Pastor Terry’s Reflections

Loving, Learning, Living and Serving In Christ January 2021 Issue

As we start into this New Year, 2021, many of us are hopeful that we can get back to some sense of normal. We are tired and worn down by the effects of the Coronavirus Pandemic. And while we often talk about our reluctance to change, my sense is that in this time we are hopeful, ready and looking for change.

Change is an interesting character. In one of my resources, a book titled, Leadership On The Line, the authors write, “Most people aren’t afraid of change. They are afraid of loss.” We certainly have endured a lot of loss in this past year.

At our congregational meeting last October, this loss was expressed as a need to have more members. Some of this conversation focused on the loss of income, a loss of some of our members, and a concern about whether people will return to in-person worship. I hear these questions and concerns as: How can we get more people to engage with our mission and ministry endeavors?

In seminary, I learned that there are two basic types of change – Technical Change and Adaptive Change. Perhaps, you have heard of these and maybe you haven’t. Technical Change are those situations where there is a known solution to the problem and it’s simply a matter of implementing the change. Technical change is relatively easy and reminds me of the catch phrase of the comedian, Larry the Cable Guy, “Git R Done!”

Adaptive Change is quite the opposite. The answers to adaptive change are unknown. There is no obvious solution. Adaptive change is hard because it requires a multi-prong approach, trial and error experimentation, adjustment to new ways of doing things, and lots of communication.

The issue of: How do we get more people engaged with our mission and ministry is an adaptive change issue and will take all of us working together to find an answer that works within our context.

As we enter 2021, the Church Council, Team Leaders and ministry teams are beginning to consider this issue and developing some potential solutions. We are going to need your help as well. We need your prayers, your participation, and your support as we work through this process. We also need you to share your concerns and your particular sense of loss related to these proposals.

The Worship Team is the first team to begin to look at this challenge. As in-person worship attendance is increasing, it is apparent that we will soon need to offer an additional worship service. Many people have expressed a desire for an 11:00 traditional worship service and this seems like a reasonable first step. The current plan is to continue to watch our numbers and work through the logistics of adding this service.

In addition, the Worship Team is considering a modified Contemporary Worship experience aimed at people who not only prefer that style of music but are somewhat disenfranchised with the institutional church and its rituals. More informa-tion with regard to this will be shared as the team works on this idea.

God loves you and so do I!

Pastor Terry

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We Are Praying For You

The staff prays for 7 church families or

individuals every week and then sends out

postcards letting them know that they have been prayed for.

You are invited to join with us in praying for these families and individuals as well. This month we prayed for the following:

Margo Post

Dan, Rebecca, Robert and Katie Powers

Jerry and Brenda Pratt

Dennis and Lisa Pyeatt

Bill, Stacy, Dylan and Mary Quaid

Robert Querido

Roger and Carmen Raddatz

Patrice Ranellone

Dean and Dorothy Reed

Jerry, Sindy, Katie & Keanen Reimer

Mel Reinoehl

Joe and Shirley Reiser

Glenn and Darlene Richter

Nayda Rivera

Outdoor Holy Communion We will have the next outdoor Holy Communion Service

Sunday, January 3rd at 11:00 am. Just as a reminder, this will be in addition to the celebration Holy Communion in the sanctuary af-ter our Live Stream service. The timing of this service will allow you to watch the Live Stream and then come to the church to receive Holy Communion. If you plan to attend this service, please RSVP to the office. Our safety guidelines will still need to be in place. In particu-lar, check-in, face masks and social distancing will need to be observed. We will gather in the shaded area east of the church and between the two storage sheds. The service should only last about 10 minutes or so. Bring your own lawn chair if you are unable to stand for that amount of time.

In addition, we are asking that those who are physically impaired to park in the gravel lot in the spaces closest to the shaded area. All others are asked to leave these parking spots open. Pastor will use a microphone and speaker so that everyone can hear. Those who are physically impaired and are parked can lower their windows and listen to the service. Pastor will bring the elements to your vehicle after serving the others. If it rains, we will wait up to 30 min-utes for it to pass or reschedule for a later date.

Weekly Zoom Fellowship Time is Ending The Coronavirus pandemic presented us with many

challenges related to staying connected with one another. This year we offered a Zoom Fellowship time on Wednesdays at noon as one way to do this. Wednesday, December 30 will be our last organized Zoom Fellowship time. Thank you to all who partici-pated during this time. Our hope is that each of you will continue to stay connected with one another and check-in on one another. If you would like to continue a Zoom Fellowship time in the New Year or if another day and time would work better for you, please contact the office and we will help you get something set up. Pastor’s Bible Study will continue to be held on Wednesdays at 1:00pm. All are invited to join this time of study. Each week, we discuss the Gospel Lesson for the upcoming week.

