Weekly News Update Friday, September 19th 2014
 
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Manufacturers Coupons

American Lutheran Church continues to collect newspaper coupons containing the UPC symbol in the narthex. They are sent to the U.S. military, which is very appreciative of our efforts.

 

In This Issue
Thanks, Sue!
Meeting Highlights
Exploring Membership
Article Title
Article Title
Volunteer Opportunities
LSS Community Care Update
International Peace Day
Golf Tournament
Article Title
Walk to End Poverty
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Women of the ELCA Convention
Article Title
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Social Media Corner
A Message from the Pastor


 

 

Dear Disciples of Jesus at American Lutheran,

 

Grace is at the heart of our Lutheran faith, and yet something that is often hard to understand and grasp. Probably because we believe there's no such thing as a free lunch, and we only get rewarded for what we earn and deserve. In her book Amazing Grace, writer Kathleen Norris has said that only well-loved infants and God truly look at us with eyes of grace, staring into our faces in order to be delighted, no matter if we're old or young, pretty or ugly, bored or happy, without a hint of disapproval.

 

And so we come together in worship each week to respond to grace. "We praise God not to celebrate our own faith but to give thanks for the faith God has in us. To let ourselves look at God, and let God look back at us. And to laugh, and sing, and be delighted because God has called us his own."

 

See you in church,

Pastor Gretchen

 

 

Announcements

Thank You
Sue Arunasalam

 

Thanks to Sue Arunasalam for her music leadership on the keyboards this Sunday. Sue is filling in for Ulf who is enjoying a family vacation in France and will be returning on September 28th.

 

 

Council Highlights
Facility Renovation Committee

 

A newly formed Facility Renovation Committee has been appointed by the Council.  The members include Mark Baker, Mark Burrows, Will Campbell, Jason Shih, and Kirt Stanford. They have a directive to develop a renovation proposal for the facility that will meet the needs of the mission of American Lutheran.  


 

Over the next couple of weeks the committee members would like to invite input from the congregation about needs, wants and desires and dreams of what the facility will need as we move forward.  Our goal is to focus on the mission of the congregation now and what might arise in the future.  The committee will then distill the needs for the facility to have an initial report to the October Council meeting. The committee will make time available starting today and over the following two Sundays to meet with members about your ideas. They can also make appointments to meet at other times during the week. 

 

 

Come Sing with Us!
Join our choir

Our wonderful choir not only inspires our worship with music each week,they also have fun doing so! On Tuesday, October 7th at 8:00pm they will hold a weeknight rehearsal in addition to the regular Sunday morning practice. 

This is a great opportunity for anyone interested in joining the choir to come and try it out. 

 

For more information, email Steve Kronauer, Choir Director or call 310-800-0099.

 

 

 

Learn How to Knit
Baptismal Blankets

Barbara Berry, who has been volunteering her time knitting the Baptismal Blankets for our Baptism ceremonies, is offering to teach others how to knit these beautiful blankets. Please let the office know if you are interested in learning how to knit and create these meaningful mementos.

 

 

Like to Plan Fun Events?
Trunk or Treat Co-Organizers Needed

We are looking for people to join a team of co-organizers tasked with planning and coordinating our Trunk or Treat Halloween Spectacular event. The more co-organizers, the better! 

Please email Gretchen Rexach  if you can help plan this fun, family-friendly community event. 
 
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.

 

 

Lutheran Social Services Update


LSS Community Care Centers of Southern California 2011 - 5 min
LSS Community Care Centers of Southern California
Christmas Toy Shoppe will be happening again so please start thinking about collecting new toys. Gifts for ages up to 12 years accepted!

We need Brown Bag lunches for the homeless. We are trying to continue services in our reduced capacity and are looking for 4-8 churches to participate. The goal is 50 nutritious bag lunches 4 days per week. More volunteers equals less labor so please contact us for more information!

Thank you for all the wonderful clothing donations! We truly appreciate your continued patience, thoughts and prayers as we continue in our reduced capacity following the fire at our facility.

For more info please visit their website HERE.
 
September Events

International Peace Day
Paths to Just Peace

 

An Interfaith Celebration of International Peace Day Co-Sponsored at Holy Spirit Retreat Center with the Sisters of Social Service, Pax Christi Southern California and Campaign Nonviolence.


 

Sunday, September 21, 2014 

12:30 p.m. - 5 p.m.


 

Keynote Speaker - Kathy Kelly and Interfaith Panel. Come celebrate and learn what paths we might take in order to work toward nonviolent actions promoting a JUST PEACE. 


 

The event is envisioned by the "Muslim and Catholic Women in Conversation". Keynote Speaker - Kathy Kelly is an American peace activist, pacifist and author, one of the founding members of Voices in the Wilderness, and currently a co-coordinator of Voices for Creative Nonviolence. She has traveled to Iraq twenty-six times, notably remaining in combat zones during the early days of both US-Iraq wars. During each of 14 trips to Afghanistan, Kathy Kelly, as an invited guest of the Afghan Peace Volunteers, has lived alongside ordinary Afghan people in a working class neighborhood in Kabul. She and her companions in Voices for Creative Nonviolence believe that "where you stand determines what you see."Interfaith Panel includes:

Salam Al-Marayati, President of Muslim Public Affairs Council
Rabbi Susan Goldberg, Wilshire Boulevard Temple, Los Angeles
Rev. Chris Ponnet, Pastor, Chaplain, and Director of St. Camillus Center
Facilitated by Rt. Rev. Alexei Smith, Ecumenical and Interreligious Officer for the Los Angeles Archdiocese

 

To register: Walk-ins welcome, but reservations requested. Please send name, address, phone and the number attending to:interfaithpeacegarden@gmail.com. Or mail registration to: 

 

Holy Spirit Retreat Center 4316 Lanai Road, Encino, CA 91436. 

