St. Luke Lutheran Church

St. Luke Lutheran Church
900 Maryvale Drive Cheektowaga, NY 14225-2702
716-633-6752-www.stluke-buffalo.org
We are called by God’s grace to enlighten all people in Jesus Christ
From The Pastor
Well, we just celebrated Christmas, celebrated the birth of our Savior, the Savior who
came to this earth to die, the Savior who rose again, the Savior who lives. Friends,
because He lives, He promises us life with Him forever. He promises us His Holy Spirit
who will guide and comfort us. As 2014 rolls over into 2015, we often take a moment
to reflect upon where life has taken us. However, for just a few brief moments, will you
spend some time reflecting on where life in Jesus Christ has taken us?
January 2015
Truth be told, life in Christ isn't without its ups and downs. Just think about your life,
the memories of this past year. We have memories of exciting and joyous times, along
with ones of sadness and frustrations. For all of us the years are a mix of both good
and bad. Yet it is our past, with all its strengths and weaknesses, that has shaped us
into the people we are today. We learn, grow, and benefit from both the good and the
bad. The same is true for St. Luke. Our past has shaped us into who we are today.
However, we don't live in the past, we live in the present.
Pastor Phil Schultz
Pam Maconaghy
Editor
Email: [email protected]
So, what about the present? What about what's happening right now? The things that
are happening in your life? The state we are in as a congregation? The issues we are
facing as a community? What do these current matters mean for our church? They
mean that we still have work to do. There are still so many people who don't know Jesus Christ. The work can be difficult, sometimes extremely demanding. Yet the only
timeframe in which God gives us to live and work is the present, one day at a time. So
it is my prayer that we allow the Holy Spirit to use us to the best of our abilities in the
present.
SERVICES
Saturday
5:00 pm
Sunday
9:00 am
And the future? Of course, the future is unknown. We don’t know what will happen, but
we do know that it is full of promise, God’s promise of great blessings and wonderful
experiences for His children. As Christians, our hope is not in today or yesterday, but
in tomorrow. As people who are called by grace, who have faith in the crucified and
risen Lord, we always look to tomorrow, a tomorrow with Him. Psalm 25 expresses a
prayer for guidance that could be the prayer of St. Luke:
10:00 —10:45
Christian Education
"Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by
Your truth and teach me, for You are the God who saves me. All day long I put
my hope in You. Remember, O Lord, Your compassion and unfailing love, which
You have shown from long ages past. Do not remember the rebellious sins of
my youth. Remember me in the light of Your unfailing love, for You are merciful,
O Lord." Psalm 25:4-7
11:00 am Blended/Contemporary
Inside this issue:
Who’s Who
2
Calendar
5
Youth News
6
Birthdays
7
Volunteer Schedule
8
So which is the best way? Is it the past, present, or future? All of them! Appreciating,
respecting, and learning from the past; realistically accepting the challenges and opportunities of the present; and holding on to the hope of the future — all under the love
and mercy of our Lord!
Serving Him with you,
Pastor Phil
Page 2
CHANGING TIMES AT ST. LUKE
The needs seem to never end in our Food Pantry. Below is a list of the most commonly
requested items at the pantry. Please try and help out by picking up a few items to donate to the pantry when you shop.
kernel corn, cream corn, peaches, cake mixes, cut green beans, French green, pears,
chicken soup, peas, fruit cocktail, tomato soup, spinach, pineapple chunks, baked beans,
beets, pasta sauce (regular), diced tomatoes, canned chicken, canned pasta (e.g. rings),
egg noodles, toilet tissue, tuna, peanut butter, pancake mix, Sunny D juice, tea, pancake
syrup, assorted beans, baked beans, elbow noodles, breakfast cereal oatmeal)
Who to Call…
The Staff of St. Luke Lutheran Church stand ready to assist you in every way we can, and can be
reached at church (716) 633-6752 or (716) 634-5560 weekdays. Our answering machine will take
messages at 633-6752. Our FAX number is (716) 635-0718. Our email address is [email protected]
Pastor
Phil Schultz
276-3949
Organist
Thomas Mudd, Jr.
