Mount Calvary Lutheran Church

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1 CHURCH NEWSLETTER January 2017 Mount Calvary Lutheran Church Rooted in the Past; Sheltering the Present; Reaching Out to the Future; Empowered by the God of the Ages P. O. Box South Main Street Mt. Jackson, VA (540) Mount Calvary Lutheran Church Virginia Rev. Matthew A. Diehl, Pastor Members of Mount Calvary, Ministers A New Year s Prayer May God make my year a happy one! Not by shielding me from all sorrows and pain, but by strengthening me to bear it, as it comes; not by making my path easy, but by making me sturdy to travel any path; not by taking hardships from me, but by taking fear from my heart; not by granting me unbroken sunshine, but by keeping my face bright the even in the shadows; not by making my life always pleasant, but by showing me when people and their causes need me most, and by making me anxious to be there to help. God s love, peace, hope, and joy be with me for the year ahead. Amen. December Congregation Meeting Summary The Congregation Council called for a Congregation Meeting to be held following worship on Sunday, December 11, The agenda consisted of two items: (1) presentation of and a vote on the proposed 2017 church budget prepared by the Finance Committee and (2) the election of three Council members. Lynn Holtzman, Financial Secretary, presented the proposed budget which represented an overall increase of 1% from the 2016 budget: $167,927 to $169,668. Primary budget changes included a 1.7% salary increase for church staff members which prompted a 3.5% increase in the benefits package, a 2.9% increase in insurance premiums, and a 64% reduction in projected postage costs, which reflects the February 2016 switch to electronic distribution of the church newsletter and church calendar. The proposed budget was approved unanimously. The 2017 budget generates a budget needs per week amount of $3,263, an increase of $34 over the 2016 figure ($3,229). The voting for Council members re-elected Susan Foltz and John Minnick to serve another threeyear term. Kay Whetzel was elected to a three-year term on Council.

2 FROM PASTOR DIEHL Dear Friends in Christ, Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead. Philippians 3:13 A year consists of 12 months, 52 weeks, 365 days, 8,760 hours, 525,600 minutes, and more than 31,000,000 seconds. The months, weeks, days, hours, minutes, and seconds of 2016 were filled with ups, downs, twists, turns, trepidation, and fear. Violence, hateful political exchanges, devastating natural disasters, poverty, and the plight of refugees were among the issues at the forefront of As is often the case, overwhelming negativity often dominates the news, but mercifully stories of community service, kindness, and great generosity are always a welcome relief from the proverbial bad news. A year can be experienced as going by quickly or slowly, depending upon what is happening in our lives and our anticipation or dread of those events. When troubles and frustrations are present, time can seem to pass slowly. When life is running smoothly, time seems to pass quickly. It is helpful that Christmas comes so close to the end of the calendar year and the approach of a new one. This close proximity reminds us that another name for Jesus is Emmanuel, which means God with us through all of the 31,000,000+ seconds of the year. What will you remember most about 2016, and why? As we look back over the past year and gain closure regarding public and personal events, we must remember that the same Lord who was with us during 2016 will be with us as we move with hope into The Gospel of Matthew reminds us that Jesus said, And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:20). This month we follow the Star of Bethlehem once more in the season of Epiphany. We remember, on January 6, the journey of the Magi as they made their way over field and mountain to complete their search for the promised Child. Once there, they presented the newborn King with their treasures of gold, frankincense and myrrh. The journey continues. Where will our journey take us this year of 2017? The calendar, like other years, offers us 365 days to journey with Jesus. Each day affords us a new opportunity to seek his guidance as where to go and what to do. Each day will come to us as a special gift; it will be ours to do with as he leads us. King George VI, a few months after England entered World War II, addressed the nation on New Year s Eve. Lifting the hopes of the people in those dark days, he quoted a poem written by Minnie Louise Haskins entitled God Knows : And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year: Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown. And he replied, Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way. Jesus has called us to let our light shine in the world that we would lead and love others into His light and glory. May the Lord of Life guide all of our days and our deeds with His Holy Spirit as we move into May each new day, each new gift, find us on an exciting journey as the adventure of life, our journey with Jesus, continues. I look forward to greeting you in church next Sunday. Peace in the Lord,

3 Summary: December Congregation Council Meeting The Congregation Council met in regular session Monday evening, December 19. These announcements and actions were included within the Council business: A thank you note was received from Samaritan s Purse for 80 shoe boxes and $560 sent to them by Mount Calvary in December. The monetary gift will be used to mail the shoeboxes. CONGREGATION COUNCIL MEETING A letter was received from Roanoke College announcing that this year s Frederickson/Shannon Scholarship for next year was given to Daniel Bradford of Mt. Sidney. When no one from Mount Calvary applies for this scholarship, the scholarship is awarded to a student in close proximity to Mt. Jackson. The youth raised $781 at their annual spaghetti dinner. The money was used to buy Christmas gifts for a local family. The youth also raised over $450 through their annual bake auction. That money will be used to support youth projects during Responding to two letters of request for transfer of membership, the Council approved accepting the requests of Shirley Minnick and Robert Whitehurst to be received into full membership with Mount Calvary Lutheran Church. Submitted by Barb Pifer Council Secretary Sunday, January 15, is Food Pantry Sunday. During the Children s Sermon, children will collect your donations of canned food and other non-perishable foods for the Mt. Jackson Open Door Food Pantry. After the holidays, this is our opportunity to help the Food Pantry restock its shelves of food provided to families in need in this area. I was hungry and you gave me food. Matthew 25:35a

4 The 12 Days of Christmas * Yes, Christmas Day 2016 is now in the past. However, The 12 Days of Christmas which began on Christmas Day are still with us and will extend through January 6, the Day of Epiphany. That being the case, the song most associated with those twelve days is actually only half over. The song has a very interesting origin. The 12 Days of Christmas was first published in England in 1780, a time in English history when Catholics were not allowed to practice their faith publicly. Nevertheless, wanting to teach their children about the Bible, faithful Catholics came up with a shrewd way to instruct youngsters in the important elements of the Bible and of their faith. That device was the carol The 12 Days of Christmas. Here is what each of the 12 unusual gifts actually meant to those who first sang The 12 Days of Christmas and more importantly to the young ears which first heard the carol. On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me a partridge in a pear tree, The true love of the song was Jesus Christ when true love was born. The partridge in the pear tree also represented Jesus, in that this particular bird is willing to sacrifice its life to protect its young by feigning injury to draw away predators. two turtle doves, The two turtle doves signified the Old and New Testament. three French hens, The three French hens stood for faith, hope, and love. four calling birds, These were the four gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. five golden rings, The five golden rings were the first five books of the Old Testament, describing man s fall into sin and the great love of God in sending a Savior. six geese a-laying, These birds were a reminder of the six days of creation. seven swans a-swimming, Seven swans represented the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: prophesy, serving, teaching, exhortation, contribution, leadership, and mercy. eight maids a-milking, These were the eight beatitudes found in Matthew 5:1-12. nine ladies dancing, The nine dancing ladies represented the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: charity, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, mildness, fidelity, modesty, and chastity. ten lords a-leaping, These signified the Ten Commandments. eleven pipers piping, The pipers stood for the eleven faithful disciples. twelve drummers drumming. The twelve drummers denoted the twelve points of belief recited in The Apostles Creed. *Several sources must be acknowledged for this information: The Quill, the newsletter of St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Williamsburg, VA; December 2016 edition, article by Marty Barstow, Music Director; Shirley Minnick who passed the newsletter along to Mount Calvary; and the Internet source:

5 The Diehls are pleased to invite their Mount Calvary family to the Come enjoy just one more Christmas gathering with your church family at the Parsonage. FROM MARTIN LUTHER * Entering 2017, we also enter a year marking the 500 th Anniversary of the start of the Protestant Reformation, the beginning of which is often cited as October 31, On that date, Martin Luther, Master of Arts and Sacred Theology and regularly appointed Lecturer at the University of Wittenberg, nailed his Ninety-Five Theses to the door of Wittenberg s All Saints Church. The document invited readers to attend and participate in a public discussion of the subjects outlined in the 95 statements. During this 500 th Anniversary year, each of Mount Calvary s newsletters will feature an excerpt from Table Talks, notes recorded by the pastors Martin Luther mentored for 15 years from 1531 to The Talks cover a variety of subjects ranging spiritual growth to witches and vampires. Each is supported by a commentary explaining what Martin Luther meant by the words his mentees recorded. This month s talk addresses choices. `Twas a strange thing the world should be offended at him who raised the dead, made the blind to see, and the deaf to hear, etc. They who would deem such a man a devil, what kind of a God would they have? But here it is. Christ would give to the world the kingdom of heaven, but they will have the kingdom of the earth, and here they part; for the highest wisdom and sanctity of the hypocrites sees nothing but temporal honor, carnal will, mundane life, good days, money and wealth, all of which must vanish and cease. Commentary: Everyday we are faced with choices and decisions. Some are easy and others make us anxious. Luther reminds us that God chose us by coming into this world as one of us only to be faced with rejection, persecution, and death. The separation between God and man is evident in our sins of anger, hatred, desire, and worshiping God on our terms rather than as we are told, have no other gods before me! (First Commandment). Salvation could never be earned, which is why it is a free gift. We have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ who gives us everything including the freedom to make decisions and choices. * Table Talks and their commentaries are taken from LUTHER: 500 YEARS OF THE REFORMATION, reverendluther.org

