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December 2009
St. Stephen's Rambler
"Where You Are Valued, and Jesus' Love is Known"
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Let me the first to wish you
a Happy New Year!
 This
is the December issue of the Rambler, so why am I wishing you a "Happy New Year?"
You are thinking that I am jumping the gun. Right? But bear with me.
I am wishing you a Happy New CHURCH Year?
Advent is the beginning of the
CHURCH Year. The CHURCH begins, this year, on November 29th (or the 4th
Sunday before Christmas). Advent is the four weeks before Christmas.
The liturgical season of Advent continues through December 24.
The word "advent" comes from
the Latin "advenio," which is translated "to come." It is the time we
prepare for the birth of Jesus. Our worship, scripture readings--Old
Testament passages related to the expected Messiah and New Testament passages
concerning Jesus' second coming.
Advent brings joy from the
observance of ancient customs. Advent is observed with the lighting of
candles on the Advent wreaths, special readings & devotions, peeking behind those
little windows of an Advent calendar, etc.
You'll see changes in
the sanctuary too. The altar paraments are blue. Blue is the color of
royalty to welcome the coming of a King. It can also symbolize the night sky
in which the star appeared to announce the birth of Jesus. The Advent Wreath
is placed prominently up front. The Christmas tree with its Chrismons is
lit.
I pray that you feel the love of
Jesus and that you share that love with those around you. Remember that
JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON.
Merry Christmas
Jan Johnson
Congregational President
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As
early as the Middle Ages, Christians used fire and light to represent Christ's
coming into the world. Using this same symbolism, the Advent wreath developed
a few centuries ago in Germany as a sign of the waiting and hopeful expectation of
the return in glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. I found many sources on the
Internet that said Martin Luther is credited with beginning the tradition of the
Advent Wreath. He was seeking ways for parents to teach their children the
story of Jesus. I don't know if he actually invented the Advent wreath, but it
is true that the Advent wreath started in Germany as a Lutheran family custom.
Advent wreaths were used in the home. They became popular in churches the
middle of the twentieth century.
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The wreath, a circle, = the eternal victory over death through Jesus Christ.
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The evergreens = the faithfulness of God to God's people, even in death
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The lighted candles = the light of Christ brought into the world.
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First Candle = Hope. This purple or blue candle is lit on the first Sunday in
Advent and each following Sunday.
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Second Candle = Love. This purple or blue candle is lit on the second Sunday
and each following Sunday.
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Third Candle = Joy. This pink candle is lit on the third Sunday and each
following Sunday.
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Fourth Candle = Peace. This purple or blue candle is lit on the fourth Sunday.
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Optional Center Candle = White. It is lit on Christmas Day - Christ is born.
Advent wreaths are not all the same. Instead of purple candles, some people use
blue, which recalls the color of the night sky before daylight returns. Others
use all white candles. Others do not use a pink candle.
The
Advent wreath is also appropriate for daily use in home devotions. The making
of the wreath can be a family activity, using materials gathered from the yard or
garden. There are many Internet sites that describe making and Advent wreath.
Here is one:
http://clergyresources.net/Advent/Advent%20_advent_wr.htm.
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ELCA World Hunger Giving:
Comparing 2008-2009
During November, the month of giving thanks for our many gifts of abundance,
we take a moment to compare a snapshot of Rocky Mountain Synod giving to ELCA World
Hunger this year as compared to last year:
Feb-Oct 2008 $337, 784
Feb-Oct 2009 $287, 216
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Youth News
 A
BIG thank you to Kim Boitano for stepping up to lead the youth. Youth group
meets every Sunday from 6:30pm-8pm in the church basement. The youth group may
decide to do some joint activities with the Presbyterian Youth group on Sunday
evenings.
Time to Gear-up for the 12th Annual Middle
School/Jr. High Youth Gathering January 15-17, 2010
The 12th Annual Rocky Mountain Synod Middle/Jr. High School Youth Gathering takes
place January 15-17, 2010 at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Colorado Springs. The
theme is centered on the "One Campaign" and Eyewitness will be the musical guest.
Pastor Sarah Olsen is the keynote. An anonymous donor has volunteer to pay for any
youth interested in attending. Please RSVP to Kim by November 30th to
reserve your spot!
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December Book Club
The LL2 Book Club will meet on December 1 at Perkins Restaurant at 120th and Huron
at 11:30 am. We will disucss Don Piper's "90 Minutes in Heaven." For
January, we selected "A Mighty Long Way" by Carlotta Lanier.
Everyone is welcome to join us
for our discussion and fellowship.
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Adventure Confirmation
Next meeting date, Saturday December 19. Meet at the
church at 9:00 AM. Remember to read the 6 stories from the Bible and memorize your
favorite verse. Last month we met in a high rise building downtown and be familiar
with the new Lutheran Study Bible partially paid for by the Altar Guild. (Thanks!)
