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SAINT PETER LUTHERAN CHURCH
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
4843 SOUTHPORT-SUPPLY ROAD, SE
Church phone: (910) 457-5604
Item submission deadline Thursdays, 2:00 p.m.
The Rev. Dr. Joseph Tursi, Pastor
Cindy Ledbetter, Church Administrator
Website: stpeterlutheran-nc.org
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
November 30, 2008
HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL – GIVE THANKS!
A GOSPEL PENSET*
This Sunday we begin a new Church Year and we begin a new cycle of readings from the Bible, called Year B of the three year cycle of readings. The Church Year begins with the season of Advent and we focus on our preparation for the coming of Christ at his birth and at his final coming. Start the new Church year together as we worship this Sunday
*a thought to ponder
PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THE CHURCH OFFICE IS CLOSED ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28.
WELCOME VISITORS!
We are glad that you are worshipping with us today. We have given you this copy of our weekly newsletter and want you to feel welcome to attend anything that will include you in our church life. If you would like to receive this newsletter by email, please send a request to our church office at splc@bellsouth.net. We will then put you on our emailing list. For today, welcome in the name of Christ!
NEW MEMBER CLASS NOW FORMING
If you have been worshiping with us for some time and are considering uniting with our congregation we welcome you to join Saint Peter. If you are interested please talk with Pastor Tursi
CARE FOR OUR CHURCH BUILDING
Last Tuesday evening someone or group using the church left the lights on, heat turned up and door unlocked! This not only raises our expenses but also puts our church at high risk. A sheriff’s deputy comes by the church every evening and often leaves a notice that a door was found to be unlocked. Please be careful about how you leave the building. Designate someone in your group to make sure the building is secure and lights and heat turned off and down. We all need to care for our church building and be good stewards of it.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
A Holiday Event The members of Beach Assembly of God, 6730 Ocean Highway West, Ocean Isle, have extended an invitation to attend their second annual production of Bethlehem Live. This free event is a walking tour through the city of Jerusalem to Bethlehem. The event is being held Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings, December 5, 6, 7 and 12, 13, 14. There will be four guided tours each evening, with the first tour beginning at 6:30 pm. Please call 579-9701 between the hours of 10am and 3pm for required reservations.
The Little Lutheran Do you have children in your life age 6 or younger? For several months the young children of Saint Peter have been receiving copies of the magazine The Little Lutheran. The Christian Education Committee has decided to make this magazine subscription available (at a bulk rate) for purchase by members of Saint Peter. Cost for a one year (10 issues) subscription is $12.95. The magazine can be mailed directly to the home of the recipient. See Sandy Huth for more information or to order a subscription.
GIFTS FOR CHILDREN
A limited number of coloring books and Advent calendars for children age 3 through 9 will be available after the services on Sunday. These have been purchased for the children of our congregation as well as for the grandchildren of members. Please see Sandy for these items.
PASTOR TURSI’S TUESDAY BIBLE STUDY
TUESDAY IS PERICOPE STUDY
On Tuesdays we are doing Bible Study a little differently. We now are looking at the readings for each week prior to the Sunday on which they are read. These selections of readings are called periscopae. (singular-pericope). Please join us if you would like to discuss the readings and gain some insight into them before you hear them on Sunday.
DATES TO KEEP IN MIND
1. Friday, December 19, 7:00 p.m. Advent Lessons and Carols in the sanctuary. Reception follows.
2. Wednesday, December 24, 8:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Candlelight Holy Communion Service. NOTE: One service only this year.
3. Wed, Thurs, Friday, Saturday, February 2-14, 2009, 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. Life Touch Pictorial Directory photo sessions at church.
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
The council and some committees have been asked to think about and consider the possibility of going to ONE SERVICE on Sundays. This would be a service at a new time, not 8:30 or 11:00 but possibly 9 or 10 in the morning. Why would we do this?
Over the past year our attendance has declined severely. It is not that we are loosing that many people but people’s worship practice has decreased so that attendance has declined by 30 or 40 people each Sunday. We have been asking why but have not found any solid answers. You can give input to any council member or committee member if you have ideas or concerns about why attendance may be declining. We would welcome your input. We also want your input into the idea of having one service on Sundays.
