NEWSLETTER ST. TIMOTHY LUTHERAN CHURCH AND PRESCHOOL 5124 164 th St. S.W., Edmonds, WA 98026 Telephone: 425-743-2323 December 2011 A.D. -- Thoughts From the Pastor Dear friends in Christ Jesus! With Christmas on a Sunday this year, the church season of Advent begins already with the 1 st Sunday in Advent on November 27 -- that’s just a few days after Thanksgiving! That means that we will be having 4 midweek Wednesday Advent services beginning at 7:00 p.m. That also means that the pastor has one more midweek sermon and service to prepare. Many of you might recall that in a sermon earlier this November [I am putting these thoughts together on 11-19] I mentioned that I had a book – a little devotional book (The Wonderful Names of Our Wonderful Lord ) - that had a different biblical name for Jesus for each day of the year. That’s 365 different names for our loving Savior from the Bible. I began thinking about our midweek Advent sermons being centered around 4 of those names given to Jesus. The Holy Spirit moved the writers of the holy scriptures to use various names for Jesus. Some of those names are very familiar to us [i.e., Good Shepherd, Redeemer, Savior], while other names might surprise us [i.e., Rose of Sharon, Minister of the Circumcision, Mediator of the New Covenant]. The Spirit used different names for Jesus to help each of us to better understand the person and the work of Jesus for us and for the salvation of everyone. It didn’t take me long to find the “perfect” Bible verse that would be our theme verse for those midweek Advent services. And it had 4 names that were given to Jesus - one to center around each midweek. The verse is Isaiah 9:6 – For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Is 9:6 ESV) I look forward to unpacking many of the spiritual truths about Jesus that are in these 4 names with those of you who are able to come out each Wednesday evening. I continue to look forward to unpacking the spiritual truths of the Word of God with all of you each Sunday morning throughout the new church during our worship services and Bible class. One of those great truths is that God the heavenly Father has kept His promise to send His Messiah, His Christ, to be the Savior of all people. God loves us dearly! On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day we especially celebrate the fact that God sent His very best to do that – His only Son. God’s promise was fulfilled with the birth of Jesus to the virgin Mary in Bethlehem. Because of Jesus, you and I can have a Merry Christmas and a Joyous New Year no matter what is happening to us or in the world. May the Lord grant each of you His continual blessings now and in the New Year! Merry Christmas! May the love of the Lord Jesus always be in your hearts! Rev. Richard E. Flath [email protected]H - 360-568-6580 C - 425-210-1795
Transcript
NEWSLETTER ST. TIMOTHY LUTHERAN CHURCH AND PRESCHOOL
5124 164th
St. S.W., Edmonds, WA 98026 Telephone: 425-743-2323
December 2011 A.D. -- Thoughts From the Pastor
Dear friends in Christ Jesus! With Christmas on a Sunday this year, the church season of Advent begins already with the 1
st
Sunday in Advent on November 27 -- that’s just a few days after Thanksgiving! That means that we will be having 4 midweek Wednesday Advent services beginning at 7:00 p.m. That also means that the pastor has one more midweek sermon and service to prepare.
Many of you might recall that in a sermon earlier this November [I am putting these thoughts together on
11-19] I mentioned that I had a book – a little devotional book (The Wonderful Names of Our Wonderful Lord) - that had a different biblical name for Jesus for each day of the year. That’s 365 different names for our loving Savior from the Bible. I began thinking about our midweek Advent sermons being centered around 4 of those names given to Jesus.
The Holy Spirit moved the writers of the holy scriptures to use various names for Jesus. Some of those names are very familiar to us [i.e., Good Shepherd, Redeemer, Savior], while other names might surprise us [i.e., Rose of Sharon, Minister of the Circumcision, Mediator of the New Covenant]. The Spirit used different names for Jesus to help each of us to better understand the person and the work of Jesus for us and for the salvation of everyone.
It didn’t take me long to find the “perfect” Bible verse that would be our theme verse for those midweek Advent services. And it had 4 names that were given to Jesus - one to center around each midweek. The verse is Isaiah 9:6 – For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder,
and His name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Is 9:6 ESV)
I look forward to unpacking many of the spiritual truths about Jesus that are in these 4 names with those of you who are able to come out each Wednesday evening. I continue to look forward to unpacking the spiritual truths of the Word of God with all of you each Sunday morning throughout the new church during our worship services and Bible class.
