Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 9700 Neenah Ave, Austin, Texas 78717 Phone 512.671.6100 Fax 512.671.6103 www.lordoflifeaustin.org

November 2012 Edition Volume No. 1211

Inside this issue:

Autumn Reflections 1

Kindred Sisters 2

Faith and Family Night 2

Game Day 2

Daylight Savings 2

Election Day 2

Preparing for Sunday 2

Birthdays/Anniversaries 2

Youth Focus 3

Young Families Picnic 3

Prayer List 3

Youth Music - Christmas 3

Cooking Club 3

Memorials 3

Rememberances 3

Call Committee 4

Job Search Ministry 5

Cottage Meetings 5

Camp C Advent Retreat 5

Library Notes 5

Global Initiatives 5

State of the Church 5

Worship Leadership 6

Calendar 7

Harvest Festival 8

God’s Work, Our Hands

Autumn Reflections

Like the other months of the autumn season, November is commonly regarded as a

whirlwind of activity, much more a time for doing rather than a time for thinking.

Attending the last weeks of school football and volleyball games.

Beginning to prepare for the holidays, which may include traveling.

Getting flu shots and scheduling end-of-year doctor and dental appointments.

Yet in spite of the busyness of this time of the year, I still find moments for reflection.

Or rather these moments, unbidden, find me and have something to say to me.

It probably has to do with the cooler weather and the shortening of days. Special

observances, namely, All Saints Sunday, Veterans' Day, and Thanksgiving play their part as

well. These days often remind me of those who lived on this earth long before my time—God's

people through the centuries, those who have defended our nation over the years, and those

who immigrated to present-day Massachusetts and, in the midst of disease, want, and the

bleakness of the coming winter, nevertheless thanked God for their blessings.

For what it may be worth, then, I share with you some reflections during this autumn sea-

son. First comes the reminder of the transitory nature of life, including human life. Having

grown up in the north on a small farm, I vividly remember the starkness of the trees, newly

leafless; and the chilling winds bending their barren branches; and the days full of colorless,

gray clouds slowly moving through the sky. The words the prophet Isaiah speak to me:

“The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the Lord blows upon it;

surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our

God will stand forever.” (Isaiah 40:7-8)

I think also about family members who lived, worked, worshiped, and died—grandparents,

parents, aunts, and uncles—all of whom in one way or another have left an indelible mark on

my spirit. Knowingly and unknowingly, they were the sculptors–or rather the hands of the

Sculptor—who mysteriously shaped my being.

They remind me of the faith spoken of in the letter to the Hebrews.

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. By faith we understand the worlds

were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are

not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1-3)

Last, I cherish the memories—in the midst of the cold days and nights of late autumn—of

spending Thanksgiving Day with my mother's people. I recall both the warmth of the host's

home and the warmth of family relationships. And also the food. The marvelous food. The

usual home-cooked turkey and stuffing, the perfectly seasoned vegetables, and the homemade

fruit pies—apple, peach, and cherry. In my childhood days I nearly took that food and those

people for granted. They now remind me of one of the psalms, the words of which my mother

often prayed at the dinner table:

“All your creatures look to you to give them their food in due season; when you open

your hand, they are filled with good things.” (Psalm 104:27-28)

Like me, I hope you, too, may find a few moments this month to reflect on the people and

experiences that have influenced you in positive ways and interpret them through God's word

as given us in the holy scriptures.

