December 2014 Newsletter

FAITH ALIVE!
THE NEWSLETTER OF
FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH AND SCHOOL
LCMS
111Sumac Road
Huntsville TX 77340-8943
936/295-5298 FLC
936/291-1706 FLS
[email protected]
www.faithhuntsville.org
www.flsonline.org
Volume 59 No. 12
December Worship
Opportunities
Wednesday, December 3
Advent Worship: 6:30 pm
Sunday, December 7
Worship Service with
Holy Communion: 10:30 a.m.
Wednesday, December 10
Advent Worship: 6:30 pm
Sunday, December 14
Sunday School Christmas Program
10:30 a.m.
Tuesday, December 17
FLS Preschool Christmas Program:
6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, December 18
FLS Elementary Grades
Christmas Program
During Advent Worship: 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 21
Worship Service With
Holy Communion: 10:30 a.m.
Wednesday, December 24
Christmas Eve: 6:00 p.m.
Informal Family Worship with
Holy Communion
Wednesday, December 24
Christmas Eve: 8:00 p.m.
Candlelight Worship with
Holy Communion
Thursday, December 25
Christmas Day: 10:00 a.m.
Service of Readings & Carols
Sunday, December 28
Worship Service: 10:30 a.m.
Wednesday, December 31
New Year’s Eve: 6:00 p.m.
December 2014
I am hopeful everyone had a truly blessed and wonderful
Thanksgiving. As we now turn our sights toward the celebration
of the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Christmas,
we enter the Advent season. Many people think of the postThanksgiving time as Christmas time. Truly, the church views
Christmas time beginning on Christmas Eve and lasting through
those famous twelve days of Christmas, ending on January 6,
which we call Epiphany. The Advent season, based on the Latin
word adventus, which means “coming” or “visit”, is a season of
preparation for Christmas. Christians prepare for the celebration
of the birth of Jesus by remembering the mourning that the
Jews had for a Messiah, which God promised them all the way
back in Genesis 3. In Advent we are reminded how much we
ourselves are in need of a Savior and we look forward to Jesus’
second coming even as we get ready to celebrate His first coming in the flesh.
This year, we will include families in the lighting of our
Advent Wreath on Sundays. You may notice right away that the
colors of our Advent Wreath candles are not what we normally
associate with Christmas and the weeks leading up to it with
typical Christmas colors: red, green, white, silver, and gold. Advent features purple (or dark blue) and pink. For many observers of Advent, the first, second, and fourth Sundays of Advent
are “purple/blue” Sundays. Only the third is a “pink” Sunday.
The purple/blue color signifies seriousness, repentance, and
royalty. The pink points to the minor theme of Advent, which is
joy. The pink, joyful color reminds us that, even as Advent helps
us get in touch with our sober yearning for God to come to us,
we know that he did in fact come in the person of Jesus!
The Advent season starts a new church year as well. As we continue our way
through “The Story”, we will see the continuation of God’s upper story in the promise
of a Messiah! With that, we are looking forward to our Wednesday evening Advent
services, special programs with the children of Faith Lutheran Church and School, extra pieces of music to celebrate the coming of our Lord, and services on Christmas
Eve, Christmas morning, and even New Year's Eve!
I pray you have a wonderful start to the Advent season and I look forward to
seeing you and your family and friends this coming season as we continue our celebration in the hope that is our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
Vicar James
From the desk of the FLS Principal…
November is a busy month at FLS! Our Scholastic Book Fair, our 2nd Annual Turkey Trot, our 6th Annual
Thanksgiving Feast and a field trip are just a few of the exciting activities that took place in November.
Books, books, and more books! Our Scholastic Book Fair always creates lots of excitement about reading. Research shows that children will be more interested in reading books that they choose themselves. As educators, we know that to be a successful reader, pre-school children should have been
read over 1500 books before entering Kindergarten. Our book fair allows our students to help choose
their own books and creates many opportunities for being read to. Thanks to all who came to visit the
Book Fair. Thanks to Linda Goerdel and Kristen Hooten for serving as our Book Fair committee.
Our elementary students participated in our 2nd Annual Turkey Trot Race on Friday, November 21st.
First – fourth grade students participated in a 1-mile run around the FLS grounds. Kindergarten students ran ½ mile. Medals were given for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in each age level. Congratulations to Lucy
Smith and Cameron Beckett who had the fastest times in the whole school! The fastest girl and the
fastest boy earned their own frozen turkey…just in time for Thanksgiving! Many thanks to Coach Hooten, our P.E. teacher, for organizing this special P.E. event for our students!
Our 6th Annual Thanksgiving Feast was held Tuesday, November 25th. Guests, students and staff members enjoyed a delicious Thanksgiving meal prepared by our kitchen staff, Mrs. Helen, Mrs. Carol and
Mrs. Dena. Guests enjoyed our student’s artwork which served as table decorations and wall decorations. Thanks to school board members, FLY members and other volunteers who helped with serving,
cleaning tables, assisting with seating our guests and much more.
Our third grade class was invited to attend a reading program at the public library where they each received a new book. Prior to their trip to the library, the class was treated to a guided tour of the
Walker County Courthouse led by Judge Don Kraemer. Thank you, Judge Kraemer, for taking the time
to provide this meaningful experience for our students.
As Christmas fast approaches, our Friends of Faith are hosting Hot Cocoa with Santa on Tuesday, December 2nd from 6:00-7:30pm in the Aquarium. A professional photographer will take pictures with
Santa. Packages range from $15 - $60 and include rights for printing your own pictures. Please join us
if you can!
We are looking forward to our school Christmas programs. Our preschool musical, entitled, “My Bestest Friend” will feature our three year olds and Pre-Kindergarten students. The preschool musical will
be held Tuesday, December 16th at 6:30pm. We are pleased to have our elementary students share
their program, “The Great Christmas Giveaway”, with our church members during our Advent service on
Wednesday, December 17th at 6:30pm. Our elementary students and their families will also have the
opportunity to fellowship with our church members during the soup supper prior to the service. We
hope you will be able to join us for one (or both!) of our programs as our students proudly proclaim the
story of Jesus’ birth.
In His Service,
God’s children are our business!
Kristie Pacher
Director/Principal
From the
Desk of Stephanie Pittock our DCE
I am guessing by this point you’re almost sick of Christmas music. After all, it’s been playing in stores since
the end of October! For me, I wait until after Thanksgiving before loading up my iPod with my Christmas music, a collection that gets added to almost every year. We have a wide range of styles, from the classics (Bing
Crosby) to the silly (The Chipmunks). Most of ours are albums recorded by Christian artists, because we are
guaranteed that the focus will remain on the Christ child.
For me, the song I end up listening to on repeat every year is done by the band Casting Crowns. They took an
old hymn and reworked the tune, and both versions are hauntingly beautiful. The lyrics speak so well to the
melancholy that can be a side-effect to this time of year, when we miss loved ones and often feel empty, despite all of the joy and chaos surrounding us.
I’ve shared the lyrics of the original hymn here. I think it’s a powerful poem to read in its entirety:
I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
I thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
And in despair I bowed my head:
"There is no peace on earth," I said,
"For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men."
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men."
Till, ringing singing, on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime,
Of peace on earth, good will to men!
The entire song turns on the line I’ve highlighted. God is still moving and working in our world. He sent His
son over 2,000 years ago into our midst, to live a human life. He walked into our painful existence and redeemed us all. And despite the difficulties we experience in this life, He continues to walk with us each day.
No matter how we feel, no matter our perception, God is present, and His peace is here.
HOUSTON LUTHERAN CHORALE
The Houston Lutheran Chorale invites you to join in celebrating 30 years of sharing the
glory of our Lord’s birth in song. The 2014 Christmas concert, “Fear Not!” focuses on the
message delivered to the shepherds, to Mary, to Joseph and to the Magi. We, too, are
called to not be afraid of the majesty and mystery of Christ’s birth. Rather we are to embrace it, sharing the story with the world.
This year’s concerts will be presented on Saturday, December 6th, 7:00 p.m. at Memorial
Lutheran Church, 5810 3rd St., Katy and Sunday December 7th, 4:00 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, Downtown, 800 Houston Ave. Come listen, sing and enjoy the familiar
sounds of the season, such as, “Mary’s Little Boy Chile,” “Carol of the Bells,” “Silent Night,” “Jesus, Jesus
Rest your Head,” “Joy to the World,” and the title anthem, “Fear Not”.
For complimentary tickets and concert information call 832-3024811 or visit their website http://
www.hlc-tx.org. Thank you for blessing this ministry and being a part of this amazing tradition.
COME HELP DECORATE
Everyone is invited to join the Board of Public Worship who will gather on Thursday, December 4th,
to decorate the sanctuary for the Christmas season.
You can come in the afternoon and work on the white
Christmas tree or you can come in the evening and
help work on the red Christmas tree.
What a fun way to help and accomplish these tasks to
the Glory of the Lord whose birth it is we celebrate!
Be
th
there...Thursday, December 4 !
Consecrated Stewards
The stewardship effort concluded with
Conse-
crated Sunday on November 16, 2014. We received
64 pledges totaling $313,892.00. I want to thank
everyone who made a financial commitment to
Faith Lutheran Church during this effort.
THE LUTHERAN HOUR
“Lutheran Hour” message is on Huntsville KHCH (1400) Sunday @
4:00 a.m. or 12:30 p.m.
December 7 "We Need Something Stronger"
Speaker: Rev. Gregory Seltz
Jesus exchanges our weakness for His Strength. (Mark 1:1-8)
December 14 "In Christ, Unbroken”
Speaker: Rev. Gregory Seltz
God’s grace restores those broken by sin and grief. (Isaiah 61:1-4,
8-11)
December 21 “Surprised by Grace”
Speaker: Rev. Gregory Seltz
God’s grace comes as a surprise and blessing to those who deserve
none of it. (Luke 1:26-38)
ITEMS FOR GOOD
SHEPHERD MISSION
in December…
Sauces
Catsup
Sugar
Spices
December 28 "Monsters in Our Tomorrows"
Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour: Rev. Ken Klaus
Unknown monsters lurk in the shadows of the new year but Christ
will carry us through. (Romans 8:37-39)
POINSETTIAS
FOR CHURCH SANCTUARY
As the holiday season
comes upon us, we will be
receiving cards and letters
to greet us. Please do not
forget the “Stamp Collection” project of Faith Lutheran Women. All
postage stamps are appreciated, but the
commemorative, foreign or otherwise unusual stamps are more valuable. Simply cut
the stamp off the envelope, leaving a 1" border around the stamp. Place them in the box
provided on the LWML table in the fellowship hall. Thank you for your continued support. We pray for your help with this mission projects.
Our Altar Guild has reserved
30 poinsettias for you to purchase for $8 each. If you
would like to purchase one or
more poinsettias for use in the
sanctuary for Christmas Eve
please fill out an envelope on
the table in the narthex and
place it, along with payment, in the box.
Checks should be out to Faith Lutheran
Church.
John & Joy Mallory
-December 9, 2000Danny & Candy Wright
-December 14, 1973Steve & Beth Fleming
-December 19, 1992Jimmy & Wanette Meekins
-December 19, 1964Doug & Dee Dee Dretke
-December 20, 1980Bob & Sandy Klepper
-December 27, 1975-
The following young members of Faith
celebrate their baptismal anniversaries
in December
Rejoice and be glad!
Katherine Gbawar—12/14/1997
Maxwell Jackson—12/22/2003
Victoria Jesswein—12/22/1996
Matthew Theisen—12/24/2006
Melaki Ghide—12/28/2003
Consecrated Stewards
The stewardship effort concluded with
Consecrated Sunday on November 17,
2013. We received 74 pledges totaling
$350,912.00. This is 20 pledges or 37% more
than the 54 received on Consecrated Sunday last year. The total last year for the 54
pledges was $271,795.00. We expect to receive additional pledges in the next couple
of weeks as we did last year and will provide a more detailed account of the results in the January Newsletter.
THOSE WHO SERVE IN DECEMBER…
Acolyte: 03*, 07
10*, 14
17*, 21
24*, 28
Altar Guild:
Riata Echtler
Carol Germany
Jacob Steubing
Brandon Alms
Verna Leonhardt
Nancy Ridley
Danny Gbawar
Lance Johnston
Erich Krumm
Britni Martens
Van Brady
Brett Huester
Larry Krempin
Garrett Harrison
Henry Kieschnick
Madeline Knapp
Rachel Willeford
Joe West Jr
David Wood III
Larry Cobb
Charlene Foerster
Carol George
Jamie Farmer
Tara Steubing
Shania Springer
Barbara Dretke
Cole Cathey
Nola (Dolly) Edgar
Chris Adler
Gunter Hill
Jimmy Meekins
Debbie Wingo
Mark Hendrickson
Charlotte McConnell
Kathleen Voldbakken
Jaycika Patel-Martens
02
02
03
06
06
06
07
08
08
10
11
12
12
13
14
16
16
17
17
18
18
20
20
21
22
23
24
24
25
26
28
28
29
29
29
30
Matthew Hooker
Thomas Williams
Keaton Mallory
Matthew Hooker
Margaret Hancock, Connie Kuykendall, Sherry Ritter
Worship Aides: Wanette Meekins, Jennifer Williams
Lectors:
03 Bob Klepper
03
07 Joanie Loewe
07
10 Mary Vickery
10
14 Children’s Christmas Program 14
17 Kim Theodorsen 17
21 Doug Dretke
21
24 Herman Thomas 24
28 Linda Ginn
28
31 David Knuth
31
Offering Counters:
Elvera Byrne & Chase Pacher
Mike Hooker & Brenda Utley
Cheryl Ridley & Gordon Mizrany
Jacki Ashorn & Sylvia Kraemer
Linda Goerdel & Kim Nettles
Bob Klepper & Linda Baker
Susie Knuth & TBA
Don Kraemer & Dee Dee Dretke
Chris Glass & Claire Willson
Nursery Care Givers: 07
14
21
28
Nursery Co-or. &
Nursery Co-or. & Luke Kingsborough
Nursery Co-or. & Michaela Fleming
Nursery Co-or. & Paige Pacher
Meeters:
Coordinators: Earl Bates & Gwen Foster Bates
07 Terry & Jean Wunderlich
14 Joy Heintschel, James & Carol Germany
21 Don & Claudia Nash, Reva Bishop
28 Linda Baker, Kim Nettles, Linda Ginn
12/07
Scott and Carol Brady
12/14
Jack and Joy Heintschel
12/21
Billie Lyons
12/28 Jimmy and Wanette Meekins
SUN
MON
1
TUE
and Adult Bible
Study: 9:15 a.m.
8
3
8:00 a.m.
Advent Evening
Worship: 6:30 p.m.
preceded by a light
supper @ 5:30 p.m.
in the Aquarium
Church Council:
7:00 p.m.
9 Fitness Class:
8:00 a.m.
Worship Service with
Holy Communion:
10:30 a.m.
14 Sunday School
15
and Adult Bible
Study: 9:15 a.m.
Sunday School
Christmas Program:
10:30 a.m.
21 Sunday School
22
and Adult Bible
Study: 9:15 a.m.
16 Fitness Class:
and Adult Bible
Study: 9:15 a.m.
Advent Evening
Worship: 6:30 p.m.
preceded by a light
supper @ 5:30 p.m.
in the Aquarium
17 FLS Elementary
Christmas Program
during Advent
Evening Worship:
6:30 p.m. preceded
by a light supper @
5:30 p.m. in the
Aquarium
Board of Elders:
After Worship
23 Fitness Class:
24 Family
Worship Service with
Holy Communion:
10:30 a.m.
28 Sunday School
10
8:00 a.m.
Piecemakers:
9:00 a.m.
FLS Preschool
Christmas
Program: 6:30 p.m.
8:00 a.m.
THU
FRI
4 Men’s Fellowship 5
2 Fitness Class:
Board of Finance:
5:15 p.m.
7 Sunday School
WED
Christmas Eve
Service with Holy
Communion:
6:00 p.m.
Breakfast: 7:00 a.m.
Fitness Class:
8:00 a.m.
Friendly Folks: Noon
SAT
6
Decorate Sanctuary
for Christmas:
Afternoon and
Evening
11 Men’s Fellow- 12
13
ship Breakfast:
7:00 a.m.
Fitness Class:
8:00 a.m.
18 Men’s Fellow- 19
20
ship Breakfast:
7:00 a.m.
Fitness Class:
8:00 a.m.
25
26
27
Candlelight
Service: with Holy
Communion:
8:00 p.m.
29
30 Fitness Class:
31
8:00 a.m.
Worship Service:
10:30 a.m.
6:00 p.m.
ELDERS: Dickie Pustejovsky
Ben Bius
USHERS: Kuykendall Family
Hancock Family