nazareth lutheran church - hometown news - april

8/9/2019 Nazareth Lutheran Church - Hometown News - April

1/8

TO GOD BE THE GLORY

April, 2010

1711 Grant StreetHopewell, VA 23860

www.nazluthchurch.com

Blessed with a Mission by Pastor Voss

The Hometown News is

a publication of

Nazareth Evangelical

Lutheran Church.

Member of the

Lutheran Church

Missouri Synod.

Inside this issue:

Elders Report 2

Deacons Report 2

Stewardship 4

Information Hub 6

Pastors Corner 7

Hometown News

MISSION ANDMINISTRY

What a joyous

day Palm Sunday

was. The service

opened with a

reading of the

triumphant entry

of Jesus into Jeru-

salem. Then, the

children sang for

us and put a smile on our faces as they

handed out palm leaves. The LORD pro-

vided the abundant Grace we so needthrough His Word. Finally, we prayer-

fully decided upon a Mission Statement

for our church that you see above.

Whats so important about a Mission

Statement? It summarizes why we exist!

It is the lens through which we plan

events and Bible studies. Most impor-

tantly, should someone ask you about

our church, you may only have 30 sec-

onds to tell them about our purpose!

Our Mission Statement provides you

with a rapid response in a fast-moving

world.

We are REACHING OUT TO ALL in

FAITH and LOVE , SHARING the GOOD

NEWS OF JESUS CHRIST, and SERVING

JOYFULLY! That sounds like a Christ-

centered church that would welcome a

stranger! To God be the Glory.

THE FOUNDATION OF OUR MISSION ISSCRIPTURE ALONE

REACHING OUT TO ALL

19Therefore go and make disciples ofall

nations, baptizing them inthe name of the

Father and of the Son and of the Holy

Spirit.Matthew 28:19

...IN FAITH...

8For it is by grace you have been saved,

throughfaithand this not from your-selves, it is the gift of God9not by works,

so that no one can boast. 10For we are

God's workmanship, created in Christ Je-

sus to do good works, which God prepared

in advance for us to do.Ephesians 2:8-10

.

..AND LOVE...

Love your neighbor as yourself.'- Mark

12:31

..SHARING THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS

CHRIST15Jesus said to them, "Go into all the world

andpreach the good news to all crea-

tion.Mark 16:15

..AND SERVING JOYFULLY...

Serve the LORD your Godjoyfullyand

gladly. Deuteronomy 28:47

Our Mission Statement:reaching out to all in faith and love,

sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ,

and serving joyfully!"


2/8

Page 2 Hometown News

The Deacons met on Monday, March 15th, 2010. Presentwere Thelma Klein, Karen van Worth, and Bonnie Foxx.We started our meeting in conjunction with the Elders'

meeting. Steve opened the meeting with the reading ofPsalm 121.

We discussed:Visitation & people concerns.The Kohler scholarship: As far as we know, no applications have been turned in yet.We proofread the church directory and the worship folder prayer list.We closed with the praying of the Lord's prayer. Next meeting will be April 12th.

Deacons Meeting Report by Bonnie Foxx

Elders Meeting Report by Steve Foxx

The Elders met on 15 March, 2010, and here are the communicable minutes. Present were Arnie Slim-

men, Bob Dry, Stephen Foxx, and Clint Reierson. We opened with a reading of Psalm 121 and a sea-son of prayer for Pastor, his family, and our church family. We then split from the deacons and dis-cussed these items:1. We are going to recommend at Church Council Monday night that we have the next congregationalmeeting on Saturday, 10 April, immediately following our second Church Planning Seminar. We willhave a luncheon between the events. The intent is to improve attendance at both meetings, facilitatelunch, and to allow the Divine Worship to be the focus of the day on Sunday, the 11th.2. Pastor is performing Darlene's funeral on Wednesday. The lunch at the church is all planned.

3. We have the privilege of witnessing Baptisms during the next two Sundays at Divine Worship.4. Annette Dry is doing much better, is home from the hospital now and is healing.

