Christ Lutheran Church Women€¦ · Web viewThe Messenger The Newsletter of Christ Lutheran Church Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey The Church: Proudly Proclaiming Christ since A.D. 33

The MessengerThe Newsletter of Christ Lutheran Church

Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey

The Church: Proudly Proclaiming Christ since A.D. 33

September 2013

The Care CommitteeBefore you realize it summer will be coming to a close. We hope everyone had a beautiful summer and is now looking forward to the fall and all that it brings with it – the crisp night air, the new apple crop, the delicious apple desserts, and for the Care Committee resuming our activities at Christ Lutheran.

The Care Committee looks forward to Tuesday, September 10th at 9:30 am when it returns to the Sonshine Room. Ladies, if you are available on that date, please consider joining us. We always look forward to new faces and new ideas. The coffee is always on, and it goes very nicely with the delicious refreshments.

The first activity at that time will be Care Sunday, October 6th. We have arranged for a speaker from The Community Hospice of Bergen County to tell us about the progress they have made since opening their doors in our area. The service on October 6th will be staffed with members of the Committee (excluding the sermon). And not to be forgotten, the Committee will host a coffee in the narthex. Each year we ask that you bring a loaf of sliced bread to the narthex on Care Sunday. The loaves received will be delivered to the Center For Food Action in Englewood.

Thank you to all who have been bringing food donations to the narthex on a Sunday morning during the summer months. Hunger did not take a vacation. It is still with us. Please continue to remember the need that is out there.

Mae Hulburt

We Give Thanks to . . . . . . Don Rudie who spent endless hours reviewing pictures and information about Christ Lutheran's history, especially our 50th anniversary. He has put it all into a wonderful album for everyone to look at and reminisce. It will be on the table

by the bulletins for a month or so, then it will be in the library permanently. Be sure to take a look and thank Don for a wonderful job.  . . . members of Christ Lutheran! Our congregation raised $378 for the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life back in May. Chantal Ramhorst was captain of our team.. . . all those who volunteered to supply refreshments after worship services this summer.  We enjoyed your goodies and the chance for fellowship!

It’s Happening . . . in Sunday SchoolSunday School kicks off with registration and a group lesson for the whole family from 9:40-10:20 am on September 15th. All Sunday School students/parents will meet in the Opsal Room where there will be activities for the children and an overview of our Sunday School program for parents. We hope to have activities throughout the year including monthly get-togethers, outings and service projects, so come ready to share your ideas for how we can help our children grow in faith and spread the love of Jesus out into our community. All church members are encouraged to become involved in our Sunday School programs . . . so join us anytime!

The teachers for this year will be:Pre-K/Kindergarten – Darleen Castellano1st/2nd grade – Jennifer Elek and Carol Suarez3rd/4th grade– Martin Thalmann and Rich Osenbruck 5th/6th grade –Janet Post

If anyone would like to be a volunteer to help the teachers in the classrooms, please contact Janet Post.

Our Sunday School children received a thank you from the Sandy Hook Elementary School for the snowflakes our kids made for the school.

Families are invited to celebrate worship services together with their Sunday School teachers and friends each week at 8:00 am, 9:00 am, or 10:30 am. We would like to have children involved in all services, so if you or your family would like to help with ushering, greeting, Bible readings, receiving offerings, hosting refreshments after church, please let me know.

Janet Post, forEducation Committee

From Your Church LibraryJust a reminder—there are books for children of all ages on display in the narthex all summer available for gifts to your kids and grandkids for a small donation to our small library budget.  Do your Christmas and birthday shopping early!

Now that you've seen and possibly borrowed a book from the cart in the narthex this summer, how about going into the Sonshine room and taking a look at the almost 5000 books available for your use?

Dot Dohrmann, Librarian

Reconnect with Your FriendsEnjoy some time with your Christ Lutheran friends after the summer. Plan on attending the Family and Friends Picnic September 15 th after the 10:30 am worship service. There will be many activities . . .

For the kids – GamesFace painting Temporary tattoosPossibly a bounce house.

