Discover
YOUR FAITH.
Live
Grow
IN COMMUNITY.
GOD’S MISSION.
DEEPER WITH CHRIST VOLUME 4 ISSUE 1 2017
Discover. Grow. L i v e.
GoDeeperWithChrist.org
HOLY COMFORTER LUTHERAN CHURCH 1901 WOODLAND HILLS DRIVE - KINGWOOD, TX - 281.358.6500 - GODEEPERWITHCHRIST.ORG - FACEBOOK.COM/HOLYCOMFORTERLUTHERAN www.godeeperwithchrist.org 1
PASTOR’S MESSAGE Greetings brothers and sisters in Christ— What’s the most important thing we can teach the children in our lives? Perhaps it’s something that will lead to a promising career making possible a higher standard of living. Maybe it has something to do with music, arts, creativity and the ability to see problems and solutions in ways that others do not. We might think of what can be learned through sports: teamwork, a competitive spirit, and how to be physically fit. While all of these are wonderful answers, what about teaching our kids a framework for understanding all of life, a single system that connects everything and everyone to a creator God whose love is the source of energy behind it all? What about giving our kids the security of a lifelong relationship with this God whose desire is to bless our lives, the lives of others, and all of creation? How about embedding in our kids a relationship with Jesus so that this love might be known and felt in the best and worst of times? Is it safe to say that this kind of foundation is the most important thing we can teach our kids because of how this wisdom gets multiplied through all aspects of our lives and the world? Parents, adults, teachers, coaches, and mentors instill the most important things ever to be learned: that God is love and that God intends to bless us just as God calls us to be a blessing everywhere we go. It is our calling to live into that reality and responsibility as believers of Jesus Christ and workers in God’s kingdom. Martin Luther wrote that there is no greater call for a parent than to raise their child in faith. Luther also expanded this belief to include that the call of all children of God, through their baptismal promises, is to evangelize by sharing their faith with others. This sharing begins with the telling of our stories in and of the faith with those whom God places in our paths and in our lives. We are a people who live life in light of God’s unconditional love for all. This is a church where everyone is welcome and invited, encouraged and equipped to go deeper with Christ. This is a place where we practice here what God will have us do within our communities, our workplaces, schools, neighborhoods, families, etc. We are a people with a clear message of a loving God, who goes to extreme measures to be right with His people including the giving of His Son as model and Messiah, and gives the church a clear mission: Go and Make Disciples. The mission to go and make disciples means to share the good news of God’s love in Christ through our contact and connection with others. Peace,
Discover your Faith Grow in Community Live God’s Mission
Discover
TABLE OF CONTENTS
[page 4] Worship & Music Ministry [page 5] Faith Story: Prayer Beads
Grow
[page 6] Blood Drive [page 7] Stewardship Team [page 7] Primetimers [page 7] Early Childhood Education [page 8] Praise Walkers [page 9] First Place 4 Health [page 9] Women of the ELCA
Live
[page 9] Sandwich Sunday [page 9] God’s Work. Our Hands [page 10] Gathering Place [page 11] Second Family Care Team [page 11] Water 2 Thrive [page 13] Kid’s Hope
Associate Pastor’s Message
[page 14] Statistical Report [page 15] Council Retreat
[page 10]
GO! GO! is a quarterly magazine produced and published by the members of HCLC. The content of this magazine is intended to be shared. It is designed by Michelle Palmer and printed by PostNet - Kingwood. Editor’s Note: For article and photo submission, please contact Pam MacNaughton at 281.358.6500 or pam@godeeperwithchrist.org.
