MAILING SEAL
In This Issue …
ArticlePage
Pastor’s Corner1-2
Emergency Pastoral Care2
President’s Message3-4
Those Who Serve5
Remember in Prayer6
Our Budget and Expenses7
Offering Envelopes7
Birthdays and Anniversaries8
New Members Welcomed9
Calling All Cookie Bakers9
Annual Reports10
Annual Meeting Announcement10
Bible Study11
Holiday Boutique11
In Memoriam12
Maritime Shoeboxes12
Monthly CalendarCenter
Advent Devotions and Soup Suppers13
Advent Wreath13
Advent Wreath Prayers14-15
Poinsettia Requests16
Personal Giving Reports17
Year End Gifts17
Mission Moment18
Outreach Team18
Flowers19
Lessons to Study20
On Going Outreach21
Worship and Discipleship22-23
Office Information24
MAILING SEALMAILING SEAL
PASTOR’S CORNER
“Joy to the World”
Dear Friends:
Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel.
Isaiah 7:14 KJV
One of my favorite things about the Christmas season is the music. I am not musical. I do not play an instrument. And I have rarely, sung in a chorus. I do not read music, but I can tell when the notes go up and down. In spite of my lack of musical training (Lavona and I made up for it by providing music lessons for our children.), I enjoy listening to music.
The Christmas season is filled with opportunities to hear beautiful and meaningful music. True, this opportunity gets abused by retail stores this time of year. But I still enjoy it. I have a number of Christmas recordings that I will play while working at my desk. There is just something uplifting about the music.
I had a Jewish friend who first made direct contact with the Messiahship of Jesus through two totally opposite musical forms -- the rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar and
Church Office Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. - Tuesdays and Thursdays. Please call and leave a message at all other times. Phone messages are checked daily.
Sunday Worship: 10:30 a.m. Traditional Service
(Holy Communion on first and third Sundays)
Bible Study: 10:30 a.m.Wednesdays – Fellowship Hall
Advent Devotional and Soup Supper: 3:00 p.m. Wednesdays – Fellowship Hall (Nov. 30, Dec. 7, 14, 21)
Outreach Visitation: 2:00 p.m. the 4th Tuesday of the Month – Conference Room
Council Meeting: 2:30 p.m. the 4th Thursday of the Month – Conference Room
Respite Care:9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesdays and Thursdays
Church Staff
Pastor: Gilbert Moore
Food Donations: Mickey Costello, Carl and Jessica Keene
Secretary: Margo Geesing
(Tuesday and Thursday mornings)
Organist: Sharon Heck
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what John expected: there was no judgment, no wrath, and no great destructive power of God. John was looking for a Messiah that was going to bring the people to power through might. Rather, Jesus was preaching about caring for one another and healing. But Jesus does get a little feisty in questioning why they came out to see John in the first place! He ends with another one of those disassociations – he speaks of John as being great but also that the least of those in heaven are greater than he.
The fourth Sunday of Advent focuses not on Jesus or on Mary, his mother, but rather on Joseph. This is a quiet man in the Gospels. We hear almost nothing about him. We know he is a good man. We know he is a man of faith. We know he is a caring man. In this lesson, he is a man of resolve and righteousness. He has chosen a course and will do it, but it is tempered with caring. We hear nothing about his struggle with his resolve after his dream of the angel of God, but I am sure he had quite a bit! First and foremost he is a man of faith.
Then we come to CHRISTMAS! We have two Gospel lessons possible for Christmas, one from Luke and the other from John. They are a continuation of the split nature of this time of year. In Luke we hear of the birth of Jesus as a baby with the shepherds and angels; “The Christmas Story”. On the other hand, we have the Gospel of John. It is another story of a birth but this one is the birth of the world. The prologue emphasizes the divinity of Jesus, His union with God, and the eternal nature of both.
This season, take the time to reflect on the dual nature of our lives as Christians. We are constantly beginning and ending, we look back so we can look forward, we live in sorrow and hope, we are busy and waiting. Let us embrace it all! I hope you all have a blessed Advent and Christmas!
Gregorian chant over the radio. Both drove him to evaluate his belief. When he began reading the New Testament for the first time, he was introduced to the real Jesus, not just some staged caricature leaving him with wrong understandings.
