the scroll - amazon s3...london clergy group hosted a multi-faith prayer service. we gathered...
TRANSCRIPT
The Scroll
St. Luke Lutheran Church
Inside this issue
From the Pastor Danny ............... 2
Upcoming Service Times ............. 3
Furniture Bank Tag Sale .............. 5
Widows Corner ........................... 5
Music Notes & News ................ 6-7
Ministry Opportunities & News .. 8
Celebrations ................................ 11
Kids’ Page .................................... 12
Prayer List ................................... 13
Schedules to Serve ...................... 14
Calendar...................................... 15
New London Meal Center
Schedule to Serve ................... 16
November 2016 Volume 12, Issue 9
Your Congregation Council met on Wednesday, November 16, 2016 at 7:00 pm.
Treasurer Leah Lozier reported that, year-to-date through October 31, expenses now exceeded income by $7,297. As a result, the General Operating Fund dropped to $25,954. Both pledge giving and grace giving are less than what was anticipated for 2016. Please make every effort to fulfill your financial commitments to St. Luke before the end of December.
The Council approved changes to Continuing Resolution 1.07: Financial
Continued on page 4
Council Connections By Charlie Anderson, Council President
Hope Not Fear:
Participating in a Multi-Faith Prayer Service
By Pastor Sarah
On the night before the election, the Greater New London Clergy group hosted a multi-faith prayer service. We gathered together at All Souls Unitarian Universalist for an inspiring evening of poetry, song and prayer.
Rabbi Rachel Safman opened the service by sharing the story of Jacob and Esau, brothers who were rivals from the womb. Their whole lives they
struggled against each other. Jacob stole Esau’s birthright and blessing by tricking their father. Esau threatened to kill Jacob. Despite all of the
Continued on page 2
The Baptist’s Lullaby By Pastor Danny On the banks of the river I can hear the Baptist’s cry Come and repent for the Kingdom of the Heavens draws nigh”. The Baptist is dressed as a prophet of days gone by But is he really the one I wonder, feeling my spirit sigh. His speech is filled with fire – I look around but no one flees This is not surprising because in his words there is truth; that I can clearly see. He talks about father serpents of self-righteous pedigree. And still in his words I hear the truth in full clarity. What can I do, I think as I feel the rapid trembling of my heart? Do I dare go forward and hope the waters will part? My foot touches the water, love calms my anxious heart. My very soul is touched by God … my spirit lightens - I feel my sins depart. On the banks of the river I can hear the Baptist’s cry. He answers my question and my spirit soars high. “There comes one after me whose baptism will purify. He is the one God will send… of this I testify.” I will wait for his coming today and every day until God Emmanuel is revealed and I hear God Emmanuel say, “Follow me and I will send you as my hands and feet to others along their way who are hurting and filled with sorrow give them my words of truth and love, and say On the banks of the river hear the Baptist’s cry. “Come and repent for the Kingdom of the Heavens draws nigh.” Thank you God for words of truth that makes our spirits sigh. Thank you God for giving us hope in the Baptist’s Lullaby.
“My very soul is touched by God...“
Continued from page 1
bitterness and history between them, their story offers a message of hope. When they meet many years later, Esau embraced and kissed Jacob, a sign of their reconciliation.
We read Maya Angelou’s inaugural poem, “On the Pulse of Morning,” which ends with the words,
Here on the pulse of this new day, You may have the grace to look up and out And into your sister’s eyes, into Your brother’s face, your country And say simply With hope Good morning. We shared the peace, and shared the peace some
more, and shared the peace some more! People greeted familiar faces and less-than-familiar faces with handshakes and hugs. There was so much joy and excitement in in the room.
We ended by boldly singing, “America the Beautiful.” The words came alive with new meaning singing them with people of many faiths and with
different cultural and racial backgrounds. They were words of blessing and a profound hope for our nation.
This worship service was a reminder that we have much more in common than we realize. We are all human, living on the same planet, who need to share resources, and who want to leave the world a better place for the next generation. The things that make us unique- like our beliefs or our cultural backgrounds- do not need to divide us. We can celebrate those differences and learn from one another, rather than being fearful of something we don’t understand.
