December 2011 Newsletter

CHRISTMAS  ISSUE         VILLAGE LUTHERAN CHURCH          WINTER           

 DECEMBER NEWSLETTER

WORSHIP HOURS

7:45, 9:00 & 10:45AM Sunday

9:00AM Sunday School

5PM Saturday

 

ADVENT WORSHIP

Nov. 30, Dec 7 and Dec 14

6:30PM Souper Supper

7PM Advent Devotions

 

CHRISTMAS WORSHIP HOURS

5PM Family Service – Dec 24

7:30PM  Traditional Worship – Dec 24

11PM Christ Mass – Dec 24

 

 

 

VOICE OF VINNY

            We are truly blessed here at Village in that we were able to experience the true meaning of Thanksgiving with the preparation and distribution of turkey dinners to those less fortunate than ourselves. We are all so grateful to the many people who gave of their time and talents to ensure that we could nourish the hungry with both physical and spiritual consideration and let them know that they are in God’s care. We are also thankful that we have persevered for so long without a pastor while keeping our identity as a viable, caring church.  The visiting pastor’s and Deacon Stu have kept us moving forward in faith for nearly a year enabling us to continue to offer His word to all who would hear.

            The men’s club has completed the Fellowship hall and the floor will be waxed before Christmas. They not only improved the appearance of the hall, but found joy and friendships that will be lasting. Great job guys! Thanks also go out to the parishioner who held down our costs by donating all the paint. The men’s club did foot the bill for the chair rail molding and would appreciate any donations to defray that cost.

            Financially we are struggling to meet our debts because giving has dropped of in the past year. Historically when Christmas falls on a Sunday there is a tendency to forget the Sunday offering, but unfortunately our bills are not forgotten. Please remember to bring both with you so we do not fall even further behind.

            We are still very busy with the improvements to the church with the near completion of the lighting up grade throughout most of the church building, the solar panels which might be done by the end of this month and the portico which will hopefully be completed before the first snow fall.

            December will be very busy with all things Christmas related. We need your support in many of these endeavors and hope you will enjoy all of the offerings. Don’t miss the bazaar, the children’s Christmas pageant, a musical presentation by the Island Singers and the reason for the season our joyous and sacred Christmas services. Look for the calendar in this issue for the dates of these very special events.          

            My family and I wish you all a very blessed Christmas Season.

Vinny

 

 

STEWARDSHIP

            Over 2,000 years ago the world received the greatest gift that has ever been given.  The angel announced this gift to shepherds who were watching their flocks at night.  The message of God’s angel explained what a truly remarkable event this was.  The angel said:  “Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.”  Suddenly a great company of heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying:  “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests.”  (Luke 2:10-12; 14 NIV)

 

            Those shepherds were never the same again.  They went to Bethlehem to see for themselves this great happening.  After seeing the Christ child with their own eyes they left in great joy and shared this good news with everyone they met.

 

            On that first Christmas God fulfilled His promise to send a Savior who would rescue His people from their sins.  What a blessing for the lowly shepherds to be the first people besides Mary and Joseph to hear about and see this great happening!

 

            Years later the Apostle John by inspiration of the Holy Spirit acknowledged this miraculous gift with one of the most memorable verses in the Bible:  “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but shall have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NIV)  This single verse expresses two things that God delights in doing and those two things are loving and giving.

 

            Children are richly blessed when they have good and godly parents who bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.  Children are also blessed when they imitate the positive qualities of their Christian parents. 

 

            St. John in the third chapter of his first letter stated:   “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!  And that is what we are.”  (1 John 3:1 NIV)

 

            What does this say to us as God’s stewards of all [including time, money, abilities and much more] that He entrusts to our management?  It says this:  If we are to grow as children of God we will develop those godly characteristics of our Heavenly Father, namely loving and giving.

 

            Christmas is in the very best sense a gift that keeps on giving.  May the Holy Spirit help us to receive this great gift with joy and thanksgiving and respond with growth in loving and giving as God’s children!  This desire could become an important part of our New Year’s resolutions!  Wouldn’t that make our part of the world so much better?

 

Have a blessed Christmas and a joy-filled New Year!

 

 

CALL COMMITTEE NEWS!

