EMMAUS MORAVIAN CHURCH
146 Main Street, Emmaus, Pa. 18049 Phone 610-965-6067; Fax 610-966-5420 www.emmausmoravian.org Office hours: Monday – Friday 9am-3pm
Rev. Brian Dixon ~ Pastor ~ pastor@emmausmoravian.org
Charlie McDonald ~ Student Pastor ~ studentpastor@emmausmoravian.org Melissa Heckman ~ Secretary ~ secretary@emmausmoravian.org Martha Cox Popichak ~ Director of Music ~ popicox@rcn.com Christopher Klump ~ Director of Brass Choir
Al Kneller ~ Sexton
July Special Envelope
Common Ministries -The Common Ministries of the Worldwide Moravian Church include (but are not limited to) the following ministries: Moravian Open Door, Camp Hope, Ministerial Education, Board of World Mission,
Moravian Music Foundation, and Provincial Archives.
2020 Watchword
Emmaus Moravian Church’s Mission Statement:
Living in Fellowship, Growing in Christ!
Worship Services
Although Lehigh County has officially moved to the “green” phase during this COVID-19 pandemic, the Joint Board feels that holding worship services would not be in the best interest of our congregation. Meetings will be held often to redetermine when the board feels it is safe to return to in-person worship. Until then, please continue to join us via zoom. If you are interested in joining our worship services but do not have the technology to do so, please contact the office. The churchbuildingwillremainclosedtoallmeetingsandgroupsuntilfurthernotice. Theofficeis “open” and operational if anyone needs to reach out. Please know that Pastor Brian and Melissa are
available via email or phone.
Sunday, July 5th ~ 9:30—10:30 Coffee Hour via zoom
Sunday, July 12th ~ 9:30-10:00 Coffee time; 10:00 live worship service via zoom Sunday, July 19th ~9:30-10:00 Coffee time; 10:00 live worship service via zoom Sunday, July 26th ~ 9:30-10:00 Coffee time; 10:00 live worship service via zoom Celebrating Emmaus Moravian’s 273rd anniversary!
The link to all of the zoom meetings and worship services is: https://zoom.us/j/4429489211 Go to www.zoom.us, go to “join a meeting” and enter code 4429489211
If you don’t feel comfortable joining by internet, and would prefer to listen in by phone, simply call this number: 1- 646 -876- 9923, and enter meeting ID: 4429489211, followed by the # key twice. Morning Prayer; Mon – Fri at 8:15 a.m. (same log in info as above)
Pastor Brian and Student Pastor Charlie and Martha have been leaving messages of inspiration on Facebook! Please “like” or visit the Emmaus Moravian Church facebook page to view these posts!
Martha Cox-Popichak, Linda Haberstumpf, Sandy Weida, Nancy Repp, Judy Rau, Ron Hertzog, Rev. Diane Joseph, Karl Lutz, Ruth Grohol,
Donna & Jim Leffler (daughter & son in law of Ron & Bette Hertzog)
Amy & Kevin Kelly (daughter & son in law of Ken & Karen Flexer),
and our homebound members, nursing home and assisted living facility residents, all essential workers on the front lines of this pandemic
and those personally affected by the COVID-19 virus.
Please uphold these church members and friends in your prayers. Contact the office whenever a visit is needed or to inform us of any situation, or a family member is hospitalized.
Janet Lichtenwalner entered the more immediate presence of her Lord and Savior on June 14th. Please keep her husband Ronald and their children in your prayers.
A message from Pastor Brian
THE LOT I SEE: A PASTORAL REFLECTION
The watchword as I write this (June 30, 2020) is Psalm 27:8.
“When you said, ‘Seek my face,’ my heart said to you, ‘Your face, O Lord, I shall seek.’”
The hymn stanza paired with it is verse three of “He Leadeth Me” #787 in our Book of Worship.
“Lord, I would clasp thy hand in mine, nor ever murmur nor repine, content, whatever lot I see, since ‘tis my God that leadeth me.”
Last evening the Joint Board (our Elders and Trustees) decided we would make online worship an immediate priority rather than any kind of physical gatherings for worship for at least a little while yet. It was a decision made by folks who take seriously their responsibility as stewards and shep- herds of God’s flock at Emmaus. We want to be able to celebrate face-to-face again. We would prefer to be physically present to each other. We are asking for continued patience and unceasing prayer as we try to determine when this may be safely done.
