december 2015 st. paul lutheran church newsletter · december 2015 st. paul lutheran church...
TRANSCRIPT
DECEMBER 2015
ST. PAUL LUTHERAN CHURCH
NEWSLETTER
A congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America 4600 N. 9th Avenue, Pensacola, FL 32503
850-438-5229
www.stpaulpensacola.org
Mission Statement
Living together in God's grace, we worship, learn, and reach out as a
caring community to rejoice in, and share the love of Jesus Christ.
WORSHIP SERVICE SCHEDULE HOLY COMMUNION CELEBRATED EACH SUNDAY
8:00 and 10:30 WORSHIP SERVICE
9:00 and 11:30 HOSPITALITY
9:30 SUNDAY SCHOOL Nursery Available for those preschool age and under
DECEMBER 6 SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT
DECEMBER 13 THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT MISSION SUNDAY/TREE OF WARMTH BLESSING
DECEMBER 20 FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
DECEMBER 24 CHRISTMAS EVE
6:30 PM FAMILY SERVICE/9:00 PM TRADITIONAL CANDLELIGHT
DECEMBER 27 FIRST SUNDAY OF CHRISTMAS NO SUNDAY SCHOOL
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Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1
9:00 Quilters
2
3:00 Worship
5:30-6:15 Handbells
6:30 Desserts
7:00 Worship
8:00 Choir rehearsal
3
4
PASTOR’S DAY OFF
OFFICE CLOSED
5
8:00-10:00am
Preschool Fundraiser
Breakfast at Applebee’s on
Bayou
6 HOLY COMMUNION
2ND SUNDAY OF ADVENT
8:00 Worship
9:00 Hospitality
9:30 Sunday School
10:30 Worship
11:30 Hospitality
7
8
9:00 Quilters
9
3:00 Worship
5:30-6:15 Handbells
6:30 Desserts
7:00 Worship
7:30-8:30 Youth
Group “Solid Rock”
8:00 Choir rehearsal
10
6:00 pm
Eve Circle
Christmas party
Barb Lenn’s
home
11
PASTOR’S DAY OFF
OFFICE CLOSED
7:00 pm
Newsboys concert at the
Bay Center
12 4pm Staff/Council Christmas
party-Pastor Gore’s home
13 HOLY COMMUNION
3rd SUNDAY OF ADVENT
MISSION SUNDAY
8:00 Worship
9:00 Hospitality
9:30 Sunday School
10:30 Worship
11:30 Hospitality
”It’s a Kitchen Thing”
Fellowship fundraiser Last day to bring Tree of
Warmth items
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15
9:00 Quilters
NEWSLETTER
ARTICLES DUE
16
9:00-4:00 Adm. Asst.
Conference
3:00 Worship
5:30-6:15 Handbells
6:30 Desserts
7:00 Worship
8:00 Choir rehearsal
17
Noon SPOT 18
PASTOR’S DAY OFF
OFFICE CLOSED
LSF Christmas party and
luncheon at St. Paul
19
10am-noon Youth bake sale
cooking
1:00-4:00 Parent’s afternoon
out
20 HOLY COMMUNION
4th SUNDAY OF ADVENT
8:00 Worship
9:00 Hospitality
9:30 Sunday School
10:30 Worship
11:30Hospitality
Youth Bake Sale
21
22
23
7:00pm Choir
rehearsal
24
6:30 pm Family
service
9:00 pm
Traditional/
Candlelight
service
OFFICE
CLOSED
25
MERRY CHRISTMAS
OFFICE CLOSED
PASTOR’S DAY OFF
26
27 HOLY COMMUNION
FIRST SUNDAY OF
CHRISTMAS
8:00 Worship
9:00 Hospitality
10:30 Worship
11:30 Hospitality
No Sunday School today
28
29
30
31 OFFICE
CLOSED
NEW YEAR’S
EVE
1
OFFICE CLOSED
PASTOR’S DAY OFF
HAPPY NEW YEAR
2015
December
3
Pastor’s Corner December 2015
“6 For a child has been born for us, a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful
Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be
endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He
will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness
from this time onward and forevermore.” Isaiah 9:6-7
Merry Christmas!
It’s one of the statements in our culture that comes under fire each year. As a follower of Jesus,
we truly understand and live our lives with Christ as authority. Therefore, we celebrate the birth
of our Savior. There are those who want to remove the statement that we find meaningful. There
are even some who will tell us that not everyone likes to say Merry Christmas. For them, I say,
“no problem” they don’t have to say it and I will not judge them for not wanting to say, “Merry
Christmas”. But that doesn’t take away my right to celebrate Christmas and express my Christian
faith in the words “Merry Christmas”.
