The Dove. December Saturday:

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The Dove December 2016 Emmanuel Lutheran Church 790 South Tamiami Trail Venice, FL 34285-3601 941.488.

1 The Dove December 2016 Emmanuel Lutheran Church 790 South Tamiami Trail Venice, FL Saturday: Holy Communion: :00 PM Sunday: Holy Communion: 8:30 AM, 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM Coffee & Fellowship: 9:30 AM Sunday School & Confirmation: 9:30AM Adult Education: 10:00 AM Thursday: Worship Service with Holy Communion: 10:00 AM Saturday, December 24 th : Christmas Eve Candlelight Services with Holy Communion: 5:00PM and 7:00PM Sunday, December 25 th : Christmas Day Lessons & Carols with Holy Communion: 10:00AM To Know Christ and Boldly Make Him Known Emmanuel Contact Information Pastor Hall rhall@emmanuel-elca.org Cell Phone for Emergencies: Kris Bowker kbowker@emmanuel-elca.org Jan Miller jmiller@emmanuel-elca.org Rich Miller Cell facilitiesmanager@emmanuel-elca.org Vickie Harris youthdirector@emmanuel-elca.org Joan Hofelich minteamcoor@gmail.com Becky Rothgery info@emmanuel-elca.org Barb Spenks parishnurse@emmanuel-elca.org Don Robinson - dmvcna740@aol.com Emmanuel Website Like us on Facebook! Press to receive notifications 1

Keep the Light Shining! Palm trees may not seem like the most appropriate trees for Christmas, but when I see them all lit up they make me smile and forget about a white Christmas.

2 Keep the Light Shining! Palm trees may not seem like the most appropriate trees for Christmas, but when I see them all lit up they make me smile and forget about a white Christmas. Christmas trees are an integral part of our tradition and it does not really matter what kind of tree it is to tell the story. I recently saw an advertisement for a department store that had a picture of a car going down a road with a Christmas tree on its roof that had all its lights on. There are many unique displays of Christmas trees that catch our attention, and whether they are on cars, signs, or in nature Christmas trees remind us of our story of faith no matter how commercial they may appear. Christians are divided over how the Christmas tree became a center of our celebrations. Some people regard the tree as part of a pagan celebration and not Christian. There are other claims that Martin Luther was the first to come up with the idea of having a Christmas tree in the home. It is said that Luther was in the woods one day and saw a tree in the snow and thought it would be a good idea to cut it down and put candles on it to remind people of Christ s birth. The story itself has no actual historical evidence, but no matter how they originated, Christmas trees come in all shapes and sizes and point to the one who came into the world to save us. Christmas trees are usually decorated with meaningful ornaments that have symbolic meaning and bring us back to a special time and place in our lives. They also tell the story of our lives of faith. In many churches Christmas trees are decorated with what are called Chrismons which are embroidered clothe created into a symbol like a cross or dove that tell the story of our faith. The Chrismons, from the origin Christ monograms, help us teach others about the message of faith. In our home we collected Hummel ornaments each year. One year our tree fell over and several precious bulbs shattered and it made me realize that we may cherish expensive ornaments, but it is more about the story of faith and not just the tree we adorn. There are some traditions that involve saving your real Christmas tree and cutting all the branches off in order to create a wooden cross for Easter. The Christmas tree is a reminder of Christ who is the light of the world and was crucified on a tree. The tree and the cross are signs of our salvation and when we display lights on our trees and hang ornaments it is a testimony to how God enters into our world. In him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness does not overcome it. Keep the lights of Christ shining on your Christmas tree and in your heart! Pastor Hall 2

From our Parish Nurse: Winter is here!!! I wore my first sweater of the season today, and I have to admit, it was kind of nice.

We tend to just slide by fall and spring. But we have a lot of our snowbirds back, so welcome to all of them! Our blood drive on November 13 was a moderate success. We had 14 donors.

If you had wanted to donate and weren t able, please let me know.