            The committee met in November to review candidate’s information.  Each member of the committee had a packet to read and review before we met.  The field has been narrowed down the three and we are preparing interview questions for each of the men on the list.  Thanks to those members of the congregation who also participated by offering questions for inclusion in this process.  Our Circuit Counselor, Dennis Bottoms, will participate in the interview process; and all thoughts are leading toward Skype interviews with the interested candidates.  We ask for your continued prayers for the work of the committee and for the Pastor who will be the shepherd of the Village Lutheran congregation through the Divine Call process.

 

 

 

 

LADIES AID

           

CHRISTMAS BAZAAR

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2 FROM 6-9PM

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3 FROM 9AM-2PM

HANDCRAFTED ITEMS, HOME-MADE CANDY AND BAKED GOOD, GIFTS, WREATHES, AND MUCH MORE!

KITCHEN WILL BE OPEN FOR SUPPER FRIDAY EVENING AND BREAKFAST AND LUNCH SATURDAY

 

 

 

LITTLEST ANGELS

            Merry Christmas from Littlest Angels!  The children are always jumping out of their skin in December.  We are rehearsing for our Christmas pageant, making Christmas presents for Moms and Dads, waiting impatiently for Santa to arrive and decorating the school for Christmas.  Although, the children are very focused on what they want for Christmas, we make sure to remind them that the real reason for Christmas is the birthday of baby Jesus, we even sing Happy Birthday to Jesus at our Christmas Pageant.  We talk about Mary, Joseph and the Manger, we tell the story of that very special night in Bethlehem and of the Three Wise Men and their special gifts to the new born King.  The children love hearing all about how Jesus was born, and we love reminding them that Christmas is about the birth of a very special man and not all about how many presents are under the tree.

 

COFFEE HOUR

Sunday, December 11 – CANCELLED

 

            If your group cannot sponsor the coffee hour you are scheduled for, please call the church office and let us know so that we can switch you with another group or possibly cancel and reschedule the coffee hour.

 

 

CHURCH COUNCIL

          The Church council will meet on Monday, December 19 at 7:30PM in the parsonage.

 

 

BIBLE STUDIES

             

LWML – There will be no Bible Study (God is in the Laundry Room) on Monday, December 12^th.  The Ladies Guild is having their annual Christmas party that evening.  We invite and encourage all women of the congregation to join us.  Call Susan Harnos at 609-971-9786 or Lori Connin at 609-693-1850 for more information.

 

Wednesday 10:30AM Study  - We are studying the Feasts of Israel and have just begun to look at Yom Kippur.  Fell free to join our lively and spirited group at any time – we welcome new members and encourage participation with us.  We love God’s Word and love to talk about the impact it has on us – today!  With the upcoming seasons of Advent and Christmas, we find some conflicts with our study dates.  Please note, we will not meet on 12/7 or 12/28, but join us any other Wednesday at 10:30AM.

 

 

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

 

            The VLC Elementary Youth Group will be going caroling on the Sunday the 18^th  at the assisted living home across from Wal-Mart.  After we will come back to VLC for hot cocoa and cookies.  If you are interested please speak with Karen Holm. 

 

Fill the Food Bank Sunday:  Our December collection will be on the 18th.  We will be collecting soups for the Lacey Food bank’s families.  Eberyoen needs a good hot bowl of soup and many are hard pressed to afford the basic items their families need.  Thank you for reaching out to help with your donations!  It is a beautiful way to share Jesus’ love with the community around us!

 

Catechism Instruction:  We will be adjusting our times slightly for our Advent Classes on Nov. 30^th, Dec. 7^th & Dec. 14^th.  Instruction will still begin at 5:30 but the students will break for dinner at 6:30 and then attend the Advent services at 7pm.  They will be set to go home afterwards at about 7:30.  There will not be classes or Advent services on the 21^st or the 28^th.  Enjoy your Christmas Break!  Notices went home looking for 6^th – 8^th grade students to sign to provide the food for our Advent souper suppers.  Please return these to Mrs. M, Mr. Knorr or Mr. Adam as soon as possible.  Any type of donation is appreciated.  It is a soup and sandwich dinner and while any items are great the offerings do not need to be elaborate!  We need all 6^th, 7^th & 8^th grade families to help.  6th graders – your assistance qualifies for service hours towards your 20 hour requirement.

 

Thanksgiving bag decorating – Thanks to everyone who helped decorate the beautiful bags for our Thanksgiving delivery!  I know that they will brighten the day of those who received them. 

