NewLifelines December 2016

Transcription

1 NewLifelines Week one: Nov. 27 (GOD HAS A FACE) John Advent is a season of preparation because it is also a season of anticipation a glorious gift is coming soon and we want to e ready to receive it! In the prologue to his gospel, the apostle John proclaims the miraculous truth of the incarnation, the gift of God with us in Week two: Dec. 4 (WORSHIP WORKS WONDERS) Luke 1:46-55 When good things become ultimate things substitute gods the challenge we face is this: How can we set our hearts on God above all else without discarding or doing damage on the good things we love? The answer: we immerse ourselves in heartfelt worship. Week three: Dec. 11 (GOD GUIDES THE WISE) Matthew 2:1-12 The wise men and their story is our story. We re all travelers indeed of direction, and God gives it. The Magi show us how to respond with wisdom. Max Lucado Week four: Dec. 18 (EVERY HEART A MANGER) John 3:1-17 There was nothing extraordinary about the manger; it was a humble feeding trough. It became the cradle for a king because it was available and because God chose it. And is wasn't random choice. Throughout the Christmas story God consistently chose the small, the lowly, and the outcast.

2 Christmas Eve Worship 3 & 5 p.m. Christmas Day & New Year s Day 9:30 a.m. JOURNEY KIDS Christmas Program December 11 10:30 a.m. NEW LIFE Giving Tree Our NLLC Giving Tree is adorned with ornaments that represent sharing opportunities that will benefit residents of MOSAIC Homes here in the Des Moines Area and also from ELCA's Good Gifts initiative that will benefit children and families worldwide. The snowflake Mosaic Ornaments each have a few gift suggestions written on them along with a general description of the resident who will be receiving them. You are invited to take an ornament home and include them in your Christmas shopping. The wrapped gift along with the original ornament (for identification purposes) need to be returned to the church by December 18 so they can be delivered to the homes before Christmas. ELCA Good Gifts are welcome anytime, but make an especially meaningful gift for children & families to share during this season of giving.

3 Happenings Crock Pots for Christmas! Has the giving bug caught you? Here's a gift idea to give with a purpose...new Life will be collecting new crock pots (any size) through December 18. On Sunday, December 18th we will gift wrap all of the crock pots and will distribute them through the Norwalk Area Food Pantry during the Wednesday's surrounding Christmas. Gifts of crock pot cook books will also be accepted. Our goal is to collect 40 new crock pots for distribution. Snow Removal Whether you re eagerly anticipating the first snow day of the school year or dreading the sight of the first few flurries, eventually the snow will come! We will be needing help clearing the walks soon. If you can commit a portion of your time to doing some snow removal over the next few months, it would be appreciated very much by everyone. A signup sheet is on the bulletin board or contact Dan Blom (blom515@hotmail.com) for more information. GIG Book Discussion & Social Event Book Club: 12/12, Meet at 6:30pm at NLLC to carpool to Smokey Row *We're reading "For the Love" by Jen Hatmaker. Come and discuss the book OR just come to socialize! GIG Bible Study: 12/14, 6:30pm in North Basement at New Life Pub Theology The next Pub Theology meeting/discussion with our friends at the Norwalk Christian Church is scheduled for 7 p.m. on December 8 at Cal's Fine Food & Spirits II (2351 Sunset Dr # 106). Everyone is welcome! No experience or prior study needed. Operation Christmas Child THANK YOU! The final NLLC shoebox count was 141! It s awesome to know that thanks to your efforts many children will have the opportunity to hear about Jesus and receive their own box. A big thank you to everyone who participated.

