From the Pastor December + In the Year of Our Lord + 2012

T H E G O O D S H E P H E R D L U T H E R A N C H U R C H

THE NEWSLETTER

Several years ago I bought a new puppy. His name was Toby and he traveled all the way from Montana via Minnesota to San Francisco at the age of 10 weeks to become a part of my life. I made a vow that I was going to take good care of this new friend and that included daily walks. Of course, the best time for these walks was early in the morning – about 4:00. There was no traffic, very few other dogs out at that time, and with the exception of a few other walkers and joggers, Toby and I had the streets of Clovis to ourselves. I soon found that the walks were as beneficial to me as they were for my growing pup. Not only was I

losing inches around my waist, but there was also the freedom to look at the world, think deep thoughts – I’ll even admit that I practiced my sermons with Toby being my congregation of one. However, even with the benefits, there was often that moment just beforehand, while putting on my sweats and lacing my sneakers, when I would consider just not going – another day, step after step, a dull routine. But go I did. The habit of waking, stretching, starting the day with a brisk walk gave me a sense of free-dom. I found that there's a tremendous freedom in the steady rhythm of my walking. What rhythms in your lives offer you freedom? I think of a singer practicing the scales or of listening to our organist, Jay, playing to the accompaniment of the steady tick-tock of his metronome. I think of my Aunt Bertha with her crochet hook twisting and turning in a regular pace that produced afghans and scarves for comfort and warmth. Some of you may work at a job that requires a rhythm or pattern of motion. Sometimes these rhythmic motions can be understood as tiresome, or they can be viewed as liberating, invigorating – special. The Church Year has its own rhythm. Some Christian denominations pay scant attention to the days and seasons of the Church Year, except to mark the high points such as Christmas and Easter. But our Lu-

theran tradition offers the opportunity to live and worship within these various sea-sons, celebrating particular days and living the history of Christ’s life and His Church. We begin the year with Advent, anticipating Christ's birth and second coming and most importantly, His coming to us as our Lord and Savior through Word and Sacrament through the power of the Holy Spirit. We rejoice in the newborn King, and then move into Epiphany, where the glory and power of this King is increasingly revealed to us through scripture. Soon we will journey through Lent, and consider the depth and degree of our Lord's love for us, which takes Him to the cross to suffer and die for the remission of our sins. The celebration of Easter is not a one-day affair. The Easter season last 50 days, but every Sunday we celebrate “mini Easters” as we remember the resurrection of our Lord and the promise of our resurrection on the Last Day. There are folks, even within our denomination, who find the marking of the Church Year confining. But I liken it to being on that daily walk with Toby. There is a tremendous freedom in the steady rhythm of walking through the Church Year. When we begin that journey, we are liberated to concentrate on the need-ful things. We can reflect on the Son of God, who gave Himself for the life of the world. We can pray for His continual help in our lives. We can praise him and use this God-given freedom to serve joyfully as his people. Come and worship. Come and enter into the rhythm of our Church Year. I as-sure you it will not be tiresome. On the contrary, it will invigorate your soul and strengthen your faith. Peace in Christ,

Pastor von Hindenburg

Inside this issue:

PERICOPES AND HYMNS 2

MISSIONARY MOMENTS 3

ADVENT MATINS AND VESPERS

4

PRAYER CALENDAR 6

PEEKING INSIDE A CAROL 8

ELECTIONS 9

CHURCH CALENDAR 10

2

December 30, 2012—Christmas 1C

Exodus 13:1-3a, 11-15

Colossians 3:12-17

Luke 2:22-40

795—Voices Raised to Thee We Offer

389—Let All Together Praise Our God

386—Now Sing We, Now Rejoice

December Sundays Pericopes and Hymns

Please use the following readings and hymns during the week

to prepare yourself for worship

December 2, 2012—Advent 1C

Jeremiah 33:14-16

1 Thessalonians 3:9-13

Luke 19:28-40

357—O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

332—Savior of the Nations, Come

807—When Morning Gilds the Skies

December 9, 2012—Advent 2C

Malachi 3:1-7b

Philippians1:2-11

Luke 3:1-14

351—Creator of the Stars of Night

344—On Jordan’s Bank

921—On What Has Now Been Sown

December 2012

December 23, 2012—Advent 4C

Micah 5:2-5a

Hebrews 10:5-10

Luke 1:39-45

384—Of the Father’s Love Begotten

356—The Angel Gabriel From Heav’n Came

354—Arise, O Christian People!

December 16, 2012—Advent 3C

Zephaniah 3:14-20

Philippians 4:4-7

Luke 7:18-28

331—The Advent of Our King

345—Hark! A Thrilling Voice is Sounding

803—Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee

Simeon’s Song of Praise, ca. 1700—Arent de Gelder

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From the Board of Evangelism

Missionary Moments

We thank Christ the King Lutheran Church, Redlands; Christo Rey Lutheran Church, Santa Ana; Ascension

Lutheran Church; and Shepherd of the Sierra Lutheran Church, Coarsegold for their donations of hymnals

that we will ship to Kenya this month for Rev May’s use to pass on to pastors and congregations.

