November 2020

Bellwether — the lead sheep of the flock (archaic English)

LAMB OF GOD LUTHERAN CHURCH

901 Scenic Hwy Haines City, FL 33844

Tel: 863-421-2811 Fax: 863-421-0651

www.lambofgodhainescity.com

In this issue

Important Notice 2

Adult Sunday School 3

Congregation Meeting 4

Cordero de Dios 5

Mariatu’s Hope 6

Quilters Guild 7

Birthdays & Anniversaries 9

Upcoming Events 10

Calendar 13

• Facebook

• Mail or

• Drop off during

office hours

Tithes & Offerings

From the Pastor

What a crazy year this has been! It seems that our world has

been turned upside down and yet we find great consolation in

the fact that Christ is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Christ is the one constant in the middle of this pandemic and a

topsy-turvy election cycle. Who among us is not ready for

Election Day to be behind us?

In the life of the Church, we are now making our way toward

the end of the Church Year. During the month of November,

we will remember those who have been taken home unto the

Lord on All Saints Day (Nov. 1st); we will be recognizing our

veterans on Nov. 8th; will celebrate the Reign of Christ/Christ

the King Sunday on November 22nd; will be observing

Thanksgiving with Thanksgiving Eve worship on November 25th;

and yes, even starting a new Church Year on the weekend of

November 28th and 29th.

In the middle of this whirlwind, I invite you to continue to wor-

ship and to receive a reassuring word either in person or online.

We need a dependable rock on which to ground our faith – and

God is more than willing to provide the stability we need.

Thank you for continuing to support our ministry with your

presence in worship (either online or in person) and through

your regular contributions!

Pastor Joe

October 26, 2020 Dear Lamb of God Members, family, and friends: We were contacted on Sunday, October 25th informing us of a positive Covid-19 test. Our Reopening Guidelines require the Church Council to report to the congregation when a member of our congregation has tested positive for Covid-19. Our member, who self-reported, last worshipped with us on Sunday, October 18, 2020 and developed symptoms on Wednesday, October 21st. As per our Reopening Guidelines, we did contact tracing which indicated that this individual may have had direct contact with 14 of our members and staff and each has been notified. The Sanctuary was disinfected on Wednesday, October 14th and has been wiped down with Clorox wipes following each worship service. The Sanctuary, Narthex, Fellowship Hall, Offices and Restrooms will be disinfected again prior to our next worship service on November 1st. Please be assured that all safety, cleaning, and disinfecting protocols have been, and continue to be, in place. Your Church Council continues to strive to keep everyone safe who chooses to gather for in person worship. We pray for this member’s speedy recovery. In Christ, Church Council

Important Notice

Page 2

Page 3

Adult Sunday School

New class starting Nov. 8

Joseph, The Journey to Forgiveness

by Melissa Spoelstra.

Church Council President

Kathy Dierker will lead a

discussion of this intriguing

book on November 8, 22,

and 29; and December 6,

13, and 20.

Please join us for what are bound to be discus-

sions of interesting and challenging topics.

It’ll be a fun way to greet friends, old and new.

Thursday Noon

Bible Study

We will be starting a

new book of the Bible,

St. John’s Gospel on

Thursday, October 29th! Since we have

started our Thursday noon Bible Study in

2014– we have studied together 14 of the

66 books of the Bible. To date 7 Old

Testament books and 7 New Testament

Books. We work through 1 or 2 chapters

per week. We are currently meeting in

the Fellowship Hall with social distancing

and wearing face coverings. Newcomers

are always welcome!

Have you sent your picture yet?

Seeking Names and Pictures for Worship on All Saints Day (November 1st) & for Veteran’s Recognition on November 8th As part of our worship services on both All Saints Day and on November 8th – we are seeking both names and pictures, if available, to recognize family members who have gone home to be with the Lord since last All Saints Day. In addition, as part of our recognition of our veterans on the Sunday before Veterans Day, we are also looking for pictures of our veterans, preferably from during their service years. We hope that these two efforts will help to enhance their well deserved acknowledgement.

