St. Martin's
Monthly Planner
Click here for our daily schedule of events, times and locations
Nov. 1
Blood Drive
Nov. 8
Adult Forum Class on
"Biblical Authority"
with Rev. Kurt Johnson
10 am in Fellowship Hall
*
Potluck & Congregation Meeting in the Fellowship Hall after the late worship.
The meeting begins at
1 pm following the meal. Childcare and children's activities are provided.
Nov. 10
Saintly Seniors Luncheon
Noon in Parlor
Nov. 12
Conspirare "Big Sing" 5:45 pm
Nov. 14
McCallum Orchestra Concerts
3 & 7 pm
Nov. 15
Veterans Day Reception
10 am in
Fellowship Hall
Nov. 21 & 22
WELCA ThankOffering Weekend
Nov. 22
Adult Forum Class on
"Maximizing Philanthropic ROI (Return on Investment)" with Dick
Rathgeber
10 am in Fellowship Hall
*
Thanksgiving
Worship
8:45 and 11 am
*
Balcones Community
Orchestra Concert
4 pm
Nov. 29
Adult Forum Class on
"Advent" led by
Ed Shirley
10 am in Fellowship Hall
*
St. Martin's Christmas Shoppe
Buy items from St. Martin's including cookbooks, music and more. Purchase your Christmas poinsettias at this event, too.
_________
|
|
From Our Mailbox
Thanks & Praises
_________ |
|
Share your gifts
Serving God & others with our time, talent and treasure
Music & Fine Arts
Ministries
Community Service
Giving
_________ |
|
Benevolence Focus
Our November Benevolence Focus:
Salvation Army
_________ |
|
Looking Ahead
Dec. 13
Texas Lutheran University
Christmas Vespers
5 pm
Dec. 20
German Christmas Worship Service
5 pm
Dec. 24
Children's Christmas
Eve Eucharist
4 pm
*
Candlelight Christmas Eve Eucharist
7 and 10 pm
_________ |
|
Get St. Martin's News & Updates
________
|
_________
|
|
|
|
Nov. 8:
Potluck lunch and congregation meeting
 A special congregation meeting is called for 1 pm on Sunday Nov. 8 in the Fellowship Hall. Members will decide which kind of pastoral ministry model we will use in the future. A potluck meal will proceed the meeting. Activities for children and childcare will be provided. Please RSVP for childcare with Child & Family Minister Sharolyn Browning.
|
 November Stewardship Focus:
Giving our
'first fruits'
The choicest of the first fruits of your ground you shall bring into the house of the LORD your God -- Exodus 23:19
When you give money to God or to help others, when do you do it? If you're like a lot of people, you give money only if you have some left over after bills are paid, after groceries are bought, and after the items on your wish have been purchased. Often, we give away what is left over. But does that reflect what we would like to give to God? Do we want to just give God left-overs of our time, talent or treasure?
The Old Testament calls on people to offer their "first fruits" to God. They are asked to take the first and best of what they have produced and give it to God.
This does two things.
First, it helps us to set priorities. Giving our first fruits means giving to God and taking care of others before giving to ourselves. It means that the first payment we make is to Church and charities, not the last. It means giving our most valuable time and commitments to God's work -- not just doing it when we have nothing else better to do. When we put God first in our giving, we can more easily remember that God comes first in our lives.
Secondly, it also helps us to live into God's economy -- one of abundance instead of scarcity. When we live in God's economy, we move from living fearfully to living with hope and expectation of the abundance of God. Instead of asking "Will I have enough?" we say, "Look at how much God has given me!" We learn to trust God's abundance.
In this month of Thanksgiving, let's try together to give our best to God and give from our "first fruits." Remember, it's not important how much we give, but that we give regularly.
|
Music @ St. Martin's
Nov. 12: Be a part of Conspirare's "Big Sing"
 Austin's Conspirare comes to St. Martin's for a free community event -- the "Big Sing" from 5:30 to 6:45 pm. This is an opportunity for the audience to sing with the choir. Craig Hella Johnson leads the gathering of the audience and Conspirare Symphonic Choir members in breathing exercises, vocal warm-ups, and short melodic songs. No RSVP required.
Read on to learn more about Conspirare.
No v. 14: McCallum Chamber Orchestra
The McCallum Chamber Orchestra performs the world premiere of 17th- and 18th-century Neapolitan orchestral works on Saturday Nov. 14 at 3 and 7 pm in the Sanctuary. Admission is free. The orchestra will revive masterpieces of lost and forgotten works composed by prominent Neapolitan composers. Mostly unknown today, pieces by Francesco Durante, Johann Adolf Hasse, Niccolò Jommelli, Giovanni Battista Pergolesi, Domenico Scarlatti and Domenico Cimarosa will come alive for the first time in over two hundred years at the Austin concert. This effort is led by Maestro Gioacchino Longobardi (Albany, NY), Neapolitan Music Society President & Artistic Director, who will conduct the McCallum Chamber Orchestra for these concerts.
Read on to learn about the group.
Nov. 22: Balcones Community Orchestra
 The Balcones Community Orchestra comes to St. Martin's on Sunday Nov. 22 at 4 pm. Admission is free. The orchestra is in its twelfth season of bringing quality performances of Baroque and Classical music to the Austin region. The all-volunteer group draws the core of its repertoire from the masterworks of the 18th century, presenting works of Bach, Vivaldi, Handel, Haydn and Mozart.Read on to learn more about the group. |
 Nov. 8:
Gifts for Agua Viva
St. Martin's continues its tradition of delivering Christmas gifts to our sister congregation, Agua Viva, which is located in El Cenizo along the Texas/Mexico border. You'll find a tree in the Lobby decorated with paper ornaments that each have a name of a child. Select an ornament and write your name and contact information on the list next to the child's name. For a Senior Citizen gift, just sign up on the Agua Viva Senior sign-up sheet. Return all wrapped gifts marked with the child or senior's name to St. Martin's by Dec. 6. If you have questions, please contact Pastor June Wilkins.
|
 Nov. 15:
Honoring our veterans
St. Martin's honors the service of our congregation's veterans on Sunday Nov. 15 with a reception in the Fellowship Hall at 10 am. Come show your support for those who have served our country through their service in the military.
|
Nov. 1-29:
Donate coats to our
"St. Martin's Cloaks" drive
The children and youth of St. Martin's are collecting coats to help those in need as we honor the legacy of St. Martin of Tours. Drop off your items in the hallway bins for the next several weeks. Contact Child & Family Minister Sharolyn Browning or Youth & Family Minister Erika Rorer for more information. |
Nov. 15:
Children's Christmas
Eucharist Rehearsals
It is getting to be the most WONDER-ful time of year! The Children's Christmas Eve Eucharist "Away in a Manger" will be on Christmas Eve at 4 pm. Children will be a part of the worship as leaders and storytellers, as well as participants. Children (Kindergarten to 5th Grade) who would like to take on leadership, music and storytelling roles will begin rehearsing Nov. 15 and 22 from 12:15 to 2 pm. Lunch is included. Younger children will prepare in the Sunday School and the music opening. For more information, contact Child & Family Minister Sharolyn Browning.
|
Nov. 22:Worship this Thanksgiving
The season of thankfulness is here and there's no better time to kindle a heart of gratitude. During this month in the life of our church, we look toward Thanksgiving as a time to reflect upon the goodness of God that we witness together as a community of faith. Join us for Thanksgiving Worship on Nov. 22 -- the Sunday before Thanksgiving Day -- at 8:45 and 11 am. St. Martin's will take part in the annual WELCA ThankOffering Weekend during this time. Our observance of ThankOffering Weekend is a special occasion for members to express gratitude for the blessings in their lives. Monetary gifts made to WELCA during this event are dedicated to supporting national, synodical and local ministries that range from combating poverty to raising awareness about domestic violence.
|
 Nov. 29:
Find presents at our
Christmas Gift Shoppe Celebrate the season of giving by finding perfect presents at St. Martin's Christmas Gift Shoppe. Stop by the Lobby for opportunities to buy a variety of gifts from our church: music CDs, ornaments, cookbooks, coffee mugs, cards, videos, bread crosses from Agua Viva, and much more. You can also buy a Christmas poinsettia to honor someone special. For more information about the Christmas Gift Shoppe, contact Thom Pavlechko. For more information about Christmas poinsettias, contact Ann Henry.
|
Notes from across the congregation
Saintly Seniors Lunch on Nov. 10
Join our active group of Saintly Seniors on Nov. 10 at noon in the Parlor for a luncheon and presentation on "A World War II Love Story" with guest speakers Mac & Flo McKenzie. RSVP for your place at this event by Nov. 8 to the church 467-6757 or contact Yolanda Alvarez.
Adult Education at St. Martin's
Join the Adult Forum class on Sundays at 10 am in the Fellowship Hall during November. Classes include:
- Nov. 8: "Biblical Authority" led by Rev. Kurt Johnson, a retired pastor and a member of St. Martin's. This class examines the process by which scripture was created and canonized, and why and how we use it as a source of belief.
- Nov. 15: Classes break in honor of Veterans Day. Join us for a reception at 10 am in the Fellowship Hall to honor those who served in our country's Armed Forces.
- Nov. 22: "Maximizing Philanthropic ROI (Return on Investment)" led by Dick Rathgeber, an Austin philanthropist, a member of St. Martin's and the author of "Deal-Making for Good." This class looks at how we can use our talents for charity and gain significance for ourselves in our giving.
- Nov. 29 & Dec. 6 & 13: "Advent" led by Ed Shirley, professor of Religious Studies at St. Edward's University.
Parking during the Caswell House's Christmas Event
St. Martin's neighbor, the Caswell House, will be using spaces in our parking lot during their Christmas event on Nov. 6-13. Please be aware that spaces in the lot may be in short supply while this event is underway. Read on for more about Christmas at the Caswell House.
Godly Play Training at St. Martin's
St. Martin's will host a Godly Play session on Nov. 21 from 9 to 11 am about "Advent Preparation and Anticipation" facilitated by Child and Family Minister Sharolyn Browning. Read on to learn more about Godly Play. For more information, contact Child & Family Minister Sharolyn Browning.
RSVP for Saintly Seniors Holiday Lights Trip
RSVP now for the Saintly Seniors Dec. 7 holiday lights trip to San Antonio to enjoy a boat ride on the decorated Riverwalk. The group needs people to sign up immediately for the trip, which includes a bus ride departing St. Martin's at 1 pm. To learn more or to RSVP, please contact Bess Sommer.
Chancel Flowers
Do you have a special event coming up in 2010 that you'd like to commemorate with chancel flowers? Contact Nell Hielscher or call 243-0467 for details.
Community Garden plans are moving forward
St. Martin's Environmental Stewardship Committee has been moving forward on its plans for using some of our property for a community garden. Members continue to work on the details of making this project a reality for our congregation and the downtown neighborhoods located near our church. For more information about this project or if you'd like to help, please contact committee chairman John Howard.
Thanks for casting your Benevolence Focus votes
Ballots are now being counted for our 2010 Benevolence Focus groups. Watch for details soon about the groups we will be sharing our gifts with in the year ahead.
Church Attendance
Worship at St. Martin's averaged 318 in September.
|
 From Pastor June Wilkins
Thanksgiving
With the passing of Halloween and the arrival of November, that only means one thing: the holidays are upon us! Soon enough, Thanksgiving will be here and then Christmas.
Sometimes I think that there is almost a dread that goes along with these holidays. When the wind starts blowing and the temperatures drop, we know that we will soon be hunkering down, sorting out our menus and shopping lists, figuring out our travel plans, and focusing only on the "work" of the holidays. Even here at church, now is the time we delve into our worship planning and organizing. During the end-of-year holiday time, most people are not available for anything "extra."
Thanksgiving is a time for giving thanks -- traditionally for a good harvest. In our modern times, it is for giving thanks for all we have. As Christians, then, maybe it is ironic that Thanksgiving marks a time when we primarily focus on ourselves and our own families. The act of giving thanks to God for what we have should draw us outside ourselves, not inside. It means being open to the opportunities that the Holy Spirit puts in front of us. It means giving to other people outside our own circles.
I hope that this holiday season, we all show our thanks to God by not being so distracted with our own plans that we overlook what God has planned for us.
| |
|
|
|
|
|
