|
NEW YEAR'S DAY WORSHIP
| 11:00 am
|
|
SUNDAY SCHEDULE
|
WORSHIP
8:30 am & 11:00 am
|
|
COMMITTEE REPORTS DUE JANUARY 11
|
|
|
 MESSAGE FROM THE PASTOR
It seems like it was only yesterday that we put up the last decoration and candles in place. It took a lot of hands and a lot of effort. By the second week in January, the liturgical calendar hints it's time to put it away with the Baptism of Our Lord. Yet, speaking for myself, I'm not ready to put Christmas back in storage on the shelf or in the attic for another year. Christmas changes the church. It is transformed to invite the stranger and those who put off attending worship by other things. Its beauty is inviting. And the music of Christmas calls us. It's easy to sing hymns that are so familiar. The message in the lyrics so endearing; "What Child is This?" "Away in a Manger," "Joy to World", "Angels, We Have Heard On High." So many hymns that express the beauty and peace with such wonderful lyrics and melody. It's a shame we only sing them for just one or maybe two weeks. Perhaps we could extend the Christmas celebration. However, it's shortly after Halloween the commercial Christmas season begins to appear. 'Jingle Bells' is a cute song but after six weeks its time to turn it off. And Silent Night just does not have the same soft wonder with the sun beaming through the windows. Besides, a New Year is calling. The question that should be asked about the New Year and Christmas is "Are you ready?" not "Ready or not.. it's here.!" So we begin a new year, but with opportunity and not with resolution.
With the tradition of New Year's resolution comes "Christmas Depression", where the joy of Christmas clashes with the reality of another year gone. The Christmas spirit's salvation is the joy of Easter. However, there is sadness associated with the Passion to Easter. The liturgical reflects such a roller coaster that we can't wait for Christmas and we slowly drag emotionally to Easter. We need to balance Christmas with Easter.
Let's consider putting as much effort, if not more, into Easter as with Christmas, because without Easter there is no joy of Christmas and vice-versa. Celebrating Easter as with Christmas, without the presents, commercialism or decorations but with the same wonder and intensity as in December. Envision this coming Easter and what you would like to see us doing at OSLC in this new year.
Pastor Griffith |
|
|
|
SUNDAY SCHOOL
| |
9:45 am
There will be no Sunday School on January 1. Sunday School will resume on January 8.
|
| CALENDAR | |
LWR
Wed, Jan 4 ~10:00 am
CHURCH COUNCIL
Thu, Jan 5 ~7:00 pm
WELCA BOARD MEETING
Mon, Jan 9 ~7:30 pm
At Georgie Tyer's home
MIRIAM-RUTH CIRCLE
Sun, Jan 15 ~12:30 pm
ELIZABETH-LYDIA CIRCLE
Wed, Jan 18~10:30 am
Hostess ~ Shirley Mitchell
Program ~ Shirley Mitchell
EVANGELISM MEETING Thu, Jan 19 ~ 7:00 pm
|
 | |
JANUARY
2 Marshall Ellis
7 Pastor H. Griffith
12 John Kingry
13 Annabelle Flisk
15 Margaret Wilburn
16 Madisyn Eppleman
16 Lisa Haddock
17 Jessie Reeves
18 Josephine Lynch
22 Thomas Flisk
22 Anthony LaConsay
24 Susan Carr
27 James Quinn
29 Rev. K. Carbaugh
Congratulations to Randy & Lisa Haddock on their 19th Anniversary
ACOLYTES 
Jan 8 ~ Devon Wolfe & Edward Carbaugh Jan 15 ~ Anna & Holly Schwartz Jan 22 ~ Ashley Wolfe & Kayla Alspaugh Jan 29 ~ Kayla Fisher & Claire Martin
LAY ASSISTANTS 8:30 
Jan 8 ~ K. Manning Jan 15 ~ K. Manning Jan 22 ~ K. Manning Jan 29 ~ K. Manning
 Loy Senter Fred Strausbaugh Dave Reeves
COFFEE HOSTS 
Jan 1 Open Jan 8 Georgie Tyer & Joan Mudd Jan 15 Council Jan 22 Annmarie Fowler & the Alspaugh family Jan 29 Open
Jan 8 Open Jan 15 Shirley Mitchell in memory of Glenn Mitchell Jan 22 Open Jan 29 Open
|
|
CONGREGATIONAL
NOTES | |
Altar Flowers
Flowers must be delivered to the church by noon on Fridays, as the office is closed on Saturdays. Please sign up early if you wish to donate flowers for Sunday Worship. If you need to make special arrangements please contact Kathleen Renault at 362-0524.
