Pfaff Elementary School food program update
Thanks to St. John’s “emergency” food drive in May to supply goods for Pfaff Elementary School’s “Backpack for Pumas” program, the school has a sufficient amount to start the year at the end of August. “Backpacks for Pumas” at Pfaff, our neighborhood school on Sleepy Hollow Road, provides food to students for whom meals are limited on the weekends.
Once school begins, counselor Kristi Carlson, our liaison and one of the program coordinators, will assess the need going forward and we will schedule another food drive accordingly.
Thanks so very much, again, to all those who contributed food and funds which resulted in 520 lbs. of goods.
In addition to Pfaff’s food program, St. John’s donates goods to the Quakertown Food Pantry.
Thanks to St. John’s “emergency” food drive in May to supply goods for Pfaff Elementary School’s “Backpack for Pumas” program, the school has a sufficient amount to start the year at the end of August. “Backpacks for Pumas” at Pfaff, our neighborhood school on Sleepy Hollow Road, provides food to students for whom meals are limited on the weekends.
Once school begins, counselor Kristi Carlson, our liaison and one of the program coordinators, will assess the need going forward and we will schedule another food drive accordingly.
Thanks so very much, again, to all those who contributed food and funds which resulted in 520 lbs. of goods.
In addition to Pfaff’s food program, St. John’s donates goods to the Quakertown Food Pantry.
Food Drive for Pfaff Elementary yields 520 lbs. of groceries
Thanks to the generosity of the congregation of St. John’s, members’ friends, and area residents on social media, our recent “emergency” food drive for Pfaff Elementary School’s “Backpacks for Pumas” program netted 520 lbs. of goods.
“Backpacks for Pumas” - one of the Quakertown-area food programs the church supports - supplies food to students for whom meals are limited on the weekends. The drive was quickly organized after our liaison at Pfaff, located on Sleepy Hollow Road just down the street from the church, alerted us that food was needed to keep the program going through the end of the school year. Acting primarily on a request for specific items, our generous donors (some with cash donations which allowed for more shopping) provided: 45 lbs. of cereal; 38 lbs. of snack bars; 63 lbs. of canned fruit; 8 lbs. of snacks; 84 lbs. of canned vegetables; 71 lbs. of pasta sauce; 55 lbs. of canned fish and chicken; 2 lbs. of parmesan cheese; 99 lbs. of pasta (including macaroni and cheese); 38 lbs. of canned/packaged meals; 11 lbs. of soup; 1 lb. of rice/instant mashed potatoes; several jars of peanut butter and a bottle of ketchup totaling 5 lbs.
Thank you so very much to all who contributed their time and resources to make this drive such a success.
Thanks to the generosity of the congregation of St. John’s, members’ friends, and area residents on social media, our recent “emergency” food drive for Pfaff Elementary School’s “Backpacks for Pumas” program netted 520 lbs. of goods.
“Backpacks for Pumas” - one of the Quakertown-area food programs the church supports - supplies food to students for whom meals are limited on the weekends. The drive was quickly organized after our liaison at Pfaff, located on Sleepy Hollow Road just down the street from the church, alerted us that food was needed to keep the program going through the end of the school year. Acting primarily on a request for specific items, our generous donors (some with cash donations which allowed for more shopping) provided: 45 lbs. of cereal; 38 lbs. of snack bars; 63 lbs. of canned fruit; 8 lbs. of snacks; 84 lbs. of canned vegetables; 71 lbs. of pasta sauce; 55 lbs. of canned fish and chicken; 2 lbs. of parmesan cheese; 99 lbs. of pasta (including macaroni and cheese); 38 lbs. of canned/packaged meals; 11 lbs. of soup; 1 lb. of rice/instant mashed potatoes; several jars of peanut butter and a bottle of ketchup totaling 5 lbs.
Thank you so very much to all who contributed their time and resources to make this drive such a success.
