THE NORTH BAY COMPASS

Transcription

1 THE NORTH BAY COMPASS North Bay Lutheran Community Church January 2015 VOLUME 5 ISSUE 1 Free in Christ Accountable to one another Rooted in Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions Working together to fulfill Christ's Great Commission to go and make disciples of all nations. IN THIS ISSUE President s Report Treasurer's Report Reports & Announcements Birthdays & Anniversaries Photos Calendar Happy New Year! From NBLCC Keep up on NBLCC events! View our calendar Listen to Worship Services live & more. Receive the newsletter via office@northbaylutheran.org

2 President s Report Why did Jesus come? Who was that child in the manger? God. We can see that clearly now. But why would God become a man, be born in such a lowly manner and let men treat him the way they did? Why would Jesus agree to come to earth as a baby, suffer the abuse he did and die such a painful death? The apostle Paul is clear: "It was the Father's good pleasure, through him to reconcile all things to himself, having made peace through the blood of his cross." He did it to make peace between God and man. God was angry at humanity's sin. All of us have sinned, and done so repeatedly. Yet he loves sinners enough that he gave his own son to live on earth, die on a cross, and bear sin in his own body, suffering the weight of God's wrath, wrath deserved by sinners! He paid the penalty to restore peace between God and sinners. It could not have been done any other way. So Christmas is a celebration of God's love toward mankind. The babe in the manger is more than just a tender child. He is the express image of God. He took on a body of human flesh, died on a cross to bear sin, to pay the penalty for iniquity, to remove guilt. That pardon from guilt he offers to you. Jesus came to forgive sinners and bring them into his presence by virtue of his own sacrificial death. Do you deserve his forgiveness and long to know God's love? You must respond. Submit to him and he who created everything will make you new, remolded in his image. Should you respond to God's offer of forgiveness in Christ, this Christmas will truly be a time to celebrate, for you will have the greatest gift you can ever receive. God Bless, Bill Olsen Council President Treasurer's Report Financial Report as of December 24, 2014 NBLCC General Fund Approximate amount needed each week to cover expenses: YTD budgeted income: YTD actual income: YTD deficit: Current giving is 82% of anticipated income. $ 3,619 $ 90,475 $ 78,509 ($11,966) Detailed financial reports are available in the office. If you have questions, please call the office. General Fund Balance in Jan Gleich Treasurer Checking: Savings: $ 3,259 $ 15,932

3 Outreach Ministry Report The people of North Bay Lutheran Community Church are called to share the Good News of Jesus Christ, to live as God s servants and to reach out to all people. The Outreach Ministry does just that the light of Christ is being extended locally, nationally, and internationally as you can see from the thank you letters received from some of the organizations supported by North Bay Lutheran. From Turning Pointe: Thank you for your generous support of survivors of domestic violence and their children that we serve in Mason County. From The Salvation Army in Bremerto: Your support this holiday season helps bring meals to the hungry, provide shelter, enrich children s lives, combat substance abuse, and offer hope through counseling and spiritual services. From Operation Blessing: Thanks to your compassion, families around the world and here in the United States are receiving nutritious meals, education support and emotional care. From World Vision: You are a blessing at Christmas and all year long to Fernando J Zenteno Aramayo. Jan Gleich Outreach Ministry Outreach Report December News from the Balstads Dear family and Friends, It s hard to believe that it s the Christmas season already. The weather in the Southern Hemisphere has been hot, with some days reaching over 100 degrees here in Betroka. However, with the hot season, the rains have also started. We still need a lot more rain to make the countryside green again but people have started planting their crops. Several people we have built relationships with have been asking Jason questions about planting and we are so thankful to have had the 9 months worth of language learning before our first planting season. Jason has been able to share about God s creation and how to care for it with farming. We both still have a long way to go in our language learning but it has been encouraging to learn more. Our team has also grown. A couple from Brazil has joined our team and we are all helping them get settled. They are a fun and energetic couple and a blessing to our team. Our team is now 10 adults and 8 children. Back in July, 5 members of our team along with 7 Malagasy Christians attended a training seminar for literacy. After months of preparing materials and getting ready, they have started classes here in Betroka and are training Malagasy people (most of whom are Bara) how to read and write 3 days a week. The materials they are using are in official Malagasy but reference the bible. We are excited to see the eagerness of the students and our team hopes that in the future the materials can be translated into Bara as the Malagasy leaders take over the program. We were also blessed to have August Basson from Growing Nations in Lesotho come for a few days visit to Betroka. He was able to go out to some fields with Jason and the other men on our team and give them some good suggestions. We look forward to having him back in Betroka in September of Sara and JJ have been hard at work at school and are preparing a Christmas play with their fellow students. They continue to build their friendships with our guard family and other local Malagasy children. Their language learning is going well as they build more confidence. David speaks Bara but only with those he knows well. Often people think he does not know it but are surprised when they ask him questions and he answers them back in Bara. Our family is doing well and looking forward to going to the beach for Christmas. We pray you have a wonderful Christmas as you celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus. Love, Jason, Kristi, Sara, JJ, & David Balstad balstadohana@hotmail.com

