apostles lutheran church, elca
TRANSCRIPT
Pastor Jim’ “Believing in Projects”
Cover & 2
Good News! 2
ELCA & LWR 2
February Sermon Series 3
Lent 3
Sermon Series
Soup Suppers
Nurse’s Notes 4
Something for Everyone 5
A-Men
Keenagers
Women’s Night Out
February Calendar 6 & 7
Discipleship Opportunities 8
Living Christ’s Love
Donate Blood
Children’s Choir 9
Apostles Business Members 10
Council Meeting 10
Birthdays 11
Altar Flowers 11
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Apostles Lutheran Church, ELCA
The Epistle
February 2017
The mission of Apostles Lutheran Church
is to be and make disciples for Christ.
February 18, 2017
“Believing in Projects”
Dear friends,
“When we go into that new project,
we believe in it all the way. We have
confidence in our ability to do it
right.” -Walt Disney
Words fall short in describing the
scope, influence and positive
impression that the works of Walt
Disney and the Disney company has
had upon the world. With the
opening of Disneyland in 1955,
millions would see iconic buildings
and experience the wonder and
magic of Disney.
Years were devoted to planning
such a building project. There was a
vision that guided the work:
Establish a theme park that allowed
people to leave the world and
experience a new reality. It was a
grand project that garnered
pervasive support and it’s reality is
nothing short of inspiring.
At Apostles, our Operations Team
has been diligently working on
assessing our campus, developing a
priority list of projects, and deciding
on how best to move forward. We
have been fortunate to have an
array of volunteers assist in
designated projects, which has been
wonderful!
Here at the onset of 2017, it is a
fitting time to be intentional in
casting a plan to address key
projects. Some of these projects have
been addressed with short-term
fixes. With the passing of time those
fixes are proving ineffective and a
grander effort is necessary.
I hope you attend the forum titled
“Design on a Dime” on Sunday,
February 5th from 9:50am-10:30am.
Members of our Operations Team
will provide an overall assessment
of our campus, list projects by order
of priority, and answer your
questions. I believe transparency
is important and informing
everyone about the overall health of
our campus is essential.
Continued on next page.
APOSTLES EPISTLE February Page 2
Continued from front page.
Our Operations Team will be meeting with a
representative from the ELCA on February 21st,
where that individual will provide an “outsider”
assessment of our property and develop his list of
projects based on priority. I believe his input will be
greatly beneficial to our planning.
I hope you attend the forum on February 5th, since
you are a key member of our congregation and
your faithful support is essential for our strength
and vitality in ministry!
I am grateful for the diligent efforts of those on our
Operations Team. I look forward to the next steps
in addressing key building projects on our campus!
Pastor Jim
“Be Rich” Stewardship: Good News! If you were not able to attend the congregation meeting on January 22, you missed hearing some great news! Our
“Be Rich” stewardship pledge totals for 2017 totaled $270,021. Our pledge total from 2016 was $188,796. We have
an $81,000 increase in financial commitment to the mission and ministry of Apostles compared to last year!
Thank you for your generous commitments!
Facts about the ELCA
At the Congregational Meeting on Sunday, January 22, the following was asked: “What is the status of
congregations in the ELCA?” Here are some facts:
*The number of ELCA congregations has decreased from 10,549 to 9,392
*Average income for a congregation decreased from $151,000-$117,000
*Average worship attendance decreased from 91-70.
*Since 2013, there has been an average of 400+ clergy retirements compared to 200+ ordinations each year.
For the Florida-Bahamas Synod, there are 31 growing congregations, 21 stable congregations and
128 congregations that have experienced decline from 2010-2015.
Lutheran World Relief Update
January 12 marked the seventh anniversary of the devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti that
caused so much death and suffering for people who were already living in extreme poverty.
In response to the earthquake, Lutheran World Relief received a tremendous response from its
constituents. Prior to this disaster, LWR had been supporting small rural development projects
in Haiti for 14 years. With the influx of funding following the earthquake, LWR developed a strategy of immediate
response and rehabilitation that built on our existing local and international relationships and avoided duplication of
other efforts. These resources also allowed LWR to establish a physical presence and
transition to a long-term program focused on economic development and climate
change adaptation for Haiti’s rural small farm enterprises.
