MEETINGS IN THE MONTH OF AUGUST

A community committed to making Christ’s disciples, dedicated to worship,

study, and prayer while serving all in need.

Rev. Monica L. Weber, Pastor Bryan Katz, Campus Lay Minister Nita Smoot, Director of Music Ministry Michael Spencer, Custodian Marcia Barrow, Office Manager Church Contact Information: Phone: 951-1000 Email: luther@lmlc.org Web: http://www.lmlc.org

The Luther Memorial News December 2019

We are a

Reconciling in Christ Congregation.

Wishing You

Peace on Earth

The place of our Lord’s Birth!

Congregational Council Meeting: Sunday, December 15th @11:30 am: Parish Life Center No Sunday School or Children’s Church on December 22nd & 29th

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Wait, Watch, Wonder – Advent Holden Evening Services

Weds. 12/4: Wait @ LMLC – Pastor Paul/Michelle to preach; Pastor Monica leads Liturgy Isaiah 40:31 -"but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." Romans 8:25 - "But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience." Weds. 12/11: Watch @ SMLC – Pastor Monica to preach; Pastor Michelle leads Liturgy Mark 13:33 Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. Luke 2:8 In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. 12/18: Wonder @ LMLC – Pastor Michelle to preach; Pastor Monica leads Liturgy Luke 5:26 Everyone was gripped with great wonder and awe, and they praised God, exclaiming, “We have seen amazing things today!” Luke 2:18-19 And all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. Mid-week services will be shared with St. Michael’s with the host church providing a simple meal prior to worship. Dinner at 6:00 pm, worship at 6:45 pm.

CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER GROUP We will meet in the Chapel at Noon – 1:00 pm on Wednesday December 4th, 11th, and 18th. Scripture, silence, and poetry from noon – 12:30, lunch and conversation from 12:30 – 1:00 (bring your own lunch). All are welcome!

HOLIDAY BRASS CONCERT The Blacksburg and surrounding communities are invited to attend a Holiday Brass Concert sponsored by Luther Memorial Lutheran Church in the sanctuary on Saturday, Dec. 14, 7pm. This is a free concert, but attendees are asked to bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the Blacksburg Interfaith Food Pantry. The Brass Ensemble is based with the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, led by Jay Crone, and these talented musicians will play a variety of seasonal holiday favorites that the whole family will enjoy. Refreshments and a Holiday Market will also be available at this event from The Equal Exchange Company, a fair-trade supplier of cocoa, coffee, nuts and fruits. All are welcome!

Other Seasonal Happenings: December 8th: Recognition of December Graduates – during worship with a reception to follow. Farewell and Godspeed for Bryan Katz as he departs to begin an ELCA pastoral internship – during worship. Caroling to the Shut-ins – Meet in lower parking lot @ 4:00 pm. Chili Supper and Fellowship – Bill and Gail King’s home @ 5:30 pm. December 13th: Hanging of the Greens – Decorating the Sanctuary @ 4:00 pm. December 14th: Holiday Brass Concert – 7:00 pm in the Sanctuary December 21st: Longest Night – Interfaith Candlelight Worship for persons experiencing grief and loss; Sanctuary @ 5:00 pm December 24th: Christmas Eve Candlelight worship with Holy Communion; 5:00 pm – special soloists and instrumental music begins @4:30 pm. Christmas Eve Children’s message – during worship and all children are invited to come dressed as their favorite Nativity Story character. December 29th: Worship: Lessons and Carols; 10:00 am – Rev. Kathleen Miko presiding. All Senior High students and friends are invited to attend the new Explorer’s class beginning 01/05/2020, led by Pastor Monica on Sunday mornings from 9-9:45am in the Senior High room. Each week we'll have a conversation about a topic that affects young people: Local and Global current events; Gender & Sexual Identity; Racism & Prejudice; Suicide Awareness and Prevention; Creating Healthy School/Home balance; Managing Stress; and more. Bring your favorite morning beverage; baked goods provided. For more information, email Pastor Monica, pastormonica@lmlc.org

Notes of Thanks Thank you to everyone who helped support the NRV Cares Parenting Class by preparing and serving dinner on Tuesday nights this fall - Lois and Jim Lang, Keli Lichty, Kathy Parrott, Leah Wechtaluk McFarren, Jennifer Freeman, Elaine Belay and Sandy Hagman. These meals offer an extra welcoming touch to this group of visitors and they are much appreciated. -- Mary Hansbrough

Thanks for all the wonderful food and care the members of LMLC have provided for us in our time of need. We appreciate all the love shown by our church family. – Rod and Mary Trent Smith

A shout out to the many LMLC members and students who volunteered with To Our House the last two weeks of November. The success for this program belongs to you! A HUGE note of thanks to Wava Vigen who coordinated the event for us this year, we maxed out at fourteen guests. Well done team!

