TThh ee SSEEEEDD - clcq.orgclcq.org/archived/16/December2016.pdf · Advent Daily Devotional Our...
Transcript of TThh ee SSEEEEDD - clcq.orgclcq.org/archived/16/December2016.pdf · Advent Daily Devotional Our...
Prepare in Peace for the Prince of Peace By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on
high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit
in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our
feet into the way of peace.” Luke 1:78-78
By Pastor Gayle Pope
As I thought
about an
Advent theme
for this year,
we were in the
middle of a
contentious
national
election that
promised to
culminate in
anything but peace. God’s Word is full of promises
and declarations of peace, I thought. Maybe it would
be good to reflect on God’s peace as we prepare for
the coming of the Prince of Peace.
The important thing to recognize about God’s peace is
that it is different from earthly peace. The night before
he died a violent death, Jesus said to his disciples,
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do
not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your
hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.”
The peace Jesus brings is peace with God. Colossians
1:20 says, “through him, God was pleased to reconcile
to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by
making peace through the blood of his cross.”
Our Advent daily devotional and our Wednesday
Advent Evening Prayer services will help us reflect on
God’s Way of Peace. May we be drawn to our Savior
to receive peace with God, and then, filled with God’s
peace, may we become vessels of that peace in the
world, through our words and deeds.
Advent Daily Devotional
Our 2016 Advent Daily Devotional, “The Way of
Peace,” has one entry for each day from Nov. 27
through Dec. 25, written by members of Christ
Lutheran and Luther Memorial Churches. Many,
many thanks to all
who participated!
Copies are
available on the
narthex table and
will be posted on
our website daily.
If you can’t get to
church and would
like a booklet
mailed or
delivered to you, contact our secretary Bree Roberts at
217-224-1624 or [email protected].
Advent Evening Prayer Services
We will again use the “Holden Evening Prayer”
setting for our midweek services on Nov. 30, Dec. 7
and Dec. 14. Worship will begin at 6:30 p.m. at
Christ Lutheran and last from 30 to 45 minutes.
Each service will include a scripture and reflection,
given by Pastor Tony Metz (Nov. 30), Pastor Gayle
(Dec. 7) and Vicar Nathan Klein (Dec. 14).
Speakers and Special Music: We will also enjoy
special music and a personal faith story about finding
God’s peace. On Nov. 30, Lana Anderson and Amy
Stollberg will sing a duet, “Breath of Heaven.”. On
Dec. 7, Kim Albert, daughter of Bonnie & Brian Cox,
will share how she has found peace during her battle
with ovarian cancer. On Dec. 14, we’ll hear Aiden
Spurgeon sing, “I Wonder as I Wander.” Luther
Memorial will provide speakers and special music on
the other weeks.
SSEEEEDD
TThh
ee
2
Give a “Good Gift” for Christmas ELCA Good Gifts are a meaningful way to honor
loved ones with gifts that grow the church, fight
hunger and transform lives. Copies of the “Good
Gifts” catalog are available in the narthex, or you can
go on-line at community.elca.org/elcagoodgifts.
The items in the “Good Gifts” catalog are examples of
work being done in projects and programs supported
by funds from the ELCA. Your gifts will be combined
with the gifts of others to fund areas of work related to
your selection (e.g. international emergencies, health
care, sustainable development, etc.) so that your
donation has the greatest impact.
The ELCA’s approach to ministry starts with
listening. After local congregations and global
companions identify local needs, the ELCA partners
with them as they develop local solutions. As a long-
standing, unwavering presence in nearly 90 countries,
including the United States, the ELCA steers clear of
“one-size-fits-all” answers and has enormous respect
for local context, local expertise and local ingenuity.
They are good stewards of your resources, holding
administrative costs at less than 10 percent – among
the lowest of other organizations doing similar work.
Winter Clothing Sought
for Veterans in Need By Jim Hobbins
As an ongoing personal ministry
I have been collecting clothing
and other personal items for homeless
veterans for the past ten years and
would like to begin the same process at Christ
Lutheran. The clothing would be distributed through
licensed groups already involved in Veterans matters,
such as the Salvation Army and TriState Warrior
group, and would benefit LOCAL veterans of all
conflicts from WWII forward.
Congregants are asked to provide used but
clean/serviceable items such as winter sweaters, coats,
gloves and outerwear shoes and boots. Both male and
female clothing would be welcomed and appreciated.
In addition, personal grooming items such as used but
serviceable electric razors, would also find a happy
home. Suitable boxes clearly marked for same will be
available at the church.
Please bring items by Sunday Dec 11, for delivery the
next day.
December Food Gifts Go to the
Salvation Army By Sue Hobbins
The Salvation Army Food
Pantry will be the recipient of
our gifts in December. Each
month of 2016 you have
faithfully purchased and given food for a pantry.
Helping to feed the hungry in our community is one
way we can support our neighbors. We all know that a
healthy diet pays dividends in many ways. The child
who consumes a healthy, balanced diet will do better
in school. A healthy adult misses fewer days of work
or is able to look for work. An elderly person who is
healthy spends less for medicine and can continue
working, volunteering and living in their own home.
Your gifts mean so much more than a full stomach.
Thank you for your continued sharing with the hungry
and needy in our community.
1. Protein items (includes baked beans, chili beans)
2. Canned meats (chicken, tuna)
3. Canned meals or boxed meals (chili, stew, mac
and cheese, meals with all the ingredients in them)
4. Macaroni & cheese, spaghetti & spaghetti sauce
5. Soups, especially chicken noodle & vegetable
6. Canned fruit and vegetables
7. Nuts (especially English walnuts, dry roasted
almonds, peanuts)
8. Bisquick (or similar mixes that make a variety of
dishes with little or no additional ingredients)
9. Fresh apples, potatoes
10. Small boxes of powdered milk & canned,
evaporated milk
11. Dry cereals
12. Paper products (toilet tissue, facial tissue, diapers)
13. Laundry detergent
14. Deodorant, shampoo, toilet soap
15. Cleaning products
16. Hotel size soaps, shampoos, lotions, etc.
17. Baby care products and baby food
3
Annual Meeting Announced Our 2017 annual congregational meeting will be on
Sunday, Jan. 29 following our 9:30 church service.
Elections will be held for five open positions on the
church council and the 2017 budget will be submitted
for approval. Officers and committee chairs are asked
to have their reports for the Annual Report to the
church secretary by Jan. 10. On Sunday, Jan. 22, the
report will be available at worship for all to pick up.
Nominating Committee
Those elected at our last annual meeting to serve on
the 2015-2016 Nominating Committee are Judy
Heilmann, Beth Katenin, Jim Trutwin, Alan
Steigelman and Stuart Peters. They will be seeking
four individuals to nominate for three-year terms on
the council, and one to fill the one-year unexpired
term of Kathy Wolters. They will also nominate
people to serve on next year’s Nominating
Committee. The committee will hold its first meeting
soon.
Worship Ministry Team
Busy on Several Fronts By Bonnie Scranton, Worship Team Chair
This is a very busy season for the Worship Ministry
Team (WMT)! Much of our November monthly
meeting was spent reviewing all of the tasks that need
to be completed in preparation for Advent, Christmas
Eve, and Christmas Day worship services. There are a
myriad of details to take care of to ensure that your
worship experience is both positive and meaningful.
For those of you who attended the stewardship
celebration after worship on Nov. 13, you may have
noticed the chart by the WMT table. Worship
involves almost 3,000 volunteer hours per year.
When we talk about sharing our time & talents,
worship is certainly a biggy!!
We will continue to need some of your time & talent
as we enter into the Christmas season. There will be
plenty of opportunity in December to help decorate
the sanctuary, serve as a worship leader in any of eight
worship services (including Wednesday evening
Advent services), help change banners and paraments,
welcome our holiday visitors, or just pitch in wherever
it looks like someone might need help.
And while this is being read after Thanksgiving, I
want to close this report by expressing my sincere
thanks to everyone who helps with worship. In
particular I want to thank our Worship Ministry Team
members for all the hard work they do all year long.
They are an awesome group and I am blessed to be
able to serve as their chairperson. Please give these
folks a pat on the back next time you see them: Joan
Larner, Judy Wegehenkel, Matt Futhey, Sue Hobbins,
Sue Reeder, & Pastor Gayle! May you all have a very
Blessed Christmas!
Editor’s Note: Bonnie is having hip replacement
surgery Nov. 30. Please pray for her swift healing.
Bonnie looks after so many aspects of our worship,
including making sure we have all the volunteers in
place. Please make an extra effort in December to
sign up on the Worship Assistant chart. We still have
several open spots on the December chart!
Mission Endowment Fund an Option for
Year-End Giving By Charlie Bach
“Did You Know” is a monthly column
by our Endowment Fund Committee
describing various aspects of the Fund
and how members may contribute to it.
As the year end approaches, the Mission Endowment
committee request that you consider a tax-deductible
donation to the Mission Endowment fund. Please
donate first to the Lord’s work in the everyday
operation of our church. The endowment is a way to
continue the work of Christ Lutheran Church for the
long term. Talk to the Mission Endowment committee
if you have questions about a donation or want
additional information. For more information on the
Endowment Fund, contact any of the committee
members.
Amy Lannerd Mary Reeve Bill Wolters
Charlie Bach Conny Bakker Bonnie Scranton
Pastor Gayle will be on vacation Thursday, Dec. 1 – Tuesday, Dec. 6 and back in the
office Wednesday, Dec. 7. In case of emergency contact Sam Lathrop at 608-295-4662. For emergency pastoral care,
contact Pr. Tony Metz, 217-592-2733.
4
WORSHIP IN DECEMBER
Advent Wreath Lighting
Every Sunday in Advent one of our
church families will light the Advent
wreath at the beginning of worship
and lead us in meditating on the
symbolism of each candle: Hope, Peace, Joy and
Love. The first two Sundays will be done by the
Wingerter and Goings families.
Dec. 4: Hanging of the Greens
Pastor Jim Trutwin will preside and preach at our
service on Dec. 4, as Pastor Gayle is on vacation.
Everyone is invited to stay after worship for “Hanging
of the Greens.” We’ll eat together after we get the
church decorated for Advent and Christmas. The
Fellowship Team will provide soup and others are
asked to bring a side or dessert. The Coffee Hour
group for this Sunday (Group 4) is asked to help with
serving and clean-up.
Dec. 18: Choir Cantata
On Sunday, Dec. 18, our 9:30 service will incorporate
a performance of “A Christmas Carol in Bethlehem,”
by our choir and Sunday School children, with Terry
Pope playing the role of Scrooge and Julie and Jerry
Spurgeon as the Cratchetts. (We last performed this in
2011.) We will begin the
service with the Advent Wreath
lighting and the cantata will be
followed by prayers, offering
and Holt Communion.
“A Christmas Carol in
Bethlehem” is based upon the
story by Charles Dickens,
adapted and arranged by Anna
Laura Page and Jean Anne
Shafferman. In this delightful
adaptation, Scrooge is the
Bethlehem Innkeeper who refuses shelter to Mary and
Joseph on that cold first Christmas night. When God
sends an angel to Scrooge, the wretched man
gradually realizes that he has traded his soul for gold.
His final redemption reflects the promise of salvation
for all in the birth of Emmanuel, God with us.
Christmas Worship Saturday, Dec. 24, Christmas Eve Service
Our traditional Christmas Eve candlelight service
with Holy Communion will begin at 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 24. Amy Stollberg will grace us
with a solo of “O Holy Night,” and of course we
will join together in singing “Silent Night” once
all our candles are lit. Plan to attend, and
remember, it’s always a good time to invite
someone to church!
Sunday, Dec. 25, Christmas Day Service Since Christmas Day falls on a Sunday this year,
we will worship as usual at 9:30 a.m. Jim Hobbins
will treat us to a solo with his wonderful bass
voice. There will be no Fellowship Hour after
church.
BRIEFLY . . .
Our sympathy goes to David Moore in the
death of his husband Jim Donovan on Tuesday,
Nov. 15. Jim’s funeral was held at Christ Lutheran
church on Nov. 17.
Connie Hornsey is happy to report that Christ
Lutheran contributed 19 shoeboxes to the
Operation Christmas Child worldwide
evangelism program. Our area director, Mary
Shelor, drove a truck containing almost 5,000
boxes to the collection center in Jacksonville.
Thanks so much for all of the church members
who participated! Our boxes will go to spread the
good news of our Savior to the children in Africa.
Conny Bakker and Keith Gerhardt are getting
married at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 1 (Yes, New
Year’s Day!). Conny says everyone will be invited
to the service here at Christ Lutheran.
From Jim Hobbins: Thanks so much for the
many 90th BDay messages sent via social media. I
am so blessed that my meager offerings have been
so well received. Which, by the way, reminds me
of a funny story about a Lutheran pastor,
Episcopal bishop and a Jewish Rabbi. It seems
they went into a…
5
OTHER COMING EVENTS
Dec. 3: QSOA Holiday Concert
The Quincy Symphony Orchestra,
Chorus, and Youth Chorus will
present Holiday Festival Family
Concert at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3 in
the QJHS Morrison Theater. This
combined Christmas concert is a
wonderful way to usher in the
holiday season!
The will perform traditional
and contemporary holiday
pieces, many in fun medley
formats. The Symphony Chorus and Youth Chorus
collaborate with the orchestra on Stephenson’s
“Christmas at Home Medley,” “Holiday Favorites,”
and other songs that highlight the joys of the season.
The audience will have a chance to sing-along on
favorite Christmas carols with the combined adult and
youth choirs of 100 voices followed by the grand
concert ending of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”
In an effort to give back to our community, concert-
goers are asked to bring non-perishable food to benefit
The Crossing’s local food pantry. Tickets are $18 for
adults, $15 for Seniors and FREE for kids 18 and
younger.
Dec. 7: Prayer Shawl Group
By Bonnie Cox
Prayer Shawl will be meeting on Dec. 7.in the Bride’s
Room at 11am until around 12:30pm. Due to the
Christmas holidays our group will not meet on the
21st. There will be a Christmas party at my house for
Prayer Shawl ladies and Create a Card class on Dec.
12 at 3 p.m. Please let me know if you can attend.
If you know of someone who is in need of a shawl/lap
robe and in need of special prayers and uplifting,
please contact any of the members or Pastor Gayle
and we will see that you get one. Wishing you all a
Merry Christmas and a Blessed 2017!
Dec. 11: Blessing Buddy Caroling
Blessing Buddies are going Christmas Caroling at
Good Samaritan Home on Sunday, Dec. 11. We will
meet at church at 2 to sing through the songs, then
carpool to Good Sam to begin caroling. Afterwards,
we’ll have some refreshments. All Blessing Buddies
are asked to mark on the sign-up sheet in the narthex
whether or not you can come or contact Donna Parke
to let her know.
Dec. 13: Ladies Birthday Lunch
This month’s Ladies Birthday Lunch is at noon on
Tuesday, Dec. 13, at BoodaLu Steakhouse, 117
Hampshire. Sign up in the church narthex or call the
office and we’ll add your name to the list. Ladies with
December birthdays are treated by the rest!
Dec. 12: Create-A-Card X-mas Party By Bonnie Cox
We will have a Christmas Party at my house on Dec.
12 at 3 p.m. along with Prayer Shawl ladies. Please let
me know if you can attend.
If you are interested in starting with the class in 2017
please speak to me and I will schedule you a slot for
the class. I have three/four different classes with about
4 spaces in each class. Wishing everyone a Merry
Christmas and a Blessed 2017!
Dec. 16: Kids’ Night Out
We will be celebrating the holidays at our fourth
“Kids’ Night Out” on Friday, Dec. 16, from 5:30 to 8
p.m. We begin with a meal, followed by making
ornaments, having a German lesson by Conny Bakker.
Grammy Corrine Sutcliffe is going to involve the kids
in a presentation of the Christmas story. As always,
we will need volunteer helpers. Please sign up on the
table in the narthex, or let Trish Santos know. Also
sign up your own kids and grandkids to participate,
and spread the word! We had about 26 kids in
November and kids and parents are loving it!
Dec. 27: Books N’ Brew
By Pat Bell
A cranky curmudgeon turns into a
hero in "A Man Called Ove." by
Fredrik Backman. We will discuss
this at our December 27th
gathering at Pat Bell's house 2626
Kentucky Rd, Quincy at 5:30 pm.
Please bring an appetizer or
dessert to share and a wrapped
gently used book for our annual
book exchange. This is a fun night with good food and
fellowship. Hope to see all our regulars and some new
faces too! Merry Christmas!
6
ELCA Youth Gathering
announces 2018 theme The theme for the 2018 ELCA
Youth Gathering is “This
Changes Everything,” and
the primary Scripture will
be Ephesians 2:8: “For by
grace you have been saved
through faith, and this is not
your own doing; it is the gift
of God.” The new logo is a visual representation of
the theme and the experience of the Gathering, and the
cross at the center is the focus – it is God's grace,
through Christ's life, death and resurrection – that
changes everything for all people.
AVERAGE ATTENDANCE
Month 2015 2016
January 82 79
February 71 82
March 77 116
April 108 90
May 89 90
June 84 79
July 72 84
August 77 97
September 88 84
October 90 85
November 91 97
Year To Date 84 89
7
DECEMBER 2016 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SAT
27 1st Sunday of
Advent
9:30 am Worship
10:30 Coffee Hour
(Group 3)
28
29
10 am Coffee &
Devotions
30
9 am Property Party
6:30 pm Advent
Service
7:15 Confirmation
7:15 Choir
1
6:30 pm Women’s
Small Group
6:30 Tai Chi
Pastor Gayle is on
vacation
2
10 am Tai Chi
3
3 pm QSOA
Holiday Concert
4 2nd Sunday of
Advent
9:30 am Worship
10:30 Hanging of the
Greens (Group 4)
Pastor Gayle is on
vacation
5
6
10 am Coffee &
Devotions
7
9 am Property Party
11 Prayer Shawl
6:30 pm Advent
Service
7 Confirmation
7:15 Choir
8 6:30 pm Women’s
Small Group
6:30 Tai Chi
10 Pastor’s Chaplain
Shift @ Blessing
9
10 am Tai Chi 10
11 3rd Sunday of
Advent
9:30 am Worship
10:30 Coffee Hour
(Group 5)
12
3 pm Create-A-
Card Class and
Prayer Shawl
Christmas
Party
13
10 am Coffee &
Devotions
12 pm Ladies Birthday
Lunch, BoodaLu
6:30 Church Council
14
9 am Pastor at Good
Sam devotions
9 am Property Party
6:30 pm Advent
Service
7 Confirmation
7:15 Choir
15
6:30 pm Women’s
Small Group
6:30 Tai Chi
16
5:30 – 8 pm
Kids’ Night
Out!
17
18 4th Sunday of Advent
9:30 am Worship w/
Cantata
10:30 Coffee Hour
(Group 6)
2 p.m. Essential Oils 101
Class
19
20
10 am Coffee &
Devotions
21
9 am Property Party
4 pm Worship Team
Meeting
22
6:30 pm Women’s
Small Group
6:30 Tai Chi
23
24
5:30 pm Christmas
Eve Service,
CLC
25 Merry Christmas!
9:30 am Worship
10:30 Coffee Hour
(Group 7)
26
27
10 am Coffee &
Devotions
5:30 pm Books N’
Brew, Pat Bell’s
House
28
9 am Property Party 29
6:30 pm Women’s
Small Group
6:30 Tai Chi
30
31
8
Assisting with Worship in December 2016
POSITION December 4 December 11 December 18 December 24 December 25
Asst Minister Jerri Klusmeyer Sue Reeder Jim Bailey Jerri Klusmeyer Sam Lathrop
Deacon Mary Trutwin Crystal Bliven Joan Larner TBD Jim Bailey
Greeters Helen Pagel
Darlene Perry Crystal & Brad
Bliven Carol & Jack
Gustison Helen Pagel
Kaye Marshall Bonnie & Phil
Conover
Reader Bonnie Cox Ron Larner Sue Reeder Sue Reeder Tafi Lathrop
Sound Tech Tafi & Sam Lathrop TBD Brian Cox TBD TBD
Usher Matt Futhey TBD Dave Tooke TBD TBD
Sun. School Marcy Bigley Patty Kruse N/A N/A N/A
Nursery Marcia Johnson TBD TBD TBD TBD
Altar Guild TBD Joan Larner TBD Bonnie Cox TBD
Verger Dave Tooke Matt Futhey Bonnie & Brian Cox Judy Wegehenkel TBD
Coffee Hour Group 4 Group 5 Group 6 N/A Group 7
Acolyte Teagan Goings TBD TBD Jara Wingerter TBD
333 South 36th Street
Quincy, IL 62305-5833
Our Church Staff Pastor: Rev. Gayle Pope
President: Sam Lathrop
Secretary: Bree Roberts Choir Director: Amy Stollberg
Keyboardist: Lana Anderson
Sunday Worship – 9:30 a.m.
Office Hours
Tuesday & Thursday 10-5
Friday: 10-4 Office Phone: (217) 224-1624
Pastor’s Cell: (217) 357-1280 E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.clcq.org