Check out the copy of the fact sheet that presents a snapshot of LWR’s work in Haiti
over the last six years on the bulletin board outside the office. You can also pick one up
in the church lobby, or go to https://lwr.org/wp-content/uploads/Haiti-Six-Year-
Report.pdf to see how, with your generous help, LWR makes a difference in the world.
APOSTLES EPISTLE February Page 3
February Sermon Series: Life Apps
There are hundreds of thousands of phone apps available for download. These
apps can be used to wake you up, to show you where to shop, to help you count
calories, or to log your exercise minutes. But they can’t actually make you get up,
control your spending, manage your diet, or force you to exercise.
The App Store isn’t the only place you can find apps. Did you know that the Bible
has also given us many “apps” to enhance and improve our lives?
In a 3-part sermon series (Feb. 5th,12th,19th) , Pastor Jim will share three life applications worth living by: The
Forgiveness App, the Rest App, and the Encouragement App.
Sermon Series for Lent:
Games People Play
All are invited to attend our 6:30pm
Wednesday worship gatherings during Lent
beginning with Ash Wednesday on March 1st.
Our Wednesday evenings will be marked by a
new sermon series titled “Games People Play”.
Pastor Jim will be focusing on a particular
board game each week and relate it to a
spiritual discipline. The series will include:
March 1st: Twister
March 8th: Monopoly
March 15th: Scrabble
March 22nd: Family Feud
March 29th: Operation
April 5th: Sorry!
During Lent, from Ash Wednesday, March 1
through Wednesday, April 5
we will have Soup & Bread
Suppers before Worship.
Soup will be ready at 5:45 PM
in Theisz Hall. Come for supper
and then Worship at 6:30 PM.
Would you like to provide soup or dessert for one of our
Lenten Suppers? We ask that you bring the soup warmed
in a crockpot by 5:30 PM and dessert (brownies, cookies,
something very easy) by 5:45 PM.
Bread and drinks are provided.
We would like to have three soups for each Wednesday
in Lent except Ash Wednesday. On Ash Wednesday we
need at least six soups.
Please contact Liz Jimenez in the church office (813-689-
2571 or email [email protected]) or sign-up
outside the lobby on Sunday mornings February 5th
through Lent.
Ash Wednesday, March 1st - Liz Jimenez, Ham & Pea
Soup and Spanish Bean Soup;
Kit O’Rourke, Brunswick Stew; ???
Wednesdays, March 8th, 15th, 22nd & 29th, & April 5th.
APOSTLES EPISTLE February Page 4
It’s February already.
February is National Health Month. You can make
healthy changes to lower your risk of developing
heart disease. Controlling and preventing risk
factors is also important for people who already
have heart disease. To lower your risk:
Watch your weight.
Quit smoking and stay away from secondhand
smoke.
Control your cholesterol and blood pressure.
If you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation.
Get active and eat healthy.
Lower your use of salt and use other spices
instead.
I bet that some of the above were on your list of
New Year’s resolutions. Two of the most common
resolutions are to exercise more & to eat healthier.
How are you coming with that?
The Mayo Clinic, American Heart Association, and
Cancer associations advise that people need 150
minutes of moderate (walking) or 75 minutes of
vigorous (running) exercise per week. It’s also
advised that strength training be done 3 times a
week. Are you keeping up?
There are a multitude of advertisements for gym
memberships and home exercise equipment; but
there are many less expensive options available:
How about going for a walk? Don’t want walk
outside. Go to the area mall and walk there.
The mall opens its doors early for “mall-walkers”.
It works well for people because it is level and,
most importantly in Florida, climate controlled.
Would you be interested in learning Indian
native dance? This provides gentle stretching
and balance control. We can set up classes if there
is an interest.
Have you begun eating healthier, or are you
reading this as you eat a “baconator” cheeseburger
and fries? There is research that cancer can be
prevented up to 50% by what you eat.
