November 2016 “…in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”– I Peter 2:9 God has made us God’s own people “in order that” we might proclaim through word and deed all that God has done in our lives. We do that individually as we live our faith in our daily lives. We also do that collectively in our congregation. Our congregation proclaims God’s mighty acts within our walls through worship, through Christian education for our children and youth, through the many groups that meet to learn and serve. Our congregation proclaims God’s mighty acts in our community as we make a difference for good in the lives of people around us who are in need. Our congregation proclaims God’s mighty acts across our country and around the world as we support important ministries that are making a difference near and far. Your giving to our congregation makes all of this possible. Because of you, we “proclaim the mighty acts of him” who called us out of darkness into his marvelous light. Confirmation! TODAY 11:00am Service We are pleased to receive our 9 th grade students as official members of our congregation as they Affirm their Baptisms through the Rite of Confirmation. Nikolaj Folmer Lily Greer Paige Kashinsky Anders Pesti Anna Pesti Bryse Ranniello Ryan Young The adult choir, bell choir, and Rejoice! will all come together to lead us in music. Join us at 10:00am in Fellowship Hall for a reception to honor the confirmands. 9am Worship: Organ, no choir Rank of Eagle Scout Joshua Griffin, son of Ruth Bartels Griffin and Jay Griffin, achieved the rank of Eagle Scout on June 12. His court of honor was held in early October. For his project, he catalogued 1,200 grave sites in the Olde St. Andrew’s cemetery in Newtown. He also placed a medal and flag at the site of each veteran; there were over 200! This project not only benefits the local American Legion Post 440 in preparing for the annual Memorial Day observance, Stewardship FAQ’s Q. Does pledging increase congregational giving? A. Congregations that conduct an annual pledge drive typically receive 5% – 15% more in offerings than those that do not.
Transcript
November 2016
“…in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him whocalled you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”– I Peter 2:9
God has made us God’s own people “in order that” we might proclaim through word and deed all that God has done in our lives. We do that individually as we live our faith in our daily lives. We also do that collectively in our congregation.
Our congregation proclaims God’s mighty acts within our walls through worship, through Christian education for our children and youth, through the many groups that meet to learn and serve. Our congregation proclaims God’s mighty acts in our community as we make a
difference for good in the lives of people around us who are in need. Our congregation proclaims God’s mighty acts across our country and around the world as we support important ministries that are making a difference near and far.
Your giving to our congregation makes all of this possible. Because of you, we “proclaim the mighty acts of him” who called us out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Confirmation! TODAY 11:00am ServiceWe are pleased to receive our 9th grade students as official members of our congregation as they Affirm their Baptisms through the Rite of Confirmation.
Nikolaj FolmerLily GreerPaige Kashinsky
Anders PestiAnna Pesti
Bryse RannielloRyan Young
The adult choir, bell choir, and Rejoice! will all come together to lead us in music.
Join us at 10:00am in Fellowship Hall for a reception to honor the confirmands. 9am Worship: Organ, no choir 10am Reception: Brunch, no Education Hour 11am Worship: Confirmation, music provided by all
musicians
Rank of Eagle ScoutJoshua Griffin, son of Ruth Bartels Griffin and Jay Griffin, achieved the rank of Eagle Scout on June 12. His court of honor was held in early October. For his project, he catalogued 1,200 grave sites in the Olde St. Andrew’s cemetery in Newtown. He also placed a medal and flag at the site of each veteran; there were over 200! This project not only benefits the local American Legion Post 440 in preparing for the annual Memorial Day observance, it will allow the Church and general public to easily locate graves on the site. Congratulations, Josh!
Stewardship FAQ’sQ. Does pledging increase congregational giving?
A. Congregations that conduct an annual pledge drive typically receive 5% – 15% more in offerings than those that do not.
November CollectionThis month we will collect non-perishables for the Bucks County Housing Group in Penndel. Collection box is in the Commons.
Frozen turkeys will be collected until Tuesday, November 22. Bring your donation to the main kitchen and place in one of the white freezers. NOTE: Only one of the freezers is currently cold. Thanks!
“Because of God’s Great Mercy” 2017 Stewardship ProgramAs you may know, our stewardship program for 2017 has begun. Next week we will mail out stewardship packets that include estimate of giving cards (pledges) and a return envelope. The program will culminate in a gathering of commitment cards in worship on November 13. The Financial Secretary will then tally these cards and develop an estimate of anticipated income. In December Church Council will use this number to build our spending plan for next year. The results will be provided to the congregation at the annual meeting in January for their approval.
The stewardship program has several important objectives for members of God’s Love:
1. Increase your current giving by ½ of 1% of your total annual income. For example, if your total income is $50,000, ½ of 1% is $250 more per year, or less than A $5 increase per week.
