The Chrysalis

Current news from Holy Redeemer Lutheran Church 
-- a place of safety --
December 1, 2017                 Vol. 18, Issue 12
  Greetings!

You have just received the December 1, 2017 Chrysalis - the newsletter of Holy Redeemer Lutheran Church. Please read through it for information concerning events during the coming month. Chrysalis will be published by the office staff, in this form, near the first of each month -- with special editions during the month (as warranted).

If you desire a printed copy of the Chrysalis you may print this email version (as with any email you receive). There will also be a few printed copies in the narthex for visitors, and for members of HRLC who do not have printing capabilities. [Note: This is an email newsletter and does not paginate the way a non-email newsletter might.]

Should you accidentally (or deliberately) delete this email, you may also find a link to the Chrysalis on our web site (www.hrlcsj.org). Go to the Member "Home" tab, then the "Communication" tab, and then click on "Newsletter" to find the month you are seeking.
Ministry Activity Contacts for December
(For information about an activity call the Ministry Activity Contact)

Literatsi on December 02 beginning at 9:00am
Pastor John

Pack Food Bags for Food Pantry on December 03 from 11:45am to 12:15pm
Carolyn Keck

Budget TF Mtg #1 on December 06 beginning at 2:00pm
Carolyn Keck

Praying and Sharing on December 09 from 9:00am to 10:30am
Pastor John

Budget TF Mtg #2 on December 09 beginning at 11:00am
Carolyn Keck

Food Pantry Distribution on December 09 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm
Mary West

The Closet Distribution on December 09 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm
Leslie Stobbe & Julie Neider

Out and About to San Jose Stage Company on December 10 beginning at 2:00pm
Pastor John

Budget TF MTG #3 on December 13 at 2:00pm
Carolyn Keck

BLT Mtg on December 14 beginning at 6:30pm
Leslie Stobbe

Tree trimming and Sanctuary decorating on December 16 beginning at 12:00pm
Pastor John

Congregation Annual Meeting on December 17 beginning at 11:30am
Leslie Stobbe

Pack Food Bags on December 17 beginning at 12:30pm
Carolyn Keck

Food Pantry Distribution on December 23 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm
Marcia Freesemann

Pack Hygiene Kits for The Closet on December 24 from 11:45am to 12:15pm
Leslie Stobbe

Brunch Bunch on December 31 at 11:45am
PastorJohn

 Families in Need Ministry
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The Families in Need Ministry is one of Holy Redeemer's very important ministries, providing "hands on" immediate care for families and individuals who are in dire need. We take a special benevolence collection on the first Sunday of June and December to help families and individuals who are in crisis, be it sojourners who have just crossed our path or members of our own community who have fallen on hard times.

This ministry was designed to provide funds to those who are facing an emergency that requires some financial assistance beyond their ability to pay.

If you have need of assistance from this ministry, or know someone who does, please contact the Families in Need Ministry Facilitator or one of the team members. The contact information is listed below. The process is simple: a form needs to be completed with some basic information about who needs the money and what it will be used for. Then the Ministry Team will meet and decide whether or not to grant the request and, if granted the amount.

Although someone could be helped from this fund more than once, it is not intended to be an on-going source of support. Rather, it is intended as a quick response to an immediate need.

We have helped several families this year and the funds for this ministry need to be replenished. Please consider making a donation and be as generous as possible so that we can once again be in a position to offer aid when the need arises. The families that we have helped this year were extremely grateful for the assistance in their time of need. Thank you for your support of this extremely important ministry.

Families in Need Ministry Team
Marcia Freesemann, Facilitator -- sjdragonlady@aol.com
Carolyn Keck -- carolynk@acdsoft.com
Lisa Paulsen -- ljpaulsen@gmail.com
Leslie Stobbe -- lesliestobbe@gmail.com

HRLC Warming Center
Holy Redeemer will host a warming center for the women who will be residing at Temple Emanu El during December and the first part of January. Beginning on December 6, they will utilize the Upper Room of the Parish Hall on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. volunteers from the temple will be on site each day to help the women during the day and the office will offer oversight in order to make sure that needs are met (and problems handled). They will be with us until January 3.

It is unknown if the women will be on site on December 25. If they are not, we will be taking our Christmas presents to them (hoodies and blankets) at Temple Emanu El (where they will be gathered around the Hannukah Tree).

This program is a part of the Village House program (An Interfaith Shelter of Hope), which offers housing to pre-screened homeless women who are engaged in seeking employment and a permanent residence.

