January 2020

Bellwether — the lead sheep of the flock (archaic English)

LAMB OF GOD LUTHERAN CHURCH

901 Scenic Hwy Haines City, FL 33844

Tel: 863-421-2811 Fax: 863-421-0651

www.lambofgodhainescity.com

In this issue

Fine Arts Events 3

Education at LOG 4

Quilters Guild 5

Happenings Around LOG 6

Volunteer Opportunities 9

Birthdays & Anniversaries 10

Calendar 11

“New Year, New Opportunities”

We are about to put 2019 behind us and we look forward to

what God has in store for us in 2020. Once again our

observance of the 12 days of Christmas bridges the old and new

year and perhaps more than ever, we need to hear the message

that our God is in fact Emmanuel ---“God with us.”

With the change of the year, we will be blessed with the return

of our winter members and friends and the excitement that we

experience when our church attendance increases. The second

Sunday in January will kick off this year’s observance of the

Epiphany Season. We also look forward this month to the first

offering in this year’s Fine Arts Series on January 26th at 3 p.m.–

with the Christian Comic, Mr. Al Ernst. With our Annual

Meeting earlier that morning at 9:15 a.m. – perhaps Al will

provide some needed comic relief.

Our call in the New Year will be to live with a vibrant faith that

can overcome all the divisions that we witness in our society.

The promise of God is that God will sustain us as we do our best

to live a faithful and fruitful life. We do well to ask God’s bless-

ings on our efforts as we begin a new year of ministry on Janu-

ary 1st. With God’s help, we cannot help but be successful –

May all that we accomplish together in 2020 glorify our Father

in heaven.

In the Lord’s Service,

-Pr. Joe Conner

Page 2

Thursday Noon Bible Study

Resumes January 2

Looking for a verse by verse Bible Study? There is a faithful group that meets every Thursday at noon. We are currently doing a study on St. Matthew’s Gospel and will be picking up our study in the New Year on January 2 on Matthew 12. The reason we are doing Matthew this year, is that gospel lessons on Sunday morning will be coming primarily from Matthew’s gospel. Come join us!

NEXT GROUP

January 8 & 22 at 10:30 a.m.

The NEXT Group meets for fellowship and support every other Wednesday. The Group started as a Caregiver Group, transitioned into a Grief Group, and now is trying to answer the question of what is NEXT? To stimulate our conversations we usually read a book together. Currently, we are reading the book: Driving Miss Norma. All are welcome to be a part of this group.

Men’s Group

Tuesday, January 21 @ 7 p.m.

The Men’s group will meet for the first time in 2020 on January 21st. We will continue our video study on the History of the Early Church and will also be finalizing the planning for our upcoming Spaghetti Dinner. All the men of the congregation are most cordially invited to be a part of this group which meets monthly for Fellowship, Study and Service in our community and beyond.

First Fine Arts Offering 0f 2020

January 26 at 3 p.m.

We are most pleased to welcome Mr. Al Ernst to Lamb of God on Sunday afternoon, January 26th. Al lives in Sarasota and has toured as a professional comic for many years. In 2017, Al was named as Carnival Cruise Lines Enter-tainer of the Year. He is a life-long Lutheran – and his experiences from his involvement in church clearly informs his clean comedy. A freewill offering will be taken to offset the cost of his booking. Please join us for an afternoon of laughs and reception which will follow.

A special Thank You for everyone’s patience as I recover from my Achilles Tendon Injury. I am especially thankful to those who have volunteered to drive me to and from work and to Dr.’s appointments. Your loving responses to my temporary physical disability has touched my heart. Also a special thank you to the Church Council for their willingness to distribute Communion to our homebound during this Christmas Season. I am looking forward to my follow up with the Orthopedic Dr. on December 23rd -- hoping I can begin to put some weight on my right foot and can drive my car once again—this has been the longest month of my life.

God’s blessings, Pr. Joe

Page 3

FINE ARTS SCHEDULE!

An afternoon of laughter

you don’t want to miss!

SUNDAY, JANUARY 26

SHOW STARTS AT 3:00 P.M.

For more information call the church office 863-421-2811

FEATURING AL ERNST

26

23

08

January

Al Ernst comedian

February

Oasis Quartet

March Clarion Brass Quintet

SAVE THE DATES FOR THESE UPCOMING EVENTS!

All Events will take place at 3:00 p.m. at Lamb of God.

Refreshments will follow every presentation.

Page 4

Quinlan’s Corner — You’re Never Too Old to Learn (or Teach)

I am pleased to announce that Lamb of God is embarking on

a new and improved Adult Sunday School program for the

coming calendar year. I anticipate an expanded faculty, and

a varied and hopefully challenging and rewarding curriculum.

