PEACEFUL TIDINGS! - Fredsville Lutheran Church€¦ · Confirmation classes will resume February 17th, 2016 Seder Service & Feast March 23rd, 2016 . Larry & Jeanne Guthrie - December

PEACEFUL TIDINGS!

From

Fredsville Evangelical Lutheran Church

Serving in Jesus’ name since March 1871

Blessed with heritage, vision for the future and peace in the present

Monthly Newsletter of Fredsville December 2015

A message from Pastor Lisa,

Everywhere, everywhere, Christmas tonight! Christmas in lands of the fir-tree and pine, Christmas in lands of the palm-tree and vine, Christmas where snow peaks stand solemn and white, Christmas where cornfields stand sunny and bright. Everywhere, everywhere, Christmas tonight! Christmas where children are hopeful and gay, Christmas where old men are patient and gray, Christmas where peace, like a dove in his flight, Broods o're brave men in the thick of the fight; Everywhere, everywhere, Christmas tonight! For the Christ-child who comes is the Master of all; No palace too great, no cottage too small. Ever since I became a pastor I have read this poem in the quiet of my office between services on Christmas Eve. It is a simple poem that was given to me by a parishioner in my first call. I guess for me it has been a reminder that the Christ child has indeed come, even in the busyness of Christmas services, and gift wrapping and unwrapping, and family gatherings. It is a reminder to me that Christ came for me too, no matter how small and insignificant I might feel. It is a reminder that Christ has come for All of us, no matter where we gather, no matter what our age, no matter our sex, no matter if we are alone or in a huge family. May you be reminded this Christmas that Christ came for you, for you matter to God! Merry Christmas! Pastor Lisa

Keep them in your prayers Lisa Dumler – member is recovering from a bilateral mastectomy Florence Freese – member recovering from knee replacement Claudia Hamilton - member with Alzheimers Alma Heath – member has had strokes and heart damage Jim Jorgensen – member is recovering from pacemaker surgery Phyllis Jorgensen – member had hip replacement & broken leg Don Pruisner – member had is home after falling and breaking his hip Vern Petersen – member with emphysema Kevin Pruisner – member with cancer Kendal Pruisner – Kevin’s brother with cancer Neal Thuesen – member’s cancer returned and he is having treatments Carol Watson – member had another toe amputated

If you need to be added to the prayer list or desire a visit, please contact the church office at 989-2065 or Pastor Lisa at 243-8136

Meetings: Sunday December 6 – Endowment Committee meeting 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday December 9 – Finance Committee meeting 6:00 p.m.

Sunday December 13 – Church Council meeting 6:30 p.m.

Angel Tree Benefits Bremwood Students Remember the students at Bremwood this holiday season. Pick your angel(s) from the Angel tree in the Gathering Space and have fun shopping. Then just return your item(s), unwrapped, with the angel attached, and place it under the tree. The Bremwood students celebrate Christmas early before some of them return home for the holidays, so please be sure to return your gifts to the church no later than Sunday, December 13.

The High School youth will be gift wrapping the Angel Tree gifts on Sunday, December 13th after the catered meal. Donations of wrapping paper, tape and bows would be appreciated. Following the wrapping we will deliver the gifts to Bremwood. We will need a couple of parents to volunteer to drive to Waverly. Please let Trisha Weichers know if you would be available to drive. 319-939-7224.

Thank You Fredsville Family Thank you to our Fredsville volunteers who helped work the October pancake breakfast at NewAldaya Lifescapes. Also, thanks to all who donated baked goods for the bake sale or came to eat

pancakes.

The annual breakfast, organized by Auxiliary Board members from each of the 7 founding Lutheran churches uses funds raised to purchase items that benefit the residents of NewAldaya. The proceeds from this year’s breakfast was over $5,000, which included a $1,000 donation from Dahl-Van Hove-Schoof Funeral Home and $500 from Thrivent Financial Group. From the proceeds the Auxiliary Board pledged its second donation of $3,000 towards the new Memory Care Unit for Alzheimer and dementia residents. Additional proceeds were used to purchase items to benefit the

needs of both residents and staff.

Thanks to all our Fredsville members who helped make these gifts possible to benefit the residents of NewAldaya. Jane Christensen and Audrey Stefan, Auxiliary Board Members

Martha Circle

Martha Circle will meet Tuesday December 1st at 9:00 a.m. at Village Inn on University Ave, in Cedar Falls. Please bring a toiletry item with you.

Ruth Circle

Join us Tuesday December 1st at 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Lorraine Crotty will serve as Hostess.

Please bring a Christmas story or poem to share.

Secret Angel Reminder Thank you to the “Angels” that signed up!

As a “secret angel” you would be expected to:

1) pray daily for that child and,

2) give them something simple each month – card, a note

or a small gift (under $5).

