Lebanon Lutheran Church

1101 South Mears Avenue

Whitehall, MI 49461

Living in God’s Amazing Grace

The Light is published monthly by Lebanon

Lutheran Church, 1101 S. Mears Avenue,

Whitehall, MI 49461. Submissions are

accepted through the 15th of each month.

Submissions MUST include your name and a

way to contact you in case of questions.

2 ways to submit your information:

yellow folder in Margaret’s office

(better)

office@lebanonlutheranchurch.com

(best)

THE L GHT

To Bring God’s Grace and Love to Each other

And To The World

January 2016

Lebanon

Evangelical

Lutheran

Church A Congregation of the North/West Lower

Michigan Synod,

Craig Satterlee, Bishop

Elizabeth Eaton, Presiding Bishop

1101 S. Mears Avenue

Whitehall, MI 49461

(231) 893-5745

Rev. Douglas M. Ogden

Sunday Morning Worship

8:00 am & 10:15 am– Communion

9:00am - Adult Forum

Office Hours

9:00 am—1:00 pm M-F

6:30 pm – 9:30 pm W , Th

Office Staff

Margaret Everling, Sue Roesler

Newsletter Editor &

Bulletin Announcements

Margaret Everling

Church Council

Doug Aardema Terry Beekman,

Curt Crouch, Virginia DeMumbrum, Pres

Sheila Fretty, Frank Hollister

Michael Palmer Sandy Robbins

Mike Szczerbinski Al Wheeler

“We are baptized members of God’s

Church, forgiven and set free by grace

through faith. We proclaim Christ in

Word, Sacraments, Witness and

Service.”

Pastor’s Notes “The only thing we know about the future is it will not look like the

past.” The first time I heard that from an ELCA leader, I knew he

was right.

Church will be more about relationships not memberships. We will

get better at caring for one another, both inside and out of our wor-

shipping community, even at a time when the connections people

have with one another are harder to establish. People move, people

lead hectic lives, people face struggles they keep well hidden, peo-

ple live without the kinds of grandparent support we once took for

granted.

In 2016 I want Lebanon to develop a new plan for faith formation

in our community’s families. “Families together” is harder than

“drop off Sunday School” and we will seek kids without their par-

ents and parents without their kids. We have something to say,

something to offer, and if we don’t say it I think we will burst.

Jeremiah had that problem - - he tried, ,but he couldn’t hold it in.

I want to see us invite every kid we can find to Stony Lake Camp,

starting in January with identifying who, planning when, and doing

some fund raisers in the spring.

Lebanon is the most hospitable congregation I know, and the most

community-minded. These gifts are assets to encourage members to

fulfill heir God-given dreams. (I may be wrong but think Terry

Beekman came up with that mission statement).

Rejoice then in the assistance the Beekman’s raised for Lucas; the

Plewkas raised $1000 at candlelight yoga with Mitch Coleman and

$8,500 with so many musicians at the Grand Traverse Pie Com-

pany; the young people who gather on Wednesday night; the new

support for the Family Promise and refugee services; the AA group

that now calls Lebanon its home; the K-2 Mini Mite basketball

league beginning this winter. All God-given dreams we help make

happen.

Don’t stop dreaming; through the week and don’t stop giving

thanks on Sundays with your companion dreamers.

Pastor Ogden

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January 2016 Fund of the Month

Lutheran Magazine

Websites of Interest

www.lebanonlutheranchurch.com

www.mittensynod.org

www.elca.org

www.whitelakescouting.com

www.whitelakechorale.com

www.hopescarves.org

Scout Schedule

Webelos II - Mon 6:30-7:30pm (1st & 3rd week)

Wolves - Mon 6:30pm-7:30pm (1st & 3rd week)

Webelos I - Mon 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm (1st & 3rd week)

Tigers - Tues 6:00 pm - 7:00pm (1st & 3rd week)

Bears - Wed 5:00pm-6:00pm (1st & 3rd week)

Boy Scouts meet at 5pm each Sunday. Scout Committee

meets the 3rd Sunday at 4:30 pm

Cub Scout Committee meet the 4th Monday at 3:00pm

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Look what we do!

We are the ELCA

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

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It is an important part of our ministry to be praying constantly for

one another. We add names to the prayer list with consent in order to

maintain privacy and confidentiality. This month in your prayers, please

remember:

Prayers for those who are homebound: Our Minister

Ellen Aardema, at Heartland, following a fall at home Dec. 4.

