News from Advent Lutheran Church November 2016

Transcription

1 News from Advent Lutheran Church November 2016 STAFF Rev. Jason Peterson Rev. Andrea Windsor-Peterson Pastors COUNCIL Mary Filpus-Luyckx President Melinda East Heather Herrmann Ann Simon Director of Music/Organist Vice President Tara Spray Jared Fischer Ken Voss Secretary Secretary Brandi Pate Nursery Attendant Debbie Merzlak Treasurer

2 BIG LOOK AT SMALL CATECHISM BY PRESIDING BISHOP ELIZABETH EATON Several years ago my husband s bishop tried initiating a diocese-wide call to the catechumenate to engage those preparing for confirmation in a period of study and formation. We call it confirmation class or catechism, something generations of Lutherans have gone through. But this was a new experience for the Episcopalians in his diocese. He set about developing a curriculum for prospective confirmands, only to encounter resistance. How do Lutherans get participation in multiyear catechetical instruction? I told him: Five hundred years of hazing. We do have a history of communicating the faith from generation to generation. Martin Luther wrote the Small Catechism after the Saxon Visitation of the late 1520s, which examined the religious practices in the parishes of that part of Central Europe. He discovered a stunning lack of understanding of the basics of the Christian faith among laypeople and pastors. So in the Small Catechism he gives a concise but rich explanation of the Lord s Prayer, the Apostles Creed, the commandments, baptism, communion, the Office of the Keys and confession. The Small Catechism became an important part of faith formation in families. Millions of us throughout the centuries and world have studied and memorized it. Catechism has been a rite of passage in the Lutheran movement. It could be argued that no other experience is more universally Lutheran than studying this little book not language, not hymnody, not cuisine, not worship style. What does this mean? and This is most certainly true are two of the most recognizable phrases in Lutheranism. It s been said, Youth is wasted on the young. I m not suggesting that studying the catechism isn t beneficial to middle school students. But confining catechetical instruction to that age group and expecting fully formed disciples at the end of the process is probably a little unrealistic. All of this has me wondering how we can bring our Lutheran traditions, unashamedly and gratefully, into our relationships with ecumenical and interreligious partners. The ELCA is fully committed to ecumenical and interreligious dialogue. We have six full communion partners: the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the Reformed Church in America, the United Church of Christ, the Episcopal Church, the United Methodist Church and the Moravian Church. As the ELCA, we also claim the evangelical part of our name. Set free by the grace of God through the death and resurrection of Jesus and moved by the Spirit we want to tell everybody the good news. Some argue that emphasizing our Lutheran identity is an impediment to dialogue and evangelism. I would argue that if we aren t clear about who we are and what we believe it s not possible to have deep and authentic encounters with others. It s hard to have meaningful give-and-take with mush. There was a time in the 1980s when church growth experts urged us to shed denominational identity in favor of more generic, and so appealing, names for congregations. St. Paul Lutheran Church became the Church at Pheasant Run. It s like selling our inheritance for a mess of marketing pottage. Of course we are baptized into the one, holy, catholic and apostolic church. Of course our identity is in Christ and not in a 16th-century Augustinian monk. But there is something distinctive about our Lutheran voice that needs to be heard in ecumenical and interreligious conversations and in the public square. If we aren t clear about this we run the risk of sliding into relativism. It might be time for all of us to dust off our Small Catechisms (or find it in Evangelical Lutheran Worship, 1160) and take another look at the basics of the faith. Staff at the Lutheran Center in Chicago will be doing just that this fall. My guess is that places like Microsoft or McDonald s take great care in immersing their people into their corporate culture. We are Lutheran Christians. With great humility we can be unapologetic about being Lutheran. It would be wonderful if we as the ELCA prepared for the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in 2017 by studying the Small Catechism together. We have a common language with which to talk about faith, engage Scripture and make sense of our world. Catechism is not just for the young. This is most certainly true.

