Greetings from Grace!

Transcription

1 Greetings from Grace! Monthly Newsletter November N. Market St. / P. O. Box 2505 Washington, NC Tel: The Search for a new Pastor begins! On October 16, Reverend Phil Tonneson from the Bishop s Staff of the NC Synod office, met with the congregation of Grace Lutheran Church to discuss the process of calling a new minister. Nearly all of our members were on hand to share a salad and pizza dinner in the fellowship hall prior to meeting with Pastor Phil. Among the first things to do is appoint a call committee. This was finalized by the Church Council at their monthly meeting on November 26. Those selected to serve are: John Johnston, Anne Myers, Skip Kiem, Allison Van der Slice, Karen Hermany and Steve Smith. We are so thankful to these generous volunteers for sharing their time and talent in this extremely important task. After Synod training, the call committee will work with the Church Council to finalize the competencies and characteristics of our congregation as outlined in the Ministry Site Profile. They will also complete the Congregation and Community Packet and submit everything to the Synod office in Salisbury. The Synod will use these materials to match potential candidates to our congregation. The Synod will send the names and information forms of potential candidates to the call committee. The committee will review the candidates forms as they come in (generally 1 to 3 candidates at a time) and decide if they want to conduct a face-to-face interview. Reverend Phil Tonneson, Assistant to Bishop Tim Smith in the NC ELCA Synod office. If a candidate makes a good impression after their first interview, the Call Committee generally makes arrangements to see he or she preach and conduct a service at another church. A second interview is usually conducted and the candidate brings their family with them to tour the community and see if it feels like home. A joint meeting with the Church Council is also conducted. Call Committee continued on page 7...

2 In this issue President s Message 3 Special Announcements 4-5 Grace Lutheran Church 1776 N. Market St. Washington, NC Tel: The Laughing Lutheran 6 Church Council Contact Info 6 WELCA Quilt Blessing 7 Pastor Wayne Update 7 Reformation Sunday 8 Prayer Concerns 9 Birthdays 10 Financial Report 10 Ruth s House 11 Lutheran World Relief 11 Community information 12 December Calendar of Events 13 Favorite Hymns Sung in October Our Vision: Growing in faith and discipleship and sharing the Gospel in word and deed. For All the Saints Blessing and Honor Come Ye thankful People Come Now Thank We All Our God Sing to the Lord of Harvest Crown Him With Many Crowns Beautiful Savior

3 A Message from the Pastor For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith; as it is written, The one who is righteous will live by faith. Romans 1:16-17 On October 30, we celebrated the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. There were special plays, musical performances and worship services throughout the world to celebrate. This was all wonderful and it was good for Lutherans to maybe get some good press. However, the best news is what the Reformation is all about. Martin Luther never wanted a group of Christians named after him. He was not seeking fame or glory. What he was seeking, was to know God, to be a righteous, holy person. He agonized over his sins and God s judgment seeking peace with God. In studying God s holy WORD, the Bible, Luther finally understood the mercy and grace of God. It is given to all through the forgiveness of sins brought about by the life, death and resurrection of his son Jesus Christ; in other words, the Gospel. We as Lutherans have a rich tradition and a wonderful understanding of God s grace. It is not to be kept to ourselves. In today s world so many people still seek God. Many seek with no Christian teaching at all only knowing only that their hearts are not satisfied with this world alone. The greatest legacy of Martin Luther and of the reformation itself is the WORD. We are called as Martin Luther, as Paul to not be ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ and to share it with a deeply hurting, lost, and seeking world. Martin Luther said we are all beggars seeking Gods grace. We as Lutherans know where a beggar can be filled with spiritual food, in the WORD of God. Page 3

4 Special Announcements! Annual Congregational Meeting The annual congregational meeting will be held immediately following the church service on Sunday December 3. During this meeting, the 2018 budget and nominees for the 2018 Church Council will be presented, discussed and voted on. Church members are also invited to bring up any other matters they deem relevant to the well being of Grace Lutheran Church. Advent Season begins on December 3 Advent begins on Sunday, December 3rd. Advent is a season is a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas. The term is a version of the Latin word meaning "coming". This year, we will be using the ELW setting 3. The liturgy is the same as setting 1 in the green hymnal. During Advent, each Sunday School class will have a different approach/ perspective on the Season of Advent: Bible readings, Advent meditations/reflections, Advent traditions, home/family Advent ideas, and much more. Decorating the Chrismon Trees and Fellowship Hall Volunteers are needed at 9 am, Saturday, December 16th at the Church to decorate the Chrismon Trees and Fellowship Hall. All are welcome - and needed! Deiner Rehearsal for the Moravian Love Feast Those serving as deiners (servers) for the annual Moravian love Feast will rehearse after decorating the church on Saturday, December 16th at the Church. Moravian Love Feast This year s Moravian Love Feast will be held at 4 pm, on Sunday, December 17th at the Church. The Love Feast is primarily a song service, during which, the congregation partakes of a slightly sweet bun and coffee. Page 4