Peace,

Alan J. Watt, Interim Pastor

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Preparing for Sunday

November 4 Isaiah 25:6-9 Psalm 24 Revelation 21:1-6a John 11:32-44 November 11 1 Kings 17:8-16 Psalm 146 Hebrews 9:24-28 Mark 12:38-44 November 18 1 Kings 17:17-24 Psalm 103:2-4 Acts 9:32-35 Mark 2:1-12 November 25 Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 Psalm 93 Revelation 1:4b-8 John 18:33-37

Haenel, Cindy 11/22

Klotz, Kim 11/22

Lack, Katrina 11/23

Lysaght, Edle 11/23

Schroeder, Adam 11/23

Thurman, Becky 11/24

Rush, Marita 11/25

Traywick, Brandon 11/26

Wendlandt, Beverly 11/27

Anniversaries:

Eric &Courtney Warnsman 11/06/2004

Anthony & Laura Lopez 11/08/1997

Russell and Jenelle Sellers 11/24/1990

Ted and Glenace Klinker 11/26/1959

Herman and Olga Haenel 11/30/1956

Birthdays:

Parsons, Spencer 11/01

Neeley, Allison 11/06

Parsons, Carter 11/06

Soiseth, Jeffrey 11/06

Grunska, Geoffrey 11/07

Schroeder, Mary 11/07

Sheehan, Connor 11/10

Schroeder, Rex 11/11

Covington, Sharon 11/12

Scott,, Robert III 11/14

Gold, Brinkley 11/15

Scott, Jr., Robert 11/15

O'Donnell, Jeanette 11/17

Traywick, Blake 11/18

Wilks, Gary 11/18

Weston, Erin 11/20

KINDRED SISTERS NEWS

Last month the Kindred Sisters met on October 2 in the cafe. We had a bible study

regarding parables from the WELCA monthly magazine.

Following the bible study Brenda Searcy brought some of her wonderful jewelry and we

tried them on. Everyone had brought special pieces of jewelry to talk about. It was a fun

time for all.

This month we will meet on Nov. 6th in the cafe. We will hear a presentation from

Thrivent Lutheran regarding products they have that would be helpful for us as seniors.

We will also remember all the Kindred Sisters we have lost this past year. We especially

want to remember Fran Hendrix. Please join us for this wonderful occasion to share good

memories.

Contact Marge Kretschmar or Glenace Klinker for more information.

GAME DAY

The group that gathers for Game Day continues to grow. There were a total of 14

members. Some watched while others played, some came later, because of another

commitment, and we all stayed until 2:00 pm. Everyone brings a sack lunch, there is time

for fellowship during the games, at lunch time, and the fun that is had by all is so worth

spending the time together. Different games are played, we all are willing to learn and

enjoy new games. Come and join us, when you can. Contact Brenda Searcy - 788-4214 or

Nell Pennington - 255-2318 if you have any questions.

Faith & Family Night

SATURDAY,

NOVEMBER 17th @ 7pm

Texas Stars vs Charlotte

Checkers

$15 Executive Level

$ 5 Pre-Paid Parking

$ 3 Hot Dog/Soda Vouchers

Forms are located in the

Welcome Center.

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS

Daylight Savings Time ENDS at

2:00am Sunday Nov. 4th.

So please make sure to adjust

your clocks back an hour on the

evening of Saturday Nov. 3rd.

ELECTION DAY

Nov. 6th is the day of the General Election, including the Presidential Election between

Barack Obama and Mitt Romney. We hope every able member of Lord of Life will

exercise their civic duty and participate in this important process.

Congratulations! David & Amy Hart!

We welcome Lucas Charles Hart, born on 10/15/12.

Page 3 Volume No. 1211

REMEMBERING IN PRAYER OUR MEMBERS, FRIENDS/

FAMILY, AND HOMEBOUND

Ann Willman,

Angie Parr,

Mandi Houseworth,

Leonora Wisdom,

Barry Plessala,

Hunter Wiruscheske,

Don Lloyd,

Dianne Schoss,

Jack Hailes,

Julia Bernshausen,

Jeannine North,

Ruby Ivy,

Dot Harrington

MEMORIALS

In memory of Vada Bockhorn:

Roy & Marilyn Kaase

Pastor Carl & Dianne Schoss

In Memory of Gary Cook:

Pastor Carl & Dianne Schoss

In Memory of Roy Kaase:

Walter & Maxine Krizov

Elementary, middle school and high school Sunday School will have their last meeting of the year Dec. 16th at the Preparing

for Christmas Pageant. We will resume Sunday School classes on Jan. 6th at 9:30. Have a blessed holiday.

