From Pastor Bill Ordelt at Pastor Zach s Installation

Transcription

1 From Paor Bill Ordelt at Paor Zach s Inallation Ascension Lueran Church 2512 Nash Street N Wilson, NC Office: (252) CONTACT Paor Zach: Church Cell: (252) From e 17 chapter of e Book of Exodus, Verses 8-13: The Amalek came and fought wi Israel at Rephidim. Moses said to Joshua, Choose some men for us and go out; fight wi Amalek. Tomorrow I will and on e top of e hill wi e aff of God in my hand. So Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought wi Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to e top of e hill. Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed; and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses hands grew weary; so ey took a one and put it under him, and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and e oer on e oer side; so his hands were eady until e sun set. And Joshua defeated Amalek and his people wi e sword. That s not your typical reading for e inallation of a paor in e life of a congregation, is it? But, let me assure you, e good people of Ascension Lueran Church in Wilson - you do not have e typical paor as e shepherd of your flock! I have known Zachariah - Rocky - for all of my 14 years in e NC Synod - and I have never met anoer paor like him - except maybe e one at he has chosen to deliver his inallation homily today! Pr. Rocky has a drive, a determination, a desire to serve his Lord and his church in e be possible way he can! Pr Rocky will share e multitude of is talents and abilities to accomplish e work of e Kingdom of God among e people of God - sometimes to e amazement and admiration of ose around him, sometimes to eir confounding - but ALWAYS wi e purposes of of proclaiming e Kingdom and e King! In much e same way as Phillip obeyed e guidance of e Spirit of God in approaching & miniering to e treasurer of e Eiopian Queen - in much e same way as Mary & Elizabe obeyed e guidance of e Spirit of God in accepting and living out God s miraculous promises - in much e same way as an aging disciple nicknamed The Rock wrote to his beloved friends and told em to become rock-solid in eir fai in Chri, Zachariah Rocky Harris has accepted e mission and e miniry at lies before him - and you - e people of God to DO amazing, miraculous, baptismal promising, rock e ear miniry in Wilson in NC, in e World - for e Kingdom of Chri on Ear! Wow! That s not an easy task to ask of a Paor, is it? But at s where my text from e Exodus of e People of Israel comes in!... Paor Bill continued his homily by reminding us at Aaron and Hur were called to help Moses hold up Moses arms for e victory, and telling us at e people of Ascension will be called upon to hold up and suain Paor Zach. He is here to give us guidance, support, leadership and he has e skills and desire and commitment but he cannot do it alone. There will be times when we, e people of God, will need to give support and hold up e arms of Paor Zach. We and at e beginning of a new and exciting miniry. To God be e Glory. paorzachwilson@ gmail.com Website: alcwilson.org December 2015

2 Reasons to Thank You God has truly blessed us and is can be seen by looking at e many blessings at filled our Reasons to Thank You tree. We began our fall commitment program wi a bare tree in e Narex, a Temple Talk, and e choir introducing e eme in an anem. In e subsequent weeks our bare tree grew new leaves in e form of our reasons to be ankful for what God has given us. There were 155 leaves on our tree and so far we have received 55% of e 2016 Commitment of Gifts for Miniry (Time and Talent) forms. The Stewardship Team will be compiling is information rough e mon of December. If you have misplaced your forms or have any information at needs to be updated for e directory (phone, , address, etc.) please submit it to us by December 6, Additional Stewardship information packets are available at church or on e website on e Stewardship page. From e Stewardship Team, we would like to ank you again for your support and all at you do to make Ascension what it is today. All of e leaves at you filled out and placed on our Reasons to Thank You tree are available for viewing on e website. Here you will have an opportunity to read each one in its original form. We hope you take time to read em. Simply go to and under e Miniries link, go to Stewardship. Directory information updates: mail to marguilemay@gmail.com or alcweb22@gmail.com. CHRISTMAS REHEARSALS FOR OUR YOUTH PRESENTATION Shepherds, Sheep and a Savior Saturday, December 12, 10 am Dress Rehearsal FOR OUR PRESENTATION The Belehem Inn Monday, December 14, 7 pm Scenes 1 5: Innkeeper, Innkeeper s Wife, and four Servants (Josh, Zack, Be & Amos) (1½ -2hr rehearsal) Tuesday, December 15, 7 p.m. Scenes 6&7, actors from Scenes 1-5 plus Shepherds (Naan & Michael), Mary and Joseph. (1½ -2hr rehearsal) Saturday, December 19, 10 a.m. Dress Rehearsal for Belehem (choir will rehearse Sun, Dec 3) ADVENT We Prepare for Chrimas Advent: a time of expectant waiting and preparation for e celebration of e Nativity of Jesus November 29: 1 Sunday of Advent - Our Advent wrea and e able are placed in e sanctuary nd December 6: 2 Sunday of Advent - We decorate our Chrismon tree (please plan to ay after e congregational meeting to help decorate - The more hands, e less time it will take!) rd December 13: 3 Sunday of Advent - 11 a.m. Ascension You Choir and Friends present: Shepherds, Sheep and a Savior We have been working hard to prepare to share e Chrimas ory in is upbeat musical at tells e ory of Jesus bir rough e eyes of e shepherds. Alough ey are e lowe of e low, ey are e fir to see and know e Savior! Plan to be wi us for is special celebration! December 19 - Chrimas Caroling - 5:00 No prior singing experience necessary! Meet at church at 5. We will visit Parkwood Village and The Landing. Afterward, all are invited to e Petways ; bring a dish to share--finger foods, Chrimas goodies-- anying you d like to bring. Beverages, plates & utensils are provided. December 20: 4 Sunday of Advent A decree has been issued at all are to be taxed. Since you ll be in town, join us for dinner at The Belehem Inn Sunday, December 20 at 4:30 p.m. We will begin wi an Advent Choir Concert at 4:30 p.m. followed by a dinner drama at The Belehem Inn. It will be an extraordinary evening at you won t want to miss. Since space may be limited, please make reservations early. If you wait, ere could be no room at e inn! If you can help wi table decorations, preparing dinner (set menu, family yle), and serving, please see Nancy.

3 CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION December 24 Chrimas Eve 9:00 p.m. Candlelight Communion Service For unto us a child us born, to us a son is given. Join us as we celebrate Chri s bir rough word, song and sacrament. DECEMBER 6 FOLLOWING WORSHIP Congregational Meeting Budget & Council Elections Please plan to be present for e meeting of e congregation following worship on December 6. A printed copy of e proposed 2016 budget wi a detailed cover letter has been placed in your mail box. Please plan to pick is up and review it prior to e meeting. If you have not done so, please consider wheer you may be called to serve on e church council and notify Marc Bonner, nominating committee chair, if you are ready to serve. Poinsettias $6.00 each Order by December 13, 2014 If you would like to place a poinsettia in e sanctuary for Chrimas Eve, please complete e following form and return it wi payment by Dec. 13. Order forms will also be available in e bulletin. Payment mu accompany order. Thank you! Ordered by: Number of Poinsettias: x $6 = $ In Memory of: In Honor of: Veterans Residential Services On December 6 and 13, help us serve ose who have served us by donating e following items to our local homeless veterans: Underwear Socks Hats Gloves Scarves (items for men and women are needed) "If anyone has material possessions and sees his broer in need but has no pity on him, how can e love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love wi words or tongue but wi actions and in tru." 1 John 3:17-18 ASCENSION FREETIMERS December 8-11:30 a.m. Jarman House If you are free for lunch on Tuesday, December 8, join us for lunch at Jarman House (204 Green Street). There s always good food and great fellowship. Offering Envelopes - If you will need envelopes for 2016, please contact Dalen Petway (phone: , dalenpetway@yahoo.com or a note in her church mailbox). If you do not reque envelopes, none will be printed for you. Thank You!! Council Notes Meeting on November 3, e council: - Heard final details on plans for e paor's inallation. - Reviewed e details for e annual ewardship emphasis. - Set e December semi-annual meeting of e congregation for December 6. - Noted at e nominating committee is working on candidates for 3 council openings and 5 nominating committee openings. - Reviewed ongoing discussions wi e city inspections office regarding plans for e inallation of lightening protection wi e eeple. - Approved e budget submitted by e finance committee for proposal to e congregation. - Identified a combination of funds available in budget line items and designated funds and approved refurbishing of e church parking lot.

