From the Pastor s Desk

Transcription

1 Risen Savior Lutheran Church September 2017 From the Pastor s Desk December 2017 Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; BUT the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Isaiah 60:1-3 It s the most wonderful time of the year, so the popular Christmas song goes. That is true for some people, but not for others. For Christians, December brings the season of Advent, four weeks of waiting and preparation for the birth and second coming of our Lord. As our society goes into high gear with parties and shopping and spending to the limits, scripture and tradition beckon us to slow down and wait, to prepare our hearts to once again receive our King. For us it is a season of anticipation and longing for all to be made right in the world as well as in our own lives. Of course, we know Jesus is the reason for the season, as the old cliché states, and we can look forward with great hope, peace, joy and love in our hearts. The thing is, this season can also be crushing for those whose hearts are breaking with grief or pain, with memories of how things once were or they hoped they would be. There is a deep gap INSIDE THIS ISSUE From the Pastor s Desk... 1 Upcoming Light of the Cross... 5 SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST Thank you 4 Seniors Lunch 4 December calendar 7

2 Seeking Church Musician We are in search of a musician knowledgeable of how church music is. Do you know anyone that fits the bill? We likely would give preference to keyboard players (piano and organ), but are open to other possibilities! Please ask them to call the church office ( ) or send their resume to Musician Search Committee, Risen Savior Lutheran Church, 8010 W. Jefferson Blvd., Fort Wayne, IN, Finally, they could send their resume via to: office@risensavioronline.org. Thanks so much! 2 between experiences or dreams and the reality of their current situation. It is for these folks, the hungry and poor, the broken and hurting, the lonely and abused, that the promise of the Light coming into the world is critical. It is our job, as people of the Light, to help the Light of the World shine into every crevice of darkness, through our prayers and good works, our love and good wishes. So, even as we prepare our hearts and homes, we also reach out to others. Thank you for your tremendous outpouring of love in 60 bags of Thanksgiving groceries for Light of the Cross, in Christmas gifts for needy families assigned by Lutheran Social Services, and items for Mary s baby Shower for Healthier Moms and Babies, along with things for Lydia s Closet and our Preschool (see article below.) Our ongoing support of Light of the Cross, all Noisy Offering recipients, and cards and visits to shut-ins and others are points of light that make all the difference for those in a dark time. Thank you, also, for all your gifts of love to Aaron Smith on his retirement. Risen Savior IS an awesome church community. Even though we will miss Aaron s presence among us, God has not abandoned us! Kenneth Athon will be with us on the organ and piano during the month of December as we continue worshipping God! Carolyn Smith is heading up the hand bell choir. If you can read music, please join her for practice after church the Sundays of December leading up to Christmas Eve! Mary Shuff and Maryca Cody are heading up the Children s Christmas Eve Pageant, and those practices are Dec. 10 and 17 after church. If you d like to be part of that, please let one of them know! We will have two services of worship on Dec. 24, which is a Sunday: 9 am Worship is Advent 4, and 7 pm is our Candlelight Christmas Eve service. Then, on Dec. 31, we will have lots of singing during Lessons and Carols. Joy to the World, the Lord is Come! Serving Christ together, Pastor Jeanie

3 Upcoming Christmas Caroling O Come All Ye Faithful dress warmly and festively for our annual Christmas Caroling fest on Sunday, December 17 starting at 4:30 pm. We plan to make the rounds around Lutheran campus Rehab Hospital, Coventry Meadows, and maybe even Canal Flats. Bring on the Christmas cheer! Hot wassail and Christmas cookies to follow. Confirmation Christmas Party Our Confirmation class, made up of 8 students and 3 adults, are invited to celebrate the season at the home of the Gliots on Sunday, Dec. 17, 6:30 pm, following Christmas Caroling. We will have pizza, movie and games. Be there! Christmas Eve Candlelight Service Our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service starts at 6:45 pm on Dec. 24 with Music of the Season. The Service proper begins at 7 pm. This year we plan to include a Christmas pageant (with a live baby Jesus) along with special music. You may be surprised to see who is doing what! Invite you family, friends and neighbors! Following the singing of Silent Night during our candle lighting, everyone is invited into the Kitchen for hot wassail and Happy Birthday, Jesus Christmas cakes and cookies! If you d like, bring whatever Christmas goodies you may like to share from your own homes. A Merry Christmas to all! Card Party The Card Party ladies will meet Tuesday, December 12, at 10 AM. If you have a concern about a family member, friends, thankfulness, birthday, anniversary, sympathy, or something similar, please give Jo Kruse the information and we will be happy to send a card to that person. If you would like to join us in this project, please let Jo know and we would be happy to welcome anyone wanting to help. 3