5. Clint's Mother is doing better and is now under General Medical care.6. We discussed our thankfulness for the preaching of God's Word during services. The Holy Spirit's

work in the heart and speaking of God's truth through Pastor Voss is very evident.7. Steve will announce before Worship Sunday:

a. a request for ladies to bring in breakfast casseroles (each dish should have 12 servings)b. this year we will have French toast on the menu

8. Specific Prayer requests arose pertinent to the following:a. Sunday morning attendance and possible actions to takeb. someone to volunteer to be the VBS Director

9. There was brief but significant discussion concerning:a. closed communion and communication of suchb. updating the newsletter and calendar (specifically as pertains to Lenten service Readings)

This issue of

The Hometown News

Is sponsored by

Ernest Wallet

in Loving Memory for

his wife,

Esther Koren Wallet


3/8

Page 3April, 2010

For our brothers and sisters in Christ in nursing homes -

Velma Fleming, HHCC (227)Mildred Skroback, HHCC

For our brothers and sisters in Christ who are home-bound -Mary Petik

For our members and friends serving our country in the military -Bruce Layne Danny Petik Chris Graham Dustin PetikJames Eckenrode David Petik Scott NaumannJeff & Stacy Crossen Courtney WilliamsJeffrey Head Steve Foxx Brandon Edwards Michael McKinzie

For our members and friends away at collegeLandry Doane Casey Davis Brandon Edwards

For our members who are sick, hospitalized, in need of spiritual care or recuperating

Evelyn Rayner Rowena CarterTina Doane Annette Dry Jordan Layne

For our friends who are sick, hospitalized or recuperatingJonathan Weston Connie Williamson Rita JoynerJoann Miller Jeff Walter Mark Black Francis Brinkley Shelby Slayton Phyllis KaneSuzie Hilton Dorothy Kunkel Bobby Kirkman Regina Davis Freddie Gonzalez

For the families of the Saints departed.

Pray for One Another Prayer List updated as of March 28, 2010

Bible Study, Adult and Youth Confirmation

every Sunday at 9:30 AM and onFriday evenings. If you are newto the Lutheran faith and wouldlike to join our church, pleasecontact Arnie to join in.

.

YOUTH CONFIRMATIONAfter Easter Sunday, we will re-sume our 7 to 8 PM Wednesdayevening schedule.

Whether you are young or old, visitoror pillar, we have a Bible Study foryou!

SUNDAYS

Meet in the Old Church Room at9:30 AM for a Bible Study on He-brews led by Al Schneider.

Pastor Voss begins a 6-weekBible Study on the officialLCMS position on currentevents, called This We Be-lieve in the church basementstarting April 18 at 9:30 AM.

ADULT CONFIRMATION

Arnie Slimmen leads an eightweek adult confirmation class

Gracious Lord, we thank you for the privilege of prayer,

won for us by Jesus sacrifice on the cross. We are so

grateful that we can come to You, our Father, with every

concern, especially for our children who may have drifted

from the faith. We know that You hear these prayers,

for He who promised is faithful, always!

Pastor Plvan sent us this observation on prayer: Prayer

is conversation with God. A long time prayer observed,

At first I spent a lot of time talking at God, as ifGod were a stranger. Then, I talked to God, as I

would to a friend. Gradually, I spoke with God as a

trustworthy counselor. Now, I find myself listening

to God. And more often than not, I listen for God.


4/8

Board of Stewardship


April Birthdays

April 3 Tina DoaneApril 3 Jennifer RobertsApril 8 Joseph RobertsApril 8 Samuel RobertsApril 9 Bob DryApril 12 Bruce LayneApril 16 Kyra McKinzieApril 18 Jordan LayneApril 25 Rowena CarterApril 25 Mark AntunesApril 28 Jean Joyner

This report is a consolidated summary of the three only meetings the board has had this year and includes a joint

meeting with the Board of Finance on February 22. Accomplishments were as follows:

- We reviewed the duties and responsibilities of the board according to our congregations By-Laws.- We reviewed the financial reports for January and February, noting that even though there was an increase in

giving brought about by the Stewardship program in 2009, that increase was offset by a reduction in in-come due to recent deaths in the congregation.

- We discussed the use of electronic giving through the Joyful Response program and are seeking ways in whichto promote this program.

- We planned and fulfilled the responsibility for the Lenten Soup and Sandwich meal on February 24.- We discussed the gathering and compiling of information for a congregational resource directory.- We are planning to use the Consecrated Stewards Program sometime during the fall of 2010.- We plan to meet jointly with the Board of Finance once each quarter. Our next meeting will be at 8:45 AM

on April 18.

Thank You!

Nazareth Lutheran Church Youth raised

$342.42 and 132 non-perishablesDuring the Souper Bowl of Caring

Thanks for your efforts this year! The dollarsthat have been raised to help those in need

will benefit it entire community.

