D E C E M B E R F A I T H L U T H E R A N C H U R C H

Transcription

1 Faith Matters D E C E M B E R F A I T H L U T H E R A N C H U R C H The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America WORSHIP TIMES SUNDAYS 9:00 A.M WEDNESDAYS 6:15 P.M. CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP CHURCH OFFICE 255 Roosevelt Street PO Box 369 Valders, Wisconsin Phone Fax Website STAFF DIRECTORY Erica Cunningham, Pastor Direct Office Line Cell: pastorerica@tds.net Lynn Walsh, Youth Ministry Coordinator Education Coordinator Cell: lynnwalsh@tds.net Christine Olson, Adm. Assistant Faith Matters Editor ...faith21@tds.net David Kriewald, Custodian Derek Luckow, Bell Choir Director Kim Bremer, Dennis Luckow, Carol Ulness, Becky Schultz Contemporary Worship Coordinators Erin Lenzner, Mixed Choir Director Peggy Madson & Sue Riesterer, Organists INSIDE In the Life of Faith...2 In the Life of Faith continued...3 Finances...4 Liturgical Roles/Membership...5 Calling Cards/Baby Shower for Jesus.6 Youth and Family...7 Poinsettia Order Form...8 November 30 th marks the first Sunday in Advent and the beginning of a new church year. Advent is not about preparation for Christmas, but is a time of waiting for the One who was, is, and is to come. Advent is a time to reflect on the One who is continually coming, bringing life to a dying world. As the outside world grows darker and the days shorter, the advent candles get brighter each week, reminding us that even in the midst of darkness, we have hope. Even as the outside world forces us to be ever busier shopping, baking, wrapping, travelling, school concerts, sports, etc when we enter into the sanctuary during Advent, we are forced to slow down, to prepare our hearts, to wait in joyful expectation. Waiting is difficult for many of us, especially in a world filled with instant gratification and communication. We find it hard to wait. To slow down. This advent season, I invite you to enter into this season of waiting, to join us for worship, to receive with joy the gift of grace in the bread and wine. Faith has been waiting for many years to call a second pastor, and I am excited to announce that Nicole Welke has accepted the call to be our associate pastor. After an energetic and productive congregational meeting, the congregation voted overwhelming to call Nicole. The vote was 123 yay and 16 nay. Nicole intends to start on January 1. Her primary focus will be on community outreach and the development of small group ministries in fulfillment of our Vision Please join me in welcoming Pastor Nicole into our Faith family! Peace, Pastor Erica

2 Sunday, December 14 9:00 A.M. Worship Sunday School Christmas Program and Holy Communion. Wednesday, December 17 6:15 P.M. Worship with Sunday School Christmas Program and Holy Communion. Blue Christmas Service of Light in the Midst of Darkness Thursday, December 18 at 7:00 PM Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24. Worship at 3:00, 5:30 and 11:00 P.M. with Holy Communion. Christmas Day, Thursday, December 25. Worship at 10:00 A.M. with Holy Communion. Sunday, December 28 2

3 Community Dinner November 2014 Faith Lutheran Church is again sponsoring the Sharing Tree. The tree is located in the gathering space. On this tree are tags that represent the food and gift items for two families. A spending suggestion for each tag is $15.00-$ Information sheets highlighting the families are available near the tree. All gifts need to be returned to church unwrapped no later than Sunday, December 7 as they will be delivered the following week. Support in the past years has been tremendous, so I am confident these families will see God s love made real through your generosity. Any questions can be directed to Julie Endries at

4 Finances Income - October Budget YTD Actual YTD Budget Envelope Offerings $ 18, Loose Offerings $ Other Income $ General Fund Income $ 18, $ 25, $ 233, $ 256, Dedicated Income $ $ 8, Total Income $ 18, $ 242, Operating Expenses - October Administrative/Office $ 1, Benevolence $ 1, Bd. of Church Property $ 2, Bd. of Education $ Bd. of Evangelism $ Bd. of Lay Ministry $ Bd. of Parish Organizations $ (28.63) Bd. of Stewardship $ Bd. of Youth Ministry $ 1, Personnel Salaries/Benefits $ 14, General Fund Expense $ 22, $ 25, $ 254, $ 256, Dedicated Expense $ $ 8, Total Expenses $ 23, $ 262, Balances as of October 31, 2014 Assets: General Fund Checkbook: $ 37, Year to Date General Fund Net Income : ($20,490.89) Capital Appeal September 31, 2014 Denmark State Bank Loan Balance - $478, Monthly required payment $3, Additional payment for August $2, Total October payment $ Principle paid $4, Interest paid $1, October 31, 2014 Denmark State Bank Loan Balance - $474, Donations World Hunger: Eleven donations were given this month. Capital Appeal Fund: In memory of Irma Draheim by Vivian, John and Marilyn Robley and Bryce and Penny Larson. Twenty five additional donations were given this month. Please have all of your 2014 contributions into the church office by Sunday, December 28. Thank you! 4

