Mandarin Lutheran Church ELCA

11900 San Jose Blvd
Jacksonville, FL 32223
Phone - 904-268-4591
Fax - 904-268-4299
E-mail - mlcjax@bellsouth.net

Thursday, January 14, 2010

January 15, 2010 Newsletter

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner



Message From Council

Welcome to 2010, not only the start of a new year but the start of a new decade. What a time of hope for God's people! The congregational council members would like to take a moment to provide you with an update on several items of importance.

First, in what can only be described as a spirit-filled start to the new year (and on one of the coldest weekends on record) we warmly welcomed Pastor David Winter to the MLC family. Thank you to all who took the time to introduce yourselves to both Pastor and his wife Irene. Without a doubt, we all enjoyed meeting the first of many of Pastor Winter's lively and entertaining puppet friends during the children's sermon and hearing more about his background and family. We all look forward to getting to know Pastor Winter better over the coming months and working together to serve God. Many thanks also go to everyone involved with the reception following the Sunday service in Pastor's honor.

Most of you are aware that this is the time of year that we would typically have had a congregational meeting to review the ministry plan for 2010. Though the by-laws call for a meeting in January, this first meeting will be held on February 21 instead. This change was necessary to ensure that we had a firm grasp on all of our financial obligations and could present a clear picture of the recommended plan to our disciples. More information will be coming on this meeting and the ministry plan will be distributed well in advance of the 21st.

We are both blessed and grateful for the support, energy and patience that God has graced our congregation with over the past months as we welcome many amazing new opportunities. Please join with us in continuing to pray that God will bless and guide our congregation in his service.

God's Peace

David Minardi, Sandy Arpen, James Kaelin, Michelle Langston, Deb Pappas and Hal Daughtery


President’s Perspective - David Minardi

“Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to be great among you, let him be your servant”
Matthew 20: 26

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for he cares for you”
1 Peter 5: 7

“The generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered”
Proverbs 11:25

Dear Disciples,

Please join me in welcoming Interim Pastor David Winter to our church home. Pastor Winter is truly a blessing to our congregation. Please pray for Pastor Winter and please take the time to get to know Pastor Winter as he guides our church in 2010.

As I reflect on a closed chapter and envision a new chapter unfolding at Mandarin Lutheran Church I am reminded of just how blessed we are to be surrounded by a community of Christian servants. Our disciples are not like the Pharisees and Sadducees Christ so harshly criticized. Our brothers and sisters in Christ are humble servant leaders who quietly care for our sheep and reach out to our greater community. This is a beautiful gift God will continue to bless at Mandarin Lutheran Church.

I can’t tell you how many friends, acquaintances, strangers, and brothers and sisters in Christ mentioned to me late in 2009 how they couldn’t wait for 2010 to begin. It seems no one went through the year unscathed personally, professionally and financially. I don’t know a formal way to measure stress but my sense is that the worries of this world were and in many cases continue to be at historic highs for many of our disciples. My hope in 2010 for all of our disciples and for our community is for our church to be a place of harmony, a place of hope, a place of love, a sanctuary where we can give our worries to God for he cares so much about his children.

I believe in promises and I believe in miracles. Scripture reminds us time and time again that when we are Christ-Centered, God-Centric, and obedient, there is nothing HIS people cannot accomplish. Our community of disciples has many gifts and talents. We each have a responsibility to connect and integrate our family to a common vision and watch channeled energy, blessed by God, do remarkable things. Time can only be used one time…poof…it’s gone. The greatest compliment one can pay to another is giving a person your undivided attention and time. One of the greatest gifts we can give to God is to be stewards of our time and to use our gifts to strengthen the mission of HIS church. Finally, God loves a cheerful giver. When one is integrated into a community of disciples participating in doing God’s work, first fruits giving come naturally and joyfully.

Thank you all for providing me with the opportunity to participate on church council. Please know I am available to each of you as are all of our council members.

God’s Peace & Wisdom,

David


Sunday School Schedule - Deb Pappas

JANUARY
3 No Sunday School, Holiday Break
10 Regular classes
17 No Sunday School, MLK
24 Regular classes
31 Intergenerational Sunday School

FEBRUARY
7 Regular classes
14 No Sunday School, President's Day
21 Regular classes
28 Intergenerational Sunday School

MARCH
7 Regular classes
14 Regular classes
21 Regular classes
28 Intergenerational Sunday School

APRIL
4 No Sunday School, Easter
11 No Sunday School, Spring Break
18 Regular classes
25 Intergenerational Sunday School

MAY
2 Regular classes
9 Regular classes
16 Last day of Regular classes
23 No Sunday School, Pentacost, Confirmation
30 Last day of Intergenerational Sunday School

JUNE
6 Teacher Appreciation Brunch


Witness - Sandy Arpen

There were multiple opportunities to reach outside of ourselves in December and MLC rose to the opportunities - as we always do. I am constantly amazed at and grateful for the generosity and good will that comes from our small flock.

Angel Tree - Thanks to Pam Hanley for organizing and setting this up. And thanks to all the givers who made a family and 10 children very happy - as they received our gifts during the Christmas season. The tree was surrounded by beautiful things that were given from the heart.

Benefit Concert - The concert was able to give LSS $1600. for their work in the community - specifically for the 2nd Harvest Food Bank. Thanks to all who supported this event by attending, providing baked items to sell, and by volunteering the night of the event. A great time was had by all - and all for a terrific cause. Much graditude is extended to Thrivent as well for sponsorship and matching funds.

Mandarin Food Bank - Again, thanks to your generosity and Thrivent support ($200. for WD gift cards for turkeys) - 10 baskets were prepared and delivered to the local Food Bank. The children helped pack the baskets and deliver them...what a wonderful experience for them to practice being "givers" at a young age.

There will be many opportunities to reach out in the coming year. But, we are looking for new ideas and opportunities all the time. Please contact me at tarpen@aol.com if you have ideas that you'd like the congregation to consider.