All too often we allow others to take charge of what is important in our lives. I used the example
above because it happens every year about this time. Is it okay for someone to tell us how we are
to express our Christian faith in the Christmas Season? I encourage you to remember why we
celebrate Christmas. So while you’re out and about, don’t let the culture manage the true
understanding of our faithful celebration.
In the scripture passage from Isaiah, He is the Everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace. I love
this passage because it reminds me of who does manage my life, “Jesus”. So, “Who’s Managing
Your Life?” God has provided his son as our Counselor and our Prince of Peace. If we are true in
our Faith, he is the one managing for in him all things came into being. During the season of
Christmas, I encourage you to build upon the faith that was established through God in Christ
Jesus. Celebrate the birth of Jesus as a new birth for you and your family. Establish a stronger
relationship with St. Paul and grow in love in the endless peace of Jesus. For it is in his name, we
are called together and why we shout to the world… Merry Christmas!
“For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he
is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Wednesday Advent Services 3:00 p.m. and 7:00p.m.
Series: Waiting, Forgiving, and Accepting in Faith (Choir’s at the 7:00 service)
Dec. 2nd – Cherub Choir Dec. 9th – Bell Choir Dec. 16th – Chancel Choir
Christmas Eve Services – All Christmas Eve Services will offer Holy Communion
6:30 P.M. Family Service – Youth Readers and Tableau
9:00 P.M. Traditional/Candlelight Service – Chancel Choir Merry Christmas,
Pastor Frank
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Meet the St. Paul Staff
Pastor Rev. Franklin J. Gore [email protected]
Minister of Music Charles Tucker [email protected]
Director of Preschool Monica Moore [email protected]
Admin. Ass’t. Tammy Tatum [email protected]
Church Ass’t. Kim McCormick [email protected]
Deacon Glenn Schaeffer [email protected]
Sunday School Allison Forst [email protected]
Directors Julie Saykiewicz [email protected]
Webmasters Jerod & Monika Durbin [email protected]
Youth Group Matt & Chelsea [email protected]
Volunteers Brunoehler [email protected]
November
Sunday
Attendance
November 1 183
November 8 152
November 15 8am-52
10:30-unknown
November 22 172
November 29 TBA
Available on Sunday mornings for
children Preschool age and under.
Activity bags that include children’s
bulletins are available for children
while in worship. You may pick one
up as you enter the sanctuary.
Hearing aid devices available for worship.
If you would like to use one, please see an usher
before service.
Please return any bulletins you do not wish to
take home after the 8am service to the kiosk in
the Gathering space. This will assure there are
plenty available (both small and large print) for
worship at the next service.
Thank you for your cooperation.
5
December Worship Assistants
ASSISTING MINISTERS
8:00 10:30
6 Chelsea Brennah Coffin
Brunoehler
13 Peter Forst Kelly Gore
20 Donald Gibbons Cason Forst
24 Paul Marchant Donna Funck (6:30 pm) (9:00 pm)
27 Betty Bross Brenda Ekstrom
8:00 10:30
6 Carol Stevens Lauren Cummings
13 Twila Hofseth Lori Overy
20 Youth Youth
24 Youth (6:30 pm) Jason Kirsten (9:00pm)
27 John Carroll Julie Stephens
8:00 10:30
6 Harland & Betty Gerry Selland/Barb
Bross Lenn
13 Audrey Tinsley Sharon Livingston
Mary Bruns Tina Nielsen
20 Carlos Carbini Lori Overy/David
Tammy Tatum Oelerich
24 TBA TBA
27 Faye Robinson Carleen Bragan
Marjorie Kellums Mary Pat Forgie
8:00 10:30
6 Randy & Bennie Sides John & Brenda
Ekstrom
13 Eric & Shelly Johnson Pat & Jeanne Clark
20 Pete & Suzanne Morgan Brad & Alice
Fludgate
24 Youth (6:30 pm) John & Brenda
Ekstrom (9:00 pm)
27 TBA Howard & Julie
Stephens
8:00 10:30
6 Audrey Tinsley Alice Fludgate
Hannelore Miller Carleen Bragan
13 Sarah Leviege Kim McCormick
Sidney Glassmire Dianne Williams
20 Camille Kimmel Wanda & Kelly
Randy Sides Gore
24 TBA TBA
27 Pete Morgan Lois Schlatter
Rita Dye TBA
COMMUNION ASST.
