Our Saviour Evangelical Lutheran Church Newsletter
56 Cleveland Drive, Croton NY 10520-2751
Phone: 914-271-4632
DECEMBER 2007
has now become a day off for Brits who are
probably not too capable of working that day
anyway. Nonetheless, this whole spirit of Boxing
Day is what the church should be about.
It would be tragic to break open the alms boxes but
once a year. The whole concept of Boxing Day is
once close and akin to what Christians would
recognize as stewardship. We receive of God’s
largesse, all the time and every day, why then
would we limit our responding to the needs of the
poor but once a year?
Further, why would we wait until we have wined,
dined and fed finely before giving consideration to
those in need?
Claas Ehlers, Development Director of Interfaith
Hospitality Network, told me that he and his family,
including youngish children, go to the temporary
homeless family shelters, provided by houses of
worship in the network, on holidays. He says it is a
great experience for his kids – they appreciate their
blessings more, and the richness of the Christian
faith becomes the more apparent. Eventually the
Ehlers family goes thankfully to its permanent
abode and then really enjoys their modest gifts.
More regal figures, such as Wenceslas, had a
similar idea …
This Month's Emphases
Advent and Christmas
What is Boxing Day
Christmas Earthkeeping Tips
Christmas Poinsettias
White Gifts
Christmas Worship
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Page 2
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Page 3
Page 3
This Month's News
Feeding the Jan Peek Homeless
Benevolence Plus
Bouman to Lead ELCA Outreach
Coffee Hour Cookbook
December Sunday Servants
December Calendar
E-Mail: oschurch@bestweb.net
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WHAT IS BOXING DAY?
Pastor Anthony Stephens (271-4632)
The first thing that can be said about Boxing Day is
that it falls on the Feast of Stephen. The Feast of
Stephen (Deacon / Martyr) falls the day after
Christmas. Immediately, therefore, we think of the
carol Good King Wenceslas printed below.
Growing up in England (Boxing Day is a British
and Canadian holiday) I loved Boxing Day. The
family who could not be present for Christmas was
present for Boxing Day – and truthfully their
presence was a better present than the presents;
which by that time might already be broken. Leftovers, marzipan and royal icing covered cakes, a
Christmas Pudding re-ignited and served with more
brandy butter, everyone that less frantic because the
command performance dinner of the day before had
been successfully cooked, eaten and admired, and,
for a clergy family, Dad was a lot less stressed!
Coming to America, people would ask me what
Boxing Day is. The most mature answer to that
question is that it is the day that churches opened
their alms boxes. Alms boxes are “box[es] for
collecting alms, especially one in a church,” and
alms are “money or goods contributed to the poor”
(http://www.thefreedictionary.com).
Being a British festival, this original intent and
meaning became decoupled from the holiday, which
Good King Wenceslas looked out on the Feast of
Stephen,
When the snow lay round about, deep and crisp and
even.
Brightly shone the moon that night, though the frost was
cruel,
When a poor man came in sight, gathering winter fuel.
“Hither, page, and stand by me, if you know it, telling,
Yonder peasant, who is he? Where and what his
dwelling?”
“Sire, he lives a good league hence, underneath the
mountain,
Right against the forest fence, by Saint Agnes’
fountain.”
“Bring me food and bring me wine, bring me pine logs
hither,
You and I will see him dine, when we bear them
thither.”
Page and monarch, forth they went, forth they went
1
together,
Through the cold wind’s wild lament and the bitter
weather.
“Sire, the night is darker now, and the wind blows
stronger,
Fails my heart, I know not how; I can go no longer.”
“Mark my footsteps, my good page, tread now in them
boldly,
You shall find the winter’s rage freeze your blood less
coldly.”
In his master’s steps he trod, where the snow lay dinted;
Heat was in the very sod which the saint had printed.
Therefore, Christian men, be sure, wealth or rank
possessing,
You who now will bless the poor shall yourselves find
blessing.
for a nice warm meal. If you can help out, please
give Jen a call. The more volunteers, the easier it is
to provide a main entree and side dish for about 20
people. Our next date is Monday December 17.
What a wonderful gift to give and receive during
this holiday season.
CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS
Karen Magerlein (243-4714)
If you would like to donate flowers for our altar this
Christmas, please fill out the form which appears in
this newsletter (copies are also available on the
back table). Place the form, along with your
payment of $15/plant, in the Christmas Flowers
envelope that comes in your donation envelope box.
This envelope may be placed in the offering plate or
put in a larger envelope and mailed to the church.
Thank you for adding to the beauty of our
Christmas altar.
The Child of Bethlehem did not by any means put
the kibosh on eating, drinking and relaxing, but it
was certainly his intent that the joy of the Nativity
be spread deep and crisp and even.
CHRISTMAS EARTHKEEPING TIPS
Amy Gardiner (432-3134)
BENEVOLENCE PLUS
-When possible, use recycled gift wrap. Also wrap
presents in decorated newsprint, newspaper, or
papers saved from last year. Chinese take-out
menus have red and green print and make for a
festive wrap! Any reused paper can be decorated
with paint stamps, cut out snowflakes etc….
-As you unwrap gifts, flatten and fold the paper and
collect it in a paper bag. Use for next year. You’d
be surprised how much is reusable!
-Save your Xmas cards and use them to cut up for
gift tags next year.
-Wrap presents in Xmas fabrics, which can then be
used as fabric!!
-Avoid using plastic bows and ribbons. Use yarns
and raffia (of course save what you can for next
year)
-Save anything red ,green, silver and gold! See
how creative you can be decorating packages with
recycled objects that would other-wise end up in the
trash!
Janet Behning (737-7903)
In November we sent a check for $1,664 to the
ELCA World Hunger Appeal, a combination of the
Wheelbarrow and Potholder Sunday fundraising,
Thrivent matches and member contributions.
The Oktoberfest netted $475.50 plus the $200
Thrivent match, which was forwarded to the
Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia.
Thank you to everyone who contributed and to John
Nurmi who shepherded our projects through
Thrivent's Care Abounds in Communities program.
WHITE GIFTS
Frya Barnes (737-7903)
When I first joined Our Saviour 43 years ago we
had a wonderful practice at Christmas when the
children brought “White Gifts” ( specific items of
infant clothing wrapped in white tissue paper) that
were placed under the Christmas Tree in church.
When the tree was taken down in early January the
gifts were gathered together and assembled into
layettes that were requested by Lutheran World
FEEDING THE JAN PEEK HOMELESS
Jennifer Stieglitz (736-6010 )
On the third Monday of each month, Our Saviour
has the privilege of ministering to homeless people
in our own backyard. The residents of the Jan Peek
homeless shelter in Peekskill are most appreciative
2
Relief for distribution to places around the world
where these things were and are desperately needed.
I would love to see Our Saviour re-institute this
practice. I remember my boys each bringing such a
gift to church every Christmas way into adulthood.
I think it is a good way to have children focus on
the needs of other children, in this case infants, at a
time when we focus on the birth of the baby Jesus.
P.S. As a result of a generous gift from a few
members my sister and I just purchased enough
infant clothing and supplies to assemble and mail 5
layettes to Lutheran World Relief at a total cost of
$282.60.
Following is a list of items called for in one layette:
• 4 Cloth Diapers, not prefolded (Target and
Toys R Us has them)
• 2 Receiving Blankets
• 2 Wash Cloths
• 1 large bar of Mild Soap
• 1 Sweater
• 2 Onesies
• 1 Gown
• 1 Sleeper
• 2 Diaper Pins
I would recommend that the gown and onesies not
be smaller than 12 months in size.
BOUMAN TO LEAD ELCA OUTREACH
Pastor Anthony Stephens (271-4632)
The Rev. Stephen P. Bouman, bishop of the
Metropolitan New York Synod of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), was elected
Nov. 11 by the ELCA Church Council to a fouryear appointment as executive director of ELCA
Evangelical Outreach and Congregational Mission
(EOCM) beginning Jan. 1, 2008.
The Church Council is the ELCA's board of
directors and serves as the legislative authority of
the church between churchwide assemblies. The
council met here Nov. 9-11. Assemblies are held
every other year; the next is Aug. 17-23, 2009, in
Minneapolis.
"Saying good-bye is so incredibly difficult. I have
shared so much of my life with the wonderful lives
of the people of this synod and this metropolis. We
went through Ground Zero together. We buried our
dead and re-imagined the church in the wake of that
tragedy," Bouman said. "We have planted so many
new ministries among people who are 'the road not
taken' by traditional Lutheranism."
"In some ways mission and ministry in the
Metropolitan New York Synod has been 'going to
school' on what mission and ministry are going to
be like all across our country in the coming
decades," Bouman said. "I've learned some things,
and I'm looking forward to sharing them with the
wider church," he said. "We have a lot to learn from
each other, and it will be my joy to advocate and
agitate for the missional heart of this church as the
director of EOCM. I look forward to getting on the
road with my many new colleagues who will share
with me the ministries to which God has called
them," Bouman said.
The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop,
announced the council's unanimous election of
Bouman here Nov. 13."Bishop Bouman has
exemplified in his parish and synodical ministries
leadership that is Christ centered, Spirit gifted,
biblically engaged, theologically formed and
contextually shaped," Hanson said in a prepared
statement. "He has a passion to proclaim Christ,
make disciples and build up the church for the sake
of the world."
"Bishop Bouman developed a Diakonia program
with over 800 graduates, some of whom are serving
as pastors," Hanson said. "Under his leadership
over 35 new ministries have been initiated. Worship
occurs in over 25 languages in the synod," he said.
CHRISTMAS WORSHIP
Lisa Stephens (271-8281)
The first opportunity to celebrate the Nativity of our
Lord on Christmas Eve will be at 7:30 pm. This
will be a service of Lessons and Carols. All will
hear readings of scripture surrounded by hymns
where the congregation hears and proclaims the
word of God. Additionally, special choral music
echoes the messages of the lessons. At 9:30 pm
there will be another Christmas Eve service, this
time a Chorale Mass with joyful Christmas carols
and the Lord’s Supper. Rounding out our
Christmas celebration is a service of Holy
Communion at 10:30 am Christmas morning. We
hope you will come and worship with us at each of
these festive services.
3
Hanson recalled that Bouman saw the ELCA
Metropolitan New York Synod through the
challenges of dealing with the terrorist attacks of
Sept. 11, 2001. He listed other "hallmarks" of
Bouman's leadership as bishop: "accompanying
those who live in poverty, working together for a
more just society, extending hospitality to the
immigrant, striving to become a multicultural,
diverse church while building upon our strong
global and ecumenical partnerships." Bouman will
succeed the Rev. Richard A. Magnus, who will
retire Dec. 31. EOCM is a program unit of the
ELCA. Its 149- member staff facilitates "the efforts
of congregations, synods, and related institutions
and agencies in reaching out in witness to the
gospel to people in all contexts and cultures" across
the
United States and Caribbean. It works to develop
new congregations and ministries, and to renew and
equip existing ELCA ministries in evangelical
outreach.
Born April 14, 1947, in Melrose Park, Ill., Bouman
is a graduate of Concordia Senior College, Fort
Wayne, Ind., and Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.
He earned a master of sacred theology degree and a
doctorate in ministry from New York Theological
Seminary, New York. In 1992 Bouman became an
assistant to the bishop of the ELCA Metropolitan
New York Synod and in 1996 was elected to
succeed the Rev. James E. Sudbrock as bishop. The
synod elected Bouman to a second six-year term as
bishop in 2002.