As Church Council member responsible for adult education classes, I plan to report at upcom-

ing Sunday services on key details of that expanded program. We plan to offer a broad array

of teachers and classes that address your questions about your faith, the Bible, and contem-

porary issues. We strive to challenge students to apply what they learn to their daily lives.

I hope it goes without saying that members of Cordero de Dios are more than welcome at

these classes. Further integration of primarily Spanish- and English-speaking communities

within Lamb of God can be a blessing to all of us.

Classes are held in the Fellowship Hall from 9:15 until 10:15 each Sunday morning. Partici-

pants congregate at round tables and enjoy their favorite beverages and snacks. Class partici-

pation is encouraged and often lively.

We hope to see you there! For further information, and comment, please feel free to contact

me (Bill Quinlan) at (863) 412-7796 or at wquinlan2@gmail.com.

Solivita Gift Group

January 7 & 21

This group, led by Pastor Harold Heidegger,

has been meeting for study, fellowship and

mutual support for over ten years.

The group meets twice a month on the first

and third Tuesdays at 7:00 pm. Newcomers

are welcome.

North County GIFT Group

January 28 at 7:00 p.m.

This group meets on the fourth Tuesday of

each month and is currently discussing a

study entitled Short Stories by Jesus:

The Enigmatic Parables of A Controversial

Rabbi. This video study is led by Dr. Amy Lev-

ine -who is both Jewish and a New Testament

Scholar at Vanderbilt Divinity School. Come

join us.

Page 5

Quilters’ Guild We normally meet on the first Wednesday of each month but

since the first Wednesday is New Year’s Day – we will not be

meeting. We will meet on the third Thursday (Jan 16) from 9

am till 12 (noon). Quilt Sunday will be here before we know it

and as a result we are in need of additional individuals to help

tie quilts especially since we only have a few more times to

meet and tie quilts. Come and find out how easy it is to tie a quilt. Watch the Sunday

bulletin for the dates in February when we will place the quilts on the pews, box them up,

and deliver the quilts to Resurrection Lutheran Church in Winter Park where they will be

picked up by Lutheran World Relief. Thank you for all your support. If you have any ques-

tions please call Laverne Tillson at 863-326-6018 or the church office.

Tickets are available after services or during office hours.

Stop by our church and purchase a pulled pork or chicken meal for only $10.

Each meal consists of a meat (pulled pork or chicken quarter),

baked beans, coleslaw, dinner roll, dessert, and iced tea.

Take-out meals are available!

A portion of each dinner sold will go towards supporting the Sunshine Foundation Dream Village.

Lamb of God’s Men’s Group Annual Dinner Drive

No need to cook dinner on February 7! Order your

PULLED PORK OR CHICKEN DINNER

Friday, February 7 4:30 p.m.—7:00 p.m.

Food provided by the SMOKIN OX

Side might be different than pictured.

Page 6

Happenings Around Lamb of God

Lamb of God WELCA – Women of the ELCA The women of Lamb of God had a busy December. They wrapped up the Holiday Bazaar and

donated the unsold items to the Care Center in Lake Wales. They continued the month with

the Angel Tree, which was a huge success, all thanks to YOU. They hosted a sale of Sierra

Leon handmade items in the WELCA Shop to help support Mariatu’s Hope’s efforts in Africa.

Finally, a year full of activities ended with their annual Christmas Luncheon, including a

“white elephant” gift exchange where a glass Santa seemed to be a favorite item to “steal.”

As always, it was an event where they got to share and have a little fun. You should join them

next year!

Save the date for these Upcoming Events:

Women’s Retreat—January 31—February 2

Farewell Luncheon—Saturday, April 4

Easter Bake Sale— Sunday, April 12.

Page 7

Open House

On Sunday, December 8 we had our annual Open House. Several

members and staff had the opportunity to enjoy appetizers,

beverages, and a fun relaxed time.

LAMB OF GOD ANNUAL WOMEN’S RETREAT JANUARY 31, FEBRUARY 1-2, 2020

Ladies and friends of Lamb of God, come join us as we celebrate and explore bible study

journeys in Australia, Europe, Asia, Antarctica, South America, Africa and North America.

Please contact Karen Grip at 863-421-9227 if you have any questions regarding retreat details. Location: Florida Leadership Training Center- Firetower Road, Haines City, Florida 33844

Again this year: an option to join us on Saturday only for fun, fellowship, bible study and meals.

Suggested Items to Bring: List of medicines/list of doctors; alarm clock, Bible , flashlight, umbrella/rainwear, casual clothes.

