St. John’s Lutheran Church...
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St. John’s Epistle 1 December 2015 EPISTLE December 2015 St. John’s Lutheran Church 1410 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta GA 30307 | (404) 378-4243 | stjohnsatlanta.org The Rev. Nancy Christensen Senior Pastor [email protected] ext 201 The Rev. Beverly Shaw Associate Pastor [email protected] ext 205 Jeanette Burgess, AIM Music Director [email protected] ext 207 Travis Gamelin Youth Director [email protected] ext 200 Myrna Lance Church Secretary [email protected] ext 200 Judy Louie Office Assistant [email protected] Clyde Payton Sexton [email protected] A congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America that invites freely, loves unconditionally, and serves with joy ADVENT 2015 This is but the beginning … Advent is upon us, a season of expectation and preparation for the birth of Christ. Please mark your calendars to join us as we seek to reflect on and embody the light of God shining in the darkness of the world. DECORATE! Mon., Dec. 14, 7 PM: Decorate the Christmas tree: party sponsored by Theology on Tap and LGBT; all others welcome, too! EAT, PRAY, LOVE Wed., Dec. 2, 6 PM food set-up/6:30 PM meal: First Wednesday in Advent: Soup Supper and Holden Evening Prayer (Fellowship Hall) Sat., Dec. 5, 9 AM - 12 PM: Planning Retreat for Lenten worship (Phoenix Room) Wed., Dec. 9, 5:15 PM food set-up/6:00 PM dinner: Second Wednesday in Advent: Potluck Dinner and Bible Study with Mercy Church (Fellowship Hall) Wed., Dec. 16, 6 PM food set-up/6:30 PM meal: Third Wednesday in Advent: Soup Supper and Holden Evening Prayer (Fellowship Hall) CELEBRATE! Sun., Dec. 20, meet at 5:30 PM/depart at 6 PM: Christmas Caroling and Cookies Thurs., Dec. 24, 7:30 PM: Christmas Eve Service For more information, contact Pastor Nancy or Laura Hollengreen.
Transcript of St. John’s Lutheran Church...
St. John’s Epistle 1 December 2015
EPISTLEDecember 2015
St. John’s Lutheran Church
1410 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta GA 30307 | (404) 378-4243 | stjohnsatlanta.org
The Rev. Nancy ChristensenSenior [email protected] 201
The Rev. Beverly ShawAssociate [email protected] 205
Jeanette Burgess, AIMMusic [email protected] 207
Travis GamelinYouth [email protected] 200
Myrna LanceChurch [email protected] 200
Judy LouieOffice [email protected]
Clyde [email protected]
A congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America that invites freely,loves unconditionally,and serves with joy
ADVENT 2015This is but the beginning …
Advent is upon us, a season of expectation and preparation for the birth of Christ. Please mark your calendars to join us as we seek to reflect on and embody the light of God shining in the darkness of the world.
DECORATE!Mon., Dec. 14, 7 PM: Decorate the Christmas tree: party sponsored by Theology on Tap and LGBT; all others welcome, too!
EAT, PRAY, LOVEWed., Dec. 2, 6 PM food set-up/6:30 PM meal: First Wednesday in Advent: Soup Supper and Holden Evening Prayer (Fellowship Hall)Sat., Dec. 5, 9 AM - 12 PM: Planning Retreat for Lenten worship (Phoenix Room)Wed., Dec. 9, 5:15 PM food set-up/6:00 PM dinner: Second Wednesday in Advent: Potluck Dinner and Bible Study with Mercy Church (Fellowship Hall)Wed., Dec. 16, 6 PM food set-up/6:30 PM meal: Third Wednesday in Advent: Soup Supper and Holden Evening Prayer (Fellowship Hall)
CELEBRATE!Sun., Dec. 20, meet at 5:30 PM/depart at 6 PM: Christmas Caroling and CookiesThurs., Dec. 24, 7:30 PM: Christmas Eve Service
For more information, contact Pastor Nancy or Laura Hollengreen.
St. John’s Epistle 2 December 2015
Pastor’s Letter
Advent: The World is About to Turn
It is Advent, a time of waiting. And whether or not we are of any, or of no faith, we have something to learn from this season. Because we are waiting. Oh, how we wait.
Waiting can be discouraging. Can be demoralizing. Can bring despair, paralysis, denial, a turning off. Waiting can feel passive. But I think, this Advent season, we are called to wait differently. We are called to active hopeful waiting.
This Advent season, wait like Mary. Wait like a poor undocumented pregnant teenager in an occupied territory who knows she is sacred, who proudly proclaims that all generations will call her blessed. Let your soul magnify the divine, praise a God who would scatter the proud, bring down the mighty, and fill the hungry with good things, while the rich are sent away empty.
Wait like Joseph, too. Wait like a man who stands by his pregnant fiancée when his society tells him she is wrong, unrespectable, immoral and when he himself is confused.Yes wait, even wait like God. Wait like a force so powerful it created the entire universe, so loving it was willing to become a fragile baby human, born into poverty and an occupying empire. Wait like a God who gets fleshy, gets vulnerable, gets into radical empathy with the oppressed by literally becoming one of them.
And so in this way, we wait. We wait for a new creation, a beloved community, a way of living into relationship that defies the systems that destroy lives in our country and our world. We wait in this time of Advent.
My favorite Advent song is called “The Canticle of the Turning.” It is based on Mary’s “Magnificat” from the book of Luke, whose chorus goes:
My heart shall sing of the day you bring; let the fires of your justice burn.Wipe away all tears for the dawn draws near and the world is about to turn.
Often times I am not nearly as active as I could be in creating more justice in our society. Often times I am not nearly as hopeful as I could be that another way is truly possible. But I sing this song anyway, an act of faith to remind myself to wait with active hopeful waiting.
For if we all wait this way, like Mary, like Joseph, like God, then indeed, the dawn will draw near, for the world is about to turn. For the world is about to turn.
St. John’s Epistle 3 December 2015
A Pastor’s Point of View
One of the most endearing traditions of the Christmas season is caroling. It is not as popular as before, but endearing none the less. Rumor has it that Lutherans were responsible for bringing the modified American version of caroling to this country. I say modified because there are so many versions of how caroling began. Some are downright humorous. Like this one: Christmas caroling was originally started by groups of drunken men and boys looking for a handout. They would go house to house singing folk songs or traditional drinking songs in exchange for money or a drink.
Others are heart wrenching: A small child was reported missing during which time the serial killer Jack the Ripper was on the loose. Legend has it that those searching for the little girl would sing Christmas carols as they went from house to house searching, knocking on each door. This let the worried residents of the homes that the search party meant them no harm.
Others versions are more believable: After Prince Albert of Germany married Victoria of England, the English were eager to please and impress the royal family. After learning that Albert enjoyed Christmas carols, he was serenaded often. As for the Lutheran influence, well, as protestant churches gained prominence after the Reformation, and reformers like Martin Luther wrote carols and encouraged their use in worship, carols and caroling became warmly welcomed customs in Christian celebrations.
Regardless of the origin, Christmas carols and Christmas caroling have become almost synonymous with Christmas. The joyful lifting of voices in praise of the time when God kept God’s promise, and He who would save us came to live among us, is one sure way of giving glory to God.
On Dec 20th, many of us will gather at St. John’s to lift up the season in song. We are going caroling and all are welcome to join us. We will meet at 5:30 PM, carol in the neighborhood and return to the church for some warm and calorie-free refreshments. If you can, please join us as we visit our members who are home bound. Let us lift our voices in joyous song. Let everything that has voice, praise ye the Lord! Praise ye the Lord!
St. John’s Epistle 4 December 2015
Be a Joiner!There’s still time to join in our choir’s Advent/Christmas Eve preparations. During Advent, we meet immediately after Wednesday worship/Bible study. Let Jeanette know ([email protected]) so she has your music ready. Thanks for considering this contribution to the St. John’s worship experience.
The Real Scoop on “Away in a Manger”Though the “Away in a Manger” is often called “Luther’s Cradle Hymn”, Luther was nowhere to be found when it was created. Probably originating with the colonies of German Lutherans in 19th century Pennsylvania, this well-loved carol was first seen in 1885’s Little Children’s Book for Schools and Families, published by the Evangeilical Lutheran Church in North America. The tune was by James R. Murray, but in an 1887 collection by Murray, he actually headed the carol “Luther’s Cradle Hymn. Composed by Martin Luther for his childen, and still sung by German mothers to their little ones.” (Hymnal Companion to the Lutheran Book of Worship)
Commitment SundayDecember 13thPlan to attend worship on Sunday, December 13 and remain afterwards for a celebratory reception in the Fellowship Hall. On this date, we all will have the joy and privilege of making our 3-year commitments toward the Capital Campaign so that repairs and renovations can be made to our facility. It is a wonderful opportunity for us to leave a lasting legacy for generations to come!
