ST LUKE S LUTHERAN CHURCH THE TOWER NOVEMBER St. Luke s Lutheran Church ST. LUKE S LUTHERAN ANNUAL CRAFT SHOW

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1 ST LUKE S LUTHERAN CHURCH THE TOWER NOVEMBER THE TOWER St. Luke s Lutheran Church Growing in Grace NOVEMBER 2015 VOLUME 14 ISSUE 11 OUR MISSION To worship, learn and grow together in the knowledge of God and His Word. We are then sent into the world to share God s love, teach His Word, and serve those in need. Pg 1. Welca Bazaar / Symphony Pg 2. Pastor Frank Partner Page Pg 3. Pastor Robyn Partner Page Pg 4. Salem Letter/ Habitat/LYO Pg 5. Bible Study/Chalice Pg 6. Health Ministry/Greeters Pg 7. Thank You s! Pg 8. Luther News, Ladies Lunch Food Baskets/Thanks Giving Eve Pg 9. Book Club/Confirmation/Pie Fellowship/Ornaments Pg 10. Altar Flowers/Small Group Bible Study/Christmas Cantata ST. LUKE S LUTHERAN ANNUAL CRAFT SHOW Saturday, November 7th, A.M. to 3 P.M. Raffles Granny s Attic Bake Sale Craft Tables Home-Made Items Lunch Menu: Home-Made Chicken Noodle and Vegetable Soups Sloppy Joes Chips Crackers Rolls Cookies and Brownies Beverages Please sign up for an hour or two to work one of the areas. We have vendors coming to participate and sell their crafts. Now we need people to help put this on! The sign up sheets are in the Narthex in back of the sanctuary. Please get in touch with Nan Brushaber at 419/ if you are free to help with this event! Pg 11. Ministry Team Updates/ sign ups/address changes Pg 12. Helpful Hints/Organ Fund Pg 13. Quilters/Love U Good Griefers Pg 14. Calendar of Events Pg. 15 Anniversary/Birthday/Saints TOLEDO SYMPHONY CHRISTMAS CONCERT Sponsored by St. Luke s Lutheran Church and St. Paul s Lutheran Church on December 18th, :30 P.M. Tickets are on sale now, $20.00, in the church office. Get Yours Before It Sells Out! Pg 16. Participants Page

2 ST LUKE S LUTHERAN CHURCH THE TOWER NOVEMBER DEAR PARTNERS, As we have been celebrating our 75 th anniversary this year, we have had several opportunities to remember and give thanks for those who have served St. Luke s in the past. We have acknowledged those who served on council or taught Sunday school, led our worship and music ministry, were baptized, confirmed or married here. We have hosted a special dinner for our Elders who continue to inspire us with their faithful service. As we come to the close of our anniversary observance, we need to look to the future, to the next 75 years of St. Luke s. One of the ways we have been expressing that in our community is by supporting and taking part in the Habitat for Humanity build here in Bedford. We have helped provide a home for a young couple whose children may well be around when St. Luke s celebrates its 150 th anniversary in That is one concrete way we are benefiting the future of our community. But we also know there is need to nurture the next generation of leaders for St. Luke s today. We too often get into the habit of turning to the same people to lead us who also led us in the past. It is noble that there are people willing to serve as long as they are able, but we cannot and should not rely on that pool of members to provide the vision of where we believe God is calling St. Luke s to be over the next 75 years. So a commitment to identify and nurture young leaders in our congregation is one of the best resolutions we could make to launch the next 75 years of our ministry. This is something that takes more than a few committed nominating committee members. It requires that we as a congregation notice the gifts of leadership in our young people, give them opportunities to lead and provide vision for the future even now. And we need to nurture and encourage their service and growth in leadership abilities. Do you see young people (older teens or young parents to begin with) who you think might have gifts to be leaders now and in the future? Would you acknowledge the gifts you see in them? So often we don t realize our spiritual gifts until someone points them out to us. That is part of how the Spirit works in the church through other members who see things God has given us we might just think are common and nothing special. One of the people who did this in my life was one of my pastors when I was growing up. He asked me specifically if I had ever considered going into the ministry and then took every opportunity he could to give me positive experiences in leading and serving in the congregation. Have you ever thought about asking a young person if they have ever thought about serving on council or a ministry team? When you are planning events around the congregation, have you ever thought about inviting a young member to join you in planning and facilitating an event or ministry? It could just be the key to providing a future leader for St. Luke s! As we wrap-up our 75 th anniversary celebration, please offer some prayerful consideration to helping identify, encourage and nurture the leaders of tomorrow s church by exercising their leadership in today s congregation. The St. Luke s of 2090 will be blessed if you do!! With much love your partner in the Gospel of Grace,

