GOOD TIDINGS. Pastor Katie s Corner. MONTHLY ATTENDANCE November

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1 Lutheran Church of Our Saviour GOOD TIDINGS Vol. 18 No. 12 Pastor Katie s Corner Advent is our tradition s season of darkness and light, which always brings to my mind the images of one of my favorite painters: Rembrandt. Rembrandt s images play with darkness and light. As the viewer, I cannot always tell where the light is shining from, as in, from which direction it is emanating. In his art I like the most, the light seems to be coming from within the painting. His painting of the Nativity provides a striking example of this. The image s light comes from the Christ child clearly stating, visually, that Jesus is the Light of the World. Surrounded as he is by night and shadows, Christ is the light no darkness can overcome. Rembrandt painted at least five images of the Holy Family Mary, Joseph, and Jesus, and in one also Saint Anne, Mary s mother which provide us further theological reflection fit for this time of year. The Holy Family paintings are domestic, reminding us that faith begins and must be practiced in the home. They are graphic, depicting a naked baby Jesus and a nursing Mary, reminding us that the Word did indeed become flesh, with all the carnality that entails. And, like the Nativity painting, the figures shine with light, but are not bathed in light. The light enters gently among them: it comes from within the painting, from within them. I encourage you to look at these image on the following page, maybe even print them out and place them in your Bible, on your fridge, or make them the lock screen on your phone. Put them somewhere you can see them, that you may be constantly reminded of Christ s light in this season of darkness and light, that you may draw close to God and pray that Christ will light your heart from within. Your Servant, Pastor Katie December 2018 President s Message Council s Corner Stewardship Letter Craft Fair Announcements & Upcoming Events Calendars Thank-You s Children s Page MONTHLY ATTENDANCE November 4th: th: 86 18th: 92 20th: 86 25th: 96 Avg.: 92

2 Vol. 18 No. 12 GOOD TIDINGS 2 Pastor Katie s Corner (cont. d) The Holy Family (1633) The Holy Family with Angels (1645) The Holy Family (1640) The Holy Family with a Curtain (1646) Adoration of the Shepherds (1646) The Rest on The Flight into Egypt (1647)

3 3 GOOD TIDINGS Vol. 18 No. 12 A Monthly Message from our Council President: In December, we celebrate Advent, from the Latin word for coming, and Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ. It is a time of gathering with friends and family, gift giving, gift receiving, and, hopefully, some charity. It is also a special time for children. Martin Luther encouraged families to observe Advent as a time for them to teach their children about the coming of Christ. Advent is a time of preparation and anticipation for the coming of Christ, both in the past in His incarnation as the baby Jesus, but also in the future with His promised second coming as Christ Triumphant. Christians in many countries have adopted various traditions of lighting candles during Advent to observe this as the time of the coming of Christ, who is the light of the world. One widespread tradition is the use of an Advent wreath, both in the church and the home, to mark each Sunday in the Advent season. Far too often, we are caught up in the commercialization and preparation for Christmas that we forget why we are doing it. The focus on stuff has crowded out the good news of Christmas. In our family, Christmas begins with Christmas Eve service. The Christmas hymns and candlelight service remind us that the true gift is Jesus Christ, and all the rest is just part of the celebration. For some people, Christmas merriment can be depressing. Perhaps they are still mourning the loss of a friend or loved one, or, due to financial difficulties, they cannot participate in gift sharing. For those members of our congregation that are dealing with the loss of a loved one, Pastor Katie and Craig Nelson are hosting a gathering after worship on December 9. In closing, I would like to wish all members of our Congregation a Merry Christmas and I would also like to thank you for your gifts in time, talents, and money in God bless, Paul Dugent Acting Council President pjdugent@verizon.net

4 Vol. 18 No. 12 GOOD TIDINGS 4 Financial Update (through October 31, 2018) The Average Monthly Giving for 2018 = $17,706 The Average Monthly Expenses for 2018 = $18,640