3 From our Parish Nurse: Winter is here!!! I wore my first sweater of the season today, and I have to admit, it was kind of nice. We sort of breezed through fall though, maybe had a couple weeks (if that) of fall weather. It seems we really only have two seasons here - hot miserable summer and winter. We tend to just slide by fall and spring. But we have a lot of our snowbirds back, so welcome to all of them! Our blood drive on November 13 was a moderate success. We had 14 donors. Heartfelt thanks to those who participated. It seems though that the bus folded up the tent a little too early and pulled up the steps and stopped taking donors before the time was up on the drive. If you had wanted to donate and weren t able, please let me know. After talking to our Blood Bank representative about this issue, it will be addressed and now our Blood Drive times will be from 8am -12:30pm. Hopefully our next drive on January 22 nd will have stellar results!!! A big thank you also to everyone who was so attentive to the talk that Suzanne from Tidewell Hospice gave on Sunday, November 20 th. Now you all know that Tidewell can help out not only when you are on deaths doorstep, but from even a mile away. There is information from them in the pamphlet spinner in the Narthex, and I also have information if you need it. details in the January Dove. Heads up for January! The Alzheimer s Memory Mobile will be here on Thursday, January 26 th in the back parking lot, from 9am - 3:00pm. An appointment is necessary if you want your memory tested. (I did it last time, and it was really a fun and interesting test). They can also do counseling, and they have a lot of information on what is available for Alzheimer patients and their caregivers. VERY INFORMATIVE! More If you are traveling over the holidays, please be safe, be courteous, be patient, and be forgiving. Have a wonderful Christmas! Barb Spenks Forms for ordering Poinsettia plants for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day worship services will be available the weekends of December 3-4, and They will be included in the bulletin December 3-4, then available at the Welcome Center or Office Center. Cost per plant is $15.00 and payment must be included with the form. 3

4 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:15-17 November brought Operation Christmas Child; and, as always, our Emmanuel family was very generous with time and resources. We collected enough to fill about 70 shoeboxes. While, Every shoebox gift is an opportunity to touch a child s heart and share the love of Jesus Christ it was apparent that the gift of generosity was present. From wrapping the shoeboxes in the fellowship hall to the filling of the boxes the next weekend, the love and laughter of working together filled the building and our hearts. Our family Sunday school class at 9:30 continues to be another time of worship and fellowship. Between preparing for our Youth/Christmas service on December 18 th, setting up and breaking down for Family Promise, and Christmas/New Year s day being on Sundays this year, we will not have that class until January 8, 2017! When we resume, please join us. The children love to have an extra adult hand in the crafts and we would love to see your smiling faces! The B&B choir is up and practicing away for our youth/christmas service in December. We have new members and combined with our veterans we should make beautiful music to our Lord s glory. In lieu of the spaghetti fund raiser dinner we had planned for October, we will be having a Valentine s Day bake sale between all services February 12, The funds that we raise will be used for our Luther Springs camping trip in March of In His service, Vickie Harris Director of Youth and Families

Simply Giving You may have heard of the Simply Giving program, or even used it in your church up north. Emmanuel is in the process of setting up the program for our families to use, it they want to.

5 Simply Giving You may have heard of the Simply Giving program, or even used it in your church up north. Emmanuel is in the process of setting up the program for our families to use, it they want to. We are starting in early December with a small group of individuals who have shown a desire to help get the program going. They will actually begin using the program and allow our Financial Secretary to get accustomed to the details of using it. We hope to have the program available for anyone else that may wish to participate in early January Your involvement is strictly voluntary. What are the advantages of using such a program? *It allows a person, couple or family to establish their gifting program to the church on a regular basis either weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. *Funds will be withdrawn from your savings account, checking account or your credit or debit card. It would eliminate writing checks and could save up to 52 checks a year. *If you choose the credit card option, the church will get the funds and you will get whatever rewards your credit card offers for the donation. *You can start, stop, pause, or change your contribution at any time as long as you have access to a computer or you could have one of the Church staff who is involved in the program assist you. *The advantage to the church is that your donation will be a constant in the funding of the operations of the church and will make it easier for the church to plan spending. Your donation will be given even if you are not able to attend church for any reason. As you prayerfully consider your pledge for the upcoming year, please also consider the use of the Simply Giving program. More information will be available soon. Thank you, Jerry Authier Simply Giving Coordinator A special Thank You to everyone who participated in the WELCA Thank Offering Services. It was truly moving to see so many young ladies help during the 8:30am worship service. Everyone did a wonderful job; we are very blessed to have such enthusiastic youth participating in our services. 5

We also discussed concerns and ideas for the future. The emphasis was on the time and talents we can and do offer to the church.

