hometown news - may 2010 - nazareth lutheran church

8/9/2019 Hometown News - May 2010 - Nazareth Lutheran Church

1/8

TO GOD BE THE GLORY

MAY 2010

1711 Grant StreetHopewell, VA 23860

www.nazluthchurch.com

Confirmation and Confession by Pastor Voss

The Hometown News isa publication of

Nazareth EvangelicalLutheran Church.

Member of theLutheran Church

Missouri Synod.

Inside this issue:

Elders Report 2

Deacons Report 2

Stewardship 4

Easter Fair 6

Pastors Update 7

The Hometown News

Confirmation Day is approaching quickly. Soon our second year students will beanswering a plethora of questions about the Christian faith and Lutheran Confes-sions. As our two students of the Word confirm the faith given to them in Baptism,it is a good time for us to take a moment and ask ourselves, Do I remember what Iwas taught about the Christian faith? At one time, you knew the answers to all of the questions below. Give them a try and see how you do.

1. Jesus was and is:

A) A man

B) God

C) Half man and half God

D) Fully man and fully God

2. When the Words of Institution(Words of God) are spoken over thebread and wine in Lords Supper, thisSacrament is:A) Bread and wine which symbolize

the body and blood of JesusB) The body and blood of Jesus (the

bread and wine no longer exist)C) The body and blood of Jesus which

are present in, with, and under thebread and wine

D) none of the above

3. What is the First Commandment?

4. What two things must be present inorder for Baptism to be valid?

5. How many Sacraments are there andwhat are they?

6. What does the third article of theApostles Creed refer to?

7. Who taught us the Lords Prayer,Our Father, who art in heaven?

A) Saint Paul

B) Moses

C) Jesus

D) Saint Peter

These are just a few of the questions that our Confirmands will answer, andafter spending so much time with them, I am confident that they will answer themwell. You can find the answers to the questions at the bottom of this page. How didyou do?

Knowledge does not save us. Faith alone saves. But, if we have faith in God,and we truly believe that He speaks through His Holy Scriptures, then shouldnt weembrace a lifetime of learning (and refreshing ourselves in) His Word? We all cele-brate Confirmation this month, for Madison and Joey, but we also celebrate our ownConfirmation and we honor it best by staying rooted in Gods Word and the trueunderstanding of that Word: the Lutheran confession of faith.

A n s w e r s : 1 . D , 2 . C , 3 . T h o u s h a l l n o t h a v e o t h e r g o d s , 4 . W a t e r a n d G o d s W o r d , 5 . T w o t h e L o r d s S u p p e r a n d B a p t i s m , 6 . T h e H o l y S p i r i t , 7 . C

BASIC QUESTIONS OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH


2/8

Page 2 The Hometown News

Deacons Meeting Report by Bonnie Foxx

Elders Meeting Report by Steve Foxx

The Committee of Deacons met April 12, 2010

Present were Bonnie Foxx, Carol Slimmen, Karen Van Worth, and Thelma Klein.

The committee reviewed people concerns and talked about whether a phone call would be considered avisit if it wasnt possible to visit in person. They decided that Yes, it would be considered as a visit.

It was noted that a new church directory would be coming out soon.

The committee reviewed the by-laws and the responsibilities of this committee.

It was reported that confirmation questioning will be on Wednesday May 19th.This committee will provide coffee, punch and cake for this event.The meeting closed with prayer.

Next meeting will be May 10th at 7:pm.

Submitted by Carol Slimmen

The elders met together on Monday, April 12th; present were Pastor, Arnie Slimmen, Bob Dry and

Steve Foxx. We opened with a reading, devotional and prayer from Hebrews 13: 7 and 17. We then dis-cussed the following agenda.

1. Our youth group and how we can help them grow in the faith.2. The results of our Mission Planning Seminar and how to best move forward and unify our efforts as achurch family; also, how can we hold meetings more successfully.3. This led into an in-depth look at how our church design is supporting our mission.

a. The Bylaws of our elders and deacons needs revision.b. Are we supporting our Pastor's vision of leadership and ministry?