5 Christmas Eve Service Special Announcements! Zion Shelter or Blind Center Meal Preparation The sign up sheet for preparing and delivering meals to Zion Shelter / Blind Center is up for Wednesday, December 18. Please consider volunteering for this important ministry. If you are volunteering to deliver the meals, please be at the church at 10:00 am. You should be finished by 10:30. A Christmas Eve candle lighting service, will be held on Sunday, December 24, at 4:00 p.m. Invite your family and friends to come and worship together with a beautiful service of lessons and carols. We will light candles and sing with joy at the coming of Emanuel, God with us. Epiphany Season begins on January 6 Saturday, January 6th, 2018 Epiphany begins. No church service this year. Taking Down Church decorations on January 6 On Saturday, January 6th, 2018, volunteers are invited to take down Christmas decorations at the Church. All are welcome and needed! Special Food Request from Eagles Wings Eagle's Wings has adjusted their request for specific donations. Many of their clients have special dietary needs. Therefore, they have a continuing need for sugar-free pudding mixes and sugar-free Jello mixes as well as sugar substitutes. Canned tomato products are also welcome! Volunteers needed for a variety of tasks! We need lots of people to volunteer for ushering, assisting minister, and communion assistants. Don't be shy as these jobs are not hard and you will be trained! Contact Bette Volk if you would like to add your name to the list. Page 5

6 The Laughing Lutheran! 2017 Church Council Liaison To Telephone Number Address Rev. Judy Tavela, Pastor Evangelism Sue Dawson Outreach Tom Volk Christian Ed Jean Richardson, Vice Pres. Outreach Judy Jennette, President John Johnston Stewardship Linda Turner Property Anne Myers, Secretary Fellowship Eileen Gustafson Bonnie Smith, Treasurer Finance Page 6 Jerry Snapp, Financial Secretary Worship & Music; Finance snapp49@embarqmail.com

7 Call Process continued from page 1... During the worship service on October 29th, Pastor Tavela blessed the quilts made by GLC s WELCA members for Lutheran World Relief. Once the Church Council meets the candidate and recommends extending a call, representatives from the council and call committee discuss with candidate and agree upon compensation/benefits. The Church Council and Call Committee determine best ways to share information about the candidate with congregation and plan an opportunity for the congregation to hear the candidate preach and meet with he or she informally. A congregational meeting is then set to vote on the candidate, his or her call terms and compensation/benefits package. A letter of Call /Compensation/Benefits form is then completed, signed by council chair and sent to bishop s office in Salisbury, NC. Yes, this can be a lengthy process, but it does produce good results. Pastor Wayne Moonlights as an Elf! Many of you may remember our former interim Pastor, Wayne Dubansky (pictured right). Agnes and Lawrence Beacham visited him on Sunday, November 26, at Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Garner. He was dressed as an elf for the children s sermon. Agnes writes, Do you remember when he was at Grace and the adults were just as excited as the kids to see what was behind the pulpit for the children s sermon? He has not changed one bit. We had such a good time with him and were the last to leave the fellowship hall. Pastor Wayne used the elf imagery to convey the Christmas message that Christ is our E-Everlasting, L- Loving, F-Friend. Maybe the newsletter? Yes Agnes, this is definitely newsletter material! Thanks for sharing this festive and fun picture with us! Page 7

8 Reformation Sunday at Grace! On Reformation Sunday, October 29, Pastor Judy conducted a service reflecting the time of Martin Luther and the annual Stewardship drive concluded with a delicious catered lunch of German food in the Fellowship Hall of GLC. Thanks to everyone who participated! Page 8

