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C H R I S T L U T H E R A N C H U R C H
February, 2019
3612 Old Oakwood Road, Oakwood, GA 30566 Phone: 770-535-9938 Office E-mail: officeadmin@clcga.net
Website: www.clcga.org Office Hours : 9 am—1PM Monday thru Thursday
CLC STAFF
Pastor: Rev. Andrew Seibert
770-403-1194
pastor@clcga.net
Office Administrator: Dawn Johnson
770-535-9938
officeadmin@clcga.net
Director of Music: Diane Mulkey
770-718-1582
dianemulkey@bellsouth.net
Youth Director: Sarah Caruso
678-865-7911
clcyouthdirector@gmail.com
Custodian: Scottye Sisk
770-617-2276
2019 Church Council
Alan Clark (President)…….…770-778-6423
adclark924@gmail.com
Jan Clark (Administration)….. 770-965-1573
JanMRClark@gmail.com
Cheryl Neller (Scribe)……..678-517-4750
cherylrafot@aol.com
Ken Hayden (V.P./Finance) 770-503-0673
ken.hayden@charter.net
John Travis (Treasurer)…..….770-967-4178
JohnATravis@outlook.com
Karin Bowman(Nurture)....…..770-614-0967
kjbowman812@yahoo.com
Bob Falcey (Property)…….....770-967-1231
bjbfalcey@aol.com
Toni Zavadil (Outreach)….....770-287-7383
tjzavadil@gmail.com
“It is always the right time to do the right thing.” – MLK Jr.
I usually start my monthly From the Pastor article with a Jesus quote at the top, but I was reminded of this quote this past month as we observed MLK Day. Now I’m not trying to make Martin Luther King Jr. into the Savior, but I have to believe that
Jesus would have agreed with his thoughts here.
In fact, I have to believe that Jesus would have agreed with most of his other thoughts as well: dreaming of equality, turning the other cheek, standing up for the beaten down and searching to be light in the dark-ness.
I hope that this past MLK Day was more for you than just a day off or a time when you didn’t need to go to the mailbox to pick anything up. I hope you paused, for even a moment, to remind yourself what Martin Luther King, Jr. reminds us: do the right thing.
When? Now. What? Whatever! Who? Yes, with them.
With the neighbor who needs some help around the house. With the friend whose family member is in the hospital. With the shut-in church family member who is feeling isolated. With the kid in your house that might need some extra time. With the parent who could use an extra phone call. With the spouse that deserves that apology….
Now is the right time to do the right thing.
The chances are around us all day every day. Each day, may you start it off knowing that you are already loved, forgiven and poured over with grace. And may that gift from God through Jesus Christ motivate you to know that this is the right time to do the right thing.
Lord, help us to see the times and respond! Amen
Soli Deo Gloria,
Pastor Andy
Page #2 Christ Lutheran Church, Oakwood, GA Newsletter The Vine February , 2019
Four Ways To Give
All of us support our church. Most of us do this financially and by giving a 'Helping Hand'. The helping hand part is important to our many programs as it uses our time and talents. We not only serve our church but we also interact with others. Pastor begins each service by stressing the importance of attending our service and interacting with others. This is part of giving a Helping Hand!
Most of us use the collection plate to give our money to support the church. We give to the General Ministry which supports our day-to-day operation or to one of our many FUNDS in support of special interests. Both are important. During the past year, 80% of our General Ministry donations were made with the collection plate. But that is slowly changing.
Many of us now use Online Giving. The idea here is to make your donation from your checking account or your credit/debit card. Most of us do a recurring donation either weekly or monthly. The other option is to do a one-time donation. Online Giving is important to our church so your donation is made even if you can't attend the service. Over 20% of our donations are made with Online Giving. Go to www.clcga.org.
Our newest option is to use your cell phone. Yes, it really is like Online Giving, but it’s also different. You can use the Give+ Mobile app in 2 different ways. The first is to belong to Online Giving and just use your phone to make or change your donation. The other way is to make a donation using just your cell phone app – no need to register with Online Giving.
For those of us 70 ½ or over
You can make a “Qualified Charitable Distribution” to help the church and save money on your taxes.
A qualified charitable distribution is normally a taxable distribution from an IRA owned by an individual who is age 70½ or over that is paid directly from your IRA to
a qualified charity, like our church. Sometimes this is done to satisfy all or part of a required minimum distri-bution (RMD). Please note, to qualify, the contribution must be paid directly to the church.