One of those great truths is that God the heavenly Father has kept His promise to send His Messiah, His Christ, to be the Savior of all people. God loves us dearly! On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day we especially celebrate the fact that God sent His very best to do that – His only Son. God’s promise was fulfilled with the birth of Jesus to the virgin Mary in Bethlehem.
Because of Jesus, you and I can have a Merry Christmas and a Joyous New Year no matter what is happening to us or in the world. May the Lord grant each of you His continual blessings now and in the New Year! Merry Christmas! May the love of the Lord Jesus always be in your hearts! Rev. Richard E. Flath [email protected] H - 360-568-6580 C - 425-210-1795
Preschool Happenings
December 2011
December is always a short month for Preschool activity, HOWEVER there is always a lot
of activity going on in this month. We will begin the month with a flurry of Christmas themed projects, one of which will be the traditional gift made by the children for their parents. We will continue rehearsals for the Preschool Christmas Program on Friday, December 9th from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm. The program is a service of worship and all St. Timothy members are encouraged to attend and join us for the reception after as well.
Bible lessons this month focus on the promise of a Savior and the birth of our Lord, with the stories of the “Angels & Shepherds” and “Jesus’ Birthday”. The children will celebrate Jesus’ birthday with a class party on Wednesday, December 14th.
This month’s field trip is our annual trip to Fairwinds-Brighton Court retirement center in Lynnwood on Friday, December 16th for some Christmas caroling. The children will sing their songs and recite the verses from the Christmas Program. This is the last day of classes for the year of our Lord 2011; classes resume on Wednesday, January 4, 2012. HAPPY NEW YEAR!
The Entertainment coupon books fundraiser will end on Sunday, December 11 th. There are more books available for the price of $25/book. We will surpass last year’s earnings of $100 when these last few books are purchased. Thank you to everyone who supported our Preschool fall fundraiser.
Our winter fundraiser will be the Little Caesar’s Pizza Kits, which we’ll begin selling on Wednesday, January 4th and run through Friday, January 20th. The orders will be delivered to the preschool the week of January 30th, so that your orders can be distributed to you for the SUPER football game on February 5, 2012.
Thank you to the friends and families at St. Timothy who have taken the opportunity to order children’s books through our monthly Scholastic book ordering process. There will not be a December order; December order booklets were distributed with the November booklets. Our next Scholastic book orders will be placed in January.
We wish everyone our Lord’s good will and His peace in your hearts and lives this Advent and Christmas season. May this year’s memories remind you of how much God loves us, and may the year to come continue to be full of His blessings. Let the peace of the Lord always be yours to share,
Cindy J. McEntire, Director
Mission Post for December
The BIG Red Stocking will be hung to collect SOCKS for men, women, and children – to be given to local homeless shelters.
Bring your “net” Christmas stockings (in which you’ve collected coins each month) by December 11th for people in need who are members of our congregation.
Bring good used or new cups for “Snowman Soup” for our Ladies Guild Christmas service project. (Please no paper or plastic cups.)
Blessings, Pat Jones
MISSION POST SCHEDULE FOR 2011
MARCH - Meal in a bag. Give up a meal or two
during Lent. (Cloth bags provided)
APRIL – Easter treats and children’s books for
Easter baskets for homeless shelter.
MAY – Bath towels and wash cloths.
JUNE – Pillows and pillow cases.
JULY – Twin bed sheets.
AUGUST – School supplies and paper products for
our Preschool.
SEPTEMBER – School supplies for Preschool
and/backpacks for the children in the women’s
shelter
OCTOBER – New or good used dishes and
tableware for homeless shelter.
NOVEMBER – Food to restock shelves after
Thanksgiving, at food bank.
DECEMBER – Coffee mugs (any kind) and
items to make “snowman soup”, (packages of
cocoa mix small candy canes, Hershey’s
chocolate “kisses”, nine marshmallows) for
homeless shelter.
Socks of all kinds that will go to the shelters,
for our big Christmas stocking.