There are new guidelines to help us lead healthier
lives. The guidelines propose that 2/3 of each meal
plate be covered with vegetables, fruit and healthy
grains (quinoa, oatmeal, barley, brown rice). Do
you have trouble with healthy meal planning?
There are an increasing number of companies that
offer meal planning and home delivery so that you
can make nutritious meals at home, without
having to go grocery shopping. HelloFresh, Home
Chef, Blue Apron, and Sun Basket are just a few.
Still need to get some extra steps? The Florida
State Fair will run this year from February 9-20.
You can get both your exercise and healthy eating
there. If you walk the entire fair, you will get more
than your share of steps. You can wander through
the exhibits, go see the animals, look at the
displays in Expo Hall, or spend time in Cracker
Country. Although you see multiple signs for
deep-fried anything glazed, you can actually find
some healthy options.
Also, I still have free passes available for the MAC
(at First Baptist Brandon) if you are interested.
Remember to have your blood pressure checked
on the third Sunday of the Month!
Stay Healthy,
Judy
On Friday, December 23 Apostles’
contemporary band ICHTHUS, combined
with St. Stephen’s Catholic Church band,
performed a Christmas concert to a full crowd in
our worship center. Not only were those here
treated to a show filled with beautiful sounds of
the season but, through a freewill offering, we
were able to send ECHO (Emergency Community
Help Organization of Brandon) a $910.00 donation.
Thank you to everyone who made this gift
possible.
APOSTLES EPISTLE February Page 5
Changes in February for Women’s Night Out
6:00 PM, February 12
Women’s Night Out, when Apostles’ women and their friends
get together for food, fun & fellowship, is usually on the first
Sunday of each month. That is changing for February. Since the
Super Bowl is the first Sunday in February, the ladies will go out
together on February 12th the second Sunday. Ladies, we will
meet at Tibby’s New Orleans Kitchen on Brandon Blvd. at 6:00 PM. Call Debbie Nickeson, Women’s Night Out
coordinator, at 813-684-8587 or 813-220-0694, to let her know you want to join in the fun!
Ladies: Check out our website to see the list of all 2017 Women’s Night Out venues.
www. apostleslutheran.net
What Is Keenagers?
Keenagers is a group of Apostles men and
women, and their friends, age 50+ who usually
meet the third Thursday of each month for
socializing, food & fun. You do not have to be a
member of Apostles to attend.
On Thursday, February 16 at 12:00 PM in Theisz
Hall, they will get together for an
after-Valentines lunch hosted by Liz Jimenez
and Vicki Stevens. There will be ham, macaroni
and cheese, salad, bread and drinks. There may
even be an “old-fashioned sing-along”.
Feel free to bring a side dish or dessert to share.
Call Liz Jimenez in the office at 813-689-2571 to
let her know that you will be there.
