First Evangelical Lutheran Church Newsletter December 2014

Transcription

1 First Evangelical Lutheran Church Newsletter December 2014 O Come Let Us Adore Him!! OUR MISSION STATEMENT IS DESIGNED TO DRAW PEOPLE TO THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY AND TO EXPERIENCE A LIFE WITH GOD... Inspired by God and united in faith, the family of First Evangelical Lutheran Church (ELCA) utilizes the word and sacraments to share our time, talents and resources to nurture our spiritual growth and bring people of all ages into the Christian community of God. 1

2 **** UNAPPROVED COUNCIL MINUTES **** Minutes will be published in the newsletter in a more timely manner..however please keep in mind these minutes have not been reviewed and approved by council members...this will take place at the next meeting on December 1 ALSO REMEMBER that anyone can come to listen to council meetings... 1st Monday each 7pm Minutes First Evangelical Lutheran Congregation Council Monday, November 3, 2014 The November meeting of the First Evangelical Lutheran Congregation Council was called to order by President Jim Wagner. Members present: Matt Holthe, Stan Schulz, Sharon Lott, Sharlene Most, Frank Sandall, Phil Hallisey, Jim Wagner, Pastor Bud Christensen. Absent: Pete Teegerastrom and Stacey Starkl. Also present: Hannah Miller, Treasurer A devotion by Wagner. Pastor Bud provided an opening prayer. Motion by Most, second by Hallisey to approve the agenda as printed. Motion approved. Minutes of the October 6, 2014 meeting were approved as printed. Hannah Miller presented the Treasurer s Report. Discussion followed and the report was approved as presented. Pastor s Report Communion assistant sheet passed Discussion of the Christmas program December 21 during services. I was discussed and approved the Christmas Child Shoebox gift program and approval was to fill 7 boxes by the confirmation class. Thanksgiving Dinner to be held the Sunday, November 23 rd. Tickets will be sold in advance. He would like congregation members to invite their family and friends. The Freed for LIFE dinner will be at Sheridan Lutheran on November 9 th. Twenty -five members of our congregation will be attending. A freewill donation will be taken for support of this organization. Ten youth are going to the Youth Gathering in Detroit, Michigan next July. Pastor said a Christmas Caroling event will be held on December 17 at with supper and activities to follow. Old business: none. New business: The annual Congregational meeting will be January 18 following worship with council providing a soup and sandwich luncheon to follow. Worked on 2015 budget. Meeting ended with all praying the Lord s prayer. Respectfully submitted, Frank B. Sandall 2

3 CAROLING PARTY-DEC 17 Be sure to make plans to attend the Caroling party starting a with Sloppy Joe supper followed by caroling and ending in cookies and hot chocolate and group singing of fun Christmas songs.. SAVE THIS DATE: Sunday, January 18th is the date for the annual congregational meeting. The meeting will follow worship services and the council will furnish a soup and sandwich luncheon to be enjoyed by all after the meeting!! See you there!! IMMANUEL.. GOD with us! >>In an attempt to increase the number of choir members, we are going to try changing practices from Wednesday night at 7:30 to Sunday at 10:45 a.m. starting November 30. We will also change from singing three times a month to twice, with a few exceptions. You needn't be at every practice or at all the Sundays we sing and you don't have to have a great voice, just willingness to sing, all are welcome. Using your talent of singing is a great way to participate in a church activity. The existing choir members like and want to sing but it would be nice to have some new members. Help us sing praises to our God and Savior. Jeanette Wagner and the choir members of First Lutheran HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED...??? Have you ever found yourself wondering about something that is going on in our church or within our church family?? We would like to encourage an increase in communication among the congregation, committees, council and Pastor. Just write down your question, comment or concern and place in the offering plate. Please include your name, so that the council, appropriate committee and/or Pastor can respond to your comments. THANK YOU... 3

4 BIRTHDAYS Roger Ideus 12/1 Brian Tonniges 12/4 Leah Neeman 12/6 Barb Ehlers 12/7 Jim Bellows 12/9 Caitlyn McKenzie 12/11 Colbie Johnson 12/12 Haleigh Smith 12/15 Jeff Wiens 12/18 Kevin McKenna 12/19 Kaitlyn Ericson 12/21 Gabrielle Houtwed 12/21 Judy Danielson 12/22 Bryce Carson 12/23 Anthony Sheppard 12/25 Sheldon Sandall 12/26 Analyse Hennings 12/27 Barb Koester 12/30 Seth Johnson 12/31 Kaylii Miller 12/31 MikaelaTimmermans 12/31 Pete & Sandi Teegerstrom 12/4/1971 Mark & Valerie Kaliff 12/9/1989 Jim & Donna Heins 12/14/1974 Anniversaries Cody & Michaela Miller 12/21/2012 Ron & Renee Quast 12/21/1993 John & Lorena Overing 12/30/1951 4