6 The Stewardship Committee would like to thank all of our members who participated in the small group conversations with Pastor Hall. Over 230 members came together in fellowship and discussions about Emmanuel and the future. It was a wonderful time of sharing information about ourselves with others. We also discussed concerns and ideas for the future. The emphasis was on the time and talents we can and do offer to the church. Discussions ranged from the need for more volunteers to man the Children s Closet, the possibility of installing a hearing loop in the church, suggestions for more utilization of the new kitchen, a possible public broadcast of one service, to an explanation of the electronic giving system we hope to initiate. We have a number of ideas and suggestions to contemplate in the New Year. In addition to those who participated in the small groups more than 135 members picked up information packets and over 275 pledge cards and volunteer opportunity sheets were mailed. We on the committee are very pleased that we could engage with this many of our members. We plan to hold a number of events in 2017 to further explore the true meaning of Stewardship. Our hope is that we can build a community of faith even more engaged in the many ministries of Emmanuel. BLESSING BAG WRAP UP The Outreach Committee members are excited to let you know that through the generosity and love in our church family we filled seventy Blessing Bags. Thank you to everyone who donated items and also helped fill the bags. The bags will provide new socks, shampoo, bath soap, washcloth, toothbrush and toothpaste, sunscreen, lip gloss, healthy snacks, gift cards, combs, deodorant, flashlights and more to the homeless in our community. "The Lord watches over His children who suffer...let's do our part to be the path through which it is done." James 5: Thank you for doing, "God's Work, Our Hands. God bless you. Dr. Marlyce Holbach, Council Member, Outreach Chair 6

DEADLINE for the January Dove is Friday, December 16 th. Due to scheduled vacation and the holidays, please be prompt with your submissions! Thank you in advance.

Anyone interested in taking over this once a year project, is asked to contact Joan Hofelich at 941-480-9694 or the church office at 941-488-4942.

7 DEADLINE for the January Dove is Friday, December 16 th. Due to scheduled vacation and the holidays, please be prompt with your submissions! Thank you in advance. to Jack for his service in this capacity. But at Jack s request, time has come for a new leader. A complete task description is available from the office. Anyone interested in taking over this once a year project, is asked to contact Joan Hofelich at or the church office at The Annual Advent by Candlelight is THIS Sunday, December 4 th at 5:30pm. The Prayer Service theme is A Christmas Cup of Tea and the Women of the ELCA Board invite all women of the congregation to attend. Refreshments are served immediately after the service in the Fellowship Hall. Updated Membership Directories are available at the Welcome Center. This Fall 2016 update includes our new members as of October 23 rd. CROP Walk Coordinator Needed The CROP Hunger Walk is a worldwide initiative to prevent the injustice of hunger. Every year in February, the Venice community comes together to walk and work together to raise funds that are distributed worldwide and locally. Last year local funds were distributed to 6 community organizations that feed or give food to those who most need help. Since 2010, Jack Robertson has been the CROP Walk Coordinator here at Emmanuel. Many thanks ALTAR FLOWERS FOR 2017 A new procedure has been implemented for sponsoring Altar Flowers in The 2017 white binder can be located at the Welcome Center. There are now two sponsors available per week. This allows more than one person to bring Glory to God by remembering a special date or event. Each bouquet is $20.00 and will be available for the sponsor to take home with them after the 11:00am worship service. There is no provision to take flowers to homebound members so flowers not taken Sunday are moved to the Office Center on Monday. When sponsoring Flowers, the Eternal Candle or Worship Folders, BE SURE TO TAKE THE HALF SHEET FORM LOCATED AT THE INSIDE COVER AND BEHIND EVERY BLUE DIVIDER AND RETURN WITH PAYMENT AND INFORMATION REGARDING YOUR DEDICATION. If you have any questions, please feel free to call the office at