3 ST LUKE S LUTHERAN CHURCH THE TOWER NOVEMBER Greetings friends in Christ, It seems as though the months are just flying by! November is a month that is full of incredible opportunities. Our first communion classes are continuing, our first and second year confirmation students will be going on retreat, our third year confirmands will be leading worship, visiting the funeral home and preparing to be confirmed on the 22nd, our ministry teams will be hosting a ministry team fair, and of course, we will join together to worship on Thanksgiving Eve and have a time of fellowship at the pie reception following worship. It really is a month filled with different forms of the Spirit taking on flesh within the members of St. Luke s. Our 5th graders are learning about the way we meet Christ at the communion table and are joined together with brothers and sisters here and around the world to receive a taste of the feast to come. Our first and second year confirmands are learning about community and building relationship and the core tenants of our faith and growing in their own faith journeys. Our third year students are preparing to make the transition to a new stage of their faith where they proclaim their intentions of continuing on in the covenant that God made with them in their baptisms. The ministry team fair is offering us a way to see how our individual gifts can connect with the mission of Christ being worked through the ministries of St. Luke s. They re offering a time to reflect on how we might more deeply connect with God through serving. As my internship supervisor Pastor Larry Cantu was fond of saying, Sometimes people need a little flesh on their Jesus. The ways we offer to serve are our ways of putting a little flesh on Christ for the sake of others. Of course, our time of worship is always a blessed time of gathering in Christ s name to celebrate the goodness of God. I am so grateful that St. Luke s hosts a Thanksgiving eve service because I think it is an unique opportunity to focus on gratitude and thankfulness. Part of our lives as Christians is recognizing the extreme grace of God in our lives and then responding to in thanksgiving. This is more than just giving voice to the thankfulness within us. It is about recognizing the freedom we have been given through Christ and how that freedom provides us room to serve others. When we offer ourselves in service to others we show our gratitude for what God has done for us. It is a way to give testimony to the work of God in our lives. In Psalm 22:3 the psalmist declares that God is holy and enthroned on the praises of Israel. God is present in our praises and thanksgiving in a very real way. When we offer our praise and thanksgiving to God we are pointing others toward God and the grace the flows forth from Him alone. Our lives become a testimony to God s abundant grace. May this season provide you with opportunities to see the Spirit taking on flesh here and now and lead us to return to God our praises and thanksgivings. Blessings,

4 ST LUKE S LUTHERAN CHURCH THE TOWER NOVEMBER A letter from Salem Lutheran Church Dear Members of St. Luke s Lutheran Church, Temperance MI, I would like to thank you for serving at Just Pancakes recently and for being partners with our ministries here at Salem. It is important that good people such as yourselves come and visit and be a part of things at Salem. This important but delicate ministry in the heart of the inner-city, in one of Ohio s poorest zip codes, is a precious place where God works through us, our neighbors, and our partnering congregations (who are all also members of Salem in a way). I was impressed that you would choose to have your retreat in the inner-city and I hope that your experience while here was all that you had hoped for when you decided to come to Salem. In short, I hope that you were able to catch an additional and new glimpse of Jesus while with us. Jesus did, after all, have a special love for the poor, the outcast, and the lowly; many of our people here would qualify for those titles in this world. Thus, it is my belief that God can be here in a special way and I am hoping that you too were able to see this. I also want to take a moment to reiterate that, by my definition of membership, while retaining an important formal membership with (and in fact being) St. Luke s Lutheran Church, you all are also truly members of Salem. Please feel free to drop by and visit us at Salem anytime, either during the day or at one of our many events in order to just say hello, chat, participate, serve, learn, or make new friends. We would love to have you with us again sometime. After all, while belonging to St. Luke s Lutheran Church, you and the rest of your Congregations are welcome at Salem. Blessings to you in Christ Jesus, and we hope to see you again sometime soon (for Christ is in you too)! In Gratitude and in Christ, Pastor Mike Hanck of Salem Lutheran Church HABITAT FOR HUMANITY UPDATE I received a warm and very sincere thank you from the staff at Habitat for all of the contributions of workers, food and monetary gifts. The house on Washington Street is coming along wonderfully and the family should be moving in within a month, barring any setbacks. In honor of our 75 th Anniversary, the committee challenged St. Luke s to donate $5,000. toward this build, the first Habitat Build in Bedford Township. As of right now our total so far donated by the congregation is $ and $1, from the St. Luke s Endowment Fund. That leaves us only approximately $ from our goal. If you have not donated to this yet, I ask you to prayerfully consider how blessed we all are to have a roof over our heads, especially now that the weather is turning cold. Just take a plain envelope, mark it Habitat Build with your name on it and place in the offering plate. I will update again at the end of December if we have hit the goal. Thank you in advance. Lori Neumeyer, 75 th Anniversary Committee Senior LYO Our next meeting will be Sunday, November 8th from 4:00-5:30 P.M. at Church. We will meet in the Senior High youth room first and the move into the Gym. We will be having a time of faithful discussion, spend some time discussing a mission trip for 2016, share in snacks and fellowship including playing Hungry Hungry Hippos using humans, laundry baskets and scooters. It promises to be a great time and we hope you will join us. Contact Pastor Robyn with questions or check out our Facebook page: St. Luke s Lutheran Senior High LYO.

