"Sharing our lives in Christ with family, friends, neighbors and community." December, 2012 Volume 56- Issue 12 FROM INTERIM PASTOR FORD This is a wonderful time of the Church Year for us! One you and your family do not want to miss! We come together to reflect on and prepare for and celebrate the ways Our Lord comes to us (Advent). We celebrate Our Lord’s birth in history and in our hearts (Christmas). I hope you and your family will make weekly worship a top priority in your busy schedules during this Advent-Christmas time. Sundays at 8:00 or 10:30 a.m. and Dec. 9 at 3:00 p.m. (Concert). I hope you and your family will participate in Christ’s outpouring of love to needy people during December by giving generously to others. I hope you and your family will worship with us on Christmas Eve (5:00 or 10:00 p.m.) or Christmas Day (10:00 a.m.). Advent Hope and Christmas Joy to each of you! Love, Pastor Tom
Transcript
"Sharing our lives in Christ with family, friends,
neighbors and community."
December, 2012
Volume 56- Issue 12
FROM INTERIM PASTOR FORD
This is a wonderful time of the Church Year for us! One you and your family do not want to miss!
We come together to reflect on and prepare for and celebrate the ways Our Lord comes to us (Advent). We celebrate Our Lord’s birth in history and in our hearts (Christmas).
I hope you and your family will make weekly worship a top priority in your busy schedules during this Advent-Christmas time. Sundays at 8:00 or 10:30 a.m. and Dec. 9 at 3:00 p.m. (Concert).
I hope you and your family will participate in Christ’s outpouring of love to needy people during December by giving generously to others.
I hope you and your family will worship with us on Christmas Eve
(5:00 or 10:00 p.m.) or Christmas Day (10:00 a.m.).Advent Hope and Christmas Joy to each of you! Love, Pastor Tom
P.S. Your most important Christmas gift to remember to give is described by one of my favorite poets, Christina Georgina Rossetti:
What can I give him,Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd I would bring a lamb;If I were a wise manI would do my part;
atChrist Lutheran ChurchMonday, December 24 - 5 p.m.
Family Service with Holy Communion
Sunday School Program
Tuesday, December 24 – 10 p.m.Traditional ServiceHoly Communion
Chancel Choir
Wednesday, December 25 – 10 a.m.
Christmas Carol LiturgyHoly Communion
Special Music
Sunday, December 30 – 10 a.m.Lessons and CarolsHoly Communion
Celebrate the Season of Christmas!
Invite a friend to join you!
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Our next meeting is on Saturday,December 8, 2012 at 12:10 pm at:
Christ Lutheran ChurchPlease, everyone feel free
to join us.^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
CONFIRMATION COMMENTS
Confirmation sessions are filled with activity. November 28th youth wrapped gifts donated by Lutheran Social Services of Long Beach and given to children at their annual Christmas party. The Social Hall was a sea of wrapping paper and bows!
December 19th will be our annual ‘white elephant’ gift exchange. Please bring a gift that is wrapped and ready to exchange. Remember it needs to be something you already have – not a new purchase.
There will be no confirmation sessions December 26th or January 2nd. Enjoy family and friends over the Christmas holiday! Classes resume January 9, 2013.
STEPPING STONE REVIEW
Megan Hickey and John Ennen completed their study of The Lord’s Prayer last month. They received a blessing for that accomplishment Sunday, November 18. Congratulations to Megan and John!
Childcare ReminderThe care of children, and their parents, at Christ Lutheran Church is the responsibility and joy of us all as the Body of Christ.
That’s why the congregation sends Splash! newsletters to families with young children until the age of three. We provide a changing table for infants in the restroom off the narthex and activity bags filled with crayons, paper and storybooks for older children. We encourage families with young children to sit close to the chancel during worship so that their youngsters are able to see what is going on and be more involved with the different parts of the service. We, also, invite families to use the space in the entry narthex for a ‘time out’ when needed and then to return to the worship service as soon as possible. And, as our youngest members grow in age, the congregation provides opportunities for learning and fellowship through Sunday school, Stepping Stones, Day Camp, choirs, confirmation, KFC and CREW ministries.
