CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH

463 Highland Rd., Peterborough, Ontario,K9H 5J8 (705)745-0841

DECEMBER NEWSLETTER 2018

Mission Statement: “As Christians living in God’s grace we seek to demonstrate our faith in
Christ by caring, listening, and responding to the needs of the whole person, serving each other
and those beyond our Lutheran community

Advent Preparations or Christmas Celebrations?

Joy to the World, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her king! Let every heart prepare
Him room and heaven and nature sing.
When Isaac Watts’ wrote “Joy to the World” I don’t think he believed it would become
the everlasting hymn it has become. Joy to the World is one of the most recognizable
hymns that we sing year after year. For centuries it has been sung by carollers and
worshippers alike, usually on Christmas Eve. In our hymnal it is listed as an advent
hymn. It is confusing for many including me.
Let’s take a moment to look at the advent season. Advent is a time of preparation. We
decorate our homes year after year putting up Christmas trees and pulling out our
favorite nativity scenes. We listen to Christmas carols like “Joy to the World” as we shop
for that perfect gift for that special someone. We visit with friends over hot apple cider
and rum and eggnog. In some ways we celebrate Christmas way too early.
There are times when we are afraid to join in festivities during the advent season. For
good reason. John the Baptist said to the people, “Prepare the way of the Lord. Make
your paths straight.” In other words: make room for Jesus. How can we make room if
we are filling our time during the advent season for party after party? We must make
room in our lives to be ready for the coming Christ child.
This year we will be offering a mid-week advent service on Wednesday nights to help us
on our journey. We will again be using the Holden Evening Prayer liturgy. I will also be
making available advent calendars. They will include a daily scripture reading to reflect
on as we journey to the manger. Take this small amount of time each day to prepare for
the Lord.
I believe that for many people the spirit of advent and the spirit of Christmas end up
overlapping in the four weeks before we celebrate the birth of Jesus. In many ways it is
unavoidable. To be honest, as I encourage you to make room for the Lord this advent, I
also encourage you to make some time for friends and loved ones and for joyful
celebrations.
Waiting for the birth of Christ is as hard for some adults as it is for children. God’s love
is so overwhelming that we cannot but be excited. God’s love is everlasting, overflowing
and never failing. Thanks be to God for the glorious one for whom we wait.
Pastor Scott

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 The Maintenance work of George Maschke and Glenn Coombs
After the presentation regarding the future transformation of the parsonage into a
student center, I realized that I really did not do justice to how the parsonage and
church have been maintained by both George Maschke and Glenn Coombs.
George has served on council for the past two years and has done a tremendous job
caring for the both the house and the church. Did you know that in that time he has:
- Arranged spring and fall cleaning every year and fulfilled much of the jobs no one
else volunteered to complete.
- Fixed the office taps
- Repaired leaky water in the basement
- Repaired water leaks replacing the intake valve on the church furnace
- Purchased and installed solar LED lights on the front and back entrances
- Tested the furnace pressure relief valve
- Repaired insulation lining on doors
- Makes sure both lawn mowers are maintained, repaired when needed, and
winterized
- Made sure the lawn is cut regularly
- Obtained roof quotes for the parsonage and proceed to make sure the roof and
was re-shingled
- Caulked the windows at the back entrance near the stairs of the church
- Raked leaves on the front lawn and trimmed bushes
- Made sure the backflow at the church was tested
- Obtained and maintains the new sound system
Thank you George for your many hours of hard work. You are much appreciated!

Messy Church is a chance for kids of all ages to have

fun and celebrate together in a casual atmosphere once a month.
At each of our sessions below, we will do crafts, games, activities, and songs; followed
by a free delicious meal.
Everyone is welcome – families, children, moms, dads, grandparents, friends,
neighbours. No need to sign up in advance – just join us when you can!

Monday December 3rd 5:30 – 7 p.m.

Christmas celebration for all ages. Intergenerational activities and we’ll be making
cards for seniors, ornaments, etc.

Monday Jan 14th, 2019 5:30 – 7 p.m.

The theme is New Year, New Life. More info on this one to be announced soon!

