December 2015 Issue 12

Transcription

1 Peace be with you sisters and brothers in the expectation and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, grace and mercy are yours now and forever...amen! The Advent of our God should be our theme for prayer; Come, let us meet Him on the road and place for Him prepare. Charles Culfin, LBW 22, v. 1 The church year begins with Advent a season of preparation that looks toward both Bethlehem and the consummation. To allow Advent to have its fullest impact, we are encouraged to defer Christmas music and decorations until the 12 Days of Christmas. Using this season as a season of preparation for the celebration. The richness of the symbols and themes of Advent must not be obscured by the secular world, consumer-driven holidays which often begins in November as witnessed by the commercial stores. The most common special custom of Advent is the lighting of the Advent wreath during the responsive psalm to symbolize the light of vigilance which is kept burning in expectation of the coming of the Bridegroom. Expectation is not fulfillment; nor is the coming the same as arrival. This means Christmas themes should not intrude on Advent. For the four weeks of preparation helps intensify the feeling of anticipation especially as the time of Christmas draws nearer. Included in your Newsletter is also an Advent devotional booklet from LAMP (Lutheran Association of Mission Pilots). I know that our fellow member, Rod Dais, has been a December 2015 Issue 12 supporter of the mission and ministry they do and here is a daily devotion to help prepare and count the days in prayer. Also included is an Advent Calendar, which has windows to open one each day until the coming of the Christ Child. This German tradition was shared with us at VBS (Vacation Bible Study) this year and these gifts are given to you to aid as a daily reminder of your devotions and the counting of the days until the coming of our New Born King. Advent wreaths were also made during VBS and like ours in the sanctuary, we can light them and use them in our home for family devotions. Advent 1: Centers on the Parusia Advent 2: The Second Coming of Jesus: His appearing as the NT refers to it. Advent 3: Centers on John the Baptist: Herald of Christ. Advent 4: Centers on the Virgin Mary: As an obedient servant, chosen to bear God s anointed one. While violet was the traditional color of Advent, (it s the royal color of the coming king), blue is the preferred color for Advent which suggests Hope a primary theme for Advent. During this Advent Season, we also want to encourage your participation in some special Advent celebrations: Nov. 28 & 29: First weekend of Advent and the reception of New Members. Dec. 2: Midweek Advent Prayers at 10:30am; supper at 5:30pm; and a possible visit from Old St. Nick! December 2015

2 (Continued from Front Page) Worship every weekend: Dec 5/6 Baptism Celebration, First Communicants, and a reception; Dec. 12/13, and Dec. 19/20 Dec. 9: Midweek Advent Prayers at 10:30am; WOW supper at 5:30pm; special music by the Tremble Clefs. Dec. 11: WELCA s Annual Holiday Potluck. Dec. 16: Midweek Advent Prayers at 10:30am; WOW at 6:00pm; celebrate a traditional Posada with our brothers and sisters from Pan de Vida with food and pinatas. Join us as we travel with Mary & Joseph to Bethlehem. Dec. 20: Annual Light Tour starts here at 5:00pm and concludes with cocoa and cookies. We will also decorate the sanctuary for the season. This all leads us to the Manger. May we use the Season of Advent to prepare a place for the Christ Child in our hearts, minds and beings, that we may carry him fully into the world with love. In Christ, blessings, Pastor Daniel Daniel Defassio, Senior Pastor pastordaniel@qwestoffice.net or Kathy Tofanelli, Minister of Music shepherdmd@qwestoffice.net MaryAnne Feltner, Faith Community Nurse shepherdrn@qwestoffice.net Debra Norum, Administrative Secretary churchsecretary@qwestoffice.net Sue Jordan, Administrative Assistant shepherdofthedes@qwestoffice.net Victor Lozano, Custodian (Cell) Steve Miller, Treasurer (non-staff) sem1946@gmail.com Find us at Shepherd of the Desert Lutheran Church on FACEBOOK and follow what s happening at church. 2 THE SHEPHERD S STAFF