At the Safeguarding God’s Children workshop last year, leaders were reminded that CLC is not a closed campus. It is our responsibility as adults to watch out for the welfare of all of our children when they are on campus at all times – especially, when they leave worship to use the restroom, when they play on the playground or when they are dismissed from activities of all kinds. Children are special gifts from God! And, we share in the responsibility of keeping them safe. We thank God for this opportunity!
A Note from the TreasurerRequest to Catch Up on Your 2012 Pledges
As we near the end of the year, I want to give you an update on our finances. We have been blessed again this year with being able to cover our expenses on a monthly basis. Even during the slow summer months you continued your faithful giving. However, the last few months have seen a considerable slowdown in our pledged giving. At the end of October we were $6,473 behind in pledges. I would like to encourage you if you are behind in pledges that you faithfully consider “catching up” to the best of your ability. Of course, we would be very grateful if anyone would like to make an extra tax deductible year-end gift.
2013 Budget Planning is UnderwayWork has begun on next year’s budget. The majority of the revenue for the budget comes from your pledges. Please prayerfully consider your gift to God through stewardship pledging. We anticipate extra expenses this year as we interview and call a new Pastor. We will be incurring travel expenses and higher salary expenses. Your generous giving will enable us to attract and relocate a new Pastor in a very competitive market. If you have any questions or ideas for the budget please feel free to contact me. Sincerely, Melissa Biel
I enter the home of poverty,
causing pale-faced children to open their
eyes wide in pleased wonder. I cause the miser's clutched hand to
relax,and thus paint a bright spot on his
soul. I cause the aged to renew their
youthand to laugh in the glad old way.
I keep romance alive in the heart of childhood,
and brighten sleep with dreams woven of magic.
I cause eager feet to climb dark stairways
with filled baskets, leaving behind hearts
amazed at the goodness of the world.
I cause the prodigal to pause a moment on his
wild, wasteful way, and send to anxious love some little token that
releases glad tears -tears which wash away the hard
lines of sorrow
I enter dark prison cells, reminding scarred manhood of what might
have been, and pointing forward to good days yet to come.
I come softly into the still, white home of pain,
and lips that are too weak to speakjust tremble in silent, eloquent
gratitude.
In a thousand ways Icause the weary world to look up
into the face of God and for a little moment forget the things that are
small and wretched.
anonymous
Our
Advent PrayerCome, Thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free;From our fears and sins release
us,Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s Strength and Consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;Dear Desire of every nation,Joy of every longing heart.Born Thy people to deliver,Born a child and yet a King,Born to reign in us forever,Now Thy gracious kingdom
bring.By Thine own eternal SpiritRule in all our hearts alone;By Thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.By Charles Wesley, 1707-1788
REMEMBER IN PRAYER At Home/Care Centers Coleen and Spud Fenton, Velma Fischer, Jean Johnson, Mikki Nemnich, Bary Schlieder.
Illness/ Therapy – Louise Bartlow, Clarice Bessey, Byron Bruner, Tom Chumley, Suchada Daniels, Dolores DeSha, Laurie Ennen, Janan Fancher, Dottie Fuelleman, Dorothy Henriksen, Helen Krogstad, Janice Schlieder and Kurt Weisel.
Family & Friends – Kim Ashton, Steve Back,
Denise Bailie, Jim Barnes, Phyllis Berg, Zetta Black, Leah Bootman, William Bornemann, Adam Cannon, Claire Cappadona, Irma Catton, Carol Corbet, Laura Covington, Collin Cunningham, Nancy Dionne, Emily, Ardis Freeman, Lary Freeman, John Green, Effie Gregg, Anne Harrington, Kylie Huber, Alfred and Doris Jung, Logan Keene, Sean Kircher, David Kuhn, Pastor Charlie & Julie Kurtz, Katrina Lahr, Sherrie Lemerond, Pastor Helen & George Liesenberg, Monica, Paul & Martha Mansfield, Chad McGill, Jo McInnis, Nancy Montano, Isaiah, Elijah, Missy and Izzy Montano, Lisa Murray, Steve Nelson, Elizabeth Noel, Eldon Nordmeyer & family, Yadi Paige, Ellie Panos, Nina Peterson, Don Petrbok, Jim Pierce Jr., Eric Poe, Larry, Pat and Steve Ramsbacker, Kristina and Scott Randolph, Bill Reynolds, Mike Richardson, David Sarvela, Brent Smith, Don Seymour, James Sides, Ruth Sierich, Perry Taggart, Sally Thompson, John Velarde and Don Walker.