2020 What a Great Year!!!
I know. You are thinking, “What is wrong with this guy?” While this year is a year we may want to forget, we always need to be looking for the light in the darkness. A bright light for Saint John’s is our food program that supports the Quakertown Food Pantry and Pfaff Elementary Backpack for Pumas program.
Something amazing happened in the middle of this pandemic. Our congregation gave generously with love in their hearts.
With our pre-shut down giving (447 lbs.), our two unbelievably successful drive-up collections (1,751 lbs.), some help from Social Ministry (110 lbs.) and some very generous private donations (398 lbs,), we not only exceeded 2,000 pounds (a feat only accomplished twice before) but we set a Saint John’s record for pounds donated (2,706 lbs.), blowing through the old record by 426 pounds!
The pandemic has led to disastrous consequences in our economy. Many people have lost their jobs. Food pantries have been swamped with families who have no other option.
Jesus said…………………
He said also to the one who had invited him, ‘When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous. -- Luke 14:12-14
So many of you stepped up this year. Children, parents, seniors, and many others will have a meal because of your generosity. Christ challenges us to reach out to the poor, the sick, and those in need. Saint John’s has accepted this challenge.
God Bless you and God Bless Saint John’s.
I know. You are thinking, “What is wrong with this guy?” While this year is a year we may want to forget, we always need to be looking for the light in the darkness. A bright light for Saint John’s is our food program that supports the Quakertown Food Pantry and Pfaff Elementary Backpack for Pumas program.
Something amazing happened in the middle of this pandemic. Our congregation gave generously with love in their hearts.
With our pre-shut down giving (447 lbs.), our two unbelievably successful drive-up collections (1,751 lbs.), some help from Social Ministry (110 lbs.) and some very generous private donations (398 lbs,), we not only exceeded 2,000 pounds (a feat only accomplished twice before) but we set a Saint John’s record for pounds donated (2,706 lbs.), blowing through the old record by 426 pounds!
The pandemic has led to disastrous consequences in our economy. Many people have lost their jobs. Food pantries have been swamped with families who have no other option.
Jesus said…………………
He said also to the one who had invited him, ‘When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous. -- Luke 14:12-14
So many of you stepped up this year. Children, parents, seniors, and many others will have a meal because of your generosity. Christ challenges us to reach out to the poor, the sick, and those in need. Saint John’s has accepted this challenge.
God Bless you and God Bless Saint John’s.
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Food Drive Update
During times which have impacted our lives so negatively, there are rays of sunshine. One of those happened Saturday, August 15 at St. John’s. We held a food drive to assist the multitude of individuals whose lives have been turned upside down due to the virus. Many have lost their jobs or have seen their income reduced or lost completely. The food drive was held in our parking lot across from the church. Everyone wore face masks and practiced social distancing. We collected 1110.5 pounds of food. Some of food will be stored and used to fill the pantry at Pfaff Elementary when the schools reopen. At present, their pantry is totally bare. The remaining food was delivered to the Quakertown Food Pantry to assist families in our community. I want to thank everyone for their participation. We are a small congregation but mighty in the spirit of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Ron Lausch 
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Please see our PHOTOS page for more pictures of Chester's birthday!
