HTN January Final

8/14/2019 HTN January Final

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TO GOD BE THE GLORY

JANUARY 2010

1711 Grant StreetHopewell, VA 23860

www.nazluthchurch.com

The Hometown News is

a publication of

Nazareth Evangelical

Lutheran Church.

Member of the

Lutheran Church

Missouri Synod.

Hometown NewsNAZARETH EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH

You are invitedSTRATEGIC MISSION &

MINISTRY PLANNINGDiscerning Gods Will For Our Future

January 29/30, 2010

I know what I am doing. I have it all planned outplans to take care of you, not to abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope

for. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Led by Rev. Arthur Umbach

Mission & Ministry Facilitator, Southeastern District, LCMS

Register today! We want to make sure we plan for your meals and atten-dance. Registration deadline is January 17. Sign-up in one of three ways:

1) Call the church office (458-7994)

2) E-mail the Secretary ([email protected])

3) Fill out a registration form and put it in the offering plate (brochures are in Narthex)

Our purpose in this retreat is to:

Look at the quality characteristics or building blocks of a strong, healthy, mission-focused church

and to determine which of these should be given priority in the ministry of our congregation.

Write a mission statement

Establish our critical targets (who we will be reaching out to)

Our focus would be on discerning Gods will for the future of Nazareth congregation

FRIDAY - January 29, 2010

6:006:30 pm Dinner (Hosted by David and Joy)

6:30 -- 9:00 pm Marks of A Mission-Focused Congregation

SATURDAYJanuary 30, 2010

8:308:45 am Gathering Time (coffee, donuts, fruit)

8:45 am10:45 am Marks of A Mission-Focused Congregation

11:00 am12:15 pm Developing A Mission Statement

12:15 -12: 45 pm Lunch

12:453:00 pm Establishing Critical Targets

3:003:30 pm Whats Next? (Develop Mission Statement)

Now is the time to share what God has shared with you and

speak the vision that God desires for our church.

Inside this issue:

Committee Updates 2

Prayers 4

Pastors Corner 5

Dr. Paul Maier Visit 7


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Sincere Thanks...

To my Nazareth Family,

My heartfelt thanks for your cards, visits and prayers. I miss you all and with Gods lov-ing care, I look forward to being back with you soon. God loves you and so do I!

Borgny Hampton

________________________

Dear Nazareth,

Thank you for all your prayers, cards, visits and calls. We sincerely appreciate yourthoughtfulness and are blessed to have such a wonderful, caring congregation.

Yours in Christ, The Petik Family

Page 2 Hometown News

January

Birthdays

Happy Birthday to1st Doris Cavin, Emily Lineman, 3rd Danny Petik, 5th David Schaarschmidt,

22nd Ilse Appleby, 29th Anna Klein, 31st Eva McKenny

Christian Stewardship

The Committee on Church Finances and Stewardship did not meet in December, but takes this opportu-nity to share the last of eight Biblical Stewardship Principles adopted by the LCMS. This principle states thatGods stewards live with an awareness of the present and future, of time and eternity. This means that we liveintentionally in the light of the Lords eternal purpose while being firmly committed to His rule in the here andnow. Put another way, what are we, as Christian stewards, do-ing here on earth that will make a difference for all eternity?While it is true that we are citizens of the United States, St.Paul tells us in Phil 3:20 that our citizenship is in heaven. Andwe eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,This is our real treasure, it is based on what Jesus Christ hasdone for us as our Savior and Redeemer. It is a treasure thatcannot be destroyed by moths or rust nor can thieves steal itaway from us. (Matt 6:19-21) St John assures us in Rev 14:13that all of our deeds done in the name of Jesus for the welfare

of others will follow us into eternity.

All of us would like to cast a large shadow and throughthe Godly use of time, talents and treasures that shadow will be large enough to reach into eternity. This princi-ple urges us to reflect on the eternal dimensions inherent in the decisions we make, especially with regard to

money. We make sound stewardship decisions through planning that supports the work of Gods kingdomthrough our offerings while we are still alive and through our bequests after the Lord has called us home. AsGods stewards, doing the right things for the right reasons like developing good gift and estate plans that aid in

extending Gods kingdom will provide a huge sense of joy knowing that such actions have lasting benefits.