For the adults – Horse shoesFor everyone –

Can jamVolleyballCotton candySnow cones

There will be sign-up sheet in the Narthex for needed food items. If you are not able to attend but would like to donate food or money to help cover the costs, please contact Crystal Ramhorst at [email protected] or 201-307-8991.

I am convinced … that friendships provide the most fertile soil for evangelism. When the reality of Christ is introduced into a relationship of love and trust that has already been established, the effect is powerful. And it seems that invariably, when someone becomes a true follower of Christ, that person’s first impulse is to want to find a friend and introduce that friend to Christ. —John MacArthur

Looking Ahead – Mark Your Calendars

Christ Lutheran Women Sponsors Wine & Cheese EveningFriday, October 11 th @ 7:30 pm

The evening will feature potter, teacher and artist, Ray Boswell, who for 30 years has shared his unique merging of creativity and spirituality with people throughout the tri-state region. Join CLCW for a Wine & Cheese event, featuring Ray and his work on Friday, October 11th, beginning at 7:30 pm. For more information on Ray, go to www.bostree.com. All adult females are invited—and you can bring a friend or two! More details to come in September.

Sr. High Retreat November 1 st to 3 rd

Women's Weekend at Koinonia – November 1 st to November 3 rd This year, Christ Lutheran Church Women has scheduled the weekend of Friday, November 1st to Sunday, November 3rd as the Women's Retreat weekend. More details to follow in the fall. Think about joining us in the renovated two family cabin for fun, food and a respite from your busy life here in Bergen County!

Jr. High Among the Wolves Retreat at Harvey Cedars - November 15 th to 17 th More info. and registration information will be sent out from the Youth Committee.

We Are Proud of You!We are happy to share the accomplishments and goals of a few of the wonderful young adult members of Christ Lutheran. We pray for God’s blessings on them as they pursue new ventures. We are proud to call them “our own.”

Christopher Drobinske, College graduateChristopher graduated from University of New Haven. His future goal is to pursue arson investigation, administration and firefighting.

John Paul Carbaugh, Jr., Sr. High School graduate John Paul graduated from Pascack Hills High School in June. He will be attending Bergen Community College as a Music Technology major.

Liam Conboy, Sr. High School graduate Liam will be attending Susquehanna University in Pennsylvania and playing baseball.

Michael Jacobsen, Middle School graduate Michael graduated from Charles DeWolf Middle School in Old Tappan and will attend Northern Valley Old Tappan, joining the marching band.

Case Ramhorst, middle school graduateCase graduated from Woodcliff Middle School. Case will attend Pascack Hills High School and his goal is to play high school soccer.

Chantal Ramhorst, Sr. High School graduate Chantal graduated from Pascack Hills High School in June. Her goal is to earn a Bachelor’s from New Paltz studying to become a teacher and volleyball coach.

Lord, take me where you want me to go; Let me meet who you want me to meet;

Tell me what you want me to say, and keep me out of your way.

—Rev. Mychal Judge, FDNY

Bible ChallengeCan you find 16 books in the Bible? (Circle 16 books of the Bible as they appear in the paragraph below) I ONCE MADE A REMARK ABOUT THE HIDDEN BOOKS OF THE BIBLE.

IT WAS A LULU, KEPT PEOPLE LOOKING SO HARD FOR FACTS AND

FOR THE OTHERS IT WAS A REVELATION. SOME WERE IN A JAM,

ESPECIALLY SINCE THE NAME OF THE BOOKS WERE NOT

CAPITALIZED, BUT THE TRUTH FINALLY STRUCK HOME TO NUMBERS

OF READERS. TO OTHERS IT WAS A REAL JOB. WE WANT IT TO BE THE

MOST FASCINATING FEW MOMENTS FOR YOU. YES, THERE WILL BE

SOME REALLY EASY ONES TO SPOT, OTHERS MAY REQUIRE JUDGES

TO HELP THEM. I WILL QUICKLY ADMIT IT USUALLY TAKES A

MNISTER TO FIND ONE OF THEM AND THERE WILL BE LOUD

LAMENTATIONS WHEN IT IS FOUND. A LITTLE LADY SAYS SHE

BREWS A CUP OF TEA SO SHE CAN CONCENTRATE BETTER. SEE HOW

WELL YOU CAN COMPETE. RELAX NOW, FOR THERE REALY ARE

SIXTEEN NAMES OF THE BIBLE IN THIS STORY.