675-1065
Voice and Bell Choir Director
Thomas Mudd, Jr.
675-1065
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
President
Fred Schmitt
686-0642
Vice-President—Personnel
John and Linda Bruso
656-9489
Vice-President—Property
Phil Horn
684-0390
Treasurer
Linda Rowe
684-6236
Financial Secretary
Ken Knoll
683-7242
Recording Secretary
Pam Maconaghy
626-0949
BOARD CHAIRPERSONS
Spiritual Life/Congregational Care
Wally Grzyb
393-3670
Special Care & Human Services
Nancy Erett
289-4453
Youth and Family
Karrie Frank
908-5437
Resource Development
Dee Grzyb
393-3670
Outreach and Mission Services
Marg Albert
875-9363
Christian Education/Life
Jacquie Albert
812-1374
BOARD OF ELDERS
Walter Grzyb
639-1904
Susanna Garofaro
688-7094
Karen Baglio
686-0670
Manfried Rieger
634-4669
Gene Benson
634-0900
Allan Riemer
771-3542
Craig Maconaghy
626-0949
David Male
634-2456
Ron Connor
632-1958
FOR THE FOLLOWING
Address/phone corrections
Altar Care
Altar Flowers
Bulletin Announcements
“CHIPS” Newsletter
Facility Maintenance
Facility Use (scheduling)
Food Pantry
Fund Raising Committee
LWML
LLL Representative
Men’s Club
Youth Group
Contact
Karen Baglio
Allan Riemer
Kathy Brogan
Karen Baglio
Pam Maconaghy
Phil Horn
Church Office
Ed and Rita Loeffler
Fred Schmitt
Fern Suckow
Scott Zimmerman
633-6752
771-3542
633-6752
633-6752
626-0949
684-0390
633-6752
834-8021
686-0642
832-0420
681-9939
Karrie Frank
908-5437
Son Shine Committee
Gene Benson
634-0900
Special Care and Human Services
Sunday School Information
Nancy Erett
Jacqueline Albert
Bettyann Schmitt
Bud Foster
Ken Knoll
289-4453
875-9363
686-0642
632-4187
683-7242
Thrivent
Weekly Contributions
Did you know that every
time you search on the
internet (and who
doesn’t do that a million
times a day?) you could
be earning a donation to
St. Luke? St. Luke presently has 463 good
searchers, who have
raised over $1,170.21 all
that searching adds up!
Simply go to
GoodSearch.com and
down load their search
tool. You search for St.
Luke, Cheektowaga NY
in their database and
pick that as your cause
to support. Every time
you use that search engine, money is set aside
for St. Luke. You can
also GoodShop and
many sites will make
donations based on a
percentage of your purchase price as well. The
tool bar will also show
you discounts and deals
you can get on those
participating websites,
so you can donate to St.
Luke and save at the
same time. You can
even track how much
you earn by going to the
GoodSearch web site.
So when you have to
search….make it a good
one and support St.
Luke at the same time.
Page 3
2015 Operating Budget Approved
The Resource Development
Committee
January is traditionally the time to make
New Year’s resolutions. For Christians, it’s
also an ideal time to “take stock, reassess,
and recommit to a life lived for and in Jesus
Christ.”
Events for 2015 Late Winter - a seminar on finances assisting people of all ages on how to manage
their household budget based on the principles of the Bible.
Spring Ministry Fair - highlighting all the
boards, committees, and other positions at
St. Luke, hopefully to encourage members
to volunteer.
Let us take advantage of these opportunities available to us as members of St.
Luke Church .
Lutheran Church Extension Fund - Opportunities for you and your children and
grandchildren through the YIC (Young Investors Club) - for children from 0-18 minimum deposit of $25, Family Emergency
Steward Account - savings for the unplanned emergency that could occur with
minimum deposit of $25, and the Steward
Account free online services including bill
pay and e-statements, no maintenance or
membership fees.
Dorothea Koehler
Scholarship
Applications are
available on the
commutation table in
the fellowship hall. The Scholarship is for
current college students working towards
their first bachelors degree. They due in the
Treasurers (Linda Rowe's)mail slot by the
end of service on Sunday January 26, 2015.
