THE PROGRESS. Fall 2018

Transcription

1 INCLUDING information for Rally Day through Thanksgiving! Fall 2018 THE PROGRESS Faith Conversations with: Pastor Steve It s hard to believe it is already time for fall activities to begin, both in the community and here at Pilgrim. Rally Day is September 9 th. And with Rally Day we kick off the new year of Christian Education. One of our 4 core values is Bible Centered Growth and Teaching. As a core value for Pilgrim this says we are committed to nurturing faith and spiritual growth in everyone who is part of this Pilgrim community. The goal of our education program is that we will all grow up into the full measure of the stature of Christ. Rally Day represents a new beginning, as we continue this journey of becoming Christ followers. But before, I continue with new beginnings, I need to acknowledge Julie Halpin, our Director of Adult Education, who is ending her time in that role. Julie has been a devoted and passionate advocate for nurturing faith and spiritual growth here at Pilgrim. And so, Julie, I thank you for all your hard work, your partnering with me, your passion and commitment for providing opportunities to deepen our faith and live our lives in the way of discipleship. What s happening this month in: Vibrant Worship 4 Congregational Care 5 Growth & Teaching 6 Youth & Family 9 Outreach & Evangelism 11 Regular Features Faith Conversations 1 Birthdays & Anniversaries 10 Church Calendar & Worship Assistant List Insert And, actually, while Julie is stepping down as our Adult Education Director, she will continue leading the Thursday morning women s study. She is also looking forward to other opportunities to lead specific classes and events. I am also extremely grateful Julie is continuing with one of her other passions, the Worship Arts group that adorns our sanctuary with visual themes throughout the year. So, as we come to Rally Day 2018, the one constant seems to be change. But change also means new beginnings, and new beginnings are exciting as we anticipate what lies ahead. This is true for our Core Value of Bible Centered Growth and Teaching, for example, come check out what s new for Wednesday evenings this year! And our new beginnings are about more than Rally Day and a new year of Christian Education. Earlier this year we welcomed Shannon Fleischfresser as our new (Continued on page 3)

2 The purpose of Pilgrim Lutheran Church is to glorify God by fostering: STAFF PASTOR: Steven Schumacher DIRECTOR, FAMILY+YOUTH MINISTRIES: Shannon Fleischfresser CHRISTIAN EDUCATION: Kim Waterstraat PARISH WORKER CARE & OUTREACH Rachelle Lessard MUSICIANS: Amy Boers; Mark Reiman CHOIR DIRECTOR: Amy Boers CONTEMPORARY MUSIC COORDINATOR: Mike Peluso OFFICE COORDINATOR: Melody Rath NURSERY ATTENDANT: LITTLE PILGRIMS PRESCHOOL DIRECTOR: Ruth Rhodes Vibrant worship Glorify Pilgrim is a prayerful place of vibrant worship where the gospel of Jesus Christ is faithfully proclaimed in a family-oriented, intergenerational atmosphere. Varied worship expressions come together to provide a rich response to the love of Christ in our lives. Bible-centered growth and teaching Grow Pilgrim is purposeful about nurturing faith and spiritual growth in all who enter its doors as well as for those who are not able to enter. Pilgrim is a place where, led by the Holy Spirit, all children, youth, and adults measure of the stature of Nurturing congregational care Gather Pilgrim members strive to nurturing care to one another. Pilgrim is a family; care for one another is evidenced in all aspects of congregational life. Pilgrim is a place of health and healing where people of all ages find help for their life journeys. Intentional outreach and evangelism Go! the abundant life that they have received through faith in Christ and intentionally reach out to people of all ages with the love of Christ beginning with South Hill, Washington, and moving outward to the ends of the earth through local, national, and world-wide outreach. The Progress is published seasonally for members and friends of Pilgrim Lutheran Church. It is available in electronic (.pdf) and hard-copy formats. Submissions may be sent to the church via . Comments and subscription updates for The Progress may be ed to editor Melody Rath, office@pilgrimpuyallup.org. 2

