apostles epistle · pdf file · 2016-01-04the congregation council is calling a...

Congregation Meeting Cover

Welcome Pastor Jim 2

Something for Everyone 3

A-Men

Keenagers

Women’s Night Out

Children & families 4

ILS Open House

Children’s Choir

Youth & Young Adult 5

Senior High Bowling

Faith Confirmation Retreat

Volleyball Marathon

January Calendar 6 & 7

Discipleship Opportunities 8-9

Living Christ’s Love

Souper Bowl of Caring

Donate Blood

Rebecca’s Circle

Helping our Community

Apostles Business Members 10

Council Meeting 10

Birthdays 11

Altar Flowers 11

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

APOSTLES EPISTLE

The Monthly Newsletter, January 2016

Apostles Lutheran Church, ELCA

The mission of Apostles Lutheran Church

is to be and make disciples for Christ.

January 20, 2016

Sunday, January 10

Unity Worship Service at 10AM &

Special Congregational Meeting

The Congregation Council is calling a Special Congregation Meeting

on Sunday, January 10th, for the purpose of voting to extend a Call to

the Rev. James Page to serve as Pastor of Apostles Lutheran Church,

and to vote on a compensation package. The meeting will begin at

11:15 am, following our one service of worship at 10:00am.

Sunday, January 31

Semi-Annual Congregation Meeting

Members of Apostles Lutheran will gather in Theisz Hall between

worship services at 9:50 am, for the Semi-annual Congregation

Meeting. There is only one item of business on the agenda:

The approval of a Budget for 2016.

During both meetings, nursery will be available & Kit O’Rourke will

have activities for school age children during the meeting.

APOSTLES EPISTLE January

ALL ARE WELCOME IN THIS PLACE

But how did they get here?

In the 50-year history of this congregation, over

4000 adults, youth and children have called

Apostles Lutheran Church their “church

home!” The name of every member of Apostles

congregation is recorded in the Parish Registry

and each member receives a “parish registry

number.”

Many individuals and families transfer here

from other Lutheran congregations or other

denominations. Children previously baptized in

other churches, but not yet confirmed, are

received by transfer “with their parents.” Other

folks are received into the Apostles’ church

family by “Affirmation of Faith.” This involves

conversations with the pastor and then, during

the New Member reception, acknowledgement

of the Christian faith as professed in the words

of the Apostles Creed.

Joyfully, our congregation also grows as the

families of Apostles grow! We are delighted to

regularly receive infants and young children

(and sometimes youth and adults) through the

sacrament of Holy Baptism. Later, baptized

youth become adult or “confirmed” members of

the congregation following two years of

confirmation studies.

Of course, even as we receive new members, we

also must often say “good bye” to former

members. Each year some of our members die

and enter into the Church Triumphant! While

no longer members of the congregation, they

remain always near to our hearts. Others move,

transferring their membership to new

congregations. As a church that serves military

personnel and their families, Apostles

experiences frequent “changes in command”

and “reassignments.” We wish all such persons

“Godspeed” as they find new church homes.

As in all congregations, some members become

inactive and disconnect from church despite our

encouragement to return to worship and

participation in the life of the church.

A congregation’s life is filled with joyful

“hellos” & welcome, and difficult “good-byes”

& farewells.

However, the hymn “All Are Welcome” says it

so well:

“Let us build a house where all are named,

their songs and visions heard,

And loved and treasured, taught and claimed

as words within the Word.

Built of tears and cries and laughter,

Prayers of faith and songs of grace, let this

house proclaim from floor to rafter:

All are welcome, all are welcome, all are

welcome in this place!” [ELW 641]

† † † † †

We are reminded of these words as we

say “God-speed” to Pastor Edward

Benoway as our Interim Pastor and

“Welcome” to Pastor Jim Horn as our

new Interim.

Please call Pastor Jim in the church office

(813-689-2571) if you are in need of

Pastoral Care.


Something for Everyone!

A-Men Breakfast & Bible Study

Saturday, January 2 at 8:00 AM.

Men of Apostles – Start your new year off right

and join A-Men for breakfast, Bible Study and

fellowship time together.

They meet the first Saturday of each month.

A-Men is open to any and

ALL men over the age of

18. You do not have to be a

member of Apostles. Call

Howard McNair (643-

8655) if you have

questions.

