v41 n4 2014 dec footnotes - christ the servant · frenzy for a time of quiet contemplation, song,...
TRANSCRIPT
Footnotes Christ the Servant Lutheran Church
December 2014
Volume 41, No. 4
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As the Christmas decorating, shopping and buying season whips up into its full fervor this month, we will be doing something very different at CTS on Wednesday Evenings. Instead of getting caught up in the business of the season decorating, shopping, baking, and the rest, we will gather for a quiet service of contemplation, meditation, and songs of hope to prepare our hearts for Christ’s coming. I’m calling it Advent Presence (and yes, that is intentionally presence, not presents.) On December 3, 10, and 17, we will gather in candlelight in a circle of chairs between the altar and the stained glass windows for sung evening prayer and for the space to ponder God’s presence with us and in us. Worship on December 3rd will focus on the scriptural promises and experiences of God’s nearness in the Hebrew Scriptures. We will contemplate God Emmanuel, God with us, and the incarnation of Jesus Christ on the 10th. December 17th we will concentrate on the ways in which the body of Christ demonstrates God’s presence in our midst and the ways in which we can demonstrate God’s presence in the world today. As in past years, we will gather first for a Soup Supper and fellowship at 6:30pm. Evening prayer will begin at 7:30pm. I hope that you will join us for an escape from the secular Christmas frenzy for a time of quiet contemplation, song, and prayer that helps us to do what Advent is really supposed to do, prepare us for Christ’s coming into the world to bring salvation, grace, peace, and hope. In his peace that does pass all understanding, Pastor Kari Parsons
www.ctslutheranelca.org † 9801 Centerway Road, Montgomery Village, MD † 301-977-0285
December Prayer Concerns Arlene Alfano Drew Allison Bob Andersen Joanie Beaver Rose Bender Elizabeth Brewer Stephanie Bruskin Deneen Budd Janet Courter Connor Dean Zoe Dohrmann Robert Evans Brenda Evans Marion Faison Jerry Garner Sam Gates Dave Gearing Dorothy Gerald Karin Halverston Matt La Cross Hannah Larkin Tim & Katie Larkin Natascha Larrabee Barbara Lashof The Lee family Margaret Lipe Thomas Lipe Marcus McBride Jr. Holly Mell David Morris Pr. John Muller Althea Nottingham Joyce Pacheli Lorna Pool Jane Rhine Dora Runyon Vicki Sheridan Joan Smith James Thompson Janet Tidemann Orlando Vela Nancy White Mike Jason Sarina
NOTICE
Congregation Meeting
Sunday, December 14, 2014
6:00 P.M.
Agenda Items Financial Updates
Presentation of the 2015 Budget Election of Voting Members – Synod Assembly
(A quorum is required)
The meeting will be preceded by the traditional Chili Cook-off/Cornbread & Chocolate Bake-off
Beginning at 5:00 p.m.
The Youth Ministry Basket Auction will follow the congregational meeting.
All members and non-members who have been
attending services are encouraged to attend and participate fully in the life of the CTS community.
ADVENT WORKSHOP There will be an Advent Workshop following church on Sunday, December 7. Crafts will include baking gingerbread men, making ornaments, and designing homemade advent calendars. All are invited to participate. We will also need volunteers to help operate the stations during the workshop. Contact Parish Life Chair Michael Evans at [email protected] for details.
Readings for December 2nd Sunday of Advent December 7 Isaiah 40:1-11 Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 2 Peter 3:8-15a Mark 1:1-8 3rd Sunday of Advent December 14 Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 Psalm 126 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 John 1:6-8, 19-28 4th Sunday of Advent December 21 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26 Romans 16:25-27 Luke 1:26-38 Nativity of Our Lord I – Christmas Eve December 24 Isaiah 9:2-7 Psalm 96 Titus 2:11-14 Luke 2:1-14 Nativity of Our Lord II – Christmas Day December 25 Isaiah 62:6-12 Psalm 97 Titus 3:4-7 Luke 2:8-20 1st Sunday of Christmas December 28 Isaiah 61:10-62:3 Psalm 148 Galatians 4:4-7 Luke 2:22-40
Gifts of Hope -Giving to those in need will also bless your friends and family!