The Zoom Link is as follows: Topic: Bible Study

Time: Jan 6, 2021 01:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Every week on Wed, until Dec 15, 2021, 50 occurrence(s)

Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89205762731?pwd=OXR6UXQrS3UxVlBzTzBtQWV1U2JtZz09

Meeting ID: 892 0576 2731 Passcode: 717976

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ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL

MEETING

There will be a meeting of the Congregation of

Living Lord Lutheran Church on Sunday, January 31, 2021.

Please mark your calendar and plan to attend this

important meeting of your church congregation.

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Christmas Eve services this year will be a contemporary service at 4pm and a traditional service at 7pm.

The Worship Team has worked very hard to provide a comprehensive list of guidelines to ensure everyone’s safety. It is very important that everyone adhere to these guidelines.

We have a very strict 92-person limit in the sanctuary. Because of this, we are asking that you contact the office by phone 941-753-9365 or by email maggie@livinglordfl.org to let us know if you will be attending worship. We know that this may a bit of an inconvenience, but we will need to do this every week prior to worship.

As a reminder, if you are not comfortable with these guidelines or you are an at-risk person, we ask that you please stay at home for your safety and the safety of others. The guidelines are included below for your review. As always, please remember to take care of yourselves and reach out to your neighbors, friends, and brothers and sisters in Christ during this time of isolation.

God’s peace be with you all!

Guidelines and step by step process for in-person worship Everyone is asked to bring their own face masks and put them on as your enter the building. Face masks

are to be worn at all times. Worship leaders will not be masked during the online portion of worship and are at least 16 feet from

congregation. Nurses, greeters, and ushers are asked to be present in advance to people arriving (~30 minutes before

worship). Front doors to be opened and remain open 20 minutes before worship. (Greeters are to make sure doors

are open and welcome people). Parish nurses will take people’s temperature as people enter the building with an infrared (non-contact)

thermometer. No one will be allowed to enter with a temperature above 100.4 degrees Greeters will be behind a table in the Narthex to welcome people (no handshakes or hugs). Greeters will

check-in people entering. Names and phone numbers will be added for those who did not RSVP. Our capacity is 70/service.

Ushers will open the doors to the Sanctuary Hall and Sanctuary 20 minutes before worship and the doors are to remain open.

A/C units to be set with fans on during the worship service.

Two hand sanitizer stations are provided in the Sanctuary Hall. Everyone is encouraged to adhere to social distancing. Tape is on the floor from the Sanctuary Hall to the

front of the Sanctuary in 6 foot intervals. No bulletins will be provided. Anyone needing a bulletin is asked to bring their own bulletins, if needed, or

they can use a Smart phone or an iPad.

Seating is arranged at 6 foot intervals between rows. Pews are marked to allow for spacing. Offering plates are placed in the rear of the sanctuary for people to place their offering in as they come to

worship. Ushers to collect offering and place in the office. Ushers will ask people to begin the seating process from front to back by sitting in the middle of the row

and then filling to the outsides. Congregational singing will be discouraged. Humming is encouraged. Worship leaders will provide the

singing for live stream.

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Deacon Tara will do all of the readings and the children’s message with kids staying in place.

Pastor Terry to read Gospel and preach

When we share the peace, everyone is asked to simply to bow to one another (no handshakes or hugs). Holy Communion will be offered after the live stream service – We will use a processional style of

communion starting on the Praise Team side of the Sanctuary. People seated on the right (east) side and center will exit their seats to their left and return to their pews on the right side. Those seated on the left (west) side will exit their seats to the right and return to the left. Pastor and Deacon Tara will move to the front of each section like we normally do for processional communion. Those who do not wish to receive communion can exit as their row comes to commune. Pastor and Deacon Tara will be masked throughout the Communion liturgy. People will come to Pastor Terry who will use tongs to drop wafer into their hands. They will then move six feet to Deacon Tara who will provide wine trays on table with glasses spaced apart. People will take a cup from the tray and then move six feet to lower their mask and consume the elements or can do this when they are back at their seat. Those who choose to consume at their seat can place the empty cup in a trash can in the Sanctuary Hall as they leave the building.

