HCLC Vol 7 Iss 1

Discover

YOUR FAITH.

Live

Grow

IN COMMUNITY.

GOD’S MISSION.

DEEPER WITH CHRIST VOLUME 7 ISSUE 1 2020

Discover. Grow. L i v e.

HOLY COMFORTER LUTHERAN CHURCH

GoDeeperWithChrist.org

1901 WOODLAND HILLS DRIVE - KINGWOOD, TX - 281.358.6500 - GODEEPERWITHCHRIST.ORG - FACEBOOK.COM/HOLYCOMFORTERLUTHERAN www.godeeperwithchrist.org 1

PASTOR’S MESSAGE Greetings brothers and sisters in Christ—

Much of life is about perspective, isn’t it? How we look at things, how we hear things, how we see things, what we see, all depends on our perspective of the situation - the person, the issue, the time or the place. We come back to that age-old question, “Is the glass half full or is the glass half empty?”

Life is all about perspective.

Perspective can be a wonderful thing. Perspective puts us in our place and helps us keep God in His! As followers of Jesus Christ, we are able to have a different perspective on life - one with our gracious, loving God in control and one with the end always in mind. You see, we are freed to live life differently since we know that God is for us and the final outcome is already taken care of (on the cross and with the resurrection of Jesus). We may live knowing that the race has already been won for us.

We are able to live life knowing that we are beyond blessed-- “everything else is gravy,” and “the glass is more than half full.”

We are Easter people who live in the state of the “already but not yet”. It will be Lent soon but not yet Easter. We are already resurrection people but we have not yet been resurrected. We live “on Saturday.” We are a people who live in the hope and the promise that death is not the end, but we have not yet died. We are a people who live knowing the ultimate end - eternal life with Him and His Father in His Father’s kingdom, yet we are not yet home.

In the meantime, we have a lot to do for Him. In a lost and hurting world, with lost and hurting people, we can be, and are called to be, a people of healing, hope, and home. He has given us the gifts and the tools we need. He has blessed us with the promise of His presence and guidance along the way. He has placed us where He needs us. He now says, “Go. Teach them. Show them my love.”

Let us be His Easter people. Let us be His instruments of healing and hope in the world. Let us be His hands and feet, until we one day do go home.

I pray that as we look forward to the celebration of the resurrection of our Lord, you might be filled with this great perspective of life in Christ. Commit yourself to regular worship. Get involved in a Bible Study. Get connected in a Small Group. Spend time in daily prayer. Give of yourself and the resources God has given you. LIVE knowing, trusting, and believing in His love. Share His love.

From the 23rd Psalm: The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need…My cup overflows with blessings…..and I will live in the house of the Lord forever. (New Living Translation)

Peace, Pastor Barb

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Discover

[page 4] Worship & Music Ministry [page 5] WELCA Hosts Lunch

Grow

[page 4] First Place 4 Health [page 4] Praise Walkers [page 4] Front Pew Sunday [page 6] WoW [page 7] Early Childhood Education [page 8] Where Did the Quilts Go?

Live

[page 10] Gathering Place [page 10] Kids Hope

Second Family Care Team

[page 11] Service Project [page 11] Fiel es Dios [page 14] Water to Thrive

[page 10]

Advent & Christmas at HCLC

[page 14] Statistical Report [page 15] Stewardship

[page 12]

GO! GO! is a quarterly magazine produced and published by the members of HCLC. The content of this magazine is intended to be shared. It is designed

by Michelle Valenzuela and printed

by PostNet - Kingwood.

Editor’s Note: For article and photo submission, please contact Pam MacNaughton at 281.358.6500 or pam@godeeperwithchrist.org.

www.godeeperwithchrist.org

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WOMEN OF THE ELCA HOST CONGREGATIONAL LUNCH Our Women of the ELCA unit hosted a congregational lunch “Poetry and Love” on Sunday, February 9, at 12:15 p.m., in Luther Hall. Christy Janacek presented a painting program for adults, and Colleen Engel helped young children create Valentines.

During December and January we donated 3 boxes of books to HAAM for their spring and summer reading programs. In February and March we are collecting Birthday Bags for Society of St. Stephen. Details are on display in the narthex by the white basket. If you have any questions about our women’s group, please contact Beth Moseman 281-358-5501.

By Beth Moseman

Where Did Our Quilts and Kits Go?

September November December Tanzania Iraq Ukraine

First Place 4 Health

First Place for Health has started a new session as of Wednesday, January 29. We focus on physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. The class includes a weekly Bible study and a session lasts 12 weeks. Contact Beth Moseman 281358-5501 if you are interested in getting into the next session.

