alvary comment - calvary evangelical lutheran church ......lutheran ministries). the lutheran focus...
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Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod English District
208 Woods Drive, PO Box 374
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
The Rev. Luke T. Zimmerman, Pastor
The Rev. Dr. Thomas D. Kraus, Pastor Emeritus
Church Office: 717.697.9771
Preschool: 717.796.1369
Email:
Parish Web Site: www.calvarylutheranmechanicsburg.org
CALVARY COMMENTNovember 2016
Stewardship Corner
Responding to the Head
Colossians 1:18 “And he is the head of the body, the church.” We are part of the Body of Christ; He is our Head. Where He goes, we follow. His thoughts direct our actions. This is how the people of God learn how to give, and why they give: Because Jesus gives, indeed, He gives all He has.
from the Pastor
Thanksgiving Every Day November brings the National Day of Thanksgiving in these United States. Our nation will commemorate that on November 24, while our congregation will meet for corporate worship on the evening prior to it. Thanksgiving Day was established to recognize the gifts that have been granted to us by the LORD. That concept may be lost for many Americans who will enjoy a day free from work but don’t realize the thought that there is a Supreme Being who shows Divine Providence. But for us who have been called by the Spirit to know what is true, the heart of Thanksgiving Day has not been left by the wayside. Instead, that truth leads us to praise and worship the LORD for what He has given and what He promises yet to give.
The great gifts bestowed to us by the LORD include the items we need for our daily living. We teach that concept when we speak of the Creed and the Lord’s Prayer. The familiar words from the explanation of the First Article summarize this: “I believe that God has made me and all creatures; that He has given me my body and soul, eyes, ears, and all my members, my reason and all my senses, and still takes care of them. He also gives me clothing and shoes, food and drink, house and home, wife and children, land, animals, and all I have. He richly and daily provides me with all that I need to support this body and life.” That great truth is what we recognize daily. We also do so corporately on Thanksgiving Day, as we take up our expected task: “All this He does only out of fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me. For all this it is my duty to thank and praise, serve and obey Him.”
As noted in the explanation of the First Article, one of the areas where we clearly see the LORD’s acts of generosity is in the providing of food and drink. While farmers may sow and reap, they know that their actions do not provide what is needed to make the crops grow. No, they are dependent on sunlight, rain, proper temperatures and humidity, and so on. All these are not done by
human action; they are divine works of creation. Giving thanks for these divine works stands as a testimony of mankind’s dependence upon the LORD. That is why Thanksgiving Day also takes on a character of a harvest festival, something that our Canadian neighbors might see more clearly as they celebrate their holiday on the Second Monday in October. continued on page 2
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Harvest festivals have a long tradition among the LORD’s people. In fact, the LORD commanded such festivals to be held: “Three times in the year you shall keep a feast to me. You shall keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread. As I commanded you, you shall eat unleavened bread for seven days at the appointed time in the month of Abib, for in it you came out of Egypt. None shall appear before me empty-handed. You shall keep the Feast of Harvest, of the firstfruits of your labor, of what you sow in the field. You shall keep the Feast of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather in from the field the fruit of your labor.”(Ex 23:14-16) Of the three annual festivals that the LORD commanded Israel to keep, two of them were tied to harvests. This gave the people the opportunity to offer their thanks to the LORD for His benefits given to them by returning a first share of what He had provided.
Though we are not mandated to keep festivals on particular days, we continue to hold them. Most of us would rightly be loath to omit Thanksgiving Day, since we know how the LORD has shown His generosity to us. But returning a first share of what the LORD has provided to us is not limited to particular festival days. In the Christian Church, we have the freedom to offer our shares at various times of the year. And since most of us are not agricultural workers, we don’t have to wait until the crops are ready for harvesting to bring an offering before the LORD.
This month, all of us will have the opportunity to participate in our congregation’s annual pledge drive. Details about that will be published in the weekly
bulletins in November. The process will culminate with the submitting of pledges on November 20, the Sunday prior to Thanksgiving Day. It is good for each of us to consider how the LORD has blessed us and how to return a share of those blessings to Him for His work to be carried out. This next year will give us more opportunities to support newer ways how the LORD’s work is being done, including supporting Brett Witmer’s seminary studies and Concordia Lutheran Mission in Myerstown.
As you consider participating in the annual pledge drive, I would like you to have another thought in mind. By giving your monthly or weekly offerings, you are able to have a “mini Thanksgiving Day” throughout the year. True, those days may not have all the characteristics of the holiday. But the essential parts are there: recognition of what the LORD has given to you and an act of thanking the LORD by returning a share of those benefits to Him.
When we consider our lives and what the LORD has bestowed to us, then we can realize that there isn’t one, two, or even a dozen “Thanksgiving Days.” Rather, each day that we are provided with what we need for this body and life is an opportunity to give thanks. Even more so, the continued ability to be daily and richly provided with forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation is a greater reason to offer praise and worship to the LORD. Let that be a thought in our lives together that lasts beyond the month of November.
Survey Coming in Your Email The task given to the Auditory Communications Committee was to get a dialogue going about music at Calvary, its importance to our worship and our identity as Lutherans, and what we can do to provide the most meaningful experience for worshipers.
The committee decided at its initial meeting that we should figure out how important music is to our members, how all people may engage in worship through music, and what an ideal program might look like.
Within the next week, those of you who have given the church an email address will be sent a Survey Monkey email which we want you to fill out and send to the
church email address given on the survey. The survey has a number of questions, some quickly answered, some which require some thought, and some demographic details to help get a feel for needs for different ages.
If you did NOT give your email, you may pick up a survey form in the Narthex and return it to the box marked MUSIC SURVEYS.
We’re asking that you return the surveys promptly so we can tally results and make a list of topics for future discussions in a variety of manners depending on responses.
May Jesus Christ be praised in our words and songs.
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Upcoming Dates
Sunday, November 6 Altar Guild Meeting Noon
Sunday, November 13 Operation Barnabas Bags Noon
Wednesday, November 23 Thanksgiving Vespers 7:30 pm
Saturday, December 10 Christmas for Kids 9:30am-1:30pm
Wednesdays, Nov 30 & Dec 7, 14, & 21 Advent Supper 6 pm Bible Study 6:30 pm Advent Service 7:30 pm
Church Council Report: October 2016 • Deacons The Deacons approved a proposal by Pastor Zimmerman to recruit and
train additional men of the congregation to serve as assisting ministers.• Education The Sunday School mission project for the year is PLM (Philadelphia
Lutheran Ministries). The Lutheran focus is on the Principles of Christian Stewardship with the study of the Offering & Offertory. Curriculum for K-5 & Adults is following CPH’s Growing in Christ. Each week’s lesson is outlined the the church bulletin. The Junior-Senior High group is using Divine Drama from Crossways International which helps youth connect their faith to daily life.
• Youth The Youth Group kicked off their year with a hike on the Appalachian Trail. Upcoming activities include seeing the movie Luther on November 6, helping out with Operation Barnabas on November 13, and Christmas caroling at area nursing homes where Calvary members reside.
• Auditory Communications Committee Chair Bonnie Schulte presented a report which outlined the task of initiating input and discussion from the congregation on the importance of music in Calvary’s church life. (See story on Initial Congregational Survey, page 2.)
• Nominating Committee The following members were approved as members of the committee: Tam Lukens, Jack Schilder, Debbi Neemeyer, Nichole Goheen, and Jamie Brackett.
• Finance Committee John Raymond will replace Bryce McMinn who has moved.• Constitution Review Committee Based on the outcome of September 25’s
meeting, Pastor Zimmerman moved that the committee be dissolved. If further work is needed, a new committee will be formed.
• 500th Anniversary Reformation Committee Discussion is underway about celebrating and/or recognizing the 500th Anniversary of the posting of the 95 Theses throughout the year with a capstone program in October.
Thanksgiving is around the corner and we are excited to be hosting a Thanksgiving feast for our preschool families. The children will help prepare fun snacks for their parents to enjoy after our Thanksgiving program.
This month we will be discussing the first Thanksgiving and how it was celebrated. Together we will
give thanks to God for all he has done for us.
Our first Bible story of the month will be David and Goliath. We will
be taking measurements of all the students in class and then again at the end of the year to see how “big”
everyone has gotten. Our next Bible story will be about the wise leader Solomon. As a class we are going to talk about the current and new leader of our country and how he or she is chosen. Our final Bible story before the Thanksgiving break will be about King Josiah and the Good News. We will create scrolls and write about the good things God has done for us.
In Christ’s Love,
Mrs. Valora
Preschool News
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November Birthdays 5 Nathan Akers 6 Jamie Brackett 9 Premilla Swamidoss 14 Julia Douden 19 Erin McMinn 19 Robert Wallick 20 Michael Stettler 21 Jeffrey Douden 22 Madison Miller 23 Candy Hammond 26 Katherine Baum 29 James Quanbeck
November Anniversaries 16 Robert & Kay Ardner 24 Earl & Mary Ellen Soliday
CelebrateChristmas Wreaths
The 22-inch Douglas fir wreaths can now be ordered for $20 each. Sign up on the bulletin board in the Narthex. Proceeds from the sale are designated for Brett Witmer’s seminary expenses. Orders and payments are due by Sunday, Nov. 6 and checks should be made out to Calvary Ladies Aid Society. Wreaths will be delivered for pickup Sunday, Nov. 20 . Any questions? Call Kay Ardner at 717-682-8991.
Stuffing CollectionNovember is Stuffing Month for Calvary to help New Hope Ministries collect goods for
Christmas Dinners. Calvary has pledged 200 boxes of stuffing which can be dropped off in the Narthex on the Stuffing Table. And that’s the Stuff life is made of.
Thanksgiving BasketsEach year, the Ladies Aid Society collects items for two or more Thanksgiving Baskets that will provide a meal for a family of six. Sign up in the adult classroom if you can bring in some items.
Making Happy Holidays for All
Christmas for Kids Saturday, December 10
9:30 am – 1:30 pm
Join us for an interactive lesson on the Christmas story, singing, crafts,
snacks, and games! Lunch will be provided.
Registration is open for children ages 3 – 12.
Visit CalvaryLutheranMechanicsburg.org or pick up a paper form in the narthex.
Invite your friends, family and neighbors to experience the reason for the season!
Christmas for Kids Coming Calvary’s Second Annual Christmas Outreach Event is set for Saturday, December 10 from 9:30 am —1:30 pm for members, their friends, and neighborhood children. Set in VBS style, there will be a variety of activities including games, songs, food, fellowship and fun, as well as sharing the story of Jesus’ birth.
We’re looking for helpers to serve on our crews. See the following crew chiefs if you have questions. Signup is on the board in the Narthex. Please include your phone number and email so we can keep in contact with what’s going on.
Teaching: Sara NeagleyArts & Crafts: Julia DoudenActivities: Nichole GoheenDecorations: Jim & Lynne WickerFood: Tam LukensPublicity: Bonnie SchulteRegistration & Logistics: Donna Foster
Enclosed in this newsletter is a copy of the registration form. Feel free to copy and share with neighborhood families. Extra forms will be available on the Narthex table. Registration may be done online as of November 1. Registration deadline is Sunday, December 4.
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1 All Saints Day
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lcms ministry to the armed forces
OPERATION
ONGOING DRIVES FOR VETERANS Toaster Oven DriveThanks to a number of donations from congregation members and matching contributions, we will be donating 20 toaster ovens to newly housed veterans. Great work!
Holiday Bags for Homeless Female Veterans & ChildrenWe will be stuffing the holiday bags on Sunday, November 13. Items still needed are the following: 17 Hand Towels, 24 Razors, 24 Shaving Cream, 24 Deodorant, 9 Toothbrushes, 24 Toothpastes, 24 Dental Floss, 9 Pairs of Mittens, 24 Water Bottles, 13 Pairs of Socks, 11 Combs, 24 Hair Brushes, and 15 Chapsticks. See Bob Ardner if you want to supply any of these items.
Coming up this winter will be the Stand Down in Harrisburg. We are always looking for volunteers to help as ambassadors for this event.
Funeral for Nancy Emerick on October 20
Nancy Emerick fell asleep in the Lord on Friday, October 14. She was the mother of Donna Castro, grandmother to Amanda Carbaugh, and great-grandmother to Kierstan Carbaugh.
Nancy was a member of the choir, Ladies Aid Society and served in many ways during her membership at Calvary.
Her belief in Jesus is her resurrection story and that for all of us is a comfort and a joy.
PARISH CASH FLOW REPORT (January 1—September 30, 2016)
INCOME GeneralOffering $124,094.00 MissionOffering 9,604.75 BuildingFund 10,403.75 PlateOffering 8,250.07Memorial 100.00 MyNeighbor 40.00IniHalOffering 313.00LentenOffering 1,554.00ChristmasOffering 0.00BuildingUse 250.00AscensionDay 165.00RefundIncome 162.80EasterOffering 835.00OtherIncome 1,073.95Epiphany 485.00AshWednesday 520.00GoodFriday 290.00MaundyThursday 345.00 ThriventChoiceDollars 975.00 LutheranWitness 160.00SundaySchool 235.00OperaHonBarnabas 4,320.00YouthGroup 5.00Preschool 23,199.82
TOTALINCOME $187,431.14
EXPENDITURES 1000 PastoralExpenses $67,300.40
(Salary&Benefits)2000 PersonnelExpenses 11,750.29
(Secretary,Organist)3000 RealEstateExpenses 22,084.84
(Insurance,U8li8es)4000 OperaHngExpenses 30,762.17
(Maintenance,Supplies)5000 MinistryExpenses 3,395.35
(BoardAc8vi8es)6000 MissionSupport 9,350.00
(DistrictPledge,NewHope,Seminarian)7000 MortgagePayments 4,366.088000 Non-BudgetedExpenditures 30,287.00
(Revolving,MyNeighbor,Memorial,Preschool)
BudgetedDisbursements $149,009.13
Non-BudgetedDisbursements $30,287.00
TOTALEXPENDITURES $179,296.13
NETCASHFLOW +$8,135.01
Nominations Being Accepted for Church Officers Those members wishing to nominate voting members of the congregation may fill out a form found on the table in the Narthex and deposit it in the box marked Nominations. The following positions are up for election: President, Secretary, Financial Secretary, Deacon (3), Trustee (3), Board of Stewardship Chair, and Board of Youth Chair. Any one of the nominating committee members can answer any questions you have: Jamie Brackett, Nichole Goheen, Tamara Lukens, Debbi Neemeyer, and Jack Schilder. Voting will take place at the December Voters Assembly.
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CALVARY EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH208 Woods DriveP. O. Box 374Mechanicsburg, PA 17055-0374
Address Service Requested
Next Calvary Comment Deadline is Sunday, November 20, 2016.
If possible, send info to [email protected].
To My Calvary Family,
I hope you are all well and in good spirits. I myself am doing well, I can't complain. Thank you all for your continued prayers and support in all its forms. I can't tell you enough how much it does mean to me.
I am finally getting into a rhythm here at the seminary. We were told it would be a bit like drinking from a fire hose the first quarter or two, and that seems to be the case! As the weeks have gone on, (I think tomorrow starts Week 7!) I've learned to prioritize, adapt, and manage the work. I've really enjoyed the material and my time here, so even with a heavy workload, it's been a pleasure to study God's Word.
I've gone to my fieldwork church, Immanuel Lutheran, for about a month now, and it's a good congregation, located outside of the town of Decatur, Indiana. So far, I've just been observing, but soon I'll be slotted to read the Sunday lectionary readings and assist with the distribution of communion. The people are warm and friendly, eager to chat after the service on Sunday.
Please keep me and my fellow seminarians, and the staff and faculty, in your prayers. Please pray for our pastor at Calvary, and our circuit churches, District, and Bishop Hardy. Know that you are also in my prayers. Again, I am so thankful for all your efforts in supporting me.
In Christ,
-Brett
Calvary Lutheran Church Christmas for Kids Registration Form
Saturday, December 10, 2016 9:30 am – 1:30 pm Last name: ______________________________ First name: __________________________ Home phone: __________________________ Cell phone: __________________________ Address: ______________________________________________________________________ City: _____________________________________ State: _____________ Zip: ____________ Email: ______________________________________ Home church: _____________________________________ Emergency contact: Phone number: Relationship to child(ren): Registration is open for children ages 3-12: Name: d.o.b. grade allergies Name: d.o.b. grade allergies Name: d.o.b. grade allergies Name: d.o.b. grade allergies *Medical Release I give permission of Calvary Lutheran Church to administer basic first aid to the above mentioned child(ren) in the event of an injury. In the event of an emergency and I cannot be reached, I give permission for the supervising staff member or available adult leader to sign forms that would ensure the necessary and immediate treatment of my child(ren). I give permission to those administering emergency treatment to do so, using those measures deemed necessary. *Photo release I give permission for my child(ren)’s photo to be used for publicity purposes (in-house bulletin board, church newsletter, and/or church’s website/Facebook page) without compensation. I DO NOT give permission for my child(ren)’s photo to be used for publicity purposes (in-house bulletin board, church newsletter, and/or church’s website/Facebook page) without compensation.