5 ST LUKE S LUTHERAN CHURCH THE TOWER NOVEMBER ALL ARE INVITED TO ADULT BIBLE STUDY Sundays 9:45 Leppein Room There are things we do to excess. We can eat or drink too much. We can work or we can sleep too much. We can waste too much time shopping or spending money. Can you think of things you never do excessively? We never say we spend too much time with our friends and loved ones. We never tell our spouse or children too many times that I love and cherish you. We never read the Bible too much. We never pray too many times. We never speak too many encouraging words of kindness and faith to others. THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES might be described as the Christians who do things to excess! In ACTS, there is an excessive abundance of faith and joy! In ACTS, there is an excessive abundance of love and charity. In ACTS, there is an excessive abundance of prayer and outreach. In ACTS, there is an excessive abundance of the Spirit and reading the Bible. In ACTS, enthusiasm boils over. Faith spreads contagiously as early Christians eagerly tell others. Early Christians have such a simple and concise message for you: -I m sure that Jesus Christ has redeemed and changed my life forever. -I m sure that Jesus Christ can redeem and change your life and everyone s life. -I m sure that Jesus Christ can redeem and change this whole suffering world. Our Sunday 9:45 Bible Study invites you to join us in study of ACTS. We have fun and laughs and prayers and serious moments! You might want to form your own study group if Sunday morning doesn t work in your schedule. If you prefer to read ACTS on your own, you can call the church office for a reading schedule. Our weekly readings are also found in the bulletin. We re on chapter 4 as November begins. WELCOME BACK CHALICE AND CIBORIUM.. The refinishing has taken place and they look like new again. These were originally given to St. Luke s in 1984 as a memorial for Howard Madison. The Patton/Madison family has kindly given a donation toward the cost to refinish them, and the remainder was paid out of General Memorials. All altar assistants will receive a copy of the suggested care of them, and are asked to please use with care. Come to the Banquet for all is prepared

6 ST LUKE S LUTHERAN CHURCH THE TOWER NOVEMBER St. Luke s Health Ministry News! BREAST CANCER The most common type of cancer in women is breast cancer. The cells in the breast milk ducts, in the fatty tissue or glands grow abnormally and out of control. It can occur in both women and occasionally in men, more commonly over the age of 60. There is more risk if you have a family history of a mother or sister whom has had the disease. Other risks can be hormonal therapy, obesity, and high alcohol intake. Early detection is the key to survival by doing frequent self-breast exams, and mammograms. If you find a lump or thickening in your breast, a change in shape, dimpling of the skin, discharge from the nipple or skin changes, call your Dr. immediately. The Dr. will schedule further tests including a biopsy, which will reveal if it is malignant or benign, and the type of cancer whether it be stage 0 advancing to stage 4. Stage 0 is no spread of cancer, up to stage 4 when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. A mammogram, ultrasound, blood tests, and several scans may follow, so the Dr. and you can decide the proper treatment, best for you. In the last few years technology has given women more options and better treatment resulting with great survival rates. Some of these options are a lumpectomy, mastectomy, removal of lymph nodes, radiation, chemotherapy, and resulting medications that block hormones from attaching to cancer cells. There are multiple support groups, and educational opportunities including walks and fundraisers even in our own community. Ladies. Let s fight this disease, do self-exams and go for your yearly mammogram! For prevention, keep your weight down, eat a healthy diet and exercise daily. Have a Blessed Thanksgiving. Judy Diener, R.N. Seven Things we should say to our guests. 1. "Thank you for being here." It's just that basic. I have heard from numerous church guests who returned because they were simply told "thank you." 2. "Let me help you with that." If you see someone struggling with umbrellas, young children, diaper bags, purses and other items, a gesture to hold something for them is a huge positive. Of course, this comment is appropriate for member to member as well. 3. "Please take my seat." I actually heard that comment twice in a church where I was speaking in the Nashville area. The first comment came from a member to a young family of five who were trying to find a place to sit together. 4. "Here is my address. Please let me know if I can help in any way." Of course, this comment must be used with discretion, but it can be a hugely positive message to a guest. 5. "Can I show you where you need to go?" Even in smaller churches, guests will not know where to find the nursery, restrooms and small group meeting areas. You can usually tell when a guest does not know where he or she is to go. 6. "Let me introduce you to." The return rate of guests is always higher if they meet other people. A church member may have the opportunity to introduce the guest to the pastor, other church staff and other members of the church. 7. "Would you join us for lunch?" I saved this question for last for two reasons. First, the situation must obviously be appropriate before you offer the invitation. Second, I have seen this approach have the highest guest return rate of any one factor. What if your church members sought to invite different guests 6 to 12 times a year? The burden would not be great; but the impact would be huge.