ALSO PRAY FOR –John Capps Steve Clabaugh, Aaron Crayton, Nicholas Feidler, Nicholas Flournoy, Micah Kirlin-Hackett, Chris Kinder, John Lamberton, Johnny Luna, Davis McElwain, Shawn McRae, Michael Joseph Navarro, Brent Neidergall, Jim Reeder, Tim Sanchez, Shane Sluss, Jonah Westcott, Joshua Wauchope and all those serving in our nation's military
1
Christmas 1st Corinthians: 13
StyleIf I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights
and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another decorator.If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another cook.If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir's cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.Love stops the cooking to hug the child.Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband.Love is kind, though harried and tired.Love doesn't envy another's home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.Love doesn't yell at the kids
to get out of the way.Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can't.Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.Love never fails. Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust. But giving the gift of love will endure forever.Author Unknown
12/2 Katie Tinsley12/6 Shirley Pierce12/8 Judy Haenn12/12 Susan Clark12/13 Samantha Benoit12/13 Daniel Peralta12/13 Linda Zimmerman12/14 John Ennen12/15 Kevin Barnett12/15 Claudia Fitzpatrick12/15 Kristin Keebaugh12/18 Renu Moon12/19 Angie Nelson12/19 Hugo Paez12/20 Dylan Mora12/23 Annette Rodrigues12/26 Justin Bartlow12/27 Pat Barnett12/27 Kristina Rieder12/30 Michael Watson12/31 Ruth Benner
Happy Anniversary
12/5 Julia and Jeff Curel12/5 Barb and Don Westerhoff12/30 Susan and Michael Clark12/31 Ann and Byron Bruner
Newsletter Deadline:
15th of every month.
Please return this form and your payment to the church office or place it in the offering plate.
December Youth NewsOpportunities for ages 3-Young Adult
CREW Homework NightsDec. 3, 10 and 17, 5:30-7:30pmBring your homework, dinner, Christmas crafts or whatever else you would like to work on. Just come and be with us!
CREW MeetingDec. 3rd at 5:30pmParents and youth encouraged to attend!Homework night this night will end at 8pm.
Confirmation/LOFtDec. 5, 12 and 19, 5:30-8pm
Cookie Baking with the Preschool- KFC and CREWDecember 12, 3:30pmWe did this last year and all ages had a blast! Come andhelp the little ones decorate some cookies and watchtheir excited faces! You won’t want to miss it!
KFC and CREW Annual Christmas EventDecember 15th, 4:45-8pmAdvent is a season of waiting and anticipation. What are you waiting for? Come journey with us and spend some time truly immersed in the season of Advent and all that this means. The evening will be special and fun!You won’t want to miss this. Please RSVP to Courtney as transportation needs to be arranged.We will meet at CLC at 4:45pm and then head elsewhere to continue our evening. Please bring $5 with you for dinner and a dessert to share. Hot chocolate will be provided. Youth can be picked up from the Green’s home at 8pm.Parents, I will need help with some set up and driving. Are you available?
Young Adult Christmas breakfastDecember 16, 10am The Cover house will be serving aebleskivers for breakfast! Bring a $5 gift card, wrapped, and we will have a gift card exchange after breakfast!Please let Courtney know if you plan to come.
