Reminder
Daylight Savings Time is Sunday, November 2nd. 
Don't forget to turn your clocks BACK one hour!

Weekly News Update Wednesday, October 22nd 2014
 
                       yelp

WORSHIP SERVANTS THIS SUNDAY

   

Assisting Minister:                                                      Susan Auer

Reader:                                                                       Susan Auer

   Acolyte:                                                             Angelina Kassenborg

Media Projection/Sound:                                         Will Campbell

 Communion Assistants            Dorotea Paulus & Christine Valentino

 Altar Guild:                                  Jayne Lundquist & Dorotea Paulus

  Ushers:                             Kirt Stanford, Bill Reardon & Bob Norgauer

Sunday School Teacher:                                          Desiree Garcia

 Refreshments:                                                      Gretchen Rexach

Money Counters:                               Jayne Lundquist & Vi Reardon

A Message from the Pastor


 

 

Dear Disciples of Jesus at American Lutheran,

 

"Be still and know that I am God."

 I use this Scripture verse as a mantra whenever I meditate. It comes from Psalm 46, a psalm of trust, which was the inspiration for Martin Luther's hymn "A Mighty Fortress is our God." We will hear that psalm and sing that song again this week on Reformation Sunday. They are good reminders when we feel anxious and fearful that God alone is our refuge and fortress.

"Be still and know that I am God."

 

See you in church,

Pastor Gretchen


Announcements

Help Out a New Member!
Volunteers Needed to Help Move

We are looking for a few volunteers willing to help Dave and Lori Bauer move Saturday, October 25th and the following Saturday, November 1st

Dave and his mother, Lori Bauer, are new members to our church family. This would be a wonderful opportunity for us to support them if you are willing and able to help with this task. 



 

 Thank you in advance for your support! 


 

Reformation Sunday
October 26th, 2014

This Sunday we celebrate the heart of our faith: the gospel of Christ- the good news - that makes us free!

Though we give thanks for the events of the sixteenth-century Reformation that brought renewal to the church of that time, we pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to unite the church today in its proclamation and witness to the world. 


 

In the waters of baptism we are made one body; we pray for the day that all Christians will also be one at the Lord's table.

 

 

Trader Joe's Picnic Basket Donations
Family Promise of the Verdugos

 

Our church will be donating a picnic basket full of Trader Joe's items to Family Promise of the Verdugos for their "Mother Road" event. 

 

Donations of any Trader Joe's items are now being collected for the picnic basket. Bob Nicol, our Family Promise champion, is coordinating the baskets.

 

 

Make an Impact
Serve on Sunday and impact lives-including your own!

 

Research has shown that serving does as much good for the volunteer as it does for the people they are serving! 

 

If you love people, there is a place for you to serve at ALC! We are currently looking for more people to serve as: Greeters, Ushers, Readers, Communion Assistants, Acolytes, Refreshments.

 

E-mail the church office to volunteer to help.

 

 

Congregation Council Highlights

Council Highlights
October Meeting


The Congregation Council discussed the following items on 

October 14th

  • Approved new lease to present to Brighton Hall
  • Received recommendation from Facility Renovation Committee of Phase 1 ideas for church remodeling
  • Screenland house re-finance has been approved for new ten year fixed loan at 5.5%
  • V.P. Mark Relyea will begin forming the nominating committee for 2015.
  • Renewed Pastor's health care benefits for 2015
  • Scheduled Congregation Chat for Sunday, November 9th

 

October Events

Twin Valleys Fall Conference Assembly
"The Generous Life"

 

All congregation members are invited to the Bishop's Fall Conference meeting on Wednesday, October 29th, 6:30pm at Central Lutheran Church 6425 Tyrone Ave, Van Nuys, to hear about the amazing generosity of our congregations.  


 

In this time of drought when we feel the lack of rain in the fields, and sometimes the lack of people in our pews, we can begin to feel as if we have nothing to offer. Yet when the Generous Life leaders sat down and talked to pastors and lay leaders throughout the synod we heard story after story of abundance!  We will share some of the stories we've heard, and listen to some of your stories too! The feast is spread before us, come, eat and live! 

 

A free-will offering will be collected for the dinner graciously provided by the people of Central. 
 

Talk to Pastor Gretchen if interested in attending with her.

 

 

Trunk or Treat Halloween Spooktacular!
Fuel up before Trick or Treating

Come on out in a safe environment and fill up on pizza and good times before heading out for your night of Trick or Treating.

Our Trunk or Treat Halloween event will be held in the church parking lot on Friday, October 31st from 5:30pm-7:30pm.

 

Decorate your trunk, wear your costumes and bring your friends and family out on Halloween night. It's going to be a LOT of fun!

 
November Events

All Saints Sunday
Remembering Loved Ones

As we celebrate the saints of all time and in every place on Sunday, November 2nd, we will be remembering members and loved ones who have died in the past year (since last All Saints Sunday, Nov 3, 2013). 

 

If you would like the name of your loved one read during worship with a candle lit in their memory, please complete the form located on the table at the church entrance and return to the church office. You may also place your completed form in the offering plate during worship.