After Communion, we will dismiss from back to front maintaining social distancing (ushers will assist with this maintaining social distancing). We will ask people to not congregate in the building or in front of doors. Any fellowship should take place in parking lot with social distancing.

Thank you for following our guidelines for safety.

OUR DAILY BREAD The Outreach Team project for January begins Sunday, January 3rd - Our Daily Bread annual food drive. We ask that you take a grocery bag and fill it with food items to help us with the needs of the homeless & needy in our community. Bags are available at church or you may use your own bag(s). Suggested food items are listed below. Return bags by Sunday, January 17.

*Not all who are served are homeless, the majority are families struggling to raise children. *The food items from our ODB food drive help stock the ‘Market’ where folks in need can come once a month to help stretch their own pantries.

*Bulk items are used in the food kitchen, where as many as 250 are served meals daily. *Monetary donations help ODB fill in other needs. Last year, we sent $246.00 and 120 bags of groceries to-ward this work.

Our Daily Bread Food Items

__ 2 Cans Meat or Fish

__ 2 Cans Vegetables

__ 2 Cans Fruit

__ 2 Cans Soup

__ 2 Boxes Macaroni & Cheese

__ 1 Box Dry Soup Mix

__ 1 Bag of Dry Beans

__ 1 Bag of Rice

__ 1 Box of Powdered Milk

__ 1 Jar of Peanut Butter

Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me”

Matthew 25:40

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CALENDAR

The children and youth presented a video

Christmas Program during the worship

service on December 20. The whole service can be viewed on Facebook.

Cast

Narrator 1: Brooke Palmtag Grinch: Melody Fetterman

Cindy-Lou: Katie Powers Narrator 2: Logan Pope

Angel 1: Anna Heuss, Mary: Anna Mylett

Joseph: Jordan Williams Prophet: Brenden Sifford

Narrator 3: Luci Palmtag Narrator 4: Robert Powers

Shepherds: Logan Pope & Parker Rhodes

Sheep: Ari Rhodes Angels: Clara & Jolene Heuss

Narrator 5: Julia Mulligan King Herod: Robert Powers

Wisemen: Kayte & Julia Mulligan

Chief Priest: Jordan Williams Angel 2: Carolina Sifford

Thank you!

A Special Thank You to Kurtis Raddatz

for Videoing, Filming, Recording, and Editing the Program!

Erika Schmidt, Ann Courter, & Emily Friedrichs helped with sets.

Melody Fetterman painted the Grinch hand.

Assistants included Ann Courter, Carmen Raddatz,

Lynn Pope, & Rebecca Powers.

January 10

1:00 pm Catechism Class

(Romans–Corinthians & Intro - 4th Petition Make-up)

2:00 pm MS & HS Youth Games & Check-in

2:30 pm High School Youth

January 24

1:00 pm Catechism Class

(Galatians–Philippians & 5th Petition of Lord’s Prayer)

2:00 pm MS & HS Youth Games & Check-in

2:30 pm High School Youth

January 30

2:15 pm TreeUmph Adventure Course

Children’s Faith Formation on Zoom

Sundays, 10:30 am Login: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84985176380?

pwd=Lzk4Nm5sdkgxSTNVSkd5WHRHdW80QT09

January 3 No Class – Kit Pick-up at 11:15 am

January 10 “Jesus is Baptized”

January 17 “Many Follow Jesus”

January 24 “Jesus Blesses the Children”

January 31 “Jesus Teaches about Prayer”

Faith Formation kit pick-up will be on January 3, 11:15 - 11:45 am, there will not be class that day. Everyone who picks up on January 3 will get their own little King Cake to celebrate Epiphany. If you will not be able to pick up your kit on Jan. 3, please make arrangements with me to pick them up during the week. Please let me know if you want a January & February Faith Formation kit for your children/grandchildren!

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December has flown by pretty quickly at AGC, but even in that little amount of time, we managed to get a lot of exciting events done. As we say goodbye to 2020, we are looking forward to many new adventures in 2021.

The teachers were hard at work this month teaching winter lessons, making snow experiments, having fun activities planned for the students and planning many holiday parties to end the school year.

Although we could not have our "normal" Christmas program for our AGC students and families, the staff still managed to make the event as jolly as possible. Our VPK students still performed a beautiful Nativity play and sang beautiful Christmas carols. We were able to video the performance and share it with all of our families. We hope that it will bring some Holiday cheer to everyone.