3 It s a busy time of year, but very exciting! Those of us with small children or grandchildren will have the best time of all. I love the wonder on their faces...at the lights, music, decorations, even the smells. My granddaughter last year said: I wish I could see a real reindeer. I couldn t find one, but I will be looking for one this year. Don t know if they have reindeer in Arizona...if anyone sees one, please let me know! Once again, we will partner with Pan de Vida for the Posada on Dec. 16. Posada in Spanish means hotel or inn. In Arizona, the ritual is a re-enactment of Mary and Joseph s search for lodging in Bethlehem. It s a centuries-old Mexican tradition. The Posada will feature traditional Christmas songs, good food, and maybe even a piñata. Please plan to attend this fun event, and bring your neighbors, friends and children. ELECTION On Nov 21-22, we had our Annual Election meeting. We elected seven Council members some new, some returning, and three Endowment Committee members. On Sun., Nov. 29, we started a new spirit of togetherness and revitalization. We must all work together to continue the Bridgebuilding process. Please welcome your new Council and tell them your concerns and suggestions. Remember, the Council is made up of volunteers who represent you! They care about what you think. Returning Council Members: David Christiansen, Bob Hall, Ceil Heatherly, Nancy Hempy New Council Members: David Bickler, Stacey Fisk, Joanne Gollatz, Shirley Marsh, Darlene Renard Returning Endowment Members: Cliff Wagner, Barbara Collins, Don Jones New Endowment Members: Bob Harbour, Carol Wilson ANNUAL MEETING On Jan. 31 (tentative date), we will be reporting not only what happened at SOD in 2015, but also on the status of the Action Planning Team recommendations and changes coming to SOD. Teams are working hard to put in place new governing documents, better methods of communication, even a new format for the Newsletter. Please put this important meeting on your calendar. More info will be forthcoming. SHEPHERD CARES The 2nd Annual Trunk or Treat was a rousing success. We anticipated close to 200 children but got almost 250! Plus parents and grandparents! It was amazing and a really fun event. These children are largely from disadvantaged homes and don t have many opportunities to attend celebrations such as this. They are all very grateful. Continued on next page December

4 Continued Council Corner We honored the veterans at our Third Annual Veteran s Dinner with a terrific speaker: Roger Ferland, a retired attorney and Vietnam vet who lost both legs in the war. The goodwill offering will be sent to the Disabled American Veterans fund, specifically for the legal aid clinics Roger started all over the state. These clinics are no-cost to the veteran and help them with a variety of legal issues they may encounter. Copies of the Council minutes are available in the Library after each Council Meeting and after they have been approved. Watch for announcements concerning Christmas giving opportunities to help the community. Have a glorious and blessed Christmas season and a safe and happy New Year. Blessings to you and all you love: Nancy Hempy, Council President Prepare Ye the Way The Advent Season is upon us. How will you prepare your heart for the Christ child? Join your SOD family here Wednesday mornings for Advent Prayers beginning Dec. 2 at 10:30 am. Pick up an Advent Calendar at church and follow Mary and Joseph s journey to Bethlehem as we come closer to Christ s birth. 4 THE SHEPHERD S STAFF

5 WELCA where all women of the church come together to engage in ministry and action in the wholeness of the discipleship of Jesus Christ. Join us for Coffee With Christ This is for ALL women of the church. There won t be a Bible Study this Christ Offers Forgiveness For Everyone Everywhere month. The WELCA Board will instead host a morning Advent Devotional/Coffee Hour on Dec. 9:30 am. We want your ideas for the future of SOD s WELCA group. Our Veterans Dinner was again very successful with about 85 people in attendance. Thank you, Ceil, and all the helpers, for doing a great job! Women s Concern Weekend and Thankoffering was very enlightening. We hope you were there. Special envelopes are in the pews. Your donations help WELCA statewide. Annual Holiday Potluck Saturday, Dec. 11 Sign up to host a table. Share a favorite dish and begin to enjoy the holiday atmosphere. Supper is at 5:30 pm. Call for your GATHER Magazine or subscriptions@augsburgfortress.org Pillowcase Ministry: Have your made a pillowcase apron? Pick up a pattern at church and have fun with your own creation. Some are sent away as a mission project and others are for sale here. Prayer Shawl/Quilting Ministry: Shawls and quilts are given to veterans and shelters. Thank you to those who come to the WELCA Workshop each month and work on these projects. Keep it up! Caring Cards: We send out cards to those over 90, to members in the hospital or who are recovering from an illness. Let us know when you know of someone who could benefit from this ministry. WELCA Workshop: The date has changed this month due to the Christmas holiday meet us for fellowship and coffee while we work on easy mission projects: Dec. 16 at 9am in Walton Hall. December

