M e s s i a h M e s s e n g e r

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Myles Baldwin
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M e s s i a h M e s s e n g e r We Give Thanks For Plenty We know we have many, many blessings for which to be thankful and November is the time we gather formally to share our bountiful blessings

We can join our church family on Thanksgiving Eve (Nov. 21) and then there s the Community Thanksgiving Dinner on Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 22). See page 2 for the details.

1 M e s s i a h M e s s e n g e r We Give Thanks For Plenty We know we have many, many blessings for which to be thankful and November is the time we gather formally to share our bountiful blessings with others and give thanks to God. There are several opportunities to share our gratitude on a larger scale on Nov. 13 the Homeless Shelter holds its annual soup supper fundraiser. We can join our church family on Thanksgiving Eve (Nov. 21) and then there s the Community Thanksgiving Dinner on Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 22). See page 2 for the details. November 2018 In Memory Of All Saints Humans have always been fascinated with fire we light the fireplace or enjoy candles in our homes, and who doesn t love sitting around a campfire with friends? Sometimes we light a candle in honor of a loved one who has died. At the beginning of every November, we pause on All Saints Day to honor the men and women gone before us, those saints known and unknown, and especially the people who have left us in the last year: (These are the dates of their funerals) Ruth Collins Jan. 25 Ken Waring Apr. 25 Dick Oriano Aug. 11 Dick Baker Sept. 28 Todd Wiedemeier Committal Aug. 23 Ruth Marie Kuepper Oct. 10 Gertrude Meinsen Oct. 29 Inside This Issue: Staff and Council Members at Messiah Pastor... Rev. Susanne Smith Youth Director... Kelly Benz Assistant Youth Director... Laura Carruthers Organist... Hal Morton Choir Director... Alice Kenel Administrator/Bookkeeper... Dennis Wohlers Secretary... Shelley Morton Facilities....Jerry & Kay Claussen & Adam Gerst Nursery Attendant... Ashley Gerst Preschool Staff... Margie Gerst, Director... Krystal Klein, Erica Moser 2018 Council Members: Joanne Mohr-pres., Stan Lehmanvp, Joel Hanger-treas, Roger Hatteberg-sec, Sue Abbott, Ruth Allen, Cathy Borden, Sandy Good, Nancy Johannsen, John Larson, Steve Sanders, Ernie Voigt, Dave Weiler, Donna Williams All Saints... 1 November Happenings... 2 Council Highlights... 2 Preschool News... 3 From the Pastor... 3 Youth News... 4 Stewardship... 5 Scheduled to Serve... 6 Birthdays & Anniversaries... 6 Calendar... 7

Service and Witness TAKE AWAY HUNGER S Christmas sale with toys and baked goods is Saturday, Nov. 10th. Christmas items and toys can be donated through November 4.

2 Community and Care The Burlington Homeless Shelter will have its annual fundraising Soup Supper from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 15, at The Drake. The menu includes soups, bread, beverage and dessert, and a handcrafted bowl all for $25 per ticket. Contact Ernie Voigt ( ) or Char Blodgett ( ). Service and Witness TAKE AWAY HUNGER S Christmas sale with toys and baked goods is Saturday, Nov. 10th. Christmas items and toys can be donated through November 4. Through the years we have been so blessed by your wonderful donations. We are so grateful for Messiah s support for Take Away Hunger projects. DON T FORGET Burlington s community-wide Free Thanksgiving Dinner on Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 22). Donations are needed, as is help preparing and serving this incredible meal. Share your blessings with others who may need some kindness. Celebrations A Thanksgiving Eve supper and worship service will take place at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 21. Supper at 6; worship at 7. All are welcome. Hanging of the Greens will take place at 4:00 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 25. Help get the Sanctuary ready for the Advent season, and have supper in the Social Hall afterward! Memorials 2018 Gifts made and actions taken by the Memorial Committee were the following: Gave start-up money for Alateen materials Paid for continuing education for our Preschool staff Hired Thea Good to update the church record books Approved money for a new freezer in the kitchen Approved money for a concrete patio with a bicycle rack near the west entrance Thank you to everyone who gave memorials in honor of loved ones. Your generosity helps our church perform its mission in our community. COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS - Oct. 17 NOTE: A copy of full reports and minutes of council meetings is available in the office for review. ACTION ITEMS: TEACHING AND LEARNING ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL/ADULT FORUM Nov. 4: Messiah Missions Committee have you sponsored a student in Liberia? Come share your stories with Adult Sunday School! Nov. 11: Sacred Journeys: Japan s Shikoku Pilgrimage Trail DVD Nov. 18: Pastor Susanne presents My Walk Across Southern Japan Nov. 25: Religions of the World: Judaism DVD Approved $3,000 in Memorials money for a concrete patio and bike rack near the west entrance. Allocated $,745 for a new freezer and necessary carpentry work in the kitchen. Allocated $447 for electric fireplace and wiring in the library. Voted to establish a date for a special date for a congregational first vote on the revised constitution. Approved requests for use of Messiah s facilities: Dec. 4, :00 8:00 p.m. Social Hall & Kitchen, Hawkeye Quilters, Tina Jones contact Jan. 6, :00-9:00 p.m. Social Hall & Kitchen, Bridge marathon, Joanne Mohr, contact Mar. 1, 11:00-3:00 p.m. Social Hall & Kitchen, P.E.O. Chapter HU, Anita Watkins, contact