When you hear a choir sing Christmas hymns, or when the radio or CD plays some of your favorite carols, remember how angel choirs announced the birth of the world’s Redeemer -- and sing! If not with your lips, sing joyfully in your heart, “Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King!”
God bless you during this holy season.
PS: Hope to see you at our Advent Soup Supper Devotions.
Emergency Pastoral Care: Whenever you are in need of emergency pastoral care give Pastor Gil a phone call (562) 430-7999. Cedric Elmer and Margo Geesing (our secretary) also know how to reach Pastor Gil.
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Message from Our President …
Dear Members and Friends:
On Sunday, November 13th, 2016 we held our Congregational meeting to elect four members to serve on Council and to approve the 2017 budget. Early in 2017, we will hold our next Congregational meeting to review the church ministries of 2016 and appoint our delegates to the 2017 Synod Assembly in San Diego.
Our Council consists of twelve elected members with Pastor Moore serving in an ex-officio capacity. Each member serves a term of three years and four are elected or re-elected each year. My sincere thanks go to the four outgoing Council members: Carmen Leslie, Larry Norlander, Erich Obersteiner, and Barbara Schuyler for their dedicated service to Redeemer. Their terms expire at the end of December, 2016. Welcome to the four new incoming elected members, Jerry Brady,
Reflections on WORSHIP
and DISCIPLESHIP by Margo Geesing
“Advent into Christmas”
The new Church Year just began as the calendar year is ending. We as Christians are looking back to the birth of a baby 2,000+ years ago and forward for the hope of the coming of Christ. And we celebrate it all in time of longer nights/shorter days to the cusp of days lengthening/nights shortening. We live in the right now/not quite yet time of waiting. This is what it means to be a Christian in faith. Our central mystery is the life, death, and resurrection of Christ but it is never linear! Our whole lives are spent in waiting and working; hope and sorrow; so often we live in a split world. At first we think the lessons that we will hear will be all about the coming of the baby but the church realizes how we really live our lives and our lessons reflect that.
The first Sunday of Advent we hear not about the anticipation of a birth but rather closer to the end times – we hear about the coming of the Son of Man! We are hearing about the Second Coming, the unanticipated sudden return. It’s a reminder that we must keep alert, busy, and expectant. There’s no slacking off!
The second Sunday we seem to be continuing that traveling back in time. We hear from John the Baptist just before Jesus begins his ministry. His is a call of repentance and the mending of our ways. We are called back into relationship with a loving and forgiving God.
The third Sunday of Advent we hear of John the Baptist in jail wondering about whether Jesus is the Messiah or if they need to wait for another. See, Jesus wasn’t doing
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DISASTER RELIEF
Gifts designated to a specific response will be used in full -- 100 percent -- to help disaster survivors clean-up, rebuild and recover. Donations given “Where Needed Most” help to respond immediately and effectively where it is needed most. If you give cash or check, on offering envelope write “Disaster Relief” If you give by check make it out to RedeemerLutheranChurch and placing it in the offering plate. Or if you wish you can send a check directly to: ELCA Disaster Response 39330 Treasury Center; Chicago, IL60694-9300. Or donate online at:
BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION
Thank you to those who have been turning in your Education Labels!
Box Tops go directly to the Navajo Mission. They can be found on more than a 100 different General Mills products. They do have an expiration date, so be sure to turn them in with time to send them to the Mission! These labels generate points that turn into dollars!
CONTINUING FUNDRAISER AND ENVIRONMENTAL CARE
Thank you to those who have been turning in your used ink cartridges!
We have an ongoing collection of used ink cartridges and cell phones. Please bring them with you when you come to church and place them in the box in the Conference Room!
Lottie Dolby, Terry Durham, and Debbie Hugdahl, who will begin their three-year terms at the first Council meeting in January 2017.
The Congregation also approved the 2017 budget with total operating expenses of $128,994.00, an increase of 13% over last year’s 2016 budget. Council meets the fourth Thursday of each month at 2:30 P.M. except when holidays conflict. All meetings are open to any member. Come share your concerns and comments with the Council.
As we close the calendar year, I want to thank Pastor Moore, Margo Geesing, Sharon Heck, and the many volunteers who have devoted their time and energy to making Redeemer “The Church with a Heart in the Heart of Leisure World.”
Merry Christmas to all!
