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December 2014
WWW . A P L C . O R G
ABIDING PRESENCE LUTHERAN CHURCHABIDING PRESENCE LUTHERAN CHURCHABIDING PRESENCE LUTHERAN CHURCHABIDING PRESENCE LUTHERAN CHURCH
A P l a c e o f G r a c e . A l l a r e W e l c o m e .
Noels at Noon
Free Concert & Lunch
Dec
4, 11, 18
Advent Adventure Dec 6
First Communion
Instruction Dec 10
Harps & Handbells
Christmas Concert Dec 14
Choir Christmas
Cantata Special music in worship
Dec 21
Coffee In the Courtyard
at Haven for Hope Dec 21
Caroling Dec 21
Christmas Eve Worship Dec 24
Women's Bible Study
New Series begins Jan 12
Women’s Retreat
SAVE THE DATE
Feb
20-23
M a r k Y o u r C a l e n d a r s
ADVENT – CHRISTMAS – EPIPHANY … ON THE WAY!
When the last month of the calendar year arrives, it brings many things. It brings wishes and
high expectations. It brings twinkle lights and ‘to do’ lists. It brings once-a-year events and extra-
special menus. Most of those things focus toward the end of the month and the holy day/holiday
of December 25th.
The church year is different. Instead of handing us a ‘to do’ list, the church year gives us a gift
that begins four weekends before that one day and continues weeks beyond it – the blessed sea-
sons of Advent, Christmas and Epiphany. These three seasons give us time: time to listen for
good news, time to hear it and time to celebrate it.
Advent comes along to renew us with the promise that Christ is on the way. That promise rings
out from the Gospels in the invitation of John the Baptizer, in the announcement of Gabriel the
angel and even in the proclamation of Jesus himself, “The Son of Man is coming with great pow-
er and glory … to gather God’s people from the ends of the earth.” Our spirits are stirred as we
imagine Christ’s reign, shaped by God’s own hand. Come and listen during Advent worship for
the promises that fill you with hope! Come and sing your prayers for peace.
Christ is born and Christmas begins! We are awakened by the unlikely truth that God has come
to be with us by coming to be one of us. In worshipful moments of Christmas peace we hear Sim-
eon’s words of blessing as he takes newborn Jesus in his arms. Come and hear the name of God-
with-us. Come and experience grace upon grace.
Epiphany arrives with the Magi, guided by star light to the place where they meet Jesus. The
season of Epiphany is a six week celebration allowing the spot light on Jesus to grow brighter
and brighter. He is baptized and filled with the Spirit. He finds eager followers and heals those
who are ill. Jesus and his companions set out together … on the way to bring wholeness to a bro-
ken world.
And that’s where Christ finds us: on the way. On the way to work, on the way to run errands, on
the way to school, on the way home, on the way to bed, on the way to whatever comes next.
Christ finds us on the way.
Christ finds us, joins with us and remains with us always.
The old calendar year can be overwhelming as it cranks up for its last
month.
I am so grateful for the new church year that blesses us with seasons of joy!
Let’s worship in these seasons, giving thanks for the promise and peace of
Christ who is on the way!
Peace,
Pastor Dawn
Responding to God’s gift
of grace in Jesus Christ
and energized by the
Holy Spirit we
Invite,
Serve,
Worship,
Give, and
Grow in Faith.
Page 2 A B I D I N G P R E S E N C E
The light was making its way back as I sat in the fourth from the last pew like we always did at every church service. Only this time it was just mom and me. The chorus of “Silent Night” was bounc-ing off the rafters and we stood there listening because we could not sing...there were too many tears. Earlier that year we lost my grandmother, mom’s mother, Hazel. That candle lit up the brokenness of our hearts, our tears, and at the same time illumined the joy of knowing that Christ had taken her home.
I almost didn't get to light a candle that year. I was bagging groceries at the local Kroger and since I was a new hire, I got the late shift on Christmas Eve. But my mother went with me to the candle-light service as the rest of the family slept. I will never forget that flame flickering, that emotional response, that moment forever frozen in time. Every Christmas Eve it comes rushing back to me when my candle finds its flame.
