The Seeker NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2015 Rev. Anthony Stephens, Pastor

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1 Our Saviour Evangelical Lutheran Church 56 Cleveland Drive Croton-On-Hudson, NY (914) The Seeker NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2015 Rev. Anthony Stephens, Pastor Sunday Worship Schedule Sunday School: 9:30 am Worship: 10:00 am Coffee Hour: following worship Weekday Office Schedule Office hours: 9:00 am - 12:00 Office Phone: (914) Office mail@oursaviourcroton.org Website: Seek and you shall find. Knock and the door will be opened to you. -Matthew 7:7 Weekday Activities Choir Practice: 7:45 pm

2 NOVEMBER / DECEMBER Our Saviour Lutheran Church 56 Cleveland Drive, Croton, New York The Seeker ENDINGS AND BEGINNINGS - Rev. Anthony Stephens The church year starts to wrap up with All Saints Sunday. Every conclusion offers an end and a start. Not so many people remember the original Star Trek these days. Perhaps fewer remember Dr. Bones McCoy s catch phrase: He s dead Jim. Usually the good doctor was correct. He was dead, and evidence of this was that the actor was an unknown and wearing a red shirt. Principals in Star Trek however managed to come back time after time again. Mr. Spock had more lives than a cat, or the Vulcan equivalent. He returned in multiple movies and sequels. He definitely lived long and prospered. The actor who played him, Leonard Nimoy, is now dead. Tragedy has struck the front lawn of the parsonage. This is perhaps a trifle overstated, or a lot overstated, but it looks like the magnolia tree has died. You may recall that I wax lyrically about this tree every Easter. Well, there is a parable that suggests that we put some manure round it and see how it shapes up over the next year. However that Luke 13:6 parable refers to a live tree that has hitherto born no fruit. Sometimes a little manure tends to reveal unexpected blessings too. As you may be aware a couple of iterations have taken place over the last year and both of them have certainly had value. The current discernment process is exciting and should yield information and guidance for our direction and purpose as a church. Of the many considerations is a fundamental analysis of what is actually dead and what is currently fruitless. For the currently fruitless, we are steeped in a faith that starts with Sarai, and while she thought that the idea that she would be the mother of nations was the nuttiest thing she ever heard, she did indeed become the mother of all Israel, and the ancestor of Jesus. There are many expressions of our church that seem a little under-fruited at the moment, but with prayer, and God s grace there is no reason to give up. In fact, the under-fruited is the reason that we are here. In contrast, there are many activities in church that are dead. I often hear tales across the Synod world of how wonderful things were when A, B, or C happened and Pastor Y was pastor. However accurate that may be, and however beloved A,B,C, or Y were unless there is a sprout of green among them, they are no longer available. Grieving is, of course, always good and appropriate, but it is not a game plan for future mission. Jesus said to him, "The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head." And He said to another, "Follow Me." But he said, "Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father." But He said to him, "Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:56-59). My LSAT coach, a high strung Greek woman, had been through a tumultuous break up. Her wise uncle from Greece told her: If you can fix it; fix it. If you can t; move on. A new Bible Study begins on Monday November 30,2015 at 7:30pm called Hungry for God s Word. We will read biblical texts associated with hunger justice.

3 PRESIDENT S MESSAGE -John Keil Thank you to everyone whose contributions and attendance again made our Oktoberfest fundraiser such a success, as we raised $967 toward the repair of the Parish Hall roof. Particular thanks are due to Frya Barnes, Janet Behning, and Eleanor Soderlund, who organized the event. As of this writing, we still need another $8,500 to cover those costs, so I urge you to continue to help us reach this goal; contributions can be earmarked for property improvements by writing Property on the memo line of your check. In addition, as I ve explained previously, our budget for the current fiscal year depends on each of us increasing our contributions by an average of $8 per week. When deciding how much to increase your regular contributions, remember that not everyone can afford to do so, and try to give a little more. I thank everyone who has already increased their contributions. The Holiday season also offers plenty of opportunities to contribute in other ways, including readings or other assistance at worship. Please consult the church calendar and bulletin for upcoming events, including the Christmas Fair, Christmas Caroling, and Christmas services, and make a point of joining us for some or all of these. Please also be sure to attend our Annual Meeting on Sunday, December 6 after worship. If you have any insights about how we could better engage and serve our members and the community around us, please approach me or any council member to share your ideas. You should feel welcome to approach me on Sundays, or me at johnkeil@gmail.com. John Keil ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING Our Saviour s 2015 Annual Congregational Meeting is Sunday December 6. Meeting will begin directly following our Worship Service. All members are encouraged to attend this important meeting for our congregation. All Committee Reports are due in to the church secretary by November 15 in order to guarantee a timely delivery of the 2015 Annual Congregational Report. Welcome to the Luther Reading Challenge! More than 2000 people have already joined our community to read and discuss Luther's theology in preparation for the Reformation jubilee in October For more information check out: COUNCIL MEMBERS Our Congregational Council members would like to keep the conversations and ideas that will move our church in the right direction going. If you have any ideas that you feel Our Saviour can benefit from, please...talk To Us!! Here is a list of our 2015 Council Members : OFFICERS: President: John Keil Vice President: Matthew Papertsian Secretary: Sarah Doherty Treasurer: Eric Golberg & Annie Andrews COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS: Christian Education: Property: Steven Millar Evangelism & Outreach: Sarah Doherty Social Ministry: John Keil Finance: Eric Golberg Stewardship: OPEN Pastor / Parish Relations: Matthew Papertsian Worship & Music: Circle School: Ex Officio: Jamie Hough, Financial Secretary