SHAPING FUTURES Through Faith-Based Education Messiah Preschool News Our next project is the HELP US FILL THE CART for our Sharing and Caring curriculum.

We will talk about the first Thanksgiving and how we now celebrate the holiday by having a special meal with our family and friends and express our thanks for the many blessings we are given daily.

Margie From the Pastor s Desk Once upon a time, during WWII in the Pacific, my father was an active-duty Navy Chaplain. Dad was given a steward to help him.

Dad s steward managed his schedule of appointments with officers and enlisted men alike, and the other duties as designed, like the ship s recreation fund.

Think of Peter, fishing all night for nothing, and then Jesus tells him, Just try it one more time, over here on the right. Peter rolls his eyes, but you know what happens next.

Benedictine monk David Steindl-Rast says, In daily life, we must see that it s not happiness that makes us grateful, but gratefulness that makes us happy.

3 SHAPING FUTURES Through Faith-Based Education Messiah Preschool News Our next project is the HELP US FILL THE CART for our Sharing and Caring curriculum. The children and their families will bring canned and boxed foods to help fill the grocery cart full of good foods for those families in our community that need some help. We will talk about the first Thanksgiving and how we now celebrate the holiday by having a special meal with our family and friends and express our thanks for the many blessings we are given daily. Thank you once again for your support of our fundraiser. We appreciate your prayers for our preschool. Happy Thanksgiving from all of us to all of you. Ms. Margie From the Pastor s Desk Once upon a time, during WWII in the Pacific, my father was an active-duty Navy Chaplain. Dad was given a steward to help him. Dad s steward made sure worship on the deck of the ship was announced, supplied with a pump organ and a sailor to play it; that vestments were clean, and bread and wine showed up. Dad s steward managed his schedule of appointments with officers and enlisted men alike, and the other duties as designed, like the ship s recreation fund. Being a steward on a Navy destroyer was a full-time job. Are we that dedicated to stewardship in our church? Think of Peter, fishing all night for nothing, and then Jesus tells him, Just try it one more time, over here on the right. Peter rolls his eyes, but you know what happens next. Fish are one way to learn to trust that God is good. Benedictine monk David Steindl-Rast says, In daily life, we must see that it s not happiness that makes us grateful, but gratefulness that makes us happy. In other words, gratitude is a point of view that helps us see that God is good and our lives are blessed. Stewards of Jesus trust their own generosity and the generosity of others. Think of the parable of the sower, who tosses seeds in every direction, believing that some of them will sprout. Stewards of Jesus know that their giving is grounded in biblical principals. Remember the sermon on the Mount, the Beatitudes. Blessed are they that hear the work of God and keep it. God is gracious and merciful, abounding in steadfast love. You are the salt of the earth...the light of the world. How will the world know this? Because we are imitating God s own graciousness and mercy and love. Watch the children of this congregation: We have high-schoolers teaching Sunday school for elementary kids. Who taught the teens among us? Was it you? Want back in the game? We could use you. Want to be even more a part of Jesus story here? It s all about stewardship. Pastor Susanne+

A Story About Stewardship I think often of the bible story from Luke 8:22-23, Now it happened, on a certain day, that He got into a boat with His disciples.