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Drive-By celebration marks Chester Westgate’s 100th birthday
Some 40 cars, trucks and vans adorned with signs and balloons filled the parking lot at Meadow Glen at Phoebe Richland in Richlandtown Borough July 25 to celebrate the 100th birthday of St. John’s member Chester J. Westgate. In a drive-by, organized by the church’s Fellowship Committee, some 80 flag-waving friends and relatives honored the decorated World War II veteran who, with his wife, Mildred (who turned 101 in June), was seated outside to watch the procession and accept well wishes. Chester, whose birthday actually was two days later, received dozens of cards, as well as citations, letters or proclamations from: Richlandtown Mayor James Dunn Jr. and Richlandtown Borough Council; State Rep. Craig Staats; State Sen. Bob Mensch; PA Gov. Tom Wolf; U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, who also sent a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol Building; and The Rev. Patricia Davenport, bishop of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. Chester, who served in the U.S. Army from 1942 to 1945, including during the Invasion of Normandy and Battle of the Bulge, has received six Battle Stars, the Victory Medal, Liberty Medal from France, European African Medal, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Bronze Star and Battle of the Bulge Commemorative Medal. His service to his country was honored during the drive-by with participation by the U.S. Army and earned him a salute from Sgt. First Class Jermaine A. Nurse, commander of the U.S. Army Recruiting station in Allentown. Also represented was American Legion Post 242 of Quakertown, including St. John’s member Richard Helm who stood with the American flag as honor guard during the procession of cars. Also participating in the drive-by were representatives of the American Red Cross, for which Westgate has, for more than 14 years (until COVID restrictions), volunteered at area blood drives. In recognition of Chester’s and Mildred’s continued involvement in their church, Bishop Davenport travelled from Philadelphia to join the celebration. Chester was presented with a birthday cake from St. John’s to share with other residents at Phoebe. |
St. John’s hosting Pot Pie Dinner Feb. 1 to benefit food programs
St. John’s will host a Pot Pie Dinner Saturday, Feb. 1 from 4 to 7 p.m., with proceeds benefitting the Quakertown-area food programs the church supports.
The dinner menu includes crusted chicken pot pie, coleslaw, corn, rolls and butter, assorted homemade desserts and hot and cold beverages. Cost is $8 for adults; $5 for children ages 5-12 and free for children under 5. Diners may pay at the door and takeout will be available.
Proceeds will benefit the “Backpack for Pumas” weekend food project at Pfaff Elementary School, located just down the road from the church, and two dinner programs for financially disadvantaged individuals and families - “Food for Friends,” and “Loaves and Fishes” - ventures in which St. John’s participates.
In case of inclement weather, call the church at 215-536-0734 or visit this site to see if the event has been postponed to Feb. 8.
St. John’s will host a Pot Pie Dinner Saturday, Feb. 1 from 4 to 7 p.m., with proceeds benefitting the Quakertown-area food programs the church supports.
The dinner menu includes crusted chicken pot pie, coleslaw, corn, rolls and butter, assorted homemade desserts and hot and cold beverages. Cost is $8 for adults; $5 for children ages 5-12 and free for children under 5. Diners may pay at the door and takeout will be available.
Proceeds will benefit the “Backpack for Pumas” weekend food project at Pfaff Elementary School, located just down the road from the church, and two dinner programs for financially disadvantaged individuals and families - “Food for Friends,” and “Loaves and Fishes” - ventures in which St. John’s participates.
In case of inclement weather, call the church at 215-536-0734 or visit this site to see if the event has been postponed to Feb. 8.
St. John’s Pork & Sauerkraut Dinner ups stained glass window fund by more than $2,000
St. John’s stained glass window fund grew by more than $2,000, thanks to proceeds from the church’s annual pork and sauerkraut dinner Nov. 2.
Dine-in and take-out dinners totaled 181, producing a profit of $2,021.46 earmarked to refurbish more of the church’s stained glass windows.
Some 40 volunteers contributed their time and talents to make the event a success, including 20 bakers who lined the dessert table with pies, cakes, cookies, bars, and other assorted treats.
Members of the church’s Fellowship Committee, which organized the event, extend a huge “thank you” to all those who helped produce the dinner and to those who supported it by attending. Special thanks to the Hinderliter family for donating the pork.
St. John’s stained glass window fund grew by more than $2,000, thanks to proceeds from the church’s annual pork and sauerkraut dinner Nov. 2.
Dine-in and take-out dinners totaled 181, producing a profit of $2,021.46 earmarked to refurbish more of the church’s stained glass windows.
Some 40 volunteers contributed their time and talents to make the event a success, including 20 bakers who lined the dessert table with pies, cakes, cookies, bars, and other assorted treats.
Members of the church’s Fellowship Committee, which organized the event, extend a huge “thank you” to all those who helped produce the dinner and to those who supported it by attending. Special thanks to the Hinderliter family for donating the pork.