4 YOUTH MINISTRY Greetings OSLC! It's hard to believe that it is already November and that the holidays are upon us. Youth activities with take a break from December 20-January 3. Table Talk (coffee hour for youth) and children's church will resume on January 10 when everyone has gone back to school again. The Table Talk crew will be starting a fun project when we return in January, but we need your help. We would like to start sending cards/letters to our OLSC college kids. If you have a college student, please pass their address along to me. God Bless, Alyssa Morrin PROPERTY COMMITTEE - Steven Millar Thanks to all who attended Oktoberfest and helped make it such a success. As you may know, the funds raised from Oktoberfest are earmarked for the parish hall roof which is scheduled to be installed in November. As we have still not reached our fundraising goal, please keep this project in your thoughts. OUR SAVIOUR Oktoberfest - Frya, Ellie and Janet We had food, beer, one dirndl, one set of lederhosen, one beer stein and two harmonicas at our annual Oktoberest. Plus we raised $968 for the Parish Hall roof! Thank you to everyone who contributed, particularly good spirits, to the event. CROTON ANNUAL BLOOD DRIVE The 91 st community blood drive will be held on Sunday, December 6, from 9:00 to 3:00, at the Croton-Harmon High School gym. Blood donation is painless and harmless to those who pass the medical screening. This blood drive is timed to help avert the annual blood shortage that accompanies every year-end holiday season. All must bring some official ID with photo or signature. For appointments at any 15-minute time slot you choose, information or offers of help, please call Carol Shanesy at or Rosalind Morrissey at , or communityblooddrive@gmail.com. For those precious lives you help save, thank you!

5 CHRISTMAS FAIR - Our Saviour Christmas Fair is Saturday December 5th from 9 am to 3 pm. We will be having a White Elephant and a Bake Sale. Outside vendors like Mary Kay, Thirtyone (bags, purses, and more) Partylite, and others are being planned. There will be wonderful handcrafted gifts and a couple of raffles,one is for 2 tickets to the Westchester Broadway Theatre. We would very much appreciate any items for the "White Elephant Table" as well as baked goods and handmade items. Help is needed in all areas of the fair and we are open to any more ideas. Speak with Lee Ann. So mark your calendars! Come, enjoy and give your talents in helping out our fair and church on this day! Proceeds to benefit the new Parish Hall roof. POINSETTIAS In keeping with a long held Christmas practice, the altar guild will be placing poinsettias at the altar. The congregation is invited to sponsor plants in memory or honor of a loved one. It is a wonderful way to help beautify the church and also remember someone special. The poinsettias in 7 inch pots are $25 each. Send orders with payment to the church office or place in the offering plate on Sunday. Order forms can be found at the bottom of this page and will be available on the tables in the narthex and link starting in November. CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS I would like to donate (quantity) Poinsettias at $25 per plant. Total submitted:. Please circle one: In Honor / Memory of: Remembrance / Thanks From: Thanks for making our Christmas Altar more festive.

6 DISCERNMENT PROCESS UPDATE The Discernment Process Continues. We will be forming a small task force to develop a Mission Statement (our congregation s goal) and a Vision Statement (what we want to do to achieve our goal). The task force will suggest some priorities for what we want to do to achieve our goal. To do this, The task force needs your help in completing a short survey. It will come out soon. Koinonia Upcoming Events Thanksgiving At Koinonia: October Freinds..Family..Nature..Crafts..Food..Relaxation Wednesday: Unpack, Relax, Hot Cider by the Fireplace, Spakling Cider, Wine & Cheese. Thursday: Brunch, Hikes, Crafts, Worship, Thanksgiving Feast, Naptime, Relaxation, Leftovers!! Friday: Breakfast, Decorate for Advent Season, Lunch & Fairewells. Our Advent Retreats are a joyous time for anyone looking to get away from the bustle of the Christmas season! Advent I- November 27th-29th Advent III- December 11th-13th Advent II- December 4th-6th Advent IV- December 18th-20th New This year! We are offering a Christmas music celebration on Advent III. If you love listening, playing, or singing Christmas music then this weekend is for you! There will be impromptu concerts, musical games, and a Christmas concert open to the whole community on Saturday night. Check out their website for accommodations, rates & more info: LWR BABY KITS - Janet Behning OSLC sent 30 health kits to Lutheran World Relief in October. Thank you, all! We are now collecting for LWR Baby Care Kits leading up to the Christmas Eve blessing of the gifts. According to LWR's web site, each Baby Care Kit should include: *2 lightweight cotton T-shirts *2 long- or short-sleeved gowns or sleepers (NO feet so they can be used longer as the child grows) *2 receiving blankets; medium-weight cotton or flannel, or crocheted or knit with lightweight yarn *4 cloth diapers *2 diaper pins or large safety pins *1 jacket, sweater or sweatshirt with a hood, or include a baby cap *2 pairs of socks *1 hand towel, dark color recommended *2 or 3 bath-size bars of soap equaling up to 8 to 9 oz., any brand, in original wrapping More details can be found at Please watch for sales and keep an eye out for the collection bin in the back of the sanctuary! We can also use monetary donations to buy missing items and to cover shipping to the LWR collection center.