Cedric Elmer
President
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THOSE WHO SERVE
THIS MONTH
Please study the following at home to prepare for Sunday Worship:
Lessons for theFirst Sunday of Adventthrough the First Sunday of Christmas
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Altar Guild
Carol Costello
Beverly Dinning
Lottie Dolby
Marion Fraide
Sara Gould
Sylvia Makus
Acolyte
Barbara Schuyler
Communion Assistant
Jerry Brady
Greeters
December 4, 11, 18
Mickey Costello
Carol Costello
December 25 January 1
Berny Gerard
Phyllis Mackey
Reader
Margaret Miller
Prayer Leader
Larry Norlander
Ushers
Wendy Alfageme
Gail Henderson
Carmen Leslie
Maria Swift
Financial Team
4th:Wendy Alfageme
Leslie Arrington
Alma Zamzow
11th:Wendy Alfageme
Barbara Dykman
Alma Zamzow
18th:Wendy Alfageme
Leslie Arrington
Alma Zamzow
25th:Phyllis Mackey
Flo Nesland
Alma Zamzow
Choir
Beverly Anderson
Charles Cullimore
Joan Cullimore
Lynda Elmer
John Graber
Debbie Hugdahl
Julia Langevin
Sara Lee
Nancy Luebben
Chris Moore
Kay Pushman
Violet Quist
Shirley Reimers
November 27, 2016 – First Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 2:1-5
Psalm 122
Romans 13:11-14
Matthew 24:36-44
December 4, 2016 – Second Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 11:1-10
Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19
Romans 15:4-13
Matthew 3:1-12
December 11, 2016 – Third Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 35:1-10
Psalm 146:5-10
Luke 1:46-55 (Alternate)
James 5:7-10
Matthew 11:2-11
December 18, 2016 – Fourth Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 7:10-16
Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19
Romans 1:1-7
Matthew 1:18-25
December 24, 2016 – Nativity of Our Lord, Christmas Eve
Isaiah 9:2-7
Psalm 96
Titus 2:11-14
Luke 2:1-14 [15–20]
December 25, 2016 – Nativity of Our Lord, Christmas Day
II — READINGSAND PSALM
Isaiah 62:6-12
Psalm 97
Titus 3:4-7
Luke 2:1-20
iii — READINGSAND PSALM
Isaiah 52:7-10
Psalm 98
Hebrews 1:1-12
John 1:1-14
January 1, 2017 – First Sunday of Christmas
Isaiah 63:7-9
Psalm 148
Hebrews 2:10-18
Matthew 2:13-23
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Altar Flowers for December
December 4th:
Dena Anderson in Memory of Family Members.
December 11th:
Patti Drumm in Memory of My Sister, Delores.
December 18th:
Berny Gerard in Memory of My Mother, Lucy Deas.
Margaret Miller in Memory of Loved Ones.
December25th:
Poinsettias
Flower Chart Directions
- There are 2 bouquets for each Sunday.
- Print your name and the special reason for the request on the line next to the date you would like them.
- If there is not enough room to write your request on the chart, please leave the secretary a note in her box specifying your request.
- The requested donation for one bouquet is $15.00; $30.00 for both. If you wish to request both bouquets, please note that on the chart.
When putting your donation in an envelope, please note that it is for altar flowers and the date of your flowers. Please write a separate check for flowers. Do not include it with your regular offering.
Note from Outreach and Worship and Music Committee. Guidelines for prayer list: We are requesting all members (and friends) to please call the church office and leave a message requesting prayer regarding any illnesses, surgeries, procedures, and treatments regarding you, church members, and family members. Please also notify us when the prayers are no longer needed.