5 C ouncil s orner 5 GOOD TIDINGS Vol. 18 No. 12 Your Church Council meets monthly, usually on the 2nd or 3rd Sunday of each month. The following are just a few highlights from our October & November meetings. A full copy of Council's meeting minutes may be found on the bulletin board in the narthex. If you have any questions, please contact a Council member. Council approved Lucas Cochran to complete Ministerial Fieldwork at LCOS for the academic year. Welcome Lucas! Officers of the Chesterfield County Police Department made a presentation for Council on church security. At Council's request, the Department will be doing a formal assessment of the church's security exposures. Council will be doing research on various online giving plans to ensure the congregation is being offered the best plan for our church. We approved the solicitation of someone in the congregation to volunteer for a treasurer's position for The Giving Tree Pre-school. It would involve about one to two hours of work weekly. Anyone interested should speak with a Council member for additional information. Council drafted the 2019 Spending Plan and held a Q&A meeting for the congregation on November 11. The Plan was presented to the congregation on November 18 and was approved unanimously. Nominees for Church Council were presented at the November 18 meeting. A motion was made by acclimation with unanimous approval of Kelly Strunk, Renae Schumann, and Helen Weaver as new members Church Council Class of 2019 Sharon Johnson sgj1220@gmail.com Cindy Vik cindyvik858@gmail.com Class of 2020 Walt Strohecker wmstrohecker@gmail.com Michael Scheivert mjsrscheivert@comcast.net Bill Walker wrw24red@comcast.net Class of 2021 Paul Dugent (President/Vice President) pjdugent@verizon.net Gail Kimpfler (Secretary) gtwr@hotmail.com Jules Roinnel julesroinnel@comcast.net Bruce Hale (Treasurer)

6 Vol. 18 No. 12 GOOD TIDINGS 6 Called Centered Confirmed The Holy Family s Gift The Holy Family : You might think that I m referring to Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. But I m not at least not at first. I encounter my holy family on Sundays in a building called Lutheran Church of Our Saviour, and so do you. In this holy family are the two brothers and two sisters who, just days after the death of my elder daughter, brought a meal into my home and kindly stayed to eat it with my wife and me. We didn t know if we would taste anything right then, but we sure came to savor the company, consolation, and support of those brothers and sisters in Christ. A few Sundays later, another sister confided to me that many years ago she experienced the death of a teenage child. Her gentle presence and words always remind me that I am not alone in my grief or in my journey to renewed faith. Later, another sister and brother experienced the death of an adult child, and gave me and my wife a precious chance to share some of the consolation and compassion that had been extended to us. Then there is a brother who often tells me about going to his farm in the country, and I find myself reawakened to the deep gifts that God has given us in the land we so often take for granted. Another brother has served in the armed forces that have often defended this country, but his most stirring words to me were about his finances! He told me that he never seemed to have enough money... until he started tithing! After that, he found he s always had more than enough. And I heard St. Francis as clearly as can be: It is in giving that we receive. Another brother and another sister had to shoulder weighty challenges, but showered such joyful love in caring for a disabled, declining, and now-deceased spouse. I am moved to silently reaffirm my own marriage vows and to marvel at how God can work such strong faithfulness into tender human love, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health. Then I like to watch another younger brother and sister, who as husband and wife do not just bring their kids to church : they are regularly and patiently introducing their children to God, and modeling for them the way of worship. And I find myself giving thanks to God for my own parents who showed this moody little sinner the importance of devotion to Christ and His Church. Finally, there are my youngest sisters and brothers a growing number of young children who like to run down the aisle, bang a tambourine, whine when the service is too long, or just wonder about what s going on and who God is. They make me, their aging brother, realize that I am never going to be too old to be a child of God, and that only a child can enter the Kingdom of God. (Continues on next page...)

7 7 GOOD TIDINGS Vol. 18 No. 12 I could go on, but at least you have read a bit about my holy family... and yours! The world increasingly takes churches for granted, but I don t believe one is going to find this kind of holy family at the Y, or the book club, or the golf course, or the game table. In our church, we have holy sisters and brothers who, like Mary and Joseph, give us nothing less than Christ Jesus, so that Life s promise can stare down death, and Love s presence can heal heartache, and Giving s power can overcome all the taking. So, my holy family is worthy of my support, devotion, and commitment and so is your holy family. We dare not take our holy family for granted, for it is the very Body of Christ Jesus, and often in a world oblivious to its precious value. So, as your brother, I m asking three things of you: 1. Think about your support of this holy family, and complete a pledge/commitment card. 2. Bring that pledge/commitment card to church on December 9th, so that it can be gratefully consecrated to the holy purposes that God has for this congregation. 3. Sign up and join me for the evening Dinner and Christmas Tree Lighting on December 9th at 5:00 p.m. to celebrate the ways God is inspiring the support that this holy family needs to bear the Light of Christ into our world. Chris Price

8 Vol. 18 No. 12 GOOD TIDINGS 8 We raised $4, to be shared with: The Giving Tree Preschool, Richmond Friends of the Homeless, ELCA s Lutheran Disaster Response, & LCOS ministries!

9 9 GOOD TIDINGS Vol. 18 No. 12 Many thanks to those who volunteered, made items, spread the word, & came to shop!

