February Newsletter

Monthly Newsletter of New Song Church | February 2015
New Song
Notes
Mark Your Calendar
2.1
Souper Bowl of Caring
2.3
Prayer Group Begins
2.4
GriefShare Begins
2.5
Bell Choir Rehearsal
DivorceCare Begins
2.17
Mardi Gras Pancake Supper
2.22
New Member Orientation
Pastor’s Note
The Lenten season is perfectly designed for spiritual
growth. The season always begins with Ash Wednesday
and that first step toward allowing God's grace to enter
into our hearts. We have two services at 1:00 PM and at
6:30 PM. We have also added a Wednesday evening
service called Evensong. It is a half hour service of
music, prayer and silence. It is designed to allow the
participant to lean into the power of Christ.
We are trying a few new things this Lent. We are inviting
you to bring crosses to be placed on the wall behind our
altar. The present curtains will be removed providing a
simple background for the crosses. Please place your
name on the back of the cross to assure that you receive
it back at the end of Lent. Children are especially invited
to make crosses to be placed on the wall. You may bring
your cross at any time and we will store them until Ash
2.24
New Member Orientation
Continued on page 2...
Ash Wednesday
Wednesday, February 18th, 1:00
and 6:30 PM
Ash Wednesday marks the first day
of Lent and occurs 40 days before
Easter. It’s a tradition connected to
Jesus’ time of temptation and
preparation when he spent 40 days
fasting before the beginning of his
public ministry. The Lenten season is
a time of preparation and prayer, a
time to get ready for the special day
to come. Much like we might engage
in spring cleaning to prepare for a
special family celebration, we are
invited
to
prepare
ourselves
spiritually for the gift of Easter. Join
us on Ash Wednesday, February
18th, at 1:00 or 6:30 PM, for a service
of beginnings…a service designed to
help us begin our walk with Jesus to
the cross and the empty tomb.
Worshipers will receive the imposition
of ashes; this is a mark of the cross
placed on the forehead with ashes.
This ancient ritual reminds us of our
mortality and our dependence on
God. The service concludes with
Holy Communion, a meal to sustain
and encourage us as we begin this
walk together.
Pastor’s Note Continued from page 1...
Wednesday, when the wall is ready. Please bring your
crosses on any Sunday after that. We will have the crosses
on the wall through the five Sundays of Lent. From Palm
Sunday forward the altar backdrop will return.
In addition to the wall of crosses, we will place the
baptismal font at the entrance of the worship room. It is
through Baptism we experience Christ's power and
everlasting love. The presence of the font at the entrance
reminds us that this grace is ever present. Finally, there will
be Stephen Ministers available for prayers and anointing
following Holy Communion. These Ministers are trained to
have a short prayer with you and then you may return to
your seat.
My prayer is that this season becomes a great and holy one
for all of you. Thank you in advance for your presence and
your faith.
Blessings,
Pr. Tom
Transition Pastor
Matthew 28:19-20
“Go therefore and make disciples of all
the nations, baptizing them in the name of
the Father and of the Son and of the Holy
Spirit, "teaching them to observe all
things that I have commanded you; and
lo, I am with you always, even to the end
of the age." Amen.
NEW! TUESDAY
PRAYER GROUP
The Ministry of Prayer
As many of you know, there is quite an extensive list of
people that we pray for each week in worship. In fact,
our list has gotten quite long, and there are some on our
list for whom we have not had an update on in quite
some time. We take our prayer list very seriously, as we
know many of you do as well, but in recent weeks, there
have been some concerns raised in connection with our
prayer list that we want to explore. For example, do we
have the permission of those on our prayer list to have
their first and last names listed on our list? Do people
want more privacy when it comes to their prayer needs?
Is there a way that we can be more intentional about
praying for those on our list so that it’s not just a list of
names for a few brief minutes in worship once a week?
Many of you know that starting in February, Pastor Tom
will be hosting a weekly prayer group from 10-10:30 AM
on Tuesday mornings and as we engage more fully in
praying for those who are in need, we want to take the
time to ensure that we are doing that in the best ways
possible. In the coming weeks, we will be tweaking the
way our prayer list is put together and hopefully, find new
ways for the prayer life of our church to be a greater
blessing to our community. If you have questions or
ideas, please talk with Pastor Tom or Pastor Kathy.
On Tuesday mornings beginning
February 3rd, from 10:00 - 10:30 AM,
Pr. Tom Anderson invites and
encourages you to share your prayer
needs at our new Prayer Group
gathering. Together, we will offer
prayers of praise, petition and
thanksgiving to God and also pray for
those that are on our church prayer list
every week. It’s a safe place for people
to share their concerns, joys and
heartaches, knowing that many are
praying on their behalf.