5 A Story About Stewardship I think often of the bible story from Luke 8:22-23, Now it happened, on a certain day, that He got into a boat with His disciples. And He said to them, Let us cross over to the other side of the lake. And they launched out. But as they sailed He fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water, and were in jeopardy. What does this story have to do with stewardship, you ask? Well it may be a stretch, but often we fail to trust in God s plan and we hold back from giving what God is asking, hiding behind worry and concern without remembering what God has told us. Then we remember the rest of the story from Luke 8: And they came to Him and awoke Him, saying, Master, Master, we are perishing! Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And they ceased, and there was calm. But He said to them, Where is your faith? And they were afraid, and marveled, saying to one another, Who can this be? For He commands even the winds and water, and they obey Him! Where is your faith? Jesus did not say, Wow, what a storm! Instead, He asked, Where is your faith? The storm could not disturb Jesus, but the unbelief of His disciples could and did. How many times have we all worried, held back our giving to our church and because of our own worries, failed in Stewardship of God s people and the mission of Messiah Lutheran Church, failed to be God s hands and feet? Alesia and I have found that in trusting that God will provide, we have been able to tithe to our charities of choice, we continue to donate to Tanzania Scholarship through our church family in Lincoln, Nebraska, continuing to empower Rose Maleko as she continues her college education in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. We continue in faith to God s will and not our own. There are many ways that Messiah Lutheran Church could be God s hands and feet, we must be good stewards of God s plan and provide for those that need our help. Please take time to pray and then pray some more and then pledge to Messiah what God places in your heart. Be His hands and feet, do His good works in Jesus name. Amen. Stan Lehman Messiah s 2019 Time, Talent and Treasure Invitation: Mail or bring this form to the church or put it in the offering. I am making an estimate of giving for 2019 for $ weekly/monthly/ annually. (Circle one) Signed Contact me at I would like to talk to Dennis about electronic/paypal/bank app giving options.

6 Scheduled to Serve in November 8:00 SERVICE Communion Assistant: Nov Julie Bartelt Nov Jonathan Arnold Nov Cathy Borden Nov Julie Bartelt Lector: Nov Dale Bartelt Nov Darwin Bunger Nov Mary Chicken Nov Dale Bartelt 10:30 SERVICE Ushers: Bob Kramer (H) Charlie Allen, Pat Hudgel, Brenda Clements Communion Assistant: Nov Lisa Weiler Nov Darrell Sweezer Nov Braden Hayes Nov Lotegeluaki Lengai Lector: Nov Darwin Bunger Nov Braden Hayes Nov Stan Lehman Nov Ruth Baker Acolytes: Nov Lachlan Kirk Nov Nenyo Lotegeluaki Nov Brian Newberry Nov Harrison Arnold & Matthew Dittner NOVEMBER ANNIVERSARIES Gloria and Dan DeVilbiss... 2 Happy Anniversary! Mission Statement Welcoming all people to share in God s blessings by strengthening our commitment to God through prayer, fellowship and service. NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS Quinlan Kirk, Joann Schoof... 1 Michael Dietrich, Susan Fedler, Bonnie Kienlen, Herbert Tjaden... 2 Megan Fuqua, Kay Wischmeier... 3 Seth Bietz, Darwin Bunger... 5 Betsy Hysell, Lynn Ritter... 6 Bettina Jones... 7 C. Ed Larson, Dalton Wyant Emily Carruthers, Liz Carruthers Kimberly Siegle Marcia Lohman, Chloe Siegle Carole Beck, Tina Carson Jessica Moser Wayne Carruthers Blake Ruther, Donna Williams Mary Kulp, Hunter Leibli Ainsley Fedler, Addison Gerst and Pastor Susanne Smith Lois Wallman Marjorie Hawk John Larson Shane Fuqua ALTAR FLOWERS Nov 4... Richard and Lois Bailey Nov Marjorie Hawk Nov Dan & Marcia Wiedemeier Nov David Wiemer