3 November Worship Schedule Sunday, November 6 All Saints Day Worship & Holy Communion 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 10:45 am Sunday, November 13 26th Sunday of Pentecost Contemporary & Holy Communion 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 10:45 am Congregational Meeting & Consecration Sunday Sunday, November 20 Christ the King/27th Sunday of Pentecost Worship & Holy Communion 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 10:45 am Thanksgiving Dinner 5:30pm Worship Service 7:00pm Sunday, November 27 First Sunday in Advent Worship & Holy Communion 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 10:45 am Upcoming Dates And Events: SES Bishop Julian Gordy Visit December 4th Christmas Cantata December 18th Christmas Tree Decorating December 20th/ Children s Christmas Program Reception Following December 21st/6:00pm

4 Thanks! God s Blessings and Thanks! So much to everyone for being so supportive to the Music Program. Thanks! To all our musicians for your dedication and willingness to use the gifts God has given you to glorify Him. Thanks! To our Choir, Praise Band, and Hand Bell Choir! You all are doing a great job! On Sunday December 18th, our Choir will present their Christmas Cantata, Candles and Carols, a service of hope, peace, joy, and love. We have room for more in the choir. I want to encourage anyone who would like to sing the Christmas music with us, to come right away and get started since December 18th will be here soon. We hope to have the chair lift soon, but the Cantata will be presented downstairs as is our tradition. On the evening of December 21st, our children and youth will present their Christmas Musical, Sing A Song Of Christmas. This is a traditional presentation of the Christmas story with favorite Christmas Carols as well as some joyful newer Christmas songs. If you have, or if you are a child or youth who loves to celebrate Christmas please join us, with Lynn Reed and Heather Herrmann at the beginning of Sunday School. Also, if you would like to sing during Christmas Eve, Pre-Service Music, please see me or contact me ( jmeast1949@gmail.com). This includes children, youth, and adults. God s Blessings to you all, Melinda East Rehearsal Schedule: Thursday, November 10th: 7:00pm Contemporary Service, Sunday November 13th Thursday, December 8th: 7:00pm

5 Adult Sunday School Class As we move towards the 500 th anniversary of the Reformation on October 31, 2017, Advent will be spending the year in preparation. One of the first things we will concentrate on will be exploring our Lutheran heritage as Christians. Pastor Jason will begin to teach the Adult Sunday school class October 30 th following worship. We will begin with a historical and biblical look of events during the time of Luther. We will move into Small Catechism studies, what Lutherans believe, and where we are going as people of faith.

6 A New Road 34 Saturday, November 5th The free one-day seminar will be held at New Life Community Church, Broad River Road, Irmo, SC The seminar is from 9:00am-5:00pm Registration Will Begin at 8:30am Registration is 8:30-9:00 AM. Emily McMillan - 10:30-11:15 Ruth Ellis - 1:00-3:30 Jim Caulder - 3:30-4:15 Lunch Will Be Provided A closing candlelight service will follow at 4:15. This seminar will offer help, hope and encouragement as we learn grief coping skills. The seminar is free, but pre-registration is requested. It is open to anyone who has experienced the death of a loved one. Please contact one of the following to register or for more information: Carol Ann Green at Dee Snelgrove Camp at deesc@me.com or Ann Simon at dcgadm@knology.net or

7 Advent Children s Service Project All children 12 years old and younger are invited to attend the Advent Children s Service Project. We will be making Christmas gifts for shut-in s. When: Where: Sponsored by: November 19 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM Advent Lutheran Church Service Ministry of Advent Lutheran Church We will make gifts, have snacks and a good time. Please see Rene Blanchette or Jackie Voss if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing you there!

8 Food Pantry Requested Donation for November November is the month we remember things we are thankful for: family, food, and warm clothing. There are many in our community who do not lack these basic needs. We are collecting hats, scarves, gloves and socks (especially men s large) for clients of the Food Pantry. Please do not bring other clothing items as there is no storage space available. These items will be blessed at a service in November and then donated. Please remember those in need. If you wish to make a monetary donation, please see Jackie Voss, Pastor Andrea, or Pastor Jason.