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Church Council Meeting minutes – November 6, 2018 - 6:30pm-8:30pm
Present: Connie, Sylvia, Iris, Scott, Al, Marlys, Janice, Brenda
Regrets: George
Opening Devotion led by Pastor Scott.
The minutes of October approved: Motion Iris, Second – Sylvia; Passed.
Correspondence:
Christ Lutheran has received grants for:
 Messy Church plus Kids Klub - $500
 One Roof Diner - $500
Thank you Marlys and Robin for submitting these.
We have submitted a request for a grant for our Student Ministry mission. It is still
being considered by the Eastern Synod Youth and Young Adults Committees. No news
yet.
Electronic Updates- Facebook continues to be updated regularly.
Reports
Pastors Report -highlights
1. Refer to Council Report – November 2018
2. Christmas Eve Worship – suggestion of 4pm and 7pm (COUNCIL AFFIRMED)
3. We received a request from the Doors Open Peterborough Committee, asking if we
would be interested in having Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church as a site for
Doors Open 2019. The event takes place on Saturday May 4, 2019, from 10am to
4pm. This is a great opportunity to present our mission to the Peterborough
community.
Parish Support (George)
1. Milan is working with Kawartha TV and Stereo to solve our head-set microphones
cutting out and the low-level input to the speaker unit in the basement.
2. Berardi Bros. Plumbing completed their yearly inspection and re-certification of the
backflow prevention device.
3. Brush from the back garden was taken to the dump.
4. Trimming and fall cleanup of leaves was done at the front of the Church.
5. The lawnmowers were winterized.
6. Caulking was done at the windows by the back door.
Thanks to George for coordinating all this work!
Treasurers Report (Brenda)
1. Cash on hand as of October 30 is $ 75,215.36. This includes the $5400 GIC we
cashed in October.
2. All GIC’s have all been cashed.
3. We are running an operating deficit of around $12,000 year to date.
Outreach (Robin, Milan, Connie)
1. On October 28 about 10 volunteers from Christ Lutheran prepared food for and
served over 220 turkey and ham dinners at the One Roof Diner. This is a new
record for us! The need is growing. Our next One Roof diner is December 2.
There is a sign-up sheet on the door in the narthex. PLEASE if you able to help
sign your name on the sheet so we make sure we have enough volunteers.
Thanks.
2. The Seniors Luncheon on November 1 was a great success. Thanks to Connie for
her phone calls, invitations and outreach to get people out to enjoy the day.
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 3. The weekly Kawartha Heights Kids Nutrition Program is running smoothly.
4. We are working with Highland Heights for their Kids Nutrition Program as well. We
are donating breakfast quiches, loaves, muffins, and fruit to support their daily
breakfast program each month.
Messy Church (Sylvia)
1. Messy Church is going very well and has turned into a high-energy multi-
generational event. On October 15, 13 adults and 11 kids attended. The next
Messy Church is November 12, with the theme “Preparing for Christmas”.
2. We received a grant of $500 from Eastern Synod for our Messy Church and Kids
Klub!
Kids Club (Marlys)
1. Next Kids Club PA Day is on November 23. The kids will be making Christmas
Decorations.
Health and Wellness (Iris)
1. There will be a blood pressure clinic on November 18 during coffee time.
2. A future coffee time will feature a discussion on Alzheimer’s.
Social Activities (Iris)
1. Coffee times continue to be well attended. They have a real impact for bringing
our congregation together. Thank you to Iris for keeping them going!
2. Sign-up sheets are up on the front door for Coffee Times after church. We are
always looking for volunteers to help arrange this wonderful time of fellowship
after Sunday service. It is not difficult to host and prepare - any of the kitchen
ladies can show you how set up the coffee maker.
Stewardship & Fund-raising (Connie)
1. $5500 of the $8500 needed has been raised for the parsonage roof.
2. The October 20 Fall Fundraiser organized and run by Robin and Sylvia was well
attended and raised over $1,225! Thanks to their hard work, and for all who came
out, had fun and donated to the fun raising.
3. The women of the church are working hard on the Christmas Bazaar to be held
November 17, 9am-1pm. FaithLife is donating $300.
4. Sylvia and Connie and Scott are working on a fall roofing fundraiser/dinner for
December 1. Mark Jurgenson will be providing a musical interlude prior to dinner.
Prize donations from the Congregation are welcomed and needed to make the
fundraiser a success. The cost of this event will be $30 per person and each ticket
will receive a $15 tax receipt.
Mutual Ministries (Sylvia)
1. Al will meet with Pastor Scott as instructed by council to sign the new “Letter of
Call and Employment Agreement”.
Old Business
1. Student Ministry
a. Discussion
i. Council discussed the proposal for the Student Ministry and the
Creation of a Lutheran Student Center to be based from the
parsonage. The Lutheran Student Center will include the rental of the
four bedrooms to students. The ministry would be based on former
Lutheran Student Campus Ministry models at universities across the

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 synod (before funding was cut). Scott presented a summary of the
program. Al presented the financial model of the program.
ii. The annual income after expenses (utilities, maintenance, incremental
insurance, etc.) is estimated to be $17,666.
iii. There will be painting of the four bedrooms and basement family
room, carpet in the basement family room, and new bedroom (4)
doors and hardware. This will result in a one-time expense of $5,400.
This will be recovered within 4 months of rent.
iv. The congregation has applied to the Eastern Synod Youth and Young
Adults Ministry and Missions Committee for a grant to help with this
ministry.
v. The program will start September 2019.
vi. A small board has been established to promote the program, and
manage the rental process, property maintenance, and student
ministry programming.
b. Approval of the Student Ministry
i. A motion was put forward by Marlys to proceed with the student
ministry program, seconded by Iris. Approved by Council.
New Business
Invite Adli to discuss the north-end “We Care Community Outreach Program” program at
the next council meeting [Scott]
Upcoming Events:
November 17 – Christmas Bazaar
December 1 – Parsonage Roof Fundraiser
December 2 – One Roof Diner
December 3 – Messy Church
December 5, 12, 19 – Advent Service; Soup and Sandwich at 5:30pm, Worship at 6:15
December 24 – Christmas Eve Services at 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm
Next meeting: Tuesday December 11 – Appetizers at 6:30pm, Meeting at 7:00 pm

Soup & Sandwich Worship

Wednesday December 5, 12, 19 - dinner at 5:30 pm - worship at 6:15 pm. All Welcome

2019 OFFERING ENVELOPES

The year 2019 offering envelopes will soon be available at church. If you do not receive
a box and would like one, please talk to either Janice LeClair or Pastor Scott.

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 Upcoming Events –
Saturday December 1st – Raise the Roof Music & Dinner Event – 4:30-6:30 pm
Sunday December 2nd - One Roof Community Dinner 3 pm
Monday December 3rd – Messy Church – Christmas theme
Midweek Advent Evening worship/meal starting on Wednesday December 5th
Meal at 5:30; Worship at 6:30 pm (will continue December 12 & 19)
Buckhorn Singers Concert – Sunday December 16, 2 pm

Men’s Club
Men’s Breakfast Saturday December 8th 8:30 am. Christmas Tree – On Saturday
December 8th after Men’s Breakfast 8:30 am at 10 am, we will be setting up our
Christmas Tree and decorating it. Anyone wishing to help please come by the church.
We thank once again for Ralph Bastian for cutting and bringing the tree to the church.
Thanks!

REMINDER…….
Please have all your charitable donations in by Sunday December 30th. The books will
be closed then. Thank you.

OUTREACH AT CHRISTMAS
We hope to contribute in the following ways and invite your participation by December
9. White gifts of non-perishable food items (canned fruits & vegetables, canned
soups, lentils, beans, peanut butter, Jell-o, hot chocolate, tea, juice boxes, cranberry
sauce, macaroni & cheese and stuffing mix) are being received at church. Gifts of
toys, clothing, personal hygiene such as toothbrush/paste, soap, shampoo, gift
cards are to be in by December 8th.

