Union Lutheran Church

Messenger

The Rev. David W. Nuottila - Pastor 704-636-5092 - ulcpastor@att.net

November at a Glance November 1 - All Saints Day

YOU Church / K.I.D.S.

Game Night

November 3 - Women’s Circles

Property Committee

November 8 - Union Women’s Sunday

Covered Dish (Pat Miller)

November 9 - Evangelism Committee

November 12 - Good Timers

Stewardship Committee

November 15 - YOUth Music Rehearsals

G.I.F.T. Group

YOU Church / K.I.D.S.

Game Night

November 21 - Great Rake

November 22 - Christ the King Sunday

November 25 - Thanksgiving Worship

November 29 - 1st Sunday of Advent

Union Lutheran Church is a congregation of the North American Lutheran Church Christ Centered - Mission Driven - Traditionally Grounded - Congregationally Focused

November 2015 4770 Bringle Ferry Rd. Salisbury, NC 28146 www.ulcsalisbury.org

Weekly Worship Schedule

Sunday 9:30 a.m. - Sunday School for All Ages

10:30 a.m. - Traditional Worship

Wednesday 11:00 a.m. - Mid week Prayer

with Holy Communion

Christian Education

Sunday - 3:00 p.m. - Catechetical Instruction

Monday 10:00 a.m. - Bible Study

Monday 7:00 p.m. - Bible study

Here in God’s world, good things happen each and

every day. Through no power of ours, rain falls

upon crops so that people might be fed. Sunshine

warms those who are cold. Flowers bloom

providing beauty. Waters teem with fish and trees

bear fruit of every kind in their season. All of

Creation sings to the glory of our God! Everything

we could possibly need for life on earth, God has

provided.

Looking through the window of my office

today, I can see leaves, once green now

turned red, yellow or brown. They are

falling from the trees to the ground where

they will become either a warm blanket for

tiny creatures, or nutrients for plants that

provide food and shelter for the animals of

the ground and birds of the air. In all of

this, acorns are falling faster than the

squirrels can gather them into their dens.

Certainly the autumn season is a beautiful

time, a time which proclaims the wonders of God’s

good Creation.

Seeing all of these things, it amazes me how

Christians can recognize the abundant care God

provides for the animals and birds, yet we all too

often fail to recognize God’s abundant care for his

people and his Church. With the turning of the

leaves and the falling of the temperature, autumn

also ushers in feelings of scarcity and feelings of

doubt. The picture of the autumn season soon

becomes clouded with the season of the church

budget.

At this time of year, committee and congregation

meetings are called and centered upon forming a

plan for the year to come. Emphasis is placed

upon the worries associated with bank accounts,

monthly checks and stagnant income. It is of little

wonder that, as we focus on these things, suddenly

the joy of understanding God’s provision seems

overcome hesitation, anxiousness and worry.

“How will we pay for that?” “Where will the

money come from?” “What can we cut?” These

are all questions that are asked by so many

congregations. They are questions asked with the

presumption that we human beings actually have

ownership of God’s possessions. The funny thing

is, as we look for those items to trim from budgets,

in so many instances, the elements of our worship

are the first to be offered to the budget axe.

“Maybe we could use less paper for the

bulletin.” “What if we spend less on

communion wine?” “Do we really need

new choir music?”

When we express worry concerning that

which God provides, we open the door for

sin, doubt and the devil to come into our

midst where they attempt to lead us away

from God. The devil knows that he can

challenge our faith and confidence in God

to provide what we need in abundance.

The devil knows that we have a weakness when it

comes to our treasure. God knows this as well and

that is why his Son Jesus Christ teaches us that we

need not worry. The evidence he provides comes

in such a simple way; “Look at the birds of the

air…consider the lilies of the fields.”

People of God, we have God’s promise that he will

provide all that we need to do his mission and

ministry. The evidence is overwhelming; just look

out the window. God cares so deeply for the

beauty of the earth. Will he not care much more

deeply for those whom he has called to light for

the world? Yes! He will, forever and ever!

Grace to you and peace,

Pastor David Nuottila

by Pastor David Nuottila Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'

For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek

first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Matthew 6:31-33

Join us for our annual

Community Thanksgiving Eve Worship

November 25, 2015

Service begins at 7:00 p.m.

