On The Way With Good Samaritan December 2012

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CHURCH OF THE MONTH In December, we will pray for Gloria Dei, Lutheran Church, 2600 Pontiac Road, Auburn Hills, MI 48326. This is a continuation of offering prayers for all churches who are members of our North Oakland Cluster.

CONDOLENCES Our sympathy to the families of Betty Frisch, former member of Grace Lutheran and Karl Fredericksen, former member of Mount Hope who passed away this past month. May the good Lord hold you close and give you a peace that passes understanding during these difficult times.

WHO: Children of all ages WHEN: Every Sunday morning TIME: Starting of communion WHERE: The room is in the back of the Fellowship Hall. Teachers: Grace Trapp & Deb Fahr

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WORSHIP TEAM SCHEDULE FOR NOVEMBER LECTORS December 2 Hope Dowdy December 9 Pat Cooper December 16 Charles Neumann December 23 Jan Nellett December 24 Karen Hopp December 30 Marilyn Carn ALTAR GUILD Katie Newton & Sheryll Smith USHERS Volunteers ASSISTING MINISTER Lisa Hale

MITTEN CHRISTMAS TREE The Mitten Tree is in the Narthex. Please place your gifts of mittens and caps on the tree to be distributed to those in need.

FOOD PANTRY Our Food Pantry is open the second and fourth Saturdays of each month. Volunteers interested in helping with Saturday distribution can sign up on the sheet posted just past the office door. If you would like to volunteer in another area or have questions, please contact Pantry Coordinators Christine Andary 248-420-0440 or Lee Stader, home phone: 248-698-1628 or e-mail: stader324@comcast.net Thank you for your support. - Submitted by Lee Stader & Christine Andary

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A MESSAGE FROM PASTOR “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” It was 1943 and our country was at war. Christmas was approaching and service men and women, weary of war, longed for home. That longing found a warm and personal expression when Big Crosby sang, “I’ll be home for Christmas.” In December of 1965, as James Lovell and Frank Borman were hurtling their way back to earth aboard Gemini 7, they were asked what song of welcome home they would like to hear. Almost in unison, they said, “I’ll Be Home For Christmas,” with a tear on their cheeks. “Home” and “Christmas” are “two peas in a pod;” they go together “like a horse and carriage,” milk and cookies. People will endure hours of airport delays and long, long drives, and snowstorms, in order to be home for Christmas. It’s that call which draws them, the sense of being where “I belong,” home with my family, the longing for love awakened once again. We won’t be singing “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” in our worship services this Advent and Christmas time, but we’ll certainly sing another song that is dear to our hearts, “Silent Night.” We’ll have the opportunity to feel the warmth and comfort of our Christian family and our church home here at Good Samaritan. We’ll touch base with the story that has touched our collective hearts, and we will know once again why the church is “my family.” We’ll travel a lot of spiritual miles with John the Baptist, Elizabeth, Joseph, Mary, Shepherds and more to make our way to the fresh straw of a manger with the “lowing” cattle in the stall. We’ll know that we belong here at this Christ Mass—Christ birth. We’re home and God is home with us. If you’ve been away for quite some time, don’t worry, you can always “come home.” So, let’s make the journey here as shepherds and Magi of sorts, sing our Christmas songs and worship the newborn King. We belong together at the holiday because we belong to Him. I’ll be home with you this Advent/ Christmas. I hope you can be home too.

DECEMBER 24 CHRISTMAS EVE: 7:00 p.m. Candlelight Communion

WELCOME HOME! -Pastor Jerry Elsholz

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May the Lord be with you, and may the Lord be with all of us as we celebrate the national expression of gratitude, and our Christian celebration of the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. As we give thanks and get caught up in the excitement and inspiration in these coming days, your Council will also be focused on the needs of our congregation and our community. We are pleased that you strongly approved the work being done on our constitution by a vote of 45 to 2. Our Finance Committee will be preparing a proposed budget for next year, 2013. Council has set Sunday, December 2, as Stewardship Sunday. We ask that you assist in that planning by indicating what you hope to be able to give next year. We continue to communicate with Bishop Donald Kreiss in our search for pastoral leadership beginning January 1, 2013. Meanwhile, we are blessed with the spirited guidance of Rev. Gerald Elsholz. Please put January 27, 2013 on your calendar as the date for our Annual Meeting. We continue to be thankful for the service of our Food Pantry, the Women of Good Samaritan, the Quilters, our Health Ministry, and our Worship Ministry that so wonderfully support the life and mission of our Good Samaritan family. The recent discovery of another solar system, estimated to be 12 billion light years away, reminds us of the title of a recent contemporary song, “FROM A DISTANCE”. As we think about the amazing gift of God’s Son and think about Him through the days of Advent, it is indeed from a distance that God is watching us. May we be worthy of this gift of His love. - Contributed by Richard C. Snoad, Church Council President

NEWSLETTER SCHEDULE Your information for the January newsletter must be submitted by Friday, December 14 (earlier if it has to be typed). We will announce when the newsletter will be prepared for the website and distribution.