www.godeeperwithchrist.org
3
Faith Story:
s d a e B r e y a r P
After years of being involved in church life, you might think it wouldn’t have surprised me to find that the Holy Spirit had been at work again … but it did. That’s how it was with my latest creative efforts – prayer beads. I was first introduced to praying with beads during a small group study a couple years ago. It was suggested that if you have trouble staying on track while praying, holding and using a strand of beads might be helpful. Well, already being “into” beading – making bracelets, necklaces and such – and liking color, shape, texture, and creating with my hands, this sounded an instant call to me. In order to find out more about prayer beads, I visited my old friend Google and discovered several books and many articles about praying with beads. Miriam Webster tells us the word “bead” has its origins in Old English “biddan,” to entreat or pray and Middle English “bede,” or “prayer.” Beads have been used in some form or another since perhaps the 8th century B.C.E. Today “praying with beads” has become popular beyond the Catholic Church’s use of the rosary, and many new styles of prayer beads have been created. With these things in mind, and my love of crafting, I began to create the type I make today – a simple strand of colorful, differently-shaped beads with a Christian symbol of some sort at one end. Each bead can be something new to ask or tell God or simply a time for listening for an answer, and you can revisit the length of the strand as many times as necessary to complete your “conversation” with God. I carry one in my pocket all the time and have found that having them there makes it easy to “send thoughts and prayers on to God” as they enter my head. Just brushing my pocket and feeling the beads is a constant reminder that God is always with me. After I had given away most of the first batch I made, I decided it was time to gather supplies and create more. At that point in time, I was still thinking of this whole thing as a great crafting experience. I sent some to friends in Canada, England, and South Africa. Many were given to family members around the country, and one of my walking friends took 30 strands to give to people at her church and to her daughters and granddaughters. Pastor Amy took some to Peru, and people at Holy Comforter began choosing some, too. At Synod Assembly last May, over 600 strands of prayer beads were enthusiastically gobbled up by the 200+ attendees. There is a basket of prayer beads in the waiting room of our doctor’s office, and the nurses there have told me that patients repeatedly comment about how meaningful the beads are to them. And I received a grateful hug from a cashier at Lowe’s whose tale of woe as we were checking out prompted a trip to the car to bring beads for her and her family. Well, somewhere among all this crafting and giving and hearing how meaningful the beads are to others, the message FINALLY got through to me. Making and giving away prayer beads is not just something to do because I like creating, rather it is something I have been called to do by the Holy Spirit. “‘Prayers in My Pocket’ a Prayer Bead Ministry” is my attempt to answer that call. Beads are available to all; please ask any time. It is my wish that each strand of beads may be a meaningful addition to someone’s prayer life. Linda Utecht
Going deeper in faith, service, & relationships Worship & Music Ministry in 2017 Gloria Dei Choir getting ready to rehearse DISCOVER YOUR FAITH Throughout 2017, when you see this logo in our worship folders or in GO! Magazine or on slides in the narthex or … wherever! there will be something of note about our history and/or ongoing renewal in Christ. 2017 marks 500 years - a half-millennium! – since the beginning of the Lutheran Reformation. “Freed and Renewed in Christ” is the theme used by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s (ELCA) churchwide organization in its observance of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation that began with the 95 theses that Martin Luther (1483-1546) first made public on October 31, 1517. “500 Years of God’s Grace in Action” is a tagline that has been incorporated with the theme into a single graphic representation. In The Freedom of a Christian (1520) Martin Luther famously wrote “A Christian is lord of all, completely free of everything; a Christian is a servant, completely attentive to the needs of all.” The ELCA’s theme expresses this message of the Christian faith’s freedom and a renewed life of service to others in Jesus Christ. MARTIN LUTHER (1529) BY LUCAS CRANACH THE ELDER Our own Worship First Team is providing a variety of learning opportunities for this anniversary year. You will notice About the Lutherans inserts in the worship folders a couple of times a month, printed on a soft orange paper so that you may come to recognize it, offering information on a variety of topics. They also have prepared slides for the narthex with key highlights of the Reformation and across the years. There will be “stray facts” to peruse. For example, did you know … that Martin Luther was eight years old when Christopher Columbus set sail for the Western Hemisphere? …that Luther was a young monk and priest when Michaelangelo was painting the Sistine Chapel in Rome? …that Luther did not use saloon music as the basis of hymns that he composed, nor did he say “Why should the devil have all the good tunes”? …that “barform” is a musical form that has nothing to do with music from bars or biergartens? Watch for pictures, a timeline, and a few surprises as the year progresses. Also, note that the Reformation banner has ongoing prominence of place this year in the rear of our worship space, where you may see it above the font as we are sent into the world to proclaim the love of God in Christ.
