Transcript
1
The mission of the American Lutheran Congregation is to bring people of
different nations and denominations together, and in the English language,
empower them into becoming fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
The ALC Messenger Volume 58 Issue 1 January 2014
The race is not to the swift,
Nor the battle to the strong,
Nor bread to the wise,
Nor riches to men of understanding,
Nor favor to men of skill;
But time & chance happen to them all. Ecclesiastes 9:11
2
American Lutheran Congregation
Pastor: Timothy Stewart
Office Secretary: Rie Melhoos
Council President: Robert Sebro
Messenger Editors and Helpers : Mel Engebretsen, Eric
Mandeville, Bob Sebro, Rie Melhoos,
Visiting address: Fritzners gate 15, 0264 Oslo, Norway
Mailing Address: PO Box 3012 Elisenberg, 0207 Oslo, Norway
Phone: + 47 22 44 35 84
Fax: +47 22 44 30 15
Email: office@alcoslo.org
Webpage: www.alcoslo.org
Bank account number for offerings :5081.07.47827
The ALC Messenger Monthly Newsletter for the American Lutheran Congregation
INDEX
ALC INFORMATION
INDEX
PAGE 2
STEWARDSHIP COMMENTS
AND 2013 ANNUAL REPORTS PAGES 8
PASTOR’S CORNER,
PAGES 3-4
MONDAY MORNING BIBLE
STUDY, WOMEN’S
FELLOWSHIP, PRAYERS
PAGE 9
PRESIDENT’S CORNER PAGE 5
SUNDAY MORNING TEXT
STUDY, DREAMS & PLANS PAGES 10
JANUARY & FEBRUARY
CALENDARS PAGES 6-7
BIRTHDAYS AND 2014 ANNUAL
MEETING PAGES 11-12
3
Pastor’s Corner Dear Friends,
January is the month of the ‘Ritual of the New Calendar’.
You won’t find it in any liturgical planning material, but it
is none-the-less very real for many of us. It is the annual
rite of taking a brand new calendar and transferring vari-
ous advance appointments, commitments, phone numbers,
addresses, reminders and whatever else you may have
written in the pages of last year’s calendar, into the new one. For those of you
who have fully embraced the electronic age this may be less of a thing, but for
those of us who stubbornly cling to paper, you better set aside the better part of an
afternoon to accomplish the archaic task. I usually bumble around the first two
weeks of a new year, juggling two separate calendars and a growing collection of
scribbled post-it notes before, with a sigh, giving in to necessity and getting it
done.
It is a ritual, however, that is not without benefits. The chief benefit being the
chance to look ahead over an entire year and imagine. Each month, each new
page begins blank and slowly fills in with the familiar benchmarks of birthdays,
school holidays, festival days and perennial events and programs. It’s a process
which demands looking ahead and the start of dreaming and planning. For dec-
ades I’ve engaged this ritual and this looking ahead has become my favorite part.
It’s become so second nature that I’ve taken it for granted. Only recently have I
begun to realize the privilege and luxury it is.
In Matthew 25:31-46, one of the best known passages from Matthew, Jesus lifts
up the virtue of giving food to the hungry, drink to the thirsty, welcome to the
stranger, clothes to the naked, care to the sick and company to the imprisoned – in
doing this to the least in our midst, we meet Jesus. By chance that passage came
up in my daily devotions on the day I set aside time to (finally) commission my
2014 calendar. In that juxtaposition it occurred to me that there is little room for
planning 10 months ahead for those in our world for whom the biggest question
of the day is where the next meal will come from or for whom clean water means
a walk of several hours to the source and back. What about our brothers and sis-
ters for whom the future is the next biopsy or round of chemotherapy. What
dreaming and planning thrives for those whose days hold few choices but rather
are determined by the prison routine. What Jesus lifts up in Matthew 25 aren’t
acts of charity or even marks of virtue. (Continues on page 4)
4
They are nothing less than the proclamation of the Kingdom of God. It is the
grace of God which insists that any of us are more than the circumstances of our
lives and that our value is in being loved by God (and through God’s people) and
not in a world which may consider us disposable. It is the Gospel which insists
that our futures, no matter how circumscribed our lives may appear, belong to
God and that is hope that lives outside of what today may hold. While the ‘Ritual
of the New Calendar’ may be a luxury of the well-fed, secure and comfortable,
the real freedom of the future is in the arms of God who insists on opening it for
any who would turn their face in God’s direction.