REMEMBER IN PRAYER
Our Members:Dena Anderson, Shirley Anderson, Bea Bander, Russ Cullimore, Patti Drumm, Bob Edwards, Helyn Edwards, Lucy Fitch, Sara Gould, Don Gramly, Christine Hughes, Geri Lein, Nancy Luebben, Dody Lynch, Glen Massingill, Kathleen Nilsson, Lodi Nieto, Erich Obersteiner, Christine Osterberg, Jim Pushman, Lillian Smith, Nina Smith, Don Stephens, Richard Stiitz, Nelda Sunday, and Martha Ziegler;
And Our Family Members and Friends: Julia Arroyo, Rose Betancourt, Roman Bentley, Lynda Bischof, Sally Blevins, Julie Carlson, Rich Carlson, Caren Condon, Anna Dow, Eileen Dow, Loretta Gilbert, Rachelle Gould, Margie Garceau, Paul Higgenbotham, Joey Jananian, Dolores and Gordy Jagusch, Mary Kent, Mavis Lancaster, Martha Lannon, Lisa Lindsay, David Ludwig, Cynthia Luff, Val Lurch, Jessica Mackner, Mary Matthews, the McNall family, Carol Miller, Ethan Millerick, Heidi Mitchell, Bill Montague, Maxine Nagel, Kyle Nguyen, Chuck Nieto, Joe Nieto, Matthew Norlander, Victor Obersteiner, Pat O’Donnell, Nathan Rhodes, Louise Wagner, June Welton, and Bryce Young.
We also remember those confined at home, in hospitals, or in nursing homes. And, always pray for peace.
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OUR BUDGETAND EXPENSES
Income and Expense Statement
for the Month Ending
October 31, 2016
ActualBudgetVariance
Operating Income$8,737.00$9,529.00($792.00)
Operating Expenses$9,889.35$9,529.00($360.35)
Variance($1,152.35) $0.00($1,152.35)
Income and Expense Statement
for the 2016 Year to
October 31, 2016
ActualBudgetVariance
Operating Income$112,946.00$95,290.00$17,656.00
Operating Expenses$107,317.42$95,290.00($12,027.42)
Variance$5,628.58 $0.00 $5,628.58
Offering Envelopes are available on the stand in the narthex of the church. Take as many envelopes as you think you may need. Please also remember your pledge. By preparing your envelope ahead of time at home, that way you will not be caught short of your offering and can maintain your pledge. Please put your name on the envelopes that you use. Thank You!
Global Mission Call ~~
Our next Mission Moment will be on Sunday, December25th.
On the last Sunday of each month we take a moment to reflect on our call to serve all of God’s people.
The Outreach Team usually meets on the 4th Tuesday of each month in the Conference Room at 2:00 p.m.
but will be meeting on the 3rd Tuesday in December for the cookie distribution!
This month we will meet on
December 20th at 2:00 pm!
We could use extra hands, especially this month, so that we can distribute the cookies to our members and friends who cannot join us in our Christmas celebrations. We have many we visit and would like to see them all this special holiday season.
“Whatever you do for the least of my brothers and sisters, you do for me.”
(Matthew 25:40)
We are Calling All People who like to talk, visit, go out, talk about our church, and be with people: the Outreach Team always has room for new members to join. It is easy work but very necessary. Many hands make light work! Try it, you may find that this is your call from God!
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Personal Annual Giving Reports
If you wish to have a report of your giving for 2016, please contact the office at (562) 598-8697 and it will be sent to you at the end of January.
Year End Gifts
Year End Gifts are encouraged by many charities at this time of the year. Please remember Redeemer with year end gifts too. Please pray about a year end gift to your church ~ if you don’t, who will?
May the
Joy and Blessings of the Christmas Season Be with You Now andThrough Out
the New Year!
Happy
Birthday
December Birthdays
Geri LeinDecember3
Nancy LuebbenDecember6
Lois RakowDecember6
Sally HoherdDecember 10
Joan CullimoreDecember 11
Jim PushmanDecember 19
Evelyn StephensDecember 28
Margaret MillerDecember 29
December Anniversaries
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Welcome New Members!
New members were received at the Reformation Worship Service on Sunday, October 30th. We welcome our new members Robin Canning, Suzie Lee, Sandy Langdale, Chris Moore, Bob Schiller, and Robert Terwilliger. May we be a blessing to them as they are to us.
Calling All Cookie Bakers!
Again this year the Outreach Team is in need of small, homemade cookies (no nuts), as a special treat for the holidays, when they go to visit with members whom are homebound. Please drop off the cookies no later than Sunday, December 18th. They will be packaged on that day. The cookies will be delivered on Tuesday, December 20th. Outreach team will be meeting at 2:00 p.m. in the Conference room. This is a special time and they need even more help to visit our members who cannot be with us. They have the goal of reaching every person but cannot do this without additional callers (are you being called to be a visitor?!?). As always, they can use your hands and hearts in this program.
Requests for Poinsettias
to decorate the Sanctuary for Christmas
Again this year,