3 Faith Conversations cont. from page 1 Family and Youth Ministry Director. Shannon has been busy this summer getting to know us and us, her and planning for the year ahead. We are excited for this new beginning at Pilgrim and look forward to all the gifts Shannon brings to ministry with us. And on Rally Day we have another new beginning. September 9th will be the first Sunday with Amy Boers as our new Worship Accompanist and Choir Director. Amy has a wealth of experience in musical accompaniment and worship leadership. She is a fantastic addition to help us continue to develop another one of our core values Vibrant Worship. One more new beginning to note. This year in Sunday Worship, as the guide for our scripture readings we will again be using the The Narrative Lectionary. The Narrative Lectionary is a four-year cycle of readings for use in worship. And this year is year 1 the year of Matthew. What I find really exciting is that we will be immersed in Matthew s Gospel for 4 months December 30 through April 28. I look forward to spending so much time walking together through the book of Matthew. And beginning this fall, with Noah and the flood, we get to spend some time together in the Old Testament. Come join us this fall, during the education hour, as we dig more deeply into the readings for Sunday worship. This is a year of new beginnings. There are a lot of exciting things happening in Family and Youth Ministry, and in Worship. I am thrilled to have both Shannon and Amy join us, and look forward to the gifts they bring, and how much they will contribute to our community. It will be an exciting year spent together as God s people. I hope you will make it a point to be an active part of the Pilgrim community, and the ways we gather together, and live into our 4 core values: worship, study, care, and outreach or, as we like to call them: Gather, Glorify, Grow, and Go. God bless you in the year ahead. Pastor Steve. Namibia Task Force Presentation Members of the Southwest Washington Synod s Namibia Task Force are visiting Pilgrim to share about the synod s companion relationship with Lutherans in Namibia. The purpose of the presentation is to invite anyone at Pilgrim who s interested working in the relationship, which takes a number of forms. We re at a very exciting time in our relationship, with a historic Namibia-ELCA consultation anticipated for Please join us during Adult Education time 10:30 AM on Sunday, September 23. More information to follow, so stay tuned! 3

4 Glorify Corporate Worship ~ P rayer Welcome our New Choir Director/Keyboardist! Please welcome Amy Boers, who will be our new choir director and keyboardist. She comes to us with extensive experience in church music thanks to Barb Howard, who shared her talents with us this summer, and will continue to be a substitute in the future. Amy has written an introductory letter, which is below. for inviting me to join you as Keyboardist and Choir Director in your ministry areas. My name is Amy Boers and I am very eager to begin my work among you on Sunday, September 9 th. I have spent the past ten years as a freelance musician in the greater South Sound area, working with churches, schools and professional musical organizations. Before that time, I was Director of Music for 11 years at a Lutheran congregation in our area. As I always yearn to grow as a musician and educator, and will continue to perform and teach locally, I have felt a call back to worship leadership, so I am grateful that Pilgrim has become the answer to that very call! In the months ahead, as we get to know one another, I welcome the opportunity to work together with the talented musicians already in your congregation and treasure getting to know the many gifts that are among you all! For potential choir members, CHOIR REHEARSAL will BEGIN SEPT. 13 TH. For instrumentalists of all kinds please let me Bless you as you consider your own call to music ministry, and I look forward to being with you soon. Peace, Amy aboers1117@gmail.com Mid-Week Worship Opportunities this Fall October 17 GLORIFY and sing your praises with an old fashioned hymn sing! ~~~~ November 21 GLORIFY at our Thanksgiving Eve Worship service at 7:00 PM, and join us afterward for a dessert and appetizer potluck. Glorify Our Lord 4

5 Gather Fellowship ~ Encouragement Wednesday nights at Pilgrim will have a new look! Each week we will focus on one of our four core values: Gather (fellowship and encouragement), Glorify (corporate worship and prayer), Grow (Bible study and faith conversations), and Go (Serving and Giving). The evening will start with dinner at 5:45 and activities at 6:30. We have a great line-up of activities planned to help us give glory to God, enjoy fellowship with each other, grow in our relationship with Christ and equip us to serve our neighbor. We hope you will plan on attending weekly or when it works for your schedule! We will kick off the year with a potluck barbeque and some fun on Wednesday, September 19th. Bring a side dish or a dessert and come see what Wednesday nights at Pilgrim are all about! Holiday Bazaar Pilgrim will again host a Holiday Bazaar! This year the dates are Saturday, November 17th and Sunday November 18th (the weekend before Thanksgiving). If you would be interested in reserving a space, please see Julie Halpin or stop by the office for a reservation form. God s Work Our Hands Fall Clean-up Wow, did this summer fly by! It is hard to believe, but fall is right around the corner! And with that, it is time for our annual fall clean-up day! Join us on Saturday, September 29th, at 9:00 and we will take some time to get the building and grounds ready for the new season ahead. Many hands make light work! Need a Little Support? Feeling like you could use a support group for this particular stage of life? While we at Pilgrim might not have the support group you are looking for, we would be happy to help you find what you might need. If interested or would like a little help finding a group, please contact Pastor Steve. Pilgrim Inquiry Class Interested in becoming a member of Pilgrim? Perhaps you just want to learn more about Pilgrim and what we are all about? Mark your calendar for a Pilgrim Inquiry Class on Saturday, November 17th at 9:00 and watch for more information to come. We will be receiving new members on Christ the King Sunday, November 25th. For All the Saints November 4 th - please contact the church office. 5

