You may have noticed the book cart in the Narthex by the stairs to the Parish Hall. The cart is stocked with books that Pastor Hy donated to our church when she retired. It is her hope that people will take home books that interest them, and that by reading them their faith journey will be enhanced.

Please stop by the cart and take a book, take a book to read, and when you are finished, bring it back so others may be inspired by its wisdom.

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ALTAR FLOWERS and COMMUNION BREAD AND WINE

  Traditionally two arrangements of fresh flowers have adorned our altar every Sunday. And of course we use bread and wine each time we celebrate Communion. Special donations designated for flowers or Communion supplies never total what it costs the church; the difference is met from the operating budget. The cost to sponsor one flower arrangement is $20; the cost to sponsor Communion supplies is $15. Of course, we will never go without Communion supplies. However, if we do not get two sponsors for flowers each week, we will cancel them for that week. This is a chance for you to support these parts of our worship ministry by sponsoring flowers or Communion supplies in memory or in honor of someone or an important event (birthday, etc.).

There is a sign-up sheet on the Narthex bulletin board. For a donation to either, your name and dedication will appear in the Sunday bulletin of your choice. Some donors want specific dates because of significance, and we sometimes end up with more that two sponsors on the same Sunday. The cost of sponsorship remains the same. If possible, please sponsor a Sunday which has not yet been spoken for.

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INTERESTED IN SYNOD NEWS?

Go to www.ministrylink.org as your source about the synod, its ministries, and directories of congregations, leaders, and agencies.  Links take you to recent news releases and upcoming Synod activities.

HELP COLLEGE STUDENTS KEEP THEIR FAITH CONNECTED
Make sure that the college students in your congregation/family/neighborhood are connected with the Lutheran Campus Ministry at the school they are attending. It's easy!
1. Gather whatever information you can -- Student's Name, College or University campus, hometown, home congregation are great. Other information is helpful, but not essential (home address, campus address, email address, major, cell phone, etc.). Send whatever you have.
2. Email Us -- Send your information to unilu@uniluphila.org. Be sure to include your name and congregation. (While we are especially interested students starting college this fall, we also welcome information on students at any point in their college career.)
3. Leave the Rest to Us! -- We will make contact with students enrolled at Penn and Drexel, and forward on information about students at other schools to the campus ministry or congregation near the college or university.
Questions? Contact Fred Wolfe at administrator@uniluphila.org or 215.387.2885

FREE Resources From The Parish Paper
Through our Synod's subscription to The Parish Paper you have permission to download more than three dozen "Free Resources"-each of which provides practical, how-to-do-it methods that assist committees and staff members in accomplishing particular congregational ministries, such as financial stewardship, worship, attracting new worship attendees, church school, etc. Download these documents from the "Free Resources" section of the www.TheParishPaper.com website.

LUTHERAN NEWS
ELCA contributes $400,000 to Horn of Africa drought relief
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Through gifts given by members to ELCA Disaster Response, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has been able to distribute $400,000 for immediate drought relief efforts in the Horn of Africa.

For the second year in a row, the rainy season has failed resulting in the worst drought conditions the region has witnessed in 60 years. "Rain is the lifeblood of everything in the region," said Megan Bradfield, program director for International Disaster Response with the ELCA. "Without rain, crops fail, livestock perish and the security of families is jeopardized, because they are unable to adequately pro-tect themselves from the harsh realities of famine."

ELCA presiding bishop laments tragic violence in Norway
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- In the wake of news about violent attacks in Norway on July 22 that left at least 87 dead and scores wounded, Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), sent a message of encouragement to Bishop Helga Haugland Byfuglien of the (Lutheran) Church of Norway.
"With the people of Norway, we lament this tragic violence and renew our commitment to be peacemak-ers," Hanson wrote. Reflecting on the upcoming 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States, the bishop spoke movingly of the "comfort and courage" that comes from the support of global neighbors during times of national tragedy.
Hanson also remarked on the role Norway has played as a quiet agent of reconciliation in international conflict, most notably in brokering the Oslo Accords of the 1990s.
"With you we renounce the forces of violence that seek to drive us to despair," Hanson continued. "As people of faith defined by Christ's death and resurrection we will join with you in God's work of restoration. May the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, grant you peace."

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INTERESTED IN ELCA NEWS?

You can view the latest news releases from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America by going to www.elca.org/news    Links will take you to mission efforts in the United States and beyond.