Every Sunday we worship in a way that is familiar, with people we have come to trust and love. Worship within our own faith communities is the heavenly bread that sustains us. And yet, it is a rare and wonderful opportunity to gather with new people and worship in a new way- one that is unfamiliar to everyone and highlights the gifts of each tradition. It can be a slightly uncomfortable space, but in that space there is opportunity to learn, to be transformed, and to experience God in a new way.
2
Hope Not Fear (Cont.)
3
Christmas Eve Services: 4:00 PM
Children’s Program
8:30 & 11:00 PM
Candlelight Services
Christmas Day Single Service at 9:30 AM
New Years Day Single Service at 9:30 AM
Council Connections (cont’d.)
4
Continued from page 1
Support Team. These changes activated and defined the role of the Investment Group within the Team. The Group will manage any investment funds as directed by the Congregation Council. The Group will consist of five voting members of the congregation who will be elected at the Annual Congregation Meeting for staggered terms.
The Council also established Continuing Resolution 16.0: Mission Endowment Fund to enhance the mission outreach of St. Luke apart from the general operation of the congregation so that no portion of the distributions from the Fund will be used for the annual operating budget of the congregation. The Investment Group, previously mentioned, will be responsible for administrating the Fund.
And the Council approved many various amendments to St. Luke's Constitution, based upon amendments to the model constitution for congregations as approved by the 2016 Churchwide Assembly. These amendments include striking the words "ordained minister/s", "clergy" and "pastor/s" and replacing them with the words "minister/
s of Word and Sacrament" as well as requiring that the adoption or amending By-Laws be by a two-thirds vote of those voting members present. All of the amendments have been recommended for approval by the congregation at the Annual Meeting in January 2017. (Because these changes come from the model constitution approved at the Churchwide Assembly, only a simple majority vote of the congregation at the Annual Meeting will be required for approval.)
The Council authorized the Fellowship Team to spend up to $1,200 for a new freezerless refrigerator (including any charges for shipping and/or removal of the old unit). This new refrigerator will replace a 13-year old refrigerator/freezer, which ceased working about a month ago. The Team considered a number of alternatives, including a commercial unit(s), but, because of location, hook-up and cost issues, chose this option.
The Council continued its discussion of the report and recommendations from the Strategic Planning Team. A member of the congregation has been
identified as having the background and skills to lead the discussion in being more inclusive. This will be an ongoing, long-term discussion and will soon be expanded to include the entire congregation. The recent tag sale to benefit the Furniture Bank of Southeastern Connecticut raised over $6,400. Many thanks to Karen and Mike Wuesthoff and the many other volunteers for their efforts. By the way, are you aware that the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (PA) and the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg (PA) are being merged and will be called the United Lutheran Seminary? The plan is to have the merger completed by next July 1, 2017. Many issues, including a presidential search, the shape of the faculty, the staff organizational structure, the schools' accreditation status, and the schools' assets and endowments, are being resolved. Both campuses will continue to be used. Micah 6:8
Farewell Reception
Honoring Louise Black
and family
Sunday, December 11
Following the 11:00 AM service
And we know Bernard (named after the head elf in the “Santa Clause” movies) will be happy at his new home in Colchester with the Bartkowskis! Sales of the reindeer and a whole lot more at the fall tag sale earned over $6400 for the furniture bank. The proceeds will be used to pay our storage locker and telephone bills, with some left over to augment the grant funds we use to buy beds for people in financial need.
Mountains of high-quality stuff were donated for the sale, most of it by St. Luke members (where do they get all this stuff?). The Dirlams alone donated about 30 bins and boxes of books, clothing, tools, and household items, as well as some very nice furniture for the furniture bank, before they moved to Vermont. We’re going to miss them! Almost everything came in early enough in the week that we were able to sort, display, and price it before the start of the sale, and no unwanted items that would have been difficult to dispose of were delivered in the dead of night. As usual, a substantial amount of unsold merchandise remained at the end of the sale. Some of it was retained for the next tag sale, some was given to Friends of Maria for their thrift store in Taftville, some coats were set aside to be given to people at the New London soup kitchen, some was taken to local clothing drops, and the rest was taken away by an industrious family we’ve been hiring for years.
We were somewhat short of workers because some of our regular helpers had other commitments, but we managed. We brought in and set up tables and bookcases from our storage shed on Sunday, arranged and priced sale items Monday through Friday, held the sale Friday from 6 to 8 pm and Saturday from 8 to 2, and had the place cleaned up before AA arrived at 6:30.
