St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church
Lamplighter – December 2018
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Happy New Year! I can say that to you in December, because the Church Year begins anew on December 2 with the First Sunday in Advent. Our theme for both worship and Bible study for the month of December is “God Prepares His People for Christmas.” We will ask God’s Holy Spirit to prepare our hearts for the birth of our Savior, Jesus. We will get to hear the wonderful stories of the angel Gabriel’s visits to Zechariah, and to Mary. Join us for worship and Bible study and the special events of this Advent and Christmas season!
In Christ,
Pastor Holsten
Join us for:
Worship Sundays at 8:30 and 10 AM
God Prepares His People for Christmas Bible Study Sundays at 9 AM
Sunday School Sundays at 9 AM
Join us for:
Breakfast with Santa
Saturday, December 15 from 9 to Noon
Our Sunday School Family Christmas Service
Sunday, December 16 at 10 AM
Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship
Monday, December 24 at 7 and 11 PM
Christmas Day Communion Service
Tuesday, December 25 at 10 AM
NOTES FROM PASTOR
JOIN US THIS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2 in worship as we view a special video about the Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch, St. Paul’s Mission of the Month. We can even call December 2 “Ranch Sunday.”
TUESDAY BIBLE STUDY—Christmas is coming! It brings sleigh bells ringing and carolers singing. Sometimes it brings heartache and hurt feelings. If you could use some true Christmas inspiration join us in St. Paul’s conference room on Tuesday, December 4 at 10 AM. We will be watching and reading Max Lucado’s Because of Bethlehem: Love Is Born, Hope Is Here.
HELPERS NEEDED — We will decorate the Fellowship Hall Christmas Tree on Wednesday, December 5 from noon to 3 PM. We will decorate the sanctuary tree on Friday, December 14 at 10 AM. If you can lend a hand, please speak to Roy Merz.
ST. PAUL’S SEMI-ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING will take place on Tuesday, December 11 at 7:30 PM. If you need a ride to this meeting, please call Donna Munsch at 201 767-8015. Copies of the proposed church budget for 2019 are in the Narthex.
CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING
ELDERS
• Reviewed Pastor’s report at last meeting.
• Set schedule for upcoming month
• Will meet again on December 4th.
• Also discussed membership changes: cannot get in touch with Fran, Aaron and Amy Moranz or Myra and Sal DiBlasio.
• MSC to drop above names by Roy Merz and Joan Curto.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
• Sunday school is going well, and we are praying for more children.
• Getting ready for Christmas pageant which will be on December 16th.
• December 15th is breakfast with Santa and rehearsal.
MISSIONS & EVANGELISM
• Had a meeting on November 7th and went over missions for month.
• Helped with Veterans Day celebration.
• December 9th will be the voting for next year’s missions.
• Marissa received a Thrivent Grant for brochures and a stand for them.
• Working on postcards to send to new area residents.
CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
• Received a Thrivent grant for the Octoberfest.
• Santa breakfast is coming up.
PROPERTY
• Leaves, leaves, leaves: so many leaves to clean up.
• Some downspouts were replaced.
• Fire inspection was done: 8 carbon monoxide detectors needed to be installed.
• Roy will get wreaths and trees.
• Tree decorating will be December 14th.
• Checking for a new Nativity set.
STEWARDSHIP
• Went to Rockleigh home on October 23rd.
• Going to Rockleigh home on November 15th and will do a Thanksgiving skit
OLD BUSINESS
• Directory work is in progress, and there is a rough draft.
• Choir is has decided on new robes.
• We are still discussing ideas for possible changes in the constitution.
NEW BUSINESS
• Adam Holsten is finishing up St. Paul’s website.
• MSC to include PayPal form of payment on website by Gerrie Oliver and Russ Mueller.
• District contributions will be same as 2018 in 2019.
• Congregational meeting is December 11th at 7:30 PM.
• Budget is prepared for Congregational meeting.
• MSC to accept by Roy Merz and Barbara Guile.
DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS:
3 Gerri Gibney, Kenneth Lieb
6 Cynthia Schama, Rosemary Huss
7 Jeanne Parietti, Kimberly Johnson
10 Joan Holsten, William Henshaw
11 Joan Curto
13 Janet Riecken
17 Eric Holsten, Laureen Dahle
19 Michael Pierro, Brianna Ross
21 Philip Wiederholz
30 Alison Dana Keil
31 Anne Marie Bodnar
SCHOLARSHIP
COLLEGE STUDENTS!
You are invited to send us a one-page letter of application for the George and Peggy Trautwein Scholarship for the 2018 – 2019 school year. The letter should state your name, the school you will be attending, your interests, and if you know it, your major. Scholarship letters are due by January 1, 2019.
Applicants for the Trautwein Scholarship must also contribute 5 hours of church service between December 2018 and February 2019.