New Members Welcomed on Christ the King SundayOn November 22nd, we received fifteen new members into the St. John’s family. They are Ronald and Diane Barrett; Tom and Beth Biltz; Beks Blakney; Paul, Charlotte, Liam and Theo Carney; Megan Hoewisch; Jill Knueppel and Craig Storlie; Niyola Nelson; and Harl and Sharon Pike. We have some short biographies and photos posted on the kiosk in the Great Hall. Be sure to greet them if you don’t know them already!
St. John’s Epistle 5 December 2015
Youth Update part 1
ICM Food PantryOn October 31 most folks await a night of candy and costumes, but on the morning of this fifth Saturday in October, members of St. John’s were the primary volunteers at the ICM Food Pantry. Our own Ian Shaw represented the St. John’s Youth Group alongside his rivals from Marist School. About fifteen students in need of service hours were on hand to be interviewers, packers, and runners. From 10am-1pm we had a blast engaging with our community.
Remember that every time there is a fifth Saturday in a month, our church has the opportunity to be the core group of volunteers at the pantry. This is where all that pasta, pasta sauce, and pb&j gets distributed! We place these donations in the baskets each Sunday at St. John’s, come over to Druid Hills Methodist to see where those items end up. It is a great chance to build relationships with our neighbors on the Ponce corridor, see you January 30, 2016!
Fellowship at CtK Norcross
Rumors of a foursquare tournament at Christ the King Lutheran in Norcross brought our Youth Group running on November 1. David and Erik rode from St. John’s with Travis, and Hailey and Galen met them at the event.
We found the youth and leaders of CtK back in their massive youth room, called The Warehouse. The space was filled with games and activities. The foursquare tournament turned into more of a free for all since the other area churches that were invited were too scared to come face us. Instead of that competition, we played pool with the native youth, and had Foosball matches between our own folks. Everyone enjoyed playing ping pong quite a bit, and the air hockey table did not go to waste.
St. John’s Epistle 6 December 2015
Youth Update part 2
Tasty snacks were provided as we watched the Peanuts “Great Pumpkin” Halloween special on a large projector screen. There were normal youth staples like hotdogs, chips, and soda accompanied by more exotic treats like s’mores casserole.
The Lutheran youth had a great chance to reconnect with friends from past events like All Georgia and AFFIRM. The foursquare and basketball brought us together for an evening of fun fellowship, and we will see the folks from CtK Norcross again soon.
Fall Lock InOn November 13, the St. John’s Youth Group had our Fall Lock In. As usual, we started on Friday evening and stayed at the church until Saturday morning. It was the first Lock In that our chaperone Megan had ever attended, but the youth present were veterans and it led to us all having a fantastic time.
We set up the big screen down in the Youth Room and started our night with America’s Funniest Home videos playing in the background as people gathered. Both Saget and Bergeron eras of the program were represented, and after the laughs we played “Telephone Pictionary”. The creativity was flowing as we alternately drew doodles and described them in
words. Needless to say, some things do get lost in translation.
We took a break to watch a Thanksgiving episode of “Newhart” while we ate our own holiday feast. A roast chicken stood in place of the traditional turkey, but we had pumpkin pie with plenty
of whip cream to keep the festive spirit. A variety of potato salads and Hawaiian rolls were available, but maybe not as appealing as the cookies, Twizzlers, and soda. We reconvened after our snack to have devotions together.
St. John’s Epistle 7 December 2015
Youth Update part 3
Our conversation started by asking the youth “What does Thanksgiving mean to you?” and we discussed our family traditions. We read Psalm 24:1 and reflected on the fact that everything on earth is created by God and belongs to Him. A distribution of chocolate bars of uneven sizes helped
us illustrate the blessings in our lives, and questions arose about blessings and whether they are earned or deserved. The topics of equality and fairness in our world are hard to tackle, but we know that we are all equal and loved by God. We moved to the topic of stewardship and how we interact with our blessings. The youth discussed what things matter to them in life and what it looks like to be generous. The devotions climaxed with our talk about the Living Stones campaign at St. John’s. As we raise funds to support our building and ministry, the youth are looking for ways to be involved even though they can’t donate much money to the campaign. It was a great time of discussion that allowed us to engage in the ideas and concepts of our church as the congregation explores the same ideas.
After devotions, the rest of the night was less structured. There was more snack time as we watched the Jim Henson classic “Labyrinth” and just some highlights from the lesser known (definitely not a classic) “Thunderpants” staring Rupert Grint of Harry Potter fame. There was time for reading Calvin & Hobbes and Meridian comics, and we played another group game called “Superfight” that was a riot. When the youth are challenged to decide “who would win in a fight?” between a 6-inch tall unicorn and an action star that cannot be punctured, things get interesting…
In the morning, we had a quick breakfast of donuts, bananas and juice before departing. Thanks to everyone who participated and brought us goodies, it was a fun and meaningful night for all!
