The Town Line

Lutheran Town Line Lutheran Church, Alden, New York

Sunday Worship Services November 2014

8:30 and 11:00 am

Sunday School Our Mission 9:45 – 10:45 am “Called to Be a Servant Community”

Gratitude gets us through the hard stuff. To reflect on your blessings is to rehearse God’s accomplishments. To rehearse God’s accomplishments is to discover his heart. To discover his heart is to discover not just good gifts but the Good Giver. Gratitude always leaves us looking at God and away from dread. It does to anxiety what the morning sun does to valley mist. It burns it up. —Max Lucado, You’ll Get Through This

FROM OUR PASTOR Dear Friends, If you have ever struggled in your life when bad things happen to you or someone you love, this month’s book of the Bible is for you! I am sure many of you have heard of the man called Job, who has his own book in the Bible that is 42 chapters long. The book is unique in the Bible, nowhere else do we hear of Satan (the accuser) speaking to God. Satan had the duty of finding fault with people, and one day God lifts up Job as an example of the best human on earth. At the beginning of the book we see what a good man he really is. Every day he not only prays for himself but for his children and makes offering to God on their behalf. This is a man who truly cares about the people God has given him in his life. This is a man who truly is a good man and does his best on earth. But Satan challenges God and tells him that God has “put a fence around him” meaning that God has protected Job from the harshness of reality. Satan believes that if God would allow bad things to happen to Job, Job would not be such a faithful follower of God. So God allows terrible things to happen to Job. You may not realize as you read what happens because it happens so quickly in chapter 1. His entire family and all of his wealth are gone, in the blink of an eye. Job is left alone, and then he loses his health as well. Three friends come to talk to Job and convince him that he must have done something to deserve these terrible things. The book continues in a narrative prose of Job’s friends trying to fix him and Job defending himself. Job and God have a discussion and Job is angry, but God reminds Job that God know and sees things that humans cannot. Eventually there is a “happy ending,” but before the happy ending there is much anger and soul searching for Job. This book helps us face the question: why does God allow evil to happen? It’s important to remember the difference, God did not cause the evil that happened to Job, but God did not stop it either. Why doesn’t God intervene to stop evil? I believe that sometimes God can see things we can’t, that when God allows bad things to happen, it is because God can see things we can’t see. It doesn’t mean we can’t be angry with God or challenge God, as Job does. Job’s book seeks to remind us that we do not know everything, but God does. God will bring us through the challenges, but he will not remove them.

I am not sure if you will enjoy this book, but I do hope that you find comfort and wisdom in it. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask. God’s peace,

Pastor Serena

Sunday School News Operation Christmas Child: We will again be collecting for Operation Christmas Child throughout the month of October. We are asking for donations for the boxes or you can fill a box for a boy or a girl. Monetary donations are always appreciated. Gift Suggestions: Toys such as dolls, toy trucks, stuffed animals, yo-yos jump ropes, balls toys that make noise/light up. School supplies, hygiene items, t-shirts, socks, sunglasses, hair clips, jewelry, flashlights. Top it off with a personal note. DO NOT INCLUDE: used or damaged items, war related items, candy, liquids or lotions, mediations,

Confirmation Sunday. Congratulations to our 9th grade Confirmation class who will be confirmed on Sunday, November 2 @ the 11am worship. Christopher Klein, Willem Kulniszewski, and Jill Peruzzi Please join us that Sunday as we celebrate this rite of passage in their lives.

Indoor drive-in Movie Friday, November 28

6:00 pm How to Train your Dragon 2

Just a reminder for parents that cannot stay for church, there is an Envelope Drop Box near the entrance of the coat room directly across from the Pastor’s Office.

Nursery School News

Our Nursery School Fundraiser continues through November 9th. We are taking orders for Henry’s Christmas candy which will be ready for pick-up on Sunday, December 7

or at your convenience after that date. A Nursery Board member will be in the gathering space on Sundays to assist you.