8 A Note from the President It always amazes me that God's timing is so good! At Church Council we have been discussing whether the timing is right to begin the Call Process to get an Associate. Are we large enough to support one? Can we even get one? Pastor Hall has been stating at our Stewardship Discussions that we are probably looking at 2018 before we could even begin to get someone. At Church wide Assembly this past summer, the issue of Associates was also raised. There are simply not enough new graduates from seminaries to meet the demand. So that issue was met with an amendment to constitutions elevating the position of Deacons. It is recognized that many ministers are being pushed to their max. So, Deacons are being elevated and given the title Minister of the Word and Service to assist the pastors in any way needed in order to lessen the burden on pastors. Their training will take place under the direction of their pastor. They are able to give the homily, do visitations of shut-ins, etc.--all under the guidance of the pastor. We are so fortunate as a church, that Scott Pinkerton has felt the calling to become a Deacon. Many of you have heard Scott and thoroughly enjoy his messages. Some have asked the question though, Is he speaking with authority? Absolutely! Everything Scott does or says is under the guidance of Pastor Hall. I love talking and listening to Scott, but he still works full time and only has so much time. It is best to use him to give Pastor a break from preaching. When you realize that Pastor Hall preaches 5 times a week 4 of which are on the weekend, that's a lot! No matter how much he enjoys worship, it takes energy. As I said at the beginning of my article, God s timing is good. He has led Scott to accept the challenge of becoming a Deacon, just as the need to create a support system for all the pastors of the ELCA is recognized. May God richly bless Scott on this journey. Peace to you all! Lois Steketee, President 8

WE WELCOME ALL WOMEN OF EMMANUEL TO VISIT OUR WOMEN S GROUPS AND GATHERINGS! It s a great opportunity to get to know other Emmanuel women through Bible Study, discussion and fellowship.

Call Lois at 941-484-9182 for more information. DEBORAH: 1st Tuesday (December 6) at 6:30 pm in Room 101. Study Leader: Kathy Winemiller. Call Kathie 941-486-5385 for information.

9 WE WELCOME ALL WOMEN OF EMMANUEL TO VISIT OUR WOMEN S GROUPS AND GATHERINGS! It s a great opportunity to get to know other Emmanuel women through Bible Study, discussion and fellowship. For general questions, call Gail Authier December Meeting Dates for our Women s Groups: ANNA: 2nd Monday (December 12) will meet for a Christmas Social at Lois Steketee s home at 7:00pm. Call Lois at for more information. DEBORAH: 1st Tuesday (December 6) at 6:30 pm in Room 101. Study Leader: Kathy Winemiller. Call Kathie for information. DORCAS QUILTING MISSION: Every Monday in December at 9:00am in Room 105. Call Jackie for information. NAOMI: No meeting in December. RUTH: No meeting in December. SOUL SISTERS: 1st Monday (December 5) at 1:00pm in Room 101. Study Leader: TBA. 3 rd Monday (December 19) at 1:00pm, activity and location TBA. Call Helen at for information DATES TO REMEMBER: ADVENT BY CANDLELIGHT Sunday, December 4, 5:30pm in the Sanctuary Program: Christmas Cup of Tea by Birdie Clark. EMMANUEL S WINTER GATHERING Tuesday, January 17, 10:00am in Fellowship Hall. Program: Jennifer Spears, a Bible teacher, conference speaker and founder of Word of Joy Ministries will speak about Women of Grace. Reminder from the Office: All use of church property needs to be reserved through Jan Miller. This includes Fellowship Hall, Rooms 101, 103, 105, the Narthex and the Office Center. Please contact Jan at ext. 16 to get your function on the 2017 calendar! 9

Dear Emmanuel Members, Thank you all so much for the delicious cookies. What a nice surprise and so MANY cookies! I will be eating them from Thanksgiving to Christmas.

We have many Christmas themed children books and great adult reads for your company to use while visiting. Advent Devotion Booklets are also available!

00 goes a long way toward helping our community s most vulnerable residents. We are celebrating our first year serving families in South Sarasota County! Please visit www.familypromisessc.