2. Participate in one or more of our ministries at church, especially if you are not currently involved in one.
3. Raise participation in financial pledging (we are far from 100% participation).
4. Increase overall participation in electronic giving.
Bring in your completed card on Sunday, November 13, or mail it to the church. The cards will be collected and celebrated during the offering. If you are currently making your donation through electronic giving, it is still important to complete a pledge card so we can count your gift in expected income.
The Stewardship Team requests that you spend time in prayer contemplating how you have been richly blessed. Make your financial commitment to God’s Love in response. This winter we will help you learn about the many ways to get involved through the commitment of your time and talents. Ed Pazicky, Melanie Jimenez
Stewardship Team
On November 1, I will begin a new pastoral adventure to call all our parishioners on their birthdays. Each morning I will carve out some time to phone those who are on our congregational birthday list. If I get you in person, that will be fantastic. If I get a voicemail, I will leave a message or blessing with you. Don’t be startled if I sing to you occasionally. For the most part, I will do my best to call on the actual day. There may be occasions when that isn’t possible, so I’ll phone ahead of the day or follow up after. Rest assured, I will not ask you which birthday it is. That information you will have to volunteer yourself!
I have found this ministry to be a special blessing over the years. Still being rather new and working to know more of the flock better, it gives me the opportunity to check in with you. It also gives me a safe opportunity to speak with or leave a message for persons of all ages and backgrounds.
As I begin this pastoral outreach, I am indebted and grateful to two women who have done the birthday greeting card ministry for many years—Janice Stonaker and Dorothy Wagner. I couldn’t even begin to calculate the persons who have been touched by their ministry. Happy Birthday! Pastor Dan Whitener
Ditty Bags, Clothing, Cookies • SeamenWe are collecting through November 13: personal items for ditty bags and warm work clothing for seamen who are away from family and friends at Christmas. Items included in the ditty bags are:
deodorant, shampoo, comb, toothbrush and paste, razor and shaving cream, mini sewing kit, pen and stationery, nail clipper. Durable clothing, gently used or new, such as sweaters, jackets, jeans, sweatshirts, thick socks, and work gloves will also be collected.
Look for our collection box in the Commons. If you’d like to bake cookies, we’ll include them in the distribution . Karen Fox, Coordinator
October 2 October 9 October 16 October 23
140 128161 146
Worship Attendance 2016
Theater Ministry for ALL AGES • November 13 at 10 & NoonThis year, we are investigating the possibility of putting together a multi-generational theater production for the spring. We would like to involve individuals of all ages, with adults, youth, and children appearing ON STAGE as well as helping with production/backstage tasks. Such a show would help the God’s Love Theater Ministry continue, especially since many of our youth are too busy.
As such, we’ll be holding a meeting of interest to investigate whether or not this is a viable idea for us. If you are interested in ACTING in such a production, please join us for a meeting on Sunday, November 13 after each service (approximately 10am and Noon). After those meetings, we’ll gauge the interest and decide whether or not to proceed with a spring musical.Questions? Talk to Pat Guth or Karen Fox.God’s Caring StitchersNovember and December MeetingsWe are very busy sewing squares together to make afghans, knitting
prayer shawls, baby blankets, and
chemo hats. We could use your help. We want to
give our less fortunate neighbors these items to warm them up and let them know someone cares; we love to make their holidays a little brighter. Please join us on Friday afternoons at 1:00pm in Room A1 on November 4, 11, and 18. We will not be meeting on November 25 but wish you all a blessed Thanksgiving!
After our months of hard work, we will enjoy our holiday luncheon and fellowship on Friday, December 2 at 12:30 in Room A1. We’ll take a Christmas break and meet again after the holidays.
Questions, contact Cindy Sundstrom at
Adult Education Sundays at 10amWhat’s Next in Adult Faith and Life?
October 30: Confirmation Reception (no meeting) November 6: Cards for Soldiers in the café November 13 and 20: Discover Islam (see details below) November 27: Thanksgiving weekend (no meeting)
Discover IslamAs Lutheran Christian residents of a multi-religious world,we share a responsibility for our church’s relationships with people of other faiths and traditions. While the ELCA has been deeply committed to furthering Lutheran-Jewish and Lutheran-Muslim relations for years, there has been a recent emphasis on seeking and promoting positive inter-religious engagement. One important basis for such engagement is understanding.
All are welcome to join us in November for a two-week study of Islam—the fastest growing faith in the world. Our study will be based on a DVD series entitled “Discover Islam,” endorsed by the Islamic Society of North America, and supported by the ELCA’s Consultative Panel on Lutheran-Muslim Relations. The purpose of the study is to introduce the basic teachings of Islam and the Qur’an, enhance awareness and understanding of the Muslim community, and foster sensitivity to Christian-Muslim relationships.
