From the Pastor s Desk

Transcription

1 Risen Savior Lutheran Church September 2017 From the Pastor s Desk November 2017 O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. Psalm 136:1 November! This month brings our sense of thanksgiving into greater focus as the church year winds down and we see the beautiful transformation of autumn appearing in nature s seasonal cycle. The first Sunday of November we remember and give thanks for the lives of saints, those we know and love, as well as those who have left their footprints in history from centuries past. As in years past, we will have the opportunity to come forward for the lighting of candles in honor of our saints and loved ones as Aaron plays his recorder in the background. Following worship we will celebrate Lucy Frech s 95th birthday. The second Sunday of November we will recognize Martin Luther s Birthday and continue giving thanks for his many contributions to our lives and the life of the Lutheran Church during the past 500 years. This is also Consecration Sunday, the day we bless our pledges for How might you offer yourself, your talents and INSIDE THIS ISSUE From the Pastor s Desk... 1 Thanks Advent news... 6 Light of the Cross... 7 SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST Mission training 3 Seniors Lunch 4 November calendar 9

2 financial support to Journey with Jesus to Generosity during the new year? Though this is a matter between you and God, the Finance and Budget Committee depends on pledge amounts to help make up the budget for next year. Some of the things our giving supports: Light of the Cross Food Pantry, three Alzheimer Support groups, a Mommy and Me group, two weekly Bible Studies, a community Preschool, KinderDance, Music Together, Private piano lessons, Yoga for Seniors, Confirmation class for 8 youth, weekly Worship and Children s Sunday School, besides our wonderful times of fellowship and tremendous mission projects like Fleece-Blankets (we just sent off 40), monthly Noisy Offerings, supporting 9 young people with our College Connection, preparing to send at least three youth and two adults to the next ELCA Youth Gathering next summer, visiting our home-bound members, supporting projects at Lutheran Outdoor Ministries, being involved as a host church for Lutheran Foundation studies, Synod Ambassador Training and many more things! The third Sunday of November brings us to recall and give thanks for our nation s beginnings, those whose sacrifice and faith laid the foundation for so many blessings centuries later. We give thanks for the assurance of God s continual presence with us as we break the bread of life and lift the cup of salvation. 2 Finally, on the last Sunday of the church year we remember that Jesus Christ is King of our lives, our world and universe. He is a king like no other. Sadly for us, this day

3 also marks Aaron Smith s retirement from the position of Risen Savior s Music Director, Liturgical Coordinator and Musician. The congregation has been incredibly blessed for ten years by Aaron s gentle presence, his sacrificial giving and behind-thescene support, and his skilled music ministry in our midst. We will have a Liturgy of Blessing to give God thanks during worship. By the way, Aaron is not leaving Fort Wayne. He will continue his work at the Allen County Library and be more available now on weekends to walk and visit his grandson and new grandchild due in January! We wish him and Kirsten all the best! Immediately following worship on November 26, our time of fellowship will allow for personal farewells and expressions of thanks to Aaron even as we begin our preparation for Advent and Christmas! We have three pre-lit Christmas trees to decorate in the sanctuary, gathering area and kitchen, as well as the hanging of brand new wreaths, bows and garlands. A luncheon of hot assorted pizzas and fresh salad and desserts will be served just as soon as the work is done! As the ancient book of Psalms reminds us over and over again, God is faithful and God s steadfast love is permanent even in the midst of life s changes, large and small. That is why, no matter what, it is right to give the Lord our thanks and praise. Praising God together for all God s bountiful goodness, Card Party The Card Party ladies will meet Tuesday, November 21, at 10 AM. If you have a concern about a family member, friends, thankfulness, birthday, anniversary, sympathy, or something similar, please give Jo Kruse the information and we will be happy to send a card to that person. If you would like to join us in this project, please let Jo know and we would be happy to welcome anyone wanting to help. Pastor Jeanie Mission Interpretation Training and Lunch Do you love mission? Do you love telling the story of hands doing God s work? Would you like to become part of a special group of people who do Mission Interpretation in our church or even in other churches in the Synod? All materials are provided! So is a short training, including a free lunch from Panera! Join us, as we host this training event for our Synod Mission Ambassadors on Saturday, Nov. 18 from 10 am to 2 pm right here at Risen Savior. You ll be glad you came and learned about it, whether or not you sign up to be an ambassador yourself! Please contact Susan and Phil Schmidt at philschmidt45@gmail.com to sign up. 3