Please make sure you include the application along with the required paperwork.













































Bob Dersam ,
Bernard Brzezowski
Nancy Emmons (mother of
Marg Albert)
Phil Garofaro,
Brenda Otte-Hill
Christin Nowakowski
Maya Serra
June Hoffman (mother of
Karen DiPaolo)
Jack Weeks
Sandy Bednarz
Ann Marie (Lottes) Whisner
Tammy Reisch
Sean Henry Bishop
Leah Moe (Great-niece of
Linda Rowe)
Cassidy Monroe
Ed Hertel
Glenn Kilger
Nya Ricks
Barb Evertt
George Teufel
Jean Jaworski
Deborah Rzepka
Jacob Mages
Dick Lerch
Michael Gallivan
Mary Ann Burgstahler
Bill Riedl
Milt Russell
Christopher Gress
Jeffrey Utz
Brody Manzella
Betty Venator
Diane Wynia
Rhonda Blaszyk
Lorin Gould
Marni Conte
Rich Taylor
Susan Albert
Rev. Greg Otte
Judy Houlahan
Bob Heim
The Dipialo Family
Werner Laier
Judith Zielinski
John Pawlak
On December 7, 2014, at a regularly
scheduled Voter’s meeting, St. Luke
Congregation approved the 2105
operating budget. The 2015 budget
is about 2.9% higher than last year’s
budget. Even though this is a “bare
bones” budget; it represents a significant challenge for all of us. The estimated useable income for 2015 (A
3% increase from 2014) will leave us
“short” by almost $ 14,000.00.
God has blessed of us. I know we
are all very thankful for all He has
provided us and continues to give us
all we need each and every day. This
past year Our Lord has blessed St
Luke with a very dedicated and loving Pastor. We are truly blessed to
have Pastor Phil as our Shepard.
Your leaders here at St. Luke understand fully the real meaning of faithful stewardship. We do not ask you
to give towards a “Budget”. We
asked you to give from your heart as
God has blessed each one of us. We
also understand there is a very practical side of running a church and its
ministry. Our ministry will be certainly
affected significantly if we cannot
reduce our projected deficit of $
14,000.00 for 2015.
What can we do? What can I do?
What can you do? We receive about
75 envelopes each week. If we
would get about $ 4.00 more per envelope, our deficit would disappear. I
know there are many of you who are
not able to do this for one reason or
another. Prayerfully consider increasing your envelope contributions
for 2015. If we all can help a little, I
am confident we will reduce our deficit, or eliminate it completely.
May God Bless you and your family
in 2015, Happy New Year !!
Together in His Service,
Fred D. Schmitt
President St.Luke Congregation
Page 4
ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL MEAT
RAFFLE
You did it again! Your support of our
November meat raffle brought us our
eleventh straight success.
We raised $5090.30 profit from this
raffle. The committee has voted to
earmark $2300.00 toward closing
costs for the remortgaging of our building loan. Ten per cent of the total profit ($510.00) will be given to our St.
Luke food pantry. A decision on
where to direct the remainder will be
made at a later date.
Our next meat raffle will be held in
May of 2015. Your fund raising committee works very hard to make these
enjoyable events-- but the successes
we have had are directly related to the
enthusiasm our St. Luke members
have shown for the meat raffles. As
long as you support us, we will continue to work hard to make them enjoyable and profitable.
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
See you in May with our 12th meat raffle and more prizes!
CHRISTMAS GIFTS
We would like to thank everyone who
participated in our annual Christmas
gift giving event this year. The children
in our community had an enjoyable
and memorable Christmas due to your
continued generosity. The staff at
Maryvale MORE program always appreciate our assistance as well. Thank
you so much for your continued support!!
