T HE MESSIAH MESSENGER

Transcription

1 T HE MESSIAH MESSENGER November 2017 And just like that, the snow is falling, the leaves have mostly dropped from the trees, companies raced to get Christmas commercials on the air as soon as the last Trick or Treat doorbell was rung, and we are crashing headlong into the holiday season. The year that is behind us has been full of so many things, happy things, yes: baptisms and births, marriages and moonlit summer nights with music and even merriment. But there was also mayhem, facing mortality, and misery for many. Life is like that. It is rarely just one or the other, but often a combination of both, and we struggle to know where to go with the emotions that ensue. Joy seems easy enough, but even that can be tainted by the unhappy situations others face in their families, communities and countries. We have prayed for victims of hurricanes, shootings, and fires. Loved ones have been diagnosed with incurable or troubling diseases. Families are divided. Some talk to a therapist or a trusted friend. Others don t have the luxury of either. We know Jesus is with us through everything, but we even hesitate sometimes to give our grief and concerns over to him. Because of all this, I have chosen to once again hold a Blue Christmas/ Longest Night service this year. I am giving you this information now because I think it is important enough to put on your calendar today (December 21, 6:30 p.m.), to take time out of your busy (or not so busy anymore) schedule to sit in a quiet, meditative space where you can put all your sorrows, joys, grief, concerns, fears and longings in their proper perspective and allow The One who heals to work in you. God s good blessings on you during times in which the only certainty is the abundant love of Jesus Christ.

2 Your Church Council will meet November 6, 2017 and general bullet points will be put out separately. CHRISTIKON ANNUAL MEETING SUNDAY, November12 Big Timber Lutheran Church, 3:00-5:30. Will someone volunteer to attend? Pastor Kris will be out of town. Midweek Advent Worship & Fellowship Lunch Wednesdays, beginning November 29 at 12pm We will hold these around the table in the Fellowship Hall. Sign up to bring food if you are able. We rejoice in the baptisms of 5 of Messiah s children on October 22 nd : Deven Charles Olmstead (born ) Koltter Reese Olmstead (born ) Mallorie Rose Olmstead (born ) Joslynn Jean Olmstead born Ethan Nickolas Olmstead, born They are the children of Dwight and Ruby Olmstead. Robert Walker and Dorothy Hanson are their sponsors.

3 The Financial Corner August Contributions: $8,158 Special Contributions: $2,909 Facility Use: $ 0 Total Income: $11,067 Expense: $11,333 Difference: ($266) September Contributions: $8,128 Special Contributions: $0 Facility Use: $ 50 Total Income: $8,178 Expense: $8,348 Difference: ($170) October Contributions: $8,282 Special Contributions: $0 Facility Use: $ 248 Total Income: $8,530 Expense: $9,381 Difference: ($851) Year to Date 2017 Contributions: $74,149 Special Contributions: $17,382 Facility Use: $ 1,141 Total Income: $92,672 Expense: $99,649 Difference: ($6,978)

4 The following article was written by my seminary colleague and friend Kimberly Vaughn and is printed with her permission. Kimberly serves as an assistant to the bishop in the New Jersey Synod of the ELCA. Food for thought as we enter the 501 st year following the Reformation. Whose Reformation is this? For five centuries, hatred and violence consumed the body of Christ. Perhaps you were taught to hate Catholics or Lutherans, anyone different from you. What happened to grace? What happened to kindness and forgiveness? Why do we hate anyone? Did the Reformation mean anything? In 500 years of beautiful and bad things done in God s name, whose Reformation is this now? Are we just celebrating an historic event? Are we celebrating ethnic or denominational pride? Are we celebrating some notion of doctrinal superiority? Are we celebrating not being Catholic? Or are we celebrating God s goodness? I hope today is only about God s priceless grace. Whose Reformation is this? The Church of Jesus Christ is now worldwide. It is German, Italian, English, Spanish, Swedish, Bolivian, Liberian, Ethiopian, Brazilian, Japanese, Cherokee, Inuit, Arab and Indian. The Church of Jesus Christ looks more and more like we re preparing to feast with God in eternity with people from everywhere. It s looking more and more like God s welcome table. Whose Reformation is this? The Church of Jesus Christ is expressed in many forms and traditions. The Church of Jesus Christ is Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Mar Thoma, Lutheran, Anglican, Coptic, Baptist, Presbyterian, Methodist, Pentecostal, Seventh Day Adventist, Brethren, Moravian, Disciples of Christ, United Church of Christ, Non- Denominational and every flavor you can imagine yet still one body, many members. Whose Reformation is this? The Church of Jesus Christ is more than chants and chorales. The Church of Jesus Christ is cumbia, salsa, blues, gospel, hip hop and reggae. The Church of Jesus Christ sounds more and more like a symphony of human song, sound and movement. Whose Reformation is this? The Church of Jesus Christ is yours and mine. It is God working through us. It is active and alive. The Church of Jesus Christ is fighting poverty, crying out for Texas, Florida, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and California. The Church of Jesus Christ is crying Black Lives Matter and #MeToo. It is speaking truth to power. The Church of Jesus Christ is the visible sign of God s expansive reign of justice, love and peace. So what will you do once October 31, 2017 is done and in the books? What happens tomorrow, November 1 and beyond? The Church of Jesus Christ still has work to do. As long as people are oppressed, neglected, mistreated and abused, the Reformation is not complete. Whose Reformation is this? Ours. Let s keep reforming. -Kimberly Vaughn-