Thanksgiving MarketAt the tail end of the month, our congregation once again engaged with the local community for the annual Thanksgiving Market. Youth and adults of St. John’s came together to set up for the event on Friday night, and on Saturday, November 21, we provided a market for our neighbors. Friends from nearby were able to come and gather supplies for their family Thanksgiving Day celebrations.
The youth of St. John’s were involved in many aspects of helping this event happen. After preparing on Friday night, they came early on Saturday to unload fresh produce and pack bags for home deliveries. With all of the donated goods in place, the youth manned their stations and helped
guests decide which goods they wanted to take home. There were great interactions across the full tables, where the lines of those serving and served were blurred into friendship.
St. John’s was able to build relationships with families and friends along the Ponce corridor. Thank you to all of the youth who gave their time and energy to sharing God’s gifts.
St. John’s Epistle 8 December 2015
Youth Update part 4
DECEMBER6 Confirmation 12-2PM13 No 2nd Sunday – Cong. Reception
JANUARY3 Confirmation 12-2PM10 2nd Sunday17 MLK Worship18 MLK Day of Service30 ICM Food Pantry
Youth Calendar
St. John’s Epistle 9 December 2015
Worship Assistants – December 2015 Worship Assistants – January 2016January 3Assisting Minister: Ann GerondelisAcolyte: Marie LevisayLector/Communion Assistant: Doug RobinsonAnnouncer: Francoise WackenhutCommunion Assistants: Paul Henry, Martin JessimanAltar Care: Adam RennerWelcomer: Doug RobinsonNursery: Jonathan Strom, Ashley MillerHead Usher: Laura HollengreenUshers: Kirsten Nelson, Linda DiSantis, Kendall GamelinSound: Dan WhiteCoffee Fellowship: Jim BelcherFood Delivery: John Ballew
January 10Assisting Minister: Charles FoxAcolyte: David FlowersLector/Communion Assistant: Laura RobisonAnnouncer: Summer GotschallCommunion Assistants: Adrienne Mather, Jim BelcherAltar Care: Erin RennerWelcomer: Ann GerondelisNursery: Miranda Williams, Connie MonsonHead Usher: Joanie SlotterUshers: Sarah Mauldin, John Yates, Jonathan StromSound: Adam RennerCoffee Fellowship: Siri OlsonFood Delivery: Karen Flowers
January 17Assisting Minister: Barbara ArneAcolyte: Sylvia GrayLector/Communion Assistant: Imran SiddiquiAnnouncer: Martin JessimanCommunion Assistants: Sarah Mauldin, Jennie SaliersAltar Care: Diane RobinsonWelcomer: Joanie SlotterNursery: Hailey Williams, Kendall GamelinHead Usher: Steve KinchenUshers: Myrna Lance, Kathi Houman, Miranda WilliamsSound: Charles FoxCoffee Fellowship: Congregational CareFood Delivery: Steve Kinchen
January 24Assisting Minister: Francoise WackenhutAcolyte: Isa GerondelisLector/Communion Assistant: Dick HennemanAnnouncer: Karen FlowersCommunion Assistants: Connie Monson, Steve KinchenAltar Care: Kendall GamelinWelcomer: Andrew SullinsNursery: Laura Robison, Siri OlsonHead Usher: Doug RobinsonUshers: Erin Renner, Diane Robinson, Adam RennerSound: Paul ArneCoffee Fellowship: Marsha GoerssFood Delivery: Steve Kinchen
January 31Assisting Minister: Michael HarrisAcolyte: Jasmin StreckerLector/Communion Assistant: Lisa JacksonAnnouncer: Jonathon HuberCommunion Assistants: Myrna Lance, Kendall GamelinAltar Care: Laura CrawleyWelcomer: Hailey WilliamsNursery: Laura Hollengreen, Pam LangeHead Usher: Joanie SlotterUshers: Laura Hollengreen, Sarah Mauldin, John YatesSound: Dan WhiteCoffee Fellowship: Lisa JacksonFood Delivery: Barbara Arne
Offering Counters for January: Joanie Slotter, Dan White
December 6Assisting Minister: Kendall GamelinAcolyte: Isa GerondelisLector/Communion Assistant: Miranda WilliamsAnnouncer: Lisa JacksonCommunion Assistants: Joanie Slotter, Andrew SullinsAltar Care: Myrna LanceNursery: Laura Robison, Siri OlsonHead Usher: Laura HollengreenUshers: Linda DiSantis, Kathi Houman, Kirsten NelsonSound: Charles FoxCoffee Fellowship: Jennie SaliersFood Delivery: Ellen Yates
December 13Assisting Minister: David BrockAcolyte: Jasmin StreckerLector/Communion Assistant: Charles FoxAnnouncer: Steve KinchenCommunion Assistants: Jonathan Strom, Francoise WackenhutAltar Care: Armin SiedleckiNursery: Pam Lange, Laura HollengreenHead Usher: Joanie SlotterUshers: Kendall Gamelin, Sarah MauldinSound: Adam RennerCoffee Fellowship: Karen FlowersFood Delivery: Steve Kinchen
December 20Assisting Minister: John GerondelisAcolyte: Davina RajkumarLector/Communion Assistant: Laura HollengreenAnnouncer: Barbara ArneCommunion Assistants: Michael Harris, James Hilden-MintonAltar Care: Miranda WilliamsNursery: Kendall Gamelin, Summer GotschallHead Usher: Steve KinchenUshers: John Yates, Jonathan Strom, Miranda WilliamsSound: Charles FoxCoffee Fellowship: Heather WallaceFood Delivery: Barbara Arne
December 24 – Christmas Eve (Service at 7:30 p.m.)Assisting Minister: Connie MonsonAcolyte: Erik JohnsonLector/Communion Assistant: John YatesCommunion Assistants: John Ballew, Laureen HillAltar Care: Sarah MauldinHead Usher: Kathi HoumanUshers: David Brock, Myrna Lance, Adam RennerSound: Paul Arne
December 27Assisting Minister: Susanne CooperLector/Communion Assistant: Jim BelcherCommunion Assistants: David Brock, Barbara ArneAltar Care: Barbara ArneHead Usher: Doug RobinsonUshers: Diane Robinson, Erin RennerSound: Adam RennerFood Delivery: Armin Siedlecki
Offering Counters for December: Pat Artis, Laura Robison
St. John’s Epistle 10 December 2015
December 2015Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30 31
9:15 AM Sunday School 10:30 AM Worship12 PM Confirmation12 PM Congregational Meeting/BudgetApproval
6:30 PM Community Yoga
7:30 PM Stewardship
7 PM Worship Ministry
CURRENT PRAYER REQUESTSEsther Arne + John Bacheller + Jim Belcher & family + Lisa Bennet & family + The family of Oby Brewer + The Buda family
Jane & Cecile Carlyle + Antonia Comparator + Liana Marie Cooper + Christa deFancsaly + Carole Doll + Glen Eckman Debra Ellis & family + Elin Eysenbach + Stan Faigin + Lynn Gatchell + Julie Granger + Karl Gruben + Meredith Hendricks Virginia Holden + Betty Howell + Chuck Howell + Kathi Houman & family + Penny Johnson + Gene Lewis + Scott Lohse
Timothy Madsen + Connie Monson & family + Adrienne Pardieck + Delmus & Mamie Payton + John Reynolds Dottie Rivas + Vickie Roberts + Marilyn Sauls + Kirsteen Warden + Audrey White
Johnny Williams + Scott WylievKim Yates
Mon - Fri: 12 to 1 PM Augustine Fellowship Sunday: 7PM to 8PM Augustine Fellowship
7 PM Church Council7 PM Outreach 7 PM Lectionary Bible Study
6:30 PM Advent Simple Soup & Prayer
7:30 PM Choir
7 PM Lectionary Bible Study
7 PM Congregational Care
7:30 PM Christmas Eve Worship
7 PM Property Management
7 PM Evangelism
9:15 AM Sunday School
10:30 AM Worship
12 PM Sandwich Sunday
12 PM HandbellRehearsal
9AM Creation Time7 PM Lectionary Bible Study
7 PM Finance
7 PM Lectionary Bible Study
6 PM Dinner/Bible Study w/Mercy Church
6 PM Advent Simple Soup & Prayer with Mercy Church
7:30 PM Choir
6:30 PM Community Yoga
6:30 PM Community Yoga
7 PM Congregational Care
7 PM Lectionary Bible Study
6:30 PM Advent Simple Soup & Prayer
7:30 PM Choir
9 AM Planning Retreat
9:15 AM Sunday School
10:30 AM Worship
11:30 AM Handbells12 PM Capital Campaign Reception
6:30 PM Community Yoga
7 PM Tree Decorating Party
9:15 AM Sunday School
10:30 AM Worship
5:30 PM Christmas Caroling
