LEAVES FROM THE FOREST

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1 January 2019 Sunday Worship 9:30 am Communion 2nd & 4th Sunday of each month Sunday School 10:45 am Bible Class After fellowship 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: January Servant Schedule 2 Annual Voters Meeting 2 Financial Reports 3 Church Council 4 Women s Guild/LWML 4 Quilting for Charity 6 Church Life Ministry 7 Sunday School 8 Memorial & Honor Gifts 9 Thank You! 9 Church Directory 11 Birthdays/Anniversaries 11 Calendar 12 LEAVES FROM THE FOREST Silent Night (Stille Nacht) is 200 years old. We all love this beautiful song, hymn, melody. We know that it was a melody and verses that was created swiftly because of a malfunction of the church organ. So, on 24 December, 1818 assistant priest Joseph Mohr traveled to the home of schoolteacher and parish organist Franz Gruber and handed him a poem. What Mohr needed was a melody to go with his poem. Hours later with just Mohr s guitar for accompaniment, the two men stood by the crib at the end of mass in the parish church of Oberndorf, just 12 miles north of Salzburg, and sang a simple lullaby of peace and hope for the very first time. Little did they know, that song would capture the hearts of so many people, that it would stop a war in its tracks and still be going strong two centuries later. Many songs have brought memories of Christmas s past, but this one brings hope and love to so many ethnic groups. I remember Mom and I singing this every year as we celebrated the birth of our Savior. It was her favorite, and is mine today. One of my friends, as I was growing up in New York City was a Chinese girl named Jean Hom. Her dad owned a shop in Chinatown and she went to church in Chinatown which was a good distance from where she lived. But every year her church had a Christmas party for the children. For a few years I played the piano at this party and loved the way the young ones enjoyed singing in English. When I heard them sing Silent Night, it just made me think that this little composition of Gruber and Mohr was for all people. How wonderful that we can continue to hear and sing the words created two hundred years ago. When you sing Silent Night, remember where you first heard it. Does it bring back memories of Christmas long ago when you were young? It brings me back to my childhood, and that is not a bad thing. It was a time when I had no problems, worries etc. A time when all is calm, all is bright. Blessings to all of you as we slide into this New Year. Remember your past, but go forth with a godly attitude for the new year. Norma Karpiscak From the Editor: Happy New Year! Follow the light of Christ in this season of Epiphany, and look for the many ways you can be a glimmer of light through your love and concern for others. Please prayerfully consider your mission in Drawing People to Christ. The newsletter needs your articles and photos! Please them to folc25news@outlook.com. For those unable to , you may place it in the newsletter box behind the church office. The deadline for the February newsletter is January 20.

2 Page 2 LEAVES FROM THE FOREST SERVANT SCHEDULE FOR JANUARY Serving on the Altar Guild: Alma Martin Roy Martin Kimberly Lineback Judy Makiney Serving as Ushers: Darleen Keck Louise Hirsch Wil Heier Ted Ryder Serving as Greeters: Jackie Ryder Vivian Patanella Serving as Lay Readers: Jan. 6: Norma Karpiscak Jan. 13: Larry Schmitz Jan. 20: Norma Miller Jan. 27: Marge Pritchard Serving as Counters: Caroline Hilpertshauser Darleen Keck 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. Each week someone reads the Old Testament reading and the Epistle reading during our worship service. Is that someone YOU? If you would like to take part in the service by being a lay reader, please sign up at the Welcome Center. Readings can be given to you in advance so you can practice. This is a wonderful way to use your talent and serve your congregation in our worship service. NOW AVAILABLE! Pick up your copy of the January-March 2019 Portals for Prayer in the Narthex and use it in your daily devotions. A contribution to defray the cost is appreciated. The annual Voter s Assembly meeting was held on Sunday, December 2 nd. We thank everyone who came to the meeting. Our President, Norma Karpiscak emphasized the great need for volunteers throughout the church and thanked those who are giving their time and talent to the church, especially the church officers. The following officers were elected: Treasurer: Jesse Ward Property Chairman: Roy Martin Finance Committee Chairman: Ron Stamer Assistant Treasurer (one-year term): Debbie Holbrook The following offices remain vacant: Vice President Pick up a free copy of your 2019 Daily Bible Reading Calendar at the Welcome Center. Pastor Fischer s sermons during 2019 will be based on the Old Testament readings and by the end of the year, we will have read the entire Old Testament! Christian Education Ministry Evangelism Chair The 2019 Budget was approved as presented. The voters approved that the Endowment Fund interest for 2018 remain in the fund. The voters approved the seven-year plan to include parking lot resurfacing and ground improvement in The annual goal for the Major Repair and Replacement Fund was reduced to $20,000. As of October 2018, there is $11,844 in this fund, so we really must meet our annual goal. The Voters were reminded that our mortgage will have to be refinanced in It is estimated that we will owe $250,000 at that time. The Voters Meeting minutes were approved by the Church Council at its December meeting and are posted on the bulletin board in the Narthex.