9 Thrivent Action Team Project Advent is collecting new plush toys starting Oct. 2nd until Nov. 27th. The toys will be distributed to Children's Hospital and First Responders. Please help by donating a cuddly toy.

10 Prayer Ministry Pray for Healing & Provision Dee Alderson, Marge Rahn, Edgar Bollinger, Ruth Neumann, Tania Hayes, Art Suprek, Al Trappe, Irmgard Crowder, Diana Perry, Ann Furlong, Virginia Reedstrom, Randy Lester, Lura Howard, Henny & Wouter Klaassen, James Pravato, & All those who serve as Chaplains Pray for Our Deployed Military Dale Tupper, Peggy Martin, Aaron Hanes-Dodd, Jim Coffman, Rob Gulbrandson, Rayland Dawood, & Steven Johnson *Please note the prayer list is updated at the beginning of each month. If you would like to remain on the List (or the name of your loved one), please contact the church office. We will add your name immediately.

11 November Birthdays 11/1 Jean Reed 11/6 Cheryl Fouche Matt Reed Rick Reed 11/7 Lewis Huerth 11/14 Juergen Jaath Kaleigh Jablonski Charlotte Miller 11/18 Lily Summers Diana Perry Derek Herrmann 11/19 Marcy Jimenez Addison Koch 11/22 Patty Williams 11/29 Dale Tupper November Anniversaries 11/16 Nick & Josie Pravato 11/29 Greg & Sarah Van Bladel

12 Bible/S 10am Svc Ministry 2:30pm Min. Night Staff Meeting 10am Choir Bible Study Property 9am Banner Min 10:00am Chinese Church 6 9:30pm Worship 9:30am Sunday School & Bells 6:00pm Stephen Ministry Choir Praise Band Rehearsal 7pm Confirmation 10:45 am Contemp. Service, Congregational Meeting, & Consecration Sunday Bells 6:00pm Bible Study 10:00am Council Choir Bible Study Merzlak Wedding Rehearsal Merzlak Wedding Children s Service Project 1pm - 3pm Thanksgiving Dinner 5:30pm Worship 7pm Bells 6:00pm Book Club 7:30pm Stephen Ministry Office Closed Lydia Project 9am 12pm Worship 9:30am Sunday School & Confirmation 10:45 am Bells 6:00pm Choir 6:15pm Sunday Services: Worship Service 9:30am Sunday School & Confirmation10:45am Contemporary Service 9:30am Nov. 13th

13 11/06/ /13/ /20/ /27/2016 Assisting Ministers Francesca Furlong Lynn Reed Heather Herrmann Karen Smith Lectors Bobby Bisbee Angie Hubble Tim Sadenwasser Diana Perry Communion Assistants Mary Suprek Barbara Plumley Patty Williams Daisy Morgan Acolytes / Crucifiers Zach Hubble Stormi Hubble Brian Sadenwasser Jaime Jimenez Lily Summers Kate Peterson Timmy Peterson Holly Sadenwasser Ushers Jim Williams Bobby Bisbee Don and Mable Plueger Ulrike and Dieter Beck Sam Jimenez Jared Fischer Greeters Maggie Heaney Shirley Chipman Nancy Tokarska Lisa Cheek Carole Hope Carol Billings Julie Fillgrove Renee Blanchette Bulletin Prep Wed. before Nov 2: Mary & Paul Filpus-Luyckx Nov 9: Jackie & Ken Voss Nov 16: Kenny Odeen Diane Aizcorbe Nov 23: Renee Blanchette Linda Lawrence Flowers Given By Donna Meisner In Memory Of Husband George Missionary Support Given by Hospital/Shut In Ministers Don & Mable Plueger Bobby Bisbee Patty Williams Danny Moran Visitor of Visitors Donna Meisner Nancy Bickley Gayle Ricklefs Linda Lawrence Fellowship Coffee Hour Coffee Only Coffee Only Coffee Only Coffee Only Eternal Candles Given by

14 3232 Washington Road Augusta, GA Phone: Web: adventaugusta.org DATED MATERIAL ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Deadline For November Newsletter Entries November 14th