Twenty-Fifth Sunday after Pentecost ~ November 18, 2012 November begins with All Saints Day and ends in or near Advent, when we anticipate Christ's coming again. So the readings today tell of the final resurrection and the end time. In the turmoil of hope, fear, and disbelief that these predictions provoke in us, Hebrews sounds a note of confident trust. Christ makes a way for us where there is no way, and we walk it confidently, our hearts and bodies washed in baptismal water, trusting the one who has promised. The more we see the last day approaching, the more important it is to meet together to provoke one another to love. A Mighty Fortress Lutheran Church 8200 McClure Circle Charlotte, NC 28216 704.392.6214 Fax 704.392.6224 WELCOME to worship! For hymns, refer to the red Evangelical Lutheran Worship book or the blue With One Voice hymnal in the pew rack. Please place your Friendship Register sheet in the offering plate. And please feel comfortable to (*) stay seated if that is best for you. Holy Communion is open to everyone. *stand as you are able GATHERING SONG "We are Marching in the Light of God" WOV #650 Shine, Jesus, Shine" WOV #651 WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS PRELUDE Give Thanks Jon Greene, Saxophone *OPENING HYMN O God, Our Help in Ages Past Hymn #632 *CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS Hymnal pages 94-96 *APOSTOLIC GREETING and KYRIE (we sing) Hymnal pages 165-166 *HYMN OF PRAISE Shout to the Lord Hymn #821 *PRAYER OF THE DAY Leader: Let us pray. Almighty God, your sovereign purpose brings salvation to birth. ALL: Give us faith to be steadfast amid the tumults of this world, trusting that your Kingdom comes and your will is done through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. AMEN. CHILDREN S SERMON Drink, Steal, Swear and Lie Sage & Edna Children will leave for Joyful Journeys. FIRST LESSON 1 Samuel 1:4-20, Pew Bible pages 418-419 L/Word of God, word of life. R/Thanks be to God. SECOND LESSON Hebrews 10:11-14 [15-18], Pew Bible page 1873 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 Mark 13:1-8, Pew Bible page 1577 Response after the announcement: Glory to you, O Lord. Response after the conclusion: Praise to you, O Christ. SERMON gabe aufgabe Pastor John Petry *HYMN OF THE DAY When Peace like a River Hymn #785 A Mighty Fortress Lutheran Church A community of believers where: All are welcome here Making Christ known Forgiven by Grace Building up & growing the body of Christ Jesus elca.org/nclutheran.org
*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 AND SHARING OF THE PEACE Leader: Hear us, O God. Congregation: Your mercy is great. GATHERING OF OUR OFFERINGS AND SHEETS FROM THE FRIENDSHIP REGISTER OFFERTORY ANTHEM Stand By Me CHANCEL CHOIR *OFFERTORY RESPONSE (we sing): Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with your spirit free, create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. *OFFERTORY PRAYER: Let us pray. Generous God, thank you for all that we have as grace, hope & mercy of your amazing love for us. ALL: You call and invite us to participate with you in changing hearts, lives and minds toward your loving invitation of grace for everyone in the world. Open our lives wherever we have barriers of apathy, envy, greed, righteousness, and fear; so that your Spirit s comforting certainty moves us toward justice and peace for others through the sharing of our gifts, resources and time. AMEN. *WORDS OF INSTITUTION *LORD S PRAYER (spoken) Hymnal page 191 *LAMB OF GOD Hymnal page 191 COMMUNION DISTRIBUTION ~ Everyone is invited and welcomed 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, are 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 HYMN Wait for the Lord Hymn #262 *TABLE BLESSING *POST-COMMUNION CANTICLE Lord, I Lift Your Name on High Hymn #857 Lord, I lift your name on high; Lord, I love to sing your praises. I m so glad you re in my life, I m so glad you came to save us. You came from heaven to earth to show the way, from the earth to the cross, my debt to pay, from the cross to the grave, from the grave to the sky; Lord, I lift your name on high. *POST-COMMUNION PRAYER, BENEDICTION & SENDING Share God s grace, mercy & peace, God is with you. Thanks be to God. Alleluia, Alleluia! *CLOSING HYMN Canticle of the Turning Hymn #723 POSTLUDE INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLE From SundaysandSeasons.com. Copyright 2012 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #32159
