The Olive Tree April 2019 GLC Highlights Worship Services 8:30 & 10:30 AM Education Hour 9:20 AM Lenten Food Drive March 10-April 14 Easter Sunday Easter Breakfast April 21, 2019 Youth Sunday May 5th, 8:30 AM Women s Retreat Calumet May 31- June 2 VBS June 24-26 Maundy Thursday April 18 Good Friday April 19 Palm Sunday April 14 Easter Sunday April 21 Church Office Hours Monday-Friday 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM In this Issue Lent and Easter information Spaghetti Supper Photos Happenings around Gethsemane
Lent and Easter Sunday, April 7, 2019 Sunday, April 14, 2019 Thursday, April 18, 2019 Friday, April 19, 2019 Sunday, April 21, 2019 Regular Worship Services JJJ - 8:30 AM Traditional - 10:30 AM Education Hour - 9:20 A Lenten Food Drive canned meats and fish Palm Sunday Worship Services 8:30 & 10:30 AM Maundy Thursday Service 7:00 PM Good Friday Service 7:00 PM Easter Sunday Worship Services 8:30 & 10:30 AM Easter Breakfast 9:15 AM Reminder All orders for Easter Flowers must be received by the office no later than Wednesday, April 10th.
Congregation Council Wish List At the meeting on March 19th, the Council approved to put in place a Wish List that will be kept on the members locked area of our website. This list will contain items that different groups would like to have or see done that hopefully some wonderful members would be willing to help defray the cost of (similar to what has been going on with the plowing). Items must be approved by the appropriate committee and then brought to Council for approval. GLC Mug Club Coming to Gethsemane in early April (just in time for Earth Day) you will see a wooden coffee/tea mug rack on the wall in the Café area. In our efforts to be more sustainable and be good stewards of the earth, not to mention reducing our costs with one time paper cup use, we are asking members to consider bringing in a mug from home, hanging it on the rack and using your own mug on Sunday mornings. You can fill your cup, have your coffee, rinse it out in the upstairs kitchen and hang it back up. As more people join in the Mug Club we will add another rack. So, be a good steward or the earth and the Gethsemane wallet and bring in your mug. Council Ron Jones - President David Smith - Vice President Sue Roma - Treasurer Abby Kelly - Secretary Jeanne Manseau - Finance Sec. Committee Liaisons: Christian Ed: Katelyn Shaffer Abby Kelly Communications: Theo Groh Finance: Barbara Connor Diane Fortier Ron Jones Jeanne Manseau Sue Roma David Smith Outreach: David Smith Tyler Tafelski Stewardship: Theo Groh David Smith Worship & Music: Carol Burgess A Note from Stewardship & Congregation Council A Less Taxing Way To Give As many of you did the past three years, the Stewardship, Finance and Council are asking each and all of us to consider tithing our Federal Income Tax Refund to Gethsemane. For many of us our refund comes as extra income that enables us to do some extra things around the house or take a little vacation. It can also be a way to help Gethsemane meet our 2019 ministry goals. This is above and beyond normal giving and should be designated once again as a Generous Heart Gift so that we may track it. Thank you all for being Generous Hearts during 2016-2018. They say only two things in life our sure, death and taxes. Not so we say, because here at GLC, the generosity of our members remains sure. We live in the light of God s overwhelming generosity, and therefore, we are also generous.