Rev. May tells us how he spent his Thanksgiving in South Sudan battling black mambas and teaching the

seminary students. Read on!

“CLIHM is the Concordia Lutheran Institute for the Holy Ministry and is the seminary

to train pastors for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sudan/South Sudan. This year

was the third class to begin the program and I taught their last course for the aca-

demic year, "How to teach Luther's Small Catechism". Students came from all parts

of South Sudan and had different language abilities but it was good that some of

them had access to the Small Catechism in their language.”

The Newsletter

Quotes and photos courtesy

Rev James E. May, Jr.

“On Thanksgiving Day we did not get to enjoy

a large turkey with all the fixings. Actually we

had rice and beans. But we did have some-

thing more exciting than football, this black

mamba that slithered out of his room and into

the adjacent room. It was a bit unnerving as

we did not have electricity so we couldn't turn

the lights on. Instead we sealed the room until

the morning at which time he met the same

fate as a Thanksgiving Day turkey. Sadly, de-

spite all my suggestions, the students would

not allow me to cook him for supper for fear

the venom would poison us. I really wanted to

try!” [Ed. Note: Black mamba is the fastest-

acting of all snake venom and has 100% mor-

tality in some nations.]

“Students taking notes in

the catechism class. Arob

(pictured in front) often

referred to his Small Cate-

chism in Arabic as his Eng-

lish is a bit weak but his

dedication and efforts cer-

tainly make up for much.

He was one of two stu-

dents to write out the entire catechism by

memory although he did it in Arabic.”

Your newsletter editor plans to keep you informed of needs, concerns and joys of the outreach our congregation

or its members might support.

Rev. Dan Chambers is still in need of funds to help his recovery so that he may walk again. If you’d like to contribute to his

recovery and/or to Lutherans in Africa in this season of giving, this is an opportunity to share what God has

given you. Thank you all for your support for these two very important considerations.

To send a check for Rev Chambers’ care, make the check to TAM, put “Pr. Chambers” in the memo line,

and mail to: The Augustana Ministerium c/o The Rev. Gregory Schulz, Bulsar—721 Payne Ave, North To-

nawanda, NY 14120. To support by credit card, click here.

To support Lutherans in Africa and the work of Rev. James May, send a check to

Lutherans in Africa c/o Bethlehem Lutheran Church—7500 State Rd—Parma, OH 44134. To support via credit card, click

here. If you have any questions on these, see Pastor or Karina.

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December 2012

MIDWEEK ADVENT VESPERS Wednesdays at 7 p.m.

December 5, 12, 19

Our theme for these three Wednesdays will be

“Location, Location, Location,” and we will be using the

Vespers service.

Wednesday night Hymn Sing and Bible Class will be on

hiatus until after the New Year.

TUESDAY MORNING MATINS

will continue to be prayed during Advent on December 4, 11, and 18 at

9 a.m., followed by Bible Class.

ADVENT DEVOTIONS FOR HOME USE

Don’t forget to pick up a copy of Higher Things Reflections devotional booklet for Advent/Christmas in the

Narthex. These are great for your family of individual use.

Lutheran Hour Ministries has Audio Advent Devotions online. Click here everyday for a new devotion.

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The Newsletter

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE

Join us at The Good Shepherd on Christmas Eve at 4 p.m. as we present a tradi-

tional Service of Lessons and Carols. This time-honored service will be done by

candlelight and is an ideal time to slow down during this busy holiday season.

Bring a friend and enjoy the sounds of expectation and joy. The lessons and musi-

cal responses in this service will help us focus once again on the arrival of the

greatest Christmas gift of all—the Savior born in Bethlehem.

He Comes!

Advent is a time of preparation. Advent, in Latin, means, “he

comes.” In that sense, Advent is a confession of the faith that the

Word who was there at the beginning, before the dawn of time,

comes. Not “he came,” but rather, “he comes.” He continues to

come to us as He is, the Word, not only through the hearing of the

Scriptures and the preaching of Himself in all purity and truth, but

he continues to come in His enfleshed self, through His body and

blood in the Lord’s Supper. He who was there before the dawn of time comes for us.

John the evangelist, while writing his Gospel, knew that there were already in his day (and probably assumed

there would be in the future) those who would doubt who Jesus really was. There were some who would say

the divinity of God could never suffer death on the cross. The purity of God would never pollute itself so radi-

cally as to become flesh. Jesus must have only just appeared to be human. Others would say that Jesus was

someone special, but not really divine. Both ideas rob us of the joy of salvation in knowing that He was

“tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15) and that “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us”

(John 1:14).

