God s Work, Our Hands

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Jerome Atkins
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Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 9700 Neenah Ave, Austin, Texas 78717 Phone 512.671.6100 www.

1215 Inside this issue: Message from Pastor 1 Global Initiatives 2 Prayer List 2 Sunday

Birthdays/Anniversaries 2 Choir Cantata 3 Altar vs. Table 3 48 and counting to 52!

Group 3 Follow the Star 4 Progressive Dinner 4 Parents of Young Children 4 Family Advent

1 Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 9700 Neenah Ave, Austin, Texas Phone Hours Mon-Fri, 9am-1pm Volume No Inside this issue: Message from Pastor 1 Global Initiatives 2 Prayer List 2 Sunday Readings 2 Baptism Festivals 2 Men s Fellowship 2 Advent Services 2 Birthdays/Anniversaries 2 Choir Cantata 3 Altar vs. Table 3 48 and counting to 52! 3 Alzheimer s Assoc. Group 3 Follow the Star 4 Progressive Dinner 4 Parents of Young Children 4 Family Advent Retreat 4 Tree Decorating 4 Kindred Sisters 5 Poinsettias 6 Harvest Fest 6 Holiday Turkeys 7 Council Notes 8 Save-the-Dates 8 State of the Church 8 Worship Leaders 9 Calendar 10 God s Work, Our Hands December 2015 Edition

Page 2 GLOBAL INITIATIVES www.elca.org/global-links Through the benevolence we pay to the ELCA, we are supporting these global initiatives.

PRAYER LIST Ann Willman, Angie Parr, Marge Robison, Alan Sisco, Rise Steglich, Cindy Wallace, Joanne Forseth, Manuel Oliver, Linda Vaughn, Ann Bender, Crystal Dyer Allbritton, Peggy Suggs, Jesse

Anyone who has not been baptized is invited to come and wade in the waters of eternal life. Please contact Pr. Skip for a prebaptism appointment.

November 6 Contact Pr. Skip as soon as possible concerning which day works best for you. MEN S FELLOWSHIP BREAKFAST Attention men of LOL!! Men s breakfast, December 5 at 7:00am.

2 Page 2 GLOBAL INITIATIVES Through the benevolence we pay to the ELCA, we are supporting these global initiatives. A link is available on our website under Giving, so you can keep up-to-date on what the ELCA is doing to reach the world for Christ. PRAYER LIST Ann Willman, Angie Parr, Marge Robison, Alan Sisco, Rise Steglich, Cindy Wallace, Joanne Forseth, Manuel Oliver, Linda Vaughn, Ann Bender, Crystal Dyer Allbritton, Peggy Suggs, Jesse Mitchell, Tim Divine Stewardship Ministry BAPTISM FESTIVALS Life-Lines The next celebration of the Sacrament of Holy Baptism will be Sunday, January 10, Anyone who has not been baptized is invited to come and wade in the waters of eternal life. Please contact Pr. Skip for a prebaptism appointment. The remaining Baptism Festivals for 2016 are: Easter Sunday, March 27 The Holy Trinity/First Sunday after Pentecost, May 22 Sunday, September 11 (Sunday nearest Holy Cross Day) All Saints Day, November 6 Contact Pr. Skip as soon as possible concerning which day works best for you. MEN S FELLOWSHIP BREAKFAST Attention men of LOL!! Men s breakfast, December 5 at 7:00am. No fellowship experience required! Bring a good appetite as the food is great! SUNDAY READINGS December 6 Malachi 3:1-4 Baruch 5:1-9 Luke 1:68-79 Philippians 1:3-11 Luke 3:1-6 December 13 Zephaniah 3:14-20 Isaiah 12:2-6 Philippians 4:4-7 Luke 3:7-18 December 20 Micah 5:2-5a Luke 1:46b-55 Psalm 80:1-7 Hebrews 10:5-10 Luke 1:39-45 [46-55] December 27 I Samuel 2:18-20, 26 Psalm 148 Colossians 3:12-17 Luke 2:41-52 Birthdays: Ladolcetta, Randi 12/04 Weston, Eric 12/04 Oliver, Tealithia 12/05 Saegert, Dylan 12/07 Hafner Jr, Marcus 12/09 Parsons, Raina 12/11 Smith, Erica 12/13 Brown, Deanna 12/15 Wiruscheske, Hunter 12/15 Dailey, Barbara 12/17 Duarte, Roman 12/18 Haenel, Herman 12/20 Krmpotich, Ashley 12/23 Neeley, Melissa 12/23 Parsons, Benjamin 12/24 Lopez, Anthony 12/25 Krause, Sharon 12/26 Gold, Keri 12/27 Walker, Patsy 12/30 Krejci, Bill 12/31 Anniversaries: Jennifer & Joseph Niedert 12/14

Volume No. 1215 Page 3 ALZHEIMER S ASSOCIATION CAREGIVER ALTAR vs TABLE The Worship Team has been using ELCA's "Leading Worship Matters" book to look at everything we do during worship services.

