The Town Line

Lutheran Town Line Lutheran Church, Alden, New York

Sunday Worship Services November 2017

8:30 and 11:00 am

Sunday School Our Mission 9:45 – 10:45 am “Called to Be a Servant Community”

FROM OUR PASTOR

Dear Friends, It is hard to believe the month of November is here. What is November most known for? Thanksgiving, of course! It’s a holiday set aside to remind us all to be thankful. Thankful in the good times and even the challenging times. And I have a great book for that this month. Numbers, the fourth book in the Old Testament. Numbers has many stories of the Israelites forgetting to be thankful to God for all they have. Instead of being thankful they find themselves complaining about what they don’t have. Instead of being thankful they find themselves trying to make thing go the way they want.

Does that remind you of anyone you know? Truth be told, we can all fall into that trap. So the book of Numbers can be a “cautionary tale.” One where we can find ourselves and get a reminder that there is always something to be thankful for.

There are some good stories in here of how God provides even when we don’t deserve it. How God forgives even when we are whiny complainers. How God guides us even when we want to take our own path.

But Numbers can be a bit hard to read. It starts with a census, and has some parts that can seem a bit slow. There are a lot of laws in it too, and some can seem a bit confusing. God can come across as a harsh judge at times, but remember that we read all books through the lens of Jesus Christ and his unconditional love and forgiveness.

I do think you will find some stories in here that speak to you, especially as a reminder that God calls us to be thankful in all circumstances.

I hope you enjoy Numbers, and if you have any questions, please ask! God’s peace,

Pastor Serena

Sunday School news Join our Sunday School in helping your hometown community by giving to the Alden Marilla Food Panty. We are looking for gifts for Christmas for families in need. Your children’s Sunday school class will be collecting gifts for their own age groups.

Also we are collecting foods to help families enjoy a meal at Christmas. Please drop off these items in the gathering space at church now until Dec. 3rd. Items needed: All non-perishable, Green beans, cranberry sauce, white potatoes, pasta, tuna, soup, brownie mix, pumpkin pie filling, mac and cheese, canned fruit, jello/pudding, hot chocolate, corn, gravy, sweet potato, stuffing.

Congraulations to our Confirmation Class Congratulations to our 9th grade Confirmation class who were confirmed on Sunday, October 29 @ the 11am worship. Adam Dulski, Laura Mollenkopf-Grill, Antonio Muscoreil and Conner Streit

Family Worship Sunday November 5 @ 11am worship “We are Blessed”

Family worship will be on the 1st Sunday of the month. This is a hands on worship experience with easy to sing (and hard to forget)

song, interactive sermon, and "Cheerful Coins." Bring the whole family and invite your friends.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS Town Line Lutheran Christmas pageant

December 17th @ 11:00

There’s nothing more powerful than the

story of the birth of the Christ child

from our children.

Tuesday, November 14 at 12:30 pm here at the Church. Come join us for Bible Study and friendly conversation. Bring a bag lunch. Dessert and drinks will be provided. All Women of Town Line are invited.

The QUILTERS will meet every other Monday during November

(11/13, 11/27, then 12/11, etc.) from about 9:15 am until 1:00 pm. Bring your lunch and enjoy good fellowship and conversation. As usual, any non-weather-related changes to our schedule will be placed in the Sunday bulletin or telephoned to regular attendees. We’ve had a wonderful turnout of ladies recently and are really happy to have

them. Please consider joining us as we continue our service to those less fortunate in our community and surrounding area. If you have any questions, please call Lois Stutzman at 683-2782.

Calling all Readers You can join the Town Line book club at any time. We meet the 3rd Monday of every month at the Church. Just read the book and join us for lively conversation on the book.

November “Alice Network” Kate Quinn December “A Christmas Memory”truman Capote January “Kite Runner” Khaled Hosseini February “The Other Boleyn Girl” Phillipa Gregory March “StillAlice” Lisa Genova Please email/call Jeanette Dickinson at: bellgoddess_2000@yahoo.com or call 681-3966 with any questions

“Thank the Lord”

Wednesday, November 22, 2017 7:00 pm

The Church will be decorated with a Harvest Theme.

