Faith s Tide Faith Lutheran Church 8200 Ellis Avenue Huntington Beach, CA 92646-1839 (Located on Ellis Ave. between Beach Blvd. and Newland Ave.) Phone - 714.962.5571 Sr. Pastor, The Reverend Dr. Richard Paul Phone - 714.965.3235 Fax - 714.378.4537 Web: WWW.FAITHHB.ORG Email: OFFICE@FAITHHB.ORG Traditional Worship, 8:30 a.m. Celebration Worship, 11:00 a.m. Sunday Christian Education, Ages 3 - adult, 9:45-10:45 a.m. Child care available, 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM, for children, ages two and up. Child of Faith Preschool (2 years/pre-k) Callie Paesano, Director Phone - 714.962.1864 Email - CHILDOFFAITH@FAITHHB.ORG Faith E-Tide is a weekly email newsletter with information, resources, and coming events. Subscribe by contacting the office at OFFICE@FAITHHB.ORG Volume 23 Issue 12 DO NOT DELAY TIME DATED MATERIALS Or Current Resident The mission of Faith Lutheran Church is to know God s grace and make it known. Faith s Tide Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Permit #60 Huntington Beach, CA December 2014 Inside this issue: Pastor s Message & Advent Weekly Series 2-3 Birthdays/Anniversaries & The Surge 4 Holiday Schedule, Concert 5 Child of Faith 6 Mops, Poinsettias & tree 7 Youth 8 Women of Faith 9 Children s Church, WOF 10 Parents Night Out, WOF 11 UPCOMING EVENTS AT FAITH December 5: Decorate Christmas Tree / Pizza by Recreation Committee December 7: 1:30PM WOF Advent Celebration December 14: 6:00 PM - Christmas Carols Concert & Wassail Reception December 20: 4:00 PM Christmas Caroling / Music Dinner Party December 24: 5:00 PM - Family Christmas Eve Service December 24: 9:00 PM - Candle Light Service with Holy Communion December 25: 9:00 AM Christmas Day Service with Holy Communion
Page 2 Faith s Ti de FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH 8200 Ellis Avenue Huntington Beach, CA 92646 WWW.FAITHHB.ORG Office hours: 9 A.M. 1:00 P.M. Phone - 714.962.5571 Fax - 714.378.4537 ADMINISTRATION: Rev. Dr. Richard Paul, Sr. Pastor 714.965.3235 pastor@faithhb.org Rev. Chimin Jun, Assistant Pastor KOREAN CHURCH PLANTER 949-878-1970 Pastorjun@jesuslovechurch.com Jack Schlinsog, Deacon 714.962.5423 Youth Ministry youthministry@fiathhb.org Rose Schutt, D.C.E. 714.962.5423 dcerose@faithhb.org Donna Dehne, Secretary OFFICE@FAITHHB.ORG Melissa Long, Bookkeeper bookkeeper@faithhb.org Charles Bennett, Director of Music 714.962.0304 MUSICMINISTRY@FAITHHB.ORG CHILD OF FAITH PRESCHOOL Callie Paesano, Director, 714.962.1864 office@childoffaithhb.org CHRISTIAN EDUCATION Sundays: Ages 3 adult, 9:45 10:55 A.M. In-service Kid s Chat : 11A.M. Children s Church 11 A.M. Weekdays: Women s Bible Study Wednesdays, 10 A.M. Youth Events 2nd & 4th Fridays 6:30-9:30P.M. WOMEN OF FAITH! Service Ministry Dawn Bennett, chair DAWNSELLSCL@YAHOO.COM HEAD ELDER: Chuck Braker 714.963.7773 CBRAKER@SOCAL.RR.COM Weekly information & updates printed in each Sunday s bulletin Membership Directory (updated twice a year) contains members addresses, phone numbers and email addresses. Send updates and additions to: OFFICE@FAITHHB.ORG Faith E-Tide is a weekly email newsletter mailed to members who subscribe through their email. Send addresses to: OFFICE@FAITHHB.ORG Articles submitted to the monthly newsletter FAITH S TIDE are due the second Friday of each month (no exceptions). A Christmas View from the Pastor s Desk As I prepare to spend a weekend with my children and grandchildren in mid-november, my mind and heart can t help but turn toward Christmas. I have truly been thinking, not about the world s Christmas but the Lord s Christmas. What a contrast. \ The world s Christmas has become something resembling a year end orgy, not the quiet entrance of God to human history. Just today KOST FM 103.5 started playing Christmas music from now until after Christmas. I tuned in and was truly disappointed. What a poor choice of music. But they are not alone. As the world turns its eyes toward December what does it see? Stores struggling to lure in shoppers, often with short tempers and nasty words and tones of voice far from the words of peace and the songs of Angels; candy canes and gingerbread cookies; Santa Clauses and Reindeer, bright lights and parties, commitments and