Weekly News Update

Verse of the Week

For thus says the Lord God: I myself will search for my sheep, and will seek them out. ¹²As shepherds seek out their flocks when they are among their scattered sheep, so I will seek out my sheep.

Ezekiel 34:1

 DURING THE INTERIM

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ

This Sunday we offer our allegiance to Christ the King.  What a incomparable kingdom he rules!  In his kingdom , as we will hear in this Sunday's parable, his subjects feed the hungry and give drink to the thirsty, welcome the stranger and clothe the naked, and care for the sick and reach out to the prisoner.  That 's Christ's challenge to his followers. He reminds us that those in need are members of his family.  We need to hear this challenging word today as we are tempted by economic forces to hunker down and protect ourselves.   Remember: it is through the power of the Good News that, even while we were far away from God, Jesus came and died for us.  Having received Good News it is now our blessing to share and give and nurture and pour out that Good News.  As we feed the hungry, offer drink to the thirsty we experience a deep joy and the peace which passes understanding.  This is the mystery of kenosis, the generosity of a “self-emptying” God.

As a community of faith we continue to witness to the over-whelming grace of God showered upon us each and every day.  Here is an update of how our Lord's disciples who assemble here have committed themselves to walk with him and increase their support of his ministry through Dobbs Ferry Lutheran Church: 

      Estimate of Giving cards received:.................................................... 48 (out of a potential of 100+)

      Those who committed to a daily walk with Jesus for 60 days:..................................................... 32

      Those who committed to give at least an additional one percent of annual income:.............................................................................. 14

      Anticipated financial gifts to be received from those returning a giving card:............... $147,660

      Current estimated income from all disciples of our Lord at DFLC for 2009:................ $180,929

The Stewardship Team would like to hear from those who are committed to daily prayer, reading scripture and/or meditation for 60 days.  Speak with a team member (Sue Preddy, Dave Hutson, Eric Mannel, or myself) or send comments via email.  Let us know what you are doing and how this commitment makes a difference.  We'd like to share your story in this weekly E-letter/bulletin.  Walking with Jesus changes life!

About half of Dobbs Ferry Lutheran disciples have expressed their giving intentions for 2009.  Please return an Estimate of Giving card as soon as possible in order that our Council may make informed decisions regarding deficit spending for 2009.  Your support for our Lord’s mission through DFLC is vital. 

Last Sunday was an exciting day in the life our congregation.  Having been fed through Word and Sacrament, we assembled as a community of faith in our Annual Meeting, reviewed the ministry of the past twelve months and made decisions for the future.  Through unanimous vote Dean Holbrook and Ute Schran were elected along with returning members Barbara Neff, Bill Sommers, Judith DeMaria, and Barbara Mahoney to serve on the Congregation Council.  The call to Diaconal service was extended for another year to Sharon Brennan and David Caesar-Dare.  Our architect Christina Griffin was applauded for her creative service in renovating our sanctuary.  The Call Committee reported they’d interviewed one candidate who they felt not appropriate for DFLC and are in the process of interviewing another.  A 2009 Spending Plan for Ministry was adopted.  However, it was noted that again this would be a deficit spending plan and continued efforts to improve our income will be needed.   Finally, we thanked Allyson Felix and Todd Holmbo for their years of service on the Council and Carolee Bentley, Council President for her service during this tumultuous and challenging and exciting year.  Her term as president will conclude with the December Council meeting, although she continues to serve on the Council.  Her support will be greatly appreciated as the next president of DFLC takes office. 

There is so much to decide and do that we just must spend more time in worship, prayer and searching the scriptures.  Please keep Dobbs Ferry Lutheran in your prayers and worship, worship this Sunday and every Sunday. 

Pr. Bill

Serving Today

Team Leader..................................................... Rose Sword

Assistant Minister.............................................

Acolyte............................................................ Bryan Meurlin

Altar Guild........................................................ Carolee Bentley

Common Cup................................................... Alice Nyberg

Bread and Wine................................................ Martha and Kevin Phillips

Prayer of the Laity............................................. Carolee Bentley

Altar Flowers.................................................... Alice Nyberg

            Coffee Hour  .................................................... Deborah Selmon

Nursery............................................................ Amanda Mogro, Gabriela Neranjo

Ushers............................................................. Tom Soyk

Nov. 23           8:00 and 10:30 a.m. Worship with Holy Communion 

                   9:00 a.m. Sunday School

Nov. 25           1:00 p.m. WELCA Afternoon Circle at the home of Pauline Hansen

Nov. 26           8:00 p.m.  Interfaith Thanksgiving Service – Woodlands Temple, Greenburgh

Nov. 27 & 28 CPS and Church Office Closed - Thanksgiving Recess

Nov. 30           First Sunday in Advent

Dec. 5             7:30 p.m. OIKOS - time and place TBA

Dec. 7             Donna Braband here to present Deacon Sharon Brennen "Educator of the Year"

6th Annual Christmas Konditori - (following Worship)

Dec. 13           9:00 a.m.  Confirmation Class

Dec. 18           7:00 p.m. Council Meeting

WE GATHER TOGETHER TO OFFER THANKSGIVING  -  On Wednesday, November 26, the eve of the national day of thanksgiving, the Interfaith Community will gather at 8:00 PM for a Service of Thanksgiving at Woodlands Temple, 50 Worthington Road, White Plains.  All members of our congregation are invited to attend and - in these days of confusion, despair and loss - give thanks to our God who sustains us in all our days. 