7 ST LUKE S LUTHERAN CHURCH THE TOWER NOVEMBER Thank You!!! Dear St. Luke s Family, Thank You for helping us celebrate our 65 years of marriage. St. Luke s has been an important part of it. Beginning with our wedding and reception in the old church, then in baptizing, Sunday School, confirming all five of our children and marrying four of them. In sickness and in health, St. Luke s has always been there for us. Thank You for the cake & reception at the church and for coming to our house for our party. St. Luke s and our faith in God has been a blessing to us all these years. Your Kindness is greatly appreciated! Thanks again St. Luke s Family!! Jake & Ann Myers Dear St. Luke s Members, St. Paul s Vi Langrange Food Closet would like to thank you so much for your contributions to our food closet. It is difficult to express how important your donations are to our efforts to help people in need. You are truly a blessing to us, but more importantly, you are sharing God s love and care to many seniors and families we serve. God bless you and know you are appreciated. In His love, Kathy Knackstedt St. Paul Vi Langrange Food Closet St. Luke s, Thank You for the care package. It means a lot to know you still remember me. I am having lots of fun over here on the west side of the State at Western Michigan. Go Broncos! Thank You, Elizabeth Nieman Dear St. Luke s Family, Thanks to all who visited our Mother during the last few months. She enjoyed all of the cards, good wishes and prayers. Thank You Pastor Robyn and Pastor Frank for all of your faithful visits. Thank You to the ladies of the church who helped with the funeral luncheon. Sincerely, The Family of Jean Geer To My St. Luke s Family, I am extremely grateful for all of the cards and well wishes sent my way after Ron s passing. It means so much to have a wonderful church network and family. Thank You, Judy Bock Thank You to our new and continuing Acolytes for Thank You for your Faithful Service! St. Luke s Acolytes this year are: Sami Bennett, Makayla Clise, Lily Decker, Natalie Diver, Anna Garcia, Alexis Hammer, Amanda Hammer, Ethan Lingle, Spencer Lingle, Blake Theodorou, Logan Theodorou, Ana Williams. Ryan Scurlock (pictured left). Thank You for all of your hard work and dedication!

8 ST LUKE S LUTHERAN CHURCH THE TOWER NOVEMBER Ladies Luncheon Club October 7th In Luther News Happy Birthday Luther!!!!! The German priest and professor of Theology was born on November 10th, 1483 in Eisleben, Saxony Germany. Thanksgiving Food Give Away! Saturday November 14th LUNCH AND FASHION ALWAYS GO TOGETHER! The Ladies Luncheon was held at St. Luke s Lutheran Church and was in the style of a pot luck with all of the women contributing dishes for a lovely meal. Pastor Robyn even joined for the afternoon. The luncheon began with a style show, hosted by The Discovery Shop manager Cindy McGurk. Our Models were all from the Ladies Lunch Group (Lori Neumeyer, Judy Nieman, Doris Przlawski, Marilyn Bexten and Mary Jean Bell) and wore clothing picked out at the store. The Discovery Shop is a resale type shop that accepts clothing, jewelry and shoes, as well as small appliances, however they do not accept TV s or Electronics. Proceeds go to the American Cancer Society. They have sales on Saturday and specials on Crazy Wednesday and the prices are very reasonable. Our group took up a collection and donated $100. to the American Cancer Society. We also passed around 2 thank you letters from the Bed Race to aid children, which we had raised $693. to help purchase beds or cribs for needy children. Hannah s Socks thank you was for the 153 pairs of socks and 31 pairs of briefs we donated to their organization. Our next lunch is on November 4th at Bravo s. Please contact Siggi Deckman at 734/ for more information! 10:00 A.M. Hosted at Crossroads Church 6960 Sylvania-Petersburg Ottawa Lake, MI Social concerns thanksgiving food basket collection begins November 1st! THANKSGIVING EVE WORSHIP It usually involves gathering the family, stuffing the turkey, tuning in the football game and feasting on an overabundance of food. But does it also involved giving thanks? That IS the purpose of the day. Before you get into all the other traditions of the day, why not observe the original intention of the day and join us for Thanksgiving Worship on Wednesday evening, November 25 at 7:00 pm? A pie fellowship will follow the service (see details elsewhere in this Tower).