By Beth Moseman

PRAISE

WALKERS

Praise Walk is a group that meets every morning for an hour of exercise in the narthex area using mostly DVDs with a variety of types of exercise (walking, aerobics, weights, yoga, bands, etc.). We are meeting from 8:15 – 9:15 a.m. Monday – Friday. Call Beth Moseman 281-358-5501 or 281-615-1131 for details.

By Beth Moseman

St. Mat SC, w

Going deeper in faith, service, & relationships orship & usic inistry in Looking back

LINDA UTECHT - STORY TELLER!

CHRISTMAS EVE

St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, Charleston, SC, where Marsha attended the National Conference for Sacred Music

It seems a distant memory… Worship at HCLC included beautiful candlelight, scriptures, messages, music, and prayers. At 5:00, all children were invited to wear pajamas and join “grandparents” Duane and Linda Utecht for the Children’s Christmas Story, a project designed by Rebecca Carver and Colleen Engel. Leadership by worship workers, choirs, handbells, and brass was splendid, and of course the assembly sang heartily and joyfully to worship the Christ Child. The growing light of individual candles and singing Silent Night at all three services can hardly be described in words.

Our gratitude to everyone who works so diligently to offer their gifts and talents in worship. All singers and instrumentalists contribute to the leadership and beauty of worship. Thank you to the many, many people who serve in non-musical ways, including altar guild, ushers, lectors, servers, and so many more. Every person makes a significant contribution, and you truly matter! Thank you, also, to those who gave financial offerings to help with the cost of the professional brass quartet for Christmas Eve. Volunteers are always welcome to join in the many opportunities to serve in worship and music.

The Christmas Carol Sing on January 12 was well-attended and enthusiastic. Our next Hymn Sing will be in May. Watch for the date to join us to sing your favorites in an informal setting!

Young children’s music and learning was added to WoW a year and a half ago, and it’s quite a success for children ages 3 through kindergarten. Children and teachers are enthused, and we have a great time! Join us for dinner at 6:00 on Wednesdays, then all ages move into peer groups for Bible study and activities.

WANT TO BE A MUSIC-MAKER? We have room for more people in every musical group at HCLC. See the calendar for the weekly schedule, and join us to observe or participate as you wish. Each group, in addition to rehearsing during the week and leading worship on designated Sundays and special days, takes time to share and pray and play together. Tutoring is available on Wednesdays and 5:30 p.m., with additional tutoring and child care provided as needed/requested.

Lent, Holy Week, and Easter

By Marsha Seale Minister of Worship & Music

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent on February 26. Worship at 7:00 p.m., with Holy Communion and the optional Imposition of Ashes, reminds us that God created human beings out of the dust of the earth, and one day we will return to dust. “Lent” means “spring” or the lengthening of days, and lasts for forty days (plus Sundays and Holy Week), as Jesus fasted and prayed in the desert for forty days.

MID-WEEK WORSHIP WITH DRAMATIC MONOLOGUES The Power of His Last Words – Wednesdays in Lent, March 4 through April 8 at 7:00 p.m. Come for dinner at 6:00, followed by a half-hour of activities for everyone, then worship together from 7:00-7:30. The weekly monologues will tell us about some of the last words of Jesus from the cross, told from the imagined perspectives Zacchaeus, John, Martha, the Samaritan woman at the well, and Nicodemus.

PALM SUNDAY/SUNDAY OF THE PASSION, SUNDAY APRIL 5 Worship at 8:15 and 11:00 a.m. Worship will begin outdoors, weather permitting.

MAUNDY THURSDAY, APRIL 9 7:00 p.m. full liturgy including Holy Communion and stripping of the altar. “Maundy” comes from the Latin word for “mandate” (mandatum) and emphases Jesus’ mandate that we love one another as God has loved us.

GOOD FRIDAY, APRIL 10 7:00 p.m. special full liturgy – “The Triumph of the Cross” EASTER DAY, APRIL 12 Festival worship at 8:00, 9:30 and 11:00 p.m., with music led by our choirs, handbells, a professional brass quartet, and timpani. Join us to worship the Risen Lord! A special children’s event will be part of the 9:30 worship hour.

LENT IN A BAG Please take home “Lent in a Bag” for you/your family to practice Lent at home in the coming season. Each bag will have symbols of the season to assist you with scriptures, reflections, and activities.

