The Lamplighter
The Newsletter of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church Conover NC
November 2019
FROM THE PASTOR
If you sat down and made a list of the “basics” of discipleship—of following Jesus—what, might be on your list? Based on his book, A Celebration of Discipline, Richard J. Foster would likely include one that might not make some of our lists. He includes “Simplicity” as an outward discipline of the faith. He’s talking about an inner attitude particularly as it relates to possessions. You likely know how our “stuff” can bind and possess us. Foster incudes others and other writers, theologians, faith formation leaders have reminded us of the “basics” and of the need to be deliberate as we answer the call to discipleship. Some have talked about maintaining a sense of wonder and curiosity that keeps us open to God’s ongoing creative ways. I’m often drawn to the importance of contemplation as part of prayer—the need for silence and stillness in the presence of God. Dorothy Bass edited a wonderful book called Practicing Our Faith: A Way of Life for a Searching People. In it, various writers explore things like hospitality, keeping Sabbath, singing, dying well, saying yes and saying no—all as spiritual practices of the faith. Again, what might be on your list?
You might review the baptismal promises we affirm them occasionally in worship: “to live among God’s faithful people, to hear the word of God and share in the Lord’s supper, to proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed, to serve all people, following the example of Jesus, and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth” (ELW Rite of Affirmation of Baptism, page 236). How does the grace you know and the reality that you are a baptized, beloved child of God affect the things you might say are “basic” to following as a disciple and responding to God’s loving initiative of grace? Back in the year 2000 the ELCA had an initiative titled “Living the Faith—Call to Discipleship. From that effort seven key faith practices emerged to help guide discipleship. They won’t surprise you. INVITE. PRAY. STUDY. WORSHIP. GIVE. ENCOURAGE. SERVE. Each of these has biblical ties, an imperative command that call us deeper into discipleship, deeper into living faith, hope, and love.
Currently the ELCA website has a section titled Faith Practices with lots to explore. I invite you to check it out (https://www.elca.org/Our-Work/Congregations-and-Synods/Faith-Practices). I also invite and encourage you to consider your own list. What is going well as you walk with God, what needs work, what is so commonplace as to be routine and ignored by sheer habit; what could you add, or tweak so that there is new energy, opportunity? All that is to ask how can you be intentional (again? anew?) in your discipleship?
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Russell Makant
Thanksgiving Worship Service this year will
be at Grace Chapel on the campus of Lenoir-Rhyne University.
7:00 PM Tuesday,
November 2
CALENDAR
Nov. 3 *Daylight Savings Time ENDS
Nov. 13 *Seniors Luncheon (11:45 AM)
*Potluck and Bible Study (6:30 PM)
Nov. 18 Church Council meeting (6:30 PM)
Nov. 20 December Newsletter info DEADLINE
Nov. 26 *Thanksgiving Service @ LRU (7 PM)
Dec. 1 *Congregational Meeting (11:30 AM)
*See Notes for More Information
PARISH NOTES
Daylight Savings Time
Remember that Daylight Savings time ends Sunday, November 3 at 2 AM. Be sure to set your clocks back one hour before you go to bed Saturday.
Children’s Christmas Play Rehearsals
This year’s Children’s Christmas Play will be held Sunday, December 15 at 5 PM at St Stephens ELCA. There will be a pot luck following the program. Rehearsals will be from 12 PM-2:30 PM on November 10, 17, and December 8. Dress rehearsal will be the afternoon of the play. Joining us this year will be Millers Lutheran. Children of all ages are welcome to join in. For more information, contact Sandi Elrod.
Seniors Group News
The seniors will have their annual Thanksgiving luncheon with a special program Wednesday, November 13 at 11:45 AM in the Fellowship Center. All members 60 years of age and over are invited to attend.
Educational Opportunities
This month’s potluck and Bible study will be held Wednesday, November 13 at 6:30 PM. Following the meal we will watch a short video from the “Noomba” series and discuss it and the Bible connections drawn from it. This is an informal discussion around Bible and faith. Elementary and younger aged children will watch a Veggie Tales episode, read and discuss the related Bible verses, and do a craft or activity. December’s study will be December 11.
Craft/Quilting Class
Be sure to watch the bulletin and your email for the date and time of the next Craft/Quilting Class.
Movie Nights
Watch the bulletin for dates and times for the November and December movie nights.
Thanksgiving Service
There will be a Thanksgiving Service at Lenoir Rhyne University's Grace Chapel at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, November 26, 2019. We have 6 denominations represented (ELCA, UCC, UMC, PCUSA, Episcopal, and Moravian) with at least 15 congregations. A community choir will sing. The Rev. Phil Tonnesen, Assistant to the Bishop, NC Synod is scheduled to preach as we all give thanks to God.
Social Ministry News
New projects that begin this month will be Salvation Army Christmas stockings and fruit baskets for shut-ins. Watch the bulletin for more information.
Congregational Meeting
Our annual congregational meeting will be held following worship on Sunday, December 1. The main orders of business will be to elect new members to the Church Council and to ratify the spending plan for 2020. Please make plans to attend.
Looking for New Council Members
The Church Council is in the process of finding members who will agree to be nominated to run for upcoming vacancies. Please prayerfully and seriously consider accepting if you are asked or volunteer (see a current member of council) to run.
MEMBERS BIRTHDAYS THIS MONTH
11/3 - Donald Keller 11/5 - Pam Killian
11/8 - Nancy Rockett 11/15 - Tim Aaron
11/17 - Bill Henson 11/18 - Chloe Taylor
11/20 - Alea Sigmon 11/29 - Carolyn Deal
11/29 - Pearl Young
MEMBERS ANNIVERSARIES THIS MONTH
11/6 - Tommy & Jennifer Burch 11/15 – Jeff & Janie Dellinger
Serving This Month (November)
Ushers – Ronald Craig, Callie Huffman
Reader– Joyce Hefner
Communion Assistant – Joyce Hefner
Prayer Assistant – Joyce Hefner
Greeter – Barbara Hefner
Offering Counters – Dean Knight, Barbara Hefner
Flowers – 11/3 – OPEN; 11/10 – Dot Hawn; 11/17 – Mr. & Mrs. Mickey Miller; 11/24 – Carolyn Deal
**DON’T FORGET TO BRING CANNED GOODS
AND MEDICINE BOTTLES FOR CCM **
Bucket Money
The money taken up in the buckets during this quarter (October-December) will be for Lily Pad Haven.
Remember in Your Prayers
Those among us who are:
Serving in the military
Are homebound or are in nursing facilities
Sick or chronically ill
Nearing death or have recently passed away
Bereaved
Dealing with drug or alcohol addiction and their families
Victims of violence or hate
Disaster victims
The Church Council and all groups in the congregation
Prayer Partners: The Children’s Advocacy Center, St. Stephens Volunteer Fire Department, Sipe’s Orchard Home, St. Francis of Assisi Service Dog Organization
We will pray for individuals in our weekly worship and our personal prayer life.
