Pastor Russ’ Reflections…

Dear CLC Friends,
Under the theme “Go and Do Likewise” from Luke 10:37, CLC has been challenged with 4 Outreach Projects (see below) to help address local and global poverty needs.  I continue to be amazed at the generous level of participation by the members of this congregation.   For the next 5 Sundays, we are going to witness a growing MOUNTAIN of filled coin and shoe boxes, non perishable food items, and clothing, all for persons in need.  And we will do this because we care for the lives of others.  As I outlined in last Sunday’s sermon, people of faith offer three levels of response to the needs of others:  charitable giving, compassionate involvement, and justice-seeking.  The Hebrew word for this response is tzedakah.  Charity gives, compassion loves sacrificially, and justice changes the unbalanced situation where the few have much and the many have little.
CLC is gradually becoming known in the Goleta community as a caring church.  I want CLC to be known not only as a giving church but that we inspire others to give.  That is the true mark of an effective ministry, when others are moved to action by our actions.  Like a cup filled to the brim and overflowing, so also our sacrificial loving can spill into the lives of others.
This coming Sunday is Reformation Sunday as we remember how the church of the 16th century was reborn out of concern for the disadvantaged.  Perhaps this is the key for the church of the 21st century as well.
Pastor Russ

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+             ONE Worship Celebration on All Saints’ Sunday          +                 +       Grace   +   Trinity   +   Christ   +   Faith   +   Campus Ministry                 +
+                     Sun. Nov. 2nd * 9:30am *  Trinity Lutheran Church            +
+    *Bishop Nelson, preacher   *Installation of Pastor Truls Person, Trinity      +
+               *Combined Choir * SALT presentation and luncheon                     +
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This Sunday’s 9am Adult Class…
…will feature a DVD and discussion on Katherine von Bora, Martin Luther’s wife who was a strong individual in her own right and a supporter of the reformation movement.
Last Two Cottage Meetings This Sunday, October 26th
Noon - in the Fellowship Hall
3:30pm – at Michael and Elizabeth Shasberger’s home.
This is your chance to share with the leadership of the church your hopes and dreams for Christ Lutheran Church.  Join us!

Last Chance to visit Edna Valley Winery and Pastor Russ’ & Jeanie’s on Saturday, 10/25
Meet on Saturday, October 25, at 12:00 noon at the winery. The wine tasting is free and there are discounts on wine and merchandise. If you would like to bring something to share, let Pastor know what you are bringing.
Gather at the Gordon’s at 3pm for hors’doevues.

New Flower Fund
….has been established.  We still anticipate many volunteers signing up on the Flower Chart to honor your special birthdays, anniversaries, etc.  This new “Flower Fund” allows our CLC Family to anonymously provide flowers on those occasional Sundays when no one has signed up. These flowers will be given to “shut-ins”. Donations can be made by cash or check (any amount) in an envelope marked “Flower Fund” and put it in the offering plate.

The Flowers Sign-Up Chart for the rest of the year is on the Narthex bulletin board.  Please sign up for the Sundays of your choice and  honor or remember a loved one’s birthday, anniversary, or other special occasion!   Provide your own arrangement, purchase a plant, or arrange at least a week in advance with one of our Altar Guild members (Janet Schoepp or Marsha Honnold) to make the arrangement for you.

Older Kids” (55+) - Thanksgiving Potluck – Wed. Nov. 5th   @ 10:30am to play games.
The bird is provided. Everyone bring your favorite holiday side dish to share!

OCTOBER MISSION BASKET….. goes to the ELCA World Hunger Appeal for God’s Global Barnyard. This is a program in which the ELCA, in partnership with the Lutheran World Federation, provides farm animals such as goats, cows and chickens to families in need. This will give them food, funds and fertilizer to break the cycle of hunger and poverty. In this way families receive stable nutrition and a sustainable source of income.
Thrivent has agreed to match up to $300.00 of the funds collected this month.
Mission Basket Giving over the last three months:
July,   Hospice of S. B., $380 + $380 from Thrivent:  $760 total
August, Rescue Mission, $580 + $580 from Thrivent: $1160 total
September, Direct Relief International, $653 + $150 from Thrivent: $803 total

A Note from Kelly
Tuesday, 6:30-7:30pm: The elementary school Bible study will be looking at the story of David and Goliath.  Come join us for games, songs, arts and crafts, and more fun!

The high school youth gathering at CLU was this last weekend.  The theme of the “scarred.”  We talked about our scars; physical, emotional, spiritual etc.  There was an amazing band, a carnival, a service project of helping out at the botanical garden in Thousand Oaks, a dance, worship, workshops and an amazing speaker, Kristen Baltrum, a Deaconess of the Lutheran Church.  Talk to Chandler or myself about it!  We had a great time!

LOL youth group this Sunday from 6-8pm at TLC.

Sunday school is at 9am for high school and junior high.  We are going to mix it up a bit, and have Sunday school at different places such as Coffee Bean.  Give me ideas of where you would like to meet.  This week it will be at church, then I will let you know after that where we will meet.

Have a great week!

Roof Repair Fundraiser/Bake Sale. November 16

Bring a “pocket full of change” and “check” out the tables full of baked goods for sale.  The holidays are fast approaching – get a couple of extra goodies for the freezer for those unexpected guests.  Nothing will be
priced -  your generous donations will all go toward a “dry” winter in the “Ark”.

