1711 Grant Street

Hopewell, VA 23860

The Hometown News www.nazluthchurch.com

The Newsletter of Nazareth Lutheran Church JAN/FEB 2011

TO GOD BE THE GLORY

[ih-pif-uh-nee] –noun, plural -nies.

1. ( initial capital letter ) a Christian festival commemorat-
ing the manifestation of Christ.
2. a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the
reality or essential meaning of something. Inside this issue:

The word “epiphany” has at Church Officers 2011 2

least two meanings for us. One is
the meaning we know in the church, News and Notes 5
that is, Epiphany is a Christian com-
memoration of the manifestation of
Christ. Pastor’s Corner 7
Epiphany is from the Greek
God’s Holy Spirit turns our
word, meaning “reveal”. God be-
routine events into Divine ac- Youth Update 9
gins to reveal Jesus for who He is:
tions that reveal Christ.
God in the flesh, our Savior.
If you see a stranger in need, it
Jesus is revealed as God in the Mission Planning 10
is the revealed Christ who says,
flesh to the Magi (Matthew 2:1-12)
“Whatever you did for the least of
and in the Temple (Luke 2) and lat-
these brothers and sisters of mine,
er, God confirms that Jesus is His
you did for me.” The epiphany
beloved Son through His Baptism
given is that Christ is among us
(Matthew 3:13-17).
through the weakest and meekest.
God’s Holy Spirit turns rou-
If you are home alone and in
tine events: a birth, a visit to the
mourning, it is the revealed Christ
temple, the pouring of water,
who says, “Blessed are those who
into Divine actions that reveal
mourn, for they will be comfort-
Christ.
ed.” The epiphany given is that
But how about the second
Christ is with us in our suffering.
meaning of Epiphany? That is, the
sudden perception of a reality not
Through faith alone, God’s
known before?
Word is the lens through which
As we move into January, we
we view the world and then,
once again go back to our routines.
nothing is routine, everything is
Whether it is going back to work or
a new opportunity to live in or
school, keeping up the house and
share the message of our merci-
our finances, we go back to a rou- The Hometown News is
ful Savior Jesus Christ. a publication of
tine.
If we learn one new lesson from Nazareth Evangelical
Epiphany, let it be this: that where Lutheran Church.
God’s Word is, His Holy Spirit is. In What an Epiphany! Member of the
other words…. Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod.
 Page 2 The Hometown News

2011 Church Officers and Board Members

In the November voter’s meeting, our congregation voted in the following servants for Christ. They
will be installed into their roles during our Worship service on January 2. As a congregation, we thank
all of them for their commitment and service.

President Clint Reierson

Vice President Eddie Hanford
Recording Secretary Jean Joyner
Financial Secretary Janet Antol
Treasurer Kay Grochowaski
Board of Trustees Andy Martin, Raymond Rayner, Benny Soltez
Board of Maintenance Jim Morris
Board of Elders Adrian Slimmen
Bob Dry
Charles Minor
Board of Deacons Thelma Klein, Carol Slimmen, Karen VanWorth
Board of Finance Marilyn Antunes
Board of Stewardship Gene Fistler
Board of Missions & Outreach Kara Canada, Angie Morris

January 1 Doris Cavin February 2 Taylor Stewart

January 1 Emily Lineman February 7 Andy Martin
January 3 Danny Petik February 14 Caitlin Kendall
January 5 David Schaarschmidt February 19 Ashley Thompson
January 15 Robert Buren III February 20 Cindy Fistler
January 17 Kimberly Heiser February 22 Cindy Reierson
January 29 Velma Fleming February 23 Sheri Kendall
January 29 Anna Klein February 26 Pam Klein
January 31 Eva McKenney
 Page 3 The Hometown News

Child Development Center Updates

Have you noticed the new CDC (Child Development Center) television in
the Narthex? This television will have all of the latest updates on the CDC.
Please check it every week to make sure you stay up to speed as we begin
our investigation of whether or not the Lord desires us to open a CDC.

Upcoming Meetings:

January 21, Friday, 5PM

The project management team will meet with representatives from the District and Circuit to discuss
possibilities for Childcare Development Models.

Upcoming Events:

January 23, Sunday

Team Assignments—individuals will be assigned to their respective teams. The Land Team, Internal
Communications Team, and Business Team, will be formed and begin their work.

It is estimated that a feasibility study will be performed in the February/March timeframe assuming the
business team concludes there is a vibrant and viable ministry for our church through a CDC.

MOVIE NIGHT
DOCUMENTARY: BONHOEFFER—
PASTOR, PACIFIST, NAZI RESISTER

FRIDAY, JANUARY 28, 7PM—9PM

Join friends or make new ones as we watch this

compelling film on an extraordinary theologian
who lived during the rise of Hitler’s Germany.
A short discussion will follow the film.
 Jan/Feb 2011 Page 4

Pray for One Another Prayer List updated as of December 19, 2010

For our Brothers and Sisters in Christ in Nursing Homes -

Velma Fleming, HHCC (227)
For our Brothers and Sisters in Christ who are home-bound -
Mary Petik `
For our members and friends serving our country in the military -
Bruce Layne Danny Petik Chris Graham Dustin Petik James Ecken-
rode David Petik Jeff & Stacey Crossen Jeffrey Head Steve Foxx Brandon
Edwards Mike McKinzie Stacey Wells Military Chaplains
For our members and friends away at college –
Landry Doane Casey Davis
For our members who are sick, hospitalized, in need of spiritual care or recuperating -
Evelyn Rayner Rowena Carter Bob and Annette Dry Kathy Beahm Jenny
Graham Marilyn Antunes Joey Reierson Nicki Thomas Barney Hampton
Gerald Koren Leanne Eckstein
For our friends who are sick, hospitalized or recuperating
Jonathan Weston Rita Joyner Ray Miller Jeff Walter Suzie & Joe Hilton Dor-
othy Kunkel Freddie Gonzalez Kay Slade Bernard Carter Richard Brinkley, Jr.
Thomas Slimmen Carolyn Kennedy Pat MacDonald
Chase & Charlie Bennett Zachery Gilkey

For the families of the Saints departed Joann Miller

Bible Study and Adult Confirmation

Whether you are young or old,
visitor or pillar, we have a Bible
Study for you!
SUNDAYS 9:30 AM
Bible Study
Meet in the “Old Church” Room
at 9:30 AM. A new topic of
study will be presented in the
coming weeks.
Adult Confirmation
Interested in joining our church
or learning more about our
faith? A new adult confirma-
tion class will begin in Febru-
ary. If you are new to the Lu-
theran faith and/or would
like to join our church,
please contact Arnie to
join in.
Youth Confirmation
Youth in grades 7—11 are
encouraged to join in our
Confirmation program. You
have two options:
Weekly students meet every
Sunday at 9:30 AM.
Bi-Weekly students meet
every other Sunday at
8:30AM (to 10:30 AM).
Contact Pastor Voss for spe-
cifics. We now have six con-
firmation students! Please
continue to encourage and in-
vite anyone who has not re-
ceived this foundation of
Christian teaching.
WEDNESDAYS 7:00 PM
Wednesday evening Bible
studies will commence on
January 5th. Separate Bible
study classes will be offered
for the men and women.
 Page 5 The Hometown News

News and Notes

MISSION OPPORTUNITY
In February, a nurse and a nurse anesthetist that I work with are going to Haiti on a medical mission
trip. They are going with the Haiti Outreach Ministry group. (www.haitioutreach minis-
tries.org) From now till the beginning of Feb., I will be collecting the following items to send with
them...Tylenol, Ibuprofen, chewable and liquid Tylenol, Benadryl, cough drops, Monistat cream, anti-
biotic cream, Tums and Vitamins. There will be a basket on the table near the mailboxes for your do-
nations. These people need our help...let's show them the love of God. Thanks, Cindy R.

CHURCH CHOIR
Calling All Choir Members, Past and Present! Please look around at home and weed out any old mu-
sic you have! We are particularly looking for a music songbook called "Carols Alive". Any questions
please see Cindy R. Many Thanks!

NURSERY POLICY
We are reminding folks of our original nursery policy, since we will begin using it again. This policy
states that the nursery is for children aged 4 and under. We know that 4’s become 5’s overnight, and
this has resulted in some confusion. The 5’s have become accustomed to staying in the nursery, and
sometimes they bring their older friends. This places a burden on our volunteer staff. Also, many 5’s
are capable of enjoying the whole service. Thank you for your help!

CHILDCARE
James Eckenrode’s mom has a childcare service, and she currently has some openings. If you need
this service or would like more information, please call Elke at 530-1254 or on her cell at 691-8369.
She will care for newborns on up in age. Hours are 6:30am to 6:00pm.

Dear Nazareth Friends,

Thank you all for your prayers,

cards, and calls. They have all
meant so much to me during this
time and have helped me deal with
being home and inactive for so
long. I have found out that doing
nothing is not as much fun as I
used to think it would be! I have
missed you all and look forward to
being back at church soon.

Sincerely, Leanne
 Jan/Feb 2011 Page 6

VISION
A SERMON SERIES
JANUARY 2011

TRUSTING IN GOD
EMRACE THE FUTURE
TO THE GLORY OF JESUS CHRIST

God’s Vision for our Life, Church, Eternity

Second Sunday after Christmas
January 2 – God’s Vision for our Life
Sermon text: Ephesians 1:3-14
Key Verses: v. 11-12: In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who
works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to
put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.

Epiphany
January 9 – God’s Vision for our Church
Sermon: Ephesians 3:1-12
Key Verse, v. 10: His (God’s) intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should
be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms.

The Baptism of our Lord

January 16 – God’s Vision for our Eternity
Sermon and Bible Study text: Revelation 21:1-7
Key Verse, v. 6-7: He said to me: ―It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To
the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious
will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.‖

Upcoming Services:
The Third Sunday of the Epiphany Season: January 23– Guest Preacher
The Fourth Sunday of the Epiphany Season: January 30—Youth Leading Worship
The Fifth Sunday of the Epiphany Season: February 6—Lutheran Hour Ministry Sunday
 PASTOR’S
CORNER
SIMPLE CHURCH BOOK STUDY
We now begin our Simple Church book study with the purpose of re-evaluating how our church or-
ganization serves our mission to “reach out to all in faith and love....”
We will hold an online discussion of each Chapter (please register by going to the bottom of our
home page www.nazluthchurch.com). We begin reading Chapter 1 on January 1. Questions will be
asked via the online forum to keep us focused on the purpose of reading the book, that is, “How can
our church structure best serve our mission?” We will read a Chapter per week with due dates to
complete each chapter as listed below.

January 1—Finish Chapter 1 February 5– Finish Chapter 6

January 8—Finish Chapter 2 February 12—Finish Chapter 7
January 15—Finish Chapter 3 February 19—Finish Chapter 8
January 22—Finish Chapter 4 February 26—Finish Chapter 9
January 29—Finish Chapter 5

February 27—March 20—Discuss suggestions for church structure and develop presentation for
council and congregation.

VISION
Beginning with the first Sunday of the New Year, we will embark on a sermon series entitled
“Vision: God’s Vision for our life, church, and eternity”. The focus of this series will be to get focused
on God’s Vision for our future as we move from mission planning in 2010 to active mission in 2011.
Nazareth already does so many things well, including the Easter Fair, the Fall Festival, just to name
a few. I look forward to 2011 as we continue to increase our activity for the Lord according to His
Vision.

SHORT-TERM MISSION
In this newsletter you will find a short-term mission planning form. This is for
mission and ministry projects to be completed in 2011. I cannot emphasize
how important it is for all of us, regardless of whether or not we serve on a
board, to consider how we can make a direct impact on our community
through focused ministry planning. Having a short-term goal for yourself or
your board not only gives you a sense of direction for serving our community
with the Gospel, but it binds you to the larger mission of our church.

“Jesus said, let the little children come to me, do not hinder them….”
- Matthew 19:14
 Page 8 The Hometown News

Operation Barnabas: Congregations Supporting our Military

The LCMS maintains a special program that helps congregations show love and
support to returning service people: Operation Barnabas. The following is summa-
rized from an account by Pastor Philip Baerwolf of Immanuel Lutheran Church in
East Dundee, Illinois. It is from Harvest News.
Pastor Baerwolf recalls the apostle Philip’s conversation with the Ethiopian where, after hearing the
Gospel, the Ethiopian says, ―Look, here is water. Why shouldn’t I be baptized?‖ A similar encounter
happened at his church. He tells about seeing a car leaving the church parking lot just as he was re-
turning. His secretary told him it was a young soldier returning from Afghanistan who had come to
the church inquiring about baptism. The congregation had hosted an Operation Barnabas workshop
earlier in the year and had a heart for those who wear our country’s uniform and their families. They
were ready to respond in love when God presented an opportunity to care for a military member
returning from service.