Don Gock, Associate Director

CONGREGATIONAL MEETINGSaturday, April 10, 12:302:30 PM

Lunch will be provided beginning at 11:30 AM

All members are encouraged to attend this important congregational meeting. All members serving onboards/committees will provide updates for the congregation and we will be discussing important updates thatwill require congregational approval. We will be holding our Mission Planning seminar that morning, why not

join us for both the seminar and the meeting?


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Some Food for Thought for Our Stewardship Life

The Hometown NewsEDITOR: Susan SkallebergASSISTANT EDITOR: Pastor David VossPRODUCTION EDITOR: Karen Van WorthThank you to all who submitted articles and information to thisnewsletter.SUBMISSIONSWe encourage you to submit your articles and ideas electronicallyto: [email protected] or call 731-6959Newsletter information is due in by the third Sunday of the month.CONTRIBUTORSWe are looking for regular contributors to the Hometown News.If there is a certain article you would like to write on a regularbasis, please let us know so we can discuss it with you. Young andold are encouraged to volunteer for this very important newslet-ter.SAVE MONEY AND PAPERThe Hometown News is posted online at the same time it ismailed. Please consider reading it online so we can save on post-

age and paper. It can be found on the home page of our churchwebsite: nazluthchurch.com

Page 5April, 2010

When do you eat leftovers?

In some houses it is usually on busy days when someone gets home late,there is a piano lesson in the evening, somebody has a meeting, or only

some of the family will be home for supper.

Would you serve leftovers to an invited guest?

Maybe, if it is only a school friend coming over for the evening or a relative

who stops by a lotsomebody you dont consider really special.

But would you serve leftovers to a specialguest like Jesus?

If Jesus isnt important enough to us, theres a chance were going to serve

Him leftovers.

Does Jesus get the leftover time you have? What is your answer?

Do you use your best talents and abilities for Jesus? What is your answer?

Is your weekly service to the Lord based on what you have leftover? What is

your answer?

Is it possible that you could remember to pass the dinner plate to Jesus first in-

stead of letting Him eat leftovers? What is your answer?

Glory to God on the highest and praise to the leaders of eachCommittee who have provided updates to the congregationthis month. Our communication with one another not only

keeps us united in Mission, but engaged with each other and

the opportunities to serve in our church.


6/8


Magnify your ministry

through LCEFis the theme for

this years LCEF Sunday which will be

celebrated April 25 in congregations of

the SED. We will have a display of in-vestment products and services in the an-

nex and the old church meeting room

available o you to review. A power pointpresentation about LCEF will also be

presented. Come take a closer look

and learn about the ministry services and

investment options offered by LCEF andhow they can benefit both our congrega-

tion and you as individuals. Again, the

date is April 25 and everyone is wel-

come! Come and enjoy coffee and re-freshments while learning more about

LCEF, its investment products and ser-

vice.

ADULT INFORMATION/ CONFIRMATION: Nazareth Lu-theran Church will be offering an information and confirmationclass on the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod of what it isand what we as Lutherans believe. This 8 week course istitled That I May Know Him will meet at 9:30AM on Sun-days in the main conference room upstairs. For those of youthat cannot make it in the morning, a nighttime class on Fri-day Nights at 6:00pm will also be offered. If you have anyquestions or would like to participate, please see Arnie Slim-men.

LWML TEA: Back by popular demand!

The Spring Tea, sponsored by the Lutheran Womens Mis-sionary League, will be on Sunday, April 25th at 3:00pmdown in the Fellowship Hall. All proceeds will benefit theJames House. The tickets will be $5.00 per person. Would

you like to adopt a table? Please let Cindy know. For thetable you would need to set up and decorate a table with 6-8place settings. You can use paper, plastic or china. Thetheme is Gardens and you must use a Bible Verse and selltickets to the seats at your table. We can also use all sortsof tea food items. If you have a recipe you would like to tryor just like to cook we could use your donation!

DR. MAIER SEMINAR VOLUNTEERSDr. Paul Maier is coming to Nazareth onSaturday, September 18th to give apresentation on the historicity of JesusChrist. This is an excellent evangelismand outreach opportunity for us! If you

would like to volunteer to make this visita success, please contact PastorVoss. We are looking for people to helpwith organizing, advertising, and logisticsfor the event and we will meet once amonth.