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ELCA GLOBAL LINKS

Lutherans break ground for a new resettlement village in Haiti

A groundbreaking ceremony on February 2 celebrated a new village which will provide housing for 1,200 people displaced by an earthquake that struck Haiti in 2010. ELCA Disaster Response is providing $3.5 million for this Lutheran World Federation project. Read this story and more at www.elca.org/news.

Bishop Hanson sends letters of support to Syrian church leaders

In letters to Christian church leaders in Syria, the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), offered his support of the churches’ collective call for an end to violence and his prayers for the people in the region. See http://blogs.elca.org/peacenotwalls/.

Plant a tree in the Luther Garden

The roots of the Reformation that began with Martin Luther’s 95 theses in 1517 are being remembered and watered already in the Luther Garden in Wittenberg, Germany. Learn how your congregation can participate at www.elca.org/wittenberg (click the Luther Garden tab on the left navigation bar).

Liberia: "The Mother Teresa of the ELCA"

Bette McCrandall, long-time ELCA missionary in Liberia, was recognized at the ELCA Summer Missionary Conference for her tireless and courageous service.storywww.elca.org/handinhand.

Just arrived in Madagascar

Austin and Tanya Propst are the new ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission coordinators for Madagascar. They have just arrived in what will be their new home for the next four years. See http://blogs.elca.org/handinhand/.

A vision of peace

Leymah GboweethePeace Prize for her efforts in the “Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace,” which contributed to endingthan a-long civil war. She has also been awarded the ELCA International Leadership Development scholarship.more at www.elca.org/stories.

Teach in Central Europe

Teach in a bilingual junior/senior high school in Slovakia or Poland.need is for English teachers; other subjects (religion, science, math, geography, etc.) also needed on a limited basis. For more information, visit www.elca.org/globalserve/searchand enter keyword "Central Europe."

Glocal Mission Gathering in Irving, Texas, April 27-29

Equip yourself for God's work in today's global and local realities. Find more information and registration at www.elca.org/glocal.

In our prayers

Pray for Ally Streed who is at the midpoint of a three-year commitment as a missionary in Japan. (This prayer for February 28 is available, along with daily prayers from around the globe, at www.elca.org/prayerventures.)

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It’s SIMPLE to sign up for “Simply Giving”

It’s never too late to sign up for the Simply Giving program! It’s a method of setting up an automatic deduction from your bank account to contribute to the church. No more racing to put together your envelope on Sunday mornings! You can choose a weekly, every other week, twice a month, or monthly schedule of giving.

Many members are signed up and love the convenience! If you have any questions or would like to receive a sign-up form, please call (215-885-4812) or e-mail (mifrantz@comcast.net), or look for me in church, and I’ll be happy to be your Simply Giving Guide!

There will be Simply Giving Sundays where you can sign up in the Narthex. I will have forms and information on the program. Look for those dates to be announced in Pews News.

John Frantz, Stewardship Chair

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                 march Thrivent newsletter

Protect your family against the unexpected

Without proper protection, the money you’re working so hard to save could be lost if you were to die or suffer an illness or injury. Are you protected?

Life insurance: One in four Americans dies before he or she retires, which can undermine a family’s financial health.¹ You lose the person’s current income, as well as the potential retirement assets. Having adequate life insurance can help protect your family.

Disability income insurance: Illnesses and injuries are more common than you might think. A 25-year-old has a one in four chance of experiencing a long-term loss of income from a disability before he or she turns 65.¹a qualifying illness or injury, this vital insurance can help.

Long-term care insurance: One of every two women and one of every three men age 65 and older will spend some time in a nursing home.² Long-term care means both protection and freedom to choose the care you receive.

For financial guidance, contact Bridgit D. Holly, Financial Consultant, at 215-368-4888 today, or visit Thrivent.com.

¹ Commissioners Standard Ordinary Mortality and Disability Tables, 2009

² Women & Aging Letter, Long-term Care Insurance Revisited, 2009

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and its respective associates and employees cannot provide legal, accounting, or tax advice or services. Work with your Thrivent Financial representative, and as appropriate, your attorney and/or tax professional for additional information.Thrivent Financial representatives are registered representatives for securities offered through Thrivent Investment Management Inc., 625 Fourth Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55415-1665, 800-THRIVENT (800-847-4836), a registered broker-dealer and investment adviser, and a wholly owned subsidiary of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Member FINRA and SIPC. They are also licensed insurance agents of Thrivent Financial.