The Visitor December 2018

Transcription

1 The Visitor December 2018 The Newsletter for Bethany Lutheran Church 5303 Madison Avenue Bethel Park, PA (412) To messages to the office: WORSHIP SERVICE EACH SUNDAY WITH HOLY COMMUNION WILL BE AT 11:15 A.M. UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER AT BETHANY (Look inside The Visitor for more information on each event) CONGREGATIONAL MEETING Sunday, December 2 nd immediately following Worship Services The purpose of this meeting is for the election of Congregational Council for 2018 MUTUAL MINISTRY MEETING Wednesday, December 5 th at 6:30 P.M. EVANGELISM COMMITTEE MEETING Thursday, December 6 th at 7:00 P.M. WOMEN OF THE BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON Tuesday, December 11 th at 12:00 Noon BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH WOMEN S GROUP RAFFLE A beautiful tribute to Fred Rogers and his beloved Neighborhood Quilt to be raffled off at BLCW s Christmas Luncheon! WORSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING Wednesday, December 12 th at 6:00 P.M. PARISH EDUCATION MEETING Thursday, December 13 th at 7:00 P.M. BETHANY QUARTERLY POTLUCK BREAKFAST Sunday, December 16, 2018 at 9:45 AM to 10:45 AM STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING Thursday, December 20 th at 7:00 P.M. CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT WORSHIP Monday, December 24 th at 7:00 P.M. COUNCIL MEETING (Tentative Subject to Change) Thursday, December 27 th at 7:00 P.M. OFFICE CLOSURE Terry Simony will be out of the office December 24 th thru December 31 st. In observance of the Christmas, the church office will be closed Tuesday, December 25 th and, in observance of New Year s Day, the church office will be closed Tuesday, January 1 st. We will resume regular office hours Wednesday, January 2 nd. MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A BLESSED NEW YEAR FROM TERRY SIMONY & FAMILY! 1

