The Town Line
Lutheran Town Line Lutheran Church, Alden, New York
Sunday Worship Services February 2017 8:30 and 11:00 am
Sunday School Our Mission 9:45 – 10:45 am “Called to Be a Servant Community”
Love ever gives, forgives, outlives and ever stands
with open hands. And while it lives, it gives.
For this is love’s prerogative — to give, and give, and give.
—John Oxenham
FROM OUR PASTOR
Dear Friends, Sometimes to really understand what you are reading, you need a little background information. That is certainly true about our book for the month: Obadiah. So we have to go back to and older story from Genesis. The story of twin boys named Jacob and Esau. I am sure you might remember stories of these two. How Jacob tricked his brother Esau out of his birthright, how Jacob ran away, how eventually they healed their broken relationship, but went their separate ways. Jacob’s descendants wound up in Egypt via Joseph. Esau’s stayed in their land. Esau’s descendants were called the Edomites, and were a sister nation to Jacob’s descendants, who we know as the Israelites. This book isa vision given to Obadiah, who we don’t know much about. He may have been a one-time prophet, or he has just disappeared from history and was well known in his time. Most of the time the prophetic books are written to Israel, God’s people. But this message isn’t for them. It’s for the Edomites. What did they do that was so bad? When Israel was destroyed by Assyria, the Edomites joined in by hurting them as well. This book is meant to show them that God saw what happened, and to remind them “what goes around, comes around.” In other words, sometimes the mistakes we make come back to haunt us, and this vision is telling them that what they did was wrong, and it will haunt them. It’s a harsh book, but remember that we read the Old Testament through the lens of Jesus Christ. I think Jesus would tell us to take this book a step further. Yes, when we do wrong in this world there are consequences. We deserve to be punished when we have wronged another. But God is not like that, that when we are truly sorry, God gives us better than we deserve. It doesn’t mean we may not have consequences in this life, but it does mean that we will not have consequences in the next one when we put our faith in Jesus.
Happy reading, and if you have any questions, please ask! God’s peace, Pastor Serena
Sunday School News
3rd Grade Bibles: On Sunday
March 19th our 3 Graders will receive their own Bibles with their families. To be a part of the Bible presentation, parent and students must attend a special Sunday school meeting on Sunday, March 26 at 9:45 am in the Fellowship Hall.
A letter will be sent out with more information.
Family Worship
Sunday, February 5 at 11am worship. On the first Sunday of the month @ 11am we will
have a hands on worship experience with easy to sing (and hard to forget) worship songs, and interactive
sermon and “Cheerful coins." Bring the whole family and invite your friends.
Come and join us at our annual
Valentine Brunch Sunday, February 12th
9:30 am-1:00 pm In the Town Line Lutheran
Fellowship Hall.
Financial Peace University classes start Sunday February 5th at 12:30pm in the fellowship hall. Come check it out and then sign up for the remaining 8 weeks at the same time.
BIBLE STUDY - Half-Truths
God helps those who help themselves and others things the Bible doesn't say.
Join us Wednesdays @ 10am February 1: God helps those who help themselves February 8: God won't give you more than you can handle February 15: God said it, I believe it, that settles it February 22: Love the sinner, hate the sin
TOWN LINE
LUTHERAN CHURCH
MEMORIAL WALKWAY
Now is the time to order your memorial brick(s) in memory of
your loved ones.
Order forms are available at the Church.
Have Questions? Call the Church office
Naomi Circle will meet on Tuesday,
February 14 at 12:30 pm. Come join us for Bible study and friendly conversations. Bring a bag lunch. Dessert and drinks will be provided. All woman of Town Line are invited!
The QUILTERS – weather permitting will
meet every other Monday during February (2/13, 2/27, then 3/13, etc.) from about 9:15 am until 1:00 pm. Bring your lunch and enjoy good fellowship and conversation. As usual, any non-weather-related changes to our schedule will be placed in the Sunday
bulletin or we’ll call if we have to cancel. Please consider joining us as we continue our service to those in our community and surrounding area who are less fortunate. If you have any questions, please call Lois Stutzman at 683-2782.
Calling all Readers You can join the Town
Line book club at any time. We meet the 3rd Monday of every month at the Church. Just read the book and join us for lively conversation on the book.
February: Loving Frank by Nancy Horan March: Empire Falls by Richard Russo April: Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly
Please email/call Jeanette Dickinson at: [email protected] or call 681-3966 with any questions
Community office hours at Tim Horton's with Pastor Serena is on a break.
