The Seeker JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016 Rev. Anthony Stephens, Pastor

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1 Our Saviour Evangelical Lutheran Church 56 Cleveland Drive Croton-On-Hudson, NY (914) The Seeker JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016 Rev. Anthony Stephens, Pastor Sunday Worship Schedule Sunday School: 9:30 am Worship: 10:00 am Coffee Hour: following worship Weekday Office Schedule Office hours: 9:00 am - 12:00 Office Phone: (914) Office mail@oursaviourcroton.org Website: Seek and you shall find. Knock and the door will be opened to you. -Matthew 7:7 Weekday Activities Choir Practice: 7:45 pm

2 JANUARY / FEBRUARY Our Saviour Lutheran Church 56 Cleveland Drive, Croton, New York The Seeker Happy New Year! ALL THE FUN OF THE FAIR - Rev. Anthony Stephens One of the great Christmas Cards that I received picks up the word Word (in Greek logos) from the First Chapter of John s Gospel. It stated that the Word (as in the Word became flesh) was not a thought or an idea, or a philosophy, [or words] but [the action of God]. If you have noticed, I have preached on a variation on that theme every time the prolegomena (as John 1:1-18, is often called) comes up. This is not because I endlessly recycle yellow and dog-eared sermons, but because there is nothing better to be said, or, rather done. Christians are doers, albeit, hopefully, thoughtful and reflective doers. Espousing cardinal Christian principles, Christians act. Such cardinal principles can be identified; using the Bible as normative, by noting two thousand references to justice and about twelve hundred references to love. These are more than any other explicit concept. Actions, of Christian complexion, should be identified thus as demonstrating a love of justice and a love of loving. That is not how the totality of Christendom has tended to represent itself. Think globally; act locally is a frequent refrain. What can we do in our own environs that will reflect God s love for all the world? The Croton Clergy Ministerium, which includes leaders from houses of worship other than Christian, as well as clergy from the four Christian churches, find ourselves on similar pages about this. For such reasons, we are fashioning a justice fair to be held at Holy Name of Mary on January 17, 2016 from 12-2 All will of course be welcome. Our inspiration derives from, among other areas, the observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr s Day, and recalling his persistent insistence to fight injustice with love. [The Peekskill Area Pastors Association will have their annual MLK observance at Peekskill Middle School on January 18, 2016 at 3:00 pm. Those intrepid few who have made their way from Croton to Peekskill for this event in previous years, have much appreciated it. Let s try for the intrepid many this year]. The Justice Fair will include tables, literature and presenters on such issues as the refugee crisis, working to end hate speech and hate crimes, lowering the rate of gun violence in our nation, issues of physical and mental health, ending hunger, poverty and homelessness in our county, climate change, growing interfaith knowledge and understanding. Plus there will be healthy food and entertainment for children. Neither love nor justice require that we all agree reflexively on the issues. Nonetheless it becomes clear that being learned, and shaping our actions with knowledge, love and integrity is so much better than dividing into camps militantly oblivious and ignorant to other perspectives, (and untroubled by such matters as empirical evidence) and whose principle armament consists of ad hominem name calling and casting of aspersions, rather than thoughtfully crafted responses to the issues that face our world today. We can do better, as Dr. King, walking in the footsteps of Christ showed.