To be honest, I am anxious about online worship: all the things I don’t know how to do, all the things I’m not sure I understand, all the things I can’t imagine myself enjoying. But, giving this some thought and listening (which, by the way, is another way to pray) for the Spirit – I find myself remembering that the focus of worship is not :
i) what I know, ii) what I understand, or even iii) what makes me happy.
The watchword today is an elegant and intimate portrait of the conversation that worship can be. “When you said…” I replied. And, David’s (our psalmist) response isn’t cursory or perfunctory. It’s literally heartfelt. “My heart said to you.” God calls. We answer. God invites. We respond, with all our heart, and all our soul, and all our mind, and all our strength. And, in doing so, worship be- comes the unfolding of a divine mystery, a search for that pearl of great price, a finding the face of God.
The two voices of Psalm 27:8 are familiar to one another. There is mutual recognition. David knows who he is speaking with. He hears and recognizes the Lord’s voice. David also acknowledges that there is more. There is always more of God to know, more of God’s ways to understand, and more reasons (10,000?) for our hearts to sing. Such conversation is the heart of worship, whether it takes place in a cathedral, a chapel, or around a campfire. This relationship between each one of us and God is the heart of the Church, whether the Church meets in-person, through letters, or even online.
Even if we cannot be physically present to one another – to be living reminders of the loving presence of Christ – it is my hope and assurance that we are nonetheless guided, guarded, given comfort and courage by all of the many ways God carries out and upholds his great faithfulness to the world.
“He leadeth me, he leadeth me; by how own hand he leadeth me, his faithful foll’wer I would be, for by his hand he leadeth me.”
With a glad and grateful heart, Pastor Brian
Notes from the Student Pastor: “Normal”
Brothers and sisters it’s been a while since I’ve addressed you through this medium. I hope this finds you well, and that you and your families are healthy and safe. We have been talking for over three months now about “the new normal”, and “going back to normal”: two very different concepts. One implies change, and the other does not. This global pandemic we find ourselves in has made a lot of things in our society clear to the American people. Our counties are “in the green”, but it almost feels like the damage has been done, and Covid-19 has not gone away. We find ourselves facing the second summer month, and I feel like a lot of us are still trying to process March. I know I am. We find ourselves in a situation unlike any other we’ve faced in our lifetime.
A situation such as this, I feel, presents an opportunity. And since we’re in the season of Pentecost, I can’t help but think of what lessons we can learn from the disciples trying to wrap their minds around the death of their Messiah and the coming of the Holy Spirit. Their best friend had been killed. A person they had trusted their lives with for months on end. Then, to their surprise, he comes back! But there’s a catch: he can only stay for a little while. When he finally does leave, his promise of an Advocate is fulfilled in what we now celebrate as Pentecost. This event, where the disciples were speaking in different languages, wind blow- ing wildly, fire above their heads, reminds me of a conversation I had in my Preaching class last fall. We were discussing the concept of speaking in tongues, and I told my professor that such a thing made me un- comfortable. She countered, however, with a question, saying: “Where in Scripture is the Holy Spirit’s action comfortable?” She stumped me.
Friends, my point is this: out of “uncomfortability” can come great change. For the disciples 2000 years ago it was the birth of the church. And for the weird situation we’re in today, I don’t know what our uncomfortability will lead to. I can tell you that I hope and pray that it leads to something better than what “normal” we had before. I don’t have an answer as to what that will be, but I have a feeling that this uneasi- ness we’re feeling right now is the Holy Spirit, our Advocate, urging us towards something greater. All I would do is encourage us to take in all of the information that we can right now, information from every side. Regarding what direction our Country should go in, and what direction the Spirit is leading the church so we can follow our God’s lead.
Peace be with you, Student Pastor Charlie
Flower Sponsorships
We would like to acknowledge the people who have sponsored flowers for the month of Ju- ly. In the coming weeks, we hope to start delivering flowers to people on our prayer list.
July ~
In loving memory of David Andrew Unser by Mom and Dad
In loving memory of George & Helen Rinker’s anniversary on July 2nd by Kathy & Barb In loving memory of June Fehlinger by Rick and Mark Fehlinger
In loving memory of Miriam and Elmer Barto by their son, William
In loving memory of Frances E. Worman by her son Ronald
In honor of the “Fathers of Emmaus,” Sebastian Knauss and Jacob Ehrenhardt, as the donors of the property, the organizers, founders, and builders of the first log cabin church in 1742. Emmaus Moravian officially became a church on July 30th, 1747.
This year we are celebrating 273 years as a congregation!
