1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity

CHRISTUS VICTOR LUTHERAN CHURCH
NOVEMBER 2014
Parish email – cvelca@cableone.net
www.Facebook.com
Parish web site – www.christusvictor.com
Church Council Members
Pastor Susan Montgomery
President – Kerry Neumann
Vice President – Roger Cox
Gail Galle - Council Secretary
Deloris Jones - Council Treasurer
John Biggs
Nancy Edwards
Michael Moriarity
John Brenden
Muriel Swint
PASTOR’S COLUMN
For about the last year we’ve been on our WALK WITH JESUS
…remembering and rejoicing in all of the ways we are thankful to God in our lives.
We’ve put hearts and our heart-felt thanks on the wall; we’ve prayed for a grateful
heart and we’ve thought about and talked about all that God has done for us and
continues to do for us each and every day – whether we think the day’s been
great…or not. We’ve rejoiced over our mission and ministry and put word to deed
by the amount of food that we have sent to Samaritan Ministries and to The Lord is
My Help, by the strangers we have helped as they knock on the door, by the groups
who have used our building to help themselves and to help others. And while we
have done all of these things, we also have continued to be faithful members of
Christus Victor through our donations of time, talents and money.
November is upon us and it is the month when we think about how we are
going to direct our mission and ministry for the new year. Are we going to continue
to encourage everyone, every Sunday to bring in food to feed the hungry? Are we
going to shift our focus this year to disposable diapers or shoes or something else
again entirely? Are we going to begin a prayer journey that directs our focus to one
particular appeal a month – or are we going to continue to simply ask people to pray
for CVLC? We’ve got lots of questions to ask ourselves and now is a good time to
think about where you see God leading our religious community.
November is the month when you are asked to make, to renew, to increase
your financial commitment toward the work of your church. During the course of
this month you will be receiving a series of letters, you will be hearing different
people talk about their love for their church and the reasons why they continue to
support it; during the month of November, you are going to be asked to pray over,
fill out and return your commitment/pledge card for our 2015 fiscal year.
Thanks be to God, we have had the joy and the blessing of operating in the
black for most of the year. But it is only because of your individual support that
this is the case. Without your monetary support, we would be unable to keep the
lights on, the air conditioning going and the mortgage paid. Without your monetary
support there would be no bulletins, no sermons, no outreach or in-reach. Without
your monetary support there would be no CVLC and fifty years would fly away like
a dream.
So, please prayerfully consider what you can do to help your church reach out
to those in spiritual and in practical need for the years to come. Our church needs
all of you – families, individuals, couples – to do as Christ has commanded us. And
supporting the work of your church is an easy and practical way of showing how
important God is in your life.
***
ALL SAINTS SUNDAY – November 2nd.
During worship on Sunday, November 2 we will pause to remember all of those saints who
have joined the church triumphant during the course of the past year. Join us as we sing
and light candles in their memory and remember, too, that God – who is faithful and just
– has welcomed them home to be with him.
***
YOUTH GROUP – Saturday, November 15th
Get your safari hats ready! On Saturday, November 15th CVLC’s youth group will be
boarding a boat and taking a closer look at the environment around us…specifically the
swamp. Perhaps we will see alligators…or crocodiles…or cranes…or fish…or some other
kind of mysterious swamp creature. [Big foot maybe?] Anyway, prepare for fun.
Further details as they develop. See pastor for any questions.
***
ADVENT BEGINS!
Wow…is it possible? The First Sunday in Advent falls on Sunday, November 30 th…with
our first midweek Soup and Salad and Wednesday night worship scheduled for December
3rd. My how the time flies – but there’s always sufficient time to worship God. So make
plans to be at worship every Sunday and every Wednesday! It’s the Advent of our God.
50th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
Get your party hats at the ready…it is no secret that on Sunday, November 9th we
will be thanking God and celebrating CVLC’s 50 years of commitment and service to God
and to our neighbor.