6 Grow Bible Study ~ Faith Conversations Love God, Love Each Other we hope that you will take every opportunity to find ways to study His Word. When you do, the Spirit just naturally fills your heart with overwhelming Love, and then the relationships we build with each other are founded on that Love. There are a number of opportunities for study. We hope you will find one that is of interest, that you are led or feel called to be a part of. Adult Education Sunday Mornings Bible Study with Pastor Steve You are invited to be part of the Sunday morning Bible Study, digging deeper into the Sunday readings each week. As we begin with a journey through the Old Testament, the theme will explore what that looks like for the people of the Bible, and how it impacts us today. We will meet in the Fellowship Hall, beginning Sept.16, 2018 at 10:30am. Come join us. Sisters in the Spirit this fall during the Sunday Education Hour. All women are welcome to join us. On Sept. 16 th we will begin a six week study, The Best Yes by Lysa TerKeurst, on the difference between saying yes to everyone and saying yes to God, embracing a wisdom based decision-making process, to rise above the endless demands to discover our best yes. This study is DVD based (book optional ). Moms with children too young to attend Sunday School are welcome to bring their babies and toddlers. Please see Sarah Lieu, Rebecca Gallwas, or Heidi Mitchell with any questions. We look forward to spending time with you this fall! 6 Adult Education Mid-Week Tuesday AM Text Study meets almost every week at 10:00 AM. Join Wing for discussion of the scripture readings for the week ahead. Treats are included! Pilgrim Wednesdays begins on September 19 th with a whole new, exciting format focused on food and fellowship at 5:45 PM, followed by experiences based on our core will be offered monthly. Please watch the calendars for details. begins the fall session on Sept. 20 th. Part One (Sept. 20-Nov. 15) will feature two offerings from the lively, passionate Joyce Meyer: I Belong to God, and He Loves Me a DVD study with discussion questions, followed by a DVD/book study Tell Them I Love Them (Psalm 139 is referenced throughout). Exciting Stuff!! Part Two (Dec. 6 Feb. 14, with time off for the holidays) will remind us how and love others. I Am Loved by Wendy Blight is a DVD study with daily devotionals based on the book of John. JOIN US Thursday mornings from 9:15-10:30 for food, fellowship, inspiring messages, and discussions.

7 Grow Bible Study ~ Faith Conversations Welcome, kids and youth, where we Love God, Love Each Other! This is always an exciting time of new beginnings and fresh starts! As we embrace our new school year, we also embrace our chance to start fresh with our J.A.M., Confirmation, Coffee Talk and adult education! Come join us on Sunday, September 9 as we kick-off our new education year at Rally Day with worship at 9:00, a chance to meet and greet kids and teachers, and of course, back by communication for both education and youth and family events, so please take note of all the exciting goings-on! A basic Sunday School calendar is on the next page (p. 6). Please note important dates such as Mission Sundays and the Christmas program! There is also a much more complete Family+Youth guide with information on events for the entire year (on the information counter). We will enjoy time to hang out and celebrate our new beginning and new It is important that we register all kids, preschool through Coffee Talk, online at Thank you so much for taking a minute to ensure that we have a safe system for all of our Sunday School community! This year, we look forward to beginning a new online curriculum from Sparkhouse Digital. The lessons are age-appropriate, interactive, and great fun! Many, many thanks to the wonderful hearts that have volunteered to be Sunday School teachers this year. We still need 4-6 PART-TIME would like information on these positions! What a joy it has been to welcome Shannon as our new Director of Family and Youth Ministries. We will be working closely to provide a loving, warm environment where all of our children will grow in their faith and love towards one another. Shannon will be sending out regular all her years of putting up with me working as her co-director! She has been an incredible mentor to me and countless others. Words cannot begin to describe the passion and dedication Julie has devoted as her time as Director of Adult Education. Her work (calling) has extended FAR beyond that role, and she hands down is one of the most genuine, passionate people I have ever had the opportunity to interact with and call my friend. Her heart for God, this church and all the people has no limits. What a blessing she has been to Pilgrim, and she believes 100% in her heart that her service is not her own doings, but because God has blessed her with many gifts. Thank you, Julie, for your unbelievable gift of being our Director of Adult Education for so many years! J You have made a huge imprint on countless lives that will last forever. I will really miss working with you! If you have comments or suggestions, or again would like to hear more about being a parthesitate to let me know! Contact me at jkwaterstraat@comcast.net. Love God, Love Each Other! Warmly, Kim 7