Father’s Day Brunch June 16
The women of St. John’s will turn the tables on their male counterparts June 16 when they host a Father’s Day Brunch immediately after that Sunday’s 9:30 a.m. service. The men prepared and served a Mother’s Day Brunch May 12.
Though outdoor services begin that day in the grove across the road from the church, all attending are invited to gather in the church’s multi-purpose room for brunch. On the menu will be ham, egg casseroles, potatoes, fresh fruit, pastries, juice, coffee and tea.
The women of St. John’s will turn the tables on their male counterparts June 16 when they host a Father’s Day Brunch immediately after that Sunday’s 9:30 a.m. service. The men prepared and served a Mother’s Day Brunch May 12.
Though outdoor services begin that day in the grove across the road from the church, all attending are invited to gather in the church’s multi-purpose room for brunch. On the menu will be ham, egg casseroles, potatoes, fresh fruit, pastries, juice, coffee and tea.
Mother’s Day Brunch draws nearly 70
The church kitchen was bustling with activity May 12 when the men of St. John’s hosted a Mother’s Day brunch which drew nearly 70 people.
The men prepared and served scrambled eggs, sausage and hash browns, complemented by fresh fruit, yogurt, cereal, bagels, English muffins, miniature Danish pastries, coffee, tea and orange juice.
Many thanks to all who shopped, prepared and cooked the food, set the tables, served and washed
dishes.
The church kitchen was bustling with activity May 12 when the men of St. John’s hosted a Mother’s Day brunch which drew nearly 70 people.
The men prepared and served scrambled eggs, sausage and hash browns, complemented by fresh fruit, yogurt, cereal, bagels, English muffins, miniature Danish pastries, coffee, tea and orange juice.
Many thanks to all who shopped, prepared and cooked the food, set the tables, served and washed
dishes.
St. John’s hosting afternoon of ‘Christmas Family Fun’ Dec. 8, featuring ‘Little Shoppers Shoppe,’ craft stations, refreshments
St. John’s will host an afternoon of family fun Dec. 8 from 1 to 4 p.m., featuring a “Little Shoppers Shoppe,” craft stations, and light refreshments.
The event, free and open to the public, is geared towards children of all ages. A variety of stations to create Christmas ornaments and other holiday items will be staffed with helpers, and light refreshments will be served. A “Little Shoppers Shoppe” will offer a variety of inexpensive gifts for family and friends, with free wrapping included.
The church’s Christian Education Committee is coordinating “Christmas Family Fun,” with help from St. John’s Willing Workers service group, which is presenting the “Little Shoppers Shop.”
St. John’s will host an afternoon of family fun Dec. 8 from 1 to 4 p.m., featuring a “Little Shoppers Shoppe,” craft stations, and light refreshments.
The event, free and open to the public, is geared towards children of all ages. A variety of stations to create Christmas ornaments and other holiday items will be staffed with helpers, and light refreshments will be served. A “Little Shoppers Shoppe” will offer a variety of inexpensive gifts for family and friends, with free wrapping included.
The church’s Christian Education Committee is coordinating “Christmas Family Fun,” with help from St. John’s Willing Workers service group, which is presenting the “Little Shoppers Shop.”
Family Fun Bingo April 7 at St. John’s to raise funds
in support of lung transplant candidate in congregation
A Family Fun Bingo event will be held April 7 in Spinnerstown to benefit Help Hope Live, a national nonprofit organization that is helping to raise funds for St. John’s congregation member Gary Small, who is need of a lung transplant.
Proceeds from the event, to be held at 4 p.m. at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Spinnerstown, 1565 Sleepy Hollow Road, Spinnerstown (GPS, Quakertown 18951), will go to the organization’s Mid-Atlantic Lung Transplant Fund, which assists lung transplant clients with financial and other resources.
Gary has Interstitial Lung Disease and is on the lung transplant list at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia.