2 From the desk of the Pastor I thought it would be fun to look at some the traditions that we see around the world and how they celebrate Christmas or the Christmas season. You may know more of them, however this is an interesting cross section. Do any of these look familiar to you? How do you "observe" Christmas? Enjoy it, let it infiltrate your heart. The greatest gift that God has ever given us.jesus. Christmas Traditions in Australia. In Australia, December 25 falls during summer vacation, so many of the country's Christmas festivities take place outdoors. The most popular event of the Christmas season is called Carols by Candlelight. People come together at night to light candles and sing Christmas carols outside. The stars shining above add to the sights and sounds of this wonderful outdoor concert. Christmas Traditions in China. The small number of Christians in China call Christmas Sheng Dan Jieh, which means Holy Birth Festival. They decorate their homes with evergreens, posters, and bright paper chains. Families put up a Christmas tree, called a "tree of light," and decorate it with beautiful lanterns, flowers, and red paper chains that symbolize happiness. They cut out red pagodas to paste on the windows, and they light their houses with paper lanterns, too. Christmas Traditions in England. It is cold, wet, and foggy in England at Christmastime. The day before Christmas is very busy for families in England. They wrap presents, bake cookies, and hang stockings over the fireplace. Then everyone gathers around the tree as someone tells a classic holiday story, "A Christmas Carol." Children write a letter to Father Christmas with their wishes and toss their letter into the fire so their wishes can go up the chimney. After the children fall asleep on Christmas Eve, Father Christmas comes to visit. Christmas Traditions in Ethiopia. Ethiopia follows the ancient Julian calendar, so Ethiopians celebrate Christmas on January 7. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church's celebration of Christ's birth is called Ganna. It is a day when families attend church. Everyone dresses in white. Most Ethiopians don a traditional shamma -- a thin, white cotton wrap with brightly colored stripes across the ends. Twelve days after Ganna, on January 19, Ethiopians begin the three-day celebration called Timkat, which commemorates the baptism of Christ. Christmas Traditions in France. Christmas celebrations France begin on December 5, which is St. Nicholas Eve, but Christmas Eve is the most special time in the French celebration of Christmas. Church bells ring and voices sing French carols, called noels. On Christmas Day, families go to church and then enjoy an abundant feast of wonderful dishes, ending with the traditional buche de Noel, a rich buttercream-filled cake shaped and frosted to look like a Yule log. Christmas Traditions in Germany. German families prepare for Christmas throughout cold December. Four Sundays before Christmas, they make an Advent wreath of fir or pine branches that has four colored candles. They light a candle on the wreath each Sunday, sing Christmas songs, and eat Christmas cookies. In the weeks leading up to Christmas, homes are filled with the delightful smells of baking loaves of sweet bread, cakes filled with candied fruits, and spicy cookies called lebkuchen. Christmas Traditions in Holland. Dutch children in Holland, or the Netherlands, eagerly await the arrival of Sinterklaas on St. Nicholas Day on December 6. Sinterklaas is a kindly bishop. He wears red robes and a tall, pointed mitre on his head. Sinterklaas travels by ship from Spain to Amsterdam's harbor every winter. He brings his white horse and a huge sack full of gifts for the children. Families celebrate St. Nicholas Eve at home with lots of good food, hot chocolate, and a letterbanket, a "letter cake" made in the shape of the first letter of the family's last name. Christmas Traditions in Italy. The Christmas season in Italy begins on the first Sunday of Advent, which is four Sundays before Christmas. Christmas fairs feature fireworks and bonfires along with holiday music. Families go to the Christmas markets to shop for gifts and new figures for the manger scene. Some families set up a Christmas tree and decorate it. Families set up their presepio, or manger scene, on the first day of the novena. They gather before the presepio each morning or evening of novena to light candles and pray. Christmas Traditions in Mexico. The weather is warm and mild in Mexico during the Christmas season. Families shop for gifts, ornaments, and good things to eat in the market stalls, called puestos. They decorate their homes with lilies and evergreens. Family members cut intricate designs in brown paper bags to make lanterns, or farolitos. They place a candle inside and then set the farolitos along sidewalks, on windowsills, and on rooftops and outdoor walls to illuminate the community with the spirit of Christmas. 2

3 Christmas Traditions in Spain. The Christmas season begins in Spain on December 8, with a weeklong observance of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Evergreens decorate the churches and outdoor markets throughout the Christmas season. Tambourines, gourd rattles, castanets, and miniature guitars are offered for sale to enliven the singing and dancing in the streets. Children go from house to house reciting verses or singing carols for sweets, toys, or small instruments. Christmas Traditions in Sweden. In Sweden, the Christmas festivities begin on December 13 with St. Lucia's Day, which celebrates the patron saint of light. The eldest daughter gets up before dawn and dresses as the "Queen of Light" in a long white dress. She wears a crown of leaves. Singing "Santa Lucia," the Lucia Queen goes to every bedroom to serve coffee and treats to each member of the family. The younger children in the family help, too. The whole family helps to select the Christmas tree just a day or two before Christmas. Dear people of God: Let us enter this season vulnerable and in faith, certain that God is ushering in a future beginning with a vulnerable family bearing the Christ to us, Jesus, our anchor today and our anchor in the future. As he is always ahead of us, let us follow! Maranatha, Come, Lord Jesus! +Pastor Melba 3