With apologies to anyone we may have left out (please sign in if you help!), thanks to: Sue Anderson, Barbara Blair, Corri Bradley, Robin Brown, Trudi Busey, Gail Chernansky, Sue Conley, Rudy and Carol Croteau, Sue and Aiden Davis, Joan and Jamie Davis, Leah Eldridge, Dave Etris, Bonnie Fear, Kari Hammen, Diane Hansen, Shirley Harrington, Ray and Penny Heller, Ginny Jacobson, Marge Johnson, Chris and Cindy Jones, Jack Kelly, Carolyn Kracke, Doug and Mitzi Meyer, Bob and Robin Nelson, Al Nordquist, Andrew Oplinger, Norm and Judy Owsley, Mark Pitluck, Melanie, Bekah, and Noah Savage, Elaine Simpson, Amy Sindel, Jerry and Kathy Swope, Lynn Tarozzi, Pauline Wanner, Janeese Watson, Larry Wolfgang, Marty and Pat Wood, and Mark, Emilee, and Martin Wuesthoff. God bless you all!
I have a new home!
Furniture Bank Tag Sale By Karen and Mike Wuestoff
Widows Corner By Heather Colletti
It doesn’t matter how long it’s been. Maybe it was this year, maybe it has been a few years, or maybe it has been 20 years, but the holidays are coming and you are alone. Now, we know, you probably aren’t truly alone, you have your family, your kids, your friends, and possibly you are even remarried or in a relationship with someone, but the holidays are the poking reminder to you that your life is different than it should have been. The memories of your past, and the hopes of your future will all come back and be different than what you had thought they would be. Being a widow poses its own issues as far as what others expectations are. It’s a title. It’s on every form you fill out with a little square to check off next to it. It defines who you are. You weren’t born as a widow, but you also didn’t choose to be a widow. YOU didn’t choose to be a widow. God, has given you this title. Our lord, for whatever reasons, has chosen you to deem this title. God thought, and knows, that YOU were capable of this title.. YOU were strong enough to deal with the demands of this title. Even on days that you felt like you couldn’t do it anymore, He knew you could.
The holidays can make or break you. Your emotions,
Continued on page 8
5
Meet Martha!
She lives in the church
office. Stop by and take a
peek through the window!
“Keep Christmas with you
All through the year,
When Christmas is over,
Save some Christmas cheer.
These precious moments,
Hold them very dear
And keep Christmas with you
All through the year.”
Ernie from “Sesame Street”
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Music Notes and News By Gina Williams, Director of Music
Lessons and Carols Reception
Following the program on Sunday,
December 4, there will be a reception in
Fellowship Hall. Please sign up to bring
finger foods. Signup sheets are on the
bulletin board. Don’t miss this special
event!
Give a Special Gift to the Community By Elaine Remondi- Simpson
It’s that season of the year to give a special gift that keeps on giving. If you have 90 minutes or so to spare, you can do just that by becoming a donor at our next Red Cross Blood Drive on Thursday December 8th. This special gift may turn out to be life-saving for a family member, friend, or neighbor. In the true spirit of Christmas, you may end up helping a complete stranger, a brother or sister in need.
The Red Cross has made changes to check-in procedures recently and has also reduced staffing. Due to both of those changes waiting times have increased. There are some things you can do to make the most of your time and have a successful experience donating. Schedule a convenient appointment time on the sign-up sheet in the narthex, online at redcrossblood.org. or call 1-800-RED CROSS. Within hours of your appointment, please visit redcrossblood.org/rapid pass to read materials. When you check-in and have completed the short survey, your time will be recorded on your name tag. Donors will be called in order of that time. It is likely that donors with early appointments will be processed more quickly than those with later appointments. If the donation process gets behind, you can leave to complete a quick errand. Your name tag will hold your place in line, allowing you to use your time efficiently.
Remember walk-ins must wait until all donors with appointments have given blood.
Meeting the requirements for adequate iron levels and passing the testing for infectious diseases can be a problem for potential donors. Be sure to eat meals with
iron rich foods, avoid fatty foods and alcoholic beverages, especially prior to donating. Get a good night’s sleep and drink an extra 16oz. of water to experience a successful donation.
