We are fast approaching the semi-annual Dorcas Election Day Bake Sale on May 16th. If anyone would like to donate ingredients for baking or any of their own baked goods, the Dorcas would be very happy to receive them. You can just drop off ingredients here in the church kitchen. Your special baked treats can be dropped off the day before or the day of the election.
Class of 2023
If you know of any students that are graduating (college or high school), please call the office or jot down the information and give it to the office. Thank you in advance for your help. Hopefully we will be able to include all of our graduates in the next Dorcaszette. Thank you.
Speaking of graduation…Remember our scholarship funds, Paula Joyce and Holy Trinity Scholarship. The forms are on the table in the back of the church explaining everything. You can drop your application off at the office.
The deadline to apply will be July 30th.
Sunday School News
Our Easter Party and egg hunt was a huge success! We all had a great time. The younger children were each given a different egg color to collect, and they found them all. The older children were given clues to the location of their hidden Easter treat bags. We have some super smart kids in our Sunday School, they all found their bags! We also hid bags for our helpers Addison and Grace. We made it pretty tough for them, but they found their bags and had fun too!
Palm Sunday was an extra special day for two of our students. Mira Kornbau and Paige Urey received their First Communion. They both had lots of family members and the congregation there to celebrate with them. Congratulations Mira and Paige!
The Youth Service on April 23rd had not taken place as of the writing of this article so we’ll have an update on that next month.
We are looking for a teacher for our 5th & 6th grade Sunday School class next year. Ron Tomko taught the class this year, but he will be moving up to teach the Confirmation class next year.
If you are interested or have any questions, please contact:
Denise Germani (724)854-1702
Jayne Kornbau (724)813-8087
Please join us for the Sunday School Closing Program, May 7th at 9:30am in the Fellowship Hall. The children will be performing a few songs and we will be recognizing them and our helpers and teachers. We will have donuts, coffee and juice afterwards.
Blessings Always,
Cathy, Chuck, Denise, Jayne, Ron
May we take the time to thank our children and our teachers…Cathy, Chuck, Denise, Jayne and Ron for giving us all big smiles and warm hearts. Words cannot express adequately how happy you have made us and our Lord. The Youth Service was phenomenal! Very special indeed. His smile says it all.
Thank You!!!
News
Dorcas’s meeting was held Monday April 17th, 2023, at 6pm with 9 members, one guest and Pastor Blauser present. Hostess was Cathy Haywood. Special guest was Cindy Kapusta who gave a very informative demonstration on CPR and on the use of the AED.
Cathy Haywood gave devotions. Minutes were read and approved. Treasurer’s report was read and approved. In correspondence, a thank you from Ron & Wendy Tomko was read for the GBU Dinner Dorcas provided in March as well as a Thank You from Nadine Vellente for a second financial gift. Report on Homebound members was given.
In Old Business
The new Kitchen Cupboard should be in soon.
Plans for the Election Day Bake Sale were discussed. Workdays will be Sunday May 14th at 8:00am before service and Monday May15th at 8:00am. May’s Dorcas meeting has been changed to noon on the 15th. Any donations of time, baking supplies or baked goods for the sale will be greatly appreciated.
Plans also are being discussed for the Mother’s Day/Father’s Day Picnic scheduled for June 18th. Dorcas is partnering with Joe Turney on the menu.
Plans for the Polka Service and Picnic on July9th are finalized. Dorcas is providing a limited menu for purchase.
In New Business
Dorcas has discussed the need for a second AED to be placed upstairs in the parlor area. It was agreed there is a real need upstairs should there be an emergency for someone to have to run downstairs to get the AED and then run it back upstairs. Karen Borden made a motion to buy another one, Kathy Long seconded it.
In community outreach, Sharon Bryan discussed a request she received in the mail for a donation from Community Food Warehouse. Cathy Haywood made a motion to give a donation and Stephanie Banjak seconded. Motion passed.