Fellowship in the Dutch Meeting Hall

immediately following worship.

Invite your friends and neighbors to join

us as we offer thanks to God.

Candlelight Prayer and Worship

Join your Church family for a peaceful

and prayerful journey into the advent

season.

A candlelight service of Worship and

Prayer will be held in the Dutch Meeting

Hall on Sunday, November 29

beginning at 5:30 p.m.

All are invited to worship and encouraged

to invite friends and neighbors, that we

may lift up our prayers to God in heaven.

Anyone who would like to serve as a

reader or acolyte may contact

Pastor David.

The Season of Advent

Believe it or not, the last Sunday of November

is the first Sunday of Advent, the season in which

God’s people make ready for the Lord Jesus

Christ to come in glory and take his people unto

himself.

Advent is also the time when we prepare our

hearts and minds to receive once more, the prom-

ise and hope brought to God’s people upon the

birth of the Christ child in Bethlehem.

Advent is a time of renewal, a time of repent-

ance and a time to strengthen one’s commitment

to following our Lord Jesus. Some reading this

newsletter may be wondering how to reconnect

with the Church, others might be struggling

against difficulties that have become roadblocks

to faith. Advent is a time when such issues are

met.

John the Baptist calls all of God’s people to

prepare their hearts and minds, making the path-

way straight that leads the way to the Lord of

Lords.

The entire family of Union is encouraged to

renew its commitment to faithful living, weekly

worship, and fellowship among the saints. The

theme for Advent is patiently and actively

waiting while preparing for the coming Messiah.

May we do these things together in the presence

of God and the company of one another.

Congratulations Sarah and Justin

Justin Goodman and Sarah Clifton have completed

their confirmation instruction and were confirmed

on Sunday, October 25, through affirmation of

their Baptism. Please keep these two YOUth

members in prayer as they continue to grow in

Mission Driven

In accordance with the NALC’s call to form

congregational teams with an emphasis on

church mission, a few of our members have

become the first members of Union’s Mission

Team.

Judy Boyd, Eric Brady, Janie Leslie, and

Vicki Peeler will be meeting with Pastor David

for prayer, Scripture reading and discerning

God’s call concerning the missional aspect of

our shared ministry.

The Mission Team is not a committee and it

is not a group tasked with making decisions The

Mission Team is simply a group devoted to

hearing the whispers of the Holy Spirit as God

calls us to extend the gospel of Jesus Christ into

the world.

The Mission Team will share ideas, encour-

age others and connect with other congregational

Mission Teams so that our congregation might

truly become one that is MISSION DRIVEN.

Worship Opportunities

The following is a list of worship dates with

special emphasis. As always, you are encour-

aged to invite your friends and neighbors to join

us as we worship together.

November 1 - All Saints Day 10:30 a.m.

Lighting candles to remember those who have

recently entered the Church Triumphant

Nov 8 - Union Women’s Sunday 10:30 a.m.

Celebrating and honoring the contributions of

the Women of Union Lutheran Church

Nov 22 - Christ the King 10:30 a.m.

The final Sunday of the Liturgical Church

calendar

Wed, Nov 25 - Thanksgiving Eve 7:00 p.m.

Ecumenical Community Worship / Fellowship

Nov 29 - 1st Sunday of Advent 10:30 a.m.

Candlelight Prayer - 5:30 p.m.

Annual Advent Ball

The YOUth of Union Lutheran

Church in grades 6-12 and their

friends are invited to an evening of

Music, Food and Fun as we

anticipate once more the coming of

our Lord Jesus Christ.

This year’s YOUth Advent Ball will be held on

Friday, December 11, 2015 in the Dutch Meeting

Hall beginning at 7:00 p.m.

YOUth groups from several congregations are

also invited to attend and celebrate with us the joy

and anticipation of this season.

At the conclusion of the Advent Ball, Union’s

YOUth are invited to remain for a LOCK-IN until

9:00 a.m. Saturday, Dec 12.