VOLUNTEERS FOR THE NURSERY NEEDED
Volunteers are needed to keep the nursery for Sunday service. We have lost a couple of our volunteers and this puts us short handed for the nursery. With enough volunteers someone only has to serve in the nursery once a month or if we should get several new volunteers maybe only once every other month. This is a ministry for our church just as serving on a committee, filling a position or cooking a meal. Sometimes it may not be as glamorous as another position might be, but just as important. Jesus said”Let the little children come unto me.” We as a church must create a safe and inviting place for not only our children and grandchildren to be cared for but also for our guests who visit with us on Sundays. Please give some thought and prayer about our situation and see if you are being led to volunteer for our nursery. If you have any questions please contact Sandy Huth at 754-9516.
FROM THE WORSHIP COMMITTEE
As we approach advent and the beginning of a new church year, consider the scripture readings found in the daily lectionary beginning on page 1121 in our Lutheran Book of Worship. The readings follow the Sunday selections with related readings Monday through Wednesday and prepare for the next Sunday, Thursday through Saturday. The Sunday readings begin on page 18. We will be starting year B on the first Sunday of Advent.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Mark your calendars because we have two very “healthful” events coming to Saint Peter:
1. “ALLELUIA I’M FIT” Continues Mondays 10:00 am and 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall. 2. YOGA AND HEALTH, Interested persons can gather with us to watch and discuss the full video that was shown in part at the Yoga Meditation class. Watch for a date for this viewing.
MINDFULLNESS YOGA
Beginning Monday December 1st, we will begin offering a beginners yoga class in the fellowship hall. Our instructor will be Bob Redden from “Offerings” yoga studio in Southport.
Class times: Monday December 1st at 10 am (AIF class)
Monday December 1st at 6:30 pm (AIF)
A freewill offering will be accepted
ALL ARE WELCOME! You DO NOT have to be attending the Alleluia I’M Fit programs to participate. A sign up sheet will be in the Narthex this Sunday December 23rd for those planning to attend the sessions. Contact Vicki Carlson for questions, (201-4624).
CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS
The Altar Guild will again this year be purchasing poinsettias to decorate our chancel for Christmas. The cost is $7.00 per plant. If you wish to place a poinsettia in honor or memory of a loved one(s), please complete the form that will be in the bulletin from November 23rd through Sunday December 7th. Please include a check made out to Saint Peter for the total amount of flowers ordered. Do Not include this amount in your offering check for we have no way of knowing the amount includes a flower order, this is very confusing for the counters. Mark your check as a poinsettia order and place the order form along with a check in the offering plate or in the church office. Remember the deadline for ordering is Sunday December 7th.
Thank you from the Altar Guild.
CONGREGATIONAL CHRISTMAS CARD
As you begin to prepare for your Christmas celebration this year, please consider the following: Instead of sending Christmas cards to your friends at Saint Peter,
- Please sign your name and holiday greetings to the Congregational Christmas Card which will be on display in the Narthex, beginning Sunday, December 7.
- Next, please make out a check to Saint Peter Lutheran Church for the amount you would normally spend on cards and stamps for your Saint Peter friends. In the MEMO space, designate any charity supported by our congregation- Food Pantry, Habitat for Humanity, Lutheran World relief, etc.
Please join us in this modest effort to help the needy in our midst. (If you have any questions please contact Carol Larsen or Carol Schutt.)
GIFTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
November 30th you can still purchase the remaining items from our world fair. You can purchase items made in small villages that are being made available by Lutheran World Relief’s Fair Trade Fair program. Using skills and learned expertise helps breaks the cycle of poverty and helps women, children and the community to prosper. An assortment of baskets, jewelry, ornaments and food items will be available. Catalogs can be purchased for One dollar to order other selected items that are not available here. We will not be taking orders, but you can order for yourself. Come to the Fellowship Hall following both services November 23rd and 30th.
THRIVENT FOR LUTHERANS CAMPAIGN
Contributions for Hurricane Ike victims are still being accepted through November. Please make notation on your check and envelope for this support. Thrivent for Lutherans provides millions of dollars for community projects around the country with local participation and fundraising. Through the Care in Congregations money can be obtained for church needs ($1300). Through Care Abounds in Community outside organizations like the pantry or individuals in dire need can be assisted. To obtain these funds, the congregation needs to raise the initial funds and Thrivent provides $1 for each $3 raised. Next year we will work harder on these programs especially the congregational. That $1300 is Saint Peter’s for the taking with just a little effort.
This is truly a Happy Thanksgiving holiday for the Hartlaubs. Beginning with Ray’s surgery in early October the past few weeks have been hard. However, the many calls, cards, offers of help and food from our friends at Saint Peter during this stressful recovery period has made this a very special Thanksgiving. Sincerely, Ray and Jan
SEA NOTES CHORAL SOCIETY
CHRISTMAS CONCERT
Sea Notes Choral Society cordially invites you to enjoy "A Candlelight Christmas" at Hatch Auditorium in the Baptist Assembly on Caswell Beach. Under the direction of Dianne Hoffman, with Jane Boberg as accompanist, the 135-voice chorus will perform in 3 concerts this holiday season: Thursday, Dec. 11 at 8:00p.m., Friday, Dec. 12 at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 14 at 3:00p.m. The concerts are free and no tickets are required. Free will donations will be gratefully accepted. We hope to see you there!
HELP KEEP OUR FURRY FRIENDS WARM
Winter weather is just around the corner, SOAR (Southport/Oak Island Animal Recovery) is in dire need of warm blankets and comforters that can be placed in the dog houses to keep our “furry friends” warm during these cold months. A large container for the blankets will be located in the Narthex for the next few weeks. Any contribution would be warmly appreciated.
WORSHIP SCHEDULE FOR NOVEMBER 30, 2008
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8:30 A.M.
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11:00 A.M.
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Lay Assistant
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Bill Hogue
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Len Trizinsky
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Chalice Bearer
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Connie Zaenglein
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Sandra Schultz
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Acolyte
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Stephen Seeber
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Lector
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Dave Goudy
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Vicki Farris
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Communion Assist.
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Shelvy Pasour
Paul Murphy
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Bob Loukas
Evie Loukas
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Ushers
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Don Seeber
Mary Seeber
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Larry Capriotti
Dottie Capriotti
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Altar Guild
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Linda Rumsey
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Janet Strassburger
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Counters
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Steve Palmer
Fred Recksiek
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Sandy Reibert
Nancy Mazzei
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Greeters
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Carleen Sowers
Bob Sowers
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Barbara Edman
Warren Edman
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Nursery
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WORSHIP SCHEDULE FOR December 7, 2008
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8:30 A.M.
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11:00 A.M.
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Lay Assistant
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Nancy Doelp
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Lois Beddard
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Chalice Bearer
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Allan Doelp
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Larry Capriotti
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Acolyte
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Felicia Merritt
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Lector
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Jan Hartlaub
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Irene Hennessey
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Communion Assist.
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Pat Schroeder
Natalie Sinclair
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Joe Mazzei
Janet Porterfield
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Ushers
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Gary Tagtmyer
Tootie Tagtmyer
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Gary Hale
Bill Sraver
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Altar Guild
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Jackie Prell
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Dottie Capriotti
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Counters
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Graydon Barz
Eric Langslet
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Lois Beddard
Twylla Ford
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Greeters
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Peter Berg
Judy Berg
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Sandra Schultz
Steve Schultz
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Nursery
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WEEK OF NOVEMBER 30, 2008
FACILITY USE SCHEDULE
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Sunday 11/30/08
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Wednesday 12/03/08
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8 am Choir
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6 pm Men’s Book Club (CR)
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8:30 am Worship Service
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7 pm Choir Practice
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10 am Sunday School
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10 am Choir Practice
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Thursday 12/04/08
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11 am Worship Service
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7 pm Bible Study (CR)
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Monday 12/01/08
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Friday 12/05/08
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10 am Alleluia I’m Fit (FH)
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8:30 am Women’s Bible Study (CR)
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2 PM The Needlers
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9 am Painting Club (MPR)
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6:30 pm Alleluia I’m Fit (FH)
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10 am Worship Committee (CR
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7 pm Sea Notes (S)
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10:15 am Chamber Players (S)
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Tuesday 12/02/08
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9:30 Grief Counseling (MPR)
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FH/K= Fellowship Hall/Kitchen
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11:30 am Bag Lunch Bible Study (CR)
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FH=Fellowship Hall
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7 pm Finance Committee (CR)
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CR=Conference Room
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MPR=Multi-purpose Room
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S=Sanctuary
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