Charlie Brown skit at the Christmas eve 5p.m. worship Evan Janacek plays Linus in the Christmas program.
Classes at 9:30 on Sundays in February explored The Music of Martin Luther – and some of his most notable successors. Martin Luther and others composed hymns, ballads, canticles, and liturgical chants, many of which remain as some of the finest Christian hymnody five hundred years later. This music praises God, proclaims Christ as Savior, teaches the faith, encourages the people of God, and more. Come learn more about it! ________________________________________________ Advent and Christmas are distant memories for many of us. Many of our children and youth were readers in various worship services, including midweeks, leading confidently and competently. Christmas Eve worship was splendid in keeping with the meaning of the birth of the Christ Child. At 5:00, our children and youth offered a Christmas play, ably directed by Rebecca Carver, declaring the Christmas story as seen through the eyes of children and recounted from the second chapter of Luke. Some of our youth were readers in this family-oriented worship service, with musical leadership from the Voices of Praise (women’s choir) and Bells of Praise. At 8:00 and 11:00, the Gloria Dei Choir singers were joined by a professional brass quartet. Of course, the assembly at each service participated heartily in singing familiar Christmas carols. The growing light of individual candles and singing Silent Night at all three services can hardly be described in words. ________________________________________________ Heartfelt thanks to everyone who works so diligently to offer their gifts and talents in worship. All singers and instrumentalists contribute to the beauty and leadership of worship. Thank you, also, to the many, many people who serve in non-musical ways. Every person makes a significant contribution. _____________________________________________ Want to be a music-maker? We have room for more people in every musical group at HCLC. See the calendar for the weekly schedule, and join us to observe or participate as you wish. Tutoring and child care provided as needed/requested. SAVE THE DATES… March 1: ASH WEDNESDAY – worship at 7:00 p.m. with Holy Communion and Imposition of Ashes Mid-week worship on Wednesdays 7:00-7:30 p.m. on March 8, 15, 22, 29, and April 5. April 9: Palm Sunday/Sunday of the Passion with worship at 8:15 and 11:00 a.m. Worship will begin outdoors, weather permitting, and children/youth will sing at 11:00, as is our custom. April 13: Maundy Thursday – worship at 7:00 p.m. April 14: Good Friday - worship at 7:00 p.m. April 16: Easter! Festival Worship at 8:00, 9:30, and 11:00 a.m. with brass and choir. By Marsha Seale Minister of Worship & Music Ministry
www.godeeperwithchrist.org
5
Star of Hope Collections
The Women of the ELCA Concern for December and January was Star of Hope Mission. We have learned that it is a multifaceted operation to aid people in getting back on their feet as well as providing something as simple as a meal and a safe place to sleep. Thanks to your generosity, we collected many items that have been delivered to Star of Hope. The Concern for February and March is quilts for Lutheran World Relief. The white basket is in place in the narthex with a list of requested items. Thank you for your continued generosity! By Chris Stinson
Women of the ELCA
The Women of the ELCA, Holy Comforter group, held its winter general meeting on January 31 in Luther Hall. After everyone helped themselves to snacks, the business meeting started, with the main item of business the approval of the budget for the year. After the very short business meeting Sue Goodwin, Pastor Amy, Linda Utecht, June Portz, Ruby and Wade Wallinger reported on their trip to Peru last year. They showed slides of our sister congregation, Fiel es Dios in Iquitos, Peru, along with many of the children and Pastor Yoli. They also told us the stories of their activities and adventures while in Peru. Chris Stinson and Melissa Schiefelbein have delivered the many supplies collected over the last two months to Star of Hope Mission. The concern for the next two months is Lutheran World Relief quilts and personal care items. By Faye McKinzie
Enjoying snacks
Listening to the program
President Beth Moseman
Peru travelers with Pastor Amy
Martha Circle
STEWARDSHIP
TEAM
Stewardship. Who in their right mind would join that team? After all, isn’t it just about planning and executing the annual fund drive? Well, that’s what I used to think until I joined the Stewardship Team. Or more correctly, that’s what I used to think before I studied stewardship with the Stewardship Team, the stewardship that God reveals to us in the Bible. And what I’ve studied helps me boil it down to two words: contentment and gratitude. I’m being called to be content with and grateful for who I am, what I do, where I am, what I have. Strive to be my best? Sure. But I’m learning not to live to accumulate stuff. I’m learning to be grateful and to respond to God’s grace and mercy generously. Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Look closely. He doesn’t say my treasure will follow my heart. No, he says my heart will follow my treasure. Wow, I hadn’t thought about it that way before. My heart will follow my treasure, my money, my spending, my stuff. So I am learning to be generous so that my heart will be content and grateful. By Wade Wallinger
Lisa Kaldheim donating double red cells.
