The Town Line

Lutheran Town Line Lutheran Church, Alden, New York

Sunday Worship Services May 2017

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,

If I asked you where is God’s house, what would you say? I expect you might say,

“The church, of course!” There is truth in that, we see our church as God’s house. We

might think of God’s house as a holy place, a special place. But is that the only place God

is? No, we believe in a God who is everywhere. We believe in a God who is present in the

most unusual and surprising places. Jesus’ birth in a manger showed us that there is no

place too humble for our God. Jesus’ death on a cross showed us that there is no place too

horrible for our God.

So if we believe that God is everywhere, why does God need a house? Why have

people over the last 2000 years built churches and called them “the house of God?” God

doesn’t need a house. So why do we have churches?

I could write pages about this, but instead I will make it simple. God’s house is for

God’s people, us. First of all, it stands as a visible symbol of faith in God. The church is a

meant to be a physical presence of our faith and trust in God. The building itself is meant

to be an outward sign of the faith found within.

But it doesn’t end there. Remember the song, “I am the church, you are the

church, we are the church together, all who follow Jesus, all around the world. Yes, we’re

the church, together.” The building is nothing without the people. The building is an

outward sign of the faith that is shared and grown inside, by the people. Without the

people it is just a building, not a church.

Now what in the world does this have to do with this month’s book of the Bible?

Haggai, found in the Old Testament, is a small book that focuses on one thing: the

importance of the Temple (God’s house). Haggai has a message from God that tells the

people because God’s house is in ruin, their lives are still a mess. Unless they rebuild the

temple, things will not go well for them. At the time this book was written, God’s people

had just been allowed to return to their homeland, and they had built themselves houses,

but hadn’t taken the time to build a proper place of worship. As I read this book I have a

bit of trouble with it, because I don’t believe that God punishes us when we don’t have a

“proper place of worship.” So I put my Christian Lutheran glasses on, and look at it through

the lens of Jesus. I began to look at what we might be able to learn from the book of

Haggai.

The one think that struck me is that it’s not really about the temple not being built.

It’s more about the fact that the people have not taken the time to connect with God. The

temple is in ruins because their relationship with God is in ruins. I see this more as an

allegory about how God calls us in challenging times not to neglect our relationship with

him.

So now you can put on your own lenses and read this book. What do you think

God is saying to us? What can we learn from it? I’d love to hear your ideas!

I hope you enjoy this month’s short book of the Bible.

God’s peace,

Pastor Serena

Sunday School News

The last day of Sunday school will be Sunday, June 11 with a special Sunday School Worship at 11:00 am. Watch the bulletins for more information

Want to be an acolyte? All children who have taken first communion are eligible to be acolytes (2nd grade and above.) We will have acolyte training during Sunday school on Sunday, May 14 at 9:45 am.

1st Communion took place on Sunday, April 30, 2017 In this year’s class were Shawn Scotland, Aidan Strang, John Wild “Nathan Jegierski taking 1st communion on a later date” Congratulations and welcome to the Lord’s Table.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL Town Line VBS is coming! Sunday, Sunday, June 25 –

Thursday, June 29 from 6 – 8 pm

Light dinner served at 5:30 pm

Summer Worship begins Sunday, June 18

8:30 and 10:00 am through Labor day.

Coming This Summer in July: Sunday Suppers: Come and be fed! Join us Sundays in July starting July 9th for 4 weeks of Sunday Suppers! More info will be in next months newsletter.

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Naomi Circle will meet on May 9 at 12:30 pm.

Come join us for Bible study and friendly conversations. Bring a bag lunch. Dessert and drinks will be provided. All woman of Town Line are invited

The QUILTERS – The Quilters will meet on

Monday, May 8th and Monday, May 22nd (at the usual

time of approximately 9:15 am until 1:00 pm) which may

tie it up for the season. Feel free to join us to see what we do –

simply bring your lunch and enjoy good fellowship and

conversation. If you have any questions, please call Lois

Stutzman at 683-2782. At this time we’d like to heartily thank the

congregation for the wonderful “material” support and hope you

will continue to keep us in mind over the summer – besides

material, we could also use “flat” sheets which make wonderful

backs for our quilts.. We’d also again like to thank Thrivent

Financial Action Team for their financial support, which enables us

to purchase the batting for the quilt middles, and the Gloria Richter

quilters’ memorial fund which helps with other incidental expenses.