Women’s Night Out

6:00 PM, January 3

Ladies this is the BIG night!

We are choosing restaurants for the coming year. If you want to have your

favorite place to eat on the list, and have a wonderful time too, join us on

Sunday, January 3rd, 6:00 PM at the Old Towne Pizzeria & Pasta, 115 W.

Bloomingdale Ave.

Let Debbie Nickeson know, at 684-8587, you want to be in on the count.

Hope to see you there! All women of Apostles and their friends

are welcome.

New Years Potluck

The next Keenagers’ Potluck will be held on

Thursday, January 21 at 11:45 AM in Theisz Hall. This

is a TRUE Potluck so bring your Entrées, side dishes or

desserts and come to Keenagers on the 15th to celebrate the

new year together!

2016 Offering Envelopes

The new 2016 offering envelopes

are in your Narthex mailboxes.

Call 689-2571 or

see Liz Jimenez or

Maria Mitchell if

you do not have

envelopes or a

Narthex box!

Children, Family & Education Ministries Kit O'Rourke, Coordinator


Apostles’

Children’s Choir

We hope that you

had the opportunity to hear the Children’s

Choir during Christmas Eve Worship.

They sang beautifully and their song

was very meaningful!

The Children’s Choir always has room to

grow and welcomes any child who has the

desire to sing. The choir practices in the

Music Room on Sundays at 10:20 AM.

For more information about Apostles’

Children’s Choir see Kit O’Rourke, or Director

Jenny West.

Immanuel Lutheran School Open House

Sunday, January 24th, 2016

1:00—3:00 PM

Let us show your family the benefits of a Christian education!

Embracing, nurturing, and equipping Christ’s children for life….

Immanuel Lutheran School

2913 John Moore Road, Brandon, 33511—(813) 685-1978

Jenny West, Admissions Counselor

Immanuel offers kindergarten through 8th grade, and is fully accredited with the State of

Florida. ILS has been serving Brandon families since 1980.

ILS offers a fun, engaging, and challenging curriculum including music (choir & band), Spanish,

computer instruction, and a full range of after-school sports teams. ILS boasts consistently high

achievement test scores, and financial aid is available to those who qualify. We accept Step Up

for Students & McKay Scholarships.


Youth, Young Adult & Drama Ministries

Will Bartelt, Coordinator

High School Bowling Night at Oakfield Lanes

Saturday, January 9 at 5 pm

We will have dinner at church after bowling

Cost is $15.00

$4 per game/per bowler, $2 Shoe Rental, $5 Dinner

Sign-up outside the Narthex.

Fa i th Journey Conf i rmat i on Retreat

L u t h e r S p r i n g s J a n . 1 5 -17 — T h eme : Wo r s h i p

The weekend includes worship, Bible study, campfires, games, crafts, canoeing, hiking, and more!

Cost: Youth: $155;

Adult Chaperone: $110

Registration forms are available outside the Narthex. Last day to register is January 17.

See Will Bartelt for more info.

Volleyball Marathon Jan 29- Jan 30, 2016

Faith Lutheran Church, Sarasota

Middle and high school youth get ready to “bump, set, and spike!”

your way through the late night hours! Can you become the new

volleyball champs and take home the trophy?

The Volleyball Marathon is full of fun, fellowship, worship, and

plenty of volleyball!

This is a fund-raising event for Luther Springs to help make sure

every child who wants to go to camp, gets there!

Registration fee is $40. Registration forms are available.

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

27 WORSHIP SERVICE 10:00 AM Service of Lessons and Carols 7:30 PM A.A. (TH )

28 Council Meeting (Vestry) 6:30 AM A.A. (Cafe)

29 6:30 AM A.A. (Cafe) 9:00 AM M.O.W. 6:30 PM Men's OA (GR) 7:00 PM Council Meeting (Vestry) 7:30 PM BSA Troop 110 (TH) 7:30 PM ICHTHUS (WC) 7:30 PM O.A. Tues (GR)

30 6:30 AM A.A. (Cafe) 7:00 PM Meet & Greet (TH)

31 6:30 AM A.A. (Cafe) 7:00 PM Gloria Dei Choir (MR)

1 New Year's Day - Office

Closed 6:30 AM A.A. (Cafe) 8:00 PM A.A. (Cafe)

2 6:30 AM A.A. (Cafe) 8:00 AM A-Men Breakfast

& Bible Study - (N. Theisz)