YOUNG FAMILIES PICNIC

Young Family Ministries will meet at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock on

Saturday, November 17th at 11:00 AM. Please bring a picnic lunch for your family.

We will be meeting at the playground by the duck pond. The kids can play at the

playground and feed the ducks. Please contact Christine Simon at

christine.simon02@yahoo.com or 846-2247 with questions or if you would like to

join us!

The pumpkin carving youth event on Saturday, October 27th was again a HUGE success! We had 14 youth attend. They

spent a good portion of the evening perfecting their pumpkins then shared a lasagna dinner, and then played a couple of wild

games! When the parents returned they judged the pumpkins, and we had a tie for first place! Kadyn Weston took home a $10

gift card for Subway and Lauren Brown took home a $10 gift card for I Tunes!

FREEZER MEAL COOKING CLUB

Freezer Meal Cooking Club will meet November 10th at 10 AM in the cafe. We get

together to make freezer friendly meals to share with each other and we donate

some to people in need. Please contact Christine Simon for questions at 846-2247 or

christine.simon02@yahoo.com.

REMEMBERANCES

We lovingly remember Fran Hendrix and Kathleen Wilks, who both passed into

eternity this October. Their funerals were held on Oct. 20th. Please continue to

pray for the comfort of their friends and family.

YOUTH MUSIC - CHRSITMAS EVE

If your child is studying music currently, whether on piano, voice, or another

instrument, we would like to invite any children who have prepared Christmas

songs to perform at the beginning of the 5:00pm service on Christmas Eve. Please

contact David Pencil in the office if you would like your child to participate.

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CALL COMMITTEE

The Congregation of Lord of Life has elected a Call Committee and the process has begun. The Call Committee

had an informational meeting with the Bishop’s Associate, Pastor Sue Briner, on Tuesday, October 23rd. The

purpose of the meeting was to discuss the call process for a new pastor for Lord of Life as outlined by the

Southwestern Texas Synod of the ELCA. Pastor Briner discussed the steps of the process in depth with the

committee.

The first major step will be to complete the Ministry Site Profile for Lord of Life. The multiple cottage meet-

ings held in late October and early November will allow members of Lord of Life to discuss in an informal at-

mosphere the long-range plans of our church. The results of the cottage meeting discussions will be incorpo-

rated into the Ministry Site Profile. This profile is very important for three reasons:

1. It provides the Call Committee with basic information and a description of the leadership strengths and

needs which will guide their work.

2. The profile will assist the bishop’s office in recommending candidates to be considered by the Call Com-

mittee.

3. It provides a picture of the congregation for the candidates as they consider serving the congregation.

Once completed the Ministry Site Profile will enable Lord of Life to:

1. Review the congregation’s life and mission as the Church and Body of Christ.

2. Evaluate the congregation’s present strengths.

3. Identify specific areas where the congregation needs to strengthen its ministry.

4. Specify resources necessary to fulfill the mission of the congregation.

5. Specify special mission tasks in the parish community.

6. Arrive at a current understanding of the mission of the congregation.

7. Identify the gifts that are most important for the next leader to possess.

The members of the Call Committee:

1. Dave Smith – Committee Chair

2. Christine Simon – Committee Secretary

3. Melinda Prather

4. Diane Smith

5. Rex Schroeder

6. Ben Eckermann

7. Lloyd Haskins – first alternate

8. Dorothy Crawford – second alternate

The Call Committee members welcome your questions and comments throughout the process. Please keep the

Call Committee in your prayers over the months to come as its members work diligently with our Lord’s guid-

ance to call a new pastor to Lord of Life.

