We Care Because He Cares! 2401 S. Tamiami Trail Venice, Florida (941)

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1 HE MESSENGER LAKESIDE LUTHERAN We Care Because He Cares! 2401 S. Tamiami Trail Venice, Florida (941) JANUARY, 2019 EDITION Greeting to a new year. What will God have in store for 2019? I hope and pray many lives will be touched, encouraged, and changed by the good and powerful Gospel of our Savior and Lord. Can you guess where I am? For the next year I will try and write my newsletter article from a different location. When I look up today I see people putting together worship bulletins. I see people stapling worship programs. I see people putting candles together for the Christmas Eve worship service. I even hear one person singing Deck the Halls with a beautiful voice. Have you guessed where I am? No matter where I am I have good news for you. No matter where 2019 takes us we have Jesus. He goes with us. It is even better when we go where He sends us. Going where He sends us is often the struggle (it has been for me and my family). It is one thing to desire to move, but to be moved by the will of God is not always easy. Just ask Paul, Jonah, and Peter. God seems to send you where people need your gifts and your talents. Gifts and talents that flow through the love of Jesus Christ empowered by the Holy Spirit. Do you see where God is sending you? Whether we see it or not He is sending us. Perhaps the question of knowing where you are now can help you see where you are being sent by God with your special gifts, talents and faith. Following Jesus calling is not an activity or a program, it is a privilege. God has called you in your baptism. He has called you in the Word. He has called you by the Holy Spirit. He has enlighten you with the Gospel. He has gifted you in many ways. He does the ministry of the Gospel through you. How lovely is that? In 2019 God will be doing miracles through you whether you see them or not (because you belong to Jesus). What will those miracles look like? You can see the first one today when you look in a mirror. There you see a loved, saved, and sent miracle of Jesus. Happy New Year! You are a miracle of God himself. Pastor Dahlke WINTER WORSHIP SCHEDULE Traditional 8 a.m. in the Sanctuary Contemporary 9:30a.m. in the Sanctuary Traditional 11 a.m. in the Sanctuary MISSION STATEMENT United by the all-embracing love of the Triune God, our purpose is to know and share Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and through the enabling power of the Holy Spirit become more active, responsible, caring members of this church, carrying out our part of His mission. WINTER OFFICE HOURS Monday - Thursday 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. Friday 8:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.

2 A message from Stewardship We have just celebrated Christmas whereby, gifts are the norm. For those of us in the Church, it is about the ultimate gift of all time: The Word became flesh and dwelt among us (JOHN 1:14). There is no greater gift given in creation than the gift of the long-promised Messiah, Jesus Christ! The ultimate end of this divine gift is a gift most precious: life and salvation. For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that who so ever believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life (JOHN 3:16). We receive our gifts from God, and thus, as (good stewards of His varied grace,) (1 Peter 4:10) we manage them in such a way that they may be returned to Him. We bring them to Him, hallowed through prayers of thanksgiving and God s holy Word, as an offering. Thus, all our possessions, as gifts from God, are also offerings to Him, from which we eat to nourish our bodies, share with our family, neighbors, and fellow Christians, with the poor and even our enemies, as holy things given by the holy God. This past summer Lakeside was faced with some serious maintenance challenges to the buildings on our campus. We discovered mold in the sacristy and office area. In addition, termite problems were found at Myer Hall. An engineering firm was retained to determine the causes all the issues and recommend solutions. The mold was a result of two faulty A/C units, an inefficient ventilation system, and worn insulation thereby allowing excessive moisture to enter the sacristy and offices. In addition, the roof is twenty plus years old and subject to leakage. Fortunately the termite infestation was limited to Myer Hall. The cost of the remediation and fixes to prevent a recurrence of the mold problems were estimated at $150,000 - $170,000. The Council voted to seek ways to fund the project(s). Our prayers were answered in that the LCEF (Lutheran Church Extension Fund) offered a special program that would allow qualifying congregations to borrow up to $150,000 with a 2% interest for two years, after which the rate would increase to 4% for up to 10 years. Lakeside s cleanup and repair needs was the kind of project the LCEF loan were designed for. The Council unanimously voted to move forward, with the understanding that special stewardship drive to fully repay the LCEF loan would be incorporated into the 2019 stewardship program. To that end we are asking the congregation to pledge an amount over and above their regular stewardship pledge to retire this debt. The pledge to retire the debt could be for a one time contribution or over a three year period. Our 2019 Stewardship program will kickoff Sunday January20th. Two pledge cards will be distributed during the three services, one for the regular annual operating budget and another for the repayment of the $150,000 loan from LCEF. Respectfully submitted, Lakeside Lutheran Newsletter Page 2

