St. Paul`s Lutheran Church

CHARITOS
DECEMBER NEWSLETTER
St. Paul’s & Trinity Lutheran Church
Ellicottville and Ashford, New York
6360 Route 242 E. – PO Box 656, Ellicottville, NY 14731
Church E-mail: stpaulseville@verizon.net
The Rev. Jerry leFeber Interim Pastor
Office: 716-699-2265
Home: 716-372-9220
LIKE US ON FACEBOOK @ St Paul’s Lutheran Church Ellicottville NY to keep up with what’s
happening here at St. Paul’s!
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www.stpaulsellicottville.com
THE SEASON OF ADVENT
The new church year begins as the
color of the season, BLUE, reminds us of
the HOPE, LOVE, JOY & PEACE that the
coming of the Lord brings to us now and
when he comes again.
We prepare to welcome him into our
midst.
Charitos comes from the Greek word for grace, favor, kindness and goodwill. As this is the name
of our newsletter, we reflect upon how much of God’s charitos has been given to us and how we in
turn live with charitos among each other. May what we present in this newsletter be a constant
reminder of God’s favor and grace upon us and our love and goodwill for each other.
THE MISSION OF SAINT PAUL’S LUTHERAN CHURCH IS OPENING DOORS OF ITS HOME OF
FAITH, WELCOMING AND NOURISHING ALL PEOPLE THROUGH THE WORD AND
SACRAMENTS, AND STRENGTHENING EACH OTHER THROUGH ACTS OF KINDNESS IN THE
NAME OF JESUS CHRIST.
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Jesus Is The Reason
In Bethlehem, God gave to us
The source of Christmas joy;
A star shown on a miracle:
The virgin birth of a boy.
He was born both God and man,
A Savior for us all,
The way to get to our heavenly home,
If we just heed His call.
So as we shop and spend and wrap
And enjoy the Christmas season,
Let's keep in mind the sacred truth:
Jesus is the reason.
By Joanna Fuchs
CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICES
Wednesday, December 24th
TRINITY ~ 5:00 pm
ST. PAUL’S ~ 7:30 & 10:00 pm
December Sunday School Update
November was a good month for Sunday School. Our
attendance has increased with some new faces and
friends. Thank you for sharing your children with us ~
As we enter into the season of Advent we thank the
church for providing some Advent activities for us to
learn while we wait….wait upon the Lord. We have our
very own Advent Wreath that we light every week and
have a special prayer around it.
We will begin to practice for the Sunday School Christmas
Program during our Sunday School time so it is important
for everyone to attend and be on time Sunday mornings.
Our program will be Sunday, December 28th during the
Worship Service so mark your calendars….you won’t want to miss it!
In Jesus’ Joy ~
Connie Hellwig
Sunday School Supd’t
CHRISTKINDLMARKET
THANK YOU!!!
Please remember that St. Paul’s will be offering a fundraiser Spaghetti
Dinner on Saturday 12/27. This will allow the substantial number of visitors
in the Ellicottville area, an opportunity to enjoy a reasonably priced meal
while here for the Christmas and New Year’s holiday season. We will be
needing extra help and of course those famous homemade desserts.
Please look for the sign-up sheet in the Narthex area.
Thank you for your help at this busy time of the year!
At the Council meeting of 11/19/14, the Budget Committee
presented its proposed spending plan for 2015. After discussion
and some modifications, the Council unanimously approved this
plan. They have directed aCongregational Meeting be called for
the weekend of December 13th & 14thto consider this budget.
The Congregational vote will follow both servicesthat weekend.
The Budget Committee will be available to answer questions at
these meetings. A preliminary look at the budget will be available
on December 6th & 7th. Please plan on attending.
SUMMERY OF COUNCIL MEETING NOV. 19TH
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Kevin Bower presented a proposal to do his Eagle Scout project at Saint Paul’s
$1358 was collected form parking during Fall Fest weekend
Sunset Committee (description attached)-could be seen/used as short term housing for the new Pastor. This is in
regards to a donation of a chalet at Holimont. This donation was voted for acceptance at a Congregational
Voter's Meeting on 11/2/14
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Call Committee- expecting names and resumes (15)
Trying to increase the number of acolytes for a training in January
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$5000 donated from Saint Michael’s Lutheran Church in Little Valley
Working on being proactive regarding pipes that have frozen in the past
Budget Committee (Linda Stiles, Jan Benson, Cheryl Crowley, Ron Swartz and Pastor leFeber)
are the recommendations and those folks are being asked
Spaghetti dinners (11/15,12/27,1/17,2/14,3/7) 10 and under $5, 10 and over $9
Marilyn moved and Connie seconded to purchase a memorial Brick in memory of Byron McMillen
Andy moved and Karen seconded to purchase ½ page yearbook ads for the ECS and WVCS
yearbooks; approved unanimously
DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS
1
2
5
8
9
10
11
12
Zachary Hellwig
Brandon Farris
Alicia Defoe
Michael Defoe
Michael Erlandson
Frieda Hicks
Dennis Westfall
Shannan Klahn
Brenden Chudy
Kyle Gregory
Katie Hill
Oliver Wedrik
Andrew McMillen
Braeden Kent
Justin Kent
Ashley Bringenberg
13
14
15
16
Anthony Crowley
Patricia Hellwig
Emil Hellwig
Mary Anne Rohwer
Donna Erlandson
Denver Boberg
Patrick Ebert
Gerald Musall
John Weise Jr.
Aidan F. Murray
Sandra Grey
Ethan Klahn
Kevin Krotz
Emily Sinn
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
25
26
27
28
29
31
DECEMBER ANNIVERSARIES
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23
Nathan and Melissa Dahlman
Harold and Dorothy Gerwitz
Martha Wittman
Connie Zybert
Jordan Salim
Jacqueline Klahn
Dawn Oliver
Brian Naber
Linda Kay
David Wiechman
Shirley Ellis
Lisa Dubik
Deborah Mest
Jaylee Evans
Kathleen Schuster
Karl Schwartz
Nicholas Rocco
Joel Davis
Brandon Ellis