This part of the Christmas Eve service has always been special to me. One of my earliest memories comes from the candlelight service when Pastor Kling invited the youngest person from each family forward to receive the light of Christ. I ran to the front of the church so proud that I was chosen to carry Christ’s light, shining in the darkness of the sanctuary, back to my family. Years later I was the acolyte holding the Christ candle as the little ones came forward. In time I would stand alone in the pews on Christmas
Eve, choked up yet again after the passing of my mother. I still have a few of those candles in a drawer at home.
These days I am blessed to stand in front of the congregation, reading those profound words from John, “What has come into
being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people.” I watch as each candle receives its flame, illuminating the darkness in a wave that slowly fills the sanctuary. I see friends and families, young and old alike with their faces aglow as the light of Christ fills the world. I listen as “Silent Night” is sung, the rich harmonies touching the depth of my soul, ca-ressing each tear that drops. In that moment, as the light of Christ surrounds me, I feel her presence.
What about you? When that light reaches you on Christmas Eve, what will be on your heart? Wher-ever you are, whoever you are with, as the illumina-tion surrounds you, know that you join countless others wel-coming the light of the Christ child into each heart and soul. I will be with you as well, in the front pew, with a tear in my eye.
The light shines in the darkness, and the dark-ness cannot overcome it.
Pastor Steve
CANDLEL IGHT CHRISTMAS EVE
People, look east. The time is near of the crowning of the year.
Make your house fair as you are able, trim the hearth and set the table.
People, look east, and sing today – Love, the Guest, is on the way. (ELW 248)
“On the way” is our theme for Advent this
year. We all know Christmas is “on the
way,” and we either love or dread every-
thing that goes with it! Many of us enjoy
“trimming the hearth and setting the ta-
ble,” but who are we doing it for and why?
Hopefully you will take time to reflect on
the birth of Jesus, our Savior, and take it to
heart.
Kyrie eleison (Lord have mercy),
on our world and on our way.
Kyrie eleison, every day. (ELW setting 8)
Christ comes to us, and we in turn take
Christ into the world. I often think that our
lives are intersecting circles. We all have
different passions, interests, and abilities,
and our lives touch each other and then we
go “on our way.”
This season you’ll have many opportunities
to be touched by the music ministry at
Abiding Presence. Worship will include a
“Carol Liturgy,” where we sing favorite
carol tunes to parts of the liturgy.
Noels at Noon concerts will take place on
Dec. 4, 11, and 18. Harps & Handbells con-
cert will be Sunday, Dec. 14 at 3 p.m. The
Choir Cantata, “An American Christmas,”
will be presented in worship as a choral
sermon on Dec. 20 and 21st. And of course
all of our wonderful ensembles will sing
beautiful Advent and Christmas music
throughout December.
So during this Christmas Season, remem-
ber, “Love the Lord, is on the way!”
Love in Christ,
Shelbie Simmons, Minister of Music
What has come
into being in him
was life, and the
life was the light
of all people. The
light shines in the
darkness, and the
darkness did not
overcome it.
John 1:4-5
Christmas Eve WORSHIP
December 24 4:00—6:30—8:30—10:30
ADVENT WORSHIP AND MUS IC
Page 3 A B I D I N G P R E S E N C E
WE SERVE …
Mission Partner Gift Cards
The Stewardship Ministry Action Team
will offer Christmas gift cards for sale
beginning November 30. 100% of the proceeds benefit our mission partners.
These cards might be a solution for
some of your Christmas gift exchanging.
At $5 per card, they are relatively inex-
pensive, they are a way to honor the
relationships we have with our friends
and co-workers, and they communicate our love for Abiding
Presence and the ministries of these non-profit organizations. Come by the table before or after worship and take a look at the
cards beautifully handcrafted by APLC members.
Mission Partners-Transplants for Children
Our Mission Partner in November and December is Transplants
for Children, a local organization established in 1986 to assist
and empower families to master lifelong challenges of pediatric
transplantation. These families have been through the shock of learning about their child’s medical need, financial hardships of
medical care and relocation, and even losing jobs so that a parent
can provide full time care. Here are just three of their stories:
Lindsey Leal—Kidney Transplant
Lindsey was born with several medical con-
ditions but a deficient urinary system lead
to End Stage Renal Disease. She began
hemodialysis in November 2013 and is currently waiting to have a bladder aug-
mentation surgery before she can be placed
on the transplant list. Despite countless
surgeries and extended hospital stays she
remains a happy little girl who greets each day with a smile.