We have indeed blessed and will start up again in September!

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.

May “Cutting For Stone” by Abraham Verghese June “Marley and Me” by John Grogan July ”The Boys in the Boat”Daniel James Brown August “1984” George Orwell September “The Painted House” John Grisham

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

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Church Clean up Saturday, May 6th 9 am to 2 pm. Many hands make Lite work. Please join us!

Bible Study The book of Ruth Join us for a no experience necessary Bible study on Wednesday mornings at

10am. We will begin May 3 for 4 weeks looking at the book of Ruth.

Catch the spirit! Sponsor a Geranium in church for

Pentecost Sunday June 4! We are looking for people to sponsor red geraniums to

decorate the church for Pentecost. Cost is approximately $8. Please sign up in gathering space or

email/call the church office by May 21. You may take your geranium home after late service or leave them to be planted on

the Church grounds. Make checks payable to: the Town Line Youth. Thank you!

TOWN LINE LUTHERAN CHURCH

MEMORIAL WALKWAY Now is the time to order your memorial brick(s) in memory of your loved ones.

Order forms are available at the Church. Have Questions? Call the Church office

YOUTH NEWS… youth ministry for kids grades 6-12

…To everyone who donated food for the Easter

Breakfast and who bought Easter plants from our youth!

and Baked Goods Sale Saturday May

13th 10:00-2:00 Youth need to report by 9:30 AM for set up!

Sign up on youth bulletin board- lunch provided

SERVICE PROJECT

SPRING CLEANING MAY 6TH 9:00-2:00 pm

Come out and serve by cleaning up our

building & our grounds! Sign up on bulletin

board-lunch provided

If you are in grades 6-12 , and you would like

to grow in your relationship with God, enjoy

serving others, eager to participate in worship

leadership, and have fun along the way with other

youth, then be sure to check us out! If you have any questions

please feel free to speak with Kate 668-5610

MUSIC NOTES….

YOU ARE INVITED TO ENJOY OUR

Rejoice in the gift of music with special music by our

Chancel Choir, Bell Choir and Women’s Choir

Have fun with a special musical children’s message

Sing out with inspirational hymns that celebrate the gift

of music

Celebrate God’s grace with Cheerful Coins

Music Sunday May 7th @ both services

Volunteers are needed to

Sing or play an instrument for summer worship

A Sign up sheet will be on the music bulletin board

You are invited to

PAINT NIGHT Tuesday, May 9th @ 6:30pm

Enjoy an evening of painting with our Artistic instructor Amanda, as she guides us step by step through an original work of art. You will have a fabulous time, and will be able to take your work home with you. Cost: $30 per person If you become a “mini host”, and bring 10 paying artists with you, then your class is FREE! This is a 21 and over event. There can be prearranged child care avaiable for a small donation. Feel free to bring snacks and drinks. Registration will be in the gathering area. Questions, Comment, Concerns? Contact: Heidi Wild Call or text (716)983-5507 Hwild1336@gmail.com

STRAWBERRY SOCIAL Wednesday, June 21, 2017 4:30 - 7:00 pm at Town Line Lutheran Church

Come for Supper Come for Dessert

-Hamburgers -Fresh Strawberries

-Hot Dogs -Short cakes

-Salad Bar -Ice Cream

-Beverage -Sundaes

Entertainment Carnival Kids Steel Orchestra

Thank you to Elli Donnelly for bringing us the beautiful altar flower for my birthday. We had such a nice visit with her. Thelma Dabb. Dear Council and Members/Friends of Town Line Lutheran, We would like to personally Thank EVERYONE who has come out to support our recent events. With your support and volunteering make each one better and better. It is the goal of the organizers of each event to open the doors of our church, not only to our congregation, but to all for fellowship, friendship and most important to show and teach about Our Lord Jesus and all He does in our lives. See you at the next event A sincere thank you! Dear friends for all the prayers, beautiful cards and flowers and visits following my fall and re-hab at Brothers of Mercy. Thank you Pastor Serena for your visits and encouragement with prayers. Love, Annette Dear Members of Town Line Church, The Cadettes of Girl Scout Troop 1902 would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to our collection for Symphony Manor in Lancaster. We delivered 12 boxes loaded with toiletries, scarves, hats, gloves, perfume, lotions, jackets and coats, socks, slippers, and prizes for their Bingo games on Tuesday, April 18th. Ms. Robin Hibbert, Activities Director was on hand to receive the donations and was completely overwhelmed by your generosity. Girl Scout Troop 1902 has been visiting Symphony Manor for the past 5 years at Christmas to sing carols, and the girls have established a relationship with Ms. Hibbert and some of the residents. We cannot thank you all enough for filling the Crate of Hope over the past month. Your kindness has touched the lives of some very special people at Symphony Manor. Many of the residents there do not have family who visit or provide them with basic toiletries or proper clothing. Several residents are admitted with only the clothes they are wearing. Thank you for making a difference for these deserving folks by contributing to Girl Scout Troop 1902's collection. We truly appreciate it! -Kathi Jegierski, Paige Jegierski, Laura Mollenkopf-Grill, Saige Carlson, Katie Sentz, and Hailey Yoerg Thank you to everyone who sent cards and prayers during my recent minor surgery. I am truly blessed to have such a caring faith community! God's peace, Pastor Serena

STEWARDSHIP Timmy didn’t want to put his money in the offering plate Sunday morning, so his mother decided to use some hurried creative reasoning with him. “You don’t want that money, honey,” she whispered in his ear. “Quick! Drop it in the plate. It’s tainted!” Horrified, the little boy obeyed. After a few seconds he whispered, “But, mommy, why was the money tainted? Was it dirty? “Oh, no dear,” she replied. “It’s not really dirty. It just ‘taint yours, and it ‘taint mine,” she replied. “It’s God’s.”

The Stewardship Committee would like to thank all the individuals and families that ‘Stepped Up’ to the next giving level. For those that have not yet done so, please prayerfully considering joining the movement and Step Up.

Recent monthly giving has been lower than expected and combined with the fact that donations during the summer months are typically lower, we are faced with an impending budget shortage. As a result, we will be holding a special onetime offering called “The Power of One” to close the gap.

The Sunday service for the first week of June (June 4th) has been earmarked as our ‘Power of One’ offering. It would be greatly appreciated if you could make an additional offering that day by placing a second envelope marked “The Power of One” into the offering plate. This will allow Town Line Lutheran Church to continue to live out our mission: “Called to be a Servant Community.”

Each individual and family has the ability, the power….. to make a difference.

Thank you,

The stewardship committee

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:

Townlinelutheran.com

Friend us on Facebook! Join us on Twitter & Instagram!

New Church Address/phone directories are available in the church gathering area. We apologize if we missed you or have the wrong information. Please let us know so we can update our information.

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

Church Council 2016-2017 President John Wild 716-937-8894 Vice President Larry Muscoreil 585–547-3677 Secretary Elli DeFilippo 716-937-7953 Treasurer Patty Zehler zehler.patricia@yahoo.com Financial Secretary Michael Dewitt 716-937-3453 Benevolence Treasurer Barbara Sims 716-683-3134 Trustees: Robin Gilbert 716-810-2719 Tyler Uebelhoer 585-750-2432 Deacons: Harry Mandris 716-937-0322 Rick Krueger 716-937-9533 Member Ann Marie Appleby 716-650-8785 Member Heidi Wild 716-983-5507

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) Church Council President: John Wild Secretary: Diane Casell Office: 684-1467 Sexton: Ann Stanek Music Director: Kate Snyder: 668-5610

Church Office Hours

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 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 Diane 716-713-3149 or Pastor Serena 716-510-2939

Thanks for your cooperation.