10 Vol. 18 No. 12 GOOD TIDINGS 10 ANNOUNCEMENTS Off Topic Bible Study Blue Christmas Gathering After worship on December 9th Hosted by Craig Nelson & Pastor Katie For those approaching the Holidays after the death of a spouse or family member. A light lunch will be provided. RSVPs are appreciated to the church office or on the sign-up sheet in the narthex. Off Topic is the name for a new type of Bible study where, instead of just analyzing the Gospel from each Sunday s service for its cultural and historical background, each of us is challenged to see how it applies to our everyday lives. This will hopefully spin the conversation into multiple subject matters that are slightly "off topic," thus inspiring further conversation and fellowship. It will be led by Lucas Cochran and take place every Sunday before worship at 9:15 a.m. So, come to church a little early to learn something new about our Gospel readings and have a fun time as well!

11 11 GOOD TIDINGS Vol. 18 No. 12 Congratulations to our new Church Council Members, Class of 2022! Renae Schumann Kelly Strunk Helen Weaver YOUTH CHRISTMAS PLAY & DINNER at St. Luke s UMC Sunday, December 16 4:00-8:00 p.m. Dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m. Performance will follow. Copies of Bread for the Day 2019: Daily Bible Readings and Prayers devotionals are available through Augsburg Fortress for $8.95 each. Go to augsburgfortress.org under Supplies. Ties that Bind Blessing of the Quilts Sunday, December 2

12 Vol. 18 No. 12 GOOD TIDINGS 12 Eat & Greet On the third Sunday of the month, come and break bread with your fellow congregants! This monthly lunch will take place at a local restaurant where members of the congregation can have a place after the service for fellowship. There will be a sign-up sheet the first Sunday of every month to gauge interest. If you do not sign up on time, that's okay; all are welcome! Bring your appetites and lots of interesting conversation! - Lucas Cochran OUTREACH THANKSGIVING BASKETS: The Outreach Committee would like to thank everyone for their generous donations of non-perishable items for our thanksgiving baskets. We were able to donate 16 baskets for families at Lutheran Family Services to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal. Included in the baskets are gift cards to assist the families with meat/perishable item purchases. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. THE GIVING TREE PRESCHOOL Our preschool families enjoyed a fun time of fellowship & yummy, kid-friendly food at our Thanksgiving Feast. We had over eighty attending this wonderful event! The month of December is short, but it will be filled with fun as we teach the children about giving to others, as God gave us the gift of Jesus, & anticipating Christmas. Our Mitten Tree is now in the narthex accepting donations of hats, scarves, mittens, gloves, & socks to be given to Richmond Friends of the Homeless. We are busy practicing for our Christmas Pageant, which is the night of the 18th at 6:30 p.m. Merry Christmas!

13 13 GOOD TIDINGS Vol. 18 No. 12 BIRTHDAYS Matthew Terry 12/1 Paul Dugent 12/3 Eric Alfredson 12/7 Terry Sprinkle 12/10 John Haab 12/12 Cyndi Krasley 12/12 Joe Partridge 12/16 Ryan Johnson 12/17 Kristen Walker 12/17 Sharon Johnson 12/20 Maurice Beall 12/23 Luz Pulskamp 12/26 Marty Vik 12/26 Dominick Spinos 12/30 ANNIVERSARIES Brian & Mary Dumont 12/3 Dan & Luz Pulskamp 12/5 Rob & Cyndi Krasley 12/18 Walt & Carmen Strohecker 12/18 Marshall & Angie Seay 12/22 Dan & Cheryl Berdell 12/28 Rick & Lee Krasneck 12/31 Ali & Kaarina Modiri 12/31 Did we miss an anniversary or birthday? Please let us know! or call JANUARY NEWSLETTER DEADLINE The deadline for our January 2019 newsletter is December 21st. Please or call with your information. or

