LEAVES FROM THE FOREST

Transcription

1 LEAVES FROM THE FOREST Where Has All The Turkey Gone? December 2018 Sunday Worship 9:30 am Communion 2nd & 4th Sunday of each month Sunday School 10:45 am Bible Class 11:00 am Sunday Worship and Bible Class Captioned for the Hearing Impaired Pastor: Rev. Glenn E. Fischer Founding Pastor: Rev. Milton Lehr Church Office Hours: Monday to Friday 9:00 am - 1:00 pm (352) forestoakslutheran.com 8555 Forest Oaks Blvd. Spring Hill, FL Food Pantry - Tuesday 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Not To Be Missed: Dec. Servant Schedule 2 December Events 2 Voters Meeting-Dec. 2 2 Financial Reports 3 Church Council 4 Women s Guild 4 LWML Mission Grants 5 Quilting for Charity 6 Church Life Ministry 7 Memorial & Honor Gifts 9 Birthdays/Anniversaries 11 Calendar 12 When I think about Thanksgiving, I think of food and too much of it. There have been times in my life when too much was much too much. Mom and Dad always looked forward to Thanksgiving and always prepared much too much food. They invited whoever they heard was not having company or needed a dinner. I sometimes wondered who they picked, but whoever needed a dinner was at my home. Mom and Dad ran a beauty shop in New York City and worked late hours especially when it came to holidays. How did they manage to fix all that food and work, too? They sure had a knack at getting it all done on time for the company to come. There was always Pasquale a friend of my Dad. His son was in the Army so Pasquale was always alone. Pasquale always brought the pastries and boy were they delicious. Mom always had someone from Germany over to this dinner. It was fun listening to the conversations going on in Italian and German, no one had a problem understanding each other. I wondered if they thought about their families in Europe going through the war. Life was not easy, but it was easy in our home. We never talked about the war at dinner or when we had company; it was enough to be able to read all about it in the newspaper. Amazing to have our own little U.N. at Thanksgiving. We all had a lot to thank God for here in the United States of America, but I thought about Mom s family in Germany and Pasquale s family in Italy. Two countries that were severely impacted by the war. But no war at our home on holidays because we were thankful to be together. Such a great time to spend with friends and family. Now to the turkey. How long did it last? What became of the last of the turkey? Well after growing up and having my own family, things changed. Mom and Dad had dinners with John, myself and the boys. Pasquale moved back to Italy to spend his last days with his family. The turkey never lasted too long because the boys found more ways to eat turkey and sandwiches. The hunting dogs seemed to know that the turkey was not going to last forever and they were always underfoot. Life goes on without turkey at least for a few more weeks, and then comes Christmas and it suddenly makes another appearance. Norma Karpiscak From the Editor: The Lord blesses us so that we can be a blessing to others. At this time of year we remember the gift that God has given to us His only Son. Let us also remember to share that Gift with others. May your Christmas be especially blessed. Your articles and photos make this newsletter, so them to folc25news@outlookcom. For those unable to , you may place it in the newsletter box behind the church office. The deadline for the January newsletter is December 23.

