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

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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