5 Liturgical Roles ~ Worship Responsibilities Pastoral Acts Baptisms... Lilah Mae Pingel Memorial Service... Eva Jean Wilson Membership Baptized Confirmed Families Worship Attendance Sunday Wednesday Total 10/ / / / (not available as of 11/18/14) Communion 10/26 10/29 11/2 11/5 11/9 11/16 Congregation Guests Home Communion 15 Altar Guild Servers Communion: December 7, 14, 21, 24 & Committee #1 Marlene Evenson, Chair (Committee #1) Bev Torrison, Chair (Committee #2) Lectors 12/3 Pam Miles 12/7 Bob Argall 12/10 Gary Exner 12/14 Callie Olson 12/17 Callie Olson 12/21 Don Domrath 12/24 3:00 Val Zibung 5:30 Penny Larson 11:00 Carol Ulness 12/25 Stefanie Kaderabek 12/28 Connie Hoyer Communion Servers 12/3 Pam Miles, Steve & Laura Halverson 12/7 Joyce Sorenson, Bob Argall, Larry Madson 12/14 Caroline Berge, Kate Greif, Connie Hoyer 12/17 Tara Sousek, Kristina Lettenberger, Erin Schwoerer 12/21 Don & Delores Johnson, LuAnn Helgeson 12/24 3:00 Joyce Sorenson, Val & De Zibung Don Schreiner, Jan Mulhaney 5:30 Jen Zutz, Delton & Cheryl Duchow 11:00 Dennis & Cathy Luckow, Bob Klessig 12/25 Stefanie Kaderabek, Bob Wigen, Earl Griffin 5 Acolyte Schedule 12/3 Isaac Petska 12/7 Caroline Berge 12/10 John Miles 12/14 Trenton O Leary 12/17 Joshua Korleskey 12/21 Gracie Shillcox 12/24 3:00 Jessica and Jennifer Jeske 5:30 Erin Schwoerer 11:00 12/25 Sage Meyer 12/28 Chase Wilker Head Usher Schedule- Sunday December... Larry Madson and Tom Madson January... Matt Krogh and Paul Franz Greeters 12/3 Dennis and Debra Schuh 12/7 Ava Ulness and Joyce Sorenson 12/10 Tammy and Abbey Meyer 12/14 Katie Kapinos, Erin Schwoerer, Tannor Wittmus 12/17 Katie Kapinos, Erin Schwoerer, Tannor Wittmus 12/21 Don and Nancy Christianson 12/24 3:00 Lee and Mary Evenson 5:30 Jill Backus and Penny Larson 11:00 Bob and Marge Klessig 12/25 Kelly and April Meyer Family 12/28 Dennis and Marlene Evenson Ushers 12/7 Gary & Linda Heeler and Gary Bratz 12/14 Eric Thomsen, Isaac Petska, Chase Wilker, Aric Olson 12/17 Kyle/Dylan Conrad, Eric Thomsen, Chase Wilker 12/21 Gary and Tricia Olson Family 12/24 3:00 Guy and Judy Valleskey Family 5:30 Mark and Jen Zutz Family 11:00 Loren and Carol Ulness Family 12/25 12/28 Brian and Tammy Brill Family Fellowship Hour Hosts 12/7 Ben and Chloe Cigler Mike and Lenka Hougen 12/14 Ron and Kaye Jandrey Bruce and Ann Jeske 12/21 Ron and Jo Jones George and Kim Junk 12/28 Robert and Norma Argall Dean and Rose Behnke