An altar is a place of sacrifice where animals were given to God in offering. Jesus gave us the ultimate sacrifice when he died on the cross. Table and meal remind us of community and sustenance.

3 Volume No Page 3 ALZHEIMER S ASSOCIATION CAREGIVER ALTAR vs TABLE The Worship Team has been using ELCA's "Leading Worship Matters" book to look at everything we do during worship services. This has been a great resource for us to look at what we do and why we do it. The authors, ELCA theologians, strongly suggest that we rename the piece of furniture we refer to as an altar to table. An altar is a place of sacrifice where animals were given to God in offering. Jesus gave us the ultimate sacrifice when he died on the cross. Table and meal remind us of community and sustenance. A table implies a gathering place for a meal shared by family and friends. Using the word table reinforces the image that holy communion is meant to be a meal; that is, eating and drinking, sharing and fellowship, welcome and celebration. We have moved the credence table from the front of the sanctuary to next to the raised chancel. For many churches this is an old tradition -- to symbolize the concept of "table" -- for Lord of Life this will be a new tradition. When you serve a meal, you set the table just before serving the food. So, we will set the communion food (bread, wine, and grape juice) on the credence table then move them to the "table" for communion. When communion has concluded, we will move them back to the credence table. SUPPORT GROUP December 7 at 4:00pm Sundance Premier Memory Care at Brushy Creek is hosting its monthly support group. The group is free and open to anyone who is caring for a loved one with Alzheimer s or any type of dementia. For more information, contact Bekah Brown at or her at bbrown@sundancememo rycare.com. 48 AND COUNTING TO 52!! By the end of December the members of Lord of Life will have blessed and adorned our altar with beautiful flowers in praise and honor to our Lord and special events in their lives during Thanks for your generosity. Now it's time to do it again!! The new flower chart for 2016 will be out the first week of December. Hurry and sign up. Let's see how fast we can fill it up and you can have the specials dates you would like. (More than 1 can sign up for any Sunday)

Page 4 Life-Lines FOLLOW THE STAR The fourth annual Follow the Star event, produced by Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, is scheduled for December 3, 4, and 5.

Professional sound, lighting and approximately 250 cast and crew members make this a spectacular event. TREE DECORATING Join us to decorate the church for Christmas on December 13th, at 3:00pm.

CAROLING Join us for Caroling on Sunday, December 13 as we go through the Davis Spring Community and end up at the Klinker s. Meet at the church at 6pm.

We will be sending invitations to parents of children 3rd grade and younger to a start up meeting January 17, 2016. Expect an invitation if you have a child in this age span.

4 Page 4 Life-Lines FOLLOW THE STAR The fourth annual Follow the Star event, produced by Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, is scheduled for December 3, 4, and 5. The event is an outdoor drive-through and walk-through production featuring ten critical scenes which follow the life of Christ from birth to resurrection. Professional sound, lighting and approximately 250 cast and crew members make this a spectacular event. TREE DECORATING Join us to decorate the church for Christmas on December 13th, at 3:00pm. PROGRESSIVE DINNER Mark your calendar! January 30, 2016 Lord of life is having a Progressive Dinner. Sign up so we can plan. We also need help with planning, and host homes. Contact Barb Ferriola. CAROLING Join us for Caroling on Sunday, December 13 as we go through the Davis Spring Community and end up at the Klinker s. Meet at the church at 6pm. PARENTS WITH YOUNG CHILDREN Parents with Young Children group will be starting in January. We will be sending invitations to parents of children 3rd grade and younger to a start up meeting January 17, Expect an invitation if you have a child in this age span. We encourage everyone to pray for a successful start of and the continuing young family ministry. FAMILY ADVENT RETREAT AT CAMP CHRYSALIS December "Humble Beginnings". What good can come out of Nazareth? Why a stable? And why a baby? These are all questions that we consider during the holiday season of Advent. This is also a time that we think about being humble and throwing aside some of the materialism of Christmas. Come and explore the simplicity of the season as we spend quality time with our families enjoying camp activities and crafts that bond us together. Each family will have their own cabin. Early bird cost: Preschool Youth: Free. Youth in grades K-6: $95. Adults and Youth in grades 7-12: $120. Household Maximum: $450. Register at or ask Barb Haskins for a registration form.