3 December, 2018 Lakeside Lutheran Preschool 2401 Tamiami Trail, Venice, FL The holiday season was filled with peace, much love, and joy. The preschool students were given the opportunity to go Christmas shopping again this year. The ladies from Stitch-n-Chatter have been busy elves collecting gifts throughout the year (handmade and store-bought) for the children to purchase for their parents, grandparents, or loved ones. Each child was allowed to choose two gifts. The gifts were then wrapped and presented back to the children. The children also enjoyed cookies and the candy canes. The preschool staff cannot even begin to thank the ladies for the extension of love to our children. So how does the shopping day work? The children earn Santa dollars over a period of a week. They can earn Santa dollars by doing good deeds, being kind, making good choices, and just for being too cute. The children learn the value of money as well as the value of giving during the holiday season. Just as God gave us the gift of Jesus through His abundant love, each of the children chose specific gifts to give out of love. Preschool was excited to host 190 guest who attended the annual Christmas pageant. Through music and movement the children presented a Christmas pageant filled with some of their favorite songs such as: Deck the Halls, Jingle Bells, Silent Night, and Jesus Loves Me. The preschool is excited for the numerous blessings that will be bestowed upon us throughout the new year. If you would like to get involved in the preschool (in any capacity) please call Claudia, at Claudia Albert Director of Lakeside Lutheran Preschool Lakeside Lutheran Newsletter Page 3

4 Neil amd Jean Finkenstadt Jan 2, 1951 Gary and Erica Martin Jan 9, 2005 Bruce and Erika Fenton Jan 19, 1957 Otto and Gertrude Prebeck Jan 21, 1958 James and Pat Williams Jan 21, 1967 Robert and Melinda Heckler Jan 25, 1969 First Name Last Name Birthdate Elizabeth Bauer Jan 1 Ray Hibbs Jan 1 Bob Bradham Jan 1 Helen Hull Jan 2 Mary Titutczenko Jan 2 Faith Dahlke Jan 2 Robert Miller Jan 3 Janet Vargo Jan 4 Kenna Tippman Jan 4 Elnor Miller Jan 6 Barbara Stire Jan 6 Richard Stadler Jan 6 Nina Rausch Jan 7 Justin Crawford Jan 7 Jeff Cornwell Jan 8 Thomas Ittel Jan 9 Barry Panozzo Jan 11 Beth Hart Jan 13 Barb Sacks Jan 15 Larry Dunklee Jan 17 Lloyd Foster Jan 18 Bruce Fenton Jan 19 Gertrude Prebeck Jan 20 Suzanne Rott Jan 20 Alexandra Surma Jan 21 Ernst Groth Jan 25 Richard Hall Jan 25 Karen Gonzales Jan 26 Holly Watson Jan 27 James Crosby Jan 29 Lawrence Waters Jan 31 Please call the office if we missed your special day so we can update your information. Lakeside Lutheran Newsletter Page 4

5 I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas! Welcome to the Christmas Season. You may be wondering if my timing is a bit off. It isn t! At this time of year I often get questions about the continued playing of Christmas Music. If we went by the secular world, where the retail economy relies on people buying things they do and don t need for Christmas, the Christmas Season began on Black Friday, or maybe November 1 st, or even the day after Labor Day and ended on Christmas Eve. In the traditional church year the Christmas season begins with Christmas! That season of shopping and hearing the Christmas carols everywhere we went was called Advent. In Advent we are supposed to prepare for the coming of Jesus. Although, again in a secular world, this means buying gifts, sending cards, preparing menus and decorating our house. Advent is supposed to be a time of anticipation of the birth of our Lord. The Christmas Season is the shortest season in the church year, lasting only 12 days. It begins on December 25 th and ends on January 6 th (Epiphany). To me it s a pity that we don t get to enjoy this joyful season and its music for a longer time. Anyway, we can all enjoy the spirit of Christmas and music for at least another week in church. Best Wishes to You this Christmas Season! Dr. James Domzalski, Minister of Music, Lakeside Lutheran Church Lakeside Members: The information (below) is from the Venice Symphony regarding our own Handbell Choir Director, Gayle Heskett. Gayle received the Venice Symphony Hero Award, which is quite an honor. Congratulations, Gayle! HONORING GAYLE HESKETT We can't possibly write in this space how much Gayle Heskett has done for The Venice Symphony. Our founding Director of Education, Gayle retired last month from The Symphony (but not from teaching), Gayle says she is "looking forward to having the time to publish music and spend more time with my family." Gayle is responsible for the growth and prestige of the core Venice Symphony music programs, Symphony in the Schools and summer music camp and has helped bring symphonic music to the lives of tens of thousands of students in South Sarasota County. At the Sapphire Gala, Gayle was the surprise recipient of The Venice Symphony Hero Award. Don't miss your chance to see Gayle and thank her for all she's done for The Venice Symphony and the community at a Celebration and Open House, Thursday, January 17, 4:30 to 6:30 pm, at The Venice Symphony office, 1515 S.Tamiami Trail, Suite 7. Lakeside Lutheran Newsletter Page 5