3 WORSHIP SERVICES 8:45 AM & 10:45 AM Education Hour, 9:45 AM (TH) 7:30 PM A.A. (TH )

4 6:30 AM A.A. (Cafe) 7:00 PM Pack 110 Cub

Scouts & Weblos (TH)

5 6:30 AM A.A. (Cafe) 9:00 AM M.O.W. 6:15 PM Daisy/Brownie Trp 3208 (Vestry) 6:30 PM Men's OA (GR) 7:00 PM Faith Cultivation Mtg (Cafe) 7:30 PM BSA Troop 110 (TH) 7:30 PM ICHTHUS (WC) 7:30 PM O.A. Tues (GR)

6 6:30 AM A.A. (Cafe) 9:00 AM Sew On & Sew Forth (TH) 9:30 AM Hallelujah Quilters (NT) 6:30 PM 5th & 6th Grade Class (GR) 6:30 PM Confirmation (TH) 7:00 PM Operations Team Mtg. (Cafe) 7:30 PM Youth Group (TH)

7 6:30 AM A.A. (Cafe)

6:00 PM GS Daisy Troop 3222(PS) 7:00 PM Gloria Dei Choir (MR) 7:00 PM GS Troop 346 (NT) 7:00 PM Stephen Ministry (Vestry)

8 6:30 AM A.A. (Cafe) 8:00 PM A.A. (Cafe)

9 6:30 AM A.A. (Cafe)

10 WORSHIP SERVICES 10:00 AM Confirmation Class, 8:45 AM (NT) Education Hour, 8:45 AM (TH) 9:45 AM Community Outreach Mtg.(Vestry) 11:00 AM Congregation Meeting (TH) 7:30 PM A.A. (TH )



12 6:30 AM A.A. (Cafe) 9:00 AM M.O.W. 6:30 PM Men's OA (GR)

7:00 PM Council Meeting (Vestry) 7:30 PM BSA Troop 110 (TH) 7:30 PM ICHTHUS (WC) 7:30 PM O.A. Tues (GR)

13 6:30 AM A.A. (Cafe) 9:30 AM Hallelujah Quilters (NT) 6:30 PM 5th & 6th Grade Class (GR) 6:30 PM Confirmation (TH) 7:30 PM Youth Group (TH)

14 6:30 AM A.A. (Cafe) 1:00 PM Rebecca's Circle (TH) 7:00 PM Gloria Dei Choir (MR) 7:00 PM GS Troop 346 (NT)


16 6:30 AM A.A. (Cafe)

17 WORSHIP SERVICES 8:45 AM & 10:45 AM Confirmation Class, 9:45 AM (NT) Education Hour, 9:45 AM (TH) 7:30 PM A.A. (TH )

18 6:30 AM A.A. (Cafe)

19 6:30 AM A.A. (Cafe) 9:00 AM M.O.W. 6:15 PM Daisy/Brownie Trp 3208 (Vestry) 6:30 PM Men's OA (GR) 7:30 PM BSA Troop 110 (TH) 7:30 PM ICHTHUS (WC) 7:30 PM O.A. Tues (GR)

20 6:30 AM A.A. (Cafe) 9:00 AM Valrico Garden Club (TH) 9:30 AM Hallelujah Quilters (NT) 6:30 PM 5th & 6th Grade Class (GR) 6:30 PM Confirmation (TH) 7:30 PM Youth Group (TH)

21 6:30 AM A.A. (Cafe) 11:45 AM Keenagers 6:00 PM GS Daisy Troop 3222(PS) 7:00 PM Gloria Dei Choir (MR) 7:00 PM GS Troop 346 (NT) 7:00 PM Stephen Ministry (Vestry)


23 6:30 AM A.A. (Cafe)

24 WORSHIP SERVICES 8:45 AM & 10:45 AM Confirmation Class, 9:45 AM (NT) Education Hour, 9:45 AM (TH) 7:30 PM A.A. (TH )

25 6:30 AM A.A. (Cafe) 6:30 PM Preschool

Board Meeting (Cafe) 7:00 PM Pack 110 Cub


26 6:30 AM A.A. (Cafe) 9:00 AM M.O.W. 6:30 PM Men's OA (GR) 7:30 PM BSA Troop 110 (TH) 7:30 PM ICHTHUS (WC) 7:30 PM O.A. Tues (GR)

27 6:30 AM A.A. (Cafe) 9:30 AM Hallelujah Quilters (NT) 6:30 PM 5th & 6th Grade Class (GR) 6:30 PM Confirmation (TH) 7:30 PM Youth Group (TH)

28 6:30 AM A.A. (Cafe)

1:00 PM Rebecca’s Circle (TH) 7:00 PM Gloria Dei Choir (MR) 7:00 PM GS Troop 346 (NT)


30 6:30 AM A.A. (Cafe)

31 WORSHIP SERVICES 8:45 AM & 10:45 AM 9:45 AM Semi-Annual Congregation Meeting (TH) 7:30 PM A.A. (TH )



2 6:30 AM A.A. (Cafe) 9:00 AM M.O.W. 6:15 PM Daisy/Brownie Trp 3208 (Vestry) 6:30 PM Men's OA (GR) 7:00 PM Faith Cultivation Mtg (Cafe) 7:30 PM BSA Troop 110 (TH) 7:30 PM ICHTHUS (WC) 7:30 PM O.A. Tues (GR)

3 6:30 AM A.A. (Cafe) 9:00 AM Sew On & Sew Forth (TH) 9:30 AM Hallelujah Quilters (NT) 6:30 PM Confirmation (TH) 7:00 PM Operations Team Mtg. (Cafe)

4 6:30 AM A.A. (Cafe) 6:00 PM GS Daisy Troop 3222(PS) 7:00 PM Gloria Dei Choir (MR) 7:00 PM GS Troop 346 (NT) 7:00 PM Stephen Ministry (Vestry)

5 6:30 AM A.A. (Cafe) 7:00 PM Pinewood Derby

Set-up (TH) 8:00 PM A.A. (Cafe)

6 6:30 AM A.A. (Cafe) 8:00 AM A-Men Breakfast

& Bible Study - (N. Theisz) 9:00 AM Pinewood Derby

(TH)


Discipleship Opportunities

Living Christ's Love

Living Christ’s Love is Apostles’ food pantry. The food

pantry at Apostles allows us to help members of our

Apostles family and others in our community. Each week

we ask for donations of specific non-perishables. Offerings

can be placed in the basket in the Narthex. Children may

drop off their donations in Children’s Education Classes.

Jan. 3—Toothbrushes & toothpaste

Jan. 10—Applesauce

Jan. 17—Individual fruit cups

Jan. 24—Deodorant

Jan. 31—Body Wash/Bath Soap

As always we will accept, with grateful hearts, whatever you donate.

Thank you to those of you who faithfully support “Living Christ’s Love”.

You truly show Christ’s love to the world.

On Sunday, February 7, A-Men are hosting the

Souper Bowl of Caring

On Sunday, February 7, 2016, nearly 100 million Americans are expected

to watch the Super Bowl. Many of them will be hosting or attending

parties with abundant food, friendship and fellowship. At the same

time, nearly 1 billion people around the world will be hungry—some worrying about staying

warm and finding shelter as well as securing their next meal. We want to do something about

that! We want to help Tackle Hunger in our community.

This year A-Men will host a “Souper” Bowl Party. You will be able to “vote” for your favorite

team. There will be Brats, burgers, chips, drinks and more!

We are asking everyone to collect non-perishable foods to bring in on February 1. All collected

food and proceeds from the Souper Bowl Party will go to ECHO of Brandon.


On Saturday, January 30 at 9:00 AM, at the Church of the Nazarene on

Kingsway Rd., Apostles will have the opportunity to help those in our commu-

nity who are in need by feeding people who are homeless.

Would you like to help?

We need people to help serve breakfast, bake ahead breakfast casseroles,

make peanut butter & jelly sandwiches, bring bananas, cookies, tea, water or lemonade.

Would you like to be part of this outreach? Call Gerry Brown at 813-661–7305 or Liz Jimenez in the

church office at 689-2571.

Rebecca’s Circle, a dedicated group of Apostles’ women and their

friends, make infant quilts for sick or premature babies in the

Neo-natal Units at Brandon Regional Hospital and Tampa General

Hospital as well as for the Pediatric ICU at TGH.

The need for these wonderful little quilts is HUGE!!! The quilts are

small but they bring an enormous sense of warmth and comfort to

the families and children who receive them.

This group is always looking for new helpers. You do not have to know how to quilt to help. There

are many other jobs for non-sewers. They will be happy to give on-the-job training!

Rebecca's Circle usually comes together on the 2nd & 4th Thursday of each month at 1:00 PM in

Theisz Hall. Check the calendar for dates.

Vocal Wisdom Sing with Ease

Susann Radloff Brady [email protected]

813.661.4718 Voice Lessons/Coaching


Apostles’ Business Directory

Please support Apostles

members businesses.

Would you like to see your business advertized

here? See or call Liz in the Office.

Thirty-One

The next Church Council Meeting is on

Tues., January 12, 2016 at 7PM in the Vestry.

The meeting is open to all.

Check out the bulletin boards outside the Narthex, beside the office and in the Café—the approved minutes from the

previous month’s council meeting are posted. They are also available on our website www.apostleslutheran.net.

The monthly council meeting is open to all.


1. Timothy Forbes

Zoe Croxdale

Terry Welty

Britney Galloway

Karen Olson

2. Brett Reed

4. Stephanie Meyers

5. Judy Fields

Ralph Gundlach

Sharon Marie Rentz

6. Bob Boettcher

Cassidy Dossin

Jane Lafferty

John Wetjen

7. Peg Desmarais

Lois Riggsbee

8. Michael Lindow

Olivia Nicewinter

9. Destiny Anderson

Louise Minkus

Betty Jackson

Jacob Jimenez

Cameron Lair

10. Eric Conley

11. Eileen Dehnbostel

Ashley Dossett

Hannah Lovering

12. Steven Eichhorn

Zachary Podaril

13. Tom Rydlewski

Susie Fredrickson

Jonathan Lambert

Jenny West

Leighton Woody

14. Amy Dreyer

17. Suzette Brown

18. Mike Rzonca

Olivia Serdynski

Wesley Rogers

21. Martha McNew

22. Marty Reed

23. Jan Heintzel

Dillon Smith

24. Jay Conley

Adrianna Klumb

Krista Noren-Santmyer

Austin West

26. Skip O’Rourke

27. Bob LeDoux

28. Judy Beisecker

Gary Gasiorek

Rachel Gray

Alexis Klumb

29. Phil Haas

Anna Rahr

30. Saron Musa

Tiffany Nelson

Kathy Ramnytz

Holly Smith

31. Elizabeth Perry

If we missed your birthday, or if

there are any corrections,

please call the office at

813-689-2571 or email to

[email protected].

Designated Altar Flowers, Communion Wine &

Eternal Flame

You can order Altar Flowers, Communion Wine or the Eternal

Flame to commemorate a special person or occasion. Check and

sign-up on the sheets in the display case outside the office or call

Liz (689-2571) to see if your important dates are available.

Please print clearly

The cost of flowers is $25.00/vase. ($45.00 for two) You can donate either one or both vases.

The Communion Wine is $10.00/week.

The Eternal Flame has been donated as a Memorial to Karin Stone until 2017.

Please place payment in Designated Giving Envelopes.

Address Label Here

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

DATED MATERIAL

Non-Profit Org.

US Postage

PAID

Permit No. 6700

Tampa, Florida

James Horn Interim Pastor

Kit O'Rourke Coordinator for Children,

Family & Education Ministries

Will Bartelt Coordinator for Youth, Young

Adults & Drama Ministries

Liz Jimenez Parish Administrator

Dr. Charles Coakwell Interim Organist and Choir

Master

José Rivera Music Director for

Contemporary Worship

Sandra Sornson Pre-School Director

Liz Jimenez Parish Administrator

Holly Smith Sexton

Jeff Cooper

January 2016 Apostles Lutheran Church

200 Kingsway Road

Brandon, FL 33510

Phone: (813) 689-2571

Fax: (813) 653-4919

Email: [email protected]

Website: ApostlesLutheran.net


These ministries are undertaken

in faith TO THE GLORY OF GOD

OFFICE STAFF

† †

†

Our Vision

The Vision of Apostles Lutheran Church is to:

1) Introduce people to Jesus Christ

2) Disciple members, and

3) Serve the needs of people in our

community and the world.

Sunday Worship Services

8:45 am Traditional

9:45 am Christian Education for

all ages

10:45 am Contemporary

apostles epistle · pdf file · 2016-01-04the congregation council is calling a...

Documents