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HILLTOP HERALD
CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH
www.churchonthehilltop.org
LINGLESTOWN, PA
JUNE 2015
Lower Susquehanna
Synod Assembly
Our annual Synod Assembly will
be held June 5-7 at Messiah
College.
Pastor Kerns, and
Emily and Tony Wright will serve
as our delegates. Please keep
Pastor and the Wrights—and the
entire
Assembly—in
your
thoughts and prayers, that the
Holy Spirit might provide them
wisdom and guidance. A “wrapup” of Assembly actions will be
available later on its website:
www.lss-elca.org
Thank you...
to Emily and Tony Wright for
representing Christ Lutheran as
lay voting members at the
Assembly.
Thrivent Choice
Members
Thank you to those who have
Thrivent products and have
designated Christ Lutheran as a
recipient of funds!
MAY I HAVE
YOUR
ATTENTION
PLEASE—
Our Hilltop Herald
has expanded in size. This
month two pages have
been added because we
have so much we want to
tell you. Happy reading!
Christ Lutheran Youth
are Detroit Bound!
Six youth and three adult leaders
of our youth group (CLY), will be
joining
forces
with
LUTHERANHands to participate
in a Pre-Gathering Mission Trip in
Detroit, Michigan from July 12-14.
Partnering with local Detroit
organizations, they will work on a
diverse set of mission work
opportunities in this city, where
there is a growing revitalization
effort underway.
The ELCA Youth Gathering takes
place every three years and is a
five-day event that will begin on
Wednesday, July 15, and end with
a service of communion on
Sunday, July 19. The theme of this
year’s Gathering is Rise Up
Together. Our youth and their
leaders will join approximately
35,000 other Lutherans to be
inspired,
encouraged,
strengthened, connected and then
sent out to do God’s work in the
world.
Several fundraisers were held this
past year, including the Pasta
Dinner on May 8, to help defray
expenses for our participants.
They are very grateful for everyone
who supported these events.
However, there still is a significant
amount of money remaining for
each of them to pay. Will you help?
Special envelopes will be available
at church every Sunday starting in
June. Checks made payable to
“Christ Lutheran Church”, may be
placed in the offering plate or
mailed to the church office. Please
write “Youth/Detroit” on your memo
Continued...
line. Your gift, of course, is tax
deductible. The deadline for your
donations is Sunday, July 8.
This Detroit trip is a wonderful
opportunity for learning, service
and witness. In the past, many
participants
have
described
mission trips and ELCA Youth
Gatherings as “life-changing”
experiences.
Please be generous!
Confirmation on
Trinity Sunday
May 31
The Rite of Confirmation, (which
is an affirmation of Baptism), was
celebrated on Sunday, May 31,
at our 10:30AM service. The
following baptized members were
confirmed this year: Kara Ann
Parker, Allyson Hope Stauffer
and Zoe Aida Wevodau. These
students completed their twoyear course of instruction, and
have been approved by our
Congregation Council. Please
remember these three in your
prayers.
Town Hall Gathering
As part of our vision for the future
of Christ Lutheran Church, I
would like to hold “town hall” type
gatherings for the congregation
to have the opportunity to have
some feedback in the process.
Because you just went through
the “call process”, the information
that was gathered will be
beneficial as we work through the
visioning process. Stay tuned for
more information.
Thanks, Pastor Kerns
Hilltop Herald-June 2015-Page 3
Congratulations to our Graduates!
Our college graduate...
Mitchell Veith, graduated on May 20 from
Columbia University with a B.A. in neuroscience
and music with Music Departmental Honors. He
will be working in New York City for the summer.
Our high school graduates…
From Harrisburg Academy—
Josh Getz will graduate on June 8 and will be
attending Gettysburg College in the fall.
From Central Dauphin—
Mariah Kanagy will be attending Bloomsburg
University in the fall.
Amanda Roesch will be attending the University of
Pittsburgh in the fall.
Allison Cooper will be attending Limestone
College in Gaffney, South Carolina.
Harrisburg Area Confirmation Camp
June 21-27
Confirmation Camp will be held at Camp Nawakwa
beginning on Sunday, June 21, through Saturday,
June 27. Confirmation Camp is open to youth who are
moving on from seventh grade through those moving
on from eleventh grade.
There is an opportunity for young adults to take part at
Camp as well, in a newly formed track called
“Discipleship”. This is an opportunity for our young
adults who are not going to be counselors or on staff,
but would like to take part in the camp experience in a
track designed just for them and their faith formation.
There are opportunities for our youth who are
graduating from high school or in college to be
counselors at camp and from there move into staff
positions that may be available. There is an
expectation that each of our members of the
Confirmation Class attend at least one year at camp
and the Church will pay half of their fees. This usually
takes place after their eighth grade year. Some of the
youth will attend camp several years as they learn and
worship together and make friends that will last a very
long time.
If you have any questions about Confirmation Camp,
please direct them to Sean Hoffman or Michael
Bricker, our Youth Advisors, or one of the volunteer
youth assistants, Lindsay Madara, Ken Stank, Taylor
Wamsher (NM) or Pastor Kerns. We will have nine
youth, three counselors, and eight staff persons
including our two Youth Advisors and Pastor Kerns.
We have been blessed here at Christ Lutheran Church
with the willingness of our young adults who will be on
staff and have volunteered their time and have picked
Continued...
up the cost of going to camp to serve representing us.
They include: Lindsay Madara, Ken Stank, Taylor
Wamsher (NM), Lauren Bricker and Justin Holmes.
Please keep us all in your thoughts and prayers as we
journey again to Nawakwa for Confirmation Camp and
work with the youth in our Synod.
Thank you from
our College Students...
“To my Church family, thank you so much for
the “HUGE” finals care package! I always
know the sweet treats and words of
encouragement will help me get through the
last week of the semester. It’s nice to know I
have the love and support of my Church
family. Can’t wait to see you all soon!
Sincerely, Lindsay Madara”
 “Hi Church family, thank you so much for the
fantastic care package for finals season. I was
blown away by the generosity and excellent
taste of the snack selection, especially the
homemade baked goods. I look forward to
seeing you all when I return to PA in a few
weeks! Thanks again and much love,
Mitchell Veith”
 “Dear Church family, thank you so much for
yet another amazing Finals care package. I
am so lucky to have such a great support
system. The kind words and great snacks
mean a lot. Any chance you’ll keep sending
these after I graduate?!...Think about it!
Robyn Murray”
(NOTE: Our Fellowship Team sent out care
packages to all our college students.)

Thank You
“For your recent grant to our Foundation for the
Central Dauphin Schools on behalf of our Power
Pack Program. Your contribution of $405.50 will
be used to support our growing program and
meet the needs of our community.
Mary Ann Albert, Panther Ram Foundation”
Another Thank You
A special thanks to our hard-working Fellowship
Support Team and Team Leader, Karen Holmes,
for the popular monthly breakfasts which will
resume in September.
And thank you to
everyone who donated casseroles, baked goods
and desserts to complete our meals.
Hilltop Herald-June 2015-Page 4
Flower & Bulletin
Sponsors Needed
There are a number of open dates left on the
calendar. There is space allotted for, but not
limited to, two sponsors per week. Please visit
the Great Room and check out the kiosk for
any future dates you may wish to sponsor.
Thank you.
After-Five Group
The After-Five Group will meet at Noon on the
first Wednesday of the month, June 3, at
Panera Bread on Jonestown Road. You don’t
have to RSVP. Just show up to enjoy good
food and fellowship.
Global Mission
Opportunities Abound!
Hang Out with St. Mark's
Coptic Congregation -- Children's Day
Are you interested in learning about
the Egyptian Coptic Orthodox religion and
culture? Have you wanted to be in solidarity
and show support to this community in light of
the violence they are experiencing in Egypt?
Come join members of Lower Susquehanna
Lutheran congregations as we begin to build a
relationship with this congregation and
discover ways to be friends in mission
together.
We plan to gather on Saturday, May 30, at
11:30 a.m. at George Park (Possibility Place
Playground) in Lower Paxton Township,
Harrisburg. Please RSVP to Jennifer Crist
at cristfarm@gmail.com so that we can plan for
food.
St. Mark's is bringing yummy Egyptian food for
us to try, and we will bring our favorite dishes
in true Lutheran potluck style.
Camp
Kirchenwald will organize some games for the
children to interact together, while the adults
have some time to dialogue and share our life
and faith experiences. (You do not have to
bring children in order to attend.)
Reminder—Scheduling
For the Hilltop Herald
If you know you will not be available for a
particular Sunday, please contact the office
717-545-4211 and leave a message, send an
email to secretary@churchonthehilltop.org or
you may even write a note on the back of your
Sunday attendance form by the 15th of the
preceding month. We will do our best not to
schedule you for any duties in the following
month. Thank you!
“CARINGS AND SHARINGS”
Would you like to keep up to date with news
from around our Synod? The Synod has an enewsletter that is sent weekly called “Carings
and Sharings”. You may sign up for this
electronic newsletter by going to the Synod’s
website: www.lss-elca.org. At the bottom of the
page, click on Sign Up for eCommunications.
It’s that simple and it’s free!
FOOD PANTRY DONATION
A check in the amount of $201 was sent in May
to the Ecumenical Food Pantry at Messiah
Lutheran Church in Harrisburg. This amount
was half of the free-will offering received at the
April Fellowship Breakfast plus a few additional
donations that were made by members. Thank
you for your support.
Spring Clean-Up Day
Many thanks to the following volunteers
who showed up for our Annual Spring
Clean-Up day: Mary Ann Albert, Linda
Bugden, Kathy & Carl Elser, Susan & David Harrison, Karen & Fred Holmes, Pastor
Kerns, Sherry & Bill Madara, Carol Maxwell, John & Kara Parker, and Patty & Bill
Veith. This may have been our best turnout ever! Without all of your help we would
not have been able to accomplish the
things we needed to do to make our church
grounds an inviting place to come worship.
Thank you!
Hilltop Herald
CHRIST EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
1214 Crosby Street
Harrisburg, PA 17112
717-545-4211 / FAX 717-545-4212
Non-Profit Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Harrisburg, PA
Permit No. 1056
www.churchonthehilltop.org
Return Service Requested
Summer Worship
at 8:30 & 10:30AM
****************************
Synod Assembly/June 5-7
at Messiah College
****************************
Youth in Mission
ELCA National Gathering
July 12-19
Youth Happenings
Christ Lutheran Youth (Grades 7-12)
June 7
Senior Meeting, 6-8:30PM
21
Confirmation Camp @ Nawakwa
through June 27
July 12-19 LUTHERANHands Mission Trip/ELCA
National Gathering in Detroit, MI
Upper Elementary Youth Group (Grades 4-6)
Does not normally meet during the Summer
months. See you in September!
Congratulations and Best Wishes!
Armand “Joe” DeSantis and Christine
Keeley were united in marriage on
May 9, 2015.
Congregation Council
A reminder to Council members that the
June meeting has been moved to Sunday,
June 28 immediately following the second
service.
MUSICAL TALENT?
Are you willing to share your musical
talents with our congregation family
over the summer months?
Instrumental, vocal, solo or groups —
all are welcome to be part of Sunday
worship. Contact our
Director of Music, Sue Daniels,
at 717-652-3810, or speak with her
any Sunday after service.
Rest Eternal Grant Her, O Lord ...
Doris E. Ranck, a charter member of our church
family, died on Sunday, May 17. Pastor Kerns was
the presiding minister at a graveside service held
at Willow Grove Cemetery on May 21. Please
remember her family and all those who mourn.
...And Let Light Perpetual
Shine Upon Her
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“I have held many things in my hands, and I have
lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God’s
hands, that I still possess.” (Martin Luther)