There will be plenty of activity in our class this month. We’ll be talking about animal families, our own human families, Thanksgiving and Native American Indians. Some of our special activities will include making craft dough numbers, baking “Thankful” cookies and learning an Indian dance. On Thursday, Nov. 13 the Zoo Trunk from the Buffalo Zoo will visit us, bringing along a small zoo animal that

the children can see up close and even touch if they are so inclined. We have two days off this month which are Veterans Day on November 11 and Thanksgiving Day on November 27. We continue to save Campbells products labels/bar codes and redeemable pop cans and bottles which can be left in the Gathering space. We are also saving newspapers, catalogs, magazines and shredded papers which can be left in the green and yellow Abitibi container in the back paving lot. We thank you all for your help. We really do appreciate it. We are still accepting registrations for the 3 and 4 year old children in our Tues. Thurs. morning class. Give Lois a call at 937-7503 or Diana at 937-8222 if you are interested. We would love to hear from you! A Blessed Thanksgiving to everyone from the Nursery School.

Tuesday, November 11 at 12:30 pm here at the Church. Come join us for Bible Study and friendly conversation. Bring a bag lunch. Dessert and drinks will be provided. All Women of Town Line are invited.

The QUILTERS -- will meet every other

Monday during November (11/3, 11/17, then 12/1, etc.) from about 9:15 am until 1:00 pm. Bring your lunch and enjoy good fellowship and conversation. As usual, any non-weather-related

changes to our schedule will be placed in the Sunday bulletin or telephoned to regular attendees. We’ve had a wonderful turnout of ladies recently and are really happy to have them. Please consider joining us as we continue our service to those less fortunate in our community and surrounding area. If you have any questions, please call Lois Stutzman at 683-2782.

Calling all Readers… You can join the

Town Line book club at any time. We meet the 3rd Monday of every month at the Church. Just read the book and join us for lively conversation on the book.

October "The Mermaid Chair" Sue Monk Kidd November "The Book Thief" Markus Zusak December "Skipping Christmas" John Grissam

Please email/call Jeanette Dickinson at: jcdickinson66@yahoo.com or call 681-3966 with any questions

Niagara Lutheran Home Guild meeting.

All women are welcome to join the women of Town Line in attending the Guild meeting on Thursday, November 20th at 11:30 am. Program is “Angels” Devotions with Pastor Serena. If you are interested in going, please let the Church office know. We are in charge of desserts, so plan on making a cake. Thanks

“Ever Thankful Hearts” Wednesday, November 26, 2014 7:00 pm

The Church will be decorated with a Harvest Theme.

THANKOFFERING FOR CHURCH WOMEN We will be collecting Thankoffering donations at the Thanksgiving worship service. This Annual nationwide Thankoffering for women of the ELCA supports many missions and causes of the church. Pick up your box and envelope in the Church narthex.

FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES NEEDED Again we are in need of pumpkins, squash, cabbage, and other Fruits and vegetables as well as canned goods and other items to decorate our chancel area for Thanksgiving. The items used will be shared with food pantries following the services. Bring your donations to the church by Sunday, November 23. A box is located in the gathering area.

Advent Mid-Week Wednesdays starting December 3, 2014

at 10:30 am

Help is needed Sunday, November 30

following the 11am worship service. A light lunch of pizza and pop will be provided for all helpers.

TOWN LINE LUTHERAN CHURCH

MEMORIAL WALKWAY

Now is the time to order your memorial brick(s) in memory

of your loved ones.

Order forms are available at the Church.

Have Questions? Call the Church office.

Memorial Walkway dedication planned for Spring.

Classic & Family Worship Once a month on the 4th Sunday

8:30 am will be a Classic Worship We will bring back some traditions from our past.

11:00 am will be a Family Worship We will have hands on worship experience,

We are collecting Christmas Gifts for families

to be distributed to children and parents

less fortunate than ourselves. Drop them off at the Church before

December 14th A box is located in the Church

gathering area.

YOUTH NEWS…

You are invited to attend

Youth Sunday Nov. 16th @ both services.

There will be a skit sermon, a puppet

children’s message, great music & an

incredible energy from our youth as they

read scripture, lead the liturgy and present

special music by our Creation Youth Choir.

Come & learn about “Our God is an Active God.”

Rehearsal will be Nov 9th 12-2:00 lunch included!

Our HARVEST BASH overnight lock-in @ Harvest House is

coming up on Fri. Nov 21st to 22nd. The cost is $20.

Please sign up on the bulletin board in the

Gathering Space & fill out a registration form if

you haven’t already. We will be raising money for

Harvest House Baby ministries.

If you need scholarship money please see Kate.

ANGELS HELPING HANDS will be in the Fellowship

Hall @ TLLC on Sun. Nov.23rd from 12:00-3:00 for all ages! Come & learn how to make a handmade Christmas

present and enjoy a yummy soup & bread lunch

with homemade desserts! If you have a talent

that you would like to teach please contact Kate

Snyder 668-5610 we’d love to have you!

Our youth will be selling Christmas Wreaths

beginning Nov 9th be sure to order a plain, with a

bow or decorated! Tis the season!

Christmas Caroling for all ages will be Sun. Dec 14th

12-3:00 pm lunch will be provided. Drivers needed!

Come & get into the spirit & brighten someone’s day!

Good as New Sale

A Holiday shopping alternative Why pay retail prices??

Saturday, December 6, 2014 Town Line Lutheran Church

Clothes toys collectables

Books home décor Something for everyone

Something for yourself

Have some great items to sell? Consider renting your own table ($10 fee) or donating items to the YOUTH BOOTH.

Contact Anne Marie Appleby 683-4236 or

pick up a registration form in the Church gathering space.

Christmas Wreaths for sale starting November 9th

Our youth will be selling Christmas Wreaths

Be sure to order a plain, with a bow or decorated!

Tis the season!

Blue Christmas A special worship service

Sunday, December 14 @ 7pm As we prepare to celebrate

Christmas, not all of us are excited and eager. Grief, illness, aging,

depression, loneliness, unemployment, and loss are magnified during this

season. This special worship service is a chance for anyone struggling to gather for prayer, songs, and

lighting of candles as we bring to God our struggles and hear of God's loving promises to us.

Invite your friends, everyone is welcome.

Attention Thrivent Members: Your assistance is requested in our annual duty to elect next year’s Chapter Board. Please contact Barbara Sims to obtain a ballot. You can reach me by call or text at 716-683-3134 or email at mnbsims@yahoo.com. Ballots are to be completed and returned to me before November 13th. I thank you for your attention to this matter.

Fall Clean up We are doing a Fall Church Clean up

Saturday, November 1st from 9 am – noon. We would love to see many TLLC members, working along with Church Council members.

We will work inside and out. Hope to see you there!

Sign up in the Gathering area if you can help.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

Thank you to Randy and Jacob Stanek for helping Ann, with her work and waxing a floor over the summer.

We send our best wishes to long time members Gordon and Judy Griffith as they move to Virginia. Their new address: 119 Reserve way Apt. 408 Williamsburg, VA 23185

Church Cancellation: Due to inclement weather (hopefully not too soon) please check Channel 2 for Town Line Lutheran Church closings. During the winter months please use caution in the parking lot and sidewalks as conditions can become slippery.

Town Line Lutheran Annual Congregational Meeting

RESCHEDULED FOR Sunday, November 16th at 12:15 pm

Our Annual Congregational meeting was scheduled for Sunday, October 19 - 12:15 pm. Unfortunately we did not have a quorum. (12% of our active members) so the meeting was rescheduled to Sunday, November 16th at 12:15 pm in the Church Sanctuary.

The Annual meeting is held once a year on the 3rd Sunday of October and includes reports of all organizations and treasurers; and the yearly budget of the Church. It is the day we elect Church Council members: the decision makers of the Church and its future.

We encourage all members of the Church to attend this important organizational meeting of our Church.

If you are interested in running for our Church council, to serve God and help guide your church into the future, let Diane know in the Church office.

Copies of the Annual report are available in the church Gathering Space.

The Town Line Lutheran Newsletter In order to help us cut costs and also waste less of our world's precious resources, we will not be mailing the newsletter to your door. Here are your choices on how you can get your newsletter:

1. Email: drop an email to Diane at the office to receive your newsletter electronically. The church email is townlinetllc@aol.com.

2. Pick up paper copy at church: Paper copies of the newsletter will be available for you to take home the last Sunday of every month.

3. Download from the church website: www.townlinelutheran.com

4. If none of the above work we can mail it to your home

If you wish to advertise in the newsletter, please drop off or email your articles by the 15th of any given month.

If you have a change of address or phone number, please email the Church and let us know

Email addresses are needed: If you would like to have your email added so we can contact you in this way, please email the Church: Townlinetllc@aol.com.

Check out our website at www.Townlinelutheran.com

We are also on Facebook, so friend us!

Church Council 2013-2014 President John Wild 716-937-8894 Vice President Mark Casell 716-983-2468 Secretary Elli DeFilippo 716-937-7953 Treasurer Susan Angielczyk 716-937-8911 Financial Secretary Michael Dewitt 716-937-3453 Benevolence Treasurer Barbara Sims 716-683-3134 Trustees: David Luderman 716-481-8319 Craig Sims 716-491-1911 Deacons: Harry Mandris 716-937-0322 Robin Gilbert 716-810-2719 Music and Worship: Edie Sims 716-207-0390 Parish Education: Janet Klein 716-870-5109

Church Staff Information Ministers: All the People of God in this place Pastor: The Rev. Serena Mollenkopf-Grill Cell: 716-510-2939 Email: pastorserena@gmail.com Pastor Emeritus: The Rev. Merlin H. Knauff (retired) Church Council President: John Wild Phone: 937-8894 Visitation Pastor: The Rev. Charles Biegner Jr. Secretary: Diane Casell Office: 684-1467 Sexton: Ann Stanek Music Director: Kate Snyder: 668-5610 Nursery School: Lois Stutzman

Church Office Days Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday

If you need assistance outside of these office days, Call Diane 716-713-3149 or Pastor Serena 716-510-2939

Thanks for your cooperation.

Facts and Figures Sunday Attendance Offerings October 5 175 $4,736 October 12 127 $4,564 October 19 141 $3,504 Needed Weekly $4,523

Worship Assistants for November

Ushers Early Service Late Service

Bryce Blair Ron Peebles Jeweliet Phillips Harold Bowen Howard Randall Richard Noel Jack Sturdivant Mark Casell A 2015 Usher list is coming. Please let the church office know if you do not plan on continuing with the ushers or if you are in need of any changes in teams or scheduling. New ushers are needed. Please consider this important service to your church!

Acolytes Early Late 2 Victoria Wild Becky Kron Erin Bliemeister Anna Jegierski 9 Riley Streit Paige Jegierski Samantha Wild Jon Mollenkopf-Grill 16 Erin Bliemeister Ali Reiner Josie Wild Haley Tyburski 23 Roger Hofmeier Justin Mason Chris Klein Laura Mollenkopf-Grill 30 Adam Dulski Anna Jegierski Samantha Wild Tony Muscoreil

Communion Set –Up 2 Robin Gilbert 8:30 am 9 Charles Turner 11:00 am 16 Elli DeFilippo 8:30 am 23 Mark and Jody Reddy 11:00 am

Altar Flower Delivery 2 Elli Donnelly 9 Annette Fitscher 16 Lorraine Zink 23 Diane Lechowicz 30 Elli Donnelly

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED in all the above ministries. Call the Church office if you would like to help!

Rides are needed to Church on Sunday mornings.

If you can help call the church office.

November Wedding Anniversaries November 13 32 years Carol and Peter Subsara November 14 55 years Elaine and Robert Koch November 19 31 years Doris and Christopher Whittingham November 21 61 years Joyce and Raymond Kalle November 26 48 years Sharon and Charles Holcomb Did we miss your special Anniversary? (10, 20, 25 or over 30 years) If so, please let us know at the Church office.

Official Acts

Baptisms October 5, 2014 Emma Rose, daughter of Thomas and Kelly Uebelhoer October 5, 2014 Brooke Ella, daughter of Ryan and Crystal Anthony. October 19, 2014 Charlotte Corey, daughter of Kimberly and Philip Moe

Wedding October 10, 2014 Amanda Haniszewski and Kevin Nowakowski

In Sympathy Our sincere sympathy is extended to the family of Elmer Sagerman on his death, October 10th. A funeral service was held at Town Line on October 14, 2014

Memorials

To the Quilter fund in memory of Gloria Richter by the Kalle and Arnott families.

To the Memorial fund in memory of Elmer Sagerman by Virginia Greenawalt Jim and Tina Marie Ramey Eileen James and Sandra Ewert Diane Wenham Norman and Pricilla Glowka William Riedel Florence Doran Curtis and Joyce Chace

NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS 1 Lisa McKibben 1 Claire Arnott 2 Rosemary Freed 2 Elizabeth Ball 2 Kyle Kohl 3 Rev. Merlin Knauff 2 Nathan Turner 3 Nolan Bonning 4 Adam Stevenson 6 Ann Heinrich 6 Heather Dzimian 7 Andrea Frey 7 Sydney Sims 8 Barbara Sims 8 Jason Strang 9 Julie Skubis 9 Daulton Mason 9 Beth Quenzler 10 Sarah Gwarek 10 Grace Noel 11 Ruth Ives 11 Von Forst Kramer 11 Alison Daucher 13 Kourtney Dulski 13 William Green 13 Brooke Klein 13 Kaylee Kendall

14 Shirley Huehn 14 Amy Suphankomut 16 Linsey Erny 16 Diana Huber 17 Von Forst Kramer IV 17 Edward Reich 18 Cyndi Lemke 18 Ryker Manchester 19 James Macken 19 Richard Noel 19 Josephine Wild 20 Diane Baehre 20 Michael Randall 20 Delaina Blair 21 Shawn Zima 23 James Wilckens 24 Nancy Arndt 24 David Noel 25 Timothy Bowen 25 William Dabb 25 Edythann Sims 25 Benjamin Wild 25 Shirley Nedell 25 Christopher Kendall 27 Hayley Tyburski 27 Taylor Tyburski 30 Maryjane Heinrich Did we miss your Birthday? If so, please call us at the Church office, 684-1467.

TOWN LINE LUTHERAN CHURCH Town Line Road Alden, New York 14004-9590 A member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America ELCA.org Living in God’s Amazing Grace

Church office: 716-684-1467 Church Fax: 716-683-1664 Pastor: The Rev. Serena Mollenkopf-Grill Cell: 716-510-2939 Email: pastorserena@gmail.com Pastor Emeritus: The Rev. Merlin H. Knauff (retired) Church Email - Townlinetllc@aol.com Church Website: www.Townlinelutheran.com

How can you help others or get help? Here are a few local agencies Alden Pantry collection You can bring items for the Alden Food pantry to church any Sunday. There is a blue box located in the Coat room.

Alden Meals on Wheels is in need of volunteers. Call 937-7105 for more information

Hearts and Hands “Faith in Action” A Neighbor helping neighbor” volunteer program Call: 542-2226 www.heartsandhandsfia.org

Ronald McDonald House Charities Become a friend of Ronald: Find us on Facebook.

Suicide Bereavement support For immediate help/support call 24 hours a day: (585)202-2783 Erie County Crisis Services (716)834-3131 Lutheran Charities www.wnylutherancharities.org 716-632-2623

Alzheimer’s Association of WNY 24/7 Helpline 1-800-272-3900 Program.wny@alz.org 2805 Wehrle Dr Suite 6 Williamsville, NY 14221

Hospice Buffalo 225 Como Park Cheektowaga, NY 14227 716-686-1900 Essential Care for Children, a program of Home Care Buffalo 225 Como Park Boulevard Cheektowaga, NY 142270-1480 (716) 686-8006 Caring Hearts Perinatal Program 150 Bennett Road Cheektowaga, NY 14227 (716) 359-8056 Life Transitions Center, Inc. The Mary & Ralph C. Wilson Counseling Center 150 Bennett Road Cheektowaga, NY 14221-1480 Phone: (716) 836-6460 Caring Hearts Home Care 892 Main Street Buffalo, NY 14202 (716) 686-8300