Roy Schmidt being interviewed prior to donating blood
HCLC’s quarterly blood drive took place January 15, 2017.
BLOOD DRIVE @HCLC
PRIMETIMERS 2017 The next event for the Primetimers will be a 2:30 p.m. performance on Saturday, March 18, at the Stages Theatre entitled “Late Night Catechism 3: ‘Til Death Do Us Part”, featuring fictitious nun, Sister, played by Stages actress, Dennis Fennell. Sister is offering up to newly-married couples hilarious lessons on the Sacraments of Marriage and Last Rites, including her own wacky version of the Newlywed Game. Bring your sense of humor and come join us for the performance as part of the “classroom” session with the country’s feistiest couples counselor! Following the performance we will probably have an early dinner at nearby Tony Mandolla’s restaurant where we have eaten previously. Further details and a sign-up sheet will be posted shortly. Frank Kopta has recently resigned as coordinator of Primetimer events and we are looking for a person(s) to take over the duties.Precinct 4 policies require that event coordinators be at least 50 years of age and that they reside within Precinct 4. Also, they must attend a training session. The next quarterly training meeting for coordinators will be on March 8, 2017, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Kingwood Community Center, 4102 Rustic Woods Drive. Groups can have more than one coordinator. No one should fear being
overworked by having to coordinate four to six events over an entire year if we have more than one coordinator. Frank will offer lots of assistance to as many folks who are willing to take on the job. Frank, thank you for being the event coordinator for the past several years. The Primetimers have acquired an excellent reputation among the venues whose events we have attended. These venues include theatres and restaurants. So future coordinators should be welcomed by the venues with whom they will be working. By Linda Johnston
www.godeeperwithchrist.org
7
Early Childhood Education@HCLC REGISTRATION DATES Holy Comforter Lutheran Church School is offering Mother’s Day Out for 2 year olds and Preschool for 3 and 4 year olds. Flexible schedules are available from 7 a.m-6 p.m. This year we are offering clubs in our extended care-- our teachers are using their talents and special skills in the following clubs: -Cooking/ Science/ Gardening/ Music and Art for Preschool 4 year olds -Yoga/ Sculpting / and Animal Antics in our 2-3 year olds. Registration Dates are : Feb 21-24 for existing families and church members Registration will be open to the public Feb 27 The following classes will be offered: MOTHERS DAY OUT (9:30-2:30 p.m.) flexible day available - Monday thru Friday 2 year olds ( must turn 2 by Sept 1) 10 children with 2 teachers Early Threes ( turn 3 between Sept 1 and Jan 1) 12 children with 2 teachers PRESCHOOL 3 year olds ( 8:45-noon ) Stay and discover noon-2:15) flexible days MonFri 3 year olds (must turn 3 by Sept 1) 14 children with 2 teachers PRESCHOOL 4 year olds ( 8:45-noon) Mon-Th or Mon- Fri 4 year olds ( must turn 4 by Sept 1) 16 children with 2 teachers * Extended care is available every day for MDO and Preschool students from 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
Art after school
H.A.A.M BENEFIT
By Colleen Engel, Director of Early Childhood Education 281-358-9337
Cooking club 2017
Splatter paint
Having fun
PRAISE
WALKERS
Praise Walk is a group that meets every morning from 8 – 9 a.m. Monday - Friday for an hour of exercise in the narthex area using mostly DVDs with a variety of types of exercise (walking, aerobics, weights, bands, etc.). Anyone is welcome to join us. Call Beth Moseman 281-358-5501 for details. By Beth Moseman
FIRST PLACE
4 HEALTH Starts New Session
First Place 4 Health is an all-round health program that address physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. A weekly Bible study is included in the program. This session began on Wednesday, February 8th at 9:15 a.m., and will continue through Wednesday, April 26. Cost for the session is the price of the Bible study book, which is usually around $20. Another session will begin sometime in September 2017. Watch for more information on that. For questions contact Beth Moseman 281358-5501. By Beth Moseman
Sandwich Sunday First Sunday Each Month
KIDS HOPE USA Mentoring is FUN!