Thanks from To Our House Staff: We wish to express our appreciation for our volunteers, donors and partner organizations while raising awareness of homelessness in our community. We are thrilled that four guests have already moved into permanent housing and two guests have obtained employment while staying at To Our House this season!

Visit our Facebook page to see our #MemberMonday and #FactualFriday series!

Change for Change December 2019: In the month of December, Change for Change will help with the Christmas Outreach Project. The Christmas Outreach Project provides financial support for families who have children attending Valley Interfaith Child Care Center (VICCC). The goal of VICCC is to provide high quality affordable, educational and nurturing, care for young children (ages 6 weeks to 5) and after school care of income eligible working families in the New River Valley. The mission of VICCC is to provide support for the low-income working population of the New River Valley as they strive to become more self-sufficient. In the New River Valley alone, 1 in every 5 children lives in poverty. Out of 46 childcare centers in the area only VICCC provided care exclusively to low-income children. With the average cost of non-subsidized childcare reaching over $800 per child per month, a low- income family’s average income of $1200 simply does not allow for a non-subsidized childcare center. More than just a childcare, VICCC provides a tailored educational curriculum for the children. We traditionally have an extremely successful fundraising effort. In 2018, we raised $6,386.91. We were able to provide $240 in tuition reimbursement and financial support to 26 low income families whose children attend Valley Interfaith Child Care Center. In addition, we were able to provide cookies, a stuffed animal, and one book for all 50 children who attend the center. In 2019, we plan on providing cookies and a book for each of the 50 children at the center. VICCC also provides the same book each month to each child as part of their curriculum. We would like to sponsor one month of this book at a cost of $250. Pastor Monica has challenged the congregation to raise at least $6500, so we can provide the $220 to 25 families this year as well as one month of books for the center. We feel confident that we can meet this goal to help the children of low-income working families. We will take donations through Sunday, December 15th. We would like to thank everyone who continues to support this fund-raising effort.

Our Mission Statement: Because God loves us and calls us to love, we welcome and invite all to engage and grow in faith. Through discipleship and active service in our community, we are able to intentionally deepen our relationship with God and one another. The Well meets every Tuesday from 7:00 to 8:30 pm for a home-cooked meal and fun fellowship opportunities. We’re looking forward to having you join us. All are welcome! Bible Study will be held every Monday starting at 6:00 pm. We will be covering an extensive overview of the Gospels! Want to know more about The Well? Contact: Bryan Katz, Campus Minister: bkatz@vt.edu Andy Taminger, Campus Ministry President: andyt96@vt.edu http://www.lsmvt.lmlc.org Find Us On Facebook: “The Well: Lutheran Campus Ministry @ Virginia Tech” UPCOMING EVENTS: L-Cubed: December 8th following services; Marilia and Mike Deisenroth-Hosts

***************************************************************************** SERVICE PARTICIPANTS NEEDED We are looking for an Acolyte, Communion Assistants, Ushers, and Tellers for our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. We also need Lesson Readers for our December 29th ‘Lessons & Carols’ Service. If you can help, please contact Marcia in the church office. Thank you!

Lutheran Campus Ministries At Virginia Tech

Advent Calendar for the Food Pantry

We invite you to participate in this Advent Calendar project. Starting December 1st, place each food item in a paper bag. Children might like to decorate the bag. This is a fun way to remember others during the Advent season. Then bring the bag to our Christmas Eve service on December 24th or Sunday, December 29th for the Service of Lessons & Carols.

SERVICE PARTICIPANTS December 2019

December 1 December 8 December 15 December 22 December 29

Assisting Minister Andy Taminger Bryan Katz Michele Kennedy Carolyn Howard

Don Holmstrom

Communion Assistant Kathy Parrott

Glenn Buss Karl Pedersen John Anstrom

Linda Libey

Cantor Tom Wilson Bryan Katz Michele Kennedy Carolyn Howard

Don Holmstrom

Lector Bill King Leah Wechtaluk

McFarren Bill Knocke Bennet Cassell

PW Greeter John Hess Elaine Belay Teresa Cassell Gail King

John Hess

Ushers Betty Segar Betty Segar Betty Segar Betty Segar Betty Segar

Marcia Barrow Marcia Barrow Marcia Barrow Marcia Barrow Marcia Barrow

Michele & Harper

Kennedy Michele & Harper

Kennedy Michele & Harper

Kennedy Michele & Harper

Kennedy Michele & Harper

Kennedy

Tellers Mara Knott Mara Knott Mara Knott Mara Knott Mara Knott

Danny Knott Danny Knott Danny Knott Danny Knott Danny Knott

Marty Oosterhuis Marty Oosterhuis Marty Oosterhuis Marty Oosterhuis Marty Oosterhuis

December Anniversaries: December 27 - Dianne and Fred Rencsok December 28 - Jennifer and Mark Freeman Leah Wechtaluk McFarren

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THOSE BORN IN DECEMBER

December 01 Bill Knocke December 03 Ethan Hodges December 05 Lauren Widner December 12 Joanne Watson December 18 Gail King December 25 Christian Peterson Randy Shifflett December 26 Wava Vigen December 28 Carla Liversedge Carol Papillon Stephanie Valencic December 30 Gilli Freeman Fred Rencsok December 31 Lee Warren

December 2019 Calendar of Events

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

9:00 am – Adult Sunday School 10:00 am – Worship w/Children’s Church 11:30 am - Birthday Fellowship

2

9:00 am – PMO 6:00pm – The Well: Bible Study 6:30 pm – AA Meeting; Boy Scouts 7:00 pm – Wilderness Rd. Chorus

3

7:30 am – Men’s Bible Study 7:00 pm – The Well: Bible Study

4 9:00 am - PMO 10:30 am – Get Moving Exercise 12 noon – Contemplative Prayer 6:00 pm – Advent Supper & Worship @LMLC 7:30 pm – Choir Rehearsal

5

9:45 am – Faith Discussion Group 6:30 pm – AA Meeting

6

9:00 am – PMO 10 am – VT Faculty Women’s Club

7

8 10:00 am – Worship w/Children’s Church; Farewell & Godspeed 11:30 am –Reception for Dec. Graduates; L-cubed 4:00 pm - Caroling

9

9:00 am – PMO 6:00pm – The Well: Bible Study 6:30 pm – AA Meeting; Boy Scouts 7:00 pm – Wilderness Rd. Chorus

10

7:30 am – Men’s Bible Study 7:00 pm – The Well: Bible Study

11 9:00 am - PMO 10:30 am – Get Moving Exercise 12 noon – Contemplative Prayer 6:00 pm – Advent Supper & Worship @ SMLC 7:30 pm – Choir Rehearsal

12

9:45 am – Faith Discussion Group 4:00 pm – Dialogue on Race 6:30 pm – AA Meeting

13

9:00 am – PMO 4:00 pm – Hanging of the Greens/ decorating Narthex

14

7:00 pm – Holiday Brass Concert and Holiday Market

15

9:00 am – Adult Sunday School 10:00 am – Worship w/ Children’s Church Holiday Market 11:30 am - Council

16

9:00 am – PMO 6:00pm – The Well: Bible Study 6:30 pm – AA Meeting; Boy Scouts 7:00 pm – Wilderness Rd. Chorus

17

7:30 am – Men’s Bible Study 7:00 pm – The Well: Bible Study

18 9:00 am - PMO 10:30 am – Get Moving Exercise 12 noon – Contemplative Prayer 6:00 pm – Advent

Supper & Worship @ LMLC 7:30 pm – Choir Rehearsal

19

9:45 am – Faith Discussion Group 4:30 pm – Dialogue on Race 6:30 pm – AA Meeting

20

9:00 am – PMO

21

5:00 pm – Longest Night Worship

22

No Sunday School 10:00 am Worship Holiday Market

23

24 Office Closed

5:00 pm – Candlelight Christmas Eve Worship

25 Office Closed

Merry Christmas

26

6:30 pm – AA Meeting

27

28

29 Lessons & Carols No Sunday School 10:00 am – Worship

30

31

2020

Luther Memorial Lutheran Church

600 Prices Fork Road

Blacksburg, VA 24060

STEWARDSHIP NUGGET FOR DECEMBER 2019

“Use your God-given gifts to serve others.”

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