Kindred Sisters is asking all LOLLC members and friends to help support this LWR project by collecting and saving cancelled postage stamps.

5 Volume No Page 5 LWR STAMPOREE The goal of the Lutheran World Relief STAMPOREE is to support LWR s Project Comfort, which provides funding for the shipping of goods to those in need around the world. Kindred Sisters is asking all LOLLC members and friends to help support this LWR project by collecting and saving cancelled postage stamps. For your convenience and collection, a Stamporee box is in the Welcome Center waiting for your used envelopes containing cancelled stamps. Commemorative Stamps, State and United States Stamps from Fishing and Hunting Licenses are most desirable. KINDRED SISTERS Kindred Sisters had their November meeting on Tuesday, November 3rd, at 10:30 a.m. at the Koinonia Cafe at LOLLC. Marge Kretschmar gave a very interesting talk about Legacy quilts. She showed us quilts that she had done for herself and for others. A special step she includes is making a copy of a picture of the person who made the quilt, and the date it was made, and putting it on the back corner, as a special way of preserving precious memories for the future! She also showed us the steps for making T-shirt quilts, and gave each of us a directions sheet to show us the steps involved in doing our own quilts. Glenace also showed us a quilt that she had made for one of her grandchildren. What talented ladies! We had devotions, discussed future plans of visiting some of our members, and had a time of fellowship during lunch and dessert and drinks served by hostess Glenace Klinker. Thank you, Marge and Glenace! We will have our annual Christmas "Potluck" Luncheon on Tuesday, December 1st, at 10:30 a.m. at the Koinonia Cafe at LOLLC. Please bring a dish to share. All ladies of LOLLC are cordially invited to attend! We will have Christmas fellowship and devotions, and entertainment will be provided. We had a delicious and festive luncheon last year! If there are any questions, please call Glenace Klinker at , or Joanne Forseth at Please note the sign-up list on the bulletin board in the Cafe, if you can be a hostess or can provide a program! Thank you! We will have a presentation by Marilee Parsons for our January meeting, with good information on Senior plans and directives we should take care of for the future. With the Christmas Season coming, and lots of Christmas cards being mailed, it is a good time to save the cancelled stamps we receive, for the LWR Stamporee box. Thank you in advance! Have a Blessed Christmas Season, as we prepare our hearts and minds to celebrate the birth of our Savior!

Page 8 Life-Lines POINSETTIAS Please help us beautify our altar on Christmas Eve by purchasing a poinsettia!

To purchase one, please fill out the envelope and place it in the ushers baskets on the way out on Sunday mornings, or contact Christi in

If you have any questions, please contact the church office, Jennifer Niedert, or Monica Kaloustian.

Shoppers arrived early to happy vendors, yummy food was prepared and served in the cafe, bidders competed for silent auction baskets, bake

A big thank you to ALL those who volunteered, donated, baked, cooked/grilled, shopped, ate and came just for fun!

Thanks to Erica Smith (with help from Donna Estes) for bake sale, Glenace Klinker (with help from Deanna Brown and Donna Hagens) for cafe

6 Page 8 Life-Lines POINSETTIAS Please help us beautify our altar on Christmas Eve by purchasing a poinsettia! Envelopes will be available in the Welcome Center for the next few Sundays. To purchase one, please fill out the envelope and place it in the ushers baskets on the way out on Sunday mornings, or contact Christi in the church office. The cost per plant is $7. The deadline to order is Sunday, December 20. If you have any questions, please contact the church office, Jennifer Niedert, or Monica Kaloustian. HARVEST FESTIVAL The 10th annual Harvest Festival & Craft Show was another great success! Shoppers arrived early to happy vendors, yummy food was prepared and served in the cafe, bidders competed for silent auction baskets, bake sale items flew off the shelves, and live music filled the air. A big thank you to ALL those who volunteered, donated, baked, cooked/grilled, shopped, ate and came just for fun! Special thanks to coordinators Dee Smith, Cindy Wallace and Denise Sheehan for all your time and organization. Thanks to Erica Smith (with help from Donna Estes) for bake sale, Glenace Klinker (with help from Deanna Brown and Donna Hagens) for cafe food, and to Jennifer Niedert for silent auction. Also to Heather Simpson for the kid's craft and youth drink sales. And to Rex Schroeder for putting out all the signage around town! Many others volunteered their time and we are so grateful for your help!! The vendor booth rentals, bake sale, cafe sales and silent auction helped to raise almost $2400 for Upbring (former Lutheran Services of the South). 3 new umbrellas were also purchased for the deck just in time for the event. We are thankful this Harvest Season!

7 Volume No Page 7

4: 14-30 Council spent 30 minutes dwelling in the word. Courtney and Mark read. Discussed the oppressed and Jesus helping the Syrian in relation to the current political discussion.

8 Page 10 November Church Council Meeting Thursday, November 19, 2015, 7:00p.m. Volume No In attendance: Pastor Skip Wachsmann, John Paul Crawford, Erica Smith, Mark Waggoner, Courtney Warnsman, Randi Ladolcetta Call to order Opening prayer - lead by Pastor Dwelling in the Word: Luke 4: Council spent 30 minutes dwelling in the word. Courtney and Mark read. Discussed the oppressed and Jesus helping the Syrian in relation to the current political discussion. Also talked about letting God handle it, whatever it maybe (Erica had to leave to attend to family matters at this point) Nominating Committee Update Mark updated council on the committee, comprised of Amy Hart, Dorothy Crawford, and Mark. They met and came up with a list of people. People were contacted and asked to pray about it. They asked for answers to be returned the last week of November or the first week of December. Staff Evaluations/2016 Budget Salary Recommendations Courtney led the discussion in what the process is and who handles the evaluations. David Pencil s review will be conducted by Worship Ministry, Tealithia s will be conducted by Education Ministry, and Christi Berger will be evaluated by Pastor Skip. Pastor Skip s position is a called position and therefore he does not receive a formal evaluation. Discussion was held on the past raise structure and where pay stood in relation to market value. Courtney made a motion that if evaluations come back satisfactory or above raises would be: 6% for Christi, 5% for Tealithia, and 5% for David. John Paul seconded the motion. All voted in favor. Courtney made a motion for a 5% raise for Pastor Skip. Mark seconded. All voted in favor. Continued Discussion of Ideal Church Pastor Skip discussed an opportunity to have a council retreat with other local churches. The dates of this retreat are January It was asked that every one think and pray about this retreat. Pastor Skip introduced a vitality Quick-Check survey. Discussion was held on who we wanted to take the survey and best ways to proceed. Council will pray about the survey and how we want to implement it. Other Agenda Items Discussion was held on the Stewardship Team Lead and Ministry. Discussion was focused on whether any statements should be made this Sunday, since this is usually commitment Sunday. Discussion was also had on doing a Time, Talent, Treasure packet in January. The packet would contain pledge information, spiritual gift assessments, and other varying information related to Stewardship. Council will continue to pray for the Lead and Ministry. Closing Prayer led by John Paul Adjournment Income for Oct: $30, 962 Income YTD: $259,881 Expense for Oct: $25,135 Expenses YTD: $255,479 Net Gain for Oct: $5,827 Net Gain YTD: $4,402 SAVE-THE-DATES December 5 - Men s Fellowship Breakfast December 13 - Neighborhood Caroling December 20-9:30am Cantata Service December 24-5pm & 7:30pm Christmas Eve Service December 25 - Christmas December 27-9:30 Service Worship Attendance 11/ /08/ /15/ /22/ /29/2015 Weekly Average 101 YTD Total 3710 Weekly Average 86

