the journey december 2014 · 12/12/2014 · salmon, turkey, chicken beef. also spaghetti and...

The Journey

Newsletter for Emmanuel Lutheran

2014

Advent and Christmas Seasons Midweek Advent Services: December 3, 10, and 17 at 7:00 p.m. Holden Evening Prayer Service Christmas Caroling: December 7 after lunch and worship WELCA Christmas Party December 9 at 5:30 p.m. 50+ Christmas Luncheon December 11 at 10:45 Choir Cantata December 14 during worship Christmas Potluck and Children’s Program December 14 after worship The Longest Night Service A prayer service for those who find it difficult to be cheer-ful at this time of year. December 21 at 5:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Service December 24 at 7:00 p.m.

December

Dear Emmanuel Friends and Family,

This time of year is so precious. Family huddles in tighter.

We pay special attention to the foods we prepare, serve, give, and

eat. Our homes are filled with sights and smells that bring us to mo-

ments long ago, when we felt safer and truer. Generosity is easier

this time of year- to friend and stranger, alike. Gathering around ta-

bles of food with people we love affords us peace that passes under-

standing.

Unless it doesn’t.

For some of us, this time of year brings pain: the first time

to gather for a family meal since a death in the family, seeing other

families bubbling with joy and laughter when your family just oozes

pain, hearing songs about comfort and joy when clinical depression

will not let joy in, the tightening of your chest when you consider

your financial situation, staring into the manger at a baby when your

body won’t conceive or carry a child. For many of us, this season is

just plain hard.

This year, we’ll gather for prayer on December 21st, the

Longest Night of the year. We’ll gather at 5:00 p.m. to acknowledge

before God and our sisters and brothers that we cannot find the joy

the rest of the world seems to find this time of year. We will join our

hearts with those throughout time who have felt anxious and worried

and sad. And we will remember that our Lord is with the broken-

hearted. If you have a friend who might need a space to speak and

hear the truth that some of us are longing for joy, please invite them

to join us.

There are as many ways to experience the Advent and

Christmas seasons as there are people. Be gentle with yourselves and

with one another in the name of Jesus.

Waiting with you,

Pastor Jennifer

Prayer Focus

During December, we focus our pray-

ers on Advent – the time of waiting for

Christ’s birth and return.

+Give light to those who sit in darkness

and doubt, may the memories and hopes of this Advent season

lead them back to you.

+Lord, direct us in patience this Advent Season that as we wait

we become attentive to the opportunities to share your light,

your story with a stranger, a friend, a classmate, a co-worker, a

neighbor, family.

+May the preparations for the Holy Child remind us of the ten-

der care and importance of all children. Lead us to open our

hands to give time, shelter or food to help mend the hearts of

the neglected young ones of this world.

+Keep us focused on your kingdom. Grant us the courage to use

each day in your honor and our actions be for your praise, our

long awaited King.

Fresh Bread will

not meet in

December. The

next meeting will be

January 17.

Item-of-the-Month:

December: Protein Foods—canned meats such as tuna,

salmon, turkey, chicken beef. Also spaghetti and meat-

balls, beef-a-roni. Deodorant and shampoo. Let’s fill the

shopping cart in the narthex!

Warming Tree

Please bring items to help the

needy stay warm this winter.

Place on or around the tree and in the box in the

narthex. Items knitted, or brought—scarves, hats, socks,

gloves, etc. for children and/or adults. The Knitwits have been

busy making warm items.

Rachel Circle will meet on December 9th at

5:30 at the home of Pat Duff.

Officers and Ministry Leaders for 2015

President—Laine Ruehle Worshiping Minister—Steve Smotherman President Elect—Emily Lemoine Managing Minister—Eileen Roberts Secretary—Leslie Duffy Nurturing Co-Ministers—Sandy Allen/Debbie Echols Treasurer—Wayne Duff Serving Co-Ministers—Alice Herrin/Susan Perez

Knitwits continue to work on prayer shawls for

those that may need a blessing. If anyone needs anything, please let us know.