 

Christmas pageant – The date of our pageant has been set for Sunday December 11^th @ 4pm.  Rehearsal with be the 10^th from 9:00 – 12 noon and we need everyone to be there to practice.  A snack will be provided.  A sign-up sheet for parts will be placed in the hall the 27^th.  We will need crafting help for our Congregational gift.  We will be staying after Sunday school on the 4^th from 10:30 – 11:30 to get a jump on our project. 

 

If you need to me: Wendy at Magerowski@comcast.net or Home: 609 242-0204, cell:  609 276-8290!

 

Upcoming Dates to Remember:

Every Wednesday @ 5:30:                  Catechism classes begin for 7^th & 8^th grade

Advent Souper Suppers:                      Nov. 30^th, Dec. 7^th &  Dec 14^th set-up @                                                                              5:30 dinner at 7pm.

Sun. Dec 4^th 10:30-11:30:                    Gift crafting in the 1^st & 2^nd grade                                                                                         classroom.

Sun. Dec. 10^th 9-12pm                        Pageant rehearsal

Sun. Dec 11^th 4pm:                              Christmas Pageant & pot luck                                                                                                Dinner

 

 

            The Congregation of Village Lutheran Church is invited

to share the joy of the holiday

with the Children of our Sunday School

as they present our 2011

Christmas Pageant:

 

Light a Candle

 

Sunday, December 11, 2011 at 4:00 pm

 

Pot luck dinner to follow!

 

 

 

PREACHING SCHEDULE

December, 2011

December 3 & 4 - Mr. Stuart Knorr

December 11 – Pastor Naveen Nischal

December 18 – Pastor Kenneth Fosse

Christmas Eve – Pastor Kenneth Fosse

 

 

LADIES GUILD

        LUTHERAN WOMENS MISSIONARY LEAGUE

 

Advent devotions from the Lutheran Indian Ministries will be available in the narthex.  These devotions are written by missionaries serving Native Americans in the remote northwest.  Meet real people from these communities and their experiences with the saving grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

 

Each year the ladies pray for each other through our Secret Sister program.  Members & non-members exchange names at the Christmas party then let your “sister” know you are thinking of them with cards throughout the year.  At our Christmas party we exchange small gifts & find out if we correctly guessed who our sister is.  If you would like to participate sign-up forms are available in the Ladies Guild mail slot.  Hand them in to Susan Harnos on or before our meeting December 12.

 

Mites:

In October the national Lutheran Women’s Missionary League celebrated mite donations reaching the $100,000,000 mark.  Almost 70 years ago, the women of the LC-MS started the LWML for the “reaching out to share the joyful news of Christ around the world.  You can read about LWML missions in the Lutheran Woman’s Quarterly available on the LG table.

 

December 12:

6:30 pm, the Ladies Guild Christmas Party, Lori Connin, (609) 693-1850, is organizing.  ALL WOMEN are invited to join us for an evening of devotion, fellowship & fun.  Each year we close the evening with the singing of the 12 Days of Christmas.  No Bible study.

 

January 9: 

6:30pm Bible study resumes in Chapter 4.  7:30pm guild meeting.

 

January 13:

Friday, 4-8pm.We will get together in the fellowship hall to sew these cute pillowcase dresses.  We have enough materials to make about a dozen dresses.  Check the LG table to see cute samples.  Dresses will be donated to Orphan Grain Train.

 

 February 5:

“Souper” Sunday-The ladies will be selling homemade soups, chili and dips to enjoy with the BIG game.  Doris Swanson is coordinating.

 

 

DECEMBER WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES

            Anthony and Debra Carvalho                                                             12/5

            Geralyn and Buddy Walsh                                                                 12/18  

            Dave and Gretchen Behrens                                                               12/19

            Jennifer and Matthew Bentley                                                           12/20

            Bill and Norma McGuire                                                                    12/29

            Eric and Marge Schulze                                                                      12/31

 

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS

                                    Mary Petrone                                      12/4

                                    Susan Schulze                                     12/28  

                                    Nicole Jagersky                                   12/13

                                    Carol Kelly                                          12/13

                                    Michele Wilusz                                   12/13

                                    Eric Fisher                                           12/14

                                    Debra Gallagher                                  12/16

                                    Zachary Howlett                                 12/17

                                    Jessica Bentley                                    12/18

                                    Jennifer Knorr                                     12/21

                                    Brian McCaskill                                  12/21

                                    Stephen Rutillio                                  12/21

                                    Marge Schulze                                    12/23

                                    Roger Hunter                                      12/27  

                                    Robin Joustra                                      12/30

 

 

MEN’S CLUB

 

December 2 from 6-9PM and December 3 from 9AM-2PM

Work the Kitchen for the Christmas Bazaar

 

Other Planned Projects

Move the dumpster

Fix the storage sheds

Paint and move the offices in parsonage

 

PRAYERS AND PRAISE!

