January 2011 Newsletter from - First Evangelical Lutheran Church

January 2011 Newsletter from:
First Ev. Lutheran Church
8397 Piney Orchard Parkway
Odenton, MD
410-672-3352
Rev. Scott MacDonald, Pastor
1
Volume 2011, Issue 1
Web Page: www.FELCodenton.org
E-mail: churchoffice@felcodenton.org
Submit articles to Gospeltality
mailbox or e-mail
mchenrysnorth40@verizon.net
First
Evangelical
Lutheran
Church
January
2011
Issue
Fellowship
Evangelism
Love
Community
Gospeltality is the
monthly newsletter
of First Evangelical
Lutheran Church of
Odenton, MD
Work in progress!
The work is completed, that is the work in our renewed facilities. So, as the New Year is
now upon us we have a fresh start in our church body! We look ahead to the use of our facilities in the coming year and beyond and pray God use them for his glory among us. What
a gift we have received!
In the letter to the Ephesians Paul says that the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ! As
God’s people we have received this greatest of all gifts and are constantly renewed in our
faith as we worship together and receive of God’s grace there. As
children of God, you and I are the Lord’s works in progress, constantly renewed in the gift of Christ as people of faith. Together let
us move ahead into the New Year and beyond ever looking to our
Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! God’s work is still in progress!
Pastor
SPECIAL EVENTS IN JANUARY
ELDERS’ EMPHASIS MONTH
1—New Year’s Day
2—Epiphany Sunday
9—Baptism of our Lord
17—Martin Luther Kings Jr.’s Birthday
24—CAP Red Cross Blood Drive
OUR FIRST LOYALTY
The beginning of a new year is a good time to consider our compelling—and sometimes
competing—loyalties. Our first loyalty must always be to our loving Creator. “You shall
have no other gods before me,” says the first commandment (Exodus 20:3,
NRSV). Although other loyalties are important (family, country, work), God
is the top priority.
The brilliant Christian statesman Thomas More tried to serve King Henry
VIII well. But when the tyrant king made unethical demands on More that
conflicted with God’s standards, More refused to obey.
The terrible consequence was More’s beheading. In 1535, just before the
sharp blade fell on his neck, More proclaimed, “The king’s good servant, but
God’s first.”
CAP RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE
By Jean McHenry
You're Needed - Now More Than Ever!
While blood donors may take a holiday, the need for blood does not. It's critical to ensure
that hospitals have the blood they require at all times to treat patients with ongoing and
emergency medical needs. You can help. All blood types are needed now, especially type
O negative. Type O negative is always in high demand because it can be transfused to patients with any blood type, especially in emergency situations. Please make and keep your
appointment to donate. Your donation now will ensure that patients have the blood they
need, despite the season.
We will be having a Red Cross Blood Drive at First Ev. Lutheran on Monday, 24 January
2011. We will start at 2 P.M. and collect till 8 P.M. Someone is counting on you. Please
make and keep your appointment to donate. Drop-ins are also welcome.
To make an appointment call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) and tell them you’ll
donate at the drive at First Lutheran. Be sure to contact your American Red Cross representative with any questions or requests for assistance.
BRAND NEW!
Author unknown
I am the new year. I am an unspoiled page in your book of time.
I am your next chance at the art of living. I am your opportunity to practice
what you have learned about life during the last 12 months.
All you sought and didn’t find is hidden in me, waiting for you to search it but
with more determination. All the good you tried for and didn’t achieve is mine
to grant when you have fewer conflicting desires.
All you dreamed but didn’t dare to do, all you hoped but did not will, all the
faith you claimed but did not have—these slumber lightly, waiting to be awakened by the touch of a strong purpose.
I am your opportunity to renew your allegiance to him who said, “See, I am
making all things new” (Revelation 21:5 (NRSV).
COME FLY WITH US!
By Kevin and Amanda Fristsch
Youth groups will meet next on Jan 14th at 5:30 P.M. for grades 1-4, and at 7:10 P.M. for
grades 5-8 for a MOVIE NIGHT at church. High school youth will meet after late service on
Jan 16th. High school students please plan to attend! We will be discussing Youth Encounter!
We have 5 spots reserved for HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS for the REVOLVE
TOUR in Baltimore on March 11th and 12th. Amanda Fritsch and Leann
Weaver are planning to be escorts. Cost is $13 (original price was $79,
but due to early registration, fundraising by St. Paul’s, and FELC’s
youth groups contributing $10 per ticket, you only have to pay $13!!).
3
This includes lunch on Saturday. The tour is scheduled from 7 P.M.-10 P.M. on Friday
night. We will return home afterwards. We are then scheduled from 9 A.M.-4 P.M. on Saturday. Please contact Amanda.Fritsch@cuw.edu or 920-226-1623 if you want to save a
spot! Bring a friend! We only have 5 spots available! Let us know soon! For more info
about Revolve Tour visit: http://revolvetour.com/.
RECALL NOTICE
The Maker of all human beings (GOD) is recalling all units manufactured, regardless of make or
year, due to a serious defect in the primary and central component of the heart. This is due to
a malfunction in the original prototype units code named Adam and Eve, resulting in the reproduction of the same defect in all subsequent units. This defect has been technically termed "Sub
-sequential Internal Non-Morality," or more commonly known as S.I.N., as it is primarily expressed. Some of the symptoms include:
1. Loss of direction
2. Foul vocal emissions
3. Amnesia of origin
4. Lack of peace and joy
5. Selfish or violent behavior
6. Depression or confusion in the mental component
7. Fearfulness
8. Idolatry
9. Rebellion
The Manufacturer, who is neither liable nor at fault for this defect, is providing
factory-authorized repair and service free of charge to correct this defect. The
Repair Technician, JESUS, has most generously offered to bear the entire burden of the staggering cost of these repairs. There is no additional fee required.
The number to call for repair in all areas is: P-R-A-Y-E-R. Once connected,
please upload your burden of SIN through the REPENTANCE procedure. Next,
download ATONEMENT from the Repair Technician, Jesus, into the heart component.
No matter how big or small the SIN defect is, Jesus will replace it with:
1. Love
6. Goodness
2. Joy
7. Faithfulness
3. Peace
8. Gentleness
4. Patience
9. Self control
5. Kindness
Please see the operating manual, the B.I.B.L.E. (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth) for
further details on the use of these fixes.
WARNING: Continuing to operate the human being unit without correction voids any manufacturer warranties, exposing the unit to dangers and problems too numerous to list and will result
in the human unit being permanently impounded. For free emergency service, call on Jesus.
DANGER: The human being units not responding to this recall action will have to be scrapped in
the furnace. The SIN defect will not be permitted to enter Heaven so as to prevent contamination of that facility. Thank you for your attention!
GOD
P.S. Please assist where possible by notifying others of this important recall notice, and you
may contact the Father any time by 'Knee mail'!
4
ALTAR FLOWERS
By Jean McHenry
As stated in the December newsletter you may donate altar flowers by
signing up on the Altar Flower Chart (one donor per Sunday please).
Flowers will be arranged and delivered to our church by Odenton Florist. Please place your
donation of $25 in the church offering. You may use the special envelopes provided or use
your regular offering envelopes. Donating flowers for January are:
9—John Pinckney, Birthday
16—Steve & Jean Mencik, 23rd Anniversary
PLANNING COUNCIL MINUTES OF 8 NOV 2010
Condensed from Jan Perez’s minutes








 Seeding has been done around our expansion but it may be re-done in
the Spring.
New pictorial directory will arrive in January.
Ladies’ Auxiliary cookbook done and ready for sale.
Jani-King janitorial services will be terminated for better replacement.
Landscaping needs to be re-done in the Spring.
Parking at rear of church discouraged because ground has been seeded.
Financial Planning Class to be announced.
Possible renter for church property has two dogs and security deposit should cover this
issue.
Sunday School classes for first, second and third grades have been combined because
of low enrollment and is working well.
Note: At a Voters’ Assembly on 13 December Liz Meyer and Diane Brunner were approved
as Director and Teaching Assistant for the Pre-School. 2011 draft budget was approved.
SARUM PRIMER PRAYER
God be in my head … and in my understanding;
God be in my eyes … and in my looking;
God be in my mouth … and in my speaking;
God be in my heart … and in my thinking;
God be at my end … and at my departing.
PRE-K NEWS
By Liz Meyer
Happy New Year! We are looking forward to a very busy month. We will be
learning about safety this month in addition to learning the letters I, N, Y,
the number 6, the colors white, blue and yellow as well as, day and night.
We have on the schedule a visit from an Anne Arundel County Police Officer
and we will be visiting the Odenton Fire Department. We hope there won’t be many snow
days this month, but we will discuss winter and what happens with the weather.
Registration forms for next year are available on-line and in the church office (410-6723352). Please extend an invitation to your friends and family who have children who have
reached pre-school age to consider joining us.
5
6