USHERS
LECTORS
BEARERS
6 Audrey Tinsley
Kelly Gore
13 Sherry Schaeffer & Rita
Dye
20 Wanda Gore & Lori Overy
24 TBA
27 Judith Oldenburg & Bennie Sides
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FLOWER GUILD-DECEMBER
The committee will be arranging the
flowers for this month.
Advent Services
Wednesday, Dec. 2, 9, and 16
3:00pm Worship
6:30pm Desserts and Coffee
7:00pm Worship
Performing at 7:00 pm service:
Dec. 2 Cherub Choir
Dec. 6 Bell Choir
Dec. 16 Choir
6:30 pm Family Service
Children’s program
9:00 pm Traditional Service
Candlelight
Christmas Eve Services
Wednesday Music
Rehearsals during
Advent
5:30-6:15 Handbells
Choir practice will be
after the 7pm service
7
Social Ministry
750 pounds
November Tree of Warmth
Last Day
Sunday, December 13
Pick an ornament off the tree.
There are items listed such as socks,
underwear, mittens, and hats. All things to
provide warmth to those in need.
Bring unwrapped items back to church by
December 13 to be blessed. Please attach the
ornament to the item.
On December 18, St. Paul will be hosting a Christmas Party and Luncheon for
Lutheran Services of Florida. This wonderful organization does so much to
accomplish God’s mission in our community, as guardians for the elderly, counselors,
adoption services, sheltering youth, assisting refugees, and so much more.
We are proud to be able to wish them a Merry Christmas, and offer our hospitality.
We are in need of volunteers to help prepare a luncheon, to set up and to clean up
afterwards. If you would like to help, there is a signup sheet in Fellowship Hall on
the bulletin board. Or, you may contact Cynthia Carter, 850-686-5734, or by email
Team St. Paul
At the Making Strides Walk
October 31, 2015
Dick Kaminska delivering 101
Operation Christmas Child boxes to
the drop off location. From there, the
boxes will head to Atlanta for
processing and then go to children
around the world.
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Coffee Hosts December
8:00 10:30
6 Eric & Shelly Johnson TBA
13 TBA TBA
20 TBA Lisa Boose
27 TBA TBA
SPOT (St. Paul Old Timers) Bring your holiday spirit and come to the Christmas
potluck on Thursday, December 17, at 12:00 noon in the
Fellowship Hall. Join the fun in the Secret Santa gift
exchange. Each individual who would like to
participate should bring a gently used item from home
that you no longer want or, if you prefer, a new,
inexpensive gift to cost not more than $10. The gift
should also be "not gender specific".
Anyone 55 and older is welcome to join the fun.
Fellowship Fundraiser
“It’s a Kitchen Thing,
Cookie Exchange”
Sunday, December 13
A wish list of items for the kitchen
will be posted in the Fellowship Hall.
The fellowship committee is asking for an item from the list in
exchange for baked cookies by the committee.
Please see Brenda Ekstrom if you have any questions.
Thank you to all who have served as
Hospitality hosts during November.
There are plenty of opportunities to
host during December, including the
6:30 pm Desserts and Coffee before
Wed. Advent service. Fellowship
sponsors for December are Carleen
Bragan and Erika Stamets. If you are
able to host and have questions, please
see Carleen or Erika. Sign- up sheets
are posted in the Fellowship hall.
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FAITH CIRCLE:
DECEMBER 2015
Faith Circle will NOT have our monthly meeting on Tuesday, December 8, 2015. Please
be sure to read our lesson “Imagining, an advent lesson” from the “gather” magazine. If
you do not subscribe to the magazine, copies of the advent lesson are available on the
table outside of the Library. We will resume our regular monthly meeting on Tuesday,
January 12, 2016. All women of the congregation are welcome and encouraged to attend.
We look forward to meeting and greeting each of you. Please bring a friend to share in
this monthly Bible Study experience.
EVE CIRCLE will have their annual Christmas party meeting on December 10,
2015 at the home of Barbara Lenn, 12490 Lillian Hwy, at 6:00PM. This will be a pot
luck dinner. Once again we will be meeting on the west side of town, so we hope if
you live in that area that you will join us for an evening of fellowship. Even if you
have never been to one of our Bible studies before, we hope that you will join us for a
night out and lots of fun. We especially invite all of our new, lady church members,
who may want to come and find out more about our Women of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church (WELCA) group.