September 21, 2015

Pastor David Nuottila

Union Lutheran Church

Dear Pastor David,

I greet you and your congregation in the name of Jesus Christ who is our Lord and Redeemer. Words cannot

fully express the joy that is in my heart and in the hearts of your Christian brothers and sisters of the Lutheran

Church of Congo DRC, for your recent visit and mission work among us. Thank you from the bottom of my

heart for all you have done for us. And Many thanks to the saint at Union Lutheran Church for making your

visit and work among us possible.

Before coming to Congo you probably had in mind a few specific things you would do to serve the Church

during your mission trip. I am sure, however, that while here you came across so many other ministry

opportunities and served in many other ways you did not anticipate. Through your Christ-like presence and

ministry among us, and through your teaching, preaching, serving meals to orphans, blessing our farming

project, giving eye glasses to those in need and ministering in various circumstances, you witnessed to the

Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you for that witness! To my amazement and great joy, you also connected with

people as if you had been to Congo several times before. With this, you taught our leaders how to be a mis-

sionary of the gospel.

As you and Pastor Kalonji experienced, our country is plagued by hardships that are not always easy to

describe. One has to see in order to fully understand what it means to live and minister in Congo. In these

hardships, however, the people are hungering for the gospel of Jesus Christ and our leaders crave training so

they can become better equipped and more effective in proclaiming the Lord Jesus Christ. I invite you to

come back as soon as you can and pray that your congregation, other congregations of the NALC and our

American Christian brothers and sisters will support our work, especially the training of leaders, the feeding of

orphaned children and our farming project. May our heavenly Father keep on blessing you and all the

members of Union Lutheran Church!

Service projects during October for the Sonshine

Kids included decorating pumpkins for our church

family members who are residents of Autumn Care.

Judy Boyd and Pastor David delivered pumpkins to

Zarah Plyler and Mildred Kesler, both of whom

loved them very much.

The following story accompanied the pumpkins that

were delivered.

Being a Pumpkin

A woman was asked by a co-worker, “What is it like to be a Christian?” The co-worker replied, “It’s like

being a pumpkin. God picks you from the patch, brings you in and washes the dirt off of you. Then he cuts

off the top and scoops out all the yucky stuff. He removes the seeds of doubt, hate and greed. Then he carves

you a new smiling face and puts his light inside of you to shine for all the world to see.”

The kids also assembled and sent a care package to Jenna Cauble who is currently serving in the United Sates

Marine Corps. Please keep Jenna and all of our service men and women in your prayers.

The Great Rake

It’s that time again, time to get

out your rakes and leaf

blowers and help out with the

Great Rake! Join other

members of the Union Church

Family and members of our

scout troop as we help out

those who need a hand raking

up leaves and clearing branch-

es and such from their lawns.

The Great Rake takes place this

year on Saturday, November 21

beginning at 9:00 a.m. We will

meet at the church, divide up

into groups and head out to the

homes of members who need

assistance. Lunch at the church

will be provided.

Come join the fun and help out

by showing the love of Christ

through the work of your hands!

MISSION Accomplished

YOUth members of Union’s K.I.D.S. and YOU

Church participated in Rowan Helping Ministry’s

annual “Trick-Or-Treat so Others Can Eat”

project. The YOUth member distributed grocery

bags within our congregation and throughout the

Cardinal Village neighborhood near Rockwell to

be filled with non-

perishable food items for

the local pantry.

The following week,

bags were collected and

food items taken to Rowan

Helping Ministries. The

total weight of food

donations came to over

400 pounds!

Thank you to everyone who participated by do-

nating food. Thank you especially to the YOUth

members of K.I.D.S. and YOU Church! Together

you helped others by feeding the hungry and

showing them the love of Christ.

The Good Timers met on October 8th. Ruby

Leazer opened with devotions entitled “Humanity,

Humility and Humble.”

The group then carpooled to The Laurels and

had a very nice visit with Pastor C.P. Fisher to

help celebrate his 97th birthday. Following that

visit, the group then traveled to Oak Park

Retirement Center and visited with several of the

residents there.

The activities director, Karen Leonard and a

very nice man named Cliff provided a tour. The

center served a delicious meal and we sang the

Benediction for our blessing led by Tonya Brittain.

Our next meeting will be held on November 12

with Shonna Lanning Black giving the program.

For lunch we will go to The Lakeside Restaurant

(formerly known as Jimmy’s Lakeside

Restaurant).