5 Prayer Vigil November 4 Please join with these folks as they intercede in prayer for the ministry and mission of Messiah Lutheran Church, both in the sanctuary and in their homes: 4:30-5:00: Dani Whittmeyer; Wendy Portman; Mildred Tombre 5:00-5:30: Bev and Paul Daniels; Marlene Whittmeyer (h) 5:30-6:00: Curtis Whittmeyer (h) 6:00-6:30: Bob and Sylvia Peterson (h); Ethel Rogers (h) 6:30-7:00: Karen Duncan; Dorothy Hanson (h); Rob Walker (h) 7:00-7:30: Carol Dye (h); Laura Haefer (h) During All Saints Worship we remember: Shirley Moerer Nancy Schultz Caroline Dewey Jim Noennig Doug Brekke Kate Ulrich Maggie Lux Cummings Roland Grant Bev McCollough Donalee Navestad Grandpa Jack Evangeline Grandpre] Isaac Pruhs Tom Darvin Whittmeyer Ron Johnson Darrel Johnson Annette Johnson Ivy Knight Mildred Knight Catherine Dunbar Walker William Bill F. Walker Lorna Hackman Nancy Jo Hanson Schleining Sandee Renee Cusson Shawn Jacobson Ron Shaw John Gronli Saturday, October 26 th, victims of terrorist attack in New York City: Darren Drake, 32, of New Milford, New Jersey Nicholas Cleves, 23, of New York, New York Ann-Laure Decadt, 31, of Belgium Hernan Diego Mendoza-Espino, 47, of Argentina Alejandro Damian Pagrucco, 47, of Argentina Herman Ferruchi, 47, of Argentina Diego Enrique Angelini, 47, of Argentina Ariel Erlis, 48, of Argentina

6 Collecting for CRAFT DAYS Mostly, we need YOU to come join us Mondays at 11:30 for some fun easy crafts for our Bazaar. We are collecting some items for this (though we may not get to everything we want to try making ): wooden spools, leftover small ceramic tiles, short scraps of wood, pieces of broken jewelry, old bowling balls, buttons, yardsticks, sweaters, small diameter logs, and someone willing to use a circular or skill saw to cut up some stuff for us! We are making items to sell on Messiah s craft table and any materials you can help supply would be appreciated. Christmas Families We are taking a different approach to our Christmas families this year. While at the Community Crisis Center, we learned that they serve about 30 people per day, and the number is climbing. That s over 10,000 people each year who go through this small building in various degrees of crisis and need. It s a fascinating place. They really NEED sweatshirts and sweatpants in all sizes, especially large to 1X, hoodies, scrubs, and those little socks they give everyone at the hospital with the non-slip bottoms. As you get out your fall clothing and realize that some of these items no longer fit or that you no longer need all you have, please make sure they are clean and unstained and bring them to the church. Each month until Christmas we will make a similar request. Thank you. Remember in prayer: Kristi Bummer on the death of her husband Doug Brekke Lee Sherseth Knud Kaae Sharon Hogan Hal Haefer Mildred Tombre Pat and Don Kirkpatrick Jill Fitzgerald (pre-school aide diagnosed with pancreatic cancer) Elizabeth and Wes Daniels as they enter the 9 th month of pregnancy The Olmstead children s baptisms, their parents and sponsors The Montana Synod Messiah Lutheran Church, our council, visioning team, and all its ministries