5 SURVEY Beginning December 6 th and 7 th a survey will be available for all members to complete. This survey is to help determine what qualities you feel are important for our next Pastor to possess. Please complete the survey and place in the offering or return to the church office by December 31 st. The site profile team will compile the data for the call committee to use as they evaluate potential candidates. PLEASE TAKE TIME TO COMPLETE THE ATTENDENCE FORM that was handed out with the bulletin and return in the offering plate. FREED FOR LIFE - Everyone attending the Freed for Life dinner on November 9 had a very enjoyable time and were impressed and moved by the event and recommend that everyone attend next year! How to Have the Conversation? Talking to a loved one about getting older is never easy. And although today s Elders are more independent than ever and despite their best intentions our loved ones are, inevitably aging. When you notice that perhaps more care is needed, how do you have the conversation? Step 1 Understand where they re coming from. Recognizing one s own limitations is hard and negative perceptions about Elder Care may prevent your loved one from seeking help. Step 2 Engage a support system that includes both family members and health care professionals who can help provide support to you and your loved one. Step 3 Come to the table with options and involve them in the decision making. The traditional nursing home is seldom the only option. Be open to what your loved one wants and needs for their care. Step 4 Assert your concerns for your loved one s health with love Step 5 Don t give up! You may need to have multiple conversations before your loved one is ready to accept their need for help. This proactive aging tip is brought to you by Tabitha, your answer for Elder Care in 28 southeast Nebraska counties. Questions about aging? Visit us at or call ,

6 TERP HALL... Every 2nd Sunday following worship there will be a brief organizational meeting for the next month s monthly ministry individuals and families December 14 Working Together in Monthly Ministries December Chris Ericson family Larry Hineline Tom Hoarty family Jim & Kim Hoffman & Jeremy Hoffman Josh Hoffman family Jolene Jensen Eileen Krumbach Ray & Jean McKenna Jon Pieper family Ron Quast family Frank Sandall family Anthony Shepard- Jenny Wright family COMMITTEE CORNER OUTREACH COMMITTEE REPORT DO YOU KNOW NEW MEMBERS TO THE COMMUNITY?? Let the Outreach Committee know the details and we will send a welcome to York as well as an invitation to worship at First Lutheran ACOLYTE SCHEDULE 12/7 Jake Hoarty and Jalen Kroger 12/14 Ty Bartholomew and Alex Ackerman 12/21 Isaac Stark and Carter Culotta 12/24 Jaden Koehler and Tina Hallisey 12/28 Rylie Krause and Ryan Seevers January 2015 Jim & Nancy Bellows Beth Cosgrove Ron & Donna Dedlow Linda Duell Orpha & Bondel Friesen Tom & Jodie Hoarty & family Brian & Linda Koehler, Trent & Jayden Tim & Holly Norquest family Jim, Lois & Emily Petersen Ron & Renee Quast, Megan Mike & Carolyn Sandall Trey & Ali Strong 6

7 GOOD NEWS HAPPENS!!...if you have news in your family or know of good news in our church family please let the office know... you can drop a note in with your offering or leave a message on the church answering machine... OUR CONGREGATION WISHES EVERYONE THE BEST Molly Jean Hoffman was born on November 9th to Joshua & Liesel Hoffman. Congratulations to Josh, Liesel and big brother Morgan! KITCHEN NEWS Have you recently provided food for a church function and left your pans; or dishes in the kitchen???? Those items not claimed in a reasonable amount will be given to individuals who may be in need of types of items. Friendship Friendship buds and blossoms Like summer in full dress. Friendship brings a harvest Of joy and happiness. Friendship is sustaining Through winter winds and snows. Friendship can t be hoarded By being shared, it grows. --Author Unkown DO YOU WANT TO SHARE A FAVORITE RECIPE (like one you may have used lately for fellowship)...we have space for yours in the monthly newsletter!!!! Lemon Pumpkin Cake Lemon Cake Mix 1 can of pumpkin 2 eggs 1 cup of water 1 package of cinnamon chips Mix until moist. Pour into greased 9 x 13 baking dish. Bake as mix instructed. Submitted by Jolene Jensen Thanks so very much to everyone who contributed food for and helped with the Thanksgiving Dinner!! Approximately 210 meals were served. The funds raised will help the senior youth group with expenses of going to the Youth Gathering in Detroit, Michigan next July. 7