If you have forgotten the schedule here it is:
10:00 Thanksgiving Worship for all God has done for us during the past fifty years.
NOON – We meet at GULF HILLS COUNTRY CLUB. There will be a cash bar there
and an hour for us to mix and mingle and catch up with friends we may not have seen for
a while.
1:00 – Time for lunch! And a chance to continue the conversation.
This is a real thanksgiving celebration – thanks to God for all he has done and continues
to do for CVLC…and thanks that we are able to be faithful.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
50th Anniversary Celebration
There are moments that are so special in time that they only come around
once in a lifetime. Christus Victor has one such event coming up soon - our 50th
Anniversary Celebration on November 9th.
As a committee we have taken steps to contact everyone and anyone; the
event has been in the newspapers, in our newsletters, in our weekly parish
communications. We've contacted past pastors and employees, but we worry
someone may fall through the cracks, so we are asking now for your help too.
Put the date and ticket price information on your own social media websites,
call your friends, make certain they too have a chance to attend this once in a
lifetime event.
We will all gather to celebrate this most remarkable time - Let us all join
together as we worship at our 10am service. There will be special words and
special music as we lift our voices in prayer and thanksgiving. For those who
will be attending the luncheon at Gulf Hills after the service, there will be a
cocktail hour (cash bar) from 12-1 pm prior to the luncheon.
Karen Whitley
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NOVEMBER
WE WALK WITH JESUS AND
WE ARE THANKFUL FOR THE EXCESS WE ENJOY
Are you starting to think about that Thanksgiving turkey (or is it a Thanksgiving ham
around here?) Are you starting to make your list and checking it twice to try and figure out
what your family and friends need – rather than want – to see under the Christmas tree? Are
you starting to make plans for a holiday ski trip or cruise? Well, if you are doing any or all of
these, you are just like a great many other people here in Ocean Springs and all around our great
country. Many of us can afford to buy and go and plan and enjoy – and there is absolutely,
positively nothing wrong with that! Don’t start to feel guilty because your hard work has ended
in monetary success. That’s not what being thankful to God for the excess we enjoy is all
about.
Rather as we WALK WITH JESUS, we come to understand that in our excess we are
meant to share. We are meant to remember that our money, our position, our successes are not
our gods, but rather our God is our God and our God is the source of any success and excess
that we enjoy. There is nothing wrong with enjoying fabulous Christmas gifts; there is nothing
wrong with going on a cruise – but as members of the Jesus-tribe, this would be wrong if we
neglected to share our excess with those who have very little.
As we make our Thanksgiving-Christmas spending plans…lets be sure to include a
special gift to your church, or a special gift to a charity close to your heart, or a special gift to
someone you know that will receive no gift. We are thankful that we are able to participate in
this kind of generosity and we do this because God has gifted us with great bounty, and because
we wish to thank God in ways large or small for all of the gifts he has showered on us during
the course of this past year.
What, you say God has showered you with nothing? That’s impossible! Surely you have
friends; surely you have a church family that prays for you; surely you have a place to live and
food to eat…surely God has gifted you with all of these things. As someone who WALKS
WITH JESUS, you will want to return an offering – return whatever you can – in thanksgiving.
Our WALK WITH JESUS – our desire to give thanks to God for his good gifts - is part
of our discipleship journey…is part of what we do as members of the Jesus tribe. It takes your
efforts – individual and corporate, it takes your money to support the mission and ministry of
your church – of Christus Victor Church – a reality. Thank you for responding with your money
offerings to make our ministry even stronger.
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CHRISTUS VICTOR QUILTERS
The quilters and quilts of Christus Victor will be featured at the Ocean Springs LIbrary beginning November 3rd.
The Quilting Circle meets on the first, third, and fifth Monday of every month from 9-3. Come help us make quilts
that will provide warmth, clothing, and shelter for many people throughout the world. Come early and stay late or
come when you can and leave when you have to. We usually bring a lunch but sometimes a special lunch is
planned. No special talents are needed!! If you can tie a knot, you qualify as a tacker in the overall making of a
quilt. We also need sewers and pinners. There are material and simple directions available if you would like to
sew quilt tops at home. There is always a place for you in the quilting circle.