2 Page 2 LEAVES FROM THE FOREST SERVANT SCHEDULE FOR DECEMBER Serving on the Altar Guild Christine Henson Diana Koelling Marge Pritchard Serving as Ushers: Darleen Keck Louise Hirsch Wil Heier Serving as Greeters: Jackie Ryder Ted Ryder Serving as Lay Readers: Dec. 2: Norma Karpiscak Dec. 9: Lil Heier Dec. 16: Norma Miller Dec. 23: Marge Pritchard Dec. 30: Anita Hale Serving as Counters: Darleen Keck Caroline Hilpertshauser As you fulfill your commitment to serve, you are fulfilling God s words in 1 Peter 4:10: Each one should use the gift he received to serve others, faithfully administering God s grace in its various forms. Thank you. May God continue to bless you as you serve. Join us for our special Wednesday Advent Services to fill your soul and fill your tummies with a warm and delicious lunch. Sign up at the Sunday Worship Services: December 2, 9*, 16, 23*, and 30 at 9:30am Welcome Center. A free-will Wednesday Advent Services: offering will be available. December 5, 12, and 19: 11:00am worship service Noon lunch December 2: Annual Congregation Meeting December 10: 4:00 pm Women s Guild Christmas Party & Caroling (Bring a toy for the food pantry children) December 23: Children s Christmas Program December 24: 7:00pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship Service* December 31: 7:00pm New Year s Eve Worship Service* * Holy Communion will be celebrated at this service. If you would like to place a poinsettia in the Chancel for Christmas in memory or in honor of someone, Herta is taking orders. Please check the bulletin for details. Fill out the form and make your check payable to Forest Oaks Lutheran Women s Guild. Thank you. Packets for the Voters Assembly meeting were ed and made available at the Welcome Center by November 18 th. If you did not receive one via , please make sure you pick one up prior to the meeting, which is schedule for December 2 nd. Detailed budget information is also available at the Welcome Center. If you have questions about the budget, please contact Jess Ward, prior to the meeting.

3 LEAVES FROM THE FOREST Page 3 Forest Oaks Lutheran Church October 2018 Financial Reports General Fund Operations Income $17,473 Disbursements $21,054 Year-to-Date Accounting Income $225,003 Disbursements $207,858 Budget $220,350 Debt Reduction Loan Principal $3,145 Additional Principal $1,765 Year-to-Date Loan Activity Principal $31,268 Additional Principal $10,508 Loan Balance (Dec. 1) $281,289 Accounting Fund Balances General $53,428 Needy Family $402 Memorial Garden $2,582 Endowment Fund $24,030 Major Rep. Income $759 Major Rep. Balance $11,844 Financial Report - October Income did not reach our budget for October. Expenses were slightly over budget due to electricity usage and additional routine maintenance problems. Our Major Repair budget was well below projections and we need to keep this fund up as we need to start the parking lot repairs in January. Any questions, please contact Jesse Ward at Your 2019 Offering Envelopes will be available for you to pick up in the Narthex, beginning December 1 st. Our Worship Services Attendance Were you among these? September Sunday Services IRMA October Sunday Services Listed below are the number of Communicants who worshipped at God s Altar in 2018 to receive Christ s Body and Blood. September September Oct Oct Oct Pastor s 2018 Bible Class Sept None Oct Children s Sunday School Sept Oct Body and Soul Bible Study - Thursday 9 AM Your 2019 Daily Bible Reading Calendar will be available for you to pick up in the Narthex, beginning December 1 st.

4 Page 4 THIS MONTH ON CHURCH COUNCIL At our November meeting, the Church Council discussed the problems we have been having with the sound system. We approved the use of up to $500 to have a sound professional come in and take a look at the sound system and help us set things up so that it works more consistently. We also approved $900 in funds to be used to put a cement pad in by the front doors where we will put a bench and a nice sitting area. The Council discussed the upcoming Annual LEAVES FROM THE FOREST Voters Meeting that will take place on December 2 nd. The information packets have gone out, and next year s budget is available at the Welcome Center. We received $2,760 in funds to be donated to Thrivent s Hurricane Michael disaster relief fund. Thrivent will match those funds. For further details on what occurred at this month s Church Council meeting, please feel free to read the minutes of the meeting that are posted on the bulletin board each month. Cindy Braun, Congregation Secretary SUNDAY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS: The Women's Guild is sponsoring an Angel Tree for our Sunday School Children. Each child has two angel ornaments on the tree: one for a toy and one for a clothing item. Pick an angel and sign the clip board under the tree telling which child you have and whether a toy or clothing. Spend no more than $20.00, wrap the gift and place the angel ornament on it. Bring in your wrapped gift no later than Dec. 15th, and give it to the Sunday School teacher or put it in office. SING FOR JOY!! Our next event is the Christmas Party and Caroling on December 8 th from 4 to 6 pm in the Fellowship Hall. This is a fund - raiser to provide TOYS for our food pantry children. Please sign up at the Welcome Center. All you need to bring is an hors d'oeuvre and an unwrapped toy (no more than $10) for ages infant to 12 years. Join the fun and fellowship singing for joy. The Choir and Bell Choir will be performing. Dessert will be provided. The Christmas Basket Raffle will be drawn that evening. Look for the baskets and bears in narthex. You don't have to be at the party to win. Bring your spouse or significant other. Invite friends and neighbors---a fun night for a great cause. If you can't make the Party and want to give a toy, just put it in the toy box in narthex. Our FALL FESTIVAL was a success although the traffic to the event was low. We raised over $1, On Wednesday, December 12 th at 9 am the Board of Directors Budget meeting will be in the conference room with Advent service and lunch to follow. Merry Christmas everyone. Your President Bonnie Wright