obligations, a myriad of activities - often stressful, often rushed - often filled with guilt and over indulgence. Contrast that with the true meaning of Christmas. As I thought, Christmas is really what makes Thanksgiving possible. How thankful we are that God came to earth as our Savior. For His presence makes His present real to us. As I look to this Christmas, I think that there were no long lines at the manger, only shepherds. And I don t think they were pushing and shoving to get a peek at the baby Jesus. There were no parties, or candy or cookies. No Santa Claus, no Reindeer, no brightly lit trees, none of what we think we need to have a Christmas - just the quiet cry of a baby in the arms of his mother, and the song of angels in the hills. Truly a quiet and peaceful contrast to our world s noise and uproar. This year it seems that Christmas for many may not be like any Christmas past. For some it will be because of tragic events in their lives or the lives of people around them. Our world is crazy with fear, over war, and disease and uncertainty. But what about those people, who may, for the very first time, celebrate Christmas as a child of God? What might that be like? Have you ever thought of that? Christmas often means traveling to towns far away, to reconnect with family or friends. What must it be like to travel to Bethlehem, perhaps for the very first time? There is no other place like Bethlehem. It is the place of our Savior s birth. It is unique among all the towns and cities of the world. It truly is the place where God came to earth, and where the people of the earth, once a year come together, literally either on the hill sides and the Manger Square in Bethlehem, or at the manger of countless churches throughout the world.
Faith s Ti de Page 3 Faith Leadership Perhaps you are tired of the so called traditional rat-race Christmas has become. Perhaps you are looking again to making Christmas into something that touches your soul. Perhaps you want to celebrate Christmas again as if it was the very first time - filled with the awe and wonder of what God really did for us at Bethlehem. And maybe, just maybe you know someone who too, longs to know the Savior s love for the first time. Then I invite you to take the simple steps that lead to the manger. Look to the ways you can make Christmas this year more real, more Spiritual, something that resembles very much the quiet coming of Christ to earth. May your path lead you to God s house during these days and may you find a way to invite someone new to join you on that path. God bless you all and may you truly have a Blessed Christmas. Pastor Paul Comfort and Joy Advent Weekly Worship Series About the Series During these troubled and unsettled times, sense the true comfort and joy that Christ brings this Advent season with the Comfort And Joy weekly Advent series for traditional worship. Each week in this series written by well-known pastor Rev. Tim Klinkenberg, you will find out about the different types of comfort Christ comes to bring (revealed in Isaiah 40) and experience the resulting joy that can be lived out in Advent. Hymns in the series include Comfort, Comfort Ye My People, On Jordan s Bank the Baptist s Cry, Oh, Come, Oh, Come, Emmanuel, and Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates. Week 1: December 3 -The Peace of Christ (Isaiah 40:1-2): True peace comes only through Jesus Christ and the forgiveness that he brings. He ends warfare without and within. He is the Prince of Peace. Week 2: December 10 -The Pardon of Christ (Isaiah 40:3-5): We prepare the way of the Lord through repentance, as the forgiveness we receive through Christ makes the rough places of our lives smooth. Week 3: December 17 - The Presence of Christ (Isaiah 40:6-9): We remember that Christ is present with us now and that he will come again in glory on the Last Day. Plan now to join us every Wednesday during Advent at 7:00 PM for these services that are designed to help us prepare properly for Christmas. Church Council is the governing body of the congregation, administering congregational affairs. Committees under the council (listed below) meet the first Thursday of each month, 7 PM, unless otherwise noted. Council Chair (3rd Tuesday of month, at 7 PM) Peter Swanson, 714-963-5883 pcswanson1@yahoo.com Secretary Sandy Braker, 714-963-7773 sbraker@socal.rr.com Treasurer John Linder 714-965-1783 Treasurer@faithhb.org Ministry of Children and Families Rose Schutt, D.C.E., 714-962-5423 dcerose@faithhb.org Ministry of Gifts (Stewardship) Don Wilson, 714-374-4671 dw_act@yahoo.com Ministry of Properties Properties 1st Thursday, 6:30 PM Gregg Leonard, 714-968-5303 possum9331@gmail.com Ministry of Youth Activities 1st Tuesday, 6:30 PM Garrett McFaul, 714-894-6689 Ministry of Education 2nd Thursday, 7 PM Dave Simenson, 714-964-6650 dpsimenson@gmail.com Ministry of Music Charles Bennett, 714-965-9519 bennettassoc@yahoo.com Ministry of Outreach 2nd Sunday, 6 PM Jack Schlinsog, 714-962-5423 youthministry@faithhb.org Women of Faith 2nd Sunday, 12:15 PM Dawn Bennett, 714-965-9519 dawnsellscl@yahoo.com Board of Elders assists the pastor in ministering to the spiritual needs of the congregation. Elders 2nd Thursday, 7 PM Recreation Committee Darwin Strong, 714-330-8136 djstrong@ socal.rr.com 2nd Sunday, 5:00 PM Worship 1st Thursday, 6:30 PM Jack Schlinsog, Deacon 714.962.5423 youthministry@faithhb.org Altar Care Velda Ryan 714-960-0492 ryanhb@socal.rr.com
Page 4 Faith s Ti de December Birthdays Wishes Debra Merrick 4 Pamela Schwene 6 Nicholas Luebcke 7 Hailey Rowland 7 Callie Kaltreider 9 Ron Moore 9 Matthew Price 9 Korey Bajhart 10 Emily Del Pinto 10 Peter Swanson 10 Jessica Baker 12 Jaclyn Gergens 13 Chloe Dae Hern 13 Yvonne Moorman 14 Sheri Stigall 16 Valerie Marini 18 Heather Lansford 21 David Luebcke 21 John Swiger 21 Lacey Halvorson 25 Albert Rasch 25 Darwin Strong 29 Jean Beres 30 Mark Tubbiola 30 December Anniversaries Rick & Shirley Willems 3 Robert & Barbara Swangstue 6 Charles & Dawn Bennett 12 Alan & Esther Peterson 21 Bruce & Joyce Schoenegge 21 Kelvin & Sheri Stigall 22 Calling ALL students in 4 th, 5 th, and 6 th grade! We have a NEW ministry coming that is just for YOU! We have this surge and uprising of kids that are waiting to get plugged in and engaged who are in grades 4, 5, and 6. Now is the time! If you are still reading this, then this new ministry probably applies to you or someone you know. There is a need in the church to meet the specific needs of students in this age group. These kids are no longer kids, but not ready to be teenagers yet. So what do we do? We start a ministry for them! A ministry that is relevant and purposeful. A ministry that they can take ownership of and get excited about. A ministry that fits their needs. We will be launching this ministry in January. Stay tuned for details and schedules. If you are passionate about students in 4 th -6 th grade, I would love to have you join the team! Looking forward to all these new relationships and to see what the surge brings to Faith Lutheran. Questions? Please contact Rose Schutt at dcerose@faithhb.org Women of Faith bless a prayer shawl
Faith s Ti de Page 5 Advent and Christmas Services Schedule Wed. Advent Service December 3 7:00 PM Service Wed. Advent Service December 10 7:00 PM Service Wed. Advent Service December 17 7:00 PM Service Christmas Eve Family Service December 24 5:00 PM Service Christmas Eve Candlelight Service December 24 9:00 PM Service with Holy Communion Christmas Day Service December 25 9:00 AM Service with Holy Communion Faith Lutheran Church Presents A Christmas Carol Concert And Wassail Reception Sunday, December 14, 2014 At 6:00pm Listen to songs and carols from around the world sing along if you like! A free concert to bring your family to Hot Apple Cider & Cookies at the reception How much better can an evening get? Faith Lutheran Church, 8200 Ellis Avenue, Huntington Beach, CA 92646
Page 6 Faith s Ti de Callie Paesano, Director Karen Neppl, Assistant Director Phone: 714-(714) 962-1864 Web: www.childoffaith.org Child of Faith Preschool Ages 2-6 yrs, 6:30 AM - 6 PM Email: childoffaith@faithhb.org Our Mission - Child of Faith is committed to providing quality care in a loving, Christ-centered environment where children can develop to their fullest social, physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual potentials. Jesus said, Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs such as these. When he had placed his hands on them, he went from there. Matthew 19:14-15 God gives us a great reason to celebrate this month! He gave us the birth of Jesus, who was born to save us all. This month we will celebrate with a birthday party in his honor. As Christmas approaches, The teachers and I realize how truly blessed we are. We have the honor and responsibility of ministering to young children. How awesome it is to know these precious children are learning about Jesus and His birth! What a joy it is to hear these little ones proclaim the great news of Christ s birth. These kids get it! They are learning what Christmas is all about! We have some wonderful events and activities planned for this month. We hope you and your family can join us. Santa s Breakfast is on Friday, December 12 th at 9:00 a.m..santa Claus will be in attendance with presents for the children and there will be a pancake breakfast. All family members are invited. Take some time on this morning to have breakfast with your child. Saturday, December 13 th at 9:00 a.m. is our Preschool Upgrade Day. We are replacing the grass carpet outside of the toy shed as well as installing shelves for better storage. This is a Thrivent sponsored event. We welcome all volunteers! There will be pizza and T-shirts for all volunteers. Sunday, December 14 th is our Preschool Christmas Program at the 11:00 a.m. service. Parents please have your children in the Nursey by 10:30 a.m. and proceed to the service so you can get a good seat! The children will be performing during the service. Wednesday, December 17 th the preschool will have free vision screening for the children provided by the Elks Club at 9:00 a.m. Parents don t forget to sign the permission slip! The preschool will be closed Wednesday, December 24 th through Friday, December 26 th. We hope that everyone has a very Merry Christmas! In His Service, Callie Paesano
Faith s Ti de Page 7 MOPS-Coming SOON to Faith Lutheran!!! Did you know that 4600 moms searched for a MOPS group in our area alone in the last 6 months?? What is MOPS? MOPS stands for Mothers of Preschoolers, and by preschoolers I mean kiddos from birth through kindergarten. MOPS is an awesome opportunity for you to grow and connect with other women who are walking the exact same path as you. It is a way for you to grow deeper in your relationship with each other and with our amazing God. At MOPS you are able to connect and learn how to be a better wife, friend, mommy, and women of God. MOPS has seven basic principles that they stay true to, and that I am excited about. MOPS is welcoming to all women, mentoring, has great leadership development, you will have honest conversation, you will receive relevant teaching, there are creative activities, and childcare so you can enjoy this time with the other moms and know your little one is taken care of. We will be starting a MOPS group at Faith in the next few months. If you do not have a child in preschool, you can still get involved and we need YOU! We need seasoned moms/moms with older kiddos too. You all will be able to serve as great mentors and friends along this messy road. Please prayerfully consider becoming a mentor. Details about dates/times/cost to follow. We get the opportunity to meet two times a month. I am looking forward to this, and cannot wait to grow with all of you. If you have any questions or are looking for ways to get involved, please contact me, Rose Schutt (dcerose@faithhb.org). Can not wait to start this MOPS adventure with you! CHRISTMAS TREES and GARLAND The costs of the Christmas trees and Garland have gone up. If you would like to make a donation toward our Christmas trees and Garland please use one of the designated offering envelopes and label it trees or if paying by check, make it payable to Faith Lutheran Church and designate it trees. Thank you for your donation. WOULD YOU LIKE TO DONATE A POINSETTIA TO DECORATE OUR SANCTUARY FOR CHRISTMAS? It has been the tradition at Faith to offer our families the opportunity to place one or more poinsettias in our Sanctuary in honor of or in memory of a loved one or in celebration of a special occasion. The order form will be on the Usher s Table in the Narthex.
Page 8 Faith s Ti de The Source Faith s Youth Ministries The Source (Jr. & High School) Meets every Wednesday 6:30 8:00 pm Cross Training (Confirmation) Meets Wednesdays 5:30 6:30 pm The Edge (High School) Meets every Wednesday 6:30 8:00pm Second Friday for service and fun! 5-11pm in Youth Room December 2014 12/2 Youth Committee Meeting 6 pm 12/3 Cross Training 5:30 6:30pm 12/5 Christmas Tree and Sanctuary Decorating and Dinner 6:00pm 12/10 Cross Training 5:30 6:30pm 12/12 Parents Night Out Christmas Special 12/12 Source Jr. High and High School Christmas Party and Lock in 12/17 Cross Training 5:30 6:30pm 11/19 Cross Training 5:30 6:30pm 12/24 Christmas Eve Services 5 & 9 pm No Cross Training or Source 12/25 Christmas Day Service 9:00am 12/30 Petal Pushers 3:00pm Finished 12/31 Petal Pushers 6:30am January 2015 1/6 Youth Committee Meeting 6 pm 1/6 Take Down Christmas Tree and Decorations 6:00pm 1/7 Cross Training 5:30 6:30pm 1/9 Parents Night Out 1/14 Cross Training 5:30 6:30pm 1/21 Cross Training 5:30 6:30pm 1/28 Cross Training 5:30 6:30pm
Faith s Ti de Page 9 Women of Faith Present Advent is the time to make ready your heart for the coming of the Christ Child! Sunday, December 7, 2014 At 1:30 pm Haas Hall Faith Lutheran Church 8200 Ellis Avenue Huntington Beach, CA 92646 A wrapped Christmas-themed gift valued at 10. to 15. dollars may be brought to exchange. Sign Up Sheet on Patio only 48 seats available! Hor d oeuvors served. Christmas Caroling & Dinner! Join the Music Ministry in our Annual Christmas Caroling to our neighbors near Faith Church. Saturday, December 20, 2014 4:00pm we gather at Faith to go caroling 6:00pm we meet back in Haas hall for dinner and a white elephant gift exchange EVERYONE is invited to join the caroling and dinner/gift exchange See sign-up sheet on the patio
Page 10 Faith s Ti de We are passionate and excited about children s ministry at Faith Lutheran! On Sunday morning, your child has TWO opportunities for education. You can join us during the Sunday school hour, which is from 9:45am-10:45am. We have a GREAT group of devoted leaders who lead every week, teaching these kids about the Word and how to relate it to their every day life. You can also join us during the 11am worship time and attend children s church. The children are dismissed after the childrens chat to their classrooms, where they are able to grow in relationship with each other AND with our awesome God. Starting in January, we are going to see some new and exciting changes coming! Because so many kids are starting to attend children s church, it is time and we are ready to start splitting kids up into different age groups. What does this mean? Well, if you have a child who will be attending children s church and they are in Kindergarten or younger, they will be in a separate classroom with NEW curriculum. It is called Lil K published by KIDMO (check it out). This is an interactive, video based curriculum that has the younger kiddos singing songs and interacting with different Bible characters. It is FUN and EXCITING! The little guys will finish off the morning with a craft that correlates with the lesson and you will have some family discussion questions and devotions to do at home that go along with what they learned. Any child that is in 1 st -4 th grade will stay together, in their same classroom. We are also encouraging any child in 5 th grade and higher, to stay in worship. I am currently looking for new teachers to come on board and help out with this great ministry. If you are interested in serving in either Sunday school or Children s church, please let me know. If you are passionate about children, helping them grow in relationship with each other and with God, then I would love to have you help out. Looking forward to seeing you and your children. Thank you for trusting us with them, thank you for allowing us to be a part of their faith development. If you have any questions, please contact me, Rose Schutt (dcerose@faithhb.org). Women of Faith Stuff bags for boys for the Orangewood Children s Home
Faith s Ti de Page 11 Blessings to you and your family during this Christmas season! What an exciting time of the church year, a time that we can remember our Saviors birth. Parents Night Out is such an awesome ministry here at Faith. The second Friday of every month, our Jr.High and High school students (along with some trusted adults) come together to serve and spend intentional time with your kids. It is a great time for us all to grow in relationship with our AMAZING God and each other. We have a special treat planned for you this month! We are going to be putting on our annual Christmas pageant. The format of the night will be a little different. You will still drop off your kiddo at 6pm, however, we are asking that you come back at 8pm to watch the pageant. The kids will still eat dinner with us and make a craft (a Christmas ornament). Please invite your families and friends to see the pageant as well. It is a family style Christmas pageant, which means that we all will get to sing together and worship and the kids will have some very important speaking parts. After the pageant is over, we invite you to join us for cookie decorating and cocoa. We can not wait to talk to you about Christ s birth and the Christmas story. Parents Night Out for this month is planned for December 12 th, 6pm-9pm. Any child, preschool age- 5 th grade is welcome to attend and participate. Any student, Jr-high and older, is welcome to come and help out. The more the merrier! Friends and family are ALWAYS welcome as well. If you are a member of Faith and do not have a child who participates in Parents Night Out, please still join us at 8pm for the Christmas pageant! We would love to have you come and see what this ministry is all about. If you have questions or would like to serve, please contact Rose Schutt- dcerose@faithhb.org or Jack Schlinsog at youthministry@faithhb.org Women of Faith Stuff bags for boys for the Orangewood Children s Home