4 Disciples In Action - Please find a subitute if you cannot serve on your assigned week. December Chrimas Eve 27 Acolyte Rubygail Coulter Sharon Petway Sydney Buzard Lilly Varnell Auin Schlegel Crucifer Maias Gabele-Noll Lu-Ann Monson Linwood Perry Crissy Varnell Sharon Petway Lector Lee Howerin Hal Tarleton Lynn Lamm Various Anne Auin Communion Maias Gabele-Noll Hal Tarleton Sonya Frantz Crissy Varnell Rebecca Coulter Ushers Dan Heffner Ben Coulter Lynn Lamm Mark Weington Anne Auin Alice Heffner Nadine Brown Margui LeMay Jeslyn Weington Marc Bonner Counters Dan Heffner Ben Coulter Margui LeMay Anne Auin Heidi Bonner Alice Heffner Hal Tarleton Lynn Lamm Susan Weington Anne Auin Depositor Anne Auin Ginny Tarleton Dalen Petway Dalen Petway Sharon Petway Nursery Karen Howerin Volunteer Needed Jennifer Smi Volunteer Needed Volunteer Needed Altar Care Heidi Bonner Heidi Bonner Heidi Bonner Heidi Bonner Heidi Bonner January Acolyte Emily Smi Rubygail Coulter Megan Buzard Auin Schlegel Lilly Varnell Crucifer Lee Howerin Lilly Varnell Lu-Ann Monson Sharon Petway Crissy Varnell Lector Jennifer Smi Ben Coulter Lu-Ann Monson Sharon Petway Sonya Frantz Communion Lee Howerin Margui LeMay Rebecca Coulter Sharon Petway Crissy Varnell Ushers Dan Heffner Linwood Perry Lynn Lamm Ginny Tarleton Mark Weington Alice Heffner Ben Coulter Nadine Brown Hal Tarleton Margui LeMay Counters Dan Heffner Ben Coulter Lynn Lamm Susan Weington Bob Auin Alice Heffner Margui LeMay Nadine Brown Hal Tarleton Heidi Bonner Depositor Anne Auin Linwood Perry Dalen Petway Ginny Tarleton Sharon Petway Nursery Jennifer Smi Crissy Varnell Volunteer Needed Volunteer Needed Volunteer Needed Altar Care Lynn Lamm Lynn Lamm Lynn Lamm Lynn Lamm Lynn Lamm Dan Heffner 12-3 Corrie Buzard 12-5 Megan Buzard 12-9 Ann Azer Terry Shackleford Jeslyn Weington Alice Heffner Lindy McCall Melanie & John Hoeferkamp Phyllis Carr & Lisa Eklund HOPE STATION SUNDAY December 27, 2015 Help us fill our grocery cart wi nonperishable foods for Hope Station! As we have been blessed wi food on our tables, let s share our Blessings wi our neighbors. Take time to be aware at in e very mid of our busy preparations for e celebration of Chri s bir in ancient Belehem, Chri is reborn in e Belehems of our homes and daily lives. Take time, slow down, be ill, be awake to e Divine Myery at looks so common and so ordinary yet is wondrously present. -Edward Hays, A Pilgrim s Almanac, p. 196

5 December 2015 Worship & Service Opportunities at Ascension SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY Nov 29 1 Sunday of Advent Nov 30 6 pm - Finance 7 pm-theology on Tap 1 9 am - Soup Kitchen 7 pm - Church Council O am AFSMOW At Fir Presbyterian nd 6 2 Sunday of Advent Luke 3: 1-6 Collect for Veterans Residential Srvcs 9:30 - You Choir 11 am - Holy Communion Congregational Meeting Tree Trimming :30 - Freetimers at Jarman House 7 pm - Girl Scout Leaders Monly Mtg 9 7 pm - Girl Scout Leaders Meeting am - Girl Scouts Cookie Walk Sale 10 am - Shepherds, Sheep and a Savior Dress Rehearsal rd 13 3 Sunday of Advent Luke 3: 7-18 Collect for Veterans Residential Srvcs 9:30 - You Choir 11 am - You Presentation Shepherds, Sheep & a Savior Holy Communion 14 7 pm - Belehem Inn rehearsal (Scenes 1-5) 15 7 pm-belehem Inn rehearsal (Scenes 6&7) am - The Belehem Inn Dress Rehearsal (wiout choir) 20 4 Sunday of Advent Luke 1: :30 - You Choir 11 am - Holy Communion 3:00 - Choir Rehearsal 4:30 -The Belehem Inn Dinner Theater Chrimas Eve Luke 2: pm - Candlelight Communion Service And she gave bir to her firborn son and wrapped him in bands of clo, and laid him in a manger.. Luke 2:7 25 Chrimas Day For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given...and he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlaing Faer, Prince of Peace Isaiah 9: Sunday of Chrimas Luke 2: HOPE STATION SUNDAY 11 am - Worship 28 Matew 2: The Holy Innoccents, Martyrs 29 John 21: John, Apole and Evangeli The Mission of Ascension Lueran Church is to be a caring and welcoming community of followers of Jesus Chri, proclaiming e Good News, sharing our fai and living out God s Word in our community.