American Lutheran Church ELCA
Dear Disciples of Jesus at American Lutheran,
"The very least you can do in your life
is figure out what you hope for.
And the most you can do is live inside that hope.
Not admire it from a distance
but live right in it, under its roof"
Barbara Kingsolver, author
On the Second Sunday of Advent as we light one
candle for hope, we remember that our deepest
hope lies in the promises of God who can bring new
life out of broken dreams, disappointments and
death. With great hope and expectation we await
the fulfillment of those promises in the coming of
Christ our Savior. Join your community of faith in
worship as together we are strengthened to live
inside that hope.
See you in church,
Pastor Gretchen
December Calendar
WEEKLY UPDATE
WELCOME
We invite all into our inclusive, diverse community
of faith as we seek to live the way of Christ's
unconditional and reconciling love. Just as Jesus
welcomed each person as a beloved child of God, so
we welcome people of all ages, races, ethnicity,
culture, physical or mental ability, sexual
orientation, gender identity, socio-economic, family
or immigration status. Basically if you're breathing,
you're welcome here. Wherever you are on your
spiritual journey this is a non-judgmental place
where doors are open and questions are always
invited. Feeling spiritually connected in today's
complex society can be challenging. Join us as we
grow in faith to do God's work in Christ's name for
the life of the world. "Peace be with you" (John
20:26)
AMERICAN LUTHERAN CHURCH
755 N. WHITNALL HWY
BURBANK, CA 91505
818 846 0295
Americanlutheranchurch@yahoo.com
www.americanlutheranburbank.org
For up to date information on
the Southwest California Synod,
ELCA please click on the
following link
2013 Synod Assembly Report
Synews Link
Advent Adult Study
This 4 week series led by Pastor Gretchen is called
"A Season of Hope and Anticipation: Advent
Themes in the Four Gospels.", and continues on
Wednesday nights at 7pm on Dec. 11th, Dec. 18th.
Each Gospel begins Jesus' story in a different way.
During each week we will be looking at the birth
story from the perspective of one of the four
writers-Matthew, Mark, Luke and John-and how
their messages speak to our lives today. Come to
open your hearts and minds for a deeper
understanding and richer experience of the
Advent/Christmas season.
Synnouncements Link
Family Promise of East San
Fernando Valley, one of our
ministry partnerships
Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, newly
elected Presiding Bishop of the
ELCA
Council Congregation Chat
An informal chat to communicate and discuss
church business will take place on Sunday following
worship. Topics will include the proposed budget
for 2014; the recommendation to make a change in
our constitution regarding the structure of the
Are you on Facebook? We are! Please
"like" American Lutheran Church
Burbank to keep up with friends at
church and write us a review on Yelp!
Congregation Council; and an update on the future
of our Screenland house property. All are welcome
to attend.
Women of the Church
Our Christmas party will be on Saturday, Dec. 14th
at 10:30am in the Friendship room. Look for a signup sheet on the patio after worship services. We will
have a program of singing carols and lunch out
(TBD). If we have a significant turnout, we may
have a potluck lunch.
Tuesday, Dec. 17, Women of the Church will
be assembling plates of cookies for our homebound
members. Donated cookies may be brought to
church Sunday, Dec. 15th and given to Vi Reardon
or Jean Andersen.
Sunday, December 8 Assistants
Check out "Confirmation's
Vision for Church" display
At the Confirmation gathering on Nov. 24, collages
were made by our youth and their adult mentors to
envision their picture of church. Take a look on the
wall in our gathering space area at the church
entrance!
Poinsettias
In preparation for Christmas, consider ordering a
poinsettia plant to decorate our church on
Christmas Eve. There are flyers at the church
entrance which may be put in the offering plate or
dropped off at the church office. Deadline to order
is this Sunday, Dec. 8!
Hanging of the Greens
On Sunday, Dec. 15th at 6:30pm you are invited to
help decorate the church. We'll be putting our
Chrismon ornaments on the Christmas tree, as well
as making luminaries that will be outside on
Christmas Eve as "a light on the way" to our 7pm
service. Come join the fun!
Assisting Minister
Vsev Krawczeniuk
Reader
Gloria Garcia
Acolyte
Quiara Garcia
Media Projection
Will Campbell & Hannah Richards
Communion Assistants
Christine Valentino &
Dorotea Paulus
Altar Guild
Christine Valentino &
Jean Andersen
Usher Team
Kirt Standford, Bob Norgauer
& Bill Reardon
Refreshments
Susan Anderson
Money Counters
Vi Reardon & Sue Mavro
Sunday School Teacher
Melanie Salisbury
Flower Chart
The 2014 flower chart is now available on the wall
inside the church entrance. Sign up for a date you
would like to donate flowers for worship ($40).
Please note if you wish for the flowers to be in
honor or memory of a person or occasion, and put
"flowers" on the memo line of your check made out
to American Lutheran Church.
Christ in Our Home books
Christ in Our Home booklets for January,
February and March are available on the table
near the church entrance for your personal
devotional use at home. There is a Scripture lesson,
reflection and prayer that follow the readings used
in worship on Sunday.
Volunteer Recognition
Nominations
At the annual congregation meeting on Jan. 12th
we will be presenting the 2nd ALC Volunteer
Recognition Award to one of our members for their
exceptional service in our church and/or the
community. The first recipient to receive this
annual recognition was Vi Reardon. If you'd like to
nominate someone for our Congregation Council to
consider, please complete the form on the table at
the church entrance and put it in the offering plate
or drop off at church office.
Matching Funds
Does your place of employment offer matching
funds?
Many companies do for charitable giving and this is
another way to increase your giving to the church.
For more information talk to our Treasurer Susan
Anderson,
susanlovesalc@yahoo.com
Fresh News from
Lutheran Social
Services
Fresh News from Lutheran
Social Services The Caring Connection
Homemade/Store bought
cookies!
Thousands of homemade or store
bought cookies are needed for
our party on December 14th.
Can you help? You know how
much we appreciate all you do
for us. THANK YOU.
Please call Jan Maseda at
(818)901-9480 X 110, or email
jmaseda@lsssc.org
should you have questions.
Lutheran Social Services, 6425
Tyrone Avenue, Van Nuys 91401
(818) 901-9480
$40,000.00 raised!
YOU raised over $40,000.00 for
Lutheran Social Services.
Thanks to the 2013 Walkathon!
Contributions are still coming in!
Wish List
Our Congregation Council has prioritized a list of
items we would like for our ministry that are not
included in our general operating budget. Please
consider an additional gift beyond your regular
giving, perhaps in memory or honor of someone, or
just in thanksgiving for our community of faith.
Thanks to an anonymous donor who generously
matched the first $1,500 we received.
Remaining balance
Advent Paraments:
Table and lectern
cloths
DONATED
1 Pillar banner (6 in
total)
$520
We also have the designs for two large front
banners that will go on the wish list after we have
these items.
Table cloths and Center
pieces
$325
The table cloths will replace the old worn ones we
currently use for potlucks and meals in our
fellowship hall. New re-usable center pieces will be
made by one of our members for these events.
MAC
laptop
DONATED
(Thanks to Jason Shih for donating a Mac Book
Air.)
Paschal
Candle
DONATED
(Thanks to the Parisi-Sanchez Family for donating
this in memory of June Parisi, Barbara's mother.)
Funeral Pall
$700
This is a large white fabric that totally covers a
closed coffin while it is in a church building. It is
reminiscent of the white garment often worn during
Holy Baptism, and is used as a symbol of Holy
Baptism.
Calling all drivers!
We are looking for drivers to
help pick up some of our food at
local markets. One day a week it takes about 2 hours, sometimes
less. You can use our agency van
for pick up.
Advisory Board Members
We are also looking for Advisory
Board Members to sit on the LSS
Advisory Board. We meet once a
quarter (every 3 months) and
discuss the goals,
directions, needs and strategies
for coming months. We would
love to have
you join us!
Needs
pop top food for our homeless
bags, items for our hygiene kits:
washcloths, razors,
shampoo and deodorant and always men's clothing.
Volunteers are always
welcome at LSS
you can do a 2 hour shift from
10-12 or 1-3 once a week, or
whenever you have time
available.
Lutheran Justice Group
CONGREGATION
COUNCIL
President:
Deyo Blake
Vice-President:
Cyndie Griffin
Secretary:
Joni Stanford
Treasurer:
Susan Anderson
Deacon of Outreach:
Bob Nicol
(Evangelism and Social Service agencies and issues)
Deacon of Vision Planning:
Mark Baker
(Congregational Planning and Goal Setting)
Pastor:
Gretchen Bingea
As a congregation our ministry is also part of the
Southwest California Synod:www.socalsynod.org; and
the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA):
www.elca.org.
What should you do someone
you love has been arrested,
accused of a felony? There is
almost no time to think about
it. The Lutheran Justice Group
will listen to you and suggest
avenues to follow. These are
pastors and experienced lay
people, including a lawyer, from
the San Fernando Valley area
who may be able to guide you to
a direction to go, no matter
whether the person is accused
justly or unjustly. You do not
have to be a Lutheran to be
served by the
Lutheran Justice Group.
Email:splatts@lausd.net.
Burbank
Temporary Aid
Center (BTAC)
BTAC Needs Lunch
Ingredients
Burbank Temporary Aid Center
is completely out of lunches to
hand out to those in need. They
are asking for simple dry lunches
(no sandwiches) -- for example,
something like a bottle of water,
an apple, crackers and a
small pop-top can of tuna. If you
can contribute these supplies,
please bring them to BTAC
at 1304 West Burbank
Boulevard. They are open 9 am 12 pm and 1:30 pm - 5:00 pm.
Their phone number is 818-8482822.