8 Pilgrim Lutheran Church Sunday School J.A.M! Calendar (J.A.M. = Jesus and Me! ) September 2018 February 2019 Sept. 9 - RALLY DAY! Feb. 3 Sept First day of J.A.M! Feb. 10 Sept. 23 Feb. 17 Sept. 30 Feb. 24 October 2018 March 2019 Oct. 7 March 3 Oct. 14 March 10 Oct. 21 Mission Sunday! March 17 Oct. 28 Reformation Sunday! March 24 * Third graders receive Bibles March 31 November 2018 April 2019 Nov. 4 April 7 NO J.A.M. Nov. 11 April 14 Palm Sunday Nov. 18 April 21- EASTER! No J.A.M. Nov. 25 No J.A.M. April 28 December 2018 May 2019 Dec. 2 May 5 Mission Sunday! Dec. 8 Christmas Play 4:00! May 12 Dec. 9 Christmas Play 4:00! May 19 Last day of J.A.M! * (We do have J.A.M.) CONFIRMATION! Dec. 16 Brunch/Carols/ May 26 No J.A.M. Gingerbread Churches Dec. 23 No J.A.M. Summer 2019 Dec. 30 No J.A.M. June 16 Graduation Sunday January 2019 Jan. 6 J.A.M. resumes! Jan. 13 Jan. 20 Jan. 27 Mission Sunday! July 15-18, 2019 VBS!

9 Have you picked up your copy of the Family + Youth Programs brochure? In it you will find important dates for the school year, information about the expected changes for this year, and many of the reasons we are excited about this year in ministry with you! You can also find ways that you can get involved with the program! Available on the website or paper copy at church. I was never a big fan of writing papers. In fact when it would be time for an essay or a journal assignment, I would postpone it as long as possible because to sit down and write, who would want to hear what I have to say? What does it matter? But as the years have gone by, I ve realized that I have been given a voice and I need to use it. I also have realized that I have been blessed to be in places where my voice is heard by others, that there is power in using my voice. So then, I had to think and pray about how to use my voice. I try to use my voice to share stories of hope and wonder that I see from working with youth. To change the story that I hear on a larger Family Fun & Fellowship Lauren Daigle Concert at the Fair (Monday, Sept 17) Tickets available now! Pilgrim Birthday Party (Friday, Sept at church. Harvest Party (Sunday, Oct 28th) at church. Board Games Fun Night (Friday, Nov at church. Games provided or bring your own! Day in Seattle (Sunday, Nov 11) Details available mid-oct. Save the date: Winter Retreat (Feb 15-17) Agua Viva Bowling at Daffodil Bowl on Sunday, September 30 at 11:30am-1pm. Cost is $12/person; includes shoes, bowling, pizza & drink. Sign up with Shannon by 9/23 Late Night Lollapalooza is all the fun of a lock-in over just a few hours on Saturday, November 3. You can bring your friends too! Minimum of 2 parents are needed for both activities; bowling might need more depending on numbers. scale to uplift and honor the small voices. I try to use my voice to allow others who feel as I did years ago, to help them see they have a voice and there is power in using their voice. I try to use my voice to bring hope, comfort, peace, laughter, and smiles to those around me. How do you use your voice? My hope for this year, as we dig into the theme of Pilgrim Love God, Love Each Other is that the families and youth are reminded that they have a voice and there is power in how they choose to use their voice, whether they are here within the church walls or out in the world. I hope that you will join us this year, use your voice, and speak LOVE for God & each other! En Fuego Mission Trip Meeting & hangout on Sunday, Sept 16 will be when we decide the summer 2019 mission trip. We will also talk a little about other things to do this fall. Day in Seattle on Fri, Oct 12 will be a surprise trip. Details are still being worked out, must be signed up by 10/3 Day of Service on Monday, Nov 12 will be a focus on New Hope and Veterans. Sign up by 11/4. To get updates on events register at remind.com/join/p1lgr1m5 What s new for fall? Pilgrim Wednesdays will have a new spin to them. We are all very excited about focusing on our core values of Gather, Grow, Glorify, and Go! Each week will have a different focus, so be sure to plan to be here, you won t want to miss out! High School Youth are invited to stay after Pilgrim Wednesdays for their own time for fellowship, learning, and adventures. Confirming Faith will pick up in the fall with a focus on the Bible. We will take this year to evaluate our confirmation program and look at how we can grow for the future. Coffee+Talk will be utilizing videos on YouTube as discussion starters and to challenge our faith to grow. Young Adult Ministry will be starting this fall. This will be a time dedicated to gathering for fellowship and learning at church and in the world. Family Fun & Fellowship nights will continue monthly through the school year. Each one might be a little different, some to be onsite, some meant as parties, and some off-site to explore together.