Your Stewardship Team Is PlanningHello My Christ Lutheran Family,

By the time you read this message, summer will be coming to a close.  My hope is that you have used the summer to enjoy your vacation with your family in many ways.  Summer is a time to relax, and grow spiritually, mentally, emotionally and socially with memories that will last a life time. I too am going to do the exact thing.

My mind is constantly thinking about our church and the talented, giving and loving members that I have the pleasure of knowing.  With that at hand, I am asking you to make sure that your 2013 financial commitment and giving is up to date. Also, it is important that you reflect on the many blessings and talents that you have been given, a gift from God.

In October, my Committee will begin the 2014 pledge drive, as well as the time and talent sheet, with jobs that many of you can do and can give.  Multiple times I have addressed the need for more people to get involved.  This not only lightens the burden on the few who do the jobs but also gets more members involved with new ideas and makes stronger bonds.  

I ask that you prayerfully consider my suggestions and rise to the occasion, to make things better and stronger at our church.

Mary Zeigler, Stewardship Chair

Our Current Financial Health

(50,000)

-

50,000

100,000

150,000

200,000

July 2013 Year-to-Date

Through July, the total paid for all expenses was $161,285 and donations received were $139,137, resulting in a shortfall of $22,148. The church counts on your donations to meet its expenses. Thank you.

From Finance Committee

Meet Your Worship CommitteeThe Worship Committee is a small group meeting monthly to review and plan worship services, and to seek ways to make our worship here at Christ Lutheran a more meaningful and worshipful experience for all. The group consists of David and Doris Crouse, Dot Dohrmann, Ken Eastlund, Carol Kress, Lynn Lesko and Trudy Ungar.   In a larger sense, everyone who worships at Christ Lutheran is a member of the Committee.  Your participation and input help the Committee plan meaningful worship and events.

The Committee coordinates many worship assistants: the musicians, the choirs, the communion assistants, the readers, acolytes and ushers. The Altar Guild sets up the altar each week for communion, maintains the linens, candles and communion ware and decorates for special events such as Christmas, Easter and All Saints Day.   We invite all church members to attend our meetings on the first Tuesday of each month. We welcome any and all suggestions and ideas to help make our worship inspirational and meaningful to all.

Dot Dohrmann, Chair  

Looking forward to worshiping with you all this Fall. We welcome you home after a glorious summer. Our schedule for September and October is listed below. September 1st and 8th – 9:30 am worship with Holy Communion September 15 – First Sunday of return to Sunday School and 3 worship services,

all with Holy Communion8:00 am Contemplative Service

9:00 am Contemporary Worship9:40 to 10:25 am Sunday Church School

10:30 am Traditional worship October 6th –Care Sunday with guest speaker during 10:30 am worship October 13 –Confirmation during 10:30 am worship October 20–Blessing of the animals during 10:30 am worship in the Opsal Room October 27 –Celebration of Reformation Sunday followed by Refest.

Koinonia Update50 years and counting…

Let’s join with Koinonia and celebrate their 1st 50 years. October 4th – 6th

2013 has been designated as the Koinonia 50th anniversary celebration weekend. Join with the executive directors, Paul and Carol Hinderlie and Tom Ahlstrom, to greet old and new friends as we all celebrate 50 years in this blessed wilderness place and listen for God’s call for Koinonia’s future.

As part of the 50 year celebration, a live auction will be held on October 5 th. Donations are welcome. Contact Tom Ahlstrom ([email protected]) at Koinonia, if interested.

When you visit Koinonia the next time, take a short hike to the new bridge at the south end of the lake. Tom and Sue Vorstadt pulled the funds together, recruited volunteers to remove the old bridge and to build the new one. We, along with Rolf Wahl, had the pleasure of being part of the work crew to build the new bridge, pictured below. We had a great weekend, with wonderful meals, great conversation and fellowship, and ended the weekend with worship in the Chapel in the Pines.