Pastor s Page From Bethphage to the Empty Tomb I can t emphasize this enough: The joy of the empty tomb on the Day of Resurrection is most assuredly enhanced by making the walk from Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, to Jerusalem, to the home where Jesus celebrated the Passover, to the Garden of Gethsemane, then on to the high priest s house, the Pavement, Herod s palace, Golgotha and the Tomb. I know that we are all crushed by time constraints so that attending worship on Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and then on Easter Sunday is difficult, and sometimes impossible. Yet, if you can join us for worship each of these days, it will be well worth your time, as when the Day of Resurrection comes, you will have spent some time contemplating what the empty tomb means; how the power of death has been overcome once and for all. If you cannot attend, this being the year when we focus on Luke, perhaps you can open up the Gospel of Luke and read a portion each day from Luke 19:28-24:12. It s only about a half chapter each day, but if you can, leave some time for reflection and prayer. Another way to do this is to keep your Bible on the kitchen table, and read a portion each day before the meal. Yes, it may seem awkward to read the passion before a meal, but it should make us feel out of sorts at the very least, and in fact, we read the gospel every Sunday before the meal. Yet, by doing this reading, by reflecting and prayer, you will have a deeper sense of what is at stake as you walk with Jesus from olive groves across the Kidron Valley and walk later with the women as the go to the tomb. If you contemplate what you read, you will find yourself in the story; in Peter s brashness and betrayal, the hypocrisy of the religious, Pilate s fear and expediency, as well as Herod s arrogance. Perhaps you will see yourself in the awakening faith of Joseph of Arimathea, or the devotion of the women who followed to see where his body was laid. Whether you see yourself in one or all of them, you will certainly come to a greater understanding of Jesus need to go to the cross, for salvation is intended for each of these. Salvation is what every sinner needs and that is exactly what Jesus accomplished on the cross, - our salvation. When we see ourselves in the story of the passion, and understand the needs of those for whom Jesus died, recognizing ourselves among them, how much greater the joy of the Empty Tomb overwhelms us. Yes, Jesus died, but he rose from the dead. His word is true, and because he lives, I also live. In his resurrection, we know that our sins are forgiven, and where there is forgiveness of sins, there is life. Indeed, then we celebrate, just beginning to understand what the resurrection means. Christ is Risen! He is Risen, Indeed. Alleluia, Alleluia! And because He lives, we shall also live. Blessings to each as you make the journey from death to life. Easter Blessings, Pastor Peter
Treasurer s Report - February Summary for February 2019 Monthly Total Contributions vs. Total Expenditures Monthly Contributions $37,889 Monthly Spending $23,292 Difference $14,597 YTD Total Contributions vs. Total Expenditures YTD Contributions $53,868 YTD Spending $45,675 Difference $ 8,193 Monthly Operating Income vs. Monthly Operating Expenses Budget Monthly Operating Income $34,444 $19,667 Monthly Operating Spending $22,007 $22,104 Difference $12,438 YTD Operating Income vs. YTD Operating Expenses YTD Operating Income $50,298 $35,599 YTD Operating Spending $44,332 $44,208 Difference $ 5,966 Thrivent Investments Month YTD Total Account Value beginning of month $50,243.70 Securities Transfers $0.00 $0.00 Additions and Withdrawals ($5,000) ($15,000) Income $124.92 $231.72 Taxes, Fees and Expenses $0.00 ($213.60) Change in Investment Value $21,029.82 $23,621.46 End of Month Money Market Cash on hand $24,281.52 Total End of Month Account Value $66,398.44 Month Month 2019 YTD 2019 YTD 2019 Actual Budget Actual Budget Annual Budget BUDGET INCOME Giving Income $34,030 $19,194 $48,812 $34,743 $230,323 Operating Income $414 $473 $1,486 $856 $5,676 SUB-TOTAL BUDGET INCOME $34,444 $19,667 $50,298 $35,599 $235,999 NON-BUDGET INCOME Thrivent Withdraw $5,000 $0 $15,000 $0 $0 Withdraw from TD Bank Money Market $0 $0 $300 $0 $0 Withdraw from TD Bank Memorial Fund $1,000 $0 $1,000 $0 $0 Giving to Off-Budget Programs $3,445 $712 $3,569 $525 $7,469 Giving to Capital Campaign $0 $0 $0 $0 TOTAL INCOME $43,889 $20,378 $70,168 $36,124 $243,468 SUB-TOTAL BUDGET EXPENDITURES $22,007 $22,104 $44,332 $44,208 $268,768 NON-BUDGET EXPENDITURES Reimburse Investment Account Principal $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 Expenditures on Off-Budget Programs $1,285 $503 $1,343 $934 $5,605 Capital Campaign Spending $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 TOTAL EXPENDITURES $23,292 $22,608 $45,675 $45,142 $274,373
Photo Ops Madeline Blidberg s 80th Birthday Party, March 17th Spaghetti Supper March 22, 2019 Thank you to all that helped!
Upcoming Happenings Youth Sunday May 5th 8:30 Service Save the Date June 24-26 Vacation Bible School The theme will be revealed in the May Olive Tree. New Horizons Walk against Hunger Save the date - Sunday, May 19th for the 29th Annual 5K Walk against Hunger. Can we make it three in a row! Best Walking Team. The Outreach Committee will have more information soon and signup sheets will be put on the Café board. Deadline to order tee shirts is April 29th, so start getting your feet in gear! Families in Transition New Horizons provides hunger relief, emergency shelter, safe affordable housing and supportive services to individuals and families who are homeless or in need enabling them to gain self-sufficiency and respect. Last year: We sheltered 1,328 individuals, of which 143 were children. We provided 47,733 bed nights at our shelters; an average of 142 people each night. We provided 138,742 meals. We had 482 participants in our Willows Substance Use Treatment Center s intensive Outpatient Programs. Center s We Hate to Say Goodbye Confirmation Several of our young people will be confirmed on Sunday June 9th at the 10:30 service. There will be a celebration cake for them after the service. The Tafelski family will be moving to Michigan the middle of June for Tyler s new assignment. We hate to se them go and want to wish them all the best in their new home. There will be a small get together to send them on their way on June 9th in between the two services. Please stop by and give them your wishes. If you have any questions, please see Carol Burgess.