TUESDAY WOMEN’S
BIBLE STUDY
This Tuesday morning Bible study
begins at 10 AM, at Esther Rostow’s
house, 1601 Heritage Springs Dr.,
located in Sun City Anthem. They are
studying the book of Romans and are
currently on Chapter 12.
New
members and guests are always
invited to join.
WEDNESDAY
WOMEN’S BIBLE
STUDY
This Wednesday morning 10 AM Bible
study group will be continuing an eight
week study on “Angels a Life Guide
Study,”
by
Douglas
Connelly.
Upcoming lessons we will be covering:
February 4th: The Battle against Us
(Ephesians 6:10-20); February 11th:
Angels and Guidance (Acts 8:26-40,
10:1-48); February 18th: Guarded by
Angels (Acts 12:1-17), and February
25th: Discerning the Spirits (1 John 4:16). This is an ongoing study and all are
welcome to join us at any time. For
further information, or to obtain a book,
contact Julie Joly (714) 496-1710, or
email [email protected].
New Leaders Elected
Saturday, January 31st & Sunday, February 1st
Congratulations to those who were elected to serve as council, 2015 Nominating Team, and
Endowment Fund members at the 2015 Annual Meeting on Sunday, January 25th. Thank you, as
well, to everyone who was willing to have their names on the ballot. The following newly elected
leaders will be installed at the services they attend on Saturday and Sunday, January 31st and
February 1st: This year’s council is: Jim Bach, Sue Clark, Patty Duffey, Todd Enerson, Ellen
Fiore, Gary Grosklaus, Rita Lambros, and John Robinson; (2015 Nominating Team) Charlotte
Goodman, Barbara Long, Karen Ortlipp, and Ray Thomas; and (Endowment Fund Team) Sam
Bach and David Ortlipp. The congregation council will be meeting in retreat in February to orient
new members, develop a working team, and elect officers for the year. Thanks to our outgoing
council members for their service on the council: Greg Brockelman, Linda Quackenboss and
Terry Richert.
“And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to
teach, patiently enduring evil”
~ Timothy 2:24
Save the Date! "Thank Your Lucky Stars"
Women's Ministry Annual Tea
March 14, 2015, 2- 4 PM
The women of New Song will be holding their annual tea on Saturday, March 14, 2015, from 2 to
4 PM. This year’s theme, "Thank Your Lucky Stars," will focus on gratitude, with a touch of the
stars and a little bit of a St. Patrick's twist. Tickets will go on sale starting in mid-February. We
are looking for women who would be willing to "host a table" (provide the various items of tea
china and facilitate the activities at your table). If you’re interested in hosting a table for this
event or for additional information, please contact Woman’s Ministry Director, Debbie Romboletti
at (702) 875-2013, or by email at [email protected].
Has Life Thrown You a Curve
This Valentine’s Day?
February is the month when the entire world seems happy, together and in love. But it may not be
so cheerful if you're alone, or ill, or have suffered any of the deep losses we face along life's path.
These days can turn into a time of sadness and pain. If you're going through a rough patch,
remember that our Stephen Ministers are ready to provide confidential, one-to-one Christian care.
They will listen, care, encourage, pray with and for you, and support you for as long as your need
persists. If you or someone you know is hurting, find out more about Stephen Ministry by talking
with one of our Stephen Leaders: Art Clayton (702) 460-8888 or Paul LaChance (702) 837-9924.
Our Stephen Ministers are there to care!
Join GriefShare & Heal!
DivorceCare Support Group
GriefShare is a ministry that provides
Bible-based support for the grief
suffered when an individual loses a
loved one through death. It is a 13week course involving videos,
reading and personal reflection with
“homework.” Since the fall of 2006,
three times a year, New Song Church
as provided facilities for the
GriefShare ministry where almost a
hundred men and women have
received assistance for their loss. If
you have lost a loved one, do not
hesitate; drop by the class that meets
every
Wednesday
at
2:30pm
beginning February 4th, at New Song
Church. For more information, or if
you’re interested in becoming a
facilitator, please contact Linda
Graham at (702) 492-1771 or email
[email protected].
Divorce ranks as one of the most stressful life events that
anyone can face. If you are going through or recovering
from a divorce, separation or failed relationship New Song’s
DivorceCare is for you! This 13-week divorce recovery
seminar and support group includes presentations on DVD
featuring top experts on divorce, real-life stories of people
who have been through divorce and recovery topics from a
Christian perspective. DivorceCare is a place where
participants gain knowledge and can share their feelings
with others, while addressing their emotional, spiritual and
practical needs in a strictly confidential environment. In a
time of great pain and stress, let us help you find an oasis
of comfort and peace on the road to healing. DivorceCare
meets on Thursdays at 2:00 pm beginning February 5th at
New Song Church. For more information, or if you’re
interested in becoming a facilitator, please contact Linda
Graham
at
(702)
492-1771
or
email
[email protected].