Feel free to contact Pastor if they you need a prayer and conversation and make an appointment.
A faith based group for kids grades 6-12 with team
building, service, learning, worship leadership, fun & fellowship!
Feb 5th Souper Bowl Sunday-our youth will be at the doors at the end of worship to collect non- perishable foods or cash donations for the Alden Food Pantry
Feb 11th Valentine Brunch prep will be 4:00-6:00 PM for
parents & youth 6th grade & up
Feb 12th VALENTINE BRUNCH 9:30-12:30 Feb 19th noon-2:00 PM practice for Youth Sunday- lunch
will be provided
Feb 26th youth Sunday @ both services youth need to be @ church by 8:15 AM
If you are 6th-12th grade & would like to join our youth group-please call Kate 668-5610 or just show up! Information for upcoming events is on the youth bulletin board outside of the sanctuary in the Gathering space.
Music notes…. The Lutheran worship service is built around scripture, sermon & especially
music. We have a sung liturgy, hymns and special music. The book of Psalms are just songs without the music. They were written to be sung. The key to our musical heritage falls to our choirs. I would invite you to experience the joy of making music in the name of the almighty. Many misconceptions: No you don’t have to know how to read music No you don’t have to be a perfect musician No we won’t make you perform a solo No we won’t throw you out if you hit a wrong note Truths: Yes you get to be of service to your church & its ministries Yes its fun Yes you get to meet new people Yes you might just learn something Yes you will be welcomed with enthusiasm & be part of a team! Yes its even good for your brain!
PLEASE CONSIDER JOINING OUR MUSIC MINISTRY. Any questions? Speak with Kate or give her a call 668-5610
Worship March 1, 2017
10:00 am & 7:00 pm
Lenten Kindness Initiative: Starting March 1st (Ash Wednesday) “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son…” – John 3:16 As we prepare to remember Jesus’ sacrifice of love for His people, let’s make sacrifices or our own. This Lent, let’s cover the world with kindness. On the prayer table during Lent you’ll find a selection of post-it notes and pens, along with suggestions of small acts of kindness anyone can try – kids, families, everybody. When you do a kindness, share it! Write it on a post-it note and put it on the world map. Little by little, act by act, kindness will cover the world.
We at Town Line Lutheran our honored to continue a long standing service to our members to provide luncheons after a Funeral service. To continue this ministry we are in need of volunteers to help donate desserts and dishes. We also need volunteers to come down to church and help us set up/clean up and serve. If you would like to help with this please email the church and we can put you on the list to call for help. Thanks in advance for your help.
Scout Sunday at Town Line Lutheran
February 5
The scouts will participate in 8:30 and 11:00 am worship.
Town Line COMMUNITY GARDEN There will be a meeting of the Community Garden Committee on Sunday, February 12, at 9:45 am. Meet in the gathering space and we will determine if there is another available space. All are welcome--no experience necessary. This meeting will be a time for us to plan what and when to begin planting. Anyone who is interested in helping in any way is encouraged to contact Elaine Grant at 432-6210 or [email protected], or simply show up to the meeting!
Thank you - Thank you - Thank you. The family of Richard "Skip" Jablonski extends their sincere appreciation to all those who expressed their condolence in words, deeds, and/or donations. We are grateful for the faith and fellowship Skip found through his membership with the Town Line Church family.
Thank you to Town Line Lutheran for your hospitality for the luncheon. Sincerely, Alden Food Pantry
Thank you for the beautiful floral arrangement. You certainly brightened our holidays. Sincerely, David and MaryEllen Peebles.
Town Line Youth, We would like to thank you for the cute Christmas card you made us. We loved the cute gingerbread man on the front of the card. We want to wish you all a very happy new year. Keep up the good work. William and Thelma Dabb
Thank you from Meals on Wheels for the donations of leftovers from the Funeral luncheons.
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The 13th Annual
ALDEN WINTERFEST
February 3 and 4, 2017
Alden, New York
Fun for the Whole Family!
SAVE THE DATE for this year’s
Taste of Town Line & Basket Raffle
Sunday, April 9, 2017 12:15 – 2:30 pm Town Line Lutheran fellowship hall
Benefit for Pug and Small breed Rescue
Please consider donating a Gift basket or gift card
Donations may be delivered to the Church on Sunday mornings or
we can arrange for pick up.
