A publication of Hosanna Lutheran Church Rochester, Minnesota ELCA. Advent Worship In December

Transcription

1 Herald A publication of Hosanna Lutheran Church Rochester, Minnesota ELCA Volume 35 Issue 12 December 2014 As a Christian family of faith, we re gathered to grow and sent to serve Advent Worship In December Jesus Vision Reorders Our Reality Wednesdays at 7:00 pm Holden Evening Prayer December 3 Prepare the Way of the Lord December 10 Rejoice in the Lord Always December 17 Good News of a Savior Told to Mary (See page 5 for special Music and Children s Worship Services) Recognition of Nancy Wales December 21 INSIDE THIS ISSUE Discipleship Ministries Fellowship Ministries Music Ministries Outreach Ministries Worship Schedule Council Page President s Message Nancy Wales, Hosanna s Director of Music and Worship, has served our congregation faithfully for over twenty years. In thanks and celebration for her ministry, a reception will be held on December 21 between services in the gathering area. Join Nancy and her family beginning at 9:00 am for a time of thanks, food and conversation. Christmas Eve Services December 24 4:00 and 5:30 pm Family Carol Service with Communion 10:00 pm Candlelight Worship with Communion

2 Page 2 Herald Volume 35 Issue 12 Discipleship Ministries gathered to grow Stay N Play December 6 Hosanna s youth and the Empty Nest Sitter Service will be sponsoring a Stay and Play event on Saturday, December 6 from 11:30 am 1:30 pm. (this timeframe is following the Saturday morning Christmas program practice). Hosanna children are welcome to participate in this fellowship time while parents have a few extra hours to shop, go out for lunch or just relax! A simple lunch will be served to the children. This is a fundraiser for our youth so a freewill offering will be taken. A minimum number of children are needed to host this event. Pre-registration is required and due by Wednesday, December 3. Registration forms are available at the Welcome Center. Sunday School Teacher Appreciation December 7 From 9:15 10:15 am, during the Sunday School hour on December 7, there will be treats for teachers in the quad room while their students are practicing for the Christmas programs. This is a time of fellowship to show appreciation for all our teachers have done for our children this year. Not Meeting in December Pastor s Bible Study Adult Forums Book Discussion No Sunday School on December 21 Hosanna families on Sunday, December 21, we will all have the honor of recognizing Nancy Wales' 20 years of employment here at Hosanna. We are encouraging families/ children to attend the reception honoring Nancy, which will start at 9:00 am. Information will be sent out regarding an additional way children/families can recognize Nancy (watch for this information via ). Please note the change in schedule as we will not have Sunday school that morning. Book Discussion Get an early start on your reading for 2015 during the holidays. Here are the books selected for 2015 and the book discussion meeting dates: January 17 Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell February 21 Conquering the Odds, Journey of a Shepherd Girl by Habibo Haji & Joseph Culhane March 21 The 100 Year Old Man Who climbed Out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson April 18 Polio: An American Story by David Oshinsky May 16 The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