The Advent season focuses our attention not only on what happened at a manger in Bethlehem but also on

what happened on a cross at Golgotha, what continues to happen at the altar of the Lord, and what will hap-

pen on the Last Day. He comes.

CHRISTMAS MORNING DIVINE SERVICE

will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, December 25.

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Romans 10:1 Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved.

For the month of December, you may use the

following list to remember your brothers and

sisters in prayer.

1 Adena Yates, Claudio Miller

2 Robert Knox Norm Morton

3 Barbara Hurd, Mark Thorn

4 Carmen Miller, , Jane Anderson

5 Jean Peterson, Pr. von Hindenburg

6 Jay Rogers Royce Morton

7 Brent Tilley, Bill Navarro

8 Jocella Collins, Leon Tarr

9 Wilma Dierker, Stephanie Thorn

10 Lynette Hurd, Art Dawson

11 Marion Shorte, Marjorie Haener

12 Brittany Cotton, Alice Huhn

13 Evelyn Sibbing, Beverly Sarafolean

14 Margaret Smith, Marlene Wood

15 Eunice Thode, Sheila Ramirez

16 Marie Knox, Gayle Tarr

17 Mary Flett, Dorris Kelley, LWML

18 Church Council, Deniece Cotton

19 Johnathan Thomas, Dick Huhn

20 Lena Jordan, Susan Marquardt

21 Ken Lange, Lutherans in Africa

22 Karina Lindsey, Melda Schoenbaum

23 Beverly Bergeron, Anita Shoff

24 Marion Cotton, Erika Martinez

25 Thelma Ryan, Sharon Weishaar

26 Nicole Hayes Lou Pankonin

27 Ralph Prey, Clinton Galloway

28 Renee Shorte LCMS Pres. Harrison

29 Arlene Lisko, Jim Weishaar

30 Cynthia Conley, Dalton Benson

31 Susie Fritts, The Altar Guild

December 2012

7

The Newsletter

WHEN SHOULD I CALL THE PASTOR OR CHURCH OFFICE? Here is a list of occasions when it is important for all parish members to call the Pastor or Parish Secretary:

1. When there is a serious illness;

2. When one plans to enter the hospital

3. When it appears that the death of a member is approaching;

4. Before any funeral arrangements are made;

5. When a baby is born;

6. When confession or counseling is desired;

7. (At least) Three months before a planned wedding;

8. When the Sacrament of Holy Communion is desired at home in the event one is unable to attend the

regularly scheduled parish celebration;

9. When you have questions regarding the church;

10. When an unchurched neighbor moves into your neighborhood;

11. When you change your address or telephone number.

Can you add to this list? If so, please do. But most importantly, don’t hesitate to call at any time of need.

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What in the world do leaping lords, French horns, swimming swans, and especially the partridge who won’t come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas?

The Twelve Days of Christmas is probably the most misunderstood part of the church year among Christians who are not part of liturgical church traditions. Contrary to much popular belief, these are not the twelve days before Christmas, but in most of the Western Church are the twelve days from Christmas until the beginning of Epiphany (January 6th; the 12 days count from December 25th until January 5th). In some tradi-tions, the first day of Christmas begins on the evening of December 25th with the following day considered the First Day of Christmas (December 26th). In these traditions, the twelve days begin December 26 and in-clude Epiphany on January 6. The popular song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is usually seen as simply a nonsense song for children with secular origins. However, some have suggested that it is a song of Christian instruction, perhaps dating to the 16th century religious wars in England, with hidden references to the basic teachings of the Christian Faith. They contend that it was a mnemonic device to teach the catechism to youngsters. The "true love" mentioned in the song is not an earthly suitor, but refers to God Himself. The "me" who receives the presents refers to every baptized person who is part of the Christian Faith. Each of the "days" represents some aspect of the Christian Faith that was important for children to learn. It has two levels of meaning: the surface mean-ing plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children would remember.

The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ. Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments. Three French horns stood for faith, hope and love. The four calling birds were the four Gospel accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament. The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation. Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit–Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy. The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes. Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit–Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control. The ten lords a-leaping were the Ten Command-ments. The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples. The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles’ Creed.

Now, despite this carol’s unknown origins,

remembering to focus on Christ sure puts a better

spin on a song that can get tedious to sing!

Peeking Inside a Carol: The Twelve Days of Christmas

December 2012

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The purpose of the Church is to bring salvation to the world through the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus

Christ. That Gospel message is that sins are forgiven through the all-availing sacrifice of Christ on the Cross

and His resurrection from the grave. That’s what the Church does – plain and simple. In order to accomplish

that one task, the Church calls pastors to preach and teach the Word and administer the Sacraments.