November Worship Volunteers Greeter: Libby Holman Ushers: Ron Dimmer and Richard Lautensleger Offering Tellers: Brian & Becky Wardwell Communion Presenter: Terry Saunders Communion Bread: Nancy Merck Communion Wine: Nancy Merck Council Person of the Month: Mike Bozeman : Charles Burton, Jon Greene, Katie Hughes, Robin Hussey and Annaginnia Harrison November 18: Worship Assistant: Glenn Collins Communion Preparation: Terry Saunders Joyful Journeys: Edna Chirico-Huber November 25: Worship Assistant: Mary Lautensleger Communion Preparation: Brian & Becky Wardwell Joyful Journeys: Edna Chirico-Huber December 2: Worship Assistant: Jim McGee Communion Preparation: Barbara Kutz Joyful Journeys: Libby Holman December 9: Worship Assistant: Amy Johnson Communion Preparation: Mary Merlin Joyful Journeys: Donna Kretschmer Announcements ~ November 18, 2012 CHRISTAN SYMPATHY is expressed to the families of Rick Rozzelle and Robbin Whitley in the death of their father Tuesday, November 13, 2012. The memorial service for their father, Mr. Richard Franklin Rozzelle III - will be today, Sunday, November 18 th, 2012 at 2 PM at Cook s Memorial Presbyterian Church; family visitation will follow the service. Please keep their mother Jacqueline/Jackie, their families, as well as extended family members in your hearts, prayers and thoughts. Needle Ministry will meet November 26 7:00pm - Donna Kretschmer kretschd@yahoo.com The Hanging of the Greens ~ AMF members and guests, young and old, are invited to join us on Saturday December 1 st from 9am to 11am to decorate the church narthex, hallways and sanctuary. Advent begins December 2 nd and we want to be ready. Volunteers are needed to help put up and decorate the large Christmas tree, a smaller Children s Tree and hang many wreaths. Coffee will be on hand bring a breakfast nibble if you wish. Pam & Pastor John invite everyone to celebrate the season and welcome you to an Advent Open House ~ Saturday, December 8 th, from 4pm 7pm at their home [2243 Bay Street Charlotte 28205, located at the corner of Bay & Westover Streets]. Pausing from baking, running errands and shopping come & share some time together as we enjoy the lights of the season & prepare to come and worship Christ, the new-born king & spread Christmas joy! Financial Report for Sunday, November 11, 2012 28 Worship Service: 65 While realizing that numerous factors affect individual/family/ congregational abilities to share/support our ministry and mission, as a congregation: we approved a budget (Jan-Oct. 2012) of $172,178. Year-to-date we are $16,508 behind in our giving. Council & Pastor invites you to join us in praying that with a living, daring confidence in God s grace we will fulfill our mission & ministry goals this year. Thank you. 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, November 25 ~ Christ the King Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14; Psalm 93; Revelation 1:4b-8; John 18:33-37 Room In The Inn is a weekly outreach commitment chaired by John Johnson. AMF volunteers pick up 6 homeless guests from the Urban Ministry Center, serve them dinner, fellowship, spend the night, prepare and serve breakfast and return them to the uptown area. We also provide showers and toiletries if needed. There are 4 teams in place - each team takes 1 week per month. If you would like to volunteer to assist one of the teams through food or spending the night, please contact John Johnson ( Jjjohn@bellsouth.net ) or look for the sign-up sheet in the narthex. The Gathering Group will have their annual Christmas Potluck Luncheon at JoAnn Dimmer's on December 10, 2012, at 11:30 a.m. Please contact JoAnn to let her know if you plan to attend so we'll know how many places to set up. A Mighty Fortress Christmas Program is scheduled for the December 23 rd Service. A Soup Lunch will follow in the Fellowship Hall. CHRISTMAS COOKIE EXCHANGE: Sunday December 2 at 3pm, the Women of the ELCA will be hosting a Cookie Exchange in the Fellowship Hall. Ladies who wish to attend will be asked to bake 5 dozen (60) cookies and your favorite recipe. You will be bringing home up to 4 dozen (48) cookies in a wide variety the remainder will go to our shut-ins. We will arrange transportation if you need it. Please RSVP to Edna Chirico echirico@greenmoose.net and pick up the flyer in the narthex. Community Bulletin Board (Flyers are posted on the Bulletin Board located outside the Sanctuary) Habitat for Humanity Alternative Spring Break Trip ~ El Salvador Coulwood Middle School Senior Citizens Breakfast December 1st 37th Annual Citywide Interfaith Thanksgiving Service November 20th Interfaith Choir 37th Annual Citywide Interfaith Thanksgiving Service Friendship Missionary Baptist Church