In Christ,

Dave Smith – Committee Chair

Davesmith13@att.net

COTTAGE MEETINGS

As part of the process of calling a new pastor, the church is

meeting in small groups to discuss some of the key issues of

our church’s identity and future vision. These “cottage

meetings” are taking place at the homes of some of our

congregants and are addressing such questions as:

1. As a congregation, who are we? What are our distinguish-

ing features? Who may God be calling us to be?

2. Who are the residents of Lord of Life's mission area?

And what are their possible spiritual needs?

3. Which kinds of ministry/programming will address these

needs?

4. What kinds of staffing will help to address these needs?

Facilities?

5. Given that the congregation will continue to pay down a

significant mortgage in the foreseeable future, how will

financial resources be generated to help make possible Lord of

Life's proposed ministries?

The results of these meetings will be gathered for use in our

ministry site profile which will be provided to potential

pastors .

For more information, please contact the church office.

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Worship Attendance

9/2/2012 94

9/9/2012 112

9/16/2012 105

9/23/2012 126

9/30/2012 107

Weekly Average 109

YTD Total 4,198

Weekly Average 105

Income for Sept.: $24,458 Income YTD: $201,925

Expenses for Sept.: $21,843 Expenses YTD: $207,340

Net Gain for Sept.: $2,615 Net Loss YTD: -$5,415

GLOBAL INITIATIVES

www.elca.org/global-links Through the benevolence we pay

to the ELCA we are supporting these global initiatives. A link

is now available on the “For Members” page of our website,

so you can keep up-to-date on what the ELCA is doing to

reach the world for Christ.

LIBRARY NOTES

SUGGESTED READING FOR NOVEMBER 2012

by: Donna Estes

THE LOST QUILTER (an Elm Creek Quilts Novel)

by: Jennifer Chiaverini

This is my personal book but it is so good and full of historical

facts I thought I would share it as I know there are other

LOL members who like to quilt just as I do.

The book is about a master quilter, Sylvia Bergstrom

Compson Cooper, who so treasures an antique quilt called by

three names -- Birds in the Air, after the pattern; the

Runaway Quilt, after the woman who sewed it; and the Elm

Creek Quilt, after the place to which its maker longed to

return.

The quilter was a runaway slave named Joanna who traveled

by the Underground Railroad to reach safe haven in 1859 at

Elm Creek Farm.

Sustaining herself through the hardship of slavery, the Civil

War and into Reconstruction, Joanna leaves behind a

remarkable artistic legacy which now falls to Sylvia, to

connect Joanna’s past to the present-day Elm Creek Manor.

The book is a tribute to the terrible historical period of

slavery and the noble human beings attempting to fulfill

promises and dreams. It is a beautiful, heartrending story of

great historical fiction and will definitely make you remember

the cost of precious freedom.

Sessions by Appointment OnlyContact (512) 671-6100 to schedule an appointment

Free to EveryoneVisit our website: www.lordoflifeaustin.org/jsm

Sponsored by Lord of Life Lutheran Church

CAMP CHRYSALIS ADVENT RETREATS

Camp Chrysalis will be holding Advent Retreats on

Nov. 23-25 and Dec. 7-9. If you are interested in attending

either of these retreats, please contact Lloyd and Barb

Haskins for more info. (335-6153)

Volume No. 1211 Page 5

Worship Leaders for November 2012

NOVEMBER 4, 2012 All Saints Sunday Color: White

Presiding Minister: Interim Pastor Alan Watt Assisting Minister: Diane Smith

Lector/Petitioner: Mike Petry Communion Assistant: Mike Kamensky

Acolyte: Raina Parsons Media Assistant: Jim Tarsi; Barb Haskins

Altar Guild: Lyn Caldwell (setup); Chuck & Julia Neeley

Bread: Chuck & Julia Neeley

Ushers: Roger Vaughn, Doug Searcy; Dustin Simpson, Ben Eckermann, Alan Breyer, Shane Willenborg

Tellers: Rex Schroeder, Mindy Penland Flowers: Chuck & Julia Neeley, in celebration of Allison’s birthday