Watch for more information next month
For more information and Registration Forms
contact the Alden Village Hall 937-9216 ext. 10
13336 Broadway, Alden, or check out the
facebook page or they can be found in the
church gathering space.
How can you help others or get help? Here are a few local agencies Alden Pantry collection You can bring items for the Alden Food pantry to church any Sunday. There is a blue box located in the Coat room.
Alden Meals on Wheels is in need of volunteers. Call 937-7105 for more information
Hearts and Hands “Faith in Action” A Neighbor helping neighbor” volunteer program Call: 542-2226 www.heartsandhandsfia.org
Ronald McDonald House Charities Become a friend of Ronald: Find us on Facebook.
Suicide Bereavement support For immediate help/support call 24 hours a day: (585)202-2783 Erie County Crisis Services (716)834-3131 Lutheran Charities www.wnylutherancharities.org 716-632-2623
Alzheimer’s Association of WNY 24/7 Helpline 1-800-272-3900 [email protected] 2805 Wehrle Dr Suite 6 Williamsville, NY 14221
Hospice Buffalo 225 Como Park Cheektowaga, NY 14227 716-686-1900 Essential Care for Children, a program of Home Care Buffalo 225 Como Park Boulevard Cheektowaga, NY 142270-1480 (716) 686-8006 Caring Hearts Perinatal Program 150 Bennett Road Cheektowaga, NY 14227 (716) 359-8056 Life Transitions Center, Inc. The Mary & Ralph C. Wilson Counseling Center 150 Bennett Road Cheektowaga, NY 14221-1480 Phone: (716) 836-6460 Caring Hearts Home Care 892 Main Street Buffalo, NY 14202 (716) 686-8300
The Town Line Lutheran Here are your choices on how you can get your newsletter
1. Email: drop an email to Diane at the office to receive your newsletter electronically. The church email is [email protected].
2. Pick up paper copy at church: Paper copies of the newsletter will be available for you to take home the last Sunday of every month.
3. Download from the church website: www.townlinelutheran.com
If none of the above work we can mail it to your home
If you have a change of address or phone number, please email the Church and let us know
Email addresses are needed: If you would like to have your email added so we can contact you in this way, please email the Church: [email protected].
Check out our/ website at www.Townlinelutheran.com
We are also on Facebook, so friend us!
Church Cancellation: Due to inclement weather please check Channel 2 for Town Line Lutheran Church closings. BEWARE! Please use caution when during the winter months in the parking lot, near the paper box and on the sidewalks as conditions can become slippery.
Worship Assistants for February
Ushers Early Late James Wilckens Ronald Peebles Chris Whittingham Harold Bowen Charlie Turner Richard Noel James Heinrich Mark Casell
Acolytes Early Late 5 Riley Streit Haley Tyburski Samantha Wild Tony Muscoreil 12 Mackenzie Mertz Jon Mollenkopf-Grill Paige Mertz Taylor Tyburski 19 Jacob Dulski Laura Mollenkopf-Grill Adam Dulski 26 Josie Wild Matilynn Schmidt Madeline McKibben Justin Mason
Communion Set–up 5 Barb Sims 8:30 am 12 Marcie Mason 11:00 am 19 Lois Stutzman 8:30 am 26 Mark and Jody Reddy 11:00 am
Altar Flower Delivery 5 We need volunteers 12 Elli Donnelly 19 Annette Fitscher 26 Diane Lechowicz
Email or call the church to volunteer for any of these services to your church. Such a small group of members to do so many church jobs. Please consider volunteering.
Church Council 2016-2017 President John Wild 716-937-8894 Vice President Larry Muscoreil 585–547-3677 Secretary Elli DeFilippo 716-937-7953 Treasurer Patty Zehler [email protected] Financial Secretary Michael Dewitt 716-937-3453 Benevolence Treasurer Barbara Sims 716-683-3134 Trustees: Robin Gilbert 716-810-2719 Tyler Uebelhoer 585-750-2432 Deacons: Harry Mandris 716-937-0322 Rick Krueger 716-937-9533 Member Ann Marie Appleby 716-650-8785 Member Heidi Wild 716-983-5507
Church Staff Information Ministers: All the People of God in this place Pastor: The Rev. Serena Mollenkopf-Grill Cell: 716-510-2939 Email: [email protected] Pastor Emeritus: The Rev. Merlin H. Knauff (retired) Church Council President: John Wild Secretary: Diane Casell Office: 684-1467 Sexton: Ann Stanek Music Director: Kate Snyder: 668-5610
Church Office Hours
Monday – Friday 9:00 am – noon The doors will be locked for the safety of our staff and
volunteers, please knock or use the doorbell at the carport door when you stop by. If you need assistance outside of
these hours please call/text Diane 716-713-3149 or Pastor Serena 716-510-2939
Thanks for your cooperation.