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PUMPKIN PATCH
The pumpkin patch will not be held at Christus Victor this year. Christus Victor was
notified that the Pumpkin Patch had no driver to deliver the pumpkins as scheduled. The
truck had not been loaded nor had it left for our location. They did not know when they
would have someone to deliver the pumpkins and at this time, they are behind on the
deliveries. Because of the scheduling problems, there was no alternative but to decide not
to hold it this year.
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THE SPOTLIGHT IS ON YOU
By Agnes Nelson
(From The Southeastern Weaver)
Hop on and join us on this trip, as we are off to Ocean Springs, Mississippi, to visit
Christus Victor Lutheran Church. The Women of the ELCA here stay involved in
community activities. They help provide needed supplies for Sue’s House, a
women’s homeless shelter. The entire congregation assists with a weekly food drive
for the Community Food Bank. Christus Victor WELCA members organize an
annual garage sale. Each year it seems to get a bit larger. Some of the proceeds
from this fundraiser help cover costs of the ladies attending cluster events and
synodical conventions.
Twice a month you will find 12-15 members busily engaged in making quilts for
Lutheran World Relief. Lest you think these ladies work all of the time, they make
sure that their group, known as the “Lunch Bunch,” gets out once a month for
lunch and social time together. Way to go! Keep that balance of work and fun.
Thanks for letting us peek in on your congregation.
IF YOU HAVE CHANGED YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS OR
IF YOU HAVE A NEW EMAIL, PLEASE LET THE
OFFICE KNOW SO WE CAN KEEP YOU INFORMED OF
THE MANY ACTIVITIES TO ENJOY AT THE CHURCH.
WHAT DOES WOMEN OF THE ELCA MEAN TO ME?
By Tommie Morgan
(From The Southeastern Weaver)
WoW! What a topic I’ve been assigned! Friendships, Bible studies, quilting, diversity,
inclusion, and sisterhood as just a few ideas that came to mind. I went to my first circle
meeting for all of the wrong reasons – we were new to New Jersey and I had a new baby
– I wanted a night out! God understood and look where I have been! God took me
under His “wings” and let me lear to fly. Zeb got transferred often so we moved across
this wonderful country. We went from New Jersey to Connecticut, then to Texas,
California, Michigan and Louisiana before landing in southern Alabama. Everywhere we
went we found a Lutheran Church, and I found a circle or women’s organization. I now
have Lutheran sisters all across the United States. It all began when someone asked me
to a circle meeting. Who have you invited to your women’s organization. Peace.
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THESE UPCOMING EVENTS:
NOVEMBER 3
– Quilters Install Quilt display at Ocean Springs Library
NOVEMBER 2
November 9
– All Saints’ Sunday
– 50th Anniversary Celebration:
Worship at CVLC and Luncheon
(did you purchase your ticket?) at Gulf Hills Country Club.
November 23
– Commitment Sunday
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SENIORS ON THE GO
November 13 Christmas at Beauvoir-Evelyn Jensen and Billie Sanford
December-18 Christmas Party at Elsa’s - Elsa Wallace
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FOR NOVEMBER
Sara Howell
Ronald Yanik
Linda Swann
Auguste Patterson-Epperson
Joe Pierce
Shannon Moriarty
Nancy Beauchamp
Robert Schabacker
1
1
1
2
2
9
9
10
Kayla Trojanovich
Larry Bearson
Cecelia Demboski
Lynda Richmond
Kathryn Morris
18
23
27
29
30
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PRESCHOOL PART TIME STUDENT REGISTRATION
Christus Victor Lutheran Church Preschool will now be accepting part
time students for both 2 mornings and 3 mornings each week. There
are still openings for full time (5 mornings). For more information,
please contact the Preschool at 2755 Bienville Blvd., Ocean Springs,
(228) 818-5141.
