March 17, 2019 Sermon   (Click on the sermon to view it as a pdf)

Announcements – March 17, 2019

A:       Teach me your way, O Lord, C:      that I may walk in your truth.

Good morning, Church! God’s blessings to all this Second Sunday of Lent and a special welcome to any guests visiting with us today. We pray you blessed as we worship together.

*This Wednesday we continue our Lenten midweek suppers and worship. Soup and sandwiches at 6 pm. Worship at 7 p.m. This year our theme is “Behold the Tree — Behold the Cross” Pastor Lee Brumback will continue the series with a message about Moses’ encounter with God at the burning bush. Come for supper or for worship or both as part of your Lenten adventure.

*TODAY is the DEADLINE for ordering Easter flowers. You can find order envelopes in the Narthex. If you want to help adorn the sanctuary at Easter and take the flowers home after worship, be sure to submit your order today!

*Haven’s own Aura Harbaugh is playing Linus in “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown” at Smithsburg High school this Friday (7:30 pm), Saturday (7:30 pm) and Sunday (2:30 pm). It’s a musical for all ages. Tickets are $8. Proceeds benefit the Smithsburg High School Drama Club. Contact Call 240-217-9765 or email warfiash@wcps.k12.md.us.

This week’s concerns and joys:

*We just found out that Sharon Hartsock is at the Homewood Nursing Center for physical therapy after back surgery. Her address is on the mobile message board. Send her a card to let her know her Haven family is thinking of her. And, of course, keep her in prayer.

*Pam O’Connor is currently at Meritus Medical Center for testing. Phone calls, visits, cards and prayers will be appreciated.

*Best wishes to Valerie Wills, Inez Winebrenner, Hazel Gaurmer and Brenda Hassinger who celebrate birthdays this week.                                                 

March 3, 2019 – Transfiguration Sunday

Announcements March 3, 2019

A:       Arise, shine; for your light has come, C:      And the glory of the LORD has risen upon us.   (Isaiah 60:1)

God’s light be with you . A special welcome to guests visiting with us today. We prayed you would come and hope you will let us greet you further after worship.

*The season of Lent begins this Wednesday, March 6th. Lent is the church season when we make a special effort to step out of the normal and step into God’s presence and light. Here are some ways to “embrace the Light” of Christ this Lent:

• There will be services at 12 noon and 7 p.m. this Ash Wednesday to begin our Lenten journey. Make plans to attend. Mark a beginning to your Lenten adventure.
• We have two Lenten devotionals available for adults in the narthex. Be sure to pick one up as you leave. Just a few minutes each day can make a great difference in your spirit. Teens and children will get their own Lenten devotionals in worship or Sunday School.

*March Newsletters are available in the lobby today. Pick up your copy today.

*2018 Giving Statements are in the church narthex in alphabetical order. Pick yours up today!

*Last Sunday the congregation voted to begin discussions with Christ Lutheran Church about partnership possibilities. The first joint meeting was last Wednesday. Amy Mason, Mike Manspeaker and Pastor Alessandri represented Haven. It was mostly an introductory meeting as each church shared information about their history, finances and membership. The conversation was very open and forthright. We agreed to meet again on March 25. You can read more about this exploration on page 14 of your bulletin. Pray for the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us.

This week’s concerns and joys:

*After last week’s Annual Meeting and Luncheon, we offer many, many thanks to:

– Council President, Clare Newcomer;

– the ever-stellar Parish Life Team,

– Kim Pile, who provided the appetizers for each table,

– Nancy Newkirk, Bill Byers, Steve Pastena, Danny Kiblinger and Irene Giffin for sharing talents,     – those who helped to set-up or clean-up

– and to all who attended.

It was a good meeting, delicious meal and nice fellowship

*Best wishes to Delores Carson, Wayne Snyder and Jennifer Yaraghi who celebrate birthdays this week.

A: Glory to God in the highest. C: And peace to God’s people on earth.