On Sunday, April 19, we will bid Godspeed to Pastor Barb as she embarks on her four-month Sabbatical. Come worship with us that day and every Sunday.

www.godeeperwithchrist.org

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FRONT PEW SUNDAY!

All children age 3-9 are invited to join us for Front Pew Sunday the 2nd Sunday of each month.

November 10th, 2019 20 kids joined us on the Front Pew November 10. We heard the World Communion Godly Play story and explored being thankful in our activity stations.

December 8th, 2019

January 12th, 2020

WOW

Worship, Word, Witness on Wednesday

GODLY PLAY WITH REBECCA CARVER

PREPARING BAGS FOR THE L3 TURKEY TROT

www.godeeperwithchrist.org

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Early Childhood Education@HCLC ACCEPTING REGISTRATION FOR THE 2020 - 2021 SCHOOL YEAR Holy Comforter Lutheran Church School Registration for 2020-2021 School Year: February 24-28- Existing families and church members March 4- Open to the public Holy Comforter will begin its 47th School year serving families in our community. We will offer the following classes: MDO- 2 year olds (children must turn 2 by Dec 31) - 1 class of 10 students with 2 teachers MDO - Early 3 (children turn 3 between Sept 1-January 1) - 1 class of 12 students with 2 teachers Preschool 3 - (children turn 3 by Sept 1) - 3 classes- each class has 14 children with 2 teachers Preschool 4- (children turn 4 by Sept 1) - 3 classes- each class has 16 children with 2 teachers Extended Care is available for MDO and Preschool students from 7am - 6pm (flexible schedules are available).

For more info contact Colleen Engel, Director Email hclcschool@gmail.com Phone 281-358-9337

By Colleen Engel, Director of Early Childhood Education Outside Mrs. Snyder’s classroom

Outside the 2’s room Taking donations to Society of St. Stephen

Outside Mrs. Barker’s classroom

Fun Friday pumpkin pie baking and tasting. 3 year olds helped bake then tasted and graphed their experience. Thanks to Mrs. Dietrich and Mrs. Bockstanz for making this annual event a success.

Early care STEM: Creating Christmas Trees

Beautiful January day! Love our playground, Amazon boxes and our great Texas weather!

Christmas Parties!

Heading Back!

CAMP HOPE 2020 The theme for Camp Hope 2020 is set. Blast off with us as we experience a “Galactic Adventure�. The three weeks of Camp are June 29 - July 3, July 6 - 10, July 13 - 17. Registration information will be landing here soon!

www.godeeperwithchrist.org

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KIDS HOPE USA Mentoring is FUN! My first kid will be graduating in May. I am so proud of him and so thankful that Kids Hope was available to give him the support he needed.

YOU can make a difference. Please prayerfully consider becoming a Kids Hope mentor. We work with Bear Branch Elementary. One hour a week can change the life of a kid.

Call Cathie Tanner for more information, 281-358-0622.

By Cathie Tanner

GATHERING

PLACE

The Gathering Place at HCLC meets on the first Friday of each month from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. to offer respite care to families with a loved one who has dementia, Parkinson’s, stroke, etc. During the hours that care partners are at HCLC our volunteers engage with them in activities, crafts, exercise, music, and more. We offer entertainment and lunch along with fellowship and support.

During 2020 our theme is “Around the World” with each month focusing on a different country. In January we learned about China and celebrated the Chinese New Year. On February 7th we visited Italy and March 6th will find us learning about Ireland. If you have visited or lived in either of those countries, we would love to have you come and relate some of your experiences. So come join the fun. If you are interested in volunteering (once a month) or know someone who would benefit from attending The Gathering Place as a care partner, please contact Pam MacNaughton 281-460-9252 or Beth Moseman 281-358-5501.

By Beth Moseman

SECOND FAMILY CARE TEAM Updates!

The Second Family Care Team last met on Tuesday, February 4, at 7 pm, in the narthex area. We planned for Easter and reassigned care partners. We are in special need of drivers to help take care partners to a doctor appointment or other such errand. The SFCT is a ministry that provides practical, emotional and spiritual support to our care partners. We do such things as visits, household tasks, transportation, social outings, assistance with errands, and more depending on the needs of each individual. We are committed to serve with dignity, compassion and respect for each person. Currently we have 25 care partners that we are assisting. If this sounds like something you would enjoy doing, please contact Beth Moseman 281-358-5501.