3 PRESIDENT S MESSAGE -John Keil On behalf of the Congregation Council, I extend to you our best wishes for the coming year. I think many of us would agree that we identified and seized upon many opportunities for growth over the past year, and much good has been accomplished. With the coming year, we should set our sights higher to be more inclusive, to introduce our church to more in the community, and to be of service in more ways to more people. I m aware of much work being done behind the scenes on all of these fronts, and you can expect to hear more about these projects in the coming months. Please remember to renew your pledges of contributions for the coming year! Simply Giving contributions will continue until you direct otherwise, but the congregation does not otherwise assume that its members will contribute in the same or higher amounts from year to year unless you let us know. As you consider your pledges, please be mindful that the church sees annual increases in nearly all categories of expenses from year to year; increasing our contributions by an average of $8 per person per week would help tremendously in continuing to meet these obligations. For those not already enrolled in Simply Giving, please consider doing so; by filling out a simple form and providing it to our Financial Secretary, you can automate your contributions in an amount and according to a schedule of your choice. Enrolling in Simply Giving then makes your financial support of the church one less thing to remember on Sunday morning, and helps make our finances less dependent on weather and attendance. Finally, I would like to thank Steven Millar for his very capable and dedicated years of service as he steps down from the Council. If you have any insights about how we could better engage and serve our members and the community around us, please approach me or any council member to share your ideas. You should feel welcome to approach me on Sundays, or me at johnkeil@gmail.com. Christmas-At-Sea Ministry - Karen Nurmi Thank you to everyone who contributed items for the Christmas-at-Sea satchels for Seafarers International House port ministry. This was a record-breaking year, with enough items donated to complete 11 satchels! Pastor Stephens delivered them to SIH, and reports that the staff was very grateful for your gifts. Thank you for making Christmas brighter for seafarers who are usually away from their families during the Christmas season! 2016 COUNCIL MEMBERS Our Congregational Council members would like to keep the conversations and ideas that will move our church in the right direction going. If you have any ideas that you feel Our Saviour can benefit from, please...talk To Us!! Here is a list of our 2016 Council Members : OFFICERS: President: John Keil Vice President: Matthew Papertsian Secretary: Sarah Doherty Treasurer: Annie Andrews Christian Education: Evangelism & Outreach: Sarah Doherty Finance: Eric Golberg Pastor / Parish Relations: Matthew Papertsian Circle School: OPEN: John Magerlein Ex Officio: Jamie Hough, Financial Secretary COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS: Property: Steven Millar Social Ministry: John Keil Stewardship: OPEN Worship & Music: Frya Barnes: Social Ministry OPEN: Estomih Mtui

4 Our Saviour Lutheran Church s annual Chili Cook Off will be held on Sunday, January 31 at 5:30 pm in the Parish hall. Bring a pot of your favorite chili (spicy or non-spicy, vegetarian or non-vegetarian), or bring a side dish -- rice, cornbread, chips, fruits or vegetables, or suitable beverages. Contributions will go to our traditional support of seminarian Julie Kelly. Not to be missed! Please let John Keil know that you will be coming, and with what. John can be contacted at johnkeil@gmail.com WANTED: NEW HOME A local family consisting of a father and three teenage children, effectively abandon by their mother / spouse some years ago is in foreclosure and must vacate their house by the end of January. Father is a well-known, hardworking local, but as a soccer dad who cooks, cleans, and drops kids off at ball games (and coaches), does not earn rock star wages. This family is seeking a new place to live. Please let Pastor know if you have any leads that might allow the children to stay in the Croton school district. They will squeeze into a house if necessary. Also, their old, but healthy and well looked after rabbit needs a new home. The first meeting in 2016 of the Congregation Council will be on Sunday, January 17 after worship. Please speak with John Keil or another council member if you have any matters you would like to bring to the council's attention or if you would like to attend. John can be reached atjohnkeil@gmail.com