3 gathered to grow Discipleship Ministries Herald Volume 35 Issue 12 Page 3 Hannah Bible Study Christmas Luncheon December 10 All Hosanna adults are invited to the Hannah Bible Study Christmas luncheon on December 10 in the quad room at church. The meal will begin at 12:30 pm. Please bring a dish to pass, a holiday candle, and a Christmas story to share. Please contact Lisa Nordman at or lnordman@charter.net with questions. Hope to see you there! Christmas Treats for Hosanna s Senior Members December 10 Plates with a variety of treats will be assembled on December 10 to provide Christmas cheer to Hosanna s honored elderly or those who have physical limitations. Anyone in the congregation can be involved in donating, assembling or delivering these treats. Food donations of cookies, candies and/or fruit should be brought to Hosanna s kitchen by 11:00 am on Wednesday, December 10. At this time the treats will be sorted and assembled. Those helping to deliver the treats may pick up the containers after 12 noon. (You are welcome to stay for the Hannah Bible Study Christmas luncheon. See related article.) A signup sheet is on the Welcome Center. If you have questions, contact Lisa Nordman at lnordman@charter.net. Women s Friday Morning Bible Study December 4 at 10:00 am The Friday Morning Bible Study meets the first Friday of each month at 10:00 am. This month we will be looking at "Transformation Takes Time" from the November Gather Magazine. All women are invited to join us for a time of fellowship and the study of God's Word. The study leader is Pastor Nirmala Reinschmidt. You may contact Sandy Henslin at shenslin@charter.net with questions. Men s Bible Study Breakfast December 12 at 6:30 am (one meeting only this month) Men of Hosanna will only meet on the 2nd Friday of the month of December at 6:30 am due to the Christmas holiday. They share a Bible study, fellowship and a hearty breakfast. Men take turns making breakfast and Karl Dirksen leads the study. This year s study is on the book of Romans. You may contact Paul Anderson at barbpaul@charter.net with questions.

4 Page 4 Herald Volume 35 Issue 12 Fellowship Ministries gathered to grow sent to serve Holiday Home Party Open House December 4 and 5 A Holiday Home Party Open House will be held at Hosanna on December 4 and 5, Thursday and Friday evenings from 5:00 8:00 pm. The following vendors will have their products for sale with door prizes and free gifts to offer shoppers: Jamberry Nails, Mary Kay, Norwex, Origami Owl, Pampered Chef, Silpada and Tastefully Simple. What a great way to finish your holiday shopping. Call the office at with questions. Hilltoppers December 9 All those 55 + or who are retired are invited to a monthly lunch and program. The lunch is catered by Hy-Vee or the Canadian Honker and the programs are planned by members or staff. You may call the office at if you need a ride. The December gathering will be our Christmas luncheon and friends are always welcome. Yuletide Dinner December 13 The Yuletide Dinner will be held on Saturday, December 13 from 5:30 8:30 pm. Join us for food, fellowship and carols. We will start at one member's home for appetizers, move on for dinner at 1 or 2 other homes, then meet back at Hosanna for carols and cookies. You may bring an appetizer or cookies or pitch in $10/person to help cover the cost of the main course if you don't want to cook! Sign up at the Welcome Center. You may contact Rachel Gray, rgray@selco.info or Ashworth Thank You We would like to thank our Hosanna friends for your thoughtfulness in remembering our family in the passing of my mother, Ernelle Rhinehart. The cards were beautiful and the words gave us comfort and strength. Ray and Terri Ashworth

5 gathered to grow Music Ministries Herald Volume 35 Issue 12 Page 5 Enjoy all of the many wonderful music worship services offered at Hosanna during December. A description of each service is written below: Advent Lessons and Carols December 7 This year s Instrumental/Grace Advent service is on Sunday, December 7 at both services. The groups will be presenting Advent Lessons and Carols (A Candlelight Service) by Stephen DeCesare. This service mixes readings from the Old and New Testaments with Advent and Christmas music. The program will be presented against a backdrop of artwork and light. Come to see King s Ringers, Praise!, Exodus and the Grace team bring the Advent story to life with lessons and carols. Simply Christmas Children s Christmas Program December 14 Children age 3 through students in grade 6 are presenting the Christmas message on December 14 at the 10:30 am service. They will tell the story of the birth of Christ through scripture readings from the perspective of the prophets, Joseph, the mayor, the shepherds, the angels, and Mary. Practices will be held on the following dates: Saturday, December 6 9:00-11:30 am Sunday, December 7 9:15-10:15 am Saturday, December 13 9:00-11:30 am Sunday, December 14 9:15 am Grades :00 am 3 Yrs-K A Night in Bethlehem Youth Service December 14 The middle school and high school youth will lead the service on December 14 at 8:00 am by leading the prayers, reading the lessons, singing, playing instruments and acting. All students in grades 6-12 are encouraged to participate. Mothers and fathers of the youth will join in singing two of the songs. For the message, the actors tell the story of Jesus birth in Bethlehem from the point of view of the people they portray. Each of the characters poses the question What would it have been like if you had been there in Bethlehem? What Child Is This? December 21 On December 21 there will be a choral service led by the Senior Choir at both worship services. Through readings and music, the service will reflect on and wrestle with the question, What child is this? A connection between the annunciation, the manger, the cross and the empty tomb will be made. Opportunities to Provide Musical Selections In December there are several opportunities for people to provide a musical selection during worship services. If you are interested in sharing a musical piece for any of these services contact Nancy Wales at or music@hosannalutheran.org Wednesdays, December 3, 10 or 17 at 7:00 pm Christmas Eve, December 24 at 4:00, 5:30 or 10:00 pm Sunday, December 28 at 9:00 am

