DecJan Feb winter newsletter2015

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
The Shepherd’s Staff
Winter 2015
Welcome to our
“Soon to Come”
Transitional
Pastor Jennifer Hitt
Pastor Jennifer Hitt
has served as pastor of
Grace Lutheran Church in
Needham, Massachusetts
since 2002. She has led the
congregation in its quest to
trust and embody God’s vision of love for all people.
Together, they strive for
peace and justice. Her vocational trajectory has taken her from providing nutritional counseling to offering spiritual counseling
and sacred accompaniment. She also has
been involved in
leadership development for emerging
church leaders and
served as President
of the Needham Interfaith Clergy Association. She delights
in music, hiking,
pressing fall leaves,
and dabbles in ‘found
poetry.’ Pastor Jennifer
holds a BS from Cornell
University, an MBA from
Texas A&I, and an M. Div.
from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia.
Pastor Jennifer and
Good Shepherd’s Church
Council have reached an
agreement that will bring
her to our church for a 1
year term of service as our
Transitional Pastor. That
term begins Sunday, January 3, 2016 when she will
conduct her first worship
services with us. Our
church will continue to
assemble our church and
community profile in anticipation of calling a
“settled” pastor at a congregational meeting toward the end of 2016.
Pastor Jennifer will retain her eligibility during
2016 to be a candidate for
that position.
Good Shepherd will
host a luncheon on Saturday, December 5 at the
church from 12:00 noon2:00 PM to “meet, greet,
and welcome” Pastor Jennifer to the lakes region.
No reservations necessary! There will not be a
cost for lunch, but please
contact the church office
at 528-4078 or sign up on
the sheet in the church
entryway if you would
like to bring something!
We hope as many people
as possible will be able to
attend this special occasion! All are welcome!
Happy Birthday!
December
Mike Schoenweiss
Tom Salatiello
Jamie Hunter
Bob Cray
Mary Jean Robison
Tim Steuer
Elaine Hirshan
Dylan Engelhardt
5
6
13
17
21
22
26
28
Happy Anniversary!
John and Sandy Bennett
Richard and Ruth Juve
John and Mary Krueckberg
January
Alelaide McGowen
Samantha Hunter
Krista Larsen
Linda Salatiello
Hannah Bennett
Janet Learned
Wilfred Vollmerding
Hayden Engelhardt
John Larsen
Dot Steuer
Sharyn Childs
3
5
6
6
8
10
13
22
23
27
29
February
Robin Rollins
Beverly Nelson
Barbara Ryder
Beverly Anderson
Chris Bennett
Chris Hofmeister
Kevin Steuer
William Eckberg
15
16
16
20
20
23
27
26
12/10
12/27
1/03
Christmas Services
Christmas Eve December 24th
1:30 pm Joint Service with St. James
5:00 pm St. James Service
7:00 pm Good Shepherd Service
THANK YOU!
Thank you to everyone at Good Shepherd for the
thoughtful and generous gift which Karen and I received
marking the official conclusion of my 1 year term of ministry as your Associate Pastor. We have shared a remarkable
journey together during that time, and we have been so
grateful to have had the opportunity to serve in this unique
and exciting way. As I have often said, "If we had it to do
all over again, we would do it all over again!" We look forward to our continuing membership at Good Shepherd and
the many ministry opportunities which the future holds for
us all.
Sincerely in Christ,
Associate Pastor Brad and Karen Wolff
PRAYER REQUESTS
Walter and Gloria Borchert, Sue Bucknam, Gert Kropa, Sally Nelson, Phyllis Richard, Rich Rollock,
Barbara Ryder, Melanie Ryder, Walter Starke, Judith Vollmerding
Helen Arlington, Harriet Biggs, Mellissa Burgos, Rebecca and Maria Craven, Connie and Charlie Dwinal,
Liesl Voosen Fields, Erica Forzese, Richard Haver, Delores and Lenny Hooper, Karen Hopkins, Kate Kilroy, Coleen M, Andy and Alex Nelson, Cindy Stryke, Tom Teichmann, Peg and Gorden Walker
We pray for those in uniform:
Daniel Anderson, Matthew Anderson, Christine Dalzell, Will Doucette, John Hammond,
Victoria Jollimore, Andrew Mathes, Christian Randall, and Josh Voland
God’s gracious love calls us to follow Christ’s example and teachings.
Monthly Events
December
5
Meet and Greet Pastor Jennifer Hitt from 12-2
6
Caring for Others meeting after second service
6
German Advent Service at 2:00pm– All are welcome!