Nathaniel Hernandez—Stem Cell Transplant
When Nathaniel was just six months old doctors found an Atypical Teratoid
Rhabdoid Tumor in his brain. Nathan
spent several months undergoing chemo
which required a stem cell transplant and
is currently in the middle of six weeks of
radiation therapy. He is happiest when all
his family and siblings are with him.
Walker Jumonville—Bone Marrow Transplant Walker was born with Severe Combined
Immunodeficiency Syndrome, commonly
known as “bubble boy disease.” Since
Walker has basically no immune system
the family lived in quarantine for four
months until a bone marrow donor was
found in March. Keeping him safe as his
immune system and transplant do their job means the family cannot go out in pub-
lic place and can only have contact with very few approved visi-
tors for about ten more months. Walker’s mom says this second
chance for Walker to live a normal life is worth every sacrifice
and they cherish everyday they spend together...even if always
stuck at home.
In November, twenty families were given Thanksgiving food bas-
kets overflowing with generous gifts from the congregation and the neighboring subdivision. In December, Christmas gifts will
be provided for each member of the twenty transplant families.
Select an ornament from the Giving Tree on display in the sanc-
tuary hallway. Bring your gift donation back to church by De-
cember 19th.
Thank you for all your generous donations to this worthy APLC
Mission Partner. If you have any questions, please contact Judy
Leinius at leiniusj@hotmail.com or call 210-862-2659.
WOMEN OF APLC—SAVE THE DATE
February 20-23 Spring Retreat at Camp Chrysalis
What will we do? We’ll have FREE time to walk, read, or rest. We’ll listen, think, talk and share with other sisters in Christ of all ages. We’ll spend time with friends we already know, and with friends-to-be. We will worship together, pray for one another and return to our homes with new connections: to God and to each other. What will we not do? We will not have a too full agenda. We will not cook or do dishes. We will not make beds, clean houses or children. (Isn’t that reason enough to attend?) We will not have work-books to study or homework to leave with. What will it cost? $119.00 covers lodging and meals for the weekend. *** MEN OF APLC—Gift certificates are available to give your special lady
a wonderful Christmas present—time for herself. Encourage her to “retreat.” Contact Kay Davidson for details. 210-496-1198
New Face at APLC
There is a new face on the campus of Abid-
ing Presence. Pastor Doug Hester, a li-
censed marriage and family therapist, was in need of a new office space and this com-
munity of faith has graciously welcomed
him. While much of his time will be spent
counseling couples and families, he also
teaches classes across the country on Fam-
ily Systems Theory with clergy, church
leaders and staffs, lay ministers, thera-
pists, social workers, nurses, parents, and professional business people. Pastor Hester is available to members of APLC for per-
sonal and pre-marital counseling and as part of his arrangement
to house his offices here, he will share the good news with us in
worship once a quarter. What a blessing.
relax
refresh
renew
aplc
women’s
retreat
Page 4 A B I D I N G P R E S E N C E
WE GROW IN FAITH
Blessings in Bible Study by Kay Davidson
I attend Bible studies because it helps me to stay focused on my
relationship with God and because it helps me connect with other
women who are trying to do the same thing!
In each study group I’ve been part of, I can truly say I learned
something. Sometimes it is understanding how God is working in
my life in a specific circumstance. Many times it has helped me to
deal with or even endure a particular trial that has come into my
life. When my nephew was killed suddenly in a motorcycle acci-
dent, I was able to share my questions, and even a little anger,
with the group of ladies. They in turn were able to pray for my
specific needs. A coincidence or not, through the lessons in the
study, I was able to better understand that God was indeed work-
ing in the circumstance and in our family even in the midst of
loss.
A few weeks ago in a conversation about the blessings I’ve experi-
enced in Bible study groups, a comment was made about that
kind of group being for older women. While I do not think of my-
self as old-not even older, it is possibly through a tiny bit of aged
wisdom that I can say I truly wish I had started attending Bible
studies earlier in my life so I could have had a deeper relationship
with God much sooner and as inevitable trials came into my life.