Dear friends of Christ the Servant, The Christmas season is a time that we can really do make a difference for others. By purchasing a Gift of Hope, you are blessing the lives of others who are less fortunate. When you buy a Gift of Hope, you will also be able to use it as a gift for someone else by giving them a card noting that the gift was purchased in their honor. Many people say that these gifts are the best gifts they receive at Christmas. As we all know, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Please think about the many people on your list that would really love to make this kind of difference! Gifts of Hope will be available for purchase at CTS beginning in December. The Christmas cards are new this year and very nice! Come to the table set up in the back of the church. Gifts can be purchased after services each Sunday through Advent. You may also purchase gifts online at www.GiftsofHopedc.org. I look forward to seeing you at the table! Melanie McMichael
Altar Flowers for 2015 The 2015 chart for altar flowers is posted in the hallway. Sign up now and throughout 2015 to provide flowers for Sunday church services (except during Lent when flowers are not used on the altar). This is a way to give glory to God and to commemorate a special event in your life (e.g., birthday, anniversary, graduation, baptism). After the last Sunday service, the floral arrangement may be taken home for your family’s enjoyment. The cost of the flowers is $35. Make checks payable to “CTS” and indicate on your check or envelope that the money is for altar flowers. —Cathy Kuchinsky
Christmas Poinsettias Fund
Donations are requested to purchase Christmas Poinsettias to place around the altar throughout the Christmas Season (Christmas Eve to the Epiphany of Our Lord). If you would like to contribute to this fund, please place your donation in a Christmas Poinsettias Fund envelope (on the Usher’s Table), complete the requested information, and place the envelope in the offering basket with your donation. Thank you. —Worship Committee
Happy Birthday to:
Karin Lawson 12/2 Stephanie Zazanis 12/4 Laren Saavedra 12/6 Marvina Keller 12/10 Nida Saavedra 12/11 Todd Clagett 12/12 Mike Mayer 12/14 Angela Carr 12/15 Christiana Carr 12/15 Joyce Pacheli 12/15 Marybeth Daucher 12/16 Eric Saavedra 12/19 Jean Bonald 12/24 Lorna Pool 12/24 Linda Harrison 12/31 Happy Anniversary to: Alberto & Dora Ticona 12/23 Mathew & Kimberly Hagen 12/26 Joe & Ramona Lessen 12/28
Christ the Servant Lutheran Church Montgomery Village, MD
Footnotes Staff Editor Valerie Mayer Calendar Tony Kerlavage Servants’ List Mike Mayer Youth News Barbara Harner Production Steve Garvey, Footnotes is issued eleven times a year by Christ the Servant Lutheran Church, an ELCA congregation in the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Synod. Articles of interest to the congregation are solicited from members of the CTS community and are due to the editor by the third Sunday of each month. Articles for the July/Aug issue are due in June.
God's Work. Our Hands. Lutheran Disaster Response in Crisfield
Last month two of us – Polly Brody and I – traveled to Crisfield, Maryland with a Lutheran Disaster Response team from Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. There we joined with a team from Bruton Parish Episcopal Church in Williamsburg, Virginia, and with long term volunteers from the Mennonite Disaster Service to assist in building houses for those whose homes were destroyed by the effects of Superstorm Sandy.
Crisfield was founded in 1666. It is surrounded by salt marshes and was built on a floodplain. By 1904, it was the second largest city in Maryland and was known as the “Seafood Capital of the World.” As the health of the Chesapeake Bay declined, so did the prosperity of Crisfield. Currently, Crisfield is the poorest town in Somerset County, which is the poorest county in Maryland. In 2009, nearly 50% of Crisfield’s residents were living below the poverty line. During Sandy, a five-foot storm surge left much of the town underwater. Over 500 homes were flooded, rendering most of them unlivable. Often much of the damage was not immediately evident because flooding largely affected the undersides of houses and their foundations.
In Crisfield the Lutheran Disaster Response works under the Mennonite Disaster Service, which has already started 45 projects and completed 37 of those. In addition to the eight projects currently underway, funding is available for another year, and they hope to complete a number of additional projects for displaced residents.
While we were in Crisfield, Polly and I helped to shingle two roofs, installed gutters, baffles, and foam insulation around windows. We were up by 6:00 am each day and had time to make our lunch before breakfast at 7:00. We had time for devotions, received our assignments, and were out the door and headed to our sites by 8:00. We were back in camp between 4:00 and 5:00, which gave us time to cleanup before dinner at 6:00. The evenings were free.
In addition to work, we had time for fun and good food as well. We also had a chance to meet a couple of the owners of homes on which we were working. The owners are extremely grateful to all the volunteers who are helping in any way. I didn’t get to see this myself, but in one case the owners keep the port-a-potty at their site cleaned, decorated, and stocked with magazines. In another case the owners – he is a working waterman – brought us several trays full of fried oysters to supplement our dinner.
The next scheduled trip to Crisfield is for April 27 to May 1, 2015. I would encourage anyone (15 or older) who wants to work with a well-organized and meaningfully productive group to consider fitting time into his or her schedule to help in this effort.