Community Announcement:

Unity Thanksgiving Meal

Supply Give-a-Way Saturday, November 21st Unity in the Community of N.E. Polk in conjunction with A House Blest, will be distributing Turkeys and meal supplies for Thanksgiving on Saturday morning, November 21stfrom 8:00 AM to 11AM. Volunteers needed.

Looking for an opportunity to serve? We have an opening for Vice President on Church Council beginning January, 2021. As we are all aware, 2020 has been a unique year in many ways and as you might imagine the Church has felt the impact of these issues. It is important for our Church, Pastor and Council to take the lead for our congregation and the surrounding communities and causes which we have participated in the past. Duties for the VP include: • Convene the Church Council in the absence of the Congregational President. • Coordinate Stewardship Emphasis within the Congregation. • Assist the Congregational President with special project support as requested.

The election will take place in November 15, given a quorum is present. Possible candidates can also attend a meeting to see what takes place if they desire. The Council meets the 2nd Thursday at 7:00 p.m. generally for about 2 hours. Should you have an interest or feel the calling to serve the Church in this capacity, or want to learn more about the position, please contact a member of the Council Search Committee - Tim Leiwig (863-439-8326) or Laverne Tillson (863-326-6018). You may also contact Kathy Dierker (407-341-0870) or Pastor Joe (863-421-2811). Thanks for considering this opportunity, Tim Leiwig

Become a Council Member

Fall Congregational Meeting

November 15th

(at the end of worship) We need to meet as a congregation to do two important business items. We need to adopt the 2021 Budget as well as conduct elections for Church Council members. We will do this at the end of worship on November 15th- since we will have everyone already maintaining social distancing and to help insure a quorum for this important meeting. We will also be distrib-uting copies of constitutional changes which we will need to make at our Annual Meeting in late January 2021. These changes are required since the National Church adopted new wording for Congregational Constitutions at its last national assembly. Thank you for your commitment to the ongoing ministry of Lamb of God Lutheran Church.

Page 4

Page 5

Cordero de Dios

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ of

Lamb of God Lutheran Church and

Misión Hispana Luterana Cordero De Dios.

November, as we know, is a very special

month because it is the month specifically

well known for giving thanks. This year

even more than others, we give

thanks for all our blessings,

and want to also share with

struggling families in our

community by gifting them a

Thanksgiving Meal Box. During

this month we will be collecting

monetary or donations such as

canned vegetables, corn, sweet

potatoes, cranberry sauce, gra-

vy, potatoes, and stuffing. Our

last day to collect is Nov. 23.

Thank you so much in advance for

all your love and efforts to help out

our brothers and sisters in Haines city

that are struggling.

Thank you as well for all you have done

in the past and knowing that once again

we will shine through as part of the

family of God.

Blessings and Shalom,

Vicar Izzy Bango-Sanchez

Queridos hermanos y hermanas en Cristo de

Lamb of God Lutheran Church y

Misión Hispana Luterana Cordero De Dios.

Noviembre como sabemos, es un mes muy

especial porque es el mes específicamente

conocido por dar gracias y este año en

especial. Por lo cual queremos

traer esta bendición a familias

necesitadas en Haines City a

traves de una Canasta de

Acción de Gracias. Durante

este mes recogeremos

donaciones monetarias o en

especie durante el mes de

noviembre. La fecha límite

para todas las donaciones es

el 23 de noviembre.

Donaciones en especie como

verduras enlatadas, gravy,

relleno, batatas enlatadas,

patatas, arándanos y maíz.

Muchas gracias de antemano por todo su amor

y esfuerzos para ayudar a nuestros hermanos y

hermanas en la ciudad de Haines.

Gracias tambien por todo lo que habéis hecho

en el pasado y sabiendo que una vez más

brillaremos a través de como parte de la

familia de Dios.

Bendiciones y Shalom,

Vicario Izzy Bango-Sanchez

Turkey Meal Food Drive Collecta de Acción de Gracias

Page 6

Thanksgiving Eve Worship Service Wednesday, November 26 @ 7 p.m.

Thanksgiving is a special time to give thanks.