The “Secret Angel” program will run from

October 1st through the April 2016 reveal.

Confirmation Classes will be on the following Wednesdays from 6:30-8:00 p.m. for 6th -8th graders & parent(s).

We will not have classes in December or January

Wednesday February 17th, 2016 March 2nd and 16th March 23rd is Ash Wednesday Worship April 6th and 20th

Razzle Dazzle Bake Sale Reminder that Fredsville will have a booth in the Dike Community Center during the Razzle Dazzle celebration on Wednesday, December 2. Please bring bake sale items to the community center any time between 4:00 and 5:30. The event begins at 5:00. If you would like to work at the booth please contact Jean Loger or Pastor Lisa.

Fredsville Lutheran Church Basement

HOURS

Every Wednesday 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.

1st & 3rd Saturdays 9:30 – Noon

OPEN TO ANYONE, ALL CLOTHING IS FREE

DONATIONS We are accepting new or gently used clothing. Clothing should be in good condition without stains and clean. We are only collecting clothing at this time and especially need little girls clothing; please no shoes, accessories, or household items. Underwear or socks must be new in original package. Donations may be dropped off at the church or Dike City Hall in the designated collection bins. Volunteers to help sort donations and work at the closet are welcome! Call the church office at 319-989-2065.

Sunday December 13, 2015

Please join us after Sunday school, for a

catered dinner buffet after Sunday school

Please sign up by December 9th

The menu is; Swiss steak, mashed potatoes and gravy,

scalloped corn, rolls and butter. Also, please indicate if

you will bring a salad or dessert. Cost will be $7.00 for

adults and $5.00 for youth. Since this is a catered meal

we will need a more accurate count.

(Congregation members with last names L – Z please plan to help serve and clean up as you are able).

Join us for worship this Christmas Season!

Worship Christmas Eve at 5:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Communion and Candlelight at both services!

Refreshments following the 5:00 p.m. worship service.

Join us also Christmas Day for a 10:30 a.m. worship service.

And please sign-up for the potluck meal following worship!

SAVE THE DATE: Fredsville Book Club will meet Monday January 11th, 2016

Confirmation classes will resume February 17th, 2016 Seder Service & Feast March 23rd, 2016

Larry & Jeanne Guthrie - December 15 Waylon & Michelle Bern - December 18

Phil & Alma Heath - December 22 Roy & Audrey Stefan - December 27

Eric & Darla Andersen - December 29 Jim & Jannan Marx - December 29

Kurt & Bonnie Kruger - December 30 Don & Letha Petersen - December 30

Eric Stefan December 1

Kellie Shoemaker December 2

Brynn Petersen December 4

Emily Mugge December 6

Jessica Bergmann December 9

Merlin Freese December 10

Linda Nielsen December 10

Kennedy Syhlman December 10

Allyson Crotty December 12

Andy Klipping December 13

Tim Klipping December 13

Arianna Hankins December 14

Krissy Nielsen December 14

Jean Loger December 15

Karli Lotts December 18

Trish Weichers December 18

Cooper Bakker December 19

Alice Hansen December 20

Duane Mueller December 20

Nicholas Reinicke December 20

Gordon Sloth December 20

Carlene Stage December 23

Bernice Craig December 24

Erin Dargan December 24

Brenda Cooper December 25

Holly Fleshner December 25

Waylon Syhlman December 27

Pam Kirkpatrick December 28

Ty Vandehaar December 28

Erhart Bern December 29

Abby Brekke December 29

Judy Mikkelsen December 29

Steve Nielsen December 29

Ellie Poe December 29

Lisa Dietrich December 30

Jeff Sandlin December 30

Mildred Sloth December 30

Doug Dall December 31

If we have missed your birthday or anniversary, or if you have added a cell phone, no longer have a home phone or, changed your address, please call the church office at 989-2065 or e-mail [email protected]. Thank you for keeping us current!

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World Relief Needs requested by Quilting Ladies

For Layettes/Baby Care Kits, sizes 6 – 24 months: Lightweight cotton t-shirts

Jacket, sweater or sweatshirt with a hood, or include a baby cap

For Quilting: Used sheets, used drapes etc. When you bring your donated items to church please put them in the east foyer or on a back table in the Fellowship Hall. Please clearly label World Relief/Quilting so the items are not misdirected. Thank you for your help in this ministry.

“Serving by Sewing”

Join Fredsville’s “Serving by Sewing” ministry as we begin meeting on the second Tuesday of the month. Our next sewing time is Tuesday December 8th from noon-4:00 p.m. to make pillowcase dresses for girls and shorts for boys. You’ll have a fun afternoon of fellowship and “Serving by Sewing.” And you don’t have to know how to run a sewing machine. There are other steps in the process of producing these cute little garments and packing them for shipment to be used around the world.