CHRISTMAS WORSHIP
Monday December 24 4 pm – Holy Communion
7 pm – Candlelight Holy Communion
(There is no worship service at Christ Lutheran Church December 25th)

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 THE BAZAAR
The Spirit of Christmas Tea Room & Bazaar was a great success. We want to thank all
the volunteers, and all those who donated baked goods and craft items. Thank you to
our Craft Group team who are amazing people, putting over 2,500 hours of work to
achieve a beautiful Christmas feeling at our Bazaar. We wish to thank the men
volunteers for putting our sign and the extra work they did, Barry Parsons, Al Butson
and Pastor Scott. We had a great turn-out and had a lot of fun shopping for Christmas.
We raised $3,135.70, plus Faith Life will donate $300. Thank you to everyone who
helped. Proceeds will go to new light weight dinner plates for the kitchen, new vertical
curtains in the basement and to our current account.

At Elizabeth & Milan Ichniovsky on Saturday December 15 2 pm to 5 pm at 2 George

Street North, Suite 504, Entry code:2526, phone number 705-743-2526. Please drop in
to help us celebrate the miracle of Christmas.

Free Community Concert

Sunday November 16 The Buckhorn Singers will be singing another benefit concert
at Christ Lutheran. Spread the word to family and friends.

Cal’s OPEN HOUSE – Sunday December 9th after worship

Please sign the list on the vestibule so Cal can get how many will be attending. Please
bring along your good spirits and rides will be organized after worship that day.

PARISH OUTREACH
Sunday December 2nd 3 pm at St. John’s Anglican Church. A sign-up list will be on
vestibule door for volunteers. Please donate cups, socks, gloves, winter coats.

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 ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
Our Annual meeting will take place on Sunday January 27th after worship. A light
Lunch will be served. The Annual Report will be published on Sunday January 20 so all
will the chance to read and come to the meeting with informed minds and questions.

Team
Look forward to new & educational happenings at future Coffee Times from the Health &
Wellness Team in 2019. Wishing you all a healthy and happy New Year.

Ugly Christmas Sweater Sunday

Please dig out your ugly Christmas sweater for Sunday December 30th worship. We can
have a vote at Coffee time who has the best Ugly Sweater!!

JOBS! JOBS! JOBS!

Reader Ushers Assistant
December 2 Marlys Kerkman The Butson’s Marlys Kerkman
December 9 TBA June & Connie TBA
December 16 Cal Taillefer The Parson’s Cal Taillefer
December 23 Al Butson The Butson’s Al Butson
December 24 4 pm TBA TBA TBA
7 pm Marlys Kerkman The Parsons’ Marlys Kerkman
December 25 NO WORSHIP AT CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH
December 30 Al Butson The Butson’s Al Butson
January 5, 2019 Iris Gravel The Butson’s Iris Gravel

Counters: December - Al Butson & TBA

January – Al Butson & Iris Gravel

Altar Care: December & January - Robin Butson

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 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1
Raise the Roof
Fundraiser

December 4:30 – 6:30

pm

2015
2First Sunday 3 4 5 6 7 8
in Advent Messy Church Bible studies Advent Soup & Men’s Breakfast
10 am 5:30 – 7 pm 10 am Sandwich Club 8:30 am
Coffee time Slice & Dice worship 5:30 Church basement
after worship 12:30 pm pm dinner,
10am Christmas
One Roof dinner worship at 6:15 Tree installation
3 pm at St. pm & decorating
John’s Anglican
church
9 Second 10 11 12 13 14 15
Sunday in 10 am Bible Advent Soup & Open House at
Advent study Sandwich Milan &
10 am Slice & Dice worship 5:30 Elizabeth
Open House at 12:30 pm pm dinner, 2 pm – 5 pm
Cal’s after Council Mtg worship at 6:15
worship 6:30 pm pm

16 Third 17 18 19 20 21 22
Sunday in 10 am Bible Advent Soup &
Advent study Sandwich
10 am NO Slice & Dice worship 5:30
Holy till Jan-18 pm dinner,
Communion worship at 6:15
Coffee time pm
after worship

23 Fourth 24 25 26 27 28 29
Sunday in Merry Boxing Day
Advent Christmas
10 am Holy Day
communion
Coffee time Christmas No worship at
after worship Eve Christ Lutheran
4:00 pm
7:00 pm
30 First Sunday 31 Jan 1 2019 Jan 2 Jan 3 Jan 4 Jan 5
after Christmas Happy New
10 am Holy Year
communion
Ugly Christmas
Sweater Sunday
Coffee time after
worship

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