6 Page 6 Herald Volume 35 Issue 12 Outreach Ministries...sent to serve From Outreach Advocate Barb Anderson What a generous congregation Hosanna is! Even our little 3 year olds (pictured to the right with their Sunday School teachers) bring their gifts of food for the Sharing and Caring Food Pantry. Their parents are teaching them the lessons of giving to those in need at an early age. There are so many wonderful opportunities for giving of your time to help those in need during December. Just a few of them, available at Hosanna, are highlighted in the newsletter. I hope you ll decide to either bake cookies for the Christmas Cookie Exchange, which raises money for the Pastor s Discretionary Fund, or bring gifts for the IHN Sharing Tree, bring mittens for our collection box, or take some time to ring bells for the Salvation Army or work at Hosanna s Pantry on the Friday or Saturday after Christmas. Reach beyond Hosanna for your Christmas gifts, and try something different this year. Buy gifts that keep on giving for your family and friends. The ELCA Good Gifts, elca.org/goodgifts or the Lutheran World Relief Gifts, lwrgifts.org, do just that. Both programs offer the chance to buy an animal (chickens, goats, pigs), water supplies or wells, vaccinations, medical supplies, books or Bibles etc., all of which provide sustainable help to families around the world living in poverty, hunger or drought. May you have a joyful Christmas as you share God s love through your time and your gifts! IHN Sharing Tree Members interested in making donations to Interfaith Hospitality Network may check out the items in need at the Christmas tree in the gathering area. This year, IHN is seeking items that may be shared, throughout the year, with families as they move from the network into permanent housing. Feel free to take an ornament and purchase that specific item or any household item from the following list: *items are most in need each year Kitchen: Pots and Pan Sets *, Frying Pans *, Flatware*, Toaster, Coffee Pot, Microwave*, Crockpot, Mixer* Plastic Cups for Children, * Juices & Drinking Glasses* Kitchen Tools: Kitchen knives,* Measuring Cups & Spoons,* Liquid Measuring Cup, Pizza Cutter,* Spatula*, Can Opener*, Whisks, Ladle, Mixing Bowls,* Casserole Dishes* Bathroom/Bedroom: Shower Curtain,* Shower liner,* Bathroom Rugs,* Bath Towels* (Large & Hand) Wash Clothes, Plunger and Toilet Bowel Brush* Linens: Sheet Sets,* (Double/Full) & (Queen), Blankets,* Queen, Full and Twin, and Pillows* Miscellaneous: Laundry basket*, Garbage Basket, (Kitchen & Bathroom),* Mop,* Mop Buckets,* Broom, Dust Pan,* Door Mat,* Rugs* (Kitchen or Entry), Flash Light, Iron* and Ironing Board* Shampoo/ Conditioner (Men & Women) for Caucasian or African American, Shampoo for Children, Deodorant (Men & Women), Body Wash (Men and Women), Tooth Paste, and Tooth Brush