Ken & Mary Bernhardt, at home

Marlene Erdman, at home, who is thankful for the Center she visits on Tuesdays.

Marcia Eyler, at home ( of St. Alban Episcopal)

Betty Grover, Grand Pines Assisted Living, 1410 S. Ferry, Grand Haven, MI, 49417

Rosemary Grubb, at DaySpring off Seminole ( of St. Alban)

Lois Hildebrandt, at home (Marlene Holmstrom)

Velma Roesler, at White Lake Assisted Living Center

Jeanette Svensson, with health issues.

Gini Kaines , (Michele Wheeler’s mother), at Heartland, (Donna Stacy)

Chuck and Marlene Windbacher, at home.

Special Prayer Concerns:

Nate Bernhardt, with health concerns

The Carlson Family, 7-year old Lucas has autism. (Mary Carlson’s grandson) , please pray for

his physical healing. Checkup in Texas recently.

Blake Dalson, (classmate of Megan Aardema –WHS ‘95), suffered massive heart attack,

recuperating at home.

Virginia Dittenber, health concerns.

Scott Erwin, (son of Don and Shawn Erwin), with health concerns

Nicholas Harringshaw, (Virginia Dittenber’s nephew) suffering from kidney cancer.

Steve Hackney, ( Marine friend of Warren Tibbitts), crushed pelvis and broken ribs in a fall.

Recuperation may take 6 months.

Jana Hite, extreme vitamin deficiency causing nerve pain.

Don Holmstrom, with health issues.

Sharon Honoré, with health concerns

Jim Ingemanson, with health issues

Kathy Keller, with health concerns

Melissa Kroll , undergoing testing for seizures.

Lara MacGregor, with health concerns

Edward J. (Bud) Meier, Barb Aardema’s father, with health concerns

Page 4

Sunday, January 3 - Christmas 2

Musician: Monica Ogden Color: White

Readings

Welcome Alex, Intern @

First Lutheran Jeremiah 31:7-14

Psalm 147:13-21*

Ephesians 1:3-14

John 1:[1-9] 10-18

Prayer of the Day

Almighty God, you have filled us with the new light of the World who became flesh and lived among

us. Let the light of our faith shine in all that we do; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives

and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Sunday, January 10—Baptism of our Lord

Musician: Audra Erb Color: White

Readings

Isaiah 43:1-7

Psalm 29

Acts 8:14-17

Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

Prayer of the Day

Father in heaven, at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan you proclaimed him your beloved Son and

anointed him with the Holy Spirit. Make all who are baptized into Christ faithful in their calling to be

your children and inheritors with him of everlasting life: through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who

lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Sunday, January 17—2 Epiphany

Musician: Monica Ogden Color: Green

Readings

Isaiah 62:1-5

Psalm 40:1-12*

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Thrivent provides members with certain

products and the opportunity to desig-

nate Thrivent funds to select organiza-

tions. Lebanon Lutheran is one of those

organizations.

Thrivent also offers $250 twice a year

as seed money to any member for pro-

jects, fundraisers.

Art Plewka is Lebanon’s Thrivent

Committee chair, and Tony DeNicolo is

our member and Financial Representa-

tive ( 231-894-8886).

Page 12 Page 5

1 Corinthians 12:1-11

John 2:1-11

Prayer of the Day

Lord God, you showed your glory and lead many to faith by the works of your Son. As he brought glad-

ness and healing to his people, grant us these same gifts and lead us also to perfect faith in him. Jesus

Christ our Lord.

___________________________________________________________________________________

Sunday, January 24 - Epiphany 3

Musician: Audra Erb Color: Green

Readings

Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10

Psalm 19

1 Corinthians 12:12-31a

Luke 4:14-21

Prayer of the Day

Almighty God, you sent your son to proclaim your kingdom and to teach with authority. Anoint us with

the power of your Spirit, that we, too, may bring good news to the afflicted, bind up the brokenhearted,

and proclaim liberty to the captive; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

____________________________________________________________________________________

Sunday, January 31– Epiphany 4 Musician: Carol Rienstra Color: Green

Readings

Jeremiah 1:4-10

Psalm 71:1-6

1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Luke 4:21-30

Prayer of the Day

O God, you know that we cannot withstand the dangers which surround us. Strengthen us in body and

spirit so that, with your help, we may be able to overcome the weakness that our sin has brought uon us,

through Jesus Christ, your Son our Lord.