4. We considered a change to offering the Sacrament of the Altar on a weekly basis:a. Because of the benefits of blessing and forgiveness through a weekly Sacramentb. Are there reasons not to hold the Sacrament weekly?

5. We are studying long term music ministry solutions.a. Pam is doing very well and is dearly appreciated for her labors. She is willing to stay as long as

needed.b. Are there any available LCMS organists that would be interested in a ministry at Nazareth?c. Are there organists available that can also function as choir directors?


3/8

Page 3MAY 2010

For our brothers and sisters in Christ in nursing homes -Velma Fleming, HHCC (227)Mildred Skroback, HHCC

For our brothers and sisters in Christ who are home-bound -Mary Petik

For our members and friends serving our country in the military -Bruce Layne Danny Petik Chris Graham Dustin PetikJames Eckenrode David PetikJeff & Stacy Crossen Courtney Williams Michael McKinzieJeffrey Head Steve Foxx Brandon Edwards

For our members and friends away at college Landry Doane Casey Davis Brandon Edwards

For our members who are sick, hospitalized, in need of spiritual care or recuperating Evelyn Rayner Rowena Carter Ilse ApplebyTina Doane Annette Dry Jordan Layne

For our friends who are sick, hospitalized or recuperatingJonathan Weston Connie Williamson Rita Joyner Joann Miller Jeff Walter Phyllis Kane Suzie Hilton Dorothy Kunkel Regina DavisFreddie Gonzalez Kay Slade Bernard Carter

For the families of the Saints departed.Shelby Slayton Bobby Kirkman Donald Voss

Pray for One Another Prayer List updated as of May 1, 2010

Bible Study, Adult and Youth Confirmation

very soon. Please contact himfor more information.

. YOUTH CONFIRMATION

The youth will meet with Pastor Voss on Monday, May 17 a finaltime for examination preparationand a pizza dinner.

Whether you are young or old, visitor or pillar, we have a Bible Study for you!

SUNDAYS

Meet in the Old Church Room at9:30 AM for a Bible Study on He-brews led by Al Schneider.

Pastor Voss is leading a Bible Study

on the official LCMS positionon current events, called ThisWe Believe. It is off for thenext few weeks but will resumeMay 23 at 9:30 AM in thechurch basement.

ADULT CONFIRMATION

Arnie Slimmen will begin an-other adult confirmation class

Prayer of ThanksgivingGracious Father, thank You for the sacrifice of your Son, which wins for-

giveness for us and for His resurrection, in which we share His eternal

life. Thank You also for our Baptism, through which God preserves us inthe true faith unto life everlasting. Amen


4/8

Board of Stewardship


May Birthdays

May 1 John P. CarrollMay 4 Dawn Burdette StewartMay 7 Arnie SlimmenMay 17 Joey ReiersonMay 23 Carol SlimmenMay 23 Jenny Fistler GrahamMay 27 Kay GrochowaskieMay 31 Eddie Hanford

The Board of Stewardship met on April 18 with all members present. After an opening prayer byAl, we reviewed the notes from the March meeting. We again reviewed the durries of our Board ac-cording to the By-Laws in search of ways that we can support the mission and ministry of Nazareth. Wewill address this topic again after the congregations mission and ministry goals have been established.

We discussed a possible Mission and Ministry Statement for our Board. One suggestion reads,Encouraging the support of the mission and ministry of Nazareth to the glory of God through loving andfaithful stewardship of time, talents and treasures. Members were asked to bring other suggestions toour May meeting.

Al has contacted the District office to determine dates in October and November on which Pas-tor Roy Maack will be available to lead the Consecrated Stewards program.

It was noted that budget income during January and February fell short of meeting our budget by$613 per week. Budgeted expenditures also exceeded budgeted receipts.

The next meeting will be held jointly with the Board of Finance beginning at 8:45AM on May 16.Those who are not members of these boards are always welcome to attend.

Dear Friends of Nazareth,

Thank you for all your support, love and comfort given to us on the death of our dear Mother Mary Blaho. She loved using her tal-ents for the Lord and could always be found at the church when something was going on.