OTHER NOTABLES:

Thank You

To Barbara Neff and Pam Florin (from the Ladies Prayer Circle) for the beautiful plant that you sent to me.  Also many thanks to everyone at DFLC for your cards and prayers, they are greatly appreciated.   Janet Harter-Fuller

Thanksgiving Food Collection For Children's Village

Rev. Holby from Pastoral Care at Children's Village has requested our help again this Thanksgiving!  She will be identifying families in need and preparing baskets of food for the children to take home at Thanksgiving time.

Requested are traditional Thanksgiving items:  stuffing mix, biscuit mix, cans of vegetables, cake mix, etc.  They especially need cans of YAMS and cans of PUMPKIN.  Also, staple items like soup, canned tuna, cans of coffee or tea, etc. are always welcome additions.  Anything that you and your family enjoy at Thanksgiving time and you would like to donate - will be appreciated.  The families receiving the baskets all have children.  In addition, they send turkeys home to families who need them with the food items.  The turkey costs Pastoral Care approximately $12 each.  If you'd like to make a donation for a turkey (or a dollar or two toward the cost of a turkey), please make a check payable to "DFLC" and mark it "TURKEY MONEY." 

Last year, Rev. Holby noted that DFLC was one of the major providers of food for the Thanksgiving baskets.  She also noted, that she was not able to fill all the requests that she received from families in need last year.  

It's a great opportunity to help make Thanksgiving a little nicer for a family in need. 

Barbara Mahoney, Outreach Team

Christmas Memories & Messages

Today all our children's names (ages 2-14) will be placed on the bulletin board downstairs.  As a way to strengthen relationships between our youth and our adults, these names will be used for a special purpose during our Advent season! 

We are asking you to choose one of these names and send that child a note about a wonderful Christmas memory you have and your own message about what Christmas means to you.  Messages should be written age-appropriately, but also may become a part of that family's Christmas celebration this year and thus, will also bless the whole family.  There will be a space underneath each child's name for each adult to add their own name so we can ensure that each child will have a adult partner.

We are also asking that you send your "child" a Christmas ornament that will be their very own for their family Christmas tree.  If you need assistance with this, I will be glad to help you.  We are hoping that this will bless the giver and the receiver of these very special gifts!          Deacon Sharon Brennen

Christmas Flowers

If you would like to order Christmas Plants (Poinsettias or Cyclamen) or contribute towards the Wreaths and Crismon Tree for the sanctuary, please fill out green insert in bulletin and leave in Lisa McHugh's mailbox.  Deadline for ordering Christmas plants is Sunday, December 14.

Wednesday's Child Playdate

Takes place at the Christian Pre-school every Wednesday (except school holidays) from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Pack a lunch for you and your child (all ages) and join us in the pre-school gym for adult discussion and playtime for your child.  Craft materials provided for children.  Suggested donation is $3.00.  For more information, please see Deacon Sharon Brennen.

Save the Date

Weekly Hymns

Many people think that by hoarding money they are gaining safety for themselves.

If money is your only hope for independence, you will never have it.

The only real security that a person can have in this world is a reserve of knowledge, experience, and ability. Without these qualities, money is practically useless.

-  Henry Ford

Food Cupboard  We are receiving more requests for food from our neighbors who are hungry.  Our food pantry by the office door is starting to look like “Mother Hubbard's Cupboard.”  Please bring a can of vegetables or soup, a box of rice, cereal, pasta or other staple and leave it on the shelf.  Thank you.

Mission to Mississippi Trip 2009

12 Mission workers are representing DFLC in Mississippi February 2009!

James Cazzoli                   Alyssa Cohen               Frank Demaria             David Langton                        

Rachael Langton               Amanda Meurlin          Ute Schran                   Aila Gomi

Mike Decicco                      Gary Reith                   Janine Reith                Luis Rodriguez

Eric Mannel is on our alternate list and may join us if his schedule allows.

We need your support in prayers and in financial giving.

The trip will cost $800 per person. We are half way to our total of $9,600!

Thanks to Barbara Mahoney, Thrivent, just awarded us a matching grant. For every $3 donated, Thrivent will match a dollar up to $ 1,286. Please send in donations and write your check to Dobbs Ferry Lutheran Church, write “Mississippi Mission” on the memo section of your check.

Don’t MISS this meeting:

A Mississippi Meeting of the Mission workers will take place on Sunday December 7^th after the 10:30 worship service to review logistics and year-end fundraising efforts.

Christmas Cards

When doing your Christmas cards this year, take one card and send it to this

address.  If we pass this on and everyone sends one card, think of how many

cards these wonderful special people who have sacrificed so much would get.

When you are making out your Christmas card list this year, please include the

following:

                A Recovering American Soldier

                 c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center

                 6900 Georgia Avenue,NW

                Washington , D.C. 20307-5001

2009 Calendars

Edwards Dowdle Funeral Home has once again donated New 2009 calendars to DFLC.  Please help yourself to one.  They are in the outside the church office