6 STITCH -N- CHATTER Tuesdays at 9:30 The Stitch-N-Chatter group meets weekly in Meyer Hall. This group makes a variety of knitted, crocheted, plastic canvas, and sewn items for many different charities - as well as gathering items for Lakeside Preschool children. Items donated by the Stitch-N-Chatter group this year were: 89 shawls, 37 lap robes, 72 helmet liners, 15 sweaters, 6 pair of knitted slippers, 23 knit hats, 9 blankets, 6 knit purses, 12 baby layettes, 46 wash clothes and 3 phone covers. These items donated were given to local Hospice, Nursing and Assisted Living Homes, Pregnancy Care Solutions, the Military and the Orphan Grain Train. They donated item for our preschool: 120 Christmas Stockings and 240 additional gift items (many of these gift items were store bought and purchased by the group members themselves for the children to select). The preschool children earn pretend dollars are spent to purchase gifts to give their loved ones for Christmas. The Stitch -N- Chatter group consists of 9 year-round members and upwards of 16 people during the winter months. QUILTING BEES Attention all quilters: We will resume making quilts for Lutheran World Relief and other charities on January 21st. Our meetings are held in the Christian Education Room on the 1st & 3rd Monday of each month from 9:30-12:30. We welcome all to join us - no sewing talent needed! Come for great Christian Fellowship while helping those in need. Lakeside Lutheran Newsletter Page 6

7 Dear Friends in Christ, Thank you for your kind Christmas greetings and affirmations of love and support. Jane and I appreciate them very much and we wish you a blessed New Year with health, happiness, and growth in faith. Love, Pastor Lobien and Jane LUNCH BUNCH The Lunch Bunch is a friendly fellowship opportunity for everyone! Feel free to join them for food and fellowship after the late service. (Note: Watch the church bulletin for locations.) Remember no reservations are made. Simply come and enjoy each others fellowship. If you have any questions, please contact Cindy Flowers make excellent gifts for any occasion. For just $30 you can give one bouquet of flowers in honor of someone, or to celebrate a special event. Your flower purchase will be noted in the bulletin with a message of your choosing. Please call the church office to purchase flowers (or sign up in the narthex). Your flowers can be picked up after the 11:00 service. If not picked up the flowers will be used in the Memorial Garden or to brighten someone else's day. If you have an announcement that needs to be put in the bulletin or the newsletter, please have the information to the church office by Tuesday (for the bulletin) or by the 20th of the month (for the newsletter). You can simply drop off a note (place it on the office desk) or it to: llc@lakesidelutheran.net. Feel free to call the office with your information if you do not have a computer (but an or note left on the desk works best). Lakeside Lutheran Newsletter Page 7

8 PASTOR BIBLE STUDY Lakeside Bible Study Opportunity! The study meets every Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. in Meyer Hall. This study is led by Pastor Dahlke. HOORAY! The 2019 Offering Envelopes are here! You will find your envelopes in the Parlor (behind the narthex). (Please inform the church office if you do not have envelopes.) WINTER WORSHIP HOURS November through April we have worship services at 8:00, 9:30 and 11:00. If you are an associate member (part-time), or if you are unable to come to church, a service will stream live every Sunday through our church website. Sunday Sermon s are available on the website as well. 8:00 a.m. - Traditional Worship 9:30 a.m. - Contemporary Service 11:00 a.m. - Traditional Worship Lakeside Lutheran Newsletter Page 8

9 LUTHERAN CHURCH WOMEN S GUILD (LWML) MEETING AND PROGRAM SCHEDULE SERVE THE LORD WITH GLADNESS (PSALM 100:2) January 17, Style Show by Accessories & More of Sarasota, Janet Carr presenting Tickets $18.00 Show and luncheon. February7, Program: Life Line Venice Regional Bayfront Hospital by Kathy Schuck, Lifeline Service Manager presenting. February 9, Rummage Sale March 7, Agape Flights: The group provides aviation service delivering cargo, mail and Humanitarian aid to 350 missionary partners located in the nations of the Caribbean. Presented by Carol Anne Dube, the Church and Community Relations Coordinator of Agape Flights. April 4, Paint Party with Celeste Stadler. Bring an item you want to paint. Details TBA. Executive Board May 2, NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER SERVICE : Meeting Dates Lunch 12:00 noon at The Olde World Restaurant Order off January 31, 2019 the menu. Everyone is invited to attend. February 28, 2019 March 28, 2019 April 4, 2019 Please feel free to make a prayer request. You can fill out a request at church, call the office, or send an . When making a request, please include a brief description of what we are praying for. Include if you would like a call from the Pastor Miller, our Visitation Pastor. Please have the name, address, and phone number if you would like to be contacted or desire a visit. PRAYER CHAIN CHAIRMAN FOR JANUARY Elnor Miller emiller304@comcast.net Lakeside Lutheran Newsletter Page 9