|
THANK YOU
Dear Emily,
Thank you so much for your generous donation of $500.00 which was received on 10/18/2011, to support our shelter and counseling programs. The impact of your donation will be profound as we struggle to meet the needs of more children than ever before in an economy where support for charities has been declining for three years. Every year Seton Youth Shelters takes in local youth who don't possess food, clothing, or a roof over their heads; who are in such despair or crisis that the street looks better than their bed at home. Some are even considered "throwaways" because their parents just don't want them anymore. We provide shelter for as many as 22 at-risk youth ages 9 to 18 at our two shelters in Virginia Beach, where they stay an average of three weeks and receive daily counseling as well as food, clothing and much needed support. While our costs are approximately $185.00 per child, we are able to provide these services without charge because of the kindness and generosity of our community. Nearly 95% of the time we are able to successfully reunite families after counseling and services are provided for parents as well as their children. We appreciate your contribution to our mission of reuniting families and reaching out to youth and families in crisis. Again, thank you for joining us as a partner as we continue "Changing Lives, Building Futures!" Sincerely, Angela S. Kellam Executive Director Seton Youth Shelters
|
| LUTHER LEAGUE | |
The Luther League joined other youth and adults in singing carols at Baylake Retirement Home on December 4th. They also made Christmas cards for the residents. Some helped to feed the homeless that night at Bayside Presbyterian Church.
The Christmas play was performed on December 19th and was enjoyed by all.
Luther League also helped with the Angel Tree which supplied gifts and food for 3 needy families.
|
| FEEDING THE HOMELESS | Many thanks to the nearly twenty church members who participated in helping to feed sixty-five individuals on December 4 at
Bayside Presbyterian Church.
We were also very appreciative of those members in the congregation who provided the food items needed for the event.
|
|
LUTHERAN WOMEN OF
TIDEWATER
| |
This group's Christmas emphasis included the packing of over 1550 bags of cookies for the Virginia Beach Correctional Center; collecting 1,000 new Christmas cards which were brought to the inmates at the Hampton Roads Correctional Center in Portsmouth; 85 stamped cards for the Tidewater Detention Home inmates in Chesapeake; and many gifts for teh Norfolk Detention Home and Lake Taylor Hospital. Over thirty people attended the event held at Our Saviour to pack the cookies. They came from: Christ, Prince of Peace; Trinity; St. Timothy; Grace, Emmanuel and Our Saviour.
The Group will hold their quarterly meeting on Monday, January 9 at 10:00 am at Emmanuel Lutheran. Please bring your old Christmas cards and scissors to make the tags which will be used on the cookie bags planned for 2012.
|
| BLOOD PRESSURE | The Social Ministry Committee will sponsor a Blood Pressure Check on Sunday, January 8 following the 11:00 service.
Please monitor your health as we enter the new year!
|
|
|
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE CONGREGATION
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Happy New Year! Welcome to 2012! That sounds like some kind of Space Odyssey movie. As we start the new year I am reminded that the more things change the more they stay the same.
We had our annual Christmas pagent just a couple of weeks ago and it was amazing. Angels and Sheperds alongside the Three Wise men, and of course Mary and Joseph. The story is the same every year, no matter how you tell it or hear it, it is amazing. What would it be like if we reminded each other about the story and the message throughout the year and not just in December?
As we get ready for our Annual Congregational Meeting I hope you keep the message and the Spirit close to you. Last year was a challenging year for OSLC, and we came through it with great success.
I have no doubt that this will continue through 2012.
It has been my honor serving as your Council President for the last twelve months, thank you for the support and dedication.
