Lake Oconee Lutheran Church

Transcription

1 Lake Oconee Lutheran Church A Stephen Ministry Congregation Our vision is to become an expanding community of faith, growing in the Holy Spirit and practicing before the world a Christ-centered life. Lord willing, we will do this with Outreach that is inviting, interesting, and inclusive; while serving the people of our large area and with Worship that goes beyond Sunday morning. A C h u rc h Newsletter November/December 2017 Secretary Choir Director Instrumentalist Deb Krahling lolcsec@plantationcable.net Art Hargrove art.hargrove@gmail.com Bradley Sowell Sunday Service 10:30 a.m. 1 st, 3 rd, & 5 th Holy Communion 2 nd & 4 th Morning Prayer Church School 9:00 a.m Lake Oconee Parkway Eatonton, Georgia Church Office Visit our web site: Martin Luther on the Nativity Let us, then, meditate upon the Nativity just as we see it happening in our own babies. I would not have you contemplate the deity of Christ, the majesty of Christ, but rather his flesh. Look upon the Baby Jesus. Divinity may terrify man. Inexpressible majesty will crush him. That is why Christ took on our humanity, save for sin, that he should not terrify us but rather that with love and favor he should console and confirm.

2 Behold Christ lying in the lap of his young mother, still a virgin. What can be sweeter than the Babe, what more lovely than the mother! What fairer than her youth! What more gracious than her virginity! Look at the Child, knowing nothing. Yet all that is belongs to him, that your conscience should not fear but take comfort in him. Doubt nothing. Watch him springing in the lap of the maiden. Laugh with him. Look upon this Lord of Peace and your spirit will be at peace. See how God invites you in many ways. He places before you a Babe with whom you may take refuge. You cannot fear him, for nothing is more appealing to man than a babe. Are you affrighted? Then come to him, lying in the lap of the fairest and sweetest maid. You will see how great is the divine goodness, which seeks above all else that you should not despair. Trust him! Trust him! Here is the Child in whom is salvation. To me there is no greater consolation given to mankind than this, that Christ became man, a child, a babe, playing in the lap and at the breasts of his most gracious mother. Who is there whom this sight would not comfort? Now is overcome the power of sin, death, hell, conscience, and guilt, if you come to this gurgling Babe and believe that he is come, not to judge you, but to save. Excerpt -Martin Luther s Christmas book

3 Handel s MESSIAH As you know our church has the privilege of hosting the Greensboro Chamber Choir presentation of The Messiah this Sunday December 3rd at 6:00pm. Please make at least three dozen items and put them on two plates as we will be serving from both hallways. Items may be brought to the church on Saturday December 2nd after 1pm when the church will be decorating for the Christmas season or before the 6:00 concert on Sunday the 3rd. Your willingness to contribute is greatly appreciated. Thank you. ----Connie Piepenbrink and Marcia Elkins Our very own LOLC singers celebrating a successful MESSIAH concert in NY!

4 Lake Oconee Update We began round two of our call for a new pastor with a list of eight pastors from District President Greg Walton in early November. After the pastors were contacted and the call committee reviewed their information, the list was narrowed to five pastors. These pastors range from young pastors in the early stages of their ministry to seasoned pastors with decades of experience. Please continue to pray for our church as we seek a new pastor and pray for these pastors who are also seeking God s direction for their ministry. Ed Fritch, Call Committee Co-Chairman.

5 Advent/Christmas Season at Lake Oconee Lutheran Church The Suppers begin at 6 PM each Wednesday of Advent. Please RSVP on the signup sheet on the round table. See you there. Morning Christmas Eve day worship service at 10:30 a.m. Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 6:30 p.m.