According to the Red Cross, every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood and more that 44,000 blood donations are needed every single day. The need is constant and the contributions are essential in order to maintain a healthy and plentiful blood supply. The holidays bring a greater need than usual, due to increases in travel and corresponding increases in auto accidents, according to DMV statistics.
The Red Cross tells us the number one reason people give for becoming a blood donor is, “I want to help people.” Here is an opportunity for you to help! Look for the Blood Drive table in the narthex following our worship services on Dec. 4th.
If you can’t donate blood, volunteers are always needed to prepare refreshments or staff the blood drive. You will also find the volunteer sign-up list at the Blood Drive table in the narthex.
Please join us in making a special life-saving gift to the community at our Blood Drive on Thursday December 8th from 1:30-6:30 p.m. Enjoy safe travels and blessed holidays.
Ministry Opportunities & News
8
Blood Drive—Thursday, December 8
1:30—6:0 PM
Continued from page 5
no matter where you are on this journey, can run rampant. Let us remember though, that the holidays are a time for making memories. Thanksgiving can be a lonely time, Christmas even lonelier as you stare blankly at your Christmas tree sitting alone on your couch. But rather than stare blankly at the tree, set some time to make new memories to go alongside the old memories. Set new traditions. Go ahead and invite yourself to someone else’s house, heck, if you were the one picked to have the strength to be a widow, and have the title of a widow, than I guarantee, you are strong enough to decide that it is okay to invite yourself somewhere! And if you were strong enough for that, than I am absolutely sure that you have the type of friends or family that would accept you into their homes even at the last minute when you ask.
Happy holidays fellow widows and widowers. I pray for your strength to get through them and peace and comfort knowing that your widowhood comes with a title of strength to help you. I pray that you will feel able to be sad, will feel able to be happy and that your friends and family will accept you and your feelings for what they are either way, helping you too to get through one of probably 3 of the hardest times of the year for you.
On behalf of the Ledyard Food Pantry we want to thank the community for its generosity of food that the boy scouts acquired for the Food Pantry on November 5th; just under 7000 food items were collected and donated! We do have a kind, helpful and giving community.
We are still in need of these items as we go forward with our mission:
Items can be dropped off at the food pantry or at Holmbergs, Holdridges, The Village Market, or the Senior Center.
Thank you everyone for your support!!
Canned meats Hash Oil Ketchup Mayonnaise Relish Mustard Sugar Flour Cereal
Bread Granola bars Crackers Canned fruit Milk Butter Cheese Healthy kids snacks Pre-made pudding
snacks
Feminine products Laundry detergent Toilet paper Reynolds Wrap Paper towels Zip-Lock gallon size
bags Zip Lock sandwich
bags Cleaning supplies
Ledyard Food Pantry
Last month the total donations for the Crop Walk was reported as $4,897.00 . The actual donations amounted to $4527. The discrepan-cy was due to some on-line dona-tions being counted twice.
28th Crop Hunger Walk Correction
Gifts for Jesus
Again this year, we’re offering our popular “Gifts for Jesus” alternative gifts program. Gift trees have been set up on a table in the hall, providing the opportunity to purchase Christmas gifts for local group homes and families.
In years past, a week or two before Christmas, we would stand in long lines to ship large boxes to our relatives in Oregon, filled with gifts they didn’t need. Recently, things have gotten easier, and postage has gotten a whole lot cheaper.
We send them envelopes with ornaments from the St. Luke gift tree, with instructions to hide them for a “treasure hunt” on Christmas day. The reports from Oregon have been positive. They enjoy the treasure hunt, and they feel good about having, in effect, given a gift to someone who really needed it: a Christmas present to a resident of a group home or a furniture bank or Friends of Maria family, a goat for a family in Tanzania, a blanket for a refugee in a war-torn country, funds to build homes for families in financial need through Habitat for Humanity, or funds to help people in need around the world through the Church World Service or ELCA programs. This year, in addition to these opportunities, you can provide a chicken or a bag of “mealie meal” to a Chikumbuso family. Check out the opportunities on the alternative gifts tables! We think Jesus would be happy to get any of these gifts for His birthday!
9
How we can all be part of the Mental Health Ministry? S.C.A.N.
We have suffering in our presence and we have the ability to help.
