITTEE INFORMATION - Our Call Committee has finished the Ministry Site Profile and submitted the report to Synod. Our congregation is now on the ELCA search website. Serving on the committee are Julia Bobrowski, Tom Boock, Bonnie Floryshak, Ashley Marsicano, Russ Nyblade and Jessica Thorne. Please do not question them on the work they are doing, as confidentiality is a major part of the process. Keep our congregation in your prayers as our work here continues and we wait for our next pastor.
THANKSGIVING VALLEY FOOD PANTRY BASKETS - Our church has been asked to provide canned corn for the Thanksgiving distribution. Coffee is always needed, too. We are collecting for 60 families. Please have them here at our church by Sunday November 5th!! Place your donations in the designated boxes inside the front door. Thank you.
LIVING NATIVITY - A VERY IMPORTANT PLANNING MEETING WILL BE HELD WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 11TH AT 6:30PM. IF WE DO NOT HAVE AT LEAST 10 PEOPLE ATTENDING (or if you cannot attend, commit to helping by calling the church office and letting us know you will help) THE LIVING NATIVITY CANNOT BE HELD!!!!!
ADVENT DEVOTIONAL BOOKLET - The time is here and writers are needed! Please sign-up on the sheet in the narthex to be one of our devotional writers. Readings are available for you to choose from. Make sure you mark which day of the season you choose on the sign-up sheet next to your name. Then write a few thoughts about the verse, or just some feelings and ideas about the Advent/Christmas season. Then, end with a prayer. This has become an annual event that many people look forward to receiving. The sample booklet from last year is on display for you to look at. E-mail (clccony@ptd.net) your writing to the church office by Sunday November 12th or drop it off at the office. Any questions, see Cindy. Thanks!
NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER - Please note the deadline for all articles, information, etc. for the November newsletter is October 15th!!
2024 CALENDARS ARE AVAILABLE - The 2024 Calendar of Word and Season is available to pick-up in the parlor. Please help yourself. Our calendars are sponsored again this year by Krapf & Hughes Funeral Home and Crematory. Our thanks to them.
HAZLETON PHILHARMONIC CONCERT - Saint John Bosco Church, 573 State Route 93, Sugarloaf, will host the Hazleton Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra in a seasonal concert on Sunday, October 15, 2023, at 3:00 PM. The concert will be held in the church and will feature classical and popular musical selections. Free admission: donations appreciated.
TRUNK OR TREAT - Is Tuesday, October 31st from 6pm-8pm. Donations of candy are needed. Please place your donation in the orange bin in the parlor. In the past years we have had close to 1,000 Halloweeners!!! If you wish to bring your car and hand out candy, please sign-up on the sheet on the table in the parlor or call the church office 570-788-1572.
SAMARITANS PURSE CHRISTMAS SHOE BOXES - You can fill your shoebox by picking items for the girl/boy and age ONLINE or have them fill the shoebox for you @ Operation Christmas Child under “Build A Shoebox Online”. The cost is $25.00. We will have shoeboxes and labels available for you to use if you still wish to fill your own. Pick up a brochure as the items allowed have changed and the cost per box for shipping is now $10. Boxes are due back by Sunday November 5th!
CONYNGHAM UNION CEMETERY - Cemetery graves are available for burial or cremation for $750 each at Conyngham Union Cemetery. A plot of four graves would cost $3,400. For more information or to schedule an appointment to determine location please send an email to ConynghamUnionCemetery@gmail.com. We will be raising prices as of November 1. If interested, please take advantage of our current pricing.
MUSICIANS WORKSHOP - St. John Bosco Church, Conyngham, is overjoyed to welcome acclaimed OCP artist and composer Sarah Hart on the weekend of October 21-22, 2023! Sarah is the composer of many hymns that are becoming standards in church music ministries. Some of her most well-known hymns are “The House That Love Is Building,”” Drawn To You,” “Alleluia, Love is Alive,” and “Go in Peace.” Sarah’s music is poignant, and prayerful and offers listeners and musicians a beautiful way to help congregations praise together in song. Sarah will present a Musicians Workshop (open to all choir members, cantors, accompanists, and musicians) on Saturday, October 21st from 9 a.m. to noon in the Church proper. This workshop delves into the new music emerging from the greater church, and how it fits (or doesn’t) into our modern-day yet traditional liturgy. Attendees will learn and sing new material, as well as participate in discussions about “praise versus performance” songwriting (and psalm-writing), cantoring, putting together a great worship band, and effectively introducing new music to the congregation. Tickets for this event are $20 and include a luncheon and fellowship following the workshop at noon. If you are interested please contact Jen Gerhard, SJB Music Director, at Jinny_97@hotmail.com or Joanne Oakum, SJB Music Ministry, at jmoakum@gmail.com for registration forms or if you have questions! Space is limited so we encourage you to register soon.
COMMUNITY EVENTS - * September 30th Christ UCC Pumpkin Feast from 10am-3pm
* October 5th from Noon-5pm and October 6th from 10am-Noon - Conyngham United Methodist Church Book Sale & Author Signing
* October 14th OUR APPLE FEST from 8am-3pm
* November 4th – Conyngham United Methodist Annual Bazaar from 9am-3pm
* November 7th – Saint John Bosco Church, Conyngham, PA, will sponsor its annual Election Day Pasta and Meatball dinner on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, from 3-7 PM in the parish center. Dinner includes pasta, meatballs, salad, Italian bread and homemade dessert. Take-out dinners will be available. Tickets will be available after all weekend Masses, at the parish office, and on the day of the event. Tickets are $12 per adult and $6 for children 10 years and under.
* November 11th – St John’s UCC Chinese Auction and Tricky Trays
SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS ARE NEEDED!!
Pre-K – 4th Grade October 22 November 26 December 31 March 17 April 14 & 21 May 12, 19 & 26
Grades 5th – 7th October 8 December 10, 17 & 24 January 14 & 21 February 11 & 18 March 10 & 17 May 12
This important ministry needs your help. All material is provided. Please sign-up on the sheet that is on the table in the parlor or see Cindy Derr.
STEPHEN MINISTRY
Is God calling you to become a Stephen Minister?
In Stephen Ministry, members of our congregation are trained and equipped to meet once a week, one to one, with someone going through a difficult time. Stephen Ministers provide a caring presence, a listening ear, and comforting words—supporting care receivers throughout their journey. There are many reasons people become Stephen Ministers. Here are a few to think about as you prayerfully consider whether Stephen Ministry is the right place for you to serve.
As a Stephen Minister, you will . . . *Make a real difference in the lives of people who are hurting. *Help our congregation ensure that no one suffers alone. *Learn what to say and do—and what not to say and do—to care effectively for people who are suffering. *Be involved in meaningful ministry that uses your spiritual gifts. *Deepen your faith as you see God at work through your ministry. *Be part of a group of caring Christians who support each other as they care for those who are hurting. *Join a worldwide tradition of caring ministry.
We ask you to continue to pray for our Stephen Ministers and their care receivers and to help those with the gifts for this ministry to hear God’s calling and step forward so that we may reach out with compassion to those who need it most. You can contact Deb Jones through the church office for more information.