Bouman is author of several articles, curricula,
devotionals and books, including "From the Parish
for the Life of the World," published in 2000 by
Augsburg Fortress, and "Grace All Around
Us," published in 2007 by Augsburg Books.
Augsburg Fortress is the publishing ministry of the
ELCA. Bouman and his wife Janet are the parents
of three adult children.
These tarts are easy to prepare and are a nice
alternative to crackers and cheese as an appetizer
for the holidays. Prep time 30 minutes/Yield 2-3
dozen tarts depending on the size of your cookie
cutter shape. Prepare the polenta in advance so that
it has a chance to 'set-up' and firm before you cut
the tart shapes.
Ingredients:
1 package instant polenta (You can find this is the
supermarket in the pasta or rice section. It comes in
a brick that resembles coffee packaging.)
2 cups heavy cream
1 whole chicken or 2 lbs. chicken breasts (I use a
market prepared broiled chicken - it adds to the
moistness and saves time)
1 container prepared pesto (You can certainly make
your own, but store-bought is a time-saver)
Dried cranberries
Prepare the polenta following the package
directions; it cooks in just a few minutes. Remove
from the stove and stir in 2 cups heavy cream - this
gives the polenta added smoothness. Transfer the
polenta/cream mixture onto a large baking sheet
and spread the mixture evenly over the surface with
a spatula or wooden spoon. Allow the polenta to
cool to room temperature.
While the polenta cools, shred 2 1/2 to 3 cups of
chicken - using two forks and pulling the meat in
opposite directions is the best method I've found to
do this. Put the chicken in a bowl and stir in the
container of pesto, coating the meat evenly.
Using a cookie cutter, cut rounds or shapes from the
cooled polenta - about a 1 1/2 - 2" diameter works
best. Place a heaping spoonful of the chicken
mixture on top of each tart. Add two or three dried
cranberries to the top of each tart.
The tarts may be covered with plastic wrap and
refrigerated overnight, but they should be served at
room temperature - so remember to take them out at
least 1 hour prior to serving. Transfer the tarts to a
holiday platter & Voila! Red and green healthy
Christmas appetizers with fewer calories than
traditional chips and dips!
COFFEE HOUR COOKBOOK
Melanie Mueller (271-4632)
With the holidays in sight, here are two festive
recipes to brighten your table with the reds and
greens of Christmas!
POTATO GATTO
From the Anita Baumann’s Favorite Recipes
PESTO CHICKEN POLENTA TARTS
Served by Anita Baumann on November 19, 2007
4
This filling 'casserole-style' dish is attractive &
tasty. The combination of red, green and
white ingredients make for a festive presentation.
The recipe is adapted from "The Italian County
Table" by Lynne Rossetto Kasper. I've added my
own suggestions for substitutions (in parentheses),
since the gourmet ingredients the recipe calls for
are readily available in prepared form. I
will recommend that you do take the time to
make your own breadcrumbs for this dish, as it
really adds to the texture and flavor.
lightly with salt and pepper. Remove the onions to
a bowl. Add a bit more oil to the skillet and
saute your homemade breadcrumbs, seasoning with
salt and pepper to taste, until lightly browned (5 to
10 minutes). Remove the breadcrumbs to
another bowl. (Note: You don't need to brown the
breadcrumbs if you've purchased packaged croutons
- they have already been cooked in oil. You'll just
need to smash them up a little to make smaller
pieces for the casserole topping. This is most easily
done by opening the package to let the air escape,
resealing the package and lightly pounding with
your fist - be forewarned, pound too hard and the
bag will 'explode', spewing breadcrumbs all over
your counter. When done properly, this activity
is a welcome tension-reliever when you are frazzled
during the pre-holiday rush!)
Drain the potatoes and let cool 10 minutes.
Slice the butter into a large bowl. Using a paring
knife or your fingers, peel the potatoes. Put them
into the bowl with the butter, Parmigiano, milk and
salt and pepper to taste. Lightly mash the potatoes;
they should be fairly lumpy. Stir in the sopressata
and half the defrosted peas.
Oil a glass baking dish. (The original recipe calls
for an 8-inch square baking dish - Pyrex is your best
bet here - you may want to use a 9" square dish if
you have one, as the Gatto really fills up an 8" dish
to the very top. Additionally the casserole will
bubble a bit... Volume should be your guide in
selecting the best dish to hold the entire mixture.)
Press half of the potato mixture into the bottom.
Top with the onions and remaining peas, then the
mozzarella slices in a single layer.
Spread the rest of the potatoes on top and smooth
with a spatula or the back of a large metal spoon.
Bake 30 minutes. (I advise placing a sheet of
aluminum foil under the casserole dish in case of
the bubbling over mentioned in step 5.)
Remove from the oven and top with the
breadcrumbs.
Bake an additional 10 minutes. Serve hot.
Yield: 4 entree or 8 side-dish servings.
Ingredients:
3 lbs Yellow Fin, Yukon Gold or red potatoes
Extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
Salt and pepper to taste
1 1/2 cups coarse, homemade breadcrumbs. These
can be made in the food processor from a few slices
of Italian or Sourdough bread, with the crusts, plus
a clove or two of garlic. (You can also substitute
flavored, prepared stuffing mix cubes - such
as Pepperidge Farm or packaged croutons available in many seasoned flavors in the produce
section.)
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese (You
may substitute you favorite flavorful semi-hard
cheese: plain grated Parmigiano or Asagio work
well - use the fresh cheese available from the
refrigerated section; not the preserved shaker kind.)
1/3 cup milk
1/4 lb soppressata (or any other spicy salami;
pepperoni works, too), sliced 1/8 inch thick and
diced. For this recipe you can buy the salami from
a deli or at the deli counter in the supermarket and
have it sliced to order. Columbus brand soppresata
is the one recommended by the author.
1 1/3 cups frozen peas, defrosted; divided (buy the
smallest package of frozen peas and you should
have almost 2 cups; you can use them all without
harming the recipe)
1/2 pound fresh mozzarella, drained and sliced 1
inch thick (packaged Polly-O or store brands work
equally well for those of you who are not purists)
Preheat the over to 400 degrees. Place the potatoes
in a large pot, cover with water and bring to a boil.
Turn the heat down and simmer 25 minutes or until
a fork goes easily into the largest potato.
Meanwhile, brown the onion in a scant tablespoon
of olive oil over medium-high heat, seasoning
Author's Serving suggestion: Potato Gatto makes a
really nice winter side dish for pork chops, veal,
fish or chicken. You can also serve the Gatto with a
simple steamed vegetable or contrastingly bitter
green salad on the side. The Gatto makes a
5
complete meal by itself with a nice glass of wine soft chenin blanc or gutsy but non-oaky
chardonnay. Mario Batali suggests a full-bodied
Campanian red such as Taurasi. A dry German
Riesling also compliments this dish. However you
choose to serve the Gatto, it's a safe bet that your
dining companions will ask for second
helpings...Enjoy!