MIDWEEK LENTEN WORSHIP
BEHOLD THE TREE

BEHOLD THE CROSS

ASH WEDNESDAY
March 6
(Ash Wednesday is 46 days before Easter and the first day of Lent. The day is named for the practice of placing ashes on people’s foreheads as part of the Ash Wednesday worship service.)

Worship Services at 12 noon and 7:00 pm
Behold the Tree: Tree Of The Knowledge Of Good And Evil
Reading: Genesis 2:8-9,15-17; 3:1-21

February 24, 2019 Sermon

Announcements – February 24, 2019

 A:       Arise, shine; for your light has come, C:      And the glory of the LORD has risen upon us.                   (Isaiah 60:1)

God’s peace to all this Epiphany season. A special welcome to all guests visiting with us today. Your presence is truly a light and a blessing.

*We are happy to welcome Pastor Robin Litton, Assistant to the Bishop of the DE-MD Synod. We thank you, Pastor, for joining us today for worship and our Annual meeting.

*That’s right, today is Haven’s annual meeting and luncheon.
Immediately after worship, children and their teachers and assistants are asked to go over to the Parlor immediately after worship for refreshments and Sunday School fun.

 Immediately after worship, voting members and adult friends of Haven are asked to come to the Gathering Room as soon as possible. Once there, get a beverage and find a seat. There will be snacks at each table as we conduct the business portion of our Annual Meeting.
We will all come together around noon for lunch.

PLEASE HEAR THIS! ALL are welcome — whether you officially signed up or not, you are welcome to come enjoy this time together. There is always plenty of food at a Lutheran meal.

*March Newsletters are available in the lobby today. Pick up your copy today.

*One change in the order of worship. We will have a prayer of Farewell and Godspeed after the Prayers of the Church and before the passing of the peace rather than near the end of worship.

This week’s concerns and joys:

*Best wishes to Marissa Freeman-McKenzie and John Richards who celebrate birthdays this week.

A: Glory to God in the highest
C: And peace to God’s people on earth

February 17, 2018 Sermon

Announcements February 17, 2019

 A:       Arise, shine; for your light has come, C:      And the glory of the LORD has risen upon us.                   (Isaiah 60:1)

God’s peace to all this Epiphany season. A special welcome to all guests visiting with us today. Your presence is truly a light and a blessing.

*On Tuesday, February 19^th you are invited to lunch at Hoffman’s American Grill at State Line with Haven’s Lunch Bunch. Men and Women are all welcome for this time of good food and fellowship. Sign up at Sign up Central so we can reserve enough space
*Haven’s 2018 Annual Report is available in the lobby today. Read about the many ministries and happening of last year. Please remember to bring them with you next week for the Annual Meeting.

*Speaking of Haven’s Annual Meeting and Lunch…It is NEXT Sunday! After worship on February 24th, we will gather for our annual meeting and follow it up with lunch and fun. If you have not yet signed up to come, please do so on the attendance form today so we can have plenty of chicken for all. Be sure to visit the congregational meeting bulletin board in the lobby to pick up a slip for what you can bring to the feast.
One final word: since our winter weather has been rather unsettling, please read the note in your bulletin about what we will do about our annual meeting and lunch if there is inclement weather. That note is on page 13.

This week’s concerns and joys:

*We are happy to announce that Pastor Robin Litton, Assistant to the Bishop of the DE-MD Synod, will be at our Congregational Meeting next Sunday to answer any further questions about a possible partnership with Christ Lutheran Church. Continue to pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance.
* Phyllis Kerns is doing physical therapy at Meritus Medical Center after her hip replacement surgery. Your cards, prayers and visits are appreciated.
*Best wishes to Jane Bowen, Shaun Rollins, Dick Hess and Maggie Manspeaker who celebrate birthdays this week.                                        

 A: Glory to God in the highest
C: And peace to God’s people on earth

February 10, 2019 Sermon – Child-of-God-Follower-of-Jesus

Announcements – February 10, 2019

 A:       Arise, shine; for your light has come,

C:      And the glory of the LORD has risen upon us.                   (Isaiah 60:1)

God’s peace to all this Epiphany season. A special welcome to all guests visiting with us today, including the family of Charlotte Robertson, who will be baptized today. Your presence is truly a light and a blessing.