Union Women

Rejoice in the Lord and give thanks.

We will celebrate Union Women’s Sunday on No-

vember 8th. It’s our day to “shine” and be recog-

nized for all the ways we serve the church, com-

munity and world. I will be delivering a message

on Union Women, Past, Present and Future. We

need your talents in the choir to sing our Union

Women anthem. You will not want to miss it.

Officers for 2016 are in place as all officers from

2015 have agreed to serve on more year, with the

exception of Daisy Martin. She will not be able to

serve as secretary. We thank Daisy for her service.

Janie Leslie will be our secretary for 2016.

Officers are as follows: President; Cathy Kluttz

Painther, Vice President; Lynn Coughenour,

Secretary; Janie Leslie, Treasurer; Anna Harrelson.

The Bi-Annual meeting of Union Women will be

held on December 13 at 3:00 p.m. Officers for

2016 will be installed at this meeting. The Mary

and Martha group will have the program and re-

freshments will follow. You are asked to bring

snacks (preferably Christmas cookies or treats).

In Christ’s service,

Cathy Kluttz Painther

Thanks and Appreciation

To Union Lutheran Church feeding Group #2 and

helpers:

During a time like this we realize how much

our church family, friends and relatives really

mean to us. Thank you so much for the abundance

of delicious food offered at the family meal. Our

family is large and your efforts are greatly appre-

ciated. Even more, we are grateful for your pray-

ers, support and care. Your expression of sympa-

thy will always be remembered.

The Family of Ola Mae Cauble

To my church family,

I would like to thank all for the cards, flowers,

visits and food given to me during my recent knee

replacement surgery and recovery. A special

thanks to the members of “Game Night” who came

to Brian Center and played cards with me. It is

those little things that make you appreciate your

church family and their ability to share Christ’s

love.

In Christian love,

Grace Morgan

On Sunday, November 8 following our service

of worship, the congregation will honor Patty Sue

Miller, giving thanks for her many years as our

church organist. Please bring your favorite

dishes to enjoy and share. Anyone desiring to

contribute to a gift for Pat should place it in a

pew envelop and mark it “Organist Gift.”

Thank you Pat for sharing your music and your

faith with us!

4 - Kathleen Agner

Phoebe Nunn

5 - Ruth Goodman

Phil Cauble

6 - Janice Goodman

Evan Misenheimer

7 - Whitney Arey

Justin Goodman

Sharon Leazer

9 - Sarah Bame

Masyn Burgess

11 - David Holshouser

12 - Patty Miller

13 - Thad Mulkey

Effie Vellines

15 - Rachel Nuottila

17 - Dickie shue

18 - Brett Mulkey

Jim Brady

19 - Sue Chambers

20 - Tom Cole

27 - Betty Goodwin

Diane Jones

29 - Charles Huffman

Deena Lanning

1 - Larry and Karen Barringer

2 - Dusty and Lisa Morgan

13 - Wade and Ruby Leazer

17 - Luther and Lauren Lyerly

29 - Charles and Kackie Frick

Tex and Patsy Lyerly

Worship Assistants for November

Acolyte / Crucifer Nov 1 Ethan Wilhelm / Vicki Peeler

Nov 8 Ethan Wilhelm / Vicki Peeler

Nov 15 Justin Goodman / Jeff Parker

Nov 22 Justin Goodman / Jeff Parker

Nov 29 Alex Miller / Jeff Parker

Communion Assistants Nov 1 Angela Nuottila / Doris Shepherd

Nov 15 Gladys Morgan / Eddie Morgan

Nov 22 Sabrina Eagle / Sonya Mulkey

Lay Readers Nov 1 Wayne Vellines

Nov 8 Deena Lanning

Nov 15 Jimmie Earnhardt

Nov 22 Cameron Lambert

Nov 29 Roy Zimmerman

Ushers Linda Cauble (HU) Brenda Cauble

Faye Kesler Doris Page Doris Shepherd

Union Women’s Sunday

We invite you come worship with us on

November 8 as we recognize the ministry of Union

Women of the NALC. Members of the various

women’s circles will be leading worship and

Union women’s President Cathy Painther will give

the message for the day. Come and support the

women of our congregation who do so much for

others though their mission projects.

Just for Fun!