5 Greetings to everyone at OSLC. As most of you may or may not know, I recently took on the role of Church Treasurer for Our Saviour Lutheran Church. Since the beginning of this fiscal year i.e. July 2015, I have been gradually transitioning into this very responsible and accountable role, with the help of our past treasurers, Eric Golberg and Janet Behning, our very own Pastor Stephens as well as our Church Secretary/bookkeeper Melanie Mueller. Although this list is not complete, I want to take this opportunity to thank each and every one who has gone out of their way to provide me with the support, information and guidance in order to help me function in my role adequately. I bring with me knowledge and experience in the areas of Financial and Management Accounting and currently work as a Management Accountant. I am very grateful for this opportunity to serve our Lord and support all the ministries of OSLC. I am hopeful that in the coming several months that I will be able to better communicate the financial health of our church to the congregation, as well as make positive changes to better position ourselves for the years to come. If you have questions, or concerns primarily or remotely related to OSLC financial matters, please feel free to contact me at annie_andrew@hotmail.com. Thank you, Annie Andrews [Croton s Christian clergy were greeted by the following on Christmas morn] In the name of God Most Loving and Most Caring, We want to extend our greetings to our Christian brothers and sisters in America and around the world, on the day of Christmas. Our love and respect for Jesus is central to our faith. We believe that the immaculate birth of Jesus Christ is a historical landmark in the creation and in the history of mankind. The chapter 19 of the Quran is dedicated to this blessed event of the birth of Jesus Christ and the entire chapter is named after his mother Maryam (Mary). The name of Jesus is mentioned 25 times in the Quran. We are told in very clear words how blessed and joyful the event of his birth is for the whole human family (Quran 19:33). This is a belief that Muslims and Christians of the world share earnestly and our love and respect for Jesus binds us together for the service of God, service of mankind and the service of His entire creation. We reject those interpretations and that understanding of our scriptures that set us up against each other and misdirect our energies and God given resources. We stand committed to the divine command that binds us to cooperate in promoting good and forbidding what is evil and harmful for God's creation (Quran 5:2) Our Just and Merciful God has made it a religious obligation for us (Quran 22:40) to protect and respect all churches, synagogues, places of worship where His holy name is mentioned and where His servants worship Him in different languages and in different styles and in different traditions. During these holidays, when the birth days of Jesus and Mohammad are being celebrated, we are getting into new year 2016 commemorating the birth of Jesus. We are in the Muslim hijra year 1437 commemorating the migration of our Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Madina, a move away from religious persecution to freedom of religion in Madina. We stand shoulder to shoulder together to rejoice the spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood at a time when a wave of hate and bigotry is spreading around us, at a time when some misguided servants of God, claiming to be the followers of Moses, Jesus and Muhammad and desecrating and destroying mosques, churches and synagogues. All this hate in the name of God we love and adore. They are dividing human family in the name of religion and filling this planet with hate and intolerance. We pray that our Christian brothers and sisters around the world get inspired and guided by God to spread the radiance and the splendor of the gospel of Jesus that Quran (5:46) has called " light and guidance" and continue to inspire us all to fight against hate, injustice, exploitation, corruption and discrimination. Let the teachings and example of Jesus Christ continue to energize us all with love, tolerance, religious freedom and mutual respect.

6 BEST CHRISTMAS EVER - Rev. Anthony Stephens OMG, well that was like the best Christmas ever! Well, no. This was a really great Christmas, and beautiful sounds, sights, and spirit were enjoyed throughout. However, the best Christmas was the first Christmas because it had eternal, existential, eschatological and ontological implications (for those who might have taken 101 Philosophy). Nonetheless, our 2015 Christmas was certainly a good one. Now is the time to start a new calendar year in the same spirit. Be here. Invite people. Sing boldly. Serve gladly. Trust in the Lord. Believe me, Christianity; though it is semper reformanda (always reforming), is far from being washed up. The long version of one of my favorite hymns, O God our Help in Ages Past, notes: The busy tribes of flesh and blood, With all their lives and cares, Are carried downwards by the flood, And lost in following years. Time, like an ever rolling stream, Bears all its sons away; They fly, forgotten, as a dream Dies at the opening day. Like flowery fields the nations stand Pleased with the morning light; The flowers beneath the mower s hand Lie withering ere tis night. O God, our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come, Be Thou our guard while troubles last, And our eternal home. Still true. Even more relevant. DISCERNMENT PROCESS UPDATE The Discernment Process is continuing as planned. A Task Force has been formed. This team is meeting to review the information that has been gathered from the potluck meetings and the survey results. Soon after they will draft a mission statement and a list of visions and values. This will be presented to the Council to get their input on moving forward. Please keep this group and the discernment process in your prayers.

7 Koinonia Upcoming Events Couples Retreat- February 12th-14th Our second annual couples retreat is almost here! This retreat is perfect for couples wishing to spend a weekend away with one another. There will be opportuntiies to enjoy the outdoors, rest and relaxation, workshops for couples, a four course meal on Saturday evening and optional couples massages for an additional fee. We will be partnering this year with the Rethink Orange group to provide opportunities for couples to engage in discussion and strengthen their marriages. Couples will also be given materials to take home with them. Check out their website! Junior High LYO Retreat- Be Still and Know - February A retreat led by the Lutheran Youth Organization of the Metro New York Synod for confirmation-aged youth. Teens will explore the theme verse and the idea of praise through large and small group sessions where youth will grow closer to God and to one another. This weekend will also be filled with time outdoors, songs, games, a campfire and FUN! Senior High LYO Retreat- Gotta Save Them All - March A retreat led by the Lutheran Youth Organization of the Metro New York Synod. It's designed for and led by high school students, where teens explore Romans 10:9 and how God saves us and why through speakers and small group sessions with a Pokemon theme. Youth will grow closer to God and to one another. This weekend will also be filled with time outdoors, songs, games, a campfire and FUN! Keep Up with News, Events and Opportunities in Our Christian Community by Visiting and Sharing these Websites Often! LWR BABY KITS - Frya Barnes Many thanks to all who participated in the collecting of items for the Baby Care Kits. I purchased the additional items needed for the completion of the kits with the help of $ from Thrivent. We assembled 11 kits and they were mailed to Lutheran World Relief. With the incredible number of refugees in the world I am sure that these items will be welcomed by some new mothers. Frya