10 The 2019 CROP walk will be February 24. The walk will begin at Grace Methodist Church on Field Ave. There will be a concert on February 10th, at 4:00 p.m. at Grace Methodist Church. Our congregation is invited to participate. Anyone interested in participating in the concert (individual or group) should contact Betsi Hallman at or ehallman1@verizon.net T-shirt will be ordered for those people interested in walking. (The name of the people walking and their T- shirt size needs to be turned in no later than January 14th.) Sponsors who pay a $75 contribution receive a free T-shirt as well. If you know of an individual sponsor or business sponsor, please contact Dick Burgie ( ) with their information (NOTE: the sponsor s T-shirt will need to be ordered by January 14 as well). Last year our congregation raised $535. This money was raised by walkers asking for donations as well as by members of the congregation making donations. In mid January we will have envelopes to use for gathering donations checks can be made out directly to Church World Service/ Crop, or you can make a check to Lakeside Lutheran Church and add in the memo Crop Walk. This is one of the largest worldwide organizations which includes people from many different denominations and organizations reaching out to the needy. Watch for more material and information from Church World Service. If you have questions please , text or phone Dick Burgie: rrburgie@yahoo.com or Lakeside Lutheran Newsletter Page 10

11 Oberammergau Passion Play and Luther Trail Journey Fall 2020! You are invited to join retired LCMS pastor Curt and Joyce Adams, members at Beautiful Savior Lutheran in Sarasota, on an 11-day Germany Steps of Martin Luther and Obergammergau Passion Play tour set for Sept 23-Oct 3, Among the places in Germany that you ll visit and experience are Frankfurt and the Rhine Valley; Eisenach; Erfurt; Eisleben; Wittenberg; Berlin; Leipzig; and Nuremberg. The highlight of the trip is the opportunity to see the Oberammergau Passion Play. In keeping with their 387 year old promise, the villagers of Oberammergau present the Passion Play depicting the last week of the life of Christ. The play s presentation is traced to 1633 when the Black Plague swept Europe. The people of Oberammergau took a solemn oath that if God spared them, they would present a day-long play depicting the last week in the life of Christ. To this day they have kept that promise, and every ten years the citizens of Oberammergau perform their passion play with the same love and devotion they have shown for over 380 years! The play takes place on an open-air stage with the towering and beautiful Alpine mountains as a backdrop. The per person cost of this trip is $4,299, and that is pretty much all-inclusive: round-trip airfare; taxes; hotel accommodations; deluxe air-conditioned buses for ground travel; breakfasts and most meals; entrance fees to sites you will visit; ticket to the Oberammergau Passion Play; and a knowledgeable English-speaking guide throughout the trip. Come and meet Pastor Adams and Joyce and learn more about the trip at an informational gettogether in the Fellowship Hall at Beautiful Savior on Tuesday, January 8 at 10:00 AM. At this event the film Where Luther Walked, will also be shown, a 30-minute documentary featuring the late Roland Bainton, author of the award- winning Luther biography Here I Stand. Beautiful Savior is located at 7461 Prospect Rd. in Sarasota. Even though the trip is months away, reservations need to be made VERY SOON! The Oberammergau Passion Play sells out more than a year in advance. For more information, or to receive a Reservation Form, please contact Pastor Curt at: phone ; curjoy2054@gmail.com. Lakeside Lutheran Newsletter Page 11

12 Tuesday 10:00 am Pastor Albrecht is leading a Bible Study at 10 o clock Tuesday mornings. The study is open to all. The study is alternating locations between Lakeside and Trinity Lutheran Churches The next class is at Lakeside on 1/8/19. We are on a journey through the Book of Revelations, with the focus squarely on Jesus Christ throughout. Please feel free to join us. Ignite Youth Ministries We have some exciting things happening with the youth group right now. Whether we are growing in numbers or growing in relationships or growing spiritually, the youth group is thriving. The youth of the church strongly desires to bridge the generational gap between the kids and adults at Lakeside Lutheran. It is great for the youth to be able to interact with other ministries in the church body. WINTER OFFICE HOURS Our church office will be staffed Monday - Thursday, 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. On Friday the office hours are 8:00 a.m. to noon. Please contact us if we can help. Phone: Fax: llc@lakesidelutheran.net Lakeside Lutheran Newsletter Page 12