Worship & Music Noonday Bible Study Come join in the fellowship and good conversation at our Wednesday Bible Study 12-1PM. Bring your lunch if you wish and join in. No prior reading necessary. Sunday Morning Adult Class Learn about our liturgy. Hank Chary will be offering a course The Lutheran Liturgy; Why Do We Do the Things We Do in Worship? Join him between services starting around 9:30 in the Café area. Communion Did you know that we have gluten free wafers for communion. Let the Pastor know if you will be partaking of them. We are looking for members who would be willing to donate wine and or make bread for communion. Please let Carol Burgess or Pastor Boehringer know if you are willing to help out.
EASTER OFFERINGS Again this year, members of the Gethsemane congregation have the opportunity to purchase a variety of plants to grace the Sanctuary at Easter and/or make a special offering for the relief of hunger around the world. Please return this form with your gift to the church office by Wednesday, April 10, 2019. (Please make checks payable to Gethsemane Lutheran Church). Number of Lilies @ $13 each Number of Tulip Plants @ $10 each Number of Hyacinth Plants @ $10 each Number of Daffodil Plants @ $10 each An Offering to Hunger Appeal $ Include your envelope number here: A Gift From: In Memory Of: In Thanksgiving for: If you are not planning on taking your plant home and would like to donate it to one of our shut-ins or a local nursing home please let us know.
Odds & Ends For those who don t know what Amazon Smile is Here is how YOU can help Gethsemane while you shop! Tens of millions of products on AmazonSmile are eligible for donations. You will see eligible products marked Eligible for AmazonSmile donation on their product detail pages. To shop at AmazonSmile simply go to smile.amazon.com from the web browser on your computer or mobile device. On your first visit to AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com), you need to select a charitable organization to receive donations from eligible purchases before you begin shopping. We will remember your selection, and then every eligible purchase you make at smile.amazon.com will result in a donation. The AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price from your eligible AmazonSmile purchases. The purchase price is the amount paid for the item minus any rebates and excluding shipping & handling, gift-wrapping fees, taxes, or service charges. From time to time, we may offer special, limited time promotions that increase the donation amount on one or more products or services or provide for additional donations to charitable organizations. Gethsemane Lutheran is registered as a charitable 501(c) (3) organization with AmazonSmile. Please check with the office if you have any questions. We look forward to having you shop AmazonSmile and having their foundation give back to Gethsemane. Friday, April 19th, 2019 is the ABSO- LUTE deadline for articles for the May 2019 Olive Tree. If you would like to contribute, please email your news to the church office at glcmanchester@comcast.net. The Olive Tree Gethsemane Lutheran Church 65 Sagamore St., Manchester, NH 03104 603-623-3451 glcmanchester@comcast.net www.glcmanchester.org Pastor: Rev. Dr. Peter Boehringer Director of Music: Gary MacDonald Church Administrator: Shelley Stama Missionaries in Residence: Deaconess Adrainne Gray and Ben Gray Amazon Smile Metrics for GLC DID YOU KNOW? We have some wonderful shoppers within our church community who love to shop on Amazon and love to help out Gethsemane. Thank you to all of you. As of today, Gethsemane has received $228.55 through the AmazonSmile Foundation. We have 30 people who have signed up to give to GLC through their purchases from the AmazonSmile program. In February alone there were 26 purchases made for a total of giving to us of $58.42. Thank you once again to all who shop Amazon and the AmazonSmile program. The Congregation Council Ron Jones (2 Jan 2021) David Smith (1 - Jan 2023) Sue Roma (1- Jan 2020) Abby Kelly (1- Jan 2020 Carol Burgess (1- Jan 2022) Susan Capano (1 Jan 2020) Barbara Connor (1 - Jan 2023) Diane Fortier (1-Jan 2023) Theo Groh (1-Jan 2023) Katelyn Shaffer (2 - Jan 2022) Tyler Tafelski (1 Jan 2020) President Vice President Treasurer Secretary PLEASE VISIT US ON FACEBOOK Click any of the Facebook links in this newsletter to visit us on Facebook and LIKE US!