February 2012 Newsletter

                                            VILLAGE LUTHERAN CHURCH                      

FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER

 

WORSHIP HOURS

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

9:00AM Sunday School

5PM Saturday

 

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2012 at 7:30PM

ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE

 

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2012 from 6:30-7PM

LENTEN SOUPER SUPPER

 

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2012 from 7-7:30PM

LENTEN DEVOTIONS

 

 

VOICE OF VINNY

            January is almost over and it has been a wonderful month for us in many ways.

We could not ask for nicer weather for our region and we could not ask for a better solution than to now have a Pastor Elect. The Holy Spirit had been very busy guiding us to our new spiritual leader, Mark Stillman, and we pray that we have been directed to make the perfect choice. The call committee has sent all the necessary paper work to Pastor Stillman with our offering packet and our goals for him here at Village. He is also in prayerful consideration that the Lord will guide him to the right choice. Please remember him in your prayers.

            We were also blessed by the number of parishioners who gave of their Sunday afternoon to help us in this most important decision. They came with enthusiasm, questions, hope and above all faith in the committee that worked so hard to get us to this point. Thank you to all of them who devoted so much time and energy engaging in an activity that will have a long lasting impact on all of us.

            Many of our other projects are in the pray and see category. The solar panels are now waiting for state permits, the portico has been postponed until spring, and the parsonage will soon be treated for termites after some repairs are made on the damaged wooden door frames.

            Ash Wednesday is February 22^nd and Easter will fall on April 8^th. It seems like we were just singing Christmas carols and we are soon to be celebrating Lenten services. We will have Wednesday prayer vigils throughout the Lenten season which will be lead by Deacon Stu Knorr until our new pastor is installed. God bless Stu.

            We have much to be excited and grateful for and we must remember to continue to support Village by attending services and generously giving so we can continue in his mission for ourselves and our community remembering that He has given us all we have.

 

God bless all who worship and work for the glory of God atVillageLutheranChurch.

 

                                                                        Vinny

 

 

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

Fill the Food Bank Sunday:  Our February collection will be on the 19^th.  The Food Bank has asked for donations of Hearty Soups or stews.  They are rather low on them and could use them for the winter months! 

 

Compassion Child:  We have a letter that we received from Yaissa  to share with the Sunday school today I have posted the original outside of the Sunday School Office if anyone wants to read it!  We are always looking for students to write to her – if your family has time to write a letter to share Jesus’ (and our congregation’s) love with this young girl fromPeru please speak with Mrs. M.

 

 

Catechism:  Heads up – Lenten Wednesday services and our Souper suppers will begin February 29^th.

 

If you need to contact me you can reach me 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

Sun. February 19^th:                              Lacey Food Bank collection – Hearty Soups and Stews

Wed. Feb. 29^th :                                   First Lenten Souper Supper, through March 28th

Sun. June 3^rd:                                       Confirmation

Sun. June 10^th:                                     Church Picnic

 

 

STEWARDSHIP

“I love you”

 One of the best known days in February is Valentine’s Day.  Some people are tempted to call February 14^th “Hallmark Holiday.”  Little wonder because in our country over 7,000,000,000 valentine cards are purchased each year.  Most of these cards say “I love you” in one way or another.  But what does “I love you” mean?

 Some would say that “I love you” refers to being physically attracted to a person of the opposite sex.  While it is true that physical attractiveness can draw people together we need to remember that physical attractiveness changes over time.  Yes, it is an important kind of love, but it does not have the same lasting power as other forms of love.

 Others would say that “I love you” means you are my special friend.  Good friends are sweet blessings in this life as we find things that we enjoy doing with certain people we like and with whom we have so much in common.  A friendship kind of love is very special but, sadly, we know from experience that friends come and go.

 There is a deeper understanding of what it means to say “I love you.”  The word that comes to mind for many Christians is “agape” which we call God’s kind of love.  It is unconditional and keeps reaching out to other people even when they may not return this kind of love.  That is certainly true of God’s love for us sinners.  Even when we say and do sinful things God’s love reaches out to us.  As the Scriptures teach, “while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.”  (Romans 5:8 NIV).  Jesus Himself said in John 15:13 (NIV):  “Greater love has no one than that he lay down his life for his friends.”   

 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a (NIV) describes agape love in this way:  “Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”

 The Apostle John wrote in 1 John 3:1 (NIV):  “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us that we should be called the children of God!  And that is what we are!”  Good and godly children imitate the positive characteristics of their good and godly parents.  As the children of God through Jesus Christ we imitate the love of our Father in heaven.  “We love because He [God] first loved us.”  (1 Johns 4:19 NIV) What does our Father in heaven delight in doing?  John 3:16 (NIV) says it so well:  “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

 God delights in loving and giving.  Empowered by the Holy Spirit we are God’s children, God’s disciples, God’s stewards. There is no better witness to what it means to be a child of God than for us to use all of life and life’s resources in a way that brings glory to God and blessings to those whose lives we touch.  May our “I love you” always be God’s kind of love, God’s agape love.

