The Chimes. Newsletter. Sharing the Joy of the New Born King

Transcription

1 The Chimes Newsletter Vol. 47, Issue 24 Published Semi-monthly Pastor Lundula s Greeting December 2, 2015 Rev. Dr. O. Lundula St. Luke s United Methodist Church 1199 Main St Dubuque, IA Phone: Fax: Website: Office Hours: M-F 8:00a.m. 12:00p.m. 12:30-4:30p.m. Sharing the Joy of the New Born King I can t believe that it is already December. In this month, we work hard to get ready for Christmas. Sometimes we get too busy with pre-holiday planning and ignore the real source of the joy of the season. One of my favorite hymns of the season is Joy to the World. When I listen to this hymn or sing it, no matter what is going on in my life, I feel the JOY of the newborn King filling my heart, bringing hope and encouragement. If you haven t felt that way, I do recommend you not just enjoy the melody, but take a few minutes to read this hymn word by word. It is more than a sermon. Considering Advent as the season of preparation to welcome the Savior, I would like us to be reminded that we are not merely commemorating a past event, but rather we are celebrating the ways in which Jesus continues to manifest and the joy he brings in our everyday lives, in our families, in our church, in our community and in the world. Pg. 1 Pg. 2 Pg. 3 Pg. 4 Table of Contents Pastor Lundula s Greeting Vision & Mission Statement Lectionary Texts Birthdays Prayers for... October Volunteers Pg. 5-7 Misc. Information As we feel the joy of Christmas growing in our hearts, I would like us not to keep that joy for ourselves, but to share it with others just like the angels did with the shepherds. At St. Luke s we have many ways to share this great joy of Christ with others; it can be through sharing a gift or treat, visiting or sending cards to our homebound, participating in Food for the Soul ministry, giving a gift to Heifer Project or Mt. TOP, sharing the Christmas story with children, or joining in our 2015 Christmas Share Day on Sunday, December 20th at 1:30 pm at Bethany Home. Let the joy of Christ continue to fill our hearts as we work together to be a welcoming, caring, serving and growing family of God s children. Happy Advent Pg. 8 Note from the Admin. Assistant Rev. Dr. Okitakoyi Lundula

2 Lord, as we continue our life s journey, we pray for all those who suffer with health concerns, on-going illness, or disability. We know that the awesome God we worship hears the prayers of our lips as well as the prayers of our hearts. We pray for the people who are currently dealing with a recent illness, surgery or injury: Sophia Hutchins Prayers for people in Care Centers: Barb Boettcher Mary Dempsey Anne Van Etten Margerie Kreassig Romayne Schmitt Don Kirschbaum Prayers for people with on-going health issues: Edie Bruehahn Sharon Clark George Sinn Bonnie Jorgensen Marlin Jorgensen Ardeth Kirschbaum Ron Liskey Lila Menke Kathy Reid Bob Sisler Coni Stephenson Prayers of celebration: Our Caring Community Marian Thomas John Duggan Kathy Herman Marjorie Tayloe Molly Jubeck Carl Plumley, Sr. Judy McKahin Jeanne Patterson Marsha Sanders Susan Stone Bruce Leibold Prayers of consolation to families who have recently lost loved ones: Our prayers also turn to prayers for Peace with Justice around the world. We especially remember all who are currently serving in the peace-keeping efforts of the armed forces of our country. Lord, we ask your special touch of compassion for all the victims of civil discord and war and for the families of our soldiers who have lost their lives. We also pray for the families of all of the police officers who have been recently killed and for the family of Linda