Christ the Lord Lutheran Church (CTL)

The Bridge December 2016 Christ the Lord Lutheran Church (CTL) A Reconciling in Christ Congregation 847-741-8141 FAX: 847-741-8165 Email: ctloffice@ctlelgin.org Website: www.ctlelgin.org Like us at www.facebook.com/ctlelgin CTL Office Hours Monday: Office closed Tuesday through Friday: 9:00 A.M. 1:00 P.M. These are the regularly scheduled hours for Peggy. For Pastoral care, members are welcome to call Pr. Michael Rothaar at 630-865-5246 January Bridge deadline December 19, 2016 Send items to Karin K at bridge@ctlelgin.org or leave in mailbox on the top of the mail slots outside the church office. We are centered in Christ and reach out to care. We proclaim Jesus as Lord and Savior. We equip and teach for spiritual growth. We worship passionately. We minister to the physical and spiritual needs of others. We discern and use the gifts of the Holy Spirit. We invite and involve others with a welcoming heart. Page 1

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Contents *COME ONE COME ALL*... 4 *WORSHIP NEWS*... 7 Sunday Morning Schedule... 7 Scripture Lessons for December... 7 *FROM OUR LEADERSHIP*... 8 From the Pastor... 8 *GET INVOLVED*... 10 White Gifts Sunday... 10 The Mitten Tree... 10 Crafters - Ornaments and Cookie Exchange... 10 Devotional materials,... 11 Council/Call Committee Update... 11 Travel with the Tolzmanns in 2017... 12 Bound and Ungagged... 12 Thrivent funds for projects... 12 Kids Hope at CTL... 13 Christian Education/Faith Formation... 13 Habitat for Humanity News: House project... 13 October Financial Report... 14 Gifted by God... 14 Estimate of Giving Update... 15 Vineyard Breakfast... 15 Scrip Fundraising... 15 *LEARNING*... 16 Adult Study Groups... 16 *PRAYER REQUESTS*... 17 *SPECIAL DATES TO REMEMBER*... 18 *THANK YOU*... 19 *CHRIST THE LORD LUTHERAN CHURCH*... 20 Page 3

*COME ONE COME ALL* For future events, be sure the church office and Bridge editor receive date and time information so calendars and space needs are all correct! Please click on blue hyperlinks for more information. (Full Calendar) Thu, Dec 1, 2016 Wild Ones 6:30 PM Sat, Dec 3, 2016 Bound & Ungagged (Book Club) 8:00 AM Sat, Dec 3, 2016 Fox River Valley Initiative TBA Sun, Dec 4, 2016 White Gifts Sign-Up 8:30 AM Sun, Dec 4, 2016 Bridge Group 4:00 PM Tue, Dec 6, 2016 Needles & Pins 9:00 AM Tue, Dec 6, 2016 Bible & Brew Tue, Dec 6, 2016 Templo Apostolico Maranatha Thu, Dec 8, 2016 Mutual Ministry Sun, Dec 11, 2016 White Gifts Sunday 9:30 AM Tue, Dec 13, 2016 Needles & Pins 9:00 AM Tue, Dec 13, 2016 Bible & Brew NO MTG Tue, Dec 13, 2016 Templo Apostolico Maranatha Wed, Dec 14, 2016 Confirmation 6:30 PM Thu, Dec 15, 2016 Council Thu, Dec 15, 2016 Vineyard Breakfast 6:30 AM Sat, Dec 17, 2016 Crafters Cookie Exchange & Craft for SS 1:00 PM Sun, Dec 18, 2016 Bridge Group 4:00 PM Tue, Dec 20, 2016 Needles & Pins 9:00 AM Tue, Dec 20, 2016 Quilts of Valor NO MTG 10:00 AM Tue, Dec 20, 2016 Bible & Brew NO MTG Tue, Dec 20, 2016 Templo Apostolico Maranatha Wed, Dec 21, 2016 All Are Welcome 6:00 PM Page 4