7 ...sent to serve Outreach Ministries Herald Volume 35 Issue 12 Page 7 News from Ann Klavano About a week ago there was a bad rain storm here and many power poles fell over. We don't have the equipment or people to get them repaired right away so it will likely be several weeks before power is restored. The school has hooked up a generator that gives electricity to the offices at least some parts of every day. I can now recharge my computer and phone. I am thankful to have a solar lamp so that I have light at my home in the evenings Unfortunately things are difficult for many on campus. The new generator is not able to power the campus water supply pump. Thankfully my water tank has quite a bit in it and it is just in front of my house. Most folks are having to walk quite a ways to get drinkable water. The lack of water has also meant trouble with some of the sewage set ups so there are quite a few new pit toilets on campus. Since many of our students are from places without water, this is familiar territory for them. Personally my biggest challenge has been adjusting to not having refrigeration in a tropical climate. Fortunately I have a gas stove so I can cook up my rapidly defrosting meat and boil water. I am riding down to the store today to buy some more canned goods. Today was the last day of classes. I have all the papers turned back and the grades turned in. Now we have a week without classes to get things ready for graduation. If there is no water supply by graduation time we may have to cut back on the graduation festival. As always, I thank you for your prayers. Pastor Ann Klavano Senior Flierl Seminary Papua New Guinea Bell Ringing for the Salvation Army December 6 and 11 This year, members have the opportunity to help ring bells for the Salvation Army at Hy- Vee Barlow s (it s indoors) on Saturday December 6 from 3:00 5:00 pm or Thursday, December 11 from 5:00 6:00 pm. This is a great family activity during the weeks before Christmas. Sign up at the Welcome Center. Family and friends are welcome. You may contact Kelly Gangelhoff or Barb Anderson with questions or call the church office, Christmas Cookie Exchange December 13 and 14 Do you enjoy baking Christmas cookies. We will have our third annual Christmas Cookie Exchange as a fundraiser to support the Pastor s Discretionary Fund. You re invited to bring your favorite Christmas cookie or treat (suggested: 4 dozen), and we will share them on Saturday, December 13 at 10:00 am (during the Children s Christmas Program practice). If you cannot make it on December 13, you can bring your cookies to the church kitchen anytime during the week of December Label your cookies "Cookie Exchange" with your name. Each baker will get a plate of cookies to bring home. The rest of the plates will be sold on Sunday, December 14, to support the Pastor s Discretionary Fund. Any cookie plates that aren t sold will be used for our Channel One families who come to Hosanna s Pantry on December 27. Sign up at the Welcome Center to bring cookies and/or to work at the Christmas Cookie Exchange on December 13! Contact Gina Razidlo at ginarazidlo@gmail.com with questions.

8 Outreach and Worship Ministries gathered to grow sent to serve Page 8 Hosanna s Pantry December 26 & 27 Bring family and friends who are in town for the Christmas holidays and take a day to work at Hosanna s Pantry either for set-up on Friday, December 26 at 10:00 am or Saturday, December 27 for food distribution from 9:00 11:30 am. Many families will be out of town for the holidays, so volunteers are needed for those dates. In November we served almost 50 Channel One families! We re expecting that many families again in December. The number of families in need at this time of year is great. Mittens and More We d like to collect lots of mittens, caps and scarves in December to give out at our December 27 Hosanna s Pantry opening. Please remember to bring your new or gently used, clean mittens and caps and scarves to Hosanna before Christmas so we will have a little more than food to give out to our Channel One families who need so much at this time of year. (mittens are especially needed!) It s very cold now and the need is great. Thank you for your continued generosity. Not Meeting in December Quilters Prayer Shawls Herald Volume 35 Issue 12 December Worship Schedule Sundays at 8:00 and 10:30 am Wednesdays at 7:00 pm Lift High the Cross: To Proclaim Jesus Birth December 3 7:00 pm Liturgy: Holden Evening Prayer Theme: Prepare the Way of the Lord December 7 Advent Lessons and Carols Instrumental Service with Communion The Grace Team, Praise!, King s Ringers and Exodus December 10 7:00 pm Liturgy: Holden Evening Prayer Theme: Rejoice in the Lord Always December 14 A Night in Bethlehem 8:00 am Advent Worship led by Students in Grades 6-12 Simply Christmas 10:30 am Children s Christmas Program led by Students, ages 3 Grade 6 December 17 7:00 pm Liturgy: Holden Evening Prayer Theme: Good News of a Savior Told to Many December 21 What Child Is This Christmas Choral Service led by Senior Choir December 24 4:00 and 5:30 pm Family Carol Service with Communion 10:00 pm Candlelight Worship with Communion December 28 9:00 am (one service only) Service of Lessons and Carols