Years ago I had a systematic theology professor who one day encouraged our
class to only note things in our calendars which would proclaim the Kingdom of
God. I confess that I continued to fill my little red pocket calendar with all man-
ner of things vain and banal. But still, I think I got his point. Christ’s claim on us
is complete and that claim radically shifts what our life is grounded in and how
we will understand and value the world around us. In the midst of all the ‘things’
we will do in any given day, week, month or year – the only ones which really
mean anything are ones which proclaim the Kingdom of God – the ones which
reveal who, and whose, we truly are – thanks to the grace of God.
May we have a great year together – proclaiming the Kingdom of God.
In Christ,
Pastor Tim Stewart
Pastor’s Corner (continued)
5
President’s Corner
As we bid farewell to 2013, and say welcome to 2014, I
want to thank Pastor and the council for their dedication and
service to the ALC during the past year. Your support and
cooperation has been invaluable during my 1st year as coun-
cil president.
Our next annual meeting is going to be held Sunday January
26th. And I want to extent a special thanks those who are
going off council at this time; Lars Lunde (Treasurer), Sarvo Martin
(Membership), and John Chamberlain (Properties). Being on council can some-
times be hard work, but you have generously given of your time to keep the
ALC operating!
Congregational support is important to the running of our church, so we need as
many members as possible to attend the annual meeting. With the pot luck it is
both good fellowship as well as a time to partake in the shaping of our church
future.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not
for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the
Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Col 3:23-24
As we venture into 2014 I am again reminded of how we can be thankful to God,
who more than 50 years ago, inspired a group of Christians to build our fantastic
church building. Together through “THE MASTER KEY PROJECT” we are
going to continue the work they started. Each week there are numerous activities
that take place in our building; hundreds of people come through on a weekly
basis, this church is such an important place for so many. We are custodians of
this building, and must do everything we can to keep it up!
“For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s build-
ing.”1 Co 3:9
Soli Deo Gloria
Bob Sebro
ALC Council President
6
Su
n
Mo
n
Tu
e
We
d
Th
u
Fri
S
at
1
Ne
w Y
ea
r’s
Da
y
2
3
4
14
:30
AA
5
10
:30
Ch
oir
Re
he
ars
al
11
:00
Wo
rsh
ip S
vc
Ho
ly C
om
mu
nio
n
12
:00
Fe
llo
wsh
ip
16
:00
O
slo
Kir
ke
n
6
12
:00
Sta
ff M
ee
tin
g
16
:30
t N
ET
17
:15
Al-A
no
n
7
8
19
:00
Pra
yer
Gro
up
, A
A
19
:00
AW
C B
oa
rd
Mtg
9
10
18
:30
A
LC
Wo
me
n’s
ga
the
-
rin
g a
t To
rill’s
11
14
:30
AA
12
1
0:3
0 C
ho
ir R
eh
ea
rsa
l
11
:00
Wo
rsh
ip
12
:00
Fe
llo
wsh
ip
16
:00
Oslo
Kir
ke
n
13
16
:30
t
NE
T
17
:15
Al-A
no
n
14
18
:30
AW
C
15
19
:00
P
raye
r
Gro
up
, A
A
16
17
18
14
:30
AA
19
1
0:3
0 C
ho
ir R
eh
ea
rsa
l
11
:00
Wo
rsh
ip S
erv
ice
Ho
ly C
om
mu
nio
n
12
:00
Fe
llo
wsh
ip
16
:00
Oslo
Kir
ke
n
20
Ma
rtin
Lu
the
r K
ing
Da
y
Ch
urc
h O
ffic
e C
lose
d
Bib
le S
tud
y 1
0:3
0
17
:15
Al-A
no
n
21
22
19
:00
Pra
yer
Gro
up
, A
A
23
1
8:0
0 T
ruste
es M
tg.
19
:00
Co
un
cil M
tg.