4 Risen Savior thanks The Seniors are for anyone over 50 AND don t need to be a member of Risen Savior. We are meeting on Thursday, November 9, at Hall's Tavern in the Village of Coventry, 11:30 AM. We are going to send Martie and Rodney Willeke on their way to Florida for the winter. We will kind of be celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas with them since they won t be available at these times. Please RSVP to Jo Kruse by Monday, November 6, so we will have the correct number of chairs at the table. If you have any questions, please let Jo know at church or call her at the Girl Scouts Troop #50605 for planting bulbs to surprise us when they bloom next spring!. Nathan and Alex Gliot for a fantastic introduction to Boy Scouts last month. to the Card-Writing Ladies for sending out so many much-appreciated expressions of God s love. to the hard-working Finance Committee as they prepare our 2018 Budget.. to Dennis Fudge for patching and painting the corner of the gathering area.. to Pam Sullivan and Tammy Hyndman for packaging up and mailing 9 yummy College Connection boxes to our young people in college! to all those who have worked on cleaning out the Cotta House, the storage rooms and the back office area recently. to our beloved Aaron Smith who is about to take a muchneeded break from 10 long years of Music Ministry at Risen Savior. to Jim Shuff and Dennis Fudge for taping up and delivering 40 FLEECE BLANKETS to the Lutheran World Relief truck last week. to all who helped cut and tie all those 40 blankets for Lutheran World Relief. Helen Poinsett and all who helped her, for the fantastic Reformation Sunday Harvest Dinner. Yum! Jo Kruse, Sonja Wiltse and Paul Twedt for beautiful and heartfelt Temple Talks given or yet to come! God Bless you all! 4

5 Seeking Church Musician We are in search of a musician knowledgeable of how church music is. Do you know anyone that fits the bill? Tammy Hyndman and Pam Sullivan preparing to mail nine college collection boxes - thanks! Home visit from Pastor Jeanie and member Edith Harvey with Helene Giant We likely would give preference to keyboard players (piano and organ), but are open to other possibilities! Please ask them to call the church office ( ) or send their resume to Musician Search Committee, Risen Savior Lutheran Church, 8010 W. Jefferson Blvd., Fort Wayne, IN, Finally, they could send their resume via to: office@risensavioronline. org. Thanks so much! 5

6 September Finances from Nicole Fleischman, Treasurer Contribution Income $9, Non-Contribution Income - $175 Mission Income - $ Total Expenses - $12, The Confirmation class says thanks! for the weekly snacks Advent Advent and Christmas Handbell Choir This year we plan to ring our beautiful handbells during Advent and on Christmas Eve. If you are interested in joining our little choir, please let Pam Sullivan or Pastor Jeanie know! Practices will begin by mid-november. SPECIAL MUSIC during Advent Would you like to make a special musical offering (singing or instrumental) to the glory of God during one or more of our Advent or Christmas worship services? Please let Jo Kruse or Pastor Jeanie know what and when! 6 Advent decorations We will be decorating the church for Advent and Christmas on Sunday, November 26, after the worship service. Afterwards we ll have pizza and salad for lunch. All are welcome! There are plenty of tasks for everyone!

7 Light of the Cross Reporting September, 2017 Activity The September caseload was down only slightly from the all time record set in August. The 222 families served in September included 436 males, 456 females, 58 kids 0 through 5 years of aged, 247 kids 6 through 17, 84 individuals 60 or older, 116 disabled, and 17 veterans. Of the families, 34 were first time visitors to the Pantry, and 107 families were classified Female Head of Household. In all, 892 individuals were provided food for 13,380 meals. All qualified under the government guidelines as low income families. The 21 volunteers donated 202 hours of service in September. To meet September needs, Associated Churches provided 2,000 pounds of food, partner churches an additional 254 pounds, a new volunteer, Velma, donated 15 pounds, and the pantry purchased 1,581 pounds of food from the Community Harvest Food Bank System at a cost of $ The LOTC Pantry is now receiving applications for the Thanksgiving Baskets, and plan to distribute 240 turkeys and baskets. You can help by filling a bag when they become available at your church. Those willing and able to make a monetary contribution to offset the cost of the turkeys are encouraged to place your donation in an envelope clearly labeled LOTC Thanksgiving Turkeys and place the envelope in your church s collection plate for your LOTC Rep. Please make checks payable to Light of the Cross Outreach Ministry and write Thanksgiving Turkeys on the memo line before placing it in the envelope. The carpet in one of the rooms is old and stained and no longer meets food bank standards. Jeff Gernhardt, from Messiah, has volunteered his time to replace it with a tile flooring system that should be much easier to maintain. Thank you, Jeff, and thanks to the sharing grace donations for allowing us to be able to do this. Even though the Pantry receives food from TEFAP, the Associated Churches Food Bank System and our partner churches, purchasing additional food to meet needs becomes a monthly necessity. Beyond this, LOTC must meet the ongoing expenses of maintaining the LOTC Outreach House and provide for utilities. Your generous financial support makes it all possible. Without all of you this ministry would not be possible. Thank you, one and all, for your kind generosity. Partner Assignments for November Faith: Canned Veggies & Cereal Messiah: Pasta Sauce and Noodles Gethsemane: Crackers and Canned Fruit Risen Savior: Soups (No Tomato Please) 7

