Make time for God

How many of you put the Christmas tree away the day after Christmas? How many of you had the decorations down by the time New Year’s Eve was striking midnight on 2011? Do any of you still have the decorations up right now? It seems that the world is taking Christmas down before Christmas Day even comes to a close. Time for the next holiday. It seems every year the month of December gets shorter and shorter. Relatives from far off places come over, par-ties take up weekend after weekend, and school is getting over so kids are home more. Time is squeezed and seems short. Then Janu-ary comes and we all

take a collective breath. We are all just glad for a little time to ourselves. But kids come calling for attention, work needs to get back on track, and the house needs work. With so many services at church it seemed we were always there during the month of December, so maybe God under-stands if we miss a few Sundays in January. Do not think that God doesn’t understand. He more than understands. Jesus spent only 33 years on this earth. Each and every one of those mo-ments was filled with temptation, suffering, and hurt. He knew exactly what it was like to live like us, with compressed time that’s never enough. But every moment was spent thinking about you.

Each moment of his life was focused on giving everything for you. That is what led him to the cross. There he gave everything he had as a sacrifice for your sins. In the months ahead we again have opportunity to look at Jesus’ life, his suffering, and his death. We will learn Jesus is the light of the world, he is the Savior of all people, and especially his love extends over each and every one of us. Those messages are ones we won’t want to miss. We won’t want to be found too busy to find time to hear what God has to share. “Now is the time of God’s favor; now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corin-thians 6:2) Let’s carve out time for our forgiv-ing God, don’t let the time slip away.

FROM THE PASTOR

GETHSEMANE

GOOD NEWS J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 1

JANUARY

HIGLIGHTS

• CAF

Progressive

Dinner

• Treasurer

Notes

• Sunday

School

News

Thanks to

everyone

who joined in

the

progressive

dinner to

make it a

huge success!

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT As outgoing President of

GLC, I would like to share

some thoughts as the year

comes to a close and the new

begins. 2010 for Gethsemane

was probably similar to your

personal life experiences over

the past year - challenges,

disappointments, heartache

and yet times of hope, excite-

ment and joy. It makes me

think of the scripture that

was used during our National

Worship Service after 9-11.

It is found in 1 Corinthians,

chapters 4 and 5. I will re-

peat just a few verses here:

Therefore we do not lose

heart. Though outwardly we

are wasting away, yet in-

wardly we are being renewed

day by day. For our light and

momentary troubles are

achieving for us an eternal

glory that far outweighs them

all. So we fix our eyes not on

what is seen, but on what is

unseen. For what is seen is

temporary, but what is un-

seen is eternal. 1 Cor 4:16-18

We live by faith, not by sight.

1 Cor 5:7 So we make it our

goal to please him… 1 Cor

5:9

These words, in my mind,

provide clarity and perspec-

tive to our year as a body of

believers and, for that matter,

our personal sanctified life.

Outwardly, we can look at

2010, and see calamity. The

farewell of a called worker

and his family’s personal life

struggles. Financial struggles

that can point to the very

core of our ministry goals.

Loss of dear members from

our fellowship and the list

goes on.

So we fix our eyes on what is

unseen, how God chooses to

bless us in spite of the visible

troubles. A new principal and

teacher for our school, along

with his family. The means to

upgrade parts of our building

and eliminate some physical

hindrances to our ministry.

New and dear members.

Members willing to go above

and beyond to make things

happen. And, finally, a finan-

cial report that, in spite of

our projections, shows rea-

son for fixing our eyes on

what is unseen! (More on that

below)

It has been a difficult year for

me personally. I dearly love

this congregation but the

leadership challenges of this

past year and personal re-

sponsibilities have taken their

toll. Yet, I find continued

hope, guidance and perspec-

tive that comes from scrip-

ture found in 1 Corinthians

and throughout the Bible. I

find great love and encour-

agement in the words and

actions that come to me and

my family by the people in

this congregation. I pray that

we all, in spite of what is seen

by our human eyes, do not

loose heart but trust in Jesus,

the reason why we are here

in this fellowship. Let’s make

it our goal to please HIM in

all that we do!

Tim Hering

Thank you to all who pro-

vided flowers for the altar

this past year and also those

who provided Easter Lilies

and Poinsettias. The new

chart is up to provide flow-

ers for this year. Remem-

ber two people can share a

Sunday if you wish. It is

always a blessing to have

fresh flowers on the altar. If

you have any questions,

please let me know.

Thanks,

Pat Peterson

FLOWERS ON THE ALTER

JANUARY BIRTHDAYS

Lucy Pyle - 3rd

Tiffany Head - 6th

Michaela Seely - 14th

Jason Monko - 18th

Elise Widmer - 18th

Bradley Head - 20th

Lydia Brewer - 22nd

Leslie Wiles - 23rd

Caleb Sweeney - 24th

Jonah Widmer - 25th

Mariah Allen - 28th

JANUARY ANNIVERSARIES

E.John Frederick and Alex

Janosek - 1st

Bob & Arlynn Mohr - 3rd

If we forgot your birthday or anniversary

please contact Tammy Brewer.

FISCAL YEAR 2010-2011 SAVINGS ACCOUNT PRO-JECTION VS ACTUALS - FISCAL YEAR 2010-2011 As you may recall, our budget process for fiscal year 2010-2011, was difficult at best. We were faced with a big unknown regarding teaching plans for our school because we didn’t know if or how the principal and upper grade teaching position was to be filled. At the last moment, God provided, with E. John Fredrich and his family. On the other front, our par-sonage was sold allowing Pas-tor Born and his family to purchase a home. Equity from the parsonage sale al-lowed us to accept a challeng-ing budget that far exceeded our best projections of in-come and worst view of ex-penses into the coming year. With the concern of a budget that exceeds our means, membership has asked for ways to track our financial position through the year. The chart below offers one high level, and simple way to do just that. Note, however, that while the chart looks very positive and promising there are factors that you need to consider that may

impact the future as well. This chart simply measures our savings account funded primarily from the parsonage sale. The chart shows two bars for each month. The light colored bar is a projec-tion of how the savings ac-count would look as we pulled equal amounts from the account to pay necessary budgetary expenses with a projected depletion of funds end May, 2011. The dark colored bar represents our current, or actual savings ac-count balance as reported at the end of each month in our financial reports. You will note that our actual balance looks good and ap-proximately $30k greater than projected at this point of the fiscal year. We are thank-ful for God’s “unseen” bless-ings! What is “seen” are the following:

School tuition payments have been strong over the first 5 months of the fiscal year. This is because many families pre-paid tuition during these months. Therefore, we can expect reductions in

supplemental tuition income during the remaining months

Recent loss of members will result in loss of income

We received a large sum, one time offering during this period

None of these comments are made to discourage because we know God can provide beyond our expectations. They are simply made to tell the story of our experience thus far into the year. Another measure observa-

tion that you can make is found in the weekly service folder. Our budget needs about $5000 each week for full funding. The service folder will supply total offer-ings each week for your re-view. Just keep $5000 in mind and this will offer an-other comparison. It is the desire of your church leadership that you be aware of faith based business issues that we must consider. Your feedback on this or any other matter of the church or school is always welcome. We ask for your involvement and prayers. Tim Hering

0

20000

40000

60000

80000

100000

JUL SEP NOV JAN MAR MAY

PROJECTION

ACTUALS

Members in attendance: E. john Fredrich, Rich Glasser, Bob Mohr, Robert Widmer, Pastor Born, Tim Hering, Lynn W Peterson, Don Schick

Opening Devotion: Pastor Born

Let's talk about this: What are your goals (both temporal and eternal) for your children?

What are you doing to achieve these goals?

The greatest hope that Christian parents have for their children is that they will spend eternity with them in heaven.

How does that hope influence the things we do for our children?

Christian instruction has two main goals: to prepare stu�dents to live sanctified lives on earth and to prepare students

for the hour of death. What role does formal Christian education play in reaching these goals? What perspective does God's Word give to the follow�ing subjects?

Science History Psychology Relationships Home economics Language

Closed with prayer

Approval of prior Minutes: Minutes approved

Board Reports:

Pastor:

Letter from Marten Luther College on thanks for the gifts Gethsemane Church as well as the School in support of tuition assistance.