4 October Finances from Nicole Fleischman, Treasurer The Seniors are anyone over 50 years young AND don t need to be a member of Risen Savior. On Thursday, December 14, at 11:30 AM, the Seniors are catering in food from CASA and will all meet here at Risen Savior. We will be having Lasagna and Fettuccini Primavera along with CASA salad and loaves of bread. Those attending will be bringing family size deserts. If you would like to join us, please let Jo Kruse know so she has enough food for everyone. See Jo at church or call her at Come join this bunch of loving Seniors. You ll enjoy some great conversation and lots of fun to celebrate the Christmas season. Contribution Income $7,512 Non-Contribution Income - $8, Loose offering - $252 Noisy Offering - $ Rent - $400 Total Expenses - $15, Thank you Dear friends, The 2018 flower chart is now on the bulletin board in the gathering area. Please sign up for that special day in your life! Please accept my heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you for the gift you have been to me for the past decade, in many and various ways. You have been tremendously supportive, even when I have disappointed you, and that is the very meaning of love and community. I am grateful, too, for your generosity in presenting me with these wonderful gifts on the occasion of my departure, and for letting me be a part of decorating the church for Advent and eating pizza with you, all without a whole lot of fanfare or attention. This is very much as I had wished! Finally, I ask that you continue to support Pastor Jeanie as you have me. I cannot imagine a more dedicated partner in ministry as she has been to us, and as you move into a new chapter in the life of the church, remember that these three years under her have been ones of stability, service, and grace. How fortunate we are to have been the recipients of her pastoral care! I will be mindful of you in all ways in the days to come. As you wait for the coming of the Light this Advent, know my love, and the peace that God offers to each of us. 4 Aaron

5 Light of the Cross Reporting October 2017 Activity The LOTC Pantry served 1,038 people from 264 households in October, up markedly from the 222 served in September. Of the families, 51 were first timers to the Pantry, 213 were repeat clients, and 147 of the families were classified as Female Head of household. These households included 66 children age 5 or younger, 272 kids ages 6 thru 18, 105 individuals over the age of 60, 139 disabled persons, and 17 veterans. All qualified as low income families per U.S. Government standards. The 31 October volunteers donated 277 hours of time to meet client needs. In October, the LOTC Pantry distributed enough food for 15,570 meals. The source of the food included 2,500 lbs. from the Associated Churches Food Bank Network, 2,900 lbs. from TEFAP, 230 lbs. was donated from the partner churches, and an additional 1,949 pounds of food was purchased at a cost of $ New flooring was installed at the Pantry by Jeff Gernhardt, Messiah, with logistical support from Dave Mould, Steve Stamper, and Jack Davis. Thank you all for the improvements. A total of 240 turkeys and Thanksgiving Baskets were given out in October. In celebration of Christ s birth, the Pantry will distribute hams and a dessert mix to clients in December. Those of you willing to contribute toward the cost of the hams may place your donation in an envelope clearly labeled LOTC Christmas Hams and place the envelope in your church s collection plate for your LOTC Rep. Please make checks payable to Light of the Cross Outreach Ministry and write Christmas Hams on the memo line before placing it in the envelope. Thank you, one and all, for your kind generosity. PARTNER ASSIGNMENTS FOR DECEMBER Items of a non-food nature, including: Laundry Soap, Dish Liquid, Cleaning Products, Bar Soap, Shampoo, Toothpaste, Deodorant, Feminine Hygiene Products, Toiletries for Men and Women, Bathroom Tissue, Paper Products, and similar items. Food items: Ca nned Fruit & Soda Cra ckers. Preschool Mission Projects Please start collecting BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION for our Preschool. They can be found on the tops of cereal boxes, Kleenex and other boxed items. Also, the preschool is collecting cardboard toilet paper rolls, paper towel rolls, and wrapping paper rolls for art projects. Guest readers are always needed for one on one reading, if you d like to volunteer in that way. Please see Debbie LaBelle or drop off items at her office. Thanks! 5