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PRESCHOOL PICTURES WITH SANTA
Preschool is looking for someone who will volunteer his time for
“pictures with Santa” this holiday season. Or, if you have a Santa suit
which you would loan to the Preschool, someone else could play
Santa. Thank you.
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PRESCHOOL PICTURES
A VISIT FROM THE POLICE
LITTLE FIREMEN AT THE FIRE STATION
SENIORS ENJOY LUNCH AT McELROYS AND VISIT THE
SEAFOOD MUSEUM
MRS. EVELYN EDWARD’S 95TH BIRTHDAY PARTY CELEBRATION
HAPPY BIRTHDAY EVELYN AND WISHES FOR MANY, MANY MORE
YEARS OF HAPPINESS
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PSALM 24
Entrance into the Temple
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it,
the world, and those who live in it;
for he has founded it on the seas,
and established it on the rivers.
Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?
And who shall stand in his holy place?
Those who have clean hands and pure hearts,
who do not lift up their souls to what is false,
and do not swear deceitfully.
They will receive blessing from the Lord,
and vindication from the God of their salvation.
Such is the company of those who seek him,
who seek the face of the God of Jacob.
Selah
Lift up your heads, O gates!
And be lifted up, O ancient doors!
That the King of glory may come in.
Who is the King of glory?
The LORD, strong and mighty,
The LORD, mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, O gates!
and be lifted up, O ancient doors!
that the King of glory may come in.
Who is this King of glory?
The Lord of hosts,
He is the King of glory.
Selah
Worship Assistant Schedule for November 2014
Duty/Date
November 2
Food Ministry
Delivery
November 9
November 16
November 23
Samaritan Ministry
Samaritan Ministry
Billie Sanford
Scott Jones
Billie Sanford
Richard Zalonka
November 30
Bread Baker
Muriel Swint
Becky Woodruff
Diane Strother
Kerry Neumann
Sallie Shanahan
Rick Florez
Corrine Florez
Rodney Nichols
Monika Stratakos
Corine Cahan
Jackie Madison
Deloris Jones
Henry Harris
Jim Whitley
Lynda Mustain
Carol Kreppner
Dawna Biggs
Gail Galle
Peggy Zelonka
Charlotte Lee
Haskel Lee
Gail Galle
Michele Thompson
Peggy Zalonka
Roger Cox
Rodney Nichols
Frank Wismer
Joan Wismer
Bob Slater
Haskel Lee
Barry Beckendorff
Ski Pizinski
Larry Pratt
Christa Williams
June Cates
June Cates
June Cates
June Cates
June Cates
Muriel Swint
Billie Sanford
Evelyn Jensen
Kerry Neumann
Andrea Mena
Rick Florez
Corrine Florez
Coffee Host
Tellers
Ushers
Greeter
Altar Guild
Acolytes
Anna Jones
Kay Shanahan
Garrett Jacobs
Sissy Beckendorff,
Tyler Jacobs, Kyle
and Paul Watson,
Calvin Yanik,
Kendall Johnson
Tyler Jacobs
Garrett Jacobs
Elessa Harvey
Caitlin Beckendorff
Stephanie
Beckendorff
Noah Watson
Kyle Watson
Paul Watson
Billie Sanford
Caitlyn Beckendorff
Garrett Jacobs
Anna Jones
Jocelyn Cupps
Andrea Mena
Alicia Yanek
Mark Neumann
Alicia Beckendorff
Henry Harris
The Rev. Dr. Susan
Montgomery
The Rev. Dr. Susan
Montgomery
The Rev. Dr. Susan
Montgmery
Reader
Assisting
Minister
Sara Jones
Sara Beth Jones
Noah Watson
Preacher
The Rev. H. Julian
Gordy, Bishop
Presiding
Minister
The Rev. Dr.
Susan
Montgomery
The Rev. Dr. Susan
Montgomery
If you are unable to volunteer on your assigned day, please call someone who will be able to take
that responsibility for you.