Tue, Dec 27, 2016 Needles & Pins 9:00 AM Tue, Dec 27, 2016 Bible & Brew NO MTG Tue, Dec 27, 2016 Templo Apostolico Maranatha Thu, Dec 29, 2016 Sewing Guild Fri, Dec 30, 2016 Soup Kettle 5:00 PM Sun, Jan 1, 2017 Martin Luther King Jr. Food Drive 10:30 AM Sun, Jan 1, 2017 Bridge Group 4:00 PM Tue, Jan 3, 2017 Needles & Pins 9:00 AM Tue, Jan 3, 2017 Bible & Brew Tue, Jan 3, 2017 Templo Apostolico Maranatha Sat, Jan 7, 2017 Bound & Ungagged (Book Club) 8:00 AM Sun, Jan 8, 2017 Martin Luther King Jr. Food Drive 10:30 AM Tue, Jan 10, 2017 Needles & Pins 9:00 AM Tue, Jan 10, 2017 Bible & Brew Tue, Jan 10, 2017 Templo Apostolico Maranatha Thu, Jan 12, 2017 Mutual Ministry Sun, Jan 15, 2017 Martin Luther King Jr. Food Drive 10:30 AM Sun, Jan 15, 2017 Bridge Group 4:00 PM Tue, Jan 17, 2017 Needles & Pins 9:00 AM Tue, Jan 17, 2017 Quilts of Valor 10:00 AM Tue, Jan 17, 2017 Bible & Brew Tue, Jan 17, 2017 Templo Apostolico Maranatha Wed, Jan 18, 2017 All Are Welcome 6:00 PM Thu, Jan 19, 2017 Council Sun, Jan 22, 2017 Budget Forum 11:00 AM Tue, Jan 24, 2017 Needles & Pins 9:00 AM Tue, Jan 24, 2017 Bible & Brew Tue, Jan 24, 2017 Templo Apostolico Maranatha Sun, Jan 29, 2017 Congregational Meeting 11:00 AM Page 5

Tue, Jan 31, 2017 Needles & Pins 9:00 AM Tue, Jan 31, 2017 Bible & Brew Tue, Jan 31, 2017 Templo Apostolico Maranatha Tue, Feb 7, 2017 Needles & Pins 9:00 AM Tue, Feb 7, 2017 Bible & Brew Tue, Feb 7, 2017 Templo Apostolico Maranatha Thu, Feb 9, 2017 Mutual Ministry Tue, Feb 14, 2017 Needles & Pins 9:00 AM Tue, Feb 14, 2017 Bible & Brew Tue, Feb 14, 2017 Templo Apostolico Maranatha Wed, Feb 15, 2017 All Are Welcome 6:00 PM Thu, Feb 16, 2017 Council Tue, Feb 21, 2017 Needles & Pins 9:00 AM Tue, Feb 21, 2017 Bible & Brew Tue, Feb 21, 2017 Templo Apostolico Maranatha Tue, Feb 28, 2017 Needles & Pins 9:00 AM Tue, Feb 28, 2017 Bible & Brew Page 6

Sunday Morning Schedule 9:30 a.m. Worship/Communion *WORSHIP NEWS* 11:00 a.m. Education Hour Christmas Eve: 5:00 pm family service 7:00 pm candlelight service Christmas Day: 9:30 am worship Scripture Lessons for December Sunday December 4 Second Sunday of Advent Isaiah 11:1-10 Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19 (7) Romans 15:4-13 Matthew 3:1-12 Color: Blue Sunday December 11 Third Sunday of Advent Isaiah 35:1-10 Psalm 146:5-10 (8) or Luke 1:46b-55 (47) James 5:7-10 Matthew 11:2-11 Color: Blue Sunday December 18 Fourth Sunday of Advent Isaiah 7:10-16 Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 (7) Romans 1:1-7 Matthew 1:18-25 Color: Blue Saturday December 24 Nativity of Our Lord Christmas Eve Isaiah 9:2-7 Psalm 96 (11) Titus 2:11-14 Luke 2:1-20 Color: White Wednesday December 25 Nativity of Our Lord Christmas Day Isaiah 52:7-10 Psalm 98 (3) Hebrews 1:1-4 (5-12) John 1:1-14 Color: White During Sunday worship, CTL has a staffed nursery that is available on request. If you have an infant or a preschool age child and would like to make use of the nursery, please let an usher know. Page 7