4 THOSE WHO SERVE THIS MONTH Greeters: 11:15 A.M. Nena & Nick Kratsas WORSHIP SERVICE SUNDAY SCHEDULE Date Communion Asst. 11:15 AM Reader 11:15 AM Acolyte 11:15 AM 12/2 Jane Scheeser (children reading) Megan Turske 12/9 Michael Unger Deborah Wanamaker Giovanna Wigand 12/16 Rich Dowell Michele Dowell Jason Turske 12/23 Don McIntyre Mark Kuehl Arlo Yarroll 12/24 Sydney Litzenburger 12/30 Jane Scheeser Christmas Eve 7:00pm Nena Kratsas Lessons & Carols Service Dawn Hanna, Nena Kratsas & Deborah Wanamaker (3 readers) FLOWERS AND ETERNAL CANDLE Hunter Wigand & Giovanna Wigand Allison Hanna & Lauren Hanna 12/2 Eric & Kelly Keiser and Family To the Glory of God 12/9 The Currie & Stewart Families In Loving Memory of Father and Grandfather 12/16 OPEN 12/23 OPEN 12/30 OPEN Eternal Candle The Irwin Family In Honor of Brian You may either take the flowers with you after the service, or if you prefer, you may leave them on the altar. Cost of flowers is $60 ($30/arrangement) per Sunday. Cost of the eternal candle is $20 per month. FLOWERS AND ETERNAL CANDLE There are several dates still available for flowers and the Eternal Candle. Please check the Flower Chart in the Narthex. The cost per arrangement is $ USHERS SCHEDULE FOR DECEMBER Leigh Brooks, Nick Kratsas and Joan Anthony OFFERING COUNTERS SCHEDULE FOR DECEMBER The Offering Counters for the month of December are Nick Kratsas and Chuck Conn. PRAYER CHAIN Anyone wishing to be on the Bethany Prayer Chain, please contact Cathy Irwin by at or Terry Simony in the Bethany Church Office by phone:

5 IMPORTANT INFORMATION M.O.M. (MISSION OF THE MONTH) (There will be one cause for each month of the year) The focus for the month of December is ELCA World Relief. As a ministry, ELCA World Hunger helps reach communities most in need throughout the world. From health clinics, food pantries to soup kitchens, advocacy to community organizing your gifts are supporting meaningful solutions that get at the root causes of hunger. CHRISTMAS COOKIES FOR A CAUSE Over 3,000 homemade cookies traditional Christmas, ethnic, seasonal, and many more will be for sale Saturday, December 15 th from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon. Meals on Wheels at the Crossroads Donaldson s Crossroads 3909 Washington Road, Suite 201 McMurray, PA FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES IT S BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH WOMEN S ANNUAL QUILT RAFFLE TIME! This Year, you are invited to take a chance (or chances) on a beautiful tribute to Fred Rogers and his beloved Neighborhood. Designed and crafted by Eve Yarroll, this large, colorful quilt is hanging in the vestibule for your inspection. We think you will agree that Eve, using images and symbols, has successfully captured the spirit of this man. It is especially fitting that proceeds from this raffle will be used for charitable causes within the church, the community, and the world, through our ties with Lutheran World Relief. Ticket sales will end on Tues., Dec. 11, 2018 when the winning ticket will be drawn at the women s Christmas luncheon. Ticket price: $1.00 each or six tickets for $5.00. Look for our sales person as you enter or leave church. Questions? Call Grenith Fisher, WOMEN OF THE BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON REMINDER!!! Tuesday, December 11 th at 12:00 Noon Anne s Chop House at 2783 South Park Road, Bethel Park Phone: Reservations: Please submit yours, along with prepayment by cash or check to Sandy Lutz or Grenith Fisher by December 7 th Tickets: Adults - $17.00; Children 10 or under - $8.50 (Any questions, please contact Grenith Fisher at ) If you are interested in participating in the optional gift exchange, please bring a $5.00 wrapped gift. If you are bringing a small child, please bring a small gift for him or her to open. The women of Bethany work hard all year. This special occasion is our chance to relax and enjoy a good meal, and a good time together. We welcome you, and friends or family members as well, to join us as we take this time to enjoy each other s company. We ll miss you if you aren t there! 5