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Page 3JANUARY 2010

The Committee on Spiritual Care met December 14th 2009

Present were: Steve Foxx, Thelma Klein, Bob Dry, Ed Hanford, and Arnie and Carol Slimmen

Steve led a devotion centered on Col 3:16

Pastor asked to perform the funeral for Mary Nemetz.

The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.

Karen asked if everyone was contacted with the info about Ed Applebys funeral. Will try to set up abetter list for this purpose.

Discussed individual parishioner/caretaking concerns*

Steve noted that The Elders and Deacons will start meeting separately in January, unless a joint meet-

ing is needed.

The committee recommends that the board of Evangelism plan to have greeters each Sunday for wor-ship.

Will continue to use more experienced acolytes with the two younger ones at least through February.

Arnie has met with two ushers and asked them to get with the other ushers about leading visitors to theregistration book, and about personally ushering visitors to their pew. *

The meeting closed with the praying together of The Lords Prayer.

The next meeting will be January 11th 2010. Submitted by Carol Slimmen

*Edited for appropriate confidentiality (D.V.)

Spiritual Care

Missions and Outreach

Update on our Christmas Families - On December 22 the Board of

Missions and Outreach delivered boxes of food and gifts to four localfamilies. This is exciting news, because this includes one family that

was not initially planned for. Thank you, people of Nazareth, for

your great generosity! It could not have happened without you.

The Board of Missions is seeking others to serve in 2010. Weare looking forward to an exciting year! We have identified somemissions for each month of the year! Warning - they are to subject to

change! We are always looking for more ways to reach out to those

less fortunate! If you are a fellow Christian and looking for ways to

make a difference in the lives of others, just let us know! ContactMartha (586-4358) or Ann (514-3909)! (The entire calendar of mis-

sion projects was published in the December Hometown News.)


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Pray for One Another Prayer List for January, 2010

Lord, in your mercy, hear us as we pray.

For our Brothers and Sisters in Christ in Nursing Homes: Mary Blaho, HHCC 229 , VelmaFleming, HHCC 227, Mildred Skroback, HHCC, Mary Nemetz in Charlottsville, PhyllisKane, Conover Nursing & Rehab Center

For our Brothers and Sisters in Christ who are home-bound: Elsie Voda, Mary Petik

For our members and friends serving our country in the military: Bruce Layne, Danny Petik,Chris Graham, Dustin Petik, James Eckenrode, David Petik, Scott Naumann, Jeff & StacyCrosson, Courtney Williams, Jeffrey Head, Steve Foxx, Brandon Edwards, Michael McKinzie

For our members and friends away at college: Landry Doane, Casey Davis, Brandon Edwards

For our members who are sick, hospitalized or recuperating: Gerald Rayner & Family, Betty &Al Schneider, Rowena Carter, Leann Eckstein, Annette Dry, Ilse Appleby, Tina Doane, JordanLayne, Charlene Logan, Kay Grochowaski , Barney Hampton

For our friends who are sick, hospitalized or recuperating: Darleene Farley, Jonathan Weston, Connie Williamson, Rita Joy-ner, Pam Maiberger, Joann Miller, Jeff Walter, Mark Black, Francis Brinkley, Shelby Slayton, Nick Doize, Pastor Kane

For the families of Saints departed Ed Appleby, Billy Joyner, Louis Harvey

In peace, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.


Our Father,

Thy Kingdom Come,

Thy Will Be Done.

Praise and Thanksgiving

Dear Father, we thank You for the multitude of opportunities to showyour love to people in our community. We live in a hurting world. Youhave not only called us, You have also equipped us to serve ourneighbor. Thank Your for these abundant blessings, and especially for the

Good News of Jesus You give us to share.

Crossword Puzzle Answers

from Last Month

Across

3. Advent

4. Music

5. Catechism

6. Gospel

9. Font10. Evangelical

11. Grace

Down

1. Rierson

2. Communion

7. Howard

8. Preaching

Nazareth Hosting...

January 29/30 Nazareth All-Member Mission Planning

February 11 Circuit-10 Pastors Conference

September 18 Dr. Paul Maier Seminar, Jesus, Legend or Lord?


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Unrealistic Expectations

be given to you as well. Jesus gives us

clearance to approach our Father withunrealistic expectations and Our Father

will only encourage us!