Church service may include: helping with the Pancake Breakfast with Santa; helping with the Sunday Christmas program, shoveling snow, singing in the choir, playing an instrument at church, ushering, serving with the altar guild, yard work or maintenance at church. Any student desiring to be involved in church service may also consult Pastor Holsten, Christine Johnson, Barbara Guile or Roy Merz for suggested service activities.
LADIES AID
The Ladies Aid and Quilters will be having our joint Christmas Luncheon on Monday, December 10th, 12:00 pm, in Koepchen Fellowship Hall.
All woman of St. Paul’s and friends are invited to join us. We will again be playing our $5 gift game which has always been a lot of fun with a lot of laughter. Please speak to Janice Pierro or Carolyn Bieri if you would like to join us. We would love to have you come!
SECRETARIES
CORNER
TINY WOODEN FIGURES
By Rick W. Cotton
Over in the corner, ‘neath the Christmas tree’s green,
Are the tiny wooden figures, our Nativity scene.
Each tells a story, each plays its part.
Each holds a special place here in my heart.
Down from the attic, unwrapped with great care,
It just isn’t Christmas if they were not there.
They’re faded and dented, their paint
chipped away,
But the love they stand for is as fresh as today.
And as the years go by and our days grow few,
Outside we grow older, inside we grow new,
And the tiny wooden figures are a
symbol of love,
Of the grace and the peace of our God above.
By the side there stands Joseph, keeping watch at night
The smile on his face, a reflection of light
In the hay kneels sweet Mary,
so gentle and mild
So willing to sacrifice all for her child.
In the hay, Baby Jesus, His arms opened wide.
The same way He lived, the same way He died.
Now He stands up in Heaven, and He holds the door wide,
And He says, “Welcome children! Welcome inside.
Over in the corner, ‘neath the Christmas
tree’s green,
Are the tiny wooden figures, our Nativity scene.
Each tells a story…each plays its part.
Each holds a special place…here in my heart.
MISSION CHOICES FOR 2019
St. Paul’s Evangelism Committee invites members and friends of the congregation to participate in our mission election, which will take place during our worship services on Sunday, December 9.
The Evangelism Committee recommends a standing commitment of one month’s support each for Lutheran World Relief, Lutheran Social Ministries, and Concordia College, Bronxville, New York. We will choose 9 other missions for 2019. The following missions are this year’s nominations.
American Bible Society (www.americanbible.org)
Apple of His Eye LCMS Outreach in Israel – Pastor Robert and Kristi Roegner
Armed Forces Commission, Missouri Synod (www.lcms.org)
Bergen Family Promise (www.bergenfamilypromise.org)
Bethesda Lutheran Home, Watertown Wisconsin (www.bethesdalutherancommunities.org)
Center for Food Action, Englewood, New Jersey (www.cfanj.org)
Closter Welfare (www.closterboro.com )
Concordia Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana (www.ctsfw.edu)
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri (www.csl.edu)
Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch, LCMS, Minot, North Dakota (www.dakotaranch.org)
Faith Comes by Hearing (Audio Bible for Armed Services Members – (www.faithcomesbyhearing.com)
Liberia Church and School construction – Pastor Lawrence Gbeoah
Lily the Comfort Dog, Good Shepherd, Old Bridge
Lutheran Bible Translators (www.lbt.org)
Lutheran Braille Workers(www.lbwinc.org)
Lutherans for Life (www.lutheransforlife.org)
Lutheran Hour Ministries (www.lhm.org)
Manyata Ministries (inspirational speaker – www.manyataministries.org)
Mile Square Church in Hoboken – Pastor Matthew Lytikainen (www.milesquare.church.org)
Mill Neck Manor Lutheran School for the Deaf (www.millneck.com)
New Jersey District, LCMS (www.njdistrict.org)
If you wish to purchase a plant to adorn the altar at Christmas, please fill out the form below. The plants may be either taken home following the Christmas Day Service or distributed, as you desire. Please include a check made out to “St. Paul’s Altar Guild” with this order form. The order form and check may be placed in the box in the Narthex or mark envelope “Poinsettia Order” and mail to the church. Please note – the deadline to order is December 2, 2018. If you have any questions, please contact Lisa Bujas or email LBujas@aol.com.
Quantity Unit Price Description
Total
_______
$13.00
Red
_________
_______
$13.00
White
_________
Total:$_________
I will take the plant home on Christmas Day
The plant may be distributed to a shut-in
The Poinsettia plants adorning the altar this Christmas are given to the glory of God:
_____________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
By:____________________________________________________________________
COME JOIN US
FOR A PANCAKE BREAKFAST
WITH SANTA (and Ornament Workshop)
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15th
FROM 9:00 AM – NOON
ST. PAUL’S LUTHERAN CHURCH
171 CLOSTER DOCK RD.
CLOSTER, NEW JERSEY
(201) 768-6310
SUGGESTED DONATION: $7 ADULTS, $5 CHILDREN