--- Chuck Eater
Women of Christ the Servant The Metro DC Synodical Women’s Organization publishes a newsletter three times per year. If you would like to follow the SWO news, go to the SWO website at http://dwyercl2.wix.com/welca-metrodcsynod and click on The Joyful News (found at the bottom of the home page).
CTS Youth Ministry Basket Auction (YMBA) This annual YM fundraiser will be held – as always – following the Congregational Meeting (which follows the Chili Cook-off, Cornbread and Chocolate Bake-off!) on Sunday, December 14th. In order for it to be the overwhelming success it has been in the past, we need donations of gift baskets for the auction…and it’s not too late to sign up! The youth will be offering plates and trays with an assortment of home-baked holiday cookies. If you or a group to which you belong would like to donate a basket or an item or a service or an event, please sign up on the bulletin board. And we look forward to seeing everyone at the auction - come and bid early, often, and high!
WANTED…. The best
CHILIS, CORNBREADS, and CHOCOLATE DESSERTS
for the
Chili Cook-Off / Cornbread and Chocolate Dessert Bake-Off
at the
Congregational Dinner Sunday, December 14 5:00 PM
Vote by donation for your favorite recipes. Proceeds will go to the 2015 ELCA Youth Gathering Fund
Sign up sheet on Bulletin Board to enter Contact Barbara if you
have any questions (240-354-1999)
Random Acts of Christmas Challenge
Have you have heard of “Random Acts of Kindness?” This Advent, the CTS Outreach Committee urges you to do the same thing throughout the Advent and Christmas Season. Look for opportunities to do unsolicited acts of kindness for others this December in order to share the love of Christ with everyone possible in tangible ways. Examples might include shoveling someone’s drive way without being asked, scrape off someone’s car, or help elderly people, who might fall on the ice, walk to their destination. If it’s not snowy, you could rake some leaves, provide a warm cup of coffee or hot chocolate to someone who works out in the cold. How can you demonstrate some love and concern for those you encounter each day?
Our annual Advent Party will be held on the evening of
December 20th from 7:00-10:00. Keep an eye out for further details as the date gets closer. Everyone attending is asked to
bring finger foods or desserts to share. You will be asked to RSVP to the hosts.
A Pastoral Message on Climate Change
from the heads of
Anglican Church of Canada The Episcopal Church
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
The message is too long to be copied here, but you can follow the link to read it online: http://download.elca.org/ELCA%20Resource%20Repository/Pastoral_Message_re_Global_Climate_Change.pdf
Coming to CTS in January: Zionism Unsettled: A New Look at an Old Conflict
What are “Zionism” and “Christian Zionism,” and what role have these ideologies played in shaping attitudes and driving historical developments in the Middle East? How do Christians, Jews and Muslims understand the competing claims to the land of Palestine and Israel? What steps can be taken to bring peace, reconciliation, and justice to the homeland that Palestinians and Israelis share? Zionism Unsettled embraces these critical issues fearlessly and with inspiring scope. The congregational study guide which will be used was developed by the Israel/Palestine Mission Network of the Presbyterian Church, USA, and has had a controversial reception, so be prepared for some lively discussion! We will explore these issues in a six-week series at CTS beginning on
Tuesday, January 13. Anne Lipe will lead the discussion. Please indicate your interest on the sign-up sheet at church as soon as possible so that study guides can be ordered. If you’re curious, check out: www.israelpalestinemissionnetwork.org/main/.../256-zionism-unsettled
Giving Tuesday - December 2, 2014 - You Can Make A Difference!
We are all looking forward to the day of giving thanks. Many also look forward to TWO days of getting deals. But did you know that there is also a day to give back? Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving meant to encourage the spirit of generosity that we celebrate throughout the holiday season. And it's just TWO WEEKS away! Individuals, families and organizations alike are gathering together to create a new tradition - you might call it neighbors helping neighbors, the mission of Gaithersburg HELP each and every day! On this Giving Tuesday, we hope you will join the national giving movement and consider making a donation to Gaithersburg HELP! For information regarding ways to donate, please visit our website - http://www.gaithersburghelp.org/donate Thank you for your support! Jacquie Bayer | Fundraising Chair
SECRET SANTA IS COMING TO TOWN!
Once again we will be participating in a Secret Santa program to help families in need. Details will be published soon but will be similar to past campaigns. The sign-up list will be available via Sign-up Genius as in recent years. I and/or Mike will be available Sunday mornings to help you sign-up. Gift wrapping will be either Sunday, December 14th or 21st after the 11:00 service. Watch the bulletin board and communiqués for details. If you have any questions, please contact me at: [email protected] Thank you for your support. Valerie
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Council Minutes for November 10, 2014 Steve Garvey opened the meeting at 8:01 p.m. with the lighting of the candle. Pastor Kari led us in prayer.
Pastoral care, visitors, and new members were discussed.
