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TO GOD BE THE GLORY

October 2010

1711 Grant StreetHopewell, VA 23860 www.nazluthchurch.com

The Hometown News isa publication of Nazareth EvangelicalLutheran Church.Member of theLutheran Church

—

Missouri Synod.

Inside this issue:

CDC Task Force 2Consecrated Stewards 4 Advent Schedule 7 Fall Festival 9

Pastor’s Corner

The Hometown News

Celebrating Our Lutheran Heritage

by Pastor Voss

"Unless I am convinced by proofs from Scriptures or by plain and clear reasons and arguments, I can and will not retract, for it is neither safe nor wise to do anything against conscience. Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me. Amen."- Martin Luther, 1521

—

Diet of Worms

Diet of Worms! That doesn‟t sound very good does it? Well, it didn‟t sound

good to Martin Luther either. Diets were

general assemblies

of the Imperial Estates of the Holy Roman Empire. Several of them took place in the

city

of Worms, in what isnow Germany. In 1521, Martin Luther was called to this assembly to recant histeachings that challenged the authority of thepope and church traditions and promotedthe idea that all authority lies within the veryWord of God. He could not and would not

recant, unless he was “convinced by proofs

from Scriptures or by plan and clear reasons

and arguments.” Luther was willing to die

for this confession.Our Lutheran heritage is one of captivity,but in a positive sense. We are captive to the Word of God. We can truly say thisis true in our Worship but can we truly say this is true outside of it?

I will be the first to admit that in the fall, if I hear the word “football” that conver-

sation will have me captive. I will search out that conversation and join in! Whatwords captivate you?Obviously there is nothing wrong with interests and hobbies (Luther had plenty of those too), but he was willing to give them all up with his life at Worms with hisstance that nothing had authority in his life over and above the Word of God. Onlyby the Power of the Holy Spirit can this be true for us also.The Holy Spirit works faith

through

the Word of God to

believe

the Word of God! Hearing the Word leads to believing it! This is why you and I should proclaim

God‟s Word even to those who do not believe for only by hearing or reading the

Word will God grant them faith

whom the Word directs us: our savior JesusChrist.

“Be captive to the Word of God!”, is not a proclamation of what we should do, it

really is a proclamation of what God does for us. Through His Word we receivemercy in this world and salvation as we depart. This is a Gospel (Good News) mes-sage!Hear the Words of God as spoken through Saint Peter,

“Humble yourselves,

therefore, under God's mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast

all your anxiety on him because he cares for you… and the God of all grace,

who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a littlewhile, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him

be the power for ever and ever. Amen.”

- 1 Peter 5:6-11

Page 2

The Hometown News

An Update from your Child Development Center Task Force

Pastor David Voss, Pam Klein, Al Schneider, Joy Voss

There has been a lot of activity with our group internally and externally and we want to make sure you knowof the latest developments. This past month, we have been diligently researching in the best interests of ourchurch and our mission. Members of our team have gone to visit a Child Development Center (CDC) in Clay-ton, NC and we continue to make plans to visit other CDC’s in the near future.Probably the most important update comes from a meeting with had within our own circuit. We were able tosit down with those who have “gone before us”. Those who have started from where we are now and havesuccessfully opened a CDC. This meeting was invaluable to us because we learned about the commitment it would take from our congregation to succeed with this type of ministry. This is why, for now, we have decid-ed in the best interests of our church, to hold off on paying for a feasibility study until we are conident wehave a ministry plan and business plan on paper and the commitment from the congregation of time and tal-ents toward this ministry opportunity.

With experienced help, we have developed a research plan that you will see below. As you will see, there aremany opportunities to move forward or to cease researching the CDC ministry opportunity depending uponthe results of each step. We trust that by listening to the Lord and working with objective representativeswithin our congregation, circuit, and district, we will head in the right direction and come to a God

pleasingand thus, congregation

pleasing conclusion by early 2011.

We only proceed to each step if the prior step conirms we have a viable ministry through a Child Development Center.

Phase 1

Research (present—February 2011)

Self

Analysis, Step 1

Determine the number of people and amount of time required by members of the congregation tocomplete a CDC project.

Create a Ministry Plan

When: Saturday, October 16, Attendance: CDC Team (Al Schneider, Pam Klein, Joy Voss)

Develop general Concept, Vision, Strategy for CDC

Self

Analysis, Step II

Contact members of the congregation to discover level of interest and commitment

to the Ministry Plan (October/November)

Initiate teams, as required to develop initial research on CDC (Business Plan, infrastructure require-ments, etc.) (November—January)

Review of Open Arms contract and initiate discussions with Open Arms (January)

Discuss if Open Arms model its within the needs of Nazareth Lutheran Church of if independent modelis preferred. (January)

Propose model to congregation. (February)

Pay for feasibility study. (February)

Begin Phase II—Implementation Phase (March, 2011—2013?)

Page 3

October 2010Happy October Birthday!

October 4 Abigail Layne

October 6 Olivia McKinzie

October 9 Lindsey EngelsOctober 11 Landry DoaneOctober 15 Mary Petik October 15 Andy Petik October 28 Casey DavisOctober 28 Hilary Sodat

The Deacons met on September 20th. Present were ThelmaKlein, Karen Van Worth, and Bonnie Foxx. We opened our meeting in conjunction with the Elders.

We discussed people concerns and upcoming changes to the budget. Our next meeting will be on October 18th.

Respectfully submitted,Bonnie Foxx

Deacons‟ Report

A Volunteer Opportunity in Your Community:

Take This Quiz to See If You Have What It Takes to Be a Police Volunteer

1. Are you at least 18 years old?

2. Did you retire too early and find that you have time on your hands and you’re looking for away to fill your time doing fun and interesting work?

3. Would you like to spend some of your valuable time doing tasks assigned by the Police De-partment – like funeral escorts, identifying inoperative vehicles, traffic control for paradesand civic events, as well as other interesting tasks?

4. Would you like to become a more interesting person by getting involved with a unique groupwho interact with many of Hopewell’s outstanding police officers to improve the quality of life in Hopewell, reduce crime and deter the criminal element from our community?

5. Would you enjoy learning fascinating things about law enforcement in Hopewell and in theCommonwealth of Virginia?

If you answered YES to any question above, the Police Volunteers need YOU! Call PoliceVolunteer Vice President George Baker at

895

4724

or Secretary Leanne Heggen Ecksteinat

458

9534

to request an application form. Both men and women volunteers of all ages areneeded. You do not need to be a resident of Hopewell.

Call today! Have fun and meet new people

while you proudly serve your community!