The Summit

Between Christ the King & Advent we give thanks
The liturgical calendar is about a month ahead of the secular calendar each year, as Christ the King Sunday brings a victorious finale to the church year.  This Sunday, Nov. 20, we acknowledge that Jesus, the Christ (Messiah), is the King of heaven and earth.  The well-known Last Judgment text from Matthew 25:31-46 is the day’s Gospel.
The following Sunday, Nov. 27, begins a new church year with the season of Advent.  For four Sundays we prepare for the Lord’s coming at Christmas, lighting the various candles in succession to prepare the way. Many of the readings are “apocalyptic” meaning we must talk about potential end times, since we also must prepare for his coming again to usher in His Eternal Kingdom.  Make sure you get your Advent devotional guide, “What Are We Waiting For?” as well as your Advent key tag.

Thanksgiving Worship Tuesday, Nov. 22
Next Tuesday we’ll have two opportunities to give thanks as a congregation at worship.  At 11:00 AM the older kids from our school will join us for worship, then we are invited to join Alpine Academy for a Thanksgiving feast in our fellowship hall.  Then, at 7:00 PM we’ll have another service in our sanctuary, to which we have invited our friends from Washington Park Church and possibly other churches as well.  Thanks be to God for all our many blessings!  I give thanks for all of you who are my fellow “Alpiners,” on this, my 16^th anniversary, as Pastor of the congregation!

Those Who Serve for Nov. 20^th
Ushers: (8:00) Jim Anderson, Shirley Finger, Bryan Garrett, Glen Lewis

(10:30) Russ Hornbeck, John McCue, Dick Nelson, Mike Schultz

Ambassadors: (8:00) Matt & Debbie Hier, Karl & Deb Okeson

(10:30) Gwyn Brechtel, Craig & Barb Shelton, Mari Hanson

Elements: (8:00) Karl & Deb Okeson (10:30) Craig & Barb Shelton

Acolytes: (8:00) Nicholas Chockalingam (10:30) Tanner LaFew

Lectors: (8:00) Bob Fanello (10:30) Orv Kersten

Lay Assistants: (8:00) Bob & Lori Fanello (10:30) Karen Conti, DiAnne Beynon

Altar Guild: Kathy Mund, Cary Ralston

Praise Singers: John & Cary Ralston

Thought for the Week: “Thanksgiving is good but Thanksliving I better.”

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Stewardship
Sunday November 13

We will celebrate stewardship this Sunday at both worship services by offering our pledges for 2012.  These will include our GREEN pledge cards for the general and benevolence ministries of the congregation, the YELLOW pledge cards for the building debt retirement, and the WHITE pledge cards for our time and talent that we wish to offer Alpine Lutheran Church next year.  As a symbolic gesture, we will bring these pledges forward during the time of offering so that they may be offered at the altar.

Then, at 5:00 in the evening, we will join together for a celebration POT-LUCK dinner.  The stewardship committee will give an initial update on how the pledges are proceeding, and we’ll enjoy a little musical program as well.  Even if you did not sign up for the dinner, and even if you are unable to bring anything, please attend anyway!  The important thing is that you be there and add to the good spirit that exists in our congregation.  (Yes, Bears fans, TV has changed the schedule to a 3:15 game; we’ll have it on our big-screen TV in the conference room so that you can check in on the score!)

Our Lord makes it clear that just as He has committed Himself to us for grace, love, forgiveness and salvation, we in turn are called to commit ourselves to Him and His Church. However, this is a positive thing, as expressed in II Cor. 9:6-8, “. . . God loves a cheerful giver and is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance . . .”   See you this Sunday!

Thought for the Week: “Very little is needed to make a happy life. It is within yourself, in your way of thinking.” ~ Marcus Aurelius ~

Those Who Serve for Nov. 13^th

Ushers: (8:00) Rick Bried, Chuck Gentry, Irv Johnson, Dale Olson

(10:30) Dean Franks, John& Sharryn Franks, Marge Rakoczy

Ambassadors: (8:00) Alan & Marlene Garrett, Gene & Donna Seefeldt

(10:30) Orv Kersten, Bob & Violet Peterson

Elements: (8:00) Gene & Donna Seefeldt (10:30) Bob & Violet Peterson

Acolytes: (8:00) Samantha Gustafson (10:30) Brandon Williams

Lectors: (8:00) Lynn Valentine (10:30) Bob McVinnie

Lay Assistants: (8:00) Chuck & Lynn Valentine (10:30) Bob & Laurel McVinnie

Altar Guild: Michele Scott, Laurel McVininie

Praise Singers: Jaime Gillette, Nancy Broquist

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While the last Sunday in October is always the celebration of the Reformation, the first Sunday in November is always All Saints’ Day at worship.  The day has a two-fold purpose: first, to remember our loved ones and fellow church members who have died; and second, to remind the living of our calling to live our faith as God’s people (“saints”) in the world.  Martin Luther used to teach that we are at the same time sinners and saints; we rely on the grace of God for forgiveness, yet we strive to be faithful to God in our daily walk as Christians in the world.

We will be “on fire” at worship this Sunday, Nov. 6, as we celebrate All Saints.  As in recent years you will have the opportunity to light a candle in memory of a loved one who has died; then, during the prayers of intercession, we will light a candle on the altar in remembrance of the 11 people for whom we did funerals at Alpine since the previous All Saints’ Sunday.  Those who will be remembered this Sunday, in the order of their passing, are:  JoAnn Riske, Bill George, Don Morris, Marilyn Lind, Louise Nelson, Ruth Baxter, Chester Johnson, Elaine Schrank, Donald Erickson, Karin Busekros, and Doris Williams. May God’s eternal blessing be upon them, and His comfort to those who mourn their passing.

The Gospel lesson for Sunday is the beginning of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, the Beatitudes. Blessed are they, says Jesus, whose attitudes of faithfulness reflect the God they serve; they shall receive their reward.  I look forward to seeing you Sunday as we fill the church with  “living saints!”

Those Who Serve for Nov. 6^th

Ushers: (8:00) Larry Graham, Michele Scott, Don Torgerson, Andrea Tack

(10:30) DiAnne Beynon, Leroy Dokken, John Gustafson, Bob Peterson

Ambassadors: (8:00) Chuck & Janet Gentry, Glen & Ruth Lewis

(10:30) Marge Broquist, Nancy Broquist, Nancy Ewert, Volunteer

Elements: (8:00) Ron & Jan Pauly (10:30) Mark & Christine Stohle

Acolytes: (8:00) TBA (10:30) TBA

Lectors: (8:00) Terry Hodges (10:30) Kim Gustafson

Lay Assistants: (8:00) Terry Hodges, Roger Bastian (10:30) Kim Gustafson, Craig Shelton

Altar Guild: Gwyn Brechtel, Ardy Stevens

Praise Singers: Bob McVinnie, Jan Hill

Thoughts for the Week: “Don’t be afraid to lean into the wind, love the earth
in all of its natural glories, and take care of others.” ~ Tom Brokaw ~

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