THE DOVE The Dove: Sharing the Good News at CALC December 2017 From the Pastor In the summer of 2019, the ELCA will meet in Churchwide Assembly to discuss, deliberate, and vote on our 13 th Social Statement. This one on Women and Justice. In anticipation of this important work, I am beginning a series of newsletter articles on the Social Statements of the ELCA (of which there are conveniently 12). This month, let us reflect on For Peace in God s World. If you would like more information, you can find all of the Social Statements of the ELCA at elca.org/socialstatements. Dear CALC, There perhaps is no more appropriate time in the Church year than Advent to talk about the 1995 social statement, For Peace in God s World. As the introduction to the statement says, we share with the church of Jesus Christ in all times and places the calling to be peacemakers. This is reflected in our liturgies, our prayers, and is so often repeated in our Advent and Christmas hymns. This social statement begins by celebrating God s resolve for peace and goes on to name the importance of the Church as a place that uniquely contributes to earthly peace through equipping the faithful to act for peace in all their communities. We claim the importance of faithful presence in the world for peace, whether that be a disturbing presence which refuses to be silent, a reconciling presence in roles of mediation, a serving presence, or a deliberating presence. This active, peace-seeking faith is active for peace, guided by biblical insight, and lived in our time. Our responsibilities as faithful people is political: we are to act as citizens, taking part in the governmental systems to which we belong. Unlike the other statements we have looked at so far this year, For Peace in God s World includes an extensive and detailed list of specific tasks and priorities that we are called to in this particular time. Though this statement was written over twenty years ago, many of these tasks are still appropriate to consider today. As we experience this Advent season and proclaim the coming of the Prince of Peace, let us consider how we might support these peaceful efforts with others in Christ s Church. Specific tasks: Foster a dynamic vision of difference in unity Promote respect for human rights Counter and transform attitudes that encourage violence Strengthen the will and ability to resolve conflicts peacefully Insist that peace and economic justice belong together Support just arrangements to regulate the international economy Revitalize aid Support economic conversion Strengthen international cooperation Give high priority to arms and control THIS MONTH. Advent Wednesdays Dec. 6, 13, 20, 6:00 pm Child Care Meeting Dec. 12, 7:00 pm Book Group Dec. 18, 7:00 pm Council Meeting Dec. 19, 7:30 pm Sunday Potluck Dec. 17 (after worship) Christmas Services 4:30 pm Family 5:30 pm Reception 6:45 pm Pre-Service Music Candlelight
The Dove: Sharing the Good News at CALC December 2017 From the Pastor cont. reduction Control and reduce arms trade Advocate participatory and accountable political structures within nations Encourage non-governmental organizations and their work for peace Encourage and support nonviolent action Care for the uprooted In this Advent season and the Christmas season to follow, may you know the Peace of the Christ Child in your heart. But may you also work to bring about Christ s peace in the world. Be sure you get your Advent Devotional, Dancing with the Prophets, in church. There is no electronic version. Happy Advent, Merry Christmas, and God s Blessings, Pastor Jay Many thanks to all who contributed reflections. Decorating for Christmas Christmas Eve is on the same day as the Fourth Sunday of Advent this year. As such, we will grow our decorations for Christmas throughout the Advent Season. Join us on Advent Wednesdays at Vespers where we will decorate a little each week. We will need help setting up the Christmas Tree on Saturday, December 23rd at noon. If you are able to help with the Christmas Tree, sign up with Pastor Jay. We will do our final decorating during worship on The Fourth Sunday of Advent.
Tidings of Comfort and Joy Advent Wednesdays 6pm Supper and Family-Friendly Activities December 6th: St. Nicholas and Keeping Time December 13th: Sankta Lucia and Baking December 20th: Mrs. Luther and Candles 7pm Advent Vespers December 6th: Zechariah s Fear December 13th: Joseph s Confusion December 20th: Mary s Doubt Join us!
Come, Let Us Adore Him! Christmas Eve 4:30pm Family Carols and Communion please note: there is no candlelight at this service 5:30pm Christmas Reception Festive Refreshment between the Services 6:45pm Pre-Service Music Congregation, Choir, and Instrumental Song 7:00pm Candlelight Scripture, Sermon, Sacrament, and Song Christmas Day 10:30am Pajama! Wear your most festive jammies! New Year s Eve 10:30am Lessons and Carols Scripture, Song, and Sacrament for the Turning of the Year
The Dove: Sharing the Good News at CALC December 2017 Book Group The next meeting will be Monday, December 18 at 7:00 pm in Kimes Hall to discuss A Christmas Memory: One Christmas and The Thanksgiving Visitor by Truman Capote A wonderful classic trio of stories perfect for reading as a beginning to the holidays. All are welcome to join the discussion. Fellowship Opportunities ElderDiner every Monday at 12 noon Breakfast with Santa Saturday, December 2, 9:00 am 12 noon. Congregation Potlucks! Every third Sunday of the month November 19. Bring a dish to share Stay for fellowship after worship Shop for everyone on your gift list this holiday at smile.amazon.com/ch/23-1946581 and Amazon donates to Christ Ascension Lutheran Church. Celebrations Baptisms Carly Ytterberg Dec. 16 Alexandra Ingersoll Dec. 24 Birthdays Dec. 5 Lori Olson Dec. 19 Peg Wellington Dec. 23 Emily Brown Dec. 27 Maria Kaufman Dec. 27 Kyle Kaufman
The Dove: Sharing the Good News at CALC December 2017 Holiday Open House Pastor Jay invites you to his home for a holiday get-together. Friday, December 29, 2017 from 6-9pm No RSVP needed, but welcome Contact the church office for his address. Good Brews! Good Brews returns on First Tuesdays! Join us for drinks and conversation January 2nd: New Year s Resolutions Meet at Earth + Bread in Mt Airy at 7pm.
