828.684.0352
January 17, 2019
Click for bulletin .
+ noisy offering

This Sunday, January 20th, we are going to make some noise in support of our Pastor’s Discretionary Fund . This fund is in place so that the Pastor can respond to the needs of our members in a timely manner. In the past we have helped those in need of their medication, heat for their homes, and car repairs.
Contact Pastor George or call the Church Office at 684-0352 and let us know!
+ congregation council
CALL COMMITTEE
 The election of our Call Committee will take place on Sunday, January 27th from 8:00AM until 12:30PM We have 11 candidates for the Call Committee and we will be sharing information about each candidate in the week to come. If you will not be at church on the 27th, please request a proxy ballot. These must be eturned  BEFORE  the election on the 27th. We are thankful for the eleven member of the congregation willing to serve in this important capacity. They are (in alphabetical order): 

Kirsten Cooper
Brian Feid
Mike Kestner
Kylie Landolfi
Debbie McGinnis
Andra Nus
Peggy Oehm
Fred Park
Doug Phillips
David Travis
Randy Treiber
BUDGET SURPLUS
Thanks to the faithful and generous giving of the members of Nativity in 2018, and with the departure of our Senior Pastor in August, we ended 2018 with a budget surplus which allow us to start 2019 with the fulfillment of our commitment to Calvary Food Pantry. We are thrilled to announce that the entire $25,000 commitment will be paid by the end of the month , starting our year with an outreach project that will help feed countless members of our community. 
 

For there will never cease to be poor in the land,
Therefore I command you 'You shall open wide your hand to your brother,
to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’
- Deuteronomy 15:11
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
THE ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING  
is scheduled to take place between services on Sunday,
February 24th
This will be an opportunity to review our Annual Report, answer questions and look to the year ahead. We hope you will join us!
Reflections
on the Life of David
A study of King David and his faith will be offered on Wednesday mornings at 10AM. Sessions will be led by Pastor George and are a result of his sabbatical study on the King of Israel. Join us in the choir room. Each session lasts an hour including Q&A.
FAITH FORMATION
Please note that classes WILL NOT meet on Sunday, January 20, but will resume on Sunday, January 27.
Asheville Buncombe County Christian Ministry (ABCCM) is offering tours of its ministry sites on January 30 and 31 from 9AM to 11AM. Transportation will be provided. If you are interested in participating in one of these tours please contact
Pastor George .
What can YOU do to serve your Nativity family?
will be continuously updated, so please check back often!
BLOOD DRIVE
Nativity is hosting a blood drive on Sunday, February 10 from 8:00AM until 1:00PM in the Fellowship Hall. This Sunday there will be an insert that gives you an opportunity to reserve a time for your blood donation. Donors will receive a $10 ingles gift card and the church will also receive a $10 donation. The Blood Connection is the sole provider of blood and blood Products to Pardee Hospital, AdventHeath Hendersonville, Mission Health Systems, and the Veteran’s Administration. Thank you to Sandy Madison for being our coordinator for this event.
SOUPER BOWL of Caring will be held on Sunday, February 3rd. Monetary and food donations will be collected for Calvary Food Pantry. 
Please start stocking up!
Believe it or not, it's time to start thinking about Vacation Bible School at Nativity this summer! The planning stages are beginning and we would love to know how YOU can help! There is something for everyone. Please consider giving of your time and talent for this great time of Faith Formation for the kids of Nativity and our community. Click HERE if you are interested in helping or would like more information. Thanks!
STAFFING CHANGES
It is with deep appreciation for his service that we announce the departure of  Max Hall  as Nativity's Sexton. His many talents have been a blessing to Nativity for the many, many years. Please take a moment to sign the banner for him in the Fellowship Hall between services on Sunday.
We are delighted to announce the return of  Jen Loizzo  as Administrative Assistant to help Nativity during our time of transition, primarily with building use and maintenance, community outreach and our volunteer base. Her knowledge and expertise are truly a gift to the congregation. If you need to contact Jen, her email address is jloizzo@nativityarden.org.
 