Afterwards we had lunch at the Old Spaghetti Factory. Who knows where we will be
this month?
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St. Stephen's Senior Potluck
With December brings our annual Christmas Luncheon on Tuesday, December 15, at
12:30 PM. Bring a hot dish, salad, or desert and your own table service.
Coffee and Tea will be provided. Remember to bring a while elephant gift for the
gift exchange. New members are welcome and encouraged to attend. |
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Greg & Kyra Arnold would like to invite you to a ceremony
celebrating the Affirmation of their Marriage as they celebrate 10 years together.
December 5, 2009 - 1:oo PM
St. Stephen's Lutheran Church
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Women's Winter Retreat
Now that snow has flown, its time to think about our winter retreat at Estes Park
YMCA. We are scheduling it for March 5 and 6. We have not finalized the
program yet, but we are thinking of doing another Women of the Bible session where
everyone picks a woman and presents her in a narrative, a first person monologue or
a two-person presentation. Or doing a Christian Sampler where we would discuss
other Christian religions and compare them to Lutheranism.
If you have questions or thoughts on the program call Karen Shifty, 303-469-0663.
But reserve the dates and more information will be forth coming. |
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All Women in the
Community Are Cordially Invited To Our 2nd Annual
Christmas Brunch
St. Stephen's Lutheran Church
Featuring Guest Speaker Janice Shannon
Janice is a Women's Ministry Speaker, MOPS Mentor, and serves as a Bible Study
Leader for a maximum security women's prison. She started speaking 25 years
ago while in MOPS. Over the years, her ministry has expanded to writing
and performing dramas. Through the art of drama, Janice will present a
humorous and
heartwarming one-woman-show entitled,
"I'm Not Martha Stewart!"
Sponsored by St. Stephen's Women's Ministry
Tickets At-the-Door $6.00
Please sign up on the Women's Ministry Board
OR please reserve a place by calling Cyndi (303) 450-0967.
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Scrapbooking Fundraiser - Saturday Dec. 12, 1-5 PM
Do you want to learn how to scrapbook, or do you already know how and just need some
time on your photo albums or Christmas gifts? The first 6 people to RSVP to
Tami Rash at 303-252-0531 will receive a free paper album complete with stickers and
mats. Bring 12-25 photos of an event you want to create an album for.
Additional paper album kits will be available for purchase for $6.50, $12.80, or
$16.00. 25% of proceeds from all sales will be donated to St. Stephens .
Come join us for Fellowship, fun, and go home with something tangible to show for
your efforts.
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Music
Department Christmas Party
Friday, December 4, 2009, 7:00 PM
Bring snacks and white elephants (the sillier the better)
We'll supply the beverages
Location: Sharon's & Karen's
14191 Lakeview Lane Broomfield, (303-469-0663)
Directions: From the church, go North on Huron to 136th Ave. Turn left
(west) to Zuni. Turn right (North) and go to Mackay Landing Parkway.
This is a traffic circle; go around 3/4. At the first right street,
Fairwind, turn right, go two streets to Lakeview Lane. We are the blue
house, second on the West side.
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Attention everyone who uses the kitchen area. Yes, this means you!
Here are some reminders for the use of the downstairs kitchen:
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The kitchen needs to be cleaned and in order each time it is used.
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Put away all dishes, cookware, utensils, paper good, condiments and food.
Cupboards and drawers are labeled. Please take your containers home with you.
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Wipe down all countertops, stoves, microwaves and tables need to be wiped down.
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Take home and launder dirty towels and dish cloths. Return them when clean.
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Empty the trash and replace the liners. Take trash out to the dumpster.
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Dispose of any leftover food or drinks. Please do not leave any leftovers in
the refrigerator or freezers. There are zip lock bags and containers provided.
Any food purchased before an event or occasion needs to be labeled with the date and
time left, and the date and group or person responsible for the event. Labels
are on both refrigerator doors. We have thrown away a huge amount of spoiled
food and drinks lately.
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Do not leave dirty dishes in the dishwasher. If there are not enough dishes to
turn the dishwasher on, please wash and put them away. Please do not leave
dishes in the draining racks.
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Make sure coffee pots are washed out and old grounds thrown away, and make sure the
hot water pot is emptied of water.
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Please make sure the freezer and refrigerator doors are shut tight.
Thank You,
Kitchen Committee
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Call Committee Corner
Your Call Committee has been busy
and we want to update you on our progress. First, we would like to welcome our
newest member - Ed Sears. Ed has been a part of the St. Stephen's family since
our very beginnings. In fact, he was St. Stephen's very first confirmand.
We are thrilled to have Ed on the Call Committee and are blessed to have the
knowledge and insight he brings with him. Welcome, Ed!!
Further exciting news - we anticipate submitting our Ministry Site Profile (MSP) to
the ELCA by the end of November. The MSP is a very comprehensive, in-depth and
detailed profile of our community, our congregation, our needs and the experience
and characteristics we desire in our new Pastor. Once the ELCA receives the
MSP, our opening for a Pastor will appear on their website and we will begin
receiving referrals of candidates. Many thanks to all who worked so hard on
compiling the information for the MSP including the Transition Team, Church Council
and Call Committee - it was no easy task but it will reap great rewards.
Please feel free to contact any Call Committee member at any time if you have
questions or if you would like to refer a candidate for Pastor (however, please do
so confidentially). The Call Committee's email address is sslucall@yahoo.com.
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Birthdays/Anniversaries
Birthdays
12/5 - Jennifer Corning
12/5 - Roni Refsdal
12/7 - Anna Lubben
12/8 - Al Campbell
12/13 - Audra Ashutambong
12/13 - Jan Speer
12/14 - Alaina Borg
12/15 - Ethan Bonham
12/15 - Doris Gueck
12/18 - Andreas Miller
12/21 - Karen Wutzke
12/23 - Samantha Corning
12/28 - Holly Miller
12/20 - Jared Domben
12/29 - Amethyst Johannes
Anniversaries
12/7 - Greg & Kyra Arnold
12/18 - Gale & Sandie Crosier
12/18 - Scott & Michelle Perry
12/22 - Bob & Caren Johannes
12/22 - Bob & Pat Peterson
12/24 - Art & Mary Jane Stautler
12/27 - Jennifer & Steve Corning
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Call Committee Contact Numbers
Al Campbell, Chairman - (303) 993-2522 --- Dave Burke, Vice Chairman -
(303) 255-9605
Vicki Padilla, Communications - (303) 452-7877 --- Pat Peterson - (303)
287-0704
Jim Poland - (303) 439-9014 --- Ed Sears - (720) 872-2603
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Mission Moments
from Colleen Daly in Puebla Mexico
"Athletes from the Caribbean, Central America, and different
parts of Mexico traveled to Puebla this last month to participate in the Central
American and Caribbean school games.
Although these games are not official games, may of the students
that came to this event dream of being in the Olympics and wanted to take
advantage of the opportunity to compete in Publa.
I had the opportunity to work alongside my roommate Ingrid
working with Athletes in Action. Out strategy was to ask the coach
permission to share more about Athletes in Action and the program they offered
of being a "complete athlete." Complete athletes not only develop
themselves physically within the sports arena, but they focus on emotional,
mental and spiritual development.
Of course, our main focus during this time was spiritual focus,
as that affects our mind and can also affect our emotions. hat week god
gave me he privilege of sharing the Gospel with the Mexican girls' basketball
team, and many of them prayed to receive Christ.
In total, 171 athletes from 15 countries were exposed to the
Gospel. that week. They came hoping to take back a prize. They never
realized they would receive something even greater.
Please pray for the hearts of these athletes. Pray that God
would continue to convict those who haven't made a personal decision for Him
yet. And pray that those who have would grow in their relationship with
Him."
From Kid's Life Children's Home, Fang, Thailand
A definite highlight this month was the overnight stay by 35 of our
teenagers and staff at a Lahu Village. Some found the 5km trek up the
mountain quite gruelling, others managed to run most of the way; but
everyone found it to be a special time of fellowship!
We enjoyed times of fun and games and times of worship together. What we
hadn't anticipated on this trip, planned as a time of teaching for our
youngsters, was the involvement of many of the children and adults from the
village. They have obviously grown used to us coming to them on outreach and
were happy to join us in the small church hall. For some we were
entertainment as they enjoyed our teenagers singing, others were curious,
but hopefully all were touched by God during this time.
In the evening the hall was full as more of the locals returning from work
chose to join us. It began with a little rumpus from some teenage lads who
had gathered outside; a timely reminder to pray for this local pastor and
others like him who have dedicated themselves to the spreading of the gospel
in this and other similar villagers. Their work often receives opposition
and it can be discouraging when the congregation is small. In this case any
opposition was soon quelled and most villagers continued to be very
welcoming.
Sleeping that night proved difficult for some. The temperature dropped as
the girls snuggled down in a Lahu hut; the boys having the less enviable
'pick of the floor' in the hall! Most of us were up just before dawn as the
village had hundreds of roosters intent on being heard! Breakfast was
followed by worship and a teaching session on Baptism and we ended our stay
there with a prayer walk/ singing procession along the main street and down
the winding pavements of the village. By the time we had returned our
numbers had swelled with yet another group of children, to whom we had to
say goodbye before walking back down the mountain.
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Please submit articles and/or information to be included in next month's Rambler by the
16th of this month.
Send info:
Sara
Burchard, editor
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