* Immediately after worship today Pastor Alessandri and the Council will discuss an invitation extended to Haven to explore a shared-ministry possibility. All are welcome to stay. To what might the Holy Spirit be leading us?
*On Tuesday, February 19^th you are invited to lunch at Hoffman’s American Grill at State Line with Haven’s Lunch Bunch. Men and Women are all welcome. Sign up at Sign up Central so we can reserve enough space for this time of good food and fellowship.

*Haven’s Annual Meeting and Lunch is coming! On Sunday, February 24^th, we will gather   after church for our annual meeting and follow it up with lunch and fun. Please plans to come and sign-up on the attendance form, so we can have plenty of chicken for all. Be sure to visit the Parish Life bulletin board to pick a slip for what you can bring to the feast.

This week’s concerns and joys:

*Last week we gathered 119 cans of soup and $63 for the St. Mark’s Food Bank. We may not have predicted the winner of the Super Bowl but we thank you for helping to battle against hunger in Hagerstown. See page 14 of your bulletin for other foods needed by St. Mark’s Food Bank.

*Best wishes to Aaron Richards, Robert Snyder, Drew Pensis, and Meghan Byers who celebrate birthdays this week. A Happy Anniversary to Terry and Carol Tronvinger married on February 14^th. We also celebrate another anniversary today — February 4^th marked the 12^th anniversary of Pastor Alessandri’s ministry at Haven Lutheran Church. Stop by the coffee fellowship that is in honor of her ministry among us.                                           

A: Glory to God in the highest.
C: And peace to God’s people on earth.

February 3, 2019 Sermon – Good News or Bad News

Announcements ~ February 3, 2019

 A:        Arise, shine; for your light has come, C:        And the glory of the LORD has risen upon us.    (Isaiah 60:1)

God’s peace to all this Epiphany season. A special welcome to all guests visiting with us today, including the family of Charlotte Robertson, who will be baptized today. Your presence is truly a light and a blessing.

* It’s souper bowl Sunday! No, not the football game but our annual collection to fight hunger. Thank you to all who bought in cans of soup for St. Mark’s Food Bank. If you would like to make a monetary donation, please place it in one of the baskets in the lobby under Rams, Patriots or Don’t Care. Thanks for helping to battle hunger in Hagerstown.

* On February 19^th you are invited to lunch at Hoffman’s American Grill at State Line with Haven’s Lunch Bunch. Men and Women are all welcome. Sign up at Sign up Central so we can reserve enough space for this time of good food and fellowship.

*Next Sunday, February 10, immediately after worship, Pastor Alessandri and the Council would like to unveil an invitation extended to Haven to explore a shared-ministry possibility. You will get more information in the mail this week. To what might the Holy Spirit be leading us?

*Haven’s Annual Meeting and Lunch is coming! On Sunday, February 24^th, we will gather   after church for our annual meeting and follow it up with lunch and fun. Please plans to come and sign-up on the attendance form, so we can have plenty of chicken for all. Look for a bulletin board soon where you can pick a slip for what you can bring to the feast.

This week’s concerns and joys:

* The teens and adults who went to YouthQuake in Pittsburgh made it safe and sound in Friday’s snow. They are having a great faith-building weekend. Pray for their safe homecoming this afternoon and their growing relationship with our Lord and church.

*Best wishes to Carolyn Brogunier, Laura Manspeaker and Melita Kaplan who celebrate birthdays this week.                                           

A: Glory to God in the highest. C: And peace to God’s people on earth.