5 Lutheran Women s Missionary League FL-GA District Mission Grants District Scholarships: $30,000 ~ Pastoral & Church Worker Students 1. Financial Assistance for Concordia Theological Seminary Food & Clothing Co- Op to Purchase Food $10,000 will purchase perishable items for seminarians & their families at Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne, Indiana. 2. Comfort Dog Out-reach Ministry, Faith Marietta, GA - $10,000 will bring the love of Christ to hurting people not only in their immediate community but also to other places in the US in times of tragedy, sadness or stress due to natural and man made disasters. 3. New Beginnings for Children with Learning Needs $10,000 will, along with Lutheran Special Education Ministries, give children having trouble with standardized learning the assistance needed to remain in a Lutheran School setting. LEAVES FROM THE FOREST 4. Redeeming Life Outreach Ministries Transitional Living Program $10,000-will provide a vital program for women who successfully complete the maternity home program to move closer to independence. 5. Lutherans for Life Post- Abortion Crisis Hotline Expansion $ 7,000-will provide Gospel-centered assistance for women and men who have or will have an abortion. The hotline will be expanded to help those who are grieving and are in need of guidance and forgiveness. 6. Preparing Christian Youth for Faithfulness to Christ in a Multi-Cultural World $8,000 will help Christian High School students follow God s clear plan that Christians only marry Christians and to avoid becoming unequally yoked through marriage to non- Christians. 7. Trinity HOPE $10,000 will provide a meal to children that are attending Lutheran schools in Haiti so they may be nourished both physically and spiritually. 8. Feed the Children - Sillapata, Peru $10,000 will be providing food for 180 children throughout the school year in the Huánuco Region of Peru in the Andes. This will help them focus on their lessons as well. 9. Infinite Blessings Scholarship Fund $10,000 will support low income families with Christian Education, promoting academic excellence and personal relationships with God and will prepare children to lead responsible, purpose-filled lives for Christ in multi-cultural Orlando. 10. The Hearts Together Project (Lutheran Counseling Page 5 Services) - $10,000- will support the spiritual and mental health of adults, children and families in local communities by making grace-based licensed therapists and psychoeducation workshops available at churches, easily accessible to congregations and all who they serve. 11. The Community Food Pantry (Sanford, FL) -$4,200. will provide a regular food source to those in need in our neighborhood while allowing us to build bridges into our community that result in meaningful and beneficial relationships so we can share the love of Jesus. 12. New Missionaries to America $ 4, will create new video interviews and blogs of 24 new missionaries to America and publish at least one new biography of a new missionary in Florida-Georgia District in an effort to increase awareness and support. LWML FL-GA District Mite Goal Biennium $133, Please continue to donate $1.00 bills with the letters L for Lord, J for Jesus, and C for Christ. The FOLC congregation donated: 9/21/18: $ for mites 10/16/18: $ for mites 11/11/18: $ for mites

6 Page 6 LEAVES FROM THE FOREST Advent QUILTING FOR CHARITY As we begin this beautiful church season, Lord, please help us to turn our attention to the truly important things in life. Help us focus on the reason we celebrate Christmas. Draw us near to you as we accept this Holy gift of hope and eternal life through Jesus, the baby born in Bethlehem for our sake. May we show you the praise and thanksgiving that fills our hearts by loving each other as you have taught us. Amen. Let me bring you up to date on the events of the past month. In case you haven t heard, the lovely auction quilt was bought by its creator, Christine. The navy blue and white quilt was selected by Gabriele Whitener as a raffle prize when her ticket was drawn on the evening of Oktoberfest. Our second drawing held at the Fall Festival was won by Lonnie Benmore. She chose to exchange it for a custom quilt to be designed soon. (We were unable to take a photo of Gabriele as she was not present for the drawing.) The following quilts were completed this past month and were available for sale at the Fall Festival. Christmas Lonnie wins! Lil s Patchwork Quilt Betty & Karen put this together. Alma s Kids Quilt Three Kid s Quilts sewn by Karen Our tables are set up and ready for Fall Festival Make a wish, Flo! Erna is at her post helping Donna fill out her raffle ticket. While I am on the subject of the Fall Festival, I want to extend our gratitude to all of you who helped us in some way and the wonderful support you showed us by purchasing our wares. We had the best fundraising season we have ever had. We could not do it without your help. We are soon going shopping for all those kids who will be spending their Christmas in the homeless shelters we support each year and the families in the Redeeming Life Maternity Home in Sanford. There will be more on this next month. The quilters found time to celebrate Flo s birthday before the Fall Festival, too. You can see some of the fun here: We ladies of Quilting for Charity wish each of you a very blessed Advent and Christmas Season! We will be taking Christmas Eve and New Year s Eve off. However, if you ever want to come to visit or join our group, please, just stop by the Fellowship Hall any Monday afternoon between 1:00 and 4:00. We welcome your company. Peace and God s blessings to you! Karen We will help you blow!

7 LEAVES FROM THE FOREST Page 7 A big thank you to all those who contributed goodies for the Bake Sale at the Fall Festival. You made my job easy and people always look forward to what we have to offer. Lil Heier A Christmas Prayer Eternal God, this joyful day is radiant with the brilliance of your one true light. May that light illuminate our hearts and shine in our words and deeds. May the hope, the peace, the joy, and the love represented by the birth in Bethlehem fill our lives and become part of all that we say and do. May we share the divine life of your Son Jesus Christ, even as he humbled himself to share our humanity. Let us be thankful for the true gift of Christmas, your Son. In His name we pray. Amen Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:16 Another big thank you to the folks who helped with the Octoberfest which was a huge success. Advent: We will be having our freewill offering soup lunches after our Advent services on December 5, 12, and 19. We need two soup makers each week to make enough for 20 people. We will furnish bread and dessert. Please see Lonnie Benmore or sign up at the Welcome Center. If you plan to stay for lunch after the service, please sign up at the Welcome Center, so we know how to plan. Our Christmas Party will be on December 8 th. Please bring an hors d oeuvre or dessert to share and a toy for the food pantry children. Sign up at the Welcome Center. Lonnie Benmore BODY AND SOUL FOOD MINISTRY NEEDS: cereal saltine crackers canned soup peanut butter jelly canned fruit canned chili stuffing mix canned yams canned sloppy-joe mix pancake mix toilet paper canned beef stew canned potatoes bars of soap canned pasta (Spaghetti-os) plastic bags Volunteers Christmas Gifts for Children With five Tuesdays in October we served 356 families with a total of 961 people, including 247 children and 277seniors. There were 353 repeat families and 3 new families. The families that we served in September came from the following zip codes: Homeless 1 Please remember our food ministry and the people we serve when you shop and in your prayers.

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9 LEAVES FROM THE FOREST Page 9 Memorial and Honor Gifts - through November 18, 2018 Praise God for blessing us through those He s placed in our lives! With Gifts in Memory and Gifts in Honor, you demonstrate your love and appreciation for someone, while contributing to Drawing people to Christ by expanding the reach of the Gospel through various ministries at Forest Oaks. GIFTS IN MEMORY: A memorial gift is a meaningful way for you to celebrate the life of a dear one who has passed on, or express to their family how much they meant to you. We extend our deepest sympathy to families who have recently lost loved ones. Hoping all things that made your loved one a special gift from God will forever bless your life in beautiful memories. God is our refuge and strength...psalm 46:1. In Memory of: Contribution for: Given By: Ruth Bedale Future Maintenance Mr. & Mrs. Lynn Postel Gussie & Gene Garbinski General Fund Ms. Nancy Stentz Wilma Keck Food Pantry Rev. & Mrs. Glenn Fischer, Ms. Darleen Keck, Mr. & Mrs. Stan Benmore, Ms. Norma Karpiscak, Unknown Future Maintenance Mrs. Jackie Bearden, Unknown Milt Pritchard 1½ years in Heaven Food Pantry Ms. Marge Pritchard John Ruggieri Debt Reduction Mr. & Mrs. Lynn Postel Anna Terry Future Maintenance Mr. & Mrs. Lynn Postel, Mr. & Mrs. Jesse Ward GIFTS IN HONOR: An honor gift marks a special occasion or acknowledges someone who has had a significant impact in your life or to praise God for His blessings. It s a great idea for birthdays or anniversaries, or just as a way to say thanks. In Honor of: Contribution for: Given By: Mary Lou Kading s Birthday Food Pantry Mr. Derald Kading Christmas Meditation The Christmas story began in the little town of Bethlehem, in a manger. It was there, in the most humble of circumstances, that God fulfilled His Old Testament promise by offering salvation to the world. The Christ child changed the world forever, and He can do the same for us. On this Christmas day, we, like the shepherds of old, are called to celebrate the birth of the baby named Jesus. May we, like those shepherds, leave our fields-wherever they may be-and pause to worship God s priceless Christmas gift: His Son. The Christmas Holidays are a time of celebration. The dawn of Christmas, after all, represents a fresh start for mankind, a new beginning, an opportunity for life abundant and life eternal. May we, as believers, never allow the demands of the season obscure the real reason for our celebration: the coming of our Savior and the fulfillment of God s promises.

10 Page 10 LEAVES FROM THE FOREST If you know of a FOLC member, a family member or friend who is ill or in the hospital, please let the church office ( ) and Marilyn Nibert ( ) know right away. The names will be placed on the Prayer List for one month and will be removed if the office or Marilyn is not updated. Lyla, our church secretary, is a Notary Public and can notarize your documents. There is no charge for this service, but PLEASE CALL first, if you want her to notarize something for you, to make sure she will be in the office and have her notary seal with her. Our Church Office Hours: Monday through Friday 9:00 am - 1:00 pm (Monday is Pastor s Day off) *Hours may vary occasionally. PLEASE NOTE: The church office is closed Saturday and Sunday. If you call on these days, you will get our answering machine. No one will answer the phone, so please leave a message and your call will be returned on Monday. We are still collecting the following items: 1. UPCs from Campbell s soup labels. The Sunday School gets free stuff for all we send in. 2. Used ink cartridges 3. Used eyeglasses 4. Coupons for Food Pantry 5. Labels for Education 6. Aluminum cans for F.O.C.U.S. 7. Box Tops for Education* 8. Aluminum Tabs from soda cans* Containers are in the Fellowship Hall. *Donation boxes are at the Welcome Center. ATTENTION! All articles for the weekly Bulletin and slides MUST be in by 1:00 PM on Wednesday if you want it included for that week. Please send or give your item to Lyla in writing. Thank you. It is very important to check with the Secretary in the church office before you schedule a meeting or event. Our members always take precedence over the outside groups/organizations that meet here. We just have to be sure and alert them to any changes that have to be made. Another reason for checking first before scheduling is that you may not be aware of another church meeting or activity that is already on the calendar. Thank you for your kind consideration and cooperation in the scheduling process! Have you moved? Did you disconnect your land line? Did you change your address? Did you get married? Did you have a baby? Did you get a divorce? Do you wonder why the church has not been connecting with you? Please let us know when you have an address change, change, phone number change, change in family status, etc. If you have an address, please send an to our office: folcoffice2@tampabay.rr.com and your name will be added to our contact list. That way we can let you know of sick members and cancellations of church activities. You can also get our newsletter and send in any prayer requests or information to the church. WE ARE ON THE WEB AT: December 23

11 LEAVES FROM THE FOREST Page 11 December Birthday* Blessings to: 01 Judy Mackiney 03 Erna Bunker Maddie Lewis 08 Carole Kaminske 09 Marilyn Nibert 10 Craig Harmon 11 Don Mielke 12 Vivian Witte 16 Gus Luers 20 Al Poholek LaVonne Weinkoetz 21 Mary Olson Lauren Wright 22 Jessica Wright 24 Norma Miller 25 Mary Angrisani 26 Carmen Millan Karen Postel 27 Phil Pratzner 30 Orville Carrow 31 Scott Blackburn Praying God will bless you with a very special day, and through all of your tomorrows, bring many more your way. God Bless your day! December Anniversary* Blessings to: 03 Fred & Diane Sims 05 Karl & Eleanore Lataxes 20 Robert & Kathleen Guarante 29 Randy & Colleen Mueller Walt & Betty Neumann * If you don t see your birthday or anniversary listed or you prefer not to have the date included please contact the church office. Call, , or write it down and leave it in Lyla s box in the hallway. Thank you. The church needs offering counters, greeters and ushers for next year. We also need someone to take the lead with these important volunteers. If you can help an any of these areas, please contact Judy Ward or Darleen Keck.

12 2 First Sunday in Advent 9 Second Sunday in Advent 16 Third Sunday in Advent 23 Fourth Sunday in Advent 24 Christmas Eve 31 New Year s Eve 25 Christmas 26 St. Stephen 21 St. Thomas 28 Holy Innocents, S U N D A Y M O N D A Y T U E S D A Y W E D N E S D A Y T H U R S D A Y F R I D A Y S A T U R D A Y Forest Oaks Lutheran Church 2018 Annual Voters Meeting Worship-9:30am Voters Meeting after service Mites Sunday Worship-9:30 am ** Fellowship after service Sunday School-10:45am Bible Class-11:00am Nametag Sunday Worship-9:30am Fellowship after service Sunday School-10:45am Bible Class-11:00am Children s Program Worship-9:30 am ** Fellowship after service Sunday School-10:45am Bible Class-11:00am Newsletter Deadline 30 Worship-9:30am Fellowship after service Sunday School-10:45am Bible Class-11:00am 3 Quilters-1:00pm 10 Quilters-1:00pm 17 Quilters-1:00pm Worship-7:00pm** Worship-7:00pm** 4 TOPS-8:00am Food Ministry-9:00am 11 TOPS-8:00am Food Ministry-9:00am Finance Comm.-9:00am 18 TOPS-8:00am Food Ministry-9:00am Office Closed Food Ministry-Closed 5 Advent Service-11:00am (lunch follows service) W.I.S.E-6:30pm 12 Women s Guild Board Budget Mtg-9:00am Advent Service-11:00am (lunch follows service) W.I.S.E-6:30pm 19 Advent Service-11:00am (lunch follows service) W.I.S.E-6:30pm W.I.S.E-6:30pm 6 Body & Soul Bible Study 9:00am Crafts Group-9:00am Handbell Choir-5:30pm Choir-7:00pm 13 Bible Study 9:00am Crafts Group-9:00am Accordion Club-1:00pm Handbell Choir-5:30pm Choir-7:00pm 20 Bible Study 9:00am Crafts Group-9:00am Produce drop-9:00am Handbell Choir-5:30pm Choir-7:00pm **Holy Communion will be celebrated at this service 27 Body & Soul Bible Study 9:00am Crafts Group-9:00am Accordion Club-1:00pm Handbell Choir-5:30pm Choir-7:00pm 7 H.C.I.G. Mtg.-6:30pm 14 Illinois Club-12:30pm Winter begins Martyrs 1 8 Women s Guild Christmas Party & Caroling-4:00pm :00am 10:00am