NOVEMBER Can We Deny Anyone the Truth? Did you know there is a day set apart to recognize the work of Bible translation?

Transcription

1 NOVEMBER 2018 Can We Deny Anyone the Truth? Did you know there is a day set apart to recognize the work of Bible translation? In 1966, Wycliffe Bible Translators founder Cameron Townsend shared an idea with Oklahoma Senator Fred Harris. "September 30 is Saint Jerome's Day," Townsend said. "He's the first translator of the whole Bible. I thought maybe we could get the House and Senate to pass a resolution calling for the President to proclaim September 30 as Bible Translation Day." Senator Harris liked the idea and agreed to propose the resolution in the Senate. The resolution passed! On September 30, 1966, a ceremony was held to proclaim that day as Bible Translation Day. And since the Apache New Testament had recently been completed, Townsend decided they should present that translation as part of the ceremony. It was arranged for Britton Goode, the Apache who had helped the translators, to present the Scriptures to Senator Harris and to Congressman Ben Reifel, a Sioux Indian from South Dakota. Reifel had witnessed firsthand the impact that owning the Bible had on his mother who spoke only broken English, and used the Sioux Bible to teach her children about God. On this special occasion, William Cameron spoke these inspiring words. "We are making history. By God's grace and with his help, we are taking part in a tremendous enterprise. The enterprise is Bible translation; the goal is hearts changed by God, and disciples equipped to lead others to Christ. But before any translation can be done, before any change comes in a heart, we must overcome physical and language barriers. The language barrier is difficult to overcome. But it must be done. The Holy Spirit, speaking through the apostle John, says, 'After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb.' (Revelation 7:9) We believe God has called us to help make this verse come true...many don't realize how Bible translation is still needed around the world." It is estimated that there are about 6,819 spoken languages in the world, of which more than 2,700 are yet to have even a single Bible verse printed. Is not this the work we are to be supporting? We have the truth about God, from God in a language we can read. What a precious gift! I propose we support the work of Bible translation in 2019 so that others will have the truth in their language. Pastor Ostafinski THANKSGIVING SERVICES Communion Service 11/21 - Wednesday 6:30PM Communion Service 11/22 - Thursday -Thanksgiving Day 9AM

2 Circle will meet on Tuesday, Nov. 6 in the Parish Hall, 12:00 Noon. Come One, Come All as we enjoy a luncheon followed by a Bible Devotion, looking back at Oct. happenings and what November and December will bring. LWML Sunday: Thanks to Pastor O. for including the work of the many mission projects and the purpose of the LWML for which all LCMS women (18 and over) are members. The IN District Grants were included on an insert charted by Tracy. Those attending the convention were able to hear the words of missionaries presented with love for sharing the Word of God and reaching out to all peoples. The Mission work does not stop there, but carries on within our own Valparaiso Zone. On October 16th several of our Circle/LWML ladies traveled to Faith LCMS in DeMotte. As with these Spring and Fall Rallies, we are blessed with fellowship, devotion, Pastor Hauter, our Valparaiso Zone Counselor, Bible Study, "The Incarnation and Value of Life". Speakers, Katie Camus and Lauren Mauk explained their vision of a place where adult (18 and over)pregnant women could go when they have no place to call home. It took several years to make their dream a reality and a brand new facility in Lowell, IN. A collection was taken and the in-gathering of food and personal care items were also donated by the Zone LWMLers. Their hope was to house 4-6 women through a one year stay, teaching them the basics of living on their own and becoming an independent mother. This mission God has laid on their lives: Mommy's Haven. November 4th is the last day to order Butter Braids. Thanks to Edna O. and Tracy T. December brings Advent and the Noon Luncheons (for which we seek volunteers for December 5, 12, and 19.) INDIANA LWML Retreat: March 29-30, 2019 in Plainfield, IN with speaker: Katie Schuermann. SPRING RALLY, Valparaiso Zone: April 30, 2019 Immanuel, Michigan City. 2