Krapfl whose life was tragically taken this past week. It is in the name of your Son and our Savior that we offer our prayers. Amen Happy Birthday to our church family and friends with December birthdays. May the celebration of life on your birthday be filled with many blessings from our Lord. 1 Nathan Ehlers 18 Holden Ashbrook 2 Jack Foley 18 Mike Loveless 2 Kevin McTague 18 Paige Oberman 2 Mark Tilson 19 Andrea Duschen 3 Joanne Burgus 20 Chason Craven 3 Jane Oberbroeckling 21 Breanna Gabel 4 Sheree Miller 21 Douglas Olson 5 Matt Lungwitz 22 Shirley Moody 5 Dan Tentis 23 David Viertel 6 Mary Armstrong 25 Tina Breithaupt 6 Jordan Oberman 25 Nathaniel Dvorak 7 Brody Ashbrook 25 Katherine Herman 8 Susan Bettcher 25 Trint Huseman 8 Diane Dueland 25 Bobbi Pike 8 Gregory Gross 26 Danica Ludowitz 10 Julie Dewitt 26 Kelli Miller 10 Claire Funke 26 David Schetgen 10 Kirby Snitker 26 Christian Tilson 11 Kaylee Huseman 27 James Appel 11 Brooklyn Nelson 27 John Hefel 11 Reed Snitker 28 Chris McCarron 12 Celeste Hefel 28 Susan Walgamuth 12 Benjamin Lundula 29 Aiden Artist 12 Gretchen Thompson 30 Dan Aldeman 13 Benjamin Carlock 30 Sharon Clark 14 Ethan Lester 30 Ryan Neuendorf 15 Lori Boughton 31 Maxwell Enabnit 15 Mary Kritz 31 Kathryn Lomax 31 Kirstie Steging We would like to request that any member or constituent of St. Luke s who may become hospitalized to please let the church office know. Also, please designate St. Luke s as your church when filling out hospital admittance information. 2

3 VISION AND MISSION STATEMENT The Mission of the United Methodist Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. The VISION of St. Luke s United Methodist Church is to respond to God s calling to help transform our world into a compassionate, inclusive, Christ-like community. The MISSION of St. Luke s United Methodist Church is to feed souls, grow faith in God and make a difference in the lives of our congregation, our neighbors, and our world. St. Luke s UMC Contacts Reoccurring Meeting Name and Time Rev. Dr. Okitakoyi Lundula revlundula@yahoo.com Cell: Office: Ext 102 Jessica DuBord Children s/youth Ministry Coordinator dbqstlukeskids@gmail.com Phone: Ext. 103 Cathy Schlickman Administrative Assistant dbqstluke@gmail.com Phone: Ext. 101 Weekend Worship Food for the Soul Sat. at 5:30 p.m. Saturday Night Praise 6:00 p.m. Sunday Worship 8:30 and 10:45 a.m. All Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Parking: Street metered parking (Mon.-Fri.) Free lot parking/street metered parking (Sat.) Free Handicap & street parking (Sun.) Do you have a name change, new address, phone number, or address? If so, please remember to inform St. Luke s Church office at dbqstluke@gmail.com or by calling Cathy at Thank You! 1st Tuesday 3rd Tuesday 3rd Tuesday 4th Tuesday 1st Wednesday 2nd Thursday 3rd Thursday 4th Thursday 5:30 p.m. Invitation & Welcome 6:00 p.m. Finance 4:15 p.m. Care & Compassion 7:15 p.m. Celebration & Worship 6:30 p.m. Trustees 6:30 p.m. S/PPRC 7:00 p.m. Kaleidoscope 6:30 p.m. Church Council OR Council on Ministries Sunday Lectionary Texts Nov. 22 Christ The King Sunday (white) 2 Samuel 23:1-7; Psalm 132:1-12; Revelation 1:4b-8; John 18:33-37 Nov. 29 1st Sunday of Advent (purple or blue) Jeremiah 33:14-16; Psalm 25:1-10; 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13; Luke 21:25-36 Dec. 6 2nd Sunday of Advent (purple or blue) Malachi 3:1-4; Luke 1:68-79; Philippians 1:3-11; Luke 3:1-6 Dec. 13 3rd Sunday of Advent (purple or blue) Zephaniah 3:14-20; Isaiah 12:2-6; Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3:7-18 STAFF Pastor Pastor Okitakoyi Lundula Children s/youth Ministry.. Jessica DuBord Admin. Asst