Pastor Baerwolf continues,‖I immediately called the soldier back, and within 10 minutes he returned
to the church and we chatted for awhile. I learned that his name was Greg, and he had never been
baptized as a baby. After his time in Afghanistan, he was convinced he should be baptized. He was
certain the Lord had saved his life on more than one occasion while serving in hostile territory. Greg
had also witnessed many events of atrocity and knew that he needed to be baptized. I quickly talked
to Greg about his faith—he assured me of his trust in Jesus as his Savior acknowledging that Jesus died
on the cross for his sins and rose again from the grave to give him hope of heaven.‖

―I assured Greg of God’s mercy. We discussed how to honor Him by obeying His commands and
that serving as a soldier is a just and noble calling.‖
―…I explained how in the service of Holy Baptism we would confess the Apostles Creed together.
Greg said he agreed with all those statements, so we scheduled the baptism. Praise God for the gift
of faith and for welcoming a new member into God’s family!‖

Learn more about how your congregation can get involved at

www.operationbarnabas.org or by calling 402-316-8873.

Publication Dates for the Hometown News in 2011

ISSUE AVAILABLE ONLINE PAPER VERSION MAILED

MAR/APR MARCH 7 MARCH 9
MAY/JUN MAY 2 MAY 4
JUL/AUG JULY 5 JULY 7
SEP/OCT SEPTEMBER 6 SEPTEMBER 8
NOV/DEC NOVEMBER 7 NOVEMBER 9
 The Hometown News

Board of Outreach & Missions, December 2010

Christmas Families
Nazareth generously adopted 3 families for Christmas. The requests for gifts were placed on the Christ-
mas Tree in the Narthex. A few tags were not taken; however, the wonderful people of Nazareth gave
money to buy the remaining gifts. Seed money from Thrivent was used to buy food items. All un-
wrapped gifts were wrapped and delivered on December 20th.
Thanks again Nazareth for giving so lovingly to others!

Nazareth Youth Activity, Winter, 2010—2011

December
The youth had their annual Christmas Gathering. They started the night with some Bingo at the church.
They then took the church bus to the Hopewell Covalence Center to read the Christmas Story and sing
Christmas Carols to Velma Fleming. After that they did the Walk Through Bethlehem at a local
church. They then returned to the church to open gifts and have refreshments. Everyone had a great
evening of Christian Fellowship.
January
The youth will assist in the church service with Pastor Voss’s help. They are also going back the visit Ms.
Fleming who will have a birthday at the end of the month.

Defeating the Radio Scrambler from your Editor Sue S.

I’m sure I have Attention Deficit Disorder. I was never diagnosed this way as a kid (did they
even have such a thing in the 50’s ?), but the older I get the more easily distracted I am. Hey, it’s
the culture, the environment! (no, it’s me) Rapid fire images on TV, my email in-box seeded
with messages from people I never heard of. Of course I don’t have to participate, but often I
do. Once all the chatter begins, my mind gets cluttered and it is harder to focus, as if a radio
scrambler had been turned on. That’s why my morning quiet time has become so vital.
Several years ago a friend told me she always has her devotion in the morning, so I decided
to try it. I vary the routine, and I always work in some prayers for others. God has promised
that He will draw close to us as we draw close to Him. (James 4:8). Happy truth! Fifteen or 20
minutes in the Word has the power to order the rest of my day.
Remember how Jesus told Martha, who was distracted and anxious about many things, that
“Mary has chosen the one thing needful”. I derive great benefit and peace from that one thing.
Nazareth Lutheran Church
1711 Grant Street
Hopewell, VA 23860

TO:

Nazareth Evangelical Lutheran Church

Reaching out to all in faith and love.

Sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Serving joyfully!