Luther Prep is going to send a representative who will lead us in service on the 8th, 9th and 10th. Pastor has materials on continuing education from WELS for anyone who wishes to see what is offered. Hospital visits being done. Catechism resumes on January 5th. Midweek Advent had an average of 37. 20 of which (average) attended the dinner prior to. Advent by Candlelight for the Ladies was a success. Christmas Program tomorrow and ask that we show support in attendance. Conference coming up on the 20th & 21st in Corpus Christi and we need a delegate to attend if any of Council can

attend or another member could attend to please let Pastor know. 92 in worship and 19 in adult bible study.

Comment from the recording secretary: Please read Bytes of Bread email as it will keep you up-to-date.

Elders: Robert Widmer

COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FROM DECEMBER 16, 2010

Membership Changes

Released from membership: Viola Wishon. Released from membership: Brian Elliott Family Membership Transfer to Holy Cross: Trevor Oestreich and children Colton, Noel, and Gavin. Mid-Week Advent Services

Advent Services will continue this year at 7:00 p.m. The pre-service dinner are also planned to continue and a sign up sheet will be offered to the congregation. Last year's dinners attracted approx. 25 to 30 people each time.

Christmas Services 24th Christmas Eve Service will be at 7:00pm. Christmas Day at 10:30. The school program will be on Friday the 17th at 7:00pm. Advent by Candlelight will take place on December 5th. Alene Grimes is the point-person on this Service. December 26th Worship Service

Pastor Strakbein will cover for Pastor Born for this Sunday. This Sunday will remain a Communion Service.

New Year's Eve Worship Service: December 31st at 7:00pm.

Caring Groups

Caring Groups were tabled for the next Board of Elders to decide whether and how to pursue. Hefner Mansion

Attendance since the last Elder meeting has been greater than eight, the minimum number set by the Elders for continuation of this ministry. Pastor is continuing with the Hefner Mansion services.

Communion Set Up Booklet

Brian presented a new Communion booklet for Elder's use in the future.

Education:

See Principal report

Principal Report: E John Fredrich:

Have started the accreditation process and would ask if you are contacted that you accept to participate in any of the com-mittees that are needed. The kickoff is scheduled in January. If all goes well could complete by May or June.

Outreach: Pastor Born:

Post cards of 725 were mailed and another 250 handed out to newly relocated families within a 3 to 5 mile radius and within the last three months. Thanks to all who helped.

Stewardship: Bob Mohr

INCOME FOR THE LAST FOUR WEEKS TOTALED $21,469 FOR AN AVERAGE OF $5,367 PER WEEK. THE 2010-2011 BUDGET REQUIREMENT IS $5,253 /WEEK IF THE RENOVATION IS INCLUDED IN THE BUDGET AND ABOUT $4,926 WITHOUT IT.

THE "SCHOOL ADVERTISING" FUNDRAISER RAISED $920, ABOUT HALF OF WHICH WAS MADE UP OF MEMBERS REGULAR SUNDAY OFFERINGS, WITH $800 IN MATCHING FUNDS FROM THRIVENT.

CUPS AND NAPKINS IN THE AMOUNT OF $98 WERE DONATED BY THRIVENT

ENVELOPES FOR YEAR 2011 ARE AVAILABLE ON THE TABLE IN THE NARTHEX. BOB

Property Management:

No report

Financial Secretary:

Total deposits for Nov.: $20,072.86 Full report available upon request

Treasurer: Rich Glasser 4:24 PM Gethsemane Ev. Lutheran Church 12/12110 Profit & Loss Budget Performance Cash Basis November 2010