Cathy Schlickman Custodian Caprice Jones CHURCH COUNCIL Chair Cheri Loveless Officers: Recording Secretary Sue Hattel Lay Leader Dan Jacobsen Lay Members of Annual Conference: Amy Schadle Treasurer Amy Schadle Church Officers Historian Betty Phillips Financial Secretary Carol Clark Membership Secretary Admin Asst Administrative Committee (Chairs): Lay Leadership/Nominations..... Pastor Finance Jon Romaine Board of Trustees Steve Sanders S/PPRC Susan McGovern Council on Ministries Facilitators: Invitation/Welcome Lisa Viertel & Chris Kohlmann Celebration/Worship Morgan Frazer Care & Compassion Marcia Dubbels Spiritual Growth & Discipleship Laurinda Brimeyer Stewardship Witness & Service Community Outreach..... Jennifer Crow Conference & Global..... Mary & Robert Armstrong Social Justice..... RRS & Terry Stewart UMW Marcia Young At-large: Steve & Kathy Lamb, Nancy Bradley, Gary Reid, Matt Crow, Chris Scott, Steve Thompson, Vicki Tilson 3

4 Month of December 2015 Volunteers Saturday Bread Run Driver 12/5/15 Schrumpf 12/12/15 Loveless 12/19/15 Thompson/Rusch 12/26/15 McGovern Saturday Food for the Soul 12/5/15 Team 4 Brimeyer 12/12/15 St. Luke s Confirmation Class 12/19/15 Team 6 Loveless 12/26/15 Team 7 Hattel, Kerker & Dubbels (For changes in the Food for the Soul schedule, contact Marcia ( ) and notify the office of the change.) Chimer 12/6/15 Heather WIlliams 12/13/15 Larry Loeppke 12/20/15 RRS Stewart 12/27/15 RRS Stewart Organist 12/6/15 Dr. Charles Barland 12/13/15 Dr. Jeremy Mims (8:30 a.m.) 12/20/15 Dr. Chuck Barland 12/27/15 Dr. Charles Barland 8:30 a.m. Offering Depositors 12/6/15 Jon Romaine 12/13/15 Dan Jacobsen 12/20/15 Susan McGovern 12/27/15 Erik Kephart 8:30 Greeters/Ushers 12/6/15 Greg, Deb & Sara Albert 12/13/15 Susan & Smokey McGovern 12/20/15 Les & Sue Bettcher 12/27/15 Sue Hattel 8:30 Liturgist 12/6/15 Deb Albert 12/13/15 Nancy Hessler 12/20/15 Jon Romaine 12/27/15 Dan Jacobsen 8:30 a.m. Projectionist 12/6/15 Chris Kohlmann 12/13/15 Denny Brimeyer 12/20/15 TBD 12/27/15 TBD 8:30 Videographer 12/6/15 Greg Albert 12/13/15 John Hessler 12/20/15 Ron Liskey 12/27/15 Bobby Martin 8:30 Slides 12/6/15 Craig Allen 12/13/15 Chris Kohlmann 12/20/15 TBD 12/27/15 TBD 8:30 Advent Candle Lighters 12/6/15 The Rusch Family 12/13/15 Becky Carr/Sue Lane 12/20/15 TBD December 24 (Christmas Eve 10:45 a.m. Offering Depositors 12/6/15 Kathy McWethy 12/13/15 Cheri Loveless 12/20/15 Dick Landis 12/27/15 Mike Loveless 10:45 a.m. Greeters/Ushers 12/6/15 Arnie VanEtten Matt & Deb Hull, Lynn Kerker, Marilyn Conklin 12/13/15 Mark & Vicki Tilson Lori Boughton, Gary Reid 12/20/15 Katherine Sipple, Lori Boughton, C. & K. Becker 12/27/15 Mary & Robert Armstrong Bruce & Linda Watters 10:4 5 a.m. Liturgist 12/6/15 Mark Tilson 12/13/15 Larry Loeppke 12/20/15 WOT 12/27/15 Cheri Loveless 10:45 a.m. Projectionist 12/6/15 Mark Tilson 12/13/15 Paul Clark 12/20/15 TBD 12/27/15 TBD 10:45 a.m. Worship Driver 12/6/15 Otto Krueger 12/13/15 Mark Tilson 12/20/15 Mike Loveless 12/27/15 Steve Thompson 10:45 Acolytes 12/6/15 T. Schrumpf/M. Roling 12/13/15 M. Enabnit/F. Hull 12/20/15 M. Foley/J. Rusch 12/27/15 B. Beau/S. Stephenson 10:45 Advent Candle Lighters 12/6/15 Matthew & Debi Hull & Family 12/13/15 The Schrump Family 12/20/15 The Hutchins Family Dubbels 2:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 10:45 p.m. Liturgist Terry Stewart Brittany Drake Matt Crow Chimer Larry Loeppke Heather Williams RRS Stewart Organist Dr. Charles Barland Dr. Charles Barland Dr. Charles Barland Projectionist TBD TBD Chris Kohlmann Slides Chris Kohlmann Chris Kohlmann Chris Kohlmann Greeters/Ushers TBD TBD TBD Candle Lighters TBD TBD The Crow Family 4