6 "What sort of New Year s Resolution should a Christian make?" * The practice of making New Year s resolutions goes back over 3,000 years to the ancient Babylonians. There is just something about the start of a new year that gives us the feeling of a fresh start and a new beginning. In reality, there is no difference between December 31 and January 1. Nothing mystical occurs at midnight on December 31. The Bible does not speak for or against the concept of New Year s resolutions. However, if a Christian determines to make a New Year s resolution, what kind of resolution should he or she make? Common New Year s resolutions are commitments to quit smoking, to stop drinking, to manage money more wisely, and to spend more time with family. By far, the most common New Year s resolution is to lose weight, in conjunction with exercising more and eating more healthily. These are all good goals to set. However, 1 Timothy 4:8 instructs us to keep exercise in perspective: For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. The vast majority of New Year s resolutions, even among Christians, are in relation to physical things. This should not be. Many Christians make New Year s resolutions to pray more, to read the Bible every day, and to attend church more regularly. These are fantastic goals. However, these New Year s resolutions fail just as often as the non-spiritual resolutions, because there is no power in a New Year s resolution. Resolving to start or stop doing a certain activity has no value unless you have the proper motivation for stopping or starting that activity. For example, why do you want to read the Bible every day? Is it to honor God and grow spiritually, or is it because you have just heard that it is a good thing to do? Why do you want to lose weight? Is it to honor God with your body, or is it for vanity, to honor yourself? Philippians 4:13 tells us, I can do everything through him who gives me strength. John 15:5 declares, I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. So, what sort of New Year s resolution should a Christian make? Here are some suggestions: (1) pray to the Lord for wisdom (James 1:5) in regards to what resolutions, if any, he would have you make; (2) pray for wisdom as to how to fulfill the goals God gives you; (3) rely on God s strength to help you; (4) find an accountability partner who will help you and encourage you; (5) don t become discouraged with occasional failures; instead, allow them to motivate you further; and (6) don t become proud or vain, but give God the glory. Psalm 37:5-6 says, Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: he will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. *Source: GotQuestions.org

7 Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, Open Door Food Pantry, Inc. acknowledges your December donation of $ Your willingness to help support the Food Pantry is greatly appreciated. Thank you. Sincerely, Ruth B. Williams, Treasurer This month, these church family members can celebrate their birth into God s family through Holy Baptism. Jeffrey Kerlin January 1 Olivia Proctor January 11 First Reading Numbers 6:22-27 First Reading Isaiah 9:1-4 The Psalm Psalm 8 The Psalm Psalm 22:1, 4-9 Second Reading Galatians 4:4-7 Second Reading 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 The Holy Gospel Luke 2:15-21 The Holy Gospel Matthew 4:12-23 First Reading Isaiah 42:1-9 First Reading Micah 6:1-8 The Psalm Psalm 29 The Psalm Psalm 15 Second Reading Acts 10:34-43 Second Reading 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 The Holy Gospel Matthew 3:13-17 The Holy Gospel Matthew 5:1-12 First Reading Isaiah 49:1-7 The Psalm Psalm 40:1-11 Second Reading 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 The Holy Gospel John 1:29-42 Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth. Psalm 78:1