24
25
14
:30
AA
26
10
:30
Ch
oir
Re
he
ars
al
11
:00
Wo
rsh
ip S
vc
12
:00
Po
tlu
ck
- A
nn
ua
l
Me
eti
ng
16
:00
Oslo
Kir
ke
n
27
16
:30
tN
ET
17
:15
Al-A
no
n
28
29
19
:00
P
raye
r
Gro
up
, A
A
30
3
1
J
an
ua
ry 2
01
4
7
Su
n
Mo
n
Tu
e
We
d
Th
u
Fri
S
at
1
14
:30
AA
2
10
:30
Ch
oir
Re
he
ars
al
11
:00
Ho
ly C
om
mu
nio
n
Insta
lla
tio
n N
ew
Co
un
cil
12
:00
Fe
llo
wsh
ip
16
:00
O
slo
Kir
ke
n
3
12
:00
Sta
ff M
ee
tin
g
16
:30
t N
ET
17
:15
Al-A
no
n
4
5
19
:00
Pra
yer
Gro
up
, A
A
19
:00
AW
C B
oa
rd
Mtg
6
7
Wo
me
n’s
Fe
llo
wh
ip
8
14
:30
AA
9
10
:30
Ch
oir
Re
he
ars
al
11
:00
Wo
rsh
ip
12
:00
Fe
llo
wsh
ip
16
:00
Oslo
Kir
ke
n
10
12
:00
Sta
ff M
ee
tin
g
16
:30
t
NE
T
17
:15
Al-A
no
n
11
10
:15
AW
C
me
eti
ng
12
19
:00
P
raye
r
Gro
up
, A
A
13
14
15
14
:30
AA
16
1
1:0
0 W
ors
hip
Se
rvic
e
Ho
ly C
om
mu
nio
n
Ba
pti
sm
12
:00
Fe
llo
wsh
ip
16
:00
Oslo
Kir
ke
n
17
16
:30
tN
ET
17
:15
Al-A
no
n
18
19
19
:00
Pra
yer
Gro
up
, A
A
20
18
:00
Tru
ste
es
Mtg
.
19
:00
Co
un
cil M
tg.
21
22
14
:30
AA
23
10
:30
Ch
oir
Re
he
ars
al
11
:00
Wo
rsh
ip S
vc
12
:00
Fe
llo
wsh
ip
16
:00
Oslo
Kir
ke
n
24
12
:00
Sta
ff M
ee
tin
g
16
:30
tN
ET
17
:15
Al-A
no
n
25
26
19
:00
P
raye
r
Gro
up
, A
A
27
AL
C D
rea
ms a
nd
Pla
ns
28
F
ebru
ary
2
01
4
8
From your Stewardship Committee
We begin 2014 with new goals of what we would like to
achieve and have hopes of what good things the year will
bring. So it is with our church as well. This year we will
celebrate the 50th anniversary of our church building and
there are many building related projects we would like to
get done. At the same time we need to continue to offer
and to improve the services and activities the church ordi-
narily has. How much we do is really up to us, the Congre-
gation.
The list of what we would like to do is long, but with prayer and God’s helping
hand we can achieve a lot this year. God has given us a beautiful place of worship
and we need to take care of it. Helping out is a way of thanking God for what He
has given to us. The church needs all of us to donate both time and financial re-
sources in order for it to grow and do God’s work here on earth. Please, therefore,
give generously to the church, for the more you give the better the church will be-
come and the more it can serve those people in need.
And remember that whatever you give to God, you will be repaid many times
over.
Arthur Melhoos,
Stewardship Chairman
2013 Annual Reports
The ALC 2013 Annual Report is ready for you to take
home. Please take the time to read it before our Annual
Meeting being held on Sunday January 26 after the worship
service.
Both full members and associate members are encouraged
to attend this important meeting.
A potluck lunch will be held. Please remember to bring a dish or two to share
with others
If you have any questions please see Rie Melhoos or Pastor Stewart.
We hope to see you there!
9
The Monday Morning
Bible Study will meet on
January 20 at 10:30.
Please join us!
Prayers
If you have prayer concerns, please contact
our Prayer Chain administrator, Gillian
Holby, at jillholby@gmail.com or the church
office.
Friday Evening Women’s Fellowship Please mark your calendars and plan to join us for our next Friday Evening
Women's Fellowship on Friday, February 7th.
If you haven't been to one of these Fellowship evenings before, please know
that you are very welcome to join us! These are friendly, informal gatherings
of women. Often there is a short program or discussion, sometimes there is a
fun game, always there is much laughter and good opportunity for getting to
know one another better than we're able to do during the short time we have
after church on Sundays.
A bit of food or drink is always welcome, but please don't feel obligated to
bring anything.
We will have more information about the location of our next meeting very
soon. Please send any questions to Mary Ann Stewart at the
stewarts10@hotmail.com or by SMS at 489 92 659.
We look forward to seeing you!
10
Weekly Email News and Messenger and ALC Website
The ALC sends out a weekly email news, as well as the monthly newsleter
Messenger. If you would like to receive our news by email, please send an
email to office@alcoslo.org
In addition please take a look at our ALC website which has been
updated . www.alcoslo.org
SUNDAY MORNING TEXT STUDY
You are invited to join Pastor Stewart each Sunday at 9:30 AM to take a
look at the texts which will be read in worship that day.
This is a great way to deepen one’s understanding of the texts which will
be a center point of the following worship service. We will finish around
10:15, so to make the most of our time together, please be sure to be at the
ALC library at 9:30.
Dreams & Plans
The next Dreams & Plans
Evening will be held on
Thursday February 27th !
A simple dinner will be served
Please come and bring your thoughts and ideas!
11
1 - John Holby,
1 - Johanna Stephens
2 - Vivesa Liam
3 - Salli Baker
4 - Grace Marian Fiksdalstrand
4 - Arthur Melhoos
5 - Mathew Swedberg
6 - Kari Colwell,
6 - Ragnhild Roderburg
6 - Brian K. Cheruiyot,
6 - Abena Sarpong Britwum
7 - Marianne Melhoos
8 - Bente Randmel
9 - Christian Mohr
9 - Keziah Killmer
10 - Antonia Fiksdalstrand
11 - Gunnvor Høigaard
11 - Ellen and Evan Mugizi
13 - Anders Wilhelm Tse-Wei Chang Lunde
15 - Alexander With
17 - Torild Brock-Smith
17 - Viet Si Pham,
17 - Adam Tobias Kaldestad
17 - Ola Johannes Z. Lande
18 - Christine Balfour
18 - Maria Kjeldahl Crouch
18 - Donna Hareide,
18 - Sofie Kristine Kaldestad
19 - Paal Johansen
19 - Ruth Farnes
19 - David Christian Olaussen
20 – Hamid Qafari
21 - Elsa H.H. Bando
21 - Connie Stultz
21- Magne Myrmo
23 - Rishabh Harinarain
25 - Patricia Mutesi
26 - Katrine Limseth,
26 - Barbara Kierulf
28 - David Skeie
28 Hannah Elisabeth Bekkmo
28 - Geir Håbesland
God Bless You on Your Special Day! January Birthdays
1 – Peter Majeed
2 - Abraham Ghebre Christos
2 - Marian S. Håbesland
4 – Madison Perry Lorgen
5 - Ynghild Solholm
6 - Yolanda Solholm
7 - Asha Lal,
7 - Anna Maria Aune Moore
8 – Maria Morland
9 - Naomi Gichimu
10 - Wenche Foss
12 - Judy Hansteen
12 - Don Loendorf
12 - Rima Annie Seth
14 - Helen Borchgrevink
18 - Janette Fjeldstad
18 - Andreas Lokken
18 – Zo Rakotoarison
19 - Caroline Cooper Sjøstedt
19 - Judy Staff
19 - Yonathan Yohannes Mekonnen
20 – Martin Alexander Thorsen
22 - Victoria Glyn
22 - Leonardo George Granrud
25 – Karen Riding
26 - Martha Kjølseth
26 - Ajay Kumar
28 – Chiek Jwee Er
28 - Brian E. W. Wabende
29 - Robert Marsalis
29 - Matteo Mellilo
30 – Donna Marstrander
31 – Caja Amalia Madsen-Goonetilleke
February Birthdays
12
Annual Congregational
Meeting January 26th 2014
The Annual Congregational Meeting for Voting Members is called for
26 January 2014.
The meeting will take place:
Date: Sunday, 26 January 2014
Time: Potluck Lunch immediately after the 11:00 Worship Service,
with the meeting to start as soon as possible
Place: ALC, Fritzners gate 15
Agenda Greeting
Opening Devotions
Approval of Agenda
Review and Approval of the minutes of the 2013 Annual Congregational
Meeting held on January 27, 2013
Pastor’s Report
President’s Report
Ministry Area Reports\
Treasurer Report
Audit Committee Report
Presentation and Approval of the 2014 Budget
Nomination Committee Report
Election of officers and Committee Chairs for 2014
Election of Audit Committee member for 2014\
Election of Nominating Committee members for 2014
Closing Comments and Prayer
Robert Sebro Melisande Engebretsen
President, ALC Council Secretary, ALC Council
top related