 

CALL COMMITTEE NEWS!

            Thanks to all who attended the Sunday afternoon voter’s assembly/service, and prayed, sang, questioned, commented and voted during the voter’s assembly service.  Reverend Mark Stillman, currently inColorado Springs,CO, received over 2/3 majority required by our constitution  and was unanimously chosen as our Pastor Elect.  A phone call was made to Pastor Stillman and he graciously accepted the opportunity to prayerfully consider this call.  The District guidelines afford him a 3-5 week period for this process and another 3-5 weeks to relocate if he accepts the call.  Please keep Pastor Stillman and his family in your prayers as he discerns God’s will for them.

            Thanks to all who helped with the distribution of ballots and counting of the votes; to Ruth Ann for keeping us in tune as the afternoon progress; and to Pat Ashford for the administrative work she did in preparing the packet of information which was mailed to Pastor Stillman this week.  The voter’s resolution to accept the compensation package as presented was helpful in completing the necessary paperwork.

            A big thank you to the call committee who spent a lot of time in prayer, meetings, and discussion as The Divine Call process progressed; to the congregation for your continued support of the lay leadership of Village Lutheran and your financial support for the ministry which has continued in this place through 2011 and into 2012; and thanks be to God for all the blessings He continues to pour out on us through His Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

 

SUPPORT OUR GIRL SCOUTS

            Its girls Scout cookie time!  We have lots of Girls in our congregation who are proud scouts and happy to take your order!  Scouting remains as one of the most positive influence on the youth of our community - we would appreciate your support.  Don’t like Cookies?  A donation of $4 buys a box for the Lacey Food Bank or our Military Personnel! – Mrs. M

 

FAMILY MOVIE/PIZZA NIGHT

            Friday, February 24 at 6:30PM  - join us for a great family time.  We invite you to bring your children, neighbors, etc.   Cost to cover pizza and beverages:  $5/adult; $2.50 children 5 years and up. Children under 5 free.   Movie starts at 7:30PM.  Call the church office to register—we need to get an accurate count to see how many pizzas to order.   This will be a great fellowship time—get to know your fellow congregants and if you are suffering from the winter blues, well…...just come on out and we’ll help you forget all about them for a few hours.

 

SOLAR PANELS

            We obviously do not have our panels, but there is plenty of wok being done while we wait.  Kopp electric has been to the church on several occasions. They have replaced the fluorescent lights in the whole church with fixtures and bulbs that will reduce our electric usage in those areas approximately 1/3.

            They have also replaced the bulbs in our parking lot lights, no more wandering around in the dark!

            They are now in the process of getting permits issued for our solar panels. That doesn't sound like it would be a problem, but the township recently informed them that the State has to review our project because the township electrical inspector is level 2 certified and our project is level 1.

            My understanding is that this means way more paperwork and, unfortunately, more time.

 PORTICO PROJECT

            Our portico project is also underway. We have approved a preliminary plan by Guido Construction and it has been submitted to an engineer for formal drawings. We hope to start construction in the spring.

 COFFEE HOUR

            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.

Sunday, February 12 between the 9 and 10:45AM Services,

sponsored by our Evangelism and Stewardship Committees

Sunday, February 26 between the 9 and 10:45AM Services,

sponsored by our Shepherds

 

 CHURCH COUNCIL

          The Church council will meet on Monday, February 20 at 7:30PM in the parsonage.

 

BIBLE STUDIES

Wednesday at 10:30AM

            We begin again on Wednesday, January 4^th and each Wednesday morning at 10:30AM.  We are a lively group who enJOY conversation, fellowship and studying God’s Holy Scripture.  We are currently looking at the Feasts of Israel and have learned much about early Hebrew festivals.  Join us any Wednesday morning at 10:30AM.

 LWML/Ladies Guild Bible Study

            The second Monday night in each month at 6:30PM – join us for “God is in the Laundry Room.”  

 

PREACHING SCHEDULE

Sunday, Februrary 4 and 26 – Mr. Stuart Knorr

Sunday, February 12  – Pastor Ken Fosse

Sunday, February 19  – Pastor Nischal

FEBRUARY ANNIVERSARYS

 

Ray and Kim Harrs                                                                 2/17

 

FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS

 

 Peter Caroselli                        2/2

Carol Ciszewski                      2/2

Kyle Kelly                                2/9

Elsie Louis                              2/9

Stu Knorr                                2/10

Danny McCaskill                      2/10

Doris Swanson                        2/10

Anthony Carvalho                   2/11

ChadScanlon                          2/11

Nicole Schachtel                     2/11

Nicole Bentley                        2/12

Patty Feiner                           2/14

Daniel Bentley                        2/16

Geralyn Walsh                        2/17

Amanda Kristbergs                 2/20

Lucille Russell                         2/21    

Jay Miller                                 2/21

Bill Garrett                              2/23

Ralph Pullen                            2/23

Brian Lanzim                           2/25

Richard Watson                       2/27

Niel Gaglione                           2/28

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONTACT OF OCEAN COUNTY

            The next 15-week training class for telephone volunteers for CONTACT (24-hour crisis intervention hotline) will begin on Thursday, February 2, 2012, from 6:30PM-9:30PM in the Toms River area.  CONTACT, a free and confidential service, has been assisting with the needs of individuals throughout the community since 1975, by providing a safe place for callers to talk about their problems with anonymity.  Information and referral are provided when requested.  For additional training information, please call the CONTACT office at 732-240-6104.