On Saturday, January 14, Deb Irwin, Beverly Long, and I attended the annual Houston Regional Kids Hope USA conference held at Grace Church. We attended workshops on building a better relationship with schools, prayer, new mentor training, Social and Emotional Needs of Children, and Going Beyond the Mentoring Hour. David Staal, President of Kids Hope USA and author of the book Show Up, was the keynote speaker. We also met Lori Cyr, our area director. Of course, Tracey Bogan, the Houston area director, was there with all his enthusiasm and encouragement. We left invigorated and ready for the next chapter.
Join Us!
Kids Hope volunteers mentor at risk children at Bear Branch Elementary. One hour a week with one on one interaction makes a big difference in a kid’s life. We would really like some men to join our program. We can also always use prayer partners. Each mentor has a prayer partner who shares information and prays for the mentor and child (and school.) We have copies of Show Up if you would like to read it. It is a short but powerful read. Mentoring is FUN! For more information call Cathie Tanner 281-358-0622.
www.godeeperwithchrist.org
9
I love to listen to stories. When I was a child, I especially enjoyed the stories my grandparents told me about what life was like when they were growing up. Their stories helped me celebrate their lives and mine. They told me about the impact my family has had on the lives of others. They told me where I come from and who my family is, what my family has experienced and learned, and who I am. I am part of another story, too. The Biblical story. My story and your story are connected to God’s story. We are part of the larger story of what God has done, God is doing, and God will do. We are people of the story. The Bible is full of God’s stories. And God continues to speak through our lives as we follow Jesus in our words and in our deeds. Because I love people’s stories and because I love God’s story, I want to listen to your life stories. So let me invite you to be a part of The Story Project, one of my new ministries. The Story Project’s mission is to celebrate who we are! We know that everyone has a story to tell. Every person has a story. Every congregation has a story. Every community has stories. And our stories can connect us across generations. Our stories can be a legacy for our children and grandchildren. Our stories can deepen our faith. Our stories can offer wisdom and be a way we reach out to strangers. Welcome to the Story Project, a partnership begun by me, Pastor Amy, here at Holy Comforter Lutheran Church and by Pastor Margaret Maat, minister of leadership development at Kingwood Christian Church. We want to hear your stories: who you are, where you’ve been, where you are now, and how you got here. We want to hear how you met the love of your life, how you heard the call to serve in your work vocation, how you serve the people of your community, and what life was like when you were growing up. We will be offering a workshop on Thursday, March 2, at 7 p.m. at Kingwood Christian Church about The Story Project and our vision for it. We invite you to come and hear more about this ministry. After the workshop during March and April, we will kick-off our project and video some of your stories. The end product will be a video of your stories that you can share with your families and friends. You have something to offer by sharing your story with others. Our interview with you is one way for us to listen to your story. It is one way to celebrate your own life. It is one way to share how you overcame adversity, which may strengthen another who is facing a hard time. It is one way to be remembered. It is one way to share your story as part of God’s story. Thank you for your stories! Peace, Pastor Amy
String Quartet @ Jan 29th Service
Penelope Gika Bonnie Lander, Natalie(stage name Unterlala), and Adam Goodwin. Photo taken by Steve Hansen
OUR HANDS.
GODS WORK.
ASSOCIATE PASTOR’S MESSAGE
Mark your calendars!