Martha Circle will be holding its annual Christmas

Lunch on Monday, Dec. 1st, at 11:30 a.m. at “The

Stratford”, located at 1573 Skeet Club Rd., High Point. It

will be hosted by Juanita Hovis. Please contact Merlyn

Schultheis ASAP if you plan to attend.

Frances (Fuzzy) Best Legacy Fund

In the September newsletter, Emmanuel folks were informed

of Fuzzy Best's generous bequeath to Emmanuel. Half of her

bequeath was designated as restricted funds; the Endowment

Report at the annual congregation meeting provided infor-

mation about decisions for its use and investment. The re-

maining bequest, of an equal amount, was designated as unre-

stricted. Council will be identifying our church's immediate

needs over the next two years for which some of these funds

may be needed. The Forward Together Initiative discussed

elsewhere in this newsletter may guide this decision process.

Merrill Lynch is providing investment recommendations for the

funds. At present these unrestricted funds are in a Designated

Funds account until decisions are made; a monthly financial

statement is posted on the bulletin board in the entry hallway.

Council will keep the congregation informed.

Eileen Roberts/Council President

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 10:30 Martha Circle 7:00 Council

2 6:30 Bible Study

3 10:30 Bible Study 1:30 Knitwits 6:15 Bells 7:00 Advent Service 7:30 Choir

4 5 8:30 Breakfast Bunch

6

7 9:30 Sunday School 10:30 Worship 11:45 Youth 11:45 Worship Mtg, Christmas Caroling After Worship

8 5:00 Open Door

9 5:30 WELCA Christmas Party


11 10:45 50+ Luncheon

12 8:30 Breakfast Bunch Youth Lockin

13

14 9:30 Sunday School 10:30 Worship/Choir Cantata 11:45 Christmas Potluck & Children’s Program

15 16 6:30 Bible Study


18 19 8:30 Breakfast Bunch

20

21 9:30 Sunday School 10:30 Worship 11:45 Youth 11:45 Serving Ministry 5:00 Longest Night Prayer Service

22 1:30 Christmas Party

23 24 7:00 Christmas Eve Service Office Closed

25 Christmas Day Office Closed

26 8:30 Breakfast Bunch Pastor Jennifer On Vacation

27 Pastor Jennifer On Vacation

28 10:30 Worship Pastor Jennifer On Vacation




1

Office Closed Pastor Jennifer On Vacation

December 2014

December 7 December 14 December 21 December 24 December 28

7:00 p.m.

Assisting Minister Mary Kay Erdin Molly Duffy Joseph Agolory Pat Duff Emily Lemoine

Crucifer Annie Fullwood Akon Adichol DC Robert Famela Jada

Acolyte Will Fullwood Christina Agolory Robert Arimetea Justin Kuethe

Prayer of Day Caroline King Emma Lemi Emmanuel Lemi Carson Kuethe

Reader Jackie Kollros Emily Lemoine Helen Sloop Anita Bowman Fred Roberts

Communion Preparer

Anita Bowman Emily Lemoine Jodie Monroe Gerry Ewaldsen Lois Harris

Altar Guild Kay Hudson Rhoda Lambeth

Kay Hudson Rhoda Lambeth




Counters Mickey Walker Scott Lambeth

Gary Biesecker Eileen Roberts

Anita & Gray Bowman

Fred Roberts Anita Bowman

Council Person Eileen Roberts Eileen Roberts Eileen Roberts Eileen Roberts Eileen Roberts

If you are willing to serve as a reader or greeter, sign-up sheets are by the church office.

Birthdays

We apologize if we missed your birthday! Please let us know and we will update our files.

Joy Joseph 12/05

Courtney Hilton 12/07

Susan Perez 12/07

Thur-Jang Chan 12/08

Fred Roberts 12/08

Jeanette Shirley 12/08

Rick Garner 12/09

Lois Harris 12/09

Susan Smith 12/16

Wilma Missen 12/18

Adam Clayton 12/21

Sarah Joseph 12/24

Emmanuella Jada 12/25

Emmanuel Lemi 12/29

Betzy Glaesner 12/30

Mae Haithcock 12/31

Samuel Duffy 12/31

Advent Service Readers

December 3 Sam Lemoine

December 10 Jackie Kollros

December 17 Caroline King

Sunday Servants

In case of inclement weather

please tune in to FOX 8 for any

closings or delays.