Blood Pressure Checks
First Sunday of Every Month
New Song’s Health and Wellness
Team provides blood pressure
checks to worshipers on the first
Sunday morning of each month.
Retired nurse, Liz Rippelmeyer, may
be found in the Community Room
after worship services with a blood
pressure cuff ready to help you
monitor this important health number!
For more information, contact Liz
Rippelmeyer at: 316-9042.
Health & Wellness
Our Health & Wellness Team is now meeting on
the second Tuesday of every month at the
Anthem Clubhouse on Hampton Road. We are
open for ideas and encourage others to join our
group. Currently, we have posted recipes for
healthy eating on the church bulletin board in the
entry way and blood pressure checks are offered
the first Sunday of each month by Liz
Ripplemeyer in the community room. Help is
needed to explore areas in care giving.
Children’s Ministry News
God’z Kidz meets each week for dinner, Bible time, games and crafts. Join us each Thursday night at 5:30
PM in the community room!
Children’s Church meets in the modular building on Sunday mornings during the 10:30 AM service. We sing
songs, learn Bible stories and try a variety of activities to highlight our Bible lesson for the week.
Upcoming Events:
Pancake Supper and Mardi Gras Party
th
February 17 at 5:30 PM
All are invited to join us for a wonderful pancake dinner with lots of activities for kids and families to help us
celebrate Mardi Gras and get ready for the season of Lent. We will start the evening at 5:30 PM! If you would
like to help set-up or cook pancakes, please talk with Pastor Kathy at (702) 492-1771.
Global Barnyards available during Lent!
During the season of Lent, we invite families to use a special Barnyard Bank to save their spare change as an
effort to purchase animals, which will help those in need to secure a better future for their families and villages.
Each week during Lent at Children’s Church and God’z Kidz, the children will focus on learning how different
animals can help communities across the globe. At the end of Lent, we will see how much money we can
collect and decide which animals we want to purchase. Be sure to keep an eye out in your bulletins for special
announcements and more information.
1st Communion Classes will begin on Tuesday nights in March. We will meet at 5:30 PM on March 3rd, 10th
and 17th and we will celebrate Holy Communion at the Maundy Thursday service on April 2nd. This year, we
will again make special ceramic chalices and so we are charging a $20 fee to cover the cost. Please contact
Pastor Kathy for more information and a registration form.
Summer Camp Information
The dates have been set and registration forms are available for Summer Camps at New Song!
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Vacation Bible School – June 15-19, 2015
Performing Arts Camp –June 22-26, 2015
Camp Hope Week 1 – June 29-July 3, 2015
Camp Hope Week 2 – July 6-10, 2015
Camp New Song – July 20-24, 2015
Stay tuned for more details, costs and ways that you can help the summer ministry mission for the kids of our
community! Contact Pastor Kathy ([email protected]) for more information!
Why Wear Your Name Tag?
New Song members and regular worshipers recently received FREE new magnetic name
tags for use at church. The name tags were a gift from the Pastors Poling-Goldenne to help
people get to know each other by name. However, did you know there are other great
reasons to wear your name tag when you come to church? The best reason is that it
communicates to guests that we are a hospitable congregation! We want to lower the anxiety
of guests by communicating our interest in meeting and greeting them. Name tags say, "We
were hoping you would come and are eager to meet you!" Name tags are also a way of
jogging the memories of those who are "name-challenged" and need a visual reminder of the
names of others around them. And, when you wear your name tag, you can receive Holy
Communion by name: "Susan, the body of Christ given for you." So, don't squander the
generous gift you have received! Wear your name tag with pride knowing that your effort is
for the benefit of the whole congregation, our guests, and even you!
Curious About New Song?
New Member Discovery Orientations
Have you been worshiping at New Song for a while and would like to know more about the
mission of this congregation? Then, join us for one of the two February Discovery
Orientations on either Sunday, February 22nd, at 10:30 AM or Tuesday, February 24th, at 6:00
PM. During the orientation, you’ll have the opportunity to meet key leaders, learn more about
the mission and ministries of New Song, hear about our future plans, and ask questions. New
members will be received the following weekend at the services they typically attend. If you
are interested in registering to participate in one of these February orientations, please
contact Nicole Bevilacqua in the church office: 492-1771 or [email protected].