14 25 December 2018 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 9:15 AM Sunday School 9:30 AM S.O.F.T. (Intergenerational Discussion Group) 10:30 AM Worship Service 2 Food Pantry Sunday 9:15 AM "Off Topic" Bible Study 9:15 AM Sunday School 10:30 AM Worship Service 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Youth Group (Christmas Play Practice) 9 Blue Christmas Gathering (after worship) 9:15 AM "Off Topic" Bible Study 9:15 AM Sunday School 10:30 AM Worship Service 5:00 PM Commitment Dinner 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Youth Group 16 Eat & Greet (after worship) 9:15 AM "Off Topic" Bible Study 9:15 AM Sunday School 10:30 AM Worship Service 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM Youth Group (Youth Christmas Dinner & Play) 23 9:15 AM "Off Topic" Bible Study 9:15 AM Sunday School 9:30 AM S.O.F.T. (Intergenerational Discussion Group) 10:30 AM Worship Service 30 9:15 AM "Off Topic" Bible Study 9:15 AM Sunday School 10:30 AM Worship Service :00 AM - 12:30 PM (narthex & sanctuary in use) :00 PM Children's Christmas Eve Service 8:00 PM Traditional Christmas Eve Service :15 PM Bell Choir Rehearsal 4 7:15 PM Bell Choir Rehearsal 11 7:15 PM Bell Choir Rehearsal 18 7:15 PM Bell Choir Rehearsal 25 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM OF- FICE CLOSED 1 7:15 PM Bell Choir Rehearsal 28 7:00 PM Choir Rehearsal 5 7:00 PM Choir Rehearsal 12 9:30 AM Richmond Friends of the Homeless 7:00 PM Choir Rehearsal 19 7:00 PM Choir Rehearsal :00 PM Choir Rehearsal Office Closed 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM AA Meeting 7 Office Closed 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM AA Meeting 14 Office Closed 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM AA Meeting 21 Office Closed 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM AA Meeting 28 Office Closed 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM AA Meeting 4 Office Closed 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM AA Meeting Vol. 18 No. 12 GOOD TIDINGS 14

15 15 GOOD TIDINGS Vol. 18 No. 12 DECEMBER 2018 WORSHIP STEWARD DUTIES 10:30AM SERVICE 2-Dec COORDINATOR USHERS GREETERS ASSISTING MINISTER POURING CHALICE COMMON CUP CRUCIFER Paul Dugent Jack & Anne Frost Delores Harris & Bethany Nell Michael Scheivert Bill Walker & Brenda Waldridge Jane Avery & Cindy Vik Josh Walker If you can not be here on your assigned week it is your responsibility to find a replacement. Please notify the church office at or at admin@lcosva.org, when ACOLYTE Bryce Weaver you have found a replacement. 9-Dec COORDINATOR Sharon Johnson USHERS Sam & Shirley Hawthorne GREETERS Toni Wilson & *** ASSISTING MINISTER POURING CHALICE COMMON CUP CRUCIFER ACOLYTE 16-Dec COORDINATOR USHERS GREETERS ASSISTING MINISTER POURING CHALICE COMMON CUP CRUCIFER ACOLYTE 23-Dec COORDINATOR USHERS GREETERS ASSISTING MINISTER POURING CHALICE COMMON CUP CRUCIFER ACOLYTE 30-Dec COORDINATOR USHERS GREETERS ASSISTING MINISTER POURING CHALICE COMMON CUP CRUCIFER ACOLYTE Stacy McCoy Jacquie Evans & Jackie Casey Rachel Doyle & Gail Kimpfler Liam James Abigail Ward Cindy Vik Frank Watkins & Earl Shaffer Ellen Shaffer & Marchia Swanson Karen Watkins Sharon Leininger & Mary Dumont Judy Zehmer & Kaarina Modiri Kayleigh Dumont Alex Wilson Jules Roinnel Chuck & Brenda Waldridge Maurice Beall & Dino Montez Bill Walker Jeannette Montez & Diane Beall Nancy Roinnel & Jackie Casey Stacy McCoy Liam James Michael Scheivert Jim Burnish & Paul Dugent Judy & Richmond Zehmer Helen Weaver Rachel Doyle & Jacquie Evans Sharon Johnson & Kaarina Modiri Josh Walker Henry Weaver - Thank you.

16 Vol. 18 No. 12 GOOD TIDINGS 16 JANUARY 2019 WORSHIP STEWARD DUTIES 6-Jan COORDINATOR Paul Dugent 10:30AM SERVICE USHERS GREETERS Pat Dorton & Jackie Casey Bethany Nell & Toni Wilson ASSISTING MINISTER Lucas Cochran POURING CHALICE COMMON CUP CRUCIFER ACOLYTE 13-Jan COORDINATOR USHERS GREETERS Jane Avery & Sharon Leininger Susan McCoy & Gail Kimpfler Liam James Alex Wilson Jules Roinnel Jack & Anne Frost Valerie Thorp-Gray & Jeannette Montez If you can not be here on your assigned week it is your responsibility to find a replacement. Please notify the church office at or at admin@lcosva.org, when you have found a replacement. - Thank you. ASSISTING MINISTER Bill Walker POURING CHALICE COMMON CUP CRUCIFER ACOLYTE 20-Jan COORDINATOR USHERS GREETERS Rachel Doyle & Jacquie Evans Lucas Cochran & Nancy Roinnel Josh Walker Bryce Weaver Gail Kimpfler Don Harmon & Dino Montez Terry Sprinkle & Diane Beall ASSISTING MINISTER Michael Scheivert POURING CHALICE COMMON CUP CRUCIFER ACOLYTE 27-Jan COORDINATOR USHERS GREETERS Chuck & Brenda Waldridge Kaarina Modiri & Sharon Johnson Stacy McCoy Lucas Cochran Bill Walker Cindy Vik & Frank Watkins Richmond & Judy Zehmer ASSISTING MINISTER Helen Weaver POURING CHALICE COMMON CUP CRUCIFER Jim Burnish & Karen Watkins Earl Shaffer & Barbara Dowdy Lucas Cochran ACOLYTE Henry Weaver