Ed Brumley  has joined Nativity as our new Sexton. He is already hard at work around the church as we make updates and repairs. We are thankful to have such a qualified person joining our staff.  
At Calvary Food Pantry, all are welcome!
Ask Heather Neal , Ann Harvey , or Meredith Neal how YOU can get involved!
Peggy Oehm and Heather Neal team up with Calvary member Carol Romine.
Kent Oehm and Don Poole provide carry out service for clients.
Marilyn Brandt of Calvary meets with Nativity liaison Ann Harvey .
The first 2 weeks of 2019 have cleared the several shelves. Needed items: cereal, canned meat, peanut butter, canned chicken & tuna.
Thank you for your participation in this exciting collaborative ministry The pantry is open every Saturday from 8:30AM until 11AM. Join our Nativity crew the first and second Saturdays of the month. Donations of food or supplies are greatly appreciated, or you can let the pantry's specialists do the shopping with your monetary donation. Specially requested items: hot & cold cereals, crunchy peanut butter, canned meat & stew, and hygiene products. To find out more, contact  Ann Harvey at   auntannieh@gmail.com  or (828)774-5102. To volunteer, sign up  online  or at the Welcome Desk in the Fellowship Hall.

G I V I N G    Update

  Your faithful giving contributes 
to our mission of  Making Christ Known .
 For the month of December 2018
Budgeted to receive: $63,619
Actual received: $53,889
Budgeted to spend: $48,162
Actual spent: $42,092

For the December Treasurer's Report please click here .

Thank you for your support of the ministry we share! If you have any questions, please contact our Financial Secretary,
Carrie Dahlberg ,  by clicking    here .
PROPERTY UPDATES

  • The code on the kitchen door will be changing on February 4. If you currently use this as your entrance into the building, please contact Jen Loizzo at 684-0352 x128 or jloizzo@nativityarden.org so you can be given the updated code. 
  • It is time to replace the Coffee Machine in the Fellowship Hall. Quotes for a new coffee machine are being collected. The current quote to replace is $1845 plus tax. We will also be taking the time to spruce up the area around the system before we install.
  • It is also time to replace the ice machine in the kitchen. The current quote for a smaller ice machine (150 pounds) is $460. Our current machine started smoking while running the cleaning process. An estimate for the replacement parts is $750.
Ladies Lunch Bunch
will meet on January 24th at the
Stone Ridge Tavern , 1003 Brevard Rd. in Asheville.  All women are welcome! 
Please contact Nancy Seekamp at 687-8265 or nanseek@charter.net
to reserve your spot.
+ nativity book group
February's book is  The Secret of War  by Terrell T. Garren. It is the story of Joseph Youngblood and Delia Russell of Hooper's Creek in Henderson County during the Civil War. All are welcome to attend. For a list of books for the next six months, click here .
LOVE AS GOD LOVES - UNCONDITIONALLY
is the theme of a One-Day Retreat to be held at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Brevard on Saturday, February 16 (snow date is February 23) beginning at 9:00AM . As God's people, we are called to love one another as we love ourselves, to respect the richness of our diversity, and to build up one another, showing that we are "born of God and know God" (1 John 4:17). God used diversity to create a world that God called good! Through an appreciation of this diversity, we are able to love others and show our love to God. Women of all ages (age 14 and up) are welcome to attend this event. There is a $10 registration fee that covers lunch, snacks, and program materials. Registrations forms are on the bulletin board in the middle of the hallway to your right as you exit the worship area. Registration deadline is February 6. Questions? Contact Linda Blake at
684-8378 or email  LSBlake214@aol.com .
Scripture Readings beginning January 20

Sunday            John 2:1-11
Monday           Isaiah 62:1-5
Tuesday           1 Corinthians 12:1-11
Wednesday     Lamentations 3:22-24
Thursday         Hebrews 13:1-6
Friday             Romans 8:37-39
Saturday         Psalm 36:5-10
TAKING FAITH HOME This weekly devotional handout is also available on the Welcome Desk. "Taking Faith Home" is a production of Milestones Ministry, LLC, and is created by a team led by an ELCA Pastor.
cover story
Fit and faithful
Wellness programs enrich and extend congregations' ministries
Click here for Study Guide.
IN THE EVENT OF
INCLEMENT WEATHER
To check the status of a service or other scheduled events, please visit our website at ww.nativityarden.org  or call the Church Office at 684-0352 for a recorded message. We also post on WLOS. When possible, a special e-news will be sent.
Lutheran Church of the Nativity
2425 Hendersonville Rd. | P. O. Box 208
Arden, North Carolina 28704
www. nativityarden.org | 828.684.0352