By Beth Moseman

WATER TO

THRIVE

Water to Thrive is a non profit organization based in Austin whose mission is to bring clean, safe water to rural east African communities in need. Water to Thrive wrapped up its 10th anniversary year in 2019 with the funding of well number 1,000. According to Executive Director Susanne Wilson, “Access to clean water means a life-changing impact on health, education, and economic development, and 1,000 wells equals millions of hours saved and hundreds of thousands of lives.� We at Holy Comforter are proud to be one of the congregations who has helped make this possible. We are looking forward to completing funding for well number 8. Our third Sunday of the month collection at the end of worship goes to Water to Thrive for this endeavor. Give generously if you are able.

By Pam MacNaughton

SERVICE Cards PROJECT: for military & others

The plaque at our most recent completed water project in the Tigray region of Ethiopia

Beneficiaries enjoying the clean water access

Worship, Word, Witness

www.godeeperwithchrist.org 11

DECORATING THE TREE

CHRISTMAS EVE

ADVENT & CHRISTMAS@HCLC

C CHRISTMAS LUNCH & CHIME RINGING

Photos by Steve Hansen & Peter Kaleda

www.godeeperwithchrist.org 13

Fiel es Dioslatest news!

Christmas in Peru!

Thank you from all the children of Fiel es Dios. They were delighted with their Christmas gifts, funded by Holy Comforter and selected by their pastor, Pastora Yoli. Fiel es Dios is our sister church in Iquitos, Peru, and our after-church offering on the second Sunday of every month is used for the Peru ministry. We wire funds to Pastora Yoly quarterly; she uses the money to purchase food for the children two or three days a week. In addition, Pastora Yoli provides a safe haven and helps her charges learn to read.

Peru in 2021

Are you interested in going to Peru to meet Pastora Yoly and the other members of her congregation? We are planning a trip next year. At our exploratory meeting in January, around twenty people expressed interest in attending, including some youth. The trip will most likely be during a vacation period, either when the schools have a week off in February or March or during the summer. Once we have a committed group, the group will decide just when they want to go and how they would like to be involved with the Fiel es Dios congregation.

Our rough estimate of cost is $2100-$3000 per person, to include airfare, lodging in Iquitos and a three day adventure in the Amazon.

If you would like to join us or get more information, please contact Sheryl Stucky or Sue Goodwin.

By Sue Godwin

What is Stewardship and how do we grow into generosity?

By Liz Johnson, Gift Planner for the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod (edited by Wade Wallinger)

Stewardship is about our values and the way in which we use the resources provided to us. We are all familiar with a tithe on Sunday, a special gift or pledge to the capital campaign on the occasion of special need, but there are other ways to make a difference!

Many Lutherans have never thought about the benefit to ministry of leaving a gift upon their own passing. Is there a better testimony to an individual’s values in life or a more appropriate gift to make? Is there a better time for a gift to the church or ministry than when you as an individual congregation member least needs it?

Consider leaving a legacy that serves your family and faith-based ministries for the next generation and beyond. Gift plans explore the options of bequests, gift annuities, personal endowments or trusts as a last financial blessing and testimony.

The church, through the Lutheran Foundation of the Southwest and ELCA, offers resources at no cost or obligation that guide the planning decisions you will make so that you know your wishes will be fulfilled as desired.

Our synod Gift Planner is Liz Johnson. Feel free to contact her directly for a confidential, no cost, no obligation visit at 713.775.1595 or email lcjohnson@lfsw.org.

She can help you with what you would like to achieve!

Or contact any member of the endowment team: Wade Wallinger, Duane Utecht, Rita Hansen and Bill Goebel. Share your ideas with how to use the benefits of an endowment and ask how you can help build for our future together at Holy Comforter!

STATISTICAL REPORT2019 Baptisms

Lula Rae Vincent

Memorial Services Richard Bachert Tetyana Bernyk Steve Feller Judy Garrison Ken Holder John Kennedy Marilyn Mobley

New Members

Hoffland Family Pat Whitehurst

Confirmation

Jacob Michael Taylor Farah Lynn Tennant

Holy Comforter Lutheran School August 2018-December 2018:

Income [$212,504.69] Expenses [$204,580.98] Monthly building usage fee [$1000] Monthly maintenance & cleaning [$400] Monthly janitorial supplies [$175] Classroom supplies [$8535.00] Building maintenance and repairs [$12,810.00] Checking Balance 1.16.2020 [$44,473.94] Money Market Balance 1.16.2020 [$71,936.42]

Attendance &Membership Changes Average Weekly Worship Attendance [152] Membership previous year [411] Members received during 2019

By Baptism [1]

Affirmed by Faith [4] Transfer [5] Total [10] Members removed during 2019

By death, inactive, moved,

transfer, etc.

Total [59] Members as of 12.31.2019 [357] Confirmed Members as of 12.31.2019 [296]

Financial Highlights

Thanks to the generosity of the members of Holy Comforter Lutheran Church in 2019, our congregation made a significant level of outreach beyond our church in terms of budget support plus other giving totaling almost $60,000. As part of the 2019 budget, HCLC gave $36,783 in benevolence to the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod and our ELCA partnership plus $2,000 to Humble Area Assistance Ministries as our covenant support to HAAM. Over and above the budget items, members gave $14,084 in the after service collections for HCLC’s outreach partners. This consisted of $7,015 for Sandwich Sunday (providing about 550 sandwich lunches to the Star of Hope shelter each month), $3,512 to Fiel es Dios (our partner congregation in Peru), $2,398 to Water to Thrive (drilling water wells in Africa), and $1,159 to the local Rescue Barn (caring for abused animals). In addition, members gave $5,270 to KIX (Iquitos Exchange with Fiel es Dios), $910 in disaster relief, and $640 to the ELCA Good Gifts program. These efforts are truly something to celebrate!

In terms of member giving, total budget contributions for 2019 were $527,909. Budget contributions in 2019 were about $32,700 less than budget contributions in 2018. Total income for 2019 was $540,852. Expenditures in 2019 totaled $550,217 which is almost $33,000 lower than in 2018. For the year 2019, Holy Comforter’s expenditures were $9,365 greater than income.

Let us strive to be even more generous in 2020.

Duane Utecht, Treasurer

Melissa Lanier, Council President

“As we embrace 2020 and prepare for this year’s challenges and opportunities, let us be mindful of all the wonderful blessings God has bestowed not only on us personally, but on Holy Comforter. God is doing a great work within our congregation and is leading us into new areas as we seek ways to help others discover their faith, grow in community and live God’s mission. In moving forward, let each of us examine how we are personally living God’s mission and supporting Holy Comforter with our time, talents and resources.

2019 OUTREACH 2018 HCLC Finances TOTAL INCOME [$527,909] Budget Offering [$514,655]

(includes $6,976 Unrecorded Plate Offering & $9,145 Spec Services)

Building Use: Other [$2,035] School [$9,000] Other [$2219] TOTAL EXPENSES [$550,217]

Synod Benevolence and ELCA Partnership[$40,500] HAAM Covenant Support [$2,000] Total Budget Outreach [$42,500] Other Outreach Contributions Every Sunday Collections Sandwich Sunday [$7,015] Fiel es Dios Peru [$3,513] Water to Thrive [$2,398] Rescue Barn [$1,159] Other Contributions KIX (Iquitos Exchange-Peru) [$5,270] Total Other Outreach [$19,355] TOTAL OUTREACH [$61,855] • • • • •

HAAM Seasons of Sharing and Special Collections of Sneakers and Halloween Costumes Sandwich Sunday, 550+ lunches and supplies each month to Star of Hope Men’s Development Center Food and Clothing to HAAM as well as Bean Soup Project and Children’s Nutrition Packs Quilts for Lutheran World Relief Birthday Bags and Food to Society of St. Stephen

www.godeeperwithchrist.org 15

Discover. Grow. L i v e.

GoDeeperWithChrist.org

Holy Comforter Lutheran CHurch Staff

The Reverend Barbara Bartling Senior Pastor pastorbarb@godeeperwithchrist.org Marsha Seale Minister of Worship and Music marsha@godeeperwithchrist.org Bill Goebel Financial Secretary bill@godeeperwithchrist.org Pam MacNaughton Director of Administration pam@godeeperwithchrist.org Colleen Engel Education Director colleen@godeeperwithchrist.org Duane Utecht Operations Coordinator operations@godeeperwithchrist.org

Church Council Members

President - Melissa Lanier Vice-President - Brad Goodwin Secretary - Megan Vincent Treasurer - Duane Utecht Past President - Peter Kaleda Other members: Wade Wallinger, Geneva Pattishall, Pastor Barb Bartling Holy Comforter Lutheran Church is the sum of its members blessed and empowered by the Holy Spirit to do ministry together. We are a traditional church & congregation that thinks and works “outside the box� to bring progressive ministries, services, programs and outreach to our local community and beyond!

Holy Comforter Lutheran Church & School was the first church and preschool program in Kingwood, Texas. We are a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Visit www.godeeperwithchrist.org for more info on our Mission & Vision, History, Pastor, Staff & Council, Ministries, Communion Policy, Testimonials & Worship Services.

Cover Photo by Steve Hansen