NEWSLETTER STAFF:

Editor: Jan Nellett Production Editor: Karen Hopp Proofreaders: Jan Martin and Jan Nellett

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SAY HELLO TO . . .

Pastor Jerry Elsholz I have been your new stated supply pastor since November 1, and have enjoyed meeting Good Samaritan folks and I look forward to meeting more of you before the end of the year. My full name is Gerald Russell Elsholz but I want to be known to you as Pastor Jerry. I will be among you until the end of December and I hope to greet you at worship, during office hours on Tuesdays, or when we gather on Sunday mornings. Here’s a little bio about me. I was born on December 13, 1946, one of five children of Russell and Betty Elsholz of St. Clair, Michigan. I was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter Lutheran Church in St. Clair. I graduated from St. Clair High School in June of 1965 and attended Capital University in Columbus, Ohio, graduating in the Pre-Seminary program with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1969. I attended Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota for a year and then Trinity Seminary in Columbus, Ohio. Throughout my college years I worked in the Michigan District camping program as a counselor and canoe and biking guide. After graduating from Capital, I spent a summer working at Holden Village, a Lutheran retreat center in the Cascade Mountains in the state of Washington. While in the seminary program, I spent a year of internship at First Lutheran Church in Miles City, Montana. I returned to Trinity Seminary graduating with a Master of Divinity Degree in June of 1973. I have served parishes in Ridgeville Corners, Ohio; New Baltimore, Michigan; Dundee, Michigan; Upper Sandusky, Ohio; and Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan, after 39 years of ordained ministry. I am married to Sandy Elsholz and together we have a “blended family" of five children, seven grandchildren, and O My! a great-grandchild by the time you get this newsletter. Oh, my! Sandy and I enjoy traveling and spending time with extended family members and friends. In retirement, we are making our home in St. Clair Shores, Michigan. Most of my time with you will deal with Sunday worship and planning for the upcoming Advent-Christmas season along with home-bound communion visits and hospital calls as needed. I am available on Tuesdays for counseling and conversation. You can call me at home at 586-777-4167 or on my cell at 586-298-8313. Thank you for your warm greeting of us. Peace to you in Jesus! - Pastor Jerry and Sandy

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WREATH DECORATING TIME IS NEAR Our fifth annual wreath decorating event will take place on Saturday, December 1, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon in the Fellowship Hall. Please sign up on the hall bulletin board so a wreath will be ordered for you. You may order more than one wreath.

The 24" live wreaths will cost $10.00 again this year and must be paid for no later than Sunday, November 25. You may pay cash, or write a check to Janet J. Nellett. You will need to bring your own decorations and ribbons. There will be help in making bows. Nine feet of ribbon make a beautiful bow. Wire-edged ribbon is especially nice because it will stay in shape. Lunch at an area restaurant, by reservation, will be part of the day's activities. Each person may order and pay for their own lunch from the menu. At least two dozen people went to lunch last year. You may participate in the wreath decorating even if you can't stay for lunch. This has been a fun activity for singles, mothers and daughters, grandmothers, aunts, neighbors, and anyone else who wants to decorate their own Christmas wreath. We hope you will join us for this fun event.

IMPORTANT BUILDING PROJECT COMING: GINGERBREAD HOUSES TO BE BUILT SOON!!! On Friday, December 7, 2012 at 7:00 p.m., we will be making gingerbread houses in the Fellowship Hall. This event is for youth of all ages! Bring one can of plain vanilla frosting for each participant and get ready for FUN! Please sign up on the hall Bulletin Board to help us plan.

This year’s event will be chaired by Judi (Hopp) Baptista and Debbie Leese, experienced gingerbread house contractors. The following donations will be very much appreciated

-sturdy Styrofoam or paper plates -gumdrops -graham crackers they work best -mini candy canes -M & M’s candy plain are best -red string licorice -marshmallows - little or big -Christmas sprinkles -pointed ice cream cones -pretzel sticks -red and green “spray” frosting -anything else you think will work

We especially need plain graham crackers because it’s not really a gingerbread house, it’s a graham cracker house, but don’t tell the Gingerbread Boy!