Reminder that May’s Dorcas meeting is Monday 15th at noon since that day is a kitchen workday for the Election Day Bake Sale.
Motion to adjourn made by Ruth Klein, Stephanie Banjak seconded.
Closed with the Lord’s Prayer.
Respectfully submitted,
Melinda Vellente
The following was given to us by Ruth Klein in remembrance of Mother’s Day
M is for the million things she gave me.
O means only that she’s growing old.
T is for the tears she shed to save me.
H is for her heart of purest gold.
E is for her eyes with love light shining.
R means right and right she’ll always be.
Put them all together they spell mother!
This was written by lyricist Howard Johnson.
Surprise Sundae Cups are a great new twist on a favorite dessert. They’re ice cream cupcakes with a surprise center. Kids of all ages are gonna love these!
Serves: 12
Chilling Time: 3 hours
Ingredients
4 cups (1 quart) chocolate or vanilla ice cream
12 miniature peanut butter cup candies
1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
Instructions
Line 12 muffin tins with paper liners; place 1/3 cup ice cream in each cup. Press a candy into the center of each cup of ice cream, completely covering the candy with ice cream.
In a small saucepan, melt chocolate chips over very low heat. Stir just until melted, removing saucepan from heat as soon as chips are melted.
Drizzle about 1 teaspoon melted chocolate then 1 teaspoon chopped walnuts over each ice cream cup. Cover muffin tin(s) and place in freezer for at least 3 to 4 hours.
Boy oh boy does that sound delicious and easy to do. No muss, no fuss and yummy!
Heavenly Father, Thank you for the gift of motherhood. Thank you for the blessing it is to be called “Mom.” Thank you for the good plans you have in store for those who are still waiting to be a Mom. Thank you for the numerous spiritual children you have given to so many “spiritual moms” and mentors. We pray that you would fill this day with favor and grace as we honor Moms all around our nation. We ask for comfort for those who are grieving loss and heartache, especially on this day. We ask for strength for those who wait for children to come back home. We ask for healing for those who have been hurt by relationships that were intended to be loving and nurturing. We ask for faith for those who will someday be Moms, who find themselves on a journey that seems so hard. We ask for great encouragement and grace to cover those who have made a brave and loving choice for adoption. We ask for incredible provision and care over every single parent mom who works so hard on behalf of her children. We ask that you would remind many of those who, though they do not have “physical” children, have the gift of being amazing hope-bringers to many spiritual children they’ve been blessed to nurture through these years. God, thank you, for the gift of life. Thank you that your heart is for us, and that you are with us, in all our unique journeys and pathways. Thank you that you are Sovereign over every part of our lives. Thank you that your ways are perfect and you make our footsteps secure. Today we pray for refreshing, for joy, for grace, for wisdom, for great peace…for all moms, for moms to be, and for women who nurture and lead.
Happy Mother’s Day to all!
Jesus Calling
By Sarah Young
I am nearer than you think, richly present in all your moments. You are connected to Me by Love-bonds that nothing can sever. However, you may sometimes feel alone because your union with Me is invisible. Ask Me to open your eyes so that you can find Me everywhere. The more aware you are of My Presence, the safer you feel. This is not some sort of escape from reality; it is tuning in to ultimate reality. I am far more Real than the world you can see, hear, and touch. Faith is the confirmation of their reality, perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses.
Please Read…Acts 17:27-28 and
Hebrews 11:1
Thank you, Karen Blosz for another very inspirational prayer.
Thank God for Mother’s Love-
A mother’s patience of a saint could only be by the hand of God.
There is no love, like a mother’s love,
No stronger bond on earth…
Like the precious bond that comes
from God,
to a mother when she given birth.
A mother’s love is forever strong,
Never changing for all time…
And when her children need her most,
A mother’s love will shine.
God bless these special mothers,
God bless them everyone…
For all the tears and heartache,
And for the special work they’ve done.
When her days on earth are over,
A mother’s love lives on…
Through many generations,
With God’s blessings on each one.