Tom and Kim Kearns

 New Bridge at Koinonia

Consider joining us at Koinonia in March 2014 . . .Christ Lutheran Congregational Retreat weekend.Hold March 21st to 23rd open for this great weekend!

More information to follow. Questions? please contact Tom Kearns, Crystal Ramhorst, or Craig Post.

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Ministers: the people of God at Christ Lutheran ChurchPastor: The Rev. Pat Olausen

Director of Music: Argine SafariDirector of Youth Choirs: David Scance

Musician: Fred MessnerAdministrative Assistant: Doris Crouse

www.clc4u.com – 201-391-4224 – [email protected]

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10TH.

Look at all Jesus is doing here at Christ Lutheran Church. . .Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Have a holly, jolly Ref Fest… And in case you need some fun, just join right in, it’s not a sin, and celebrate some more… Have a holly, jolly Ref Fest… with delicious food to eat. But remember dear, when Mondays here, no cholesterol test for you … Have a holly, jolly Ref Fest, you need a laugh or two, so mark the date, don’t be late, and we will see you there! Last fall the question was, “What’s a Ref Fest?” (A Reformation Festival by a LOT shorter name.) A day to feast and play together, to talk and laugh, a day to enjoy Katie Luther appearing at the worship services, and the monk Tetzel selling indulgences at the feast afterward.

In the early 16th century the only church was what we know as the Roman Catholic Church. Over the centuries it had sparked discontent, but little as large as the discontent felt by the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther. An Augustinian monk, parish priest and theology professor at the University of Wittenberg, Martin was angered by the church’s teachings on the way in which we are saved from sin and the church’s growing interest in money.

Pope Leo X, intent on creating a magnificent church, Saint Peter in Rome, sold positions within the church for large sums of money. He also encouraged the viewing of relics (bones of saints, splinters from the cross, a coin from the sum paid to Judas for betraying Jesus…) Viewing these brought forgiveness of sin.

Along with the viewing of relics, indulgences, in the form of certificates granting diminished time in Purgatory, were sold. Tetzel’s hellfire and damnation approach frightened people into relying upon these objects and the …. Well, if you’d like to know more, don’t miss Sunday, October 27! Mrs. Katie Luther visits worship Sunday, October 27 at 8, 9, and 10:30 am

A grand feast with games, silly songs and a sale of indulgences by Tetzel himself (monies to go to the Center for Food Action) for all ages follows the 10:30 am worship service! Warning: most games and prizes designed to please children. And not for the wurst, most adults will likely prefer good conversation and the strong ego of Tetzel!

Confirming Our Faith

Serving/Learning Christian Trip: Washington, D.C.—Nov. 7 to Nov. 10Thursday, November 7 – Sunday, November 10 (Teacher’s Convention)

As part of their growth in Jesus Christ, and strengthening the bonds of Christian friends and community, confirmation class youth and youth who have been confirmed may be eligible to participate in day and extended trips with Crystal Ramhorst and Pastor Pat. These trips will provide ways to learn about cities, different types of Christians, ways the Church responds to need, the results of love and prejudice, the value of standing for God, the friendship of others and the essential nature of service. In the context of living outside our comfortable, familiar ways, we will grow in Christian community by relying upon ourselves and others, helping to meet the needs of the most fragile and poor of those around us, developing leadership, and seeing the world through new eyes.

Confirmation class and confirmed youth can participate in a 4 day learning event in Washington D.C. We will stay at The Pilgrimage, an interdenominational hostel ministry of the Church of the Pilgrims (Presbyterian Church USA) located in NW Washington. In addition to providing a clean, comfortable and safe space for groups to stay and learn, The Pilgrimage will arrange servant events for our learning event.

Participants will learn about poverty and affluence, acceptance, welcome, and hatred and prejudice… Christian courage and leadership, brokenness and hope. We will tour many significant sites and youth will be encouraged to look beyond the surface, to look for meanings and truth, instead of accepting monuments, churches, memorials, historic sites and museums as they are. We will participate in service.

