August 31, 2003

YOU CAN HEAR THE LUTHERAN HOUR ON RADIO: FRIDAY at 12 noon , Station WLIU , 1590 on the AM dial. On SUNDAY at 6 a.m. on WOR, 710 AM dial and also at 8 a.m. on WFME, 94.7 FM dial.

CHURCH NEWS

Volunteers are needed for COFFEE HOUR beginning on Sept. 7th after the 9:00 a.m. Worship Service. Please sign up on the on the bulletin board in the Narthex. This coffee hour is going to be held in the Multi Purpose Room (Undercroft) located under the church.

BIBLE CLASS TODAY:

Teens and Adults - Friendship Room with Dr. Robert Hartwell discussing Joy in the Worst of Times (Phil. 1:12-30).

Bible Daycare for Babies - Preschool 4 children in the Care Room led by Ann Terenzio/Korrine Rowold.

Bible Celebration for Kindergarten - 5th Grade with a Video Bible Story, Puzzle, Playground/Gym Adventure in the Cafeteria led by Andrea Sessa/Shannon Vitarius.

We rejoice on the occasion of the marriage of Diana Delifino and Jacinto Coelho. They were married on Saturday, August 30th at the VLC. May God bless this couple as they are united as one in Christ.

SAVE THESE DATES:

Rally Day - Sunday, September 7th with the dedication of Chapel School Staff and Sunday School Staff. Installation of Assistant Principal Michael Schultz and Development Director Kevin Cook, Blessing of the 3 year olds and presentation of 3rd Graders with a Bible. Sunday School officially begins for pre-school 3 year olds - 6th grade on that Sunday at 9 a.m.

Pastor Hartwell's Installation - Sunday, September 28th at 3 p.m.

Daytime Bible Study: Join a VLC Pastor or Teacher for an informative look at the lessons for the upcoming Sunday. The study meets on Wednesdays at 11:00 a.m. in the Friendship Room. The group is open to all ages, and all religions, new comers are welcome. The study will be held on the 10th, 17th and 24th in September.

Mark your calendar: On September 11, 2003 the Village Lutheran Church will hold a special service of rememberance for the fallen hero's and victims of 9/11/01.

"And this shall be a sign unto you." Sound familiar? That was the angel of the Lord telling the shepherds outside Bethlehem how to find Jesus. People still need signs to point them to the Lord - and the sign on our front yard is in need of repair and renewal. We've begun to speak with Village officials about the process of applying for permission with the Village of Bronxville to have a new sign designed and installed. If you are interested in helping get this project done, speak to Kevin Cook, Development Director at 337-0207 (1039) or KCook@vlc-ny.org. We hope that this project can be completed soon. In addition to our church sign, think of yourself as "a sign" pointing the way to Jesus. Be sure you are presenting the brightest, neatest, most appealing sign of a child of God in everything you do and say.

We are thankful that the family of longtime member Edith Fischer, who died on July 30th, directed memorial gifts to The VLC and Chapel School. More than one thousand dollars has been received to support our ministry of Christian education, work that Mrs. Fischer believed in wholeheartedly.

Pastor Hartwell will be officially installed at a special service in the fall and will be moving to the Edgewood Parsonage in the summer. Pastor Hartwell and Pastor Z will be working closely during the transition time before Pastor Z officially retires. Please continue to thank God for Pastor Z's ministry and please pray for Pastor Hartwell as he shepherds us into our future.

Dinner will be served, soon! Thanks to volunteers Susan Burkee, Lois Meier, Elizabeth Coleman and Kevin Cook for completing the painting of the VLC's new kitchen this past week. Next up, new curtains and cupboard re-organizing - then it's on to some delicious church suppers! The family that feasts together...!

Ladies: You won't want to miss this year's Women's Bible Study! We will use Joanna Weaver's wonderfully written book, Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World, as our guide to discovering a balance for our own busy lives. The first session is Saturday, Sept. 6th at 8:30 a.m. All are invited to join us for scintillating discussion and a light breakfast (bring juice, fruit, coffee or baked good to share). Call Deborah Cook (779-5371) for a copy of the book or for more information.

Over the summer, the Sanctuary was made more accessible to people with disabilities. There are now three separate locations that are "wheelchair friendly" in the sanctuary: In the front, six pews back with a double wide wheelchair area with companion chairs, and the back of the church. The sanctuary is also accessible now with our elevator. Handicapped parking spaces in front of the school entrance are reserved for people in wheelchairs and the church has four wheelchairs at that entrance for free use by worshippers and guests. Signs at the school entrance direct people in a wheelchair to the elevator and the sanctuary entrance on the 1st Floor. Special thanks to Christ Lutheran Church in Yonkers which donated the pew frontals to the VLC for the double wide wheelchair area in the middle of the sanctuary.

A "Gathering for Prayer" will take place on Monday, Sept. 15th at 7:15 p.m. Mark it on your calendar and join us!