As a single woman wondering about career choices, as a young
wife, as new mother, as a mother of teenagers, as a woman deal-
ing with loss… God was and is always there. Through Bible study
and fellowship with other women—of ALL ages—we can learn,
see, and trust that promise.
Sometimes doing the “homework” seems too much, sometimes it
is hard to make an every week commitment. I can only say that
even if I couldn’t finish the entire lesson or make it to every class,
each time I’ve made a way to participate, God has shown me
something He wanted me to know and I’ve made life long friends.
So, I encourage you to begin the new year with a plan to partici-
pate in a women’s study group. Discerning the Voice of God
promises to be a good one.
New Women’s Study Group
Starts Jan. 12
Many of us are desperately asking God for
answers and to guide us in what feels like a
thousand decisions each day. How do you
know when it is God’s answer, not the ene-
my, not your own? After a long and loud
season of Christmas and New Year hustle
and bustle, come and sit with other women
who share all the same questions and sup-
port each other in learning some practical
ways to hear God’s voice.
A women’s study group will use
Discerning the Voice of God
by Priscilla Shirer
to guide a 7 week discussion as we share
our questions and grow in passion for the
Lord and His truth.
Bring a friend and come grow together.
Monday evenings 6:45—8:00 pm
Room 201
January 12 through February 23
Child care available.
ADULT FAITH FORMATION
Wednesday Night Coed Bible Study
The three year Revised Common Lectionary cycle brings us to the year of Mark. For about half of the Sundays this year we’ll hear words from the Gospel of Mark. There will be some side trips to John and Luke and it will be interesting to see how the Gospels work together proclaiming Jesus as fulfilling scriptural promises.
Come on Wednesday evenings beginning December 3. The group meets at 7:00 pm in room 206. Come early for pizza and salad dinner and fellowship in the gym.
Women’s Monthly Bible Studies
Two groups of ladies meet on a monthly schedule for Bible study
and fellowship. Both groups use the study materials from the
Lutheran women’s magazine, Gather. We have several extra cop-
ies of the magazine in the church office. Come and pick up a copy
from the information kiosk by the receptionist’s desk.
Grace Circle—Morning group—meets on the first Thursday of
each month at 10 a.m. in room 206. Mark your calendars for De-
cember 4 and January 8 (due to New Year holiday) Contact Judy
Kibler with any questions 830-336-3718.
Joy Bible Study—Evening group—meets on the third Tuesday
of each month at 7:00 p.m. in room 206. Mark your calendars for
December 16 and January 20. Contact Barb Fitzgerald with any
questions 210-490-4639.
Reading and Discussion Group
Currently reading selections from Listening for God, this coed
group meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month. Interesting
and lively conversation and fellowship is enjoyed as this group
thinks about a variety of topics through a wide range of reading
materials. Mark your calendars for December 23 and January 27.
Contact Pastor Dawn for copies of the book and monthly reading
assignment.
Page 5 A B I D I N G P R E S E N C E
November and December are months that provide opportuni-
ties for our young people to serve others. This year our youth
groups will serve by helping with the Reformation Festival,
Thanksgiving baskets for Transplants for Children, and a toy
drive for families at the Ronald McDonald House.
Sunday November 2, our 3rd -5th grade and middle school
youth groups completed the first leg of the Thanksgiving food
drive. Everyone went through the neighborhood behind the
church and passed out flyers. The flyers explained APLC’s
partnership with Transplants for Children, the purpose of our
food drive, and invited these neighbors to join us in worship.
Our high school youth returned the following week picking up
donations of canned goods. Many of our APLC youth returned
on Saturday Nov. 22 to help sort all the food donations and put
together Thanksgiving feast baskets for the Transplant families
we have sponsored.
December 13, our
middle school youth
will deliver gifts to the
families staying at the
Ronald McDonald
House. Our youth
take this opportunity to play
Santa and help brighten the
Christmas Season for these
families who are waiting in San
Antonio for doctors to treat
their children. The youth look
forward to this service oppor-
tunity every year.
