Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost ~ September 29, 2013 Consideration of and care for those in need (especially those at our gate, visible to us, of whom we are aware) is an essential component of good stewardship. It is in the sharing of wealth that we avoid the snare of wealth. It is the one whom death could not hold-who comes to us risen from the dead-who can greed us from the death grip of greed. A Mighty Fortress Lutheran Church 8200 McClure Circle Charlotte, NC 28216 704.392.6214 WELCOME to worship! We hope that you will provide us with a record of your worship attendance by signing the Friendship Register located in each pew and the Guest Register located in the narthex. Please place your Friendship Register sheet in the offering plate during the gathering of the Offering. We invite you to take part in our upcoming activities. A nursery is provided across from the rear worship entrance for your use as necessary: attended by an adult. It s a delight to have children and families in our community of faith worshipping with us. Holy Communion is open to everyone. *Please stand as you are able GATHERING SONG Canticle of the Turning Hymn # 732 WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS PRELUDE He is Exalted Jon Greene, Saxophone *OPENING HYMN Come Thou Font of Every Blessing Hymn # 807 *APOSTOLIC GREETING & KYRIE (we sing) ELW Setting Six, Hymnal pages 165-166 *HYMN OF PRAISE Glory to God ELW Setting Six, Hymnal pages 167-168 *PRAYER OF THE DAY Leader: Let us pray. God among us, ALL: we gather in the name of your Son to learn love for one another. Keep our feet from evil paths. Turn our minds to your wisdom and our hearts to the grace revealed in your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. AMEN. *SHARING OF THE PEACE SAGE S SERMON We Can t Serve Two Masters Sage & Edna Children will leave for Joyful Journeys FIRST LESSON Amos 8: 4-7, Pew Bible page 1429 L/ Word of God, word of life. R/Thanks be to God. SECOND LESSON 1 Timothy 2:1-7, Pew Bible page 1846-1847 L/Word of God, word of life. R/Thanks be to God. *GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Alleluia, Lord to Whom Shall We Go Hymnal page 188 *THE HOLY GOSPEL Luke 16: 1-13, Pew Bible page 1625 Response after the announcement: Glory to you, O Lord. Response after the conclusion: Praise to you, O Christ. SERMON Pastor John Petry elca.org//nclutheran.org A community of believers where: All are welcome here Making Christ known Forgiven by Grace Building up & growing the body of Christ Jesus www.amightyfortress.org The Reverend John L. Petry, III ~ pastorjohnp@amightyfortress.org 1
*HYMN OF THE DAY Take My Life That I May Be Hymn # 583 *APOSTLE S CREED: Leader: God has made us his people through our Baptism into Christ. Living together in trust and hope, we confess our faith. I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, God s only Son, our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, Born of the virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, died, and was buried; He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; He ascended into heaven, He is seated at the right hand of the Father, And he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. AMEN. *PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION Hymnal page 105 Leader: Hear us, O God. ALL: Your mercy is great. GATHERING OF OUR OFFERINGS & THE SHEETS FROM THE FRIENDSHIP REGISTER THE OFFERING *THE OFFERING RESPONSE (we sing): Give thanks with a grateful heart, give thanks to the Holy one, give thanks because he s given Jesus Christ his Son (repeat) And now let the weak say, I am strong ; let the poor say, I am rich because of what the Lord has done for us. Give thanks with a grateful heart, give thanks to the Holy one, give thanks because he s given Jesus Christ his Son. Give thanks. *CONFESSION & FORGIVENESS Hymnal pages 94-95 *WORDS OF INSTITUTION & LORD S PRAYER ELW Setting Eight, Hymnal Page 191 LAMB OF GOD (we sing) ELW Setting Eight, Hymnal page 191 HOLY COMMUNION DISTRIBUTION Welcome in the name of Jesus to all who come trusting in the gift of Christ s body and blood shared for all in this meal. Here, given and shed for you, is the promise of forgiveness, life and salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ. Kneel or stand at the rail as there is room. For those who prefer - grape juice is offered instead of wine. Any child not receiving Communion will be given a pastoral blessing at the communion rail. COMMUNION MUSIC Eat This Bread Hymn # 492 Taste and See Hymn # 493 *POST COMMUNION CANTICLE Lord, I Lift Your Name on High Hymn # 857 *POST-COMMUNION PRAYER & PASTORAL BLESSING Hymnal page 114 Pastor: May God-Father, Son (+) and Holy Spirit bless you now and forever. ALL: AMEN. *SENDING Leader: Get out of church and into the world. ALL: Yes-we are sent in Jesus name. Praise the Lord! *CLOSING HYMN On Our Way Rejoicing Hymn # 537 POSTLUDE Text or Arr. used by permission of Augsburg Fortress License #13139-S and Sundays and Seasons.com Copyright 2013 2
Leadership & Prayer Requests ~ September 22, 2013 The Reverend Dr. Mark S. Hanson Presiding Bishop of the ELCA The Reverend Dr. Leonard H. Bolick Bishop of the NC Synod The Reverend Dr. John F. Merck Pastor Emeritus The Reverend John L. Petry, III Pastor Penny B. Damron Organist Jonathan W. Greene Music Director Ministers 117 AMF individuals actively participating in the life of the congregation and all 315 baptized adult, youth and children of AMF. CONGREGATION COUNCIL ~ 2013 Mary Merlin, President (term: 2011-2013) 919.451.6692 maryeholman@gmail.com Dwayne Graham, Vice President (term 2012-2014) 704.726.8215 cypruess@msn.com Edna Chirico, Secretary (term: 2012-2014) 704.562.8847 echirico@greenmoose.net Terry Saunders, Treasurer (term: 2011-2013) 704.399.8989 terryesaunders@bellsouth.net Mike Bozeman (term: 2011-2013) 704.393.5205 mbozeman@carolina.rr.com Beverly Foster (term: 2013-2015) 704.375.4247 fosterbeverly@hotmail.com Ranee Hedrick (term: 2013-2015) 704.393.3806 ranee.hedrick@yahoo.com Rick Rozzelle (term: 2013-2015) 704.399.4623 tkcinc@aol.com Barbara Kutz (term: 2012-2014) 704.392.1403 barbarakutz@gmail.com John Johnson, Financial Secretary (term: 2013) 704.392.1932 jjjohn@bellsouth.net ******************* Our Prayer Partners: Saint Paul Lutheran Church, Durham, NC Matthew Hofer, Missionary to Japan Members of Our Parish ~ Norman Burr, Jan Gardner, Zoe Hoffman, Betty Kleis, Edris Robles, Bob & Carol Stroup, Buddy & Howard Boyd, Vincent Sosta, Helen Greene, Laura McGee Members at Home ~ Dot McCraw and Brad The Laurels at Highland Creek, Huntersville ~ Virginia Hensley / Jean Rockett (Room 107) Olde Knox Commons at the Village, Huntersville, Room 101 ~ Alice Burr Loved Ones and Friends: David & Diane Amidon and family, Kailee Baxter, Jewel Bogans (Patrick s mother), Corky Bolton (Susan Whitesides father), Velton Chip Brown (nephew of Beverly Foster), David Burr (Norman & Alice s son ~ Carol Stroup s brother), Michael Burton (brother of Charles Burton), Raegan Cupp (friend of Rachel Moeller), Alberta Courtney (Becky Wardwell s mother), Don Davis (Helen Phillips coworker s husband), Adam and David Felty, Quinten Garrett, Tina, Jackson, and Avery Gardner (friends of Peter & Stephanie Moeller), Virginia Gathings (Gail Reynolds mother) and Gail, Fern Geruschat (Dan s mother), Peggy Hall, Anniginnia Harris, Evelyn Hatley (Robin Moore s aunt), Lewis Heavner, (Leslie Brigman s father), Gary and Cindy Hogan, Lynn Honeycutt (Becky Wardwell s aunt), Patrick Johnson (John s brother), Shaun Kern (Jim McGee s former roommate's son), Lauren Killian (Melissa McGinnis friend), Joel Lessinger (friend of Jan Gardner), McDaniels