The first rehearsal for The Village Belles is Sept. 10th, 7:15-8:15 p.m. Newcomers are welcome! We rehearse weekly on Wednesdays for an hour and play once a month on Sunday mornings as well as for festival services. If you can count, you can ring! We have lots of fun! If you are new, please call Deborah Cook (779-5371), director, so that she can prepare a spot for you. It's that time of year again!

All children in Grades 3-8 are invited to join the Youth Choir. In order to help us grow, there's a new rehearsal time without the past conflicts (homework, sports, scouting, etc.): Sunday mornings from 8:25 to 8:55 a.m. We will begin by rehearsing three Sunday mornings each month and singing for two services. A letter has been sent explaining the schedule. If you have not received one or have any questions, please call Deborah Cook at 779-5371.

Extra! Extra! Read all about it, there's good news at Lutheran Social Services of Metropolitan New York (LSS) and the word must get out! For more than a 100 years we have been helping NYC children find families through the adoption process. This year the adoption program has expanded its vision to include children from around the world. We are offering parents the opportunity to experience the joy of building their special family through adoption. We are proud members of the national Lutheran Adoption Network (LAN) and for establishing LSS as a Direct Service Agency. Call (212) 784-8968 for information.

CHAPEL SCHOOL NEWS

More and more children are flocking to The Chapel School as we prepare for the new academic year under the theme The More Excellent Way. Almost every space in the preschool and kindergarten program is filled and there are only one to two seats available for the fall semester in most of the grades. In fact, enrollment dictated establishing a second class of third graders - we're on a roll! Thank God for the privilege of offering a fine Christian education to so many children! If your family or friends and neighbors are seeking a new educational setting for their children, please invite them to call The Chapel School at 337-3202 and ask for Mrs. Strawbridge (ext. 1005).

PARISH HEALTH NEWS

"Making Strides Against Breast Cancer" is the theme of the annual 5 mile walk to raise funds for breast cancer research and support services for breast cancer patients and their families. VLC and Chapel, cooperatively with Concordia College will participate in this event, which will take place at Manhattanville College on Sunday, October 19th. Please join in supporting this event, either by registering to walk, or by sponsoring a walker with a donation. If you plan to walk, consider purchasing a "Making Strides" long sleeve tee shirt, which will have our church's (and Concordia's) logo on the back. The tee shirts are $12.00. You may register to walk any time up to October 19th, but if you would like a tee shirt, you must place your order with Nancy Kavanagh by September 15th. You can reach Nancy at (914) 771-4154 or by e-mail at nnknp@aol.com.

Yoga classes will be held at VLC, starting Monday, September 15th. There will be 8 classes in the series, on Monday evenings, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., under the direction of Faith Forliano. The suggested donation for the classes in $10.00 per class. To register for the classes, please call Faith at (914) 725-8035.

The next Coffee Hour Blood Pressure Screening will be held on Sunday, Sept. 21st. This screening is free.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act took effect on April 14, 2003. The act, designed to give patients at health care centers greater privacy assurances, has changed the way hospitals operate. Patients may now "opt out" of sharing religious information. Therefore, Lutherans in a hospital would not be known to Pastors unless a family member called and notified the church office. Members of the congregation are encouraged to notify the church if you or a family member are sick or hospitalized so that proper pastoral care can be shared.

The Village Lutheran Church is a proud member of the Lutheran Counseling Centers (LCC) Membership Assistance Program (MAP). Through this partnership, VLC members and friends can assess professional counseling at the rate of only $25 per session. (For up to 4 sessions). LCC also takes major health care insurance and uses a sliding scale. Call Pastor Hartwell to arrange for the MAP sessions. Isn't your mental health and happiness worth the time? LCC provides individual, couple and family counseling, professional yet Christian. Call 337-0207 (ext. 1022) for details.

SENIORS NEWS

The VLC Senior group has been invited to a Barbeque on the Steinkamp Pavillion Ground at the Wartburg on Tuesday, Sept. 9th from 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Space is limited to 24 people. Please get your reservation in by Aug. 29th, by calling Charlotte Vogt (793-1264). In case of rain the barbeque will be held indoors. If you need transportation please call Charlotte.

YOUTH NEWS

3rd-5th Grade Voyagers - Questions?? Call Erika @ 395-1954.

Lifers (6th-8th). Questions?? Call Erika @ 395-1954.

Crusaders (9th-12th)- Questions?? Call Erika @ 395-1954.

COMMUNITY NEWS

The 123rd Annual Wartburg Fall Festival will be held on Saturday, October 4th, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free Admission & Parking, Lots of Vendors, Rain or Shine. Find directions to the Wartburg at www.the wartburg.org or by calling 914-699-0800. For Festival schedule and vendor information, call Diane Geisler at 914-513-5317.

Asbury Summer Theatre announces AUDITIONS for its Fall 2003 production of The Musical CYRANO. To be Directed by George Puello, with Music Direction by Nehemiah Luckett. Auditions Thursday, August 21st from 7 p.m. - 10p.m. and Saturday, August 23rd from 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Auditions and performances at The Asbury United Methodist Church, 167 Scarsdale Road, Crestwood, New York. For more information call 914-961-6968. 6.