8
Council Meeting at 6:00pm
10
Nibblers Christmas at Top of the Town
13
Christmas Caroling after second service
14
Decorating of the church at 6:30 pm with desert and coffee
17
Christmas Caroling at 11:30 am. Meet at the church
20
Coin Sunday/Connecting with Each Other meeting after second service.
24
1:30pm joint service with Saint James and Good Shepherd
5pm service St. James/ 7pm service Good Shepherd
25
Merry Christmas!!
January
1
Happy New Year!!
3
Pastor Jennifer Hitt first service as our new pastor
3
Caring for Others meeting after second service/taking
holiday decorations down
4
Worship and Music at 3:30pm
13
Council Meeting at 6:00pm
11-15 Office closed
11
Stewardship Meeting at 6pm
17
Coin Sunday
17
Connecting with Each Other meeting after second service
18
Martin Luther King Day / Office closed
21
Nibblers TBD
24
One Service at 10:30/ Annual Meeting after Service
28
Salvation Army Luncheon
31
Snow Date for annual meeting
February
1
Worship and Music at 3:30pm
7
Caring for Others meeting after second service
8
Stewardship Meeting at 6pm
10
Ash Wednesday / Services at noon and 7pm
11
Council Meeting at 6pm
14
Valentines Day
15
President’s Day/ Office closed
18
Nibblers TBD
21
Coin Sunday
21
Connecting with Each Other meeting after second service
25
Salvation Army Luncheon
SAVE THE DATE CHURCH LUNCHEON and FAMILY ADVENT CRAFT
Saturday, December 5th – 12 noon to 2 pm
Come “MEET & GREET” Pastor Jennifer Hitt
Enjoy lunch and fellowship
Families Make an Advent Craft to take home
CAROLING SCHEDULE
You will have two opportunities to sing and bring the Christmas Message to others. Sunday, December 13th we will go
caroling after the 2nd service. Thursday, December 17th we
will meet at the church at 12 noon. We will carpool and visit
the nursing homes – Genesis, Forest View, and Golden View.
CONNECTING WITH EACH OTHER NEWS
Visiting our SHUT-IN MEMBERS
During this period of transition, the Connecting With Each Other committee
members and Pastor Brad have been visiting and taking communion to our shut
in members. More than 9 visits have been completed.
This has been such a wonderful experience for the committee,
we plan to continue doing this. You receive more than you give
each visit you make. We welcome additional participation. You
won’t be disappointed.
Music and Worship
Christmas Eve services this year at Good Shepherd will feature two opportunities to gather in
celebration of Christ's birth. New this year is a 1:30 PM worship service on Thursday, December 24. This service is a joint worship service for the Good Shepherd and St. James Church
communities. It will feature Christmas hymns and carols, the account of the birth of Jesus according to St. Luke, a message of hope and holiness in this beautiful season, and Holy Communion. You may especially consider this time to attend church if you are obligated to work in
the evening, prefer to drive during the daylight hours, or have conflicting plans in the early
evening. Good Shepherd's Christmas Eve Candlelight Service will be held at 7:00
PM Thursday, December 24. This service will include the traditions which make this a truly
"Holy Night;" carols and hymns, scripture, special music, Holy Communion, and Christmas
Eve candle-lighting.
"Now let us all with joyful cheer,
go with the shepherds and draw near
to see this wondrous gift of God,
the blessed child to us bestowed."
Join us for a Christmas Eve Worship Service!
Stewardship
I would like to thank everyone in the Congregation for making this Stewardship Campaign so
great. So far we have 22 responses to our Pledge request. I would like to thank our Stewardship committee for all the hard work they have done in preparing and executing this year’s
Stewardship campaign. I would also like to thank Lin and Bob Cray for the wonderful dinner
they prepared for Stewardship Sunday. Everyone did a great job and we had a very nice Sunday. Now comes the hard work. We have a whole new year of doing God’s work and keeping
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church strong and beautiful. Please help us do the things that
need to be done so that OUR church will maintain it’s beauty warm, inviting looks. We also
ask that you help with the many Ministries that we have going at Good Shepherd. These
Ministries help spread the God word and also helps care for the sick and homeless of our community. These are all part of being one of God’s Stewards. God will provide the tools for us
to be good Stewards and do the work needed, we just have to be there ready to work. Again
thank you for being good Stewards this last year and I look forward to your help again this
year.
The Stewardship Committee
Property
Thanks to the planning of our property committee, you will soon see several important
improvements being implemented at our church!
After much consideration and a unanimous vote to proceed according to the plan presented at the October 4, 2015 Congregational Meeting, a new sign was approved for construction and installation on the front lawn of the church property. As this newsletter is being written, we have received word that the construction phase has been completed and the
installation of the sign is ready to go forward. We look forward to the enhanced visibility this
sign will provide for our church in our community and the high level of cooperation it signifies between Good Shepherd and St. James congregations.
A new sign board has also been installed next to the main entryway of the church, updating the information about our churches and expanding our contact information. Check it out
next time you are at church!
New lighting is also ready to be installed for our parking lot and selected interior rooms.
Two exterior parking lot lights, both "original" from the construction of the building, are
slated to be replaced with brighter and more efficient fixtures to enhance visibility and safety in the parking lot. Inside, a total of 30 fixtures have been identified for upgrades as a result of "out of production" ballast units no longer able to be replaced. These will feature
brighter and more energy efficient florescent tubes and long lasting electronic ballast units.
Look for these to begin appearing in the kitchen, fellowship hall, bathrooms, closets, and office areas. Thanks to Master Electrician Charles Denningham for his work with us to implement this improvement plan!
We have also had some plumbing repairs completed in the men's room to reduce our water use and be more efficient with our resources.
Thank you for your support of our efforts to maintain and improve our building facility
while at the same time conserving our resources. If you notice anything at church that
should be brought to the attention of the property committee, there is a report form located
in the fellowship hall next to the kitchen door. Thank you again for your support!
Good Shepherd's Hearts and Hands Food Pantry
A total of 11 Thanksgiving Baskets were distributed through our food pantry to families in the
greater Laconia and Lakes Region areas, thanks to your generosity! These included either a ham or
turkey, all the essentials for a Thanksgiving meal, and additional items to assist with meals following
the holiday. Special thanks to Christine McLaughlin for sponsoring this effort by applying for and receiving a $250.00 Thrivent "Action Team" Community Service grant for us to use to purchase food. In
addition, many items were donated by members of both St. James and Good Shepherd to help insure
that everyone who contacted our church for assistance was served. Many thanks to our Sunday School
students and teachers for helping to prepare the food baskets and including inspirational notes and
drawings
with each one!
Our "Caring for Others" Committee will also be organizing a similar Christmas food
basket for distribution over the upcoming holidays! Please contact the church office if you
know of someone who we can serve. If you are a Thrivent Insurance policy holder, you are
likely eligible to apply for an "Action Team" grant in 2016. Pastor Brad will be happy to
help you form a "team" to use your grant to make a difference in our community.
Our Church food pantry will be MAKING A CHANGE IN OUR DISTRIBUTION METHOD following a careful study and recommendation from the "Caring For Others" Committee and subsequent
approval by our Church Council. GOOD SHEPHERD WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE an emergency
food pantry at the church, request donations of food, have supplies on hand for short notice assistance, and continue our programs of providing summer "Got Lunch" supplies and food baskets for
Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other times as deemed advisable. Beginning January 1, 2016 we have
established a new partnership with the Lakes Region Family Center Food Pantry, 121 Belmont Road
(Route 106), Laconia, N.H. This new partnership will establish the family center as the distribution
location for our day to day requests for food assistance.
WHY THE CHANGE? First and foremost, the Lakes Region Family Center is better equipped
to respond to day to day requests. Their food pantry is strategically located, professionally managed,
maintains extensive record keeping, is supplemented by other churches and by being the USDA food
distribution center for Belknap County, and is open much longer hours than our church is during the
week. This will ensure that food is distributed in a timely manner to those families which have the
need to receive it. Secondly, it will help us avoid the sometimes uncomfortable circumstance of having
our office manager Erin Denning respond to requests from people she is not acquainted with when
she is at the church by herself. Finally, the center will be able to pick up food from Good Shepherd to
insure that it is used prior to passing an expiration date.
WHAT IF THERE IS AN EMERGENCY NEED FOR ASSISTANCE? Good Shepherd will keep
enough food on hand at the church to respond to an emergency need for assistance which is brought
to out attention. Should a need arise which is best served directly by our church pantry, we will be
prepared to respond to it.
WELCOME NEW MEMBER
Rebecca Schlenker
I am originally from Cranford, New Jersey. I just graduated from Quinnipiac
Law School in 2014 and started a job at McLane Middleton Law Firm in
Manchester in their litigation department in August 2014. I mostly practice
environmental and energy law. I live with my husband, we just got married
2 months ago, in Gilford with our dog and cat.
Angel Tree
The tags are on the tree! Please take a tag and bring
the present back wrapped with the tag attached to
the present. The last day of collections will be
December 13th
Christmas Poinsettias
Good Shepherd needs poinsettia plants
for our altar for Christmas. The cost of the
poinsettia plants this
year will be $17.00. per
plant. If you are interested in purchasing a plant
in memory of a loved one of in celebration of something please fill out one of
our flower envelopes with your information on it and turn it into the church
office. Your names will be printed in
our Christmas Eve Bulletin.
Christmas Baskets
Good Shepherd will be collecting food for
our Christmas Baskets. We will be serving
ham dinners
December 6th —canned vegetables & fruit
December 13th —potatoes & gravy
December 20th—rolls &
Christmas cookies
If there is anything special
you would like to bring to
put in a basket we are
planning on 12 baskets.
German Advent Service
Sunday, December 6th 2015 at 2:00 pm
Good Shepherd is pleased to host a traditional German Advent Service on Sunday afternoon, December 6, at 2:00 PM.
This service will feature some German language (with English translation), an Advent sermon in English, and special
music appropriate to the season. We are thankful that Pastor Macht, Director of Chaplaincy services at DartmouthHitchcock Hospital in Hanover, and Pastor Tingler, serving
at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Nashua, will be leading this service.
This service has been growing in attendance as word spreads of the unique
and meaningful worship experience it provides. Join us!
A traditional "Koffee Klatch" (coffee, treats, and conversation) will follow
the service in Good Shepherd's fellowship hall. All contributions of baked
goods will be welcomed!
Good Shepherd’s Annual Meeting
Save the Date
Sunday, January 24, 2015
One Worship Service at 10:30,
Meeting to follow
Income and Expense October
General Account Transactions
Income
Expense
Actual
Budget
Thru September
$137,823
$130,845
$141,701
$139,845
October
$11311
$13,420
$14,183
$13,420
$149,134
$144,265
$155,884
$153,265
Total
Actual vs. Budget
$4,869
Net -under/ (over) Budget
Actual
($2,619)
$2,250
Comments
Income
Special Items
Mortgage Gift
Roof Repair Receipts
Expenses
Special Items
Underspent Healthcare and Pension
Underspent Pastors Salary ( less supply costs)
Roof repair
Transfer to Schumn/Money Mkt.
General Fund Balance 8/31/2015
Schumn/Money Market Balance
$5,000
$6,875
($12,406)
($10,969)
$14,580
$10,000
$8,072
$33.303
Budget
FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
Many thanks to all for participating in our "Timber Man" Bag
stuffing event for the recent Timberman Marathon held in August, also many
thanks to all for helping out at the "Reach the Beach" relay race-the 200 mile relay
from the ski area of Bretton Woods New Hampshire to the sea shore of Hampton
Beach.
We raised $1000 for our General Fund and all had a good time while working the
events. Again, thanks to all!
Thrivent Choice
Also remember that all members of Thrivent, now have more free funds in their account to donate to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church or over 1000 charities of their
choice designated by Thrivent. All you need is an insurance policy or annuity of
any type to qualify for contributing these free funds. Good Shepherd is certainly in
need of your generosity to help us meet our current and soon coming 2016 budget
needs. Many thanks to all who have contributed in the past. Once again, here is
the procedure-very simple.
Go to Thrivent.com/Thrivent Choice on your computer and designate Good Shepherd or other charity to receive your bonus funds or Call "Thrivent Choice" (800847-4836) and say "Thrivent Choice" to the desk. (Give your name or policy number) She will ask you for your contribution choice. Designate Good Shepherd or
other charity. That's all there is to it or Call Lee Engelhardt of GSLC for assistance
or questions.
(603-524-7793)
Future Projects
In the past, we have discussed an "Endowment Fund" for the benefit of Good
Shepherd Lutheran Church. We have received several inquiries about such a
fund.
This is something we should all think about and express your ideas to the Stewardship Committee or Church Council Members or Lee Engelhardt of Fundraising Projects. "What are your thoughts??
Regards,
Lee Engelhardt
Fundraising
Sunday School Winter News
Winter fun and learning are on the agenda for GSLC’s Sunday School. A look
back reminds us of pumpkins and needles’ eyes, prayer and Veterans’ Day
peace centerpieces. A look ahead predicts Thanksgiving baskets, Advent candles and a joyful Christmas program, plus lots of stories about Jesus. We’ll
meet two guys with unusual names and a lot to say (and sing!), and we’ll most
likely work on projects in January and February to celebrate justice and love.
It’s a busy, exciting schedule. Be sure to be a part of it!
Thanks to all the kids and teachers! So far, it’s been a great year!
Nov. 29 – Advent Logs – *Karen, John, Elaine
Dec. 6 – Malachai the Messenger – *Dot, Cris, Sandy
Dec. 13 – Zephanaiah’s Joyful Song – *Rebecca, John, Elaine
Dec. 20 – Christmas Program – All hands on deck!
Dec 27 – All in worship
Jan. 3, 2016 – All in worship
Jan 10 – John Baptizes Jesus -- *Karen, John, Rebecca
Jan. 17 – Civil Rights project – Dot, Elaine, Chris (*Pastor Brad will lead)
Jan. 24 – One Body, Many Parts – *Cris, Dot, Sandy
Jan 31 – Jeremiah’s Call -- *John, Rebecca, Karen
Feb. 7 – Jesus Calls Disciples – *Dot, Elaine, Sandy,
Feb. 14 – Valentine Project – *Cris, Rebecca, Dot
Feb 21 – All in worship
Feb. 28 – Jesus is Transfigured -- *Karen, Sandy, John
Flower Chart
The 2016 Flower Chart is up!
Please sign the chart to save your date!
It is located in the Narthex.
The cost is $20.00 per date.
Please fill out a flower envelope with what you
would like the bulletin to say.
Memorial Garden
Our Memorial Garden, under the Good
Shepherd stained glass window, was created in 2002 by members of the congregation
in memory of the following people: Childs
& Riley families, Madge Divers, Margaret
Eaton, Roderick Echola,Clarence & Lillian
Engelhardt ,Russ Feener, Rev. Richard
Harvey ,George G. Henriksen, Edna & John
Jordan ,Lawrence McKinley, Harold &
Lydia Mossner, Matthew Potty, James &
Doris Richardson ,Don Ryder, Ann Hunter
Scott ,Matthew Shepard, Joseph F. Stowell
Jr., Edwin R. Todt II,Marie Vinvesa , Herman Wiedenheft,
The small Crabapple tree by the blue sign
was planted in 2004 in memory of Alice
Petro by her daughter.
NORTH COUNTRY NIBBLERS
Come fun with us. Enjoy a good meal and
great fellowship the 3rd Thursday of each
month at local restaurants.. Watch for announcements for locations. Lunches begin at
11:30 .AM. Remember to call office for reservations.
FELLOWSHIP
Hour after 2nd Service (11:30
A.M.) Don’t forget to stop in for
fellowship and a cup of coffee or
tea and a treat after worship.
Committee welcomes donated
VISITING OUR SHUT-INS BAGS
The Connecting With
Each Other Committee will be preparing
gift bags to take with us on our next
visit to our shut-ins. Watch for the
bags in the church entrance. Add
greeting cards and small items to the
bags as you are able. If you have
questions, call me. Bev Nelson.
253-4274
PHOTO WALL CONTINNUES TO GROW
Take time to check it out
It is helping our members get better
acquainted.
If your picture is missing, please contact
the committee to have a photo taken. You
many also provide a photo for us to use.
Place it in Bev Nelson’s mailbox in fellowship hall.
NURSERY FOR OUR FAMILLIES
DURING WORSHIP SERVICE
Have you noticed the new
door for the
nursery? Thank
you all property committee for giving us a half door.
If you would like to have the
nursery staffed, please let us know.
253-4274
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Organist Jan Learned
Minister of Music Mary Divers
Office Administrator Erin Denning
Sunday Worship Services:
7:45 am and 10:30 am
Sunday School: 10:30am
Address: 2238 Parade Road
Laconia, NH 03246
Ph: 603 528 4078
www.goodshepherdnh.org
Email: office@goodshepherdnh.org
Preach, Teach and Reach
Our Mission:
God’s gracious love calls us to follow Christ’s
example and teachings.
Our Vision:
To worship, to witness, to support one another and
to reach out to others.
Office Hours
Monday
8-2
Tuesday
8-12
Wed-Friday 8-2
SEPTEMBER 20th - 22nd, 2013
When con
SEPTEMBER 20th - 22nd, 2013
When congregation leaders are thinking strategically about how to engage young people in the life of the ministry
God has called us all to, it is the hope of all of us here at Calumet that they consider how the New England Synod's
When we serve our neighbors -- by feeding the hungry, engaging in issues of poverty, visit the sick and neglected,
protect the weak, speak for those who have no voice -- we are serving our God who has called us to be faithful in
our service.
.
Belknap House
Belknap County is raising funds to build a house to provide families in
Belknap County a safe shelter, especially in the cold winter months, when
children are especially at risk during homelessness, and to empower
families to become self-sufficient and independent by providing
opportunities of education and resources available to them. They are
having a Golf Event to raise funds.
Where: Lochmere Country Club
Date: Monday, September 14, 2015
Time: Registration is at 7:30am
Cost: $125.00 per person or $475.00 for 4 people
More information is on our church bulletin board
.