 

LADIES GUILD

        LUTHERAN WOMENS MISSIONARY LEAGUE

 

February 4& 5:

Souper Bowl Weekend:  In addition to delicious soups & chili, dips & salsa will be available.  Doris Swanson (609) 693-3575 is coordinating the sale.  The final total for the November sale was $556.  Good work ladies!

 February 13:

Are you a Mrs. Fixit?  This month we are moving right along to session 5 and will have a lesson on rebuilding those relationships that need mending.  If the weather looks iffy, call Susan Harnos (609) 971-9786 after 5 pm to make sure the study hasn’t been cancelled.

 Pillowcase Dresses:

Eight women got together in on Friday, January 13 to sew pillowcase dresses for little girls.  Take a look at the completed dresses in the fellowship hall.  If you would like to sew a dress at home, kits are available on the LG table.  Each kit holds a pillowcase, directions, elastic and seam binding.  Feel free to add trims, pockets, etc.  Please have dresses back by February 13 so they can be packaged and shipped to Orphan Grain.

Mites:

 Lori Connin, District LWML treasurer, was happy to report that the district will soon be sending a $3,000 to Trinity/Hope to feed hungry children inHaiti.  Started in 1999, Trinity/Hope today feeds 15,000 children and teachers in 86 Christian schools.  This completes district’s 2010-2012 biennium goal of $20,000.

 LCMS- World Missions:  Rev. Glenn Fluegge

Again we have committed to support Rev. Glenn Fluegge through LCMS-World Missions.  Rev. Fluegge is currently in Pretoria, South Africa, teaching & developing curriculum at the Lutheran Theological Seminary (LTS).  If anyone would like to contact Rev. Fluegge, go to his web page:  http://revglennfluegge.com.  While there,  link to his utube video of a recent ordination of pastors inTogo.

 

                                   All proceeds are used to support missions        

           MEN’S CLUB

            A BIG THANK YOU to Vinny Kelly, Ralph Pullen and Rick Pullen, of the Men’s Club, for repairing the shed doors! 

 

Planned Projects

Move the dumpster

 

OPEN DOOR PREGNANCY CENTER

            Just wanted to reach out with a request to our faithful who so often ask of our needs.  Right now we are in great need of size 4 & 5 diapers and Similac Advance formula (blue label). These are our most requested items and we have seen an increase in demand for them.  If anyone is interested in helping with these items, please let us know and we will make arrangements to pick them up. They can also be dropped at our center Monday through Thursday. Give us a call at 732-240-5556 and let us know which is preferable.

             As always, thank you for all that you do to help us help those who come through our doors.

Standing for life with you...

Carol Tirondola,

Director

 

“THE KINDNESS IN GIVING”

When we strive to live with kindness

In the new year just begun,

There are so many ways to show it,

Some of which could end in fun.

 

We can listen without speaking,

When another needs to vent

All the troubles they are having.

You might be God’s angel sent.

 

And if transportation’s needed,

Use your car to drive them there,

Easing stress by being present.

You might be their answered prayer.

 

Be aware of invitations

Set before us by the Lord.

Follow urges when you listen.

Do according to His Word.

As you help, be sure your children

Understand and reach out, too,

With the love which Jesus showed us

Every day his whole life through.

 

Practice loving one another

As the normal way of living.

When uplifting, you’ll be lifted

By your prayerful, loving giving.

Dorothy Bulter Kimball

December 18, 2011

 

 Yes, I Would Marry You Again!

 

Do you still feel that way?

 

Why don’t you join us, as we renew our wedding vows”

 

When:    February 18, 2012

 

Where:   Right here at Village Lutheran after the 5PM service.

 

            Join us as we recite our renewal of vows, then we will toast each other with some bubbly.  Then we will enjoy a nice relaxing dinner at “Latitudes on the River”, formerly “Southwinds.”

 

Menu:

Chicken Francaise, in Lemon Butter Blanc with Capers

Chicken Saltimbocca, topped with prosciutto, provolone cheese, and hard boiled eggs on a bed of spinach

Parmesan Encrusted Tilapia with Lemon Beurre Blanc and sundried tomatoes,

spinach and artichoke hearts

Marinated London Broil

 

All would include choice of soup or salad, Chef accompaniments, freshly baked breads, choice of desert, coffee, tea and soft drinks

 

All of the above at $25/persons, including tax and gratuities.  Alcoholic beverages are, of course available, on a separate tab of your own.

 

If interested, please contact Sandy or Stu Knorr at 609-971-6078

 

      A sign-up sheet will be available shortly.  Payment due the week before.