A WORD FROM THE PASTOR Consider these quotes about the Bible. The Bible shows the way to go to heaven, not the way the heavens go. -- Galileo Galilei. I was thinking about how people seem to read the Bible a whole lot more as they get older; then it dawned on me: They're cramming for their final exam. --George Carlin. It ain't those parts of the Bible that I can't understand that bother me, it is the parts that I do understand. --Mark Twain. The Bible tells us to love our neighbors, and also to love our enemies; probably because generally they are the same people. --Gilbert K. Chesterton. No man ever believes that the Bible means what it says: He is always convinced that it says what he means. --George Bernard Shaw. There's nothing written in the Bible, Old or New Testament, that says, "If you believe in me, you ain't going to have no troubles." --Ray Charles. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- This month will bring us to the end of the church year on November 20; with Thanksgiving later that week. On November 27, we begin a new church year and a new lectionary. This coming year will be Year A, Matthew. So, as we come into the new I have an invitation for you. Jump into Scripture and just read. Question, wrestle, be persistent. I stress this because in one short year, the Lutheran Church will be celebrating its 500 th anniversary of the Reformation. Among the many gifts that the Reformation brought is the Bible into the vernacular of the people, so that all could read God s word and be transformed. What a gift and it just keeps giving! Pastor V. November 2016 Crossbeam Page 1
Our Monthly Community Dinner Come one Come all Last Friday of the month from 4pm 6:30pm (Or until we run out- whichever comes first) The Community dinner is for ANYONE who wants to attend. The event is not just for the food but for the Fellowship itself. November 25, 2016 Lazy tacos, drinks and dessert Food Barrel for WS Food Pantry Items needed for November are lots of soup! November 2016 Crossbeam Page 2
Happy November Birthday to: Sue Faust 11/3 Kayla Woodruff 11/9 Bethann Hintzman 11/10 Sylvia Delaney 11/12 Jay Delaney 11/15 Ashley Coder 11/17 Christopher W.Gulas-Karazewski 11/18 Laurie Abendenschein 11/19 Phyllis Gulas 11/20 Happy November Anniversary to: Rob and Melissa Germano 11/6 Maxine and Jim Steiner 11/22/73 Remember, we would be happy to add your name to the list. Call (668-2152) or e-mail the church office (sue please add) or use the card on the counter in the church narthex by the birthday bag. November 2016 Crossbeam Page 3
Women of the ELCA Our annual Thankoffering Service will take place on Tuesday, November 8 at 7PM. We are pleased to say that Evelyn Hicks will join us that night and provide the meditation for the service. We welcome her and any other ladies who would like to come for the service. Members, please remember your special Thankoffering. Sandy Haase will provide the refreshments for this meeting. While we should be thankful for all that we have been blessed with daily, Thanksgiving time seems to be the time we focus on this more. The Lutheran Service Society published these thoughts a few years ago and while I have used them before, they bear repeating and remembering. Thanks-Living *If you own just one Bible, you are abundantly blessed. One third of the world does not have access to even one... *If you woke up this morning with more health than illness, you are more blessed than the million who will not survive the week... * If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the agony of torture, the loneliness of imprisonment, or the pangs of starvation, you are ahead of 500 million people.. *If you attend a church without the fear of harassment, torture or death, you are more blessed than almost three billion people... * If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof over your head and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of this world... * If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish somewhere, you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy... *If your parents are still married and alive, you are very rare, even here in the U.S... *If you can hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful, you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not... Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough. Submitted by Connie Arnold November 2016 Crossbeam Page 4
Social Ministry Upcoming Events Angel Tree: November 20 December 17 Seneca-Babcock Food Drive: December 18 January 25 ST. JOHN S DINING OUT CLUB Just a reminder that we will not be Dining Out in November and December due to the holidays and all the parties planned by our St John s Family. We will be dining at the Bravo Café & Catering in January. Check the December/January issue of the Crossbeam for the details. Crossbeam Deadline Articles for the December/January issue of the Crossbeam are due by November 13 th. Please e- mail your articles to Sue Koeppel (sekoeppel@gmail.com) or leave them in the Crossbeam mailbox outside of the church office. Electronic articles are preferred, if at all possible. November 2016 Crossbeam Page 5
Power Point Schedule Preparer 9 am Presenter 10:45 am Presenter November 6 Rick Lipka Rick Lipka Matthew & Autumn Brown November 13 Nancy Kessler Rick Lipka Trevor Godus November 20 Bob Coder Rick Lipka Linda Altman November 27 Linda Budd Rick Lipka Jean Stankowski Assisting Minister Schedule 9 am 10:45 am November 6 Sue Springer Karen Rothenberger November 13 Pat Lipka Adam Wolff November 20 Sandy Gordon Caroline Rackl November 27 Jim Steiner Evelyn Hicks November 2016 Crossbeam Page 6