An easy way to make this tax-saving gift to our church is to contact the financial institution that maintains your IRA. When you make this contact, they will need this information when they do the transfer. Stock transfers go to our Schwab account. Checks go to:
Christ Lutheran Church PO Box 1298
Oakwood, GA 30566
Notify Dawn if you want your donation going to something other than the General Fund.
Faithfully yours, John Travis, Treasurer
Page #3 Christ Lutheran Church, Oakwood, GA Newsletter The Vine February , 2019
Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church Association
Imagine the comfort and care you feel when you snuggle un-
der a warm comforter made and given to you by a loved one. That’s
the feeling we share with a Lutheran World Relief quilt. LWR quilts
give families around the world a life essential as well as a reminder
that they are not alone. Quilts are urgently needed as poverty, con-
flict, drought, typhoon, all manner of humanitarian needs continue
to increase. They are used as warm bedding but also as simple tents,
floor coverings, or a wrap to hold a baby on a mother’s back.
Anyone can work on a quilt project. Instructions are given at
https://applications.lwr.org/wp-content/uploads/MQAssemblyInstructions-1.pdf If you would like to work with other quilters under the leadership of master quilter Mari-
lyn Johnson, join us on Monday, February 4 at 2:00 p.m. in the fellowship hall as we begin our
quilts. Bring any fabric to use, scissors, a portable sewing machine if you have one, etc. Our
finished quilts will be packed for shipment with WELCA’s health kits and school kits in August.
Contact Marilyn Johnson if you have questions. Marsie46@aol.com
Quilts for the World
The February WELCA meeting will be on Monday, 2/11, at 9:45 a.m. We will change our gathering format slightly by first enjoying our brunch, then Bible Study, followed by the business meeting. This will assure that we have adequate time for our study.
Brunch this month will be provided by Jill Meehan and Gerry Travis. Hope to see you there for fun and fellowship!
Can recycling
Just a quick note– we will no longer be collecting cans to recycle effective
immediately. Please use your own receptacles' to recycle at home. Thank
you to everyone who has participated in the past.
Page #4 Christ Lutheran Church, Oakwood, GA Newsletter The Vine February , 2019
Why Sing in the Choir?
Singing brings joy to many people – but did you know that your passion for singing can lead to incredible ben-
efits in your physical, emotional, and social health? Here are 10 reasons why singing is good for you.
Physical Benefits of Singing
Singing strengthens the immune system
Researchers have noticed that the amount of proteins in the immune system that function as antibodies,
known as Immunoglobulin A, were significantly higher after a choir rehearsal.
Singing is a workout
Your lungs will get a workout as you employ proper singing techniques and vocal projection resulting in a
stronger diaphragm and overall circulation and an increase in your aerobic capacity and stamina.
Singing improves your posture
Standing up straight is part of correct technique as you’re singing, so with time, good posture will become a
habit! As your chest cavity expands and your shoulders and back align, you’re improving your posture overall.
Singing helps with sleep
Experts believe singing can help strengthen throat and palate muscles, which helps stop snoring and sleep
apnea.
Psychological & Emotional Benefits of Singing
Singing is a natural anti-depressant
Singing is known to release endorphins, the feel-good brain chemical that makes you feel uplifted and happy.
Also, singing can simply take your mind off the day’s troubles to boost your mood.
Singing lowers stress levels
Making music in any form is relaxing. Singing releases stored muscle tension and decreases the levels of a
stress hormone called cortisol in your blood stream.
Singing improves mental alertness
Improved blood circulation and an oxygenated blood stream allow more oxygen to reach the brain. This im-
proves mental alertness, concentration, and memory.
Social Benefits of Singing
Singing can widen your circle of friends and improve your social life
The bonds you form singing with others can be profound, since there’s a level of intimacy naturally involved.
Singing boosts your confidence
Performing well and receiving praise from your friends and family may be the key to boosting your self-
confidence.
Singing broadens communication skills
Singing to babies helps prepare their brains for language. Music is just as important as teaching reading and
writing at a young age to prevent language problems later in life.
Page #5 Christ Lutheran Church, Oakwood, GA Newsletter The Vine February , 2019
Why Sing in the Choir? continued
All of these health benefits of singing may make you want to join our choir and sing joyfully during worship.
If so, don’t hesitate to get started! There is a hymn for everyone--
Dentist's Hymn: Crown Him with Many Crowns
Weatherman's Hymn: There Shall Be Showers of Blessings
Contractor's Hymn: The Church's One Foundation
Tailor's Hymn: Holy, Holy, Holy
Golfer's Hymn: There's a Green Hill Far Away
Politician's Hymn: Standing on the Promises
Optometrist's Hymn: Open My Eyes That I Might See
IRS Agent's Hymn: I Surrender All
Gossip's Hymn: Pass It On
Electrician's Hymn: Send The Light
Shopper's Hymn: Sweet By and By
Realtor's Hymn: I've Got a Mansion, Just Over the Hilltop
Massage Therapist's Hymn: He Touched Me
Doctor's Hymn: The Great Physician
Thank You Letters
1/13/19
Dear Christ Lutheran Family,
Words are insufficient to express our thanks to all of you for the prayers, visits, meals provid-
ed to our family over the past eight weeks. Let us simply say we saw God’s face in all you did
for us.
In Christ!
Mark & Vicki Lewis & family
Dear Members of Christ Lutheran Church,
I wish to thank you all for your love, support, prayers and Christian family ministry efforts over the 20 years
of my membership among you.
I was and will continue to be Blessed by you all. When I am able to be back in Oakwood in the future, I hope
to see all of you again.
Love, gratitude and prayers to all of you– Donna Doughty
Page #6 Christ Lutheran Church, Oakwood, GA Newsletter The Vine February , 2019
ADULT FORUM– Sunday Morning’s
ONLY HERE IN
CLASSROOM #1
@9:45 am
WILL YOU FIND
Current Headline News Stories Discussion & Conversation. Connecting todays Christian Living with supporting Scripture Readings
Special Guest Leaders…….Adding their experience and knowledge to our topic
Military Care Boxes……packed with special items for over-seas men and women in our services
Contributing to our Cow Fund…..Supporting the needs of our World, ELCA World Hunger, Cows & Goats, Disaster Re-lief, Special Needs
Stop by for 45 minutes of sharing and fellowship. Looking forward to seeing you……Sharon and Bill
Page #7 Christ Lutheran Church, Oakwood, GA Newsletter The Vine February , 2019
Nurture Hi, I’m Karin Bowman the newest member of the church council. I will oversee the
Nurture Committee. My committee will oversee the needs of its members. This
means that I will be attempting to bring our church family together. Any activities
that you would like to do, let me know and we will see if we can make them hap-
pen. Also, movie suggestions are always welcome.
Our first event of the year was held in combination with
the youth group. The movie “The Star” was shown on
the big screen. With a concession stand of popcorn, can-
dy, and homemade soft pretzels. All for the great price of
taking a little time.
Our next family movie night is set for Saturday February 23rd. at 7:00 PM We will
be showing the original “Mary Poppins”. It was first released August 27, 1964,
which will make It new to some and nostalgic for others. So, mark your calendars.
Dear Friends in Christ,
I tried my hand at making quilt squares this week for Marilyn Johnsons new quilting group and thought about how that is such a beautiful example of how several people doing a little can come together as something that is a true blessing. As we start off on this New Year please consider if there is something you can do to help out some of our activities. Sometimes people can donate time or talents, other times it is something as simple as bringing in your old newspapers. We have been able to help so many with our contri-butions to the South Hall Food Pantry and Humane Society. It is truly amazing to see how many pull together to host Family Promise or VBS. Getting involved even if it is donating cookies to the fellowship, helping the youth on either Weds or Sundays, or bringing in some canned goods or a few dollars makes such an impact when we join our efforts. There are even some one-time events where you can make a difference if that is what is more up your alley. Just let us know and we will help you get started.
Yours truly, Toni Zavadil - Outreach
Page #8 Christ Lutheran Church, Oakwood, GA Newsletter The Vine February , 2019
Building Expansion Design Committee Update
We received the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) from the contractor on January 10. If we include the op-tion of two new restrooms and three new storage areas the GMP is $916,501. Without the option the GMP is $810,186. These GMP costs are too high for our Ministry Plan and building fund.
Since receiving the GMP, we have been working to identify areas where we can either make lower cost sub-stitutions, simplify the project, find more funds, and/or do some of the work ourselves, . We will have a final GMP and final total project cost by February 8.
We can discuss these details if we have time for a project Q&A on February 10 after the congregation meeting, at the February 11 church council meeting, and at the February 17 congregation meeting where we will discuss and vote on the project and project options.
The committee wants you to be clear on our work. If you have any questions on what we are doing, please feel free to contact any member of the committee (Bill Stevens, Russ Goodwin, Eric Bowman, John Travis, Alan Clark, Joe Vinson, and Alan Overcash) to discuss your thoughts or concerns and let us know you contin-ue to support what we are doing. Thank you,
Building Expansion Design Committee
Page #9 Christ Lutheran Church, Oakwood, GA Newsletter The Vine February , 2019
Finance Committee The committee completed the 2019 Ministry Plan on schedule. We are currently working with the Building Expansion Team to determine how much of additional monies can be used to fund the project. Our duty is to make sure we do not borrow any more than we absolutely have to by using money we already have that we determine to in excess of what we need have in the bank(s).
The Finance Committee needed a system to accomplish this in a logical way. We modified the CLC Continuing Resolution to provide a method of assuring we have an ample “emergency fund” savings account and do not borrow any money that is determined to be in excess. The CR specifies that the Finance Committee deter-mines at the start of each year how many months of expenses need to be set aside in the savings account. For 2019 we decided on 2 months of expenses or $54,000. This account is set up by the Treasurer and moni-tored by the Finance Committee. The CR modification was approved by Council at their January meeting.
The Internal Audit of the 2018 financial system was completed in January. We were fortunate to have Freda Bair leading the Audit Team this time. Her team members were Bill and Sharon Stevens, Jeanne Lewis and Arnie McCleese.
The Finance Committee and Church Council are always seeking to improve things. One of the major responsi-bilities of the Audit Team was to make recommendations for improving our financial procedures and systems. Be sure to read Freda and her teams’ Audit Report including their recommendations which is included in the Annual Meeting Packet.
A final thought regarding the new mortgage for the Building Expansion if the project is approved by the con-gregation. Hopefully everyone remembers the great accomplishment that you did in paying off the old mort-gage early. That mortgage was paid off 14 months early via contributions to a Mortgage Reduction Fund over the final 20 months. This effort saved about $1600 in interest.
If we begin a similar effort except begin it at the start of the new mortgage, it will reap far greater rewards. We will pay off the new mortgage several years early and save huge interest dollars over the mortgage life. When we know the final numbers, I will communicate with everyone scenarios showing what we could ac-complish.
Ken Hayden
For the Finance Committee
Page #10 Christ Lutheran Church, Oakwood, GA Newsletter The Vine February , 2019
YOUTH NEWS
FEBRUARY 2019
Upcoming Events:
Youth Group for ages 4-18 every Wednes-
day from 6-7:30 pm.
February 3rd: Souper Bowl Sunday
February 16th: Youth Glow Party 6-8 pm
March 23rd: AFFIRM Fundraising Dinner
February 3rd, 2019 We will be collecting money and canned food donations benefiting the South Hall Food Pantry. Join us for soup and sandwiches after the 11:00 am service.
Join us for our very first Glow Party!!!!
February 16th, 2019
6:00-8:00 pm Dancing, Food, Fun & Fellowship!
Page #11 Christ Lutheran Church, Oakwood, GA Newsletter The Vine February , 2019
YOUTH NEWS
FEBRUARY 2019
Be on the lookout for our communication ministry! We are getting ready to roll out our new communication books for nursing homes and communication cards for police and fire! The kids have been working
hard getting this all put together.
Kids Worship Volunteers Schedule:
February: March:
2/3- Alan Clark 3/3 Emma Seibert
2/10- Josh King 3/10 Dixie Bryson
2/17- Karen Legg 3/17 Janet Cboski
2/24- Janel Brooks 3/24 Denise Simpson
3/31 Maddie Caruso
Page #12 Christ Lutheran Church, Oakwood, GA Newsletter The Vine February , 2019
Jim & Elke Trimboli 2/10
Sandy & Cheryl Fuller 2/17
2/1 Ali Winiesdorffer
2/3 Marilyn Johnson
2/3 Bill Stevens
2/4 Marilyn Muckenfuss
2/7 Betty Harris
2/8 Alan Overcash
2/16 Alan Clark
2/17 Mike Random
2/17 Gerry Travis
2/18 Rick Miklos
2/20 Michael Marien
2/20 Elaine Miklos
2/22 Jim Ellis
2/22 Heather Moore
2/22 Lucy Terry
2/26 Norman Sage
South Hall Community Food Pantry (SHCFP)
We have been very busy in 2018. We served 1113 fami-lies, 3786 individual neigh-bors and received over 5 thousand lbs of food in dona-tions.
The picture is the CLC group one Saturday morning. It in-cludes Gene Ferg, Arnie McCleese, Ken Hayden.
Front row Barbara Todd, Phyllis Solgere and Edna Jackson.