5 UMW Faith, Hope, Love in Action Dec. 3 Save the 7:00 p.m. Preparing your heart... Advent Gathering Share a favorite appetizer or holiday sweet if you wish. Special evening of music and program, Welcoming the Good News! All women invited! Dec. 6 The Congregation is invited to Fellowship Hall at 9:30 a.m. to write Christmas greetings and prepare THINKING OF YOU bags for home deliveries in December. Sharing joy with others! Dec. 7 Busy Bees are meeting at Bethany Home, 1005 Lincoln Ave., at 1:00 p.m. Christmas dessert, devotions and tying of quilts for Hillcrest are on the agenda! Hostess: Ruth Clark. Willing hands reaching out to others! New members are always welcome! Questions: Contact Marcia All are invited to sign-up for a 2016 Prayer Partner. Forms are available on the back table in the Sanctuary or by calling Marcia Young ( ). Please identify yourself to your 2015 Prayer Partner during the month of December UMW pledges to support missions may be left in St. Luke s office. Attn: Ruth Veley, UMW Treasurer Fabulous Friday Concerts 12:05-12:35 p.m. January 2016 Jan 8 St. Luke s Varietals (Sue Hattel, Julie Gross, Craig Allen, Jeremy Mims, Otto Krueger) Jan 15 Dr. Sant in Han & Dr. Luke Tyler Jan 22 Jill Klinebriel, Mike Link and Kristen Eby Jan 29 Jill Heitzman & Dr. Thomas Dickey February 2016 Feb 5 Rebecca Christian & Kate Thompson Feb 12 Clarke Collegiate Chorus & Strings Feb 19 Univ. of Dubuque Chamber Singers Feb 26 St. Luke s Varietals (Ann Duchow, Andrea Beacham, David Patterson) March 2016 Mar 4 Dubuque Fiddlers/40 Flying Fingers Mar 11 Dubuque Sr. High School Jazz Combo Mar 18 Upper Main Street Jazz (Ric Jones) Food Pantry Supplies Needed Congratulations... Hot Chocolate ~ Potatoes Graham Crackers Canned Fruit Cooking Oil ~ Toothpaste Lotion ~ Toilet Tissue Or any other items you desire! Thank you for your donations! Food Pantry Christmas Basket Give Away The Dubuque Food Pantry is asking churches and organizations for the following Christmas basket donations: 10 (3-5 lb) Hams Canned Fruit Stuffing Mix Soup Brownie Mix Cranberries Please sign the sheet in South Hall if you are able to donate a ham. Other non-perishable goods may be put in the shopping cart in South Hall. Hams may be dropped off at St Luke s between November 30 December 7. Kenaniah Clydene Stechman Daughter of Chris & Stacy Stechman Born 8/16/13 ~ Baptized 11/22/15 Odin Dee Stechman Son of Chris & Stacy Stechman Born 8/22/15 ~ Baptized 11/22/15 Fitzgerald Allen Robert Kephart Son of Erick & Chelsey Kephart Born 5/23/15 ~ Baptized 11/29/15 5

6 ave you checked out St. Luke s website lately? If H you missed church on a particular Sunday and wished you had heard the sermon for that week... well you can hear it. It is on the website! If you have The Chimes mailed to you and it is later than you would like, go to the website. It is on there the same day it is ed and goes to the printer. All bulletins are on there since the beginning of the year. All upcoming events are highlighted in the posts that are roaming across the front page. Contact information of chairpersons and office staff is readily available! The website is constantly updated, but if you don t see something on there, let Cathy in the office or Paul Clark know. If you want to see pictures of past events, click on the Facebook link and you will see all the great things happening at St. Luke s! Annual Cookie Exchange Tuesday, December 9:30 a.m. Fellowship Hall Everyone is invited to participate in Terrific Tuesday s Annual Cookie Exchange. Bring 4 dozen cookies of the same recipe to exchange and a container for transporting the cookies home. Let us help you get a jump start on your holiday baking! If