Topics - Temple Lutheran Church
Transcription
Topics - Temple Lutheran Church
Topics December 2015 God’s Work. Our Hands. Temple Lutheran Church, 5600 N. Rte. 130, Pennsauken, NJ 08109 856-663-7783 www.templelutheranchurch.com A Message from the Council President Bruce “Bear” Betz Here we are – it’s Thanksgiving and Advent is right around the corner. We, especially me, need to express some of the things I am thankful for including: My grandparents – who, along with other like-minded neighbors, started my family on the road to being a Lutheran back in 1924; The wife – you know her as Jan; The son – you know him as Brian; The pets – JJ (the greyhound), Jake (my bud) and Gato (old man); The Grateful Old Guys – we meet at PJ Whelihan’s every Thursday (except Thanksgiving); Friends and family too numerous to mention; And, of course, my church family. Thanks for a great year as your Council President. We have seen many things happen here including a rather large bequest from Dorothy and Bud Derr. We have received our preliminary, draft Architect’s report and this will be a topic of discussion to help us decide our priorities going forward. So far we have had a successful Stewardship campaign – Because of God’s Great Mercy. We will need your commitment for the remainder of this year and for next year to allow us to continue the mission God has called us to here at TLC. Thank you, the people of TLC, for being you and helping us all on this faith journey. Keep up the good work. 2 Editorial by New Jersey Bishop Bartholomew November 17, 2015 To the Editor: As a New Jerseyan and a Lutheran bishop, I was deeply disappointed by Governor Christie’s decision to ask the federal government not to send Syrian refugees to our state. As we mourn for the lives lost in Paris, it is a time to be more mindful than ever of those who have suffered the senseless brutality and terror of ISIS for far too long. Ordinary Syrians have suffered persecution, first by their own government and now by a merciless terrorist organization. Imagine trying to raise your children in such an environment. Imagine trying to move them to safety, only to be told that you yourself were now considered suspect. New Jersey has long welcomed refugees from a diversity of countries. Their presence has strengthened and enriched the fabric of our state. Over the years, Lutherans across this nation have welcomed more than a half million people fleeing violence and persecution, and they have become valued members of our community. The U.S. Refugee Admissions Program has been a highly respected part of our humanitarian and diplomatic response to global crises for decades. It is a secure, effective, public/private partnership that has proven effective at saving the lives of vulnerable people, integrating them in their new communities, and helping them thrive and give back to the United States. Thanks to a robust security screening process implemented by the State Department, the Department of Homeland Security and related entities, we have done so with confidence and with very positive results. It breaks my heart that we would abandon that proud tradition now, when the need is so great. I have always been proud of my state for the warm welcome it gives to those seeking to rebuild their lives in safety and freedom. That is why Governor Christie’s decision is so disappointing, and why I hope he will reverse his position immediately. Sincerely, The Rev. Tracie L. Bartholomew Bishop New Jersey Synod, ELCA 3 Christmas at Temple Lutheran Caroling – December 11 6:30 PM – Meet in Parish Hall Following caroling return to church for hot chocolate, a dessert, and good fellowship! 