Many of you go to garage sales or replace
your own household items and can donate
items for the homeless shelter that houses
numerous families in transition situations.
They really need our help. Every little bit
adds up to a lot of love and caring for these
folks from St. Timothy Lutheran Church.
+ + + + + + + + + +
THE ELDER ON CALL FOR December Is
Gary Eneberg @ 425 743-0880
+ + + + + + + + + + +
GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANTS
~ December ~
USHERS: Dec. 4 – Lenn Gorsuch
Doug Spaulding
Dec. 11 – Charlie Stewart
Willie Whitfield
Dec. 18 – Karl Simon
Fred Starck
Dec. 24 - T.J. Mack
Art Mack
Dec. 25 – Doug Spaulding
Art Mack
LECTORS: Dec. 4 – Mel Suelzle
Dec. 11 – Charlie Stewart
Dec. 18 – Fred Starck
Dec. 25 – Doug Spaulding
will match all donations made
this year. What
wonderful news!
Thrivent will match all the
donations made this year.
What wonderful news!
Thank you for your
gift this year.
It is time to turn in the
Christmas Sock that you
have been stuffing with
coins each month to
Church by December 11th.
Christmas
Stockings
LUTHERAN HOUR MINISTRIES
Listen to
THE LUTHERAN HOUR
Sundays
880 KIXI AM, 6:30 a.m.
7:00 a.m.1380 KRKO AM Radio
9:30 a.m. Sunday KLAY 1180 AM
+ + + + + + + + + + +
WOMAN TO WOMAN
With Phyllis Wallace
KONP 1450 AM Port Angeles
7:15 AM
PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS
Our homebound members: Margaret Burrier,
Herb Freise, Barbara Howe, Tim Nichols, Ruth Staab
Carolyn McLaughlin - recuperating from hand surgery,
Dianne Hoff - health issues,
Shirley Bodenstab – undergoing treatment
Shirley Howell – recuperating from a fall
2 CHRONICLES 7:14 GROUP
The 2 Chronicles 7:14 Prayer Group meets each Sunday at 8:24 AM. We have a dedicated group of 4 or 5 people and wish to include as many of you as possible. We meet to pray for the up-coming service, the Pastor and his message, others who will be serving, the Sunday School and teachers, LCMS, all Christian churches, membership needs, our country and its government, the military, and whatever God lays on our heart.
If you’re wondering about our name, read the passage of 2 Chronicles 7:14 in your Bible and then come join us. Or let us know your requests so we may present them to the Lord for you. If you’re not comfortable praying in a group, join us while we pray and add your thoughts to strengthen our prayers before God.
We’ll see you in the “Blue Room” – in prayer.
PRAYER TEAM
St. Timothy Prayer Team is as follows:
Patsy Simon (425) 670-3354 Pat Jones (425) 379-7077 Shirley Howell (425) 778-8391 Brenda Gonzalez (425) 245-3452 Sharon Starck H:(425) 609-3114
C: (206)0418-8968 Carol Hauge (425) 743-9430 Laura Washabaugh (425) 741-0517 Kim Reinig 206-542-8050
Pastor Flath C (425) 210-1795
Telephone Patsy Simon to begin the prayer
Church families are encouraged to contact any member of the Prayer Team to request prayer support. Prayer requests can be shared confidentially to one member or with the team. We seek to uphold all needs, short and long term of the Church body. No need is too small or answered prayer too little, to neglect to mention it to our Heavenly Father.
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in
prayer.” Romans 12:12
ME, A PASTOR? ME, A DEACONESS?
If you have found yourself asking this question, now is the time to discuss your future! Rev. Neil
Ray of Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana, is going to be in Oregon and
Washington from Dec. 5 – Dec 9. Come and explore the possibilities!
Men of all ages are invited, as are their wives, fiancées, and parents. Women interested in the
deaconess program are also invited, along with their families.
Conferences are individual and informal. Reservations are not required; however, if you are able, please phone Rev. Ray at 260-425-2278 or his mobile at 260-452-0979; or feel free to e-mail him at
The Ladies Guild purpose is to provide the women of St. Timothy Lutheran Church the opportunity to increase their knowledge of our Savior, and to benefit from fellowship and service to the Lord.