Sunday Monday Tuesday
29 WORSHIP SERVICES 8:45 AM & 10:45 AM Children's Church during both Worship services Confirmation Class, 9:45 AM (NT) 9:45 AM Christian Education 9:50 AM Adult Series - "Animate:Faith" (TH) 7:30 PM A.A. (TH )
30 6:30 AM A.A. (Cafe) 7:00 PM Pack 110 Cub Scouts & Weblos (TH)
31 6:30 AM A.A. (Cafe) 9:00 AM M.O.W. 2:00 PM Directory Pictures (TH) 6:15 PM Brownie Troop 3208 (Vestry) 7:30 PM BSA Troop 110 (TH) 7:30 PM ICHTHUS (WC)
5 WORSHIP SERVICES 8:45 AM & 10:45 AM Children's Church during both Worship services Confirmation Class, 9:45 AM (NT) 8:30 AM Blood Drive 9:45 AM Christian Education 9:50 AM Adult Forum - “Design on a Dime” 7:30 PM A.A. (TH )
6 6:30 AM A.A. (Cafe) 7:00 PM Pack 110 Cub Scouts & Weblos (TH)
7 6:30 AM A.A. (Cafe) 9:00 AM M.O.W. 6:15 PM Brownie Troop 3208 (Vestry) 7:00 PM Faith Cultivation Mtg (Cafe) 7:30 PM BSA Troop 110 (TH) 7:30 PM ICHTHUS (WC)
12 WORSHIP SERVICES 8:45 AM & 10:45 AM Children's Church during both Worship services Confirmation Class, 9:45 AM (NT) Scout Sunday 9:45 AM Christian Education 9:50 AM Adult Series - "Animate:Faith" (TH) 6:00 PM Women's Night Out at Tibby's New Orleans Kitchen 7:30 PM A.A. (TH )
13 6:30 AM A.A. (Cafe) 7:00 PM Pack 110 Cub Scouts & Weblos (TH)
14 6:30 AM A.A. (Cafe) 9:00 AM M.O.W. 7:30 PM BSA Troop 110 (TH) 7:30 PM ICHTHUS (WC)
19 WORSHIP SERVICES 8:45 AM & 10:45 AM Children's Church during both Worship services Confirmation Class, 9:45 AM (NT) 9:45 AM Christian Education 9:50 AM Adult Series - "Animate:Faith" (TH) 7:30 PM A.A. (TH )
20 6:30 AM A.A. (Cafe) 7:00 PM Pack 110 Cub Scouts & Weblos (TH)
21 6:30 AM A.A. (Cafe) 9:00 AM M.O.W. 10:00 AM Tampa Pastor's Conference Gathering 6:15 PM Brownie Troop 3208 (Vestry) 7:30 PM BSA Troop 110 (TH) 7:30 PM ICHTHUS (WC)
26 WORSHIP SERVICES 8:45 AM & 10:45 AM Children's Church during both Worship services Confirmation Class, 9:45 AM (NT) 9:45 AM Christian Education 9:50 AM Adult Series - "Animate:Faith" (TH) 10:20 AM Children’s Choir (Music Room) 7:30 PM A.A. (TH )
27 6:30 AM A.A. (Cafe) 7:00 PM Pack 110 Cub Scouts & Weblos (TH)
28 6:30 AM A.A. (Cafe) 9:00 AM M.O.W. 7:30 PM BSA Troop 110 (TH) 7:30 PM ICHTHUS (WC)
Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 6:30 AM A.A. (Cafe) 9:30 AM Hallelujah Quilters (NT) 2:00 PM Directory Pictures (TH) 6:30 PM 5th & 6th grade class (GR) 6:30 PM National Youth Gathering Meeting (Worship Center) 7:00 PM Operations Team Mtg. (Cafe) 7:30 PM Youth Group (TH)
2 6:30 AM A.A. (Cafe) 10:00 AM Directory Pictures (TH) 6:30 PM GS Troop 3222 (PS) 7:00 PM Gloria Dei Choir (MR)
3 6:30 AM A.A. (Cafe) 8:00 PM A.A. (Cafe)
4 6:30 AM A.A. (Cafe) 8:00 AM A-Men Breakfast & Bible Study - (Cafe & Vestry)
8 6:30 AM A.A. (Cafe) 9:30 AM Hallelujah Quilters (NT) 6:30 PM 5th & 6th grade class (GR) 6:30 PM Confirmation (TH) 7:30 PM Youth Group (TH)
9 6:30 AM A.A. (Cafe) 1:00 PM Rebecca's Circle (TH) 7:00 PM Gloria Dei Choir (MR)
10 6:30 AM A.A. (Cafe) 8:00 PM A.A. (Cafe)
11 6:30 AM A.A. (Cafe)
15 Church Audit (Vestry) 6:30 AM A.A. (Cafe) 9:00 AM Valrico Garden Club (TH) 9:30 AM Hallelujah Quilters (NT) 6:30 PM 5th & 6th grade class (GR) 6:30 PM Confirmation (TH) 7:30 PM Youth Group (TH)
16 6:30 AM A.A. (Cafe) 12:00 PM Keenagers Lunch (TH) 6:00 PM Bell Practice 6:30 PM GS Troop 3222 (PS) 7:00 PM Gloria Dei Choir (MR)
17 6:30 AM A.A. (Cafe) 9:00 AM PS Spring Pictures (TH) 8:00 PM A.A. (Cafe)