This year we are collecting canned goods and other non-perishable items to decorate our chancel area for Thanksgiving. The items used will be shared with food pantries following the services. Bring your donations to the church by Sunday, November 19. A box is located in the gathering area.

Advent Mid-Week "It's a Wonderful Life" Bible study: Starting Wednesday at 10am November 29 join us for the four weeks before Christmas as we explore 4 themes found in the movie "Its a Wonderful Life." This class includes video clips from the movie. u do not need to attend all the classes, come when you can! November 29: "Be good, do good" December 6: "A Bridge to God" December 13: "Wings and Prayers" December 20: "Ordinary Miracles"

Help is needed Sunday, November 26

following the 11am worship service. A light lunch of pizza and pop will

be provided for all helpers.

YOUTH NEWS…

Town line youth Fairy Tale Theater presents…

“HANNAH, GRETEL & SCHMO”

(a take-off on the Hansel & Gretel story)

Family friendly entertainment, baked goods sale

& free drinks at intermission

PLEASE INVITE FAMILY & FRIENDS! $5 PRESALE $6 @

THE DOOR KIDS 3 & under free!

Don’t miss out on the fun!

CHRISTMAS WREATH SALE NOV. 5TH & 12TH

Make your home beautiful for the holidays &

support our youth!

Wreaths will be available early December

ANGELS HELPING HANDS

Nov 19th noon-3:00

Fun, food & fellowship for all ages!

Come for a yummy homemade soup lunch &

learn how to make a homemade Christmas

craft taught by our very superb Angels!

Don’t forget our youth group is selling Tops $25

gift cards. Enjoy your yummy family food

traditions for the holidays & support our youth

program! Thanks for the help! If interested see

Paul Schuler or Kate

MUSIC NOTES…

If you love music but don’t have a lot of free time for rehearsals

how about joining our choir for Christmas Eve?

Just attend the rehearsals December 13th & 20th @ 7:30 PM

and join us in singing for the Christmas Eve 8:00 PM worship service. We really need additional voices and the

rewards are immeasurable! Any questions call or speak with Kate 668-5610

Our choirs are in great need of new members. Not a

lot of work but great rewards! If you’re interested

please see Kate Snyder 668-5610

Bell choir, Chancel choir, & women’s choir

Lot’s of fun-just ask them!

A Prayer to the Start the Day You do not have to look for anything, just look You do not have to listen for specific sounds, Just listen You do not have to accomplish anything, just be And in the looking and the listening, and the bring find me. Pick up the “Abby Goes to Africa” newsletter In the Church gathering space. or Click Below for the newsletter of Abby’s travel

Mandris YAGM Newsletter 2.pdf

TOWN LINE LUTHERAN CHURCH

MEMORIAL WALKWAY Order your memorial brick(s) in

memory of your loved ones. Order forms are available at the

Church.

Thank you to Pastor Serena and Kate for a wonderful service, to Diane and all those who donated food and/or served at the funeral luncheon, and to the congregation for the many beautiful cards received. Your thoughtfulness and kind actions will always be remembered. The family of Raymond J. Kalle.

Thank you for the Altar flowers and to Jack and Carol Rice for visiting. I miss my Town Line friends. Pat Karcher

Dear Pastor Serena and Town Line Lutheran Sunday School Children, Just a note of thanks for the most needed individual bags of toilitries and personal clothing items. The residenst will certainly enjoy and appreciate all of the time and effort that was taken to put all those bags together. Thank you and God bless. Symphony manor of Lancaster.

Thank you, veterans! On Veterans Day, we honor men and women who’ve served and sacrificed in one of America’s armed services. On November 11, 1918, America and her allies signed a truce with German leaders, ending World War I. In 1919, President Wilson decided the United States should remember with gratitude the end of that war and honor military members by marking Armistice Day, or “truce” day. In 1954, Congress changed the name to Veterans Day, honoring veterans of every era. Veterans Day highlights our country’s quest for peace, justice and freedom throughout the world. Followers of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, pray for unity among all nations and for the day when “nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore” (Isaiah 2:4, NIV).