NOVEMBER 11, 2012 Time after Pentecost Color: Green

Presiding Minister: Interim Pastor Alan Watt Assisting Minister: Mindy Penland

Lector/Petitioner: Deb Grunska Communion Assistant: Gayle Covington

Acolyte: Maddy Penland Media Assistant: Dee Smith; Connor Sheehan

Altar Guild: Brenda Searcy (setup); Deb Grunska

Bread: Barry & Lisa Kincart

Ushers: Roger Vaughn, Doug Searcy; Dustin Simpson, Ben Eckermann, Alan Breyer, Shane Willenborg

Tellers: Rex Schroeder, Mindy Penland Flowers:

NOVEMBER 18, 2012 Time after Pentecost Color: Green

Presiding Minister: Interim Pastor Alan Watt Assisting Minister: Marilee Parsons

Lector/Petitioner: Dick Fink Communion Assistant: Dorothy Crawford

Acolyte: Avery Willenborg Media Assistant: Doug Searcy; Rex Schroeder

Altar Guild: Alan & Susan Breyer; Tim, Diane & Natalie Smith (setup)

Bread: The Dave Smith Family

Ushers: Roger Vaughn, Doug Searcy; Gary Parsons, Horace Pennington, Eric Warnsman, Max Kretschmar

Tellers: Rex Schroeder, Mindy Penland Flowers: Ted & Glenace Klinker, in celebration of their anniversary

NOVEMBER 25, 2012 Christ the King Sunday Color: White

Presiding Minister: Interim Pastor Alan Watt Assisting Minister: Rex Schroeder

Lector/Petitioner: Deb Grunska Communion Assistant: Nell Pennington

Acolyte: Oscar Lopez Media Assistant: Jim Tarsi; Lloyd Haskins

Altar Guild: Jim Tarsi; Deb Grunska (setup), Barb Petry

Bread: The Saegert Family

Ushers: Roger Vaughn, Doug Searcy; Gary Parsons, Horace Pennington, Eric Warnsman, Max Kretschmar

Tellers: Rex Schroeder, Mindy Penland Flowers: John & Patti Kassel, in celebration of Wes and Dade’s birthdays

November

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

7:00pm

Finance

Committee

Meeting

2

3

Harvest

Festival &

Craft Show

9am-3pm

4 Daylight Savings

8:15 Early Service

9:30 Sunday School

10:45 Late Service

5:00 Emmanuel Indian

Fellowship Gathering

5

6 Election Day

10:30am

Kindred Sisters

7:15 pm

Book Club

7

6:30pm

Confirmation

6:45pm

Bells Rehearsal

7:45pm

Choir Rehearsal

8

7:00pm

Church Council

Meeting

9

10

10:00am

Freezer Meal

Cooking Club

11 New Member

8:15 Early Service

9:30 Sunday School

10:45 Late Service

12

7:00pm

Stephen Minister

Meeting

13

7:15 pm

Book Club

14

6:30pm

Confirmation

6:45pm

Bells Rehearsal

7:45pm

Choir Rehearsal

15

16 17

11:00am

Young Families

Picnic

18

8:15 Early Service

9:30 Sunday School

10:45 Late Service

5:00 Emmanuel Indian

Fellowship Gathering

19

20

10:00am

Game Day

7:15 pm

Book Club

21

22

OFFICE

CLOSED

Camp

Chrysalis

Advent

Retreat

23

OFFICE

CLOSED

Camp

Chrysalis

Advent

Retreat

24

Camp

Chrysalis

Advent

Retreat

25 Christ the King

8:15 Early Service

9:30 Sunday School

10:45 Late Service

12:00 Lunch Bunch

Camp Chrysalis

Advent Retreat

26 27

7:15 pm

Book Club

28

6:30pm

Confirmation

6:45pm

Bells Rehearsal

7:45pm

Choir Rehearsal

29 30

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