6 Poinsettia List December 2017 Member Tom & Peggy Uehlin Dedication Memory of Parents Susan & Walter Krause Memory of loved ones Amy Orr-Stokes Memory of Parents Lance & Jerry Pailer Mothers Marie & Mary Shirley & Bob Mai Christmas Connie & Tom Saner Memory of loved ones Harold Sollenberger Bonnie & Marlo Neuleib Barbara Smolinski Memory of Lois Memory of Sharon Neuleib ; Honor of Idamae Bjorjum Memory of Don Smolinski Roger Martinson The Glory of God Mortensen family Robert & Marcia Elkins Rosemary Bonnough Memory of Ann Mortensen Memory of Parents Ed & Marian Elkins; Carl & Clarina Johnson Memory of Clay & Catherine Chambers Mike & Reda Joost Cindy & Charlie Helms Memory of Parents Memory of Parents

7 The Twelve Days of Christmas Legend holds that the beloved carol was actually a tool to help children learn Christian teachings. Here's what the gifts mean. When Oliver Cromwell came to power in England, Catholics were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Tradition holds that Catholic parents developed "The Twelve Days of Christmas" to teach children their beliefs. The partridge in a pear tree represents Jesus (the partridge will sacrifice its life to save its young). Two turtle doves: The Old and New Testaments Three French hens: The Holy Trinity Four calling birds: The four Evangelists--Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John Five golden rings: The first five books of the Old Testament Six geese a-laying: The six days of creation described in Genesis Seven swans a-swimming: The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit (wisdom, understanding, counsel, strength, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord) Eight maids a-milking: The eight Beatitudes Nine ladies dancing: The nine choirs of angels (Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominions, Virtues, Powers, Principalities, Archangels, and regular angels); or the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit (love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, patience, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control). Ten lords a-leaping: The Ten Commandments Eleven pipers piping: The eleven faithful Apostles Twelve drummers drumming: The twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed http: // faiths/ christianity/ 2000/ 12/ the-twelve-days-of-christmas.aspx

8 Second Annual Sacred Harp Workshop and Sing Saturday January 13 th 2018 Lake Oconee Lutheran Church 1089 Lake Oconee Parkway Eatonton GA Workshop begins at 10am Covered Dish Lunch at 12pm Community Sing at 1pm The Sacred Harp is a tradition of nondenominational community singing, using shape notes, that encourages participation not performance. The singers face inward in a hollow square, and the leaders are in the middle. Many leaders rotate directing the singing. The notes are printed in different shapes that indicate what syllable to sing. The group sings from The Sacred Harp, an oblong songbook first published in 1844 by B.F. White and E. J. King. The music is printed in patent notes wherein the shape of the note head indicates the syllables FA, SOL, LA, and MI. The repertory includes psalm tunes, fuging tunes, odes and anthems by the first American composers ( ), and also settings of folk songs and revival hymns ( ). The current 1991 Edition contains many songs in these styles by living composers. The workshop and singing will be conducted by the Atlanta chapter. If you have not tried shape note singing before, see our what-to-expect page. For general information, see Fasola.org and Warren Steel's Sacred Harp site. But The Sacred Harp is not for reading about. It is for singing. Please join us for a wonderful experience, this is a free workshop and community singing. For local information contact: Art Hargrove art.hargrove@gmail.com

9 LOLC offers Bible Study and Ministry Adult Class Corner Bible reading centered on the Scripture Lessons of the day: Sundays 9 a.m. Weekly scheduled Scripture readers are encouraged to attend and receive a preview of their worship service reading. Stephen s Ministry The Stephen Ministers have a guidance book focusing on Cancer [CANCER, Now What?] available for check out. The book itself and a sign out sheet reside on the book shelf across from the church secretary s desk. Please sign out the book & return it promptly after reading so others may also benefit from the readings..