November 13: Islam Faith and History. The basics of Islam and the message of the Prophet Muhammad
November 20: Christians and Islam. An exploration of the common
1. Lutheran Charities sent a letter on October 13 thanking the congregation for a recent gift of $211. “Thank you for your congregational support touching the lives of over 100,000 of our neighbors. Our organization includes: Diakon Youth Adoption and Foster Care Services, KenCrest, Liberty Lutheran, Lutheran Settlement House, and Silver Springs –Martin Luther School.” [We will be sending another donation to LC next week that represents the annual collection from your booklet envelopes.]
2. The ELCA Global Church Sponsorship sent a thank you note “for your generous gift to our global ministry project in South Sudan.” (We sent $4,220 in late spring.)
3. Newtown Township thanks Pastor Dan for his words of inspiration at the September meeting of the Board of Supervisors. “Accept our thanks for your participation and relay our appreciation to the members of your congregation for their many good works and acts of kindness through the years.”
Senior Saints’ LunchMonday, November 21 at NoonWhere can you get a hot lunch for only $6? Come to church on Monday, November 21 at Noon. Our seniors (ages 65+) meet in Rooms A1/A2 for delicious food prepared by our chef, Amy Carr and her volunteers. Please call the church office if you are new to the group and would like to attend. Amy Carr, Coordinator and Chef
Friday Morning Bible StudyNovember 4 • 8:30amMoishe & Itzy’s Deli – Summit Square Shopping CenterPlease join us for breakfast (ordered a la carte and paid individually), devotions, and fellowship.
Please mark your calendars for our next host week starting Sunday, December 11. We need trained volunteers with background checks to provide dinners, evening company and overnight stays. Sign up genius link will be available after Thanksgiving. Interested in volunteering, but haven’t been trained, please contact Robin Pecuch or Karen Hoch, co-coordinators.
Newly Formed - United Lutheran SeminaryWe received a mailing from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia this week. As some of you may already know, they will merge with Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg soon. Here are some excerpts:
“United Lutheran Seminary was the unanimously chosen name for the unified school. The name was selected from a list of many suggested by students, faculty, alumni and board members. The new school will adopt and adapt the existing corporate structure of one of the schools (Gettysburg) and have the other (Philadelphia) join the new venture by closing and transferring its assets. A new board of directors constituted by both synods (ELCA regions 7 and 8) will be appointed by the ELCA’s Church Council. All degrees currently offered by both
schools are expected to be retained and offered on both campuses in Gettysburg and Philadelphia. All current students are guaranteed a pathway to complete their degrees without interruption.”
They will soon launch a search for the individual to serve as the first president of the united school. Both current presidents have said they will not be candidates. A 12-member Transition Team is also recommending persons to be appointed to the faculty. Those persons have until early 2017 to make their decisions. United Lutheran Seminary will launch on July 1, 2017.
Cards for SoldiersWe’ll be signing Christmas greeting cards for soldiers on Sunday, November 6 at 10:00am. Meet us in the café if you can help. Janet Nordberg, Coordinator
Pray for Worship Leaders October 30: Bob Loven November 6: Andy Senft November 13: Larry Zetterberg November 20: Todd & Carol Stranahan November 27: John Shultz
October 31: Janet & Joyce November 7: Eileen & Fran November 14: Janet & Nancy November 21: Ed & Kathy
November 2016Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
Rejoice 7:30pm
2Bell Choir 6:30pmAdult Choir 7:30pm
3Staff Meeting 11am
4Breakfast 8:30amKnit & Crochet 1pm
5 ChangeYour Clocks!
Fall Back6 All SaintsWorship 9amSunday School 10amWorship 11amWorship Ministry Noon
7 Counters 9am 8
Rejoice 7:30pm
9
Bell Choir 6:30pmAdult Choir 7:30pm
10Staff Meeting 11am
11
Knit & Crochet 1pm
12Men’sBrkfast 8:30am
13 ConsecrationWorship 9amSunday School 10amWorship 11amTheater10am & Noon
14 Counters 9am 15
Rejoice 7:30pm
16
Bell Choir 6:30pmAdult Choir 7:30pm
17Staff Meeting 11am
Christian Ed Mtg 6pmChurch Council 7pm
18
Knit & Crochet 1pm
19
20Worship 9amSunday School 10amWorship 11am
21 Counters 9am
Sr. Saints Lunch Noon
22
Mutual Ministry 7pmRejoice 7:30pm
23No Choirs
24OFFICE CLOSEDThanksgiving Day
25OFFICE CLOSED
26
Lutheran Church of God’s Love791 Newtown-Yardley RoadNewtown, PA 18940215.968.4335www.godslovenewtown.org