7 Danish Home Visits We are looking for volunteers to continue our ministry of visiting the Danish Home residents. This involves 6 visits a year. They are planned for every second month on the third Tuesday, at 2 PM. If anyone is interested, please speak with Frya Barnes.

8 NOVEMBER SUNDAY SERVANTS November 1 Greeters&Ushers: Chuck Cooper & John Magerlein Janet Behning Sue Orts Ken Gabrielsen Philip Stephens Hospitality: Annie Andrews & Dianne Carroll November 8 Greeters&Ushers: Rosie Evans & Frya Barnes Greg Evans Greg Evans Chuck Cooper Dionne Johnson Hospitality: Evelyn Garrett & Karen Polacek November 15 Greeters&Ushers: Eric Golberg & Arun Thomas Rosie Evans John Magerlein Greg Evans Bob Riekert Otto Staats Hospitality:Millar Family & Marilyn Dreyer/ Jen Schmidt November 22 Greeters&Ushers: Dianne Carroll & Chuck Cooper Matilda Weekes-Johnson Ken Gabrielsen Frya Barnes Andrew Stephens Hospitality: Sue Montgomery & Kunmi Johnson November 29 Greeters&Ushers: John Magerlein & Frya Barnes Lori Esteves Eric Golberg Mark Esteves Hospitality: Heather Cooper & LECTIONARY READINGS 11/01 Isaiah 25:6-9 Revelations 21:1-6a 11/08 1 Kings 17:8-16 Hebrews 9: /15 Daniel 12:1-3 Heb 10:11-14, /22 Daniel 7:9-10, Revelations 1:4b-8 11/29 Jeremiah 33: Thess 3: /6 Mal 3:1-4 Phil 1:3-11 DECEMBER SUNDAY SERVANTS December 6 Greeters&Ushers: Eric Golberg & Chuck Cooper Marilyn Dreyer John Magerlein Philip Stephens Hospitality: Karen Magerlein and Mtui / Elizabeth Mtui December 13 Greeters&Ushers: Rosie Evans & Dianne Carroll Greg Evans Matilda Weekes-Johnson Ken Gabrielsen Dionne Johnson Hospitality: Michelle Hough December 20 Greeters&Ushers: Arun Thomas & Frya Barnes Rosie Evans Chuck Cooper Otto Staats Hospitality: Mikiko Golberg December 27 Greeters&Ushers: John Magerlein & Eric Golberg Matilda Weekes-Johnson Janet Behning Bob Riekert Andrew Stephens Hospitality: Holiday Cookie Swap January 3 Greeters&Ushers: Chuck Cooper & Rosie Evans Lori Esteves John Magerlein Frya Barnes Mark Esteves January 10 Greeters&Ushers: Dianne Carroll & Frya Barnes Greg Evans Ken Gabrielsen Philip Stephens 12/13 Zeph 3:14-20 Phil 4:4-7 12/20 Micah 5:2-5a Heb 10: /27 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26 Col 3: /03 Jer 31:7-14 Eph 1: /10 Isa 43:1-7 Acts 8:14-17

9 NOVEMBER 2015 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 All Saints Sunday (white) CIRCLE SCHOOL TAG SALE 9am-1pm Confirmation 9:30am HB Lisa Stephens HB Greg Befanis 8 Twenty-Fourth Pentecost (green) Confirmation 9:30am 15 Twent-Fifth Pentecost (green) Confirmation 9:30am HB Sue Montgomery HB HB Tom Carroll 22 Christ The King HAPPY THANKSGIVING (white) Confirmation 9:30am HB Susie Gardiner HB Cliff Gabrielsen HB Alec Hough 29 First Advent (blue) Confirmation 9:30am 30 Hungry For God s Word 7:30pm KEY: HB Happy Birthday HA Happy Anniversary

10 DECEMBER 2015 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY Christmas Fair 9am-3pm 6 Second Advent (blue) ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING 12:00pm HB Evelyn Garrett 7 Hungry For God s Word 7:30pm Third Advent (blue) 14 Hungry For God s Word 7:30pm HB Arlita Hoyt HB Barbara Befanis 20 Fourth Advent (blue) 21 Hungry For God s Word 7:30pm CHRISTMAS EVE 25 MERRY CHRISTMAS 26 HB Pastor Stephens HB Jennifer Stieglitz Services: Family 5:30pm Lessons & Carols 7:30pm First Christmas (white) 31 New Year s Eve Cookie Swap Hospitality