EVE CIRCLE”S community Christmas project this year is to provide in-kind gifts of
feminine hygiene products, and diapers to “The Beacon,” which is an Escambia shelter
for homeless women and children. Please bring an item of this type to our Christmas
meeting to help these women and children. For more information on this shelter at
2105 W Gregory ST, visit Facebook.com/TheBeaconPensacola.
If you are able to attend this December meeting, will you please RSVP to Barb Lenn
at 457-3124, or MaryPat Forgie at 478=0640.
ST. PAUL'S SCRAPBOOK
The Church History team is still looking for pictures from
1958-1967. On the back of the pictures, write the name of
the event, approximate date and names of
individuals, if possible. Place the items in an
envelope with your name and phone number on
the outside and leave them at the church office.
Also mark the outside of the envelope with the
word "Scrapbook". After we copy the items, they
will be returned to you.
The Wednesday
night Bible Study
class will not meet
during Advent
10
Upcoming Youth Activities
Dec. 6-Ultimate Frisbee after 2nd
service. Dec. 9-Youth Group “Solid Rock” 7:30-8:30 pm Dec. 19-Bake sale cooking @
church 10-noon Dec. 19-Parent’s afternoon out
1-4pm Dec. 20-Christmas Bake sale fundraiser between services Dec. 23-Youth Group “Solid Rock”
7:30-8:30 pm
Group bowling at Oops Alley
Worship and Music
A volunteer is needed for Worship and
Music to take a lead role in assuring the
Sanctuary and Gathering space are clean and
clear of all unnecessary items prior to
weddings and funerals. Once the event has
concluded, both spaces would need to be
returned to their normal state for Sunday
worship. If you would like to serve, please
contact Rita Dye.
Ushers Needed
Volunteers are needed to serve as usher
during Wednesday Advent services.
Worship times are 3pm and 7pm. If you
are able to assist, please contact Rita Dye
or Kim in the church office.
Time and Talents
As our church family grows, the
need for volunteers increases. If
you have not done so, please fill
out a time and talents form.
(Inserted in this newsletter)
Thank you for serving!
11
If you plan on filling out an Estimate of Giving form for 2016 and have not done so,
please fill out the form provided and return it to the Financial Secretary before the end of
2015.
Month Income
Year to Date
Income
% of YTD
Monthly
Need Expense
Year to Date
Expenses
% of
Budgeted
Expenses
January 26,759$ 26,759$ 88.7% 32,477$ 32,477$ 107.6%
February 32,740$ 59,499$ 98.6% 28,439$ 60,916$ 100.9%
March 33,326$ 92,825$ 102.5% 29,001$ 89,917$ 99.3%
April 27,391$ 120,216$ 99.6% 38,987$ 128,904$ 106.8%
May 37,193$ 157,409$ 104.3% 28,765$ 157,669$ 104.5%
June 27,123$ 184,532$ 101.9% 33,635$ 191,304$ 105.6%
July 29,664$ 214,196$ 101.4% 32,656$ 223,960$ 106.0%
August 30,533$ 244,729$ 101.4% 31,866$ 255,826$ 106.0%
September 25,373$ 270,102$ 99.4% 30,366$ 286,192$ 105.4%
October 29,342$ 299,444$ 99.2% 33,404$ 319,596$ 105.9%
need $30,181.70
monthly
$30,181.70
monthly expenses
YTD Surplus/(Deficit) (2,373.50)$ (17,779)$
YTD Overall Net (20,153)$
Note: The above income includes all inflows into the General Fund - not just contributions.
It does not include amounts into Restricted Funds as they are not available to fund General
Fund (Operating) Expenses of the Church.
Treasurer’s Report
New offering envelopes
will be distributed in
December.
If your household needs
more than one number
assigned, please notify
the office at 850-438-5229.
Electronic Giving “other”/iPad Giving When you are making a donation to St. Paul “Other”
donation box, please be sure to indicate where your donation
is to go. If it is not indicated it goes into General Giving.
Other
$
Memo:
Donation to specific area
Where your donation is to go?
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St. Paul Lutheran Church
2015 YTD Budget Comparison - 2015 October as of
11/18/2015
Current
Month
2015 YTD
2015 Budget
Human Resource Expenses
Total Salaries & Benefits
14,582
146,561
171,350
Other Mutual Ministry Expenses:
Synod Assembly
-
1,460
1,360
Substitute Worship Leaders - 600 1,200
Total Human Resource Expenses 14,582 148,621 173,910
Debt Service and Insurance
Mortgage Interest Expense
5,026
50,783
62,856
P &L Insurance 3,390 17,032 21,803
Workers Comp. Ins. 118 945 700
Total Debt Service and Insurance 8,535 68,759 85,359
Facilities and Program Support
Property & Equipment Maint.