How can you help others or get help? Here are a few local agencies Alden Pantry collection You can bring items for the Alden Food pantry to church any Sunday. There is a blue box located in the Coat room.

Alden Meals on Wheels is in need of volunteers. Call 937-7105 for more information

Hearts and Hands “Faith in Action” A Neighbor helping neighbor” volunteer program Call: 542-2226 www.heartsandhandsfia.org

Ronald McDonald House Charities Become a friend of Ronald: Find us on Facebook.

Suicide Bereavement support For immediate help/support call 24 hours a day: (585)202-2783 Erie County Crisis Services (716)834-3131 Lutheran Charities www.wnylutherancharities.org 716-632-2623

Alzheimer’s Association of WNY 24/7 Helpline 1-800-272-3900 Program.wny@alz.org 2805 Wehrle Dr Suite 6 Williamsville, NY 14221

Hospice Buffalo 225 Como Park Cheektowaga, NY 14227 716-686-1900 Essential Care for Children, a program of Home Care Buffalo 225 Como Park Boulevard Cheektowaga, NY 142270-1480 (716) 686-8006 Caring Hearts Perinatal Program 150 Bennett Road Cheektowaga, NY 14227 (716) 359-8056 Life Transitions Center, Inc. The Mary & Ralph C. Wilson Counseling Center 150 Bennett Road Cheektowaga, NY 14221-1480 Phone: (716) 836-6460 Caring Hearts Home Care 892 Main Street Buffalo, NY 14202 (716) 686-8300

The Town Line Lutheran Newsletter In order to help us cut costs and also waste less of our world's precious resources, we will not be mailing the newsletter to your door. Here are your choices on how you can get your newsletter:

1. Email: drop an email to Diane at the office to receive your newsletter electronically. The church email is townlinetllc@aol.com.

2. Pick up paper copy at church: Paper copies of the newsletter will be available for you to take home the last Sunday of every month.

3. Download from the church website: www.townlinelutheran.com

4. If none of the above work we can mail it to your home

If you wish to advertise in the newsletter, please drop off or email your articles by the 15th of any given month.

If you have a change of address or phone number, please email the Church and let us know

Email addresses are needed: If you would like to have your email added so we can contact you in this way, please email the Church: Townlinetllc@aol.com.

Check out our website at www.Townlinelutheran.com

We are also on Facebook, so friend us!

Join us on Twitter

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

Church Cancellation: Due to inclement weather (hopefully not too soon) please check Channel 2 for Town Line Lutheran Church closings. During the winter months please use caution in the parking lot and sidewalks as conditions can become slippery.

Church Council 2017-2018 Ann Marie Appleby Harold Bowen Mike DeWitt Rick Krueger Marcie Mason Larry Muscoreil Judy Quinty Mark Reddy Tom Stutzman Heidi Wild John Wild Patty Zehler

The Annual Congregational meeting took place on Sunday, October 15 with over 50 members in attendance. Reports are available in the gathering space.

Church Staff Information Ministers: All the People of God in this place Pastor: The Rev. Serena Mollenkopf-Grill Cell: 716-510-2939 Email: pastorserena@gmail.com Pastor Emeritus: The Rev. Merlin H. Knauff (retired) Secretary: Diane Casell Office: 684-1467 Sexton: Ann Stanek Music Director: Kate Snyder: 668-5610

Church Office Hours

Monday, - Thursday 9:00 am – noon The doors will be locked for the safety of our staff and volunteers,

please knock or use the doorbell at the carport door when you stop by. If you need assistance outside of these hours please call/text Diane 716-713-3149 or Pastor Serena 716-510-2939

Thanks for your cooperation.

Facts and Figures

Sunday Attendance Offerings October 1 99 $3,235 October 8 101 $3,744 October 15 130 $3,477 October 22 126 $5,057 Needed Weekly $3,300

Congrats to our new Council members. We pray for all our council members as they guide our church.

