EERE EEEEIEEEEEeeeeeeeeee Grace Lutheran Chureh 1 W. Montgomery Street ~ Johnstown, NY 12095-2409 The Rev. David Almleaf , Pastor ~ December 2017 a Dear Members and Friends, As Christmas approaches many are fearful about the state that the world is in today. We seem to have entered into a time when systems for addressing needs, conflict and protocols are crumbling. At the same time tensions and uncertainties seem to be on the increase. In the midst of darkness the light of the world was born in a manger. He gives us hope for the future and assures us of God’s love and presence even in the midst of chaos. We may not have peace and certainty now, but we have a vision of it. That vision sustains us during the holiday season and enables us to be joyful. Our celebration of Christmas should be especially well attended this year because we need everyone here giving thanks to God for the one who offers hope, sanity and stability at a time when it is desperately needed. Sce you at the 3:00 p.m. or 10:00 pan. service. * Merry Christmas to Ail, A LLL Tg bth cb Oe “ Pastor David AlmleafAltar Flowers December/January Dec - 03 - OPEN Dec - 10 - Karen Ryder Dec - 17 - Mary Ann Hathaway Dec.- 24 A.M. - Advent service Tomas & Peyton Petersen Dec - 24 - P.M. Christmas Eve George & Marlene Slingerland Dec - 31 - OPEN Jan - 07 - OPEN Jan - 14 - Peggy & Emie Niforos Jan - 21 - Linda Bumpus Jan - 28 - Maryland Warner Please note: The cost of altar flowers is $38.00 unless you share a Sunday then they would be $19.00 each vase, If you wish to place a “special arrangement” in the Sanctuary the cost would be whatever you would like to spend. Nancy Blanchard (762-4234) and Linda Bumpus (725-1927) are the Altar Flower coordinators, For December/January QrrERiNG COUNTERS 12/03 - Nancy Demarest, Mary Lou Zambella, Bonnie 12/10 - Darleen Gaugler, Bonnie 12/17 - Sunday School refreshments 12/24 - Christmas Eve 12/31 - Darleen Gaugler, Bonnie 01/07 - Nancy Demarest, Mary Lou Zambella, Bonnie 01/14 - Naney Demarest, Mary Lou Zambella, Bonnie 01/21 - Naney Blanchard, Greta Davis, Bonnie 01/28 - Congregational meeting Com Bread Bakers December/January Dec03- Maryland Warner Dec 24- Linda Morley (2 services) Dec. 31- Jackie Hollenbeck Jan. 07- Cindy Walsh Jan. 28- Peggy Niforos Please find someone to replace you if you cannot, bake bread the Sunday you are scheduled and whenever possible, tell the church secretary so the bulletin can reflect the change. Thank you, Peggy Niforos Altar Guild ())- Intinction Sunday (R) - Rail Sunday Dec 03 (R)- Peggy Niforos Dec.10 (1) - Bonnie Olendorf Dec. 17(1) - Darleen Gaugler Dec, 24(R)- 10:15 am - Joan Longftitz. Dec. 24 (R) - 3:00 pm - Joan Longfritz Dec. 24 (R)- 10:00 pm - Peggy Niforos Dee. 31 (R) - Nancy Demarest Jan 07(R) -Kathy VanValkenburgh Jan 14(1)_ - Peggy Niforos Jan 21 (1) -Darleen Gaugler Jan 28(R) - Bonnie Olendorf Please find someone to replace you if you cannot make the Sunday you are scheduled and whenever possible, tell Bonnie so that the bulletin can reflect the change, Peg Niforos, Altar Guild co-ordinator Prayer Chain Ministry Because the prayer chain has increased in volume we need to be better informed about the status of each person placed on the list. We know that prayer is very important in times of need, if you need someone to be placed on the list please call Nancy Demarest at 725-8704 or Bobbi Nigro at 725-6781 or write the name on a piece of paper with your name included and whether it is to be confidential or not. From now on, the list will be revamped at the first of each month, if someone needs to stay on the list, please let us know.DO YOU HAVE RETURNABLE BOTTLES AND CANS that are clogging 3 up space in your home? Do § Bolle sou hate the thought of taking FIVE them to the store to return? If so, just bring them to church and leave them in the box located in the comer of the parking lot. Someone from the Youth Group will return them to help defray the cost of their trip to ‘Texas. in June 2018! ‘Thanks for supporting them! a flag retirement ceremony was held on Sunday, November 12" in honor of Veteran’s Day. Thank you to ‘Thomas Marten and our veterans for leading this solemn ceremony. VETERANS (Thomas is one of our acolytes who \Y is also a Boy Scout) ‘Our Sunday School students are staring practice for our annual Christmas Program, Their program will be presented during worship on December 17", Refreshments will follow. Put everything in God's hand and eventually you will see God's hand in everything. A big thank you to all of you who supported the Youth by purchasing pies this year. We are pleased to tell you that because of you the Youth made approx $700. Thank You....Thank You hank You DON’T FORGET! if you are on Facebook, please like the Grace Lutheran Facebook page and check out what we post each week. Ushers. &@Greeters We are in need of ushers and greeters. If you would like to serve in either or both of these capacities please contact Peggy Niforos at 518-725-6146 or email her at maniforos@hotmail.com Peg is the one who schedules ushers and greeter Our sincerest sympathies go to Bobbi Nigro for the loss Yur, of her husband Tom Triunnphant who was called to his eternal rest on Sunday November 19, 2017.Thank you for your donations for the hat, mitten and sock tree, Because of your generosity the box was overflowing! This year they will be delivered to Glebe Street Elementary School in Johnstown, Advent begins on Sunday December Christmas We will be askels collecting "CShut-dous items to put in our shut- in baskets to be delivered this Christmas. Items needed are: individually wrapped cookies such as “Little Debbie” fruit and pudding cups small boxes of raisins individually wrapped candy hand cream is also appreciated Monetary donations are accepted and appreciated so we can purchase fresh fruit. Please bring your donations to the church by Sunday Dece,ber17th/ ‘Thank you. 725, ‘The Inreach Committee would like to invite you to join them in going caroling at Pine Join Us Sor View Commons on Caroling, Friday December 8", We will meet at the church at 5:45 to travel there and return to the church afterwards for pizza and to help decorate our church Christmas tree. There will be a sign up sheet in the narthex.Grace Lutheran Church Council Meeting Highlights for November 9, 2017 Minutes and Committee reports from October were read and approved. Council Acti ents: 4 New Copier Ordered and Arriving - Our new copier will arrive on 11/14. Total cost was $8,105 including the maintenance agreement. Ss December 8 - Christmas Caroling and tree decorating + December 14 - New Council members are invited to attend our last Council meeting for 2017 + December 15 - All Annual Committee reports are due Respectfully Submitted, Linda Ferenz, Council Secretary Storm Alert..... In the event of a severe snow or ice storm plese tune your radios to WENT 1340 a.m, for church closings. Ht ie 1~ Thank you for the gifts you contributed for the Clinton Home and to Pastor for delivering them. a ¥ >\\2 Many Thanks go to our bell choir and director Darlene Pollak 2] for bringing us two beautiful pieces of music on Christ the King @ C Voir Sunday and the first Sunday of Advent. A lot of work, and iS > many practices goes into preparing the music,CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS Donations for poinsettias (cost approx. $20.00) to help beautify our Chancel for Christmas may be placed in the offering plate or sent to the church, along with this order form. Please make all checks for poinsettias to Grace Lutheran Church and designate them for poinsettias. Cash donations should be put in a plain, designated envelope with the amount and your offering envelope number so your donation can be credited to you by our Financial Secretary. Only 25 plants have been ordered so get your order in soon! INS ORDER DI ; _ SUNDAY, E 10, 2017 NAME: PHONE NO., ADDRESS:, IN MEMORY OF; Se, IN HONOR OF, Thank you for your donation.CELEBRATION OF MUSIC FOR OUR COMMUNITY BY THE DREAM CATCHERS Sunday, December 10%, 20174" 3 P.M. GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH 1 W. Montgomery St. Johnstown Free Will Offering to benefit Grace Lutheran Church _° > Habitat wr for Humanity OF FULTON i PO Box 1231 « Gloversville, NY 12078 518-773-4912 « www.hfhfc.com November 10, 2017 Grace Lutheran Church 1 West Montgomery Street Johnstown, NY 12095-2049 To Whom It May Concern: The Board of Directors of Habitat for Humanity of Fulton County, Inc. would like to THANK YOU for your generous donation of $50.00 from your “Outreach Benevolence” Ministry. Your generosity helps us to continue our miscion to eliminate substandard housing by providing decent, affordable homes to Fulton County families in need. It gives the Board great pleasure to announce our rehab project on 9 Cummings Avenue in Johnstown, NY was completed in June 2017, As a 503C registered non-profit charity, gifts to HFHFC are tax deductible. Thank you again for your continued Support to our organization. Sincerely, Quum Nettele Ann M. Morck, Treasurer Habitat for Humanity of Fulton County, Inc.maber 1- Megan Brown 2- Carter Petersen Amber Sky Pellegrino 3- Ashlee Dale Baker 4- Hillary Calhoun ‘Angela Holliday Ronald Hollenbeck 6- Katie (Craig) Alkinburgh Abbie Chamberlaine 10- Amber Brooker Jamie Lamphear 1- Tyler Cinelli Kelly Walthur 12- John Snyder Patricia Turnbull Haylee Van Valkenburgh 13- Holli (MCLain) Tucker Timothy Lake 14- Patti (Hurd) Young 15- Malik Thompson 16- Ivan Hinkle Ronald Johnson IT 17- Amanda Gattie 19- Mary Ann Hathaway Petrina Frederick Michael Fancher 20- Karen Stemmler Alexandria Brooker Have a blessed Christmas and a healthy happy New Year ai- 23- 24- 25- 26- 27- 28 - 29- 30- 31- Jessica Daniels ‘Andrew Fiedler Tanice Kelly David Haskins Christie Brothers Mayumi Feinour Joan Longfritz Lynne Miller "thd x ely ee, Charles Goebel IT Matthew Darling Brad Jones Todd Cramer Kelly Marie DiScoscia Eileen Spawn ‘Andrew Bornt Pastor David Almleaf Dale Chase Kevin Frasier John Schreivogl Sr. Laurie (Cramer) Eaton Carrie Locatelli Mark VanValkenburgh Kimberly Ellis BLESSINGS ON YOUR BIRTHDAYCHURCH ACTIVITIES DECEMBER 2017 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY _|_ THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 2 3, ELWs 4 5 6 7 8 ® 4 Sunday of Advent 10:00 - Bible Study 6:00 - Bible Study 5:45 Mest at church to | 8:00 - Deacon retreat at '00- Sunday Sehool& | 5:00-Cabie chan 1301 | Noon - Communion 90 carolng at Pineview "New Hartford Confirmation Luncheon 7.00 - Choir Rehearsal 10:18 - Worship 5:30-8:00 Commitee Meetings 10 ELW3, " 2 2 “ 6 6 9:00 - Sunday School & 10:00-2:00 -uit Group | 7:00-Choir Rehearsal | 6:00- Council Meeting Contemation 1:00 - Cable Chan 1301 10:18 - Worship 100 Council of Churches NOAH @ Grace Lutheran 3:00 - Dream Catchers Concert 17 BLw3 8 2 » a 2 2 9:00 - Sunday Schoo! & Confirmation 5:00 - Cable Chan 1301 | 10:00 - Bible Study 6:00 - Bible Study 6:00 -8.00- 4H Meeting 7.00 - Choir Rehearsal 24 ELW3 25 cy a Ey 2 0 ‘No Sunday School 1018 - Advent Worship Service 5:00-Cable Chan 18 | 10:00-2:00- Quit Group | 7:00- Choir Rehearsal 3.008 10:00- (Candlesght Christmas Service December 31 ELW 3 No Sunday School Today; 16 - WorshipJanvary 13- 14- 15- 16 - 18 - 19- 21 23- 24- 25- 28 - 29- NEW YEAR'S DAY Peter Mitchell Greg Parillo ‘Shane Ippolito Matthew Starin Karsyn Pianelli Epiphany Colton Bobowski John Haberacker Linus Vosburgh Victor Ralbovsky Donovan Smith Irmgard Getzlaff Martin Luther King Jr. Day Caitlin Lawton Gary Fiorillo Heidi Ropeter Timothy Marten Olivia Ramsey Brian Albrecht James Hynd IIT Cassandra Hynd Sarah Slingerland Cassandra Hynd Lynn Shea ‘Amy Daniels Douglas Achzet Thaddeus Coody Ruth Welle Rosalind Acquilla Adrian Rubilotta Rodger Smith, Jr. Shirley Smith 31- Katie HohlerSERVING SCHEDULE DECEMBER 2017 Acolytes-Crucifer | Readers - Greeters PEGGY NIFOROS, ‘Altar Guild - Brox Bakers Canvatensuan | MARY ANN read Bakes NVALKENBU! read Baker DAVID ALMLEAF HATHAWAY MARYLAND WARNER roster inde Smith Crucifer om 8 Deliver Flowers Samara Smith ae ress NANCY DEMAREST MOGUINNESS, Team #2 SANDY MILLER. BONNIE OLENDORF Howie Paxton AMBER PELLEGRINO Datioen Gaugler roster Deliver Flowers Derrick MeGuinness Ccructer ELLE WANDEL LINDA BUNPUS pat VanSivke LINDA BUMPUS AMBER PELLEGRINO DONOVAN SMITH | THOMAS MARTEN | DARLEEN GAUGLER. EMILY FRASIER rucifer Beliver Flowers Greeter SHIRLEY BENDL (GRAYSON ISABELLE ‘Amber Pelegrino DAVID ALMLEAF NANCY BLANCHARD — | JoaN LONGFRIZ Team #3 ZACHARY ROPETER Vie Pellegrino Greeter Mary Lou Zambelia, Crucifer JACKSCHREIVOGL | Deliver Flowers Joan Longtez DARLEEN GAUGLER SHIRLEY BENDL 3:00 - Joan Longintz Ushers for 10:00 3:00 Maryiand Warmer | 10:00 - Peggy Niforos Christmas Eve rusifer 10:00 -Nies Lincoln 3:00 - Shirley Bend Bread Baker Heid & Zach 10:00-Missy Bedell | Greoter 3 10--Linda Morley 310 Ushers 31 -ELW3 Worship Asst. & Comm, asst. - Peggy Nifores ~ Reader - Clyde: ‘Altar Guild -Naney Demarest ~ Bread Baker - Jackie ith ~ Videographer - Barb Frederick ~ Acolytes - Schuyler lenbeck ~ Greeter ~ Sandi Jackson ~ Ushers ~ Team 4 (Kar Thomas Marton ~ Crucifer - Joan Longtitz hard, Heid & Zach Ropeter ~Prayer Concerns November 2017 Remember our Shut-ins At Home Eleanor Achzet Eileen Spawn Helene Keach Shirley Frederick Nursing Homes Fulton Co. Health Facility Ron Bell Nathan Littauer Nursing Home Ruth Brownell Sarah Jane Sanford Home Charlotte Petersen Willing Helpers Joanne Riccitiello Prayer Concerns: Ron Bell Alex Grandstaff Morgan Sandmier Tina Aldonis Ronald Pedrick Dan Masi Kim Achzet Brian Veeder Jackie Hollenbeck Michael Angie Longfritz Arthur Da Robert Sweet Bobbi Nigro Judy Davis Dottie Lupa Helen Schreivogl Sunshine Isabella Laurie Larrabee Carley Ressegue ‘Audrey Rulison Helene Keach Benny Berhamain Bev Copeland Larry Podolec David Strait Members Serving Our Country —— All those who have served and for all those who are now ‘serving in the armed forces. Es, Brandon Caldwell Tony Clemente Brad Coody John Ferrara Kevin Funk Jordan Keeling Denise & Jacob Lockwood Victor Ralbovsky LCPL Bryant Hernandez (Serving in Afghanistan) PFC Dylan Lanza and for our enemies Please pray for NOAH, Friday’s Table and the food pantries of Johnstown and Gloversville and for those in need of them.