One in 5 adults in America will be diagnosed with a mental illness in their life. When someone is suffering from mental health symptoms s/he feels very alone. There is a feeling that no one would understand what s/he is dealing with. This adds to the thoughts for the individual of how difficult life is, how messed up one feels, how one can’t possibly do what is expected of her/him and why bother trying. This can feel like an impossible time to ask for support and yet support is needed to give hope, encouragement and connection.
The majority of congregation members are not licensed therapists or mental health professionals and that is good. Often when someone is suffering they don’t want to feel like a patient but just want someone to care. Most of us know individuals who have mental health symptoms, perhaps of depression or anxiety. We can help by following S.C.A.N. Smile, Care, Ask, Notice. If we can remember SCAN. We can use the acronym to reach out.
Our first step is easy. Smile. We smile at others to let them know we
see them. They are not invisible or unworthy of our notice. It also puts us in the mindset to be positive and reach out.
Our next step is to put our CARE in action. In caring, we make a point of noticing how others are. If we see someone who is acting uncharacteristically anxious, angry, or moody, we can note it. If we notice someone hasn’t been around; perhaps they are withdrawing socially or isolating, we can note it. If we see someone isn’t taking care of themselves, we can note it. If we see or hear someone is participating in risky behaviors, we can note it. If someone seems to be experiencing hopelessness or feeling overwhelmed, we can note it. If someone has a change in personality and is not acting like themselves or not feeling like themselves, this is a warning sign. We can note it. By noting it, we have become aware of important changes which tell us, we must ask.
This step is easy, also. Take a minute and ask how are you? This simple step opens a dialogue which could change a life and even save a life. By asking someone how are you and then taking a few minutes or perhaps longer to listen, you have acknowledged another. Perhaps the person is fine. That would be great. Perhaps the person is troubled about
someone else or a temporary problem. We can easily support them. Perhaps the individual is having mental health symptoms. We can help by listening and accepting their feelings. It is not our job to judge their feelings and tell them they are wrong. It is not our job to give them simple platitudes and state it will all be fine. The best thing we can do is listen. It is not our job to fix another’s problems or resolve them. We just need to listen. We can suggest they can talk to Pastor Danny or Pastor Sarah. And we can let one of our pastors know that we are concerned that the individual may benefit from a call or be in crisis.
S.C.A.N. The most difficult part of using S.C.A.N. is that the acronym is out of order. We smile, care, notice and ask. All of us can do these four actions! These four actions are living the Golden Rule. Treat others like we would like to be treated. Put our Christianity in action. Be the love you want to see in the world.
If you have any questions, need clarifications, or would like to discuss this article, please email me at [email protected] or call me at 860.912.3480.
Mental Health Ministry By Cindy Mason-Jones
“SCAN: Smile, Care, Ask, Notice”
New London Meal Center
Please remember the New London Meal
Center first Sunday needs 40 cans of
Manwich every month. Thank you in
advance for helping out.
We could also use some more
volunteers especially for serving. Our
volunteers turn over regularly. See Ray
Heller or Leah Lozier.
10
Christmas Poinsettias $10 for Red or White Sign up on the bulletin board!
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12/02
Deborah Eld
12/03
Ollie Williams
12/04
Robert Nelson
12/05
Kaitlyn Koonce
12/06
Merle Johnson
Sarah Marien
12/07
Kevin Portofee
12/08
Jenna Beale
Dick Wimmermark
12/09
Donald Savage
12/11
Erik Haugland
12/12
Sue Moran
12/14
Dyann Baker
Michael Carr
Tia Lueth
12/17
Dennis Anderson
Olivia Johnson
12/19
Elaine Lettiere
Marc Lozier
12/20
Kevin Cini
Gerald Swope
12/21
Chawn Johnson
Nancy Seibert
12/22
Jean Swiontek
12/24
Chris Jones
12/28
Sara Willingham
12/29
Carolyn Kracke
Kendall Woodmansee
12/30
Charles Fear
12/31
Elizabeth Smart
12/6
Ed & Hilda Davis
12/16
Mike & Sharon Mason
12/27
Walter & Mili Derjue
12/??