 

 

Funeral Planning Workshop
"Footsteps: My Journey Home"

On Sunday, November 2nd following worship and fellowship, Pastor Gretchen and Ron Reid will lead a workshop on preparing for your own funeral. 

 

As a memorial to Ron's wife, Sigrid, he and his children are making available a funeral planning guide for each family of the congregation. 

 

When a death occurs it can feel overwhelming to make so many decisions in the midst of grieving. The ultimate gift to those we leave behind is to make our wishes known in writing.

 

 

Join the Choir
Check out Practice

Our wonderful choir not only inspires our worship with music each week, they also have fun doing so! They are holding an evening practice on Tuesday, November 4th at 8:00pm. Anyone is welcome to attend this practice and participate. 

Also, there will be a Music Ministry potluck on Saturday November 1st, 7pm at Steve Kronauer's home. Everyone is invited including choir, band and all who appreciate and support our music ministry. 



Goodwill Donation Drive
To benefit Burbank Temporary Aid Center

We will host a donation drive in partnership with Goodwill Southern California (GSC) on Saturday, November 8th from 9:00am to 1:00pm. Goodwill will deliver donation bins to the church and have attendants on hand to pack the bins with acceptable donations. 



The church will receive $1500 for every 30 bins full of acceptable donation items. The funds raised through this event will be donated to the Burbank Temporary Aid Center, which is appropriate since November is "BTAC month." 

 

Start cleaning out your closets! 

 

List of Acceptable Donation Items. Copies of this document are also available on the table by the church entrance. 

 

Council Congregation Chat
All Members Welcome

In an effort to keep the congregation informed about current church business, the Congregation Council invites members to join them Sunday, November 9th following worship for an informal discussion. Council President Deyo Blake will give an update on our lease negotiations with Brighton Hall, as well as recommendations from the Facility Renovation Committee


 

The Council welcomes your questions and feedback.

 

 

Free Emergency Dental Care
California Dental Group

Free emergency dental care will be provided by California Dental Group on
Wednesday, November 12, 2014 from 9am to 2pm at their North Hollywood office -
located at 10400 W. Magnolia, No. Hollywood, CA 91601 between Hollywood Way and
Cahuenga Blvd. 

Click HERE for a brochure.

This annual event provides free dental services including fillings,
emergency root canals, extractions, toothache treatments, and cleaning of infected gums. All treatments will be provided at no charge to as many people as can be seen, on a first come, first serve basis. One emergency treatment per patient. 

No appointments. For questions call (818)762-4440

 

Family Promise of the Verdugos
"Mother Road"

Family Promise of the Verdugos invites you to join them on the "Mother Road" as they explore the 20th century western migration of families seeking a better life along Route 66...and support the journey todays' local families are taking from homelessness to sustainable independence with the assistance of Family Promise of the Verdugos. 

 

 

Event is Friday, November 14th 5:45pm Reception and Gallery Tours, followed by 7:15pm Dinner, Entertainment and Program. Gene Autry Museum. To receive an invitation, please email: [email protected].

 

 

Lutheran Middle School Gathering
"The Voice"

Come join 300 Christian youth for a weekend where we raise our voices!  Speakers, music, workshops and worship give voice to God's work.  A day at Disneyland and Hotel Night Life make the experience complete.

 

Theme: The Voice
Date: November 21-23, 2014
Location: Sheraton Park Hotel, Anaheim 

Program:  Registration includes 3 large group sessions with our speakers and praise band. Hotel Night Life activities include extreme sports, dance, movie and much more!  Saturday workshops will focus on teen faith topics and an afternoon spent at Disneyland. We will close Sunday morning with worship.


 

In keeping with the theme of the TV Show "The Voice," you will be hearing the voices and faith stories of our speakers before you meet them and learn their identities.  We will hear from speakers of a variety of ages and backgrounds as their share how God's voice has called to them in their lives and is calling you in your life too!

 

This event is sponsored by members of the Pacifica and Southwest California Synods of the ELCA and Lutheran Retreats, Camps and Conferences (LRCC).

 

Please contact the LRCC Administrative Office with questions (661) 245-3519. Registration Packet.

 

 

The Getty Villa Trip
Malibu

On Saturday, November 22nd, The Verdugo Hills Chapter of Thrivent Financial invites you, family members and a guest to The Getty Villa in Malibu. 

 

Bus transportation starting at 9am, as well as a $15 coupon good for lunch at the museum, is included in your reservation. 

 

RSVP to 323-718-8315 or [email protected]
BEFORE November 7th. 
In your RSVP please provide the names and contact information so they can confirm attendance.

 

 

 

Social Media Corner

Each month, I will spotlight at least one way you can help promote and support the church. Check out this section regularly for fresh ideas!

 

Monthly Spotlight: 

 

Write a Google or Yelp review

 

Online reviews are one of the most valuable tools we have to get people outside of the church to learn about us. Think about what YOU do when you are looking for goods or services. Chances are, you go online and do a google search and read some reviews about various companies, business or organizations. 

 

We have an amazing place of worship here at ALC. There are people in our community seeking the spiritual guidance and community services we provide. You can help connect those people to our church family by writing your honest reviews on google and yelp. Check it out. 

 

Until next week!
Gretchen Rexach
Social Media Assistant