The Real Work of Christmas

Transcription

1 Black Forest Lutheran Church January 2018, Vol. I The Scribe The Real Work of Christmas When the song of angels is stilled, When the star in the sky is gone, When the kings and princes are home, When the shepherds are back with their flock The real work of Christmas begins To find the lost, To heal the broken, To feed the hungry, To release the prisoner, To rebuild nations, To bring peace among brothers, To make music in the heart. Sunday, Dec. 31 College/Young Adult Service Hope & Healing for the Poor Dr. Benjy Partridge s experience in Nicaragua. January 7 New Member class begins.

2 New Class starting Sunday, Jan. 7 at 9:30a How to read the Bible Would you like to be able to read the Bible and discern more of what God is teaching and telling you? I invite you to join me on Sunday, January 7 th, 14 th and 21 st from 9:30-10:15 to go on a journey of learning a method to go deeper into the Word. God has so much to share with each of us personally! Bring your Bible, a notebook and an open heart! Hope to see you! If you have any questions please contact Lisa Simms. January 14 and January 21 9:30 am Council s Voter Information Meetings. Information about three topics requiring votes at the Annual Meeting will be presented. The 2018 Church Budget Constitution and By-Law Changes (See pg. 10) Recommendations about our current special study group s introspective look at BFLC 2018 flower chart is up on the bulletin board in the fellowship hall. Flowers are $18.00.

3 Start Up Dates Confirmation Jan. 10 Choir Practice Jan. 10 Sunday School Jan. 7 New Member Class Jan. 7 New Adult Class Jan. 7 Handbell Practice Jan. 8 Women s Bible Study Jan. 8 (Potluck) Lecture Series begins Jan. 9 Book Stew 2018 The Book Stew is scheduled for January 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th, If you would like to donate books we are collecting them in the Fellowship Hall. This year's proceeds will be donated to Springs Rescue. Thank you for your continued donations and support. Senior Social Will resume January 24, 2018 Join us for our monthly get together to socialize, play dominoes, or do crafts. There is no obligation to participate in the games. Individuals bring their own crafts to work on. Others use the opportunity to just sit and talk. Light snacks are provided.

4 End of the Year Tax Information and Deadline December 31 Donor must deliver or mail (postmark) on or by this date in order to claim a charitable contribution deduction for Checks that are placed in the church offering during the first worship service on 2018 will not qualify for a charitable contribution deduction in 2017, even if the check is predated to 2017 or was actually written in However, checks that are written mailed and postmarked in 2017 will be deductible in 2017 though they are not received by church until If you have questions, please contact the church office. Jan. 5 Jan. 7 Jan. 9 Jan. 14 Jan. 21 Jan. 24 Jan. 28 Committee reports are due. New Member Class begins Lecture Series begins... Voter Information Meeting Voter Information Meeting Senior Social Annual Meeting

5 Didi in the Congo January, 2018 Didi is alone in Boma, as Serafina is in Pennsylvania with their children. He is getting into the hottest time of the year in Boma, with temperatures exceeding 100 degrees F. Didi spends about 3 days a week in Tshela, at a seminary. The head of the seminary is in Kinshasa, working his own education. As a result, Didi has the administrative responsibility for the (approx 60) students, as well as teaching. Tshela is a considerable distance from Boma, meaning he is unable to help farmers, orphans or victims of family violence in Boma when he is in Tshela. Still, he has made some progress. There has been some help for farmers. They often do not have enough funds left over from the last harvest to purchase seeds for the next year. Didi has assisted with the startup costs. The farmers grow many of the same vegetables as we eat in Colorado. When he is in Boma, and counseling women who have been abused, he is able to give them something safe to drink. We are hopeful in 2018 there will be funds to give them something nutritious to eat as well. With the unrest in the DRC, please pray for the safety of Didi and those to whom he ministers. When the internet and electricity is working, Didi appreciates receiving s of encouragement. His address is dpanzo@wmpl.org. February 4-Souper Bowl February 10 Sweetheart Dinner February 11-New Member Reception

6 Each of us on staff would like to express our gratitude for your generous gifts during this Christmas Season. It is comforting to know we are surrounded by such a caring church community. Thank you! A special thank you to Mary Montie for orchestrating the Christmas Program this year. She put a lot of effort into including members with various musical talents and having Mrs. Claus (Donna Wesley) tell her favorite Christmas Story, the story of Christ s birth. It was a big hit! Thank you to Melanie and the choir for another beautiful Cantata. Countless hours of work go into preparing a musical performance. So, next time you see a member of the choir, remember to say Thank you!

