DecJan Feb winter newsletter2015
Transcription
DecJan Feb winter newsletter2015
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church The Shepherd’s Staff Winter 2015 Welcome to our “Soon to Come” Transitional Pastor Jennifer Hitt Pastor Jennifer Hitt has served as pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Needham, Massachusetts since 2002. She has led the congregation in its quest to trust and embody God’s vision of love for all people. Together, they strive for peace and justice. Her vocational trajectory has taken her from providing nutritional counseling to offering spiritual counseling and sacred accompaniment. She also has been involved in leadership development for emerging church leaders and served as President of the Needham Interfaith Clergy Association. She delights in music, hiking, pressing fall leaves, and dabbles in ‘found poetry.’ Pastor Jennifer holds a BS from Cornell University, an MBA from Texas A&I, and an M. Div. from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. Pastor Jennifer and Good Shepherd’s Church Council have reached an agreement that will bring her to our church for a 1 year term of service as our Transitional Pastor. That term begins Sunday, January 3, 2016 when she will conduct her first worship services with us. Our church will continue to assemble our church and community profile in anticipation of calling a “settled” pastor at a congregational meeting toward the end of 2016. Pastor Jennifer will retain her eligibility during 2016 to be a candidate for that position. Good Shepherd will host a luncheon on Saturday, December 5 at the church from 12:00 noon2:00 PM to “meet, greet, and welcome” Pastor Jennifer to the lakes region. No reservations necessary! There will not be a cost for lunch, but please contact the church office at 528-4078 or sign up on the sheet in the church entryway if you would like to bring something! We hope as many people as possible will be able to attend this special occasion! All are welcome! Happy Birthday! December Mike Schoenweiss Tom Salatiello Jamie Hunter Bob Cray Mary Jean Robison Tim Steuer Elaine Hirshan Dylan Engelhardt 5 6 13 17 21 22 26 28 Happy Anniversary! John and Sandy Bennett Richard and Ruth Juve John and Mary Krueckberg January Alelaide McGowen Samantha Hunter Krista Larsen Linda Salatiello Hannah Bennett Janet Learned Wilfred Vollmerding Hayden Engelhardt John Larsen Dot Steuer Sharyn Childs 3 5 6 6 8 10 13 22 23 27 29 February Robin Rollins Beverly Nelson Barbara Ryder Beverly Anderson Chris Bennett Chris Hofmeister Kevin Steuer William Eckberg 15 16 16 20 20 23 27 26 12/10 12/27 1/03 Christmas Services Christmas Eve December 24th 1:30 pm Joint Service with St. James 5:00 pm St. James Service 7:00 pm Good Shepherd Service THANK YOU! Thank you to everyone at Good Shepherd for the thoughtful and generous gift which Karen and I received marking the official conclusion of my 1 year term of ministry as your Associate Pastor. We have shared a remarkable journey together during that time, and we have been so grateful to have had the opportunity to serve in this unique and exciting way. As I have often said, "If we had it to do all over again, we would do it all over again!" We look forward to our continuing membership at Good Shepherd and the many ministry opportunities which the future holds for us all. Sincerely in Christ, Associate Pastor Brad and Karen Wolff PRAYER REQUESTS Walter and Gloria Borchert, Sue Bucknam, Gert Kropa, Sally Nelson, Phyllis Richard, Rich Rollock, Barbara Ryder, Melanie Ryder, Walter Starke, Judith Vollmerding Helen Arlington, Harriet Biggs, Mellissa Burgos, Rebecca and Maria Craven, Connie and Charlie Dwinal, Liesl Voosen Fields, Erica Forzese, Richard Haver, Delores and Lenny Hooper, Karen Hopkins, Kate Kilroy, Coleen M, Andy and Alex Nelson, Cindy Stryke, Tom Teichmann, Peg and Gorden Walker We pray for those in uniform: Daniel Anderson, Matthew Anderson, Christine Dalzell, Will Doucette, John Hammond, Victoria Jollimore, Andrew Mathes, Christian Randall, and Josh Voland God’s gracious love calls us to follow Christ’s example and teachings. Monthly Events December 5 Meet and Greet Pastor Jennifer Hitt from 12-2 6 Caring for Others meeting after second service 6 German Advent Service at 2:00pm– All are welcome! 8 Council Meeting at 6:00pm 10 Nibblers Christmas at Top of the Town 13 Christmas Caroling after second service 14 Decorating of the church at 6:30 pm with desert and coffee 17 Christmas Caroling at 11:30 am. Meet at the church 20 Coin Sunday/Connecting with Each Other meeting after second service. 