The Town Line

Lutheran Town Line Lutheran Church, Alden, New York

Sunday Worship Services February 2020 8:30 and 11:00 am

Sunday School Our Mission 9:45 – 10:45 am “Called to Be a Servant Community”

FROM OUR PASTOR Dear Friends,

In 2003 a new cleaning product came out that sounded way too good to be true: the magic eraser by Mr. Clean. It promised that you could remove any spot from walls or floors by just this magic white rectangle. I was very skeptical, but a few years later I found myself with two young children in the house and a coupon that practically gave it to me for free. I picked one up and put it with the cleaning supplies.

No more than two days later our daughter, who was not even four years old at the time, decided to write on the wall. This was very out of character for her, but I decided it was time to try out this new cleaning product. I was very skeptical. I was sure that it wouldn’t work, but I decided to try it anyway. If you have never used one before you just add water to this little white sponge and rub it on the surface you want cleaned.

As I began to scrub the wall, I couldn’t believe it, it came off. Just like that. It was just so simple that it was unbelievable, it was too easy, almost magic…and I understood why they decided to call it the magic eraser.

Did you know that in our life of faith we have our own “Magic eraser?” It’s called Baptism. Many of us were baptized as infants, maybe some of us as children or adults. The wonderful thing about Baptism is that it makes us God’s child, and no matter how messy we might get, when we come to God seeking forgiveness, our sins are wiped away, just like the magic eraser.

Over the next few months we dive a bit deeper into baptism by using Martin Luther’s explanation in the small catechism. For this month we begin with what baptism is.

Here is what Martin Luther has to say on it: What is Baptism? Baptism is not water only, but it is water used together with God’s Word and by his command. What is this Word? In Matthew 28 our Lord Jesus Christ says: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit.”

1. What do you know/remember anything about your baptism? Did

you family tell you any stories about it, did your Godparents stay

involved in your life? Are you Godparent to anyone? How is that

relationship?

2. Baptism is not just water, what else is needed? What does that

mean for the water used for a baptism? Is it special?

3. Matthew 28 seems simple enough, but is it? Why is it so hard to

“make disciples?” What does baptism have to do with it.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask! God’s peace,

Pastor Serena

Sunday School News

February Fun!!!

2nd – Souper Bowl and Scout Sunday. Any students involved in

scouts please sign up to be part of worship on this day. Wear

your favorite team’s gear and bring a can of Soup to celebrate the

Souper Bowl! (or any non-perishable food item, monetary

donations also accepted)

9th – Wear your PJs and bring a stuffed animal to Sunday School

16th – Valentine’s Brunch. Bring your Valentine (or a friend) to

Sunday School and wear red or pink. Stay for Brunch put on

by our Youth! (free will donation)

23rd – Youth Sunday and crazy sock day. Wear your crazy socks

and stay for service led by our Youth (students in grades 6

and up sign up on the bulletin board to participate)

Third Grade Bibles will be in March. The Class will be on March 15 with students getting their Bibles on March 22.

Family Worship - Seriously?

Sunday, February 2 at 11am worship. On the first Sunday of the month @ 11am we will have a hands on worship experience with easy to sing (and hard to forget) worship

songs, and interactive sermon and “Cheerful coins." Bring the whole family and invite your friends.

Come and join us at our annual

Valentine Brunch Sunday, February 16th 9:30 am-1:00 pm In the Town Line Lutheran Fellowship Hall.

The QUILTERS – Weather permitting, during

February we will meet on Monday, Feb. 3 and Monday, Feb. 17 from 9:15 am til Noon. Anyone who’d like to join us is welcome, should bring their lunch, and enjoy good fellowship and conversation.

Any non-weather-related changes to our schedule will be placed in the Sunday bulletin or we’ll call if we have to cancel. Please consider joining us as we continue our service to those in our community and surrounding area who are less fortunate. If you have any questions, please call Lois Stutzman at 683-2782.

Calling all Readers You can join the Town

Line book club at any time. We meet the 3rd Monday of every month at the Church. Just read the book and join us for lively conversation on the book.

February "Dewey the library cat" by Vicki Myron with Brett Witter March "No second chance" by Harlan Corbin April "The girl in cabin 10" by Ruth Ware May "Go set a watchmen" by Harper Lee

Please email/call Jeanette Dickinson at: bellgoddess_2000@yahoo.com or call 681-3966 with questions

A Little Faith on the Prairie Bible Study: you can still join us! Sundays at 6pm on February 9th and February 16th. February 9th: Faith Changes Us February 16: Faith Challenges Us

Worship February 26

10:00 am & 7:00 pm Imposition of Ashes &

Holy Communion

Youth News…

”Souper Bowl Sunday” Feb 2nd. Our youth will be

standing at the doors following worship to collect money & non-perishable food for the Alden food pantry

Feb 15th Valentine Brunch prep 10:00 am-12:00 pm-parents, youth & volunteers needed to get the job done!

Valentine Brunch- Feb 16th 9:30-1:00. Come and enjoy a yummy hot breakfast and the wonderful fellowship! Parents & youth essential for cleanup-1:00-2:00

Feb 22nd: 4:00-6:00 PM practice for youth Sunday

Feb 23rd YOUTH SUNDAY @ both services.