            Carol Ciszewski wishes to thank everyone for lifting her  in prayer – she had a full body scan and found that the cancer has not spread to any other part of her body.  It is confined to the breast and  lymph nodes.  Please continue to pray for her as she undergoes treatment.              

 

 

CONCORDIA COLLEGE 

BRONXVILLE, NY

Hosting: 11 Days “LANDS OF LUTHER”

May 15-25, 2012

Cost: $2699 from New York, plus estimated air taxes/fuel surcharges of $580

Roundtrip Airfare from NY, First Class/Select Hotels, Breakfast daily plus 7 dinners; Services of a professional tour director and comprehensive sightseeing. All hotel service charges and local taxes, porterage and entrance fees.

 

Relive the Reformation Movement in Lutheran Germany

Visit Wartburg Castle, Eisenbach; Augustinian Monastery, Erfurt; Luther’s birthplace, Eisleben; Castle Church, Wittenberg; historic reunited Berlin; Leipzig where Luther debated Johann Eck; Augsburg and Nuremberg, ending the tour in Munich.

 

For a brochure contact:

Rev. Gregory Dwyer

Concordia College

171 White Plains Road

Bronxville, NY 10708

914-337-9300, ext. 2198

Email: Gregory.dwyer@concordia-ny.edu

 

 

WINTER COAT DRIVE/GIVEAWAY

            St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Waretown is holding their annual Winter Coat Drive and Giveaway on Fri, Dec 9 from 2-5PM, and Sat., Dec 10^th  from 10AM to 3PM.  You are invited to participate if you are in need of a winter coat.  Please note:  this is a Free Coat Giveaway!

 

            If anyone has gently used coats to donate, please drop off at St. Stephen’s weekdays between the hours of 10AM and 2PM (367 Rte 9, Waretown) before December 5.  Call 609-698-8561 for more information.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ABOVE and Beyond Biblical Counseling & Discipleship

A Living Truth Ministry

Dr. Cheryl A. Durham, D.B.S

Director

344-5 Rt 9, PMB 116

Lanoka Harbor, NJ 08734

800-570-4203  Ext. 102

_______________________________________________________

Fairview Business Solutions             Kathy Haines             Owner                                                               kathy_haines@comcast.net   634 Fairview Lane                  609-693-2090  Forked River, NJ 08731

Fairview Business Solutions

Kathy Haines, Owner                  

kathy_haines@comcast.net

634 Fairview Lane 

609-693-2090    Fax: 609-489-4178

Forked River, NJ 08731

 

________________________________________________________

KAREEN & LINDA’S

GOLDEN COMB

(732) 341-6886

917 N. Main Street

Toms River, New Jersey

(Linda Miller)

____________________________________________________

MICHAEL FRIEDBERG

Rockville Fabrics Corp.            

Active Quilting

1717 Key West Road                 Tel: (609) 971-8901

Forked River, NJ 08731             Tel: (609) 971-8903

                                                   Fax: (609) 971-9622

                                                   Cell: (201)320-7020

 

E-mail:  mfriedberg@rockvillefabrics.com

___________________________________________________________________

Thrivent Financial  for Lutherans

Robert M. Esposito, ChFC, CLU, FIC

Financial Consultant

Capital Group

57 Maxim Dr.

P.O. Box 387

Forked River, NJ  08731-0387

 

Office:  609-242-1000

Fax:      609-242-1498

robert.esposito@thrivent.com

Thrivent Pinnacle Leaders Group

MDRT Court of the Table

Main Offices:  Appleton, WI, Minneapolis, MN  www.thrivent.com

Registered representative for securities offered through Thrivent Investment Management Inc., 625 Fourth Ave. S, Minneapolis, MN 555415-1665, 800-847-4836, a wholly owned subsidiary of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.  Member NASD.  Member SIPC.           

________________________________________________________________________

 

IF you would like to submit your business card to be included in our advertising section, please submit $25 to the church office.  Thank You!