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It
seems like Christmas has been hijacked from the Church and taken over
by our
consumer and marketing world.
It has been hijacked from the church to the mall.
Once there it can get shorn of all meaning because in our
obsession to be sensitive
and non-offensive to everyone we will call it
“the holiday season” so no one will feel
upset. Then it
becomes one of the busiest times of the year, and we often are in a
frenzy. But
underneath the glitter, lights, and “gay new world,” we get a
sense of
loneliness and even despair. Under the language of love and good will, we find many lonely people who simply want to get through the season and get back to their work routine to dull the pain of realizing how alone they really are. Under all the songs of peace, we realize the world as full of war and terror. Under all the confidence about human progress and accomplishments we can see the shadows of our limits as human beings and our final helplessness in the darkness of evil in our life and world. When
we stop and look and listen, we are tempted to try harder to do things
like putting Christ back into Christmas.
We neither can try harder nor should we try harder to put
Christ back into Christmas. Our
Lord is already present in the whole world of His creation.
He is present in the mall and the Church.
He is present in North Korea and Iraq and in our family room
and sick room. He’s
already in Christmas and all space and time.
Our job and calling is not to put our Lord anywhere, but to
listen for His voice and to hear Him speaking to us.
We want to listen to hear Him tell us where He wants to put us. He
may very well be telling us that He wants to put us back into touch
with both the dark night of the winter in the human soul and also the
bright light and joy of the glory of God.
He may be telling us to celebrate His presence with the tears
and laughter and song that accompanies a new birth.
He may be calling us to stop, look, listen, and fall in love
with His world and His people and not just curse the darkness and play
“ain’t it a shame.” I learned a new angle on Christmas from a lady
theologian named Marva Dawn. She
said the major festivals of the church year reflect the Holy Trinity.
Christmas is the feast and celebration of the Father, Easter
the Son, and Pentecost, the Holy Spirit.
The baby Jesus is a gift of the Father to us and shows us not
just a baby’s love, but the love of God the Father.
It is called the feast of the incarnation (in
carne – or in – flesh – ment) because the Word was made
flesh and tented among us and we saw His glory full of grace and
truths. (John 1)
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+ Salem Lutheran Church10 McClellan Circle -
Buffalo, New York 14220 phone: 824-2787 e-mail: salemoncircle@yahoo.com
Rev. David F. C. Wurster, Ph.D., PastorRev. Richard E. Blemaster, Pastor Emeritus (FROM
THE PASTOR
- continued) -
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Father did not tell us that we should rise above the wonders of creation
and being human beings, but that His love frees us to see and love more
deeply being human beings in His good creation.
When we see Jesus as true man
“of the Father’s love begotten” and became more free to be
fully human paradoxes begin in our life.
The glory of God’s love shines most brightly when we see our
own vulnerability as humans. When
we know our human weakness best, we know His strength the best.
One of my old teachers once said that the more you love the more
you will feel loneliness, for one reveals the other.
I remember a middle aged couple who fought through some marital
conflict and sat down and said, “we have fallen in love again.”
I said, “that’s sort of dangerous at your age.”
They said why is that? I
said, “Well, someday one of you must die and it will hurt more if you
are in love.” They both
said, “We have already
thought of that.” The
Church really hijacked a pagan feast to celebrate Christmas.
December 21 was Sol Invictus (invincible sun) when light began to
grown larger in the dark night of the winter.
It was on the edge of darkness that the church celebrated the
birth of Christ as the gift of the Father.
It is probably true that it’s right at the edge between faith
and doubt and right in the middle of God’s beloved creation that we
will see and hear the angels sing again and see Christ incarnate or in
the flesh. Martin
Luther spoke of this gift of the Father in a Christmas sermon in
Wittenberg almost 500 years ago. “Let
us, then meditate upon the Nativity just as we see it happening in our
own babies . . . To me there is no greater consolation given to mankind
than this, that Christ became man, a child, a babe, playing in the lap
and at the breasts of his most gracious mother.