( Weekly) Those Who Serve -- November 2017
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December 03:
  • Usher: Leslie Stobbe
  • Reader: David Smith
  • Comm Asst: Carolyn Keck
  • Altar Prep: Mary West
  • Refreshments: M West & J Neider
  • Counter: Kathy Wiese
December 10:
  • Usher: Mike Hagaman
  • Reader: Leslie Stobbe
  • Comm Asst: Marcia Freesemann
  • Altar Prep: Kathy Wiese
  • Refreshments: M. Freesemann
  • Counter: Leslie Stobbe
December 17:
  • Usher: Mary West and J. Neider
  • Reader: Kay Ammon
  • Comm Asst: Marcia Freesemann
  • Altar Prep: Mike Hagaman
  • Refreshments: Leslie Stobbe
  • Counter: Carolyn Keck
December 24:
  • Usher: Kathy Wiese
  • Reader: Pastor John
  • Comm Asst: Marcia Freesemann
  • Altar Prep: Julie Neider
  • Refreshments: Carolyn Keck
  • Counter: Marcia Freesemann
December 31:
  • Usher: Leslie Stobbe
  • Reader: Pastor John
  • Comm Asst: Marcia Freesemann
  • Altar Prep: Marcia Freesemann
  • Refreshments: Marcia Freesemann
  • Counter: Marcia Freesemann
If there is a problem with the weekly listing of Those Who Serve please notify the church office so that it can be corrected when we publish the weekly worship materials.

If you are unable to fulfill a task on the date assigned please procure a replacement and notify the office concerning the arrangements you have made.
Christmas Services
Christmas Eve
December 24 at 10:00pm

A service of candlelight and readings
celebrating the birth of Jesus of Nazareth

Christmas Day
December 25 at 10:00am

A festive Christmas service
celebrating the child born among us

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Volunteers
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Christmas Eve:
  • Usher: Julie Neider
  • Readers: Carolyn Keck and Pastor John
  • Comm. Asst: Marcia Freesemann
  • Altar Prep: Marcia Freesemann
  • Worship Space & Service Prep: Pastor John
  • Prelude Music: Pastor John
  • Counter: Marcia Freesemann
Christmas Day:
  • Usher: Julie Neider
  • Readers: Pastor John
  • Comm Asst: Marcia Freesemann
  • Altar Prep: Marcia Freesemann
  • Worship Space & Service Prep: Pastor John
  • Prelude Music: Pastor John
  • Counter: Marcia Freesemann
(Monthly)Those Who Serve -- December 2017
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Bake Bread -- Awic Smith
Buy (Merlot)Wine -- Leslie Stobbe
Buy (White Grape) Juice -- Awic Smith
Worship Space Preparation -- Pastor John
Worship Service Preparation -- Kathy Wiese
Healing Prayers & Imposition of Oil -- Carolyn Keck
Recorded Prelude Music -- Pastor John
  If there is a problem with the monthly listing of Those Who Serve please notify the church office so that it can be corrected when we publish the weekly worship materials.
Have You Signed Up for the following
on
SignUpGenius?


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CONVERSATIONS IS FULL

Conversations Around the Table 2018

2nd Wednesday of the Month
January thru August

6:30 pm to 9:00pm

Fellowship and Tapas

Discussion of
Christianity after Religion and Grounded
by
Diana Butler Bass

LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE

SPACE
AVAILABLE

Pastor John's
Dinner and Study 2018

1st Wednesday of the Month
January thru August

6:30pm to 8:00pm

Bring your own dinner

Viewing of
Native Peoples of North America
with
Professor Daniel M. Cobb

LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE

SPACE
AVAILABLE

Progressive Theology Dialogue 2018

2018 will see the reprise of the Professional Theology Dialogue
(which was on hiatus during 2017)

We will generally meet on the fourth (or last) Tuesday of the Month
January thru August

6pm until 8pm

The topic under discussion will be:
Jesus and his Jewish Influences
with
Professor Jodi Magness

We will be using a video series from The Great Courses as the basis for the dialogue

A course outline will be provided for all participants

LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE


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LIMITED SPACE
AVAILABLE

Literatsi Discussions
2018
iJava
(Delmas and Auzerais)

9am until 10:30am

March 3, 2018
" The God of Small Things"
by
Arundhati Roy

June 2, 2018
"Firefly Summer"
by
Nan Rossiter

September 1, 2018
The Gentleman in Moscow
by Amor Towles

December 1, 2018
homer and langley
by
e.l. doctorow
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MOVIES
IS FULL