6 If you have followed the Bible Reading outlined in each Newsletter since January 2015, you ll have finished reading the Bible at the end of this month. Congratulations and blessings abound! December s Daily Bible Reading 1 1 Corinth Corinth Corinth Corinth Corinth Galatians Ephesians Ephesians Philippians Colossians Thess Thess Timothy Timothy Timothy Titus/Philemon 17 Hebrews Hebrews Hebrews Hebrews James Peter Peter John , 3 John/Jude 26 Revelation Revelation Revelation Revelation Revelation Revelation Come by and check out our new large-print books. You can even check out one or more to read at home! We have been gifted with 8 DVDs from the Choir and Sunday School on stories from the Bible. They will be located over the computer area where the large-prints were formerly located. Nancy Finke, Lead Librarian 6 THE SHEPHERD S STAFF

7 I want to say thank you for what you did for the children who went to your church for Trick [sic] or Treat on Wed. October 28 this year. My daughter read about it in the paper and she decided to go with my three-year old greatgranddaughter and my younger daughter brought my four-year old and oneyear old granddaughters. My daughter said it was the best one that [she] went to this year.your church people went out of their way to bring happiness and not have to worry if the candy was safe. My daughter said it was your 2nd year and she hopes you will do it next year. Thank you so much! Gloria Casey Thank you for your recent donation of $50 for Eve s Place. We are deeply appreciative of your support and the confidence you have shown us as a Friend of Eve s Place. We provide community-based services through our Domestic Violence Mobile Advocacy Program. This creates access to individual and group services to any victim of violence who cannot go to a shelter. In 2015, Eve s Place provided services to 311 women, 127 youth/teens and 6 men. Sincerely, Velda King, Board President Thank you to everyone who have saved Box Tops for Education. We sent two hundred box tops to the Navajo School in Rock Point this week. In turn, the school will receive $2,200 for supplies for the education of their children. Please continue to save the Box Tops and put them in the box found in the narthex and transept. Judy Briggs, SOD member December

8 The SOD Endowment Committee met on Wednesday, Nov.4th for the purpose of considering grand requests for the fiscal year ending September 30, Twenty-three requests for over $96,000 were considered. This year a total of $44, was available for distribution. Grants were approved for $41, A total of $2,550 is held in reserve for later contingencies. By our constitution and by-laws, the Endowment Committee is allowed to distribute 5% of the average investment balance for the current year ending Sept. 30, plus the most recent two years balance. Current Endowment Committee voting members are Don Jones, Dave Bickler, Barbara Collins, Luhleem Davison, Pastor Daniel and Cliff Wagner. Non-voting members are Steve Miller (Church Treasurer) and a Council Representative, which is currently vacant. The Advent Soup Suppers will be held Dec. 2, 9, & 16. Soup and sandwiches will be served at 5:30 pm in Walton Hall. Once again, we are asking for volunteers to bring soup. Sign up sheets can be found in the narthex, transept and Walton Hall. Your pot of soup will be greatly appreciated! 8 THE SHEPHERD S STAFF

9 Pictured left to right Stephen Linthicum 4775 W Palmaire Glendale, AZ Gene & Jeanne Dupree N 109th Ave Sun City, AZ Children pictured didn t join Carol Wilson W Kelso Dr Sun City, AZ Not pictured: William Dunn 9734 W Purdue Ave Peoria, AZ Tom Hill (changed from Associate to Full) W Cumberland Dr Sun City, AZ Irene Petro Cinnebar Ave Sun City, AZ

10 Giving Back to God in 2016 Please make sure to return your Time and Talent sheet to the church office, and your Pledge card to our Treasurer. If you didn t receive one, or lost yours, we have extra in the office or the narthex. Word on Wednesday (WOW)! During the Advent Season, we ll have something special planned every week, following our Soup Supper. Sign up if you plan to attend. Supper is at 5:30 pm; followed by the evening s event. December 2 St. Nicholas Celebration December 9 Tremble Clefs Mini Concert (in the sanctuary) December 16 Posada with Pan de Vida December 23 WORSHIP ATTENDANCE Nov. 7/ Nov. 14/ Nov. 21/ Pastor Daniel will give you an up close and personal picture of what the worship readings are telling us. Join in on Thursdays in the Founders Room. 10:30 am and again at 6:30 pm. 10 THE SHEPHERD S STAFF

11 Pan de Vida is a small Lutheran church dedicated to preaching the Good News to our Hispanic brothers and sisters in the Surprise/El Mirage area while working with limited resources. Please keep Pan de Vida in your prayers and offerings this month. Thursday, Dec. 24 Christmas Eve 6:30 pm & 10:30 pm Christmas Worship Hours No movie will be shown this month. See you in January! Friday, December 25 Christmas Day 9:30 am Kimberly Simons, one of our youngest members, made Student of the Month at her school, Country Meadows. What a nice recognition and we should all be proud of our little outstanding SOD member! Congratulations from your church family! December