*FROM OUR LEADERSHIP* From the Pastor December, 2016 I am looking forward to spending part of 2017 with you. As announced in church on Nov. 27, and in this issue of the Bridge, your congregation council at its November meeting asked me to extend my time as your interim pastor. I have agreed to continue until June 3, 2017. (If a called pastor begins service here before then, of course, I will end sooner.) Bishop Miller appointed me to this position a year ago, and I began service the first week of January. An important part of my responsibility has been to support the leadership of the congregation in the extended self-study process that prepares the church to seek a new pastor. I have been grateful to share this task with Nancy Sayer of the Samaritan Interfaith Center in Naperville, who has led several of the group discussions. I am also grateful for the effort and input that has been given by the Visioning Team and the Congregation Council, and to all who have been forthcoming about the future of this church. As you all know, this congregation will present its new pastor with significant challenges it s what generally known as a turn-around situation. Having lost about 40% of its membership over the last decade, and confronted with both a constricted operating budget and the need for some $225,000 in building repairs over the next decade, ministry here will require dedication, energy and a passionate talent for outreach. On the positive side, though, I have found CTL to be richly blessed with a lively spirit and a true dedication to the gospel. You have a rich tradition of profound liturgical worship and widespread service to the disadvantaged in the community. You have an impressively talented group of leaders, and a contagious enthusiasm for the congregation s future. I am convinced that it is a great opportunity for a talented pastor who wants to make a difference. As we move through the Advent season, I plan to consider each week some of God s Christmas Gifts. Please join us on Sundays. And remember throughout this season that beyond shopping, decorating and baking there are throughout the area Page 8

numerous choir concerts, sacred celebrations of the season, and opportunities to serve the less fortunate. Take advantage of all the opportunities to build your own meaningful holiday season. Did you know there s a tradition in some homes with children of having an empty manger? Each time the family observes an expression of loving and kindness, or an act of inspirational service, or some other faithful reflection of God s love, they place some straw in the manger. The whole idea is to teach children that they re building a place for baby Jesus. That s what Advent is about building a place in our hearts for the Christ who came to the world at Christmas. Our Christmas Eve services will include a 5:00 pm Family Service and a 7:00 pm Candlelight. Both are services of Holy Communion. On December 25 we ll have our usual Sunday morning service at 9:30, but we ll be celebrating the Festival of the Nativity of our Lord with lots of joyful carols. May God bring you joy this season. The Rev. Dr. Michael R. Rothaar Interim Pastor Page 9

*GET INVOLVED* White Gifts Sunday White Gift Tags are available before and after church. Each tag lists the name of a child and that child's three wishes. The donor chooses one or more of the wishes to fulfill as a gift for that child. There is a $30 limit per child. The gift (or gifts) is wrapped in white paper with the name tag securely fastened on the gift. All gifts need to be at CTL on or before Dec. 11th. The gifts will be delivered to the children at school before the Christmas school holiday. Questions? Contact Barb B. The Mitten Tree Is up in the Narthex. Donations of gloves and mittens in all sizes, scarves, and hats suitable for the cold weather ahead can be hung on its branches. These items are removed and delivered monthly to schools, PADS, the Crisis Center, and other agencies that will give them to people who need them for warmth. The tree will be available until the end of February. Crafters - Ornaments and Cookie Exchange At our December meeting, we will be making an ornament to be given out to children at the Christmas Eve Family Service. No special skills required and all supplies will be provided. We will meet at church on Sat., Dec. 17, at 1:00 P.M. As is our tradition at this meeting, we will also be having a Christmas cookie exchange. If you would like to participate in our annual Christmas cookie exchange, please bring about 4-5 dozen cookies (all the same variety). We will share some and divide up the rest. You will go home with a variety of cookies. It's a great way to get into the festive spirit. For more information, contact Carol E at 847-695-0833 or Karin K at 847-373-0545. Page 10