An Air Force veteran who served in Vietnam, Gary is a Pennsylvania forest fire warden and, for more than 25 years, was active with the Springtown Volunteer Fire Co. For nearly 46 years, he has worked for Carson Helicopters, Inc. of Perkasie and, in that capacity, earned a credit in the 1980 movie “The Blues Brothers” as part of the helicopter crew that dropped a Ford Pinto car onto a Chicago street. Gary is married and the father of a son and two stepsons. He and his wife, Diane, have seven grandchildren.
Family Fun Bingo is being organized by church member Giacinta Barndt, a junior at Quakertown Community High School, as a National Honor Society project.
Doors will open at 3 p.m. for the event which will include a basket raffle, silent auction, 50/50, bake sale and light refreshments. If purchased in advance, tickets are $20 for 20 games, with two cards for each game. Price at the door is $25 for 20 games, which also includes two cards. Extra cards are two for $5. “Specials” are one for $5; three for $10.
To pre-purchase tickets, contact Giacinta at 267-772-9500 or send an e-mail to stjohnsspinnerstown@gmail.com. Direct donations to the transplant fund may be made at www.bit.ly/garysmall. The site gives additional information about Gary.
in support of lung transplant candidate in congregation
A Family Fun Bingo event will be held April 7 in Spinnerstown to benefit Help Hope Live, a national nonprofit organization that is helping to raise funds for St. John’s congregation member Gary Small, who is need of a lung transplant.
Proceeds from the event, to be held at 4 p.m. at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Spinnerstown, 1565 Sleepy Hollow Road, Spinnerstown (GPS, Quakertown 18951), will go to the organization’s Mid-Atlantic Lung Transplant Fund, which assists lung transplant clients with financial and other resources.
Gary has Interstitial Lung Disease and is on the lung transplant list at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia.
An Air Force veteran who served in Vietnam, Gary is a Pennsylvania forest fire warden and, for more than 25 years, was active with the Springtown Volunteer Fire Co. For nearly 46 years, he has worked for Carson Helicopters, Inc. of Perkasie and, in that capacity, earned a credit in the 1980 movie “The Blues Brothers” as part of the helicopter crew that dropped a Ford Pinto car onto a Chicago street. Gary is married and the father of a son and two stepsons. He and his wife, Diane, have seven grandchildren.
Family Fun Bingo is being organized by church member Giacinta Barndt, a junior at Quakertown Community High School, as a National Honor Society project.
Doors will open at 3 p.m. for the event which will include a basket raffle, silent auction, 50/50, bake sale and light refreshments. If purchased in advance, tickets are $20 for 20 games, with two cards for each game. Price at the door is $25 for 20 games, which also includes two cards. Extra cards are two for $5. “Specials” are one for $5; three for $10.
To pre-purchase tickets, contact Giacinta at 267-772-9500 or send an e-mail to stjohnsspinnerstown@gmail.com. Direct donations to the transplant fund may be made at www.bit.ly/garysmall. The site gives additional information about Gary.
Voices of Valley Choral Society fill St. John’s sanctuary Sept. 10
The voices of the Valley Choral Society filled the sanctuary of St. John’s Sept. 10 when the church hosted a free concert by the group, followed by a light supper.
The 4 p.m. concert featured a medley of Broadway musical tunes and a selection of spirituals.
The Choral Society, whose members come from Berks, Bucks, Lehigh and Montgomery counties, performs music of all styles and genres. It has appeared at Longwood Gardens, the Pennsylvania State Capital Building, before the Reading Express and the Philadelphia Phillies, and on a goodwill tour to Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic.
Concert-goers were treated to a light supper, including turkey barbeque and finger sandwiches, pasta salad, fresh fruit, chips and an array of sweet treats, courtesy of St. John’s bakers.
The voices of the Valley Choral Society filled the sanctuary of St. John’s Sept. 10 when the church hosted a free concert by the group, followed by a light supper.
The 4 p.m. concert featured a medley of Broadway musical tunes and a selection of spirituals.