Movies with Pastor John
2018
Bangsund Room

9am until (approximately) 12:00pm

January 6, 2018
"Camelot"
starring
Richard Harris and Vanessa Redgrave

April 7, 2018
"Excalibur"
starring
Nigel Terry and Helen Mirren

June 30, 2018
King Arthur
starring
Clive Owen and Keira Knightley

September 29
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
starring
Graham Chapman and John Cleese
Christmas Tree Decorating
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Mark your calendars for Saturday, December 16, for the decorating of the Christmas Tree and the decorating of the sanctuary!

The plan is to have the tree delivered the morning of the 16th and to spend the afternoon (beginning at noon) listening to Christmas music and putting on the lights and ornaments. During this time we will also be putting up the garlands, banners and decorations in the sanctuary and the church office, and putting wreaths on the doors of the church.

It is hoped that someone can be found to make some Christmas cookies for all of the workers and that we might be able to find a "wassail maker". If you know of anyone who might fit the bill, please let Pastor John know.

A SignUpGenius was sent out the middle of November seeking people to help with the decorating. If you haven't signed up to help, it is not too late!

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Happy Birthday
in
December
December 8 -- Mary West

December 11 -- Kay Ammon

December 13 -- Julie Neider

December 19 -- Cassandra "Pia" Smith
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December Flower Donors

12/03 -- Christmas Season -- No Flowers

12/10 -- Christmas Season -- No Flowers

12/17 -- Christmas Season -- No Flowers
The Tree is up and decorated!!

12/24 -- Christmas Season -- Only the tree

Christmas Eve -- Poinsettias provided by
members & friends of HRLC

Christmas Day -- Poinsettias provided by
members & friends of HRLC

12/31 -- Poinsettias provided by HRLC
December Sanctuary Lamp
Donors

12/03 -- Mike Hagaman -- in celebration of
the season

12/10 -- Kathy Wiese -- Merry Christmas

12/17 -- April Kellett -- in celebration of
Dewain Delp's birthday

12/24 -- Kay Ammon -- in memory of her
father, Arthur Fleming
12/31 -- Mike Hagaman -- in thankfulness
for the year past
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December Sister Parish Support
12/03 -- Leslie Stobbe -- Still believes in
the wonder of Christmas

12/10 -- Lisa Paulsen -- in honor of Betty,
CJ and Bill's birthdays

12/17 -- Lisa Paulsen -- in honor of Elsie &
Bobby's birthdays

12/24 -- Pastor John -- in memory of the
Wounded Knee Massacre (12/19/1860)

12/31 -- Lisa Paulsen -- in honor of
Brooke's birthday
"Tree of Life" near Sister Parish
December 2017 Calendar

  December 01
  • Pastor John Returns from Vacation
  • Office Closed

December 02
  • Members Praying for Members (All Day, whenever you like)
  • 9:00am - Literatsi at iJava

December 03 
  • 3rd Sunday in the Season of Advent
  • Pastor John Afternoon Off
  • Special Benevolence/Ministry Offering
  • Recycling Collection
  • 10:00am - Celebration and Communion Liturgy
  • 11:15am - Fellowship Time
  • 11:45am - Pack Food Bags

December 04
  • Pastor John Day Off
  • 9:30am - Office Open (until 1:30pm)
  • 10:00am - Announcements due

December 05
  • 1:00pm - Office Open (until 4:00pm)
  • 2:00pm - Office Staff Mtg

December 06   
  • 2:00pm - Budget TF Mtg #1
  • 3:00pm - Office Open (until 6:00pm)

December 07
  • Warming Center in Parish Hall
  • 8:30am - Pastor John - Book Study (San Jose)
  • 9:30am - Office Open (until 1:30pm)
  • 5:00pm - Pastor John - Union Activity

December 08
  • Pastor John Early Morning & Late Afternoon Off
  • Warming Center in Parish Hall
  • Office Closed 

December 09
  • Pastor John Afternoon Off
  • 9:00am - Praying and Sharing
  • 11:00am - Budget TF Mtg #2
  • 2:00pm - Food Pantry
  • 2:00pm - The Closet

December 10

  • 1st Sunday in the Season of Christmas
  • Pastor John Afternoon Off
  • Health Care/Hygiene Kit Offering
  • 10:00am - Celebration and Communion Liturgy
  • 11:15am - Fellowship Time
  • 2:00pm - Out and About at the San Jose Stage Company