Pastor Kari reported that the missing projector was located.
Pastor Kari passed along a word of thanks from the AA groups for use of our facilities and reported that they have asked permission to use the facilities on New Year’s Eve. Council agreed unanimously that requested permission be given.
Steve Garvey clarified that due to our reduced membership, we are now only eligible to send two voting members to the synod assembly rather than the three we have sent in the past.
Ron Backus noted that our income level has been “holding the course” over the last couple months and that we are on track to meet our pledged income at
2
the end of the year.
Chuck reported that we are still looking good to close out the year in the black. He noted that he will be forwarding the $1010 raised through special appeal for Ebola relief to the St. Mathew community in Liberia as soon as he receives contact information.
Chuck presented a proposal for the 2015 budget. After discussion on a number of specific line items, a revised version was approved for presentation at the December congregational meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:36 to suffrages.
Respectfully submitted, Mike Mayer
This summary is based on the draft minutes. An archive of the full minutes (once they have been approved) and the most recent meeting agenda and council reports are available on request. Posting to the previously advertised link has been discontinued until the concerns about privacy and version control have been addressed.
Why Detroit? Honestly, at first, many of us asked the same question. We’d read the articles and heard the stories, but we weren’t quite sure what a bunch of ELCA youth and adults – even a BIG bunch – could do. But the Planning Team for the 2015 Gathering discerned that God was calling us to go to Detroit. And because we trust God, and because we trust the Planning Team members in their discernment, we are going to Detroit. (And besides, we’d read the story of Jonah so we knew what happens when you don’t go to where God is calling you….)
Here’s what Heidi Hagstrom, the Gathering Director, shared in her blog about choosing Detroit:
“By choosing to hold the ELCA Youth Gathering in Detroit, we are choosing to stand with Detroiters in the truth of our own grubbiness (read that as a fancy new word for sinfulness/brokenness), and the grubbiness of their daily realities, made grubbier by decades of racial tensions and the more recent collapse of the auto industry….
“Standing with our neighbors is what we do as the ELCA. We accompany people in service to God's mission.”
I love that sentence: “Standing with our neighbors is what we do as the ELCA.”
Here are two videos featuring Heidi answering the question, “Why Detroit?”
- ELCA Gathering Detroit Welcome: http://bit.ly/1tv5hxX
- RISE UP! 2015 ELCA Youth Gathering Called to Detroit: http://bit.ly/1xUfViu
And here is a link to the 2015 Gathering’s Theological Statement as to why:
http://bit.ly/1unN8Wu
Bottom line? We believe God is calling us to Detroit for the 2015 ELCA Youth Gathering to learn from and serve among our brothers and sisters there.
From CTS, Jericho, Beatrice, Joel, Alvin, Anna, and George, Barbara and Tony, will be among the tens of thousands who show up in Detroit next summer. Please keep us all in your prayers as we stand with our neighbors in Detroit.
S e r v a n t s L i s t f o r D e ce m b e r 2 0 1 4
(Wednesday) December 3, 2014 7:30 p.m. Advent Vespers
Acolyte................................................................. Sarah Bastien Reader................................................................. Joyce Backus
December 7, 2014 Advent 2
8:30 a.m. Holy Communion Acolyte.................................................................. Wilma Garvey Altar Preparation..................................................................TBD Communion Assts ........................ Ron Backus/Esther Keller Communion Bread (pita) .................................... Wilma Garvey Reader................................................................. Joyce Backus Prayer Leader ......................................................... Frank Foge Usher ...........................................................................Ernie Graf
11:00 a.m. Holy Communion Acolytes.......................................... Jerry Keller/Sarah Bender Altar Preparation................................................. Kasia Palmer Communion Assts .................. Sarah Bastien/Michael Evans Communion Bread ..............................................................TBD Reader................................................................. Sarah Bastien Prayer Leader ..........................................................Polly Brody Usher .......................................................................Chuck Eater Welcomer................................................................Amos Keller Nursery..................................................................... Erin Dodge Hospitality ...................................................Melanie McMichael Flowers given today by.............................. Barbara Holzapfel
(Wednesday) December 10, 2014 7:30 p.m. Advent Vespers
Acolyte...............................................................Barbara Harner Reader.....................................................................Chuck Eater
December 14, 2014 Advent 3
8:30 a.m. Morning Prayer Acolyte..........................................................................Tom Lipe Reader..........................................................................Tom Lipe Usher .......................................................................Ron Backus
11:00 a.m. Holy Communion Acolytes........................................... Tom Eastlack/Polly Brody Altar Preparation..................................................................TBD Communion Assts ................ Esther Keller/Marjorie McClain Communion Bread ................................................ Ndumbalos Reader.................................................................. Pat Andersen Prayer Leader .................................................... Sarah Bastien Usher .......................................................................Amos Keller Welcomer............................................................ Kwan Koehler Nursery......................................................... Edima Elinewinga Hospitality ...........................................................Leon LaCross Flowers given today by.............................. Barbara Holzapfel
(Wednesday) December 17, 2014 7:30 p.m. Advent Vespers
Acolyte.................................................................. Tom Eastlack Reader.......................................................................Polly Brody Launder Altar Linens in December .................. Wilma Garvey Please contact Mike Mayer or the particular worship area coordinator if you are willing to fill in any of the TBDs listed above.