Our high school youth are also
looking forward to the High
School Synod Gathering in January at Camp Chrysalis. After
several years of holding the gathering in hotels in various cities,
our youth are really pumped they get to go back to camp this
year for the gathering. Most of our high school youth have very
fond memories of Chrysalis and I think this change will be
great for our church and the Synod.
I think that the Reformation Festival this year was an awesome
community building event for our entire congregation and par-
ticularly enjoyed seeing so many of our young people partici-
pating. Special thanks to all of the people that came together to
make that day such a wonderful experience. The day started
with breakfast and Sunday school. Then worship with the SA
Brass and the choir. Last but not least was lunch and the Refor-
mation festival. All morning I was able to interact with so many
different small groups that wanted to make sure the Refor-
mation Festival was great for everyone. From the vendors set-
APLC YOUTH MINISTRY
ting up their items in the gym to the APLC softball team cooking
bratwursts for lunch, everyone had smiles on their faces and all
were ready to help out any way they could. As lunch started it
was fun to watch everyone interacting with each other. Older
youth making sure children knew where the pumpkin patch and
face-painting was, the anticipation of the first Bingo game, and
hearing children saying I want to win that MINION cake in the
cakewalk. Seeing families move around tables and chairs to ac-
commodate those in wheelchairs or walkers and making sure eve-
ryone was going to get enough to eat. People of all ages smiling,
laughing, eating, and playing together as a community of faith.
What a great day!
God is Good!
Mike Ceyanes, Minister of Youth and Community Life
ADVENT ADVENTURE Saturday, Dec 6, 3:30-5:30
Advent Adventure has become a special part of the Advent season at Abiding Presence. What started as a simple meal and craft making time has grown into a wonderful time of family fel-lowship and opportunity to prepare together for the coming of Jesus.
Last year a story time was planned in the midst of the crafting frenzy. It seemed to me uncertain that the chil-dren would set aside all of the glitter, ribbons, and stickers to come and listen to a simple Bible story, but as soon as the bell was rung and story time was announced the children flocked to the Youth Room. It was a special moment of quiet listening nestled in the middle of an evening of energetic crafting and fellowship. Each year Advent Adventures includes these special moments which serve as reminders of what draws us together as a community and what we are anticipating during the Advent season.
We are going to make beautiful Advent and Christmas crafts again this year. There will be projects for crafters of all ages and abilities. There will be a story time. And we’ll eat a light meal of soup and sandwiches.
This year we are adding a service project for all to help with—making sandwiches which will be donated to CAM, Christian Assistance Ministry. The sandwiches will be delivered in lunches to clients of CAM on the Tuesday following Advent Adventures.
Sign up is not required but will help us plan. Sign up on the church website or on the clipboard by the bulletin board in the sanctuary hallway. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share that will go well with the soup and sandwich meal.
I hope that many of you will come to Advent Adventures this year and spend time in fellowship as we celebrate the Advent season.
Becca Cox, Faith Formation Ministry Action Team Leader
High school food collection
3rd—5th & middle school
youth distributed flyers
Page 6 A B I D I N G P R E S E N C E
CHECK IT OUT—APLC LIBRARY by Pat Bjornson
The Unsettling Season may seem a
strange name for Advent, but the author,
Donald Shelby, says Christmas has become
such a familiar time for us that we need the
season of Advent “to interrupt and unsettle
us, to give us pause, to make us ponder,
and to change our intentions and priori-
ties….We need this season as a reminder
that our encounter with God through
Christ can forever change our life and our
world.” Besides meditations for Advent
and Christmas, Shelby closes his book with
a chapter on Epiphany. Jesus’ coming is
now a time for our going – “our going to do
the work of Christmas, our going to show
forth Christ, to be agents of God’s possibil-
ity, grace, and peace!” Reading this book
would be a good way to begin this Advent
season.
Another really good book is Martin Lu-
ther’s Christmas Book. It contains
parts of sermons preached over the years,
is quite short, and just wonderful to read.
Another quick read is Herbert Brokering’s
Making Room for Christmas. Remi-
niscent of the custom of La Posada, the
Holy Family visits several families and
places looking for a place to stay.
