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TO GOD BE THE GLORY
JAN/FEB 2011
1711 Grant StreetHopewell, VA 23860
www.nazluthchurch.com
The Hometown News is
a publication of
Nazareth Evangelical
Lutheran Church.
Member of the
Lutheran Church —
Missouri Synod.
Inside this issue:
Church Officers 2011 2
News and Notes 5
Pastor’s Corner 7
Youth Update 9
Mission Planning 10
The Hometown News
The Newsletter of Nazareth Lutheran Church
[ih-pif-uh-nee] – noun, plural -nies.
1. ( initial capital letter ) a Christian festival commemorat-ing the manifestation of Christ.
2. a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the
reality or essential meaning of something.
The word “epiphany” has at
least two meanings for us. One is
the meaning we know in the church,
that is, Epiphany is a Christian com-
memoration of the manifestation of
Christ.
Epiphany is from the Greek
word, meaning “reveal”. God be-
gins to reveal Jesus for who He is:
God in the flesh, our Savior.
Jesus is revealed as God in the
flesh to the Magi (Matthew 2:1-12)
and in the Temple (Luke 2) and lat-
er, God confirms that Jesus is His
beloved Son through His Baptism
(Matthew 3:13-17).
God’s Holy Spirit turns rou-tine events: a birth, a visit to thetemple, the pouring of water,into Divine actions that revealChrist.
But how about the second
meaning of Epiphany? That is, the
sudden perception of a reality not
known before?
As we move into January, we
once again go back to our routines.
Whether it is going back to work orschool, keeping up the house and
our finances, we go back to a rou-
tine.
If we learn one new lesson from
Epiphany, let it be this: that where
God’s Word is, His Holy Spirit is. In
other words….
God’s Holy Spirit turns ourroutine events into Divine ac-tions that reveal Christ.
If you see a stranger in need, it
is the revealed Christ who says,
“Whatever you did for the least of
these brothers and sisters of mine,
you did for me.” The epiphany
given is that Christ is among us
through the weakest and meekest. If you are home alone and in
mourning, it is the revealed Christ
who says, “Blessed are those who
mourn, for they will be comfort-
ed.” The epiphany given is that
Christ is with us in our suffering.
Through faith alone, God’s Word is the lens through which we view the world and then,
nothing is routine, everything isa new opportunity to live in orshare the message of our merci-ful Savior Jesus Christ.
What an Epiphany!
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Page 2 The Hometown News
2011 Church Officers and Board Members
In the November voter’s meeting, our congregation voted in the following servants for Christ. Theywill be installed into their roles during our Worship service on January 2. As a congregation, we thank
all of them for their commitment and service.
President Clint Reierson
Vice President Eddie Hanford
Recording Secretary Jean Joyner
Financial Secretary Janet Antol
Treasurer Kay Grochowaski
Board of Trustees Andy Martin, Raymond Rayner, Benny Soltez
Board of Maintenance Jim Morris
Board of Elders Adrian Slimmen
Bob Dry
Charles Minor
Board of Deacons Thelma Klein, Carol Slimmen, Karen VanWorth
Board of Finance Marilyn Antunes
Board of Stewardship Gene Fistler
Board of Missions & Outreach Kara Canada, Angie Morris
January 1 Doris Cavin
January 1 Emily Lineman
January 3 Danny Petik
January 5 David Schaarschmidt
January 15 Robert Buren III
January 17 Kimberly Heiser
January 29 Velma Fleming
January 29 Anna Klein
January 31 Eva McKenney
February 2 Taylor Stewart
February 7 Andy Martin
February 14 Caitlin Kendall
February 19 Ashley Thompson
February 20 Cindy Fistler
February 22 Cindy Reierson
February 23 Sheri Kendall
February 26 Pam Klein
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Page 3 The Hometown News
Child Development Center Updates
Have you noticed the new CDC (Child Development Center) television inthe Narthex? This television will have all of the latest updates on the CDC.Please check it every week to make sure you stay up to speed as we begin
our investigation of whether or not the Lord desires us to open a CDC.
Upcoming Meetings:
January 21, Friday, 5PM
The project management team will meet with representatives from the District and Circuit to discuss
possibilities for Childcare Development Models.
Upcoming Events:
January 23, Sunday
Team Assignments — individuals will be assigned to their respective teams. The Land Team, Internal
Communications Team, and Business Team, will be formed and begin their work.
It is estimated that a feasibility study will be performed in the February/March timeframe assuming the
business team concludes there is a vibrant and viable ministry for our church through a CDC.
MOVIE NIGHT
DOCUMENTARY: BONHOEFFER —
PASTOR, PACIFIST, NAZI RESISTER
FRIDAY, JANUARY 28, 7PM — 9PM
Join friends or make new ones as we watch this
compelling film on an extraordinary theologian
who lived during the rise of Hitler’s Germany.
A short discussion will follow the film.
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Page 4 Jan/Feb 2011
For our Brothers and Sisters in Christ in Nursing Homes -
Velma Fleming, HHCC (227)For our Brothers and Sisters in Christ who are home-bound -
Mary Petik ` For our members and friends serving our country in the military -
Bruce Layne Danny Petik Chris Graham Dustin Petik James Ecken-rode David Petik Jeff & Stacey Crossen Jeffrey Head Steve Foxx BrandonEdwards Mike McKinzie Stacey Wells Military Chaplains
For our members and friends away at college –
Landry Doane Casey Davis
For our members who are sick, hospitalized, in need of spiritual care or recuperating -
Evelyn Rayner
Rowena Carter
Bob and Annette Dry
Kathy Beahm
JennyGraham Marilyn Antunes Joey Reierson Nicki Thomas Barney HamptonGerald Koren Leanne Eckstein
For our friends who are sick, hospitalized or recuperating
Jonathan Weston Rita Joyner Ray Miller Jeff Walter Suzie & Joe Hilton Dor-othy Kunkel Freddie Gonzalez Kay Slade Bernard Carter Richard Brinkley, Jr.Thomas Slimmen Carolyn Kennedy Pat MacDonaldChase & Charlie Bennett Zachery Gilkey
For the families of the Saints departed Joann Miller
Pray for One Another Prayer List updated as of December 19, 2010
Bible Study and Adult Confirmation
Contact Pastor Voss for spe-cifics. We now have six con-
firmation students! Please
continue to encourage and in-vite anyone who has not re-
ceived this foundation of
Christian teaching.
WEDNESDAYS 7:00 PM
Wednesday evening Bible
studies will commence on
January 5th. Separate Bible
study classes will be offered
for the men and women.
Whether you are young or old,
visitor or pillar, we have a Bible
Study for you!
SUNDAYS 9:30 AM
Bible Study
Meet in the “Old Church” Room
at 9:30 AM. A new topic of
study will be presented in the
coming weeks.
Adult Conirmation
Interested in joining our church
or learning more about our
faith? A new adult conirma-
tion class will begin in Febru-
ary. If you are new to the Lu-
theran faith and/or would
like to join our church,
please contact Arnie to
join in.
Youth Conirmation
Youth in grades 7—11 areencouraged to join in our
Confirmation program. Youhave two options:
Weekly students meet every
Sunday at 9:30 AM.
Bi-Weekly students meet
every other Sunday at
8:30AM (to 10:30 AM).
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Page 5 The Hometown News
News and Notes
MISSION OPPORTUNITY
In February, a nurse and a nurse anesthetist that I work with are going to Haiti on a medical mission
trip. They are going with the Haiti Outreach Ministry group. (www.haitioutreach minis-
tries.org) From now till the beginning of Feb., I will be collecting the following items to send with
them...Tylenol, Ibuprofen, chewable and liquid Tylenol, Benadryl, cough drops, Monistat cream, anti-
biotic cream, Tums and Vitamins. There will be a basket on the table near the mailboxes for your do-
nations. These people need our help...let's show them the love of God. Thanks, Cindy R.
CHURCH CHOIR
Calling All Choir Members, Past and Present! Please look around at home and weed out any old mu-
sic you have! We are particularly looking for a music songbook called "Carols Alive". Any questions
please see Cindy R. Many Thanks!
NURSERY POLICY
We are reminding folks of our original nursery policy, since we will begin using it again. This policystates that the nursery is for children aged 4 and under. We know that 4’s become 5’s overnight, and
this has resulted in some confusion. The 5’s have become accustomed to staying in the nursery, and
sometimes they bring their older friends. This places a burden on our volunteer staff. Also, many 5’s
are capable of enjoying the whole service. Thank you for your help!
CHILDCARE
James Eckenrode’s mom has a childcare service, and she currently has some openings. If you need
this service or would like more information, please call Elke at 530-1254 or on her cell at 691-8369.
She will care for newborns on up in age. Hours are 6:30am to 6:00pm.
Dear Nazareth Friends,
Thank you all for your prayers,cards, and calls. They have all meant so much to me during this time and have helped me deal with being home and inactive for so long. I have found out that doing
nothing is not as much fun as I used to think it would be! I havemissed you all and look forward to being back at church soon.
Sincerely, Leanne
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Page 6 Jan/Feb 2011
VISIONA SERMON SERIES
JANUARY 2011
TRUSTING IN GOD
EMRACE THE FUTURE
TO THE GLORY OF JESUS CHRIST
God’s Vision for our Life, Church, Eternity
Second Sunday after Christmas
January 2 – God’s Vision for our Life
Sermon text: Ephesians 1:3-14
Key Verses: v. 11-12: In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who
works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to
put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.
Epiphany January 9 – God’s Vision for our Church
Sermon: Ephesians 3:1-12
Key Verse, v. 10: His (God’s) intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should
be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms.
The Baptism of our Lord
January 16 – God’s Vision for our Eternity
Sermon and Bible Study text: Revelation 21:1-7
Key Verse, v. 6-7: He said to me: ―It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. Tothe thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious
will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.‖
Upcoming Services:
The Third Sunday of the Epiphany Season: January 23 – Guest Preacher
The Fourth Sunday of the Epiphany Season: January 30 — Youth Leading Worship
The Fifth Sunday of the Epiphany Season: February 6 — Lutheran Hour Ministry Sunday
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PASTOR’S
CORNER
SIMPLE CHURCH BOOK STUDY
We now begin our Simple Church book study with the purpose of re-evaluating how our church or-
ganization serves our mission to “reach out to all in faith and love....”
We will hold an online discussion of each Chapter (please register by going to the bottom of our
home page www.nazluthchurch.com). We begin reading Chapter 1 on January 1. Questions will be
asked via the online forum to keep us focused on the purpose of reading the book, that is, “How can
our church structure best serve our mission?” We will read a Chapter per week with due dates to
complete each chapter as listed below.
January 1—Finish Chapter 1
January 8—Finish Chapter 2
January 15—Finish Chapter 3
January 22—Finish Chapter 4
January 29—Finish Chapter 5
February 27—March 20—Discuss suggestions for church structure and develop presentation for
council and congregation.
VISION
Beginning with the irst Sunday of the New Year, we will embark on a sermon series entitled
“Vision: God’s Vision for our life, church, and eternity”. The focus of this series will be to get focused
on God’s Vision for our future as we move from mission planning in 2010 to active mission in 2011.
Nazareth already does so many things well, including the Easter Fair, the Fall Festival, just to name
a few. I look forward to 2011 as we continue to increase our activity for the Lord according to His
Vision.
SHORT-TERM MISSION
In this newsletter you will ind a short -term mission planning form. This is for
mission and ministry projects to be completed in 2011. I cannot emphasize
how important it is for all of us, regardless of whether or not we serve on a
board, to consider how we can make a direct impact on our communitythrough focused ministry planning. Having a short -term goal for yourself or
your board not only gives you a sense of direction for serving our community
with the Gospel, but it binds you to the larger mission of our church.
“Jesus said, let the little children come to me, do not hinder them….”
- Matthew 19:14
February 5– Finish Chapter 6
February 12—Finish Chapter 7
February 19—Finish Chapter 8
February 26—Finish Chapter 9
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Page 8 The Hometown News
Operation Barnabas: Congregations Supporting our Military
The LCMS maintains a special program that helps congregations show love and
support to returning service people: Operation Barnabas. The following is summa-
rized from an account by Pastor Philip Baerwolf of Immanuel Lutheran Church in
East Dundee, Illinois. It is from Harvest News.
Pastor Baerwolf recalls the apostle Philip’s conversation with the Ethiopian where, after hearing the
Gospel, the Ethiopian says, ―Look, here is water. Why shouldn’t I be baptized?‖ A similar encounterhappened at his church. He tells about seeing a car leaving the church parking lot just as he was re-
turning. His secretary told him it was a young soldier returning from Afghanistan who had come to
the church inquiring about baptism. The congregation had hosted an Operation Barnabas workshopearlier in the year and had a heart for those who wear our country’s uniform and their families. They
were ready to respond in love when God presented an opportunity to care for a military member
returning from service.
Pastor Baerwolf continues,‖I immediately called the soldier back, and within 10 minutes he returned
to the church and we chatted for awhile. I learned that his name was Greg, and he had never beenbaptized as a baby. After his time in Afghanistan, he was convinced he should be baptized. He was
certain the Lord had saved his life on more than one occasion while serving in hostile territory. Greg
had also witnessed many events of atrocity and knew that he needed to be baptized. I quickly talkedto Greg about his faith — he assured me of his trust in Jesus as his Savior acknowledging that Jesus died
on the cross for his sins and rose again from the grave to give him hope of heaven.‖
―I assured Greg of God’s mercy. We discussed how to honor Him by obeying His commands and
that serving as a soldier is a just and noble calling.‖
―…I explained how in the service of Holy Baptism we would confess the Apostles Creed together.
Greg said he agreed with all those statements, so we scheduled the baptism. Praise God for the gift
of faith and for welcoming a new member into God’s family!‖
Learn more about how your congregation can get involved at
www.operationbarnabas.org or by calling 402-316-8873.
Publication Dates for the Hometown News in 2011
ISSUE AVAILABLE ONLINE PAPER VERSION MAILED
MAR/APR MARCH 7 MARCH 9
MAY/JUN MAY 2 MAY 4
JUL/AUG JULY 5 JULY 7
SEP/OCT SEPTEMBER 6 SEPTEMBER 8
NOV/DEC NOVEMBER 7 NOVEMBER 9
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The Hometown News
Board of Outreach & Missions, December 2010
Christmas Families
Nazareth generously adopted 3 families for Christmas. The requests for gifts were placed on the Christ-mas Tree in the Narthex. A few tags were not taken; however, the wonderful people of Nazareth gave
money to buy the remaining gifts. Seed money from Thrivent was used to buy food items. All un-
wrapped gis were wrapped and delivered on December 20th.
Thanks again Nazareth for giving so lovingly to others!
Nazareth Youth Activity, Winter, 2010—2011
December
The youth had their annual Christmas Gathering. They started the night with some Bingo at the church.They then took the church bus to the Hopewell Covalence Center to read the Christmas Story and sing
Christmas Carols to Velma Fleming. Aer that they did the Walk Through Bethlehem at a local
church. They then returned to the church to open gis and have refreshments. Everyone had a great
evening of Chrisan Fellowship. January
The youth will assist in the church service with Pastor Voss’s help. They are also going back the visit Ms.
Fleming who will have a birthday at the end of the month.
Defeating the Radio Scrambler from your Editor Sue S.
I’m sure I have Attention Deficit Disorder. I was never diagnosed this way as a kid (did theyeven have such a thing in the 50’s ?), but the older I get the more easily distracted I am. Hey, it’sthe culture, the environment! (no, it’s me) Rapid fire images on TV, my email in-box seededwith messages from people I never heard of. Of course I don’t have to participate, but often I
do. Once all the chatter begins, my mind gets cluttered and it is harder to focus, as if a radioscrambler had been turned on. That’s why my morning quiet time has become so vital.
Several years ago a friend told me she always has her devotion in the morning, so I decidedto try it. I vary the routine, and I always work in some prayers for others. God has promisedthat He will draw close to us as we draw close to Him. (James 4:8). Happy truth! Fifteen or 20minutes in the Word has the power to order the rest of my day.
Remember how Jesus told Martha, who was distracted and anxious about many things, that“Mary has chosen the one thing needful”. I derive great benefit and peace from that one thing.
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TO:
Nazareth Lutheran Church1711 Grant StreetHopewell, VA 23860
Nazareth Evangelical Lutheran Church
Reaching out to all in faith and love.
Sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Serving joyfully!