3 LEAVES FROM THE FOREST Page 3 Forest Oaks Lutheran Church November 2018 Financial Reports General Fund Operations Income $18,604 Disbursements $24,212 Year-to-Date Accounting Income $243,607 Disbursements $232,070 Budget $242,385 Debt Reduction Loan Principal $3,161 Additional Principal $805 Year-to-Date Loan Activity Principal $34,429 Additional Principal $11,813 Loan Balance (Jan. 1) $277,323 Accounting Fund Balances General $47,821 Needy Family $402 Memorial Garden $2,585 Endowment Fund $24,055 Major Rep. Income $779 Major Rep. Balance $12,623 Financial Report - November Income for November was not up to budget and the Major Repair income was also short. Expenses were very high but was mainly due to an insurance payment and a new contract with Senica for preventative maintenance and support on all of our air conditioning systems. Any questions, please contact Jesse Ward at Our Worship Services Attendance Were you among these? October Sunday Services November Sunday Services Thanksgiving Nov Listed below are the number of Communicants who worshipped at God s Altar in 2018 to receive Christ s Body and Blood. Oct Oct Oct Nov Thanksgiving 57 Nov Pastor s 2018 Bible Class Oct Nov Children s Sunday School Oct Nov Body and Soul Bible Study - Thursday 9 AM Dedication (Promise Card) Sunday will be held on January 27 th. If you filled out a Promise Card last year, it will be available in the Narthex. New Promise Cards will be distributed in early January and available at the Welcome Center. Please prayerfully considere your promises for the new year. This is a promise between you and the Lord. No one at church looks at them. PLEASE pick up your 2019 Offering if you haven t already done so. They are located on the table in the Narthex.

4 Page 4 THIS MONTH ON CHURCH COUNCIL At our December meeting, the Church Council discussed the fact that the Finance Committee has asked to postpone the parking lot paving this year. They are worried about depleting the Major Repair and Replacement Fund. Roy Martin said that he has made recommendations to the company that is doing it, and he would have to contact them and let them know if we are going to delay it. Pastor Fischer made a motion that we trust that the congregation will come up with the money to LEAVES FROM THE FOREST replenish the fund and that we should go ahead with the parking lot resurfacing this year. Lonnie Benmore seconded the motion, and it was passed without objection. The party in celebration of Pastor Lehr s 60 th year in the ministry is tentatively scheduled for February 3, 2019, following the service. It will be a potluck. For further details on what occurred at each 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 Thank you to everyone who came to the Christmas Party and brought toys for our food pantry children. We had good food and everyone had a grand time singing Christmas carols! Our next meeting is Wednesday, January 9 th at 10:00 am. It will include a business meeting to present the 2019 budget and planning for the RUMMAGE SALE on February 8 th & 9 th. Norma Karpiscak will have a Bible Study on What is Epiphany? followed by a pot luck lunch. Please sign up at the Welcome Center. Men are invited to come and have lunch and then help us take down the church Christmas decorations.

5 LEAVES FROM THE FOREST Page 5 LWML WINTER RESOURCES From Advent to Christmas to Epiphany, along with New Year s and Valentine s Day, devotional resources and service ideas are available for you and your LWML group for free download at These resources include: Bible studies. Devotions. Litanies/Responsive readings/short programs. Sketches. Crafts. Service projects. Leader development. MITE OFFERINGS REPORT Mission Goal for Biennium: $2,075, Amount Received: $1,547, Total Mites Still Needed: $527, Praise to the Lord for the nearly $1,550,000 received so far, and we pray for His blessing upon the grant recipients still waiting for funding in order to compete their planned Gospel outreach. Please continue to fill your Mite Boxes and/or donate your gifts online at lwml.org/donate-online to fully fund all our 22 LWML Mission Grants by the end of the biennium s fiscal year of March 31, LWML MISSION GRANT #6 - $100,000 Lutheran Children s Books for Families Worldwide Lutheran Heritage Foundation Recently Lutheran Heritage Foundation (LHF) Development Associate Rev. Rod Benkendorf and Lutheran Heritage Foundation Executive Director Rev. Dr. Matthew Heise stopped by the new LWML Office to bring greetings and thanks for the LWML Mission Grant #6 and for their ongoing support. They presented LWML with copies of the Children's Garden of Bible Stories in Spanish and Farsi that this grant helped produce. To learn more about your support of this LWML Mission Grant and all 22 LWML Mission Grants for this biennium, visit Time to Take Them Down Thank you to everyone who helped decorate the church for Advent and Christmas, as seen in these pictures. The Christmas season ends with Epiphany on January 6 th and we have enjoyed our beautiful decorations, but we must take them down. Please join us at 11:45am as we remove them and pack them away after the Women s Guild Meeting on January 9 th.