Leadership & Prayer Requests ~ November 18, 2012 The Reverend 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 Choir 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 ~ 2012 Mary Merlin, President (term: 2011-2013) 919.451.6692 maryeholman@gmail.com Brian Wardwell, Vice President (term: 2012) 704.361.8493 bwardwell@carolina.rr.com Edna Chirico, Secretary (term: 2012-2014) 704.562.8847 echirico@greenmoose.net Chuck Lehr, Treasurer (term: 2010-2012) 704.969.3123 chucklehr1655@gmail.com Mike Bozeman (term: 2011-2013) 704.393.5205 mbozeman@carolina.rr.com Glenn Collins (term: 2010-2012) 704.307.3850 Glenn.Collins@hexagonmetrology.com Dwayne Graham (term: 2012-2014) 704.726.8215 cypruess@msn.com Barbara Kutz (term: 2012-2014) 704.392.1403 barbarakutz@gmail.com Terry Saunders (term: 2011-2013) 704.399.8989 terryesaunders@bellsouth.net Jeanna Sheldon, Financial Secretary (term: 2012) 704.391.0263 Jmspromise@aol.com Our Prayer Partners: Saint Paul Lutheran Church, Durham, NC Remembering the Military and Their Families - Names listed in the Monthly Newsletter Recovering ~ Robin Hussey, Phil Frye, Ranee' Hedrick and Chuck Mick are all recovering at home after their recent surgeries. Members of Our Parish ~ Norman Burr, Jan Gardner, Zoe Hoffman, Betty Kleis, Edris Robles, Carol Stroup, Buddy & Howard Boyd 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, Ashley Barefoot (Robin Hussey s niece) colon cancer, 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), Randy Conrad (John & Edna s brother-in-law), Raegan Cupp (friend of Rachel Moeller), Alberta Courtney (Becky Wardwell s mother), Don Davis (Helen Phillips co-worker s husband), Pat Estep (Friend of Pastor Merck s granddaughter), 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, Bill Hamlet (Virginia Hensley s brother), Anniginnia Harris, Evelyn Hatley (Robin Moore s aunt), Lewis Heavner, (Leslie Brigman s father), Gary and Cindy Hogan, Melissa Holcomb & her mother, 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), Neil MacFawn (friend of Edna s), Laura McGee, Dave and Katie McKinley (friends of Donna Kretschmer), 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 & Phyllis Rozzelle), Bruce Safrit (friend of Billie & 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 & Chuck Wickenden (friends of Karen Bryant s son Michael), John and Joanne Woods (Karen Bryant s parents), Gus Co-Workers (reduction in workforce) Benji, David, DeWayne, Jennifer, Jody and Warren, and victims of Hurricane Sandy, fires and the Aurora, Colorado community. 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 or John Huber know of names which need to be removed from or added to our prayer list. Thank you.
November/December 2012 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat FH: Fellowship Hall 18 19 20 Girl Scouts, FH/ Classroom 6pm 21 22 23 24 Black Friday 25 26 Yoga Class 7:45-8:45pm Needle Ministry 7:00pm Workroom 27 28 29 Yoga Class 5:15-6:1 FH 30 1 9am 2 Cookie Exchange 3pm FH 3 Yoga Class 7:45-8:45pm 4 Girl Scouts, FH/ Classroom 6pm 5 6 Yoga Class 5:15-6:1 FH 7 8 Lutheran Men in Mission Breakfast 8:30 am FH Advent Open House Pam & Pastor Petry s 4pm 7pm 9 Council Meeting 6:30pm Conference Room 10 Yoga Class 7:45-8:45pm 11 (No WELCA Meeting until January 8th) 12 13 Yoga Class 5:15-6:1 FH Girl Scout Training Conference room 9:30am to 10pm 14 15 16 17 Yoga Class 7:45-8:45pm 18 Girl Scouts, FH/ Classroom 6pm 19 20 Yoga Class 5:15-6:1 FH 21 22
A Mighty Fortress Church 8200 McClure Circle Charlotte NC 28216 704 392-6214 www.amightyfortress.org Pastor John Petry ~ pastorjlp@bellsouth.net 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. Richard Lautensleger 704 910-5403 richlaut@carolina.rr.com Women of the ELCA monthly evening, second Tuesday at the Fellowship Hall or member s home. Supporting 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 - Monday (7:45pm)/Thursday (5:15pm) 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 this 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
LIFT UP YOUR VOICE! JOIN THE INTERFAITH CHOIR FOR THE 37TH ANNUAL CITYWIDE INTERFAITH THANKSGIVING SERVICE, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2012 7:00 PM Friendship Missionary Baptist Church 3400 Beatties Ford Road, Charlotte NC 28216 SPONSORED BY MECKLENBURG MINISTRIES CHOIR REHEARSAL SCHEDULE (at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church): ADULT CHOIR SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM CHILDREN & YOUTH CHOIR MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM * CHORAL WARMUP TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 6:00 PM* *Attendance required. Adults must attend Sunday or Monday rehearsal. Contact meckmin@meckmin.org / 704-565-5455 for more info and to sign-up
37TH ANNUAL CITYWIDE INTERFAITH THANKSGIVING SERVICE TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2012 7:00 PM Friendship Missionary Baptist Church 3400 Beatties Ford Road Charlotte, NC 28216 Thanksgiving Message by Imam John Ederer, Muslim American Society Children s Message by Dennis Reed, Inspire the Fire Music by the Mecklenburg Ministries Interfaith Adult Choir and Children s Choir Thank you in advance for bringing canned goods to the Thanksgiving Service to benefit Loaves and Fishes. For more information, please contact meckmin@meckmin.org or 704-565-5455.