Devotional materials, Based on the Sunday Gospel texts for November are available by the coffee pots. Written by Arlyn T for the Christian education planning team, these support family and individual lifelong learning. Council/Call Committee Update Dear CTL members, on behalf of your Council and Call Committee I wanted to give you a brief update about upcoming plans. First of all, we are blessed to have Pr. Rothaar remain with us at CTL until June, or until a pastor is called, if that occurs before then. Council has designated a task force to write the Ministry Site Profile document that must be submitted to the Synod before candidates will be given to the Call Committee to interview. That task force consists of Holly V, Jeanne T, Mike M, Henrietta N and Pr. Rothaar. They will begin meeting immediately to put this document in place. We hope to have that completed by the end of the year so that interviews can begin as early in 2017 as possible. The members of the Call Committee are Holly V (Chair), Jenn S, Lowell B, Dale N, Ann O, and Dorothy G. This is an exciting and challenging time and we look forward to this new chapter in the life of CTL. We are grateful for the input of the congregation through the World Café Conversations and the work of the Visioning Committee and Nancy Sayer of the Samaritan Center for Congregations. Henrietta N, CTL Council President Shop at Smile.Amazon.com and CTL earns 0.5% of your purchase! On your first visit to AmazonSmile, you need to select a charitable organization to receive donations from eligible purchases before you begin shopping. They will remember your selection, and then every eligible purchase you make on Amazon will result in an automatic donation! A simple way to support CTL! Page 11

Travel with the Tolzmanns in 2017 Once again the Tolzmanns will be leading a tour to Europe. Oct 9-19, 2017 we'll travel in Croatia and Slovenia. The itinerary looks fantastic! We really enjoy traveling with a group, renewing old and creating new friendships and seeing the sights. We'd be delighted to have you join us on our next travel adventure! Brochures are available. Bound and Ungagged We are reading "Accidental Saints" by Nadia Bolz-Weber for our Dec 3rd meeting. For our January 7, 2017 meeting we will be reading a book of your choice and coming prepared to discuss the book that you chose. Also for January we will be picking our books for the next year. The book club usually meets the first Saturday of the month at Colonial Cafe on McLean Blvd at 8:00 a.m. Come join us for a delicious breakfast, fellowship and some lively discussion of the books that we read. If you have any questions or would like to suggest a book that you have read and think the book club would enjoy reading and discussing it please contact Carol H.. Thrivent funds for projects Are you looking for funds to make your project happen? Thrivent Financial can help you. If you are a Thrivent member, you can apply for a preloaded $250 Community Impact credit card up to 2 times a calendar year. After being approved, Thrivent will send you a packet of information with your card to help promote and manage your project. For more information, go to Thrivent.com and click on Thrivent Action Teams. Page 12

