My Heart Is Filled with Thankfulness Our Hymn of the Month for November, 2014 by Keith & Kristyn Getty

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often focuses on health and comfort, family and friends, home and belongings, (and all these are right and good the Bible tells us to give thanks in every situation).

1 NOVEMBER 2014 Vol. 59 No.11 My Heart Is Filled with Thankfulness Our Hymn of the Month for November, 2014 by Keith & Kristyn Getty If we examine our personal devotions, or listen in on a Sunday Worship, our thanksgiving often focuses on health and comfort, family and friends, home and belongings, (and all these are right and good the Bible tells us to give thanks in every situation). But the prayers of the early church in the New Testament never follow this pattern. The strong emphasis there is on giving thanks to God for spiritual blessings the blessings that have true value beyond life on earth. In My heart is filled with thankfulness we give thanks to God for spiritual blessings past, present and future. What Jesus Christ has done for us for forgiveness and new life, which only He could bring by coming here to earth and suffering for us. How He walks beside us each day and having lived, breathed and walked here on earth. How He promises to be with us whatever our future hold. My heart is filled with thankfulness To Him who bore my pain; Who plumbed the depths of my disgrace And gave me life again; Who crushed my curse of sinfulness And clothed me in His light And wrote His law of righteousness With pow r upon my heart. My heart is filled with thankfulness To Him who walks beside; Who floods my weaknesses with strength And causes fears to fly; Whose ev ry promise is enough For ev ry step I take, Sustaining me with arms of love And crowning me with grace. My heart is filled with thankfulness To Him who reigns above, Whose wisdom is my perfect peace, Whose ev ry thought is love. For ev ry day I have on earth Is given by the King; So I will give my life, my all, To love and follow Him. Mt. Pisgah Lutheran Church & Preschool, 2606 Chimney Rock Rd., Hendersonville, NC

2 Mission of the Month for November: Faith Comes By Hearing Our mission is to record and provide God s Word everywhere for everyone. For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. (Isaiah 11:9b KJV) Faith Comes By Hearing is committed to reaching the nations with the Word of God in audio, offering the Bible in a format that will connect with the world s 50 percent illiterate population. To accomplish this enormous task, the Lord has assembled a group of committed leaders and dedicated servants of His Word to develop into a reality the vision of bringing His church together and making disciples. Faith Comes By Hearing offers the world s largest catalog of Audio Bibles to individuals and nations who hunger to hear. Offering every person on our planet equal access to the Bible requires meeting the unique needs of generations, technical societies, and fast-paced lifestyles. It also means meeting the cultural and literacy challenges presented when working in underdeveloped countries. Faith Comes By Hearing is rising to meet the biblical needs of a complex world with technology. MP3 Bibles, BibleSticks for all ages, and Proclaimer (third-world, culturally-adapted, play-back units) are just a taste of the technology God is using to spread His Word throughout the world. Currently, Faith Comes By Hearing offers 848 languages, reaching more than 5.7 billion people in more than 190 countries. There are still language groups that need an Audio Bible in their mother tongue. There are people who wait to hear God s Word because they cannot read it. A ministry team to Haiti distributed some of the most unusual Bibles. They talk by themselves so loudly that 300 people can hear them. They talk in 400 different languages. These digital Bibles have no moving parts. They are powered by the sun using a solar panel to charge an internal battery. Or they can be powered by a hand-crank that recharges the internal battery. Or they can be powered by plugging them into an electrical outlet. They are called Proclaimers. They took four Proclaimers to Haiti after the devastating earthquake wreaked havoc on the small country. Each was programmed with a dramatized version of the New Testament in Creole, Haiti s most common language. And they were well-received in the resettlement camp where the team has been helping hundreds of believers who lost everything they owned including their Bibles. A representative from Faith Comes By Hearing will be at Mt. Pisgah to tell us more on Sunday, November 9th. So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17 (NKJV)

In the U.S., this type of task would be pretty simple, but here in the DR, it took a bit more patience.

Since the school is out in the countryside, there is no high-speed cable service.