7 Thanks to Barb Hagler for her quilt donation. Raffle tickets are available now. Make sure you get your chance to win this one! Lutheranism was developed by a German Monk named Martin Luther who sang tenor, played the lute and was a composer. He believed music was next in importance to theology, a living voice of the Gospel, a gift from God to be used in all it s fullness in Christian praise and prayer (sacredmusicamerica.com.) Luther s Legacy St. Patrick Co-Cathedral Saturday, November 18, :30 p.m. Sunday, November 19, :00 p.m.

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9 November 5 Daylight Savings Time Ends; Congregational Prayer Vigil 6 Council 7 Election Day 8-15 Kris and Skip on vacation 11 Our Savior s Lutheran Bazaar 9-1, see posted flyer 12 Catherine Card preaches 19 Congregation and Community Thanksgiving worship and Feast with First English as our guests; Pastor Peggy Paugh Leuzinger will be present. See article. December 3 Advent begins. MarCee from the Crisis Center gives Temple Talk 4 Council 14 Pre-school Christmas program 17 Pastor preaches at St. John s 21 Blue Christmas/Longest Night service (tentatively 6:30) 24 Advent 4 9:30/ Christmas Eve 5:30 No midweek Wednesday night Thanksgiving Service this year. Instead we are offering to help at the Montana Rescue Mission that day. Looking ahead: Christmas Eve is on a Sunday this year. We will have both morning worship and 5:30 Christmas Eve services. Morning worship just might include some Christmas Eve elements as well as elements specific to Advent 4. Wait and see!

10 November Paula Coram 11/11 Dennis Hackmann 11/11 LaWanda Sherseth 11/11 Dorothy Hanson 11/19 Brennan Whittmeyer 11/25 December Rebekkah Ballan 12/12 Willard Dale 12/16 Mona Clark 12/18 Joslynn Olmstead 12/18 Deven Olmstead 12/19 Rob Walker 12/26 November-December Charities For our Christmas family this year, we are adopting the Community Crisis Center. On our recent visit to help clean, paint, and trim trees during God s Work, Our Hands Sunday, I learned that they serve some 10,000 people a year, with the common denominator being that they the person(s) they are working with are in crisis. These vary from mental health issues, homelessness and abuse, to sleeping off drugs and alcohol and being unable to stay at one of the other centers because of this. These past weeks we have been collecting sweatpants, sweatshirts, and scrubs in all adult sizes because one of the first things that happens there is that they give the clients clean clothes to wear while their own clothes are being washed. They go through a lot of clothes. Currently our collection is in the narthex. Check your closets for sweats that you don t wear that are still in good shape (clean and unstained please) and bring them. We are working with the manager of the Center to determine ways we can help beyond that during the upcoming holiday season. YOUR COUNCIL MEMBERS President: Karen Duncan Vice-President: Valeri Kaae Treasurer: Wendy Portman* Secretary: Rob Walker Financial Secretary: Curtis Whittmeyer* Pastor Kris Mitzman A place of welcome where God s love is shared Barb Hagler We are here to serve you and help fulfill Messiah s call and mission. Ideas, thoughts, Rhonda Smith and concerns are always welcomed. (*) = not a council member with vote Messiah Lutheran Church, a church of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. God s work. Our hands Colton Blvd in Billings

11 NOVEMBER 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat p Al-Anon 5 6 1p Pinochle 7 8 Pastor Krisvacation Mangia Mangia 7p Council 12 Catherine Card preaching 13 1p Quilting 7p Stamp Pastor Krisreturns Thanksgiving Worship & dinner 20 1p Pinochle Thanksgiving p Quilting p Advent Svc 30

12 DECEMBER 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat p Pinochle p Advent Svc Mangia Mangia 7p Council p Quilting 7p Stamp p Advent Svc p Pinochle p Advent Svc :30p Christmas Eve Worship 25 Christmas Day