Be thankful for our mothers,
For they love with a higher love…
From the power God has given,
And the strength from up above.
Mother’s Day is a day for celebrating motherhood and thanking mothers. We celebrate it the second Sunday of May. It used to be that we gave our mother a
Corsage of carnations. Red if their mother was still alive and white if she was in Heaven. We don’t do that anymore. We give mothers flowers for thei gardens, flowers to hang on the porch or patio, or a bouquet for the kitchen table. Whatever we decide to give, the one thing that we all give that grows stronger as the years go by is our undying love and gratitude.
It Is The Veteran…
It is the Veteran, not the
Preacher, who has given us
Freedom of Religion.
It is the Veteran, not the
Reporter, who has given us
Freedom of the Press.
It is the Veteran, not the
Poet, who has given us
Freedom of Speech.
It is the Veteran, not the
Campus Organizer, who has
given us Freedom to Assemble.
It is the Veteran, not the
Lawyer, who has given us a
Right to a Fair Trial.
It is the Veteran, no the
Politician, who has given us
The Right to Vote.
It sure makes you think doesn’t it. Where would we be without our Veterans???
Prayer on Memorial Day
Lord Jesus Christ, this month we honor the memory of those men and women who have given their lives for their country in the cause and for freedom. They have worked, fought and died for freedom, brotherhood and honor that they have passed on to us.
Help us to recall that you yourself gave up your life for all of us in the cause of true freedom…to save us from self-love and sin.
Teach us the true meaning of peace and freedom, that the real battle must always take PLACE IN OURSELVES before it will be won in families and nations.
Make us keep your memory in our celebration of communion and pray for the peace and freedom of the whole world.
Lord of peace, save us all, who have so much trust in you, from wars, hatred and oppression.
Make us all learn to live in peace and educate ourselves for peace. Amen & Amen…
Thank you Lord Jesus, Heavenly Father, for sending all those brave soldiers who died and those brave soldiers who are still fighting to preserve our freedom here in America and please be with all the people of Ukraine and give them the peace they so deserve. Amen
Here are few things we should all mark down on our calendars…
Need your help…
We have a Greeters list…
Everyone is ask to sign up for a month or maybe cooperate with another family to share the weeks. Greeting is very important because welcoming everyone to God’s House and to let them know they are very welcome is important. Seeing a big smile as you enter the church is a very friendly way to say “Good Morning and Welcome.” We can really use your friendly smile. The sign-up sheet s on the table in the back of the church.
“God’s Work-Our Hands!”
Need your email address…send it to
Sunday School closing Program-
May 7th at 9:30am-please don’t miss it.
Mother’s Day-May 14th
Don’t forget to remember your Mom
Election Day Dorcas Bake Sale
May 16th beginning at 8am
May 28th-Pentecost Sunday and the musical duo Noble Cause will be joining us for our Worship Service.
Memorial Day
Monday-May 29th, 2023
Remember our Veterans.
On Memorial Day next year, it would be nice to remember all our veterans who have passed away. Now I have a Veterans list of living and also those who have passed away. If you would be so kind as to let the office know those in your family who have served and have passed away it will be very helpful. We would hate overlook someone. Then next Memorial Day we’ll be able to publish a correct list of Veterans. Thank you in advance for your help in this very important matter.
July 9th we will be having another Polka Service (more information to follow)
November 12th-Veterans Day Service
(more information to follow)
December 24th– Scripture read and Sing Service
(more information to follow)
Our newly formed Special Events Committee is working on all these different events, and we will give more information about them the closer they come. We want to thank Steve, Myron, Brad and Pastor Denny for their due diligence and caring.
This story came to us from Jeff Bindas. A must read even though it will make you cry. It will also give you a great prospective on life as well. Thank You Jeff for sharing this with us.
I arrived at the address and honked the horn. After waiting a few minutes I honked again. Since this was going to be my last ride of my shift I thought about just driving away, but instead I put the car in park and walked up to the door and knocked.. ‘Just a minute’, answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor.
After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90’s stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940’s movie.
By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets.
There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.
‘Would you carry my bag out to the car?’ she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman.
She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb.
She kept thanking me for my kindness. ‘It’s nothing’, I told her.. ‘I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother to be treated.’ ‘Oh, you’re such a good boy,’ she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address and then asked,
‘Could you drive through downtown? ”It’s not the shortest way,’ I answered quickly..’Oh, I don’t mind,’ she said. ‘I’m in no hurry. I’m on my way to a hospice.’
I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. ‘I don’t have any family left,’ she continued in a soft voice.. ‘The doctor says I don’t have very long.’ I quietly reached over and shut off the meter. ‘What route would you like me to take?’ I asked.
For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator.
We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl.
Sometimes she’d ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.
As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, ‘I’m tired. Let’s go now’.
We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico.
Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move.
They must have been expecting her.
I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.
‘How much do I owe you?’ She asked, reaching into her purse.
Continued on the other side of this page,,,
‘Nothing,’ I said.
‘You have to make a living,’ she answered. ‘There are other passengers,’ I responded. Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly. ‘You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,’ she said. ‘Thank you.’ I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light.. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life..
I didn’t pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day,I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away? On a quick review, I don’t think that I have done anything more important in my life. We’re conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments.
But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.
PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID ~BUT~ THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.
At the bottom of this great story was a request to forward this – I deleted that request because if you have read to this point, you won’t have to be asked to pass it along you just will…Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance.
May 28, 2023 DAY OF PENTECOST
Jesus, crucified and risen Lord of mercy, had a mission for his disciples: share the forgiveness they have received with all those longing to know God. He even had the promised gift of the Spirit to empower them. But first, he had to figure out how to get them out from behind locked doors. Jesus’ disciples were afraid that what had happened to Jesus would also happen to them, so they locked themselves away and hid.
You could picture Jesus standing outside the door of their room, calling: Come on out! It’s okay! Don’t worry! It’s time to start sharing the good news! And the disciples would just say: No! We’re too afraid to open the door!
Instead of getting them out from behind their locked door, Jesus comes on in. Instead of yelling through the door to stop being such cowards, Jesus slips past their fear and their locked-up lives and brings them unexpected peace. His own Spirit of peace moves out of him as breath, as the wind of God that creates new things, and creates in them a new calming faith. Then the mission of mercy begins. This Spirit from Jesus is a pure gift that creates peace, and peace creates mission.
Fear often keeps us locked up, anxious, unable to live the life God has given us. Thankfully, Jesus knows the way past our locked doors and our fearful hiding. Instead of making us feel small for hiding when we are afraid, he breaks through whatever barriers we put up and gets right past our locked doors. Jesus’ own Spirit comes to us through the word, through bread and wine, through silence, through the one next to us, slipping past whatever barriers we put up. The Spirit comes as a gift of peace—peace we can’t create for ourselves, peace that is deeper than our own understanding of it, peace that creates new energy for mission.
A message from Patty…May…the month of planting, growing and the beautiful sound of birds singing in the morning. How I love to listen to them. They honestly give me a very special reason to be alive. When I sit on my porch in the morning sipping a nice hot cup of coffee, rocking away on my rocking chair and listening to God’s musical heavenly sounds of the birds singing it just makes for the perfect beginning of a perfect day for me at least. Michael built a bird feeder and put it on a pole in the middle of the front yard and because of that I get a double amount of pleasure watching them eat too. If you don’t have a porch to sit on, you can just open a window and their musical singing will filter in and you can see what I mean. You’ll realize like me that spring has sprung. Yea! Having four seasons is the best because they all have their great reasons to be.