Erik Haugland
Jack Stehle
Kari Hammen
Jean Wolfgang
12/1
Matthew Graul
Laurie Crawford
Bill Kracke
12/3
Rudy Croteau
12/5
Bobbi Jo Cini
12/7
Thomas McDaniel
12/14
Grace DeMarco
12/16
Kristen Wiglesworth
12/21
Ashley Crawford
Scott Crawford
12/24
Kevin Portofee
Alexander Graul
12/25
Heather Frost
12/26
Joshua Robeson
Claire Roan
12/31
William Reynolds
Celebrations
Did we miss your celebration?
Please call the church office,
860-464-7897, or e-mail
[email protected], so we
can be sure to honor your
special day!
DEADLINE
The deadline for the December Scroll is Friday, December 23.
Articles may be submitted as hard-copy or via e-mail to
Scroll Deadline
Kids’ Page
12
Prayer List
Pray for Healing: Diane Simoneau, mother of Chris Morgan;
sudden total hearing loss; prayers for complete
healing and a peaceful recovery
Gary Walton, distant relative of Tom Baudro,
who lost his mother a month ago and last week
fell and his head causing a concussion and other
damage not yet determined.
Eric, nephew of Kathy & Jerry Swope,
treatment for depression and alcohol abuse
The Bonano family, friends of Jessica Vajdos,
whose grandfather/father had a heart attack and
is now in a coma
Fran Poris, friend of Karen Wuestoff, healing
of cancer
Mark Kuklis, continued care at Fairview
Bobbi Jo Cini, waiting to have back surgery;
praying for a quick recovery
Lynn, friend of Rut Sanchez, healing of cancer
Deb Eld, recovering from hip replacement
surgery
Leslie Green, niece of Cathy & Roger Hanson,
diagnosed with breast cancer
Sherri, cousin of Cindy Mason-Jones, prayers
for healing and comfort as she continues breast
cancer treatment
Curtis Rogers, Bob Simpson’s cousin,
prayers for healing and comfort as he deals with
Stage 4 cancer.
Ben Stone, son of Wally Stone; prayers for
healing
Theresa friend of Ron Davis prayers for
healing
Stephanie Lucas-Iding, Karen Wuesthoff’s
sister, prayers for healing following surgery.
Marilyn White, Cindy Mason-Jones’ aunt,
prayers for healing and wisdom as she deals with
dementia and the changes she must deal with.
Mariann Mazur, friend of Bob Simpson,
prayers for successful treatment of stage 4 cancer
and for her family.
Andrew, prayers for healing.
Kathy Steberl, Jean Swiontek’s sister, prayers
for healing, strength and guidance, as she deals
with numerous health issues.
Pray for those who are Grieving: the family and friends of Claudia Harding, wife of
a co-worker of Tom Baudro
the family and friends of Bob Bradley, especially
his wife, Corri
Pray for our homebound: Shirley Harrington, at home.
Bill Johnston, long time member of St. Luke,
at Academy Point in Mystic.
Marnie Reubelt, friend of Ed & Hilda Davis, at
home.
Ellen Turley, at Riverview Nursing home in
Coventry, RI.
Alice Roberge, at home.
Pray for Those with Other Concerns: Chikumbuso Project, for the widows, orphans
and those ministering to them, pray that God’s
work be done in the community and for God’s
healing and blessings.
13
If you would like to add a prayer request
to the Weekly, please complete the Pray-
er Request form on the reverse side of the
yellow Connections form. Leave the form
in the pew and the ushers will collect
them and turn them in to the church of-
fice. You can also add a prayer request
by calling the office at 860-464-7897.
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ST. LUK
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Decem
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01
6
Date
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12
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12
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12
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4:3
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Pat W
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Church Calendar of Events December Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1
2
9:00 AM
Grins & Giggles
3
10:00 AM
Overeaters Anon.
7:00 PM
Alcoholics Anon
4 Advent 2
+Healing Ministry+
2:45 PM
New London Meal
Center
4:00 PM
Lessons and
Carols
5
9:00 AM
Grins & Giggles
7:00 PM
- Alcoholics Anon.
-Men’s Bible Study
-Women's Circle Bible
Study
6
8:45 AM
Classical
Conversations
6:00 PM
Thames River Quilters
6:30 PM
-Fellowship Team Mtg
-Worship Team Mtg
7
9:00 AM
Grins & Giggles
10:30 AM
Bible Study
8
1:30 PM
Red Cross
Blood Drive
9
9:00 AM
Grins & Giggles
5:30 PM
Classical
Conversations
Christmas Party
10
10:00 AM
Overeaters Anon.
