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THE WORD
THE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER PUBLISHED
FOR THE MEMBERS AND FRIENDS OF
REFORMATION LUTHERAN CHURCH
November, 2006
Come STRETCH with us!
I hear folks talking about STRETCH Academy saying, “You all sure have a lot of’ energy. You’re always doing something!” Well, the fact of the matter is…we are doing lots this year.
The After School Program is up and running. Children from several middle schools and high school are coming in to Spirit Hall after a day of classes, to enjoy great snacks, discuss lots of relevant things, watch Oprah interview Senator Barack Obama, or even go out to attend a writing class at Cliveden House.
The Writing Workshop is offered in conjunction with Arcadia University. A 5-week program of creative writing is being taught to approximately 10 students, by two professors from the English Dept., at the university. Reformation is well represented by three of our teenagers - Alyssa Baker, Nile Lyons, and Amirah Dales.
Our students also are spending time in our Computer Lab, researching information on the topic of the day. So far, we’ve explored subjects like politics, Ghana, and U.S. geography. I can’t wait to see what else we can learn. By the way, we offer Computer Classes, which are open to anyone, at a cost of just $20, for 4 weeks. Classes are held Wednesday at 9am, Saturday at 9 a.m., and 10:30 a.m. Bill Warner graciously has worked with our students for over a year, but…we need more help! If you are able to volunteer in the lab during any of these classes, please speak with Bill or Charlene Jenkins.
We also have the Platinum Steppers Drill Team…something new and noisy, for any youth in grades 4-12. The Steppers meet on Thursday afternoon, from 5 p.m. to 6:45 p.m., in Spirit Hall. Come out and learn to step, drum, or work a flag! It’s lots of fun and a great way for our youth to stay connected positively, in the church and our neighborhood. Congratulations to Betty Stewart for getting the Steppers here with us, and for her great leadership with our children.
Last but not least, the Theatre Arts program is back in full swing, and at work in preparation for a musical, Balm in Gilead, which will be presented in February. Rehearsals are Wednesday evenings. Saturday classes are still open for registration. There is a one-time registration fee of $25, and $35 each month for instruction. Artistic Director, Linda Walker, once again is taking the children through their paces, as they learn classical ballet, tap, jazz, and other forms of dance. We have many children participating in this great program, but…we need more help!
This year, STRETCH Academy programs are run by volunteers who graciously give of their time, so that we can offer our children a safe environment where they can be nurtured and prepared to be productive members of this community.
From the Interim Pastor
November is a time for giving thanks. On the fourth Thursday we celebrate Thanksgiving Day. Now, the idealized stories that kids learn about the history of this day are not the most accurate. Nor have I spent the last weeks gathering crops so that I will have food to keep me alive through the harsh winter. Nevertheless, it is important to turn our hearts and our lives to God in thanksgiving for all that we have.
While our country celebrates a day of Thanksgiving on November 23, we will gather for Thanksgiving Eve Worship on November 22, at 7:00 p.m. Indeed, the section of our liturgy that leads us into Holy Communion is called the Great Thanksgiving – The Lord be with you . . . Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise. So before you gather for whatever family traditions you might celebrate on Thursday, please join us Wednesday to give our thanks and praise to God as we share our Thanksgiving meal of Christ’s body and blood.
The month of November begins with All Saint’s Day (November 1) which we will celebrate on All Saint’s Sunday, November 5th at 10:00 am. On this day we celebrate the baptized people of God, living and dead, who make up the body of Christ. We give thanks especially for those saints who have died in the Lord in the past year. We remember that saints are those who have been made holy by God, whose lives inspire us for the living of our lives. And so we thank God for the saints who touch our lives – whether they lived 1000 years ago, died this past year, or continue to encourage us at they live out their faith.
In the middle of the month we will have another opportunity to respond in thanksgiving to the blessings that God has bestowed upon us with our Commitment Sunday on November 19. Knowing that God has washed us, claimed us as children of God, and made us holy, we will have the opportunity express our thanks and gratitude through our commitment – to worship and prayer, to financial support the ministries of the congregation, to offer to share of our time, talent, and energy.
I would encourage you to take time to think about and pray about the ways in which you can make a commitment to give in November – not just because Reformation needs your prayers, time, and money (and it does), but because it is another opportunity to say thank you to God.
In closing, please know that through the month of November I will also be thanking God for you.
In Christ,
Pastor Jeff
Please lift up the following members in your prayers ~ Gwen Riddick, Herbert Bomar, Patsy Smith, George and Sophia Edwards, Kathy Mattis, Joyce Rose, Ruth Robinson, Williams Jones, Gladys Holder, Antonia Williams, Shirley Baker, and Barbara Broadnax, Rosella C. Heilemann.
Remember to “fall back” on October 29. Turn your clocks back, one hour.
NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS
1. Sanaa Guar, Rushawn Larmond
3. Milton Anderson, Carolyn Fitchett, Gabriel Harms
4. Ashley Felder
5. Ian Brown, Sierre Cross
6. Amani Harms, Judy Martin
7. Alyssa Bell, Patsy Smith
8. Naseer Mason, Gregory Robinson, Mercedes Williams
9. Kenneth Byrd
10. Leonard Harmon
11. Carolyn Harris, Yasmeen Jenkins, Lafayette Womack
12. Melvin Jones
13. Mary Jackson, Daniel Parkin, Joyce Turner, Pastor Jeff Ziegler
14. Sarita Brown
15. Michael Jackson
16. Lonnie Casterlow, Gwendolyn Dixon
17. Craig Gripp, Germann Larmond, Doris Robinson, Dollie Wade
19. Jacynta Alston Hyacinth Blair, Shannon Boone, Albert Hylton
20. Helena Barefield, Janay Jeter, Horace McAllister, Ashley Neville,
21. Mia Boyd, Cheryl Inwek, Pearline Jackson, Diane Rawlerson, Tianna Tucker
22. Soloman Gay, Angela Holt,
23. Lymuel Artwell, Krystle Johnson, Barbara Robinson
24. Kimberly Henry,
25. Patricia Debnam, Imogene Neville, Christopher Robinson, Desiree Watson
26. Londeia Casterlow, Sarah Henderson-Gaddy
27. Stephon Boyd, Valerie Williams
29. Lance Bailey, Raychel Williams
30. Kae-lyn Watson
Council Corner
Actions from September 25, 2006 Council Meeting
Reformation Lutheran Church is moving forward in the call process for obtaining a permanent Pastor. We are in the process of creating a Church Profile. Each member should receive a “Church Profile” questionnaire to complete and return by October 29. There is a box in the narthex in which to place your completed survey. Please contact any member of Council for all questions about the survey.
· Council Members will be submitting names of members who may be asked to serve on the “Profile Task Force Committee”.
· Shirley Baker will chair the “Property/Improvement Committee”.
Reminders
· “Members Concern/Suggestion Sheets” are available in the narthex for members who would like to express their concerns and/or make suggestions to improve our ministry.
· We have begun taking pledges to dedicate a room at the Seminary in honor of Dr. Addie Butler. It will cost $50,000 spread over the course of next 3 years, for additional information please see a member of Council.
· Members can place announcements in the box in the back hall by noon each Friday.
We are approaching year-end; we need to continue to work diligently to achieve our goals.
STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY
November 19, 2006
TITHING
Tithing is making a voluntary systematic contribution of financial support to our church. Weekly or monthly tithing helps our church plan the budget. Make tithing a normal part of your budget.
Tithing expresses our commitment to the church.
Tithing is taught in the Old Testament (Leviticus 27:30) and the New Testament (1Corinthians 16:2).
Tithing depends on the participation of all church members – everyone can tithe.
For additional information contact the Stewardship Committee, Barbara Blount, Chair
Reformation Lutheran Church
Annual Christmas Bazaar
The Esther Circle is sponsoring its annual Christmas Bazaar, Saturday November 11, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Crafters and vendors are welcome. Space is available for $15 (bring your own table; without a table: $20).
Vendors are not permitted to sell food or drinks.
Refreshments will be available. For more information, contact Merna Smith (see church directory for telephone number) or the church office, at 215-548-4332.
Women’s Day Committee Disburses Funds
The Women’s Day Committee would like to thank everyone for supporting their various fundraisers during the last year. If you ate breakfast prepared by the women, or had some Soup to Warm your Heart, or attended the wonderful Women’s Day luncheon, you know that our Women’s Day group does some great things for our church. The committee has now disbursed funds to the following groups; Helping Hands ($500), Sunday School ($500), Youth Group ($500), Technology/Multi Media ($500), Property Improvement ($1,000), Stained Glass fund ($1,000), heating ($2,000).
Many thanks to this committee for all their efforts!