24 1:30pm joint service with Saint James and Good Shepherd 5pm service St. James/ 7pm service Good Shepherd 25 Merry Christmas!! January 1 Happy New Year!! 3 Pastor Jennifer Hitt first service as our new pastor 3 Caring for Others meeting after second service/taking holiday decorations down 4 Worship and Music at 3:30pm 13 Council Meeting at 6:00pm 11-15 Office closed 11 Stewardship Meeting at 6pm 17 Coin Sunday 17 Connecting with Each Other meeting after second service 18 Martin Luther King Day / Office closed 21 Nibblers TBD 24 One Service at 10:30/ Annual Meeting after Service 28 Salvation Army Luncheon 31 Snow Date for annual meeting February 1 Worship and Music at 3:30pm 7 Caring for Others meeting after second service 8 Stewardship Meeting at 6pm 10 Ash Wednesday / Services at noon and 7pm 11 Council Meeting at 6pm 14 Valentines Day 15 President’s Day/ Office closed 18 Nibblers TBD 21 Coin Sunday 21 Connecting with Each Other meeting after second service 25 Salvation Army Luncheon SAVE THE DATE CHURCH LUNCHEON and FAMILY ADVENT CRAFT Saturday, December 5th – 12 noon to 2 pm Come “MEET & GREET” Pastor Jennifer Hitt Enjoy lunch and fellowship Families Make an Advent Craft to take home CAROLING SCHEDULE You will have two opportunities to sing and bring the Christmas Message to others. Sunday, December 13th we will go caroling after the 2nd service. Thursday, December 17th we will meet at the church at 12 noon. We will carpool and visit the nursing homes – Genesis, Forest View, and Golden View. CONNECTING WITH EACH OTHER NEWS Visiting our SHUT-IN MEMBERS During this period of transition, the Connecting With Each Other committee members and Pastor Brad have been visiting and taking communion to our shut in members. More than 9 visits have been completed. This has been such a wonderful experience for the committee, we plan to continue doing this. You receive more than you give each visit you make. We welcome additional participation. You won’t be disappointed. Music and Worship Christmas Eve services this year at Good Shepherd will feature two opportunities to gather in celebration of Christ's birth. New this year is a 1:30 PM worship service on Thursday, December 24. This service is a joint worship service for the Good Shepherd and St. James Church communities. It will feature Christmas hymns and carols, the account of the birth of Jesus according to St. Luke, a message of hope and holiness in this beautiful season, and Holy Communion. You may especially consider this time to attend church if you are obligated to work in the evening, prefer to drive during the daylight hours, or have conflicting plans in the early evening. Good Shepherd's Christmas Eve Candlelight Service will be held at 7:00 PM Thursday, December 24. This service will include the traditions which make this a truly "Holy Night;" carols and hymns, scripture, special music, Holy Communion, and Christmas Eve candle-lighting. "Now let us all with joyful cheer, go with the shepherds and draw near to see this wondrous gift of God, the blessed child to us bestowed." Join us for a Christmas Eve Worship Service! Stewardship I would like to thank everyone in the Congregation for making this Stewardship Campaign so great. So far we have 22 responses to our Pledge request. I would like to thank our Stewardship committee for all the hard work they have done in preparing and executing this year’s Stewardship campaign. I would also like to thank Lin and Bob Cray for the wonderful dinner they prepared for Stewardship Sunday. Everyone did a great job and we had a very nice Sunday. Now comes the hard work. We have a whole new year of doing God’s work and keeping Good Shepherd Lutheran Church strong and beautiful. Please help us do the things that need to be done so that OUR church will maintain it’s beauty warm, inviting looks. We also ask that you help with the many Ministries that we have going at Good Shepherd. These Ministries help spread the God word and also helps care for the sick and homeless of our community. These are all part of being one of God’s Stewards. God will provide the tools for us to be good Stewards and do the work needed, we just have to be there ready to work. Again thank you for being good Stewards this last year and I look forward to your help again this year. The Stewardship Committee Property Thanks to the planning of our property committee, you will soon see several important improvements being implemented at our church! After much consideration and a unanimous vote to proceed according to the plan presented at the October 4, 2015 Congregational Meeting, a new sign was approved for construction and installation on the front lawn of the church property. As this newsletter is being written, we have received word that the construction phase has been completed and the installation of the sign is ready to go forward. We look forward to the enhanced visibility this sign will provide for our church in our community and the high level of cooperation it signifies between Good Shepherd and St. James congregations. A new sign board has also