10 Dear Emmanuel Members, Thank you all so much for the delicious cookies. What a nice surprise and so MANY cookies! I will be eating them from Thanksgiving to Christmas. Millie Cairns What's In Our Library? Don t forget our library if you have guests over the holidays. We have many Christmas themed children books and great adult reads for your company to use while visiting. Advent Devotion Booklets are also available! Dear Emmanuel Church Members, Thank you for supporting Family Promise of South Sarasota County. Your very generous contribution of $1, goes a long way toward helping our community s most vulnerable residents. We are celebrating our first year serving families in South Sarasota County! Please visit to learn the latest news. Thank you again for your vote of confidence and commitment to our mission. We are very excited to continue this journey together. Jennifer Fagenbaum Director Dorcas Quilting Mission: Our members from the North are returning eager to get to work! We are already ahead of last year in the number of quilts completed; using the material and sheets you have donated. Please remember to continue to look for bars of soap on sale. The bars of soap you give are distributed by Lutheran World Relief and provide dignity and help control disease. The Good Ole Boys meet every third Tuesday of the month at Perkins Restaurant (Venice) at 7:30am. All men of the congregation are invited! Next get together is December 20 th. The Widows Support Group will meet at 12 noon for lunch, support and fellowship at Bob Evans Restaurant on Tuesday, December 6th. Please contact Jackie Sapp at if you are interested. We would love to have you join us! Last call for adult size warm jackets, sweaters and sweatshirts for our farm worker outreach. The trip to Dade City is planned for Thursday, December 8 th. If you would like to ride along or have any questions, call Gerri Amundsen at Please remember the South County Food Pantry throughout this holiday season. Items may be left on the cart near the Welcome Center! 10

December 2016 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 Family Promise 2 Family Promise 3 Family Promise Mid-Week Worship 10am Worship Committee 1pm Worship 5:00pm Blood Pressure

Exercise 10am Widow Support Lunch Noon Soul Sisters 1pm Men s Chorus 5pm Interfaith Dinner 4:30-6pm 6 Executive Committee 1:30p Youth Committee 4:30pm 7 Staff Meeting 9am Joyful Ringers 10am Mahjong

11 December 2016 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 Family Promise 2 Family Promise 3 Family Promise Mid-Week Worship 10am Worship Committee 1pm Worship 5:00pm Blood Pressure Screening 4 Worship 8:30,10 & 11am Blood Pressure Screening Coffee Fellowship 9:30am Adult Education 10am B & B Choir 10:30am Advent by Candlelight- 5:30pm 5 Dorcas Quilting 9-noon Jan Quinn s Exercise 10am Widow Support Lunch Noon Soul Sisters 1pm Men s Chorus 5pm Interfaith Dinner 4:30-6pm 6 Executive Committee 1:30p Youth Committee 4:30pm 7 Staff Meeting 9am Joyful Ringers 10am Mahjong 1pm Sanctuary Choir 4:30pm Property Committee 6pm 8 Mid-Week Worship 10am 9 Children s Closet 9-11am Finance Committee 1pm 10 Altar Guild 9:30am Children s Closet 9-11am Worship 5:00pm 11 Worship 8:30,10 & 11am Coffee Fellowship 9:30am S.S. & Confirmation 9:30am Stephen Ministry 9:30am Adult Education 10am B & B Choir 10:30am 12 Dorcas Quilting 9-noon Jan Quinn s Exercise 10am Men s Chorus 5pm Anna Circle-7pm 13 Executive Committee 10:30a Prayer Shawl 1:30pm 14 Office Closed 11am-1:00pm Naomi Circle 9:30am Joyful Ringers 10am Mahjong 1pm Sanctuary Choir 4:30pm 15 Mid-Week Worship 10am Outreach Committee- 1:30pm 16 DOVE DEADLINE 17 Worship 5:00pm 18 Children s Christmas Program Worship 8:30,10 & 11am Coffee Fellowship 9:30am Adult Education 10am 19 Dorcas Quilting 9-noon Jan Quinn Exercise 10am Ruth Circle 12:30pm Soul Sisters 1pm Men s Chorus 5pm 20 Good Ole Perkins Church Council 4pm 21 Staff Meeting 9am Joyful Ringers 10am Naomi Circle 9:30am Mahjong 1pm Sanctuary Choir 4:30pm 22 Mid-Week Worship 10am Christmas Eve Worship 5:00pm & 7:00pm 25 Christmas Day Worship 10:00 am ONLY 26 Office Closed Dorcas Quilting 9-noon Jan Quinn Exercise 10am 27 Prayer Shawl 1:30pm 28 Staff Meeting 9am Mahjong 1pm 29 Mid-Week Worship 10am Worship 5:00pm 11

The Dove. March Emmanuel Website Like us on Facebook! to receive notifications

The Dove. March Emmanuel Website Like us on Facebook! to receive notifications The Dove March 2017 Emmanuel Lutheran Church 790 South Tamiami Trail Venice, FL 34285-3601 941.488.4942 + + + + + March 1st - Ash Wednesday: 10:00AM and 7:00PM both with Holy Communion March 8 - April