December 21, 2014 Advent 4
8:30 a.m. Morning Prayer Acolyte............................................................ Marjorie McClain Reader............................................................ Marjorie McClain Usher ................................................................... Vernon Toelle
11:00 a.m. Holy Communion Acolytes.............................................Tyler Smith/Paul Bender Altar Preparation..............................................Barbara Harner Communion Assts .......................Rob Palmer/Leon LaCross Communion Bread ..............................................................TBD Reader...............................................................Barbara Harner Prayer Leader ............................................. Edima Elinewinga Usher .................................................................... Tom Eastlack Welcomer............................................................ Sarah Bastien Nursery................................................................... Bridget Duru Hospitality .................................................. Rebecca Cosgrove Flowers given today by.................................. Barbara Minnier
(Wednesday) December 24, 2014 Nativity of Our Lord / Christmas Eve
6:00 p.m. Family Eucharist Acolytes....................................................... Tom Eastlack/TBD Altar Preparation..................................................................TBD Communion Assts (vest) .....................Chuck Eater/Jan Perry Communion Bread ................................................Chuck Eater Reader......................................................................Anna Mayer Prayer Leader ....................................................... Bridget Duru Usher ................................................................ John Severynse Welcomer..............................................................................TBD Hospitality .......................................................... Michael Evans
11:00 p.m. High Mass (incense) Acolytes Thurifer....................................... Nathan Meyer Crucifer................................... Roger Rasnake Torchbearers.... Pat Andersen/Melanie McMichael Bookbearer........................................... Frank Foge Altar Preparation................................................. Wilma Garvey Communion Assts (vest) .............. Sarah Bastien/Mike Mayer Communion Bread ..............................................Inge Harman Reader.............................................................. Roger Rasnake Prayer Leader ......................................................... Frank Foge Usher ..................................................................... Steve Garvey Welcomer............................................................ Kwan Koehler
December 25, 2014 Nativity of Our Lord / Christmas Day
11:00 a.m. Holy Communion Acolyte.................................................................. Wilma Garvey Altar Preparation................................................. Kasia Palmer Communion Assts ................................................. Rob Palmer Communion Bread (pita) ................................................. Wilma Reader..................................................................... Rob Palmer Prayer Leader ........................................................Chuck Eater Usher .....................................................................................TBD
December 28, 2014 1st Sunday of Christmas
9:30 a.m. Holy Communion Acolytes................................................................. Steve Garvey Altar Preparation................................................. Wilma Garvey Communion Assts ........................... Mike Mayer/Amos Keller Communion Bread ..............................................................TBD Reader.....................................................................Amos Keller Prayer Leader ......................................................Inge Harman Usher .................................................................... Nathan Meyer Welcomer............................................................. Tom Eastlack Nursery................................................................ Sarah Bastien Hospitality ........................................................................Mayers Flowers given today by........................................... Lorna Pool
CTS Youth / Young Adult Ministry December 2014
! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
Faith Talk: Confirmation at Home: This fall we’ve been studying The Lord’s Prayer. We finish by looking at the 6th and 7th petitions: Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. Here are some conversation starters: Luther talked about temptation coming from three sources: the flesh, the world, and the devil. What are some examples of each of these? Read Luke 4:1-15. What are the parallels between Luther’s three sources and the three temptations Jesus faces? What are some things tempt you? How do you deal with these? What is evil? What is the evil we can try to avoid and what is the evil we cannot control? How can we help God to deliver others from evil?
CTS Yard Sale: Total received: $2,591.15. Again, thanks to everyone who helped!
Gifts-In-a-Jar (or -In-a Bag) Fundraiser: By the time you read this, orders have been taken, jars and bags assembled, and we are in the process of getting these to you. If we have any extras, we will let you know. This is the 15th year for this fundraiser and we appreciate your support!!
C3: Chili Cook-Off / Cornbread and Chocolate Bake-off: This annual YM fundraiser invites you to share your favorite recipe for chili, cornbread, or a chocolate dessert at the dinner before the December 14th Congregational Meeting. And then vote for your favorite recipe by donation; proceeds go to the 2015 ELCA Youth Gathering Fund. Sign up on the sheet on the bulletin board and join us for dinner!