Family (Melissa McGinnis friends), Laura McGee, Toni Marie (Melissa McGinnis friend), Jeff Nadeau and family (co-worker of Pete Moeller), Scott O Dell (Becky Wardwell s brother), Martha Price (Terry s mother), Chris Reinhold and family (John Johnson), Dr. Elizabeth Rinker (Penny Damron s friend), Jackie Rozzelle (Rick and Phyllis Rozzelle), Bruce Safrit (friend of Billie and Laura McGee, Salisbury), Gloria Sheets (Linda Meyer s friend), Harry Sheldon (Harry s father), Sherry Smith, Susan Whitesides, Logan Wingate (friend of the Wardwell s), Kim and Chuck Wickenden (friends of Karen Bryant s son Michael), Joanne Woods (Karen Bryant s stepmother), Carol and Martin De Jong (Judy Bozeman s sister and brother in-law), Tony Long (Mike Bozeman s friend), John Wood & family (Karen Bryant s brother), Rachel Bozeman (Mike Bozeman s mother), and Virginia Kevari (Cathy Phillips mother). ********** Updating Prayer List Please update our prayer list. Prayer is so important and we want to maintain its importance by highlighting and updating needs regularly. Please let Pastor John, Jon Greene or Penny Damron know of names which need to be removed from or added to our prayer list. Thank you. Remembering the Military and Their Families - Names listed in the Monthly Newsletter 3
A Mighty Fortress Church 8200 McClure Circle Charlotte NC 28216 704 392-6214 www.amightyfortress.org Pastor John Petry ~ pastorjohnp@amightyfortress.org SPEND SUNDAYS WITH US - Coffee Fellowship 8:45-9:00am ALL ARE WELCOME COME CASUAL BRING A FRIEND ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL 9am - 2 options LYERLY CLASS: Faith Development and History/ FAITH ADULT CLASS: Living your Faith Daily WORSHIP SERVICE: 10:20am Come refresh your spirit. Enjoy our music-filled service featuring Praise X Three and. JOYFUL NOISE AND JOYFUL JOURNEYS: Children s Church during worship service (children return for communion) - nursery available upon request. Join a Group AMF Choir rehearsal 6:30pm Wednesday evenings, bring your voice and/or instrument - Music Director Jonathan Greene jonathanwgreene@yahoo.com Parish Life supports our congregation through regular social and community events. Diana Graham 704 399-7243 southerngraham@msn.com Lutheran Men in Mission monthly breakfast, second Saturday 8:30am at the Fellowship Hall, coordination of church and community projects. Dwayne Graham 704.726.8215 cypruess@msn.com Women of the ELCA monthly evening, second Tuesday at the Fellowship Hall or member s home. Sup - porting projects relating to women and children in our community and through state and national affiliation. Karen Bryant 704 398-2633 karenbryant@mindspring.com Gathering Group monthly for lunch, our senior fellowship group. JoAnn Dimmer 704 309-0768 PJOANND@aol.com or Barbara Kutz 704 392-1403 barbarakutz@gmail.com. AMF Needle Ministry monthly evenings, watch calendar for dates and times, share your needle craft and fellowship Donna Kretschmer 704 394-6070 kretschd@yahoo.com Get Involved! Coordinated by John Johnson jjjohn@bellsouth.net and Sharon Johnson sadj@bellsouth.net 704 392-1932 Spotlight Listeners Club Monday nights 7:30-8:30pm to support those wishing to improve their English - Pam Petry ppinnc@gmail.com Paw Creek Elementary Lyerly Sunday School class supports through book drive, tutors, donations, and other activities. Terry Saunders terryesaunders@bellsouth.ne 704 399-8989 Zumba - Monday/Thursday Nights 6:30pm at Fellowship Hall. Get in shape with Katie Hughes katie@danceyourselffit.net. Yoga - Wednesday (6:00pm)/Saturday (10:00am) with Barbara Bapst rd4you@gmail.com. Room in the Inn Fridays (Dec-Mar) support homeless neighbors with room and board - 4 teams 1/week coordinated through John Johnson jjjohn@bellsouth.net 704 392-1932 Crop Walk for Hunger Sunday October 14th, we gathered a team to walk with churches throughout the region to raise money for local and world hunger we raised more than $1,920 last year! Thank you! Sharon Johnson sadj@bellsouth.net 704 392-1932 Four Brownie/Girl Scout Troops meet on Tuesday nights in our Fellowship Hall during the school year and periodically during the summer please see calendar for specific dates/times. Leaders and volunteers always wanted. Robin Moore robinmtisland@carolina.rr.com 704 392-7512 4