10 Council Minutes October 2017 President Dave Ringer called the meeting to order at 11:45am. Alan Oberdeck opened the meeting with prayer. Reports President s Report, Dave Ringer Alan Oberdeck volunteered to complete Linda Jorgensen s Lay Ministry term. A motion was made and approved by the Council for Alan to lead Lay Ministry. Vice President, Ed Fritch Ed Fritch reported that the two pastoral candidates elected by the membership on September 10 did not accept a Call to LOLC and that he has requested and is awaiting a new list of candidates from District President Greg Walton. Lay Ministry, Alan Oberdeck On October 15 Lay Ministry meeting, Alan volunteered to be the head Elder. Alan provided a list of supply pastors through the end of 2017 with just several openings. Alan selected a lesson plan for the Advent Soup Suppers. The Elders plan to work with Stephen Ministers who have the training and experience dealing with people with counseling needs. The Elders are searching for a volunteer to head Altar Care. Christian Service, Laura Shipman Laura reported that with the 500 th Anniversary of Reformation celebration being next week, October 28 th, all plans are set. She is organizing volunteers to help setup for and cleanup after the event. New Business Advent Soup Supper Alan Oberdeck will lead devotions for the Advent soup suppers. Change name of Elders to Deacons and Deaconesses under Lay Ministry. This is a wording change to the LOLC Constitution and requires 2/3 majority approvals at two Congregation Voter s meetings separated by at least 30 days. The change will be presented for approval at the November Congregation meeting with the second approval at the January 2018 meeting. November congregational meeting. November 19 was chosen as the date for the next Congregational Meeting. Old Business Nomination committee for new council members for Several Council members have completed 2 two year terms on the Council and desire to be replaced. A new slate of officers will be ready for the November 19, Voter s Meeting. Stewardship program plans After discussion of previous years Stewardship campaigns, Dave Ringer said that he would contact members to find a leader for the 2017 Stewardship Program. Biblesticks At the September meeting, Ed Fritch discussed BibleSticks, which are audio versions of the Bible on an MP3 player which are sent to US military troops. Revisiting the issue, the Council decided to put an insert in the Sunday service bulletin requesting donations to purchase BibleSticks, which cost $25/each. By unanimous consent, the meeting adjourned at 12:55pm with the Lord s Prayer. Respectfully Submitted, Robin Larson Council Secretary

11 Lake Oconee Lutheran Church Financial Report October 2017

12 Opportunities to Serve Habitat for Humanity ReStore Two of our LOLC members, Janis & Mara Lipacis, are faithful volunteers for Putnam County Habitat for Humanity, a vital organization that does much to benefit our community. According to Janis, the Habitat Furniture ReStore affiliate is in dire need of more volunteers. Please consider that the amount of time you donate is flexible and at your convenience plus you can meet new people. In addition, the variety of things you can volunteer for is tremendous. The organization especially needs: Thursday afternoon cashiers; Mentors who give support and friendship to families selected to be homeowners and keep a record of their sweat equity hours; Friday and Saturday volunteers at the store; Construction team members; Help with pickup of donations that includes driving the truck; and A secretary to the board. Help us to spread the word to anyone else friend or family who might be a willing volunteer. For even more first-hand information, talk to Janis after church or contact him at Worship Service You can become at vital part of the Sunday Worship service. Become an usher, a greeter, a communion assistant an Altar care giver or a reader! Contact Peggy Uehlin to sign up as a reader. To volunteer for the other opportunities contact the church office or sign up on the designated sheet the round table.

13 Mites The Widow s mite of Mark 12: is the inspiration for the LWML mite boxes. Recent mites collections: $ The Ladies of the Church organize mites collections on a continuous basis. The third Sunday of each month is the official Mites Sunday after which the monies gathered go to the Lutheran Women's Missionary League to support various ministries around the world. Detailed information is available at and on Facebook. The third Sunday of the month is designated Mite Sunday, but donations are always welcome. We express heartfelt thanks for your charitable generosity. Susan Larson Choir Notes Members Wanted -- Join Us Now No Auditions Warm Up and Vocal Coaching Practices are weekly on Wednesdays at 5:00 p.m. and Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m. Contact: Art Hargrove Coffee after Church Check your calendars and sign up for a turn preparing coffee and light refreshments for Coffee Hour after service each Sunday. A sign-up sheet is on the round table at the back of the church. Recycling Projects Remember the LOLC paper recycling program only includes weekly bulletins and other white paper products. All collected paper goes to the recycling center. We are also collecting aluminum cans for Amber Bailey, the person who does such a great job keeping our church clean.

14 Lutheran Laughter & Wisdom Lake Oconee Lutheran Church Church secretary, Deb Krahling Music Director, Art Hargrove Instrumentalist, Bradley Sowell Lake Oconee Parkway Eatonton GA Phone: Website: