Christmastime Worship Schedule: Dec. 24 5:00pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Service with Communion

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The Open Door: A weekly e-mail update from St. Timothy s Lutheran Church 825 51 st Ave NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421 Phone: 763.571.9721 Fax: 763.571.9720 Pastor: The Rev.

sttimothys-elca.org Like us on Facebook! December 20, 2018 Read The Open Door online at www.sttimothys-elca.org Volume 9, Number 51 Christmastime Worship Schedule: Dec.

1 The Open Door: A weekly update from St. Timothy s Lutheran Church st Ave NE, Columbia Heights, MN Phone: Fax: Pastor: The Rev. Michelene Verlautz Cell: Pastor s mkverlautz@yahoo.com Office Administrator: Pam Gorsegner Church Office Hours: M-Th 9a-4p admin@sttimothys-elca.org Website: Like us on Facebook! December 20, 2018 Read The Open Door online at Volume 9, Number 51 Christmastime Worship Schedule: Dec. 24 5:00pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Service with Communion Dec. 25 9:30am Christmas Morning Service with Communion Invite others to attend our services! Participants on Sunday, December 23 Pastor: Rev. Michelene Verlautz Director of Worship & Music: Daniel Lloyd Greeters: Wahl family Lector: Pat Goetz Communion Assistant: Pat Goetz Altar Guild: Sheryl Miller, Carol Miller Ushers: Jerry Machlitt, Tom Fedje, Tony Fedje, Pat Audette, AJ Edstrom Money Counters: Barb Gavic, Jean Wellman Fellowship Coffee Hour: Betty Thomas Participants on Monday, December 24 ~ Christmas Eve 5:00pm Pastor: Rev. Michelene Verlautz Director of Worship & Music: Daniel Lloyd Greeter: Susan Wang Lector: Rita Daniels Communion Assistants: TBA (2 are needed) Altar Guild: Sheryl Miller, Carol Miller Ushers: Jerry Machlitt, Tom Fedje, Tony Fedje, Pat Audette, AJ Edstrom

2 Participants on Tuesday, December 25 ~ Christmas morning 9:30am Pastor: Rev. Michelene Verlautz Director of Worship & Music: Daniel Lloyd Greeter: Susan Wang Lector: Barbara Johnson Communion Assistant: Betty Thomas Altar Guild: Sheryl Miller, Carol Miller Ushers: Jerry Machlitt, Tom Fedje, Tony Fedje, Pat Audette, AJ Edstrom Fellowship Coffee Hour: Betty Thomas December 20 to December 29 Thursday 12/20 10:00am Chair Yoga Friday 12/21 6:30-9pm Casa de Dios practice Sunday 12/23 Fourth Sunday of Advent ~ Hunger Sunday Remember to bring your Reverse Advent box to service 9:30am Worship w/keyboard Music 12:00pm Casa de Dios 4:30-6pm Casa de Dios children s event in Fellowship Hall Monday 12/24 Christmas Eve Church Office & LVMS closed 4:00pm Chancel Choir rehearsal 5:00pm Candlelight Service w/chancel Choir Tuesday 12/25 Merry Christmas Church and LVMS closed 9:30am Christmas Morning Service Wednesday 12/26 Church and LVMS closed 5-9pm Casa de Dios Thursday 12/27 LVMS closed Friday 12/28 Church and LVMS closed 5:30pm Casa de Dios event set-up 6:30-9pm Casa de Dios practice 7-10:30pm Casa de Dios Prayer Vigil 10:30-11:30pm Casa de Dios event clean-up Planning Ahead: Sunday 12/30 First Sunday after Christmas 9:30am Worship w/congregational Hymn Choice 12:00pm Casa de Dios Monday 12/31 New Year s Eve Church and LVMS closed Tuesday 1/1/19 Happy New Year! Church and LVMS closed Sunday 1/6 Day of Epiphany 8:00am Chancel Choir rehearsal 9:30am Worship w/chancel Choir & Installation of 2019 Council Members Saturday 1/19 9:00-2pm Council Retreat and Jan. Council meeting

For emergency pastoral needs or to reach someone immediately when the church or church office is closed, please call Pastor Michelene Verlautz directly at 612-810-5923.

.for your family and friends, for what God has given us to take care of, for your highs and lows, for guidance on how to best participate in the ongoing creation of God s earth. Prayers for.

3 For emergency pastoral needs or to reach someone immediately when the church or church office is closed, please call Pastor Michelene Verlautz directly at For emergency church maintenance needs, contact Carlos Osorio at Pray for your Family and Friends..for your family and friends, for what God has given us to take care of, for your highs and lows, for guidance on how to best participate in the ongoing creation of God s earth. Prayers for.. George Fix's uncle, Stanley Nicklay, who is having multiple health issues and will be moving to a care facility soon; the family of Cathy Farley who passed away on December 18 (Margaret Hanna s sister). Members: Carolyn Dreyer, family of Gil Holter, Loralee Kriens, Judy Lennox, Valerie Mayotte, Don Zbikowski. Friends & Family: Helen Baker, Doris Byron, Paul Dorweiler, Leonard Gavic, Grace Haas, Jayne Hamlin, Carey Johnson, Leona Kruchten, David Loftus, Teresa Nelson, Wanda Owens, Gerry Schultz, Kent Wheelock, Richard Zieska. Friends & Family prayers requests will remain on the list for four weeks. You may renew your request as many times as you desire. Prayers of thanksgiving and bereavements will remain on the list for two weeks. Members usually remain on the list until we are notified to remove their name. Reverse Advent Boxes THIS Sunday, December 23 An Advent Calendar is a special calendar used to count the days of advent in anticipation of Christmas. Each day, you open a door and frequently you are rewarded with a piece of candy, a picture, or an inspirational word. I am wondering if you ve ever heard of a Reverse Advent Calendar. WHAT IS A REVERSE ADVENT CALENDAR? The Reverse Advent Calendar is all about providing much needed food, toiletries and household products to families in need at Christmas. While winter is a particularly expensive time of year, with extra heating and food bills, Christmas is an added expense that many families just cannot afford. It means a choice between Christmas presents and food; and that is an upsetting reality for so many families. How can you help? With a Reverse Advent Calendar, you put one item into a box every day for a month (or 25 days, to mirror an advent period). When the box is full, bring it to church service and then during the Offertory you will bring it to the altar. Your box will be given to SACA who will distribute it to a family at Christmas. WHAT TO PUT IN THE BOX Nutritious and healthy food for children and adults is a starting point. Longer shelf life food items, such as canned meals, tuna, chicken, peanut butter, pasta, etc. are perfect. Or household items such as toilet paper rolls, tissues, basic toiletries, chap stick or lotion, sanitary products, diapers for children and adults. Or maybe food and treats for a cat or dog. Or a winter survival wear such as winter coats, hats, mittens or scarves. Bring your filled box to church no later than NEXT Sunday, December 23. ~ Pastor Michelene Verlautz Next Week s The Open Door Due to the closer of the office most of week, you will not receive a new issue of The Open Door next Thursday.

Poinsettia Garden If you purchased a poinsettia for our Poinsettia Garden in the sanctuary, you may take your plant home after the Christmas Eve Candlelight service Monday evening.

All remaining poinsettias have been donated by several members to be delivered for homebound, those in nursing homes or hospitalized, so please do not take a plant if you did not purchase one.

At the December 18 Council meeting, the following were elected as officers on the council: Kay Hay, President Dustin Wahl, Vice President Secretary, Pat Goetz St.

4 Poinsettia Garden If you purchased a poinsettia for our Poinsettia Garden in the sanctuary, you may take your plant home after the Christmas Eve Candlelight service Monday evening. Plastic sleeves will be available to put them in for the transport home. All remaining poinsettias have been donated by several members to be delivered for homebound, those in nursing homes or hospitalized, so please do not take a plant if you did not purchase one. Council Officers Elected The 2019 Council will be installed during worship service on January 6, At the December 18 Council meeting, the following were elected as officers on the council: Kay Hay, President Dustin Wahl, Vice President Secretary, Pat Goetz St. Tim s Inclement Weather Policy Like it or not, winter is here for a few months and with it comes days of inclement weather. It is St. Tim s policy not to cancel worship services due to inclement weather. It is left to the discretion of individuals to attend during those times. Save the Date: 60 th Annual Meeting Part Two Members of St. Timothy s Lutheran Church are asked to attend our 60th Annual Meeting Part Two on Sunday, February 3, 2019, following worship service. Commitment (Pledge) Cards If you have not yet returned your 2019 Commitment (pledge) card to the church, you still can do so. You can bring to a worship service and place in the offering plate, mail it to the church office or drop it off at the church office during weekday business hours. Having your pledge helps our Finance Committee and Council determine our budget for There are additional Commitment cards available in the narthex if needed and one was also included in the December issue of Tim s Tidings. Capital Improvement Pledge (CIF) Cards are also available in the narthex. Free Community Dinner - Spread the Word! Please join us and invite your family, neighbors, and friends for our next free Community Dinner on Tuesday, January 8 from 5:30-6:30 pm when we will be serving chili, chicken soup, and ham & Swiss sandwiches. The following items are needed for upcoming dinners: Butter, crushed pineapple, instant pistachio pudding, saltine crackers, strawberry Jell-O, canned green beans, and Cook-n-Serve vanilla pudding. Monetary donations are always appreciated. ~ George & Laura Fix, Joan Anderson

Reduced Price: 8 Banquet Tables for Sale and some Free The church still has ten of the 8-feet long banquet-style folding tables (30 W x 95 L) previously used in Fellowship Hall.

Additionally, we have five very old 8-feet wooden banquet tables that we would like to give away for free. You will need to make your own arrangements for transporting any tables purchased or free.

Weekly Chair and Mat PRAYER YOGA Classes NOTE: NO yoga on Dec. 26, 27. Mat Yoga is 7-8pm on Wednesdays; bring your mat. Chair yoga is from 10-11am on Thursdays.

5 Reduced Price: 8 Banquet Tables for Sale and some Free The church still has ten of the 8-feet long banquet-style folding tables (30 W x 95 L) previously used in Fellowship Hall. We know longer wish to store them. They are now being sold at the new lower price of $10 per table or 2/$15, as is, delivery not included. Additionally, we have five very old 8-feet wooden banquet tables that we would like to give away for free. You will need to make your own arrangements for transporting any tables purchased or free. If you would like to purchase one or more tables or take any of the free ones, contact Pam in the church office. Please spread the word of our tables to others who may be interested. Weekly Chair and Mat PRAYER YOGA Classes NOTE: NO yoga on Dec. 26, 27. Mat Yoga is 7-8pm on Wednesdays; bring your mat. Chair yoga is from 10-11am on Thursdays. Wear comfortable clothing and bring your water bottle with you. If you ve any questions, contact Pastor Michelene. All are welcome and it s free! Book Club The Book Club s next meeting is on Monday, January 28 at 6:30pm. The club will be reading A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. If you are interested in joining the book club, just show up. If questions, please contact Kari Schlotfeldt. Adult Bible Study NOTE: No Bible Study on Dec. 25 or Jan. 1. Our Bible Study group meets on Tuesday mornings at 10:00am in the Board Room and is led by Pastor Michelene. Please join the group anytime you desire; all are welcome. No need to sign up...just show up! Volunteer Opportunity: Do You Enjoy Reading to Children? St. Timothy s members are invited to become a volunteer with Little Voyageurs Montessori School by reading to the students during the school year. This opportunity will be for 20 minutes from 9:35 to 9:55am every other Tuesday throughout the school year; the frequency you would be needed will depend upon how many volunteers we have (currently we have only 3 volunteers and would like at least 1-2 more). When you volunteer, you may read to a student one-on-one but usually it will be to a small group of students. Little Voyageurs will provide the volunteers with books to read to the students. Any questions or to sign up, please contact Pastor Michelene or the church office. We are hoping to start the reading program on January 8.

Jolly Lunch Bunch All are welcome to join the next Jolly Lunch Bunch get together on Wednesday, January 16 at 1:00pm at Perkins, 696 West County Road D, New Brighton.

Contribution Envelopes for 2019 Contribution Envelopes for 2019 are available on a table in the narthex. If you haven t done so already, please pick up your box and help us save postage costs.

Feed My Starving Children Packing Event Feed My Starving Children exists to reach children around the world by providing nutritious MannaPack meals that are packed daily by volunteers and funded

6 Jolly Lunch Bunch All are welcome to join the next Jolly Lunch Bunch get together on Wednesday, January 16 at 1:00pm at Perkins, 696 West County Road D, New Brighton. You can sign-up (preferred) at the church bulletin board or just show up. Invite your friends and neighbors, too. If any questions or need a ride, contact Bev Knapp. Contribution Envelopes for 2019 Contribution Envelopes for 2019 are available on a table in the narthex. If you haven t done so already, please pick up your box and help us save postage costs. If you need to have yours mailed to you, notify the office. Feed My Starving Children Packing Event Feed My Starving Children exists to reach children around the world by providing nutritious MannaPack meals that are packed daily by volunteers and funded generously by donors like you. Our next Feed My Starving Children event is scheduled for Monday, February 4, 2019 from 9:30-11:30am. Please sign-up at the church bulletin board in the narthex. Remember that friends and family are always welcome to join us and there are sit-down positions available as well. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Laura Fix at , gltfix@comcast.net, or talk to her at church. Looking ahead, dates scheduled for 2019 are May 6, 6-7:30pm, August 5, 9:30-11:30am, and November date yet TBD. Thanks for considering joining us! ~ Laura Fix Devotionals Available Copies of the January/February/March edition of the daily devotionals booklet The Word in Season are available in the church narthex. Reflection Garden - Memorial Plaques and Monetary Donations Memorial Plaques can be ordered anytime for the Memorial Wall in our Reflection Garden. To order a 4 x6 granite plaque, look for the order forms in the narthex, through our website or contact the church office to have one ed to you. The cost is $250 per plaque for the first two ordered and $200 for any additional. Submit orders to the church office. Attention All Snowbirds If you receive our monthly Tim s Tidings, please tell us when you leave for the winter AND again when you return home so we can keep our mailing list current. We don t want you to miss any of St. Tim s news while you are gone. You can also stay in touch, while you are gone, by checking our website and facebook page.

WATCH THIS A Christmas message from Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton Master Church Calendar Please be sure to notify Pam, our church office admin, of any special events date, time, details,

7 WATCH THIS A Christmas message from Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton Master Church Calendar Please be sure to notify Pam, our church office admin, of any special events date, time, details, communication needs, etc. or of any changes to or cancellations of regular monthly meetings. This will ensure they are put on the master church calendar and can be communicated out in timely fashion. To be included on the monthly calendar that is sent out with Tim s Tidings, she must know of the event by about the 21 st of the month prior. Thank you. Check Out our Website! St. Tim s is on Facebook please Like Us Please Like us on Facebook and share with your friends. It is another way we can reach out to our community. Pastor Michelene s Contact Information & Schedule Below is Pr. Michelene s contact information. Normally, Friday is her scheduled day off from the office. mkverlautz@yahoo.com or Cell Church Financial Stats Going forward, the amount of income received each week (or through bi-monthly automatic contributions program) through pledges, tithing, gifts, memorials, tenant rent and other sources, will be shared in The Open Door. Year-to-date income and expenses will continue to be published in the monthly Tim s Tidings newsletter which is mailed to your home.

8 $3,732 Average weekly income needed to meet our basic monthly financial obligations. Thank you to all who have been able to give special end-of-year gifts to our general fund to help with the deficit. This is greatly appreciated. Q4 income: $1,956 Income through auto contributions - 10/1 $4,983 Income received - 10/7 $1,210 Income received - 10/14 $1,231 Income through auto contributions - 10/15 $2,296 Income received - 10/21 $2,624 Income received - 10/28 $1,956 Income through auto contributions - 11/1 $3,371 Income received - 11/4 $5,744 Income received - 11/11 $1,231 Income through auto contributions - 11/15 $1,944 Income received - 11/18 $ 950 Income received - 11/21 (Thanksgiving Eve) $2,995 Income received - 11/25 $1,956 Income through auto contributions - 12/1 $2,137 Income received - 12/2 $5,623 Income received - 12/9 $1,231 Income through auto contributions - 12/15 $8,448 Income received - 12/16 Our Part in the Story Space-permitting, the devotions are also printed in the weekly Sunday bulletin. You may also find them on our website. Daily readings based on Sunday s Narrative Lectionary text: Jesus as Immanuel Matthew 1:18-25 Read a different text each day and consider how it relates to Sunday s lesson and to your daily experiences. Monday: The Sign of Immanuel Isaiah 7:10-17 Do you ever wish you had a sign from the Lord? Tuesday: The Coming King Isaiah 9:1-7 Do you know anyone walking in darkness? What would be a great light to them? Wednesday: The Genealogy of Jesus Matthew 1:1-17 Why do you think this extensive list of Jesus ancestors was important to the gospel writer and his readers? What does it mean to you? Thursday: Jesus is Born Luke 2:1-7