How Can I Celebrate Advent? is a
DVD for young children. Cartoon charac-
ters talk about Advent as they make deco-
rations and light an Advent candle.
These selections, along with many other
Advent and Christmas books for both
adults and children will be on the APLC
Bookmobile, located near the offices.
You won’t want to miss our annual APLC Day School Christmas
program December 16 & 17th at 9:30am in the Sanctuary. The
children of the day school will reenact the story of the birth of
Christ in a way that will warm your hearts and get you ready for
the holiday season!
Many thanks to all who donated at our Open House and Green-
back Night held on Thursday, November 6th. We collected over
$2500.00 which will be used for teacher training throughout this
year. The best part of the evening, however, was the families hav-
ing the opportunity to see the classrooms and the special surpris-
es that we had in store for them – AND- being able to see the chil-
dren sing and sign chapel songs in the gym! It certainly was a
Kodak moment!
Looking ahead to the New Year – we will have registration for the
2015-2016 school year at the beginning of February. Be sure to
let your friends, relatives and neighbors know what a great pro-
gram we have APLC! As a reminder, we accept toddlers through
5 years old – for more information contact the day school office at
491-9565 or email us at dayschool@aplc.org.
Moms and Dads in
Day School sized
furniture .
Open House Fun!
PreK- 4—Mrs. Ruder and Mrs. Marcum
We’ve enjoyed learning so much about nocturnal animals
that we are extending the topic for another week!! After
that, our theme will be “Fall and Families.” We will ex-
amine pumpkins and apples as scientists and use our sens-
es to describe their differences. Our dramatic play area
will turn into a farmer’s market. We will be doing a cook-
ing activity later this
month as well. We will
also be sharing family
traditions - please let us
know if your family has
traditions you would like
to share with the class.
We will continue to meet
a new letter person each
week!
PreK-5—Mrs. Kleinert and Mrs. Larsen
During the month of November we will be learning about
Space. We will talk about the Sun, the Moon and the Plan-
ets as well as the Stars and Constellations. Our Dramatic
Play Center will be once again transformed to help chil-
dren let their imagination loose with a “rocket ship, moon
rocks, and space food. I am sure they will find this a fas-
cinating topic! They will have a chance to design their
own rocket ship using a variety of objects and they will
also make craters. In our Science Center we will be ex-
ploring with magnets and the children will be able to
make predictions about how strong some magnets can be.
We will also be focusing on fine motor skills by drawing
and writing about our discoveries and predictions. We
continue to meet more of our Letter People friends this
month– the children enjoy them greatly!
APLC DAY SCHOOL NEWS
Firefighters visit in October
Page 7 A B I D I N G P R E S E N C E
APLC Staff
Steven J. Cox
Pastor
Dawn Silvius
Pastor
Dr. Shelbie Simmons
Minister of Music
Sandy Musk
Music Associate
Mike Ceyanes
Minister of Youth
Sue Evans
Business Manager
Gaye Hank
Communications Manager
Frances Harrelson
Day School Director
Executive Council
Michael Guerrero
Executive Director
Curtis Ruder
Assistant Executive Director
Cori Rodriguez
Secretary
Roger Schievelbein
Treasurer
Ministry Action Teams
INVITE
Sandy Liwang
Evangelism
SERVE
Linda Janszen
Care and Nurture
WORSHIP
Jordan & Sigrid Stern
Worship, Arts, & Music
GIVE
Steven Hart
Stewardship
GROW IN FAITH
Becca Cox
Faith Formation
CH
UR
CH
L
EA
DE
RS
HI
P APLC Pipe Organ Repair
A contract has been signed with Parkey OrganBuilders for the pipe organ repair work.
This is the same company that did the original rebuild and installation work on the
instrument. We anticipate the work to be completed by June, just in time to celebrate
the 10th anniversary of the organ installation!
Flashing Lights—Fire Trucks—and Smoke On November 19th we had quite a scare with the fire alarm sounding, fire truck sirens
and flashing lights and smoke in the choir room. It turned out to be an electrical
transformer inside the heating unit that services the office and music areas. Thanks go
to the firefighters from station 23 who responded and quickly saw to the safety of both people and building. Thanks also to Tezel and Cotter for quickly identifying and mak-
ing the necessary repairs the following morning. APLC has several heating and A/C
units getting on in age. This time it was a relatively minor repair. Thanks be to God.
Notice of Annual Congregational Meeting The annual congregational meeting of Abiding Presence Lutheran Church will be held
Sunday, January 25, 2015 following the 11:00 worship. The purpose of this meeting is
for approval of the 2014 annual reports and the 2015 budget. All members of Abiding
Presence are asked to attend and participate in making important plans for the com-
ing year.
End of Year Tax Statements End of year giving statements are available on the church website: www.aplc.org.
Login to MyAPLC. On your overview screen, select My Giving History. Your giving
for the current year displays. Click on the PDF Tax Statement button to print your
giving statement.
On Line Giving If you need a convenient way to make recurring contributions or plan to make an ad-
ditional gift before the end of the year, we encourage you to check out our electronic giving options. As the pace of life speeds up around the holidays, you may find elec-
tronic giving a most welcome way to make contributions. To set up a one time gift or
recurring giving schedule, visit us online at www.aplc.org and locate the Online
Giving button.
END OF YEAR FINANCIAL NEWS AND NOTES
Offerings received $612,914
Expenses incurred $665,593
Financial update through October 2014Financial update through October 2014Financial update through October 2014Financial update through October 2014
Offerings received in October were below budget by almost $9,000. This results in the
year to date difference in offerings versus actual expenses increasing to a deficit of
$52,679. APLC staff and Ministry Action Team Leaders are making every effort to control
expenses through the end of this year.
Offerings received so far in November total $53,605. While we have one more weekend
this month, the total received so far is well short of our budgeted need of $71,122 for the
month.
Your continued support of the ministries and mission of Abiding Presence is needed and
appreciated. It is through the donations of every individual and family in the congregation
that we are able to carry on the work of Christ. Thank you.
Offerings anticipated $706,489
Expenses anticipated $718,783
Year to date actual offeringsYear to date actual offeringsYear to date actual offeringsYear to date actual offerings————expenses ($52,679) deficit expenses ($52,679) deficit expenses ($52,679) deficit expenses ($52,679) deficit
Nonprofit Org. U.S.
Postage PAID
San Antonio, Texas
Permit No. 653
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
14700 San Pedro Avenue
San Antonio, Texas 78232
210-494-8884 www.aplc.org December 2014
Worship Times
Sunday 8:30 & 11:00 am Breakfast 8:00—10:30 Saturday 5:30 pm
Christmas Music Christmas Music Christmas Music at Abiding Presenceat Abiding Presenceat Abiding Presence
Noels at Noon Concert begins at 12:00 noon followed by FREE lunch on Thursdays in December
December 4 Victor Schaper, organist. Works by Bach, Held,
Rutz, Fedak, and a carol sing along.
December 11 APLC’s own vocal quartet featuring
Beckie Bertsch, Sara Serwacki, Pastor Steve Cox, and Jay Miner
December 18 George Gaytan, acoustic/classical guitar
arrangements of beloved Christmas carols.
Harps and Handbells Concert Sunday, December 14, 3:00 pm
A most unique musical experience featuring the San Antonio Harp Ensemble
and Abiding Presence Handbell Choir. The program will include many of your favorite holiday tunes.
Christmas Cantata December 20, 5:30 pm & December 21, 8:30 & 11:00 am
The Abiding Presence Sanctuary Choir and San Antonio Brass will present
“American Christmas” by Z. Randall Stroope as a musical message at all worship services.
Abiding Presence Lutheran Church | 14700 San Pedro Ave. San Antonio, TX 78232 | 210Abiding Presence Lutheran Church | 14700 San Pedro Ave. San Antonio, TX 78232 | 210Abiding Presence Lutheran Church | 14700 San Pedro Ave. San Antonio, TX 78232 | 210Abiding Presence Lutheran Church | 14700 San Pedro Ave. San Antonio, TX 78232 | 210----494494494494----8884 | www.aplc.org APLCSA8884 | www.aplc.org APLCSA8884 | www.aplc.org APLCSA8884 | www.aplc.org APLCSA
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