3 Butter Braids will be sold after each worship service on Sundays until November 4th. The cost is $14 & $15. Delivery date is scheduled for November 16, Friday. Payment is due at the time you place your order. Please make checks out to Heritage Circle. Please see Edna Ostafinski. Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Gift Please return filled Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes by Sunday, November 4. They may be placed on the table along the back wall of the fellowship hall. Upcoming Advent Services-December Wednesdays - 11:30A & 6:30P 12/5 12/12 12/19 (Lunch to follow 11:30A service) Sunday School Christmas Program Sunday - 9A 12/23 3

4 NEW FRONT DOOR 4

5 HERITAGE SISTERS Thursday, November 1, Heritage Sisters is hosting a guest speaker in the Fellowship Hall. Come join us for a presentation by Beth Germann about Kids Alive International and its work in Guatemala with women. It will be an eye-opener? Doors (Institute St.) will be open at 6:30pm with refreshments and the program will be from 7-8pm. RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE FOOD PANTRY Our food collected in November 2018 will go to the Immanuel Food Pantry. Please remember the Monthly Food Pantry Boxes for non-perishable food items are now located in the back of the parish hall in the room marked Food Pantry. They are distributed on a rotating monthly basis to one of these pantries: Valparaiso/Immanuel, Kouts, and Westchester/Chesterton. These vital supplies are needed year round, not just during the holidays. Thank you one and all. The next Red Cross Blood Drive will be on THURSDAY, November 29, 2018 from 4-7:30 p.m. If you have any questions or have not had an opportunity to sign up as a donor, a host or hostess, please see Betty Lippert. Watch for sign up sheet. Thank you to those who helped out and donated blood on October 3. 5

6 2018 MISSIONS January 1 - October 21, 2018: Raised 2018 Goal Comfort Dogs-Work in crisis situations as well as hospitals & nursing homes. First Contact-Helping the needy in Porter County Women s Center of NWI -Offers pregnancy testing, ultrasound, maternity and baby supplies. Worship Anew-30 minute Lutheran television worship service every Sunday. Lutheran World Relief -Relieve suffering and poverty around the world. DaySpring Center-Provides daytime services for women (and their children) who are struggling with homelessness. HERITAGE MISSIONS WHICH ARE LINE ITEMS IN OUR 2017 BUDGET Indiana District/Synod Missions LCMS Missions-Jamielynn Tinkey $830 $1000 $1080 $1000 $745 $1000 $1215 $1000 $1020 $1000 $955 $1000 $6030 $8500 $1220 $2500 6

7 Elders: 4 Mark Busse, Dan Amling 18-Dan Amling, Bill Bailey 22(Thanksgiving Day-9A)- Ushers: 4 Paul Flasch, Bill Maar, Linda McMillan, Bill Pierce 11, 18, 22-Gary Connors, Suzie Connors, Ron Montania, Scott Schafer 25-Wally Koeppen, Bruce Gallagher, Butch Werner, Jim Kalinke, Kraig Tonne, Robbie Gibson, Caleb Downs Coffee Servers 4, 11-Donna Bowers, Lisa Santay, Marlene Bartholomew, Linda McMillan 18,25-Dale & Gayle Sandquist, Karen Silhavy, Jo Nutt Greeters: 4-Jo Woods 11 Jo Woods 18 Scott & Monica Schafer 22(Thanksgiving Day 9A)- 25-Marlene Bartholomew Altar Guild Flo Koenig, Virginia Reidenbach Acolyte: 4-John Koeppen 11-Raegan O Halek 18-Ross Saunders 25-Danny Welsh Trustee: 4-Chip Thompson 11, 18 Neal Arndt 22(Thanksgiving Day-9A)-Steve Michaels, Jon Kruger 25-Jon Kruger Library: 4-Dennis & Diane Clemens 11-Lisa Santay 18-Linda McMillan 25-Sandy Peters 7 Heritage Lutheran Church 308 Washington St Valparaiso IN Website: heritagelc@heritagelutheran.comcastbiz.net Rev. Joe Ostafinski, Pastor (cell) Sunday Services: 9 AM Worship; 10 AM Fellowship; Office hours: Monday Friday 9AM Noon