8 Fundraising help from you! November Anniversaries Nov. 23 Brad & Kim Miller (1979) If you don t see your anniversary listed, it s because we don't have it on file. Please share! Our last quarter s earning from Kroger amounted to $ thanks for your support! If you re not signed-up through the Kroger Community Rewards program, please stop in the office and see Judy Bruns, who can assist. Scrip Program The Scrip program is a win-win. Using the order form in the bulletin, pick what gift cards you want. Total the amount, and either write a check to Risen Savior or pay by cash. Give the order and payment to Judy Bruns or put in the box by preschool office; the next Sunday your cards will be given to you. You get the cards with no running around and the church makes some money. 8 November Birthdays Nov. 2 Nov. 4 Nov. 4 Nov. 8 Nov. 9 No. 11 Nov. 16 Nov. 21 Nov. 22 Nov. 22 Nov. 23 Nov. 25 Nov. 26 Nov. 27 Nov. 27 Nov. 30 Amelia Cody Lucy Frech Rod Willeke Ann Emely Nicole Fleischman Pam Sullivan Allie Fleischman Judy Bruns Emma Hyndman Jim Crandal Janet Symons Nancy Schnabel John Gliot Diana Fark Ruth Wheeler Julia Hyndman If you don't see your birthday listed, it s because we don t have it on file. Please share!

9 November Calendar Wednesday, November 1 7:30 AM Men s Prayer group 10:30 AM Bible Study Thursday, November 2 6:30 PM Bible Study Sunday, November 5 Daylight Saving time ENDS (sleep an hour longer!) Temple Talk 9 AM Worship, followed by Coffee Fellowship 6:30 PM Confirmation class Monday, November 6 7 PM Council meeting Tuesday, November 7 Ministerium (all day) Wednesday, November 8 7:30 AM Men s Prayer group 10:30 AM Bible Study Thursday, November 9 11:30 AM Seniors Hall Coventry 6:30 PM Bible Study Sunday, November 12 Consecration Sunday 9 AM Worship followed by Coffee Fellowship 6:30 PM Confirmation class Monday, November 13 11:30 AM Preschool Board meeting Wednesday, November 15 7:30 AM Men s Prayer Group 10:30 AM Bible Study Thursday, November 16 6:30 PM Bible Study Saturday, November AM Mission Interpretation training (lunch included) Sunday, November 19 9 AM Worship, followed by Coffee Fellowship 6:30 PM Confirmation class Monday, November 20 Newsletter deadline Tuesday, November AM Card writing party Wednesday, November 22 7:30 AM Men s Prayer Group 10:30 AM Bible Study Thursday, November 23 Thanksgiving Holiday Sunday, November 26 Christ the King Sunday 9 AM Worship 10:15 AM Church decorating 6:30 PM Confirmation class Wednesday, November 29 7:30 AM Men s Prayer Group 10:30 AM Bible Study Thursday, November 30 6:30 PM Bible Study Staff Listing Pr. Jeanie Barnes - Interim Pastor home cell jbarnes@risensavioronlin e.org Aaron Smith - Liturgical Coordinator, Music Director, Musician asmith@risensavioronlin e.org Kirsten Smith - Communications ksmith@risensavioronlin e.org Debbie LaBelle - Preschool Director preschool@frontier.com Sheryl Fry - Preschool teacher, 18-mo. & 2-yrs. Annette DeRoche - Preschool teacher, 3 yrs. Tina Fischer - Preschool teacher, Pre-K Petronella Eloff - Pre-K Teaching Assistant Jack and Mary Cox - Custodians 9

10 Risen Savior Lutheran Church Our Mission: We come together, welcoming all, to worship and grow in faith, and we go to serve in Christ s name Council President - Joe Hyndman Vice President - Dave Klein Secretary - Andrew Lutz Treasurer/Financial Secretary - Nicole Fleischman Hospitality - Jo Kruse Property - Warren Eddy Stewardship - Judy Bruns Worship - Pam Sullivan Communications - Mary Shuff Youth - Deb Hinkleman Education - Cleo Swager Risen Savior Lutheran Church 8010 W. Jefferson Boulevard Fort Wayne, IN ksmith@risensavioronline.org office@risensavioronline.org