Youth Ministry Basket Auction (YMBA): This is also an annual YM fundraiser and in order for it to be successful, we need donations of gift baskets (and we use basket in the loosest sense of the word!) Watch for information and a sign-up sheet on a bulletin board near you! Check with Barbara or Valerie to see if there are any Longaberger baskets still looking to be “adopted” for decorating. The Auction follows the Chili Cook-Off / Cornbread & Chocolate Bake-Off and Congregational Meeting December 14th.
December Activities and Events In addition to Kairos every Sunday at 9:50 AM
No Youth Koinonia or Confirmation in December
Advent Soup Suppers / Vesper Services Wed, Dec 3, 10, & 17, 6:30 Supper, 7:30 Vespers / CTS Youth Koinonia and Confirmation are suspended during Advent (and Lent) and you and your family are invited/encouraged to join the rest of the congregation for a simple soup supper followed by the Advent Vesper service as we prepare for the birth of our Savior. If you want to come, but need a ride, let Barbara know.
Chrysalis 2014: Breaking.and.Entering Fri, Dec 5 – Sun, Dec 7 / 4HCenter, Front Royal, VA Bridget, Jericho, Anna, and George, Barbara, Tony, and Mike will spend the weekend learning how we are called to “aid and abet” God in breaking down walls and entering into relationships.
Young Parents @ CTS Sun, Dec 14; 10:00 - 10:50 am / CTS We are continuing with our discussion of the book For Heaven’s Sake: Parenting Preschoolers Faithfully. This month we will finish Rituals and Traditions and move on to Service.
C3: Chili Cook-off/Cornbread and Chocolate Bake-off & Youth Ministry Basket Auction
Sun, Dec 14 / CTS These two annual YM fundraising activities bookend the December Congregational meeting and they are both a lot of fun! The evening starts with plenty of great food with the Chili Cook-Off, Cornbread and Chocolate Bake-Off as diners determine the winners in each category by voting with donations for their favorites; the evening concludes with the auction of talents and gift baskets donated by CTS individuals and groups. The youth will again offer their famous home-baked holiday cookie plates and baskets - so come prepared to bid and buy! Sign-up sheets are posted on the bulletin board if you're interested in entering your favorite chili, cornbread, or chocolate dessert into the competition or offering a ‘basket’ for the auction. Don't miss this annual event! (Oh yeah, and there is a congregational meeting in between!)
Gaithersburg HELP Wed, Dec 17; 4:30 - 6:30 pm / GH Food Pantry Please let Inge know if you can help out with this monthly servant activity!
RISE UP TOGETHER 2015 ELCA Youth Gathering Meeting Sun, Dec 21; 12:45 – 2:30 pm / CTS
Upcoming Activities Add these dates to your calendar so you can join us!
Young Parents Group Sun, Jan 4; 10:00 - 10:50 am / CTS
YoungAdults@CTS Sun, Jan 4, Following the 11:00 Service / CTS Animate Bible Session 4: GOSPELS | UNEXPECTED GOOD NEWS Nadia Bolz-Weber
Youth Koinonia Wed, Jan 7; 6:30 – 8:30 PM / CTS Come join us for a meal and an evening of fellowship!
Confirmation – Session #1 Wed, Jan 14: 7:00 – 8:30 pm / CTS
Confirmation – Session #2 Wed, Jan 21: 7:00 – 8:30 pm / CTS
Souper Bowl Sunday at CTS Sun, Jan 25 / CTS
Confirmation – Session #3 Wed, Jan 28: 7:00 – 8:30 pm / CTS
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Super Tues, Feb 17; 6:00 – 8:00 pm / CTS
Shekinah Fri, Mar 20 – Sun, Mar 22 Metro DC Synod retreat for Confirmation youth. Watch for registration information in January.