September Worship Volunteers Greeter: Betty Mick Ushers: Chuck Mick & Jerry Hoffman Offering Tellers: Communion Bread: Libby Holman Communion Wine: Mary Merlin Communion Presenters: Chuck & Betty Mick Council Persons of the Month: Mary Merlin : Charles Burton, Jon Greene, Katie Hughes, & Robin Hussey September 22: Worship Assistant: Mary Lautensleger Communion Preparation: Barbara Kutz Nursery Helper: Amy Johnson Joyful Journeys: Donna Kretschmer September 29: Worship Assistant: Gus Kretschmer Communion Preparation: Barbara Kutz Nursery Helper: Pam Petry Joyful Journeys: Edna Chirico October 6: Worship Assistant: Jim McGee Communion Preparation: Mary Merlin Nursery Helper: Demetra Bullock Joyful Journeys: Libby Holman October 13: Worship Assistant: BrianWardwell Communion Preparation: Brian & Becky Wardwell Nursery Helper: Leslie Brigman Joyful Journeys: Edna Chirico next church community. Lutherans Building a Habitat House: 4324 Hey Rock Court, Charlotte Area Lutheran churches are coming together to build another Habitat for Humanity house in October. AMF Lutheran Men in Mission are leaders in our effort to participate with sisters & brothers from 11 other Lutheran communities. Watch the Sunday bulletins for further information. Our dates to help/participate are October 4 & 5 (FRI/SAT) with all other churches and October 25 & 26 (FRI/SAT) with Christ Lutheran & The Well Lutheran community. Each Habitat house costs $70,000 to build. Whatever amount of your donation to the Habitat house on behalf of the congregation is appreciated all amounts accepted! Make you contribution to: Habitat for Humanity, and in the memo line AMF contribution. You may mail to the church or place in the Sunday offering plate today through October 27 th. (see the insert in the bulletin for additional information) Announcements ~ September 22, 2013 Jonathan Greene reception today following worship: We celebrate the ministry & gifts of Jon Greene! Last Sunday was Jon s last Sunday serving as AMF Music Director. Thank you for your music & worship leadership. We wish you & Kristi Godspeed on your engagement, and our best wishes as God calls you to your Attendance Report for Sunday, 09/15/2013 15 Worship Service: 56 2013 AMF Budget Overview / Financial Report Received YTD: $138,615 Expenses YTD: $129,751 Please note that we have declined approximately $1200 in average operating expenses during the past few weeks. First, then, thanks for supporting our mission and ministry as you have financially so far this year; thanks in advance for that continued, generous support as we go into the last quarter of the year. OUR MISSION: A Mighty Fortress Lutheran Church is a fellowship of believers serving God s call by joyfully proclaiming the Good News of Christ through discipleship, celebrating the Word and sacrament, reaching out in love, and valuing the diversity of all people. OUR VISION: A Mighty Fortress enthusiastically celebrates the warmth, intimacy, and uniqueness of our growing, enriching, and influential church fellowship and ministry. Lessons for Sunday, September 29 ~ Nineteenth Sunday After Pentecost Amos 6:1a, 4-7; Psalm 146 1 Timothy 6:6-19; Luke 16:19-31 HOLD THE DATE Sunday October 13, 2013 is the annual CROP WALK. Put this date on your calendar and start walking. Sharon Johnson will be coordinating this after service event. If you don t plan to walk please plan to sponsor. For more information contact Sharon