7 MOPS (Mothers-of-Preschoolers) meets 2nd & 4th Fridays of the month. Several moms and soon-to-be moms from our church and community have enjoyed meeting regularly this fall for devotional time and other fun activities. If you would like to join this group of young women, please contact Jeanette or Lisa in the office. THANK YOU! Thank you to those who have been praying for me during my recent illness. I never have felt so supported by such a caring congregation as I felt these past few months. Your caring and concern for me and your personal notes and conversations were so uplifting. The doctors never specifically diagnosed the mysterious illness, but God knew all about it. And He took care of it. Praise Him, Jennifer Reily

8 Your BFLC Council will be proposing two changes to the Church Constitution/Bylaws at the Annual Meeting held January 28, They both involve re-election of Council members. There will be two informational meetings on January 14 th and 21 st in case you have any questions regarding these changes. The proposed changes are as follows: BFLC Constitution Chapter add underlined verbiage: The members of the Church Council, except the Pastor(s), shall be elected by majority vote by written ballot or voice vote at the annual meeting of the congregation as described in the Bylaws and/or Continuing Resolution (s). They shall serve terms of 3 years or until their successors are elected and shall stand for re-election at the completion of their first term. Their terms shall begin at the close of the Annual Meeting at which they were elected. BFLC Bylaw Chapter add underlined verbiage: Bylaw Voting at Congregation Meetings All candidates for election will be listed on a single ballot with incumbents identified. WHAT THE BFLC BOOK GROUP IS READING IN JANUARY Big Stone Gap by Adriana Trigiani Discussion on Wed., Jan. 17 th at 1 PM Town pharmacist and local spinster Ave Maria has been keeping the secrets of Stone Gap for a long time, but now a skeleton is about to tumble from her own family closet. Overflowing with humor and compassion, Big Stone Gap is the enchanting story of a woman who thinks life has passed her by, only to learn that the best is yet to come. Set in Virginia's Appalachian Mountains, the novel follows Ave Maria Mulligan on her quest to discover just who she is and what she wants out of life. All are welcome to join us at the church for discussion. Copies of the book on loan from the Pikes Peak Library District Book Club Collection are available in the church office to be signed out. Please call Nancy Lord with any questions.

9 January Wedding Anniversaries Duane & Nathalie Sorgaard 1 Dick & Lyn Anderson 4 Kent & Janeen Anderson 5 Ken & Melanie Hohag 7 Arnie & Luanne Spencer 22 Albert & Lora Kobilan 27 Jay & Courtney Kvale 30 Robin & Janet Masek 30 Cards Recycling Program What do you do with all those beautiful Christmas cards sent to you? What about all the sample cards from organizations wanting a donation? Do you feel sad throwing out lovely birthday and anniversary cards you ve received? Well, they can now be recycled. BFLC will be collecting them (look for the box in the Fellowship Hall) and sending them to St. Jude's Ranch for Children for its Recycled Card Program. St. Jude s turns the cards into new cards and sells them in packets. All occasion cards are accepted; birthday, anniversary, thank you, get well, holiday, etc. You can be of great help if you remember the following: Size preferred is 5 x7 or smaller; Hallmark, Disney and American Greeting cards are not accepted; and the backside of the card front must be clear of writing. If you have any questions, please see Chris Cooper.