Holy Comforter’s next church-wide service day is March 4, 2017. 9:00 – 9:30 AM Breakfast @ Holy Comforter 10:00 – 12:00 Service Time 12:00 – 12:15 Group Reflection
The Rescue Barn provides a place of love and comfort for many of God’s creatures. Help keep this refuge of care running smoothly by volunteering your time. There is always a wide variety of work for all ages and abilities. The sign-up sheet is in the Narthex (or call Stacey Taylor at 281744-7916). Hope to see you there! By Stacey Taylor
GATHERING
PLACE
The Gathering Place at HCLC meets on the first Friday of each month to offer respite care to families with a loved one who has dementia, Parkinson’s, stroke, etc. During the hours that care partners are at HCLC our volunteers engage with them in activities, crafts, exercise, music, and more. We offer entertainment and lunch along with fellowship and support. Our next Gathering Place will be Friday, March 3rd from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Our theme is “Dominos”
and we will be playing all kinds of games with dominos as our entertainment. Come and find out what The Gathering Place is all about. Upcoming Gathering Place dates are April 7th, May 5th, and June 2nd. If you are interested in volunteering (once a month) or know someone who would benefit from attending The Gathering Place as a care partner, please contact Pam MacNaughton 281-460-9252 or Beth Moseman 281358-5501. By Beth Moseman
Second Family Care Team ! tes a d p U The Second Family Care Team is a ministry that provides practical, emotional and spiritual support to our care partners. We do such things as visits, household tasks, transportation, social outings, assistance with errands, and more depending on the needs of each individual. We are committed to serve with dignity, compassion and respect for each person. Currently we have 10 care partners that we are assisting. If this sounds like something you would enjoy doing, please contact Beth Moseman 281-3585501. We can always use more volunteers! By Beth Moseman
Singing and chiming Christmas carols with Voices of Praise at the Gathering Place - Dec 2
www.godeeperwithchrist.org 11
O
n Sunday, January 15, Susanne Wilson, Executive Director of Water to Thrive, visited the congregation for a celebration of Holy Comforter’s ongoing support. Since 2008, Holy Comforter has provided funding for SIX completed wells in Ethiopia. These wells provide safe, clean water for the entire village. Many times the women and children of the villages had to spend three or four hours walking to the nearest water source. Even then, the water was dirty. Proper wells cut down on disease, allow children time to go to school, and give mothers time to take care of the household. •100% of donations go to building the wells. •Water Angels are donors who give specifically to cover administrative expenses. •In 2016, 134 wells were completed. •Each well serves a village of about 500 people. •Local labor is used as much as possible in constructing the wells. •Each village must have a committee that is trained to maintain the well. Susanne visits Africa about three times per year. She shared with us some of her experiences in meeting with the villagers and hearing their stories of how the wells have improved their lives. Pick up a brochure in the Narthex to read more about this fabulous outreach. Call Cathie Tanner if you would like to know more. By Cathie Tanner 281-358-0622
Danno & Dire Areyu
The Danno Water and Sanitation Project in the Oromia Region, Ethiopia, was completed with the help of the generosity of the Rey Post family in designating memorial monies to Water to Thrive. Deb Irwin, pictured at right on the front cover with Susanne Wilson, Executive Director of Water to Thrive, is the daughter of Rey and Jane Post, who had a passion for Water to Thrive. The project provides clean, safe water to ten communities and included training of community families on sanitation, including the construction of demonstration latrines.
Specific Objectives and Indicators:
-Secure sustainable access to safe water and sanitation services for target population -Reduce incidence of diseases related to poor water and sanitation conditions. -Reduce workload on women and as barriers to school attendance for children in the communities.