6 Fundraising help from you! December Anniversaries Dec. 5 Tom & Ann Emely (1975) Dec. 9 Robert & Reva Wiedelman (1978) Dec. 9 Bill & Janet Symons (1978) Dec. 12 Chuck & Karen Chaffee (1964) If you don t see your anniversary listed, it s because we don't have it on file. Please share! Our third quarter Kroger earnings amounted to $ thanks for your support! If you re not signed-up through the Kroger Community Rewards program, please stop in the office and see Judy Bruns, who can assist. Scrip Program The Scrip program is a win-win. Using the order form in the bulletin, pick what gift cards you want. Total the amount, and either write a check to Risen Savior or pay by cash. Give the order and payment to Judy Bruns or put in the box by preschool office; the next Sunday your cards will be given to you. You get the cards with no running around and the church makes some money. 6 December Birthdays Dec. 2 Dec. 3 Dec. 5 Dec. 6 Dec. 7 Dec. 12 Dec. 14 Dec. 16 Dec. 20 Dec. 24 Dec. 29 Bill Symons Deb Berg Aaron Smith Donna Morrissey Carolyn Smith Jim Rinehart Warren Eddy Ben Hinkleman Benjamin Lutz Alex Gliot Jo Kruse If you don't see your birthday listed, it s because we don t have it on file. Please share!

7 December Calendar Friday, December 1 6 PM Pizza & Painting party Sunday, December 3 Advent 1 9 AM Service with Minute for Mission of Mary s Baby Shower 6:30 PM Confirmation Wednesday, December 6 7:30 AM Men s Prayer group 10:30 AM Bible Study Thursday, December 7 6:30 PM Bible Study Sunday, December 10 Advent 2 9 AM Worship, followed by Coffee Fellowship 6:30 PM Confirmation class Monday, December 11 7 PM Council meeting Tuesday, December AM Card Party Wednesday, December 13 7:30 AM Men s Prayer group 10:30 AM Bible Study 7 PM Exploratory Committee Thursday, December 14 11:30 AM Seniors lunch catered in from Casa (with dessert carry-in) 6:30 PM Bible Study Friday, December PM Cookie Walk set-up 6:30 PM Council the Hydndman s Saturday, December 16 9 AM Cookie Walk Sunday, December 17 Advent 3 9 AM Worship followed by Coffee Fellowship 4:30 PM Christmas Caroling 6:30 PM Confirmation Christmas the Gliot s Wednesday, December 20 NEWSLETTER DEADLINE 7:30 AM Men s Prayer Group 10:30 AM Bible Study Thursday, December AM Preschool Christmas program 6:30 PM Bible Study Sunday, December 24 Advent 4 9 AM Worship, followed by Coffee Fellowship 6:45 PM Christmas Eve Service Monday, December 25 Christmas Day Wednesday, December 27 7:30 AM Men s Prayer Group 10:30 AM Bible Study Thursday, December 28 6:30 PM Bible Study Sunday, December 31 9 AM Worship Staff Listing Pr. Jeanie Barnes - Interim Pastor home cell jbarnes@risensavioronlin e.org Aaron Smith - Liturgical Coordinator, asmith@risensavioronlin e.org Kirsten Smith - Communications ksmith@risensavioronlin e.org Debbie LaBelle - Preschool Director preschool@frontier.com Sheryl Fry - Preschool teacher, 18-mo. & 2-yrs. Annette DeRoche - Preschool teacher, 3 yrs. Tina Fischer - Preschool teacher, Pre-K Sheryl Merritt, - Backup Petronella Eloff - Pre-K Teaching Assistant Jack and Mary Cox - Custodians 7

8 Risen Savior Lutheran Church Our Mission: We come together, welcoming all, to worship and grow in faith, and we go to serve in Christ s name Council President - Joe Hyndman Vice President - Dave Klein Secretary - Andrew Lutz Treasurer/Financial Secretary - Nicole Fleischman Hospitality - Jo Kruse Property - Warren Eddy Stewardship - Judy Bruns Worship - Pam Sullivan Communications - Mary Shuff Youth - Deb Hinkleman Education - Cleo Swager Risen Savior Lutheran Church 8010 W. Jefferson Boulevard Fort Wayne, IN ksmith@risensavioronline.org office@risensavioronline.org