Dear Church,
Thank you for the many thoughtful expressions and kind gestures by which you helped my family and I celebrate 15 years of ordination! The motorcade receiving line through the church parking lot was a fun surprise, and it was great to see so many smiling faces. It has been a joy serving among such wonderful congregations over the years, and I look forward to answering the call and challenge of our times in partnership with you each day. In Christ’s Abiding Love,
~Pastor Brian
Everpresent God, “We thank you for all those in the past who shared their faith with us and for those in the present who help to shape our response to your love.” –from the Thanksgiving Liturgy, MBW
Greetings, EMC family! As we are painfully aware, this summer is indeed a new and different one. With that, comes the challenges of deciding how to continue with our mission of providing Vacation Bible School to serve our young people this year. Previously, I was operating on the hope and assumption that we would be able to comfortably have VBS in person as usual. However, in the light of the current COVID19 pandem- ic and the uncertainty of in-person gatherings for the near future, the decision has been made to postpone the “To Mars and Beyond” VBS until the summer of 2021.
However, we will still be offering a virtual VBS for this summer! We, along with the Bethlehem area church- es are working on a program that will offer an optional Zoom gathering each day! There will be daily videos to watch at your convenience as well as a resource packet you may pick up in advance. There will be music, Bible story fun, and art activities included. Fun and interesting activities will be just the ticket for August summer boredom. Join us!
The theme will be “Jesus Heals.” Jesus heals sick people up close and from a distance. Jesus encourages friends to bring their friends to Jesus for healing. Jesus heals broken relationships. Jesus welcomes all kinds of people to eat with him and wants everyone to have enough to eat. This theme is so appropriate for this challenging time.
The dates for this adventure are August 3-7 and this program is provided for children ages 3 to those having completed 5th grade. We hope you and your child, as well as friends you may invite will join us for this on- line adventure. You can register by emailing the information below, and we will be in touch by email to pro- vide details of the program.
To receive log in/material pick up information, email secretary@emmausmoravian.org:
Child’s name
Child’s age and grade completed Parent’s name
Parent’s address
Parent’s email
Parent’s daytime contact phone number
Hope to “see” you there!!
Kay Marushak
Please join us in celebrating Miss Bev’s graduation from preschool after 25 years!
August 23rd, 2020 11:00am-2:00pm (rain date Aug. 30th)
In the Emmaus Moravian Church Pavilion
This is an open house event, please stop by when you are able.
Masks and social distancing required for everyone’s safety.
Please RSVP to Melissa Heckman by August 14th at secretary@emmausmoravian.org
If you RSVP, it helps to reach you in case of date change.
If you would like to contribute to Bev’s retirement book, please send a picture and/or a greeting to the email above. Creativity allowed!
Please submit by August 14th.
News to Know
The Blessing Box is located on the side porch of the church office. It is filled with non perishable food and toiletries (when available) for those in need. The box is filled on a weekly basis (at least). As you can imagine, the box is being used frequently. We keep additional donations in the office so supplies can be replenished when needed. The immediate needs of the blessing box are: pasta, pasta sauce, jelly, individual cups of fruit or applesauce, spaghettios, mac and cheese, packets of peanut butter or cheese crackers, cereal, canned tuna, and toiletries (soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant). You can place your donations directly in the box or on the porch. Or, if you would like to arrange a drop off time, please contact the office. Thank you for supporting this important community ministry.
Spiritual Direction & Prayer
How is your prayer life?
Prayer is how we have an ongoing relationship with God and prayer is a vital spiritual prac- tice in spiritual direction. It is how we com- municate with God the desires of our heart and how God communicates back to us. What might God be inviting you to do, what is He revealing to you, or what are His desires for you? In a good conversation with another there is time for silence as we listen attentively to the other. What might we learn in our si- lence as we listen to God? Regular prayer in- creases our trust that God is really there for us which in turn increases our trust for listening in the silence. We may find that what God has to tell us is of more value to us than what we have to say to Him! Spiritual direction is a spiritual practice for deepening our relation- ship with God through our prayer life. Individual spiritual direction is available any time by contacting Linda Unser at 610-390- 7771 or via email at lugraphics@aol.com. Stay tuned for group spiritual direction offerings to be held in the fall.
The EMC Book Club
Keep up with your reading! The next book club meeting is July 13th at 7:00pm. Meetings are held on Zoom. We also meet every week for conversa- tion and company. Everyone is wel- come to join, email Judy Williamson at stellawitchey@hotmail.com for info.
