- Why bother with Advent? - Christmas Service Times - Council Updates - Re-Pitching the Tent - an update - Quilting Bee for Lutheran World Relief - Bilingual Epiphany Service

1. ST. JAMES LUTHERAN CHURCH
P.O. Box 4596, 109 York Street, Gettysburg, PA 17325-4596
Phone: (717) 334-2012 Fax: (717) 334-3596
Web Page: www.stjamesgettysburg.org
E-mail: office@stjamesgettysburg.org
“We respond to God’s abundant grace by being
hearers, proclaimers and doers of the Word.”
Volume 55, No. 24 THE MESSENGER December 1, 2010
MUSINGS from Pastor Mike
[to muse (myooz), v. to think, gaze, or say wonderingly]
Why bother about Advent?
That’s the question answered really well by The Rev. Mark Oldenburg, Steck Miller Professor of the Art of
Worship and Dean of the Chapel, at Gettysburg Lutheran Seminary, in an Advent primer video. You can see
it at: http://wwwltsg.edu/Resources. It is well worth seeing!
Why bother about Advent?
I want to bother about Advent because it is a splendid time to take a closer look at our lives, not to become
self absorbed but rather to turn from self toward Christ.
I want to bother about Advent because it resets the clocks and calendars of Christian worship, leading us into
the quiet beauty of our noble tradition, away from the things that mostly preoccupy us at this time of year.
I want to bother about Advent because it summons us to the beginning, to the lavishness of God’s compassion
and mercy.
I want to bother about Advent because, gathered around Word and Sacrament, it insists that our encounter with
this “Word made Flesh” occurs concretely in the struggles and tensions, choices and decisions of human
living.
Why bother about Advent?
From my musing point of view, because being bothered is not a bad thing. So let’s be bothered about Advent
through the sages, poets, teachers, storytellers, mystics, rabbis, political activists and martyrs for the justice
of the gospel--most of these ordinary people, who have handed on to us words and images that identify and
describe a loving God as present reality and yet to come. We are reminded again and again of God’s fondness
for wonder, mystery and surprise. Come, Lord Jesus!
Please stop in the gathering area to pick up your 2011 Offering Envelopes, in order to help
save postage. Financial Records for 2010 will close on Thursday, December 30 at 12 noon.
Holiday Sharing - Do you have something that you no longer use, need or are replacing? Your item might brighten
someone else’s holiday. Please list the available item and your phone number on the Sharing Board (located on the large
bulletin board just outside the worship area) and see what happens. Everyone is invited to check the board to see if there
is an item or service that you can use. Simply take the card and contact the donor. Hopefully, both giver and receiver will
feel blessed.

2. December 11 & 12 - Advent 3
READINGS: Isaiah 35:1-10, Psalm 146:5-10, James 5:7-10, Matthew 11:2-11
(COUNCIL CORNER WEEKEND)
Saturday 5:30 pm Holy Communion followed by fellowship
Sunday 8:15 am Waterlife & Holy Communion
9:30 am Sunday School & Christmas Pageant Practice
10:45 am Holy Communion
December 15 - Advent Vespers
Wednesday 7:00 pm Holy Communion
Longing for a more Christ-filled pre-Christmas season? Join us for a 45-minute candlelight communion
vesper service. We' ll be watching and listening to reflections and poetry on Mary' s song, "The
Magnificat.”
December 18 & 19 - Advent 4
READINGS: Isaiah 7:10-16, Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19, Romans 1:1-7, Matthew 1:18-25
Saturday 5:30 pm Holy Communion & Holy Baptism
Sunday 8:15 am Holy Communion
9:30 am New Day Worship/Adult Sunday School
10:45 am Holy Communion & Holy Baptism
December 22 - Advent Vespers
Wednesday 7:00 pm Holy Communion
Congregation Council, upon recommendation of the Worship and Music Committee
has made changes in the Christmas worship service times. Please note these
changes as you invite friends and family to attend our Christmas celebrations!
Friday, December 24 - Christmas Eve
5:00 pm Contemplative Communion
6:30 pm Children’s Service of the Word
8:00 pm & 10:30 pm Candlelight Services of Holy Communion
Saturday, December 25 - Christmas Day
10:00 am Holy Communion [NO 5:30 pm Service on Christmas Day]
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3. Minutes from October 20, 2010 Congregation Council Meeting
(Barbara Vossler, Corresponding Secretary)
COUNCIL CORNER UPDATES:
An expression of appreciation for the added handicap parking spaces was given. A fresh coat of paint is needed on the front doors and
the Youth House needs a crack in the wall repaired. Anyone with concerns and complaints should complete “Let’s Walk Together” forms.
There was also a suggestion for a ceiling projector for the Nave and print outs of PowerPoint. President Andy Keyser will work with
Pr. Jeanette on this matter.
YOUTH MINISTER RECRUITING:
Applications were received and interviews will begin before Thanksgiving.
PRIORITIES OF THE YEAR:
Sunday School Revitalization - Council was asked to invite two people to teach. Currently we are looking for six more teachers.
Worship Area Renewal - November 13 & 14 Tim Braband and Rev. Gerry Christianson will give a dialog sermon on Renewal.
A Congregational forum and luncheon will follow the Sunday late service.
Evangelism - There was some discussion regarding an Evangelism workshop. Since some people were not in attendance at the
meeting this was put on hold.
SPECIAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING FOR BUDGET:
There was discussion regarding the usefulness of having a Congregational Meeting for input for the 2011 budget. A motion was moved
to come up with three position papers and get the word out. On Sunday, December 5th (between services) we would hold a discussion,
get a non-binding ballot vote, and prepare a budget based on this. Andy will present something at the beginning of all three services.
A task force was appointed to write the papers and present to Council in November.
DRAFT BUDGET:
Randy Smith explained that if offerings and contributions continue as they have this year we will be at 78% at years-end and the deficit
will be at (-$92,000).
INTERIM YOUTH MINISTER, David Shaffer is authorized to work 40 hours. The meeting closed with prayer.
Minutes from N ovember 17, 2010 Congregation Council Meeting
(Barbara Vossler, Corresponding Secretary)
FINANCE:
Giving is up since the October Council meeting and the deficit has fallen.
ADVENT VESPERS:
There will be a service of Holy Communion every Wednesday at 7:00 pm in Advent.
YOUTH MINISTER UPDATE:
We received nine resumes and interviewed two. We are continuing to interview candidates.
SUNDAY SCHOOL REVITALIZATION:
We have eight new teachers, but are still looking for two substitutes. The Christmas Pageant is Sunday, December 19 at 9:30 am, in the
worship area. Buzz is the new name for our Sunday School newsletter.
WORSHIP AREA RENEWAL:
The dialog sermon and the meeting went well. The survey showed a positive response to the items discussed.
CHILD CARE STARS MERIT AWARD and a fundraiser for our Youth Groups were approved.
STEWARDSHIP MOTION:
Stewardship put forth a motion not to go forward with a sense vote from congregational members on the budget. This was defeated.
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY:
The three financial positions were discussed and accepted after changes and Council voted to give the congregation a survey. It will be
e-mailed to members the week of Thanksgiving and available at all three church services November 27 & 28. December 4 & 5, the
survey will be handed out and the congregation can fill them out. President Andy Keyser will introduce the three financial positions
at the beginning of each service and Council members will be available to answer question after each service in the gathering area (if
members have questions) before placing the surveys in ballot boxes. The meeting closed with prayer.
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4. Christmas Poinsettia and World Hunger Donations DEADLINE is Tuesday, December 7 th. Forms
were in the last Messenger and can also be found online at www.stjamesgettysburg.org.
The Congregat ion Council will conduct a BUDGET SURVEY
immediately f ollowing services on December 4 and 5, 2010.
The result s of t he survey will be used t o inf orm church
budgeting f or 2011. Three posit ion papers will be e-mailed to
members, post ed on t he church websit e, and were made
available af t er all services on November 27 and 28, 2010.
Can You Be A Caregiver?
“When I was hungry...when I was thirsty...when I was a stranger...when I was sick...
when you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.”
[Matthew 25:25:35ff]
Caregivers is an important ministry of this congregation for those who are grieving the loss of a
loved one. Caregivers is a group of women and men who coordinate and serve a light meal
following a funeral. We currently have three teams who alternate as needed and normally serve
approximately every two-three months. We especially need CO-CAPTAIN S for GROUP 3.
We currently have persons who volunteer to bake desserts as well as those who serve and clean
up. How can you help? Can you join one of our teams? Can you serve as a co-captain? We’ll
show you what you need to do! Please contact Pr. Mike at 334-2012 ext. 205 or
mallwein@stjamesgettysburg.org if you can help.
===================
LWR QUILTING BEE, under the auspice of our World Outreach Committee, which
was held at St. James on November 15 & 16 resulted in the completion of 56 quilts!
(There were also 56 quilts made in May, too.) Quilts will be blessed at worship services the
weekend of January 29 & 30, when our guest preacher will be the Rev. John Nunes,
President and CEO of Lutheran World Relief (rescheduled). Our gratitude and thanks
goes to these 18 dedicated volunteers: Jean Arnsberger, Elizabeth Arter, Sally Crist,
Nina Dolly, Kathy Ev ans, Connie Gulden, Susan Hill, Betty Howard, Margaret Keyser,
Kathryn Kime, Carol King, Jacqueline Krebs, Cathy Rohrs, Elaine Sw anson, Carolyn
Tarantino, Cheryl W aybright, Gladys W oerner, and Chair Joan W ise.
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5. FORUM SUPPORTS
EPI PHANY SERVI CE
WORSHIP AREA RENEWAL
The Lat ino Minist r y Task For ce invit es you
The weekend of November 13-14 centered on
to at t end a special bilingual service f or
the theme, Re-Pitching the Tent and
celebrated our understanding of worship and Epiphany (Epif ania, El Dia de los Reyes),
mission at St. James. The weekend included THURSDAY, JANUARY 6 at 7:00 pm
a dialogue sermon at each service, a at St. James. Please come at 6:15 pm
children’s sermon that demonstrated how a
for a SI MPLE MEAL, including t he Rosca,
tent can be built (!), and a forum over soup
and bread at noon on Sunday. After a slide a special br ead wit h a small doll of t he
presentation by the Task Force, the Christ-child baked into it. Maybe you will be
congregation responded with written feedback the special guest who finds the Christ-child!
using a survey.
The survey showed support for every one of Epiphany celebrates the visit of the Magi to
the seven areas proposed by the Task Force-- Jesus as well as J esus’ r evelat ion as t he
in each area, the majority of people indicated light of t he wor ld f or all people. Gif t s ar e
that these projects should be given high given on El Dia de los Reyes, and childr en
priority. The areas (in no particular order)
leave their shoes out to receive gifts from
are: new seating, furnishings (table and
pulpit) and carpeting, audiovisual the visit ing t hr ee kings. The ser vice will
improvements, an enhanced baptistery and include a sermon by Sharon Kaya, our Latino
welcome area, and installation of a Missioner. Please j oin us as we celebr at e
columbarium (to retain ashes of deceased the coming of t he t hr ee kings and J esus’
members).
gift of light to all the world.
The results were reviewed by Council and will
soon be shaped into a specific proposal for the If you would like t o par t icipat e in t he
congregation’s approval at the Annual service as an usher , musician, lect or , or by
Congregational Meeting on January 30. playing one of t he Thr ee Kings, please
Before the Annual Congregational Meeting,
the Task Force will provide further contact Pr . Ben Leese at
opportunities for discussion during the Sunday ben.leese@gmail.com.
School hour for those who may have missed
the forum.
THANK YOU TO:
Brandon Taylor Gordon, fiancé of Jessica Lee Bender, for his handiwork in crafting
candlestick holders for our Advent Wreath (in order to convert to oil candles).
Donald Fazenbaker for his donation of a refrigerator/freezer which replaced an older
model in the Keyser-Foltz Youth House (and will be more energy efficient).
Christ mas Caroling & Pot luck - Sunday, December. 5, 3:00 pm
Fa la la la, la la la la!!! Come one! Come all! Chr ist mas Car oling in our
neighborhood wit h st ops at t he homes of some of our St . J ames
parishioners! We'll meet at church at 3:00 pm, and return after caroling
for a pot luck in t he dining r oom at 5:00 pm. (Last names A-G br ing
dessert; H-N bring main dish; O-Z bring salad).
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6. ST. JAMES Non-Profit Org.
U.S. POSTAGE
Paid
LUTHERAN CHURCH, ELCA Gettysburg, PA
PO BOX 4596, GETTYSBURG, PA 17325 Permit No. 138
Return Service Requested
The Messenger will be mailed Wednesdays,
DEC. 15 & 29 & JAN . 12 & 26. If you are
having issues with postal delivery, please contact
your Post Office directly. You can receive an
online copy of The Messenger by e-mailing
ccarey@stjamesgettysburg.org to help save costs!
LABEL
Calling St. James at (717) 334-2012
Church Office hours are: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
During office hours, you will reach our Support Staff or a volunteer. After hours you may leave
a message on staff members’ voice-mails by simply pressing their extension number--you must
have a touch tone phone. (Rotary or pulse phone users can leave a general message.)
200 Katherine A. Johnson 205 Pr. Michael E. Allwein
Receptionist/Secretary Senior Pastor
office@stjamesgettysburg.org mallwein@stjamesgettysburg.org
201 Carolynn E. Carey 206 Pr. Jeanette D. Leisk
Office Manager Associate Pastor
ccarey@stjamesgettysburg.org jleisk@stjamesgettysburg.org
202 Debra L. Nimtz 209 Timothy E. Braband
Administrative Assistant Minister of Music
dnimtz@stjamesgettysburg.org tbraband@stjamesgettysburg.org
203 David L. Shaffer 215 G. Thomas Bender
Interim Youth Minister Building Superintendent
youth@stjamesgettysburg.org sexton@stjamesgettysburg.org
204 Patricia J. Wivell
Treasurer/Benefits Manager
finance@stjamesgettysburg.org

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