7:00 PM
Alcoholics Anon
11 Advent 3
9:30 AM
Evangelism Team
Meeting
12:30 PM
Farewell
Reception for
Louise Black
and Family
12:30 PM
Lifelong Learning
Team Meeting
12
9:00 AM
Grins & Giggles
7:00 PM
- Alcoholics Anon.
-Men’s Bible Study
-Women's Circle Bible
Study
13
8:45 AM
Classical
Conversations
10:00 AM
Tuesday Morning
Small Group
5:30 PM
Planning Team Mtg
14
8:30 AM
LICEAF mtg
9:00 AM
Grins & Giggles
10:30 AM
Bible Study
15
16
9:00 AM
Grins & Giggles
17
9:30 AM -
Children’s Christmas
Eve Program Reh.
10:00 AM
Overeaters Anon.
7:00 PM
Alcoholics Anon
18 Advent 4
9:30 AM
Ministry Team Mtg
19
9:00 AM
Grins & Giggles
7:00 PM
- Alcoholics Anon.
-Men’s Bible Study
-Women's Circle Bible
Study
20
10:00 AM
Tuesday Morning
Small Group
21
9:00 AM
Grins & Giggles
10:30 AM
Bible Study
7:00 PM
CONGREGATIONAL
COUNCIL
22
12:00 PM
Staff Mtg
23
9:00 AM
Grins & Giggles
SCROLL
DEADLINE
24
10:00 AM
Overeaters Anon.
Christmas
Eve
4:00 PM
Children's Christmas
Program
8:30 & 11:00 PM
Candlelight Service
25
Christmas
Day
9:30 AM
ONE SERVICE
26
7:00 PM
- Alcoholics Anon.
27
10:00 AM
Tuesday Morning
Small Group
28
10:30 AM
Bible Study
29
30
31
10:00 AM
Overeaters Anon.
7:00 PM
Alcoholics Anon
Music Rehearsals are as follows:
Tues., 7:00 PM — Senior Choir
Wed., 12:00 PM — Belles & Beaux
4:00 PM — Joyful Noise
5:00 PM — Glory Ringers
7:00 PM — JuBELLation
Thurs., 5:00 PM — Ring Masters
7:00 PM — Celebrate Team
Unless otherwise indicated,
our Sunday schedule includes
Worship at 8:15 and 11:00 AM;
Learning Hour at 9:30 AM, and
Concert Handbell Choir rehearsal
at 12:30 PM. Celebrate services are
at the 11:00 AM service on the
second and third Sundays of the
month.
15
Church Office Hours:
Monday—CLOSED
Tuesday—8:30 AM—3:30 PM
Wednesday—8:30 AM—3:30 PM
Thursday—11:30 AM—5:00 PM
Friday—8:30 AM—3:30 PM
St. Luke Lutheran Church 1830 Route 12
Gales Ferry, CT 06335
Phone: 860-464-7897
Fax: 860-464-7742
Website: stlukegf.org
A member of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America
Living out the purposes
of God for us today.
St. Luke Lutheran Church
1830 Route 12
Gales Ferry, CT 06335
Ph. 860-464-7897
Fax: 860-464-7742
Emergency #: 860-373-7190
www.stluke.org
Office Hours:
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday
8:30 am to 3:30 pm
Thursday
11:30 am to 5:00 pm
LEADERSHIP TEAM
Pastor Danny R. Hammons
Lead Pastor
Pastor Sarah Barnes
Associate Pastor
Gina Marie Williams
Director of Music
Luke Cloutier
Youth Leader
Suzanne Wingrove
Bookkeeper
Kathleen Bartkowski
Parish Administrator
Organist/Celebrate Accompanist
Bill Brentnall
Sexton
Officers of the Congregation
Charlie Anderson
President
Mitch Robinson
Vice-President
Leah Lozier
Treasurer
New London Meal Center Schedule to Serve
December 4
Cooks:
Croteau
Heller
Lozier
Oplinger
Servers:
Hansen, D.
Koerting
Leal
Lozier
Vadjos
Wimmermark
Address Changes
Please notify the
Church Office of any
address, phone, or
email address changes.
Addresses for College
students are also en-
couraged! 860-464-
7897