9 Page 11 Life-Lines Worship Leaders for December 2015 December 6, 2015 Advent Color: Blue Presiding Minister: Pastor Skip Wachsmann Assisting Minister: TBD (1st); Connor Sheehan (2nd) Lector: TBD (1st); Deb Grunska (2nd) Media Assistant: Jim Tarsi (1st); Lloyd Haskins (2nd) Communion Assistant: TBD (1st); Donna Hagens, Clayton Wachsmann, Maddy Penland, Dorothy Crawford 2nd) Ushers: Gary Wilks, Gary Parsons (1st); Bob & Linda Lane, Clayton Wachsmann, Carol Bender (2nd) Altar Guild: Lyn Caldwell (1st); Neeleys (2nd) Acolyte: Dakota Simpson Tellers: Rex Schroeder & Donna Hagens Cantor: TBD (1st); TBD (2nd) Flowers: Cindy Wallace December 13, 2015 Advent Color: Blue Presiding Minister: Pastor Skip Wachsmann Assisting Minister: TBD (1st); TBD (2nd) Lector: TBD (1st); Felicia Wachsmann (2nd) Media Assistant: Jim Tarsi (1st); Rex Schroeder (2nd) Communion Assistant: TBD (1st); TBD, TBD, TBD, TBD (2nd) Ushers: Gary Wilks, Gary Parsons (1st); Bob & Linda Lane, Clayton Wachsmann, Carol Bender (2nd) Altar Guild: Dee Smith (1st); Kori Weston (2nd) Acolyte: Chapin Smith Tellers: Rex Schroeder & Donna Hagens Cantor: TBD (1st); TBD (2nd) Flowers: Horace & Nell Pennington, in memory of their son, Wayne December 20, 2015 Cantata Service Advent Color: Blue Presiding Minister: Pastor Skip Wachsmann Assisting Minister: TBD Lector: TBD Media Assistant: Dick Fink Communion Assistant: TBD Ushers: Gary Wilks, Gary Parson, Dustin, Dax, & Dakota Simpson, Mike Kamensky Altar Guild: Dick Fink Acolyte: Kira Niedert Tellers: Rex Schroeder & Donna Hagens Cantor: TBD (1st); TBD (2nd) Flowers: Stacey & Troy Mathews, in honor of Dustin and Lauren Mathews Anniversary December 24, 2015 Christmas Eve Color: White Presiding Minister: Pastor Skip Wachsmann Assisting Minister: TBD (1st); TBD (2nd) Lector: TBD (1st); TBD (2nd) Media Assistant: TBD (1st); TBD (2nd) Communion Assistant: TBD (1st); TBD, TBD, TBD, TBD (2nd) Ushers: Gary Wilks, Gary Parsons (1st); (2nd) Altar Guild: Cindy Wallace (1st); Deb Grunska (2nd) Acolyte: Tellers: Rex Schroeder & Donna Hagens Cantor: TBD (1st); TBD (2nd) Flowers: December 27, 2015 Color: White Presiding Minister: Pastor Skip Wachsmann Assisting Minister: TBD Lector: TBD Media Assistant: Chuck Neeeley Communion Assistant: TBD Ushers: Gary Wilks, Gary Parson, Dustin, Dax, & Dakota Simpson, Mike Kamensky Altar Guild: Heather/Avery Acolyte: Erin Weston Tellers: Rex Schroeder & Donna Hagens Cantor: TBD (1st); TBD (2nd) Flowers: Viki Parsons, in honor of Benjamin s 10th Birthday

Volume No. 1215 Page 10 D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 5 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 10:30am Kindred Sisters 6:30pm Bible Study (Café) 2 11am Prayer for Ministry 11:30am Advent 6pm Confirm.

6:30pm Cub Scouts Pack 150 4 5 7:00am Men s Fellowship Breakfast 6 8:15 Early Worship 9:30 Christian Education 10:45 Late Worship 12:13 Skit Rehearsal 12:15 Evangelism Ministry Mtg.

10 Volume No Page 10 D e c e m b e r Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 10:30am Kindred Sisters 6:30pm Bible Study (Café) 2 11am Prayer for Ministry 11:30am Advent 6pm Confirm. 6:30pm Praise 7pm Advent 7:30pm Vocal 3 6:00pm Property Ministry Mtg. 6:30pm Cub Scouts Pack :00am Men s Fellowship Breakfast 6 8:15 Early Worship 9:30 Christian Education 10:45 Late Worship 12:13 Skit Rehearsal 12:15 Evangelism Ministry Mtg. 7 11:00am Babywearing Mtg. 7:00pm Education Ministry Mtg. 8 6:30pm Bible Study (Café) 9 11:30am Advent 6pm Confirm. 6:30pm Praise 7pm Advent 7:30pm Vocal Cub Scout Pack 1501 Pinewood Derby 13 8:15 Early Worship 9:30 Christian Ed. 10:45 Late Worship 12:15 Worship Ministry Mtg. 6:00pm Neighborhood Caroling 14 7:00 pm Finance Ministry Mtg. (Conference Rm) 15 6:30pm Bible Study (Café) 6:30pm TIFA Meeting (Sanctuary) 16 11am Prayer for Ministry 11:30am Advent 6pm Confirm. 6:30pm Praise 7pm Advent 7:30pm Vocal 17 6:30pm Cub Scouts Pack :00pm Council Meeting :30 Cantata Service 21 7:00pm Stephen Ministers Mtg. 22 6:30pm Bible Study (Café) 23 6:00pm Confirmation 7:00pm Praise Singers 7:30pm Vocal 24 Christmas Eve 5:00pm Service 7:30pm Service 25 Christmas Office Closed 26 Office Closed :30 Service 6:30pm Bible Study (Café) 6:00pm Confirmation 7:00pm Praise Singers 7:30pm Vocal New Year s Eve

God s Work, Our Hands

Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 9700 Neenah Ave, Austin, Texas 78717 Phone 512.671.6100 www.lordoflifeaustin.org Volume No. 1411 God s Work, Our Hands November 2014 Edition Inside this issue: Consecration