Worship Assistants for November

Ushers Early Service Late Service

John Wild David Reiner Robin Gilbert Daniel Wypij Dean Trommetter Ronald Ball Rick Krueger Harry Mandris

Acolytes Early Late 5 Victoria Wild Marcus Appleby Paige Mertz 12 Samantha Wild Haley Tyburski Ben Wild 19 Jacob Dulski Daulton Mason Victoria Wild 26 Adam Dulski Tony Muscoreil Laura Mollenkopf-Grill

Communion Set –Up 5 Ellie DeFillipo 8:30 am Marcie Mason 11:00 am 12 Charlie Turner 11:00 am 19 Barb Sims 8:30 am 26 Marcie Mason 11:00 am

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED for all the above Ministries! Call/text Diane 716-713-3149 or email the church if you would like to help at the church in any of these or our many other ministries

November Wedding Anniversaries November 13 35 years Carol and Peter Subsara November 26 51 years Sharon and Charles Holcomb November 30 32 years Christine and James Wilckens Did we miss your special Anniversary? (10, 20, 25 or over 30 years) If so, please let us know at the Church office.

Deaths Called to the Church Triumphant was our member, Betty Frey on October 24, 2017. A Funeral service was held at Town Line Lutheran Church on October 27, 2017. Our sincere sympathy is extended to her family and friends.

Called to the Church Triumphant was our member, Margaret Kelley on October 25, 2017. A Funeral service was held at Town Line Lutheran Church on October 30. Our sincere sympathy is extended to her family and friends.

Memorials

To the Sunday School program in memory of Beverly Thore by Jim Heinrich

To the Memorial fund in memory of Ray Kalle by

Nancy Staley and Beverly Spares Althea Green Judy Quinty Gladys Beverly Jim Heinrich Annette Fitscher

All Saints Sunday is November 5.

Don’t Forget Daylight savings time ends Sunday Nov 5. Turn your clocks back one hour.

1 Lisa McKibben 1 Claire Arnott 2 Rosemary Freed 2 Elizabeth Ball 2 Kyle Kohl 3 Rev. Merlin Knauff 2 Nathan Turner 3 Nolan Bonning 4 Adam Stevenson 6 Ann Heinrich 6 Heather Dzimian 7 Andrea Frey 7 Ryan Manchester 8 Sydney Sims 9 Barbara Sims 8 Jason Strang 9 Julie Skubis 9 Daulton Mason 9 Beth Quenzler 10 Sarah Gwarek 10 Grace Noel 11 Ruth Ives 11 Alison Daucher 13 Kourtney Dulski 13 Kaylee Kendall 14 Shirley Huehn 16 Linsey Erny 16 Diana Huber 17 Von Forst Kramer IV 17 Edward Reich

18 Cyndi Lemke 18 Ryker Manchester 19 James Macken 19 Richard Noel 19 Josephine Wild 20 Diane Baehre 20 Michael Randall 20 Delaina Blair 21 Shawn Zima 23 James Wilckens 24 Nancy Arndt 24 David Noel 25 Timothy Bowen 25 William Dabb 25 Edythann Sims 25 Benjamin Wild 25 Shirley Nedell 25 Christopher Kendall 26 Hayley Tyburski 27 Taylor Tyburski 27 Mark Schreiner 30 Maryjane Heinrich Did we miss your Birthday? If so, please call us at the Church office, 684-1467.

TOWN LINE LUTHERAN CHURCH Town Line Road Alden, New York 14004-9590 A member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America ELCA.org Living in God’s Amazing Grace

Church office: 716-684-1467 Church Fax: 716-683-1664 Pastor: The Rev. Serena Mollenkopf-Grill Cell: 716-510-2939 Email: pastorserena@gmail.com Pastor Emeritus: The Rev. Merlin H. Knauff (retired) Church Email - Townlinetllc@aol.com Church Website: www.Townlinelutheran.com