6 FLC Calling Cards Baby Shower Faith Lutheran Church Faith s Calling Cards Our Mission Sharing God s Word Showing God s Love Serving God s World 255 Roosevelt Street PO Box 369 Valders WI Website: faithlutheranchurchvalders.org We have recently created Faith Lutheran Church calling cards. They are available in the basket at the Welcome Center. The calling cards share our mission statement as well as our contact information. Consider using them in any of the following ways: Welcoming new neighbors attach one to a loaf of bread or a plate of cookies and give them as a welcome gift. Birthday or anniversary cards enclose a calling card and let the recipient know you are praying for them on their special day. Random acts of kindness pay for the next coffee when you get your morning brew. Ask that the calling card be given to the person receiving your gift. Share the good news pass the card onto an acquaintance or new friend who may be seeking a church home. How do you see yourself sharing Faith with others? It s a Baby Shower for Jesus! Can you help? Faith Lutheran Youth are doing a Christmas Mission Project this year featuring The Crossing. Please bring items and drop them off in the Pack-n-Plays that will be located in the Gathering Space. What to bring: Diapers (newborn to size 5) Baby wipes, Desitin or similar products Baby books and new toys Other very gently used or new Infant products and clothing, maternity clothes and feminine products are need, as well as shampoo, toilet paper, Kleenex etc. Who we re helping: The Crossing Pregnancy Services A non-profit, Christian-based organization offering life-affirming help to women and men facing unplanned pregnancy. 6

7 YOUTH & FAMILY The following students celebrated First Communion on November 9: Malachai Blanke, Jennifer Jeske, Angelina Junk, Kristin Pederson, Ava Petska, Thomas Pope, Cassidy Tuschel, Garrett Ulness, and Anthony Zucchi. You think you can t sing? That is ok we will take you! Christmas carols sound beautiful when any group joins together and shares them! Advent is a time waiting for Christ s birth and in church we sing Advent songs, but not Christmas Carols during this time. To share this amazing season, we are looking for youth who will join together to sing carols ½ hour before church service. We will have the songs for you with your suggestions of favorites you like to sing and the music. We just need your voices, smiles, and enthusiasm! As a group you can make it as formal or fun as you want dress as old time carolers, wear your ski First jackets and silly hats, or create a group of ugly Christmas sweater carolers! Have fun with it. For those coming to church this will be a fun treat that will make this season just a little more special. You earn 1 faith in action hour for each caroling session you can make! We would like to see this on Sundays, but if the group likes doing this, we can add Wednesdays as well! Communion Although this is an opportunity for confirmation students to earn faith in action hours, if you have siblings or friends who like to sing please ask them to join us! The more the merrier! We will aim for a group at the main entrance and if we have enough we may spread you out between the main and upper side entrance! Retreat This is a Joyful way to Share Your Faith! 7

8 Poinsettia Order Form Instructions for Ordering * One plant per order form. * $9.00 per plant. * All poinsettias will be red Please make checks payable to Faith Lutheran Church. DEADLINE for orders is SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I (We) wish to order a poinsettia to be placed in church during Christmas. Name(s) of person(s) ordering: This plant is (circle one) IN SPECIAL THANKSGIVING or IN MEMORY IN HONOR of: I will pick up my plant by Sunday, December 28. Please donate my plant. ************************************** World Hunger I would like to give money to World Hunger instead of a plant. Name(s) of person(s) ordering: Amount of money enclosed This is (circle one) IN SPECIAL THANKSGIVING or IN MEMORY IN HONOR of: WANTED! Faithful, active members ready and willing to be Assimilators! Rick Warren, in his book, The Purpose Driven Church, states that assimilation is the task of moving people from an awareness of your church to attendance at your church to active membership in your church. Assimilators go beyond the traditional welcome greeting to intentionally engaging others visitors and fellow members in conversation and opportunities for service. The Board of Evangelism recently sent out over 100 postcards inviting inactive members and past guests to be with us through Worship during the Advent and Christmas Season. We are all aware that Christmas Services at Faith Lutheran Church have a long-standing tradition of being very well attended. While some of these attendees are family members of congregational members, some could be returning members or first time guests. The old adage of, never getting a second chance to make a first impression holds some truth. The need for individuals willing to assist in the assimilation of members and guests continues to be an important part of our Christian calling. The following actions have been lifted up as effective means to begin and continue the assimilation process: Extroversion in the pew assuming responsibility for those seated around you. Be intentional about extending a welcome and getting acquainted with those you do not know. Be intentional about sitting near people worshiping or attending events alone. Again, be intentional about engaging them in conversation. Be aware of individuals not involved in Fellowship following worship and intentionally draw them into conversation. Once you have made a connection, introduce them to others you know, or invite them to an upcoming event or service project you plan to attend. Keep informed about small group opportunities, service projects, and large group events in order to encourage and invite others. Set a goal to get to know one new individual by name per month. Lastly, be positive and affirming to all who add to the ministry and vibrancy of Faith Lutheran Church. Assimilation is not a one-time event it is a process. May God give you courage and wisdom to do His work! Faith s Board of Evangelism Faith s Board of Evangelism 8