4 Happenings Summer Youth Trips There are a couple of opportunities for summer youth trips that will be discussed on Sunday, Dec. 4 at 11:30. Here are the proposals that will be discussed at the meeting; A High School Trip to Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon and Phoenix; a middle school trip to Kansas City or Milwaukee; and intergenerational trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Northern Minnesota. All interested should plan to attend. Christmas Poinsettias If you would like to donate a Poinsettia to be used to decorate the worship space this Christmas, order forms are on the table in the back of the worship space. Completed forms may be left in the basket provided or dropped off at the church office anytime before Tuesday, December 20. You may also place your order online at newlifenorwalk.org. Plants may be taken home to enjoy after 9:30 worship on Christmas Day. Celebrate Baptismal Anniversaries & Welcome New Members On December 4 we will celebrate Baptismal Anniversaries of those baptized in November & December and welcome into membership anyone who has recently expressed interest in joining New Life. If you've been visiting for a while and would like to become a member of New Life, please speak with Pastor Nate or contact the church office. Church Council Positions Open Each year at the annual meeting (January 29, 2017) the congregation elects individuals to positions of leadership on the church council. If you might be interested in a council leadership position, please contact Leslie Merriman for more information at ( ).

5 Celebrations December Birthdays December Baptism Anniversaries 1 Kristen Geisler Michaelle Bahnsen 1 Jama Knerr Abby Beckman 1 William Trilk Robert Eklov, II 4 Abby Beckman Olivia Feuling 4 Maxon Beckman Bryn Hyde 4 Kolten Hill Jaidyn Hyde 7 Tavin Ferner Joshua Jansen 10 Richard Geist Eddie Kuhl 11 Annamarie Merriman Joslyn Sperry 11 Lance Taylor Lori Thronson 12 Margaret Oliver Cole Tunender 13 Wanda Loebe Valerie Yeager 15 Michael Geisler 18 Garret Klyn 21 Karen Anderson 22 Kim Driscoll 23 Lynn Robbins 26 Tracy Stewart 27 Cael Bemis 28 Tracy Geist 30 Evan Hill 31 Carter Gustafson Congratulations to Steve & Stephanie Hein on the birth of Henry Harold Raymond Hein, on Wednesday November 9 Jeff and Laura Kimball called by the Holy Spirit and trusting in the grace and love of God, brought Brooke Ellen Marie and Jack Benton to be baptized into Christ at New Life Lutheran Church on November 20.

6 Prayer Concerns Philippians Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (NRSV) Illness or Injury Jeff Heaverlo Christie Kobernusz Barry Vetterick Vernon Kimm - Friend of Mary Sue Demerath Ben Stamper - Krista Place s father Lonna Cathcart - Jeff Hasselmann s mother Dean Kimball Stanley Youngblom - Lori Thronson s father Janie Ballanger - Kathy Week s aunt Aimee Morlan - Friend of Allison & Jeff Halvorson Marlene Smith - Shirley Geyer s sister Karley Mattes - Friend of the Fletcher Family Sarah Johnson - Friend of Mike & Polly Johnston Diane Huetter - Friend of Ed & Diane Kuhl Regina Jurgens - Darrell Jurgens mother Sharon Johnson - friend of Russell & Krista Place Carol Shafer - Lori Prier s mother Seth Drumheller - Friend of Zoie Havick Becky Anderson - Friend of Deanne Geistler Cynthia Seymour - Ryan Seymour s aunt Tammy Carolan - Christie Kobernusz niece Lauri Werner - Barb Anderson s daughter-in-law Nate Sesker - Christie Kobernusz friend Kelly Smidt - Ryan Seymour s cousin Marie Logan - Andrea Hyde s mother Cherie McFarland - Friend of Bev Wildman Gary Rosacker - Greg & Beth Hayworth s brother-in-law Carmen VanZuuk - Bill & Danene VanZuuk s daughter-in-law Alice Geber - Young friend of Jama Knerr Joyce Sabel - Friend of Karen Chapman Military Joel Hayworth & family - serving in the Republic of Georgia

