WIXLIB

CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCHComments324 2nd Avenue, SE Hickory, NC 28602 828-328-1483 January 2020A Glad New Yearserving we seek to bring the loving presence ofThe song lyrics “Christ the Savior is born”Christ to people. Thank you, too, for yourproclaim the reason for the gladness of thefinancial gifts during this past year both for ourseason and invite us to look to the calendar yeargeneral ministry and for our special funds.with hopeful expectation. (The New ChurchAs you will recall from previous newsletters,Year began with Advent back on December 1.)my work schedule will change now for 2020. IAs the story moves from the angels to thecall it “repositioning”. I will be working theWise Men, so we move from the Christmasequivalent of three-quarter time. Each month Iseason to that of Epiphany (starting January 6).will take a week off. The time that I will beGod the Father has given his Son to repair whataway will be published in the bulletin. Duringsin has broken, to restore our relationship withGod. Glory to God! His good will and peacethat week, Pastor Tucker will be on call to attendto pastoral care matters. Very soon you will hearnow abide with each of us. It is with thisof the establishment of a Callgladness that we begin year 2020.ReflectionsfromWe join the angels in giving gloryCommittee that will do the groundthePastorwork on the calling of myto God, and we go out with theWise Men to tell his story.Rev. Richard Schwandt successor. As of now, I expect toLooking back at 2019, I giveretire around midyear.We go forward into 2020 with a glad heart inthanks for the selfless, loving service that soJesus Christ. There are challenges andmany of you have given to Christ’s ministrythrough our congregation this past year. Muchopportunities ahead. We go forward with Christin the strength of His Word and Sacraments. Weof this service was done through “regular,”go forward individually, as families, and as theongoing ministries where people willingly gaveof themselves — for example — serving onfamily of God at Christ Lutheran, asking for theHoly Spirit’s guidance and provision, andboards, teaching, visiting, giving rides, cooking,praying:ushering, and participating in music ministry. Iincreasingly hear, too, of our members whoO Lord Christ, our Savior dear,individually volunteer with communityBe Thou ever near us.ministries such as CCM, Soup Kitchen, andGrant us now a glad new year.Habitat. Other members work for a betterAmen, Jesus hear us.community through service groups. In all our(LSB 390, vs. 4)

CLC Notes and NewsLWML Christmas LuncheonOn Thursday, December 5, we has a SpecialChristmas party for our special guest, ShellyBaker. Those present were Rita Roseman andher friend Sandy, Pastor and Jean Schwandt,Dave and Kathy Ludwig, Anna Newton, BeaHerman, Alice Yount, Carmen Divers, JanetFord, Linda Bolick, Judy Baker, and ofcourse Shelly Baker.There was wonderful food and fellowship.A beautiful Christmas poemwas read by the author,Carmen Divers. And a songwas sung by the group andPastor Ludwig.(See the pictures!)The Sunday Night LWML begins a newyear on January 19 at 6:00pm in the FLCConference Room. The Bible Study is“Beautiful Marks.” Bring your winterquarterly and mites.Guiding ThroughGod’s LoveSAVE THE DATE!Saturday, April 25, 2020 from 6:30–10:00am, the Children’s Advocacy and Protection Center will host Denim & Diamonds, afundraising event at The Heritage Barn (2575Emmanuel Church Rd, Conover). If you wouldlike to help physically & emotionally abusedchildren by volunteering or providing in otherways, contact Adrianne Opdyke, Director (828465-7665). More info to come!2CLC Comments, January 2020

Not That Long AgoAn incredible number of our members havebeen called home to heaven over the pastfourteen months. It is an unprecedentednumber at least for the years that I have beenhere.When our beloved member Marcelle Galesdied in October, I went to my file to reviewwhat Marcelle and I had done for her mother’s(Vesta Hawn) funeral in February 1999. Inthose notes I found this anecdote. When Ivisited with Vesta Hawn on February 3, 1994,she told me that she remembers going withhorse and buggy from Newton to Statesvilleand fording the Catawba River. She gotscared when the water came up to her feet inthe buggy. Vesta was born in 1902.Remarkable, isn’t it, to think that the incidentwhich she recalled is now only about 110years ago and of the progress that has beenmade with transportation since that time!Pastor SThank you for the many expressions of lovethat we have received during the Advent/Christmas season. We pray that God’s richestblessings be with you and your families in theNew Year.The Schwandts, the Ludwigs, Richard,Janet, Danny, Deb, Rebecca, Kat,Nancy R., and Jill.--- Altar Flowers --December 15: Given to the Glory of God by Boband Nancy Rinehart.December 22: Given to the Glory of God and inhonor of Juanita Isenhower’s birthday (Dec. 21) byher family.CLC Comments, January 2020Dear Christ Lutheran Church:Thank you for the basket of fruit and snacks.It was very thoughful. Our office staff and Ireally enjoyed all the treats. Very nice gesture!Britt GriffithGriffith SecurityDear CLC:Thank you for supporting GHCCM. Yourgift makes a direct impact on the lives ofthose most in need. We could not continue tooffer Hope, Help and Healing for all withoutyour generosity!Kathy WoodExecutive Director, GHCCMDear CLC:Thank you for partnering with us in ministering to the needy in our community. Generous gifts like yours make it possible for us tohelp meet the increasing needs of those whoare hungry in our area. We depend upon faithful friends like you to enable us to continue toaddress their needs. Thank you for putting yourcompassion into action. Wow! You all areamazing! It’s been a great year at the SoupKitchen. Thank you for making it happen!Sincerely,Austin Pearce, Executive DirectorHickory Soup KitchenOur November Harvest Food Table broughtin a lot of food! When delivered, it weighed inat 484 pounds!! Way to go, CLC!!! Our nextcollection will be during the month of May.3