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Advent

The table has been designed to visually portray the four weeks of the liturgical

year during which we prepare and wait for Christmas. We use ordinary items and symbolism in an attempt, through visual contrasts, to show Advent as a time to reflect and repent, yet look forward with hope.

Symbolism Royal blue and gold represent hope. White is for purity and rejoicing Red reminds us of the Holy Spirit and the Triune God Gold symbolizes rejoicing and resurrection.

The complete circle and evergreens stand for eternity. The Visual Contrasts

Thorns and new buds on the branches remind us of the crown of thorns and buds and evergreens represent eternal life and hope of new life in the Christ child to come.

The red droplet-shaped berries remind us of the blood Christ shed for us. This is contrasted with the whites and baby’s breath, symbolizing the purity of the Christ child.

As we reflect on the past and repent, the shiny gold and blues remind us that we are preparing for the birth of Jesus with hope and expectancy. The Candles

A new candle is lit each week until all four candles are lit and the circle is complete. Week 1, Purple HOPE Week 2, Purple LOVE Week 3, Pink JOY Week 4, Purple PEACE

Join us on Christmas Eve. The Christ candle will be added to the Advent wreath. Poinsettias and decorations will be in place. At long last, after all the waiting and anticipation, the lights, candles glowing and Silent Night will remind us that Jesus has been born.

- Contributed by Sheryll Smith, Altar Guild President

From our Quilters

Our sincere thank you to Lynne Coesfeld for her donation of ten quilts. Lynne lives in Reynoldsburg, Ohio. Her donation of two quilt tops and backings per month allows us to send extra quilts to the Wolverine Health Services. She is the daughter of Marie Roberts. Thanks again Lynne for helping us in this mission.

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THANK YOU to Bob Hammond, Beth Shafer, Grace Trapp, Sheryll Smith, and Katie Newton for the attractive plantings and flowers on the left side "front" of the church. Some did digging, some did planting, and some made suggestions. Looks beautiful! THANK YOU to Beth Shafer for all your hard work around the church: Overseeing the correction of work done by the roofing company in repairing cracks and repainting; maintaining information

on the sign out front; making the posters for all the special events; and, picking up the chicken for all the potluck luncheons we have had. These are only a very few items for which Beth has lent her helping hands. NEWSLETTER ON WEBSITE

On The Way With Good Samaritan is now being published electronically on our Web site. Members will receive an e-mail from Good Samaritan (goodsmrtn@att.net) announcing that the newsletter is available. In the e-mail there will be a link that will take you directly to the page on our Web site that contains the newsletter. There may be a few minor changes to the content of the newsletter and those will be explained in the e-mail notification you receive.

Link to newsletter: http://www.goodsamaritanpontiac.org/#/connect/newsletter Link to the church web site: www.goodsamaritanpontiac.org

DO YOU KNOW WHAT IS DIFFERENT IN THE FELLOWSHIP HALL? An American flag and a military service blue star flag are hanging in our Fellowship Hall. They were hung just before Veteran’s Day, November 11, and honor our veterans and those who are currently serving in the military. The three church members on active duty at this time are Sienna Madurski, Ellis Rabb, and Elizabeth (Beth) Smith. All of them are in the U.S. Army. If you would like to send a greeting of support, their family contacts are listed below the flags.

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SOMETHING NEW TO BE LEARNED There's always something new to be learned about health-related conditions.

Hayleigh Baptista, daughter of Judi Baptista and granddaughter of Karen Hopp, has a light processing disorder known as Irlen's Syndrome. The dark "sunglasses" that you will see Hayleigh wearing in church, are called Irlen Filters. Seven different color lenses are built into Hayleigh's glasses so that her brain can process light properly, allowing her the ability to see clearly and to be able to read. In order to help Hayleigh's school classmates understand why she is now wearing dark glasses, Judi went to school with Hayleigh and talked to the class, and explained why Hayleigh wears the glasses and how they help her. Smart mom!

PARISH NURSING / HEALTH MINISTRY Faith Community Nursing St. Joseph Mercy Oakland . . . “the Dayspring from on high has visited us; to give light to those who

sit in darkness . . . to guide our feet into the way of peace”. –Luke 1:78-79 DIAPERS FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN -- Collection of diapers for homeless children goes through Sunday, December 16, 2012. There is a marked red collection box in the narthex. Needed sizes are: 4, 5, and 6. Your contributions are greatly appreciated! NOT TOO LATE TO GET THAT FLU SHOT!!!--IT’S YOUR RESPIRATORY SEAT BELT!!! IT’S NOT TOO LATE!!! You can prevent the Flu by getting the shot! You will not only protect yourself against getting the Flu, but you are helping to prevent spreading the virus . . . So-o-o get your Flu Shot A.S.A.P. BLOOD DONATIONS NEEDED!!!--Since Hurricane Sandy, blood supplies at The American Red Cross are in low supply. One pint of blood can save up to three lives. Blood donations help millions of patients in need. Blood donors must:

Be healthy – feel well and can perform normal activities. If you have a chronic condition such as diabetes and are being treated and the condition is under control, you may donate.