Facts and Figures
Sunday Attendance Offerings January 1 56 $3,198 January 8 138 $4,171 January 15 146 $3,177 January 22 137 $3,906 Needed Weekly $3,800
February Wedding Anniversaries February 24 - 49 years - Holly and Rob Martin February 27 - 57 years - Sharon and Ronald Peebles Did we miss your special Anniversary (10, 20, 25 and over 30 years) If so, please let us know at the Church office.
Death Called to the Church triumphant on January 22, 2017 was our member Edward Heinrich. A Funeral service took place on January 28th at Town Line Lutheran Church. Our sincere sympathy is extended to his family and friends. In Sympathy Our sincere sympathy is extended to the family and friends of Deborah Corriere. A funeral was held on January 20, 2017. Memorials To the Town Line Lutheran memorial fund in memory of Richard Jablonski by Donna Stutzman Margaret and Bill Fichter In memory of Richard and Elfriende Jablonski by Barb Sims To the Town Line Lutheran Scholarship fund in memory of Kate Knauff by Ellie DeFilippo Joyce and Ray Kalle The Arnott Family Jack and Carol Rice Lois Stutzman Ron and Annette Fitscher Mark and Kay Penzone James Heinrich To the Town Line Lutheran memorial fund in memory of Debbie Corriere by Dorothy Ortiz
Welcome our new members We welcome George and Lori Kumpf to our church family. Congratulations to Rick Mollenkopf-Grill, husband of Pastor Serena, for being approved by Upstate NY synod to begin the process of becoming a pastor. Rick will be leaving his position as the director of Organic Youth this summer and begin seminary in the fall.
February Birthdays 1 Kathleen Paschke 2 Nancy Hughes 2 Laura Crofton 2 Sharon Peebles 2 Brittany Snyder 2 Shawn Witucki 3 Ann Marie Appleby 3 Sandy Luderman 4 Craig Gaiser 4 Colton Lemke 5 Carol Rice 5 Lauren Wild 6 Kelly Baker 6 Kelley Hartman 6 Emmi Heberlein 6 Jennifer Restey 8 Raymond Paschke 8 Scott Manchester 9 Mark Casell 9 Danielle Warchocki 10 Sharon Brush 10 Hayden McKibben 10 Cheryl Voss 11 Edwin Bliemeister 11 Shawn Cooper 11 Benjamin Kwietniak 12 Brayden Bartz 12 Claire Hartman 12 Eric Stutzman 12 Madeline Putney 13 James Macken 14 Julieann Macken 14 Philip Moe 14 Sue Ann Ripa 15 Marcus Appleby 15 Melissa Kosmowski
15 Diane Lechowicz 15 Ronald Wilhelm 17 Michael Grambo 17 Michael Uebelhoer 17 Gwen Tyburski 18 Nicole Golding 18 Grace Kulniszewski 18 Kristen Lerner 19 Harold Bowen 19 Diane Randall 19 Madison Ruk 20 Marilyn Gruber 20 Christopher Klein 20 Daniel Luderman 20 Justin Post 22 Tom Butlak 22 Molly Ferguson 22 Janet Koepsell 22 Justin Wierzbowski 23 Cian Barry 23 Joyce Kalle 23 Shannon Schmidt 23 Kevin Nawokowski 24 Michael DeWitt 25 Erin Stotz 25 Nicole Piasecki 25 Arianna Vona 27 Chelsea Barbaro 27 Joyce Seagrave 27 Paige Mertz 27 Hailee Erny 29 Harold Gardner 29 Kenneth Peebles
Did we miss your birthday? If so, please contact the Church office, 684-1467.
TOWN LINE LUTHERAN CHURCH Town Line Road Alden, New York 14004-9590 A member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America ELCA.org Living in God’s Amazing Grace
Church office: 716-684-1467 Church Fax: 716-683-1664 Pastor: The Rev. Serena Mollenkopf-Grill Cell: 716-510-2939 Email: [email protected] Pastor Emeritus: The Rev. Merlin H. Knauff (retired) Church Email - [email protected] Church Website: www.Townlinelutheran.com