It is appropriate for us to take the time to give

thanks for the many blessings that we enjoy.

Join us for our Thanksgiving Eve Service

where we will recall together the goodness of our

God and all His blessings.

On Monday, October 19, Robert was out in the community

and fell down steep concrete stairs breaking both bones in

his lower right leg. He is currently in Choithram Hospital in

Freetown, Sierra Leone where doctors have indicated he needs surgery and are waiting for

the swelling to go down. However, there are some concerns about if the surgery can be done

and if so, where it is best done. Once Robert has the surgery he will have recovery and rehab

which will need to take place in the US.

Funds are needed for Ruth and Mariatu (their daughter) to travel to Sierra Leone. This will

allow them to better assess Robert's health and assist him with returning to the U.S. for

recovery and rehab (and possibly surgery). Additional funds are needed to cover the hospital

stay in Sierra Leone, surgery there or in the U.S., doctor's fees, medications, and rehab.

To donate go to:

https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/robert-search-fall-and-surgery

Or write a check to: Mariatu's Hope, PO Box 2846 Haines City, FL 33845.

Include a separate written note indicating it is for Robert’s surgery.

**Robert and Ruth Search, founders of Mariatu's Hope, have been living and working in Sierra Leone (West

Africa) since 2008. Mariatu's Hope (named after their daughter from Sierra Leone) focuses on drilling wells,

helping create clean water systems, teaching hygiene and best sanitation practices, and their Infant Nutrition

Program focuses on providing food, medical, and education for babies whose mothers have died. To learn

more visit MariatusHope.org.

Robert Search: Surgery Fundraiser

EACH WEEK ADD AN ITEM TO THE

FOOD TABLE IN THE NARTHEX

ALL ITEMS WILL BE DONATED TO

A HOUSE BLEST

WEEK 2: Oct. 25 – Oct. 31

CANNED MEAT

(chicken, fish, beef stew/chili, ham/SPAM)

WEEK 3: Nov. 1 – Nov. 7

RICE, MASHED POTATOES, MAC & CHEESE

(individual boxes)

WEEK 4: Nov. 8 – Nov. 14

PASTA, SAUCE, COOKING OIL

WEEK 5: Nov. 15 – Nov. 21

PANCAKE MIX, SYRUP, DRY MILK

WEEK 6: Nov. 22 – Nov. 28

CANNED GOODS (easy open)

(fruit, vegetables, soup, beans)

We have begun to meet again on the first Wednesday and third Thursday of each month from 9 AM to 12 Noon, so for November we will meet on November 4th and 17th respectively. We will be following the CDC guidelines by wearing a mask and social distancing. We look forward to this time together and to help others in need by putting together mission quilts for Lutheran World Relief. We invite you to join us for this worthwhile program. If you have any questions contact Laverne Tillson, Quilt Coordinator at 863-326-6018 or the church office. Hope to see you in November.

Quilter’s Guild

Coconut Custard Pie

submitted by Teresa Liberta

Ingredients:

1/2 cup Bisquick

3/4 cup sugar

4 eggs

2 cups milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup flaked coconut

1 tablespoon butter, softened

Combine all ingredients and pour into 9 inch

buttered pie pan. Bake at 400 degrees for

25-30 minutes until custard sets. Like magic,

it layers into crust custard, coconut topping.

Do you have a favorite recipe you’d like to

share? Send it to Evelyn at the church office.

Page 7

NOTE

We deeply appreciate the kind expressions

of sympathy and thoughtfulness shown

following the passing of Lars.

Your support during this time was a great

comfort to all of the family.

- Karen Olsson

ADVENT SEASON BEGINS NOVEMBER 29 Advent is the time of preparation for the

celebration of the birth of Jesus.

Let us prepare together this season.

Saturdays at 6:00 PM starting

Nov. 28 (in-person only) & Sundays at 10:00 AM

$7.00 each. Comes in 3 sizes, S, M and L 2 colors available: black mask with white logo and tan mask with black logo (like the one pictured).

Place your orders at the hospitality desk, or call the office.