you have any questions, please call Laurinda Brimeyer at Jesus Fund Our funds have been depleted and we are in need of additional monies to help out those people in our community who are struggling and require the basic need of food or gasoline to get to out-of-town doctor appointments. Any donations should be marked for: Jesus Fund. If you are able, please consider contributing a few dollars to this need. Thank you! Advent Celebration Sunday, December 6 Invitation and Welcome invites you, your family and friends to join together for food, fun and fellowship in Celebration of the Advent season. There will be Chili and Chicken Noodle Soup with all of the fixins for lunch, as well as a time for crafts, tree trimming and cookie decorating. Listen to the Story of Advent and take time to visit and relax in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. There s something for the young and the young at heart. Hope to see you there. Now Available... The Upper Room 2016 Disciplines (books of daily devotions) have arrived! You may pick up your copy in the church office for $11! Advent Lights from the St. Luke s Green Team The St. Luke s Green Team, a newly organizing group focusing on environmental sustainability and energy efficiency, is offering lighting kits for the Advent season. Each kit consists of 4 low-energy LED bulbs and recommended scriptures for reading as they are installed. Participants are asked to use one bulb each Sunday in Advent to replace one of the less efficient bulbs in their home. LED bulbs, while more expensive, use far less electricity than incandescent bulbs or even fluorescents, and they last far longer. Less energy use translates into better stewardship both of money and God s Creation, reducing both our utility bills and our carbon footprint. Kits sell for $25 and will be available in the South Hall. Any profits from these sales will be used in our Mt. T.O.P. ministry. Christmas Share Day On December 20, at 1:30 p.m., Pastor Lundula invites church members and friends to join him at Bethany Home to sing Christmas Carols. If you are interested in joining him for this special occasion, please fill out the sign-up sheet in South Hall! All interested members and friends are asked to join Pastor Lundula at 1:15 p.m. at Bethany Home, 1005 Lincoln St., Dubuque. Come and join us and help write Christmas Greetings or assemble Thinking of You gift bags on Sunday, December 6, at 9:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. All are invited to this special time of fellowship and reaching out to others! 6

7 Christmas Cantata Presented by St. Luke s Singers Chancel Choir and Friends On Sunday, December 20, :30 & 10:45 a.m. All are invited to experience a gift of music this Christmas Season as the St. Luke s Singers, with Chancel Singers and Friends, share this Christmas Cantata on Sunday, December 20, 2015, at both services. Directed by Keith Rippe with Helen Johnston, pianist, and Dr. Charles Barland, organist, experience the Christmas Story as shared through joyful songs old and new with poignant narration and ponder... Have I built a manger for the Christ Child... Have I found the stable... Lit a lantern and... Shared the Good News? We are asking everyone to invite a friend, neighbor, and/or co-worker to St. Luke s on December 20th where ALL are welcome! Between services there will be a special display of Nativities in the South Hall with refreshments hosted by St. Luke s Invitation and Welcome Team. Please save the date, mark your calendars and welcome all to St. Luke s this Christmas Season and share the Good News! Alternative Christmas Market Worrying about what to buy someone who has