8 PAST MONTH S ACTIVITIES 7 DAYS without God Makes 1 WEAK 9/ /29 9/ /30 9/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /23 56 DO WE ADVERTIZE THE WORD OF GOD POSITIONS: There are always places available to be on a committee...just ask someone how you can get involved in COME AND JOIN... Adult Forum...check it Out Every Sunday 8:00am in TERP 8

9 FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR (as of ) Year to Date Needed $ Year to Date Received $ Jan 11/12 $ 6,425 18/19 $ 2,640 25/26 $ 3,000 Feb 1/2 $ 3,886 8/9 $ 3,402 15/16 $ 3,513 22/23 $ 2,389 Mar 1/2 $ 3,539 8/9 $ 3,850 15/16 $ 3,051 22/23 $ 3,377 29/30 $ 3,054 Apr 5/6 $ 5,096 12/13 $ 3, $ 3,494 26/27 $ 2,708 MAY 3/4 $ 4,847 10/11 $ 3,423 17/18 $ 3,051 24/25 $ 2,205 JUNE 7/8 $ 3,591 14/15 $ 2,083 21/22 $ 3,192 28/29 $ 3,599 JULY 5/6 $ 3,344 12/13 $ 3,382 19/20 $ 2,759 26/27 $ 2,523 AUG 2/3 $ 4,424 9/10 $ 2,583 16/17 $ 2,915 23/24 $ 5,184 30/31 $ 3,011 Con t... SEPT 6/7 $4,251 13/14 $3,888 20/21 $1,920 27/28 $3,164 OCT 4/5 $4,824 11/12 $3,013 18/19 $3,491 25/26 $3,367 NOV 1/2 $5,066 8/9 $4,562 15/16 $1,725 22/23 $3,521 29/30 Enable each of us the joy of giving abundantly Offering envelopes will be distributed to confirmed youth at the request of parents.. Just contact the Stewardship Committee FIRST LUTHERAN RECYCLES DO YOU? 9

10 Would you like to bring in altar flowers in memory or honor of a member of your family...contact Jolene Jensen or Deanna Warnken or the office...a special note will be made in the bulletin for that Everyone Has Gifts To Share Singing...playing music... Visitation...Ushering... Reading scriptures... Acolyte duties... Cleaning and building... Organizing... Greeting...fellowship... EVERYONE DESERVES A SPECIAL THANK YOU POINSETTIAS - Anyone wanting to share a poinsettia to decorate our sanctuary...please, purchase one on your own and bring to the church by December 13th. WORSHIP SERVICES: CANCELATION NO- TICE 9/14/09 Decided at council meeting to not publish anything about closings... President of council would have to make the decision... If Pastor can get there... There will be worship (It would be called into the radio station and hopefully everyone would use good judgment) SPARK Thanksgiving dinner November 19 the church council prepared a Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings for the Spark and Confirmation student and their guests. What a fun time of sharing! In the event that worship services would be canceled due to weather; please check KAWL/ KTMX for this information. 10

11 December 2014 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Church council 7pm 2 Stewardship Comm 7 pm & Music Comm 7:30 pm 3 Spark Adult Forum 8 am 9:30 am Fellowship/ Choir 10;45 8 WIC Outreach- Ministry 7 pm WIC Spark Adult Forum 8 am 9:30 am Fellowship Choir 10:45 Monthly Ministries *** 15 Women of Joy 7 pm Spark /Carol- In party Adult Forum 8 am Children s program 9:30 am Fellowship Choir 10: Candlelight Service 7:00 pm Adult Forum 8 am 9:30 am Fellowship Choir 10: *** Dec 14th Christmas Pageant 6:00 pm 11

12 NEBRASKA SYNOD ELCA FIRST EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH 1211 E. 14 th St. York, Nebraska / address: Website: (ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED) OUR ADDRESS: Our website! The newsletter will also be available on the website. SEND ME YOUR COMMENTS OR ADDITIONS FOR NEXT MONTH S LETTER Jane 12