The Dove: Sharing the Good News at CALC December 2017 Helpers for October through December Date Greeter Usher Acolyte Lector AM Altar Guild Bread Fellowship 1-Oct Higgins Higgins Higgins Beck, T Brown, G Hallock Hallock Terry 8-Oct Galganski Beck, E Terry Terry Reumann 15-Oct Gerhart Gerhart Brown, M Beck, T Gerhart Gerhart POTLUCK 22-Oct Smith Gerhart, E Beck Beck Blum 28-Oct Terry/Catalan Galganski Brown Reumann Brown, G Mitchell Mitchell Council 5-Nov Higgins Higgins Higgins Blum Gerhart, E Gerhart/Evans Jones Beck 12-Nov Jones Bechert Hallock Hallock Jones 19-Nov Gerhart Gerhart Killinger Beck, E Mitchell Killinger POTLUCK 26-Nov Terry/Catalan Galganski See PJ Brown, G Beck Valentine 3-Dec Jones Beck, T Terry Terry Reumann 10-Dec Evans Bechert Hallock Hallock Jones 17-Dec Gerhart Gerhart Catalan Gerhart, E Mitchell Mitchell POTLUCK 24-Dec Beck, T Beck, E Evans Jones Hanging Greens 24-Dec Gerhart Gerhart Reception 24-Dec Galganski Brown Reumann Brown, G Gerhart Valentine 25-Dec Gerhart, E Gerhart, E Gerhart Gerhart Mitchell 31-Dec Terry/Catalan See PJ Gerhart, E Beck Beck Mitchell
The Dove: Sharing the Good News at CALC December 2017 Child Care Center Tis the Season. It s that time again when CLCCC presents its Annual Holiday Extravaganza! We serve the visiting families cookies after the show. If you are able to donate holiday cookies, please send donations to the Child Care office by Friday morning, December 15, 2017. Please join us for the show at 3:30 pm. Thank you for your support, and have a safe and blessed holiday. Ways to Give to Christ Ascension! 1. Sign up for automatic debit program, Simply Giving. Contact church office for Enrollment Form. 2. Contribute online via the DONATE tab on our website: http://christascension.org/ donate/ 3. Download the GivePlus Church app for Apple and Android. (Donations cannot contain nut products or nut oils) Thank you! End of Year Reminders Annual Reports: All committee chairpersons should begin thinking about preparing an annual committee report for the annual congregation meeting. Committee 2017 end-of-year reports are due to the church office on or before January 14, 2018. 2017 Contributions: The financial records of Christ Ascension Lutheran Church will close on December 31, 2017. In accordance with IRS rulings, all contributions to be credited to 2017 must be in the church office by December 31, 2017 or postmarked by December 31, 2017. Any monies received after that date will be considered contributions in Brown Bag Bible is Moving! Join us on Wednesdays at 6:30pm starting January 3rd!
December 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat MALT= Mt. Airy Learning Tree 1 2 3 9:15 am Christian Education 10:30 am 10 9:15 am Christian Education 10:30 am 4 12 noon ElderDiner 11 12 noon ElderDiner 5 6 12 Child Care Meeting 6:00 pm Supper & Family Friendly Activity Evening Prayer 13 6:00 pm Supper & Family Friendly Activity Evening Prayer 7 14 9:00-11:00 am Breakfast with Santa 9:00-10:00 am MALT Class 10:30-11:30 am Budget Meeting 8 9 9:00-10:00 am MALT Class 10:30-11:30 am 15 16 9:00-10:00 am MALT Class 10:30-11:30 am 17 9:15 am Christian Education 10:30 am 18 12 noon ElderDiner Book Group 19 7:30 pm Council Meeting 20 6:00 pm Supper & Family Friendly Activity Evening Prayer 21 22 23 10:30-11:30 am POTLUCK 24/31 10:30 am 4:30 pm Family 25 10:30 am Pajama Christmas Day 26 27 28 29 30 10:30-11:30 am 5:30 pm Reception Candlelight
Call for Building Improvement Fund Please consider donating to our Building Improvement Fund. This fund provides for building upkeep and repairs. Recent repairs: Replacement of slate roof tiles and painting of metal ridges on Kimes Hall; Repair of outside sign lights and the bathroom exhaust fan. Mark your donation Improvement Fund. Thank you! Memorial Mission Fund Gifts can be given to the Memorial Mission Fund anytime in memory of our beloved dead. Church council will have discretionary oversight of this account and use funds only for purposes that directly advance our mission, ministries and public witness. Thank you for supporting the congregation s mission in this way. Contact Us Give us a call or send us an email for more information Christ Ascension 8300 Germantown Ave Philadelphia, PA 19118 (215) 247-4233 office@christascension.org Visit us on the web at www.christascension.org and on Facebook: facebook.com/calcphilly The Dove: Sharing the Good News at CALC Christ Ascension Lutheran Church 8300 Germantown Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19118 PLACE STAMP HERE A congregation of the ELCA Christ Ascension A Church United in Faith, Hope and Love Schedule 9:30 am Christian Education 10:30 am Please submit your news directly to office@christascension.org. Deadline is the 20th of each month.