Questions? Please contact Barbara Harner, Director of Youth and Family Ministry - C: 240-354-1999
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illa
ge @
C
lass
room
s7
pm
- E
veni
ng P
raye
r @
S
anct
uar
y
Chr
ysal
is 2
014
@ N
orth
ern
Vir
gini
a 4-
H E
duca
tion
al
Cen
ter,
4h
Cen
ter
Dri
ve,
Fron
t R
oyal
, V
A,
Uni
ted
Sta
tes
12
pm
- O
pen
NA
- F
reed
om
in t
he V
illa
ge @
C
lass
room
s5
pm
- E
veni
ng P
raye
r
6p
m -
IMP
AC
T S
ilve
r S
prin
g @
Cla
ssro
oms
9a
m -
HE
LP I
T M
eeti
ng @
C
TS P
arlo
r
Chr
ysal
is 2
014
@ N
orth
ern
Vir
gini
a 4-
H E
duca
tion
al
Cen
ter,
4h
Cen
ter
Dri
ve,
Fron
t R
oyal
, V
A,
Uni
ted
Sta
tes
Pas
tor
on V
acat
ion
Sec
ond
Sun
day
of A
dven
t
8:30
am -
Hol
y C
omm
unio
n @
CTS
San
ctua
ry9:
50am
- C
hris
tian
E
duca
tion
@ C
TS1
1a
m -
Hol
y C
omm
unio
n @
C
TS S
anct
uary
12
pm
- O
pen
NA
- F
reed
om
in t
he V
illa
ge @
C
lass
room
s7:
30p
m -
Eve
ning
Pra
yer
@
San
ctu
ary
8p
m -
Par
ish
Cou
ncil
@ C
TS
Par
lor
8:30
am -
Pas
tors
' Bib
le
Stu
dy @
Par
lor
10:3
0am
- C
onve
rsat
iona
l E
nglis
h @
Par
lor
12
pm
- B
ible
Stu
dy @
P
arlo
r1
2p
m -
Ope
n N
A -
Fre
edom
in
the
Vil
lage
@
Cla
ssro
oms
6p
m -
Ope
n A
A -
Sta
rtin
g O
ver
@ C
lass
room
s7
pm
- E
veni
ng P
raye
r @
S
anct
uar
y7
pm
- G
irl S
cout
s @
Par
lor
12
pm
- O
pen
NA
- F
reed
om
in t
he V
illa
ge @
C
lass
room
s6
pm
- O
pen
AA
- V
illa
ge
Idio
ts @
Cla
ssro
oms
6:30
pm
- A
dven
t S
oup
Sup
per
@ C
TS
Par
lor
7:30
pm
- A
dven
t V
espe
rs @
C
TS S
anct
uary
7:30
pm
- O
pen
NA
- N
ever
A
lone
@
Cla
ssro
oms
12
pm
- O
pen
NA
- F
reed
om
in t
he V
illa
ge @
C
lass
room
s7
pm
- E
veni
ng P
raye
r @
S
anct
uar
y
12
pm
- O
pen
NA
- F
reed
om
in t
he V
illa
ge @
C
lass
room
s5
pm
- E
veni
ng P
raye
r
6p
m -
IMP
AC
T S
ilve
r S
prin
g @
Cla
ssro
oms
Foot
note
s D
eadl
ine
Thir
d S
unda
y of
Adv
ent
8:30
am -
Mor
ning
Pra
yer
@
CTS
San
ctua
ry9:
50am
- C
hris
tian
E
duca
tion
@ C
TS1
0a
m -
You
ng P
aren
ts @
C
TS Y
outh
Roo
m1
1a
m -
Hol
y C
omm
unio
n @
C
TS S
anct
uary
5p
m -
Con
greg
atio
nal
Din
ner
/ C
hili
Coo
k-of
f @
CTS
C
lass
room
s6
pm
- C
ongr
egat
iona
l M
eeti
ng @
CTS
S
anct
uar
y
12
pm
- O
pen
NA
- F
reed
om
in t
he V
illa
ge @
C
lass
room
s7:
30p
m -
Eve
ning
Pra
yer
@
San
ctu
ary
8:30
am -
Pas
tors
' Bib
le
Stu
dy @
Par
lor
10:3
0am
- C
onve
rsat
iona
l E
nglis
h @
Par
lor
12
pm
- B
ible
Stu
dy @
P
arlo
r1
2p
m -
Ope
n N
A -
Fre
edom
in
the
Vil
lage
@
Cla
ssro
oms
6p
m -
Ope
n A
A -
Sta
rtin
g O
ver
@ C
lass
room
s7
pm
- E
veni
ng P
raye
r @
S
anct
uar
y7:
30p
m -
Wom
en's
AA
-
Mov
ing
into
the
S
olut
ion
@
Cla
ssro
oms
12
pm
- O
pen
NA
- F
reed
om
in t
he V
illa
ge @
C
lass
room
s6
pm
- O
pen
AA
- V
illa
ge
Idio
ts @
Cla
ssro
oms
6:30
pm
- A
dven