9 gathered to grow sent to serve Council Page Herald Volume 35 Issue 12 Page 9 TREASURER & FINANCIAL SECRETARY REPORT Budget/Contributions Comparison General 2014 Oct YTD Budget 34, ,980 Contributions 33, ,079 Difference (917) (16,901) Difference 13/ , ,261 2,029 (7,182) Council Minutes for the November 11, 2014 meeting will be posted on the website. Capital Appeal 20 1,215 Receipts/Expenditures Comparison General Capital YTD Appeal Receipts 324, ,698 Expenditures 319, ,678 Difference 4, Account Balances - October 2014 Account Name Balance General 1,160 General Reserve 72,094 Special Gifts 24,546 Endowment 47,166 Mortgage 439,790 Stewardship Pledges to date: Pledges General 97/360,000 86/361,500 The 2015 offering envelopes may be picked up. If you have not been issued offering envelopes, please contact Paul Anderson, Financial Secretary at

10 President s Message Page 10 Herald Volume 35 Issue 12 Brrr! Decembrrrr! December seemed to arrive about a month early this year. As I write this message on November 18, we ve already been enduring a couple of weeks of unseasonably cold temperatures. But, the hot, delicious coffee and warm fellowship between worship services in the gathering area helps to offset the early onset of winter. That was certainly true on November 2 and November 9, when so many of you gathered in small discussion groups around the round tables in the Gathering Area for the Stewardship Adult Forums. It was great to see the smiles and to hear the buzz of conversation and discussions, which continued throughout the entire Adult Forum time. Thank you to the Stewardship Team, who planned the forums, and to the Council members and Stewardship Team members who facilitated the discussion groups and kept notes of the discussions. One of the questions discussed during the forums was, Are there programs or activities that should be added or changed to help Hosanna fulfill its continuing mission? Your responses to this question in particular will be very helpful to the Council as we evaluate and plan for 2015, and as we consider longer-range needs and concerns. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and comments with candor and sincerity. This time of year, when I string the Christmas lights on our house, I am reminded of my wife, Jane s great-aunt Hattie, who passed away in 2002, at the age of 105. Hattie taught school for over 40 years in a one-room country school house near Nelson, Wisconsin. She married late in life (after she retired from teaching) and did not have children of her own. By the time Jane and I were married, Hattie was an 88 year-old widow, living alone in her small house in Nelson. Hattie would write to Jane often, in her schoolteacher s perfect penmanship. We enjoyed visiting Hattie at her home, and we would usually try to visit her sometime in November or December. She had a November 30 birthdate, and that was always a good reason for a visit. During one of our visits to Hattie, the Christmas lights on the house across the street from Hattie s house were turned on as the daylight turned to darkness. Our oldest son, Tyler, who was three years old at the time, asked then 99 year-old Hattie, Why do people put Christmas lights on their houses? I wasn t sure how I would have answered. I hoped that Hattie would have a good answer for Tyler. Without hesitation, Hattie replied simply and matter-of-factly, Because the Christmas lights remind us that Jesus Christ is the Light of the World. Tyler was satisfied with her response, and I gained an even greater respect for Jane s dear great-aunt. December always offers so much to look forward to in the life of the church the Sunday School Christmas programs, the decorations, the beautiful music provided by the Senior Choir and all of the music groups at Hosanna, but most importantly, the message of the amazing grace of our Heavenly Father and the Christ Child Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, whose birth we celebrate! Merry Christmas and God Bless You! Keith Johnson President