July 13th ~ Cilka’s Journey by Heather Morris Aug. 13th ~ Every Note Played by Lisa Genova
Back to School Shopping Event
Summer may just be beginning, but school days will be here again (in some way, shape or form). EMC would like to continue supporting our local families as they prepare for those days with our annual Back to School Shopping Event scheduled for Saturday, August 15th. Please consider once again donating school supplies and gently used clothing for the event.
Due to current circumstances and the many renovations occurring at the church, we ask that dona- tions be neatly placed in the designated location in Fellowship Hall once our church doors have been reopened. Please contact the office if you have donations.
As always, many hands make for light work. Those willing to assist with set up in the days leading up to the event (Wed-Fri) and at the event itself should contact Caren Miller by email (mathmom@rcn.com) or text (484-894-1888). Thank you for your ongoing support of this ministry!
With the retirement of Miss Bev, there is an opening for Head Teacher of the Preschool at Emmaus Moravian Church. Please see the ad below and share with those who may be interested. If you would like this job description emailed to you, contact the office.
Emmaus Moravian Church is seeking a Head Teacher for our well established preschool. This position is for 4 days a week; 6 hours a day and is perfect for a caring, trained teacher looking for an exciting, fulfilling opportunity.
Job Summary
The Head Teacher of Emmaus Moravian Church Preschool creates an environment of kindness and caring, appropriate with Christian values. We are looking for someone to create a curriculum for children ages 3-5 and to provide opportunities for the children to grow and learn utilizing a variety of educational, creative, and physical activities in a nurturing environment.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree preferred in Elementary Education or Early Childhood Education Experience in a school setting is required.
All necessary clearances must be current.
Excellent communication skills with children, parents and teachers a must! Commitment to the Statement of Purpose of the Emmaus Moravian Preschool:
To provide learning experiences for children in a safe, caring, and well supervised environment.
Terms of Employment:
School year runs from September through August.
Salary, PTO and other terms of employment to be established upon job offer.
We, at Emmaus Moravian Church are anxious to meet you and welcome you to our Preschool Family.
Please email an updated resume to Melissa Heckman at secretary@emmausmoravian.org or call
th 610-965-6067 for further inquiries. Resumes must be received by July 24 , 2020.
REFLECTIONS ON ACTS 17:22 – 31 by James Joniec PART II: CROSSING THE BRIDGE
Paul is a great example of evangelism. He compliments the Athenians on their religiosity (“I see how ex- tremely religious you are…” v. 22). When you share faith with someone who may not believe, remember this moment. Paul mentions the idols in the marketplace. Notice he does not call them idols. He calls them “objects of your worship” (v. 23). As we imagined in Part I, idols would have horrified Paul. But instead of lambasting the Athenians, he sees the opportunity to address the Areopagus (a philosophical townhall) as a chance to share the Gospel. And he starts pointing out the inscription on a nearby altar: “To an unknown god” (v. 23). Paul bridges the gap by saying that this “unknown god” can be known. That the story once re- served for Hebrews is exclusive to them no longer… now having meaning for all. He speaks of “the Lord of heaven and earth” who is beyond anything crafted by people (v. 24). He explains that nothing we do can fill our need for this unknown God. We know that, back then, people performed rituals to appease gods in hope of a good harvest, good weather, good fortune, etc. Paul then segues to our purpose in this life. He points out we all come from “one ancestor” (traditionally, Adam), live finite lives on this world, and each seek to find the Divine (vv. 24-27). Paul claims that God is not far. That we do not need to practice archaic rituals to appease God. Paul says everything we are comes from this unknown God who seeks nothing from us except to love Him and love our neighbor as ourselves. Paul stresses that elaborate ceremonies and earthly wealth mean nothing to God.
He then deftly quotes Greek literature that would have been familiar to these learned Athenians: “In him we live and move and have our being,” and “For we too are his offspring” (both v. 28). I believe one reason God chose Paul was his cosmopolitan education. The first quote is attributed to Epimenides, a 6th Century Greek philosopher; and the second comes from Aratus, a Greek poet who lived 300 years before Paul. The Athenians would have appreciated Paul’s use of their literature—even if they disagreed with him. My mom always said, “No education is wasted.” Paul uses all his learning to make his conclusion. Paul says that we, as learned individuals, should not think God is made of “gold, or silver, or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of mortals” (v. 29). But that God tolerated “human ignorance” in the past with these “gods” and idols, but now “commands all people everywhere to repent” (v. 30), mentioning the time of future judgment by “a man whom He has appointed, and of this He has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead” (v. 31).