God Bless,
Doug Wolfe
|
|
ACOLYTES: THE BEARERS OF THE LIGHT
Throughout the first and second century Christians were brutally persecuted. To escape the persecution, the early Christians became an underground society literally and physically. Before the persecutions, Christian held worship services in their homes. During the great persecution worship in the home was too risky as the host family and their fellow worshipers were subject to death for practicing their faith. The Christian communities found the only safe place to worship were the catacombs; the underground caves and passages beneath the city. But even worshiping in the catacombs had its risks. The Romans often sent patrols into catacombs to search for Christians and finding them there. Finding a safe, open area the size of a small room meant searching by candlelight. The task of bearing the light was the role of the Acolyte. It was a serious responsibility in the church. The acolytes would assist the pastor or lay minister in selecting and preparing the place of worship. The acolytes would also light the passageways to direct worshipers to the service. They would stand watch during the service and be ready to distinguish the candles, should it become necessary so others could escape. Being an acolyte required faith as the youth would be the first to enter a place and the last to leave.
Today, our acolytes do not face persecution from Roman soldiers; but theirs is still a responsibility of importance. They wear the same alb as the pastor, symbolic of their centuries of service in the church. Like their ancient fore bearers they light the sanctuary candles indicating the light of God is present in our worship.
When the gifts (the offerings) are brought to the altar by the usher an acolyte has the responsibility to lift the gifts in presence of God before placing the gifts on the altar. The offering is lifted up asking God's blessing and our prayers that the gift will be used to sustain the church and its ministry. Acolytes also assist with Holy Communion as they assist with the dignity of distribution.
Finally, as they have done for centuries, the acolytes distinguish the candles at the conclusion of worship. Today's acolytes can be anyone who is able to perform the duties of an acolyte. There is no standard age of requirement and grade level, only desire to do this good work. Younger children can be acolytes, assisted by their parents. We need those willing to serve at the 11:00 service. Please see Pastor Griffith or Cheryl Wolfe, if you are willing to accept and serve as acolyte.
Pastor Griffith
|
FINANCIAL SECRETARY REPORT
1/01/2011 thru 12/31/2011
Current
Total Amount for the Plan
$ 176,604.00
Total Amount from Offering
$ 168,795.56
Total Amount of Offering that was short of the Plan
$ 7,808.44
Benevolence
Total Amount for the Plan
$ 27,748.00
Total Amount from Offering
$ 38,621.28
Total Amount of Offering that was over of the Plan
$ 10,873.28
|
2012 BUDGET
Pledges for 2012 are running behind what was anticipated in the budget planning process. Council will work on adjusting the proposed budget at its January meeting, which will be held on January 5th. The proposed budget will be available on the web site and at the church office by Sunday, January 8th. If you have not returned your pledge for 2012, please do so as soon as possible by putting it in the offering plate, mailing it to the church office or giving it to the Financial Secretary, Paul Contrado.
|
|
NOMINEES FOR CHURCH COUNCIL
Ed Carbaugh
Emily Kircheval
Shirley Mitchell
Mark Sherwood
Ellen Simmons
John Sonnenberg
Bruce Prichard
The agenda for the Congregational Meeting includes the election of Church Council. Above is the list of those members who have been nominated.
|
|
REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS
Members: Georgie Tyer, Jim Charleton, Judy Halladay, Glen Dillard, James Quinn, Anne Corley, Kelly Tims, Margaret Wilburn, Bob Braund, Nikki Contrado, Beth Souder, Elaine Barth
Friends & Family: Katherine Makepeace, Dayton Hahne, George & Evelyn Smith, Wanda Miller, Ellen Consaul, Jeff Shield, Ann Nichols, Garland Smith, Barbara Cody, Linda Hester, Tanya Woolridge, Gloria Fortner, Claude R. Wise II, Hugo Luoto, Jonathan McCormick, Sue Squires, Charles Cochran, Gladys Cochran, Dennis O'Brien, Wade Brinkmeyer, Marie Waynick, John Stecker, Kate Shelton, Barbara Bonds, Julie Justice, Gary Simmons, Barbara White, Jennifer Dolan, Tom Jerichow, Bernice Donnelly, Robert Ariondo, Gregory Bradley, Harry "Skip" Warren
|
ATTENDANCE REPORT FOR DECEMBER
CHURCH SUNDAY SCHOOL
- Dec 4 117 26
- Dec 7 (Advent) 14
- Dec 11 99 21
- Dec 14 (Advent) 12
- Dec 18 106 N/A
- Dec 21 (Advent) 17
- Dec 24 176 N/A
- Dec 25 18 N/A
|
LETTERS FROM JUDEA
This year's Christmas play was a wonderful success. It shared the Christmas story through personal letters of those in Judea during the birth of Christ. They heard the thought of a Centurion stationed in Judea; a cousin of Elizabeth; a traveler who meets Mary and Joseph; an innkeeper's wife; a shepherd; a slave in Herod's court and one of the Wise men. As each letter was read, other cast members portrayed in the background the event described in the letter. All of this happened within a beautiful set designed and constructed by Nancy and Bruce Prichard. The audience was treated to the song "Mary, Did You Know?" sung by Ashley Wolfe. The play was directed by our Sunday School Superintendent, Antoinette Guess. Also assisting with costumes and coordination were the following members: Cheryl Wolfe, Beth Lynch, Nancy Reeves, Amanda Lopez, Kathy DeChaney, Venessa Eisenberg, Vicki Flisk and John Sonneberg. Thank you to everyone involved! 
|
MONTHLY EVENTS
SENIOR MEMBERS
There were twenty-four members in attendance at the Christmas luncheon held on December 14. Many thanks to Fred and Doreen Strausbaugh for all their effort in making the event very special.
The January meeting for the Seniors will be held at 10:30 am on Wednesday, January 11. The hosts are Fred and Doreen Strausbaugh. The program will be presented by the Riverpoint Rehabilitation Group. Pot luck items will be provided by those with last names from Mitchell through Z. All members 55 years and older are welcome to attend.
CHURCH WOMEN UNITED
Church Women United will hold its annual meeting on Friday, January 13, at 10:00 am. At this time there will be a worship, elections and reports. the meeting will be held at United Methodist Church (UMC) on Little Neck Rd., Virginia Beach. for further information please contact Emily Kircheval at 587-7227.
INTERFAITH ALLIANCE AT THE BEACH
This group will be hosted for a meeting and lunch at Our Saviour on Thursday, January 19 at 10:00 am. Emily Kircheval represents Our Saviour at these meetings where information, etc. is received concerning help being provided to the needy in Virginia Beach as well as the needs that are not being covered.
FOOD PANTRY
Our next scheduled week begins on January 2. Our Food Pantry assembles planned bags of food items, along with some simple recipes, to assist families in preparing healthy, economical meals. Items we could use are pasta, rice, baby food, pasta sauces (jar, can or dry mix), jar or canned fruit, canned meat (tuna, chicken, etc), canned potatoes, mixed vegetables, salt/pepper, juice, broth. The usual donations of cereal and soup are always welcome. On occasion we will assist a family that may not have a home with electricity and items that don't require cooking are also useful i.e. snack bars.
|
ADMINISTRATIVE NOTES
BULLETIN ANNOUNCEMENTS
Please remember to submit all Bulletin Announcements to the Church Office by Noon on Wednesdays.
NEWSLETTER ARTICLES
All Newsletter articles are due by January 20 for the February issue.
SPECIAL DAYSWe want to remember everyone and remember everyone correctly! Please phone the office at 464-4315 or send an email to let us know of any additions or corrections that need to be made to any of our lists.
OFFICE HOURS
Mon - Fri, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
PASTOR'S HOURSPastor Griffith is at the church Mon - Fri 9:00 to 5:00 pm. He is available to provide emergency help anytime. If you need assistance after office hours you may reach him on his mobile (910) 478-7703 or at his home number 271-5794.
Please call the Church Office to request a visit in your home or hospital, or to make an appointment to meet him at church.
|
|
|
|
|
Please click on the link below to view this month's calendar
|
|
|
OUR SAVIOUR LUTHERAN CHURCH MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
Editor: Bianca Nakovics
office: 757.464.4315 ~ fax: 757.464.4316
ALL ARTICLES FOR THE FEBRUARY ISSUE ARE DUE JANUARY 20!
|
|
|