1,620
19,941
21,844
Utilities 3,821 31,521 32,300
Office Expense 1,527 11,204 11,028
Fellowship 152 403 325
Worship & Music - 1,228 1,400
Total Facilities & Program Support 7,119 64,297 66,897
Outreach and Benevolence
Christian Education
180
1,563
1,886
Evangelism (advertising) - 205 500
Social Ministry - - 150
Stewardship - 146 650
Synod Benevolence - 1,499 2,000
Total Outreach and Benevolence 180 3,414 5,186
Grand Total General Fund Expenses
30,416
285,090
331,352
Cash Balance, Jan 1 $ 39,439 $ 39,439 $ 39,439
Giving 28,828 290,843 356,430
Other Income 14 3,050 3,500
Projected Transfers 500 5,550 4,000
Total Income 29,342 * 299,444 363,930
Less Mortgage Principal Payments 2,989 31,333 33,324
Less Asset Purchases - 3,170
Projected Cash Balance, Dec 31 35,376 19,289 38,693
Annual Budget Deficit/Surplus (4,063) (20,150) (746)
* includes Lenten Offerings of
$4,205 April ($3,028 Easter)
$6,385 March
$927 February
$ 11,517 total
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2
007
Preschool News for December
Enjoy a breakfast of Pancakes & Bacon, a Christmas Craft
AND
Sit on Santa’s lap and whisper in his ear!
You won’t find a nicer place to visit with Santa,
eat breakfast and support your
Preschool fundraiser!
Tickets will go be on sale the week before at
church and preschool
Everyone welcome!
Breakfast with Santa Saturday
December 5th from 8am-10am
Cost is $7.00 per person
Applebees @ 9th & Bayou
(We will have the restaurant to ourselves)
The 3 year old
classroom had 4 baby
Gerbils born last
month! It has been
exciting watching
them grow! This last
little girl, named
Biscuit, still needs a
forever home.
Let us know if you are
interested in adopting
her.
We would like to
have a baby picture
of each child in the
church and
preschool. It is for
Pastor’s Advent Project!
Please label the back
and we will return
your pictures.
Preschool is so much fun!
We have room for your little one! Stop by for a visit anytime!
14
OKTOBERFEST IN DECEMBER... Only to give you an update and to offer my belated
sincere thanks to all that assisted with the event and to those that attended. I would like to say we
had some exceptional individuals that really stepped up to the plate and helped make this event a
success. Yes, I said success. If I were to compare this year to last year we were comparable in
regards to profit percentage, or pretty close to it. We had less attendees, but we were able to cut
cost in some areas and raise prices that helped keep us in the green. We learned a lot, we clarified
details of expenses and have paved the way for what should be a smoother process in the future. I
would like to offer a special acknowledgement to our Preschool as they brought the population,
the Youth as they brought their special talents, and "our personal musicians" as they played
fantastic music and saved us a bunch of money! I just wish I could give you details on the profit,
but I will close out the "books" so to speak, Nov. 30th. Numbers will be posted in December.
AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT, YOUR PERSEVERENCE, YOUR PATIENCE,
YOUR RESOURCEFULNESS,AND YOUR TEAM PLAYING ABILITIES.
Bennie Sides, Co-Chair Oktoberfest Committee
At
Church
At the annual meeting, you probably took a look at the budget and noticed one line item unfunded. It was the pastor's discretionary fund. These are funds used to help individuals in need privately and discretely. The truth is, in today's world, life can be challenging. We all try our best to carry on, but sometimes the burdens become too heavy to bear and we need a hand from those who care about us. There are illnesses, accidents, job loss, weather events, and much more that can blindside any of us. These are the times when the church can step in to lighten the load and remind us of God's love shown through the members of this congregation. I am one of those individuals, and I would like to extend my thanks to the good people of this congregation who have supported this fund. Such gracious light shining through bleak times coming from those who share God's love mean so very much during difficult times. Thank you all.
Anonymous
If you are one of the last to leave on
Sunday after Worship and
Hospitality, and are a key holder for
the church, please take a few minutes
to make sure the doors to the building
are locked.
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St. Paul Lutheran Church
4600 North Ninth Avenue
Pensacola, FL 32503 Address Service Requested
Nonprofit Organization
U.S. Postage PAID
Pensacola
Permit No. 239
DATED MATERIAL: MAILED November 24, 2015