6 Page 6 LEAVES FROM THE FOREST QUILTING FOR CHARITY The excitement of Christmas draws to a close with Epiphany and all the decorations disappear while the carols are still ringing in our ears begins and we pray for the Peace that only God can give. What will the New Year bring? Only our faithful and loving Heavenly Father knows. Trust that He will walk with us, no matter where our journey takes us. Before we go into the new business, we should bring you up to date on the final activities of Since the last newsletter, the quilters have been busy. The Fall Festival allowed us to spend over $1,100 (including the generous help of a Thrivent Action Team) to try to make a more Merry Christmas for the charities we help support. We began by furnishing some requested items for Redeeming Life Ministries in Sanford. On November 21 st, Erna s daughter Denise joined me in flying the items to Sanford in a plane flown by my husband, Lynn. We were met at the Sanford Airport by Deaconess Liz who accepted the gifts with much gratitude. Our group contacted Jericho Road Ministries and Holy Ground and were given their wish lists for the children in their care through Christmas. Holy Ground had 17 children on their list including 2 new babies. (I was told that they had to turn away 194 homeless people in November due to a shortage of space.) Jericho Road planned to host a banquet for over 400 needy families and distribute toys to them for their children s Christmas. We agreed to shop for 50 children. Within 2 weeks, we were able to deliver the toys and gifts. Donations to Holy Ground with Erna Thrivent Action Team Sorters Holy Ground Gifts There were a couple of celebrations in December that must be noted. Our group enjoyed them both. First was the birthday of Erna. She taught us the art of blowing out candles without having to pucker up. See how she did it below: served as our entertainment director and masterfully guided us through games of Bingo and Left, Center, Right. We thank them for making the day very joyous and festive. Our ladies chatting Hostess Suzanne Step #1 Step #2 The next special event was our Christmas party at Suzanne s home. She was a gracious hostess and a wonderful cook, as well. Lil Enjoying the day of friendship

7 LEAVES FROM THE FOREST Page 7 There was some quilting work done during Next month you will see more quilts as we prepare to participate in 2 Habitat for Humanity the past month but at this time only one completion. I put together the following unicorn home dedications. kid s quilt for a special customer. If I have forgotten anything from last month, I will try to include it in next month s edition. May God grant you much love, happiness and good health in the New Year! Karen Advent: Many thanks for all the soup makers for Advent. Be sure and save your recipes - Lent is just around the corner. Food Pantry: Thanks to the congregation, we were able to give a toy to every child that comes to our pantry. We were extremely busy just before the holiday, but all of our volunteers were able to be available and help out our clients. Good job to all of them. Bloodmobile: We have received our schedule for 2019, be sure and mark it on your calendar. February 17, July 14, and October 13. Remember lives are saved by our donations. If you have not given blood in the past let this be the first. 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 In November we served 349 families with a total of 941 people, including 247 children and 270 seniors. There were 339 repeat families and 10 new families. The families that we served in November came from the following zip codes: Homeless Since we closed on Christmas Day, we were only open for three weeks in December and we served 290 families with a total of 813 people, including 232 children and 232 seniors. There were 286 repeat families and 3 new families. The families that we served in December came from the following zip codes: Homeless Please remember our food ministry and the people we serve when you shop and in your prayers.

8 Page 8 LEAVES FROM THE FOREST Thank you to everyone who helped and participated in the Children s Christmas Program, especially all of the children, who did such a marvelous job singing and playing bells. A special thank you to the choir for helping with Go Tell It On The Mountain and to Lonnie Benmore for helping with the Children s Bell Choir. Following the service, the children had their Christmas party. They thank the congregation for the presents they received and the Women s Guild for sponsoring the Angel Tree. As you can see from their faces, they were very happy recipients. Presents Photos by Lauren Brandimarto A little faith tip: Two things you cannot go over board on are Bible Study and Prayer. Time spent with the Lord will show you how best to serve Him and be a good steward of your time with your family and your church. Sunday Morning After Worship Thursday Morning 9:00AM