Of course, nothing operates in a vacuum and the Church is no different. Although, as a body of believers we

are not “of the world,” we are in the world, and accordingly, we must function as corporate body within our

secular world. What does this mean? Well, in addition to having a pastor to preach, teach, and administer,

we also need people to sign contracts, pay bills, maintain the physical structure, establish budgets and set

priorities. That is the role of the Church Council.

At The Good Shepherd LC we currently operate with a Council consisting of a President, a Vice President, a

Secretary, a Treasurer, a Financial Secretary, the Chairman of the Board of Elders, the Chairperson of the

Trustees, and the Chairperson of Evangelism. The Pastor also serves as an ex officio member of the Council.

Neither the Pastor nor the President of the congregation has voting privileges. The President votes only in

the case of a tie.

The individuals that make up the Council all serve as volunteers, and yet, are handed the equivalent respon-

sibility of making decisions and showing leadership and stewardship as any Board of Directors of a “for-

profit” corporation.

And like any Council or Board not every decision is applauded or appreciated. There will always be critics

and those who believe that something should have been done or handled differently.

Let me take a moment here to congratulate and thank all those who have served and continue to serve on

the Church Council. Meetings are not always easy and they are not always fun and the hours spent in “doing

the job” can be countless.

That said, all of the current members of the Council have agreed to run again to serve the Church. There will

be a Voter’s Assembly meeting on January 20, 2013 for the approval of the budget and the election of offic-

ers. If YOU would like to nominate someone to fill one

of the seats on the Council, OR if YOU would like to

serve on the Council contact either the President, Norm

Morton, or the Vice President, Mary Flett. Nominations

will be taken from the floor for all positions as well.

I ask that you all give this prayerful consideration. This

is an opportunity to serve your Lord in his Church and

your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.

Pastor von Hindenburg

The Newsletter

And You Thought the Elections Were Over . . .

10

CHURCH CALENDAR FOR DECEMBER 2012

Repeats Weekly Sunday

Bible Study—8:30 a.m. Divine Service 10:00 a.m.

Tuesday (except Christmas Day) Matins—9:00 a.m.

Bible Class following Wednesday

Advent Vespers—7:00 p.m. (see schedule, page 4) Sunday, December 2—Mite Box Sunday: Bring your change to drop in the LWML Mite Box to help support LWML projects Thursday, December 6, 6:00 a.m. —Men's Devotional Breakfast, Denny’s at Hawthorne Blvd. and 132nd in Hawthorne. Led by Pastor, all men of the congregation and their friends are invited and encouraged to attend. Thursday, December 14, 9:00 a.m.—Board of Elders meet Sunday, December 16 —Refreshments after Divine Service, provided by Mary Flett Tuesday, December 18, 6:30 p.m. —Church Council Friday, December 21, Noon-3 p.m.—Private Confession and Absolution (Or anytime by appointment) Monday, December 24, 4 p.m.—Service of Lessons and Carols Tuesday, December 25, 10 a.m.—Christ Mass, The Feast of the Nativity—Divine Service Please call the church office with any questions. Dates in italics commemorate immovable feast days of the Church Year.

The Newsletter

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902 S Maple St.

Inglewood, CA 90301

310-671-7644

Royce Morton, Administrative

Assistant (M-Th: 9-2)

Jay Rogers, Organist

thegoodshepherdinglewood.org

+ Join Us for Liturgical Worship +

Reverend Bruce J. von Hindenburg, Pastor

Sunday morning Adult Bible Class—8:30 a.m.

Sunday Divine Service—10:00 a.m.

Tuesday Matins—9:00 a.m.

+ + +

Wednesday Bible Class/Midweek Service—7:00 p.m.

Private Confession and Absolution—3rd Fridays from Noon-3 and By

Appointment

+ + +

Preaching God’s Word to Inglewood and beyond since 1935

T H E G O O D S H E P H E R D L U T H E R A N C H U R C H

President—Norm Morton

Vice President—Mary Flett

Secretary—Stephanie Thorn

Treasurer—Clinton Galloway

Financial Secretary—Dick Huhn

Board of Elders—Leon Tarr, Chair; Jim Weishaar

Board of Trustees—Jim Weishaar, Chair; Leon Tarr

Board of Evangelism—Karina Lindsey, Chair; Royce Morton; Marlene Wood

+

Altar Guild—Gayle Tarr, Chair

LWML—Royce Morton, Gayle Tarr, Co-Presidents

Ushers—Norm Morton, Chair

Future Needs—Susie Fritts, Royce Morton, Gayle Tarr

Food Pantry—Stephanie Thorn, Chair; Gayle Tarr, Susie Fritts, Marie Knox, Royce Morton, Karina Lindsey

Special Services—Mary Flett, Karina Lind-sey

Council and Committee Members

Newsletter: khouriakarina@gmail.com