3 Our Missionaries: Rev. Roger & Amy James, serving the Lord in Sri Lanka The Lohmeyers: Sharing Christ s Love in the Dominican Republic One of Bill s projects in the DR was to get internet working in the mission s school. In the U.S., this type of task would be pretty simple, but here in the DR, it took a bit more patience. The task was simple enough: get an internet connection for the school s dozen computers in its computer lab and to a laptop that can be used in various classrooms. Since the school is out in the countryside, there is no high-speed cable service. I had the joy of Skyping with the Sunday Bible class of Messiah Lutheran Church, Grand Rapids, Michigan, just a few weeks ago. I was in Colombo, Sri Lanka evening here, morning there. Thank you, Rev. Bartzsch and Messiah for your Together In Mission support! Contact us at roger.james@lcmsintl.org if you would like us to visit or Skype with your congregation or organization. Prayer Requests: Thanksgiving that classes with vicars and pastors have started and are going well. Thanksgiving that we had a blessed vacation and saw our eldest, Seth, married to the lovely Rachel nee Kemp. Thanksgiving that we have found renters for our Michigan home. Thanksgiving for the blessed support we have received from so many churches and individuals. For our family to make some friends here in Colombo. Gets a little lonely sometimes. For wisdom as we make plans for the upcoming year s work in the Lutheran churches. For safe travel during the 5+ hour journeys from Colombo to the Up-Country several times monthly. For good health of body, mind, and spirit. For on-going funding. Without support we cannot serve. Peace in Christ, Given the reigns, Bill decided to start from scratch, and encountered obstacles with the differences in technology, language, bureaucracy, and speed of progress as compared with what he was used to in the U.S. As is the way in the DR, it isn t so much about what you know as it is who you know. Likewise, after asking lots of questions to many folks, Bill found a mobile internet solution with lower cost, minimal implementation effort, and the ability to grow in bandwidth if needed in the future. For example, we have the ability to establish an internet café adjacent to the school as a sustainability project (to bring income into the mission) and we can add bandwidth as our needs grow. With the technical hurdles overcome, we can now train the teachers and students how to use the internet, most of whom do not have computers in their homes. This also makes the mission school more competitive compared to the local public schools, so we can grow our enrollment and strengthen their spiritual foundation in the promises Christ gives us as part of their education. Please pray that we, and the other missionaries, will be most helpful to the schools.

Save the Children of Laotchikit, Haiti The Oktoberfest was a huge success! Submitted by Wendy White The food was delicious. Everyone had a good time and people were very generous.

4 Save the Children of Laotchikit, Haiti The Oktoberfest was a huge success! Submitted by Wendy White The food was delicious. Everyone had a good time and people were very generous. Marilyn Martin did a fabulous job running the auction of donated items, while sharing information about Haiti and the importance of generous donations. Someone told me that God had really blessed them and they wanted to give thanks by donating $1,500 to pay for the fabric. With this donation, ticket sales, craft sales, and the auction, I estimate the combined income of the event to be over $3,300, which exceeds our goal. Praise God! Praise God! Praise God! Thanks to Thrivent and everyone who attended, cooked, cleaned up, made crafts, jellies and candies, donated items, bought items generously, and who prayed. Please keep reaching out to God to direct us on how to share His love to others. Praise God for His many blessings! Praise God for entrusting us to manage these blessings with good stewardship. January mission trip to Laotchikit, Haiti A mission team from Mt. Pisgah is traveling to Laotchikit on January 16-24, Team members include: Wendy White, the leader for this trip, Dr. Jim Volk, a pediatrician, Mikki Reinicker, sewing team, Barbara Volk, sewing team, Kim Rector from Hickory, a nurse practitioner who has been to Haiti many times on medical mission trips. This team will provide medical care, teach sewing, and plant gardens. Although proceeds from the Oktoberfest will cover most of the supplies for these projects, sewing materials are still needed. If you can supply any of the items in the list at the right, please contact Wendy, Mikki, Barbara, or Marilyn Pitman. Thank you from Pastor Walta in Haiti I am happy to learn that the next Haiti Mission meeting will be on Wednesday, October 22, 2014, and you are planning a dinner for everyone in the congregation to help raise money to buy cloth, t-shirts, sewing machines, medicine, seeds, and plants [for the January mission trip to Laotchikit]. I have added Brother Stevenson in the school as Help teacher. You will see his name in the next report of September-October-November. We have added also the 70 more children. [This is a 30 percent increase to 300 total students.] We thank you again for your love, your time and your generosity!!! May God continue to bless you. Your Brother in Christ, Walta SEWINGS SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR HAITI: 6 pr. Fiskars Scissors (8-8½ ) 4 pr. Fiskars dipper or short scissors 6 Tape measures (metric/reg.) 4 lg. tubes Yellow ball-tipped straight pins 6 Red pin cushions 3 pks. Hand sewing needles 3 rolls Scotch tape (invisible) 4 12 clear plastic rulers 2 12 clear dressmaker curved rulers Dressmaker marking pencils (white 6 6 lead) Small, hand pencil sharpeners (to fit dressmaker marking pencils) 12 Fine-line permanent markers 225 yds. Elastic 3/4 non-roll kind 6 Slide gauges 24 Needle threaders 6 Seam rippers