8 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 4 9A-Communion Service 10:30A-S.S./Bible Hour/ Confirmation Class/Youth Group 11 9A-Worship Service Breakfast to follow service 10:30A S.S./Bible Hour/ Confirmation Class/Youth 10:30A-Trustees Meeting 18 9A-Communion Service 10:30A-S.S/ Confirmation Class/Youth Group 10:30A-Voters Meeting 4P-Outreach Team Meeting 25 9A-Worship Service 10:30A-S.S./Youth Group/ Bible Hour/Confirmation Class 5 November 7P-Choir 12 7P-Choir 19 Dec. Newsletter Articles Due 7P-Choir 26 4th 7P-Choir Fall Pastors Conference Indy 6 Noon-Circle/LWML 6P-Elders Mtg 7P-Bd. Of Parish Ed :30P-Council Meeting 7 9A-Men s Bible Study 9A-Women s Bible Class 6:30P-Lutheran A-Men s Bible Study 9A-Women s Bible Class 6:30P-Lutheran 101 9A-Men s Bible Study 9A-Women s Bible Class 6:30P-Communion Service A-Men s Bible Study 9A-Women s Bible Class 6:30P-Lutheran :30P-Heritage Sisters Kids Alive Presentation Thanksgiving Day 9A-Communion Service Office Closed :30P-Blood Drive 23 Office Closed 30 6:30P-Men s Homeless Shelter 11A-Baptism 24 8

9 Our Mission statement is to engage the congregation to reach out through God's love to serve the community and to bring people to Christ. God has called all Christians to carry His message of hope and salvation into a world urgently in need of good news. Greeters December greeters schedule is up. If you would like to volunteer please sign-up at the Outreach bulletin board in the parish hall. Please arrive by 8:45 on your designated Sunday, put on the greeter badge, and say hello. We ask that you stay by the door until 9:05 to greet anyone running late. MEN S HOMELESS SHELTER - NOVEMBER 10 With winter coming much sooner than we wish, it is the time of year we are starting to think about our efforts to reach out to those less fortunate. Heritage has for the last several years taken part in the Men's Homeless Shelter effort. Church s all over Valparaiso sponsor a place for homeless men to get a warm place to sleep and a hot meal each night. Working with Immanuel Lutheran Church, we provide a place to sleep and a hot meal. Volunteers to staff this effort are always needed. If you have any questions please see Ehren Plew or Ken Hughart. SALVATION ARMY Outreach is in need of the boxes (the ones that holds 10 reams of paper) with lids for use in filling the Salvation Army food boxes that we donate in December. Please put those boxes on the stage anytime from October thru the middle of November. We appreciate it very much. We will have them wrapped and ready for you to fill by the end of November and turned in no later than Dec. 16 th. If you have any questions, please contact Marlene Bartholomew at

10 Sunday School News JESUS IS OUR GUIDE! Rally Day was a success! We are so proud of our kids for singing to the glory of God! During October we continued our lessons on the Lord s Prayer. Here is what they ve learned: We can be a part of God s kingdom. God s desires and plans should guide our prayers. We ask God to provide for our needs. We can ask God for forgiveness and He asks us to forgive others. Mrs. Thompson leads the children in a re-creation of Paul s journey to Macedonia found in Act 16. Sunday School is filling the cross with our offerings for Hannah s Hope. We are thankful to Mary and Mike, Hannah s parents, who spoke to our kids during the Sunday School hour on Rally Day. The children asked some great questions! Did you know Hannah s Hope funded and created the first fully accessible playground in the Midwest? This playground is located at Founders Square Park in Portage, IN. Also, the organization hosts some fun family-friendly events. On November 10 from 9AM-3PM Hannah s Hope will host their 9 th Annual Craft and Vendor Fair at Portage High school located at 6450 US Hwy 6. 10