Mission Mites are collected on the
fourth Sunday of each month.
Please bring yours on December 25th
.
COFFEE HOSTS
Any members or groups are invited to host coffee hour
after the worship service on Sundays. A sign up sheet is
in the narthex on the bulletin board by the media center -
counter. Hosts volunteer to bring and serve – cookies,
breads, and/or fruit;
and clean up the fellowship hall and kitchen –
coffee pot, hot water pot, dishes, any utensils that need
washing and returned to their storage spaces.
COFFEE IS MADE BEFORE BIBLE CLASS
Annual Holiday Bazaar
This year’s annual bazaar was a great success, all in thanks to the generosity of many people who
donated homemade goodies and/or handcrafted items for the sale, and to the many hands who set up the tables & displays, worked the floor, made the luncheon special of Sloppy Joes, and manned the counter. Also, a big thanks goes to all those who purchased items, or came by to see us and visited a while. The Lord sufficiently blessed all
the efforts with a bountiful proceed of over $1,800.00, to be divided up between several
ministry efforts which the Ladies Guild Ministry will select to support.
SERVE THE LORD WITH GLADNESS
CAMPBELL’S LABELS
Please save the UPCs (bar codes) on Campbell products for Good Shepherd Homes. Carefully cut
the labels so barcode and points are intact, for they will not accept damaged ones.
Visit Campbell’s web site for an updated list of eligible products. www.labelsforeducation.com
Ladies Guild Annual Christmas Dinner
Sunday, December 11th at 5:00pm
St. Timothy’s Ladies Guild invites all ladies of St. Timothy and our friends and family to our
annual potluck dinner. This year’s event is ~ A Celebration of Giving ~
We ask that everyone brings a newly purchased, unwrapped toy to the party.
All the gifts will be donated to a charitable organization that is distributing toys to children
who may not otherwise receive a gift. Our program this year will include preparing
“Snowman Soup” to take to the Women’s Shelter for the mom’s and their children. We will sing
favorite Christmas Carols and Hymns. Please sign up on the bulletin board next to
counter at the “media” center in the Narthex and let us know what dish you would like to
bring to our Potluck Dinner.
For Questions Please Call or E-Mail: Brenda Gonzalez 425 245-3452
If you would rather “Go-Green” and save paper, you can view our calendar and read the
St. Timothy monthly newsletter to catch up on current news and events on the web at:
www.sainttimothylutheran.net
Let us know if you would like us if you are
enjoying getting your St. Timothy news
electronically. Thank you.
LCMS Ministry at the Evergreen State Fair
It's important that we have an annual meeting of the
participants, board and committee members of the
LC-MS Ministry at the Evergreen State Fair
organization. Lord willing, we will have such a
meeting on Thursday evening, January 19 at Zion
Lutheran Church in Snohomish, beginning at 7:00
pm in the evening.
Please mark the time and date on your calendar, and
invite your friends from church to come along with
you. Thanks. A very blessed and happy
Thanksgiving, Christmas, and holiday season to all
of you
Noel Koss, President
LCMS Ministry at the Evergreen State Fair.
New Church Directory
A new church directory will be published in January 2012. A print-out of our current directory is available in the Narthex on Sundays and in the church office during the week. Members are asked to review your information and update your name(s), address, phone number(s), and e-mail address – as you would like this information printed. Please make a note if any of your family members are not members of St. Timothy, and if any of your family are living at another address.
New LCMS Hymnal
LUTHERAN SERVICE BOOK
Members present for the Sunday, November 13 voters’ meeting approved the motion to purchase the
new Lutheran Service Book hymnals with monies made available by an anonymous donor. The Elders will be placing the order to Concordia Publishing on December 5
th.
Anyone who would like to purchase a personal hymnal or/and donate a hymnal dedicated to the memory of a “loved-one” can do so by placing an envelope in the offering plate with $25 that is noted with your purpose of donation – “memorial”, or “personal” with your name. These hymnals will come
with a pre-printed label in the LSB.
Blessings, The Elders
Nov. 13, 2011 To All, We wish to thank all of you who have said prayers, sent “Get-Well-Wishes” and have made calls. Your efforts are