Youth Ministry News
CREATION & W.I.T.T
Middle School
Confirmation & CREATION
Roller Skating Event
Every Thursday, New Song’s middle
school students gather from 4:006:00 PM for an afternoon of discovery
and fun! From 4:00-5:00 PM, they
participate in Confirmation class. It’s
a weekly journey through the
Scriptures that happens September
through May. Over a two-year period,
the students study key stories in the
Old and New Testaments, the Lord’s
Prayer, the Apostles Creed, the Ten
Commandments,
and
the
sacraments. This month’s Bible
stories include the beatitudes (Feb
5th), the feeding of the five thousand
(Feb 12th), the good Samarian (Feb
19th), and the parable of the lost and
found (Feb. 29th). For more details on
Confirmation, Creation, and W.I.T.T.,
please contact our Youth Pastor,
Pastor Jennifer Zahnow at (702) 4921771, extension 207 or email
[email protected].
On February 22nd, from 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM, the middle
and high school youth (6th to 12th grade) will be going roller
skating. We will have pizza at church and then head to the
skating rink located at: Crystal Place Boulder, 4680
Boulder Highway, Las Vegas, NV 89121. The cost for the
events is $15 (includes lunch and admission to the skating
rink). Youth are invited to bring a friend. Scholarships are
available contact Pastor Jennifer for more information.
Parents are also needed to drive.
Chili Cook Off
Thank you to everyone who participated in the
youth chili cook-off. All had a wonderful
evening of fellowship. We raised $358.00 for
the summer mission trip.
Military Ministry Update
The Military Ministry has started our most fun event for the year, our annual “Love Our Troops” silent
auction. All proceeds collected will go to the US Vets Organization to help the veterans that are currently
staying there. They get the vets back on their feet, help them find a job, and get them back into society.
This auction concludes right before Valentine's Day, so you can use your winnings to take your
spouse/partner out on the town. The auction began on Saturday, January 31st and will run through
February 8th. The winner will be determined by the highest bid on a gift card or item and will be
determined after the 10:30 AM worship service on Sunday, February 8th. We will notify the winner by
phone. Your prize can then be picked up in the church office. Some of the items being auctioned off are,
a SouthPoint Casino & Hotel package, 8 local restaurant gift cards, and other items and services
contributed by 11 church members. We have many other items and services as well. This is our list as of
January 21st, so please bid and bid often. These are nice gifts to give over Valentine's Day. Thank you in
advance for helping us out in supporting the US Vets Organization here in Las Vegas.
2015 Nevada Legislative Issues Forum
Join other New Songers for a meeting on Tuesday, February 24th, at 6:30 PM, to discuss the variety of
issues slated for Nevada's 2015 Legislative Session. Governor Sandoval is proposing a major funding
increase for public education and changes to the state's tax structure. AARP has a CARE Act going
before legislators that will provide relief to care-givers of the elderly and others with special needs. It
promises to be a legislative session with lots of action! As a participating organization of Nevadans for the
Common Good, New Song is involved in community organizing to make the future better for all who call
Nevada home. Come, listen, learn, and share your opinions at the February 24th New Song forum! For
more information, contact New Song Council member and NCG congregational coordinator, Ellen Fiore:
[email protected] or (702) 467-4442 or Pastor Marta Poling-Goldenne: [email protected]
or (702) 460-9851.
Remembering Pastor Dave’s Ministry
Many thanks to the members and friends of New Song who attended the memorial service for Pastor
David Poling-Goldenne on Sunday, January 18th. Pastor Marta and the entire Poling-Goldenne family
appreciated the honoring of his life and legacy by your presence. Thank you, also, to those who have
given financial gifts in memory of Pastor Dave to New Song Church, New Song Christian Academy,
Lutheran Social Services of Nevada or Nevadans for the Common Good. The gifts to New Song Church
will be used to purchase new paraments (seasonal cloth coverings on the front of the altar). All gifts will
be acknowledged by both a personal note and in your giving record for tax purposes. Again, thank you for
your presence and your generous gifts!
New Song Staff
Interim Lead Pastor: Tom Anderson
Teaching Pastor: David Miller
Associate Pastor for Youth Ministry: Jennifer Zahnow
Associate Pastor for Children’s Ministry: Kathy Morris
Parish Assistant: Nicole Bevilacqua Director of Worship Arts: Jason Manlapaz
Custodial Engineer: Tom Davis Church Administrator: Linda Graham
New Song Christian Academy Director: Pr. Jennifer Zahnow
Teachers: Birgit Drowanowski, Annette Kindell,
& Pr. Jennifer Zahnow
Teacher’s Asssistants: Bessie Demetriou & Tamara Comandatore
Ministers: All the people of New Song Church