Fees: advance purchase of an Amtrak roundtrip ticket 6 weeks in advance ($49 youth roundtrip/$98 adult roundtrip) and a fee of $105 for lodging at the Pilgrimage. All other transportation, fees and meals will be covered through funds from the Ricci Foundation. The class and the confirmed who wish to come, but who need financial assistance, should speak with Pastor Pat privately to arrange a scholarship.

Crystal and Pastor will lead the group; other adults who wish to come must speak to them and pay the full fee. Reservations are limited to 12. All interested MUST contact Doris Crouse at the office, 201-391-4224 as soon as possible and no later than before Oct. 14. Each person must purchase their Amtrak tickets themselves; the price of these rises dramatically as the weeks pass. Amtrak fares can jump several times their current value. Some of these jumps can mean a $200 rise in a $49 ticket. The cost is not related to available seating. Only groups of 20 or more can order nameless tickets. Each ticket must bear the name of the person who will use it; it is non-transferable. The ticket belongs to the holder and may be applied to another trip at the same price, or fees added to a greater price. Each ticket is 1 way, and so both legs of the trip must be purchased at the same time.

After contacting Doris Crouse, immediately contact Pastor Pat at 201-391-4224, 973-769-9393, or 973-984-0248, THEN BOOK YOUR AMTRAK TICKET:

Contact Amtrak at 1-800-872-7245 USA RAILNortheast Regional 185 departing Newark/Penn Station (in Newark, not at Penn Station Liberty Airport) 8:26 am (We will gather at 7:30 am SHARP.) Arriving Union Station, DC 11:30 amTicket (1 way: starting at $49 per person, $24.50 for youth 15 and under)Northeast Regional 126 departing Union Station at 4:25 pm (We will arrive there as a group at 3:45 pm) Arriving Newark/Penn Station at 7:24 p.m.Ticket (1 way: starting at $49 per person, $24.50 for youth 15 and under)

You MUST purchase both tickets at the same time.Luggage Limit: 2 carry-ons and 1 backpack or purse

Trips such as this one really serve to assist youth in growing in many ways, and help them to develop new friends. The responsibilities and togetherness are a truly significant way for youth to grow in maturity.

The next trip will be a full Spring day in New York City, dealing with many of the same faith areas, including a visit to the World Trade Center Memorial, a cathedral, a servant (service) opportunity and a scavenger hunt for weird Christian objects and art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Info for this will be released after Christmas.

2013-2014 Confirmation Class for 7th and 8th GradersThere will be several differences this year: There will be a 9:40 – 10:20 am Sunday School Class for 7th and 8th graders. Nancy Ulanday will be leading this Bible study class. There will be requirements for class attendance. Youth will use notebooks to record information about such things as worship attendance and service. Youth will use sections of the “Reform” curriculum as the primary curriculum. In some circumstances, individual youth will be required to have a parent present. The primary emphasis will be to grow in Christian faith through learning and experiencing these areas:

Who is God? * * How do I experience God’s love? * * What is my response?Luther’s Small Catechism will be required, though integrated throughout the class.There may be occasional homework, as needed. Growing in relationship with Jesus Christ, being an active part of Christian community and serving others will determine what activities and approaches will be used. Other components will be detailed at the joint youth and parent confirmation meeting on Thursday, September 26 at 7:30 pm at Christ Lutheran Church.

YEE HA! Pastor Pat

Want To Be in the Paper?If any committee has news and/or pictures they would like to submit to the area newspapers, Martin Thalmann is the contact person. Just e-mail him the write-up and pictures, and he will

send to the papers, [email protected]. Christian Chat Invites You! We are excited that our adult discussion group which started earlier in the year will begin again in September when Sunday School starts. Everyone from the church is invited to participate in this discussion group from 9:40 to 10:20 am on Sundays. Topics will include raising children in today’s society, Bible topics and general discussions about Christ Lutheran. Please think about joining us! For any questions, contact Coryn Thalmann at 201-664-4977.

Watch out for details on a monthly Men’s Discussion with bagel breakfast, discussion, man talk, Bible, pick your topic.

Look out! We may extend the Wednesday night worship to September and October which should help with fall schedules–7:15 gathering and 7:30 to 8:10 pm Bible and Holy Communion. Check the Sunday bulletins for further information.