10 George Pupich s Memorial service has been arranged. Here are the details: Date and time: January 12, 2018 at 12:00 noon. Location: USAFA Cemetery Pavilion Reception to follow at the Falcon Club (formerly the Officer's Club) Both the cemetery and the club are on Parade Circle, the same road as the golf course, AOG building, and hospital. After the service and before the reception, the family will place George's ashes in the Columbarium. In lieu of flowers, Diana asks that you make donations to one of the following: Abode Hospice of Colorado, Semper Fi Fund, Caring Bridge If you do not have access to military installations (Active Duty or Retiree ID), you must use the North Gate. Directions via North Gate: From I-25, take exit 156 (North Gate Boulevard) and go west (toward the mountains) After going through the North Gate security gate, continue west and turn LEFT (going south) onto Stadium Boulevard (immediately after the B-52-- the big black plane static display) Take the next RIGHT (going west) onto Parade Loop. Take the first RIGHT (going north) into the cemetery and proceed all the way north to the Pavilion. Directions via the South Gate From I-25, take Exit 150. Go north to the South Gate security gates. Once clearing the gates, proceed on North Stadium Boulevard about 6 miles (over bridge, past airfield, past stadium) Turn LEFT (going west) on Parade Loop. Take the first right (going north) into the cemetery and proceed all the way north to the Pavilion. Directions from the Cemetery to the reception at the Falcon Club (address: 3120 Academy Drive; USAFA, CO 80840) - Exit the cemetery and turn LEFT (going east) on Parade Loop. - Turn RIGHT (going south) onto Stadium Boulevard - Take the next RIGHT (going west) onto Academy Drive - The Falcon Club (formerly the Officers' Club) will be on the right at about 1¾ miles. If you come to Doolittle Hall, the AOG building, Pegasus will let you know you have gone too far.

11 Annual Meeting Sunday, January 28 at 11:45a Potluck, bring a dish to share! Committees don t forget to turn your Annual Reports into the office or to bflc@bflchurch.org by Friday, January 5. The BFLC DVD Lecture and Lunch will be starting again Tues. Jan. 9, with a bit of twist. Instead of a religious topic as we have done for the past two series, we thought we would expand to look at American history. The lecture series will be America s Founding Fathers, a lively, insightful and engaging survey of the people and politics of the formative years of the American Republic. If you think our current political atmosphere is acrimonious, you will gain hope from this series by learning what intense differences our founding fathers struggled over to establish our unique form of government. Pack your lunch and come join us each Tuesday starting Jan. 9, from 11:30 to 1 for this enjoyable walk through the beginning of the nation. As always, friends and neighbors are invited. Questions can be directed to Steve Lord.

12 Pastor Ken is planning to host a Luther Land trip to Germany the Fall of Interested? Let the office know. Olive Wood Discount The carvers in the Holy Land are especially hopeful and in need of successful sales this year of their olive wood carvings. We still have several Martin Luther statues, which originally sold for $55. At this time we are reducing the price to $35. If you are interested in purchasing one, please contact Mary Montie. This carving is really exquisite, and remember, it is carved from olive wood from the Holy Land. Martin will be on display in the narthex. Thank you to everyone who has purchased olive wood this year. Sales will be posted in an upcoming Scribe, but with the support of other congregations, as well as Black Forest Lutheran, it s looking like a successful year.

13 OUR STAFF Pastor - Kenneth D. Hohag Support Coordinator - Jeanette Gould Interim Youth & Ed Director- Rebecca Hohag Administrative Assistant - Lisa Regennitter Organist - Barbara Gurnett Choir Director - Melanie Hohag Ministers - All Members Weekday Hours 9:00am-2:00pm Mondays) OUR HOURS Tuesday-Friday (Closed Phone: Fax: bflc@bflchurch.org Web site: bflchurch.org Sunday Hours SUNDAY WORSHIP SUNDAY SCHOOL SUMMER WORSHIP 8:00 & 10:30 a.m. 9:30 am (September - May) 9:00 am (June August) OUR MISSION Our mission is to reach out to the world with the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ through worship, education, service and witness.