11 Pastor Meiers Page Herald Volume 35 Issue 12 Page 11 Dear members and friends of Hosanna, The four Sundays before Christmas are a time set aside in the church year for preparation. During this season of Advent, we make ready for the coming of Jesus, God s own son. Advent, as we know it today, does not have a history that extends back to the beginning of the Christian era. Christmas, as well, has not always been celebrated on the date we are familiar with, December 25. There was a time when our church family celebrated Christmas on January 6. In the first centuries of the Christian church, it was Easter, not Christmas, that was the most celebrated festival of the church year. Christmas was only a minor holiday both in the church and in the culture of that time. But times and traditions have certainly changed. In our country both the church and our society observe Christmas for several weeks before the day of remembering Jesus birth even arrives. Our faith life is strengthened when we take time to prepare for Jesus arrival among us. Advent is intended to create a space as we anticipate the wonder and joy of Christmas. Advent includes four Sundays and a varied number of days depending on what day of the week Christmas Day falls. Historians tell us it was the Christian church of the fourth century that began observing Christmas on December 25. The liturgical color for Advent is blue which symbolizes hope. Other symbols of the season include the Advent wreath or log with the lighting of candles which symbolizes the living light of Christ in our world. During this busy time of the year, let us take time to observe Advent as we prepare our hearts and our homes for the arrival of the Christ child. May God bless us as we look with anticipation and joy to the manger and experience again God s love for us incarnated in the Babe of Bethlehem. Yours in Christ, Pastor Bill Meiers Pastoral Acts Baptism November 2, 2014 Leah Lillian Mora This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger. Luke 2:12 These simple words announced a profound message to the world. God had promised to send a savior and that promise is now fulfilled at the birth of Jesus. On the first Christmas night, only a few scattered shepherds took note. But since that time, Jesus has become the most honored name in the world. Hundreds of millions have acclaimed him King, Lord and Savior. May that same message give assurance and hope to each of us as we again celebrate Immanuel, God with us. Your Hosanna staff wishes God s richest blessing to you and your loved ones this Christmas season.

12 Hosanna Lutheran Church th St. NW Rochester, MN (507) Gathered to Grow, Sent to Serve Check out Hosanna s Website! ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED NON-PROFIT ORG. U. S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 603 ROCHESTER MN God s work. Our hands. SUNDAY WORSHIP TIMES 8:00 am. and 10:30 am EDUCATION 9:15 10:15 am Wednesday Worship at 7:00 pm Hosanna Herald Writers: Hosanna Staff & members Editor: Barb Anderson Check out Hosanna s Facebook fan page! STAFF Pastor Bill Meiers Nancy Wales Darcy Youngstrom Barb Anderson Charlie Bohlke COUNCIL OFFICERS Keith Johnson, President Jim Hansen, Pres. Elect Lou Hermansen, Secretary seniorpastor@hosannalutheran.org music@hosannalutheran.org darcy.youngsrom@hosannalutheran.org secretary@hosannalutheran.org custodian@hosannalutheran.org president@hosannalutheran.org president-elect@hosannalutheran.org councilsecretary@hosannalutheran.org COUNCIL ADVISORS Alice Kub, Treasurer treasurer@hosannalutheran.org Paul Anderson, Financial Sec. financialsecretary@hosannalutheran.org OFFICE HOURS 9:00 am 4:00 pm Monday Friday COUNCIL ADVOCATES Karla Weis, Discipleship Ron Machacek, Fellowship Barb Anderson, Outreach Chris Johnson, Support Dave Wall, Worship discipleship@hosannalutheran.org fellowship@hosannalutheran.org outreach@hosannalutheran.org support@hosannalutheran.org worship@hosannalutheran.org