Mar 1st & 8th Easter plant sale

Music Notes… You are cordially Invited… to join any or all of our music opportunities

here at Town Line Lutheran!

Bell Choir-rehearsals the 1st & 3rd Wednesday of the month at 6:15 pm-we play for worship once a month

Chancel Choir-rehearsals Wednesdays at 7:30 pm Lead worship at the 8:30 service

Celebration Choir-rehearsals the 2nd & 4th Tuesdays of the month -We sing twice a month

If you’re looking for an amazing experience that you’ll not soon forget

Join our cantata choir

This year we will present

“Behold the Lamb” by Lloyd Larson April 5th at both services

Rehearsals begin January 26th during the Sunday School hour (9:40-10:40 or Wednesdays at 7:30 pm) We are in need of

all voices! Come and join in the fun and experience first- hand the story of the last

days of Jesus’ life in song & theater. Invite family and friends to this one of a kind service

Any questions call Kate Snyder 668-5610

Scout Sunday at Town Line Lutheran

February 2 Scout Sunday is February 2, 2020 at both services (8:30am and 11am). We are looking for all scouts to participate. Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, 4-H, Campfire, American Heritage Girls, etc. can participate. You can be a greeter, usher, reader or acolyte. Please sign up in the gathering space at the Boy Scout podium. Each scout that participates will receive a Scout Sunday patch. . Questions? call Jim Heinrich 866-1942 or e-mail jeheinrich@aol.com."

SAVE THE DATE for this year’s

Taste of Town Line & Basket Raffle

Sunday, May 3, 2020 Town Line Lutheran fellowship hall

Watch for more information next month

*Christian Symbol*

Shepherd's Crook The shepherd’s crook is a symbol for Jesus, the Good Shepherd. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11). The crook also symbolizes the shepherds who visited the baby Jesus in Bethlehem. It’s also used in connection with King David, who worked as a shepherd when he was young.

TOWN LINE LUTHERAN CHURCH

MEMORIAL WALKWAY Order your memorial brick(s) in

memory of your loved ones. Order forms are available at the

Church.

Evangelical Lutheran Worship Hymnal The Memorial Committee and Church Council have approved setting up funds to pay for a new ELW Hymnal. The amount per book is $25.00 which can be given: As a Memorial: In memory of _____________________________by____________________ As a Thank offering for blessings: In thankfulness for blessings received by ________________________ To honor someone In honor of _________________________by_______________________ Please make checks to the Town Line Lutheran Church Memorial fund and mail/drop off this form to church or place in offering plate.

Coloring page

How can you help others or get help? Here are a few local agencies Alden Pantry collection You can bring items for the Alden Food pantry to church any Sunday. There is a blue box located in the Coat room.

Alden Meals on Wheels is in need of volunteers. Call 937-7105 for more information

Hearts and Hands “Faith in Action” A Neighbor helping neighbor” volunteer program Call: 542-2226 www.heartsandhandsfia.org

Ronald McDonald House Charities Become a friend of Ronald: Find us on Facebook.

Suicide Bereavement support For immediate help/support call 24 hours a day: (585)202-2783 Erie County Crisis Services (716)834-3131 Lutheran Charities www.wnylutherancharities.org 716-632-2623

Alzheimer’s Association of WNY 24/7 Helpline 1-800-272-3900 Program.wny@alz.org 2805 Wehrle Dr Suite 6 Williamsville, NY 14221

Hospice Buffalo 225 Como Park Cheektowaga, NY 14227 716-686-1900 Essential Care for Children, a program of Home Care Buffalo 225 Como Park Boulevard Cheektowaga, NY 142270-1480 (716) 686-8006 Caring Hearts Perinatal Program 150 Bennett Road Cheektowaga, NY 14227 (716) 359-8056 Life Transitions Center, Inc. The Mary & Ralph C. Wilson Counseling Center 150 Bennett Road Cheektowaga, NY 14221-1480 Phone: (716) 836-6460 Caring Hearts Home Care 892 Main Street Buffalo, NY 14202 (716) 686-8300

The Town Line Lutheran Here are your choices on how you can get your newsletter

1. Email: drop an email to Diane at the office to receive your newsletter electronically. The church email is townlinetllc@aol.com.

2. Pick up paper copy at church: Paper copies of the newsletter will be available for you to take home the last Sunday of every month.

3. Download from the church website: www.townlinelutheran.com

If none of the above work we can mail it to your home

If you have a change of address or phone number, please email the Church and let us know

Email addresses are needed: If you would like to have your email added so we can contact you in this way, please email the Church: Townlinetllc@aol.com.

Check out our/ website at www.Townlinelutheran.com

We are also on Facebook, so friend us!

Church Cancellation: Due to inclement weather please check Channel 2 for Town Line Lutheran Church closings. BEWARE! Please use caution when during the winter months in the parking lot, near the paper box and on the sidewalks as conditions can become slippery.