Johnson sadj@bellsouth.net 704 392-1932. Florence Crittenton Supporters We are in desperate need of several items for our newest residents. Please consider donating new or gently used items if you are able. Your donations go directly into our mother's hands. Items needed: Blankets/ Comforters (Twin size) Sheets (Twin size) Towels Laundry Detergent (for sensitive skin, powder preferably) Alarm Clocks (our girls have to get ready for school again) Pillows Again, we are incredibly low on all of the items listed. ANY donation will be helpful. From the bottom of our hearts... THANK YOU! AMF History: Fifty years of Ministry and Service...There are additional copies of AMF's history over the past fifty years which will be available to members in the Narthex before and after service. Since May 2012 John Huber & Penny Damron have been coordinating the bulletin with Pastor. They have asked that a replacement be found to handle this in the next month or so. It takes on average 3 to 4 hours of work. At last month s Council meeting, AMF Council decided to offer a stipend of $35 per issue to anyone who would like to assume the responsibility of the weekly bulletin. Please contact Mary Merlin (919.451.6692 or maryholman@gmail.com) if you or someone you know is interested. That person must have computer skills and a good understanding of MS Publisher.
September / October 2013 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat : Fellowship Hall 22 Jon Greene Reception Worship 1-3 PM 23 pm, Needle Ministry Workroom 7 pm 24 25 Valley Ridge HOA 26 Girl Scout Training Conference Room 12-2 pm 6:30-8:30 pm 27 28 LMM 2013 Par 3 Tournament 8:30 am White Oak Par 3 Fannin Wedding 5:30 pm 29 Worship 1-3 PM 30 pm, 1 Girl Scouts / Classroom 6 pm 2 3 4 5 6 Worship 1-3 PM 7 pm, 8 WELCA Meeting 6:30 9 10 11 World Egg Day 12 Lutheran Men in Mission Breakfast 8:30 am 13 Worship 1-3 PM Council Meeting 6:00 pm 14 pm, 15 Girl Scouts / Classroom 6 pm 16 Hidden Creek HOA 6:30 pm 17 18 19 20 Worship 1-3 PM 21 pm, Needle Ministry Workroom 7:00 pm 22 23 24 25 Lutheran Habitat Build 26 Bulletin Announcement Cutoff: Thursdays 3:00 pm
LUTHERANS BUILDING A HABITAT HOUSE: 4324 Hey Rock Court, Charlotte 28269 Area Lutheran churches are coming together to build another Habitat for Humanity house in October. AMF Lutheran Men in Mission are leaders in our effort to participate with sisters & brothers from 11 other Lutheran communities. Watch the Sunday bulletins for further information we will meet at the house site or arrange car pooling for AMF workers. Our dates to help/participate are below: October 4 & 5 (FRI/SAT) with all other churches and October 25 & 26 (FRI/SAT) with Christ Lutheran and The Well Lutheran community. Each Habitat house costs $70,000 to build. It s been several years since AMF has participated in building a Habitat house in the Charlotte or Gastonia area. AMF Lutheran Men in Mission is sponsoring a Golf outing in support of the cost towards our donation; however, we need members to contribute to our congregation s contribution. Whatever amount of your donation to the Habitat house on behalf of the congregation is appreciated, all amounts accepted! Make you contribution to: Habitat for Humanity, and in the memo line AMF contribution; you may mail to the church or place in the Sunday offering plate today through October 27 th. Lutheran Habitat Build ~ October Dates Construction Tasks Church Assignments Number Participating October 4/5 Wall framing, roof trusses ALL CHURCHES October 11/12 Sheathing/Shingles CTK/Morning S 15-20 each congregation October 18/19 Siding Living S/St. Luke/Cross Crown 8-12 each congregation October 25/26 Drywall CLC/Mighty Fort/Well 15-20 each congregation November 1/2 Paint Advent/Holy Trinity 10-12 each congregation November 8/9 Painting/Punch list St. Mark/Comm Christ 8-12 each congregation