Celebrating Our 53rd Year

Transcription

1 Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church Celebrating Our 53rd Year As we begin the new year we will also be entering into the season of Epiphany. The word epiphany means manifestation or a sudden or surprising understanding of something. The season of Epiphany begins with the Day of Epiphany which takes place on January sixth. In Epiphany we actually celebrate three epiphanies: The Magi s (a.k.a. The Wisemen) adoration of the infant Jesus, Jesus baptism in the Jordan River, and Jesus first miracle, changing water into wine. The main image for the season is light. The star that the Magi followed was a new light in the sky. A new dawn has pierced the darkness. During January the days gradually begin to lengthen. The darkest time of year is lightening. The star appears, a new king has been born. He is the light of the world. He and his kingdom are about to be made manifest to all including people, like the Magi, from around the world. The Magi appear, following the star. In antiquity a magus (singular of Magi) was a person of importance and esteem. A magus typically was a magician or a court minister, as such he is one who sees and knows something about the mysteries of life and can reveal those mysteries to others. So, when they arrive they bring gifts. They are gifts for a king. The ancient political idea was that monarchs were supposed to ensure safety for their subjects. Jesus, not Herod (who was the king of Judaea at that time) is the true king who gives life, rather than death, to the people. The gifts are presented to Jesus: gold, frankincense and myrrh. They are gifts of financial value that come as symbolic praise to God. Gold denotes Jesus (continued on page 3) 338 Ocean Shore Blvd. Ormond Beach, FL Phone Fax

2 Office Telephone Mailing Address Office Fax Number Office Pastoral Emergency Church Contacts Ocean Shore Blvd. Ormond Beach, FL CHURCH STAFF Pastor Cantor Bookkeeper Noah s Ark Preschool Administrator Treasurer The Rev. Dennis W. Koch Glenda Cunard Sue Underwood Sue Underwood COUNCIL MEMBERS President Vice President Secretary Council Members Joyce Northridge Jessy Crabb Ed Mikulski Bob Hedges Steve Johnson Jan Kaeding Bill Kohlman CHURCH FINANCIALS NOVEMBER 2014 INCOME MONTH-Actual MONTH-Budget YEAR to Date-Actual Regular Giving $ 12,271 $ 10,000 $ 125,426 Loose Offering $ 1,996 $ 1,000 $ 15,069 Other Income $ 4,591 $ 6,675 $ 81,850 TOTAL INCOME $ 18,858 $ 17,675 $ 222,345 EXPENSES $ 18,175 $ 17,886 $ 206,523 NET INCOME / LOSS $ 683 $ (211) $ 15,822 Grace Lutheran Church (ELCA) Like us on Facebook! 2

3 (continued from page 1) as king. Frankincense and myrrh are sweet smelling resins. Frankincense has a fresh, woodsy, citrus smell. Myrrh has an earthy medicinal smell. Both frankincense and myrrh were used in offerings to gods and at funerals for people of status. They are symbolic gifts for the new King who is God amongst us, who has come to heal us and to die for us. In his baptism in the river Jordan, Jesus is revealed as God s Son to the world. The Holy Spirit descends upon Jesus and the voice from heaven says, this is my beloved Son, listen to him. In his first miracle Jesus and the disciples are in attendance at a wedding. The wine runs out and Jesus, for his friend, makes wine from ordinary water. And the wine was not just cheap wine, we are told it was the best wine. He took something ordinary and created something entirely new. Just as Jesus comes (as we are told) to make all things new. We too are Magi, witnesses of the mysteries of the God that we know in and through Jesus. Each Sunday when we assemble for worship we hear in the word and we see and taste in the Eucharist the mystery of God revealed in the God incarnate, Jesus Christ. How then are you able to reveal Jesus Christ to others? And, help them see God in the midst of life? In Gratitude and Joyfulness, Pastor Dennis We would like to extend our sincere sympathies to the family of Olga Randall, who passed away Sunday, December 21 in San Antonio, Texas. No services are scheduled at this time. We would like to extend our sincere sympathies to the family of Olga Kaeding, mother of Al Kaeding who passed away Friday, December 19. Services were held in Badger, Minnesota Grace Lutheran Church Spaghetti Dinner The hand bell choir is sponsoring a spaghetti dinner on Saturday, January 10 from 4:30 to 7:30pm. This is a fundraiser for their trip to Lutheridge in February. If you are willing to prepare, serve or clean up please contact Judi Bacon. This fundraiser is being advertised throughout the community and is open to the public. Just a reminder: Annual Reports are due Friday, January 9th. Mark your calendars! Jacksonville University Chamber Singers February 4 (Time to be announced) 3

4 Grace Notes from Glenda A new year and new songs. Come join us. Thank you to all who shared your God given talents to make our December services special. You are truly appreciated. A special thanks to the choir and bells for all you did during the entire year. Our first rehearsal for the new year is on Sunday, January 4, 2015 at 9:00am in the choir room. Bell rehearsal is at 6:00pm on Monday, January 5, The Bell Choir s spaghetti dinner is on January 10, 2015, 4:30pm to 7:30pm. Mark your calendar and bring friends and family for a great dinner. Another date for your 2015 calendar is February 4, A concert performed by the Jacksonville University Singers. Time to be announced. Glenda Cunard, Cantor Those who sing, pray twice. PLEASE JOIN US! There will be a Social Club meeting on Friday, January 9, 2015 at 10:30am. We will be making up a schedule for our 2015 luncheons. Salzburg Chorale - Adventsingen Thank yous! Dear Adventsingen Family, Congratulations and a big THANK YOU to each of you for your wonderful performance and production of Adventsingen 2014! Many thanks to all who helped supply refreshments and all the many folks from Grace Lutheran church who helped prepare the food and decorate the church, take care of providing printed programs, etc. A million thanks to Glenda, for her superb accompaniment and her beautiful bell ringers, and to Sue for her work with the children and angel! It really does take a family to make a successful Adventsingen! How happy I am the Grace Lutheran Church (people) and our Salzburg Chorale blend as a family! Most importantly, I am grateful to Pastor Koch and Linda who have always been most welcoming and generous in giving us hospitality. They are truly a blessing to Grace Lutheran and our Salzburg Chorale. I pray that members who were not able to sing with us this year will be with us next year. My plan is to have a family reunion in the spring months after Easter. you will receive an notice when plans are finalized. Meanwhile, may all of you receive an abundance of God s blessings for your generosity in giving of your time, talent and hours of travel to practice and may the Infant Jesus give you Peace and Joy always! God bless us, one and all! Be assured of my daily prayers for all of you! Sister Anne 4