Who is there whom this sight would not comfort?
Now is overcome the power of sin, death, hell, conscience, and
guilt, if you come to this gurgling Babe and believe that He is come,
not to judge you, but to save.” As
the old carol says, “The
hopes and fears of all the years are met in Thee tonight.”
Peace,
Pastor
Wurster ^ ^
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^ HEALTHY
CONGREGATIONS --
HEALTHY
LEADERS Salem is leading a series of workshops to celebrate the
health and strengths of congregations and leaders. Healthy
Congregations is a series of innovative
workshops for congregational leaders that promote healthy congregations.
It consists of six six-hour workshops designed to help church leaders become effective stewards of their
congregations. The goal is
that key leaders in the congregation become experts on maintaining
and improving congregational health. Through
the use of videotapes, case studies, workbooks, and discussion,
participants will learn in a highly interactive way. The workshops foster growth in
leadership not only in congregations, but in families and in our secular
vocations as Christian people living as members of the body of Christ in
the world. The workshops
help people learn about being spouses, parents, and Christian people and
leaders by drawing upon biological science, psychology, and both
biblical and catechism teachings of the church.
These workshops are biblical theology classes in family life and
leadership in our life in the church and the world.
Many leadership courses, based on management concepts, cannot
address the biblical and family dimensions of life included in Healthy
Congregations -- Healthy Leaders. For more information and
brochures, contact the church office - 824-2787; or Jim Carr - 896-1991
or Sharon Croston - 824-1077. Come on January 28, 2002 for
Workshop #5 - Sessions 3
- 5 Topics:
Healthy Congregations Develop Generous People (Stewardship) Leader:
Rev. Robert Spilman
BLESSED
CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR from: Pastor
and Ruth Wurster Pastor
& Cheryl Blemaster Ernelle
Ponivas (secretary) Lois
Jones (organist-choirmaster) and Steve
Jarmusz Sr. (custodian).
ADVENT COIN FOLDERS
These were sent out as usual for your use during the Advent
season. Please
insert
them in the reminder envelopes, to be mailed in two weeks, and return
them
at one of the holiday services, December 15 or 22.
Deposit them in the
special
box on the narthex table, rather than in the offering plate because of
bulk.
All monies received in these folders will be used for various
charities
listed
in our budget. Also note
that all unmarked Christmas festival envelopes
will
automatically go to Synod and District for missions. ************************************************************************************************** D I R E C T O R Y
Ms. Kimm Girdlestone
Mrs. Janelle (*Andrew) Hofer
C H A N G E S
196 Crescent Ave. – Apt. 17 D
85 Autumn Creek Lane
Buffalo, N. Y. 14214-2381
Apt. F
E. Amherst, N. Y. 14051
Phone: 689-8081
Capt. Justin LeBlanc
Sierra Charles Apts.
Mr. Mark Schermerhorn
600 Charles Dr. – Apt. 131 C
340 N. Legion Dr.
Sierra Vista, AZ 85635
Buffalo, N. Y. 14210-2334
Phone: 1 – 520-439-4084 To keep your new pictorial church directory updated, it is suggested that you make these additions and changes. Please contact the church office with any new names, addresses, and telephone numbers. Thank you! + +
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to use the Wheat Ridge
seals from
Lutheran Hour Ministries included with the the
DOVE to brighten your holiday mail, and then give
a donation to church for them before the end of
the end of the year; make
all checks payable to “
Salem Lutheran Church.”
L I B R A R Y N E W S As indicated in the November DOVE, the renovation of the church library continues. Many Christian novels are appearing on the shelves. While these are not new books, they are new to the church library and will provide hours of interesting and exciting reading. We do not limit the time you can keep a book out. However, please remember that others are waiting to read them. On the same note, there are a number of books that have been absent for years. In all likelihood, these are lost, but please check your shelves at home to see if a book was mistakenly shelved instead of being returned. Lois T. Hendersen is a Christian writer who has
specialized in novels based on the lives of Biblical women.
We now have five of these available:
Abigail, Hagar, Lydia,
Miriam and Ruth. Phoebe by Max Call tells the story of a Christian
businesswoman who was chosen by Paul to carry his letter to the
Christians of Rome. Mara -
The Woman at the Well by Gloria Howe Bremkamp tells that tale of
a woman living in despair who finds hope after she meets Jesus at the
well. Ruth -
A love story by Ellen Gundersen Traylor relates the tale of the
Moabitess who followed her mother-in-law, Naomi and found Jehovah. Also, new to our shelves: Elizabeth of Capernaum
and Deborah of
Nazareth by Edith E.
Cutting; Scent of
Heather and Autumn Encore by Jane Peart;
Surrender by Lyn Bulock and Faith by Faith by Annie
Jones. If you have any questions, please see Gretchen
Putzman or Deann Sheppard. ****************************************************************************************** W O R S H I P
C O M M I T T E E The first meeting of the Worship Committee was held March 28, 1995. Since that time, the membership has seen changes and the direction of the committee has varied and expanded based on the needs of the congregation. As you have seen in recent months, the Worship Committee has developed a page for the DOVE that will provide the congregation with the themes, liturgies and sermon texts for the weeks that follow. We have used a variety of service forms and music to give everyone a chance to express their faith in a method most comfortable for them,. An alternative hymnal which would contain modern praise and worship hymns is being considered. Plans are underway to have pre-service hymn sings at least once a month. A narrative communion service is being planned for the beginning of the New Year. The committee is working to make worship a more
meaningful experience for all. Any
input and comments would be appreciated.
Gretchen Putzman Secretary
SUNDAY
SCHOOL
Christmas
Pageant Rehearsals
will begin during Sunday
School
on Sunday, December 1. Afterward,
every family
is
encouraged to attend the Advent Wreath & Ornament
workshop and Pot Luck Dinner immediately following
church
in the lower parish hall social room.
Please
call
the church office (824-2787) if you didn’t sign up
in
the narthex by November 24, and bring a dish to pass
on
December 1. The cost of materials is $5.00 per
wreath
and materials. On
Sunday, December 8 and Sunday, December 15, children in grades 3 through
8 are asked to bring bagged lunches to eat after church and rehearse
from 12:30 to 1:30. Primary
Department children will attend the December 15 rehearsal only. Milk
will be provided by the Sunday School. The Christmas Pageant will
be presented on Sunday, December 22 at 10:30 a.m. Children will report to Sunday School as usual at 9:00 a.m.
for a final rehearsal. A
birthday cake for Jesus will be cut during the pageant and will be
served in the lower parish hall social room after the pageant.
Sunday
School
will be held as usual on Sunday, December 29 and Sunday, January 5 at
9:00 a.m. Reminder – Candy Canes will be used
to celebrate Christmas gifting Advent season.
Beginning December 1, children will bring gifts and writing the
name of the gift (i.e. clothes, food, toys, etc.) on a candy cane to be
placed on the undecorated trees in their Sunday School rooms. Children are encouraged to bring in as many gifts as they
like to cover our trees with candy canes.
Coin folders will also be distributed.
All gifts and monies will be given to La Santa Cruz Hispanic
Lutheran Church in Buffalo.
B.
David Sylvia
Sunday
School Superintendent Reminder to Sunday School
Teachers: Next meeting is Thursday,
January 9, 2003 at 6:30 p.m. ^
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^ ^ ^ ^ HELP LA
SANTA CRUZ Good
toys and
clothing are
needed by La Santa Cruz Hispanic Lutheran Church
on Niagara Street, Buffalo. Bring
to our church kitchen, or put under
church Christmas tree, no later than December 22. Cash gifts,
too,
will be acceptable anytime. *
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ALTAR
FLOWERS
N
E E D E D
Remember to return 2003 reservation
forms sent with the
Small cookies for the annual Lutheran with the last DOVE to Gloria Pfohl
before the end of
Service Society Cookie Pack - Monday, December.
Don't assume you'll have the same date you
December 9 at 9:00 a.m. at Calvary had in 2002.
You must reserve each year and in writing.
Lutheran Church, 4110 N. Bailey Ave., Buffalo,
N.Y. Please leave them in
the
kitchen
on Sunday, December 8, marked:
“For L.S.S. Cookie Pack.” W
O R S H I P The
Worship Committee has developed a page for the DOVE that will
communicate to the congregation the themes, liturgies, sermon texts
and titles and other points of worship.
WORSHIP TIME
- 10:30 a.m. (
LW = Lutheran Worship
TLH = The Lutheran Hymnal ) Hymns
and liturgy are being chosen by Pastor, the Music Director, and the
Worship Committee. Comments
are invited for future growth.
NOTE: The more recent color for Advent is blue to signify the sky and the Virgin Mary, but there are still reasons to accent the purple to signify both the royalty of a King and the grief and sorrow of repentance in preparation to meet the King. C O L O R S
of THE
C H U R C H Y E A R The colors of the
church year signify the changing seasons of the church year and the
rainbow of the tones, emotions, and dimensions of the life and teaching
of the Christian faith. Because
different calendars sometimes have slight differences, we will place the
colors we use for worship at Salem on the worship page of the DOVE.
We hope this will avoid confusion and help people think about the
colors and their meaning. +
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+ N A R R A T I V E
We will send out a sheet
for some education about our
worship
service. Between Epiphany
and Lent we will have C O M M U N I O N
small educational spots during the worship to highlight and
to explain the liturgy and how it fits together and how it
focuses over life around the Trinity and Cross.
An overview
of the Lutheran worship will come with the January calendar.
Details of the service will appear as bulletin inserts between
Epiphany and Lent. =
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CHRISTMAS CARD EXCHANGE
Last year was such a great success that I am asking everyone to
participate again this year.
For those of you who are unfamiliar
with this project, this is how it goes:
Instead of mailing Christmas
cards to your church friends, bring the cards to church and put
them in the mailboxes provided.
Then give the money you would
have spent on postage to me.
I will use that money to buy food for
one or two needy families for Christmas.
This project starts December 1st and continues through
December 22nd. This
will give me a few days to shop so the food can be delivered by
Christmas. Please continue
to save your coupons for me, as I can use them to make the money go
farther. For those of you
who do not send cards, monetary donations are gratefully accepted. Thank
you and God Bless You all for your help in this,
Joanne Kushka HAVE YOU NOTICED
-- the signs to the
right of each exit door? “You Are Now Entering
the Mission Field” What does this mean? We
have been to church, heard the message of Jesus’ love and His
salvation plan for us all – now He says: “Go and tell others of me and live your lives as I would
want you to.” May
the spirit of the Lord enable you to do His mission in the area where He
has placed you.
Elinor Jentsch
Worship Committee
THE DUST HAS SETTLED AND WEARE NOW HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE!!! For over a year we have planned and finally have completed theconstruction
of the elevator and handicap accessibility changes, a
major project at Salem. The
dedication of the elevator and changes
took place on Sunday, November 10, 2002.
A short ceremony
was held in the upper parish hall at the beginning of the
church service. Pastor led
the ceremony with a prayer and readings;
there was a ribbon cutting and transfer of the key from Rich
Potts from Lehigh Construction to Mark Thomas. I would like to thank everyone from Lehigh
Construction, especially
Dave Hofer and Rich Potts for their dedicated work on
the project. Thank you to
the committee members: Fred Bartz
Jr., Jim Carr, Steve Jarmusz Sr., George Merkt, Dave Bartholomew,
Lois Doll, Norrine Nagel, and Julie Schmidt.
Also, I would like to thank the members of the congregation
who have
supported and
continue to
support the financial aspect of the project.
We have a 10-year commitment to finance this project, and ask
that you remember your pledges and keep the project in your prayers.
With continued financial support, hopefully we can shorten our
loan obligation to 5 years or less. We hope this opens the doors of Salem to more people who can now take advantage of the elevator and other enhancements to the bathroom and sacristy while joining us for worship!
Mark Thomas Committee Chairman
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+ + The First Annual
LUTHERAN NIGHT AT THE THEATRE Sunday, April 6, 20037:30
p.m. Lutheran Charities proudly presents this evening of
the award-winning Broadway Musical – The
Phantom of the Opera
- at Shea’s
Performing Arts Center, 646 Main Street, Buffalo, N. Y.
Lutheran Charities currently has 100 seats available.
Don’t be left out! Reserve
your tickets today. Call
Lutheran Charities at 632-2623 before February 1, 2003.
Ticket prices: $59.50; $42.50; $22.50.
Please feel free to send in more than the ticket cost.
All proceeds will benefit the 22 local social service agencies
that Lutheran Charities supports in Western New York.
Tickets will make a terrific Christmas Gift. Hurry, don’t miss this opportunity! + +
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ANNOUNCEMENT Bethesda Lutheran Homes and Services, Inc., a national leader in services for people with developmental disabilities since 1904, offers the following scholarships for the 2003-2004 academic year: $1,500.00 Scholarship for Lutheran Students
(entering the field of developmental disabilities)
--
-- Active
communicant member of a Lutheran church; Sophomore status or higher at a
college or
university, not necessarily a Lutheran college; Minimum 3.0
overall grade point average; Career
objective in the field of developmental disabilities. $1,500.00 Scholarship for Lutheran Nursing Students –
-- Active
communicant member of a Lutheran church; Sophomore status or higher at a
college/university or completion of 1 year of a 2 year AND
program; Minimum 3.0 overall grade point
average; Career objective of working as a nurse in the field of
developmental disabilities. Application
deadline: March 15, 2003 (For more information or to receive an application, contact:
Tom
Heuer, Coordinator, National Christian Resource Center, Bethesda
Lutheran Homes and Services,
700 Hoffmann Drive, Watertown, Wisconsin 53094.
Phone: 1-800-369-4636;
Fax: 920-262-6513;
E-Mail: theuer@blhs.org Web Site: www.blhs.org
St. Luke Lutheran Church, 900
Maryvale Dr., Cheektowaga, N. Y. 14225 is presently
seeking applications to fill the position of Vocal/Bell
Choir Director. The positions salary is $7,500.00 per year.
The director’s job is a September to June
position with summers off.
We are seeking to fill this position by the Spring
of 2003. Any applications can be sent to: Ron Connor, VP.
Personal c/o St. Luke Lutheran Church, 900 Maryvale
Dr., Cheektowaga, N. Y. 14225 or Call St. Luke’s at
633-6752. FINANCIAL ASSOCIATE with THRIVENT FINANCIAL for LUTHERANS Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is a dynamic financial services organization like no other. As a fortune 500 organization we are in a league with the best . . . our commitment to serving Lutherans, their families and communities sets us apart. Thrivent Financial associates provide comprehensive financial strategies, personal customer service and a range of competitive financial products. Thrivent
Financial associates have the opportunity to:
Earn
an outstanding income; Receive competitive benefits; Achieve an
increasing level of professionalism through continuous training and
education. If you have a desire and commitment to serve the financial needs of Lutherans, a professional career with Thrivent Financial may be just what you’re looking for. Please contact: Craig Whipkey at 1-800-896-9501.
M
E M O R I A L S
A N D
G I F T S MISCELLANEOUS
FUND -
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Gifts: David
Sylvia (birthday); Robert Schmidt Sr. (Community Table). CURRENT
FUND -
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Gift: Gerald & Marie Monk. HANDICAP
ACCESS FUND - -
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In memory of
Ruth Klock by Kathryn B. Haurik; William & Carol Davin. In
memory of Lisa
Steinbacher by Mr. & Mrs. M. Mulvaney and family. In
memory of Victoria
Merkt by Gerald Monk; Rosemary Battle; Betty Radke; Ken
& Joanne Kushka; William & Betty Roth. In
memory of Bill
McMaster by Gerald Monk. Gifts:
Lois Doll; Sue Wiedemann; Nancy Thomas; Olga Kingsland; Mr. & Mrs. Robert
Wolf; Doris Baker; Gretchen Putzman; George & Jean Poniwas;
James & Judy Carr; Robert & Fran Wiedemann; Walter & Marjorie
Schermerhorn; Mark & Monica Thomas; Mr. & Mrs. Michael
Mulvaney; Margaret Kent Logan; Dan & Lucy Larotonoa; Paul Thomas
Jr.; David & Claire Carlson; Mark Thomas; +
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OF COMING
LUTHERAN HOUR
BROADCASTS (Heard Sundays at 7:30 a.m. on WNSA-FM 105.3 and on WNSA FM 107.7 ) December
1 -
- “Has Your Watch Run Down?”
At times a battery runs down, when
“stuff” gums up the mechanism, and the watch is
useless. God’s people
must keep a “faithful watch”
(Mark 13:33-37). December
8 - “Giving It
All You’ve Got” Preparations
for Christmas have begun. How
we can “give it all”
and be properly prepared for Christ’s coming?
(2 Peter 3:14). December
15 - “Always
Joyful” God tells us to
be joyful always. But are
you tired of smiling? (1 Thessalonians 5:16). December
22 - “What God
Looks Like” Countless
artists have painted countless pictures of God.
God’s love looks like Christ,
lying in a manger, dying on a cross for our sins, and rising from the
dead to give new life
(Luke 2:11). December
29 - -“Good Lord,
Deliver Us” A
technological age leaves no room for dragons.
Find out how to escape the fear of the unknown and receive the
answer to victory (Revelation 12:9 – 10). January
5, 2003 - “A Light in the Darkness”
Does darkness rule? Jesus
provides the Light (John 1:5). January
12 - -
- “John, Jesus’ Living Advertisement” Rather than pushing a product, John the Baptist pointed to
Jesus (Mark
1:4-11). January
19 - -
- “What Are You
Worth?” God sees our
worth in a special way, through Christ (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). January
26 - -
- “Now You See It
. . . Now You Don’t” Want
to change something in your life? Hear
what God has to say (1 Corinthians 7:29-31). SPECIAL
CHRISTMAS TELEVISION
PROGRAMS: Christmas
Day – 1:30 p.m. on WNGS, Channel 67 (Adelphia Ch. 11) – “Little
Shepherd” – produced by the Lutheran Laymen’s League.
This new animated Christmas video tells of Joel and his little
sheep Bramble, and his desire to be a good shepherd, ending up at the
stable in Bethlehem. For
more information: www.littleshepherd.org.
Following on the same channel at 2:30 p.m. – “Red Boots for
Christmas” -
an award-winning story of greed versus giving is a lesson for
young and old alike. Lutheran
Hour Ministries will again enter a float in the Tournament of Roses
Parade on New Year’s Day. The
theme of the float is “Jesus
– God’s Gift,” and will represent a children’s Christmas Eve
church service, with a nativity scene.
This is the 53rd year that L.H.M. has entered a float,
and it is the only float in the parade from a religious organization.
For best viewing of the parade, tune in the Home and Garden
Channel for continuous viewing without commercials. Advent
Devotions are available on the Lutheran Hour Ministries we site www.lhm.org. along with other features, such as Bible searches,
interesting topics, news, and links to
“Little Shepherd” and “Red Boots.”
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