As for our younger students, we had book and sock exchanges, pajama parties and cookie decorating contests. It is always such a fun time of year, although hectic at times, always worth it!!

The staff at AGC wishes you and yours a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. See you in 2021!

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Council Corner

Wow, what a year! The year of 2020 will go down in history, and most of us probably hope it will stay down. As the song from “Mame” says, “we need a little Christmas, right this very minute” and this year it seems that Christmas will provide a merciful end to the year that never was. Most of the time at year end I write about our plans for the next year and all the accomplishments of the various teams and our plans for the coming year. This time around there are still many accomplishments (read the annual report for the happy details) but the main plan for next year is: let’s hope the light at the end of the tunnel isn’t an oncoming train!

Attempts at humor aside, it is cathartic and spiritually fulfilling to celebrate the birth of Christ this time each year. It not only reminds us of the power of Jesus as a human being among us, but of the hope reborn in us. Typically for December, the Council wrestles with the budget and tries to match ministry efforts with giving patterns to move Living Lord forward each year. This year is a challenge to plan for our attendance post-Covid (when will it be?) for 2021 so the budget is more of a transient one, as you will see in January. Just for a sneak preview, the Council will be presenting a more austere “for now” spending plan to be reviewed mid-year in 2021 to see if our projections match actual expenses and giving.

One bright spot is the proposed AGC expansion. After the congregation voted in October to expand the school building Erin Bonifate, AGC Director, and Mary Hunter, AGC Chair, met with representatives of the construction firm and planning is underway. In order to minimize student disruption, it may be possible that the expansion can take place as soon as August 2021.

Also as approved in October by the congregation, plans are continuing for permitting and site design to con-tinue into 2021. It takes several months to get all the approvals and we expect to have more information in the first quarter of 2021.

As we look forward to 2021 we have much to be thankful for. Our AGC school weathered the Covid storm quite well and there is still a waiting list of students. Our planning for reopening the church for worship was done thoughtfully and carefully and done so well that the mid-Gulf Conference of ELCA used our guidelines for the model for other congregations.

One thing that an enforced hibernation does is allow for more long-term thinking and planning. To that end Pastor Terry and the Worship and Music Team are investigating how they can develop a new worship service to serve those in our community who identify as “spiritual but not religious’, a term used for those who are shying away from the more formal liturgical denominations. They will be asking for input during early in 2021 so stay tuned if you want to take part in this evangelism effort. There are so many things to consider: sched-ules, worship teams, musicians, publicity, communications, and personal preferences. The team intends to tackle them all and other issues as well.

In closing, please continue to pray for our church and the community we serve. It seems right that this year the prayer of St. Francis seems extra-appropriate.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to un-derstand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.

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Saturday, January 30

Meet at TreeUmph by 2:15 pm

(21805 E. State Road 70, Bradenton)

I need an Adult Volunteer to help Chaperone.

Cost: $50/person, includes 3 Challenges and 1 Zipline,

unlimited water and climbing gloves.

RSVP and $25 Deposit Due to Deacon Tara by Jan 3.

FAITH COMMUNITY NURSES

JOY AND LAUGHTER IN THE NEW YEAR

Recently I read an article by Debbie Przyblyski and will use it in part of this article. I want to share it with you.

Create a habit of happiness and laughter instead of a habit of worry. When you laugh, it lowers stress hormones and relieves stress. Laughter also boosts the immune system, protects the heart and improves overall health. Ten belly laughs a day are equivalent to a good aerobic exercise workout, and they are the ultimate 'stress buster.' says Don Corbert MD.

As we enter this New Year, it is critical that we maintain a good heart attitude in life. If you look around, many people are stressed and without hope, worrying daily about the future . Many are burdened in this New Year, fearing what will happen rather than really living life to the fullest. Is this really what God wants for us?

Do you know that laughter helps promote good health? A laugh can lower your blood pressure, boost your immune system, improve your brain function, elevate your mood, reduce your stress, help you relax, and protect your heart. As it increases your feel-good hormones, it keeps you squarely in the moment. It helps you reframe and feel thankful. Then you will see negative events in a more positive light.