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1
8 pm AA
2
3
8:30am Worship service
9:45 am Adult Forum
Confirmation class w/ Pastor Andy
11am Worship service w/ Kid’s worship
12 noon Souper Bowl of Caring
1PM Spanish speaking Worship
4
2 pm Quilt Project
8 pm AA
5
6
6:45 am Lutheran Men in Mission Prayer Break-fast
10 am Bible Study
6 pm Youth Group
6:45 pm Adult Choir
7
10 am—12 noon
CLC staffs South Hall Food Pantry
7 pm Pub Theology
8
8pm AA
9
10
8:30am Worship
9:45 am Annual Congre-gation Meeting
Confirmation class
11am Worship w/ kid’s
worship
1PM Spanish speaking Worship
11
9:45 am WELCA
6:30 pm Church Council
8pm AA
12
13
6:45 am Lutheran Men in Mission Prayer Break-fast
10 am Bible Study
12 noon Good News
6 pm Youth Group
6:45 pm Adult Choir
14
10 am—12 noon
CLC staffs South Hall Food Pantry
7 pm Pub Theology
15
8pm AA
16
6-8 pm
Youth Glow Party
17 Hunger Relief Sunday
8:30am Worship
9:45 am Building expan-sion Meeting
Confirmation class w/ Pastor Andy
11am Worship w/ kid’s worship
1PM Spanish speaking Worship
18
8pm AA
Dawn will be out of office
19
20
6:45 am Lutheran Men in Mission Prayer Break-fast
10 am Bible Study
6 pm Youth Group
6:45 pm Adult Choir
21
10 am—12 noon
CLC staffs South Hall Food Pantry
7 pm Pub Theology
22
8pm AA
23
Nurture
Movie Night: “Mary Poppins” 7 pm
24
8:30am Worship
9:45 am Adult Forum
Confirmation class w/ Pastor Andy
11am Worship w/ kid’s worship
1PM Spanish speaking Worship
25
4-6 pm SHCFP
8pm AA
26
27
6:45 am Lutheran Men in Mission Prayer Break-fast
10 am Bible Study
6 pm Youth Group
6:45 pm Adult Choir
28
10 am—12 noon
CLC staffs South Hall Food Pantry
7 pm Pub Theology
Christ Lutheran Church 2019
February , 2019 Page #12 Christ Lutheran Church, Oakwood, GA Newsletter The Vine
READERS 2/3 Judy Kaczorowski 2/10 Kay Knight 2/17 Toni Zavadil 2/24 Jan Clark ALTAR GUILD
2/3 Kay Knight 2/10 Sue & Jim Joninas 2/17 Mindy & Jim Ellis
2/24 Gerry & John Travis
COMMUNION BREAD 2/3 Kay Knight 2/10 Ginger Huddleston 2/17 Diane Bohn 2/24 Gerry Travis
COFFEE FELLOWSHIP
ASSISTING MINISTERS
2/3 Ann McDivitt
2/10 Jim Trimboli
2/17 Alan Clark
2/24 Kay Knight
USHERS
2/3 2/3 Dale Osterloh & Jim Joninas
2/10 Jan & Alan Clark
2/17 Gerry Travis & Ginny Huseby
2/24 Jim Ellis & Don Finfrock
Go in Peace, Serve the Lord Serving at Worship for February
8:30 am Worship Service
READERS
2/3 Jeff Winiesdorffer 2/10 Pat Freeman 2/17 Ron Goetzke 2/24 Karen Legg Kid’s Worship 2/3 Alan Clark 2/10 Josh King 2/17 Karen Legg 2/24 Janel Brooks
ASSISTING MINISTERS
2/3 Don Woosley 2/10 Karin Bowman
2/17 Cindy Grastat
2/24 Jenny Goodwin USHERS
2/3 Phyllis Solgere & Carol Farrell
2/10 Janet & Austin Seibert
2/17Alan Overcash & Eric Bowman 2/24 Richard Morhard & Ken Uyl
COUNTERS
2/3 Don Finfrock & Eric Bowman
2/10 Phyllis Solgere & Michelle Bair
2/17 Cheryl Neller & Ken Hayden
2/24 Jan & Dane Clark (Barbara Tiszai, Ron Goetzke)
ALTAR GUILD
2/3 Diane Morhard
2/10 Marilyn Johnson
2/17 Karen Legg
2/24 Marie Umberger
COFFEE FELLOWSHIP
2/3 Souper Bowl of Caring 2/10 Melinda Parmer & Lynn Whitener 2/17 Lynn Thomas & Marie Umberger 2/24 Janet Seibert & Dixie Bryson 3/3 Kathie Wilson & Karen Vinson 3/10 Karin Bowman & Nancy Garland 3/17 Marilyn Johnson & Diane Morhard 3/24 Jeanne Lewis, Penney Stettler (Carol Farrell, baked good) 3/31 Cheryl Fuller & Peggy Goodwin
11:00 am Worship Service
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