Income

Nov 10 Budget Jul - Nov 10 YTD Budget

Annual Budget

Bank Interest 0.00 144.49

Day School 6,857.00 2,000.00 24,658.00 19,000.00 30,000.00

General Offering 9,870.50 10,500.00 54,896.08 52,500.00 126,000.00

Hefner Mansion Offering 0.00 147.25 0.00 0.00

Loose Plate Offering 2,879.42 2,000.00 11,907.67 10,000.00 24,000.00

Misc. Corp. Matching 0.00 1,000.00

Refunds/Rebates 0.00 962.88

Thrivent Matching External 0.00 1,888.00

Total Income 19,606.92 14,500.00 95,604.37 81,500.00 180,000.00

Expense

Board of Education 9,580.58 10,143.00 55,722.15 52,715.00 123,716.00

Board of Elders 5,654.30 5,727.00 28,846.35 28,635.00 68,724.00

Board of Evangelism 193.54 333.00 2,732.76 1,665.00 3,996.00

Board of Property Manage-ment

3,657.07 3,226.00 26,219.08 33,134.00 55,716.00

Board of Stewardship 1,350.00 1,750.00 5,293.71 8,750.00 21,000.00

Payroll Expenses 0.00 0.00

Reconciliation Discrepancies 0.00 0.00

Total Expense 20,435.49 21,179.00 118,814.05 124,899.00 273,152.00

Net In-come

-828.57 4,679.00 -23,209.68 -43,399.00 -93,152.00

Old Business:

NOMINATING COMMITTEE Recommendations for positions and suggested nominations President – Don Schick Recording Secretary – Chris Trowbridge Financial Secretary – open Treasurer – Rich Glasser Board of Elders – Steve Rein Board of Education – Randy Bolles?, Mark Thomann, James Grimes Property Management – Mike Monko, Mike Hering, John Head Stewardship – Bob Mohr Outreach – open

New Business:

Approval of called workers Parsonage Allowance: Under provisions of section 107 of the IRS code, the “Ministers of the Gospel” listed below may have a portion

of their compensation designated as a parsonage allowance. The amount indicated shall be the designated parsonage allowance for the year 2011. Should any of the workers listed be provided a with a home, he shall have rent free use of the home for the year 2011 and all future years unless otherwise indicated.

� Pastor Craig Born parsonage allowance designation is $18,000 until further change. � Principal Edwin John Fredrich parsonage allowance designation is $8,000 until further change. Next Meeting: Jan. 10, 2011

Meeting adjourned: 8:45 pm

KIDS PAGE

02 Sunday - 1:30 pm - Hefner Mansions Worship

05 Wednesday - 6:45 - Confirmation Class

08 Saturday - 6 pm - Progressive Dinner

11 Tuesday - 4 pm - Sunday school teachers meeting

11 Tuesday - 7 pm - Elders meeting

12 Wednesday - 6:45 - Confirmation Class

16 Sunday - 11:45 am - Congregational meeting

19 Wednesday - 6:45 - No Confirmation Class

19-21 Wed-Fri - all day - Pastor/Teacher/Delegate conf

26 Wednesday - 6:45 - Confirmation Class

New Year Prayer

Dear Lord, as we recognize the old year has

passed away and a new year is before us,

make us mindful that it is another year of

grace in Christ Jesus. Assure us of that new

life by permitting your Word to remain in

our midst and to dwell richly in our hearts.

Increase our faith, Lord, and use our time,

treasure, and talents to your glory. Even as

we receive your saving grace, give us an un-

tiring, joyous zeal to share it until Christ re-

turns. For his sake hear us. Amen.

JANUARY EVENTS CALENDAR

Gethsemane Lutheran

Church and School 8811 West Wilshire Blvd. Oklahoma City, OK

www.glcokc.com

Sunday School - 9 am Every Sunday

Church - 10:30 am Every Sunday

Communion is on the 2nd and last Sunday of each month

Church Contact: Pastor Craig Born

Phone 405.721.5313 Email: pastor@glcokc.com

School Contact: Principal E. John Fredrich

Phone 405.721.1167 Email: principal@glcokc.com

If you would have any questions or comments regarding

the newsletter or would like to contribute by submitting a

story or article please contact Tammy Brewer at

martinitime247@yahoo.com.

Adult Bible Study - Sunday 9:00 am

Hefner Mansions Bible Study - Tuesday 3:00 pm

Women’s Bible Study - Wednesday 9:30 am

Senior’s Bible Study - Wednesday 2:00 pm

Men’s Bible Study - Wednesday 7:00 pm

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373-3560

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470-6548

799-4143

799-4143

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CALLING CHAIN