Samaritan s Purse: Operation Christmas Child Mt. Pisgah Lutheran Church & Preschool has partnered with Dollywood in the Shoebox Challenge.

One additional ticket will be rewarded for 51-75 packed shoeboxes. One additional ticket will be rewarded for 76-100 packed shoeboxes.

Sunday School Challenge The Children s Sunday School has challenged the Adult Sunday School. The children plan to pack 10 shoeboxes.

Can those attending the first and second worship services match the Sunday School with a total of 30 shoeboxes?

People across the country are busy packing shoebox gifts that will share the message of Christ s love to millions of children worldwide.

Centers around the country. The Charlotte Processing Center needs more volunteers to process the 2.

5 Samaritan s Purse: Operation Christmas Child Mt. Pisgah Lutheran Church & Preschool has partnered with Dollywood in the Shoebox Challenge. For participating in Operation Christmas Child, Mt. Pisgah can receive free tickets to Dollywood: One ticket will be rewarded for packed shoeboxes. One additional ticket will be rewarded for packed shoeboxes. One additional ticket will be rewarded for packed shoeboxes. One additional ticket will be rewarded for each 50 packed shoeboxes beyond 100. Sunday School Challenge The Children s Sunday School has challenged the Adult Sunday School. The children plan to pack 10 shoeboxes. Can the adults match the kids on a two-to-one basis for 20 shoeboxes from the adults? Can those attending the first and second worship services match the Sunday School with a total of 30 shoeboxes? Can the Preschool match the Children s Sunday School challenge? Space is Still Available Near You! People across the country are busy packing shoebox gifts that will share the message of Christ s love to millions of children worldwide. But before Samaritan's Purse can deliver them overseas, the boxes first must be carefully inspected and prepared by faithful volunteers at our Processing Centers around the country. The Charlotte Processing Center needs more volunteers to process the 2.4 million shoeboxes it anticipates receiving this year, especially from Dec Would you consider helping with this critical need? Visit the Operation Christmas Child volunteer page now to reserve your spot before they're gone. You won t want to miss this last chance to sign up to volunteer at a Processing Center this year! Your service will help bring great joy to children who need to know the good news of Jesus Christ. Sign Up Now! Mexico Philippines Camaroon Mongolia Please return packed shoeboxes on or before November 16!

Let us pray! Thanksgiving Communion Service Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Herman & Dorothy Lehman Bill & Bev Pasch Pray for the Call Committee As the Call Committee continues to meet with district representatives, develop congregational priorities, and make important

He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.

Grant them courage, compassion, strength, and all they need for the living of these days. Sustain them through every trial.

6 Let us pray! Thanksgiving Communion Service Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4:6 ESV) Let us gather to give thanks to the Lord on Thursday, November 27 at 10:00 a.m. Welcome New Members! Herman & Dorothy Lehman Bill & Bev Pasch Pray for the Call Committee As the Call Committee continues to meet with district representatives, develop congregational priorities, and make important decisions, let us keep them in our prayers: Tom Boquist John Frost Steve Kirchoefer No photo Nancy Stang John & Debbie Zagone Pray for our service personnel It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. (Deuteronomy 31:8 ESV) God of compassion, we pray for military personnel, offered for the sake of others, and separated from family and loved ones. Care for them; meet their needs. Grant them courage, compassion, strength, and all they need for the living of these days. Sustain them through every trial. Remind them of the humanity they share even with those who are called the enemy; through Jesus Christ our Lord we pray. Amen. Voters Assembly On Sunday, November 16, there will be just one worship service at 10:00 a.m. Sunday School will be at 9:00 9:45 a.m. At the Voters Assembly, which will follow the worship service, members will review committee reports, elect new officers, determine the budget for 2015, and consider other business items. Nomination of church officers, board chairs, and elders Because we will have an empty pulpit in January, a full complement of elders, officers, and committee chairmen is especially important for Mt. Pisgah to operate effectively. At the Voters Assembly on Sunday, November 16, we will elect new leadership: President Vice-President Recording Secretary Treasurer Financial Secretary Chairman of the Board of Outreach Chairman of the Board of Christian Education Chairman of the Board of Stewardship Chairman of the Board of Community Concerns Chairman of the Board of Parish Life Chairman of the Board of Early Childhood Education Elders (2) To nominate someone, contact a member of the Nominating Committee: Jim Volk, John Frost, and Glenn Leavitt.

Let s honor Pastor Rabon s ministry In this photo, Pastor Rabon poses with the Mt. Pisgah Lutheran Preschool one of his most significant accomplishments.

Hotdog Supper Service Opportunities at Mount Pisgah To celebrate the 10 th anniversary of our Preschool, the Parents Advisory Council is hosting a hotdog supper on Friday, November 7 from 5:00 to

Special desserts can be purchased for an additional fee. All proceeds will benefit the Preschool.

7 Let s honor Pastor Rabon s ministry In this photo, Pastor Rabon poses with the Mt. Pisgah Lutheran Preschool one of his most significant accomplishments. Since Pastor Rabon is retiring effective December 31, we are planning a special edition of the View Newsletter in his honor. Please search through your old newsletters, photo albums, and other memorabilia for fond memories of his ministry at Mount Pisgah. Submit articles, photos, etc., to Carol Everhart (mtpisgahlcms@gmail.com) or in the special box just outside her office. This View of the Rabon Years will be published and distributed at his retirement luncheon on Saturday, January 17, Hotdog Supper Service Opportunities at Mount Pisgah To celebrate the 10 th anniversary of our Preschool, the Parents Advisory Council is hosting a hotdog supper on Friday, November 7 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The menu will include hotdog, chili, slaw, and beans at $3 for a child s plate and $5 for an adult (two hotdogs) plate. Takeout meals will be available. Special desserts can be purchased for an additional fee. All proceeds will benefit the Preschool Preschool Christmas Program will be held on Friday, December 5th at 5:30PM with a cookies and punch reception afterward. Weekly Bible Studies 10:00 a.m. Women s : How Lutherans View Other Faiths led by Pastor Rabon in the church library. 8:00 a.m. Men s : led by Pastor Rabon at Denny s Restaurant (with breakfast). 7:00 p.m. Adult on Discipleship: at Steve & Kathy Kirchoefer s home. Call for directions. Greeters and Ushers Serve on Sundays at 7:45 a.m. Contact Tony Selius at or anth5489@bellsouth.net Serve on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. Contact Bob Cheadle at Quilting Group Meets on 1 st and 3 rd Thursdays at 9:00 a.m. Contact Jan Tharp at or hvilletharps@bellsouth.net Scripture Readers Needed on Sundays at both worship services. Contact Jean Siebold at or jsiebold@bellsouth.net Altar Guild 1 st and 3 rd Saturdays at 10:00 a.m. Contact Ann Cheadle at Members Needed to Count the Offering on Mondays at 11:00 a.m. Time is flexible in accord with participant needs. Contact Jean Siebold at or jsiebold@bellsouth.net Prayer Shawl Ministry Meets on 1 st Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. Contact Jean Siebold at or jsiebold@bellsouth.net Hendersonville Rescue Mission Serves on the 4 th Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Contact Glenn Leavitt at or leavittg@bellsouth.net Please check the Outreach bulletin board in the hall near the kitchen for a list of needed food and clothing items.

8 Brain Cancer Will Likely Kill Me, But There s No Way I ll Kill Myself The following article submitted by Glenn Leavitt, originally written by Maggie Karner, has been condensed for the View. The complete article is available at the following web address: An Oct. 6, 2014 video titled Terminally Ill 29-Year Old Woman: Why I m Choosing to Die on My Own Terms on People.com has gone viral. The video, which features interviews of Brittany Maynard, is very emotional. Maynard, who was diagnosed this past spring, suffers from a stage-four brain tumor, a very aggressive form of brain cancer. In her video story, she describes how she was diagnosed, that the glioblastoma will eventually kill her, and her fear that this scenario will be out of her control. As I watched the video, I wanted to hug Brittany and shed tears right along with her because I, too, know those fears. I was also diagnosed this past spring with a stage-four brain tumor. I can identify with Maynard and her spunky, adventurous spirit. She describes her love of travel. In my profession with The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod s mercy outreach, I ve led medical mission teams and worked on relief projects in 11 countries, loving every minute of it. I have seen the poorest of the poor and the sickest of the sick. I have seen suffering that would make anyone s stomach turn. The Hardest Part Is Not Knowing When The hardest part of a terminal diagnosis is not knowing the timeline. I speak candidly with my physicians and pray that they can keep my tumor under control with the latest therapies to extend my life, one more year, month, day. My doctors have applauded my decision to step down from my physically and emotionally demanding job to spend precious time with my family. I have a husband and three daughters who I hope will always remember me as a strong, thoughtful (but bull-headed) woman, carrying Christ s mercy and compassion for others in my soul with rich joy and meaning. Suicide Is Not the Answer to Brain Cancer And here is where my comparison with Maynard ends. She chose to move her family to Oregon to have access to physician-assisted suicide and to receive a prescription that she will use to take her life. Maynard steadfastly refuses to refer to her decision as suicide, even though she will take her own life. Dignity Lies in Love But there isn t any dignity in cancer or other debilitating illness. I ve been poked, prodded, radiated, chemotherapied, and cut open so many times that I stopped worrying about being dignified. Instead, I get my dignity by appreciating the dear people who care for me with their prayers and expressions of love. Death Is Always Out of Our Hands When I was a young mother, my father had an accident that severed his spinal cord and left him paralyzed from the neck down. The last five months of his life, which he lived as a paraplegic, were filled with utter helplessness. He wasn t productive in any meaningful way. He couldn t even shave his own face. Would Maynard find my dad s life useless? I didn t. My siblings and I soaked up our father s presence. Caring for the person we loved so dearly showed us some things about ourselves. Caregivers grow in compassion, responsibility, and selflessness as they care for those in need. This will serve me now as I face my own debilitating mortality. Death sucks. While many calm their fears by personal control, as a Christian with a Savior who loves me dearly and who has redeemed me from a dying world, I have a higher calling. God wants me to be comfortable in my dependence on Him and others, to live with Him in peace no matter what. As for my cancer, circumstances out of my control are not the worst thing that can happen. The worst thing would be losing faith, refusing to trust God s purpose in my life, and trying to grab that control myself. I watched Maynard s six-minute video. I cried for her and her family. I pray she changes her mind and allows others to care for her. I felt blessed that my tumor came later in life (I m 51), and I have had the gift of raising three lovely daughters. I want my girls to learn servanthood and selflessness as they care for me. And I also want them to know that, for Christians, our death is not the end. Because our Savior, Jesus Christ, selflessly endured an ugly death on the cross and was laid in a borrowed tomb (no death with dignity there), He truly understands our sorrows and feelings of helplessness. I want my kids to know that Christ s resurrection from that grave confirms that death could not hold Him, and it cannot hold me either a baptized child of God!

Mt. Pisgah Lutheran Church & Preschool SUN MON TUES WED THUR FRI SAT 1 2 Combined Service w/communion 10am Sunday School 9:00am Congregational Meeting @ 11:30am NO Choir rehearsal 3 4 Women s 10am 5

9:15 am 6 Men s Bible Study 8 am Quilter s Ministry 9am Elders 10am 7 Evening 7pm 8 9 Worship 8am Bible Classes 9:15am Worship 10:45am Choir rehearsal Faith Comes by Hearing during SS hour today.

9 Mt. Pisgah Lutheran Church & Preschool SUN MON TUES WED THUR FRI SAT 1 2 Combined Service w/communion 10am Sunday School 9:00am Congregational 11:30am NO Choir rehearsal 3 4 Women s 10am 5 Prayer Shawl Ministry 1pm Library Comm. 9:15 am 6 Men s Bible Study 8 am Quilter s Ministry 9am Elders 10am 7 Evening 7pm 8 9 Worship 8am Bible Classes 9:15am Worship 10:45am Choir rehearsal Faith Comes by Hearing during SS hour today. 16 Combined Service w/communion 10am Sunday School 9:00am Voters NO Choir rehearsal 23 Worship 8am Bible Classes 9:15am Worship 10:45am Choir rehearsal 30 Worship 8am Bible Classes 9:15am Worship 10:45am Choir rehearsal 10 Ladies Guild Women s 10am Women s 10am Women s 10am Men s Bible Study 8 am Quilter s Ministry 9am Church Council 6:30pm Men s Bible Study 8 am 14 Evening 7pm 21 Evening 7pm Thanksgiving Worship Service 10am THANKSGIVING DAY & FRIDAY 11/28 Church Office & Preschool Mission of the Month for November: Faith Comes by Hearing

Pecans are coming! Birthday Blessings The Ladies Guild annual fundraiser will be here soon.

Ed Bertram 24 Bob Morin 25 Dave Marquardt 25 Herb Spies 25 Kathleen Weege 26 Anita Hurliman 29 Gary Amato 30 Peter Kawa DECEMBER 2

Larry Rabon 11 Wallace Mooney 11 Troy Rappley 13 Mary Reid 14 George Fuchs 15 David White 16 Laura Reinhold 19 Joan Ginter 20 Robert

10 Pecans are coming! Birthday Blessings The Ladies Guild annual fundraiser will be here soon. NOVEMBER 1 Herman Lehman 1 Yvonne McLellan 4 Ed Duszak 5 Jeanne Irmischer 7 Alan Clancy 9 Paul Mincer 17 Ann Cheadle 21 Rev. Ed Bertram 24 Bob Morin 25 Dave Marquardt 25 Herb Spies 25 Kathleen Weege 26 Anita Hurliman 29 Gary Amato 30 Peter Kawa DECEMBER 2 Beatrice Swan 3 Clarence Blythe 3 Helene Wunderlich 5 Larry McKinley 6 Elise Cavicchio 6 Marie Harms 6 Wendy Maloney 8 Jan Nelson 9 Larry Rabon 11 Wallace Mooney 11 Troy Rappley 13 Mary Reid 14 George Fuchs 15 David White 16 Laura Reinhold 19 Joan Ginter 20 Robert Hamilton 21 Lee Marquardt 22 Hardy Feige 29 Martha Toce Mt. Pisgah Lutheran Church & Preschool 2606 Chimney Rock Road Hendersonville, NC PH FAX

A Month of Thanksgiving

November 2015 The View Vol. 60 No.11 A Month of Thanksgiving Okay, I know Reformation Day is in October, but October 31 st (Reformation Day) through November 30 th is one month. These three celebrations