Mark & Cheryl Bossert
SOUP SALE
We are holding our annual sale on
“Souperbowl” weekend, Jan.31st and
Feb. 1st, game day. Don’t want to cook
that day? Order your choice of chicken
wing or vegetable beef soup for $5.00
qt. to benefit our food pantry at St.
Luke. All orders must be ordered and
pre-paid, so we know how much to
make. We will begin taking orders each
weekend at services beginning Jan. 3rd,
until Jan. 25th. This project is always a
big success, so order early, and enjoy
the game!
Welcoming Workshop
A workshop welcoming those families and individuals that have
acknowledged an interest in membership from the Fellowship Book at
St. Luke, will be held on 2 consecutive Saturdays, January 24 and 31,
beginning at 10 am. Please sign up
at the Fellowship Des if you are interested in participating in these classes. We are looking forward to having you join our congregation.
Please see Pastor Phil if you have
any questions.
A New Year's Prayer
Lord, You make all things new
You bring hope alive in our
hearts
And cause our Spirits to be born
again.
Thank you for this new year
For all the potential it holds.
Come and kindle in us
A mighty flame
So that in our time, many will
see the wonders of God
And live forever to praise Your
glorious name.
Amen
Epiphany
Tue
6:30pm Elder’s Mtg.
6:30pm New Beginnings
7pm AlAnon
7pm Barbershop
try
7pm Trustees Mtg.
7pm Lutheran Chorale
7:30pm Recovery
6:30pm New Beginnings
7pm AlAnon
7pm Barbershop
Pantry
7pm Council Mtg.
7pm Lutheran Chorale
7:30pm Recovery
6:30pm New Beginnings
6:30pm Men’s Club
7pm AlAnon
7pm Barbershop
Pantry
7pm Lutheran Chorale
7:30pm Recovery
9am Worship
10am 1st yr. Confirmation
11am Worship/Sunday School
6pm Girl Scouts
Epiphany
6:30pm New Beginnings
7pm AlAnon
7pm Barbershop
Pantry
7pm Lutheran Chorale
7:30pm Recovery
25 3rd Sunday after 26 10am Tole Painting 27 10-2pm Food
9am Worship
10am 1st yr. Confirmation
11am Worship/Sunday
School
6pm Girl Scouts
Epiphany
18 2nd Sunday after 19 10am Tole Painting 20 10-2pm Food
9am Worship
10am 1st yr. Confirmation
11am Worship/Sunday School
6pm Girl Scouts
Lord
Wed
28
21
7pm Worship Music
Mtg.
14
5 10am Tole Painting 6 10-2pm Food Pan- 7
Mon
11 Baptism of Our 12 10am Tole Painting 13 10-2pm Food
9am Worship
10am 1st yr. Confirmation
11am Worship/Sunday
School
6pm Girl Scouts
4
Sun
10am Bible Study &
Paper Cuts
6pm Bell Choir
7pm Voice Choir
8pm Prayer & Praise
29 9am TOPS
10am Bible Study &
Paper Cuts
6pm Bell Choir
7pm Voice Choir
8pm Prayer & Praise
22 9am TOPS
10am Bible Study & Paper
Cuts
6pm Bell Choir
7pm Voice Choir
7:30pm Arthritis Conn.
8pm Prayer & Praise
15 9am TOPS
10am Bible Study &
Paper Cuts
6pm Bell Choir
7pm Voice Choir
8pm Prayer & Praise
8 9:am TOPS
Day!
Office Closed
1 New Year’s
Thu
7pm Girl Scouts
30
7pm Girl Scouts
23
7pm Girl Scouts
16
7pm Girl Scouts
9
2
Fri
9:30am E.D.A. Mtg.
10am New Member
Class
5pm Worship
31
5pm Worship
9:30am E.D.A. Mtg.
10am New Members
Class
24
5pm Worship
9am Fundraising Mtg.
9:30am E.D.A. Mtg.
17
5pm Worship
9:30am E.D.A. Mtg.
10
5pm Worship
9:30am E.D.A. Mtg.
3
Sat
St. Luke Lutheran Church—900 Maryvale Drive—Cheektowaga NY—Phone 633-6752 or 634-5560—E-mail: [email protected]
January 2015
Page 6
YOUTH and FAMILY NEWS
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is
here!