5 D O N AT E TO M A K E A DIFFERENCE Imagine the loving touch of a certified nursing assistant in a care center, a prayer shared with a home care client or a Bible study among senior living apartment residents. These are all examples of steps toward fulfilling the Good Samaritan Society s vision to create an environment where people are loved, valued and at peace. Your contributions help us continue to take these steps and care for seniors in the way they want to be cared for with respect and dignity. Items needed are listed below: Deodorant, Shower Gels, Shampoo, Shaving Cream for the men, Conditioners for the women, Body Spray, Hand Sanitizers, Hand Lotion, Toothbrushes and Toothpaste (small) Thanks for helping us make a difference in the lives of seniors! The Good Samaritan Society is a not-for-profit organization Cantata Service The singers were marvelous, the handbell choir was awesome, the harpist was heavenly, the drummers provided a great accent, the nativity participants were right on cue and the church was beautiful! Everything combined to give us another memorable cantata under the direction of Glenda Cunard, Cantor. Thanks to all participants for their dedication and hard work. The Stetson University Singers were a great compliment to our program. We had 224 people enjoying the Cantata. 5

6 Noah s Ark Preschool Visit our website: The Annual Noah s Ark Christmas Concert was held on Thursday, December 11th to a standing room only crowd of family and friends of our 93 students. The children were amazing! They memorized their songs, lined up as they should and totally entertained us with their interactive singing. To the delight of everyone, the VPK students became a handbell choir and played two songs. A large round of applause to our music instructor, Debra Hanson, and all of the teachers who worked so hard teaching the students their lines. noahsarkormond.com We had a phone call from Santa who couldn t visit our Christmas party, but was able to chat with each child about their wishes. Our Christmas party, also included a new book, a stuffed animal of choice, pizza and snacks, fruits and desserts. It was a busy and exciting month for us all. Update Shade Coverings for the Playground We received a significant increase in our funds in December. We are very grateful to Jan Kaeding for donating the beautiful Christmas quilt for our Silent Auction. We wish to thank Judi Bacon for her winning bid of $ on the quilt which we displayed in the lobby this month. The Social Ministry committee donated $ from the proceeds of their bake sale held on December 14th. Last, but not least, Thrivent sent us a check for $ in matching funds for our hot dog sale in October. Thanks to so many people who supported the hot dog sale, the bake sale, and bid on the quilt, we made substantial progress towards our goal. Watch for information on our next fundraiser in March. 6

7 Birthdays January Birthdays 5 Florence Bugden 5 Dorothy Jean Robinson 5 Carol Reck 6 Faye Anderson 8 Scott Burdick 12 Jessy Crabb 12 Orville Fulkerson 15 Patty Westbrock 21 Judi Bacon 24 Elaine Corfman 26 Dick Nagel 26 Butch Secunda 29 Mary Russell February Birthdays 2 Amber Thomas 5 Dot McNary 10 Gerry Spies 12 Matt Hornstein 13 Liam Bobak 13 Donna Hauge 16 Linda Smock 19 Dorothy Lauer 21 George Cunard 26 Al Paciello 28 Fred Boettcher 28 Carolyn Gerard 28 Aidan Liddle Anniversaries January Anniversaries 9 Judi Bacon & Ed Mikulski 15 Tammy & Rocco Picerno 16 Kelly & Les Prairie 25 Joy & David Liddle February Anniversaries 4 Terry & Carol Tissiere 14 Al & Elaine Corfman 16 Tim & Nancy Flaherty Tuesday, January 27, we are a voting precinct for the primary election Offering Envelopes Please stop by the table in the Lobby to pick up your new 2015 Offering Envelopes. Questions?? See Bud & Carolyn Gerrard Mark your calendars! We will need help on Friday, January 9, to take down all of the Christmas decorations. See you at 9am! Continental Breakfast will be served! Souper Bowl Sunday February 2, 2014 Please bring in cans of soup for SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY, February 2. This is our annual plea to use Super Bowl Sunday as a day of giving soup to feed the homeless. This is a nationwide drive of the ELCA, and all congregations are participating. So many people are still hungry and really depend on our help. SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY FEBRUARY 2 BYOC Bring your own cans!!! 7

8 Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church 338 Ocean Shore Blvd. Ormond Beach, FL NON-PROFIT STANDARD U.S. Postage Paid Daytona Beach, FL Permit N CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED CURRENT RESIDENT OR Activity Schedule WEEKLY WORSHIP SERVICE Sunday School Coffee Fellowship Youth Night Choir Rehearsal Gift Shop Quilters Confirmation Class Bible Study Social Club Luncheon Men s Prayer Breakfast Sundays at 10:00 am Sundays at 10:00am Sundays at 9:00am 4th Sunday of the month Sundays at 9:00am Sundays at 9:30am Tuesdays at 9:30am Wednesdays at 3:30pm Thursdays at 10:00am 3rd Friday of the month 4th Saturday of the month