 

 

 

LRCC 24th Annual Christian Camp Classic
Golf Tournament

The annual Christian Camp Classic golf tournament is back! Come spend a day on the links at the 24th Annual Christian Camp Classic at Elkins Ranch Golf Course in Fillmore, to benefit El Camino Pines and LRCC.

 

Friday, September 26th.

 

Event Details

Four person best-ball scramble
10:30 AM Check-in
12:30 PM Shotgun start

5:30 PM Banquet dinner

 

Registration Information
Individual Golfer (Sept. 3 - 22) $150

BBQ Dinner only $20

 

 

To register click HERE, print the form and return it with your payment. Make checks payable to "Trinity Lutheran" with "Golf" in the memo and mail to: Christian Camp Classic, c/o Jim Emch, 2060 Knoll Drive Suite 101, Ventura, CA 93003.

 

Registration fees include: green and cart fees, BBQ dinner, gross & net awards, on-course contests and a donation to El Camino Pines. If you register as an individual golfer, you will be placed into a foursome. A golf package will be available for purchase at registration the day of the tournament.

 

For more info email Pastor Glen Egertson
or call him on 661-245-3519. Website HERE

 

Twin Valleys Cluster Fall Gathering
Women of the ELCA

Saturday, September 27th 
9:00am-12:00pm  
15520 Sherman Way, Van Nuys, CA. 

Program includes a presentation on the book of Ruth. Love gifts of hygiene items will be given to LSS.  Offering will be divided between Katie's Fund and our Synodical Women's Organization. 

Reg. is $7.00.  Each church is invited to bring a dish for brunch.

All who are interested in attending should email Vi Reardon or call 818- 353-5563 as soon as possible. 

 

October Events

LSS Walk to End Poverty
LSS HowTo
HowTo Register

At Lake Balboa Park, Pavilion #1, 6300 Balboa Blvd., Van Nuys, CA 91316. (Main entrance is from Balboa Blvd., between Burbank and Victory Blvd.) 


 
Saturday, October 4th.


 
Registration: 9am, start time: 10am. Awards and BBQ at 11 am. 

 

LSS Community Care "Walk to End Poverty" proceeds will go to those living below the poverty line in our community...The hungry, the homeless, the unemployed, the elderly, single mothers and children will all benefit from this event.
 

"5 Wishes" Workshop and Luncheon
Presented by Lutheran Health Ministry in Foothills

 

Lutheran Health Ministry in Foothills presents this informational workshop and luncheon lead by Elsie Ford, RN Sunday, October 5th 11:00am at St. Matthews Lutheran Church, 1920 W. Glenoaks Blvd., Glendale, CA 91201. 


 

Five Wishes is America's most popular living will because it's written in everyday language and helps people express their wishes in areas that matter most- the personal and spiritual in addition to the medical and legal. 

 

Visit www.matthewchurch.com or call 818-842-3138 for more info.


 

Women of the ELCA Convention
An Exciting Weekend Planned!

In addition to conducting convention business, there will be workshops, Bible study (led by Pastor Gretchen), great food, wonderful entertainment, time for fellowship, plus opportunities to shop. 

 

Friday, October 10th - Sunday, October 12th. 

Grand Vista Hotel, 999 Enchanted Way, Simi Valley.


 

Registration Form 

 

Call 805-486-5762.

 

 

New Member Welcome
Welcome to our congregation!

 

On Sunday, October 19th, during our morning worship service, we will receive with open arms the new members of our congregation. 

 

Please mark your calendars and be sure to attend this opportunity to welcome the new members into our church family.

 

Confirmation Dinner
ALC and Salem Confirmation Group

On Sunday, October 19th from 6:30pm-8:00pm, our youth families will join together to honor those from American Lutheran Church and Salem Lutheran Church being confirmed the following Sunday, October 26th. 

May many blessings come to you on your Confirmation Day, graduates!
 
Social Media Corner

September

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: 

 

 

 

Ralphs Community Contribution Program. 

Use your Ralphs Rewards Card to donate money to the church by registering your card, shopping and swiping. 

 

Print out this form and take it with you the next time to you go shopping at Ralphs. The form includes a bar code the cashier will use to register your card. Print this FORM.  

 

You can also register your Ralphs Reward Card online by going to www.ralphs.com, click Sign In, click My Account, click Community Rewards, and complete the information using the Non-Profit Organization number (NPO) # 83675.

 

Click here for a Q & A Sheet.

 

 

  


 
 

Shop on AmazonSmile and choose
American Lutheran Church American Lutheran Church and School
as your charitable organization. 

Amazon will donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases to the church!


 

Until next week!
Gretchen Rexach
Social Media Assistant