17 17 GOOD TIDINGS Vol. 18 No. 12 Thank You Dear Pastor Katie, What a blessing! Thank you and the congregation members for the continued support of LFSVA. The books, gift card, and Thanksgiving boxes are amazing gifts. They bring joy, anticipation, nourishment, and family together at what can be a very difficult time for many of those we serve. Thank you for being a partner in our mission. Your generosity truly is an answer to the call to love one another. Sincerely, Leah Shank Acting Director of Development Richmond Friends of the Homeless The Outreach Ministry served 95 Richmond Friends of the Homeless on November 14, Those who prepared casseroles were: Margie Aunins, Jane Avery, Diane Beall, Cheryl Berdell, Kayleigh Dumont, Jacquie Evans, Sandy French, Clare Haack, Cindy Huston, Sharon Johnson, Gail Kimpfler, Kaarina Modiri, Bethany Nell, Betty Rickmond, Jules Roinnel, & Robin Scheivert. Those who helped serve were: Margie Aunins, Jane Avery, Sandy French, Gail Kimpfler, & Jules Roinnel. Thank you to all who prepare casseroles and serve each month. We always serve RFOH the second Wednesday of each month and welcome new helpers all the time! We could not provide this ministry without your support. To my LCOS Family, I miss you all very much, and I want to wish you a very blessed Christmas, as well as a happy and healthy New Year! - Ruth Foerster Want to make a contribution? Go to lcosva.org/giving for more information on how to give directly or donate through AmazonSmile. Like us on Don t forget to read our weekly s! Not subscribed? Contact the church office! THANKS THIS MONTH GO TO... Craig Nelson, for cleaning up the playground... Mary Dumont, for helping with Nancy Uhl s funeral reception... Karen Watkins & Don Harmon, for ushering at Nancy s funeral... Barbara Dowdy & Bill Walker, for ushering at the Community Thanksgiving service... Renae Schumann, Kelly Strunk, & Helen Weaver, who answered the call to be on Church Council starting in January Thank you, all!

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19 19 GOOD TIDINGS Vol. 18 No. 12 Note to Ushers: Please remember to remove the Record of Fellowship sheets from the brown pew pads and to place them, with the attendance sheet, on the Administrative Assistant s door. Christmas Eve Services Monday 12/24 5:00 p.m.: Children s Service 8:00 p.m.: Traditional Worship with choirs, candle lighting, & Holy Communion* *WORSHIP STEWARDS NEEDED! If you are interested in volunteering for the 8:00 p.m. service, please sign up in the narthex or contact the church office. The following duties need to be filled: Coordinator 2 Greeters 2 Ushers 2 Common Cup 2 Pouring Chalice Crucifer Acolyte Thank you! IN OUR THOUGHTS & PRAYERS: Diane, Terry, Herbert, Frances, Nancy, Whitten, Carmen, Jeff, Cheryl, Cyndi, Sandy, Wanda, Charles, Helen, Ruth, Rachel, & Cindy.

20 Vol. 18 No. 12 GOOD TIDINGS 20 Colossians 3: As God s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom 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. (From Spark Bible NRSV. Augsburg Fortress, ) ( 12 God has chosen you and made you his holy people. He loves you. So always do these things: Show mercy to others; be kind, humble, gentle, and patient If someone does wrong to you, then forgive him. Forgive each other because the Lord forgave you. 14 Do all these things; but most important, love each other. Love is what holds you all together in perfect unity Always be thankful. 16 Let the teaching of Christ live in you richly. Use all wisdom to teach and strengthen each other Everything you say and everything you do should all be done for Jesus your Lord. And in all you do, give thanks to God the Father through Jesus. ) (From Bible Gateway. New International Version (NIV). Biblica, Accessed November 06,