18 6:30 AM A.A. (Cafe) 8:00 AM A-Men (Cafe)
22 6:30 AM A.A. (Cafe) 9:30 AM Hallelujah Quilters (NT) 6:30 PM 5th & 6th grade class (GR) 6:30 PM Confirmation (TH) 7:30 PM Youth Group (TH)
23 6:30 AM A.A. (Cafe) 1:00 PM Rebecca's Circle (TH) 7:00 PM Gloria Dei Choir (MR)
24 6:30 AM A.A. (Cafe) 8:00 PM A.A. (Cafe)
25 6:30 AM A.A. (Cafe) 4:00 PM Pack 110 Blue & Gold Banquet (TH)
1 Ash Wednesday 6:30 AM A.A. (Cafe) 9:30 AM Hallelujah Quilters (NT) 5:45 PM Lenten Soup Supper (TH) 6:30 PM Ash Wednesday Worship
2 6:30 AM A.A. (Cafe) 6:30 PM GS Troop 3222 (PS) 7:00 PM Gloria Dei Choir (MR)
3 6:30 AM A.A. (Cafe) 8:00 PM A.A. (Cafe)
4 6:30 AM A.A. (Cafe) 8:00 AM A-Men Breakfast & Bible Study (Café)
APOSTLES EPISTLE February Page 8
Discipleship Opportunities
Apostles’ Children’s
Choir has taken a little
break since Christmas.
The choir will resume on
Sunday, February 26th at
10:20 AM in the Music Room. They will begin
practicing to sing "Prepare the Way for Jesus" on
Palm Sunday, April 9th.
Choir practice will be each Sunday except March
12th, which is the beginning of Spring Break.
The Children’s Choir always has room to grow
and welcomes any child who has the desire to
sing. The choir practices in the Music Room on
Sundays at 10:20 AM.
For more information about Apostles’
Children’s Choir see Kit O’Rourke, or Choir
Director Jenny West.
Living Christ's Love
Living Christ’s Love is Apostles’ food pantry. The food pantry at
Apostles allows us to help members of our Apostles family and
others in our community. Each week we ask for donations of specific
non-perishables. Offerings can be placed in the basket in the Lobby.
Children may drop off their donations in Children’s Education Classes.
Feb. 5—Canned meat with “pop-tops” (chicken, tuna, potted meat) People who are homeless may not have
a way to open regular cans.
Feb. 12—Spaghetti Sauce and other Pasta Sauces
Feb. 19—Jelly or Jam
Feb. 26—Canned pasta (ravioli, spaghetti, etc.)
As always we will accept, with grateful hearts, whatever you donate.
Thank you to those of you who faithfully support “Living Christ’s Love”.
You truly show Christ’s love to the world.
APOSTLES EPISTLE February Page 9
Apostles Preschool News
Registration for Apostles’ Preschool opens Monday, February 13th, to current students,
members, and families of Apostles Lutheran Church and Preschool. Registration opens to the
community on February 27th. This includes the 4 yr. old VPK & 3 yr. old programs.
4 year old VPK Program:
If your child will be 4 prior to September 1, 2017, he/she qualifies for our VPK program
financed by the State of Florida. Classes are from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. There is no tuition for
this program. There is an $100.00 registration fee to ensure your child's place, as well as a
nominal $50.00/month fee for this extra hour/day of instruction. However, your child must
attend 5 days a week for the entire school year to remain in this program.
3 year old PK:
A limited enrollment is available for children who will be 3 prior to September 1, 2017. Three
year olds attend class on Monday, Wednesday & Friday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. There is an
$100.00 registration fee to ensure your child's place. Tuition is $175.00 per month for 3 yr. old
students.
Children MUST be COMPLETELY Potty Trained by AUGUST 2017 to attend Apostles’ Preschool.