9 ST LUKE S LUTHERAN CHURCH THE TOWER NOVEMBER St. Luke s Book Club Would like to invite anyone interested to join us. You don t have to come to every meeting, choose the books in which you have an interest or the dates that work for you. We meet ever six weeks and we look forward to seeing you. The Book Club meets at 7:00 P. M. at the home of Diane Paine, 7514 Apache Trail, Temperance, MI. If you have any questions, please feel free to call her at 734/ The next meeting date is December 3rd, where we will be discussing The Christmas Candle by Max Lucado. Please say you will join us! Pie Fellowship Following Thanksgiving Eve Service Immediately following the Thanksgiving Eve service on Wednesday, November 25th, please join us in fellowship and conversation over pie and coffee. There are sign up sheets in the Back Narthex for anyone who would like to bring a pie to the event. Pumpkin, Sweet Potato, Apple, whatever kind of pie you would like to share, we would be grateful. For additional questions for what could be brought, please contact Erin Beard on the Fellowship Committee at 419/ or call her at the church office. CONFIRMATION CELEBRATION You are invited to celebrate Affirmation of Baptism (Confirmation) with four of our young members at the 11:15 service on Sunday, November 22. Those being confirmed are Austin Hammer Katie Scurlock Garrett Sexton Billy Strable HAVE YOU STARTED CHRISTMAS SHOPPING YET????? May we suggest a St. Luke s 75th Anniversary Commemorative Ornament? Only $12.50 each. They are beautiful gold tone and boxed, ready to give. Stop in the office soon and pick up yours! From now until the end of the year we are giving you incentive to buy these. They will be discount priced at 3/$30.00!!! Must buy 3 to get the reduced price. Thank you!

10 ST LUKE S LUTHERAN CHURCH THE TOWER NOVEMBER ALTAR FLOWERS FOR NOVEMBER Nov. 1- In memory of Mildred Powers from Fred & Sally Georgeson In honor of Heath & Ann Veliquette s 12th anniversary A rose in memory of Suzanne Velliquette from Richard & Connie Nov. 8 - In honor of Phyllis Wiseman s 90th birthday Nov. 15- In honor of John & Lynn Warren s 45th anniversary Nov. 22- In memory of Doug Olrich from Linda Olrich In honor of Clyde & Debbie Shaulis 35th anniversary Nov. 29- In honor of Roy & Judy Gephart s 51st anniversary In honor of Ed & Sandy Brushaber s 36th anniversary on 11/23 Young Women s Bible Study Our young women s Bible study will continue in November and December. We are reading through the book Grace (Eventually) by Anne Lamott, discussing Scripture, and having an associated craft or activity. You are welcome to join us each session is independent from the others, so you do not need to have attended previously to join us. Our meeting dates have shifted slightly and will be: Thursday, November 12; Tuesday November 24; Tuesday December 1, and Tuesday, December 22. Our studies will begin at 7:00 p.m. A CHRISTMAS CANTATA Our neighbors at St. Paul Lutheran Church on Lewis Ave. have invited us to their Christmas Cantata Under a Starry Sky to be presented Sunday, December 6 th at 4:00 pm. This presentation will include orchestra and choral selections by a choir composed of singers from several area congregations. St. Paul is partnering with us in presenting the Toledo Symphony Holiday Concert here on December 18. Let s share their celebration with them on December 6 th. Service of Comfort and Joy On Sunday, December 20 at 7:00 p.m. St. Luke s will be hosting a Service of Comfort and Joy. We recognize that Christmas can be a painful time for some. The constant refrain on the radio and television, in shopping malls and churches, about the happiness of the season, about getting together with family and friends, reminds many people of what they have lost or have never had. The anguish of broken relationships, the grief of the death of a loved one, the insecurity of unemployment, the weariness of ill health, the pain of isolation - all these can make us feel very alone in the midst of the celebrating. We need the space and time to acknowledge our sadness and concern; we need to know that we are not alone. We need encouragement to live the days ahead of us. For these reasons, we will be offering this Service of Comfort and Joy. You are invited to come out and join with us in sharing and hearing prayers, scripture, lighting candles and music that acknowledge that God s presence is for those who mourn, for those who struggle, and that God s Word comes to shine light into our darkness.