Ladies Aid It is time to have those "Mystery Pound Sale " items ready for the November 3 meeting at 7PM. Sylvia will be our auctioneer so have your money ready as we bid for those items whatever they may be! The proceeds will go to the Crop Walk. All are welcome to join us that evening, it is a fun one. If you have any questions, just see Sandy Haase, Connie Arnold or any member. Ladies, remember to tell Sandy if you would like to get the refreshments for that evening. Submitted by Connie Arnold Sunday Church School Thank you for bringing your child to Sunday School! Advent begins Sunday, November 27 th and our kids have begun preparing for our Christmas program! Our Christmas program will be held during the 10:45am service on Sunday, December 18 th. November 6 th : Teachers & aides we have a brief meeting at 10:15 in the triple room on the first floor. Submitted by Kathy Moody November 2016 Crossbeam Page 7
Altar Guild At our last meeting we were happy to welcome Judy Kelly as a member. We are so happy to have her join our Guild. Again, we wish to thank everyone who attended our Penny Sale in September. It was a Huge Success. The guild purchased a new smaller refrigerator for the altar room. This will give us a little more space and help cut the electric cost. The altar flower calendar is doing well, but can use a little help. So pick a special Sunday and remember those special occasions in your life or just give a special thanks to God for your many blessings. Our next meeting will be on November 6th. Please join us. Christmas plans will be discussed. Be sure to watch the December Crossbeam and Sunday bulletins for Poinsettia order forms. Next meeting November 6th between services November altar Nancy Weber & Judy Kelly Hostesses Judy Kelly & Nancy Weber Submitted by Nancy Weber Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights. James 1:17 November 2016 Crossbeam Page 8
News From the Pews In the Hospital Karen Maier Bill Marzahn Baptism September 24, 2016 Sovino Vintali Copece son of Travis and Jessica Copece Blessing of Pets October 9, 2016 "Thank you for all the many prayers, thoughtful cards and for Pastor Valerie visits to Amanda Altman. Our St John's family is truly a blessing." Linda Altman Thank you for the many cards and prayers for my recent surgery, also many visits that were well appreciated-glad to be back with all my church friends. Shirley Johnson November 2016 Crossbeam Page 9
Bible Study We meet the first and third Thursday of the month; we begin at 6 and will conclude at 7. We will be looking at the Elijah cycle in I Kings (with a chapter in II Kings). Here is the schedule: November 3 rd : I Kings 21 Naboth s vineyard; November 17 th : II Kings 1: 1-12 Elijah taken to heaven. Come for one or for all! November 2016 Crossbeam Page 10
4th-8th Grade Advent Retreat December 2-4, 2016 What better way to combine all you love about LCLC with the excitement of this special time of the year. Join us for this great way to get your Advent and Christmas seasons off to an appropriate start. The LCLC Advent Retreat will include: *Advent Worship & Bible Study *Reconnecting with old camp friends and making new ones *Campfires *Advent Crafts *Cookie decorating *Christmas carols *Camp Games, activities, hikes, and more WHEN: 7:00 PM Friday through 11:00 AM Sunday WHERE: The Retreat Center at LCLC COST: $95 (Includes meals, lodging, and program) $10 of which is a non-refundable deposit The registration deadline is 11/28/16. call 716-386-4125 for more information. November 2016 Crossbeam Page 11
LOST & FOUND Winter is coming and there are winter jackets, gloves, mittens, hats in the cabinet. If you are missing one of these items, please take a look. Those not picked up will be washed and given to a charity. If you find items around our complex, please place them in the cabinet in the Foyer. Please do not leave them lying where you found them. If you lose something please look in the cabinet in the Foyer first. Items of value are kept in the church office. If you bring in goodies for our many receptions during the year, please take your dishes home. Those left in the kitchen will be placed on the pew next to the Classified Ads bulletin board in the Parish Hall. We do thank everyone who brings in goodies but we just don t have room to store the dishes left behind. Please call Carolly Huth if you can t find what you are looking for at 826-0506. Puzzle answers: Jonah; Haggai; Hosea; Isaiah; Daniel; Jeremiah; Amos; Ezekiel Messengers November 2016 Crossbeam Page 12
Book Club Nov. 15 th, THE HEART GOES LAST by Margaret Atwood Jan. 17 th, HOMEGOING by Yaa Gyasi Mar. 21 st, RULES OF PREY by John Sandford May 16 th, THE JUDAS GOAT by Robert B. Parker Jul. 18 th, ONE MISSED STEP by Barbara Morris. We meet in the church fellowship room at 6:30 pm WON T YOU JOIN US FOR DISCUSSION, REFRESHMENT, AND FELLOWSHIP? Submitted by Jim Steiner The sign up sheet is on the kitchen counter for Sunday refreshments. Thank you to everyone for all the delicious goodies over the summer. We are looking for about four plates each week. Sometimes it s easier if you work with another family. Thank you Membership November 2016 Crossbeam Page 13
November 2016 Crossbeam Page 14
Answer on page 12. November 2016 Crossbeam Page 15
INDEX Assisting Ministers 6 Altar Guild 8 A Word from the Pastor 1 Bible Study 10 Birthdays & Anniversaries 3 Book Club 13 Community Dinner 2 Dining Out Club 5 Financial Report 14 Food Pantry 2 Greeters See insert Ladies Aid 7 Lost & Found 12 New from the pews 9 Power point 6 Social Ministry 5 Sunday Church School 7 Ushers See insert WELCA 4 November 2016 Crossbeam Page 16