December 11
  • Pastor John Day Off
  • Warming Center in Parish Hall
  • 9:30am - Office Open (until 1:30pm)
  • 10:00am - Announcements due

December 12
  • Warming Center in Parish Hall
  • 1:00pm - Office Open (until 4:00pm)
  • 2:00pm - Office Staff Meeting
  • 5:30pm - Music Staff Meeting

December 13    
  • 2:00pm - Budget TF Mtg #3
  • 3:00pm - Office Open (until 6:00pm)

December 14    
  • Pastor John Morning & Early Afternoon Off
  • Warming Center in Parish Hall
  • 9:30am - Office Open (until 1:30pm)
  • 6:30pm - BLT Meeting

December 15 
  • Pastor John Early Morning & Late Afternoon Off
  • Warming Center in Parish Hall
  • Office Closed 

December 16 
  • 12:00pm - Decorate Christmas Tree & Sanctuary

December 17  
  • 2nd Sunday in The Season of Christmas
  • Pastor John Afternoon Off
  • Food Pantry Offering
  • 10:00am - Celebration and Communion Liturgy
  • 11:15am - Fellowship Time
  • 11:30am - Congregation Annual Meeting
  • 12:30pm - Pack Food Bags

December 18
  • Pastor John Planning Day
  • Warming Center in Parish Hall9:30am - Office Open (until 1:30pm)
  • 10:00am - Announcements due

December 19  
  • Warming Center in Parish Hall
  • 9:00am - Pastor Book Study (Woodland)
  • 1:00pm - Office Open (until 4:00pm)

December 20
  • 3:00pm - Office Open (until 6:00pm)
  • 4:00pm - Office Staff Meeting

December 21  
  • Pastor John Morning & Early Afternoon Off
  • Warming Center in Parish Hall
  • 9:30am - Office Open (until 1:30pm)

December 22
  • Pastor John Early Morning & Late Afternoon Off
  • Warming Center in Parish Hall
  • Office Closed

December 23
  • Pastor John Afternoon Off
  • 2:00 pm - Food Pantry

December 24
  • 3rd Sunday in the Season of Christmas
  • Pastor John Afternoon Off
  • The Closet Offering
  • Prayer Vigil for peace in the Middle East 
  • 10:00am - Celebration and Communion Liturgy
  • 11:15am - Fellowship
  • 11:45am - Pack Kits for The Closet
  • 10:00pm - Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

December 25
  • Office Closed for Christmas to New Year Holiday (thru January 3rd)
  • 10:00am - Christmas Day Festive Service

December 26
  • Warming Center in Parish Hall
  • Office Closed for Christmas to New Year Holiday (thru January 3rd)

December 27
  • Office Closed for Christmas to New Year Holiday (thru January 3rd)

December 28
  • Warming Center in Parish Hal
  • Office Closed for Christmas to New Year Holiday (thru January 3rd)

December 29
  • Warming Center in Parish Hall
  • Office Closed for Christmas to New Year Holiday (thru January 3rd)

December 30
  • Office Closed for Christmas to New Year Holiday (thru January 3rd)

December 31
  • Office Closed for Christmas to New Year Holiday (thru January 3rd)
  • Gifts for Holy Redeemer Lutheran Church
  • 10:00am - Celebration and Communion Liturgy
  • 11:15am - Fellowship
  • 11:45am - Brunch Bunch Outing to Mango's 



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The Oxen

Christmas Eve, and twelve of the clock.
“Now they are all on their knees,”
An elder said as we sat in a flock
By the embers in hearthside ease.

We pictured the meek mild creatures where
They dwelt in their strawy pen,
Nor did it occur to one of us there
To doubt they were kneeling then.

So fair a fancy few would weave
In these years! Yet, I feel,
If someone said on Christmas Eve,
“Come; see the oxen kneel,

“In the lonely barton by yonder coomb
Our childhood used to know,”
I should go with him in the gloom,
Hoping it might be so.

  HRLC Staff

Revd. John L. Freesemann, Pastor
Rev. Pascal Mugambage, Sister Parish Pastor
Iris Amerson, Administrative Assistant
Richard Urbanek, Musician


Holy Redeemer Lutheran Church | (408) 296-4040 | (408 (296-4044 | HRLC95126@aol.com HRLCSJ.org
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