Altar Guild:
TBD
Acolyte:
Greg Scala
Bob Riekert
Communion Assistant:
December 25 – Christmas Day
Greeters&Ushers: Jeanne Spacek & Loretta Rapetti
Worship Assistant:
TBD
Lector:
Eric Golberg
Altar Guild:
TBD
Acolyte:
Nick Crumb
Communion Assistant:
Eleanor Soderlund
December 30
Greeters&Ushers: Deborah Tobin & Evelyn Garrett
Worship Assistant:
Lori Esteves
Lector:
Ken Gabrielsen
Altar Guild:
TBD
Communion Assistant:
Ken Gabrielsen
Acolyte:
Steven Orts
January 6
Greeters&Ushers: Chuck Cooper and Nancy Riekert
Worship Assistant:
LeeAnn McCarthy
Lector:
Bella Kachnic
Altar Guild:
Karen Magerlein
Communion Assistant:
Frya Barnes
Acolyte:
Joseph Mueller
Hospitality:
Amy Gardiner and Evelyn Garrett
DECEMBER LECTOR’S LIBRARY
DATE
FIRST
READING
Isa 2:1-5
Isa 11:1-10
Isa 35:1-10
Isa 7:10-16
Isa 9:2-7
December 2
December 9
December 16
December 23
December 24
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day Isa 62:6-12
Isa 63:7-9
December 30
SECOND
READING
Rom 13:11-14
Rom 15:4-13
James 5:7-10
Rom 1:1-7
Titus 2:11-14
Titus 3:4-7
Heb 2:10-18
DECEMBER SUNDAY SERVANTS
December 16
Greeter&Usher:
Anita and David Baumann
Worship Assistant:
Pam Schwartz
Lector:
Frya Barnes
Altar Guild:
Mikiko Golberg
Communion Assistant:
Chuck Cooper
Christine Gabrielsen
Acolyte:
Hospitality: Heather Cooper and Melanie Mueller
December 23
Greeters&Ushers: Frya Barnes and Beatrice Bangura
Worship Assistant:
John Mueller
Lector:
Amy Gardiner
Altar Guild:
Mikiko Golberg
Communion Assistant:
LeeAnn McCarthy
Acolyte:
Evelyn Gardiner
Hospitality: Audrey Gabrielsen & LeeAnn McCarthy
December 24 – Christmas Eve Lessons & Carols
Greeters&Ushers:
John & Tom Magerlein
6 Lectors:
TBD
Acolyte:
Michael Gabrielsen
Altar Guild:
TBD
December 24 – Christmas Eve Choral Mass
Greeters&Ushers:
Nancy Riekert & Frya Barnes
Worship Assistant:
TBD
Lector:
Eleanor Soderlund
6
2007
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
1
Key:
HB - Happy Birthday
HA - Happy
Anniversary
2
Christmas Fair
AA
3
4
5
6
First Sunday Advent
Second Sunday Advent
10
Third Sunday Advent
Fourth Sunday Advent
(blue)
Sunday School 9:15am
Confirmation
9:15am
Service
10:30am
30
First of Christmas
(white)
Sunday School 9:15am
Comfirmation
9:15am
Service
10:30am
Choir Practice 7:45pm
AA
7:30pm
NA
7:30pm
11
12
13
Sewing Guild 10:00am
Bible,Church and
World
9:30am
AA
HB Evelyn Garrett!!
14
7:00pm
15
AA
7:00pm
NA
7:30pm
HA Evelyn & Ed
Garrett!!
17
18
19
20
Bible,Church and
World
9:30am
Danish Home Visit
2:00pm
(blue)
Sunday School 9:15am
Confirmation
9:15am
Service
10:30am
23
8
Choir Practice 7:45pm
AA
7:30pm
(blue)
Sunday School 9:15am
Confirmation
9:15am
Service
10:30am
16
7
10:00am
7:00pm
Bible,Church and
World
9:30am
(blue)
Sunday School 9:15am
Confirmation
9:15am
Service
10:30am
9
Saturday
Choir Practice 7:45pm
AA
7:30pm
24
25 Merry
Services at 7:30pm
& 9:30pm
Service
AA
31
21
22
Pizza Pajama 6:00pm
Christmas Caroling
7:30pm
Altar Guild Church
Decorating 6:00pm
NA
7:30pm
HB Barbara Befanis!!
HB Pastor Stephens!!
AA
7:00pm
HB Jennifer Stieglitz!!
HB Marion Phillips!!
26
27
28
29
Christmas
10:30am
7:30pm
NA
7:30pm
AA
7:00pm
2007
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday