The Seeker - Our Saviour Evangelical Lutheran Church

Our Saviour Evangelical Lutheran Church
56 Cleveland Drive
Croton-On-Hudson, NY 10520
(914) 271-4632
The Seeker
NOVEMBER 2012
Rev. Anthony Stephens, Ph.D., Pastor
Seek and you shall find.
Knock and the door will be opened to you.
Sunday Worship Schedule
Sunday School:
9:30 am
Confirmation Class: 9:15 am
Coffee Hour:
following worship
Weekday Office Schedule
Office hours:
9:00 am - 12:00
Office Phone: (914) 271-4632
Office E-mail:
[email protected]
Website: www.oursaviourcroton.org
-Matthew 7:7
Weekday Activities
Choir Practice:
Thursday @ 7:45 pm
Our Saviour Lutheran Church
56 Cleveland Drive, Croton-On-Hudson, New York
NOVEMBER 2012
The Seeker
WAR HORSE
- Pastor Anthony Stephens
During the summer I watched a movie called “War Horse;” a Steven Spielberg movie based upon the book of
the same name by Michael Murpurgo. The movie features a horse, Joey, who runs from person to person, miraculously,
touching but not ultimately being destroyed by the horrors of “The Great War.”
The horse survives and finally finds a loving and tranquil home. This is in spite of man’s inhumanity to man.
This beginning of November we are just about to start a new church year. The “end times” Sundays start with
All Saints. On All Saints we remember those who have joined the Church Triumphant. We permit ourselves to grieve
those who have passed beyond the veil and are now hidden from our gaze, but we also, as we do every Sunday celebrate
the promise of the Resurrection.
Our souls do make their way, like the war horse, through the vicissitudes of life. We pray that such trials are less
traumatic than those seen by Joey, but even if they are not the periodic awfulness of life will not ultimately separate our
souls from their creator.
Standing by to respond as a National Guard chaplain to Hurricane Sandy at the very dawn of the storm, I
remember my days living in St. Maarten. Some years before, the “Christmas Hurricane” had caught everyone off guard
and had many of the effects that one dreads in a hurricane. Nevertheless, by the time that I had come to St. Maarten the
island had bounced back and it was one of the happier islands in the Caribbean.
Some people are broken by a tragedy for reasons deep and various others are not. Broken or broken hearted
never means ultimately separated from God, even if anger waxes fiercely against God for whatever reason.
It is comforting to think, and our Christian wager, with our life, that our story too will have a happy ending.
Jesus did not say in my Father’s house are many stables, but he could have.
PRESIDENT’S LETTER
Peter Ling, Council President
" O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come,
our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home."
What a fitting hymn with which to commence worship on Sunday. Hurricane Sandy has certainly affected
everyone to one degree or another and I am sure that many of us found new relevance in this familiar
verse. Times such as these test a community and it was heartwarming to experience the concern and positive
spirit of our congregation during and after service. Hearing Pastor's experiences with the National Guard
also reminded us that although Croton was whacked pretty comprehensively the suffering in some other
communities is so much worse. As a loving community it seems as if we are involved in something aimed at
alleviating the burden in these areas. Pastor's sermon also reminded me that there is nearly always some sign
of God's enduring love if one looks closely enough. In this case, the story of the little girl offering cookies
brought a tear to my eye - and after being a banker for 30 years I thought that was impossible!
On behalf of the Congregation Council I wish everyone a speedy and smooth recovery from the storm
damage and hope that whatever your charitable involvement of choice may be that it is successful.
Kind regards,
Peter Ling, [email protected]
SEAFARERS AND INTERNATIONAL HOUSE CHRISTMAS MINISTRY
Each year Seafarers and International House coordinates the giving of Christmas Gifts to mariners aboard
ships visiting the ports of NJ/NY ports. Many of these seafarers come from desperately poor circumstances
and are very touched at being remembered at this time away from their homes and very appreciative to
have warm clothing as they stand watch on board on bitter cold nights.
Each seafarer met by our port chaplains in the days and weeks before Christmas will receive a Christmas
satchel containing these NEW items:
A hooded or unhooded sweatshirt (size L-XL)
Three pairs of socks – thermal or white gym
One casual pullover T-shirt (size M-L)
One knit winter cap
One can of nuts or large bar of chocolate
If you would like to support this holiday ministry, please purchase any of these items.
Contents can be left in Pastor’s office and will be delivered to SIH in mid-December.
2012 COUNCIL MEMBERS
Our Congregational Council members would like to keep the conversations and ideas that will move our church in
the right direction going. If you have any ideas that you feel Our Saviour can benefit from…..
Please...Talk To Us!!
Here is a list of Council Members and their respective Ministries:
Circle School: Dianne Carroll
Property: Steven Millar
Christian Education: Dianne Carroll
Social Ministry: Laura Keil
Evangelism & Outreach: Susan Papertsian
Stewardship: Greg Evans
Finance: Peter Ling, President
Worship & Music: Greg Evans
Pastor / Parish Relations: Bryan Montgomery, Vice President Angie Nuwesra, Secretary
Ex Officio:
Eric Golberg, Treasurer
Barbara Henninger, Financial Secretary
CHRISTMAS FAIR 2012
- Bob Riekert
Christmas Fair - Saturday, December 1st - 10AM to 3PM
Everything is set for our ninth annual Christmas Fair!
Frya will once again take the lead, and orchestrate the many activities:
Handcrafted Gifts - Knitted and Crocheted items (Frya, sister, Erna, and others).
SERVV jewelry and gifts from third world countries (Melanie, Dianne).
White Elephant Tag Sale with donated treasures and gifts for young and old (Jennifer,
Mikiko).
Bake Sale (Sue Montgomery) and Cafe.
Delicious Chili (Joe Esteves) and Chicken (Chuck Cooper) Dishes.
Two tickets to the Westchester Broadway Theatre (thanks to Lee Ann McCarthy)
Christmas Music (Peter Ling) and much Good Cheer.
And Lots More...
We are always blessed with many volunteers who take on the same tasks each year - as
Nancy used to say, "the fair practically runs itself...". But it is a long day, and the more help we have, the easier
it will be to cover all the tables and give the workers much needed breaks.
Please bring your "well used" donations to the White Elephant to the church on or before
Thursday, November 28th - (no clothing or large items). If the church is locked, place them
on the deck outside the Parish Hall, and call me (941-9426). I will bring them into the
church for safe keeping.
The Christmas Fair is our most successful and profitable fund raiser And more than that, it is always a festive, enjoyable time for our
members to work together for the benefit of our church and community.
Bob Riekert - [email protected]
WHITE GIFTS
-Frya Barnes
When I first joined Our Saviour 48 years ago we had a wonderful practice at Christmas when the children brought 'White
Gifts' (specific items of infant clothing wrapped in white tissue paper) that were placed under the Christmas tree in church. When the
tree was taken down in early January the gifts were gathered together and assembled into layettes that were requested by Lutheran
World Relief for distribution to places around the world where these things were and are desperately needed.
I would love to see Our Saviour continue with this. I remember my boys each bringing such a gift to church every Christmas way into
adulthood. I think it is a good way to have children focus on the needs of other children, in this case infants,
at a time when we focus on the birth of the baby Jesus.
Following is a list of items called for in one layette: (Target and Toys R Us carry these items)
4 Cloth Diapers, not prefolded
2 Onesies
2 Receiving Blankets
1 Gown
2 Wash Cloths
1 Sleeper
1 large Bar of Mild Soap
1 Sweater
I would recommend that the gown, the sleeper, and the onesies not be smaller than 9 months in size.
Most of the items mentioned will be available for purchase at our Christmas Fair on December 1st.
NOVEMBER SUNDAY SERVANTS
DECEMBER SUNDAY SERVANTS
November 4
Greeters&Ushers:
Eric Golberg & Chuck Cooper
Worship Assistant:
Bob Riekert
Lector:
Ken Gabrielsen
Altar Guild:
Jeanne Spacek
Communion Assistant:
Alexandra Stephens
Acolyte:
Leon Johnson
Hospitality:
MaryBeth Soucy & Frya Barnes
December 2
Greeters&Ushers:
John & Tom Magerlein
Worship Assistant:
Matilda Weekes-Johnson
Lector:
Alexandra Stephens
Altar Guild:
Karen Magerlein
Communion Assistant:
Ken Gabrielsen
Acolyte:
Zoe Staats
Hospitality:
Karen Polacek & MaryBeth Soucy
November 11
Greeters&Ushers:
Worship Assistant:
Lector:
Altar Guild:
Communion Assistant:
Acolyte:
Hospitality:
Lily & Rosie Evans
Greg Evans
Janet Behning
Jeanne Spacek
John Magerlein
Liam Montgomery
Abbie Voss & Greg Evans
December 9
Greeter&Usher:
Anita & David Baumann
Worship Assistant:
Lily Evans
Lector:
Lori Esteves
Altar Guild:
Greg Evans
Communion Assistant:
Chuck Cooper
Acolyte:
Leon Johnson
Hosp:
Abbie Voss & Faith/Sue Papertsian
November 18
Greeters&Ushers:
Dianne & Meagan Carroll
Worship Assistant:
Lori Esteves
Lector:
Frya Barnes
Altar Guild:
Janet Behning
Communion Assistant:
Evelyn Garrett
Acolyte:
Shoshana Nuwesra
Hosp:
Lori Esteves & Brigitte Anderson-Crumb
December 16
Greeters&Ushers:
MaryBeth Soucy & Eric Golberg
Worship Assistant:
Lee Ann McCarthy
Lector:
Amy Gardiner
Altar Guild:
Karen Magerlein
Communion Assistant:
Frya Barnes
Acolyte:
Liam Montgomery
Hospitality:
Sue Gabrielsen & Angie/Lee Nuwesra
November 25
Greeters&Ushers:
Alexandra Stephens & Lily Evans
Worship Assistant:
Rosie Evans
Lector:
John Magerlein
Altar Guild:
Janet Behning
Communion Assistant:
Bob Riekert
Acolyte:
Daniel Crumb
Hospitality:
Lee Ann McCarthy & Evelyn Garrett
December 23
Greeters&Ushers:
Frya Barnes & Chuck Cooper
Worship Assistant:
Greg Evans
Lector:
LeeAnn McCarthy
Altar Guild:
Lori Esteves
Communion Assistant:
Alexandra Stephens
Acolyte:
Shoshana Nuwesra
Hospitality:
Christmas Cookie Hour— All Members
December 30
Greeters&Ushers: Evelyn Garrett & Alexandra Stephens
Worship Assistant:
Lori Esteves
Lector:
Eric Golberg
Altar Guild:
Janet Behning
Communion Assistant:
John Magerlein
Acolyte:
Daniel Crumb
Hospitality:
Sue Montgomery & Lisa Stephens
January 6
Greeters&Ushers:
Worship Assistant:
Lector:
Altar Guild:
Communion Assistant:
Acolyte:
Hospitality:
Dianne & Meagan Carroll
Rosie Evans
Anita Baumann
Karen Magerlein
Evelyn Garrett
Zoe Staats
TBD
(white)
Service
10:30am
Pentecost
9:30am
25
18
10:30am
Service
10:30am
(white)
HB Sue Montgomery
HB Pastor David
Service
(green)
Twenty-Fifth Pentecost
Council Meeting 12noon
Service
(green)
11 Twenty-Fourth
4
KEY:
HB—Happy Birthday
HA—Happy Anniversary
SUNDAY
26
19
12
5
MONDAY
7:30pm
7:30pm
7:30pm
7:30pm
NA
Adult Bible Study
7:30pm
AA
28
NA
21
NA
14
NA
7
7:30pm
HB Tom Carroll
7:30pm
HB Pam Schwartz
7:30pm
HB Lisa Stephens
HB Greg Befanis
7:30pm
WEDNESDAY
27
HB LeeAnn McCarthy
HB Nick Schwartz
AA
Adult Bible Study
7:30pm
20
AA
Adult Bible Study
7:30pm
13
AA
6
TUESDAY
Choir Practice
29
22
Choir Practice
15
Choir Practice
8
Choir Practice
1
7:45pm
7:45pm
7:45pm
7:45pm
THURSDAY
30
23
16
9
2
FRIDAY
HB Susie Gardiner
NOVEMBER 2012
AA
24
AA
17
AA
10
AA
3
HB Cliff Gabrielsen
7:30pm
7:30pm
7:30pm
7:30pm
SATURDAY