January 2016 - Holy Trinity Lutheran Church

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
Growing Together in Faith. Serving Together in Christ.
January 2016
2016
Romans 8:1 With the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah, that fateful dilemma is resolved. Those
who enter into Christ's being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying
black cloud. A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life is Christ, like a strong wind, has
magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands
of sin and death. (MSG)
Before we jump into a new year, let's take a moment to pause and reflect on 2015. Here
are some questions to ponder:
 Where did you see God at work in 2015?
 How was God present for you in 2015?
 How would you grade your spiritual/prayer life in 2015?
 What God given gift are you most grateful for from 2015?
 When did you experience grace and forgiveness in 2015?
We tend to want to move quickly in our “Express Lane” style society and culture. Taking
a moment to pause and reflect is a healthy way to acknowledge God’s presence in our
daily lives. If we don't take the time, we may be missing what God is doing in our lives.
Looking back at the above questions, you will notice they are somewhat specific. This is
intentional; to help you articulate your faith. On Sunday morning, worship can, at times,
be one directional—toward us—when in reality, the dynamics of faith are most often
found in conversations and interactions. It would be even better to answer the above
questions as a family or in groups over coffee.
Maybe most importantly, the questions here in the January newsletter offer each of us an
opportunity to consider some new ways to enhance or develop our spiritual life in 2016.
If this is something that is important to you, please send me a note or email at anytime.
With all that said, Happy New Year!
God’s promise of a new Spirit, like a strong wind, is life giving and sin forgiving. The new
year, like every new day of our lives, comes with a clean slate and new opportunities. We
no longer are bound by sin and death, but alive in Christ. Thanks be to God.
So then, one final question: what are you/we called to do in 2016? I look forward to
talking, praying, and discussing our amazing potential.
1
Pastor Mike
BREAKFAST
WITH
SANTA
2015
(More pictures
on
page 11)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Pastor’s article
Parish News
Church Council
Library News
Christian Education
Page 1
Page 3
Pages 4-5
Pages 6
Page 8
Youth & Family
HT WELCA
OWLS
Birthdays & Anniversaries
January calendar
2
Page 10
Page 12
Page 13
Page 13
Page 15
In Memoriam—Mavis Thompson, age 102, mother of Jean Strandlie. A
service celebrating her life will be held this month at Holy Trinity; Mary
Alice Huffman, age 92, long-standing, former member of HT.
WELCOME New Baby! Together with Pastor Mike, Emma, and Clara, we
welcome Lawson Gutzler, born on December 18.
Farewell and Godspeed to HT member Victoria Faulkner, who moved to
South Dakota, to be near family.
Please pray for pray for Heidi Merkel.
Congratulations to Craig, Karen and Eugenia Davis, as they look forward to
welcoming a new baby this summer. The parents-to-be are Jennifer (Davis)
Saddington and her husband, Thomas.
Join us to un-decorate the church—Christmas decorations will be taken down
on Saturday, January 9th between 9 am and 12 noon. If you're not involved
with Women's Book Club or Men's Breakfast which meet that morning, your help
un-decorating the church would be greatly appreciated! Questions? Contact
Robin LeMunyon at rslemunyon.com or (703) 264-1433.
Please join us! Our Vitality meeting is Saturday, January 23 from 9 to 11
am in Fellowship Hall. We will review our outreach events of recent months and
brainstorm about the best ways to touch the lives of people outside Holy Trinity in
2016. Pastor Mike will offer his impressions and suggestions. A light breakfast
will be served. Please let us know you'll attend. John Bowen & Lynn Tedesco
[email protected] or [email protected].
Upcoming music events at HT: Mark your calendars and join us!
Saturday, January 30 4:00 pm
Piano Concert by Dr. Sarah Masterson, Professor of Music at
Newberry College
Saturday, February 20 7:00 pm
Jazz Coffeehouse—Live music, desserts, fellowship
HT’S INCLEMENT WEATHER
POLICY
For groups meeting at Holy Trinity, in case of inclement weather, we follow
the Fairfax County school schedule for evening activities.
If worship services are cancelled, please call the church office for any updates.
Cancellations will also be posted on our website: www.holytrinityfallschurch.org.
3
CHURCH COUNCIL NEWS
HT Council News and Updates
A thank you to all who provided us with
many enjoyable December fellowship and
service opportunities. I was as moved as
Pastor Mike was at the sight of all of the HT
members participating in Breakfast with Santa
and decorating the church. We also had an
amazing Advent Concert, and the Christmas pageant was fabulous as always.
Pastor Mike, Casey and Cameron will be sharing a Sunday Night Life
schedule that includes the resumption of several music groups on Sunday
afternoon when SNL resumes on January 10 (see page 10).
On the property front, the Bat Cave walls have been sealed and painted,
which was our remaining item on the Phase I "Building the Future" campaign.
Before Dave Badger headed south, he met with Tall Oaks to provide a list of
electrical issues that we are now addressing as routine maintenance, including
the outdoor lighted sign by the narthex entrance, our outdoor security lights,
the exterior lighting for the "HTL" on our Route side 50 of the building, and
the exterior lighting for the stained glass windows.
In preparation for Phase II of the Building the Future campaign, we are
assembling lists of items to be addressed that include: signage, doors/locks,
landings/flooring, painting, sanctuary lighting, Fellowship Hall, playground,
stairwell/hallway lighting, the outdoor storage shed, soundproofing the
narthex and Rothenberg Hall, and looking at our aesthetics, continuing to
keep in mind making HT a welcoming space.
As mentioned last month, John Grutzik has spent many hours working by
himself and with American Amplifier to address our sound system issues.
Sound from the sanctuary has been restored to the narthex and lower level.
Future work includes adding a speaker in the nursery and continuing to
address wiring that may be causing feedback issues. We will also work on the
quality of our sound through existing speakers and fine-tuning the sound
board .
We will also begin to reach out to the congregation regarding HT's service
ministries as we review our past and present work, considering how we can
make the best use of our time and funds going forward. Pastor Ron Qualley
will be helping with this effort. Look for a future Forum session on this topic
as well as other outreach efforts.
4
The Council will also be working on HT's 2015-2016 "Mission Spending Plan"
or budget in coming months. If you have not yet returned your pledge card
to the church, we encourage you to do so. The pledge cards received help us
determine what level of support we can build on to keep HT's worship,
education, outreach and fellowship activities active and growing.
To a peaceful and blessed new year,
Anne Simmons
Council President
'15-’16 HT Council members: Anne Simmons-President, Matt Roberts-Vice
President, Karen Cockerham-Secretary, Terry Bathen-Treasurer, Sue Becker,
Eric Chancellor, Debbie D'Addario, Julie Davis, Greg D'Addario, Marcia Ihnen,
Pamela Kabati and Harry Search
PIANO RECITAL at HT
Dr. Sarah Masterson, a member of the music faculty at
Newberry College in Newberry, South Carolina, will perform a
piano recital at 4:00 p.m. on January 30.
Dr. Masterson received a B.A. in physics and a Performer’s
Certificate from DePauw University, and a M.M. and D.M.A. in
performance from the University of Connecticut. As the
winner of the 2001 Young Artist competition, she performed with the
Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra. At DePauw, she performed as soloist with
the DePauw Symphony Orchestra, accompanied a variety of recitals and
musical theater productions, and performed as part of DePauw’s annual Music
of the 21st Century festival. She has also participated in master classes with
several artists, including Vladimir Viardo and Jon Nakamatsu. Previous
teachers include Prof. Claude Cymerman and Phyllis Niednagel.
Dr. Masterson completed her doctoral degree in performance at the University
of Connecticut, where she studied with Dr. Neal Larrabee. At UConn, she
performed as part of the UConn Wind Ensemble, the UConn Chamber Music
Festival, and the William Benton Museum of Art’s RecitalsPlus series.
Dr. Masterson currently teaches piano and music theory at Newberry College
in Newberry, SC, and maintains an active performance schedule. She is a
member of the College Music Society and the MTNA.
The College has maintained its association with the Lutheran Church. Today,
Newberry is affiliated with the South Caroline, Southeastern, Florida-Bahamas,
and Caribbean Synods of the ELCA.
Former HT Pastors Bill and Jenni Zima are Newberry College graduates.
5
LIBRARY NEWS Mary Bowen, HT Librarian
JANUARY
New Year, New Books! We get to start the New Year with new
books in our library! During the month of January the books listed
below will be on the long table in the new library space. Come
check them out!
1. “The Funny Shape of Faith: Devotions for the Rest of Us” by
Arlene Flancher,
Laurie J. Hanson, and Lou Carlozo. This book uses humor to explore the
Bible, faith, and Christian living through cartoons, reflections, and prayers.
242
2. “Love, Dad: Letters of Faith to my Children” by Herbert Brokering. On the
back cover, “what every father wants to give his children – a rich legacy of
faith, love, and wisdom…for all who have fathers, are fathers will be
fathers….” 248.4
3. “The Meaning of Jesus: Two Visions” by Marcus J. Borg and N.T. Wright. On
the front cover, “The leading liberal and the conservative Jesus scholars
present the heart of the historical Jesus debate. Donated by members of the
Faith Outside the Box Discussion Group. 232
4. “500 Questions & Answers from the Bible,” edited by Mark Fackler. 220
5. “The Way of a Pilgrim and the Pilgrim Continues on His Way: a new
translation” by Helen Bacovcin. 248.48
6. “The Book of Genesis” by Joy A. Schroeder, translator and editor. Part of the
series, “The Bible in Medieval Tradition, this book includes commentaries
from authors of the 9th through the 14th centuries. 222
And for the younger crowd, on the black book truck:
1. “Race for Freedom” by Lois Walfrid Johnson. Youth Fiction
2. “Escape into the Night” by Lois Walfrid Johnson. Youth Fiction
3. “Midnight Rescue” by Lois Walfrid Johnson. Youth Fiction
4.”I’m Gonna Like Me: Letting Off a Little Self-Esteem” by Jamie Lee Curtis &
Laura Cornell. Children’s Fiction
5. “Inside Noah’s Ark” by Charles Reasoner. Children’s Fiction.
"Old News”.... from Holy Trinity's Archives—
Did you know that in January, 2008, the former Leisure Activity
Group (LAG) changed its name to OWLS – Older, Wiser,
Lighthearted souls?
Mary Bowen
6
December 13, 2015
FABULOUS Advent
Concert by HT’s vocal
and handbell choirs
and Holly and Sue,
HT’s piano and
clarinet duo
DELICIOUS Cookie
Reception
Many thanks to all the
singers, ringers,
bakers and everyone
who assisted!
7
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Adult Forum Coordinator: Alan Rulis, [email protected]
Faith Outside the Box Coordinator: John Bowen, [email protected]
Sunday School Supers: [email protected]
FAITH OUTSIDE THE BOX
We will meet at 6:30 p.m., on Monday, January 4 and January
25, to discuss "Christ Actually: The Son of God for the Secular
Age" by James Carroll.
All are welcome to join us.
HOLY TRINITY FORUM:
Your opportunity to learn, share and grow
in your commitment and Christian calling
Plan to participate at 10:00 a.m., Sundays in Rothenberg Hall.

January 3: Greg D’Addario, HT Communications Coordinator, on the new
HT website. Bring your questions and comments!

January 10: Ms. Alisha Matlock, Director of Development, FACETS, will
present on: “The State of Homelessness in Fairfax County...and how we can
each make a difference.”

January 17: Our hopes about, and possibilities for, the upcoming new year
of 2016.

January 24: Pastor Phil Hirsch, Assistant to the Bishop and Director of
Evangelical Mission for the ELCA Metro DC Synod, will present on “Best
Practices of Growing Congregations.”

January 31: TBA—Please stay tuned for further announcements.
8
IN THE COMMUNITY
THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE
ANGEL TREE
Thanks to everyone for their
generous donations. Thanks to
coordinator Lynn Tedesco and
delivery helper Laura Daugherty for
loading and delivering the 20 bags,
baskets, bins and boxes to FACETS.
Thanks to everyone for their donations
of toys, gifts for all ages, and many
gift cards. Thanks to your generosity,
we were able to buy for every family
listed on our tree! Thanks again to
coordinator Barbara Galindo, for
collecting and sorting each family’s gift
items. Thanks to Vic for his assistance
in delivering our donations to FACETS.
GIVE MORE HOPE
Thanks to HT representative Linda Bathen who was available in
the narthex every Sunday, from Advent 1 through Epiphany
Sunday.
Details on the amount collected will be included in future bulletins.
You may give anytime during the year. Visit www.giftsofhope.org.
Give more hope to children.
Give more hope to the homeless.
Give more hope to those who seek work.
Give more hope to those who need sustenance.
Give more hope to those who need medical or dental care.
Give more hope to those who want to improve their daily lives.
9
YOUTH AND FAMILY NEWS
Youth Minister — Cameron Johnson: [email protected]
SNL (Sunday Night Life)
Join us at 4:30 for some food, fellowship, and faith! We’ll start watching
the film 'Facing the Giants,' and spend some time discussing it! See below
for our new schedule (starting Sunday, January 10th):
4:30 pm
Start time
4:30—5:00
Youth Choir (with Casey)
Meal preparation starts (with Pastor Mike)
5:00—6:00
Spiritus Bells (with Casey)
Youth Group (with Cameron)
6:00
Dinner for all
7:00—8:00
Senior High Youth (with Cameron)
WINTER JAM 2016
Mark your calendars! On February 14th, Winter Jam 2016 will be at
EagleBank Arena (the former Patriot Center) in Fairfax! The show will
feature Matthew West, Crowder, For King & Country and more!
Tickets are $10 at the door, and the show starts at 6:45 pm.
I'd love to get a group and have us all sit together! If you are interested in
going, be sure to contact me at [email protected].
Cameron Johnson
Lutheran Summer Camps: It’s not too early to think about summer!
2016 registration is now open! Early Bird Discounts are available.
Caroline Furnace (Fort Valley, VA): Visit
www.carolinefurnace.org for camp schedules,
more information and online registration.
Mar-Lu-Ridge (Jefferson, MD): Interested in learning more about our
camps? The 2016 Open House dates are Sundays March 20, April
24 and May 22, from 2:00 to 4:30 p.m. Meet some of the staff,
tour the grounds and facilities, and ask questions. No
appointment is necessary, just come and check us out! If those
dates do not fit your schedule, please call us at 301.874.5544 to
set up a personal tour. Visit www.mar-lu-ridge.org for more
information and online registration.
10
Breakfast
with
Santa
2015
(Thanks to
photographer
Julie Strandlie)
11
HT WOMEN OF THE ELCA
Executive Committee:
Member-at-Large—Leona Badger 703-573-1708
Miriam/Lydia Bible Study—Carol Sukow 703-280-8108,
Joy Wells 703-560-2596 and Judy Baker 703-237-8717
Naomi Bible Study—Marcia Ihnen 703-979-5570
Secretary—Eugenia Davis 703-573-0678
BIBLE STUDY AND FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Miriam/Lydia—Friday, January 15, at 1:00 p.m., in the Library/Bible Room
Naomi—Sunday, January 24, at 5:50 p.m., in the Library/Bible Room
Book Club will meet at 8:30 a.m., on Saturday, January 9, at the home of Gloria
Hviding. Co-host is Denise Meister. The book to be discussed is “The
Light Between Oceans” by M.L. Stedman. You are invited to contact
coordinator, Carol Sukow at [email protected] to be added to the
notification list. Looking ahead, the February book is “Don’t Know Much About
Geography” by Kenneth C. Davis.
Knitting and Crochet Ministry will meet on the third Saturday, January 16, at
9:00 a.m. in the Library/Bible Room. We welcome all who want to learn how to
knit or crochet. We have yarn and needles for you to use and we can help you
learn. Ongoing projects are the cotton toallitas for the eye ministry, prayer
shawls for HT shut-ins and hats and scarves for Graham Road Elementary school;
these in addition to special projects that we accomplish for ourselves, family or
friends. Coordinator is Alfie Rulis.
Needlecrafters—You are invited to join HT Needlecrafters on the second and
fourth Wednesdays of most months. In January, we will meet on the 13th and
27th at 10:00 a.m., in Rothenberg Hall. We invite you to join us to knit, quilt, do
counted cross-stitch, Swedish embroidery or any other sewing or crafting project.
Some of the projects we donate to charities; others are for personal use. All are
welcome—beginners as well as those who are skilled. Contact Judy Baker at 703237-8717 for more information.
Prayer Chain—To start a request or to be added to the Prayer Chain, contact
Marcia at [email protected] or 703-979-5570.
Sunshine—Sandra Lee, Sunshine Secretary. Please contact Sandra at 703-8301791 or [email protected] if you know of someone celebrating a special
occasion or mourning the loss of a loved one.
Looking ahead:
 Blankets+ Sunday: February 1
 WELCA Retreat: April 22, 23, and 24
 Metro DC Synodical Women’s Organization (SWO) Convention: April 26
12
Jazz Coffee House
Professional Jazz Quintet
Saturday, February 20
7:00 – 9:30 p.m.
Fellowship Hall
To join our set up and/or clean up team,
please contact the church office
OWLS NEWS
Food, Fun, Fellowship
OWLS will gather for our first potluck of 2016 at 11:30 a.m. on
Wednesday, January 6th, in Fellowship Hall. Come and share a
dish of your favorite food and the warmth of our friends. We miss Dave and
Leona, as they enjoy the winter basking in the Florida sun; and Helen
Smith, baker of delicious cakes, as she starts her new life in North Carolina.
Stay tuned for more details on our February potluck.
Our March luncheon occurs during Lent and we will likely be participating in
the Bread and Soup lunch.
Jean Strandlie, Publicity
JANUARY BIRTHDAYS
Aaron Bertrand
Katherine Franke
Kaitlin Froemling
Abbigail Green
Rachel Kaczmarczyk
Carolyn Lemens
Nicholas Lemens
Reuben Luoma-Overstreet
Bill Merkel
Nick Poreda
Beth Search
Anne Simmons
Ray Sparnon
Greg Wicks
Richard Willett
JANUARY ANNIVERSARIES
Joe & Martha Kile
Albert & Sandy Lee
Charles & Liselotte Shelton
13
TO SAY THANKS. . .
Usher Coordinators Linda Williams and Arnold Baker. Welcome and thank
you to the following new ushers: Ruth Shomo and Paul Bremmer
Altar Guild Coordinator Eugenia Davis and current altar guild members.
Welcome to new altar guild team members Carrie and Stella Daniels
Assisting Minister Coordinator Terry Bathen
Lector Coordinator Joan Buscher
Greeter Coordinators Laura Daugherty and Mary Alice Adelberg
Acolyte Coordinator Jean Strandlie and all who serve on Sunday mornings
Coffee Klatch Coordinator Lori Wicks and all who host and provide coffee
and goodies on Sunday mornings
Christian Education Staff and Program Coordinators who nurture us in
our faith
Pastoral Transition (Transition Team, Call Committee, Welcome & Support
Team)
Decorating & Un-decorating Volunteers (Pictured: Robin
LeMunyon and a few members of her decorating team)
All those who step in at the last minute to help where needed
and to members of the congregation for their ongoing support
FROM JOAN: Thank you to everyone who provides assistance in
the office; helping with special projects and bulletin assembly: Genie
Davis, Jean Strandlie, Gloria Hviding, Jean Ball, Peggy Johnson,
Carol & Wayne Sukow, Marcia Ihnen, Craig Davis, Nancy Bernot
FLOWER and CANDLE DEDICATIONS
Charts are posted in the lobby near the new
nursery. Sign up to remember special
occasions, in honor or in memory of your loved
ones.
Suggested donation is $35 for flowers and $15
for candles.
Please note: The church office
will be closed on Monday,
January 18, in observance of the
Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday
Thank you
to Pastor
Mike and
ladies of the congregation
for the visits, the prayers,
the cards, the delicious
Advent Concert cookies,
and the prayer shawl
(provided by the Knitting
Ministry).
We are overwhelmed by
the love that comes our
way.
Ursula and Dick Jones
14
JANUARY 2016
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
Happy 2016!
3
4
5
6
7
8:45 Holy Communion
10:00 Sunday School
10:00 Adult Forum
10:00 Bible Study
11:15 Holy Communion
11:30 Vietnamese Worship
8:00 AA Meeting
6:30 Faith Outside the Box
7:30 Boy Scouts
8:00 AA Meeting
8:00 Women’s
AA meeting
11:30 OWLS
Potluck lunch
7:30 Christus
Bells rehearsal
10:00 Al-Anon
6:00 Parents of
Multiples
7:30 Christus
Choir rehearsal
10
11
12
13
14
8:45 Holy Communion
10:00 Sunday School
10:00 Adult Forum
10:00 Bible Study
11:15 Holy Communion
11:30 Vietnamese Worship
6:30 Handcrafters
7:30 Church
Council Meeting
7:30 Boy Scouts
8:00 AA Meeting
Meals on
Wheels
10:00 Needlecrafters
11:00
EggCrafters
7:30 Christus
Bells rehearsal
10:00 Al-Anon
7:30 Christus
Choir rehearsal
17
18 MLK Day
19
20
21
8:45 Holy Communion
10:00 Sunday School
10:00 Adult Forum
10:00 Bible Study
11:15 Holy Communion
11:30 Vietnamese Worship
7:30 Boy Scouts
8:00 AA Meeting
8:00 Women’s
AA meeting
7:30 Christus
Bells rehearsal
10:00 Al-Anon
7:30 Christus
Choir rehearsal
24 and 31
25
26
27
28
8:45 Holy Communion
10:00 Sunday School
10:00 Adult Forum
10:00 Bible Study
11:15 Holy Communion
11:30 Vietnamese Worship
8:00 AA Meeting
6:30 Faith Outside the Box
7:30 Boy Scouts
Meals on
Wheels
8:00 Women’s
AA meeting
10:00 Needlecrafters
7:30 Christus
Bells rehearsal
10:00 Al-Anon
7:30 Christus
Choir rehearsal
8:00 Women’s
AA meeting
CHURCH STAFF
The Rev. Michael Gutzler, Pastor
[email protected]
Joan Buscher, Parish Administrator
[email protected]
Dr. Casey Cook, Director of Music
[email protected]
Cameron Johnson, Youth Ministry
[email protected]
Tordis Fahringer, Organist
8
9
8:30 Book
Club
9:00 Undecorate HT
15
16
1:00
Miriam/Lydia
Bible Study
9:00 Knit &
Crochet
February
newsletter
deadline
22
23
9:00 Vitality
Committee
29
CHURCH COUNCIL
Anne Simmons, President
Matt Roberts, Vice President
Terry Bathen, Treasurer
Karen Cockerham, Secretary
Debbie D’Addario
Eric Chancellor
30
4:00 Piano
Recital
Marcia Ihnen
Sue Becker
Pamela Kabati
Julie Davis
Harry Search
Greg D’Addario
MISSION ENDOWMENT FUND
Linda Bathen, Theresa Hoyt, Deb Haynes,
Heidi Merkel, Tina Bertrand
Greg D’Addario, Webmaster and
Communications Coordinator
TRUSTEES
[email protected] Jeffrey Ihnen, John Person, Lynn Tedesco,
Laura Rose, Accountant
Jim LeMunyon
Felicito Arana, Custodian
MISSIONARY
Eugenia Davis, Newsletter Editor
[email protected]
Stephen Deal (Latin America and the Caribbean)
ELCA Division for Global Mission
15
HOLY TRINITY LUTHERAN
CHURCH
3022 Woodlawn Avenue
Falls Church, VA 22042
Tel: 703.532.6617
Fax: 703.532.4659
www.holytrinityfallschurch.org
www.facebook.com/HTLuther
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
January
January
January
January
January
January
January
1
3
6
9
18
23
30
February
February
February
February
February
February
3
10
15
17
20
24
New Year’s Day (church office closed)
Epiphany Sunday
OWLS Potluck lunch
Un-decorate the church, 9:00 to noon
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (church office closed)
Vitality Committee, 9:00 a.m.
Piano Concert by Dr. Sarah Masterson, 4:00 p.m.
OWLS Potluck lunch
Ash Wednesday
President’s Day (church office closed)
TBA (Wednesday Lent Soup & Bread Lunch)
Jazz Coffeehouse, 7:00 p.m.
TBA (Wednesday Lent Soup & Bread Lunch)
February 28-March 6
Hypothermia Week at HT
16