Kids Hope at CTL Yes, we're still alive and well and hanging out at Hillcrest. Smiling faces greet mentors when they go to pick up their children. The one hour a week we spend with the children is so worthwhile, both to them and to us. We don't tutor, unless requested to do so by the teacher. We show up and spend quality time with our kids, giving them our undivided attention for that hour. Studies have proven that this method works. Come and join us! Make a difference for a child! Training provided. Call Jeanne T for information. 224-535-9261 Christian Education/Faith Formation Intergenerational Christian Education - All are welcome to attend the intergenerational events. The October event was well attended. Children and adults enjoyed learning about Martin Luther. Sign up on the bulletin board for upcoming intergenerational events. December 18 - Our lesson and story will be about giving in many ways. There will be a story and snacks. We'll be decorating bags and filling them to be given away. January 8 - Epiphany - Once again we'll be learning about giving and gifts. We'll learn about Epiphany, have snacks and make gifts to be shared with others. Please come and share these sessions with the children of CTL. Watch for sign-up sheets on the bulletin board. Habitat for Humanity News: House project There is a family of 5 waiting to move into their new house to start making memories. Are you ready to work? Our New Hope Habitat for Humanity partnership is currently working on the rehab of a house. Items that need to be done include painting, new flooring, installing light fixtures, and yard work. All work will be done under the supervision of a project director. You can work a whole day or part of a day as your time allows. All construction supplies are provided as well as job instruction. Page 13

House is located at 611 Margaret in Elgin. Workdays will be Saturdays, 8:30 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. Bring your own lunch. Volunteers must be 18 years old OR 16-17 years with an adult. Sign-up to volunteer to help with rehab by registering at the Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley website www.habitatnfv.org. Sign-up for as many workdays as you like or get a group together! Contact Carol Earsley at 847-695-0833 with questions. October Financial Report Gifts Given Gifts Expected Difference October $16,100 $15,344 +$756 Year to date $154,410 $165,240 -$10,830 Expenditures of $135,816 puts us at +$18,594 to date. A reminder: All offerings need to be postmarked by December 31 to go toward 2016 giving. Gifted by God Thank you to all who have been so generous with your time and money in the last few weeks for the many outreach ministries we support. The Elgin area is better off because of Christ The Lord Lutheran! Psalm 8:6 reminds us we are responsible to God for protecting, preserving and enjoying all that God has made. I am heartened to hear some at CTL are practicing a Reverse Advent calendar, where one food item is placed in a basket every day of Advent for the Greater Elgin Food Bank. Some keep track of the taxes paid on Christmas gifts and give that amount for the Christmas Eve offering. Some tithe an approximate amount spent on gifts. Whatever discipline we follow, may we experience the joy of giving. Arlyn T, Stewardship Chair Page 14

Estimate of Giving Update As of November 14, 42 households have pledged $127,080 for the coming year. More commitments are expected. This averages to $3,026 per household or $58 per week. Thank you to all who have returned Estimate of Giving cards! 89% of our mission plan (budget) is supported by pledgers. Vineyard Breakfast CTL is providing breakfast for the needy at the Vineyard Church in downtown Elgin on the third Thursday of each month. Breakfasts start at 7:00 a.m. We are providing a hot meal during these colder months. Anyone who would like to help by donating food, preparing, or serving, please contact Barb B. Scrip Fundraising Simply return an order form with your check to the church on Sunday. You will receive a new order form each week. You may pick up your order the following Sunday at the church. We encourage you to take advantage of the wonderful benefits offered by this on-going fundraiser. If you have questions, please talk to Mary N 847-828-0027 or Dorothy G 847-888-4484. Page 15

*LEARNING* Adult Study Groups You re welcome to participate in our adult learning opportunities: Sunday Forum Come to the library every Sunday at 11:00. Pastor Rothaar will lead the discussion of Natasha Crain s book Keeping Your Kids on God s Side, which is available here at church for $9.50, or by order from Amazon.com. The title is misleading it s good for parents and grandparents, but also for anyone who wants to think about the question of whether Christianity is really true. Bible & Brew is a lay-led spontaneous discussion group that meets each Tuesday at 7:00 at Village Squire in Dundee. This month, December, will include only one meeting, on Dec. 6th. The following meeting will be on Jan. 3, 2017. Wednesday Morning is taught by Pastor Rothaar every week at 10:00 a.m. in the library. This study is a careful look at the lectionary -- the three Scripture readings and psalm that will be used in church the following Sunday. A study guide is distributed each week. You can either bring your own Bible (any translation) or use one of the NRSV Bibles we have on hand. Page 16