Nacha
WATER2THRIVE
Akabi Seat
Adi Egam
Photos from Water To Thrive
www.godeeperwithchrist.org 13
HCLC Council View: LOOKING BACK AND LOOKING FORWARD Standing: Steve Hansen, President; Steve Bost, Vice-President; Peter Kaleda, Secretary Seated: Brad Goodwin, Sancy Rhodes, Sheryl Stucky - Past President; Duane Utecht - Treasurer Photo taken by Cathie Tanner
Vision of Ministry in 2017 Based on the successes in 2016 and the unfinished work associated with the 2016 Vision of Ministry, Council refined the three existing areas of focus to create the Vision of Ministry for 2017: •Grow outreach to show God’s love and spread our informed message that All Are Welcome to our community and beyond. •Focus engagement among our congregation, ministries, and leaders. •Broaden communication to our community and beyond. If you would like more information about the Vision of Ministry for 2017 or if you have ideas about how you can participate in making the vision a success, speak to any of the Council members. As your Congregation Council, we look forward to another successful year.
Steve Hansen Council President
H
oly Comforter’s Council met for half-day, onsite retreats on October 9, 2016 and January 22, 2017. Part of the discussion at these retreats involved reviewing the accomplishments/unfinished work for 2016 and looking forward to setting the framework for the ministry programs for 2017. In the current structure for HCLC’s operations, Council annually sets the Vision of Ministry, and staff (both paid and volunteers) sets ministry team goals in line with the Vision of Ministry.
Looking Back at 2016
The HCLC Council’s Vision of Ministry for 2016 consisted of three areas of focus: •Grow Outreach, •Increase Meaningful Engagement, and •Improve Communication. Growing Outreach highlights: Council members felt that the planning and execution of the first Kingwood Oktoberfest was a huge step in creating an opportunity to proudly share with the community what our ministries are all about in a fun way. We joyfully made HCLC known with our own unique “radical hospitality”! We also continued progress in building a relationship with our sister congregation, Fiel es Dios, in Iquitos, Peru – a group of HCLC members visited them last summer. Council also noted the creation of the “One Thing Team” to help define the “One Thing” for which HCLC could be known in the community. Areas for improvement in growing outreach were primarily related to visitors (making visitors comfortable at opportunities for worship, study, or service; creating an atmosphere for simpler understanding; and delivering a targeted message based on better understanding of the real needs of the community). Increase Meaningful Engagement highlights: Council members noted the many blessings of improved financial giving, increased volunteer participation and time, and more and diverse opportunities for service – all signs of increased HCLC member engagement. Clear opportunities still exist regarding our desire to become a congregation of small groups rather than one with small groups. And additional focus and effort are needed to compare how our many ministries align with our ministry vision to balance the passions, resources and talents of our leaders, volunteers, and paid staff. Improve Communication highlights: Council members felt that HCLC’s communication efforts were maintained in 2016 but without significant improvement. Additional dedicated member resources and expertise/passion in the areas of audio/visual resources and social media options are needed to further this vision to make Christ known to our community. Pastor Amy was called to specifically lead the congregation to work in the community and to reach those not yet there. “We take seriously the Great Commission,” says Pastor Amy. Pastor Barb, Pastor Amy, and the church council invite you to visit Holy Comforter in Kingwood. Worship is at 8:15 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. on Sundays. By Steve Hansen
STATISTICAL REPORT Baptisms
Hadley Howsmon Katherine Wright Angelina Vigorito Keri Fernandez
Memorial Services Robert Grider
First Communion Jesse Boatner Hannah Hubbard
Weddings
Zach & Olivia Hansen
Confirmation
Pierce Dietrich Michael Greco Zachary Kell Alexander Miller
New Members Anita Bohan Donna Graham Caroline Gresham John Gresham Ken Holder Heather Howsmon Hadley Howsmon Thomas Hubbard Hannah Hubbard John Lander Melissa Lanier Diane Meredith Angelina Vigorito Katherine Wright
