Our Savior`s Voice - Our Savior Lutheran Church

January 2016
Our Savior’s Voice
Our Savior Lutheran Church
505 South Main Street
Thomaston, CT 06787
Phone: 860-283-8480
Our [email protected]
Savior Lutheran Church
Office Email:
505 South Main Street
Website: Thomaston,
OurSaviorThomaston.org
CT 06787
Fax: 860-283-1651
Phone: 860-283-8480
Reverend Wayne P. Gollenberg
[email protected]
Pastor’s Column
“Epiphany Observations”
The Magi who came to worship the Redeemer were led
by a star. There is so much we don’t know about them but
where there is an absence of fact there are layers and layers
of tradition and conjecture that have been added to the story.
The Bible is silent when it comes to how many Magi there
were or what their names may have been. However the
Scriptures tell us plainly that they came a distance, they
came to worship the newborn King of the Jews, and they
came to offer gifts.
The visit of the Magi is celebrated on Epiphany, January
6th. Sadly, in our congregation as in most these days the
“celebration” of Epiphany slips silently by. It’s not a big
enough holy day to rate a special Worship service. How
many Epiphany Cards do you send out?
Worship
Liturgy of Holy
Communion
SUNDAY - 10:15 AM
Pastor: Reverend Wayne P. Gollenberg
Parish Administrator: Eileen Finer
Organist/Choir Director: Jennie Kerney
And so we may quietly read a devotional page on January 6th that hopefully mentions the Magi. And we reflect
on their visit. And maybe we wonder about the things we
travel to see... the people we hold dear enough to visit... the
priorities we have that are wholesome and noble... our journey to the manger and cross that reminds us that the One
who was born was given gifts that remind us of His mission
in this world for us.
“As with gladness men of old did the guiding star behold; as
with joy they hailed its light, leading onward, beaming bright; so,
most gracious Lord, may we evermore be led by thee.”
Come and Worship the Savior born for you!
Pastor Gollenberg
10:15 AM—Liturgy
of Holy Communion!
Second Sunday of Christmas
January 3
Baptism of Our Lord
January 10
Second Sunday after Epiphany
January 17
Third Sunday after Epiphany
January 24
Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
January 31
January 6th, Epiphany, Colossal Puppets, 7 PM,
at Saint Michael Episcopal Church, Litchfield
(Liturgy of Healing)
EPIPHANY: Revelation, Revealing, Insight, Wonderment!
“Then the star appeared again, the same star they had seen in the
eastern skies. It led them on until it hovered over the place of the
child. They could hardly contain themselves...They entered and
saw the child in the arms of Mary, his mother. Overcome, they
kneeled and worshiped him.”
Matthew 2:10,11
The Council of Our Savior Lutheran Church
President: Jack Kearney
Vice President: John Vergauwen
Treasurer: Rachel Foster
Secretary: Diane Elwood
Financial Secretary: Karen Ligi
Karl Buckley, Marty Rajcok, Bev Sabia, Robin Zordan, Allan Howard, Jennie Kerney, Betsy D’ Amico
Beside Our Manger...
not only are Mary and Joseph there,
not only are the angel and a
few shepherds there,
not only are animals around,
not only are candles burning
and poinsettias adorning,
there is also “wheat” that was
planted on the Third Sunday of
Advent, December 13th, Saint
Lucia Day, and following the
Hungarian custom this “wheat”
symbolizes the Bread of the
World born for all... The Bread
of Life coming to us in the Holy
Eucharist.
Thanks be to God for His
Miracle among us!
“Thank you so much for the
lovely shirt... I’m touched and honored... It
was lovely to read the notes written on the
card your Sunday School put together... And
I liked the shirt a lot... What a clever design... And what a rich topic to delve into...I
hope your discussions yield many compelling reasons to “bother.” I wish you a wonderful Christmas!” Debie
SENIOR COMPANION PROGRAM
The Friendly Visiting Program, sponsored by the Senior Companion Program of Waterbury, is looking for those who are 55 years or over, who are compassionate and able-bodied,
to participate in this federal program. As a stipend volunteer what’s required is visiting the
disabled and elderly living alone at home thus reducing the burden of caretakers of elderly
persons. No housekeeping is involved. Companions perform at least 15 hours of service
per week. Benefits include an hourly $2.65 tax-free stipend plus reimbursement for travel
cost and free supplemental insurance. Training of volunteers will start January 26th at New
Opportunities Inc –3rd floor.
For more details call Lesley West, Program Director (203) 575-4214.
Food of the Month for January is.....
PASTA
PASTA
PASTA
PASTA
Let’s fill the bucket many times over!
Official Acts of Our Savior Lutheran Church in 2015.
Baptism: Luke Garrett Bisso: 1-11-2015
Lyla June Johnson: 8-16-2015
Affirmation of Baptism: Confirmation: 11-01-2015
Jacqueline Grabherr, Heather Turrell, Jonathan Markham,
Emily Gillotti, Joshua Gillotti, Haley Steyer
Marriage:
9-26-2015: Martin Rajcok III and Kadie Allegrini
10-3-2015: James Shewan and Kristen Smith
Funerals:
6-13-2015: Richard O’Brien
7-1-2015: Charles Smith
9-9-2015: Edwin Druckenmiller
9-29-2015: Grace Anderson
Ordination:
9-19-2015: Brian Richard Rajcok
Reception of New Members:
Frank & Norma Meleschnig
Transfer Out: 10-2015: Rev. Brian Rajcok
Pastor G. and Ellie
are sincerely grateful for your offering
of Christmas cards,
gifts, and family pictures during these
Holy Days. Your
thoughtfulness is
appreciated!
Our Advent and Christmas
“Introductions”
were presented by:
Rosanna Varanko
(on very short notice!)
Zachary Steyer
Carolyn Brau
Della Jette
Sue Cheatham
“Thank You” for helping to open our
hearts to the message of the season
and to welcome The Child into our lives!
(PS The “wheat seeds” that Carolyn planted
on Saint Lucia Day are near the manger
in the narthex)
The Liturgy of Healing
will take place on Sunday, January 31, 2016, during our Worship at 10:15 AM.
...It Is An Early Lent This Year
day is March 27th!).
It seems too early for Lent, but Lent begins February 10th, Ash Wednesday (and Resurrection Sun-
So, we’ll box up the Alleluia on February 7th and we will
practice our Lenten Disciplines anticipating the glorious
events of Holy Week.
Colossal Puppets
will be “visiting” Saint Michael Episcopal Church, Litchfield, on
Epiphany, January 6, 2016, at 7:00 PM.
Come and See and Celebrate Epiphany!
When There’s Snow and Ice
and you are wondering if there is a
cancellation... three places you can find out:
~
Television—NBC30
~ Voice Mail at the office
(860-283-8480)
~ Facebook page
Brightest and Best of the Sons of the Morning
For Epiphany
Notes:
Bishop Heber orig“Brightest and best of the sonsa of the morning;
inally wrote this
Dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid;
image-filled hymn
Star of the East, the horizon adorning,
for the Feast of
Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.”
the Epiphany, January 6. It was first published in the Christian Observer in 1811, but did not appear in hymnals until after Heber's death. At the
time of composition, the author was vicar of Hodnet, the family estate where he
served for 16 years. The precise circumstances of its creation are not known. Details of
his life are found in this biography: Bishop Reginald Heber.
Among the many tunes which have been set to this hymn (Professor Studwell estimates more than 20), the "Morning Star" setting by James P. Harding (1859-1911) is
among the best known. He was for 35 years the organist at St. Andrews Church, Islington, London, and composed a considerable body of church music, especially music
for children's festivals at Islington. For many years, he was engaged in work for the
Civil Service, dedicated to the material and spiritual well-being of the poor. According
to Studwell, it was composed in June, 1892.
Words: Bishop Reginald Heber, 1783-1826
Music: "Morning Star," James Proctor Harding, 1892.
On the Fourth Sunday of Advent
prayer shawls, blankets, hats, and scarfs adorned our chancel as the Knitting and
Crochet Ministry offered to God, and all who will be receiving them, the gifts
they have been working on for the last several months. God is glorified by the offering, children and adults will be comforted
and warmed, and we pray God’s Spirit will
work through yarn and stitches to bring
hope to those who receive them.
JANUARY 2016
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord, the all-powerful God,
who was and is and is coming!”
Fri
1
2
10-11:30 AM
Pageant
Rehearsal
8
9
Revelation 4:8
3 2nd Sunday of Christmas
9:00 AM “Coffee & Conversation”
10:15 AM WORSHIP
with Pageant
~ Sending Ministers of Holy
Communion from the Assembly
10 Baptism of Our Lord
9:00 AM “Coffee & Conversation”
10:15 AM WORSHIP with
First Holy Communion
~ Worship Committee
17 2nd Sunday after Epiphany
9:00 AM “Coffee & Conversation”
10:15 AM WORSHIP
24 3rd Sunday after Epiphany
9:00 AM “Coffee & Conversation”
4
5
at Hickox Funeral
Home
6:00 PM “TNSS”
PM Colossal
7:30 PM Choir 7Puppets
at St.
Rehearsal Michael, Litch-
11AM Betty Knyrim
Memorial Worship
7:15 PM Mutual
Ministry
11
12
9:00 AM “Coffee & Conversation”
10:15 AM WORSHIP
with Healing Liturgy
7
13
7:00 PM Confir- 6:00 PM “TNSS”
7:30 PM Choir
mation Class
Rehearsal
11 AM Memorial
Worship for
Rev. Dagmar
Rosenberg at
First Lutheran in
New Britain
field
1-6 PM Red Cross 9:30 AM Water/Oak
Blood Drive
Clergy
12:30 PM TACA
14
15
16
Agenda and
Reports due
7:00 PM
“TNSS”
Planning
18
19
20
7:00 PM Confir- 6:00 PM “TNSS”
7:00 PM
mation Class
7:30 PM Choir
Council
Rehearsal
Meeting
21
22
23
25
28
29
30
26
27
6:00 PM “TNSS”
7:30 PM Choir
Rehearsal
10:15 AM WORSHIP
31 4th Sunday after Epiphany
6 Epiphany
Sat
“TNSS” stands for “Tuesday Night Sunday School” and everyone is invited to come for
dinner (pizza, salad and dessert) and singing and learning. It’s for all ages... it really is!
January Worship Assistants
Jan
Usher
3
10
17
24
31
Communion Assist
Acolyte
M. Rajcok
B. Ouellette
M. Mazaik
G. Talbot
A. Howard
Allan
Howard
Heather
Neidt
Beth Ouellette
Haley
Steyer
J. McCorkle
B. D’Amico
R. Foster
J & C Vergauwen
Karl
Buckley
Michael &
Eileen Finer
Lector
Crucifer
Fellowship
Hour
Counters
Sacristan
Zachary
Steyer
Carol Lizotte
The Altamiranos
Sandy Talbot
Jennie Kerney
C. Chesto
J. Kerney
Ellie Gollenberg
Beth
Ouellette
The Vergauwens
The Dudas
E. Gollenberg
Zachary
Steyer
Jennie
Kerney
Haley
Steyer
The Kearneys
Betsy D’Amico
Cindy (AM)
Vergauwen
Emily
Gillotti
Diane Elwood
Karen
Grabherr
Eileen Finer
Rachel Foster
Angela Varrone, Robin
Zordan
Carol Lizotte
Barbara Howard
Diane Elwood
Jack Kearney
Diane Elwood
Heather
Turrell
Lynne
Kearney
Beth
Ouellette
The Steyers
The Grabherrs
Carolyn Chesto, Joel
McCorkle
R. Varanko
E. Finer
R. Varanko
E. Finer
B. Chouinard