In Proverbs 17:22 the Bible says, "A cheerful heart is good medicine." Nehemiah 8:10 says: "Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." The Bible supports the fact that cheerfulness and joy promote good health. Is it possible to rejoice always? Paul certainly did and he was imprisoned. Struggles are not easy, but Paul says to pray about everything with thanksgiving as we present our requests to God. Prayer is the key to the ability to rejoice always. Perhaps prayer is also the key to finding joy and laughter as we enter a New Year. It certainly is not easy to rejoice in certain circumstances of life, but there is a choice we can make of how we view them. God has an answer for everything, even if we can't see it through our human eyes. He knows the beginning and the end, and it is our choice if we want to link with Him or not. The world is negative and tries to squeeze us into its mold, but God has a way we can walk through our circumstances and our whole life victoriously.

Philippians 4:4-6 says "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

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Worship Attendance

 

Online People 

Reached  Total 

1‐Nov  555  619 

8‐Nov  581  635 

15‐Nov  615  667 

22‐Nov  397  453 

In‐Person Attendance 

64 

54 

52 

56 

29‐Nov  963  88  1051 

If you are interested in receiving more information from the Synod you can go to fbsynod.com. Subscribe to the newsletter at the bottom of the page.

Here are some highlights from the newsletter: Prayer of the Week from our Racial Justice Think

Tank

Global Mission Updates

Racial Justice Youth Check In with Bishop Suarez

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Seeds Monthly is an e-Newsletter designed to equip leaders and members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) with important updates from the church wide organization, helpful resources, ideas for ministry and more – all in one place.

Go to: elca.org/resources/seeds On the right hand side of the page is a blue box to click and sign up for the Seed Monthly Newsletter email.

01/01 Friedrichs, Eric & Tara 01/11 Engel, Bev & Bob 01/16 Sciturro, Mari & Steve 01/22 Hunter, Mary & Herb 01/23 DeGeorge, Cathy & John 01/23 Morrison, Ellen & Jimmie 01/27 Henkelmann, Roger & Linda

01/03 Neynaber Cleo 01/04 Asher Riley 01/04 Bohlmann Todd 01/04 Miller Bill 01/06 Holst Douglas 01/07 Wells Cindy 01/08 Fredericks Debbi 01/08 Pyeatt Lisa 01/10 Quaid Mary 01/11 Trompke Alyssa 01/12 DeLosh Shawn 01/12 Gieschen Paul 01/12 Herchen Arthur 01/12 Mann Eugene 01/13 Duck Audrey 01/13 Mulligan Kiley 01/14 Bernard Vidra 01/15 Tomasso Sue 01/15 Zang Caroline 01/16 Laschke Desiray 01/17 Bottiger Augie 01/17 Tetmeyer Madelyn 01/19 Schillinger Jennifer 01/25 Gerdes Ronald 01/27 Black Dan 01/27 Neu Meghan 01/28 Behler Davene 01/29 Morrissey Lori 01/30 Baar Mary Jo 01/30 Pinsonneault Wayne 01/31 Rupp Sheryl

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Who do I contact If I am interested in a particular ministry?