With Christ at the center of all thatwe do, we are free to ask God to blessHis mission for our church. We canshare with God our unrealistic expecta-tions because our trust is in Him. Weknow God can do things that mere hu-

mans cannot even comprehend.

What unrealistic expectations do youhave for our church? How far do you seeour outreach? How many people do yousee us helping? How many people do you

see worshipping with us?! Be unrealistic!

My unrealistic expectation is that wehave over 60 people in attendance at ourmission planning seminar in January. Iknow, its totally unrealistic to expectover 50% of the congregation to takepart, but you know what? If Gods Holy

Spirit blows through this congregation asI pray it will, my unrealistic expectation

may even be to low.

Im praying that our unrealistic ex-pectations are surpassedby Gods Will.See you this Sunday see you in Janu-

ary see you in heaven!

When a child runs up to a parent

and proclaims, I want to be the Presi-dent of the United States!, that parentwill most likely give their unconditionalsupport to the unrealistic expectation.

You can do it!, they will say.

The same proclamation made by anadult friend will return different results.Are you crazy?! What makes you

think you can be President?!

It seems, with age, comes lowered

expectations. If adults shoot too big,the naysaying begins.

How does this play out in GodsChurch? Unfortunately, we can get intoa mind-set that the church should nolonger have big expectations. Weshould be just content with who we are

and what we are doing.

While it is true we will all see theGlory of God by faith alone, God stillwants us to have the enthusiasm that achild has. God desires that we movefrom concern and worry about whatmight go wrong and focus on what God

does and can do right for us.

Jesus says in the Gospel of Mat-thew, Seek first his kingdom and hisrighteousness, and all these things will

PASTORS

CORNER

Whos That Answering Our Church Phone?

When Karen or I are not in the office to answer thephone, we have enlisted the help of an answering service.Weve done this for two reasons. First, every time some-

one calls Nazareth Lutheran Church, regardless of whattime they call, they will talk to a person instead of a ma-chine. Second, any message that is taken is immediatelyforwarded to the Inbox of both the secretary and Pastor.The message is normally read within 30 minutes, regardlessof where we are. If you have an emergency, it is always

best to call Pastor on his mobile phone at 804-721-9381.

Who Am I Challenge

Last months Who Am I winner: JoeyRierson.Answer: Martin Chemnitz(November 9, 1522April 8,1586). He was an eminent second-

generation Lutheran theologian,reformer, and churchman.

This months Who Am I?No hints, picture only.

Give your answer to Pastor

How do youknow if worship orBible study hasbeen cancelled?We never want you to putyourself in danger, butplease note that rain, sleet,or snow, worship will notbe cancelled. If you have

any doubt as to whetherworship and/or Bible studyis cancelled, simply call thechurch phone. We willhave a message stating so.We will also have it postedon our website in theRecent News section on

the homepage.

Page 5JANUARY 2010


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Church Council Minutes

12/21/2009

The meeting was opened by President Clint Rierson and a Christmas message, taken from the book of Matthew, was read by Pastor

Voss.

The minutes were read and approved as amended.

Each committee gave their report (see submitted reports within this months Newsletter).

Old Business:

Alfred Schneider spoke about his findings concerning the new sign that has been discussed.

New Business:

Pastor Voss spoke about some key points which he listed with the Pastors report, namely the office keys, Spiritual Care& Elders meeting separately, music with the teens and the Lenten devotional.

President Reierson read a Thank-you note from Pastor Schmick regarding the rocking chair given by the congregationand a Thank-you note from the Cavins. Martha Staples mentioned there was a Thank-you note on the bulletin board

from her and Steve Foxx thanked everyone for their care and concern concerning the birth of his and Bonnies baby girl.

Bob Dry mentioned that flooding near the handicap ramp needs to be addressed.

Clint Reierson expressed thanks to all those that helped clear the snow during the bad weather.

Thelma Klein moved to adjourn the meeting it was 2nd by Jean Joyner.

The meeting was closed with the Lords Prayer.

The Nazareth Lenten DevotionalWe are looking for volunteers to contribute to a devotional created byNazareth Lutheran Church for the season of Lent. You will be given ascripture passage and some material that will help you write the devotional.You will also be given an example devotion so that you know exactly whatit should look like and how long it should be. Pastor will review your devo-

tion and work with you to iron out any questions you have.