The Choral Society, whose members come from Berks, Bucks, Lehigh and Montgomery counties, performs music of all styles and genres. It has appeared at Longwood Gardens, the Pennsylvania State Capital Building, before the Reading Express and the Philadelphia Phillies, and on a goodwill tour to Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic.
Concert-goers were treated to a light supper, including turkey barbeque and finger sandwiches, pasta salad, fresh fruit, chips and an array of sweet treats, courtesy of St. John’s bakers.
Bluegrass & Strawberry Festival doesn’t miss a beat when weather turns ‘outside’ event into ‘inside’ festivity
More than 100 bluegrass fans and strawberry lovers filled St. John’s multipurpose room June 17 when gloomy skies and rain showers shifted the Bluegrass & Strawberry Festival from the church’s grove to the indoor venue.
Members of the Fellowship Committee and the Willing Workers service group, which collaborated on the event, scrambled that morning to revise plans to accommodate all activities from noon to 5 p.m. indoors. Four bands -“Big Valley Bluegrass,” “Cat Elwell and Saucony Grass,” “Mason Dixon Bandits,” and “Without A Paddle” - performed, and concert-goers eagerly partook of the food offerings, including turkey barbeque, hotdogs and luscious strawberry desserts.
Two dozen beautifully-wrapped themed baskets and individual items, plus three door prizes, fetched hundreds of raffle tickets, and two tables of baked goods, prepared by congregation members, all were sold.
As is typical of St. John’s, dozens of volunteers came together to present an enjoyable event for the community, despite the last minute changes. Many thanks to everyone who helped with set-up and clean-up, prepared more than 50 lbs. of barbeque, procured strawberries, ice cream, cake, soft drinks, chips, paper goods and other assorted items, to those who sliced strawberries, baked, served food, sold tickets, worked as cashiers, and donated items for and arranged the raffle baskets. Special thanks to the Hinderliter family which provided the hotdogs and to Virginia Gerlach who arranged for the bands and performed as well.
And thank you, too, to all who attended and made the festival such a success. Fellowship Committee Chairman Randy Felten reports that two guests (who had never been to St. John’s), each gave a donation, citing the beauty of the church and gratitude for the work it took to host such a delightful event.
More than 100 bluegrass fans and strawberry lovers filled St. John’s multipurpose room June 17 when gloomy skies and rain showers shifted the Bluegrass & Strawberry Festival from the church’s grove to the indoor venue.
Members of the Fellowship Committee and the Willing Workers service group, which collaborated on the event, scrambled that morning to revise plans to accommodate all activities from noon to 5 p.m. indoors. Four bands -“Big Valley Bluegrass,” “Cat Elwell and Saucony Grass,” “Mason Dixon Bandits,” and “Without A Paddle” - performed, and concert-goers eagerly partook of the food offerings, including turkey barbeque, hotdogs and luscious strawberry desserts.
Two dozen beautifully-wrapped themed baskets and individual items, plus three door prizes, fetched hundreds of raffle tickets, and two tables of baked goods, prepared by congregation members, all were sold.
As is typical of St. John’s, dozens of volunteers came together to present an enjoyable event for the community, despite the last minute changes. Many thanks to everyone who helped with set-up and clean-up, prepared more than 50 lbs. of barbeque, procured strawberries, ice cream, cake, soft drinks, chips, paper goods and other assorted items, to those who sliced strawberries, baked, served food, sold tickets, worked as cashiers, and donated items for and arranged the raffle baskets. Special thanks to the Hinderliter family which provided the hotdogs and to Virginia Gerlach who arranged for the bands and performed as well.
And thank you, too, to all who attended and made the festival such a success. Fellowship Committee Chairman Randy Felten reports that two guests (who had never been to St. John’s), each gave a donation, citing the beauty of the church and gratitude for the work it took to host such a delightful event.
St. John’s celebrating sanctuary renovations with free concert by the Valley Choral Society
St. John’s is inviting the community to experience the music of the Valley Choral Society at a free concert Sept. 11 at 1 p.m. in the church’s renovated sanctuary.
The sanctuary upgrades, which include air conditioning, new carpeting, paint and lighting, pew pads and the sandblasting and hand painting of the 100 +-year-old stamped tin ceiling, will be unveiled to the congregation that day at the 9:45 a.m. worship service.
The Valley Choral Society, under the direction of artistic director and conductor Patricia Conrad of Pennsburg, will pay tribute to those who lost their lives in the Sept. 11, 2001 terroristic attacks with some patriotic selections. Also included in the group’s repertoire will be spirituals and music from the ‘40s. Piano accompanist will be Andrew Long of Perkasie, also the Society’s assistant director.
Refreshments will be served following the hour-long concert. There is no admission fee for the concert, but free will offerings will be accepted.
The Valley Choral Society, whose members are from Montgomery, Bucks, Berks, and Lehigh counties, performs music of all styles and genres. It has appeared at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, the Pennsylvania State Capitol, as part of a concert series at St. Francis Xavier Church in Philadelphia and for the Reading Express, the Philadelphia Phillies, and the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs. In 2014, the choral sang at the National Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C. and in 2007, traveled on a goodwill concert tour to Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic.
St. John’s is inviting the community to experience the music of the Valley Choral Society at a free concert Sept. 11 at 1 p.m. in the church’s renovated sanctuary.
The sanctuary upgrades, which include air conditioning, new carpeting, paint and lighting, pew pads and the sandblasting and hand painting of the 100 +-year-old stamped tin ceiling, will be unveiled to the congregation that day at the 9:45 a.m. worship service.
The Valley Choral Society, under the direction of artistic director and conductor Patricia Conrad of Pennsburg, will pay tribute to those who lost their lives in the Sept. 11, 2001 terroristic attacks with some patriotic selections. Also included in the group’s repertoire will be spirituals and music from the ‘40s. Piano accompanist will be Andrew Long of Perkasie, also the Society’s assistant director.
Refreshments will be served following the hour-long concert. There is no admission fee for the concert, but free will offerings will be accepted.
The Valley Choral Society, whose members are from Montgomery, Bucks, Berks, and Lehigh counties, performs music of all styles and genres. It has appeared at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, the Pennsylvania State Capitol, as part of a concert series at St. Francis Xavier Church in Philadelphia and for the Reading Express, the Philadelphia Phillies, and the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs. In 2014, the choral sang at the National Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C. and in 2007, traveled on a goodwill concert tour to Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic.
St. John’s raises funds for food packaging project
St. John’s has raised enough money to fund more than 3,000 meals as part of a food packaging project we are undertaking Oct. 10 with Jerusalem Western Salisbury Church in Allentown. On Oct. 10 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Allentown church, members of St. John’s will help pack ingredients for protein-rich meals, such as rice and beans or macaroni and cheese, provided by Outreach Inc. Outreach provides meals for those in need throughout the world, but the food packaged in Allentown will be used by area food banks. Volunteers work in teams: 10 people around a station can pack 1,600 meals in an hour. Each meal costs 25 cents and each package contains six meals. The group intends to package 10,000 meals. Fundraising efforts, spearheaded by church member Eli Barndt, a senior at Quakertown High School, have included a pick-prize auction held during the concert and community picnic at St. John’s Sept. 12, and a quilt sale. In addition, the Willing Workers, St. John’s service group which underwrote the purchase of the Amish and locally made quilts, is donating a portion of proceeds from a homemade apple dumpling sale Sept. 25. Many thanks to all who have supported these efforts. As of the Spire deadline, St. John’s had raised enough funds to pay for 3,120 meals, more than it was asked to contribute. Proceeds from the pick-a-prize auction will purchase 1,760 meals; the quilts, 920; apple dumplings (based on orders), 168; and cash donations, 272 meals. Volunteers are still needed for the Oct. 10 packaging event. A carpool will leave from St. John’s. For additional information, call the church at 215-536-0734. |
Area businesses make auction a success!
Some 35 area businesses rallied to support the food packaging project St. John’s is undertaking Oct. 10, supplying goods and services for our pick-a-prize auction whose proceeds will fund 1,760 meals. Please consider patronizing the following businesses and tell them when you do that their generosity to St. John’s of Spinnerstown and the food program is what brought you in. Tosco’s Pub & Grill, Dominick’s Pizza, Karlton Café, Giant, Friendly Book Store, Captain Bob’s Seafood, Dam Good Café, Earl Bowl Lanes, Five Points Bar & Grill, Starbucks, Spinnerstown Hotel, Java Good Day, Bucks County Seafood, Agway of Dublin, Quaker Safety, Sal’s Pizza, Quakertown Women’s Club, Pizza Hut, Indian Ridge Provisions (Hinderliter family), Giovanni’s, and Countryside Homecenter, Inc. Also, Edible Arrangements, Pepper & Blue Salon & Spa, Unami Winery, Lifeway Christian Stores, Grand Theater, Silver Shear Salon (Cherry Hockman), Classic Hair Design Salon & Spa, Faraco’s Pizza, All Star Kempo Karate, Spors, Friendly’s, Pep Boys, To Your Health, and Richlandtown Inn. Thanks, also, to church members Sara Landis, Mary Slotter, Peg Hudock, the Barndt family, and the Willing Workers for basket contributions.
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St. John’s celebrates pastor’s marriage
Nearly 100 members and friends of St. John’s came together May 29 to celebrate the marriage in April of our pastor, the Rev. Axel Kaegler, to the Rev. Karen Sease, pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Pottstown.
The reception in the church’s multi-purpose room, decorated with handcrafted hanging doily lights and table lanterns and flowers, was highlighted by a potluck dinner, music which prompted a dance by the newlyweds, cutting of a three-tiered wedding cake, and presentations to the couple. Special guest at the event was Pastor Kaegler’s mother, Kari Kaegler of Upper Saddle River, N.J.
Church member Mildred Westgate, who has been married to her husband, Chester, for 68 years, offered good-humored advice to the couple, and others in attendance wrote their words of wisdom on index cards which were presented to the bride and groom. Also presented from the congregation were a monetary gift, a stained glass star handcrafted by members Loretta and Doug Thorson, and tee-shirts for challenging times that read, “Don’t give up…Moses was once a basket case.” The Willing Workers, St. John’s service group which hosted the reception, gave Mrs. Kaegler a garden totem made by its members.
Nearly 100 members and friends of St. John’s came together May 29 to celebrate the marriage in April of our pastor, the Rev. Axel Kaegler, to the Rev. Karen Sease, pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Pottstown.
The reception in the church’s multi-purpose room, decorated with handcrafted hanging doily lights and table lanterns and flowers, was highlighted by a potluck dinner, music which prompted a dance by the newlyweds, cutting of a three-tiered wedding cake, and presentations to the couple. Special guest at the event was Pastor Kaegler’s mother, Kari Kaegler of Upper Saddle River, N.J.
Church member Mildred Westgate, who has been married to her husband, Chester, for 68 years, offered good-humored advice to the couple, and others in attendance wrote their words of wisdom on index cards which were presented to the bride and groom. Also presented from the congregation were a monetary gift, a stained glass star handcrafted by members Loretta and Doug Thorson, and tee-shirts for challenging times that read, “Don’t give up…Moses was once a basket case.” The Willing Workers, St. John’s service group which hosted the reception, gave Mrs. Kaegler a garden totem made by its members.
Church Picnic!
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Pastor Axel Kaegler enjoys a soft pretzel at the church picnic, as well as the company of church members Erna Doerr, left, and Mary Hoff.
Sarah Smith and her brother, Zac, offer a blueberry cake to John Sigmans after Sarah won a cake and Zac won three in a row during the church picnic “cake walk.” The children said they knew Mr. Sigmans was hoping to win a blueberry cake in the walk, so they offered him their last “win.” It was the second blueberry cake for the duo that day.
The bluegrass group “Without a Paddle,” was the main attraction at the Church Picnic and Bluegrass Concert, held in the grove across the street from the church.