been installed next to the main entryway of the church, updating the information about our churches and expanding our contact information. Check it out next time you are at church! New lighting is also ready to be installed for our parking lot and selected interior rooms. Two exterior parking lot lights, both "original" from the construction of the building, are slated to be replaced with brighter and more efficient fixtures to enhance visibility and safety in the parking lot. Inside, a total of 30 fixtures have been identified for upgrades as a result of "out of production" ballast units no longer able to be replaced. These will feature brighter and more energy efficient florescent tubes and long lasting electronic ballast units. Look for these to begin appearing in the kitchen, fellowship hall, bathrooms, closets, and office areas. Thanks to Master Electrician Charles Denningham for his work with us to implement this improvement plan! We have also had some plumbing repairs completed in the men's room to reduce our water use and be more efficient with our resources. Thank you for your support of our efforts to maintain and improve our building facility while at the same time conserving our resources. If you notice anything at church that should be brought to the attention of the property committee, there is a report form located in the fellowship hall next to the kitchen door. Thank you again for your support! Good Shepherd's Hearts and Hands Food Pantry A total of 11 Thanksgiving Baskets were distributed through our food pantry to families in the greater Laconia and Lakes Region areas, thanks to your generosity! These included either a ham or turkey, all the essentials for a Thanksgiving meal, and additional items to assist with meals following the holiday. Special thanks to Christine McLaughlin for sponsoring this effort by applying for and receiving a $250.00 Thrivent "Action Team" Community Service grant for us to use to purchase food. In addition, many items were donated by members of both St. James and Good Shepherd to help insure that everyone who contacted our church for assistance was served. Many thanks to our Sunday School students and teachers for helping to prepare the food baskets and including inspirational notes and drawings with each one! Our "Caring for Others" Committee will also be organizing a similar Christmas food basket for distribution over the upcoming holidays! Please contact the church office if you know of someone who we can serve. If you are a Thrivent Insurance policy holder, you are likely eligible to apply for an "Action Team" grant in 2016. Pastor Brad will be happy to help you form a "team" to use your grant to make a difference in our community. Our Church food pantry will be MAKING A CHANGE IN OUR DISTRIBUTION METHOD following a careful study and recommendation from the "Caring For Others" Committee and subsequent approval by our Church Council. GOOD SHEPHERD WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE an emergency food pantry at the church, request donations of food, have supplies on hand for short notice assistance, and continue our programs of providing summer "Got Lunch" supplies and food baskets for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other times as deemed advisable. Beginning January 1, 2016 we have established a new partnership with the Lakes Region Family Center Food Pantry, 121 Belmont Road (Route 106), Laconia, N.H. This new partnership will establish the family center as the distribution location for our day to day requests for food assistance. WHY THE CHANGE? First and foremost, the Lakes Region Family Center is better equipped to respond to day to day requests. Their food pantry is strategically located, professionally managed, maintains extensive record keeping, is supplemented by other churches and by being the USDA food distribution center for Belknap County, and is open much longer hours than our church is during the week. This will ensure that food is distributed in a timely manner to those families which have the need to receive it. Secondly, it will help us avoid the sometimes uncomfortable circumstance of having our office manager Erin Denning respond to requests from people she is not acquainted with when she is at the church by herself. Finally, the center will be able to pick up food from Good Shepherd to insure that it is used prior to passing an expiration date. WHAT IF THERE IS AN EMERGENCY NEED FOR ASSISTANCE? Good Shepherd will keep enough food on hand at the church to respond to an emergency need for assistance which is brought to out attention. Should a need arise which is best served directly by our church pantry, we will be prepared to respond to it. WELCOME NEW MEMBER Rebecca Schlenker I am originally from Cranford, New Jersey. I just graduated from Quinnipiac Law School in 