everything? Instead of giving material items, think about choosing to honor your friends or loved ones with a gift to one of the many ministries sponsored by St. Luke s. Here are a few suggestions: St. Luke s Giving Tree Decorate our Giving Tree with mittens and snow pants. The Giving Tree will also have the names of families who need our help at Christmas. Please take a name and make someone s Christmas special. Heifer International Heifer works all over the world promoting sustainable farming techniques, providing animals to families who need them, and encouraging those families to pass on the gift. Cards are available to send to those honored by your gifts. St. Luke s Ministries St. Luke s provides help and comfort to many people here in Dubuque and around the world through local ministries like the Memorial Fund, Food for the Soul, Music Ministry and Education, etc. You are the church. Your gifts to these ministries are gifts given in a spirit of welcoming, caring, serving and growing reach out in God s name to bring peace to a troubled world. Weather-Related Cancellations The snow and ice of winter have arrived! St. Luke s will make every effort to notify you of any cancellations due to weather through radio stations, TV (KCRG Ch. 9) and St. Luke s Facebook page and by . If you have not seen any notifications, you may call any of the following as a last resort: Pastor Lundula Dan Jacobsen Sue Hattel Paul Clark Jessica DuBord Mark Your Calendars! All Church Birthday Luncheon On Sunday, January 10, 2016, St. Luke s will be celebrating everyone s birthday with a Birthday Luncheon following the second service! Come celebrate your birthday! It s time to order poinsettias in honor of, or in memory of a family member or friend. There is a sign-up form available in South Hall or you may call the church office ( ) to put in your order. Please print the information on the form clearly so the names are spelled correctly when published. Deadline: 12/7/15 Cost: $15 each 7

8 NON-PROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 459 DUBUQUE, IA Note from Cathy Schlickman... This is probably one of the most difficult messages I will ever have to write. I have spent the last 4 (almost 5 years) here as your administrative assistant and have loved it, but I have come to the decision that it is time to retire. My husband, Don, retired 2 1/2 years ago and has recently developed some health issues that has made me think that now is the right time to retire. I have made so many great friends here which makes this decision very difficult. I would like to come back and volunteer at various events and help out with the Tiffany tours so you may see me around occasionally only in a different capacity. Danielle Phillips will be your new administrative assistant and I feel that she will do an awesome job for you! Please introduce yourself when you stop in the office! Please welcome Danielle Phillips as your new Administrative Assistant! Danielle was born and raised in Iowa City, Iowa, and relocated to Dubuque about seven years ago. Since moving here, she completed her B.A. in English at the University of Dubuque, became comoderator of the Dubuque Area Writers Guild and recently joined the Dubuque Chorale as well. Danielle lives with her husband (who s a librarian at Carnegie-Stout Public Library), two mischievous cats and the very best dog in the world. St. Luke s United Methodist Church 1199 Main St Dubuque, IA If you wish NOT to receive the Chimes, please contact the church office at To receive your Chimes via , send a message to dbqstluke@gmail.com. If you know someone who would like to receive The Chimes, please contact the church office. 8