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8 Council News New Life Lutheran Church Council Abbreviated Minutes November 22, 2016 On Pastor s Report All Saints Sunday reminds Pastor of loved ones who are no longer with us and how that affects all of us. Pastor has been busy with stewardship drives and hospital visits. Several people are looking to join New Life on December 4. Thank you to all who helped with the Community Thanksgiving Service. Church Life Board purchased another Christmas tree for the back of the sanctuary and two air pump coffee pots for funerals. Outreach New Life packed 141 Operation Christmas Child boxes. Through December 18, board is collecting crockpots for the food pantry and will place a giving tree in the back of the sanctuary (Mosaic and ELCA Good Gifts). Last week, the food pantry served 37 families and gave out vouchers for turkeys. Stewardship Currently, 72 people have returned pledge cards (more than last year). 35% of gifts to New Life are online (up from 23% in 2015). New Life will promote Giving Tuesday as a giving opportunity toward Youth Camp Scholarships for Riverside. Youth Lance is still planning December s Sunday Funday. Donuts and discussions are going well, and Lance continues to send reminder s each week. Thank you to the Geisler s for helping lead this. Summer trip meeting will be December 4. Executive Leslie shared starting budget figures with the council. Financial Report October giving was up significantly from last year so that giving is now ahead of budgeted giving $6000 for the year. In order for giving to meet budgeted spending, New Life needs to end the year $8000 ahead of giving budget. Alan shared that giving for the year has been more steady in 2016 vs Education December 10 the S.S. kids will perform at Regency, and December 11 is the Christmas program. Board will have Sunday School December 18, but take off December 25 and January 1. Property Thank you to all who helped paint in preparation for the Community Thanksgiving Service. Dan will work on contacting other people for other projects. Worship Christmas Eve services will be 3:00pm and 5:00pm. Christmas Day and New Year s Day services will be at 9:30am. Executive Kari reviewed proposed constitutional changes. Council will approved constitution at December 20 council meeting, and congregation will approve at the annual meeting in January. Executive President, Education, Outreach, Youth, Treasurer, and Youth Representative will be open positions for Next Executive Board Meeting: Sunday, December 18, 2016, 11:45am Next Council Meeting: Tuesday, December 20, 2016, 7:30pm

9 Calendar Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Dec :15 Worship WIC Sandy Anderson 5p Food Pantry O Lisa S 7:30 Men's Break 9:30 Education H 6:30p Boy Scouts 6:30p Confirmaito 9 Praise Team Re 10:30 Worship 12p B Party :15 Worship Barb L, Christy G 5p Food Pantry O Greg H, Leslie M 7:30 Men's Break 9:30 Education H 10:30 Text Study 6p Girl Scouts #6 9 Praise Team Re 10:30 Worship 6:30p Boy Scouts 9:30 Christmas P :15 Worship Sandy Anderson 5p Food Pantry O Lisa S 7:30 Men's Break 9:30 Education H 10:30 Text Study 6:30p Girlfriends 10:30 Norwalk Ar 9 Praise Team Re 10:30 Kids Christ 6:30p Boy Scouts 12p Jessica Baldw 10:30 Worship 12p Amanda's Re :15 Worship Barb L, Christy G 5p Food Pantry O Christmas Break Christmas Eve 9:30 Education H 6:30p Boy Scouts 6p Girl Scouts #6 7:30 Men's Break 10:30 Worship 9 Praise Team Re 2p Worship at Ft. 6p 4-H Norwalk C Christmas Day Christmas Day o Christmas Break 5p Food Pantry O WIC New Year's Eve 8:15 Worship 10:30 Text Study 6:30p Girlfriends Christmas Break 7:30 Men's Break 9:30 Education H 6:30p Boy Scouts 9 Praise Team Re 10:30 Worship 8p Council Terms - Privacy January 20, Kid s Night 6:30-8 p.m. January 22, JOURNEY Sunday School Pancake Breakfast 9:30 a.m. Budget Meeting 9:30 a.m. Kindergarten & 3rd Grade Bible Presentation 8:15 & 10:30 a.m. New Members Pot Luck 5-6:30 p.m. January 29, NLLC Annual Meeting 9:30 a.m.