2014 and started a job at McLane Middleton Law Firm in Manchester in their litigation department in August 2014. I mostly practice environmental and energy law. I live with my husband, we just got married 2 months ago, in Gilford with our dog and cat. Angel Tree The tags are on the tree! Please take a tag and bring the present back wrapped with the tag attached to the present. The last day of collections will be December 13th Christmas Poinsettias Good Shepherd needs poinsettia plants for our altar for Christmas. The cost of the poinsettia plants this year will be $17.00. per plant. If you are interested in purchasing a plant in memory of a loved one of in celebration of something please fill out one of our flower envelopes with your information on it and turn it into the church office. Your names will be printed in our Christmas Eve Bulletin. Christmas Baskets Good Shepherd will be collecting food for our Christmas Baskets. We will be serving ham dinners December 6th —canned vegetables & fruit December 13th —potatoes & gravy December 20th—rolls & Christmas cookies If there is anything special you would like to bring to put in a basket we are planning on 12 baskets. German Advent Service Sunday, December 6th 2015 at 2:00 pm Good Shepherd is pleased to host a traditional German Advent Service on Sunday afternoon, December 6, at 2:00 PM. This service will feature some German language (with English translation), an Advent sermon in English, and special music appropriate to the season. We are thankful that Pastor Macht, Director of Chaplaincy services at DartmouthHitchcock Hospital in Hanover, and Pastor Tingler, serving at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Nashua, will be leading this service. This service has been growing in attendance as word spreads of the unique and meaningful worship experience it provides. Join us! A traditional "Koffee Klatch" (coffee, treats, and conversation) will follow the service in Good Shepherd's fellowship hall. All contributions of baked goods will be welcomed! Good Shepherd’s Annual Meeting Save the Date Sunday, January 24, 2015 One Worship Service at 10:30, Meeting to follow Income and Expense October General Account Transactions Income Expense Actual Budget Thru September $137,823 $130,845 $141,701 $139,845 October $11311 $13,420 $14,183 $13,420 $149,134 $144,265 $155,884 $153,265 Total Actual vs. Budget $4,869 Net -under/ (over) Budget Actual ($2,619) $2,250 Comments Income Special Items Mortgage Gift Roof Repair Receipts Expenses Special Items Underspent Healthcare and Pension Underspent Pastors Salary ( less supply costs) Roof repair Transfer to Schumn/Money Mkt. General Fund Balance 8/31/2015 Schumn/Money Market Balance $5,000 $6,875 ($12,406) ($10,969) $14,580 $10,000 $8,072 $33.303 Budget FUNDRAISING EFFORTS Many thanks to all for participating in our "Timber Man" Bag stuffing event for the recent Timberman Marathon held in August, also many thanks to all for helping out at the "Reach the Beach" relay race-the 200 mile relay from the ski area of Bretton Woods New Hampshire to the sea shore of Hampton Beach. We raised $1000 for our General Fund and all had a good time while working the events. Again, thanks to all! Thrivent Choice Also remember that all members of Thrivent, now have more free funds in their account to donate to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church or over 1000 charities of their choice designated by Thrivent. All you need is an insurance policy or annuity of any type to qualify for contributing these free funds. Good Shepherd is certainly in need of your generosity to help us meet our current and soon coming 2016 budget needs. Many thanks to all who have contributed in the past. Once again, here is the procedure-very simple. Go to Thrivent.com/Thrivent Choice on your computer and designate Good Shepherd or other charity to receive your bonus funds or Call "Thrivent Choice" (800847-4836) and say "Thrivent Choice" to the desk. (Give your name or policy number) She will ask you for your contribution choice. Designate Good Shepherd or other charity. That's all there is to it or Call Lee Engelhardt of GSLC for assistance or questions. (603-524-7793) Future Projects In the past, we have discussed an "Endowment Fund" for the benefit of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. We have received several inquiries about such a fund. This is something we should all think about and express your ideas to the Stewardship Committee or Church Council Members or Lee Engelhardt of Fundraising Projects. "What are your thoughts?? Regards, Lee Engelhardt Fundraising Sunday School Winter News Winter fun and learning are on the agenda for GSLC’s Sunday School. A look back reminds us of pumpkins and needles’ eyes, prayer and Veterans’ Day peace centerpieces. A look ahead predicts Thanksgiving