VBS DIRECTOR: If you are interested in directing VacationBible School, please see Sandy Wunder, Chairman of Chris-tian Education and Youth.

Scholarships Available!Applications for the Koehler Scholarship Fund are now

available. If you are interested, please see the church

secretary. Applications need to be turned in no later

than April 30.

ACTIVE IN FAITHABLAZE FOR GODS MISSION

We give praise and glory to God that the commitments made by Nazareth and sister congregations allowed ourdistrict to reach its financial goal for Ablaze! As you recall, our commitment was to be over a 5 year period be-ginning in 2008. Please continue to financially support this important work of sharing the Good News of Jesus

Christ. Envelopes in which to place your Ablaze! offering are in the narthex.More Prayer Partners are needed. The district goal is 3,000 prayers. At last report, a little over two-thirds of thatgoal had been reached. If you are not already a Prayer Partner, prayerfully consider doing so. And remember,

prayer works!

Another way for members to support the Ablaze! movementis sharing your faith with others. The district goal is2.5 million Faith-sharing Moments. At last report, over 350,000 of these moments had been recorded. Informa-

tion how to report your Faith-Sharing Moments will be available soon.

Lastly, mark your calendar for the Tending the Flame conference to be held in RichmondJuly 30 through Au-

gust 1 and make plans to attend. Forms for registration will be available later.


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Page 7April, 2010

Strengthening the Bond Relationship Building

Friday, April 9, 79PM

Join your friends in the congregation for a night of learning

how God strengthens our relationships within the church forour benefit and to His glory. It promises be a night of fun and

fellowship. Snacks will be provided. Registration is required

by April 6. Please call the church office to sign-up or e-mail

[email protected].

Mission Planning Seminar II

Saturday, April 10 AM, 9:3011:30 AM

All members are encouraged to attend the mission planning

seminar to further discuss our core targets. That is, to whom

will we be reaching out to specifically? Registration is re-

quired by April 6. Please call the church office to sign-up or e-

mail [email protected] Planning Seminar III

Saturday, May 1, 9AM3PM

All members are encouraged to attend the final mission planning seminar to learn about the marks of

missional church and what we can do to reflect Gods Mission to all nations.

Pastors Calendar for April

4/13 Professional Church Workers Conference, Silver Spring, MD

4/16-18 (Joy) Pastors Wives Retreat. Roselyn Retreat Center, Richmond, VA

4/22-23 PALS Retreat. A retreat for all District first year pastors and their wives

For Your Information

OFFICE HOURS 9:30 AM1:30 PM, M-F - Regardless of how busy things may get, you can always reach

someone from the church during office hours. At minimum, either Karen or I will answer the church

phone MondayFriday from 9:30 AM1:30 PM. Should you ever need to get a hold of me, regardless

of what time it is, please reach me at 721-9381. After 6PM, please call with pastoral emergencies only.

DIVINE SERVICE IVA reminder that we will be moving to Divine Service, setting IV on the Sunday af-

ter Easter.

WORSHIP COMMITTEEI recently mentioned to the church council that I have put aside the initiative

to start a Worship Committee. The purpose of a Worship Committee was going to be to discuss our wor-

ship practices and music in the context of our church and community, always with the understanding

they would remain rooted in Lutheran theology. Over the past few months, I have not sensed any ur-

gency from the members that this committee must be created. The congregational survey has revealed

that our worship is one of the aspects of our church life that we enjoy the most. Also, the number of vol-

unteers who are now participating in the music of the church has grown to a wonderful number. I sense

unity in worship among us and a diversity in Christ centered music that is pleasing to all.

GOSPEL CONTACTSIf someone were about to walk into the street right in front of an oncoming bus,

would you pull them back to the safety of the curb? Me too. If someone did not know that Jesus Christ

was the only door to salvation, would you take the time to tell them about Him? The fact is, the conse-

quences of not believing in Christ is a much worse fate than getting struck by a busour mission is an

urgent one. Can you share the Good News of Jesus Christ with one person a month? The opportunity

willpresent itself, will you offer your hand to that person and let the Holy Spirit pull them back to the

safety of the one true God? More information is coming soon. We are Nazarethwe are Missional.

Pastors Corner


8/8

TO:

Nazareth Lutheran Church1711 Grant StreetHopewell, VA 23860

Nazareth Lutheran Church"Reaching out to all in faith and love, sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ, and serving joyfully!"

nazareth lutheran church - hometown news - april

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