Sunday School Christmas Eve RehearsalDecember 23, 9:15amThe Sunday School youth tell the Christmas story during the sermon time at 5pm Worship on Christmas Eve. We will practice this morning and go through the details. Please plan to participate. Feel free to call the church office with any questions. We hope you and your family will be able to join us
KFC Quilt Raffle
Melissa Biel has
donated a beautiful quilt for
the youth to raffle off
Winter Retreat Opportunities
January 19-21@ El Camino Pines
Elementary Winter Camp (3rd-5th
grade)“Growing Up”
February 8-10@ El Camino Pines
Middle School Winter Camp“Growing Up”
February 16-18High School Retreat
@ the Croes’ cabin in Big Bear
PRESCHOOL NEWS
Preschool News
We had a wonderful & busy month in November. The Hoedown was very fun and we had a few preschool families attend. Our fingerfood feast was a great success and a wonderful way to celebrate Thanksgiving. Our children dressed up and performed for their families as well. It was a pleasure to collect pajama donations for COA & LSS. Our children love pajama days so it is a really fun way to give back. In December, we will have cookie baking with the CLC youth on Wednesday, 12/12. We will then use the cookies for our cookies and cocoa party after our Christmas Program on Friday, 12/14. Our Christmas program is probably our most poplular
event. Parents start lining up hours before and it is always a packed
house. I think it is so wonderful to have it in the sanctuary and helps us all to remember what we are celebrating.
Enjoy this month celebrating His glorious birth!Lisa Clinton
Loose Threads is taking a break for the month of December but be sure to join them beginning in January 13! Bring your sewing machine and unfinished projects and come sew with friends for an afternoon! This group meets the second Sunday of each month beginning at noon in the Social Hall. Contact Chris Panos at 562.986.4393 for more information.
SAVE THE DATEEpiphany Festival
February 10
Save the date -- each of us has a unique opportunity to attend a hymn festival at First Lutheran in downtown Long Beach. Sunday, February 10 at 4 p.m. Daniel Schwandt,
cantor and organist at Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago, will lead us in exploring Epiphany themes through word and song. Save the date! You won’t want to miss it!
Congregational Christmas Caroling
Save a couple of hours on Sunday, December 23 to bring some cheer to homebound members and those who live in Leisure World.
We will meet in the social hall for a quick lunch immediately following 10:30 worship and then Pastor Tom will lead the congregation in singing carols and wishing our friends a Merry Christmas.
Please sign up during services over the next couple of weeks so we know how much food we need and transportation arrangements can be made.
January 20, 2012Congregational Meeting
In the Social Hall after 10:30 am worship.
Important topics to be discussed:
*2013 Pledges and Budget
*Call Committee Progress
Please plan to attend; your input is valuable.
Society Page
GIVING THANKS FOR:ALTERNATIVE
CHRISTMAS FAIREThank you for the many donations and purchases you made at our annual Alternative Christmas Faire. For those who chose to support our local benevolence partners, be sure to get your gifts turned in. We Care families, COA children’s’ presents and LMM
seafarers Christmas Shoe boxes are still being collected. ELCA Hunger Program, LWR, Heifer Project and others have catalogs on line for you to consider.
Our “GIVING THANKS” Stewardship luncheon featured speakers from two of our local benevolence partners, Lutheran Social Services in Long Beach/South Bay and Lutheran Maritime Ministry serving out of the International Seafarers Center in the Ports of Long Beach/Los Angeles. RUTH FOELBER, from LSS thanked Christ Lutheran for the many years and ways we have supported this ministry at 1611 Pine Avenue with its Comprehensive Emergency Assistance Program and other social service and counseling outreach programs.She highlighted a newer program in cooperation with Trinity Lutheran Church @ 8th and Linden Avenue. Saturday afternoons beginning at 1 PM, local children benefit from tutoring in math and English, and their parents receive interactive education with computers and communication skills. Parents need to learn to access "School Loop" to monitor their children's progress and communicate with their teachers.Volunteers are needed for this program that is successfully helping with homework, motivation, self-esteem, and strong family identity. To participate in this program, contact Pastor Josh Ebener, [email protected] or 562/437-4002.
PASTOR SAMSON CHAUHAN, LUTHERAN MARITIME MINISTRY CHAPLAIN, thanked Christ Lutheran for our monthly support of this ministry serving international seafarers on the ships in our ports. This multicultural, multinational, multi-faith Christian witness serves people right here in our community during the few days their cargo is being transferred on the docks. LMM can use drivers, board members and other volunteers and donations to continue this outreach. Contact Chaplain Chim Mandalia, [email protected] or 562/2348742. Thank you for the shoe boxes and knit watch caps you have provided. Watch for Emergency Preparation Sunday in January!