*PRAYER REQUESTS* November 27, 2016 Please pray for those who are part of the life of CTL who struggle with illness and other concerns, especially: Teri C, Jan E, Barb L, and Jason P. Please pray for those in care facilities or at home, especially: At Home: Ursula H Please pray for those in military service, especially: Brandt J, Matt K, and John Y Please pray for our family and friends, especially: Kim A... niece of Mary T Laurel H... daughter of Howard & Jan E Katy... neighbor of Teri C Family of Ginny K... friend of Barb L Ellen K... wife of the Tolzmann s Colorado doctor Joan L and Family... friends of Cheri Lee L Dick M... friend of Cheri Lee L Edna M... Susan T s Mother Bob M... brother of John M Ellias O... grandson of Diane B Family of Dick V,... friend of Paul & Mary T and Jill B Names in the above prayer lists are kept active for 6 weeks. Please call our office if you want to request additional time. Page 17

*SPECIAL DATES TO REMEMBER* If you have a December event and it does not appear on the lists, please let us know so we can update our records. bridge@ctlelgin.org December Birthdates 1 - Dale N 2 - Mark D 3 - Javier P 3 - Erich S 5 - Laura E 8 - Carri N 13 - Henrietta N 16 - Lowell B 16 - Dolores G 17 - Kayla H December Baptisms 4 - Carol B 4 - Andrea B 6 - Sadie V 10 - Paul T 17 - Earl L 18 - Judy L 18 - Nicole R 18 - Jaden T 19 - David Y 20 - Karol A 23 - Phillip D 23 - Rene L 29 - Caitlin D 30 - Emilie S 18 - Karen T 22 - Sarah T 23 - Madison M 25 - Andrew B December Anniversaries 3 - Paul & Mary T 22 - David & Marsha C 31 - Lynn & Ken K Page 18

*THANK YOU* Holy Holes Barb L, Arlyn & Jeanne T, John M Altar Flowers John & Carol C in honor of Rachel s 14th birthday, and given by Dick & Cheri Lee L in honor of their 51st anniversary, Chris W in memory of all our beloved saints, Bob & Diane B in honor of Diane s Mom s 103rd birthday, and given by Karol A in honor of her parents 65th anniversary and Steve & Susan T in honor of Brian s birthday. Nursery Rocker: Thank you, Jim H, for repairing the child sized rocker in the CTL Nursery. Once again the children can sit and rock their babies! Thanksgiving Baskets: A heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed donations of food, money, and labor to make this ministry such a success! Everyone who signed up for food brought it on time. Monetary donations were used to buy a bag of fresh fruit, a loaf of bread, and a grocery gift certificate for each of the families. The baskets were assembled and picked up for delivery on Tues. People who helped with sorting and packing were Dale B, Karen C, Jacki B, Debbie McG, Chris W, John M, and Barb B. We hope all our recipients had full stomachs and a happy Thanksgiving. Page 19

*CHRIST THE LORD LUTHERAN CHURCH* STAFF Pr. Michael R Interim Pastor ctlpastor@ctlelgin.org Jason P Director of Music ctlmusic@ctlelgin.org Jim H Director of Handbell jim.harrer@ctlelgin.org Choir Peggy L Office Administration ctloffice@ctlelgin.org COUNCIL Henrietta N 2014-2017 President Eric L 2016-2019 Vice President Ann O 2015-2018 Secretary & Archivist Jacki B 2014-2017 Corresponding Secretary Karin K 2012*-2018 Dale N 2012*-2018 Jeanne T 2016-2019 CTL FINANCIAL TEAM Beth U Treasurer Carol C Financial Secretary CTL council minutes are now available on the entryway white board! Christ the Lord Lutheran Church 12N462 Tina Trail + Elgin, IL 60124-4876 + Phone: 847-741-8141 Office Hours Mondays: Office closed Tuesday through Friday: 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. www.ctlelgin.org Page 20