4 Men s Bible Men s Bible is studying the book of Acts. Bible study meets Saturdays from 9 to 10:00 am. For more info, contact Bill Olsen, or Marv Frye, Food & Clothing Drive Please consider picking up some canned goods, peanut butter, or personal care items for the Community Food Pantry. Also needed is clothing in good condition for North Mason Resources. You can drop items off in the narthex or contact Kristina Drumm, , kdrumm20@yahoo.com Neighborhood Bible The Neighborhood Bible resumes on Jan. 6. Bible study meets Tuesdays from 12:45 to 2:45 pm. and is studying the book of James. $7.50 for workbook. Sue Nichols leads this group but you can contact Kim Olsen for more info at Choir Practice Choir practice is held Sunday mornings at 9:00 am. Weekly practice is for anyone in the choir or who wishes to sing in the choir. For more info, contact Nancy Martin at Welcome Team Our Welcome Team prepares and delivers cookies to new folks visiting our church. It s a nice way to welcome them and let them know a little bit about NBLCC. If you are interested in baking or delivering cookies, we welcome your assistance. Also a BIG thank you to our current cookie bakers! You are much appreciated. For more info, contact the office at Church Fellowship Please join us! Each week after service we gather together downstairs to share some coffee, tasty treats, and conversation. We come together as family, friends, and good neighbors. Get to know other Christians in your church and join together in fellowship and to worship the Lord. Sound Board Volunteers Needed Volunteers are needed to help run the sound board during worship service. It s a simple process of adjusting sound volumes and muting microphones when not in use, or uploading the sermon to our web site. See Mel or Eric for more info. Hearing Assistance During Worship Our sound system has been updated and now includes personal hearing assistance devices. If you find it difficult to hear the service and would like to try one of our devices, they are available at the sound board near the back of the sanctuary.

5 Servant Hands It takes the hands of many people to do the work of NBLCC. We are a community of Believers each of us a servant with special talents and gifts to share. The focus will be on providing support during Sunday Worship Service. The congregation has been organized into three teams to serve as greeters, ushers, communion assistants, readers, and coffee hosts each week. Each team will be on call for one month out of three to learn more, contact the office for a Servant Hands guide. There are other ways to serve during Worship, as well, such as counters and sacristans. For more info, contact Deanna Smith, Are you interested in serving but not yet on a team list? Contact the office, January: Team 2 is Serving Team leader: Shari Stormo Members: Gordon & Carla Anderson Mark & Debbie Christy Pete Fisher & Susan Smith Marv & Andrea Frye Glennys Gehring Cal Gran Ilo Grobins Mike Gustavson Fritz & Kathy Jorg Betty Krueger Leslie Krueger Carol Madsen-Yardley Bruce & Sherry Martin Gayle McKenzie Bob & Phyllis Merhaut Dick & Julie Nehr Bill & Kim Olsen Leah Pederson Nancy Plaisance Vi Schrader Jane Schroeder Pam Sikes Duane & Shari Stormo Howard & Janice Thoemke Joanne Wilkinson Patty Worth-Dunlap Bill Worth Thank you for serving! A Promise from the Bible: VERSE OF THE MONTH For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

6 January Birthdays & Anniversaries Happy Anniversary! Happy Birthday! Del & Barb Griffey 1-11 The sign up chart for 2015 flower dedications is in the narthex. If the flowers are presented in honor of or tribute to someone special, or to celebrate a special event, please make a note when you sign up. For more information, contact the office at or office@northbaylutheran.org NBLW Meeting: NBL Women s Group members after decorating the Christmas tree in the sanctuary Howard Thoemke Kristina Drumm Sylvia Osborne Sadie Evans Jerry Martin Patsy Schulz Dale Bockus Douglas Chandler Linda Gaskins Glennys Gehring Andrea Smith Suzi Greenwalt Calvin Gran We had a delightful time at our NBL Women's Christmas Tea and Bible at Shari Stormo's home on Fri. 12/19. We had a tremendous turnout and Shari, her sister Conti and niece Ashley surprised us with a lovely luncheon along with delicious desserts! It was a wonderful time to celebrate the birth of our Savior and enjoy fellowship time together. Thank you for your hospitality, Shari, Conti and Ashley! Leah introduced our Bible which is on Parables and led the first lesson. guides are available to order. Please contact Eric at the office to reserve a copy. Several of us continued on to the church to decorate the Christmas tree. It was a lot of fun and Dennis O'Hanlon, Bonnie's husband, played beautiful music as well as shared his homemade apple pie with us! Thank you!! Our next meeting will be Fri. Jan. 16, 10 am at Carla Anderson's home. We look forward to having you join us. God's peace and blessing in this New Year, Sandi~

7 December Photos Kidz Church Christmas Pageant Kim Olsen, Logan (Joseph), Skylar (Mary), Sunny (Wiseman), Paige (star), Matthew (Wiseman), Cordelia (angel), Mikah (Wiseman), Ariel (angel), Sadie (shepherd), Isabella (sheep), Gracie (shephard), Jocelyn (shephard), Cloud (King Herod) Nancy Martin directs the choir as part of the Kidz Church Christmas Pageant

8 January 2015 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Office hours: Mon - Fri 9 am - 1 pm New Years Day (office closed) 9 am Men s Bible am Choir 10 am Worship & Kidz Church 9 am TOPS am Choir 10 am Worship & Kidz Church am Choir 10 am Worship & Kidz Church 9:15 Staff Mtg 9:15 Staff Mtg 9 am TOPS am Choir 10 am Worship & Kidz Church Martin Luther King, Jr Day (office closed) 9:15 Staff Mtg 12:45-2:45 Neigh Bible Pastor day off 12:45-2:45 Neigh Bible Pastor day off 12:45-2:45 Neigh Bible Pastor day off 12:45-2:45 Neigh Bible Pastor s Vacation 9 am TOPS 9 am TOPS 6 pm Council Mtg 9 am Men s Bible 10 am Confirmation Class 10:30 am Outside Work Party 9 am Men s Bible 9 am Men s Bible 9 am Men s Bible