4 First Communion Discussion Sunday, Dec. 6th at 9:45 Christian Ed. For All will discuss First Communion - Holy Communion Practices - All across the country, churches are reporting that a change in Holy Communion has taken place. This change, has not necessarily been instituted by the church. In other words the people of the community, the visitors, the first time church goer, the people bringing their children, the never been to church goer(s), the never baptized - are taking communion and asking for more. It is a new phenomenon and has even been a part of our ministry here at Temple. It prompts the question: What is Communion in a 21st century context? How ought we respond, with rules and regs, or flex and grace? All children, youth (and adults) who have never been through First Communion Class are urged to attend. Grateful Men Grateful Men, is our new Men’s ministry that meets every Thursday night at 8:30 PM @ PJ Whelihans (396 Lenola Road. Maple Shade - across from the Moorestown Mall). Come join us for support, football and food. Our prayer list is getting longer each week. Bring your list to join ours. Help us to pray fervently for all in need. Join in the encouragement and be encouraged. Bring a friend. 5 Lida Knaus Food Pantry The outpouring of support from the members and friends of Temple Lutheran Church gave us the opportunity to give a Thanksgiving Dinner to over 135 needy families. Because of you, there will be a fancy dinner Thursday night for over 450 people. Our members rocked this holiday by bringing in box after box of food and those that couldn’t shop, donated money so we could shop on their behalf. Great job TLC! For December, we are asking for either a frozen turkey or $15 so we can purchase turkey breasts for our December distribution. ********************************* Well-Worth Checking Out Monthly Message by Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton Bishop Eaton’s Monthly Message “The Unsettled Season of Advent: In Incarnate Christ, God Finds Us and Gives Restless Hearts Rest” is available at http://files.ctctcdn.com/7aec9f32101/6e085f30-2fb3-4474b1ee-d47ca5730e2b.pdf 6 Saints in Service - December 2015 8:30 Reader Dec 6 8:30 Usher Hanson Hewitt/Johnson Dec 13 Stallard Kenney/Waring Dec 20 Toler Saunders/Rivera Dec 24 D. Wohr Toler Dec 27 C. Wohr Wilson Dec 6 8:30 Comm. Assist. 8:30 Cantor Brandt/Hickey K. Toler Dec 13 J. Burgin/Mullineaux C. Wohr Dec 20 M. Burgin/M. Toler D. Wohr Dec 24 Dec 27 Hanson/Adkins Dec 6 J. Burgin 11:00 Reader/Usher Property Fitzgerald Toler Dec 13 Knaus Burgin Dec 20 Knodt Reichert Dec 24 Martino (25th:Knodt) Dec 27 Chess Counters Dec 6 Hickey Altar Guild M.Hickey/Johnson/Burgin Kenney/Manera Dec 13 Baker/Cotier Adkins/Fitzgeralds Dec 20 Wohr/M. Burgin Colander/McDevitt Dec 24 Dec 27 Schiermeier/Teague Burgins 7 The TLC Book Club met in November to discuss The Christmas Train by David Baldacci. All agreed they liked the book and it was a nice read for the approaching Christmas. The book was full of interesting and eccentric characters as the main character rode across the country on a train in order to spend Christmas on a ski trip to Lake Tahoe. Between the east and west coast life changes! December Meeting Where: Annual Dinner at Villa Barone in Collingswood Date: Tuesday, December 15, 2015 Time: 6:00 PM Reservations must be made with Marilyn Burgin 856-986-4477 Text or Call Carpooling Available at Church at 5:45 PM What do we do? We eat, enjoy each other’s company, and pick our 2016 books. 8 Health and Wellness by Lori Martino Be prepared to Stay Safe and Healthy in Winter December is an exciting time of year. We are in the season of advent and are looking forward to celebrating Christmas with our family and friends. But December also welcomes in winter, cold temperatures, snow, and possible power outages. It is always best to be prepared in the event that we need to deal with any of these situations. While many enjoy the outdoor activities that a nice snowfall may provide, many more choose to stay indoors. Either way, we need to be prepared. Read the linked article below prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Make sure you are prepared for what this winter may bring. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and a Safe and Healthy Winter! You can find the article at: http://www.cdc.gov/Features/WinterWeather/ It will also be found on the bulletin Board in the Parish Hall. 9 Musicians’ Get-Together Thanks to Matt Reichert who arranged a Get-Together for all the TLC musicians and emceed the event. He even gave an award to each and every musician! Temple Lutheran Church Library Here is my recommendation for what I consider one of the top 5 items in the church library. At some point, please check out The Christmas Miracle of Johnathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski. There is also a matching DVD of the excellent movie starring Tom Berenger and Joely Richardson. It is a story of the power of love and the feeling of hope. There is also a lot of humor. It is a story for the whole family. I have seen the book listed for those ages 4 to 9 and 6 to 12, but I feel it is great for 4 to 101! The film is for everyone! 