Please plan on bringing your contributions of baked goods on Saturday 11/15 or before the service on 11/16.

“Fair Trade” Christmas Sale

Get that little something extra gift for family or friend from CLC’s stash of Fair Trade items:
COFFEE
TEA
HOT CHOCOLATE
CHOCOLATE BARS
Everything will be attractively wrapped to save you that step.  NOVEMBER 23 – DECEMBER 21.
“Go And Do Likewise”
Luke 10:37

A Four-Part Outreach by CLC to Address Local and World Poverty Needs
Through Involvement and Education

New Beginnings Project  (Sowing date: Sun. Oct. 26th Harvest date:  Sun. Nov. 30)
Fall is a good time to clean out your linen closets and donate your gently used towels and blankets to the New Beginnings Parking Lot program, a local non-profit which provides residents whose cars are their homes in finding a safe and supervised place to park overnight.  A list of other is on the display in the narthex. Trinity and Grace Lutheran are joining CLC in this project.

It’s Time For The Harvest!!

Sunday, October 26th –      Bring back the God’s Global Barnyard coin boxes and food
for the Grace Lutheran Food Bank.
Sunday, November 2nd –    One united worship service at Trinity Lutheran
Sunday, November 9th –     Bring back the Shoe Boxes and more food for the Grace
Lutheran Food Bank.
Sunday, November 16th –     The Harvest of our Commitments of Time, Talent and
Treasure.  AND, bring food for the Food Bank.
Sunday, November 23rd –     More food for the Food Bank.
Sunday, November 30th –    Bring in items for the people of New Beginnings

“ Personality can open doors but only character can keep them open.”

Advent Adventure!!!!
Calling All crafters! We need people to sign up to sponsor craft tables for Advent Adventure on December  6
for those who were unable to participate last year, Advent Adventure is an event where we make ornaments that we will give, along with a tree, to needy families in the community so they can decorate their homes for the holidays. By sponsoring a table you are responsible for providing the supplies for one craft and helping others make that craft at Advent Adventure. If you would like to sponsor a table and or need craft ideas please contact Elizabeth Shasberger at eshasberger@cox.net.

Sunday School for Every Age!  Every Sunday at 9am!

Grades                             Teacher                     Location
PreK & K                      Laurel Johnson                Ark
1, 2, & 3                       Dave Almcrantz               Ark
4, 5 & 6                        Debra Audus                    Ark
7 – 12                          Kelly Courtney           Pastor’s Office
College & Adults             Pastor Russ                Fellowship Hall

Co-teachers and helpers are needed.  See Laurel if you want to join our teaching team!

LOOKING AHEAD
We are hoping to get a group together to go to see “Les Miserables” at the PCPA Theaterfest next summer, June 11 – July 12, 2009.  Tickets go on sale October 8.  A sign-up sheet is available on the table in the fellowship hall.  See the poster on the bulletin board on the patio.  Lets get a large group together to see this wonderful musical production!!!!
Holy Land & Egypt Tour – November 2009

Eight CLC members and friends have already registered to accompany Pastor Russ on a 17-day Holy Land tour and Nile Cruise departing November 3, 2009.  Walk where Jesus walked.  Visit the lands of the Bible stories.  Grow in faith.  Brochures and a DVD are available.  Our friends from Grace and Trinity Lutheran will also be joining us.  Let’s fill a bus with Lutherans!  See Pastor Russ for more details.

Oberammergau/Germany Tour in September, 2010

Even though 2010 seems far away, the tickets for the Passion Play and the Germany tour are selling fast.  In fact, only 30 seats remain for the tour leaving from LAX on August 31, 2010.  If you are interested in a tour of Austria, Bavaria, the Passion Play and retracing Luther’s footsteps in Germany, see Pastor Russ.  Brochures and a DVD are available.
WHEN YOU NEED A PASTOR DURING TIMES OF EMERGENCY
….please contact Pastor Russ either at the church 964-2267 or his cell phone number 805 704-2199.
On the days when Pastor Russ is not in Goleta, Pastors Darcy Jensen and Lynn Bruer have graciously agreed to be “on call” for our members.  They can be contacted at: Pastor Darcy   968-3164 (work #)       Pastor Lynn    687-2628 (church # Jan, our church secretary, has Pastor Lynn’s home phone number, if she cannot be reached at the office.

If YOU cannot serve on Sunday, please exchange with someone else on the schedule and let Jan know of the change for the bulletin.
THANK YOU SERVERS for October 26
Ushers:        Knudsons
Greeters:         Twedts
Assistant:        Laurel Johnson
Acolyte:        Kanani Honnold
Reader:        Greg Honnold
Coffee:            Lynette Trowbridge
Counters:        Laurel Johnson, Lucy Hughes
Snack:            Gerda K./Anne B.
Communion:          Marji Burnight
Cleaning:        Shasbergers
Flowers:        Janie Yanos honoring her grandson on his birthday

November Ballot Proposition Recommendations
Go on line at www.loppca.org www.elca.org/advocacy to see what the Lutheran Office of Public Policy recommends on November 4.

Also, see bulletin board to see what the California Council of Churches recommends.