t S
oup
Sup
per
@ C
TS
Par
lor
7:30
pm
- A
dven
t V
espe
rs @
C
TS S
anct
uary
7:30
pm
- O
pen
NA
- N
ever
A
lone
@
Cla
ssro
oms
12
pm
- O
pen
NA
- F
reed
om
in t
he V
illa
ge @
C
lass
room
s7
pm
- E
veni
ng P
raye
r @
S
anct
uar
y
12
pm
- O
pen
NA
- F
reed
om
in t
he V
illa
ge @
C
lass
room
s5
pm
- E
veni
ng P
raye
r
6p
m -
IMP
AC
T S
ilve
r S
prin
g @
Cla
ssro
oms
Four
th S
unda
y of
Adv
ent
8:30
am -
Mor
ning
Pra
yer
@
CTS
San
ctua
ry9:
50am
- C
hris
tian
E
duca
tion
@ C
TS1
1a
m -
Hol
y C
omm
unio
n @
C
TS S
anct
uary
1p
m -
You
th G
athe
ring
P
rep
Ses
sion
@ C
TS
12
pm
- O
pen
NA
- F
reed
om
in t
he V
illa
ge @
C
lass
room
s7:
30p
m -
Eve
ning
Pra
yer
@
San
ctu
ary
8:30
am -
Pas
tors
' Bib
le
Stu
dy @
Par
lor
10:3
0am
- C
onve
rsat
iona
l E
nglis
h @
Par
lor
12
pm
- B
ible
Stu
dy @
P
arlo
r1
2p
m -
Ope
n N
A -
Fre
edom
in
the
Vil
lage
@
Cla
ssro
oms
6p
m -
Ope
n A
A -
Sta
rtin
g O
ver
@ C
lass
room
s7
pm
- E
veni
ng P
raye
r @
S
anct
uar
y7:
30p
m -
Wom
en's
AA
-
Mov
ing
into
the
S
olut
ion
@
Cla
ssro
oms
Nat
ivit
y of
Our
Lor
d (I
),
Chr
istm
as E
ve1
1p
m -
Sol
emn
Hig
h M
ass
@ C
TS S
anct
uary
12
pm
- O
pen
NA
- F
reed
om
in t
he V
illa
ge @
C
lass
room
s6
pm
- C
omm
unio
n S
ervi
ce
wit
h C
arol
s an
d C
andl
ight
@ C
TS
San
ctu
ary
6p
m -
Ope
n A
A -
Vil
lage
Id
iots
@ C
lass
room
s7:
30p
m -
Ope
n N
A -
Nev
er
Alo
ne @
C
lass
room
s
Nat
ivit
y of
Our
Lor
d (I
I),
Chr
istm
as D
ay
11
am
- H
oly
Com
mun
ion
@
CTS
San
ctua
ry1
2p
m -
Ope
n N
A -
Fre
edom
in
the
Vil
lage
@
Cla
ssro
oms
7p
m -
Eve
ning
Pra
yer
@
San
ctu
ary
12
pm
- O
pen
NA
- F
reed
om
in t
he V
illa
ge @
C
lass
room
s5
pm
- E
veni
ng P
raye
r
6p
m -
IMP
AC
T S
ilve
r S
prin
g @
Cla
ssro
oms
Firs
t S
unda
y of
Chr
istm
as
9:30
am -
Hol
y C
omm
unio
n @
CTS
San
ctua
ry
12
pm
- O
pen
NA
- F
reed
om
in t
he V
illa
ge @
C
lass
room
s7:
30p
m -
Eve
ning
Pra
yer
@
San
ctu
ary
8:30
am -
Pas
tors
' Bib
le
Stu
dy @
Par
lor
10:3
0am
- C
onve
rsat
iona
l E
nglis
h @
Par
lor
12
pm
- B
ible
Stu
dy @
P
arlo
r1
2p
m -
Ope
n N
A -
Fre
edom
in
the
Vil
lage
@
Cla
ssro
oms
6p
m -
Ope
n A
A -
Sta
rtin
g O
ver
@ C
lass
room
s7
pm
- E
veni
ng P
raye
r @
S
anct
uar
y7:
30p
m -
Wom
en's
AA
-
Mov
ing
into
the
S
olut
ion
@
Cla
ssro
oms
12
pm
- O
pen
NA
- F
reed
om
in t
he V
illa
ge @
C
lass
room
s6
pm
- O
pen
AA
- V
illa
ge
Idio
ts @
Cla
ssro
oms
6:30
pm
- E
veni
ng P
raye
r
7:30
pm
- O
pen
NA
- N
ever
A
lone
@
Cla
ssro
oms
Nam
e of
Jes
us
New
Yea
r's
Day
12
pm
- O
pen
NA
- F
reed
om
in t
he V
illa
ge @
C
lass
room
s7
pm
- E
veni
ng P
raye
r @
S
anct
uar
y
12
pm
- O
pen
NA
- F
reed
om
in t
he V
illa
ge @
C
lass
room
s5
pm
- E
veni
ng P
raye
r
6p
m -
IMP
AC
T S
ilve
r S
prin
g @
Cla
ssro
oms
Su
nM
on
Tu
eW
ed
Th
uF
riS
at