Lamb of God Logo Masks

Hanging of the Greens November 24

10 AM Come help decorate the

Sanctuary and Common Areas

for Christmas.

Your help with this project would be

greatly appreciated so that we can

have the church dressed out properly

for the Advent and Christmas Seasons.

Page 8

Anniversaries in November

Birthdays in November

Congratulations to… Best wishes to our members and friends on

their special day

Happy Anniversary!

Nancy Mojica 11/01

Dorothea Algiers 11/04

Michael Riedeman 11/04

Suzan Sweeney 11/05

John Thomasco 11/10

Alejandro Hernandez 11/11

Wendell Roddy 11/11

Karla Lopez 11/12

Robert Simons 11/13

Carol Vaughn 11/13

Leonard Erb 11/17

Sarah Roberts 11/17

Hilda Carames 11/18

Janette Farrugia 11/19

Amanda Frankenberg 11/20

Deniele Pahl 11/29

William Schmick 11/30

11/11 Alan & Amanda Frankenberg

11/19 Darlene & Richard Barker

11/29 Jackie & Tom Tibbetts

Page 9

Thank You For Your Contributions

Tribute Fund

Don and Mary Johnson in memory of Linda and Robert Jones

Don and Mary Johnson in honor of Larry and Carol Vaughn

John and Ann Frederick in memory of Lars Olsson

Mike and Jan Riedman in memory of Dick Van Cleave

Linda and Michael Shevchuk in memory of Charles Fritz

Greg and Bessie Mills in memory of Charles Fritz

Herbert and Claire Fox in memory of Charles Fritz

Kevin and Pat Reeves in memory of Charles Fritz

John and Laverne Tillson in memory of Charles Fritz

and Mary Moats

Rosalie Stetler in memory of Charles Fritz

Ulla Karin Svensson in memory of Lars Olsson

Quilters Guild Joyce Hines

in memory of Bob Jones, Betty Mezen, and Barbara Search

Music Fund Joyce Day

in memory of Ruth Bockelman

Page 10

Page 11

Page 12

NO

VEM

BER

Su

n

Mo

n

Tue

W

ed

Th

u

Fri

Sat

1 A

ll Sa

ints

Day

D

aylig

ht

Savi

ngs

Tim

e

8:45

am

Bib

le S

tudy

10:0

0 am

Wor

ship

Ser

vice

12:

30 p

m S

ervi

cio

en

espa

ñol

2

3

Elec

tio

n D

ay

4

10

:00

am

—1

2:0

0 p

m

Pra

yer

and

sel

f-se

rve

com

mu

nio

n

5

12

:00

0 p

m B

ible

Stu

dy

6:1

5 p

m B

ells

Reh

ears

al

6

1:0

0 p

m—

3:0

0 p

m V

olu

n-

teer

s at

Ho

use

Ble

st

3:0

0 p

m F

oo

d P

antr

y at

H

ou

se B

lest

7

8

8:45

am

Bib

le S

tudy

10:0

0 am

Vet

eran

s’

Wor

ship

Ser

vice

12:

30 p

m S

ervi

cio

en

espa

ñol

9

10

6:0

0 p

m W

ors

hip

an

d

Mu

sic

Mee

tin

g

11

9

:00

am

Qu

ilter

’s G

uild

1

0:0

0 a

m—

12

:00

pm

P

raye

r an

d s

elf-

serv

e co

mm

un

ion

12

12

:00

0 p

m B

ible

Stu

dy

6:1

5 p

m B

ells

Reh

ears

al

7:0

0 p

m C

ou

nci

l Me

etin

g

13

14

15

8:

45 a

m B

ible

Stu

dy

10:0

0 am

Wor

ship

Ser

vice

10:4

5 am

Bud

get M

eetin

g

12:

30 p

m S

ervi

cio

en

espa

ñol

16

B

ELLW

ETH

ER

SUB

MIS

ION

DEA

DLI

NE

17

18

10

:00

am

—1

2:0

0 p

m

Pra

yer

and

sel

f-se

rve

com

mu

nio

n

19

9:0

0 a

m Q

uilt

er’s

Gu

ild

12

:00

0 p

m B

ible

Stu

dy

6:1

5 p

m B

ells

Reh

ears

al

20

1

:00

pm

—3

:00

pm

Vo

lun

-te

ers

at H

ou

se B

lest

3

:00

pm

Fo

od

Pan

try

at

Ho

use

Ble

st

21

Turk

ey G

ivea

way

at

A

Ho

use

Ble

st

22

Pla

nt

& R

affle

Sale

8:

45 a

m B

ible

Stu

dy

10:0

0 am

Wor

ship

Ser

vice

12:

30 p

m S

ervi

cio

en

espa

ñol

23

24

Han

gin

g o

f th

e

Gre

ens

25

1

0:0

0 a

m—

12

:00

pm

P

raye

r an

d s

elf-

serv

e co

mm

un

ion

7

:00

pm

Th

anks

givi

ng

Eve

Se

rvic

e

26

TH

AN

KSG

IVIN

G D

AY

2

7

28

6:0

0 p

m W

ors

hip

Se

rvic

e

29

AD

VEN

T 1

8:

45 a

m B

ible

Stu

dy

10:0

0 am

Wor

ship

Ser

vice

12:

30 p

m S

ervi

cio

en

espa

ñol

30

901 Scenic Hwy Haines City, FL 33844

Bellwether, Published Monthly November 2020, Vol 26, Issue 11 November Bellwether submissions deadline is November 15 Editors: David Reedy and Evelyn Brewer

Lam

b o

f G

od

Lu

ther

an C

hu

rch

9

01

Sce

nic

Hw

y., H

ain

es C

ity,

FL

33

84

4-8

59

7 Te

l: 86

3.4

21

.28

11

, Fa

x: 8

63

.421

.06

51

w

ww

.lam

bo

fgo

dh

ain

esci

ty.c

om

Staff

: R

ev. J

oe

Co

nn

er,

Pas

tor

pas

tor@

lam

bo

fgo

dh

ain

esci

ty.c

om

Izzy

Ban

go-S

anch

ez, V

icar

Evel

yn B

rew

er, O

ffice

Ad

min

istr

ato

r

offi

cem

anag

er@

lam

bo

fgo

dh

ain

esci

ty.c

om

SUN

DA

Y W

OR

SHIP

SC

HED

ULE

O

NLI

NE

WO

RSH

IP:

ww

w.l

amb

ofg

od

hai

nes

city

.co

m/w

ors

hip

May

- O

cto

ber

8

:45

am

Su

nd

ay S

cho

ol

1

0:0

0 a

m H

oly

Co

mm

un

ion

No

vem

ber

- A

pri

l 8

:00

& 1

0:3

0 a

m

H

oly

Co

mm

un

ion

9

:15

am

Su

nd

ay S

cho

ol &

Bib

le S

tud

y

Span

ish

Ser

vice

1

2:3

0 p

m H

oly

Co

mm

un

ion

Ad

ven

t th

ru L

ent

Satu

rday

, 6p

m

Ou

r M

issi

on

Sta

tem

ent

The

mis

sio

n o

f La

mb

of

Go

d L

uth

eran

Ch

urc

h is

to

lead

an

d in

spir

e G

od

’s p

eop

le in

to a

gro

win

g re

lati

on

ship

wit

h J

esu

s.

Ou

r V

isio

n S

tate

men

t C

ente

red

in J

esu

s C

hri

st a

nd

em

po

wer

ed b

y th

e H

oly

Sp

irit

, th

e vi

-si

on

of

Lam

b o

f G

od

Lu

ther

an C

hu

rch

is t

o t

ran

sfo

rm a

nd

en

han

ce

the

lives

of

mem

ber

s, n

eigh

bo

rs a

nd

fri

end

s th

rou

gh r

elev

ant

wo

r-sh

ip a

nd

stu

dy

of

Go

d’s

Wo

rd, a

nd

th

rou

gh p

rovi

din

g C

hri

stian

se

r-vi

ce a

nd

fe

llow

ship

op

po

rtu

niti

es.