If you are not able to join us, please remember our ministry in prayer and with donations of pillowcases (new or gently used), elastic, thread, binding, ric-rac and buttons. Questions??? Contact Pastor Lisa at the church office at 989-2065 or Audrey Stefan at 268-1599

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Church Choirs

Just a reminder that there are opportunities for sharing your musical interests and musical talent at Fredsville. We are not professionals; choir participation is about fellowship and praising God! Each group tries to play/sing during worship once a month.

For more information contact:

Jean Loger at 319-269-3236 Senior Choir

Jeanne Thuesen at 319-266-3073 Adult Handbell Choir

Meridith Sandlin at 319-464-6411 Youth Handbell Choir

The Senior Choir Senior choir will practice the following dates in December:

Sunday December 6 at 8:30 a.m.

Wednesday December 9 at 7:30 p.m.

We will not have regular Wednesday night practices in January and February. Specific Sunday mornings will be announced for 8:30 a.m. practice.

The Adult Handbell Choir will rehearse Wednesday December 2, 9, 16 & 23 at 6:30 p.m.

(No practice Wednesday the 30th)

Youth Handbell Choir Fredsville youth (and friends) in 3rd grade and above rehearse Sunday evenings December 6th & 13th only from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Contact Meridith at [email protected] with any questions.

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Fredsville Lutheran Church Council Minutes - October 18, 2015

The Meeting was called to order by President Doug Dall at 6:30 pm.

Members in attendance: Darla Andersen, Justin Brekke, Brenda Cooper, Doug Dall, Duane Hamilton, Linda Nielsen, Audrey Stefan, Janet Vandehaar, Travis Wibben, and Pastor Lisa. Absent: Dan Crotty

Treasurer’s Report: Reports were distributed and reviewed. Balances are as follows:

General Checking $ 8,320.88 Memorial Fund $23,233.83 Building Fund $24,748.12

Secretary’s Report: Members reviewed the minutes of the September 20 meeting; a motion to approve was made by Darla, seconded by Janet, all voting aye, motion carried.

Old Business: 1. Plan of Action Items Clothing Closet – The Closet has received generous donations of clothing. More efforts are being made to get the word out about the availability of free clothing at Fredsville (Facebook, county-wide mailer, DHS agencies).

Technology – The church’s computer tech will be contacted in followup to discussions on updating and replacing equipment. Travis will be contacting some other churches to research what is being done by other congregations in terms of technology.

Global Ministry – Two sewing sessions were held in October. Completed dresses will be packed up for shipment later in the month.

Adult fellowship – Committee will be planning another activity.

Neighborhood groups – Nothing scheduled at this time.

Fill the Church – Successful event; good turnout; approximately 85 served at the lunch. 2. Budget – Council reviewed a preliminary budget proposal and discussed some specific items. There was consensus that no decision would be made at this time concerning the youth handbell director position.

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After discussion, a motion was made by Travis and seconded by Duane to pay administrative secretary Sue Schmidt for half of the church-observed holidays; all voted aye and the motion passed. There was also discussion of budgeting a larger increase for Pastor’s health insurance, in light of the current trends. Clothes Closet committee will be contacted to confirm if they wish to request monies in the budget for any 2016 needs. Further discussion and approval of the budget proposal will take place at the next meeting, for presentation to the congregation at the next annual meeting. 3. Intern – Work will begin on the application process for a 2016-2017 intern.

New Business:

1. Nominating Committee – Duane, Justin, Darla and Audrey will serve as the nominating committee. The group will meet to discuss members of the congregation eligible to serve on council and other committees with openings in 2016. Each person on the committee will then contact specific individuals, seeking nominations for those positions.

Pastor’s Report was submitted and accepted. Committee Reports

Worship & Music - No meeting/report.

Finance – Met and discussed committee requests and other budget items.

Evangelism & Stewardship – No meeting/report. Property – No meeting/report. Social Ministry – Committee planned Fall food drive. Council’s consensus was to have one special collection (a noisy offering) for the food drive on Sunday, November 22. Congregation has the opportunity to donate grocery items and/or designated financial contributions throughout the month of November.

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Christian Education – It was noted that 49 children attended the last WINGS event.

Mutual Ministry – No meeting/report.

Cemetery – No meeting/report.

Endowment – No meeting/report.

Historical – Photos in the confirmation picture display have been restored.

President’s Report – No report.

The next Council meeting is scheduled for Sunday, November 15 at 6:30 p.m.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned with the Lord’s Prayer.

Respectfully submitted,

Audrey Stefan, Council Secretary

Fredsville’s Book Club

Fredsville’s book club is currently reading

“14th

Deadly Sin” by James Patterson. The

Book club will not meet in December but on

Monday January 11th

at 10:30 a.m. in the

Gathering Space.

