January 4, 2010

Christ Lutheran “Church Chat”

Thoughts from Pastor Ron…
A new year, a new child of God, two new babies, a new life eternal, new classes. The cycle of the year and of life in our congregation continues. In a few weeks, we will be welcoming new members. Our church family celebrated the sacrament of baptism of Alexander Jones, and a few short days later gave thanks for the baptism of Henry and celebrated the promise of eternal life which we all received in our own baptisms.
Once again, you all demonstrated your love and commitment to the life and needs of our congregation. Thank you to all who helped with setting up the extra seating in the sanctuary for Henry’s funeral – we were “standing room only”. …and then thank you again, for putting everything away in time for worship on Sunday. Please keep all Henry and Natalie’s children and grandchildren in your prayers. Grief is a not a nice, straight forward series of events, it is a complex process. It is often harder for the family in the weeks and months after the funeral than it is in the immediate time of the death of our loved ones.
Check the calendar in this newsletter for the new adult classes. There are classes Tuesday evening, Wednesday evening and Wednesday during the day. The Sunday morning adult forum will continue its study of the ELCA social statement for the next couple of weeks. Our next planned topic for the Sunday morning forum is the Apocrypha and Pseudopigrapha. The what? Come, join us – and find out! I will give you a hint – there are some books of history, some books with teachings and instructions on living in the community, and even some funny stories!

Peace,
† Pastor Ron

An Invitation
Henry Penner’s committal service will be at the Santa Barabara Cemetery tomorrow, January 5, at 1:00 p.m.  All are invited to join the family.

2010 OFFERING ENVELOPES
ARE AVAILABLE ON THE TABLE IN THE FELLOWSHIP HALL.  TAKE YOURS ON CHRISTMAS EVE, CHRISTMAS DAY OR NEXT SUNDAY.  THANKS!!!!!!!!!!

Winter “Book of Faith” Classes
“This may be the season of Advent – but it’s time for you to make the most important New Year resolution you will make – and we will even help you keep it! “Huh? “What is that?” you might ask.

Why to read the Bible daily, of course – and what a better way to start than joining one of the group Bible studies! The winter “Book of Faith” classes will start on  Epiphany (January 6th) and run for 6 weeks until the week before Ash Wednesday (February 17th).  Making sense of Scripture, Exodus, the Gospel of John, and “Prophets, Kings and Ordinary Folks” will meet at Christ Lutheran on Wednesday evenings at 6:45. The John class will also meet at Christ on Wednesday afternoon and “Prophets, Kings and Ordinary Folks” will be offered at Grace on Wednesday afternoon.

The evening sessions will open with a brief worship time for all classes. The worship time will be led by one of the three pastors. The instructors for the courses are not yet firm.  All of the courses will use the Augsburg Fortress material. Sign-up sheets will be on the patio after the service on Sunday.”

This Week’s Activities

Tuesday:        7:00p.m.    “Gospel of John” Bible Study
Leader:  Maurice Lee
Location:  Trinity Lutheran
Wednesday        11:00a.m.    “People of Faith” Bible Study
Leader:  Jeannie Christensen
Location:  Grace Lutheran
2:00p.m.    “Gospel of John”  Bible Study
Leader:  Kent Carlander
Location:  Christ Lutheran
5:00p.m.    CLC ConFORMation Class
6:45p.m.    “Making Sense of Scripture” Bible Study
Leader:  Pastor Ron
Location:  Christ Lutheran
6:45p.m.    “Exodus” Bible Study
Leader:  Mark D’Evelyn
Location:  Christ Lutheran
6:45p.m.    “People of Faith” Bible Study
Leader:  Heather D’Evelyn
Location:  Christ Lutheran
Thursday:        6:00p.m.    BFF
Next Sunday:        11:30a.m.    Memorial Camp Meeting & Registration

2010 Flower Chart

Thanks to all for your generosity in providing floral arrangements to enhance our worship services during 2009.  The new chart for 2010 is up, and we invite you to sign up for the Sunday of your choice – in Thanks to God for all His Blessings or to celebrate a special occasion.  You may provide you own arrangement or arrange a week in advance for Janet Schoepp or Marsha Honnold to make an arrangement; cost is about $30.  Again, thanks for your creative talents in using God’s creation to enhance our Worship Service!

January 17 Scripture Readings:
First Lesson:         Isaiah 62:1-5            Psalm:     36:5-10
Second Lesson:      1 Corinthians 12:1-11    Gospel:     John 2:1-11

Happy Birthday to:
Kimsa Hove (1/5), John Huerta (1/5), Dwain Vanderhoof (1/9), Hannah Dwelley (1/15), Sue Deweese (1/16), and Bonnie Wilson (1/28).  Stay after worship service today and enjoy fellowship and cake.  Kathy Baumann is providing the cake.

SALT Food Distribution Program
Volunteers are needed to participate in the SALT food distribution program the fourth Saturday of each month at Grace Lutheran Church.  Hours of operation are approximately 8 AM until 11 AM. In addition, one or two strong able-bodied person(s) are needed each month on the previous Friday to help unload the Food Bank delivery truck.  This effort requires some lifting and takes place between 12 Noon and 1 PM and usually takes 30 minutes.

Many of you have already expressed a desire to participate in this SALT activity.  Please contact
via email or phone Lucy Hughes (lhughes_clcmail@yahoo.com) 685-3196 or Frank Renda (fs.renda@gte.net) 968-3913, who will be co-coordinating this effort at CLC, so that a roster of volunteers can be created and submitted to Dennis Lewis who will be managing this program at GRACE.  Your email address and phone number(s) are appreciated as soon as possible.

UPCOMING EVENTS-
Jan. 17                New Members Meeting

Jan.31                Reception of New Members

Feb, 26-28            Farstrup-Mortensen Lecture Series
Bethania Lutheran Church
(see bulletin board for information)

Pastor Ron’s contact information_
Pastor Ron may be reached through the church office (964-2267, the church e-mail (pastor@christlutherangoleta.org), his home e-mail _(ronald_f_cox@hotmail.com) or his cell phone (805-807-5257).  Please use the cell phone or home e-mail for “time critical ” messages or emergencies at any time.  Please contact Pastor directly to schedule meetings.

Jan’s Hours
New hours, Mon, Tues, Wed from 8:30-12:30 and Thurs & Fri, 9- 10. This is kind of a prelude to my full retirement coming in February 2010.

Servers for January 17

Ushers:    Vanderhoofs
Greeters:    Twedts
Assisting:    Debra Audus
Acolyte:    Hannah Dwelley
Offertory:    Tori Blunt
Reader:    Sonja Renda
Flowers:    Liana Landru
Coffee:        Lucy Hughes
Counters:    Lucy Hughes/Arleen Twedt
Snack:        Helen Cox/Liana Landru
Sacristan:    Janie Yanos