We are looking for at least 6 volunteers, but welcome as many who would

like to contribute. Please contact Pastor Voss for more details. Please sign-up by January 15. Final submissions will be due in early February.

We are looking for snow removal volunteers.

Please contact Andy Martin if you can help.

Website Data for December

Number of visits: 308

Unique number of visitors: 146

Percent of Visitors that were new: 40%


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Page 7JANUARY 2010

Dr. Paul Maier to Visit Nazareth Lutheran ChurchDr. Paul L. Maier will be visiting Nazareth Lutheran Church next year! We arehonored to announce that he will present a seminar for the Hopewell and Ft. Leearea on Saturday, September 18, entitled, "Jesus, Legend or Lord?"

Dr. Maier, Professor of Ancient History at Western Michigan University, is oneof our country's leading authorities on the biblical world and a widely acclaimedauthor and speaker. His seminars add a fresh dimension to the Scriptures, illu-minating them with important evidence from archaeology and secular history.This special event will be held at our church! Ticket prices and further detailswill be made available in a few months.

This is a terrific opportunity for us as a congregation to be a beacon of Gods light not only for Chris-tians who may be interested in attending, but for non-Christians who are skeptical of who Jesus wasand is. This is a terrific evangelism opportunity that we can and should be telling everyone about!

Book Review: Three Cups of Tea and Stones into Schools

Greg Mortenson, Author

These books illustrate the Christian values of community, compassion, selfless service and love. The story is true. -The Editor

In 1993 Greg Mortenson was a mountaineer attempting to climb K2 in the Karakoram mountains. The attemptfailed. Totally spent, Mortenson arrived at the impoverished community of Korphe in northern Pakistan. The kind atten-tion of the villagers who showed him great hospitality likely saved his life. Mortenson promised to return and build them aschool. This was to be the first of over130 schools, built by Mortenson and the institute he founded, the Central Asia

Institute.

This amazing feat is described in two books, Three Cups of Tea, One Mans Mission to promote Peace, oneSchool at a Time and Stones into Schools. The first book describes the hard work of relationship building that wascrucial to any kind of success. The backbone of his support came from local elders and their communities, who came tounderstand the treasure he was offering them. Mortenson also recruited a network of helpers, some of which wereunlikely allies, such as former Taliban fighters who renounced violence and went to work building schools for girls. Noneof the schools Mortenson has helped build have been forced to close, despite the growing insurgency, because, he says,

the community is so fiercely devoted to something theyve put their sweat, tears and blood into.

Stones into Schools was just published this year. It traces the Central Asia Institutes efforts to work

in a whole new country, the secluded northeast corner of Afghanistan. It is different from the first book in another way: Itmakes a compelling case for what Mortenson calls the Girl Effect --the importance of educating girls and young women inthe developing world. Educating girls, he says, reduces infant mortality, reduces the population explosion, and im-

proves the quality of heath and of life itself. In addition, Mortenson points out, young men wishing to go on jihad must

first get permission from their mothers. The Taliban very deliberately target impoverished, illiterate communities becausemany educated women refuse, even at the risk of their lives, to allow their sons to join the Taliban. There is a profoundinfluence from the mother, especially if she is educated. Therefore, communities where Mortensons organization builds

schools must agree to send their girls to school.

Summarized from the Appomatox Librarys Bookpage column by Alden Mudge, and the Introduction to Three Cups of Tea

by David Oliver Relin.


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TO:

Nazareth Lutheran Church1711 Grant StreetHopewell, VA 23860

The Hometown News of Nazareth Lutheran Church

SAVE MONEY

AND PAPER

The Hometown News isposted online at the

same time it is mailed.Please consider readingit online so we can saveon postage and paper.It can be found on the

home page of ourchurch website:

nazluthchurch.com

EDITOR: Susan Skalleberg

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT: Rev. David Voss

PRODUCTION EDITOR: Karen Van Worth

SUBMISSIONS

Please submit your articles and ideas electronically to: [email protected] or call 731-

6959. Newsletter information is due in by the third Sunday of the month.

All committees should send a summary of each months meeting to the Editor.

CONTRIBUTORS

We are looking for regular contributors to the Hometown News. If there is a certain article youwould like to write on a regular basis, please let us know so we can discuss it with you. Young

and old are encouraged to volunteer for this very important newsletter.

Peace be with you.

HTN January Final

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Transcript of HTN January Final