9 LEAVES FROM THE FOREST Page 9 Memorial and Honor Gifts - through December 23, 2018 Praise God for blessing us through those He has 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: Jettie Greenday (Hank Rullman s sister) Future Maintenance Mr. & Mrs. Lynn Postel Wilma Keck Future Maintenance Mr. & Mrs. Gary Emke Robert Turffs Future Mainenance Ms. Darleen Keck Loved Ones Unspecified Ms. Margot Hoyt 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: Our Food Pantry Food Pantry Women s Guild Darleen Keck Future Maintenance Ms. Norma Karpiscak The Handbell Choir Future Maintenance Mr. & Mrs. Jesse Ward Thank you to everyone who provided gifts in memory and honor or for blessings received for the poinsettia display to beautify our church at Christmas. We received a wonderful painting from the family of Jim Arndt, a member who is now with Christ. Jim was also the designer of our stained glass windows. We know how much he loved Forest Oaks and his painting is a welcome addition to our sanctuary. It is another hug from him to our members. We are grateful to his family for donating his work to us, along with some additional pictures which will be hung soon. We extend a special thank you to Stan Benmore, the founder and creator of our service slides, which he provided each week for many years. Unfortunately, he is unable to continue doing slides and we thank him for his many years of service by enhancing our worship through the slides. We hope you took the time to borrow a book from the Advent/Christmas display in the church library. We thank our librarians, Lil Heier and Anita Hale, who located the books and put together the display. Please take some time to see what our library offers.

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: January 20

11 January Birthday* Blessings to: 02 Pegge Macor 03 Burt Onder 04 Susan Mutschler 05 Lil Heier Marcy Stortzum 06 David Kaminske 07 Terri Arndt 08 Earl Makiney 11 Danelia Villarrubia 12 Judith Almstedt 15 Angela Kenney 17 Jesse Ward 20 Ed Wright 22 Chris Dicono Debbie Holbrook 26 Anita Hale 27 Caroline Hilpertshauser 29 Alma Martin 30 Sharon McKenna LEAVES FROM THE FOREST Page 11 January Anniversary* Blessings to: 02 Tony & Cathy Davidson 10 Earl & Judy Makiney 20 Lynn & Karen Postel 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! * 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. Say Cheese! Dear Members and Friends, We have made arrangements to partner with Lifetouch Church Directories and Portraits for our photography and new updated yearbook next year. The photography is scheduled for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday March 7th, 8th, and 9th. More details will follow in January. Anyone interested in volunteering to assist with phone calls or sitting for a couple of hours at the welcome tables please call or me. Ellouise Emke, (727) ellouise@tampabay.rr.com Thank you to everyone at FOLC for your Christmas goodies, cards and gifts. I love you all. You are part of my family. The happiest of new years to you all. Lyla Christmas may be over, but living for Jesus may be just beginning for some of us. Someone imagined Jesus to say, If you look for me at Christmas you won t need a special star I m no longer just in Bethlehem, I m right there where you are. The message of Christmas reaches beyond Bethlehem, urging us to regard everyone we meet as one for whom God sent His Son into the world. Jesus is no longer in the cradle; He s out in the world in the hearts and lives of all who seek to live their lives for Him. February 8 & 9

12 6 Epiphany 13 Baptism of Jesus 20 Sanctity of Human Life 27 Pledge Card Sunday 21 MLK Jr 1 New Year s Day 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 Worship-9:30 am Fellowship after service Sunday School-10:45am Bible Class-11:00am Mites Sunday Worship-9:30 am ** Fellowship after service Sunday School-10:45am Bible Class-11:00am Installation of Officers Nametag Sunday Worship-9:30 am Fellowship after service Sunday School-10:45am Bible Class-11:00am Church Council Meeting Newsletter Deadline Worship-9:30am ** Fellowship after service Sunday School-10:45am Bible Class-11:00am 7 Quilters-1:00pm 14 Quilters-1:00pm Quilters-1:00pm 28 Quilters-1:00pm Office closed Food Pantry closed 8 TOPS-8:00am Food Ministry-9:00am 15 Food Ministry-9:00am Finance Comm.-9:00am AARP 12:00-3:00 pm 22 TOPS-8:00am Food Ministry-9:00am SH Garden Club-1:00pm 29 TOPS-8:00am Food Ministry-9:00am Forest Oaks Lutheran Church 2 W.I.S.E-6:30pm 9 Women s Guild-10:00am Take down Decorations W.I.S.E-6:30pm 16 Lunch Bunch-12:30pm W.I.S.E-6:30pm 23 W.I.S.E.-6:30pm 30 W.I.S.E.-6:30pm 3 Body & Soul Bible Study 9:00am Crafts Group-9:00am Handbell choir-5:30pm Choir-7:00pm 10 Body & Soul Bible Study 9:00am Crafts Group-9:00am Accordion Club-1:00pm Handbell choir-5:30pm Choir-7:00pm 17 Body & Soul Bible Study 9:00am Produce Drop-9:00am AARP 12:00-3:00 pm Handbell Choir-5:30pm Choir-7:00pm 24 Body & Soul Bible Study 9:00am Accordion Club-1:00pm Handbell choir-5:30pm Choir-7:00pm 31 Body & Soul Bible Study 9:00am Handbell choir-5:30pm Choir-7:00pm 4 H.C.I.G. Mtg-6:30 pm 11 Illinois Club-12:30pm **Holy Communion will be celebrated at this service