6 Let s do coffee Monday mornings 8:30 am Panera Bread South Park Shops Why? No reason Who? You Topic? Whatever Let s get together just because. Join me for good conversation - Bring a friend +Melba BETHANY QUARTERLY POTLUCK BREAKFAST Sunday, December 16, :45 AM to 10:45 AM We will all meet in the fellowship hall to eat and socialize before worship. It s potluck, so we all eat what everyone brings. There will be no Sunday School lesson that day but rumor has it the Sunday School kids will entertain us with some Christmas Carols. SOUTH HILLS INTERFAITH MOVEMENT (SHIM) South Hills Interfaith Movement (SHIM) is a human services organization dedicated to improving the lives of people in need across the South Hills area. SHIM's mission is to empower individuals and families to achieve stability and selfsufficiency by offering short-term help with basic needs, including food, clothing and utilities. Long-term assistance to help people build and sustain promising futures includes employment, financial planning, youth programs, and family support. Through the years, Bethany Lutheran Church and SHIM have had a long standing relationship. We have collected food, Angel Tree items, clothing, and monetary donations. Now more than ever SHIM needs our support. Each Sunday we will be collecting a certain item to be donated to SHIM. We have found that when people are given something specific to shop for, the mission is much more successful. The following items will be collected in the Bethany Lutheran narthex: DECEMBER 2: Shampoo DECEMBER 16: Toothbrush DECEMBER 9: Toothpaste DECEMBER 23: Bar Soap DECEMBER 30: Deodorant Together we can make a difference in the lives of many of our South Hills neighbors in need. Together we bless the lives of our brothers and sisters in Christ, and God smiles. Peace, Bethany Lutheran Church Liaisons to South Hills Interfaith Movement 6

7 PARISH EDUCATION CONFIRMATION BEGINS IN SEPTEMBER! Parents of students who will be in seventh grade or above for the school year, We will begin confirmation in September and we need to know just who will be attending. Please contact Pastor Melba with your information at or CONGREGATIONAL MEMBERS: Confirmation begins in September and we need YOU! Mentors for the students is such an important part of their confirmation. Would you prayerfully consider being a mentor for one of the students? Let Pastor know if you would be interested or would like additional information. CELEBRATIONS WITHIN OUR CONGREGATION IN DECEMBER Happy Birthday to the following individuals: 1-December Michael Vargo 10-December Diane Handshue 22-December Rachael Schreiber 4-December Cathy Irwin 10-December Bill Ripper 24-December Carolyn Petrovich 4-December Lisa Unger 18-December Deborah Wanamaker 28-December RJ Handshue 6-December Matthew Monte 19-December Kris Volpatti 31-December Scott Hirschman 8-December Ruth Lipinski 21-December Nena Kratsas Happy Anniversary to the following individuals: 1-December Stephanie & Patrick Corbett 1-December Kris & Dan Volpatti 28-December Sharon & Leigh Brooks 29-December Pat & Bill Van Kirk NEWSLETTER If you have information that you would like to appear in the newsletter, please either the information to Terry Simony at admin@blcbp.org, or drop it off at the church NO LATER THAN MONDAY, DECEMBER 17 TH BY 10:00 A.M., for the JANUARY NEWSLETTER. 7

8 Bethany Lutheran Church December 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 9:45am: Parish Ed. 11:15am: Worship 3 6:30pm: Scout Leader Meeting 4 5 6:30pm: Mutual Ministry 7:00pm: Choir Practice 6 6:00pm: Scout Mtg. 7:00pm: Evangelism Meeting 7 8 5:00pm: Scout Mtg. 9 9:45am: Parish Ed. 11:15am: Worship Noon: BLCW Luncheon 12 6:00pm: Worship & Music Meeting 7:00pm: Choir Practice 13 6:15pm: Scout Mtg. 7:00pm: Parish Ed :00pm: Scout Mtg. 16 9:45am: POTLUCK BREAKFAST 17 Newsletter Items Due By 10:00 a.m :00pm: Choir Practice :00pm: Stewardship Meeting 11:15am: Worship 5:00pm: Scout Mtg. 23 9:45am: Parish Ed. 11:15am: Worship Christmas :00pm: Council (Tentative) Christmas Eve 7:00pm:Candlelight Worship 30 9:45am: Parish Ed. 11:15am: Lessons & Carols 31 New Year s Eve 8