10 03 Michele Sticka 04 Mikayla Hert 05 Susie Melzo 06 Peter Gallwas 07 Liane Johnson 07 Mark Reiman 09 Jennifer Hayden 09 Rachelle Lessard 09 Tom Tomlinson 10 Paul Endter 11 Wayne Lerch 11 Robbin Rideout 11 Randy Wilson 13 Becky Hagerman 14 Steve Foss 14 Jacob Nelson 14 Steve Saxe 14 Dale Thompson 16 Sandi Endter 16 Aaron Hack 16 Michael Hayden 17 Kim Moran 20 Sandy Tillotson 21 Ruth Rhodes 22 Bel DeBoer 22 Liv DeBoer September Birthdays 23 Alicia Boyd 24 Pennie Stevens 25 Lou Ann Moeller 26 Jean Blumenschein 27 Mary Eastman 30 Natalie Hert September Anniversaries 01 Ian & Liane Johnson 04 Terry & Jennifer Pfeifer 05 DuWayne & Denise Woodbury 09 Gary & Gerry Hagen 10 Ken & Roxy Larson 15 Matthew & Rachel DeBoer 16 Bruce & Elizabeth Severeid 22 Mike & Margie McIntyre 28 George & Cathy Ditsworth New Address Larry & Emily Wright, West Bison Path, Surprize, AZ Blessings to the Wrights as they move permanently to the Grand Canyon State! Contact Bob Klavano or Mike Leuzzi for more information, or see our Facebook Event (coming soon!). (Pilgrim Lutheran Church does not endorse candidates for public office.) 10

11 Go! Serving ~ Giving Wow! summer program, we served over 450 lunches to kids in the community this summer! That is a lot of lunches! Thank you to all who donated their time, food and resources to make this possible. Even more important than the tasty, nutritious lunches provided, we were able to show these kids that they are loved and someone cares about them. It was such a blessing to be Looking for a fun, rewarding way to spend some of your time? As the school year gets under way, we will again be looking for people who might be interested in volunteering at Firgrove. There are several ways you can get involved Communities in Schools is in need of weekly reading tutors for their Good Samaritan Reading Program. The program runs week, consider partnering with someone. Also, you can volunteer in a classroom, mentor a child or help out on the playground during recess possibilities are endless! If you would be interested in volunteering or would like more information, please contact Rachelle Lessard. the Holiday Basket Program we hear each year, as families come in to pick up their food and/or gifts at Thanksgiving and Christmas. In 2017, we were able to provide 25 families with food enough to last a week (at a cost of $40 per family) and a $40 gift card to purchase a turkey or ham and other perishable items at both Thanksgiving and Christmas. It is our goal this year to again provide for this same number of families. We will begin collecting cash donations to purchase food for both Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets at the end of October. This year, we will assemble the Thanksgiving food bags as a part of our Pilgrim information to come, along with ways you can help make this ministry a success! Lunch at New Hope Resource Center Monday of each month at the New Hope Resource Center. Thank you to the many faithful volunteers who donate food and/or their time to provide and serve these lunches, as well as take the time to listen to the stories of those who have, for many different reasons, found themselves in this place. We serve at 12:00 noon and all are welcome! 11

12 th St. E., Puyallup, WA Phone - (253) , FAX - (253) office@pilgrimpuyallup.org ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED NEW Sunday Morning Schedule Worship: 9:00 AM Fellowship: 10:00 AM Sunday School: 10:15 AM Adult Education: 10:30 AM (September - May) Little Pilgrims Preschool (253) Mission Statement We are called to share the Good News of Jesus Christ, to live as God's servants and to reach out to all people. We re on the Web: Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/