Church Council

President Greg Fisher 567-5357

Vice President Randy Hanson 981-9048

Administration

Carol Driscoll

860-993-6433

Education Kim Schmidt 747-9594

Evangelism Open

Parish Life Open

Finance

Property

Bill McConnell

Bill Miller

751-8053

776-8631

Stewardship John Saum 753-1393

Worship & Music Rhoda Olson 201-6304

Youth

Altar Guild

Open

Marlene Saum

753-1393

Faith Community Nurses

Karen Hansing 748-5806

Fellowship Ellen Hanson 981-9048

Outreach Cheryl Graham 744-2742

Elaine Seamon 351-0863

New Members Patty Kunkel 748-6669

Stephen Ministry Helen Howe 213-9702

Youth Ministry Tara Friedrichs 813-947-9789

Worship Assistants Celeste Betjemann 219-617-3458

Billie Havey 812-0554

The Family of Ken Baar Theo Bullington

The Family of Martha Eldridge

Cindy Wells Tracy Brown

Patsy and Ronnie Dew Rob Babel

Josh Myers Behler Dick Bernard Bud Coffman Chris Mork

Family of Joe Zubricky Jerry Tomasso

Tim Parker Shirley Smith

Kristine Mylett

Julie Magestro

Dallas Swearingen

Wyly Pope

Gordy Havey

Linda Henkelmann

Chase Gorny

Kristen Anderson

Mary Doolin

Kevin Sullivan

Susanna Scott

Janet Castner

Jacob Rodriguez

Suzanne Dietzel

Family of Ken Hartlieb

Joanne Mayer

Ivory Anderson

Nora Zec

Mike and Jan Sandberg

Susan Wollage

Patsy Bruns

Liz Howell

Louanna Francies

Steve Pierannunzi

Russ North

Ed Holloway

Family of Ryan Williams

Mark Jerndt

The Werdes Family

Jim Werdes

Ralph Schimmoller

BobDefresne

Jeanette Knight

Tony Zubricky

Cason Pope

Deanna Anderson

Alan Hansen

Stephanie Warner

Rade Mallkovich

Kevin D’Aprix & Family

Robert Loviska

Kathy Rodd

Florine Combass

Lon Anderson

Roy Wells

Nan Fisher

Nadine Angus

Ester Thomas

Penny Stilwell

Calvin

Will

Shirley Kitsmiller Heidi & Nathaniel

Miller Linda Couch

Ailene Mezey

Sharlene Jones

Family of Mary Schwab

Joe Kitchie

Carol Driscoll

Darrell Dinger

George

Nancy Holhausen

Gene Rahn

Scotia Hammond

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Ask The Weatherman By: Bill Mork

Was November a warm month? November 2020 was the third warmest November since records began in 1911 for the Sarasota-Bradenton area with an average temperature of 74.7 degrees, 5.5 degrees above nor-mal. This was the 32nd consecutive month with above normal temperatures. Tampa also had its third warm-est November on record. Every city in Florida had above normal temperatures in November. It was the warmest fall (Sep/Oct/Nov) on record in the Sarasota-Bradenton area with an average temperature of 79.7 degrees, 4.1 degrees above normal.

Was November a wet month? The Parrish total of 7.66 inches in November 2020, 336 percent of normal, made it the wettest November since we moved here from California in 2005. In the Coop records of Parrish, that total was exceeded only by 8.46 inches in Nov 1997. The Sarasota-Bradenton Airport had its second wettest November on record with 7.62 inches, 395 percent of normal. Bill Miller measured 7.89 inches of rain in November near Rye Road. Tropical Storm Eta produced 6.38 inches in Parrish and 7.12 inches on Rye Road (Bill Miller) on 11-12 Nov.

Was November another warm month globally? November 2020 was the second warmest November in the 141-year global record, behind the record warm November set in 2015. The combined global average tem-perature over the land and ocean surfaces for November 2020 was 1.75 degrees above the 20th century aver-age of 55.2 degrees. The 10 warmest Novembers have all occurred since 2004; the 5 warmest Novembers have occurred since 2013. November 2020 also marked the 44th consecutive November and the 431st con-secutive month with temperatures above the 20th-century average. Europe had its warmest November and fall on record.

How warm was the United States in November? For November 2020, the contiguous U.S. average tempera-ture was 46.4 degrees, 4.7 degrees above average, ranking fourth warmest. In my review of November, the only areas with below normal temperatures were on the West Coast in California and Oregon. Most of these locations were under a degree below normal except for Arcata CA which was 1.9 degrees below normal. From 1 Jan thru 15 Dec 2020, areas of California, including portions of the Sierra and Sacramento Valley, have received less than 25 percent of normal precipitation. This dryness has been affecting the cattle ranch-ing industry with severe impacts to pasture and rangeland and reports of ranchers having to sell livestock.

Was there a record snowstorm in the Northeast? The most powerful snowstorm in years left record totals on 16-17 Dec. Binghamton NY set an all-time record with 41 inches of snow and an all-time record snow depth of 39 inches. Albany NY had 22.9 inches of snow, the largest Dec total since 1969. Greatest totals were 44.0 inches at Ludlow VT and Newark Valley NY. Other totals include 40.5 inches at Endicott NY, 13.5 at Pittsburg PA and State College PA, 12.5 at Boston MA, 10.0 at Central Park NYC, 9.5 at Harrisburg PA, and 6.3 inches at Philadelphia PA.

How strong were the tornadoes on 16 Dec? An EF-2 tornado travelled 13 miles thru Pinellas and Hillsbor-ough Counties with winds of 125 mph. And there was an EF-1 tornado in Polk County which was on the ground for 12 miles with winds of 110 mph. There were no injuries or deaths. There were about 25 structures damaged in Pinellas Park with toppled cars and uprooted trees.

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“Loving, Learning, Living and Serving in Christ”

A congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America  

Visit our web-site—www.livinglordfl.org  

 

 

                

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Living Lord Lutheran Church

11107 Palmbrush Trail

Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202

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