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Baptism Anniversaries

1/1 Diane Eastman

1/3 James Will

1/6 Carol Bernhardt

1/9 Joshua Cloutier

1/9 Scott Lamiman

1/10 Mitch Foster

1/17 Eleanor Carlson

1/18 Dawn Baker

1/22 Helen Bartlett

1/23 Tyler Grover

1/25 Lisa Holmblade

1/27 David Pearson

1/30 Bev Veeder

1/30 Gary Holmstrom

January

1/1 Julie Johnson

1/2 John Parks

1/3 Barbara Brooks

1/4 Jacob R. Brooks

1/5 Jim Coddington

1/5 Robert Eklund

1/5 Laura Hollister

1/5 Katherine Lathrop

1/5 Luke Thompson

1/6 Scott Veeder

1/7 John Lundell

1/9 Glenn Eaton

1/10 Sandy Coddington

1/10 Alexandra Kesteloot

1/10 Ann Nessa

1/11 Lynda Lauterberg

1/11 Randy Nurmi

1/13 Kerry Fretty

1/14 Steve Albert

1/16 Al Wheeler

1/17 JoAnne Silk

1/18 Linda Decker

1/19 Mary Bernhardt

1/19 Steve Green

1/20 John Hildebrandt

1/20 Doug Ogden

1/20 Kathy Scarbrough

1/22 Helen Bartlett

1/22 Richard Carlson

1/22 Nancy Dahl

1/23 Gabe DeMumbrum

1/25 Virginia Foster

1/25 Traci Murphy

1/27 Taylor Hughes

1/27 Erin Wendell

1/28 Barb Aardema

1/28 Bill Cloutier, Jr.

1/30 Dwight Roesler

1/31 Joe Ferrentino

1/31 Rosemary Grubb

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A selection of coffees, teas, chocolates & olive oil can always be found at Lebanon.

———————————————————————————————————

Page 7

Pete & Jenny Palmer, with health concerns

Tim Schrand, (Virginia DeMumbrum’s brother), battling a very aggressive cancer.

Fred Schultz, (Lorey Montgomery’s father) home from Hackley Hospital

Lora Swenson, recuperating from hip surgery.

Ginny Sytsema, (friend of Doug and Barb Aardema & Curt Crouch), battling colon cancer.

Michelle Whitaker, (friend of Roger & JoAnne Silk), fighting aggressive cancer.

Jill, (Paula Moreau’s niece) in Manistee.

For our partners in faith, our companion synods in Latvia, Papua-New Guinea, Honduras &

Slovakia, for their mission and ministry in their place as we fulfill our mission in our place; for

all the churches of the Lutheran World Federation, for people of the gospel throughout the

world.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Lebanon’s Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, January 24 at noon beginning

with a potluck lunch. .

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Greetings,

I want to share with you the results of our Candlelight Yoga fundraiser. Many of you were there and others I know were there in spirit. It was a powerful event that contributed $1,250.00 to the 2016 Hope Scarves Metastatic Breast Cancer Research Fund! Thank you for adding your energy to the Hope Scarves ever expanding circle that touches so many lives. If you want to learn about our pri-mary mission of providing scarves here's the link. Hope Scarves Video Art Plewka ________________________________ Annual Report information is due to the church office / Margaret by January 4th! Please remit your typed report to her by that date in order to be included in the 2015 Annual Report. You may also email your reports to : office@lebanonlutheranchurch.com

From the Choir Director:

The choir will be taking the month of Janu-

ary off. We will resume in February with

the second Sunday of the month. Mean-

while, special music is welcome and en-

couraged.

Thank you,

Diane Eastman

___________________________________

Scrapbook Party—January 23, 2016 at

First Lutheran Church, 1206 Whitehall

Road, Muskegon, MI 49445. Cost: before

January 16 is $35.00 - after January 16,

cost is $45.00.

Register in person or by mail to : Attn: Syl-

via Koski, First Lutheran Church, 1206

Whitehall Road, Muskegon, MI 49445.

Questions: skoski1941@gmail.com or

(231) 744-0822.

_________________________________

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1/19/02 Michael & Kathleen Palmer