11 ST LUKE S LUTHERAN CHURCH THE TOWER NOVEMBER Ministry Team News & Updates The Shepherding Ministry Team is needing an updated list of our Service Men/Women with their addresses as they would like to send them cards for the holiday. Please have them in to the church office by November 10th. Thank You! UPDATED REGISTRY If you have a 75th Anniversary Photo directory, please check your mailbox for a photo of Pastor Robyn for the staff page. If you purchased a directory please get her photo through the office. Directories are available for $10 through our office. Call Mary Jean Bell if you have any questions! MINISTRY TEAM SUNDAY St. Luke s Council representatives and their committee members will be hosting Ministry Team Sunday in between services on November 15th. This is a great time for our congregation to get a better understanding of our different ministry teams, what they do, and what you might find your own spiritual gifts to be. There will be displays from each of our Ministry teams, and ask as many questions as you have! We hope you will attend! 2016 Participant Sign Up Sheet We need names of participants for 2016 for Ushers, Lectors, Greeters, Sacramental Assistants, and so on. For those who wish to adjust their participation and for new participants, please see the sign up sheet in the narthex or get in touch with Erin in the office! Training is provided. Please prayerfully consider using your talents to help our worship run smoothly. ADDRESS CORRECTION! Nicole & Ken Smith: 7808 Lewis Avenue. Temperance, MI Judy Bock has a new address : 8489 Sandra Kay Social Concerns Needs Your Help! On November 7th, the Social Concerns ministry team will be helping provide lunch for the Habitat for Humanity Builders at Carr Park, serving Chicken Noodle Soup. Your help is greatly appreciated! There are sign up sheets available in the church lobby, or please get in contact with either Sally Georgeson or Phyllis Snyder for more information. Lambertville, MI Her Cell Phone number: 419/ SNOW REMOVAL SIGN UP SHEET Can be found in the back narthex. As much as we don t want to think about it, winter is on its way! Please help keep the way clear.

12 ST LUKE S LUTHERAN CHURCH THE TOWER NOVEMBER TEN THINGS YOU NEVER SAY TO A GUEST 1. "You are sitting in my pew/seat." This sentence was actually said to me when I was a visiting preacher in a church. The entitled church member did not realize I was preaching that day. I had the carnal joy of watching her turn red when I was introduced. And, yes, I did move. She scared me. 2. "Is your husband/wife with you?" This question is rightly perceived as, "We really don't want single adults in our church." Members see their church as family friendly as long as "family" meets their definition. 3. "Are those your children?" This question is becoming more common with the growth in the adoption of children who are not the same race or ethnicity as their parents. One parent with an adopted child was asked if he got to choose how dark his child would be. I'm serious. 4. "The service has already begun." This sentence is rightly understood to mean, "You are late, and you will be disrupting the service." I saw that happen recently. The family left. I was late too, but I stayed since I was preaching. 5. "There is not enough room for your family to sit together." I was visiting a church a few weeks ago that did just the opposite. When larger families came in the service, members actually gave up their seats to accommodate them. Now that's true servanthood! I bragged on the members when I spoke that morning. 6. "You will need to step over these people to get to your seat." No! Please request those seated to move to the center. It's a church worship service, not a movie theater. 7. "That's not the way we do it here." Of course, you can't have a worship service where any behavior is acceptable. Most of the time, however, the varieties of worship expressions are absolutely fine. I heard from a lay leader recently who witnessed that sentence spoken to a guest who raised her hand during the worship music. She never returned. What a surprise. 8. "You don't look like you are a member here." Perhaps when this sentence was spoken, the church member meant to convey, "Are you visiting us?" But to the guest it sounded like, "You don't belong at this place." 9. "Have you considered attending the church down the street?" I'm not kidding. Someone shared that comment with me on social media. She was new in town and was visiting churches. She had no idea why the man in the church said that to her, but she never returned to the church. 10. "The nursery is real full." To the young parent, this sentence is interpreted one of two ways: "There is not enough room for your child" or "Your child probably won't get good care." ORGAN FUND UPDATE We are progressing well with the payback from the organ fund to the housing fund! Thanks to all who have given and continue to give to fulfill their pledge. The most beautiful sounds come from the new organ, every service there is a surprise of something new. A wonderful sound to make praise to our Lord! The original purchase price was $75,000. We are down to only owing $4,836.50! So if you still have some of your pledge owing, we could use it before the end of the year, if at all possible. Again, the Organ committee thanks everyone for their donations! We will keep you informed of the progress.

13 ST LUKE S LUTHERAN CHURCH THE TOWER NOVEMBER Thank you to the Comforters! A BIG thank you goes out to our ladies who make the quilts and comforters for the needy. This year, a total of 130 quilts and comforters went out to help keep those in need warm. They were shipped out right after the dedication on October 11th! Thanks go out to them and their dedication and hard work over the year! Fall Happenings in our Sunday School! Thanks for all of the decorations of pumpkins for the front and side of the Church. Such Talent among our youngsters! Love U! The Good Griefers Will be dining at the new restaurant in Bedford Township called Sage located at the corner of Secor and Consear. We will meet there on Wednesday, November 11th at 4:30 P.M. Please contact Donna Lennex if you will be attending. The response and outpouring of appreciation for our college kids was not overlooked by our Congregation! 11 boxes were packed and sent out on October 14th to our college students, along with notes and well wishes. Thank You to our Shepherding team for organizing and packing the boxes and to everyone who donated!

14 ST LUKE S LUTHERAN CHURCH THE TOWER NOVEMBER Sunday Nov. 1 Monday Nov 9 Wednesday Nov 18 All Saints Sunday 8:30& 11:15 Traditional Service 9:30 Coffee Fellowship 9:45 Sunday School/Bible Study 10:00 Family Gig Worship 6:00 First Communion Class Monday Nov 2 10:00 Comforters 5:00 God Works! Meal 7:00 Volley Ball Tuesday Nov 3 6:30 Chancel Bell Ringers 7:00 Confirmation Conference 7:30 Confirmation Conference Wednesday Nov 4 7:00 H2H Class 7:00 Chancel Choir Thursday Nov 5 7:00 75th Anniversary meeting 7:30 Confirmation Conference 8:00 Confirmation Conference Friday Nov 6 4:00 Confirmation Retreat begins (3rd year) 5:00 Set up for Holiday Bazaar Saturday Nov 7 8:00 Holiday Bazaar 5:00 Confirmands return Sunday Nov 8 8:30 & 11:15 Service of the Word 9:30 Coffee Fellowship 9:45 Bible Study/Sunday School 10:00 Family Gig Worship 4:00 Senior LYO Meeting 6:00 First Communion Class 10:00 Comforters 5:00 God Works! Meal 7:00 Volley Ball Tuesday Nov 10 (Play and Learn Tornado Drill) 6:00 Executive Committee 6:30 Chancel Bell Ringers 7:00 Ministry Team Meetings Wednesday Nov 11 10:00 Luther Haus Bible Study 7:00 Chancel Choir 7:00 H2H Class Thursday Nov 12 7:00 Young women s Bible Abby Holmblad s 7:30 AA/Al Anon Friday Nov 13 Saturday Nov 14 9:00 CPR Class 8:30 3rd year Confirmation class Sunday Nov 15 MINISTRY TEAM FAIR!!!! 8:30 & 11:15 Contemporary worship w/ Communion 9:30 Coffee Fellowship 9:45 Sunday School/Bible Study 10:00 Family Gig Worship Monday Nov 16 10:00 Comforters 5:00 God Works! Meal 7:00 Volley Ball Tuesday Nov 17 6:30 Church Council 6:30 Chancel Bell Ringers 7:00 Play and Learn Board Meeting 7:00 H2H class 7 00 Chanel Choir Thursday Nov 19 7:30 AA/ Al Anon Friday Nov 20 Saturday Nov 21 10:00 Confirmation Rehearsal Sunday Nov 22 8:30 Traditional Worship w/ Communion 9:30 Coffee Fellowship 9:45 Sunday School/Bible Study 10:00 Family GIG Service 11:15 Confirmation &Worship Monday Nov 23 10:00 Comforters 5:00 God Works! Meal 7:00 Volley Ball Tuesday Nov 24 6:30 Chancel Bell Ringers 7:00 Technology Ministry Wednesday Nov 25 10:00 Luther Haus Bible Study 11:00 Luther Haus Communion 7:00 Thanks Giving Eve Service Pie Fellowship following service Thursday Nov 26 Thanksgiving!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Friday Nov 27 Saturday Nov 28 Sunday Nov 29 8:30 & 11:15 Traditional worship 9:45 Sunday School/Bible Study 10:00 Family GIG Service 9:30 Blood Pressure Checks

15 ST LUKE S LUTHERAN CHURCH THE TOWER NOVEMBER Anniversaries and Birthdays Page Happy Anniversary!!!!! 11/13 Lynn & John Warren 11/19 Susan & Dale Manore 11/20 Catherine & Dan Canning 11/22 Lisa & Bill Decker, Debra & Clyde Shaulis 11/23 Barb & Don Surface Ed & Sandy Brushaber 11/28 Judy & Roy Gephart 11/29 Dawn & Gary Wright ******************************* Birthdays 11/1 Kevin Achinger 11/2 Vivienne Edwards. Betsy Winter Ron Ressler 11/3 Clint Schreiber Michelle Shepherd 11/4 Karen Miller, Jacob Henry 11/5 Phyllis Wiseman 11/6 Alaina Kirk, Elizabeth Rosin 11/8 Tom Peterson Pat Kaiser 11/9 Katarina Yeager 11/11Billy Schoch 11/13 Avery & Austin Secor Anna Derennan 11/14 Jeffery Murzynski Steve Murzynski 11/15 Joanne Combs Kennith Goliver 11/16 Rylie Schoch, Christina Baum Jerry Bryant 11/17 Lester Nieman 11/18 Judy Leesma, Ken Nichols Sue Nieman 11/19 Brad Knauss, Joshua Yockey Patricia Henry 11/23 Jessie Dickson 11/24 Dorothy Galdeen JasonNeuman 11/25 Rebecca Schoch 11/26 Caleb Manore, Linda Olrich Robert Sengstock, Hudson Heams 11/28 Karen Bryant, Laura Bourn Kathy Keene, Jean Roberts Ben Deckman 11/29 Katelyn Jackson ****************************** NEW MEMBERS David & Barbara Blake Sarah Klawitter & Hunter Hess ***************************** Our Members who have gone to be with God since last Year s All Saint s Josephine Mason, Stephanie Harasta Joyce Lykowski, Howard Williams Debra Billau, Howard Sedelbauer Tina Shively Zink, Doris Galdeen Bill Winson and Jean Geer Helping Others In Need The Social Concerns Committee for St. Luke s Lutheran Church will be collecting blankets and gently used warm weather clothing to be distributed free of charge by the Salvation Army in the Bedford area. A box will be in the Narthex during November and December. You can bring your donations to school and Ms. Carol and the teachers will be sure to put them away for this collection. Please drop off extra mittens, hats, scarves, coats, jackets or blankets that will be a warm blessing to others in our community who are in need.

16 ST LUKE S LUTHERAN CHURCH THE TOWER NOVEMBER Date/Time Greeters Ushers Sacramental Assistants Lectors Counters Coffee Hour Acolytes 1st Nov S. Tipping Spencer Lingle 8:30 B. Hendershot A Stahl S. Fye P. Yockey S. Tipping Georgeson s Natalie Diver J. Schmidt Folgers C. Halter Nan Brushaber 10:00 The Mayo s The Mayo s J/C Weiss Kevin Nieman 11:15 A Crammond Acrammond K Crammond J. Sengstock R. Gephart Alexis & Louise Hafe- K Crammond Hafemeister/ S. Koppel- Amanda meister Mayo berger Hammer 8th Nov 8:30 N. Patton MoodysTipping No Communion S. Harasta Cook s Sami Bennett Waidelich Comforters Ethan Lingle 10:00 R. Whalen Hallstrom s J. Neumeyer R Whalen 11:15 J. Sengstock Bristol/Bowlin No Communion Hafemeister D. Chase B Theodorou Sengstock L Theodorou 15 Nov C Bell 8:30 Erdmann s S. Ressler P Brown G. Heigel C Moody Makayla Clise J. Waidelich S Emerson S Tipping D. Paine Ana Williams 10:00 S. Ressler Manor/Bowlin D Chase J. Schoch 11:15 B. Steinman K&A Crammond K Bristol J. Herr L Bourn G. Merrill Lily Decker J. Gephart J. Gephart K&A Crammond Anna Garcia 22-Nov 8:30 H/C Halter A Stahl/S. Fye C Halter P. Yockey N Patton Alexis & 10:00 S. Manore/R. Hallstrom s J. Bock F Georgeson J/C Weiss Moody s Amanda Hammer 11:15 Thompson A Crammond E Beard E. Beard A Crammond S Fleeson D Paine A Crammond B. Johnson R. Gephart Koppelberger Natalie Diver Ryan Scurlock 29 Nov 8:30 J Combs Open S Tipping L. Warren C Bell B & L C Velliquette F. Georgeson Denzil Bell Theodorou 10:00 Jackson s Open B Cook J Sengstock 11:15 A crammond A Crammond A crammond A Crammond J Neumeyer M Clise K Crammond K Crammond K Crammond L Decker