Be at least 17 years old. Weigh at least 110 lbs.

Wishing special Christmas Blessings to you and your families.

A bright shining star on a night long ago,

led the shepherds to see Him with it’s beckoning glow.

- Submitted by Phyllis Snoad RN BSN, Parish Nurse

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BOOK CLUB FOR THE VISION IMPAIRED

A meeting of the Talking Book Program will be held every other month at Good Samaritan Lutheran Church. Please invite family members, friends and neighbors who may be blind or have developing vision issues. The next meeting will be on Monday, December 3, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. It is a wonderful time for fellowship, support, and discussion. Contact Richard Snoad for information and needs at 248-853-3238.

- Contributed by Richard Snoad COUNCIL NOTES Sunday, November 11, 2012 Council met with Charlene Draine, who owns the the three western lots adjacent to the church. She shared prospective plans for building. Her website is silverlakeshore.com. Council will discuss her presentation at the next council meeting. December 2 will be Stewardship Sunday. Bruce Hecht released to a church up north; Judith Stewart, Richard and Phyllis Snoad's daughter, approved for membership. The congregational meeting will be January 27, 2013 following the regular church service. ntributed by Julia Hanneman-Schoenbach.

STEWARDSHIP/COMMITMENT SUNDAY During my 60-plus years as a Lutheran, baptized, confirmed, and graduated from a Lutheran day school, I have never before been involved in a church where the Holy Spirit is so present. My heart is full of the Spirit that exists at Good Samaritan Lutheran Church. All of you are so committed to our God and church that it

continues to simply amaze me. I am often brought to tears at the response that you all make to help our church prosper. You give of yourself and your finances for whatever is asked. Once again we come to the time of year when we are asked to make a commitment for the following year so that our leaders can prepare and present to you the budget for next year (2013). Included is the form that we ask you to complete. Please read it carefully, pray for guidance, and make a commitment for next year. Please return your commitment to church on December 2 which has been designated as Stewardship Sunday. God Bless you all. - Contributed by Karen Hopp, Treasurer

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TAKE ONE STEP UP FOR CHRIST AND HIS CHURCH

We offer with joy and thanksgiving what you have first given us – ourselves, our time and our possessions, signs of your gracious love. Receive them for the sake of him who offered himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. My Commitment for 2013 is: __________ Weekly __________ Monthly Name: ______________________________ Date: ________________ ___I am interested in having my contribution direct deposited. (Information for a deduction is handled by the treasurer not an outside source) Any commitment may be revised or cancelled at any time at your request. Please complete the commitment form and return it to the church on Sunday, , Stewardship Sunday, December 2, 2012. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOISY OFFERING

December 30, 2012 is the fifth Sunday in December and therefore it is Noisy Offering Sunday. In September on Noisy Sunday a total of $121.00 was collected and given to the Food Pantry.

December’s Noisy Sunday offering will be designated for the ELCA Relief fund for Hurricane Sandy.

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Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 Wreath

Decorating 10—12 a.m.

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10:30 a.m. Worship Service Sunday School

3 Vision Impaired Book Club Meeting, 1:00 p.m.

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Bible Study 10:00 am

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Choir Practice 2-4 pm

6 7 Gingerbread House build-ing 7:00 p.m.

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Food Pantry 8—10:00 a..m.

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10:30 a.m. Worship Service Church Council*

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Bible Study 10:00 am

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Choir Practice 2-4 pm

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Altar Guild

10:30 am

14

Newsletter dead-line

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tefap 8-10:00 a.m.

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10:30 a.m. Worship Service Sunday School

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18 Bible Study 10:00 am Last Study until New Year

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Choir Practice 2-4 pm

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21 22

Food Pantry 8—10:00 a..m.

23 10:30 a.m. Worship Service Sunday School

24 Christmas Eve Service 7:00 p.m.

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26

27 28 29

30 10:30 a.m. Worship Service Sunday School

31 New Years Eve

December 2012 GOOD SAMARITAN LUTHERAN CHURCH goodsmrtn@att.net …..goodsamaritanlutheran.org 517 West Walton Blvd., Pontiac, Michigan 48340

248 334-9881

Sunday School follows communion