Facts and Figures

Sunday Attendance Offerings

April 2 149 $5,262 April 9 159 $7,300 April 16 316 $5,555 April 23 169 $2,745 Weekly $3,800

Worship Assistants for May

Ushers Early Late Bryce Blair Marcie Mason Jeweliet Phillips David Baehre Harold Gardner Mark Reddy Mike Thore Justin Mason

Acolytes Early Late 7 Mackenzie Mertz Matilynn Schmidt Jacob Dulski Justin Mason 14 Riley Streit Paige Jegierski Paige Mertz Marcus Appleby 21 Josie Wild Laurie Mollenkopf-Grill Victoria Wild Anna Jegierski 28 Madeline McKibben Tony Muscoreil Jon Mollenkopf-Grill

Communion Set–up 7 John Wild 8:30 am 14 Tricia Phillips 11:00 am 21 Anne Stanek 8:30 am 28 Charlie Turner 11:00 am

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED! We are in need of volunteers to deliver the Altar Flowers to our members with special celebrations each Sunday. If you can help please let us know or sign the sheet in the gathering space.

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED for all the above Ministries! Call the Church office if you would like to help at the church in any of these or our many other ministries.

PRAY FIRST

May Wedding Anniversaries May 10 20 years Karen and Ken Andrews May 13 45 years Carol and Donald Menge May 16 58 years Judith and Gordon Griffith May 17 20 years Cheryl and John Wild May 20 34 Years Lisa and Bryce Blair May 21 34 years Jeanne and John Seitz May 22 35 years Joyce and Thomas Seagrave May 28 34 years Lori and George Kumpf Did we miss your special Anniversary (10, 20, 25 and over 30 years) If so, please let us know at the Church office.

Baptism April 23, 2017 - Bentley Alice, daughter of Tucker Smart and Tara Trommetter

Death Called to the Church Triumphant on March 30, was our member, William Green. A Funeral service was held at the Town Line on April 3, 2017. Our sincere sympathy to his family and friends.

Ronald Wilhelm Memorial service will be held June 6th at 11 am with a luncheon following.

In Sympathy Our sincere sympathy is extended to the family of Ron Savage. Pastor Serena officiated at the service at Alden Presbyterian. Our sincere sympathy is extended to Chris Whittingham on the death of his mother, Dorothy on April 2, 2017.

Memorials In memory of Edward Heinrich by Donna Stutzman

In memory of Ron Wilhelm by Jim Heinrich Beth and Paul Ribbeck

In memory of Bill Green Ken and Ruth Duncan Larry and Linda Poelma Gladys Beverly Joyce and Ray Kalle Norma Labuzzetta Virginia Thessen Marilla Seniors Laurie Gozdzick Jim and Flo Demune Brenda and Howard Schwartz and family

2 Andrea Kulniszewski 2 Beth Ribbeck 3 Charlotte Kramer 3 Jack Skubis 3 Thomas Stutzman 4 Jacob Macken 4 Kevin Dzimian 5 Rob Martin 5 Michael Piasecki 5 Jack Rice 5 Ilaria Muscoreil 6 JJ Jimerson 7 John Smith 9 Hannah Johnson 9 Ann Edwards 10 Katie Cascio 10 Erik Ferguson 10 Marjorie Jasinski 11 Jakob Grant 13 David Czajka 13 Justin Heinrich 13 Kaitlyn Seitz 14 Jesse Stanek 15 Emily Cantie 15 Stella Check 15 Kimberly Fallon 15 Brandi Stoldt 16 Kimberly Honeck 17 Lillian Bowen 18 Ruth Duncan 18 Daniel Weist 19 David Reiner 19 Riley Stutzman 20 Kimberly Dulski 20 Michael Kratzke 20 David Smith

21 Jon Bonning 21 Maya Slevinski 21 Emma Uebelhoer 22 Rosanne Johnson 22 Dolores Luderman 23 Nancy Landahl 23 Kathy Peters 23 Jacob Stanek 23 John Wild 24 Lisa Blair 24 Carolyn Hodan 25 Colin Barry 25 Kristen Brush 25 Grant Schum 26 Arlene Krueger 26 Jordan Phillips 26 Robert Ulbrich 27 Daniel Brush 27 Richard Mollenkopf-Grill 27 Lori Pepe 27 John Sturdivant 27 Emma Stutzman 28 Brian Aquila 28 Annette Fitscher 28 David Gutowski 29 Sophie Connolly 30 Kim Johnson 30 Antonio Muscoreil 30 Pat Vogt 30 Kenneth Zehler 31 Clifford Nowicki 31 Jonathan Seitz

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

TOWN LINE LUTHERAN CHURCH 1159 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 Church Fax: 716-683-1664 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