If you have a child who participates in any church supported activities, we are asking you to read and sign this release. This will allow us to
post photographs of church activities on our website; please
know that names will not be used on the site.
Christ Lutheran Church and Preschool
6500 E. Stearns Street Long Beach, CA 90815 (562) 598-2433, (562) 594-6117
Minor Photo/Image Release Form
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America – (ELCA)
I give the ELCA and Christ Lutheran Church and Preschool permission to publish in print, electronic or video
format, including web use, a picture/video, the likeness or image of myself and/or my child. I release all claims against the ELCA or Christ Lutheran Church and Preschool with respect to copyright ownership and publication including any claim for compensation related to use of the materials.
This release shall be effective from date indicated below until revoked. All pictures, videos, likenesses, or images taken or created while this release is in effect shall remain released in the event this release is later revoked.
____________________________________ Minor’s Name Date
_____________________________________Print Name of Parent or Guardian
_____________________________________Signature of Parent or Guardian
General guidelines:
* A release is to be obtained when photographing or videotaping a minor (under 18). Parent or guardian signatures are required; signatures of minors are not sufficient. * When images are published, the ELCA or Christ Lutheran Church and Preschool will take cautionary steps to provide no names of minors (under 18), minimum identifying information and will not use specific street or
mailing addresses, e-mail addresses, or phone numbers.
* Signed release forms are needed when the subjects are in public places, such as fairgrounds or parks.
* Photographs or videotaping in ELCA schools or ECE centers must be done only with ELCA school or ECE center permission and with signed release forms from a parent or guardian of each child.
* Release forms should be included in ELCA school or ECE center registration materials. It is the responsibility of the photographer or videographer to obtain signed release forms and maintain records.
* When used in ELCA publications or videos the school or ECE center will be contacted to provide a signed release form.
Please print this form and turn it in to the church office. Thank you very much. 11/13/12 kmc
A message from Matt & Shannon Timney:
We finished our 4th FPU class last night with great results. We graduated 19 family units. Of those 19 families, 14 families reported their turnaround during our 9 week class: they paid off $41,354 in non-mortgage debt, saved $27,419, and cut up 48 credit cards. That is a total turnaround of $63,773 in just 9 weeks ($4555 per family)! Additionally, two families reported that they are giving for the first time and two families reported that they are giving substantially more than they have in the past. We received a wonderful email from a single mom that is quite inspiring. It’s all of this that affirms why we do what we do. Thank you for all of your support.
Our next session of Financial Peace University begins on January 9, 2013. Start this New Year out with a plan to become debt-free! Talk with Matt or Shannon for details.
Hi Shannon and Matt,
I just wanted to thank you so much for how you have enriched my life over the past 9 weeks. Before I started FPU I was steps away
from either filing for bankruptcy or doing debt consolidation. My mom told me about the class, and.... the rest is history :)
To be honest, I was a little caught off guard the first night because I didn't know anything about Dave Ramsey or how the coursework would incorporate religion. Not only has the class taught me about "telling my money where to go", but it has also given me new insight, understanding, and respect for the religious principles he teaches.
The hope and positivity I have for the future has actually made me excited about things I used to dread, or simply avoid thinking about. The changes are clear to everyone in my life too. The other day my best friend said, "Kristen, who gets excited about doing their budget?!?!" Well.... I DO!!!! And I have you both to thank for that.
Tonight I heard you joke that you take it personally when people don't come back to class. I really think that people avoid change, and try to do everything in their power not to face reality sometimes. If people aren't going to the class, it's because they're just not ready and finding reasons to avoid doing difficult work. The two of you are incredible, warm, and inspiring people. Thank you so much for doing what you do and giving people like me hope. You should be very proud of the work you do, and for the differences you make in people's lives.
Thanks again for everything, and I look forward to seeing you again in a couple of months!! I wish you and your family a happy, healthy, safe and DEBT FREE holiday season!!!
Wishing you peace throughout this busy Christmas Season.
