The Messenger Central Lutheran Church 1420 Cordova Street Anchorage, Alaska 99501 907/ 277-1622 phone, 907/ 272-6235 fax [email protected] http://www.centluth.org Interim Pastor Rev. Dr. Judith T. Wozniak 2014 [email protected] Synodically Authorized Minister Sandy Mjolsnes [email protected] Office Manager Kathy Freeman [email protected] COMING EVENTS Worship & Study Sundays worship at 9:30 am Tuesdays early bird study 6:30 am Wednesdays Bible study Noon Thursday evening worship at 7 pm Financial & Membership Secretary Jean Boecker [email protected] Treasurer Kathy Dale [email protected] Find our congregation on http://www.facebook.com/ pages/Central-LutheranChurch/110968902539 Confirmation & All Saints Sunday Sunday 11/2 at 9:30 am Church Council meeting Sunday 11/16 at 8 am Interfaith Thanksgiving Eve Worship Service 7 pm Weds 11/26 @ St. Mary’s Dear partners in ministry, Last week I attended a clergy workshop on stewardship. While much of the discussion focused on finances, all agreed that stewardship is not just about money. Stewardship is about taking care of ourselves physically, spiritually, emotionally, and mentally. If we don’t take care of ME first, we can’t serve others the way we would like to. 1420 Cordova Street Anchorage AK 99501 907-277-1622 www.centluth.org [email protected] 222-4685 712-310-5906 Stewardship also is about sharing the gifts God gave us. Every child of God, no matter how young or old, has gifts to share with the whole Church. I want to take this opportunity to thank you all for being such a generous congregation. In most churches I’ve served I have had to be a cheerleader for the synod and for the ELCA. I’ve had to encourage church councils to support an increase in benevolence. I often have been embarrassed at synod assemblies when I see the giving of all the congregations and mine could not begin to compare. Children’s Corner ‒ by Pastor Judy November is the month of Thanksgiving. Of course we should be thankful all year round, but when the holidays come it seems especially a good time to thank the people in our lives who have been kind to us. And we should remember to thank God for bringing those people into our lives! With the use of so many electronic gadgets today, it is hard to find anyone who writes notes. I think someone in your life might be waiting to hear from you. Why not write a thank you note to someone you like during the month of November? And don’t forget to pray for that person, too! Thank you for your generosity not only to Central Lutheran Church, but to the synod, the ELCA, and to local social agencies. I thank you not only for your financial contributions, but to the faithful volunteers who give up hours of their time to help those in need. In the near future we will celebrate the women of the ELCA with a special Thank Offering worship service. It is my hope that we soon we will have a men’s group started at Central, too. Your big sister in Christ’s love, Pastor Judy Fitness Corner ‒ by Pastor Judy There are times in life when we feel down and there are certain events in life that trigger such feelings. True depression, however, is a medical This year you can enjoy an interfaith Thanksgiving illness that must be treated for a person to live life Eve worship service. It begins at 7PM at St. Mary’s to the fullest. If not, it can lead to disability, even Episcopal Church on the corner of Lake Otis and suicide. Common symptoms of clinical depression Tudor. We hope to make this an annual tradition, include: Feeling slowed down, worrying so please do come and show your support. You can excessively about finances and health, losing also give thanks by contributing to the weight, pacing and fidgeting, having difficulty Thanksgiving food baskets or by helping with their sleeping, having difficulty concentrating, distribution. experiencing physical symptoms such as pain or gastrointestinal problems, and withdrawing from Finally, I thank you for being a community that regular social activities. knows and shares God’s grace. (taken from Healthy Alaska, a publication of Providence Med Center) In Christ’s love, Pastor Judy Wozniak 2 Bible Corner ‒ by Pastor Judy Take this quick quiz on the Ten Commandments from our confirmation sources: 1. The 10 Commandments can be found in: A. Exodus 20 B. Joshua 24 C. Mark 11 D. Exodus 10 2. Moses went up to pray to God on: A. Mt. McKinley B. Mt. Sinai C. the Mt. of Olives D. Mt. Olympus 3. The people would not go near the mountain because: A. Snow made the road impassable B. They were afraid C. They thought the mountain was cursed D. The road was flooded 4. How many commandments are about our relationship with God? A. 2 B. 3 C. 4 5. How many commandments are about our relationship to our neighbor? A. 5 B. 6 C. 7 D. 10 6. Luther believed that: A. If we keep the 10 commandments, we will go to heaven B. The 10 Commandments give us the basics for faithful living C. The 10 Commandments should be expanded to 100 D. Both A and B 7. God gave the 10 Commandments to: A. Adam B. Aaron C. Moses D. Jesus 8. The 4th Commandment is to: A. Honor your brother or sister B. Remember the weekend and make it fun C. Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy D. Honor your father and your mother Our Tuesday morning Bible study group arrives at 6:30AM for just 1 hour to engage in a lively discussion of various biblical books and other topics. We will study the book of Kings this fall. All are welcome. Our Wednesday at noon Bible study meets each week for 1 hour in the Cordova Room to gain insight into the texts that will be read the following Sunday in church. All are welcome. There are women’s groups that engage in Bible study throughout the year. I urge men to form one or two, and maybe a young adult study and a couples study, too! Nurture your faith. It is a precious gift. Adult Education Class with Craig Carlson Craig Carlson will lead "The City upon a Hill: A Survey History of Religion in America" 10:45 11:45 am each Sunday in the Community Room, September 7 - November 23. Advent is Coming Handel’s Messiah* is a familiar event scheduled in many cities around the world during the Christmas or Easter holiday season. The fine Bible Study series published by the Kerygma Program of the Presbyterian Church, offers an in-depth look at the biblical background to Handel’s oratorio. Pastor Judy will present the Advent portion of the Bible Study on the Sundays leading to Christmas as an adult class on Sunday morning. You do not have to be a music expert nor a Bible expert to benefit from this course. The schedule is as follows: November 30: Advent 1: Comfort, Comfort My People December 7: Advent 2: Who May Abide the Day of His Coming? December 14: Advent 3: For Unto Us a Child Is Born December 21: Advent 4: Glory to God in the Highest! Watch for a course on Lutheran Basics next year. * Want to sing in The Messiah here in Anchorage on Sunday, December 7? All welcome! Rehearse at Central Lutheran, Sundays in November, 2 - 4 pm. Learn more at www.AnchorageConcertChorus.org 3 Midweek Worship – Sandy Mjolsnes, Synodically Authorized Minister Join us Thursday evenings through November 20 at 7 pm. We’ll share Holden Evening Prayer on 1st, 3rd, and 5th Thursdays, and Holden Prayer Around the Cross on 2nd and 4th Thursdays. Both include Holy Communion and a short homily based on the lessons from the previous Sunday. Holden Prayer Around the Cross is a meaningful devotional prayer service that was originally developed at Holden Village. Co-authored by Susan Briehl and Tom Witt, the service include scripture readings, prayers, silence, and an opportunity to sit or kneel near a large cross, light a candle and pray. It includes a rich variety of musical styles to provide a backdrop for this contemplative worship experience. Because these services take place in near darkness, this music is simple and easily learned. If you are interested in being a reader for Midweek Worship, let me know ([email protected], 3381882). If you would like to attend Midweek Worship and do not drive or are concerned about driving in the winter, let me know and I will do my In Advent, we will begin holding midweek worship best to arrange transportation. on Wednesday evenings, sharing Holden Evening Prayer at 7 pm following our traditional soup suppers at 5:30 pm. All ages are invited to dine, study, and worship, on Wednesdays, December 3, 10, and 17. Holden Evening Prayer was composed by Marty Haugen, a prolific liturgical composer, while he was on sabbatical in Holden Village, a Lutheran retreat center in Washington State, during the winter of 1986. It’s a lovely setting of vespers following the traditional form while using contemporary and inclusive language. Many, many thanks to our musicians Debbie Pankow and Holly (Emmel) Cannon. LSSA Christmas Stockings: Central women will be making Christmas stockings for the children of LSSA clients again this year. We will have a "sewing and stuffing" party on Saturday, November 22, at church in the Community Room beginning at 9 am. Donations wanted: small stuffed animals and toys, pencils, crayons, candy, small books or notebooks, etc. to put in the stockings. Learn more from Kay Zernia at 333-5249 [email protected]. Central Lutheran is praying for. . . November ELCA Alaska prayer partner: Fairbanks Lutheran Church Central members or close family of our members who’ve passed in the last year: Phillip Andrew (father of Tim Andrew), Marjorie Madsen (mom of Else Goltz), Joyce Suckow (aunt of Elaine Bergman), June Thompson, June Shoemaker (sister of Ruth Rapp), Katherine Skinner (mother of Dixie Foley), “Sy” Aldrich Syren, Sceone Grasse, June Hanson (mother of Steve Hanson), Elaine Dick, Viola Stansell, Helen Strusz, Sue Salas Peterson, Ryle Amberg, Mary Ann Lindbeck, Mera Lou Anderson (mother of Vickie Helm), Kenneth Foley (father of Shannon Foley), Jeff Dusenbury (friend of Voris family), Henry Klapproth (grandfather of Kathy Freeman), Adele Werner (mother of Linda Padden), Elaine Bergman, Kerri Hanson Krump (sister of Steve Hanson) 4 Greetings! The call committee has been chosen and these are the members: Juliana Andrew, Larry Helgeson, Sam Monroe, Nelson Priddy, Jonathan Reece (Secretary), Judith Muller (Vice-Chair), Debbie Pankow (Chair) and alternates Madeleine Bulkow, Hedric Hanson, and Bonnie Kragt. We will be meeting the second and fourth Sundays at Noon, with a few changes due to holidays. We have met twice and will be giving our recommendations to the Council concerning the Ministry Site Profile later this week. Once this is done, it will be given to the Bishop and she will start looking at candidates for us. Call Committee Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers. Each meeting will include a short devotion. The following are the Bible texts we will be using: Matthew 28:16-20, Matthew 9:9-13, Luke 5:1-11, John 1:35-46, John 12:2026, Romans 12:1-8, 1 Corinthians 3:1-9, Ephesians 6:10-18, Philippians 2:1-11, Colossians 3:1-17, 1 Timothy 2, and 1 Timothy 4:6-16. The call process is a very open process. We will be sharing as much information as we can. Information about possible candidates must remain confidential. If there any questions, please feel free to ask any one of us. If we don't have the answer, we will try and find someone who does. We are looking forward to the Spirit not only moving through the Call Committee but through the Congregation as we move forward with calling a Pastor. -- Debbie Pankow Please continue to keep the Kuwaa people in your prayers, especially as their country fights the spread of Ebola. Here in Anchorage, we will celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Kuwaa Mission with a gathering on Sunday, November 30, at St. Mark Lutheran Church. Watch the Central Lutheran Church weekly eNews or bulletins for more details on this event. Thank you for your continued prayers and financial support. Donations may be given in two ways: 1. Make out check and send to: The Kuwaa Mission: c/o Bethany Lutheran Church, 1340 8th Street, Slidell, LA 70458 2. Go to the Kuwaa Mission Website at www.kuwaamission.org: use PayPal to make a one time or automatic monthly donation 5 obtain volunteers for various tasks, pulpit supply (i.e., finding substitute pastors), preaching herself (Sundays and mid-week services), baptizing, performing funerals, pastoral care, and cooperating with other ministries in Anchorage. The SAM role will largely provide supportive services, and also allow Central Lutheran to hear a second voice from the pulpit. Personnel Committee is currently working on a job description. This morning (Sunday October 26) Central Lutheran Church’s Call Committee members were commissioned. While much of our recent attention has been focused towards advancing the call process, Council and others have been addressing other matters as well. I write about a few to spread some informational news. Homelessness: Homelessness has also become a topic of interest. As temperatures drop, Central Lutheran’s Emergency Cold Weather Shelter (ECWS) opens for service. Central, as well as other Anchorage churches, provides a warm, safe place for homeless families to stay overnight. This service is limited to families; not to single individuals. Covenant House has pointed out Personnel: On the personnel front, there are two things the need young single persons have for warm shelter as in the works. First, Council has approved extending well. It is not clear what may arise out of that. Pastor Judy’s contract through next spring. This extension will enable the call process to proceed at a In September, Council approved a new program normal pace, and serve Central Lutheran’s needs. In “Beyond ECWS.” A committee developed and extending the contract, our Bishop suggested that we proposed Beyond ECWS to offer some help and establish more intentional expectations on what we support to families who are our guests in Central’s desire Pastor Judy to focus her attention. The Council Emergency Cold Weather Shelter. The support may identified three areas: Youth, Visitation/Caring include prayers, fellowship, transportation, furnishings Ministries, and Supporting our Visioning Processes. (furniture & clothing), and financial support. The The expectation is not that Pastor Judy do everything Beyond ECWS committee will be coordinating with herself in these areas, but rather that in addition to her social services agencies so that Beyond ECWS does hands on work, that Pastor also exert efforts to oversee not provide support available elsewhere. The Beyond and support volunteers. The main point is to help ECWS committee is open to all interested persons. ensure we do not allow things to fall through the cracks on these important areas. Pastor Judy will largely be Central Lutheran’s AFACT organizing committee has continuing work she has already been doing, but identified homelessness as one possible topic of perhaps more visibly. For example respecting visitation interest to explore this fall and winter. One of the and caring ministries, Pastor’s monthly report to committee’s activities is to conduct research to identify Council will include information on time she has spent both needs in the community and passions, interests, in visitation, without disclosing any confidences. Also and concerns of Central Lutheran members. The this morning, 15 Caring Ministers were commissioned. Central AFACT organizing committee continues to These wonderful people have been providing meet regularly, and is also open to all interested substantial visitation and caring ministry support over persons, whether you are interested in homelessness or the years. any other community topic. The second personnel matter is making more official Sandy Mjolsnes’ role as a Synodically Authorized Minister (“SAM”). We are creating a paid staff position (following ELCA policy for SAM’s, the position will include a stipend and allowances for continuing education and expenses). Over time, under the supervision of Pastor Judy, Sandy has assisted in a variety of ways in worship, including organizing to Peace, Brian Bjorkquist CLC Council President 6 Monica Richardson Pacific Lutheran University Alex Trabold University of Alaska Anchorage Rowan Bulkow Harvey Mudd College Sorry, directory updates are not posted in our online edition. Members, please contact the church office for directory information. Grace Graham Willamette University Ingrid Kelly Western Colorado State University Ted Kelly Green River Community College Helen Muller Yale Ashley Powell Western Oregon University Share Share Share PRAYER SHAWLS ~ Do you know what they are or to whom we give them? Prayer shawls are knitted shawls or blankets, made by volunteers, with prayers spoken for the future recipient during the creation of the shawl. The completed shawls are given to anyone who may need comfort or a show of love. A letter is given with each Prayer Shawl which explains it. Some lines from the letter are ... " Wrap it around you when you're sad, happy, needing comfort, cold, ill, worried, troubled, at peace, needing answers, have no questions, praying." .... " As you wear this shawl, may you be cradled in hope, kept in joy, graced with peace, and wrapped in love." If you know someone who might want or need the gift of a Prayer Shawl, stop by the office and pick one up. There is no charge, but donations to the ministry are appreciated. Do you knit? We would love to have you join our ministry. For more information contact Betty Friest 907-3375108. -- Betty Friest 7 Share Share What is the ELCA doing in the world? Learn more at http://elca.org/Resources/ELCA-Global-ChurchSponsorship. Central hosts an Emergency Cold Weather Homeless Shelter for families each Wednesday throughout the winter. This is an important ministry to our community, as shelters fill quickly during the winter. Five other churches provide the same service on other nights of the week. Three volunteer staff members are needed each night we are open, to ensure the safety of all. Might you be interested in sleeping over at the church as a part of this ministry? Volunteer for one night or ten, the choice is yours. Please speak with Larry Graham to learn more or attend a training session. Would you or a family member like a visit from Pastor or a Caring or Eucharistic Minister? Please do call the church office and request a visit. Lutheran Social Services of Alaska or a template of the pattern please contact the LSSA office. Note, ladies of Central Lutheran will gather on Saturday, November 22, at 9 am in the Community Room to create and fill stockings for LSSA. Donations of goodies (small toys, craft supplies, candies, other stocking stuffers) welcome. Kay Zernia organizes. Harvest of Hope Auction This year Lutheran Social Services of Alaska will hold this exciting event supporting our programs on Friday, November 14th at the Sheraton Anchorage. The Harvest of Hope auction is a major source of funding, fulfilling the need of over 40,000 individuals during the past year. Come join the festivities, dine Neighborhood Gift and enjoy the charitable convivial atmosphere of the This year all the Neighborhood Gift sites will again silent and live auctions with auctioneer Paul McGuire. come together at the Sullivan Arena for distribution of toys Tickets are $100 or $800 for a table of 8 and you can and meals on Monday, Depurchase yours by calling Sue at the LSSA office at cember 15th and Tuesday, De272-0643 ext. 10, or go online at www.lssalaska.org cember 16th. We have dividclick on the events tab and then the Harvest of Hope ed the city by zip codes as to tab. We promise you that your contribution will go a which day families will shop. long way towards fostering hope for many within our Eagle River residents food and neighborhoods. gifts will be distributed on Tuesday, December 16th only at Harvest Christian Fellowship. You can sign up to volunteer by going this Thanksgiving Blessing We are finalizing our plans with others in the faithwebsite based community of Anchorage for this year’s www.salvationarmyalaska.org/alaska/gift_2014. Thanksgiving Blessing food basket distribution. Last year we distributed food to 1,198 households amount- Fred Meyer Community Rewards ing to 5,146 individuals. This year we are planning to Thank you to everyone who have signed up to help serve 1,400 households. LSSA is the site coordinator earn dollars for LSSA just by shopping with your Fred for the distribution at Central Lutheran Church and Meyer Rewards Card. If you haven't signed up simply need your help in many ways. As usual we are asking join the program by linking your Fred Meyers Reour Lutheran congregations to collect the corn, green wards Card to Lutheran Social Services of Alaska at beans, stuffing mix or cranberry sauce that your con- www.fredmeyer.com/community_rewards. You still gregation has been assigned. We also need your help will received the Rewards Points, Fuel Points, and Revolunteering with set-up and distribution on Monday, bates at the same time you are helping LSSA. November 24th. Shifts on Monday are from 9am to 12:30pm, 12:30pm to 4:30pm and 4pm to 8pm. If you Save the Date can help us out at one of these times please call the November 14th – Harvest of Hope Auction, Sheraton LSSA office at 272-0643 ext 10 and speak with Sue or Anchorage 6pm go email us at [email protected]. November 24th – Set up and distribution for Thanksgiving Blessing, Central Lutheran December 15th and 16th – Set up and distribution for Christmas Stockings It has become a tradiNeighborhood Gift, Sullivan Arena tion to present Christmas stockings to the Together Caring for Others, families with young children who visit our Alan Budahl food pantry during the Executive Director month of December. Lutheran Social Services of Alaska We ask that you include a story or activity book about 1303 W. 33rd Ave., Anchorage AK 99503 Jesus’ birth in the stockings. If you need instructions 8 Coming Events Coming Events Coming Events Fifteen Golden Opportunities folks gathered and enjoyed great fellowship and laughter and some fine food along with the recitation of two Robert Service poems by member Dick Freisinger, as well as a short, touching poem he dedicated to his own dog. We also played a hilarious game of 'Hedbanz' and Cribbage. Our next meeting will be Monday, November 10, at Doriola's restaurant on Tudor at noon. Among our future plans is to attend the afternoon "Messiah" presentation at West High School in December, followed by a dessert get-together. Confirmation Day will be All Saints Sunday, November 2, at our 9:30 am worship service. Katrina Nordgaard and Madeline Maurer will be confirmed -the color of the day is white. Pastor Judy and friends offer confirmation class for middle school youth (grades 6-8) on the first two Sundays of the month, 10:45 - 11:45 am. Heather Helgeson & Jonathan Reece welcome high school youth for weekly Sunday School in Room 1. We’ll study, care for each other, have fun, and prepare for the Youth Gathering next summer. Bonnie Kragt, Sharon Jones and friends welcome youth ages 4 through elementary school for Sunday School class each Sunday, 10:45 - 11:45 am. We gather in Room 3 for snacks, music, crafts, playacting of the lectionary Bible story, story-telling and more. Cheryl Demetz and friends welcome toddlers to Winkie Bears - a Sunday School class just for wee ones. Find them in Room 8 on Sundays, at 10:45 am, for snacks and Bible stories and play. Central Book Group will be reading "Lila" by Marilynne Robinson, the story of a young woman, growing up on the fringes of society, who enters a small-town church in the town of Gilead and finds relationships there which reshape her life. Robinson, a Pulitzer Prize winner and National Book Award finalist, has once again written a compelling novel of the mysteries of existence. Discussion will be on Monday evening, December 1, at 6:30 p.m. in the Cordova Room. We welcome all readers to join us. Wanted: dress up clothing, snack donations (call Kay Zernia), and volunteers in February and beyond to tell the story of the day (call Sharon Jones). Many, many thanks to those who have given of their time, talent, and snacks in support of Sunday School this fall! You are appreciated! Current 8th - 12th graders, begin planning now to attend the ELCA Youth Gathering, July 15-19, 2015. Registration opens October 15 and fills quickly. The cost of the airfare and other transportation, housing, event registration, most meals, and one or two special events will total approximately $1500 for each participant, with youth group fundraising, Central’s general fund, and each family taking on one third of that cost. Please submit your registration form through Kathy in the Central office and your deposit of $150 (this portion is nonrefundable, the remaining $350 may be paid over the next six months). We’ll book our airline tickets this fall, using mileage or companion ticket donations wherever possible to keep expenses low. Learn lots more at http://www.elca.org/gathering or contact Jane Hanson, Heather Helgeson, or Jonathan Reece. Fellowship Committee hosts a family event on Sunday 11/16, 2 - 4 pm. We will be making childfriendly placemats to include with the Thanksgiving dinner that CLC members will provide to Clare House. All ages invited - all materials will be provided - refreshments will be served. 9 Central Lutheran Prayer Chain will sincerely pray for your needs, joys and sorrows. Our prayer chain always welcomes new links. If you would like to contact the prayer chain with a prayer request or become a part of the chain, please contact Karen Emmel at 345-5709 or [email protected] John & Janet Brewer 11/2 Patrick & Anne McCormick 11/2 James & Monica Brown 11/9 Erik & Lisa Maurer 11/13 Kjell & Karen Nordgaard 11/14 Leonard & Sandra McKinney 11/16 Matthew & Sonja Amundsen 11/28 Kent & Stephanie Thomas Stephanie Wolanin 11/1 Lorayne Embretson 11/1 Erik Falskow 11/2 Steffen Peuker 11/3 Phil Kettering 11/4 Dee Kennedy 11/4 Kevin Patterson 11/6 Heather Helgeson 11/7 Karen Bevolden-Nordgaard 11/8 Norman Brown 11/9 Dana Patterson 11/10 Keith Padden 11/12 Caiden Terrill 11/12 Rae Elde 11/15 Kong Xiong 11/15 Erik Maurer 11/15 Elaine Wilson 11/15 Emma Phillips 11/17 Elaine Hildahl 11/17 Birte Eliasen 11/17 Beverly Johnson 11/17 Pierre Nicolet 11/18 Hawken Wanamaker 11/19 Doug Luiten 11/21 Sharon Jones 11/23 Anita Soiseth 11/23 Peri Sanders 11/24 John Novak 11/25 Amada Lofgren 11/25 Holly Beach 11/28 Stacy Schmitz Reece 11/30 Rebecca Thorsness 11/30 Luke Helgeson 11/30 DIRECTORY UPDATES Sorry, directory updates are not posted in our online edition. Members, please contact the church office for directory information. 10 11/29 11 Central Lutheran Church NON PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID ANCHORAGE, AK PERMIT NO. 11 Rev. Dr. Judith T. Wozniak, Interim Pastor 1420 Cordova Street Anchorage, Alaska 99501 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED November 2014 Central Lutheran Church is Here for You! We want to include you in our prayers, arrange for pastoral visits and announce information to the congregation, when appropriate. Please notify the church office (277-1622) as soon as possible when: A member of your family or a friend dies; Hospital or home visitation would be a blessing; You or someone you know wants to plan a baptism or wedding; You or someone you know is ill or grieving; You move or change your telephone numbers or email. Please contact the church office if your address has changed or you no longer wish to be on our mailing list. Thank you! 12
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