If you are looking for a preschool that:
believes that children learn by doing
places an emphasis on an environment that nurtures the whole child by providing
opportunities for interaction & socialization through play, hands-on experiences, and
creative expression
provides a curriculum and environment designed and implemented to meet the Florida
VPK Education Standards
highlights weekly Chapel services and basic Christian values in the classroom
then Apostles Lutheran Preschool is for you and your family.
More information and registration forms can be found on our website,
www.apostleslutheran.net. Click on Preschool tab on the top of our home page. Call
Sandra Collins, Apostles’ Preschool director, at 813-541-9425 or 813-684-5328, if you would
like more information or to schedule a visit to the preschool.
Vocal Wisdom Sing with Ease
Susann Radloff Brady [email protected]
813.661.4718 Voice Lessons/Coaching
APOSTLES EPISTLE February Page 10
Apostles’ Business Directory
Please support Apostles members businesses.
Would you like to see your business advertized
here? See or call Liz in the Office.
Thirty-One
The next Church Council Meeting is on
Sunday, February 19, 2017 at Noon in the Vestry.
The meeting is open to all. Check out the bulletin boards outside the Narthex, beside the office and in the Café—the approved minutes from the
previous month’s council meeting are posted. They are also available on our website www.apostleslutheran.net.
The monthly council meeting is open to all.
APOSTLES EPISTLE February Page 11
2. Olivia Wells
3. Marcella Benner
Kattie Dorries
David Mitchell
4. James Brady
Drew Stertzer
Kim Thomson
Amanda Henry
Brooke Sankoe
8. Elizabeth Cooper
Maryann Di Leo
10. Shirley Smith
11. Jane Brown
Scott Irwin
Scott Santmyer
13. David Hernandez
14. Danny Collins
Carol Diodate
Myah Moreland
Peggy Prince
Sue Scharns
15. Denice Berg
Melissa Clark
Carol Dorries
Ben Doirries
16. Michael Brady
17. George Buck
Mary McDermott
20. Jo Ann David
Traudl Sails
21. Khadesha Galloway
Roger Hehr
23. Bev Bolivar
Harold Hunt
24. Blake Adkins
Fred Klock
Kira Zwygart
27. Fran Grossman
28. Ben Adkins
Randy Beneker
29. Susann Brady
If we missed your birthday, or if there are any corrections,
please call the office at 813-689-2571 or email to
Designated Altar Flowers, Communion Wine &
Eternal Flame
You can order Altar Flowers, Communion Wine or the Eternal
Flame to commemorate a special person or occasion. Check and
sign-up on the sheets in the display case outside the office or call
Liz (689-2571) to see if your important dates are available.
Please print clearly.
The cost of flowers is $30.00/vase. ($55.00 for two) You can donate either one or both vases.
The Communion Wine is $10.00/week.
The Eternal Flame has been donated for 2017 by Richard & Demetra Olson in Honor of
their 50th anniversary.
Please place payment in Designated Giving Envelopes.
Address Label Here
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
DATED MATERIAL
Non-Profit Org.
US Postage
PAID
Permit No. 6700
Tampa, Florida
Rev. Jim Page II Pastor
Kit O'Rourke Coordinator for Children,
Family & Education Ministries
Liz Jimenez Parish Administrator
Dr. Charles Coakwell Organist and Choir Master
José Rivera Music Director for
Contemporary Worship
Sandra Sornson Pre-School Director
Holly Smith Maintenance
Jeff Cooper
February 2017 Apostles Lutheran Church
200 Kingsway Road
Brandon, FL 33510
Phone: (813) 689-2571
Fax: (813) 653-4919
Email: [email protected]
Website: ApostlesLutheran.net
APOSTLES EPISTLE February Page 12
These ministries are undertaken
in faith TO THE GLORY OF GOD
OFFICE STAFF
† †
†
Our Vision
The Vision of Apostles Lutheran Church is to:
1) Introduce people to Jesus Christ
2) Disciple members, and
3) Serve the needs of people in our
community and the world.
Sunday Worship Services
8:45 am Traditional
9:45 am Christian Education for
all ages
10:45 am Contemporary