baskets, Advent candles and a joyful Christmas program, plus lots of stories about Jesus. We’ll meet two guys with unusual names and a lot to say (and sing!), and we’ll most likely work on projects in January and February to celebrate justice and love. It’s a busy, exciting schedule. Be sure to be a part of it! Thanks to all the kids and teachers! So far, it’s been a great year! Nov. 29 – Advent Logs – *Karen, John, Elaine Dec. 6 – Malachai the Messenger – *Dot, Cris, Sandy Dec. 13 – Zephanaiah’s Joyful Song – *Rebecca, John, Elaine Dec. 20 – Christmas Program – All hands on deck! Dec 27 – All in worship Jan. 3, 2016 – All in worship Jan 10 – John Baptizes Jesus -- *Karen, John, Rebecca Jan. 17 – Civil Rights project – Dot, Elaine, Chris (*Pastor Brad will lead) Jan. 24 – One Body, Many Parts – *Cris, Dot, Sandy Jan 31 – Jeremiah’s Call -- *John, Rebecca, Karen Feb. 7 – Jesus Calls Disciples – *Dot, Elaine, Sandy, Feb. 14 – Valentine Project – *Cris, Rebecca, Dot Feb 21 – All in worship Feb. 28 – Jesus is Transfigured -- *Karen, Sandy, John Flower Chart The 2016 Flower Chart is up! Please sign the chart to save your date! It is located in the Narthex. The cost is $20.00 per date. Please fill out a flower envelope with what you would like the bulletin to say. Memorial Garden Our Memorial Garden, under the Good Shepherd stained glass window, was created in 2002 by members of the congregation in memory of the following people: Childs & Riley families, Madge Divers, Margaret Eaton, Roderick Echola,Clarence & Lillian Engelhardt ,Russ Feener, Rev. Richard Harvey ,George G. Henriksen, Edna & John Jordan ,Lawrence McKinley, Harold & Lydia Mossner, Matthew Potty, James & Doris Richardson ,Don Ryder, Ann Hunter Scott ,Matthew Shepard, Joseph F. Stowell Jr., Edwin R. Todt II,Marie Vinvesa , Herman Wiedenheft, The small Crabapple tree by the blue sign was planted in 2004 in memory of Alice Petro by her daughter. NORTH COUNTRY NIBBLERS Come fun with us. Enjoy a good meal and great fellowship the 3rd Thursday of each month at local restaurants.. Watch for announcements for locations. Lunches begin at 11:30 .AM. Remember to call office for reservations. FELLOWSHIP Hour after 2nd Service (11:30 A.M.) Don’t forget to stop in for fellowship and a cup of coffee or tea and a treat after worship. Committee welcomes donated VISITING OUR SHUT-INS BAGS The Connecting With Each Other Committee will be preparing gift bags to take with us on our next visit to our shut-ins. Watch for the bags in the church entrance. Add greeting cards and small items to the bags as you are able. If you have questions, call me. Bev Nelson. 253-4274 PHOTO WALL CONTINNUES TO GROW Take time to check it out It is helping our members get better acquainted. If your picture is missing, please contact the committee to have a photo taken. You many also provide a photo for us to use. Place it in Bev Nelson’s mailbox in fellowship hall. NURSERY FOR OUR FAMILLIES DURING WORSHIP SERVICE Have you noticed the new door for the nursery? Thank you all property committee for giving us a half door. If you would like to have the nursery staffed, please let us know. 253-4274 Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Organist Jan Learned Minister of Music Mary Divers Office Administrator Erin Denning Sunday Worship Services: 7:45 am and 10:30 am Sunday School: 10:30am Address: 2238 Parade Road Laconia, NH 03246 Ph: 603 528 4078 www.goodshepherdnh.org Email: [email protected] Preach, Teach and Reach Our Mission: God’s gracious love calls us to follow Christ’s example and teachings. Our Vision: To worship, to witness, to support one another and to reach out to others. Office Hours Monday 8-2 Tuesday 8-12 Wed-Friday 8-2 SEPTEMBER 20th - 22nd, 2013 When con SEPTEMBER 20th - 22nd, 2013 When congregation leaders are thinking strategically about how to engage young people in the life of the ministry God has called us all to, it is the hope of all of us here at Calumet that they consider how the New England Synod's When we serve our neighbors -- by feeding the hungry, engaging in issues of poverty, visit the sick and neglected, protect the weak, speak for those who have no voice -- we are serving our God who has called us to be faithful in our service. . Belknap House Belknap County is raising funds to build a house to provide families in Belknap County a safe shelter, especially in the cold winter months, when children are especially at risk during homelessness, and to empower families to become self-sufficient and independent by providing opportunities of education and resources available to them. They are having a Golf Event to raise funds. Where: Lochmere Country Club Date: Monday, September 14, 2015 Time: Registration is at 7:30am Cost: $125.00 per person or $475.00 for 4 people More information is on our church bulletin board .