8 JANUARY SUNDAY SERVANTS January 3 Greeters&Ushers: Chuck Cooper & Rosie Evans Lori Esteves John Magerlein Frya Barnes Mark Esteves Hospitality: Lori Esteves & Estomih Mtui January 10 Greeters&Ushers: Dianne Carroll & Frya Barnes Ken Gabrielsen Philip Stephens Hospitality: Karen Kuchnicki & Lisa Stephens January 17 Greeters&Ushers: Arun Thomas & Karen Kuchnicki Eric Golberg Chuck Cooper Dionne Johnson Hospitality: Sue Orts & John Keil January 24 Greeters&Ushers: Eric Golberg & Laura Keil Rosie Evans Marilyn Dreyer Karen Magerlein Bob Riekert Otto Staats Hospitality: Karen Polacek and Steven & Gail Millar January 31 Greeters&Ushers: John Magerlein & MaryBeth Soucy Matilda Weekes-Johnson Karen Magerlein John Magerlein Andrew Stephens Hospitality: Karen Magerlein & MaryBeth Soucy LECTIONARY READINGS 1/17 Isaiah 62:1-5 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 1/24 Nehemiah 8:1-3,5-6, Corinthians 12:12-31a 1/31 Jeremiah 1: Corinthians 13:1-13 2/7 Exodus 34: Corinthians 3:12-4:2 2/14 Deuteronomy 26:1-11 Romans 10:8b-13 2/21 Genesis 15:1-12, Philippians 3:17-4:1 2/28 Isaiah 55:1-9 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 FEBRUARY SUNDAY SERVANTS February 7 Greeters&Ushers: Chuck Cooper & Barbara Henninger Lori Esteves Janet Behning Mark Esteves Hospitality: Sue Montgomery & Michelle/Jamie Hough February 14 Greeters&Ushers: Dianne Carroll & Marilyn Dreyer MaryBeth Soucy Ken Gabrielsen Philip Stephens Hospitality: Heather Cooper & February 21 Greeters&Ushers: Rosie Evans & Frya Barnes Matilda Weekes-Johnson Sue Orts Chuck Cooper Dionne Johnson Hospitality: Karen Kuchnicki February 28 Greeters&Ushers: Laura Keil & Karen Kuchnicki Rosie Evans John Magerlein Sue Orts Bob Riekert Otto Staats Hospitality: Karen Magerlein & Dianne Carroll March 6 Greeters&Ushers: Arun Thomas & Eric Golberg Matilda Weekes-Johnson Marilyn Dreyer TBD Frya Barnes Andrew Stephens Hospitality: Frya Barnes & Amy Gardiner March 13 Greeters&Ushers: John Magerlein & Barbara Henninger Lori Esteves Ken Gabrielsen TBD Mark Esteves Hospitality: & Heather Cooper 3/6 Joshua 5: Corinthians 5: /13 Isaiah 43:16-21 Philippians 3:4b-14

9 JANUARY 2016 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY KEY: HB Happy Birthday HA Happy Anniversary Second Christmas (white) 4 Hungry For God s Word 7:30pm Confirmation 9:00am 10 Baptism Of Our Lord (white) 11 Hungry For God s Word 7:30pm Confirmation 9:30am Second Epiphany (green) Confirmation 9:30am 24 Third Epiphany (green) Confirmation 9:30am Fourth Epiphany (green) Confirmation 9:30am

10 FEBRUARY 2016 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY Choir Practice 7:45pm 7 Transfiguration of Our Lord (white) Confirmation 9:00am Shrove Tuesday 6:30pm Services noon & 7:30pm 14 First Lent (purple) Confirmation 9:00am HB Bob Riekert Second Lent (purple) Confirmation 9:30pm HA Michelle & Jamie Hough Third Lent 29 (purple) Confirmation 9:30pm