With San Francisco under siege and everyone a suspect, the Women's Murder Club must risk their lives to save the city-and each other. With shocking twists and riveting suspense, this book proves yet again that when it comes to suspense fiction, in the words of Jeffrey Deaver: "nobody does it better" than James Patterson.

Weather reminder: Whenever Dike-New Hartford School

is either canceled or has early dismissal due to weather;

we will cancel activities here at the church.

Don’t forget . . . .

If you don’t see your missing item in the kitchen, check the

“Lost & Found” in the Gathering Space.

Be sure to check the Lost & Found for other missing items!

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December 2015 Merry Christmas from LSI

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not

overcome it.” – John 1:5

As Christmas approaches, we give thanks for you! Every day, as a

ministry partner of LSI, you help bring the light of Christ to others.

At LSI, we know many people experiencing deep darkness. We

know adults with disabilities who have no caring family presence in

their lives. We know families in Des Moines who spent twenty years

living in refugee camps and are finally regaining some hope for the

future. We know teens who are aging out of the foster care system

and fear they will never belong to anyone or have a family to love

them.

LSI’s work is Christmas work, shining love, compassion and light in

places of darkness, despair, abuse, neglect, addiction and crisis.

We could not do this important work without you, and we are so

grateful.

Wishing you a blessed and merry Christmas from LSI!

LSI is proud to be an affiliated social ministry organization of the

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Learn more at

www.LSIowa.org and www.facebook.com/LSI.iowa.

Monique Finds a Place for Hope

On a rainy morning, the radiant laughter and smiles of two young sisters fill the room. “My daughters are very energetic,” said their mom Monique, with a tired smile. Monique began partnering with LSI’s HOPES (Healthy Opportunities for Parents to Experience Success) when her oldest daughter was just a couple months old. “I was a first time mom and young. I was so scared I would be the worst mom possible,” Monique said. When parents enroll in HOPES, they are connected with a family support worker who visits them in their home to offer parenting support, track child development and help families achieve their goals. “The people at HOPES are my family. I couldn’t tell you where I’d be without them,” Monique said. Monique was struggling to provide for herself without a high school diploma, adequate transportation or family support. “She was kicked out of her house and has been on her own since

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she was a teen,” said Linda, an LSI supervisor. “She was forced to grow up really fast. She had to sink or swim, and she chose to swim.” With support from LSI, Monique earned her GED and went immediately into CNA (certified nursing assistant) classes. Today, Monique needs less support than she once did, but LSI is still there to provide a listening ear and guidance. Her family is now happy, healthy and thriving with optimism for the future. “Our futures look very bright. My new goals are to go back to school, work on buying a house, and get my kids into a really good school. Because of LSI, my family will succeed in life.”

Thank you to all the volunteers throughout the year, your time was very much appreciated!

Altar Guild for December: Angie & Donna

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December Volunteers SUNDAY SUNDAY

DECEMBER 6 SUNDAY

DECEMBER 13 SUNDAY

DECEMBER 20

THURSDAY CHRISTMAS

EVE 5:00 P.M.

ACOLYTE(S) YOUTH USHERS

Jordann V.

Jordann V.

Colton ___________

Cameron

Shayden & Sierra L.

___________

ALTAR FLOWERS

Karla Foust

COMMUNION ASSISTANT(S)

1. Amy C. 2. Darla A. 3. Jean L.

1. Jane C. 2. Donna B. 3. Carlyn B. 4.

1. Doug D. 2. Duane H. 3. 4.

1. Helene W. 2. Amy C. 3. Sawyer L. 4. LuAnn J.

GREETER(S) Sharon H. Jerry & Sue G. Curt & Alice H. LECTOR Amy C. Audrey S. Carol A. Amy C.

REFRESHMENT Jenny S.

Catered Dinner

Bernice C. Birthday cake Sharon H.

USHERS Kelly & Tonya Jerry & LuAnn

Lance & Melissa

THURSDAY CHRISTMAS

EVE 7:30 P.M.

FRIDAY CHRISTMAS

DAY 10:30 A.M.

SUNDAY DECEMBER 27

ACOLYTE(S)

YOUTH USHERS

COMMUNION ASSISTANT(S)

1. 2. 3. 4.

1. 2.

1. 2. 3. 4.

GREETER(S)

LECTOR

Jean L.

REFRESHMENT

Potluck & ham

USHERS

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Merry Christmas!

The Church office

will be closed

Thursday and Friday

December 24 and 25

Happy New Year!

The church office will be closed

Friday, January 1st New Year’s Day

All sermons are available on Fredsville’s website www.fredsvillelutheran.org/sermons

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