Worship Assistants for February

Ushers Early Late John Wild David Reiner Dean Trommetter Marci Mason Jim Heinrich Ronald Ball Harry Mandris

Acolytes Early Late 2 Riley Streit Cole Applely John Wild 9 Shawn Witucki Paige Jegierski Adam Bauer 16 Paige Mertz Ben Wild Colton Witucki 23 Josie Wild Matilynn Schmidt Nate Jegierski

Communion Set–up 2 Robin Gilbert 8:30 am 9 Marcie Mason 11:00 am 16 Ruth Maciejewski 8:30 am 23 Mark and Jody Reddy 11:00 am

Readers 8:30am 11:00 am 2 Scouts Scouts 9 John Wild Sue DeWitt 16 Charlie Turner Cassidy Bauer 23 Jim Heinrich Ellie Donnelly

2020 Coffee Cup Volunteers

February 2: Pastor Serena

February 9: Sharon Holcolm

February 16: Elli Defilippo February 23: Elli Defilippo

If you would like to help by washing the coffee cups after worship to help reduce our carbon footprint, please email Pastor Serena.

(pastorserena@gmail.com) Call or email the church if you would like to help at the church in any of these or our many other ministries

Church Council 2019-2020 President: Mark Reddy 359-2389 Vice Pres: John Wild 517-0624 Secretary: Ann Marie Appleby 650-8785 Treasurer: Patty Zehler 908-3877 Financial Secretary: Judy Quinty 902-4316 Benevolence Treasurer: Heidi Wild 983-5507 Trustee: Harold Bowen 684-1557 Trustee Robin Gilbert 292-2719 Deacon: Harry Mandris 937-0322 Deacon: Ellie DeFilipppo 574-9830 Member: Larry Muscoreil 465-3301 Member Marcie Mason 984-5858

Church Staff Information Ministers: All the People of God in this place Pastor: The Rev. Serena Mollenkopf-Grill Cell: 716-510-2939 Email: pastorserena@gmail.com Pastor Emeritus: The Rev. Merlin H. Knauff (retired) Secretary: Diane Casell Office: 684-1467 Sexton: Ann Stanek Music Director: Kate Snyder: 668-5610

Church Office Hours

Monday, - Wednesday 9:00 am – noon The doors will be locked for the safety of our staff and volunteers,

please knock or use the doorbell at the carport door when you stop by. If you need assistance outside of these hours please

call/text Pastor Serena 716-510-2939 Thanks for your cooperation.

Facts and Figures

Sunday Attendance Offerings January 5 107 $5,603 January 12 94 $4,871 January 19 83 $2,152 Needed Weekly $3,635

February 24 - 51 years - Holly and Rob Martin February 27 - 59 years - Sharon and Ronald Peebles Did we miss your special Anniversary (10, 20, 25 and over 30 years) If so, please let us know at the Church office.

DEATHS Our sincere sympathy is extended to the family and friends of Pamela Allan who died on December 31, 2019. A Funeral service was held at Town Line Lutheran on January 4, 2020. Called to the Church triumphant on January 19, is our member, Jack Wild. A funeral service will take place on January 27th. Our sympathy is extended to his family and friends.

Thank you - Thank you - Thank you.

Thank you for the Tabs that keep coming in to support the Ronald McDonald house. You are invited to the NLHS Guild’s luncheon at Greenfield Manor 5953 Broadway. They take place on a Thursday during each month. For more information contact Joyce Smith 651-9344.

1 Kathleen Paschke 2 Nancy Hughes 2 Laura Crofton 2 Sharon Peebles 2 Brittany Snyder 2 Shawn Witucki 3 Ann Marie Appleby 3 Sandy Luderman 3 Alaina Dersam 5 Carol Rice 5 Lauren Wild 8 Scott Manchester 9 Mark Casell 9 Danielle Warchocki 10 Sharon Brush 10 Hayden McKibben 11 Edwin Bliemeister 11 Benjamin Kwietniak 12 Brayden Bartz 12 Eric Stutzman 12 Madeline Putney 13 James Macken 14 Julieann Macken 14 Philip Moe

14 Sue Ann Ripa 15 Marcus Appleby 17 Michael Uebelhoer 17 Gwen Tyburski 18 Nicole Golding 18 Kristen Lerner 19 Harold Bowen 19 Diane Randall 20 Marilyn Gruber 20 Christopher Klein 20 Daniel Luderman 22 Molly Ferguson 22 Janet Koepsell 23 Cian Barry 23 Joyce Kalle 23 Shannon Schmidt 23 Kevin Nawokowski 24 Michael DeWitt 25 Erin Stotz 25 Nicole Piasecki 27 Joyce Seagrave 27 Paige Mertz 27 Hailee Erny 29 Kenneth Peebles

Did we miss your birthday? If so, please contact the Church office, 684-1467.

TOWN LINE LUTHERAN CHURCH Town Line Road Alden, New York 14004-9590 A member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America ELCA.org Living in God’s Amazing Grace

Church office: 716-684-1467 Pastor: The Rev. Serena Mollenkopf-Grill Cell: 716-510-2939 Email: pastorserena@gmail.com Pastor Emeritus: The Rev. Merlin H. Knauff (retired) Church Email - Townlinetllc@aol.com Church Website: www.Townlinelutheran.com