9 Prayer Concerns Special Prayers: for all those affected by Hurricanes Harvey & Irma & Maria for all those affected by the shootings in Las Vegas Armed Forces Family of Eileen Baxter Betty Beacham Family of Boyce Broadwell Joann Cavenaugh Family of Tom Dittrich Karen Eckard Kim Engebretsen for the safety of all Armed Forces, at home and abroad Eileen died in late September 2017; friend of Lyle & Pat Carlson health issues; cousin of Lawrence Beacham Boyce died in July 2017 following a fall at his job; friend of Claudia Bagley health problems; friend of Lawrence & Agnes Beacham Tom died on June 1, 2016 in New York; son of Agnes Beacham diagnosed with serious kidney disease; niece of Randy and Annette Sipe hospitalized with kidney problems; daughter-in-law of Nelson & Roberta Engebretsen Zach Glisson Grace Lutheran Church Family of Lucille Giffin Doris Hansley Susan Hockman Dorothy Houslander Jim Husebo Flo Meier Family of Becky Morse Sheena Powell Family of Linda Stetson Shirley Stokes Carol Trueman Family of George Trueman Stephanie Tucker personal issues; grandson of Ursula Glisson for spiritual and physical growth, and for discernment on our path forward Lucille died on September 25, 2017; aunt of Pam Snapp health issues; mother of Annette Sipe medical problems; mother of Hillary Brooks serious health concerns; close friend of Annette Sipe and now living in Georgia member member; on-going health concerns Becky died on Pentecost Sunday, June 4; charter member of Grace Lutheran health issues; sister-in-law of Bobby Morse Linda died on July 11, 2017; sister of Nelson Engebretsen member; having medical problems member; awaiting treatment for painful back issues George died on December 7, 2016; husband of member Carol Trueman. friend of Grace, now living in New York City Page 9

10 December Birthdays 2 Flo Meier 8 Eileen Gustafason 10 Deb Johnson 10 Tom Volk 12 Matthew Holdren 15 Bobby Morse 17 Lois Hoot 18 Lyle Carlson 31 Ursula Glisson 31 Ginger Mainwairing GLC Year-to-date Financial Report for November 2017 Page CHURCH OFFERING PLEDGES: $ 77, PLEDGES TO DATE: $73, % PLEDGES: 94.9% PLEDGE PERIOD COMPLETED: 90.6% NON-PLEDGED OFFERING $10, CHURCH OFFERING TOTAL: $83, CHURCH OFFERING REQUIRED TO MEET GENERAL FUND BUDGET: $99, CHURCH OFFERING TOTAL %: 84.3% 2017 YTD Offering Surplus/(Deficit) = ($6,276.07)

11 Ruth s House HAVE YOU VISITED RUTH S HOUSE ANTIQUES & MORE? Located at 228 W. Main Street, Washington NC Open on Thursdays from 11 am - 3 pm and on Fridays and Saturdays, 11 am - 5 pm All funds raised are used to help the victims of domestic violence! DONATIONS OF ANTIQUES -- FURNITURE -- GLASS -- COLLECTIBLES -- ARE ALL WELCOME! Your support of this endeavor is deeply appreciated! Interested in volunteering for Ruth s House? Call (252) Coffee, tea, cocoa, candy and fruit snacks grown in developing countries are available for purchase in the fellowship hall. Your support improves the lives of small-scale farmers and their families through sustainable agriculture efforts. Checks may be made out to Grace - WELCA. Contact Lois Hoot for more info. Page 11

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13 December am WELCA meeting 3 Advent begins 9 am Sunday School 10:30 Worship Annual Congregation Meeting 2:30 Bible Study 4 5:30pm Bell Choir rehearsal 6 pm Choir rehearsal 5 Silver Threads - 12 noon (TBA) pm Night Owls am Sunday School 10:30 Worship 2:30 Bible Study 11 5:30pm Bell Choir rehearsal 6 pm Choir rehearsal am Meal preparation for Zion Shelter and Blind Center 14 1 pm Needlers meet in Fellowship Hall Sunday School 10:30 Worship 2:30 Bible Study 4 pm Moravian Love Feast 18 5:30pm Bell Choir rehearsal 6 pm Choir rehearsal am Sunday School 10:30 Worship 4 pm Christmas Eve Service Christmas Day 1 pm Needlers meet in Fellowship Hall New Years Eve 9 am Sunday School 10:30 Worship 1 Happy New Year! Epiphany Season begins Epiphany