2 Corinthians 5:17
Happy New Year! With a new year comes new opportunities- to grow in your faith, to
serve others, to become closer to fellow members of the St. Luke family! It is our sincere hope that 2015 brings you a year full of peace and joy in the love of our Lord.
THANK YOU!- to everyone who brought socks for our December service project- and
to the kids who made the “Socks of Love” kits, along with pop bottle reindeer and
Christmas cards. We were able to bring the joy of Jesus’ birth to people served through
Little Portion, as well as our servicemen and women, and the Cheektowaga Police Department.
CONGRATULATIONS to the children and directors of this year’s Christmas program.
The performances were wonderful; all your hard work really showed! Thank you for
sharing the important message- “You can’t have Christmas without the cross.”
Coming in January- ALL AGES PAJAMA PARTY! With youth lock in- check the bulletin for details- it will be an evening filled with fun and fellowship. We will also be collecting new children’s PJs to donate to Roswell Park and Children’s Hospital in honor of
Nya Ricks, in supporting her “pay it forward” collection.
Page 7
Maconaghy Joshua
1/2
DiPaolo, Karen
1/17
Glass, Jerry Jr.
1/5
Eggert, Donald
1/17
Ruppert, Jacob
1/5
King, Gertrude
1/17
Becker, Virginia
1/6
DiDomenico, Nancy
1/20
Horn, Phillip
1/6
Willert, Edward
1/20
Schultz, Anne
1/6
Lang, Jeremy
1/21
Silverblatt, Michelle
1/7
Pawlick, Louise
1/21
Birkbeck, James III
1/1
Brado, John
1/10
Brogan, Kevin
12/25
Brand, Lori
1/1
Friedrich, Ursula
1/11
Kaun, Andrew,
1/27
Frauenhofer, Harold
1/1
Nelson, Robert
1/11
Williams, Colleen
1/27
Frauenhofer, Lucille
1/1
Michael, Fred
1/13
Hertel, Edward
1/28
Scardina, Richard
1/1
Dersam, Anna
1/14
Steltermann, Lilli
1/29
Albert, Jacqueline
1/2
Dersam, Emily
1/16
Stanford, Sarah
1/31
Beicke, William
1/2
Mudd, Rose
1/16
U.S. Postage
S t. L u k e Lu th e r an Ch u r ch
PAID
900 Maryvale Drive
Cheektowaga, NY 14225
Non-Profit Org.
Permit #644
Phone: 716-633-6752
Fax: 716-635-0718
Email: [email protected]
Buffalo, NY
Address Service Requested
Greeters
Time
9:00
11:00
Jan. 4
Chuck Walters
Audrey Monroe
Jan. 11
Peggy Dougan
Bud & Sue Foster
Jan. 18
Linda Rowe
Virginia Becker
Jan. 25
Diane Michael
Karen DiPaolo
9:00
Marg Albert
Peggy Dougan
Barb Huestis
Diane Michael
Lector
11:00
Soul Celebration
Ed Loeffler
Soul Celebration
Dee Grzyb
Comm.
Asst.
Worship
Asst.
9:00
11:00
9:00
11:00
5:00
Marg Albert
Elder
9:00
11:00
Trustee
Counter
Altar Care
Allan Riemer
Soul Celebration
David Male
1/3
Allan Riemer
Craig Maconaghy
Nancy Errett
Cinde Gross &
Dick Lerch
Barb Huestis
Ed Loeffler
Gene Benson
Susan Garofaro
Manfred Rieger 1/10
Gene Benson
Susan Garofaro
Linda Rowe
Don Eggert & Nicki
Tober
Allan Riemer
Karen Baglio
Soul Celebration
Wally Grzyb
1/17
Karen Baglio
Craig Maconaghy
Ken Knoll
Chuck Walters &
Rich Taylor
Jeanne Miller
Susan Garofaro
Craig Maconaghy
Ron Connor
1/24
Susan Garofaro
Craig Maconaghy
Pam Maconaghy
Phil & Sherry Horn