Holy Comforter Lutheran School July 2015-June 2016:
Income [$399,615.42] Expenses [$357,244.61] Monthly building usage fee [$5400] Monthly janitorial usage fee [$4632.95] Monthly janitorial supplies [$1900.50] Building maintenance and repairs [$2832.95] Checking Balance 6.30.2015 [$18931.92] Money Market Balance 6.30.2015 [$41968.98]
Attendance and Membership Changes Average Weekly Worship Attendance [151] Membership previous year [451] Members received during 2016 By Baptism [4] Affirmed by Faith [2] Transfer [9] Total [16] Members removed during 2016 By death [1] Other [72] Transfer [6] Total [79] Members as of 12.31.2016 [389] Confirmed Members as of 12.31.2016 [331]
2016 HCLC Finances TOTAL INCOME [$591,501] Budget Offering [$545,871]
(includes $9631 Unrecorded Plate Offering & $9197 Spec Services)
Building Use: Other [$2325] School [$7400] Other [$3530] Other Dedicated [$32,376] TOTAL EXPENSES [$571,054]
(Does not include amounts of Dedicated Funds sent to designees)
2016
Financial Highlights
Thanks to the giving of the members of Holy Comforter Lutheran Church, 2016 was a very good year! Here are some highlights: • Total income was almost $603,000 in 2016 compared to roughly $547,000 in 2015. • Total expenses in 2016 were up more than $25,000 versus 2015. Increases were primarily in the areas of property upkeep, conferences/continuing education, staff salaries, benevolence, and utilities. These were partly offset by decreases in insurance cost, capital expense, and small reductions in the amount spent in several ministry program areas. • Income exceeded expenses by almost $32,000 in 2016. • Total budget giving in 2016 was up about 14% compared to 2015. • In 2016, average weekly budget giving was more than 9% higher than average weekly budget giving in 2015 Want more details? Have any questions? Don’t hesitate to contact me. Contributions in 2016 kept Holy Comforter on sound financial footing, provided funding to address some needed repairs/ improvements to the physical facilities, and, most importantly, the money given allowed the congregation to support efforts to change people’s lives both locally and worldwide. Your continued and increased contributions in 2017 will allow Holy Comforter to have an even greater impact on our community near and far. Thank you for the ongoing generous stewardship of your gifts given to Holy Comforter Lutheran Church. By Duane Utecht, Treasurer
BENEVOLENCE2016 Synod & ELCA Partnership [$29,196] World Hunger [$350] Disaster Relief [$450] Central Africa Credit [$975] Water to Thrive [$7250] Fiel es Dios Peru [$2700] Sandwich Sunday - Star of Hope [$7588] HAAM [$1000] Rescue Barn [$580] Total [$50,089] • • • • • • • • • •
HAAM Seasons of Sharing Sandwich Sunday, 500+ lunches and supplies to Star of Hope Men’s Dev. Center Every Sunday Collections: Rescue Barn, Sandwich Sunday, Peru Sunday, Water to Thrive, ELCA World Hunger and Camp Hope Supplies School Supplies Food & Personal care items to HAAM Quilts for Lutheran World Relief Azleway Krause Center Fair Trade Sale And Many, Many More!
www.godeeperwithchrist.org 15
Discover. Grow. L i v e.
GoDeeperWithChrist.org
Holy Comforter Lutheran CHurch Staff
The Reverend Barbara Bartling Pastor Amy Oehlschlaeger Marsha Seale Bill Goebel Pam MacNaughton Colleen Engel
Senior Pastor Associate Pastor Minister of Worship and Music Financial Secretary Director of Administration Education Director
pastorbarb@godeeperwithchrist.org pastoramy@godeeperwithchrist.org marsha@godeeperwithchrist.org bill@godeeperwithchrist.org pam@godeeperwithchrist.org colleen@godeeperwithchrist.org
Church Council Members
Steve Hansen - President Duane Utecht - Treasurer Brad Goodwin Sancy Rhodes
Steve Bost - Vice President Peter Kaleda - Secretary Caroline Gresham
Holy Comforter Lutheran Church is the sum of its members blessed and empowered by the Holy Spirit to do ministry together. We are a traditional church & congregation that thinks and works “outside the box” to bring progressive ministries, services, programs and outreach to our local community and beyond! Holy Comforter Lutheran Church & School was the first church and preschool program in Kingwood, Texas. We are a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Visit www.godeeperwithchrist.org for more info on our Mission & Vision, History, Pastor, Staff & Council, Ministries, Communion Policy, Testimonials & Worship Services. Cover Photo by Cathie Tanner