Please bring an Unwrapped Baby Gift which will be donated to Farmworkers Ministry

EMERGENCY NUMBER for your family to use while you are at the Retreat: Center main number 863-439-7332

Page 8

They crouched in trenches, seventy yards - a world - apart.

Intent on killing, ordered to.

But too near not to hear, wafting across the mud and blood,

Stille nacht … Silent Night.

Christmas Day, 1914, Jesus Christ was born. Again!

“Love one another,” they’d heard the Call.

So Germans and Brits alike dared to breach that treacherous void, exchanging gifts and burying the dead.

And yet …

The Kaiser and the King,

The Queen’s own grandchildren, still sworn to slaughter. Each other.

Slaughter, since Cain and Abel.

Man’s hatred of his own (of himself?): his lust for control, his fear of difference.

And yet …

Children: full of wonder;

born to be part of all there is, not hating, not judging.

“Adults”, we call ourselves,

everywhere wanting the same: a loaf of bread, a tender touch …

And yet …

Mankind everywhere taught to judge, taught to fear;

driven to possess ideas, things, one another.

Hating their differences, race, culture, nation, religion, politics …

Driven by fear of things unknown.

* * *

Will it ever stop: the hate, the fear? The slaughter goes on,

thousands of Christmases, millennia later.

We go on killing, by deed and by word. Killing ourselves, draining our souls,

drop by drop of sustaining blood.

And yet …

Hope springs eternal in the human breast Man forever hopes to be,

not hearing that he already is: blest!

Will he choose to end the slaughter? You and I: do we hear the Call:

“Love one another!”

File:Stories.TheSlaughter.AChristmasPoem January 31, 2015

Ending the Slaughter A Christmas Call

By Bill Quinlan

Page 9

Volunteer Opportunities at LOG and Our Community

We urgently need volunteers for the following ministries:

•Audiovisual (Saturday and Sunday)

•Music (both choirs)

•Worship: Ushers, deacons, and greeters

Make it your New Year’s resolution!

Training available for all positions.

Christmas Decoration Take Down

Tuesday, January 7 at 10:00 AM

It’s time to take down and put the Christmas decorations away.

Come help us!

Meals on Wheels of DAVENPORT is currently looking for smiling faces to deliver meals to the Homebound.

TRY IT - SCHEDULE A RIDE ALONG WITH ANOTHER VOLUNTEER TODAY – CALL 863-299-1616

House Blest Food Bank–January 21 & 23. Here is how your donations of time, food, and money make an impact in our community. Volunteer twice a month to help serve those in need.

November 2019 Report

Total families served: 741 New families registered: 10

Total people in families served: 2,980

Total lbs. of food distributed (est.): 18,675 Number of days open: 7

Bakers and Servers Needed

The Men’s Group is looking for bakers to donate sheet cake to be served as

part of dinner, and for servers to help out during and after their Annual

Dinner Fundraiser on Feb. 7. Sign up sheets available in the narthex.

Page 10

Birthdays in January

Congratulations to… Best wishes to our members and friends on

their special day

Anniversaries in January

• 01/19 Barb and Richard Donnelly

• 01/21 Lynda and Neil Collins

Phyllis White in memory of Fred Meuser.

David and Dianne Hurst in memory of Linda Jones.

Thank you for your contributions Tribute Fund

• 01/01 Richard Lounsbery

• 01/02 Jackson Eastridge

• 01/04 Bert Lachner

• 01/04 Philippa White

• 01/07 Bella Sandretto

• 01/08 Carmen de Leon

• 01/08 Betty Smith

• 01/10 Emma Murphy

• 01/13 Anne Treesh

• 01/14 Carol Lounsbery

• 01/20 Charles Fritz

• 01/25 Aliany Hernandez

• 01/25 Judith Lindberg

• 01/28 Sandi Barnhart

• 01/29 Earl Anderson

• 01/31 Caitlin Sweeney

Dear Lamb of God Members:

Thank you for the generous Christmas gift.

We truly appreciate your kindness, generosi-

ty, and thoughtfulness, not only during this

season but throughout the year.

It is a pleasure to serve with you.

Many blessings,

-Lamb of God Staff

Note from Pastor Bernthal

It was both a blessing and comfort to have

seen many dear friends from Lamb of God

at my mom's (and Deacon Ryan Hostler's

grandma's) funeral at Grace, Winter Haven

on December 23. So many others have

shared in various ways words of comfort and

support. In the earliest days of Lamb of God,

both my parents were great champions of

establishing the then "new" church. Please

know of my profound gratitude to all who

supported the whole Bernthal family as we

celebrated our faith and our mom.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark

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