Please plan to join us for Bible Study on:

Tuesday evenings December 2nd and 16th at 6:30 or

Wednesday mornings December 3rd, 10th, or 17th at 10:30

50+ will meet on Thursday, December 11th at

10:45 in the fellowship hall for our special Christmas get-together. We have invited the Senior Enrichment folks to join us for this one-of-a-kind special program with lunch to follow. The Senior Enrichment group will remain in the fellowship hall for their lunch while we will enjoy our lunch in the other end of the room. There is a signup sheet in the narthex. Please sign up by Sunday, December 7th so we will know how many to plan for. This is for all interested, especially our new members who might like to get to know us better.

Forward Together. In Christ. In Community

This is a Synod initiative for congregations to discern

God's call for them. Prayer, scripture and community

ministry are tools for renewal. Church Council voted

for Emmanuel to participate in this initiative. Pastor

Jonathan Conrad of Grace Lutheran Church in Thomas-

ville is our Synod trained companion to lead and guide

our discernment. A task force has been formed con-

sisting of council members and ministry leaders: Sandy

Allen, Mary Kay Erdin, Jackie Kollros, Eileen Roberts,

Laine Ruehle, Steve Smotherman, Erin Woody, Sage

Rufsvold, and Pastor Jennifer. They met initially on No-

vember 8 to begin discussion about Emmanuel's

strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and core values.

After this group has more conversation, they will reach

out to the congregation for input and decision making.

Please be in prayer for these folks as they work togeth-

er to discern God's calling for our church.

Celebrating Christ’s Birth

with Poinsettias

Poinsettias will adorn the chancel

beginning December 14. You may

purchase a poinsettia in honor or memory of a person

who is important in your life.

These 6 ½” poinsettias in colorful pots are $11.00 each.

All orders will need to be turned in by Sunday, De-

cember 7. To place your order, please fill out the form

below, attach $11.00 per poinsettia, and place it in the

offering plate or mail to the church office. Checks

should be made out to: Emmanuel Lutheran Church

Memo: poinsettia

You will be able to pick up your plants after morning

worship on Sunday, December 28.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I would like to order _______ (number) of poinsettias at $11.00 each.

My check is enclosed in the amount of: $________.

In honor/memory of (please circle): _____________

______________________________________________

Given by:

In honor/memory of (please circle): _____________

______________________________________________

Given by:

Nurturing Ministry will be taking

photos of each family for Emman-

uel's Member Directory for

2015. Pete Roberts will be the

photographer and will be available

each Sunday before and after

church. There will be a form for each family to fill out

listing each member's name. Please help make our direc-

tory a success and get your photo taken! We hope to have

all the pictures taken by the first of the year. Thank you in

advance.

December 2014

Newsletter

Emmanuel Lutheran Church

1401 Heathcliff Road

High Point, NC 27262

Sunday School: 9:30 a.m. Emmanuel Lutheran Church

Worship: Sunday 10:30 a.m. 336-882-2119(T) 336-882-2509(F) email: [email protected]

Nursery Attendant: Frankie Matthews webpage:www.emmanuellutheranchurch.org

Staff

Emmanuel Office Hours: The Reverend Jennifer Krushas, Pastor

[email protected]

Amy Vitola, Office Administrator

Monday, Wednesday, & Thursday mornings Molly Duffy, Youth Leader

Jacqueline Canter, Director of Choirs

Ford Ewaldsen, Organist

Emmanuel Senior Enrichment Center E. Venice Preston,

Director Emmanuel Senior Enrichment Center

the journey december 2014 · 12/12/2014 · salmon, turkey, chicken beef. also spaghetti and...

Documents