10 stars out of 5!!! (That’s right!) 10 December Birthdays 11. 11. 14. 15. 16. 17. Jeff Baker Jade DiSanti Arlene Colander Jane Johnson Lori Martino Barbara Mullineaux 18. 21. 23. 29. 30. 30. Elizabeth Knaus Neil Brown Lou Manera Aleksei (Rosie) Knaus Jan Hanson Kaitlyn Fitzgerald Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday, we love you! Happy Birthday, and may all your dreams come true! When you blow out the candles, one light stays aglow. It’s the love light in your eyes where’er you go! If you know of anyone whose name needs to be added or removed from this list, please let Marilyn Burgin know or call the office and leave a message. Thank you. Say a Prayer for our Shut-Ins Arlene Colander – Lutheran Crossings Mildred Hussong – Evergreens Dorothy Reichert – Lutheran Crossings Doris Neilson – home Dorothy Ingels – home Clara Hickok – Lutheran Crossings A Prayer for our First Responders and Military Members Lord, hold our military and first responders in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our times of need. Amen. 11 Clean-Up Day At least 25 people showed up for this event! Photos were provided by June Burgin. 12 November Food Bank Photos provided by June Burgin 13 Good News Congratulations go to Alyssa Riess who received her first college acceptance letter. The letter arrived from Millersville University in Pennsylvania, but she is looking for even more acceptance letters so she can choose her college wisely. Hope you get to go to your first choice, Alyssa! Congratulations go to Brian Betz who also received an acceptance letter from Norwich University with an offering of a hefty scholarship to boot. He has not accepted yet, so we will all have to watch and see what happens! Brian, choose well! Congratulations go to the Knaus family – Bryon, Kathy, Elizabeth, and Leslie. The family is expecting their third child in March 2016. Will it be their first boy or third girl? We’ll just have to see. We look forward to welcoming the forthcoming child into our church family! Happy 100th birthday wishes go to Pastor George Garver who celebrated his big day on November 29. A box filled with our birthday wishes and prayer shawls (for Pastor and his wife) was sent to him at his home in Bradenton, Florida. Thanks to all who participated. Wishes for a happy and safe trip are in order for Linda Jensen who will be spending almost a month Hawaii visiting family. Do we actually need to say “have a happy trip” when going to Hawaii? This space is for you whoever you are. Please let Marilyn know your good news for the next edition Topics! 14 TELEPHONE DIRECTORY Bruce “Bear” Betz – President Jay Martino – Vice-President Treasurer – Matt McDevitt Secretary – June Burgin Financial Secretary – Barbara Mullineaux Council Members Emily Reichert 662-8769 Linda Colander 952-0627 Jay Martino 905-8486 June Burgin 488-7150 Rebecca Fitzgerald 939-8877 Arlie Schiermeier 488-1041 Mike Hickey 609-304-3893 Gary Milewski 609-828-5553 Patti Waring 287-2872 Deb Cotier 609-668-2348 Allie Fitzgerald 939-8877 Staff: Rev. David L. Stoner Gail Gassaway, Organist Matt Reichert, Worship Leader 778-3877 905-8486 665-6278 488-7150 665-5830 Ministry Team Youth Social Ministry Evangelism Property Parish Life Administration Stewardship Mutual Ministry Christian Education Worship & the Arts Youth Representative 856-266-2567 609-617-6574 856-662-8769 Ministry Coordinators Matt Reichert, Glory Band 662-8769 Barbara Mullineaux, Bells Director 665-5830 D.Reichert/B.Mullineaux, Altar Guild 662-8769/665-5830 Janet Morrissey, Women of the ELCA Pres. 662-1188 Lori Martino, Health and Wellness 303-1404 Volunteer Staff Marilyn Burgin – Topics Editor 986-4477 E-Mail: [email protected] 15