SUNDAY SCHOOL, BIBLE STUDY &YOUTH NEWSJanuary Family Night: Plan to makeFamily Night one of your New Year’sresolutions! Our next Family Night will beon January 19, with a dinner of chickencasserole at 5:15pm. Activities begin at6pm and include Confirmation for middleschoolers, Sunday LWML meeting, AdultBible Study, and activities for K-5th grade.New Bible Study Offered: The Small Group,which meets in the FLC Conference Room at9:15am on Sundays, will start a new videostudy on January 5. “The Parables of Jesus”is a series that covers six of Jesus’ parables:1) Weeds, Mustard Seed, Yeast; 2) TwoDebtors; 3) The Prodigal Son; 4) Treasure andPearls; 5) The Wedding Banquet; 6) Sheepand Goats. Each session is taught by adifferent biblical expert with specialized areasof knowledge. Join us in discovering thedeeper meaning in these parables.Among the unchurched,55% said they would attendchurch if invitedby a family member.And 51% said they wouldattend churchif invited by a friend orneighbor.Thom S. Rainer4The first 2020 O.W.L.S.meeting will be Wednesday,January 8, at 11:00am in thechurch Parish Hall. AustinPearce from the Hickory SoupKitchen will be our guest speaker. Austinwill speak about new and existing programs that the Soup Kitchen has to offerour homeless and unemployed in theHickory area. All those interested areinvited whether you are O.W.L.S. age (50 )or not. Afterward, we will have a covereddish meal. Conversation, Fellowship andFood! What more could you ask! See youthere! Questions? Call Janet Ford (828294-0696). Plan to join us!The 2019 Altar Flowers calendar is postedon the bulletin board for all to sign-up forAltar Flowers for the coming year. Flowersare 25 per vase/ 50 for both and is due bythe date. If you desire special flowers (color,type, etc.), please call the church office (3281483) at least 2 weeks before because the florist will need to order. Please call the churchoffice for the wording in the bulletin byWednesday of the week before. Thank you!CLC Comments, January 2020

MORE NEWS.CAROLING 2019Caroling toPatricia KraayWe caroled at Trinity Ridge for PaulineHefner, Brenda Ritchie, Misty Lail’s motherand Roger Downs’ mother.CLC Comments, January 20205

THE CHURCH FAMILYJOYS, PRAYERS,& CONCERNSHospitalized: Libby Fulbright at CatawbaRecovering: Allison Godfrey, Rick Setzer, LisaHilton (neighbor of Janet & Allen Ford), Linda Drumat TR (mother of Misty Lail), Greta Putman (sister ofJanie Lail)For those who mourn the death of Ethel LailUndergoing treatments: Michael Baker (son ofJudy), Robert Painter, Michelle Hines (friend ofRobin Baker), Tammy Fletcher (aunt of Misty Lail),Alan Eddelman (friend of Patty Sherrill and daughter,Tracy), Jeff Herman (friend of Linda Sturgill), AngelaCline (cousin of Pat Hamby), Caitlan Reese (friend ofBetty Bolick)Under doctors’ care: Max Baker, Charles Beeker,Brandon Caldwell, Wayne Cratty, Deana Flores,Sonya McLeod, Pat Powell, John Sigmon, RandySmith, Charles Yount, Jason Stephens (son-in-law ofJohn & Karen Sigmon), Catherine Pitts (relative ofTony Lail), Brian Baker (nephew of Judy Baker),Ruby Allmon (mother of Karen Sigmon), Debbie Ball(friend of Jennifer Hughes), Kelly Eckerd (friend ofMax Baker), Clayton Baker (brother-in-law of JudyBaker), Sara Helen Moore (mother of CindyAbromaitis), Ladelle Branch (sister of Linda Gantt),Kathie AlbrightFor shut-ins: Elaine Christianson in TN; PaulineHefner at Trinity Ridge (TR); Luke Jennings at BrianCenter East; Shirley Lingle at Cambridge House;Brenda Ritchie at TR; Nell Rudisill in Waxhaw;Carolotta Spruill at Abernethy; Robert Spruill atHickory Falls; Mike & Diane Urich in MI; LibJohnson Hobbs at home; Carolyn Smith at homeHospice: Doris Woody (grandmother of ToshiaPhillips), Steve Sigmon (friend of Phyllis Kane)Mission outreach for: our ministry of Guiding through God’s Love. local outreach ministries the Little Samaritan Mission in Moldova (orphanages),Joanna Johnson (Thailand) Tim & Beth Heiney with the Muslim Maninkapeople in Guinea, West AfricaIn memory of Evelyn JarrettMartha S. MartinIn memory of Terri SigmonBrad & Melanie ShinamanOfferingsNovember 27: 342.75December 1: 3,834.00December 8: 4,776.25December 15: 3,999.22December 22: 8,264.50December 24: 2,274.00Rehabiliation: Marie Deal at home; Patricia Kraay athome; Bea Kupke at King, NC; Linda McCurdy; PeggyMays; John Sigmon at home; Lee Downs (mother ofRoger) at TR; John Depner (cousin of Patricia Kraay)in Michigan; Eugene Hill (brother-in-law of Judy Baker)at home; Ruth Rowland in PA (mother of Dot Grater);Bernadette Wichman at home (sister of Cam Davis)December 29: 6,205.00Weekly budgeted amount needed: 6,094.79.Capital Improvement Fundpublished weekly in bulletinTotal: 29,695.726CLC Comments, January 2020