Ladies, you out did yourselves on the lovelyluncheon you provided after her funeral.Thank you so much. It reminded me of a din-ner Mother would have prepared. Most of you who remember her in the church kitchen know she loved to do for others.

We appreciate those of you who visited her in the nursing home asit gets very lonely there. We know shes at peace with her Lord

now and had her best Easter ever. Gods love and peace goes out of all of you.

Lovingly,

Barbara & Frank, David & Ruth, Keith & Bridget

Albert & Jane, Justin, Bentley & Reba, Jennifer & Eva

A Thousand Thanks

Reach out!

Share the Good News!

Serve joyfully!


5/8

LCEF News

The Hometown NewsEDITOR: Susan SkallebergASSISTANT EDITOR: Pastor David VossPRODUCTION EDITOR: Karen Van WorthThank you to all who submitted articles and information to thisnewsletter.SUBMISSIONSWe encourage you to submit your articles and ideas electronicallyto: [email protected] or call 731-6959Newsletter information is due in by the third Sunday of the month.CONTRIBUTORSWe are looking for regular contributors to the Hometown News.If there is a certain article you would like to write on a regularbasis, please let us know so we can discuss it with you. Young andold are encouraged to volunteer for this very important newslet-ter.SAVE MONEY AND PAPERThe Hometown News is posted online at the same time it ismailed. Please consider reading it online so we can save on post-

age and paper. It can be found on the home page of our churchwebsite: nazluthchurch.com

Page 5MAY 2010

On April 25, Nazareth celebrated LCEF Sunday with other congregationsthroughout the Southeastern District. The event focused on how the LutheranChurch Extension Fund can help magnify the mission and ministry of LCMSchurches and schools.

Investments in LCEF earn a competitive return, while providing low-costloans and services to enable congregations and schools to carry out the ministryof spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ. Investment products include TermNotes, the Steward Account, a Family Emergency Account, Dedicated Savings ac-counts, and Individual Retirement Accounts. Through a partnership with

MissionInsite, congregations now have the ability to explore their neighbor-hoods, providing opportunity to obtain demographic information and create com-prehensive reports that aid and enhance specific mission and ministry efforts.Congregations with schools, or which are planning schools, can now promotetheir schools through LCRFs new School Marketing Materials service. Special-ized workshops to build Christian discipleship are now offered by LCEF.

Investing in LCEF is good stewardship that provides for your financial future, earns a competi-tive rate of interest, provides Space and Place for the Gospel to be heard and supports the Great Com-mission. See Al Schneider for more information about LCEF.

Glory to God on the highest and praise tothe leaders of each Board who have pro-vided updates to the congregation thismonth. Our communication with oneanother not only keeps us united in mis-sion, but engaged with each other and theopportunities to serve in our church. Eachmonth, we pray for a newsletter updatefrom:

Board of Trustees

Board of Maintenance

Board of Elders

Board of Deacons

Board of Finance

Board of Stewardship

Board of Missions

Board of Christian Outreach

Board of Christian Education

NAZARETH EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCHMISSION STATEMENT (Why we exist): Reaching out to all in faithand love, sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ, and serving joyfully.

CRITICAL TARGETS (To whom we focus our mission efforts on):

Children (0-12 years old) and Young Adults (18-35 years old)

GOALS (How we will reach out to our Critical Targets): TBD


6/8

Eighth Annual Easter Fair was HeldStaples, Sue Skalleberg, Kathy

Petik and Kara Canada want tosay Thanks for all of the con-gregations generous donations.The congregational support of this event is the reason it hasbeen such a fun event for every-one that comes to participates.My husband, Clarke Canada,said he truly had a lot of funhiding the eggs for the childrenand watching them find them.

From some of the itemsremaining from our faire we puttogether small baskets of giftsand delivered them to the nurs-ing home and a few of our eld-erly on Good Friday.

We look forward to theEaster Faire being a continuedsuccess in the future of Naz-areth next year and for many

years to come. - Kara

On Saturday, March 27, we

had our 8th

Annual Easter Faire.We had a wonderful time withover 49 children registering toparticipate in Egg Hunts. Therewere lots of games such as BeanBag Toss and Musical Bunny. Wehad activities like decorating eggsand cupcakes and face painting.We played Jesus Bingo. We madeEgg puppets and shared the JellyBean Prayer.

The volunteers of Naz-areth Congregation, our youthgroup and the local Girl Scouttroop #3001, most certainly madethis another successful event forour Christian family and friends.In addition, many of the surround-ing neighbors of our church ven-tured over to participate too.

Pastor David shared aninspiring opening message with hisblank art work to demonstratethat even when we do not see Je-

sus he is with us all the time and

that we possess a place in heaventhrough his death and resurrec-tion from the tomb, which isempty too. There is no physicalbody there, so it is blank like thepicture he displayed for the chil-

dren. We possess tangible evi-dence of faith through singing,worship and fellowship during thisevent and as we do every Sunday.

The Evangelical and Mis-sion Board, Ann Hanford, Martha


Missionary Visit Coming up!On Saturday June 5th. Nazareth will host Missionary Rev. Phillip Tappert and his wife Sally.

There will be a dinner after which Rev. Tappert will show slides and give a presentation about the missionhe serves in France. The Tapperts have been missionaries to France for 18 years.

Come see and hear how successful the mission has been reaching out to students and families fromall over the globe with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Nazareth will support them with a free will offering. TheReverend Tappert is a cousin of Carol Slimmen.

More to come about this at a later date. Please plan to come and mark your calendar now.


7/8

Page 7 MAY 2010

Pastors Calendar May 5-9 Travel to Wisconsin for fathers Funeral (Thursday)

and Committal (Saturday)May 10-16 Family Vacation(at most times I will be available via e-mail or at 804-721-9381, mobile)

Mission Planning IIIRev. Art Umbach led our congregation through planning goals toreach out to our Critical Targets (children and young adults). Hereare the tentative plans and the common feeling was that we need tocontinue to meet to further refine these goals and/or adapt them af-ter prayerful consideration. What do you think? What excitesyou? What would you be interested in helping with? What otherideas do you have?

Children (0-12 Years Old)1. Obtain a feasibility study for a daycare and/or pre-school by the

end of 20102. Start a childrens choir 3. Food bag ministry for children who go without

Young Adults (18-35 Years Old)1. Start a young adult night out group for the area 2. Engage young adults in topical Bible studies3. Community service outreach (possibilities include prison ministry,

hospital ministry, etc.)

ConfirmationJoey and Madison have been diligently preparing for their final examination on May 19th. We do ask that only family attend this. If Joey and Madison answer in accord with the Lutheran Confessions and Scripture,their parents, the Elder, the Deacon, and I will all give them our blessing to be Confirmed on Sunday the23rd. Based on the wonderful year Ive had with them, Im confident they are going to do very well.

Gospel ContactsCan you share the Gospel with three unchurched people this year? You probably have an opportunity to dothis every week, but can you do it just three times? Our goal as a congregation is to have 240 recorded Gos-pel contacts by the end of the year. Not sure how to go about this or how to report your Gospel contact?Well teach you how in the coming months. Until then, keep your ears and eyes open for opportunities tosay, Let me tell you about our Savior Jesus Christ.

Synodical Convention Pre-MeetingAll are invited to attend this pre-meeting so that you can learn about and discuss what is happening at theSynodical Convention this year. Our district pre-meeting will be held Wednesday, June 9, 2010 - 7:30 p.m.,Trinity Lutheran Church, 2315 Parham Rd, Richmond

Thank you for your prayers and support over the past week. I (edited)

My wife says Henry looks just like me, so I may aswell put his young face in my place this month. :)

I think I have chubbier cheeks.


8/8

TO:

Nazareth Lutheran Church1711 Grant StreetHopewell, VA 23860

Nazareth Evangelical Lutheran Church"Reaching out to all in faith and love, sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ, and serving joyfu

hometown news - may 2010 - nazareth lutheran church

Documents