8 Hello Everyone! There are so many exciting things happening at our center this month! We will be opening a second two-year-old classroom on January 3, Olivia Proctor will be the teacher for this class. We are very happy to welcome Olivia to our team! We have officially changed our name from Mount Calvary Day Care to Mount Calvary Early Learning Center. A new sign reflecting this name change has been hung in front of the church. Make sure to check it out! This month, Anabel, Gwen, Jaz, Monica, Kellie, and Regina begin their college classes to earn their Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education. We currently have 58 children enrolled in the Learning Center; this keeps the staff very busy! Have a wonderful new year! Regina and the MCDC Staff How to Have a Restful, Rejuvenating Night s Sleep Did the stress, rush, celebration, and general busy-ness of the holiday season cause some less-than-restful nights for you? Are post-holiday anxieties continuing to interrupt your sleep? The importance of getting a good night s sleep cannot be over-stated. Not only does one feel better after a night s rest, but healthy sleep can also help boost memory, spur creativity, stave off aging, and help maintain a healthy weight. Doctors at The Mayo Clinic and doctors at the National Sleep Foundation offer the following advice for ways to promote falling asleep and staying asleep. Set a sleep schedule. As much as possible, try to go to sleep at the same time each night and wake up the same time each morning, even on days off. Being consistent and paying attention to the body s natural sleep/wake cycles helps promote sleep health. Stick to a bedtime that works for you and encourage family members to turn-in earlier as well. Take the time to wind down. A warm shower, reading, or listening to soothing music can all help the body make the transition from alertness to drowsiness. Avoid the television, computer, ipad, phone, and other electronic devices. Research suggests that screen time close to bedtime interferes with sleep. Let go of stress. When the mind is racing, sleep can suffer. Try jotting down those thoughts just before bed. Take deep, slow breaths. Use the words of Psalm 121 He who watches over Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep as a mantra to help bring on relaxation and as a reminder that God is watching over you as you rest. Have a comfortable sleep space. The bedroom should be cool, dark, and quiet enough to bring on and maintain sleep. If necessary, consider sleep aids such as a quiet fan, earplugs, room-darkening shades, etc. Make sure the mattress and pillow are comfortable.

9 1 Giselle Roberts 3 Mildred Painter 4 Heidi Bodanske 5 Dollie Frye Steve Povlish Jimmy Miller 5 Amber Silvious 6 Emma Proctor 8 Nick Ryman 7 Kim Miller 12 Jackie Frye 12 Pat McKee Wayne Murphy Bill Williams Charles Poole 15 Susan Foltz 14 Crystal Minnick Gabby Povlish Joe Proctor 16 Laura Davis 16 Frances Gerow 24 Dorothy Bean 17 Kathryn Rea Tim Roden 20 Aaron Silvious Robert Whitehurst Lee Ann Povlish 26 Tina Fultz 24 Oliver Holtzman 27 Mary Anne Fadeley Aaron Painter Darren Litten 25 Heather Diehl 28 C. J. Frye 30 Christopher Estep

10 Mary Anne Fadeley Eleanor Funkhouser Frank Funkhouser Goldyene Harris Frances Gerow Jeanette Jones Stephanie Melbourne Barb Pifer Bill Steadman Geraldine Whetzel Lauren Barnett, daughter of Tammy Barnett Lorenzo Bean, husband of Dorothy Bean Billy Beckinstrater, great-nephew of Donnie Pifer Kim Butterfield, daughter of Steve Povlish s colleague Alice Coffelt, friend of Reba Thompson Jeremy Cook, nephew of Luke and Linda Rittenhour Vicki Couvillon, friend of Barb Pifer Christopher Diehl, cousin of Pastor Diehl Mary Beth Foltz, sister-in-law of G.B. and Susan Foltz Iona Frye, friend of Mickey Williams Robert Grace, brother-in-law of Mary Ann Mahoney Mike Grim, son of Dorothy Bean Harry Hanger, friend of Todd and Lynn Holtzman Larry Heltebran, step-father of Steve Povlish Lee Hinkle, first cousin of Amy Proctor Kathleen Kirkalay, cousin of Mary Ann Mahoney Nellie Lesemann, friend of Reba Thompson Isabele Lineweaver, friend of Mickey Williams Donna Mason, sister of Bill Williams Barbara McDonald, aunt of Lisa McDonald Miller Spencer McIntosh, father of Noel Frye Shirley McWilliams, niece of Frances Gerow Mary Anne Miller, friend of Mickey Williams Judy Moomaw, cousin of Anita Miller Sam Mumpower, friend of Mary Anne Fadeley Debbie Neff, friend of Donnie Pifer Clare Polk, friend of Anita Miller Janice Reed, friend of Jim and Anita Miller Linda Ryman, sister of Paul Ryman Verna Ryman, mother of Paul Ryman Wilson Ryman, friend of G.B. and Susan Foltz Pastor Franklin Senger, former pastor of Mount Calvary Neil Showalter, friend of Donnie Pifer Ryan Tomoff, friend of Susan Foltz Mary Sue Van Huss, cousin of Anita Miller Mary Jane Williams, mother of Bill Williams Attendance Sunday School Worship Offering Received* November $2,273 December 4 [n/a] 58 $3,471 December $3,053 December $4,661 December 25 [n/a] 49 $1,398 Averages $2, *Budget needs per week: $3,229 Special Advent and Christmas Worship Service Attendance November 30 Midweek Advent Gathering 12 December 7 Midweek Advent Gathering 11 December 14 Mid0077eek Advent 10 December 21 Midweek Advent Gathering 10 Midweek Advent Gathering average Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 79 Offering received Christmas Eve $2,704