Our church is going through a lot of really nice changes and events. We will be having another musical service with a couple called Noble Cause on May 28th, Pentecost Sunday, I’ve heard them the last time they were here and really enjoyed their participation in our Worship Service. Then we will be having another Polka Service, toe tapping time for sure. There are two outside services planned for June 25th and July 30th and many other things for the summer months. To be honest it is hard to keep up because we are doing so much. There might even be a Mothers & Fathers Day combined event Picnic. Our newly formed ‘Special Events Committee” is making our summer filled with special activities. I will be typing them in the monthly calendar that I enclose every month in the newsletter so make sure to read it over. This way you’ll be sure to be at them all. For the month of May though, We have the Sunday School Closing Program for the summer on May 7th, Mother’s Day on the 14th, the Election Day Bake Sale on May 16th given by our Dorcas, the date commemorating the “Ascension of Our Lord” on May 18th, the Day of Pentecost on May 28th and Memorial Day on May 29th. Boy what a busy month May is. I hope I didn’t forget anything. But if I did, please look at the May calendar that is enclosed.
One thing I must address is our Easter Flowers…I need to ask everyone who orders flowers and paid for flowers and didn’t get them to please tell me next year and based on what you want, I will either make sure the Florist gets your flower to you or you get your money back. Because by taking another flower in its place means that someone else doesn’t get their flower they ordered either. It is like a vicious circle. The flowers were all beautiful and I know the florist will stand by our order, so please next year call me and do not take another color or kind of flower. Thank you all for helping in this matter. This way next Easter everyone will be happy. I hope.
If anyone needs to talk to Rev. Blauser either on the phone, here in his office or at your home, please just call me here and we can arrange a time, date and place. The number here is 724 981-2050.
I hope everyone enjoys May and calls me here at the church if you need anything or just want to touch base or ask a question. Hopefully I’ll be able to answer it.
God’s Peace, Patty
Election Day Bake Sale
“Given by the Dorcas Society”
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
(Behind Home Depot)
Fellowship Hall
3325 Morefield Road
Hermitage, PA l6l48
Tuesday May 16th 2023
Time: 8:00am until we sell out!!!
Home Baked delicious items.
Some examples are fresh donuts, Apple Squares, Noodles & Cabbage, Stuffed Cabbage, Assorted Home-made Soups and many other great items.
Come and pick out your favorites!
Some important phone numbers to remember…
Pastor Denny-724 699-3747
Office-724 981-2050
Myron-724 854-3220
If you need to speak to our Sunday School Superintendent, the office will be glad to help you with her number.
If you need to speak to our Council President-our office will be glad to help you.
If you need to speak to our Dorcas president-our office will be glad to help you.
If you need to speak to our Bible Study organizer and director our office will be glad to help you.
If we forgot someone, please just call the office and we’ll guide you to the right place.
We just want to let everyone know that we are here for you. All you have to do is ask. We might not have all the answers but one thing for sure we care about you and will do our very best to help.
A wise person once said…
Coffee and Friends make the perfect blend!
This came to us from Ruth Klein. Thanks for sharing that is just perfect!
We would like to thank Cindy Kapusta, Karen Borden and Kathy Long for their due diligence in maintaining our AED and Dorcas for making sure our First Aid kits are well stocked. Thank you all so very much.
What if there’s an emergency at the church?
If we have a weather alert about an impending tornado or other weather emergency the best place to go for safety is our walk in safe. It is located in the room next to the church office. Thinking about other types of emergencies, we thought everyone should know that Fire extinguishers are in the following places: One by the Boiler room & one by the Fellowship entrance door and one by the little sink in the kitchen. In the church there is one hanging at the top of the stairs that go up to the balcony, another one is outside the ladies restroom. We also have a first-aid kit hanging on the side of the wooden cabinet in the kitchenette. If someone should need an A.E.D. heart defibrillator, it is posted on the wall in the Fellowship Hall right on the corner where you would turn to go to the church office. We also have Exit signs above the doors that are lite up. We hope none of the above-mentioned items are ever needed but it is important that we all be aware of their locations.
Never regret growing older. It is a privilege denied to many.