12 Saturday Ministers ASSISTING MINISTERS (Contact: Cliff Wagner) 12/5 Shirley Citrowske 12/12 Bob Hall 12/19 Shirley Citrowske 12/24 (6:30 pm) Sandra Heatherly 12/24 (10:30) Sandra Heatherly 12/26 Bonnie Harbour COMMUNION ASSISTANTS 12/5 12/12 12/19 12/24 12/24 12/25 12/26 FIRST SATURDAY FELLOWSHIP (Contact: Bev Luger) 12/5 Bob & Bev Luger Bob & Bonnie Harbour LECTORS (Contact: Debra in church office) 12/5 Beverly Luger 12/12 Connie Jones 12/19 Cheryl Blair 12/24 Alice Keller 12/24 Shirley Citrowske 12/25 Joe Marsh 12/26 Evelyn Meyer RECORDING (Contact: Alice Keller) Bob Harbour USHERS (Contact: Cliff Wagner) 12/5 12/12 12/19 12/24 12/24 12/25 12/26 For the Month of December ALTAR GUILD Eva Schulz, Alice Keller, Carole Mariani, Delma PEW ORGANIZERS (Contact: Debra) Mary Lou Baggs FALL VAN MINISTRY (Contact: David Christensen) David Christensen, Bob Hall, Tony 12 THE SHEPHERD S STAFF

13 Sunday Ministers ASSISTING MINISTERS (Contact: Bob Luger) 12/6 Shirley Marsh 12/13 Bob Hall 12/20 Shirley Citrowske 12/24 Sandra Heatherly 12/24 Bob Luger 12/25 Bonnie Harbour 12/27 Sandra Heatherly COMMUNION ASSISTANTS (Contact: Bob Luger) 12/6 Sandi Hall 12/13 Joe Marsh 12/20 Sandi Hall 12/24 Cliff Wagner 12/24 Joe Marsh 12/25 Cliff Wagner 12/27 Bill Reade COFFEE FELLOWSHIP (Contact: Luhleem Davison) 12/6 Coffee: OPEN Cookies: OPEN 12/13 Coffee: OPEN Cookies: OPEN 12/20 Coffee: OPEN Cookies: OPEN 12/27 Coffee: OPEN Cake: OPEN LECTORS (Contact: Debra) 12/6 Carol Wentz 12/13 Sandi Hall 12/20 Del Torno 12/24 Alice Keller 12/24 Shirley Citrowske 12/25 Joe Marsh 12/27 Bob Hall RECORDING (Contact: Alice Keller) Alice Keller, Steve Miller SOUND BOOTH Steve Miller, Kris Simons, Stephen Linthicum, Peter Black USHERS (Contact: Debra) 12/6 Nave: Jim Renton, Patty Trayner Transept: OPEN 12/13 Nave: Carole Mariani, Nancy Finke Transept: OPEN 12/20 Nave: Doris Schacke Transept: OPEN 12/24 Nave: Ceil Heatherly Transept: OPEN 12/25 Nave: OPEN Transept: OPEN 12/27 Nave: Doris Schacke December

14 Birthdays 2 Millie Kasischke 4 Peggy Ferguson 6 Cathy Morrell 7 Elenora Warnke 8 Robin Ross 10 Ann Zaborowski 13 Bob Lang 14 Peggy Isaman 15 Pauline Cabalar Barbara Krumm Judy Allers 16 Malorie Magill 17 Yvonne Saetre 24 Darla Lohr 27 Charlotte Oelker 28 Jack Fullmer Bill Hoskins 29 Corinne Townsend Janice Jolly 31 Jere Johnson-Patterson Anniversaries 4 Eugene & Julie Scott, 22 yrs 9 Bill & Priscilla Hoskins, 3 yrs 20 Les & Shirley Hovda, 63 yrs 21 Everett & Lola Rincker, 68 yrs 22 don & Linda Wilson, 53 yrs 23 Nick & Phyllis Ertz, 54 yrs 28 Ted & Pat Zaborowski, 42 yrs John & Sandi Dunn, 24 yrs 31 Robert & JoAnne Parks, 60 yrs If you have a birthday or an anniversary in December and your name is not on the list, please call the church office at THE SHEPHERD S STAFF

15 December

16 Shepherd of the Desert Lutheran Church N 111th Avenue Sun City, Arizona Phone: (623) Fax: (623) WEEKLY WORSHIP Saturday at 4:00 PM Sunday at 9:30 AM Holy Communion at Every Service 16 THE SHEPHERD S STAFF