9 What detail stands out to you the most in this reading? How can you read it again like you ve never read it before? Friday: The Shepherds and the Angels Luke 2:8-14 Why did the angels appear to the shepherds before anyone else? Why is that significant? Saturday: The Shepherds and the Angels Luke 2:15-20 Who do you think the shepherds told first? What do you think Mary was pondering? ~ COMMUNITY EVENTS ~

~ MISC RESOURCES ~ GriefShare GriefShare is a friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life s most difficult experiences.

The more people who participate, the better.

10 ~ MISC RESOURCES ~ GriefShare GriefShare is a friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life s most difficult experiences. You don t have to go through the grieving process alone. Fare For All This is community supported and open to everyone. It s a great way to stretch your food budget. The more people who participate, the better. Fare For All has thirty locations in the greater Twin Cities metro area where our quality food packages are sold once a month but we ve listed 4 of the locations below for your convenience. There is no need to register in advance. Fare For All Express accepts Cash, Credit, Debit and EBT at all of our sites, please no paper checks. Fare For All is open to everyone, there are no income or residential restrictions. Visit their FB page for more information or go to the website and sign up for reminders. Roseville - Real Life Church (2353 Chatsworth St. N) Monthly on third Tuesday, 3:00 5:00 p.m. Fridley - Fridley Community Center (6085 7th Street St. NE) Monthly on second Thursday, 10:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. Blaine - Christ Lutheran Church (641 89th Avenue NE) Monthly on third Thursday, 3:00 5:00 p.m. Anoka Zion Lutheran Church (1601 4th Ave.) Monthly on the third Thursday, 4:00 6:00 p.m. SACA (Southern Anoka Community Assistance) Food Shelf & Thrift Store - St. Timothy s is a faith partner along with other local churches who work together with, a 501(c)(3) non-profit food shelf located in Columbia Heights and serving the communities of Columbia Heights, Hilltop, Fridley and Spring Lake. There is also a Thrift Shop where clothing, and small household items are sold at garage sale

prices. SACA s Thrift Shop is open to the public. All of the money earned from the Thrift Shop stays at SACA. It is used for buying food, fixing the truck, etc.

If you, or someone you know is in need of assistance and lives in Southern Anoka County or you are interested in volunteering or making further donations, you can contact SACA at 763-789-2444 or

11 prices. SACA s Thrift Shop is open to the public. All of the money earned from the Thrift Shop stays at SACA. It is used for buying food, fixing the truck, etc. They provide food and resources to those in need while empowering dignity and independence to those they serve in our community. If you, or someone you know is in need of assistance and lives in Southern Anoka County or you are interested in volunteering or making further donations, you can contact SACA at or visit ELCA Global Links Click here The Open Door is generally ed out on Thursday afternoons. If there is something you d like shared in The Open Door, please contact St. Timothy s office administrator, Pam Gorsegner, by at admin@sttimothys-elca.org or by calling the church office at

Bob Fedje, George Fix, Laura Fix, Ben Fedje, Joe Fedje

Bob Fedje, George Fix, Laura Fix, Ben Fedje, Joe Fedje The Open Door: A weekly e-mail update from St. Timothy s Lutheran Church 825 51 st Ave NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421 Phone: 763.571.9721 Pastor: The Rev. Michelene Verlautz Cell: 612.810.5923 Pastor s