We know v. 31 references Jesus. No doubt Paul explained this to those who did not know who Jesus was and tried to make clear the nature of Christ’s saving mission. Surely Paul spoke of the Good News we know today. He spoke of Jesus’ sacrifice to bring all of humanity redemption from sin and the way to eter- nal life. The Book of Acts shows that some laughed at Paul… but some said, “We will hear you again about this” (v. 32). That paragraph ends saying that some became believers, including two key early Christians— Dionysius the Areopagite (an early Christian who inspired many, including later in the Middle Ages the mysterious Pseudo-Dionysius), and the female Christian leader Damaris (v. 34). What should we make of all this? 1. God understands that we get weary. 2. God may call us to push through that when an oppor- tunity arises which touches our soul. 3. Never fear to use everything you have learned to try and share the message of Christ. 4. The capacity for understanding and faith and hope and love may already be present in interactions with people at different stages of faith. The Athenian elite were not Christians in that moment with Paul. But Paul used his understanding of history, religion, and culture to point out that the ability to come to God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit was already there with the foreshadowing inscrip- tion on the altar at the Areopagus, “To an unknown god.”
And finally, as Paul experienced countless times, do not be surprised if people laugh at you. For like the song by Simon and Garfunkel, “Bridge Over Troubled Waters,” it says, “When you’re weary, feeling
small / When tears are in your eyes / I will dry them all.” God tells us this everyday if we listen. It will not al- ways be easy being a Christian—especially if you try to do what Jesus told us to do. As Paul did. In this in- stance, despite sheer frustration and utter exhaustion, Paul found a way to reach brothers and sisters in confusion. And how did he do it? He used reverence, courage, shared knowledge and linked it with this: “Let God be known. Emmanuel… ‘God with us.’” All of us.
Emmaus Moravian Church Cemetery Cremains Garden
Thanks to donations from several parishioners, a beautiful Cremains Garden has been constructed in our Cemetery. Cremation has become a popular alternative to conventional burial, and our new Cremains Gar- den provides that alternative in a simple, yet elegant and perpetual setting at a reasonable cost.
The Garden features a central cremains burial area in the form of a cross, surrounded by paver walkways, plantings and a perimeter fence. Two granite benches are provided for visitation and contemplation. Cen- trally located is a large granite name wall that would be inscribed with the name of the deceased, year of birth, and year of death. Inscriptions would be made periodically during the year.
The Garden is user friendly. You can have a quiet burial ceremony with family, friends and a pastor. A por- tion of the common burial area would be prepared for you to place ashes within the 3’ x 2’ cross. Fol- lowing the ceremony, the excavated material would be returned to cover the ashes for you.
Cost for the burial of ashes and wall engraving is $ 525.00 for members of Emmaus Moravian Church and $ 575.00 for non-members.
For arrangements, reservations and questions, contact Judy Rau at rau27@ptd.net, or 610-504-8379. Trustees Corner
The trustees are pleased to provide an update on our Summer 2020 improvement and maintenance projects. The Cremains Garden project in the cemetery is complete. The new roof installation on all Emmaus Moravian Church buildings is also complete. Renovations to the Moravian Room and the Preschool Rooms are currently underway. The trustees are currently accepting donations for the Preschool room renovations that are planned for this summer. Donations would primarily be used to purchase new cabinets and storage units for the preschool rooms. Additionally, donations are also welcome for projects that are being discussed for 2021 and future. These projects include but are not limited to the following: 1) replacement of the retaining wall and railing for the entrance to the preschool / family living area 2) parking lot repaving 3) electrical system upgrades.
Peace & Blessing – Griffin Harold
Giving Updates
Offerings are encouraged and accepted! Thank you to those who continue to send in their offer- ings! We are depositing offerings on a weekly basis. There are a few ways to donate:
1. Mail in your offering. Checks sent through the mail typically arrive in our office in a timely manner. If you don’t use a church envelope, it is helpful to put your envelope number on your check. Email the office if you don’t know your number!
2. Electronically give through your bank. If you pay your bills on line, you
should be able to make Emmaus Moravian Church a payee. The bank will mail us a check on your behalf. If there is a place to put your envelope number (account number), please do so. You can also make this a recurring payment.
3. The Emmaus Moravian Church website www.moravian.org On the right hand side of the home page, there is a donate button. You can use your debit card or paypal account to
give. Please note a processing fee is taken from your donation, but you will be credited for the full amount given.