7 SH - Social Hall 4:30p Communications Com. 4 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 8:00a Worship 9:15a Choir Rehearsal 9:15a Sunday School 10:30a Worship 11:30a Fellowship 11:30a Parish Life 7:00p Alateen (L) 11 8:00a Worship 9:15a Choir Rehearsal 9:15a Sunday School 10:30a Worship 11:30a Fellowship 11:30a Worship & Arts (PO) 7:00p Alateen (L) 18 8:00a Worship 9:15a Choir Rehearsal 9:15a Sunday School 10:30a Worship 11:30a Fellowship 11:45a Preschool Bd. PS office 7:00p Alateen (L) 25 8:00a Worship 9:15a Choir Rehearsal 9:15a Sunday School 10:30a Worship 11:30a Fellowship 4:00p Hanging of Greens & Supper (SA,SH) 7:00p Alateen (L) :00p Men s Bible Study (L) 19 9:00a P.E.O. (L,SH) 6:30p Cong. Council (CR) 26 6:00p Endowment Com. 7:00p Men s Bible Study 6 9:30a Pastors Text Study 12:00p Al-anon (CR) 7:00p Veterans Support Group (PO) 13 ELECTION DAY (L) 9:30a Pastors Text Study 12:00p Alanon (CR) 12:30p Membership Comm. -Happy Joe s 6:30p PEO (L, K) 7:00p Piecemakers/Quilter (CR) 8:00p Christian Ed. Comm. -online 20 9:30a Pastors Text Study 11:30a Staff Meeting 12:00p Al-anon (CR) 27 CR - Conference Room K - Kitchen L - Library PO - Pastor s Office SA - Sanctuary 9:30a Pastors Text Study 12:00p Alanon (CR) 6:00p Hawkeye Heritage Quilt Guild (SH) 7:00p Constitution Task Force (Susanne Smith s) 7 9:30a Ruth/Mary/Elizabeth Circle (L) 4:30p Open Circle (L) 6:00p 412 Timothy (L,CR,SA) 7:30p Confirmation (L) 14 9:00a Piecemakers/Quilters (CR) 3:30p Columbarium Task Force (PO) 6:00p 412 Timothy (CR,L,SH) 7:30p Confirmation (CR) 21 6:00p 412 Timothy 6:00p Thanksgiving Eve Supper (SH) 7:00p Thanksgiving Eve Worship (SA) 28 November 2018 NO Confirmation 9:00a Piecemakers/Quilters (CR) 6:00p 412 Timothy (CR,L,SH) 7:30p Confirmation (CR) 1 9:30a Bible Study (CR) 5:30p Property Comm. (CR) 7:00p Sarah Circle (SH) 8 9:30a Bible Study (CR) 15 9:30a Bible Study (CR) 6:30p Executive Comm. (PO) Thanksgiving Office closed 9:30a Bible Study (CR) 2 12:00p-3:30p PEO (SH&K) Office closed 9:00a-2:00p: New-To-You Christmas Decoration, Toy and Bake Sale 10:00 TAH packaging (SH) 24

MESSIAH LUTHERAN CHURCH 2411 West Avenue BURLINGTON, IOWA 52601 Non-Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Burlington, IA 52601-1598 Permit No.

8 MESSIAH LUTHERAN CHURCH 2411 West Avenue BURLINGTON, IOWA Non-Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Burlington, IA Permit No. 360 Return Service Requested NOVEMBER 2018 MESSIAH LUTHERAN CHURCH Phone: Fax: Sunday Mornings Worship Choir Practice Sunday School & Adult Bible Study Worship Third Wednesdays Supper Holden Evening Prayer 8:00 a.m. 9:15 a.m. 9:15 a.m. 10:30 a.m. 6:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. This Month Take Away Hunger s Christmas Decoration, Toy and Bake Sale - Saturday, Nov. 10 Thanksgiving Eve supper & worship - Wednesday, Nov. 21, 6:00 p.m. Hanging of the Greens & supper - Sunday, Nov. 25, 4:00 p.m. Every Month Men s Bible Study - every 2nd and 4th Monday Weekly Bible Study - every Thursday morning at 9:30 a.m.in the Conference Room Alanon - every Tuesday at noon in the Conference Room Alateen - every Sunday at 7:00 p.m. in the Library Exercise Class - every Monday and Thursday at 10:45 a.m.in the Social Hall 412 Timothy - Every Wednesday from 6 7:30 p.m.

Missionaries. In This Issue: Spotlight on. Messiah Staff. Council. Spotlight on Missionaries. Church Committee Liaisons page 2

Missionaries. In This Issue: Spotlight on. Messiah Staff. Council. Spotlight on Missionaries. Church Committee Liaisons page 2 M e ssiah Messenger March 2019 Messiah Staff Pastor Susanne E. Smith Youth Director Kelly Benz Assistant Youth Director Laura Carruthers Administrator-Bookkeeper Dennis Wohlers Secretary Shelley Morton